With the all-star break happening this weekend, some fantasy leagues will experience a shortened week, with league games only scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. In order to avoid any flukes because of a small sample size, this will be either the first or second week of an extended scoring period in many head-to-head leagues. Check your league settings to determine how your league will handle the gap in play.
This article, as it usually does, will focus on games being played over the next seven days (not including the All-Star Game, of course). The all-star break lasts five days, from Thursday, Jan. 28 to Monday, Feb. 1. So more than ever, the schedule will play a major role in determining which goalies to start or sit over the coming week.
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START
Mike Condon, MTL (@CLB, vs. CLB)
The Canadiens are freefalling in the Eastern Conference standings without Carey Price. On the bright side, Condon and the Habs are currently in a relatively easy portion of the schedule. Fresh off an overtime win against Toronto on Saturday, the Habs play back-to-back games against Columbus before the break. Condon has been confirmed to start Monday’s game (Goalie Post), so don’t be surprised if Ben Scrivens makes a spot start for Tuesday’s game. Condon should continue to be the starter for the foreseeable future, unless the Habs make a trade.
Tuukka Rask, BOS (@PHI, vs. ANA)
The Flyers and the Ducks are 28th and 30th in goals per game this season and the Bruins play both on Monday and Tuesday. Since backup Jonas Gustavsson already played on Saturday, there’s a possibility Rask couls start both games before he rests during the break. Rask should be almost certain to start Monday in Philadelphia, a team that he has struggled against this season (eight goals allowed in two starts). But he was much better against the Flyers last season, winning all three of his starts to go with a 1.32 goals-against average and .947 save percentage.
Robin Lehner, BUF (@NYR, @OTT)
Although he has not won in three starts since returning from injury, Lehner has posted decent numbers (2.36 GAA, .936 SV%) over that time and should hold on to the No. 1 job. The Rangers and Senators have been slipping in the standings a bit, so there’s a good opportunity for Lehner to post his first win on either Monday or Tuesday. Expect Chad Johnson to start one of the back-to-backs: Monday against the Rangers or Tuesday against the Senators.
SIT
Brian Elliott, STL (no games)
Cam Talbot, EDM (no games)
The reason for sitting both goalies this week is very simple: neither St. Louis nor Edmonton play any games on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. Look for another option if you own any Blues or Oilers on your team. Many leagues may waive the minimum goalie starts requirement if there happens to be one, though.
Eddie Lack, CAR (vs. CHI)
Lack should have the starting goaltending role all to himself now that Cam Ward has a concussion. Lack’s numbers this season (2.81 GAA, .899 SV%) prove that he is risky enough, but a matchup against the red-hot defending Stanley Cup champions isn’t what you need in a short week. In his last start, Lack made 33 saves in a 5-2 win over Calgary on Sunday, but we haven’t seen enough of those starts since Lack became a member of the Hurricanes.
Cory Schneider, NJ (@PIT)
Schneider hasn’t been that bad this season. In fact, he’s been really good (2.03 GAA, .928 SV%). But the Devils play only one game and that happens to be against a Pittsburgh team that has recently been scoring more. Since Dec. 31, the Penguins have averaged nearly 3.5 goals per game, with previously slumping stars such as Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel finally hitting their stride. Schneider did earn a 21-save shutout against the Penguins earlier this season, but he’ll be hard-pressed to do it again.
For more starting goalie information, Goalie Post is your fantasy hockey resource.