The recent news about goalie equipment shrinking will lead to more goals. More offence means worse numbers for goalies.
But if a few NHL goaltenders have participated in the change process (Cory Schneider, Devan Dubnyk and Braden Holtby), would they allow equipment that would put themselves at a serious disadvantage? A better assumption might be that the better goalies won’t be affected as much by the changes. Wider variance means that top-level goalies, now separated by the less talented goaltenders by a wider margin, would become even more valuable in fantasy.
How will the changes have an impact on scouting? If the changes don’t filter down to other leagues right away (such as the AHL, CHL, college, and European leagues), then accurately tracking a goalie for a keeper league will become more difficult. Investing in a goalie could become more of a toss-up if teams don’t know how to rank their goaltending prospects.
That’s something to think about next year. Before that happens, though, this season still has a few more weeks left with its own set of challenges.
Start
Steve Mason, PHI (@NYI, @CBJ, @COL, @ARI)
All four of the Flyers’ games are on the road this week, which might reduce the strength of having four potential starts. Philadelphia will need to lean heavily on Mason this week and beyond. Not only are they in a playoff chase, but Michal Neuvirth is also expected to be sidelined for about three weeks with a lower-body injury. After struggling for the first part of the season, Mason has been playing better recently with a 2.14 goals-against average over the past 30 days. (For more goalie statistics like these, check out the Frozen Pool Goalie Calculator.)
Thomas Greiss, NYI (vs. PHI, vs. OTT, @TB, @CAR)
Jaroslav Halak is expected to be out for the rest of the season, so Greiss should start most of the games the rest of the way. The Islanders face three teams that are below the playoff bar this week, so Greiss could be good for multiple wins. Since New York has back-to-back games against Tampa and Carolina, Jean-Francois Berube may also make an appearance over the weekend. Although Greiss has won just one of his past five starts, he has a solid 2.26 goals-against average and .928 save percentage this season.
Eddie Lack, CAR (vs. BUF, @CLS, vs. NYI, vs. NJ)
This is the time of year when nearly anyone that’s able to play in an NHL lineup can have some fantasy worth. Hurricanes’ goalies are never the most appealing option at that position, but both Lack and Cam Ward have the opportunity to make meaningful fantasy contributions this week. The Hurricanes play four games, including three at home. Three of those teams are currently below the playoff bar. Lack will likely start one of the weekend back-to-backs and could start another game as well, since the goaltending chores have been split evenly this month.
Sit
Chad Johnson, BUF (@CAR, vs. WPG)
Robin Lehner could be shut down after a recurrence of his ankle injury, so if you’re considering Johnson as a possible waiver option, his numbers aren’t terrible (2.41 GAA, .919 SV%). But take note that the Sabres play only two games, so you won’t get a lot of mileage out of Johnson. The only saving grace is the opponents, who are both non-playoff teams. But wins will still be hard to come by on a Sabres team that is headed to the draft lottery again.
Semyon Varlamov, COL (vs. PHI, vs. MIN)
It’s all about games played at this point in the season. If you’re in a roto league, you may need to make up games played in goal. In a head-to-head league, you’re chasing wins. Varlamov may have a tough time helping with both of these week since the Avs play only two games, both against borderline playoff teams. Patrick Roy also seems prepared to turn to Calvin Pickard should Varlamov struggle and/or Pickard play well.
Craig Anderson, OTT (vs. WSH, @NYI, vs. ANA)
The Senators will play three games this week but what makes those matchups especially tough is that they are all against playoff-bound teams. Anderson could also be limited to just two starts since Ottawa has back-to-back games against the Capitals and the Islanders on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Anderson has
also struggled in March with a 3.05 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
Need to know who’s starting in net as you start your playoff push? Then you need Goalie Post.
