Head-to-Head Faceoff: 20 Percent Calgary Tower

By Alexander Monaghan
Editor-in-chief

Anaheim Ducks

(@Was, @NYR, @Det) With no back-to-back games and Dan Ellis probably starting tonight, Jonas Hiller likely mans the nets in all three contests.

Boston Bruins

(Ott, @Tor) Although the Bruins have struggled so far this season, Tim Thomas has continued to be strong in the net. Play him confidently as even with the losses piling up he’s got serious fantasy value. Expect him to get into both games despite the Bruins wanting to get Tuukka Rask more work.

Buffalo Sabres

(Phi, Cgy, @Ott) Jhonas Enroth just started on Saturday but he likely gets another crack at it with Ryan Miller not playing in back-to-back contests.

Calgary Flames

(Van, @Det, @Buf, @Col) Henrik Karlsson probably plays once every five games, making him due to get into some action this week. Expect Miikka Kiprusoff to handle the rest of the workload.

Carolina Hurricanes

(TB, Was, Dal) Brian Boucher just started on Saturday so look for Cam Ward to play in all three of the team’s tilts. If Ward does sit, it most likely would be against the Dallas Stars — a non-Southeast Division team.

Chicago Blackhawks

(Nsh, @Fla, @TB, Van) Ray Emery won his first two starts which should make coach Joel Quenneville confident enough to start him again this week. However, expect Corey Crawford to start at least three games this week.

Colorado Avalanche

(Pho, @Dal, Cgy) With Semyon Varlamov starting tonight, Jean-Sebastien Giguere likely finds himself back in nets this week. Otherwise, look for the Russian standout to man the pipes for the Avs.

Columbus Blue Jackets

(Tor, @Phi) Steve Mason, if healthy, should see both starts this week. His counterpart, Allen York, allowed four goals on 37 shots during his first NHL start.

Dallas Stars

(Col, @Car) Kari Lehtonen has faced a heavy workload, starting nine of the team’s 11 games. Nevertheless, he should get two more starts this week as he looks to improve on his League leading eight wins.

Detroit Red Wings

(Min, Cgy, Anh) Jimmy Howard played in back-to-back games this past weekend, losing both contests. Backup Ty Conklin likely gives him a rest for one of these three games.

Edmonton Oilers

(@LA, @Pho) Nikolai Khabibulin is on a roll but the team needs to give youngster Devan Dubnyk some work. Look for the tandem to split these games.

Florida Panthers

(Wpg, Chi, TB) Jose Theodore returned to the crease, losing for the second time in two games to the Buffalo Sabres. Rookie standout Jacob Markstrom should steal at least one of these starts away from the Quebec native.

Los Angeles Kings

(Edm, Pit) Jonathan Quick remains one of the hottest starting goalies in all of the league and could certainly handle the two-game week. However, the team may chose to get Jonathan Bernier off the bench so check the starting goalies page on both nights.

Minnesota Wild

(@Det, Van, StL) Josh Harding will get a third crack at the Detroit Red Wings after earning three points over his previous two games. After that, Niklas Backstrom should take over against the Canucks and Blues.

Montreal Canadiens

(@Ott, @NYR) The Habs play on back-to-back nights which could lead to a Peter Budaj sighting. Check back on game day.

Nashville Predators

(@Chi, @Pho, @SJ) Anders Lindback continues to retain his rookie status, playing in only 23 games over the past 13 months. He could get a nod this week but Pekka Rinne remains steaming hot.

New Jersey Devils

(Tor, @Phi, Wpg) Johan Hedberg remains the team’s top option with Martin Brodeur sidelined. The Hall-of-Fame netminder could return this week, ushering his Swedish counterpart out of the crease. Check back on game days for who gets the start.

New York Islanders

(Wpg, Was) Rick DiPietro earned one point with a solid effort against the San Jose Sharks. Due to his bloated contract, he will get every possible chance to regain the reigns on the Island. If he isn’t healthy enough to play, Al Montoya will fill in.

New York Rangers

(SJ, Anh, Mon, Wpg) Martin Biron could start as soon as Monday against the Sharks. Henrik Lundqvist has been stellar in the early going despite allowing four goals in two consecutive games.

Ottawa Senators

(@Bos, Mon, Buf) Craig Anderson will start all three games next week.

Philadelphia Flyers

(@Buf, NJ, Cls) Ilya Bryzgalov appears to have leveled off his play after throwing himself under the bus. Still, sophomore Sergei Bobrovsky figures to play roughly a third of the games, so he should suit up this week.

Phoenix Coyotes

(@Col, Nsh, Edm) Mike Smith has been stellar for the ‘Yotes but likely takes a seat to Jason LaBarbera due to back-to-back contests. Check the starting goalies section to find out when exactly.

Pittsburgh Penguins

(@SJ, @LA) Brent Johnson just played this weekend which should mean Marc-Andre Fleury plays both tilts this week.

San Jose Sharks

(@NYR, Pit, Nsh) Considering there is no starting goalie controversy in San Jose, Antti Niemi should get all three starts.

St. Louis Blues

(Van, @Min) Look for the Blues to alternate Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott as they look for the optimal combination.

Tampa Bay Lightning

(@Car, Chi, @Fla) Following Saturday night’s shutout, Dwayne Roloson probably earned his job back. One would think Mathieu Garon might still play over this next week so check back for full confirmations.

Toronto Maple Leafs

(@NJ, @Cls, Bos) James Reimer could be healthy enough to start next week, helping out backup Jonas Gustavsson. While out, “The Monster” won his last three starts, earning the confidence of coach Ron Wilson. Look for both players to play over the next week.

Vancouver Canucks

(@Cgy, @Min, @StL, @Chi) Roberto Luongo ‘bounced back’ with his most recent 7-4 win over the Capitals. Expect Cory Schneider to play one, if not two games over this next week.

Washington Capitals

(Anh, @Car, @NYI) Michal Neuvirth returned from a long layoff last night, allowing four goals on 22 shots. Expect him to play at least one game while Tomas Vokoun starts the other two. Then again, we could even see Neuvirth twice in an attempt to give his veteran role-model some extra breathing room.

Winnipeg Jets

(@Fla, @NYI, @NJ, @NYR) Chris Mason pulled up lame during the team’s 9-8 win over the Philadelphia Flyers leading to the team re-calling Peter Mannino. If Mason isn’t fully healthy, Ondrej Pavelec could very well start all four games.

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The following week

Four games: Blackhawks, Oilers, Kings, Wild

Three games: Ducks, Bruins, Sabres, Flames, Hurricanes, Avalanche, Stars, Red Wings, Panthers, Habs,
Predators, Devils, Islanders, Senators, Sharks, Blues, Leafs, Canucks, Caps, Jets

Two games: Blue Jackets, Rangers, Flyers, Coyotes, Penguins, Lightning

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Mollie Krupp also contributed to this article