Head-to-Head Faceoff: Break for Steve Mason?

What is the price of a good goalie? What would you consider a good trade for a good goalie? And who would you consider trading for? Think about those questions and tell us what you think in the comments.

Anaheim Ducks

(@Chi, @Min, @Nsh, @Cls) Back-to-back games should allow for Hiller to rest and Ellis to make an appearance. In Ellis’ first appearance, he managed to allow only two goals on 43 shots against the Sharks. If you’ve got room on your roster to pick him up when he plays this week, he might snag you a few extra points to give you that comfortable lead we all strive for.

Boston Bruins

(Mon, @Mon) A light week ahead for the Bruins will leave Tim Thomas in charge of the net as they go head-to-head against Montreal twice this week.

Buffalo Sabres

(TB, Cls, Fla) Miller’s been off to a strong start this season and with no back-to-back games this week for the Sabres you can play him confidently as he should be in all week. He shut out the Panthers in their last meeting, his first SO of the season, maybe he’ll go for a repeat performance.

Calgary Flames

(Col, StL) Henrik Karlsson has now made two somewhat random appearances in net since the season started. It’s clear Kip will not be starting as often as he did last year, but it’s difficult to predict which games he will start when the strategy of the Flames’ coach is uncertain. You’ll have to check back game days on this one, to make sure you’ve got your lines set accordingly.

Carolina Hurricanes

(Ott, Chi, @Phi) Back-to-back games this week for the Hurricanes means Ward should see a break and Boucher will have any another chance to prove himself to be a reliable backup. In Boucher’s only appearance thus far, he allowed four goals on 36 shots. Ward has been unsurprisingly strong for the Canes including allowing only one goal on 34 shots against the Stanley Cup defending champs, the Bruins, last week.

Chicago Blackhawks

(Anh, @Car, Cls) Crawford has yet to allow more than two goals in a game, in his last outing against the Avs, he allowed only one goal on 32 shots. He’s proving himself to be a valuable asset to fantasy owners. It’s likely he’ll get all three starts this week, so play him accordingly.

Colorado Avalanche

(@Cgy, Edm, LA) Varlamov will likely start in net this week for the Avs, for all three games. He’s a strong goalie but should be able to rely on the team in front of him a little more. He’s still a good fantasy asset and should be played when possible.

Columbus Blue Jackets

(Det, @Buf, @Chi, Anh)The good news for Mason owners, he’s getting all of the starts while his backup options are no longer options due to injuries, the bad news, his team can’t seem to win. He might not being doing much for your team yet, but just remember at some point he will win. The Blue Jackets have four games this week, if you’ve got no other options, play him in hopes it will be his lucky day and yours, but again, only if you’ve got no better options.

Dallas Stars

(@Pho, LA, NJ) Another goalie off to a strong start, Lehtonen has allowed no more than two goals in all of his games played this season so far. With no back-to-back games this week, he’ll look to continue that streak and add some more points to your fantasy score.

Detroit Red Wings

(@Cls, SJ, @Min) Another pair of back-to-back games this week means we’ll see both Howard and Conklin again. Conklin’s last appearance was less than admirable, as he allowed seven goals as Detroit faced the Caps. Until the Caps game Detroit was undefeated and will look this week to get another winning steak underway.

Edmonton Oilers

(Van, Wsh, @Col, StL) So far, the Oilers have split net duty between Dubnyk and Khabibulin and that should continue this week. Khabibulin has seen three starts since the beginning of the season and in each game allowed only one goal but the Oilers have struggled to win many games, currently leading the league in GAA. Dubnyk should be feeling the pressure to perform if Khabibulin continues to play this way, he may be worth a pick up as it is likely he could gain more starts, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. Keep an eye on this team and if you’ve got either goalie already, check the starting goalies page before you set your lines.

Florida Panthers

(@Mon, @Ott, @Buf) A spread out week for the Panthers means Theodore is likely to start all three games. So far he has more wins than losses. When starting him consider the teams he’s up against. He was able to shutout the Islanders and hold strong against the Lightning but he allowed three goals and lost to Buffalo once already, keep this in mind when setting your lines this week.

Los Angeles Kings

(NJ, @Dal, @Pho, @Col) All there is to say about Quick right now is two games, two shutouts. Quick shutout the Blues and then went on to shutout the Coyotes two days later, making fantasy owners, fans and teammates proud. With back-to-back games this week, it is likely Bernier will step in for a game and give Quick a rest.

Minnesota Wild

(Anh, Det) A light week for the Wild means Backstrom will be in for both games. He’s managed to win against teams like the Oilers and Blue Jackets but recently fell to Pittsburgh and may struggle this week with two stronger teams. Play him wisely.

Montreal Canadiens

(Fla, Phi, @Bos, Bos) Back-to-back games will allow for an appearance by backup goalie, Budaj, who has yet to make an appearance for the Habs. His team hasn’t been outstanding since the season started, as they have lost most of their games, but Price will continue in net this week, as the no. 1 goalie, looking to change this losing streak.

Nashville Predators

(SJ, TB, Anh) Rinne only has three wins so far, but the losses haven’t necessarily been his fault, although he did struggle more than usual in net against the Canucks. He’ll start this week and you should play him with just as much confidence as you usually would.

New Jersey Devils

(@LA, @Pho, @Dal) The Devils continue on the road this week and will rely on Hedberg in net until Brodeur is healthy. It is possible Marty could return to the net toward the end of next week, but you’ll have to keep an eye on him to be sure of his status. In the meantime, Hedberg isn’t a terrible option if you’re desperate for a goalie pickup and he’s available.

New York Islanders

(Pit, @Pit, SJ) Another team that tends to ride their hot hand. After Montoya allowed four goals in Tampa Bay, it was Nabokov’s turn against the Panthers. Neither goalie could find a win in Florida this time around. As they face two strong teams this week, they could both see more net time. It may depend on who gets the first Pittsburgh start and how they do, so keep an eye on who might have the
hot hand this week, if anybody.

New York Rangers

(@Wpg, Tor, Ott) Lundqvist has played every game so far this season for the Rangers and with no back-to-back games this week, it’s likely he’ll continue to start this week. His team doesn’t have a remarkable amount of wins yet but that doesn’t make Lundqvist any less of a fantasy asset. He’s already got one shutout under his belt, his next might not be too far off.

Ottawa Senators

(@Car, Fla, @NYR, Tor) The Senators face a busy week, with back-to-backs in a four-game week. It’s likely Auld will make an appearance for one of the back-to-back games. Anderson has two consecutive wins now, against the Jets and the Blue Jackets but hasn’t had much luck thus far facing some of the more fierce teams in the league.

Philadelphia Flyers

(Tor, @Min, Wpg, Car) A back-to-back game week could allow for another Bobrovsky appearance. In Bobrovsky’s first start of the season, he allowed two goals on 23 shots as the Flyers beat the Senators. Bryz struggled in his last two outings against the Caps and the Blues, allowing a total of nine markers in the two games. No need to be too concerned, Bryz is amongst the elite and we shouldn’t get used to seeing these kind of performances.

Phoenix Coyotes

(Dal, NJ, LA) Smith hasn’t seen many wins thus far, but it’s too soon to rule him out. Depending on his performance this week, he may or may not get all three starts. Keep an eye on his stats and the starting goalies page to be sure your lines are set accordingly, if he can’t pull through for the Coyotes, LaBarbera may need to step it up and that might mean a fantasy option in the future.

Pittsburgh Penguins

(@NYI, NYI, @Tor) Fleury has only two losses so far this season and continues to be an asset to any fantasy team. In his last two games, he’s allowed only one goal in each game. With a fairly light schedule ahead he should get the starts this week.

San Jose Sharks

(@Nsh, @Det, @NYI) Back-to-back games this week could allow for a break for Niemi. Niemi has made three appearances thus far this season. He has two consecutive wins behind him and will look to continue the streak this week.

St. Louis Blues

(@Van, @Cgy, @Edm) It will be interesting to see what the Blues do this week with their goalie situation. Elliott got back-to-back starts over the weekend and back-to-back wins. He managed to allow only one goal on 36 shots against the Flyers. Halak has struggled this season and if he doesn’t step it up this week, Elliott could continue to get more time in net and eventually even snake the no. 1 spot. Keep on eye on this situation, especially if you’ve got Halak, it’s not time to pick Elliott up just yet, but if he
continues this way, he might be worth the add.

Tampa Bay Lightning

(@Buf, @Nsh, Wpg) Roloson will continue to be the No. 1 goalie for the Lightning this week, but this is another situation to keep an eye on. Garon shutout the Sabres in his last appearance, where as Roloson allowed seven goals in his last start, if it continues this way, the Lightning may be forced to switch up their goalie spots and Garon could slide into the No. 1 spot, but it’s questionable as to
whether or not he can handle the workload. Expect to see Rolie this week but keep a close eye on these two and adjust your lines accordingly.

Toronto Maple Leafs

(@Phi, @NYR, Pit, @Ott) After a collision with Gionta, Reimer left Saturday’s game due to whiplash-like symptoms. Supposedly the injury isn’t serious and should be nothing to worry about, but he left the game to make sure not to worsen the injury. Keep an eye on his status but he should be back in net this week, however, with back-to-back games, Gustavsson should also get a start.

Vancouver Canucks

(@Edm, StL, Wsh) Back-to-back games will likely allow for another Schneider start this week.Schneider has allowed only two goals in each of the games he’s played, but Luongo will continue to be the No. 1 goalie, despite his somewhat sluggish start to the season.

Washington Capitals

(@Edm, @Van) Vokoun has six consecutive wins with the Caps, including allowing only one goal on 33 shots against Detroit on Saturday. Neuvirth is still injured and it looks like Vokoun is pretty comfortable in net, don’t hesitate to play him with confidence.

Winnipeg Jets

(NYR, @Phi, @TB) Pavelec has been less than impressive thus far this season, with only one win behind him. He was relieved by Mason in the first period of Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes and Mason held strong to help lead his team to the win. The net time this week, could be shared because of Pavelec’s struggle. Keep an eye on the starting goalies page.

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Looking to next week

4 Games –Flames, Blackhawks, Rangers, Canucks, Jets

3 Games – Ducks, Sabres, Hurricanes, Avalanche, Red Wings, Panthers, Wild, Predators, Devils, Senators,
Flyers, Coyotes, Sharks, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Caps

2 Games – Bruins, Blue Jackets , Stars, Oilers, Habs, Islanders, Penguins, Blues

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We hope you enjoyed our latest as much as we enjoyed writing it. If there are glaring omissions let your voice be heard in the comments. Regardless, make sure to take all of the advice in and continue to check our renowned starting goalies section, which is updated all day until game time and follow us on Twitter @DailyFaceoff