The Christmas break from Wednesday, Dec. 23, to Friday, Dec. 25, makes the schedule a little out of the ordinary this week. But that’s not unlike the unusual holiday planning that happens this time of year.
The following holiday schedule might seem unfair, particularly in head-to-head leagues. Two teams receive the gift of four games during the shortened Christmas week, while three teams provide their fantasy owners with the relatively empty stocking of only one game. But in order to make the advantageous schedule work, both four-game teams play two pairs of back-to-backs, which is also an unusual tweak in the schedule.
Will a goaltender from either of the four-game teams stand out this week? What should you do if you have a goalie that might play only one game (or even no games)?
Let’s investigate.
START:
Jake Allen and Brian Elliott, STL (@PHI, @BOS, vs. DAL, @DAL)
Allen has finally cemented himself as the starter, having played twice as many games as Elliott this season. So although Allen started both games the last time the Blues played back-to-backs, the two sets of back-to-backs this week could mean that Elliott starts more than once. The second pair of back-to-backs are against high-scoring Dallas, but Allen managed to shut out the Stars earlier this month. Don’t let the three road games scare you either, as the Blues are 9-4-2 away from the Scottrade Center.
Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi, DAL (@MIN, vs. CHI, @STL, vs. STL)
The previously mentioned Stars will also provide win potential for both their goalies with two sets of back-to-backs. We mentioned the pair of games against St. Louis, which combined with the pair against Minnesota and Chicago will mean that Dallas goalies won’t be as strong a play as Blues goalies. Niemi started both games the last time the Stars had back-to-backs, but then Lehtonen started the next two games. So even though each goalie should start two games, this one is not guaranteed to play out exactly to plan.
Devan Dubnyk, MIN (vs. DAL, vs. MON, vs. PIT)
The Wild have the luxury of spending Christmas week at home. That provides a very favourable schedule for a team that is tied for the fewest number of regulation losses at home. In addition, two of the Wild’s opponents (Montreal, Pittsburgh) are struggling mightily at the moment. Dubnyk has allowed just six goals over his last five games, so he should be able to carry the momentum into Christmas week. Even with a matchup against the high-scoring Stars, there are too many other reasons for him to be in your lineup.
SIT:
Martin Jones, SJ (@LA)
The Sharks are one of those teams that play only one game. Worse yet, they play no games in the Saturday or Sunday after Christmas, which could leave you high and dry for those final two head-to-head league games of the week. The Sharks will also be in tough for a win against the Pacific Division-leading Kings in Los Angeles. If you own Jones, perhaps you should make room for another short-term goalie add. (By the way, our gift to you is a list of teams with Saturday/Sunday back-to-backs listed below.)
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (vs. ANA)
Lundqvist and the Rangers have played their last five of seven games on the road, with all of the road games in the Western Conference and resulting in losses. To compound matters, the Rangers play only one game this week. Although the possibility for a win is there versus the struggling Ducks, the Blueshirts also don’t play any games in the Saturday or Sunday after Christmas Day. A spot starter to supplement King Henrik might be in order.
Chad Johnson, BUF (@BOS)
Johnson was decent last week, winning two games and posting a shutout against the Ducks. But the Sabres don’t converge again for a game until Boxing Day in Boston. If you are counting on either Johnson or Linus Ullmark, check our list of teams with back-to-backs before the break (listed below). The Bruins boast the league’s second-highest goals-per-game total, so the Sabres’ only game might not be easy on their goalie.
Teams with back-to-backs before the break (Dec. 21-22), in case you need a spot start from a backup goalie:
ANA (@NYI, @NYR)
DAL (@MIN, vs. CHI)
MIN (vs. DAL, vs. MTL)
MTL (@NSH, @MIN)
STL (@PHI, @BOS)
TOR (@COL, @ARI)
WPG (@EDM, @CGY)
Teams with back-to-backs after the break (Dec. 26-27), in case you need a spot start from a backup goalie:
ARI (vs. LA, @COL)
BOS (vs. BUF, @OTT)
CAR (vs. NJ, @CHI)
CLB (@TB, @FLA)
DAL (@STL, vs. STL)
EDM (@VAN, @CGY)
PIT (@MIN, @WPG)
STL (vs. DAL, @DAL)
Where can you find out which goalies are starting on the days listed above, or any day? Goalie Post, of course! Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
