How could the latest news regarding the size of goaltending equipment affect your fantasy team next season?
Here’s a quote from Mark Spector’s article Why it’s time to call NHL goaltenders’ bluff:
“… some goalies are starting to complain that the equipment is becoming the great equalizer. Now, average goalies are competing with above average ones, despite having less talent.”
If the NHL and NHLPA agree to reduce the allowable size of goaltending equipment next season, it’s fair to say that the average goalie could see at least a small increase to his goals-against average. But what may also result is an increase in the variation of the goals-against averages between goaltenders. Lesser-skilled goalies will be exposed more often with smaller equipment.
Picking up a quality goaltender in fantasy will become that much more important, should the new regulations come into effect next season. But sufficient for this week is its own matchups, which we will turn to below.
Start
Jake Allen, STL (vs. WPG, @CBJ, vs. BUF, vs. DET)
Allen seems to have finally pulled away from Brian Elliott as the Blues’ starting goalie, starting eight of the past nine games for the Blues. Even better for Allen owners: The Blues have a four-game week this week. Even better for Allen is the fact that three of the four opponents (Columbus, Buffalo, Detroit) are in the bottom third of the league in offence, and none of the offences are top 10. Allen is expected to start Monday’s game against Winnipeg (Goalie Post), so expect Elliott to start Tuesday’s game in Columbus.
Mike Condon, MON (vs. VAN, vs. ARI, @NYI, vs. NYI)
Condon is a perfect example of how fantasy teams that missed out on starting goaltending during a draft can make up for it by paying close attention to the waiver wire. Condon was a no-name to start the season, but some strong play as Carey Price’s backup combined with the recent Price injury has him in the conversation as one of the league’s top goalies at the moment (6-1-2, 2.06 GAA, .921 SV%). The Habs are 7-1-1 at the Bell Centre this season, where they will play three of their four games this week. With back-to-backs on Thursday against Arizona and Friday against the Islanders, a Dustin Tokarski start could also happen if Price isn’t ready to return.
Sergei Bobrovsky, CBJ (vs. STL, @OTT, vs. NSH, vs. SJ)
Although his overall numbers (3.33 GAA, .891 SV%) are still troubling, Bobrovsky seems to be out of the woods from his early-season nightmare. Bob posted back-to-back wins over the weekend, including a Friday performance against Pittsburgh in which he was less than a minute away from a shutout against Pittsburgh. He has the benefit of a nice schedule this week, with three of the Jackets’ four games at home. Curtis McElhinney may start one of the back-to-backs on Thursday against Ottawa or Friday against Nashville, but Torts likes to ride the hot hand in goal and could start Bobrovsky for both games. Speaking of which, Bobrovsky has won six of his first 10 games under Tortorella.
Sit
Cam Talbot, EDM (vs. CHI, vs. NJ)
Even with some offseason changes, the Oilers are in a familiar position as one of the league’s most porous defenses (team 3.22 GAA – 28th in NHL). With only two games this week, Talbot is an obvious weak play. To make things worse, Anders Nilsson has been given a few starts recently because of Talbot’s subpar play (3-8-0, 3.09 GGA, .890 SV%). But it’s not as if Nilsson has been a whole lot better himself (3.21 GAA, .902 SV%). Either way, don’t pin your hopes on Oilers’ goalies this week.
Karri Ramo, CGY (vs. NJ, vs. CHI)
With a nearly identical schedule to the Alberta-rival Oilers, Flames’ goaltenders could provide similar numbers to Oilers’ goaltenders. To make matters worse, the Flames are dead last in team goals-against average (3.72). With Jonas Hiller on IR, Ramo has hardly proven to be the answer (3.36 GAA and .894 SV%). Ramo is also not a reasonable option to assume anything more than short-term results for your fantasy team, as he is in danger of being sent to the AHL once Hiller returns from injury. But as far as the short term goes, this is definitely not the week to pick him up.
Steve Mason, PHI (vs. LA, vs. SJ, @OTT)
Although Mason made 19 saves in a 3-2 win over Carolina on Saturday, he hasn’t strung enough strong starts together this season to make his fantasy owners feel confident. Mason (3-5-2, 3.37 GAA, .895 SV%) has been outplayed by backup Michal Neuvirth (3-3-1, 2.08 GAA, .939 SV%). Despite that, Mason should probably start two of the three games for the Flyers this week. It’s possible that Mason eventually turns his game around and plays more like the goalie that earned a .928 save percentage last season. But it’s probably better to bench him until you see signs of that play again.
Need to stay ahead of the curve in your fantasy hockey league? Find up-to-the-minute starting goalie information at Goalie Post.