H2H Faceoff: Starting jobs taken around the League
Head-to-Head Faceoff is a weekly column by Mollie Krupp which will run every Sunday and continue into Monday. Here you’ll find a breakdown of each team’s schedule for the week as well as which goalies you can expect to see in net so you can make sure to set your fantasy rosters accordingly.
4 Games
Thrashers (@Ott, @TB, Car, NJ) Ondrej Pavelec will be ready to be back in net after he got a for the game against the Islanders.
Blackhawks (@Col, Col, Det, LA) Four games this week for the Hawks could mean appearances by both Marty Turco and Corey Crawford. Crawford has been playing well and will probably get the majority of starts.
Avalanche (Chi, @Chi, Ott, Mon) Craig Anderson will get the majority, if not all starts for the Avs during their 4-game week.
Blue Jackets (@Cgy, @Van, @Edm, Dal) We should see both Steve Mason and Mathieu Garon in the net until one of them can be more consistent.
Stars (@SJ, SJ, @Cls, @Det) Kari Lehtonen took Friday and Saturday off last week and is listed as DTD due to soreness in his back. The Stars are being cautious as to make sure he gets better before he gets worse. Raycroft will man the net until he feels ready to play again.
Wings (LA, StL, @Chi, Dal) Jimmy Howard will be the Wings man in net for the week.
Kings (@Det, @StL, @Nsh, @Chi) Jonathan Quick may need a break soon especially with a heavy week, check the starting goalies page for a Bernier appearance.
Predators (NYI, SJ, @NJ, LA) Anders Lindback will continue to cover for Rinne until he returns from his injury.
Senators (Atl, @Min, @Col, Was) With another heavy week for the Senators, expect to see Brian Elliott and Pascal Leclaire sharing net time.
Sharks (Dal, @Nsh, @Dal, @StL) Antti Niemi and Antero Niittymaki will continue to split ice time during this 4-game week.
3 Games
Ducks (@Was, @NYI, @Car) Jonas Hiller has been stepping up in the past few games, where as Curtis McElhinney has been struggling. However, with back-to-back games this week, McElhinney could have another chance to prove himself, likely against the Islanders.
Flames (Cls, Tor, Min) Although Miikka Kiprusoff hasn’t been playing as well as might have been expected, a 3-game week with no back-to-backs will give him a chance to find some consistency.
Hurricanes (@Fla, @Atl, Anh) Cam Ward is the likely option for the Hurricanes.
Bruins (@Buf, @Mon, Was) Tim Thomas will likely be between the pipes in the 3-game week for the Bruins.
Sabres (Bos, @Fla, @TB) Ryan Miller will need a break soon, so check the starting goalies page to make sure he’s starting when you set your lines.
Habs (Phi, Bos, @Col) Carey Price will continue to be the Habs go-to goalie.
Devils (Pho, Nsh, @Alt) Martin Brodeur is back but so far disappointing, let’s hope he finds his game soon, the Devils are desperate for a win, so while sitting Brodeur isn’t ideal, they’ll do it if they have to, check back on game days just to be sure.
Islanders (@Nsh, Anh, Pho) The Islanders continue to struggle. So expect to see both Rick DiPietro and Dwayne Roloson.
Rangers (@Pit, Pho, @Phi) The Rangers face back-to-back games this week but Henrik Lundqvist will likely get all three starts.
Flyers (Pit, @Mon, NYR) With back-to-back weekend game wins from Brian Boucher you should expect to see him in the rotation again this week.
Coyotes (@NJ, @NYR, @NYI) The Coyotes have a week on the road but no back-to-back games, so Ilya Bryzgalov should be in net.
Blues (@Det, LA, SJ) The Blues will continue to rely on Jaroslav Halak this week.
Maple Leafs (@Edm, @Cgy, @Van) JS Giguere will play for the Leafs as they hit the road this week.
Caps (Anh, @Bos, @Ott) Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth should both make appearances with back-to-back games this week.
2 games
Oilers (Tor, Cls) Nikolai Khabibulin will be in net for the Oilers light week.
Panthers (Car, Buf) Tomas Vokoun will be the netminder for the Panthers during their 2-game week.
Wild (Ott, @Cgy) Niklas Backstrom will be in net this week.
Penguins (@Phi, NYR) Marc-Andre Fleury will continue to be the starting netminder in this light Penguins week.
Lightning (Atl, Buf) Dan Ellis may be the likely choice this week for the Bolts although neither goalies have been very reliable.
Canucks (Cls, Tor) Roberto Luongo will start for the Canucks.
Home Sweet Home: The Panthers, Canucks, Lightning, Oilers and Flames will all play at home this week.
Packing Their Bags: The Leafs, Coyotes and Kings will be on the road all week.
This week I want to hear from you. There is nothing better than a healthy fantasy hockey debate. Who have been your disappointments? What goalies have surprised you? What advice do you have for everyone this week? Let it all out.