Weekly Goaltending Outlook: Western Conference Teams

Here is a look at each team’s goaltending situation heading in to the fantasy week of October 20th to October 26th.

Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Goaltender: Cristobal Huet/Nikolai Khabibulin
Opponents: Edmonton, Detroit
Outlook: It’s going to be interesting to see how Joel Quenneville handles the goaltending situation in Chicago. It’s a short week for the Hawks and they have two tough teams to deal with. Chicago and Edmonton should be a fairly even matchup, but it’s always risky starting a goaltender against Detroit.
Strategy: Use Caution

Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
Goaltender: Pascal Leclaire
Opponents: Vancouver, New York Rangers, @Minnesota
Outlook: Leclaire should be ready to go this week after suffering a minor thumb injury. The Jackets have 3 tough games this week and may only be able to sneak in one win. Columbus and Vancouver should be an even game, but the Rangers and the Wild may be a bit much for the Jackets to handle right now.
Strategy: Use Caution

Team: Detroit Red Wings
Goaltender: Chris Osgood
Opponents: @St. Louis, Atlanta, @Chicago
Outlook: Chicago may be a test for Osgood, but the Wings should be able to prevail in all 3 of their games this week. Osgood should see at least 2 starts for sure. Conklin may sneak in a start, but all 3 games are good bets to favor the Wings.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Nashville Predators
Goaltender: Dan Ellis
Opponents: Calgary, Los Angeles
Outlook: Short week for the Preds, and I think coming off that big win on Saturday will help carry them over the Flames this week. Ellis has looked shaky, but the team should have Arnott back and be ready to go. Start Ellis both games.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: St. Louis Blues
Goaltender: Manny Legace
Opponents: Detroit, Los Angeles, Florida
Outlook: St. Louis has started off the season extremely well despite some injuries on their back end. Legace is a lock this week for every game with Mason coming off surgery. They could very well keep up with Detroit. I have no doubts. It’s a risky start, but pull the trigger. If it doesn’t pan out, the Blues have 2 more favorable matchups later on in the week.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Calgary Flames
Goaltender: Miikka Kiprusoff
Opponents: Washington, @Nashville, @Phoenix
Outlook: Kippers may have a bit of a tough week ahead of him. He is off to a slow start this year and with 3 somewhat tough opponents this week, we may only see him land a victory in one of the contests.
Strategy: Use Caution

Team: Colorado Avalanche
Goaltender: Peter Budaj/Andrew Raycroft
Opponents: @Los Angeles, Edmonton, Buffalo
Outlook: What a mess. Doesn’t matter who they are playing. Until they figure their tending situation out, stay away from these guys.
Strategy: Emergency Basis Only

Team: Edmonton Oilers
Goaltender: Mathieu Garon
Opponents: @Chicago, @Colorado, @Vancouver
Outlook:Garon has looked very sharp this season as Edmonton continues to show why they should be considered a contender this season. Edmonton should walk away with 4 points for sure out of this road trip. Chicago will be a bit of a test, but the good certainly outweigh the bad in this situation.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Minnesota Wild
Goaltender: Niklas Backstrom
Opponents: Buffalo, Columbus
Outlook: Backstrom has looked sharp but the Wild have caught some injuries that could allow Buffalo to steal a win away from them. Still, Backstrom is a safe bet.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Vancouver Canucks
Goaltender: Roberto Luongo
Opponents: @Columbus, Edmonton
Outlook: I don’t think you could ever leave Luongo on your bench. Vancouver is struggling a bit, but if anyone can keep a team in a game, it’s Luongo.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Anaheim Ducks
Goaltender: Jean-Sebastien Giguere
Opponents: @Toronto, @Ottawa, @Montreal
Outlook: For now, it would best if you started Giggy against Toronto and leave him on the bench for the other games this week.
Strategy: Emergency Basis Only

Team: Dallas Stars
Goaltender: Marty Turco
Opponents: @New York Rangers, @New Jersey Devils, @New York Islanders, Washington
Outlook: It could be a long week for a struggling team. Turco has some questionable matchups this week where a struggling goaltending could get upended. I would be hesitant to start Turco outside that Islanders game.
Strategy: Use Caution

Team: Los Angeles Kings
Goaltender: Jason LaBarbera
Opponents: Colorado, @St. Louis, @Nashville
Outlook: The Kings have shown glimpses of looking like a contender this season, but I think until they figure out offensive chemistry, it would be best to use LaBarbera in only certain situations. I think that they can make a game out of all 3 matchups this week, so don’t rule out a start in each game, but proceed with caution.
Strategy: Use Caution

Team: Phoenix Coyotes
Goaltender: Ilya Bryzgalov
Opponents: Washington, Calgary
Outlook: Short week for the ‘Yotes, but both games are easily winnable for the young club. The Washington game should be a great matchup of up and coming teams, and because of the goaltending situation in Washington, Phoenix may be able to tolerate the Caps. Almost the same scenario applies to the Flames. Bryzgalov has looked shaky his past two starts, but should be able to get back on track this week.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: San Jose Sharks
Goaltender: Evgeni Nabokov
Opponents: @Philadelphia, @Florida, @Tampa Bay
Outlook: An east coast swing should net the Sharks 6 points this week. Nabby should get the nod in every game so play play play!
Strategy: Safe to Start