It is still hard to believe what the Vegas Golden Knights were able to accomplish in their first season. Marc-Andre Fleury was on-fire when healthy, posting a 2.24 GAA and .927 SV% in 46 appearances. Entering the 2018-19 season, Vegas likely won’t repeat last year’s efforts but Fleury should remain in the No.1 fantasy netminder conversation as long as he is healthy.
Raanta was arguably the best goalie in the NHL during the second half of last season and comes into 2019 looking to drag the young Coyotes back to the playoffs. The team in front of him is not very good, but if Raanta was able to win 46 percent of his starts with a 2.24 GAA and .930 SV% last year, he’ll be a great fantasy option this season.
In 2018, Lundqvist failed to win 30-plus games for the first time in his career. The veteran was 26-26-7 with a 2.98 GAA, .915 SV% and two shutouts in 61 starts. The 36-year-old’s game is starting to deteriorate as he gets older and the Rangers will likely be one of the worst teams in the NHL this season, limiting his upside. He draws a terrible matchup on opening night with the Predators in town.
Murray had a tough time with injuries last season. He was started under 50 games for the last two seasons and is tied for 19th in SV% (.915) and 23rd in GAA (2.66) over that stretch. Tonight he faces the Capitals, who smashed the Bruins 7-0 last night. Murray was 2-2-0 with a 3.01 GAA and .899 SV% against Washington last year.
Callahan has been cleared to contact but nothing has changed in the timetable for his return. The veteran winger is not expected to be back until November, so expect Cory Conacher and Adam Erne to remain on the Lightning fourth line for the time being.
Hartman was moved to IR retroactively to September 21, so he is eligible to come off of IR for tonight’s season opener. Hartman had 11 goals and 20 assists (31 points) in 78 games between the Blackhawks and Predators last year and will start the season on Nashville’s fourth line.
Anton Forsberg suffered an injury during the Blackhawks morning skate, so Delia has been called-up to serve as Cam Ward’s backup. Delia was 17-7-2 with a 2.72 GAA and .900 SV% in 28 games with the IceHogs last year.
Forsberg had to be helped off of the ice during the Blackhawks morning skate and will not be available to backup Cam Ward tonight. Forsberg will eventually be the Blackhawks’ No.3 netminder when Corey Crawford is healthy. Colin Delia will meet the team and serve as their No.2 in Ottawa.
Bailey didn’t skate this morning, but head coach Barry Trotz said there is a “0.0% chance” that he won’t play tonight. Bailey is coming off of the best season of his career (18G / 53A / 71P) and will start the year on the top line with Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier.
Hellebuyck has quickly become one of the best goalies in the NHL, leading the league in games played (67) and wins (44) last year while posting a rock-solid 2.36 GAA, .924 SV% and six shutouts. Hellebuyck could very well lead the NHL in wins again this season with a high-powered Jets offence playing in front of him.
Despite signing Robin Lehner this summer, the Islanders will go with Thomas Griess in the season opener. This would save Lehner for the home opener against the Predators on Saturday. Greiss is coming off of a tough season, playing in just 27 games with a 3.82 GAA, .892 SV% and one shutout. He draws a tough start to the season in Carolina, 2018’s best possession team.
The Stars picked up Connor Carrick in a trade with the Maple Leafs and he will play over Honka in the Stars season opener. Honka has had a hard time getting his NHL career on track, picking just nine points (2G / 7A) in 58 games.
During his first season in Dallas, Bishop went 26-17-5 with a 2.49 GAA, .916 SV% and five shutouts in 53 games. Bishop finished with a positive goals saved above average (6.12) and should be in line for 30-plus wins for the fourth time in his career. He makes for a strong start at home against a Coyotes team that he was 2-0 against last year.
Halak replaced Tuukka Rask in the Bruins 7-0 loss to the Capitals on Wednesday. Halak entered the game when it was 5-0 and ended up stopping 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%) in his Bruins debut. Halak was originally scheduled to start on Thursday, and Bruce Cassidy will stick with him despite both goalies playing on Wednesday.
Over the last two seasons, Allen has averaged 60 starts per season while posting a 2.75 GAA (14th) and .906 SV% (21st). Allen looks like a pretty average netminder, but he plays behind a defensively sound team that scores a lot of goals, so he’ll rack up the wins this year. He draws a brutal matchup tonight with the Jets in town—he was 1-2-0 with a 3.34 GAA and .890 SV% against them last season.
During his age-35 season, Rinne started 59 games games and won 42 games while posting a 2.31 GAA, .927 SV% and leading the NHL in shutouts (8) and goals saved above average (27.5). Rinne enters the final year of his contract, so they could turn to Juuse Saros if Rinne struggles early-on. He should be able to get off to a good start as he faces a below average Rangers team.
Dumoulin, who has been battling an upper-body injury, took part in Wednesday’s practice and today’s morning skate, so it looks like he’ll play tonight. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan loves the “game-time decision” tag, so expect Dumoulin to be in the lineup.
Hutton led the NHL in GAA (2.09) and SV% (.931) while starting 32 games as the St. Louis Blues’ backup last year. His strong season earned him a big contract this summer and he gets his first chance as a No.1 netminder with the Sabres. His numbers will take a hit, but he his capable of turning in No.2 fantasy netminder numbers .
After being limited by injury in both 2016 and 2017, Howard started 57 games for the first time since 2012. Howard was 22-27-9 with a 2.85 GAA and .910 SV% and is a risky fantasy option this season behind a young Red Wings team. He was 0-0-2 while allowing six goals on 73 shots (.918 SV%) against the Blue Jackets a year ago.
The Maple Leafs lost their goaltending depth when both Curtis McElhinney and Calvin Pickard were claimed on waivers a couple of days ago. The 32-year-old netminder was 3-7-3 with a 3.36 GAA and .898 SV% in 15 games with the Blackhawks a season ago.
