We’re not even two weeks into the season, but we’ve already seen some goalies who were picked later in fantasy drafts look all-world while other goalies who were drafted early look like they can’t stop a beach ball right now.
Some of these goalies are listed below, and you’ll notice that we’ve advised you to keep their current hot or cold streaks in perspective. However, this article is a weekly prognosis, not a year-long one. It’s possible that this list could be reversed at some point this season.
But at least for the next seven days, here’s a short list of goalies that you should start or sit.
WHO TO START
Henrik Lundqvist (vs. SJ, vs. ARI, @PHI, vs. CGY)
Normally Lundqvist is a no-brainer to start. But this week in particular, he suits up for the only team that plays four games. The Rangers play back-to-back beginning on Saturday against Philadelphia and Sunday against Calgary, so they might take the opportunity to give Antti Raanta his first start of the season.
Last season, Lundqvist posted a combined 4-0-0 record against San Jose, Philadelphia, and Calgary (he did not face Arizona), and his goals-against average was not above 2.00 against any of those teams.
Martin Jones (@NYR, vs. LA, vs. CAR)
Jones is quite possibly the hottest goalie on the planet. Having just had his 176-minute shutout streak snapped on Friday against New Jersey, Jones has recorded wins in all four of his starts and allowed just two goals. That’s two shutouts to start the season if you were lucky enough to put him in your starting lineup. The sample size this season is still small, but his lifetime 1.82 goals-against average and .930 save percentage in 38 career games, suggests that he is ready for a full-time starter’s role.
Michal Neuvirth (vs. DAL, @BOS, vs. NYR)
With back-to-back games on Tuesday against Dallas and against Boston on Wednesday, Neuvirth should start a minimum of one game, even if Steve Mason returns to the lineup. But he could earn a second start thanks to some hot play that resulted in back-to-back shutouts while Mason was away from the team. The Flyers’ goaltending competition could turn out to be much closer than anticipated, so this might be a good opportunity to take a flier on Neuvirth.
WHO TO SIT
Tuukka Rask (vs. PHI, @NYI)
October 2015 hasn’t exactly been Tuukka Time. Over his first three games, Rask allowed 14 goals – all losses at home. At least he rebounded (somewhat) on Saturday to earn his first win, allowing three goals on 23 shots. So he’s not out of the woods yet. There are numerous teams playing two games next week, so the Bruins aren’t the only team with a light schedule. However, you would be justified in benching Tuukka next week if you own another goalie with a more favourable schedule, or even if you just don’t feel confident in him at the moment.
Sergei Bobrovsky (vs. NYI, @MIN, @COL)
This isn’t so much about the schedule as it is about a goalie that can’t find his game. In Bobrovsky’s own words, he has zero confidence right now. Those aren’t exactly the words you want to hear from a key player on your fantasy team. He made that comment even before he allowed five goals – to the Leafs – at home – on Friday. Bob’s numbers now stand at an awful 0-5-0 with a 5.07 goals-against average and a .835 save percentage.
Not all of this is Bobrovsky’s fault, since the Blue Jackets’ defense is worse than we predicted it would be prior to the start of the season. But when a goalie is struggling to this degree, it’s best to sit him on your bench to avoid further damage. For now, assume that Bobrovsky will find his game at some point. In fact, now might be the time to try to buy him dirt cheap from an impatient owner.
Jonathan Bernier (@BUF, @MTL)
You may recognize Bernier from last week’s goalie start/sit, so we’re not trying to be unoriginal here. The Leafs simply have another tough schedule. Just like last week, the Leafs play only two games, neither of which are at home. In his only start last week, Bernier made 31 saves but was on the wrong end of a 2-1 score against Pittsburgh on Saturday. Not surprisingly, Bernier has yet to earn a win this season. Expect him to struggle to earn a win again this week.
