There are two schools of thought regarding how Sergei Bobrovsky’s fantasy value will be affected by the hiring of John Tortorella.
First, Torts is obsessed with having his players block shots, which should see his goalie faces fewer shots. If you’re a Bobrovsky owner, that’s something to look for.
Second, you may remember that Bobrovsky recently said that he has “zero confidence” in his own play. Tortorella isn’t exactly known for instilling confidence in all his players. In addition, Tortorella’s most recent coaching job – in Vancouver – didn’t turn out so well for everyone involved.
Whatever your stance, Bobrovsky is a goalie to watch over the next little while. His team finally earned its first win of the season Saturday against Colorado, yet Bobrovsky owners still can’t be feeling that confident pushing him out into their starting lineup every game.
Last week we recommended keeping him on the bench, and that shouldn’t change entering this week either.
So who do we recommend for starts and sits this week? Keep in mind that a start recommendation doesn’t necessarily mean that you should start the goalie in all formats – only that the goalie has an upgrade in value for the week. Likewise, a sit recommendation doesn’t necessarily mean you should bench the goalie in all formats, but just be aware of what you’re up against.
Start
Carey Price, MON (@VAN, @EDM, @CGY, vs. WPG)
With four games this week, Price is probably at the top of the heap as far as the week’s goaltending rankings go. Price especially dominates the team from his home province of British Columbia, posting a lifetime 6-1-2 record against the Canucks.
The Habs play back-to-back road games in Alberta on Thursday and Friday, so backup Mike Condon should be a solid one-day pickup for one of those games. Condon has started his NHL career on the right foot, winning both his starts to go with a 1.50 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage.
Jaroslav Halak, NYI (vs. CGY, vs. CAR, @NJ, vs. BUF)
The Islanders have a nice schedule this week with four games, including three at home. There are back-to-back games on Saturday against New Jersey and Sunday against Buffalo, so expect Thomas Greiss to start one of those games. Otherwise, expect Halak to be successful in three games this week. Last season he was a combined 4-0-0 with a sub-1.50 goals-against average against three of the upcoming week’s opponents (Calgary, New Jersey, Buffalo).
Reto Berra, COL (@FLA, @TB, @CAR, SJ)
It is still early, but Semyon Varlamov has struggled so far, allowing at least three goals in four of his five starts. With a four-game week ahead for the Avalanche, Berra could earn more than one of the back-to-back starts against Tampa on Thursday or Carolina on Friday.
He’s probably not a long-term answer in net, as the younger Calvin Pickard is more likely to challenge for the starting job in the future. But in two starts, Berra has allowed just two goals while posting a shutout against the Ducks on October 16. He’s worth a short-term add for the week if you are desperate for goaltending help.
SIT
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (vs. TOR)
This might seem odd, but the Rangers only play once this week. There’s nothing scary about that matchup (a home game against the Leafs), so daily leaguers can start him with confidence. However, if you’re a weekly leaguer with two other decent goalies who are projected to receive at least two starts, then you could justify keeping Lundqvist on the bench this week.
Keep in mind that this recommendation is in no way indicative of the play of Lundqvist, who we all know as an every-week starter.
Jonathan Quick, LA (@WPG, vs. NSH)
Aside from the above-mentioned Rangers, the Kings are the only other team to play fewer than three games this week. So you could probably still start Quick over a true timeshare goalie whose team plays three games this week (the tandems on teams such as Detroit or St. Louis come to mind).
But Quick loses value this week in leagues that count wins. In addition, Quick struggled against both Nashville and Winnipeg last season, posting a goals-against average of over 4.00 and a save percentage of below .850 against both opponents.
Mike Smith, ARI (@TOR, @BOS, vs. VAN)
Remember those three consecutive wins that Smith earned to start the season? That early-season success has now vanished, as Smith is now winless in his past four games while allowing a minimum of three goals per game. The matchups this week aren’t killer, but the first two games of the week will be the final two games of an eastern road trip.
In addition, Anders Lindback probably earned at least one of the back-to-back starts on Monday or Tuesday after posting a 35-save performance in a 4-1 win over Ottawa on Saturday.
For free, up-to-the-minute information on which goalies will be starting each game, along with email notifications, be sure to check out Goalie Post.
