It’s never been a better time to be an NHL goalie.
Only one month of the NHL season has passed, but as of Saturday there were nine goalies who hold a sub-2.00 goals-against average (minimum three starts). Lack of goal scoring has become an epidemic now that a typical NHL game averages fewer than three goals per game. In fact, the 2.69 goals-per-game average is falling dangerously close to the 2.53 goals-per-game average of the pre-lockout season of 2003-04, the height of “clutch and grab” hockey.
Mike Babcock suggested increasing the size of the nets to increase scoring, which would fundamentally change how goalies play the position. Others have suggested reducing the size of goaltending equipment, although the increasing size of the goalies themselves also contributes to the problem. Nine goalies that have started at least one game this season are 6-foot-5 or taller, while the NHL’s shortest goalie is now the height of an average male at 5-foot-10.
However this scoring problem is addressed, any rule changes that benefit scoring won’t come into effect until next season at the earliest. Until then, fantasy owners may need to reduce the expectations of their scorers while demanding more from their goaltenders. Hopefully our start/sit suggestions will provide your fantasy goaltending with a much-needed advantage.
START:
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (vs. CAR, vs. STL, @OTT, vs. TOR)
The Rangers are one of only four teams to play four games this week, but what makes their schedule especially appealing is that they play three of those four games at home. It might seem obvious to recommend Lundqvist each week anyway, but the schedule is just one more reason. The Rangers are equally strong both home and away this season, but a 6-1-1 record should help matters. Looking for a weekend spot starter? Antti Raanta should be your man, as the Rangers play back-to-backs against Ottawa and Toronto on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Raanta has a 3-0-0 record with one shutout and only two goals allowed all season.
Frederik Andersen, ANA (vs. ARI, vs. EDM, vs. NYI)
After an October in which earning a win seemed to be an impossible task, the Ducks have been showing signs of turning it around recently with four consecutive wins. The schedule this week will make it easy for the Ducks, who play all three of their games at home. Against this week’s opponents, Andersen ran the table last season with a staggering 7-0-2 combined record. With no back-to-back games and backup Anton Khudobin receiving the start on Saturday, Andersen could start all three of these games for the Ducks.
Jake Allen, STL (@NJ, @NYR, vs. CHI)
This recommendation isn’t so much about schedule as it is about riding the red-hot goalie. Allen is coming off a 45-save shutout against the Predators, which is his fifth win over his last six games. Allen plays for a legitimate Western Conference power, but his fantasy value has always been reduced because he was firmly entrenched in a timeshare situation with Brian Elliott. At least for now, Allen appears to be locked in as the Blues’ starter, and an every-week starter at that in fantasy leagues.
SIT:
Tuukka Rask, BOS (vs. COL, vs. DET)
It’s bad enough that Rask has one of the highest goals-against averages among starting goalies. But coming off a solid 37-save effort in a 2-1 win over the Islanders on Sunday, he and the Bruins get a short two-game week against the Avalanche and Red Wings. Rask has been awful at home, posting a 4.02 goals-against average and .860 save percentage in six games at TD Garden. Don’t be afraid to leave him on your bench this week if you have a mid-tier option that could potentially play more games.
Mike Smith, ARI (@ANA, @LA, vs. EDM, @CBJ)
Don’t be fooled by the four-game schedule this week for Smith and the Coyotes. For starters, three of the four games are on the road. Smith has been better on the road (2.67 GAA) than at home (4.07 GAA) this season, but lately he hasn’t been great wherever he has played. In addition, backup Anders Lindback (1.67 GAA) has much better numbers this season and could begin to see more work this week. In his last start, Smith was pulled in favour of Lindback after allowing three goals on 13 shots to the Rangers on Saturday. Overall, the Coyotes sit 23rd in team goals-against average (2.92). Lindback is expected to start on Monday against Anaheim (see Goalie Post for the latest starting goalie updates).
James Reimer and Jonathan Bernier, TOR (@DAL, @NSH, vs. VAN, @NYR)
If your league counts goals allowed by goalies (as a negative category, of course), then Leafs’ goalies could do a lot of damage to your team this week. The Leafs’ four-game schedule may look tempting to those in weekly leagues looking to collect wins, but the opponents are downright scary. The Leafs face two teams (Dallas, New York) that are in the top five in goals per game, while only Nashville (17th) is outside of the top half of the league in that category. The Leafs themselves are in the bottom five in terms of team goals-against average (3.00), if you need one more reason not to start Reimer or Bernier.
