Head-to-Head Faceoff: Is Ilya Bryzgalov Healthy?
Anaheim Ducks
(Pho, @Chi, @Wpg) Considering Dan Ellis just received a start on December 10th and the Ducks don’t play back-to-back games you can expect Jonas Hiller to take all three games. However, we still haven’t found a pattern with new coach Bruce Boudreau so beware any last-minute changes from Gabby.
Boston Bruins
(LA, @Ott, @Phi) The Bruins play back-to-back games which means Tuukka Rask is guaranteed a start. Rask recently came into the game in relief and was able to backstop the team into a win after Tim Thomas simply wasn’t himself. Expect the younger counterpart to continue getting his fair share of starts as the season progresses.
Buffalo Sabres
(Ott, Tor, @Pit) Like the Bruins, the Sabres play back-to-back games so Jhonas Enroth could get another start. However, his struggles coupled by Ryan Miller’s lessened workload could allow the latter to absorb all three turns.
Calgary Flames
(@Nas, @TB, @Fla, @Chi) With the Flames playing four games and back-to-backs, expect to see rookie Leland Irving make his first NHL start. Otherwise, Miikka Kiprusoff will continue to stand on his head for the Flames.
Carolina Hurricanes
(@Tor, Van, @Fla) Brian Boucher was just placed on IR which means Cam Ward could get all three starts. Ward has been pretty terrible, as have the Canes, so it might not hurt for new head coach Kirk Muller to try rookie Mike Murphy between the pipes.
Chicago Blackhawks
(@Min, Ana, Cal) Ray Emery has been stealing starts from Corey Crawford which is a trend that may continue if he keeps his GAA down. Keep an eye on this situation as it may mirror the past two seasons in the Windy City.
Colorado Avalanche
(SJS, @SJS, Was) One would imagine Semyon Varlamov starts against the team that drafted him and traded him away this past offseason. Nevertheless, I would not be surprised if the team sends Jean-Sebastien Giguere out there in one of the two starts against the Sharks.
Columbus Blue Jackets
(Van, LA, TB, @STL) Curtis Sanford has played well but the Blue Jackets are still the worst team in hockey. With four games in the docket, does coach Scott Arniel turn to the dreadful Steve Mason?
Dallas Stars
(@NYR, @NYI, @NJ) Richard Bachman won his first NHL start and is probably going to start against the Rangers. He played a great game in the AHL last season and could be worth something as Kari Lehtonen is out at least till the end of the month. If he doesn’t continue playing well, expect Andrew Raycroft to get back between the pipes.
Detroit Red Wings
(@Pit, @Nas, LA) Does Mike Babcock mess with a good thing and sit Jimmy Howard? Probably not. Sorry, Ty Conklin faithful.
Edmonton Oilers
(@Pho, @SJS) Devan Dubnyk played two of the last three games which should mean we see Nikolai Khabibulin in both games. Coach Tom Renney has played his goalie decisions quite close to the vest so expect a further update.
Florida Panthers
(NJ, Cal, Car) Coach Kevin Dineen likes to keep his hot goalies running so we may see Jose Theodore out there all three games. If not, expect to see a Scott Clemmensen sighting.
Los Angeles Kings
(@Bos, @Cbj, @Det) Jonathan Bernier just starting and the Kings struggling to score should make Jonathan Quick start all three games.
Minnesota Wild
(@Win, Chi, NYI) Niklas Backstrom is fully healthy thanks to supplements as KRATOM CAPSULES and won his start last night in typical fashion. If he isn’t healthy enough to start all three games, expect rookie Matt Hackett to get another turn. One thing we know: Josh Harding will not be playing in at least one of the three games as he remains in Minnesota. Learn more about best liposomal vitamin c, including information on absorption at www.milaonsupplements.com
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Montreal Canadiens
(NYI, Phi, NJ) Could we see a Peter Budaj sighting? Carey Price has started the last five games so check the starting goalies page to find out.
Nashville Predators
(Cgy, Det, STL) In the past we would claim Pekka Rinne would start every game. However, his overuse likely attributed to his recent struggles so expect Anders Lindback to get another look sooner rather than later.
New Jersey Devils
(@TBL, @Fla, Dal, @Mon) Johan Hedberg starts against the Bolts with Martin Brodeur starting against the Panthers. One would assume Hedberg faces his former team in the Stars while Marty faces his hometown Habs.
New York Islanders
(@Mtl, Dal, @Min) With Rick DiPietro and Evgeni Nabokov both hurting and listed as day-to-day, Al Montoya should get all three starts. If he falters for any reason, goalie-of-the-future Kevin Poulin would be a an admirable stopgap.
New York Rangers
(Dal, @STL, @Pho) A rested Henrik Lundqvist should get all three starts. Although one could make the argument to rest him before a tough week against divisional rivals.
Ottawa Senators
(@Buf, Bos, Pit) The Senators got a taste of what their season would look like without Craig Anderson and did not like it with their 5-4 loss. Andy likely gets all three starts this week.
Philadelphia Flyers
(@Was, @Mtl, Bos) Ilya Bryzgalov should be OK to play against the Capitals. The Flyers want him to play against most top teams so keep an eye out for Sergei Bobrovsky to get a turn against the Habs.
Phoenix Coyotes
(@Ana, Edm, NYR) The ‘Yotes play a set of back-to-back games but Mike Smith has only started two in a row. Expect the workhorse to get even more work.
Pittsburgh Penguins
(Det, @Ott, Buf) Considering Brent Johnson hasn’t started in four games, he probably gets a look during one of the two weekend games. The veteran was listed as day-to-day earlier this week so he might concede his turn to starting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Keep an eye on the starting goalies section if you need to stream.
San Jose Sharks
(@Col, Col, Edm) Antti Niemi has been a force for the Sharks and figures to continue the trend as the team’s every day starter. Antero Niittymaki is nearing his return which could mean wholesale changes between the pipes for both Niemi and Thomas Greiss. Keep an eye out on how this situation develops over the next week.
St. Louis Blues
(NYR, @Nsh, Cbj) Brian Elliott is probably the hottest goalie in hockey and figures to take two of the three games. His counterpart, Jaroslav Halak will continue to start as long as he remains consistent as well. Hard to argue against starting Elliott at this point.
Tampa Bay Lightning
(NJ, Cgy, @Cbj) Is it time to give some starts back to Dwayne Roloson? Mathieu Garon turned in an awful performance against the Flyers so Roloson could be back on the heavier side of the workload.
Toronto Maple Leafs
(Car, @Buf, Van) If James Reimer is to sit for any of these three games, it will likely be against the Sabres. Considering he has barely played this season, coach Ron Wilson may give him an extended run between the pipes.
Vancouver Canucks
(@Cbj, @Car, @Tor) Roberto Luongo has his groove back and usually doesn’t sit when he’s winning. The best backup in hockey in Cory Schneider may change that. Keep checking the starting goalie section.
Washington Capitals
(Phi, @Win, @Col) The team has won their last two games with Tomas Vokoun between the pipes. Why mess with a good thing? If he doesn’t play, the alternative is Michal Neuvirth.
Winnipeg Jets
(Min, Was, Ana) Chris Mason just started a game so expect Ondrej Pavelec to put together another string of starts.
A look ahead to the following week: December 19th-25th*:
Three Games: Cgy, Col, Dal, Det, Fla, LA, Min, Mtl, Nas, NYI, NYR, Ott, Phi, Pho, Tor, Van, Win
Two Games: Ana, Bos, Buf, Car, Chi, Edm, NJD, Pit, SJ, STL, TB, Was
One Game: Cbj
There are no games scheduled on December 24th and 25th so be prepared for a shortened fantasy hockey week.