Head-to-Head Faceoff: All Kipper, All the Time

Anaheim Ducks

(LA, @StL, @Nsh) Backup goalie Dan Ellis is suffering from a groin injury so Jeff Deslauriers has been called up to serve as the backup. The Ducks have struggled so far but will look to change their luck this week. Jonas Hiller will remain in the top goalie spot and likely get all three starts this week with Ellis unable to play.

Boston Bruins

(@Pit, @Wpg, Fla, @Cls) Tim Thomas did not see a loss in the month of November as he continues to impress us all with his netminding abilities. The Bruins face four games this week, including back-to-back games, which means Thomas will get the majority of starts but Tuukka Rask will step in to give him a break at some point as well. Need I say to play Thomas without hesitation?

Buffalo Sabres

(Phi, Fla, NYR) The Sabres face back-to-back games this week but Ryan Miller should get the bulk of the starts, if healthy, putting Jhonas Enroth back in the backup spot.

Calgary Flames

(Car, Col, Edm) Miikka Kiprusoff will continue in net this week for the Flames. He managed to shutout the Predators last week and will seek victory this week at home. There should be little question of whether or not he will start all three games as backup Henrik Karlsson was recently placed on IR and will be unavailable all week

Carolina Hurricanes

(@Cgy, @Edm, @Wpg) Despite Back-to-back games, Cam Ward should get all three starts this week.

Chicago Blackhawks

(Pho, @NYI, SJ) Although Crawford was pulled in the Phoenix game last week, he’ll continue to start this week for the Blackhawks, where he’ll face the Coyotes again. The poor performance wasn’t entirely Crawford’s fault, it’s still safe to set him in your lineup for the week.

Colorado Avalanche

(@Van, @Cgy, @Edm) Back-to-back games this week likely means that Semyon Varlamov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will both make appearances. Varlamov has only allowed two goals or less in the games he played last week but be cautious when setting your lines as the Avs will start the week off with a matchup against the Canucks.

Columbus Blue Jackets

(@Mon, Nsh, Bos) Curtis Sanford has been solid for the Blue Jackets, or maybe it’s that we saw such a horrible performance from Mason that it makes the journeyman seem like a miracle. Mason is healthy again and will be ready to step in when called on, but the Blue Jackets would be crazy to take away the No 1 spot from Sanford; he’s hasn’t been outstanding but he is better than the other option. Nonetheless, if you picked him up, play him cautiously as the Blue Jackets face some tough teams this week.

Dallas Stars

(@SJ, @LA) The Stars have a light week, facing only two teams, which is good for the Stars who are missing their No. 1 goalie due to groin injury. Andrew Raycroft has stepped in for Kari Lehtonen in the meantime and has done a good job so far of defending the net. If you picked him up, play him this week.

Detroit Red Wings

(@StL, Pho, Wpg) Jimmy Howard and the team in front of him are hot right now. He’ll get the starts this week, as he’s definitely earned them. Play him confidently, he won’t let you down.

Edmonton Oilers

(Car, Col, @Cgy) The Oilers face back-to-back games this week so Devan Dubnyk and Nikolai Khabibulin will both make appearances. We’re still waiting for Khabibulin to disappoint, although the Oilers haven’t seen many wins in the past couple of weeks, the Bulin Wall has been solid and he’s definitely safe to keep active in your lineup this week.

Florida Panthers

(Was, @Bos, @Buf, @NYR) Scott Clemmensen is healthy again and will likely make an appearance as the Panthers face a busy, back-to-back game week. So far his two appearances have been successful so it will be interesting to see what he can do if he’s given some more playing time. Jose Theodore has been solid for the Panthers, however, so keep an eye on the situation, to see if they begin sharing time or if Theodore keeps that No. 1 spot.

Los Angeles Kings

(@Anh, Min, Dal) Jonathan Quick shutout the Sharks last week and followed that performance by allowing only one goal on 42 shots against the Panthers. But should we really expect anything less? He’ll be in goal this week, keep him active in your lineup or you’ll regret it.

Minnesota Wild

(@SJ, @LA, @Pho) Niklas Backstrom has been solid in net, allowing no more than three goals in any game since mid October. However, he’s been hurt, paving the way for 1A option Josh Harding. Keep an eye on the starting goalies page for this situation.

Montreal Canadiens

(Cls, Van, @NJ) Carey Price allowed three or more goals in the games he started last week, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep him active. He’s still solid in net for the Habs and for your fantasy team. With Peter Budaj getting a start last week, expect Price all three times.

Nashville Predators

(Pho, @Cls, Anh) Pekka Rinne surrendered five goals to Vancouver last week, but that doesn’t say much about the goalie he is. He’s hit a bit of a losing streak lately, but he’ll bounce back in no time and this week, he’s likely to get you the wins you expect from him.

New Jersey Devils

(@Tor, Ott, Mon) Martin Brodeur allowed six goals against Colorado last week but the Devils will likely stick with him this week, hoping that the Marty we know and love will break through. If not, backup Johan Hedberg has been better and could steal some starts.

New York Islanders

(TB, Chi, Pit) Evgeni Nabokov remains on IR putting Al Montoya at the top of the list. He’s been the Islanders best option and will likely get all three starts this week, if he’s still lingering out in fantasy land, you may want to consider a pickup if you need a backup goalie.

New York Rangers

(Tor, TB, @Buf, Fla) Henrik Lundqvist will be in net for most of the week and fantasy owners should always keep him active, you can’t go wrong with King Henrik. You can also expect an appearance from Martin Biron as the Rangers face a busy week with back-to-back games.

Ottawa Senators

(TB, Was, @NJ, Van) Craig Anderson continues to be somewhat inconsistent so play him cautiously and be mindful of the matchups coming up. With a busy week, Alex Auld may also make an appearance.

Philadelphia Flyers

(@Buf, Pit, TB) Back-to-backs likely mean Ilya Bryzgalov and Sergei Bobrovsky will both be in net at some point this week. Check back on game days to be sure, Bryz was battling inconsistency but played well this weekend so we should be seeing more of him again.

Phoenix Coyotes

(@Chi, @Nsh, @Det, Min) Mike Smith has been solid in net for the Coyotes. Regardless of the team’s offensive output in his performances, he’s still a good fantasy option and should be active on your roster. Note that Jason Labarbera will likely step in this week to play in one of the back-to-back games.

Pittsburgh Penguins

(Bos, @Phi, @NYI) The Penguins has a light three-game week with no back-to-back games, so Marc-Andre Fleury will likely be in net all week.

San Jose Sharks

(Min, Dal, @StL, @Chi) Four games, including a back-to-back, could allow for Greiss to make an appearance, but expect to see reliable goaltender, Antti Niemi, in net for the majority of the week.

St. Louis Blues

(Det, Anh, SJ) It seems sharing time in net between Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott is working for the Blues and it will likely continue that way this week. Check the Starting Goalies page on game days to set your lineups accordingly.

Vancouver Canucks

(Col, @Mon, @Ott) Roberto Luongo played last night and will likely be the go-to guy for the Canucks this week. Cory Schneider did a great job holding down the fort while Luongo was out; he’s proven to be a reliable backup, time and time again.

Tampa Bay Lightning

(@Ott, @NYI, @NYR, @Phi) Back-to-back games or not, you’ll likely see both goalies this week. Mathieu Garon’s last performances were better than the ever-inconsistent Dwayne Roloson’s but they’ve got a strong team in front of them, most days, it’s safe to activate either one.

Toronto Maple Leafs

(@NYR, NJ, @Was) Jonas Gustavsson goes tonight with James Reimer playing on Tuesday. From there we can only assume Reimer takes the reigns.

Washington Capitals

(@Fla, @Ott, Tor) The Caps seems to be struggling since acquiring a new coach and with a lackluster team in front of him. TomasVokoun isn’t doing much better, paving way for Michal Neuvirth to start against his former team. Hopefully they will pick up this week, as they face teams that normally, wouldn’t give them much of a problem.

Winnipeg Jets

(Bos, Car, @Det) Ondrej Pavelec shutout the Coyotes last week and will continue to defend the net this week. Hopefully the shutout surged a spark in Pavelec that the Jets and fantasy owners have been waiting for.

Looking ahead to next week, December 12th-18th:

Four Games: Blue Jackets, Devils

Three Games: Ducks, Bruins, Sabres, Flames, Hurricanes, Blackhawks, Avalanche, Stars, Red Wings,
Panthers, Kings, Wild, Habs, Predators, Islanders, Rangers, Senators, Flyers , Coyotes, Penguins, Sharks,
Blues, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Canucks, Caps, Jets

Two Games: Oilers

Alexander Monaghan also contributed to this article.