Life is tough if the two fantasy goalies that you planned your team around are Carey Price and Sergei Bobrovsky.
The latest significant goalie injury has Bobrovsky sidelined for three weeks with a groin injury. In the meantime, is his backup Curtis McElhinney worth a pickup in fantasy leagues?
McElhinney’s overall numbers (0-5-2, 3.11 GAA, .891 SV%) suggest that you should avoid him. Yet Columbus’ mixed four-game schedule this week suggests that he might be worth a one or two-game add.
As long as you don’t start him against high-flying Dallas on Tuesday, games against Arizona, Philadelphia, and surprisingly slumping Tampa Bay might turn out okay. Then again, whether you ultimately add him depends on what other goalies are available in your league.
Let’s examine some other goalies to start or sit this coming week.
START:
Corey Crawford, CHI (vs. COL, vs. EDM, @BUF, vs. SJ)
You may remember Crawford in this spot here last week. That’s because the Blackhawks play a busy eight games over a span of two weeks. That could eventually tire out the Blackhawks, although Crawford is used to it, having played 55+ games four times in his career, not to mention several deep playoff runs.
All eyes will be on Patrick Kane as he attempts to continue his scoring streak, but Crawford could also impress fantasy owners with a few wins. All four of the Blackhawks’ opponents listed above are currently below the playoff line. Oh, and did we mention that Crawford has reeled off four consecutive wins and two consecutive shutouts?
Cory Schneider, NJ (@BUF, vs. FLA, vs, ANA, @BOS)
Schneider has done everything Devils’ fans and fantasy owners could have expected from him this season (13-7-4, 2.09 GAA, .926 SV%). With four games on the schedule, his owners should expect to get plenty of mileage from him again this week. Expect backup Keith Kinkaid to start one of the back-to-backs on the weekend, either against Anaheim on Saturday or Boston on Sunday.
With three of the four Devils’ opponents below the playoff line, Schneider could be able to reward his owners with multiple wins.
Tuukka Rask, BOS (vs. EDM, vs. PIT, @PIT, vs. NJ)
If you’re not starting Tuukka Rask right now, then you need to be. Over his last eight games, none of which were regulation losses, Rask has a 1.53 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage and two shutouts.
Twice he will be facing an unsettled Penguins’ team in the midst of a coaching change and offensive struggles, while three of his team’s four games will be at home. In fact, with no back-to-backs this week, Rask may even start all four games for the B’s in a best-case scenario for his owners.
SIT:
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG (vs. STL, vs. NYR)
Since his callup in late November to replace the injured Ondrej Pavelec, Hellebuyck has been exactly what the Jets have needed in net. Winning four of his five starts, Hellebuyck has a 1.79 GAA and .938 SV%, which is clearly unrivalled on the Jets. However, the results might not quite be there this week, as the Jets play only two games.
Although the two games are at home, wins may be hard to come by because they will be both against teams over .500. Don’t let that discourage you from adding Hellebuyck for the season or long-term, though. He’s one of the NHL’s brightest goaltending prospects.
John Gibson, ANA (@BUF, @NJ)
Gibson had his first real clunker of the season on Friday, allowing three goals on 17 shots before being pulled at the end of the second period against Carolina. With that in mind, Bruce Boudreau might use the opportunity to move Frederik Andersen into a start for the Ducks’ next game, which doesn’t happen until Thursday.
This week and last week have not been the best time to own either Anaheim goalie, as the team plays only three games over that span. Also keep in mind that it is easy for the Ducks to send Gibson back to the AHL if he hits a rough patch.
Pekka Rinne, NSH (vs. CGY, @STL, vs. MIN)
Rinne has not been a fantasy standout this season. His save percentage currently sits at a mediocre .907, and he has regularly allowed 3+ goals in his starts. It won’t be easy again for Rinne and the Preds, who face a Flames team that has won five in a row, along with Blues and Wild teams that are currently holding down playoff spots.
Rinne has started three games combined against the Blues and Wild this season, allowing a combined total of 10 goals. If you have to choose between two normally strong goalies, Rinne might be the one to bench.
Be sure to check Goalie Post for all the latest starting goalie updates.
