UPDATE! January 4th – Fantasy Hockey Goalie Rankings
A great Saturday of sports includes 12 NHL games. The Bruins have already defeated the Jets 4-1 and the Avalanche and Sharks are already underway. There are 10 primetime games with some awesome matchups – The Canadiens are hosting the Senators in what is always an entertaining game to watch. Roberto Luongo returns to the Canucks crease and could potentially face Jonathan Quick who would also be making his own return from a groin injury. Finally, both the Winter Classic teams are back in action, the Leafs welcome the Rangers to Toronto and the Red Wings are in Dallas.
***
1. Jonathan Bernier (vs. NYR) – Bernier has been excellent as of late winning three in a row while allowing just seven goals and posting a .942 SV%.
2. Brian Elliott (vs. CBJ) – Elliott is making a case for more starts winning four starts in a row with a relief win mixed in the middle. He has a good matchup vs. a Columbus team who should be outmatched in St. Louis.
3. Carey Price (vs. OTT) – Price has struggled lately but boasts a 12-6-2 record with a 2.05 GAA and .936 SV% at home.
4. Craig Anderson (@ MTL) – Anderson is finally looking like the 2012-13 Anderson having won four straight starts. He has a tough matchup against a Habs team who have scored 17 goals in their last five games.
5. Evgeni Nabokov (vs. CAR) – Nabokov has won three of his last four starts including two 30+ save performances vs. the Bruins and Blackhawks. If he is able to shut those teams down, look for him to have a good game vs. Carolina.
6. Cory Schneider (@ BUF) – Schneider finally got off the schnide in his last start and draws a strong matchup vs. a Sabres team who are averaging 1.63 G/PG.
7. Jimmy Howard (@ DAL) – After struggling vs. the Predators, Howie played very well in regulation and OT in the Winter Classic. The Stars have been very inconsistent, I expect Howard to claim his 7th win of the season.
8. Steve Mason (@ PHX) – Mason is coming off of his first loss since December 15, but still played well. The Coyotes have cooled off lately, so look for a strong start from Mason.
9. Roberto Luongo (@ LA) – Lu sits at 16-9-6 with a 2.24 GAA and .920 SV% in 32 starts, but has struggled vs. the Kings so an otherwise elite option, looks a little risky in his return.
10. Ryan Miller (vs. NJD) – Miller has posted a SV% above .900 in 13 straight starts and draws a good matchup vs. the Devils 24th ranked offence.
11. Tim Thomas (vs. NSH) – Thomas stopped 30 of 31 shots in his return and has only allowed five goals in his last five starts. He makes for a good number-2 option vs. the Predators 25th ranked offence.
12. Anton Khudobin (@ NYI) – Khudobin was excellent in his return, but this Islanders team is good enough to keep you honest.
13. Mike Smith (vs. PHI) – Smith has lost seven of his last eight starts and takes on a Flyers team who have scored 17 goals in their last five contests.
14. Cameron Talbot (@ TOR) – Talbot stopped 25 of 26 shots in a shootout win over the Leafs last week, but Toronto is playing much better hockey right now. He is a decent spot-start option but evaluate your other choices.
15. Niklas Backstrom (vs. WSH) – Sure Backstrom finally got a win, but he only faced 20 shots vs. the Sabres. Despite the Caps recent struggles, Alex Ovechkin and his teammates can go-off at any point.
16. Dan Ellis (vs. DET) – If Pavel Datsyuk does not play, Ellis makes for a slightly better play, but his 3.04 GAA and .904 SV% aren’t exactly great numbers.
17. Braden Holtby (@ MIN) – Holtby allowed 13 goals in his last three starts and has not played in two weeks. It is a solid matchup, but he is hard to trust right now.
18. Marek Mazanec (@ FLA) – Mazanec holds a 2.77 GAA and .906 SV% in 17 starts. Despite a solid matchup, there are a number of better options tonight.
19. Curtis McElhinney (@ STL) – St. Louis is a brutal matchup, stay away tonight.
Unconfirmed
Los Angeles – Jonathan Quick / Martin Jones