With the NHL having a schedule that varies week to week, and goaltenders getting bit by the injury bug, a fantasy hockey goalie report is here to provide information on everything you need to know regarding the last line of defense.
Fantasy Hockey Goalie Report
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Returning to the Crease
Jonathan Quick, LAK: Quick has dealt with numerous injuries this year, and his Kings are at the bottom of the standings. There’s still time to turn things around, but Quick can’t suffer yet another injury if that’s going to happen. He allowed three goals on 34 shots in his first game back, a 3-2 loss to the Oilers. After a few games of shaking off the rust, he will stabilize the Kings crease, which has seen Calvin Petersen hold the fort down in Quick’s absence. Los Angeles has three games this week, where they host Arizona, New Jersey, and Vegas.
Ben Bishop, DAL: Big Ben has missed the past five games, but was activated off injury reserve, and could make his return Saturday against Vancouver. He has eight wins in 15 contests, with a 2.33 GAA, .923 save percentage, and a pair of shutouts. Anton Khudobin returns to his backup role, after winning two of five games as the starter. Dallas has three games this upcoming week, starting off by hosting Edmonton and San Jose, then heading out to Vegas.
Fantasy Hockey Injury Notes
Arizona Coyotes: Antti Raanta is back on the shelf with a lower body injury, after returning from an eight game absence also caused by a lower body ailment. Darcy Kuemper is on injured reserve for a lower body injury too. Calvin Pickard was claimed off waivers to fill some of the void left by the injuries. Arizona also has Adin Hill, who is coming off a 3-0 shutout victory over the Predators. They have three games this week, against Los Angeles, Washington, and San Jose. It remains to be seen who will be the starter, but given Hill’s recent performance, he’d be the safer bet to start at least two of those games.
Philadelphia Flyers: Brian Elliott will be out longer than expected with his lower body injury, and is considered week-to-week. Michal Neuvirth has been activated from injured reserve, and has made just a single appearance this season. Calvin Pickard was claimed off waivers by the aforementioned Coyotes, leaving Anthony Stolarz to start their most recent game. He allowed four goals on 24 shots in a loss to Ottawa. He didn’t play for the Flyers during the entire 2017-18 campaign, but did appear in seven games during 2016-17. The Flyers have three upcoming games, versus Columbus, Buffalo, and Winnipeg. The result of Saturday’s tilt with the Penguins should determine which goaltender gets the bulk of the action in Elliott’s absence.
Florida Panthers: Roberto Luongo (knee) is close to returning, and is aiming to be back Tuesday. The Panthers will continue to rely on James Reimer until then. Florida has three games this week against the Bruins, Avalanche, and Rangers.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Matt Murray (lower body) continues to nurse his injury. Casey DeSmith remain the starter, with Tristan Jarry backing him up. DeSmith has won his last three outings, while Jarry is winless. The Penguins face the Avalanche, Islanders, and Senators this week.
NHL Teams with the Most Games
Edmonton Oilers: Mikko Koskinen has taken over the starting role, playing six of Edmonton’s last eight games, and winning four of them. Cam Talbot on the other hand has struggled, having not won a game since October 28. He hasn’t posted a save percentage above .906 during that span. Koskinen should see the bulk of the action if he continues to play well. The Oilers have no back-to-backs this week, as they face Dallas, St. Louis, Minnesota, and Calgary.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Andrei Vasilevskiy (foot) is still two to four weeks away from returning. Louis Domingue has yet to concede the net, winning six of his nine starts. Edward Pasquale was sent back down to Syracuse, having not made his NHL debut. Connor Ingram was called up in his place, who has also never made an NHL appearance. That could change as the Bolts have a back-to-back with New Jersey and Detroit, followed by visits from Boston and Colorado.
Other teams with four games: Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Vegas Golden Knights.
NHL Teams with the Fewest Games
Carolina Hurricanes: Carolina plays two games in California this week, in San Jose and Anaheim. It won’t be Scott Darling starting those games, after clearing waivers and heading to Charlotte of the AHL. He posted two wins in seven starts with a 3.14 GAA and .892 save percentage. For the first time in his career, the 35-year-old Curtis McElhinney has the inside track as the starter. He’s won four of his past five starts while only allowing seven pucks past him in the process. Petr Mrazek will serve as the backup. He’s coming off a recent lower body injury, which has caused him to not start a game since November 2.
New York Rangers: The blueshirts have just one game this week, where they visit the Panthers Saturday evening. Henrik Lundqvist split the home-and-home with the Senators, and his Rangers have a back-to-back with Montreal and Winnipeg before having a five day rest.
For more great fantasy hockey talk, listen in on Chris Meaney and Neil Parker on the Fantrax Fantasy Hockey Podcast, as they hit on all the injuries, streamers, and recent trends you need to know to stay on top of the fantasy ice.
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