Weekly Goalie Outlook for Feb 23-Mar 1 (Week 21)

This weekly goalie outlook is published every Sunday for the upcoming fantasy week, which can be helpful for head to head leagues, especially those who are in leagues with rosters that have to be set and locked for the entire week. Here is a look at each team’s goaltending situation heading in to the fantasy week of February 23rd to March 1st.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

Team: New Jersey Devils
Goaltender: Scott Clemmensen/Kevin Weekes/Martin Brodeur
Opponents: Colorado, Florida, Philadelphia
Outlook: The Devils have stumbled a bit as of late but it shouldn’t be any cause for concern, especially with rumors of Martin Brodeur returning to the lineup this week. He is stating that he’s ready to return and if that’s the case, then Kevin Weekes would be the odd man out. Look for a possible start from Brodeur on Thursday at Colorado but certainly maintain Clemmensen if you have the ability to do so. The Devils should ease Brodeur back into the starting role so expect Clemmensen to split some time with him in the first week or two. Should be easy going for the Devils this week as their real test will come Sunday against the Flyers.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: New York Islanders
Goaltender: Joey MacDonald/Yann Danis
Opponents: @Pittsburgh, Toronto, Buffalo
Outlook: Yann Danis nabbed himself a shutout this past Saturday which was the team’s very first of the season. Also, other than a 9-2 blow out, the Islanders have given the Penguins a run for their money this season nabbing a win and an overtime loss in 4 efforts. The same goes for their season records against the Sabres. Honestly, if you have to start ‘em, it may not be all that terrible.
Strategy: Use Caution

Team: New York Rangers
Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist
Opponents: @Toronto, Florida, Colorado
Outlook: The Rangers are in a free fall but luckily have a relatively easy week (in terms of the teams they play) ahead of them. Don’t hesitate to start Lundy this week but do take note that this will be the easiest week remaining in the fantasy season before we start seeing leagues begin their playoffs. If he and the Rangers falter this week, it could be time to hit the panic button if you rely heavily on the Ranger netminder.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Goaltender: Martin Biron/Antero Niittymaki
Opponents: @Washington, Los Angeles, Montreal, @New Jersey
Outlook: With Niittymaki still battling the flu, it could be a 3-4 start week for Marty Biron. The Flyers have scored 22 goals in their past 5 games, so it’s really not a question of whether the Flyers can put up the offense; rather a question of whether Marty Biron can play semi-decent hockey. Biron has been okay in his last 6 starts with 3 wins and 2 losses but made a bonehead play in against the Pens last Saturday that cost the Flyers the game. He’s going to have to be sharper than that to get them through this tricky week. The Caps and Devils will certainly give the Flyers a run for their money so if you’re able to pick and choose your starts this week because of the heavy schedule, you may want to pick on the Kings or Habs as both teams have struggled a bit as of late. Double check your starters this week on game days as well to see if Niittymaki is healthy enough to get back in the lineup.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Goaltender: Marc-Andre Fleury
Opponents: New York Islanders, @Chicago, @Dallas
Outlook: Fleury has given up 20 goals in his past 6 starts (3-2) and is relying an awful lot on his offense at this point in the season. For those managers looking for a goaltender that is going to get them the win AND maintain respectable statistical fantasy numbers, Fleury may not be the answer right now. Chicago and Dallas could give the Pens some trouble this week and the Islanders beat Pittsburgh in their last game on February 16th. Be careful with the Pens this week.
Strategy: Use Caution

Northeast Division

Team: Boston Bruins
Goaltender: Tim Thomas/Manny Fernandez
Opponents: Florida, Anaheim, Washington
Outlook: The Boston Bruins are proving to actually be human. They have only collected 1 win in their past 5 games and have a tricky schedule ahead of them this week. All 3 games this week could give the Bs some trouble so it may be time to rely a little less on the Bruins for a week or so until they get themselves back on track.
Strategy: Use Caution

Team: Buffalo Sabres
Goaltender: Ryan Miller/Patrick Lalime/Jhonas Enroth
Opponents: Anaheim, @Carolina, @New York Islanders
Outlook: With Ryan Miller’s ability to play in question, we could see a changing of the guard (for the last couple of fantasy weeks) in Buffalo. We all know Patrick Lalime is capable of being a decent starting goaltender and he should see the majority of the starts if Miller is on the shelf for a considerable amount of time with that high ankle sprain. If someone hasn’t already jumped on Lalime, it would be advisable, for both owners and non-owners of Miller, to do so. Keep checking back to our injury page to see the status of Miller and his expected date of return.
Strategy: Use Caution

Team: Montreal Canadiens
Goaltender: Carey Price/Jaroslav Halak
Opponents: Vancouver, @Philadelphia, San Jose
Outlook: Certainly a difficult week for a Habs team that’s only collected 3 wins in the month of February. It’s time to be realistic about the situation here, folks. Is it really smart to start Price or Halak right now, especially in roto or points leagues?
Strategy: Emergency Basis Only

Team: Ottawa Senators
Goaltender: Brian Elliot/Alex Auld
Opponents: Carolina, San Jose, Toronto
Outlook: The red hot Sens have dropped 3 straight games and have two difficult games to start the fantasy week. It’s worth mentioning Alex Auld’s name as we have seen him nab 2 starts in recently, one being a 2-0 shutout of the Nashville Predators. For right now, double check your starters in Ottawa on game day and let’s see if they can great out of this mini-funk that they’re in.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Goaltender: Vesa Toskala
Opponents: New York Rangers, @New York Islander, @Ottawa
Outlook: Don’t rule out Toskala as an option this week, especially against a struggling Ranger squad and an unpredictable Islander team. Managers that have much more favorable options between the pipes are encouraged to use them, however, Toskala could be of service early on in the week. Also, managers in a pinch with the Ryan Miller injury may find Toskala on the waiver wire as he is only 67% owned in Yahoo! right now.
Strategy: Use Caution

Southeast Division

Team: Atlanta Thrashers
Goaltender: Kari Lehtonen
Opponents: Colorado, @Washington, Carolina
Outlook: Despite putting up an 8-spot on the Ducks and a 7-spot on the Kings last week, Lehtonen should only be used as an absolute last resort goaltender.
Strategy: Emergency Basis Only

Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Goaltender: Cam Ward
Opponents: @Ottawa, Buffalo, @Atlanta
Outlook: Carolina is winning when it counts the most and could continue their winning ways this week. Cam Ward and the ‘Canes have an Ottawa team who have lost 3 straight, a Sabres squad who just lost their starting goaltender to a high ankle sprain, and the Thrashers who used up a seasons worth a scoring in two games last week. The situation is favorable to start Ward this week and he could prove to be one of the most valuable goalies heading down the stretch here.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Florida Panthers
Goaltender: Tomas Vokoun
Opponents: @Boston, @New York Rangers, @New Jersey, @Washington
Outlook: Tomas Vokoun has been playing some dynamite puck in the month of February collecting 6 wins and 3 shutouts but will certainly be put to the test this week as the Cats are on the road and fighting for a playoff spot. Florida has certainly turned up their game in the second half of the season and should be able to compete in every single one of these contests. Give Vokoun the nod but note that with an extremely heavy schedule on the road this week, we may see Craig Anderson make an appearance to offer Tomas some relief.
Strategy: Safe To Start

Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Goaltender: Mike McKenna/Kari Ramo
Opponents: @Edmonton, @Vancouver, @Calgary
Outlook: The Bolts are headed to western Canada for a 3 game stint against some pretty difficult teams. Mike Smith isn’t anywhere ready to return to action so it’ll be Mike McKenna and Kari Ramo again this week. Only use these guys in extreme situations as the duo has only collected 1 win in the past 5 Lightning contests.
Strategy: Emergency Basis Only

Team: Washington Capitals
Goaltender: Jose Theodore
Opponents: Philadelphia, Atlanta, @Boston, Florida
Outlook: The only reason to consider benching Theodore this week is if Michal Neuvirth makes an appearance to offer some relief for the super busy Caps.
Strategy: Safe To Start

Western Conference

Central Division

Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Goaltender: Cristobal Huet
Opponents: @Nashville, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles
Outlook: Huet has been scorching hot lately and with Khabibulin still on the shelf with a LBI, it’ll be Cristobal all week in some fairly winnable situations. Even if Huet slips a little, the offense (who have accounted for 18 goals in 4 games) should be there to back him up.
Strategy: Safe To Start

Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
Goaltender: Steve Mason
Opponents: @Calgary, @Edmonton, @Vancouver
Outlook: Columbus is headed to western Canada to play 2 teams that are in the thick of the playoff battle in the Western Conference. Columbus has surprised us to this point in the season and there is little saying that they won’t do it down the stretch here. Certainly start Mason against the Oilers and Canucks but hold off on the Flames if you have the ability to pick and choose your battles this week.
Strategy: Safe To Start

Team: Detroit Red Wings
Goaltender: Ty Conklin/Chris Osgood
Opponents: San Jose, Los Angeles, @Nashville
Outlook: Until the team stops winning all-together, check the starter on game day and have at it. That San Jose game is going to be a fun one to watch. Possible preview of a sick playoff matchup on Wednesday.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Nashville Predators
Goaltender: Pekka Rinne
Opponents: Chicago, Phoenix, Detroit
Outlook: Rinne has collected 6 wins this month with a shutout under his belt while Ellis, who has only seen the ice 3 times in February, has collected only 1 win. Despite the schedule being difficult this week, Nashville has played Chicago and Detroit fairly tough this season so managers playing the numbers should consider riding Rinne in all 3 contests this week.
Strategy: Safe To Start

Team: St. Louis Blues
Goaltender: Chris Mason
Opponents: Phoenix, @Dallas, @Phoenix
Outlook: Mason has been stellar as of late despite the lackluster output from the offense. 2 games against a struggling Coyote team should give Mason the opportunity to pull off a 2, possibly 3 win week. Go for it.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Northwest Division

Team: Calgary Flames
Goaltender: Miikka Kiprusoff
Opponents: Columbus, Minnesota, Tampa Bay
Outlook: Kippers and the Flames are rolling again so feel free to start him in all 3 contests.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Colorado Avalanche
Goaltender: Andrew Raycroft/Peter Budaj
Opponents: @Atlanta, @New Jersey, @New York Rangers
Outlook: Colorado is riding a 3 game winning streak heading into today. Pretty significant, right? What’s even more significant is that all 3 of those wins came with Andrew Raycroft between the pipes. It’s his show until he starts to struggle and with 2 struggling opponents this week, it’s worth giving him a shot to see if he can keep it up. It’s been a long time since we gave the ‘Lanche the “Safe to Start” tag, so enjoy it while it lasts.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Edmonton Oilers
Goaltender: Dwayne Roloson
Opponents: Tampa Bay, Columbus, Minnesota
Outlook: The Oilers have been up and down lately but one thing is for certain: Roloson will be between the pipes regardless of what happens to the team. Managers playing the schedule this week should look towards the matchup against the Bolts for a win but look elsewhere for surefire winnable situations.
Strategy: Use Caution

Team: Minnesota Wild
Goaltender: Niklas Backstrom
Opponents: Los Angeles, @Calgary, @Edmonton
Outlook: The Wild picked up a big win against the Wings on Saturday night to help stop a 3 game slide. Some relief this week with an up and down Edmonton team and a somewhat inconsistent Los Angeles team. Leave that Calgary game alone and owners could have two nice wins with Backstrom this week.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Vancouver Canucks
Goaltender: Roberto Luongo
Opponents: @Montreal, Tampa Bay, Columbus
Outlook: Luongo is back on track and the Canucks are rolling along. Fire at will.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Pacific Division

Team: Anaheim Ducks
Goaltender: Jean-Sebastien Giguere/Jonas Hiller
Opponents: @Buffalo, @Boston, @Dallas
Outlook: An extremely tricky schedule for the Ducks this week as they face a Buffalo team short a starting goaltender, a Bruin squad that’s struggled as of late, and a Dallas team that’s somewhat inconsistent this season. All 3 of these teams could certainly give Anaheim a run for their money so be careful with the games you decide to play. Hiller and Giggy continue to split time so double check your starters before each contest.
Strategy: Use Caution

Team: Dallas Stars
Goaltender: Marty Turco
Opponents: San Jose, St. Louis, Anaheim, Pittsburgh
Outlook: A nice home stand for Turco and crew to get themselves a nice cushion in the ultra-tight Western Conference playoff race. It could b a 3 win week for Turco if Dallas is at their strongest, so don’t hesitate to start him after that San Jose contest.
Strategy: Safe to Start

Team: Los Angeles Kings
Goaltender: Jon Quick
Opponents: @Minnesota, @Philadelphia, @Detroit, @Chicago
Outlook: Jon Quick owners should consider finding a nice soft spot on their bench for him this week. Don’t even touch a Los Angeles tender until the next fantasy week.
Strategy: Emergency Basis Only

Team: Phoenix Coyotes
Goaltender: Ilya Bryzgalov
Opponents: @St. Louis, Nashville, @St. Louis
Outlook: Please keep hands and feet inside the car at all times, secure all personal items and enjoy riding the Phoenix Coyote’s season. The roller coaster ride in the desert continues and with 2 games against a red hot Chris Mason, it would be advisable to avoid using Bryzgalov this week.
Strategy: Emergency Basis Only

Team: San Jose Sharks
Goaltender: Evgeni Nabokov
Opponents: @Dallas, @Detroit, @Ottawa, @Montreal
Outlook: The only thing to note this week is that due to an extremely busy week on the road, we may see Boucher steal a start from Nabby, so double check the starter later on in the week.
Strategy: Safe to Start

You can always view the latest WGO at: http://saucerpass.com/weekly-goalie-outlook/ which is published on Sundays.