Goaltending can often be the deciding factor between a Fantasy Hockey manager winning championship gold, or being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. This time of year, goaltenders such as Connor Hellebuyck and Igor Shesterkin are tough to play against, with both the Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers often starting them three times a week. However, in order to combat managers who own some of the best tenders in the league, picking up goalies who accumulate shots against and have proved to earn multiple wins a week, can sometimes be enough to outperform players like Hellebuyck or Shesterkin. That said, with some teams beginning to tank harder for draft picks, and some goalies losing their stride since the Four Nations Face-off, there are many goaltenders that should be avoided heading into Fantasy Hockey playoff season.
Avoid These Goalies in Your Fantasy Hockey Playoffs
Joey Daccord – Seattle Kraken
Despite accumulating 22 wins and a .908 save percentage this season, Joey Daccord has struggled in net for the Seattle Kraken after coming back from the Four Nations Face-off break. Since February 25, Daccord has lost four of his last six games and has only posted a save percentage above .900 on one occasion. The Kraken have also not been allowing many shots against, meaning Daccord is only making 15-20 saves a game in addition to his save percentage taking a dive. Going into the Fantasy Hockey playoffs, it’s crucial to have a goalie that at the very least can accumulate saves, even if their save percentage isn’t ideal. Daccord has shown no signs of improvement through March and has continued to prove that he can’t be relied upon in three of the most important goaltending categories.
Samuel Ersson – Philadelphia Flyers
Although the Flyers started off strong coming out of the Four Nations Face-off break, they have since given up on any success going forward. They have not only lost five out of their last six games but have allowed three or more goals in almost every contest. This has made Samuel Ersson’s life in net difficult down the stretch, as he’s only won three games since February 22nd. Similar to the Kraken, the Flyers have rarely allowed more than 30 shots on goal per game, making Ersson’s save percentage disastrous as of late. The 25-year-old has struggled to post a save percentage higher than .900 throughout March, and with games against the Washington Capitals and the Dallas Stars on the horizon, this likely won’t change. Managers shouldn’t trust the Flyers, let alone their goaltending, in order to find any success in the playoffs.
Alexander Georgiev – San Jose Sharks
Throughout March, Alexander Georgiev did impress against the likes of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks, being the deciding factor in the San Jose Sharks coming out victorious. However, outside of getting the start in goal almost every game, Georgiev should not be trusted for the rest of the Fantasy Hockey season. The Sharks continue to sit at the bottom of the league in points, and Georgiev hasn’t been able to change that since being traded to the team last December. The 29-year-old has proved he can squeak out a win against lower-end teams like the Buffalo Sabres. However, it hasn’t stopped him from being embarrassed by contenders such as the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers, where he posted a save percentage under .800 on both occasions. If managers are in a pinch and are in desperate need of a start, Georgiev will likely be available, but he should otherwise be avoided to win weeks in the playoffs.
Goalies who play on a contending team, striving to make a push for a wild-card spot and accumulate shots against will be the key to success for managers to find good goaltending throughout their playoff weeks. Although the goalies above haven’t performed well, they have shown signs of brilliance throughout this year, but have played on weak teams that struggle to win games. Reliable goalies are difficult to find on the waiver wire this time of year, but Daccord, Ersson and Georgiev should be avoided at all costs going forward.
