Here is a look at each team’s goaltending situation heading in to the fantasy week of March 16th to March 22nd. It is now playoff time for many in head to head leagues.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Team: New Jersey Devils
Goaltender: Martin Brodeur
Opponents: Chicago, @Carolina, Minnesota, @Boston
Outlook: Brodeur and the Devils have been red hot lately currently riding a 3 game winning streak and only losing 1 of their last 8. Marty has the record in sight and could break it Tuesday night in front of the home crowd. Don’t be surprised if we see him in all 4 games this week, even with a back to back Tuesday and Wednesday.
Strategy: Safe to Start
Team: New York Islanders
Goaltender: Yann Danis/Joey MacDonald/Peter Mannino
Opponents: @Carolina, @Ottawa
Outlook: The Islanders have surprisingly won 4 of their last 6 and their goaltenders haven’t given up more than 3 goals in any of those 6 games. They have to take on two decent offenses this week and with the 2 games in a B2B Friday and Saturday, we can expect to see two different goalies get a start. MacDonald is listed as day to day so Mannino is there to fill the void. Even with the recent success, it’s best to only use these guys in an emergency basis scenario considering the teams they face this week.
Strategy: Emergency Basis Only
Team: New York Rangers
Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist
Opponents: @Montreal, Buffalo, Ottawa
Outlook: The Rangers have won 5 of their last 7 and take on a couple struggling offenses to start the week. Lundy’s a pretty safe bet this week so fire away.
Strategy: Safe to Start
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Goaltender: Martin Biron/Antero Niittymaki
Opponents: @Detroit, @Buffalo, @Pittsburgh
Outlook: The Flyers have won 3 of their last 5 and it looks as though Marty Biron is taking the starting position over in Philadelphia. It is possible he gets the nod in all 3 games and Niittymaki takes an unwanted week’s rest, especially if Biron gets the “W” in Hockeytown and against his former team, Buffalo.
Strategy: Safe to Start
Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Goaltender: Marc-Andre Fleury
Opponents: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia
Outlook: After a monstrous 7 game winning streak, the Pens have lost 2 straight heading into Sunday’s game against the Bruins where they were able to get a win. The Pens are a strong team at home, with points in 21 of their 33 games at Mellon Arena, and they’ll need to continue to be this week in order to maintain a playoff spot.
Strategy: Safe to Start
Northeast Division
Team: Boston Bruins
Goaltender: Tim Thomas/Manny Fernandez
Opponents: Los Angeles, New Jersey
Outlook: The Bruins have a light schedule this week but have to face a red hot New Jersey team next Sunday. It’s unknown if we’ll see both goalies this week so keep an eye out on who gets the nod but the good news for Boston fans is both games are home where they’ve earned points in 29 of their 35 contests.
Strategy: Safe to Start
Team: Buffalo Sabres
Goaltender: Patrick Lalime/Mikael Tellqvist
Opponents: @Ottawa, Philadelphia, @New York Rangers
Outlook: The Sabres have dropped 3 of their last 4 and are starting to fade out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Lalime has started 9 straight so we may finally see Tellqvist get a start in a Buffalo uniform this week. With the teams they’re facing this week, it’s best to keep a close eye on the situation.
Strategy: Use Caution
Team: Montreal Canadiens
Goaltender: Jaroslav Halak/Carey Price
Opponents: New York Rangers, @Ottawa, Toronto
Outlook: The Habs have dropped 2 straight and continue to struggle. Halak did look strong against New Jersey making 45 saves, however both goalies are seeing time so monitor the situation to see who Gainey gives the nod to. They have some tough matchups this week so continue to use caution until their offense picks up.
Strategy: Use Caution
Team: Ottawa Senators
Goaltender: Brian Elliot
Opponents: Buffalo, Montreal, New York Islanders, @New York Rangers
Outlook: The Sens have only lost once in their past 6 games as Elliot continues to play well for them. They some across 3 stumbling teams this week so owners may be able to land themselves 3 wins if the offense can continue their solid play.
Strategy: Safe to Start
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Goaltender: Martin Gerber/Curtis Joseph
Opponents: @Tampa Bay, @Florida, @Montreal
Outlook: The Leafs have lost 3 of their last 5 games as their goaltenders continue to struggle. Gerber hasn’t been sharp and with Cujo approaching possible retirement, we could see him sneak a start in here and there over the next 3 weeks. Check the starter in Toronto on game nights from here on out.
Strategy: Emergency Basis Only
Southeast Division
Team: Atlanta Thrashers
Goaltender: Kari Lehtonen
Opponents: Washington, @Pittsburgh, Detroit, @Tampa Bay
Outlook: The Thrashers have quietly won 5 straight and Lehtonen has been on fire lately. This team has been streaky at times this season and with games against a few high flying offenses their streak is likely to come to an end this week. TB is the game to start, obviously, if you want to slot in Lehtonen. For the three others, do it on a case by case basis and use your own judgment when the time comes.
Strategy: Use Caution
Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Goaltender: Cam Ward
Opponents: New Jersey, New York Islanders, Washington
Outlook: The ‘Canes were looking strong until they dropped 3 straight this past week. They definitely have the fire power on offense to score goals as they’ve been scoring in bunches since Erik Cole’s return. Also, Cam Ward has made some key saves to keep them in games the past little bit. They’ll certainly need both of these components working this week to stay in contention for a playoff berth. The Devils and Caps are firing on all cylinders right now and even the Islanders are winning games. Let’s see if they can pull it all together, it could go either way for all the games.
Strategy: Use Caution
Team: Florida Panthers
Goaltender: Tomas Vokoun
Opponents: Washington, Toronto, Columbus
Outlook: The Panthers have lost 3 straight and have continued their slide out of a playoff spot. The Cats have looked good on home ice this season, gaining points in 24 of their 33 game. This week they’ll look to get back on track, but with Washington and Columbus coming to town, it’s probably better to use caution. They have lost a couple key players in Nathan Horton and Bryan McCabe recently, so the outlook is bleak for Panthers fans.
Strategy: Use Caution
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Goaltender: Kari Ramo/Mike McKenna
Opponents: Toronto, Washington, Atlanta
Outlook: They’ve won their past 2 games but don’t be fooled. They have 29 goals against in past 7 games. Neither one of these goalies should be headlining on your starting roster unless it’s a pretty deep league. Ramo has continued to see the majority of the time but unless you need starts, keep these guys benched.
Strategy: Emergency Basis Only
Team: Washington Capitals
Goaltender: Jose Theodore
Opponents: @Atlanta, @Florida, @Tampa Bay, @Carolina
Outlook: The Caps have won 3 straight as they take to the road for 4 divisional games this week. Lucky for them they’ve been successful away from D.C. with points in 21 of their 33 games on the road this season. With this offense, wins aren’t hard to come by even if your tender gives up a couple goals.
Strategy: Safe To Start
Western Conference
Central Division
Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Goaltender: Cristobal Huet/Nikolai Khabibulin
Opponents: @New Jersey, @Columbus, Edmonton, Los Angeles
Outlook: Khabibulin is back so Niemi has been returned to the minors. The Hawks have dropped 4 of their last 5 with Sunday’s loss to the Isles. They have a B2B Tuesday and Wednesday and with 4 games this week, both goalies should see time so make sure you check to see who will get the start that day on Goalie Post. New Jersey will be a tough test as Brodeur will look to set the wins record in front of his home crowd but the rest of the week could be a way for Chicago to get back on the winning track.
Strategy: Safe To Start
Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
Goaltender: Steve Mason
Opponents: Chicago, @Florida
Outlook: Columbus had won 4 straight before being shutout by the Wings on Sunday. It’s a lighter schedule this week against some teams that are having a difficult time winning consistently lately, so give Mason the nod and hope he and his teammates can get a winning streak going again.
Strategy: Safe To Start
Team: Detroit Red Wings
Goaltender: Ty Conklin/Chris Osgood
Opponents: Philadephia, @Atlanta
Outlook: The defending champs have pointed in 6 of their last 7 games as they continue to ride both goaltenders. Osgood did get the start in B2B games Saturday and Sunday with wins in both so they could decide to roll with him until things slip, so check and see who Babcock decides to go with against the Flyers. With only 2 games this week, don’t be surprised if both goalies got a start.
Strategy: Safe to Start
Team: Nashville Predators
Goaltender: Pekka Rinne/Dan Ellis
Opponents: @Los Angeles, @Anaheim, @San Jose
Outlook: The Preds lost 3 of their last 4 after shutting out the Coyotes Saturday. They head to California with some tough matchups so it might be better to use caution this week. Rinne individually has been very good, but Nashville does have a B2B Wednesday/Thursday so monitor the situation to see if Dan Ellis gets a start.
Strategy: Use Caution
Team: St. Louis Blues
Goaltender: Chris Mason
Opponents: @Edmonton, @Vancouver, @Calgary
Outlook: The Blues have won 4 of their last 6 heading into their western Canada road trip. The last time they made this journey, however, they lost 2 of their 3 games, so caution is advised for this week.
Strategy: Use Caution
Northwest Division
Team: Calgary Flames
Goaltender: Miikka Kiprusoff
Opponents: Dallas, St. Louis
Outlook: The Flames have lost 4 of their last 5 games but when this team’s offense is on, they’re on! Maybe a few days practice and a light schedule is just what this team needs to refocus their attention on their defense. They should win both games but be wary of Kipper’s GAA lately.
Strategy: Safe to Start
Team: Colorado Avalanche
Goaltender: Peter Budaj/Andrew Raycroft
Opponents: @Minnesota, Edmonton, @San Jose
Outlook: They’ve won 3 of their last 4 heading into Sunday’s game against Vancouver, including wins against Minnesota and Edmonton, but when push comes to shove, this team really is not that good. Winning streak or not, you will have to do your homework and play the matchups this week. It is unlikely that they will take the SJ game but the others are winnable for the Avs if their offense can get up to par.
Strategy: Use Caution
Team: Edmonton Oilers
Goaltender: Dwayne Roloson
Opponents: St. Louis, @Colorado, @Chicago, @Minnesota
Outlook: A heavy schedule this week for an Edmonton team who’s lost 3 straight and 5 of their last 6. Their playoff hopes are fading and with the only easy matchup being against the Avalanche, it will probably be touch-and-go for this week. If you’re looking at the big picture for the whole week, it could be a coin flip.
Strategy: Use Caution
Team: Minnesota Wild
Goaltender: Niklas Backstrom/Josh Harding
Opponents: Colorado, @New Jersey, Edmonton
Outlook: With Sunday’s loss to St. Louis, the Wild have lost 4 straight and 6 of their 8 games in March. Edmonton is the only slumping team they have this week and even they got the best of the Wild the last time the teams met. Managers may just want to steer clear of traditionally strong Minnesota goaltending this week.
Strategy: Emergency Basis Only
Team: Vancouver Canucks
Goaltender: Roberto Luongo
Opponents: Dallas, St. Louis, @Phoenix
Outlook: The Canucks have pointed in 5 of their 6 games played in March heading into Sunday’s matchup with Colorado. Only 3 games this week against some not so potent offenses could see their good fortunes only get better.
Strategy: Safe to Start
Pacific Division
Team: Anaheim Ducks
Goaltender: Jean-Sebastien Giguere/Jonas Hiller
Opponents: Nashville, @Phoenix, Phoenix
Outlook: The Ducks have lost 3 of their last 4 heading into Sunday’s game with San Jose. Both goalies are still seeing time so continue to check and see who gets the nod. Still, the team hasn’t won enough recently to consider this situation safe.
Strategy: Use Caution
Team: Dallas Stars
Goaltender: Marty Turco
Opponents: @Vancouver, @Calgary, @San Jose
Outlook: Turco and the Stars have won 2 straight but they have their hands full this week on the road. It’ll be tough to get wins this week but both Vancouver and Calgary have yet to beat the Stars this season and Dallas did get the “W” the last time they played the Sharks.
Strategy: Safe to Start
Team: Los Angeles Kings
Goaltender: Jon Quick
Opponents: Nashville, @Boston, @Pittsburgh, @Chicago
Outlook: The Kings have won 3 of their last 5 but they lost 2 straight. Other than the game against Nashville they have a tough road schedule this week, so if you can pick and choose the matchup, do so. If you’re in a weekly roster set league, then you may want to look elsewhere for your goaltending if possible.
Strategy: Use Caution
Team: Phoenix Coyotes
Goaltender: Ilya Bryzgalov/Josh Tordjman
Opponents: San Jose, Anaheim, Vancouver, @Anaheim
Outlook: The ‘Yotes have lost 5 straight and this week doesn’t look like it’ll be any brighter for Phoenix. Tordjman is seeing time so check and see who gets the start but avoid using a Phoenix goalie unless you need starts and only starts.
Strategy: Emergency Basis Only
Team: San Jose Sharks
Goaltender: Evgeni Nabokov/Brian Boucher
Opponents: @Phoenix, Nashville, Dallas, Colorado
Outlook: The Sharks have had a tough month losing 4 of their 6 games in March prior to Sunday’s contest but Nabby’s back and they face some weaker teams this week so fire away.
Strategy: Safe to Start
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