We have another shortened week with the NHL All-Star Game looming. A few familiar faces return to the ice, while others are struggling in this week’s edition of the Fantasy Hockey Goalie Report.
Fantasy Hockey Goalie Report
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Returning to the Crease
Braden Holtby, WSH: Holtby missed the last two games after getting a stick in the eye, and thankfully the injury wasn’t more serious. His return had him square off against his former Coach Barry Trotz’s Islanders, where his Capitals were blanked 2-0. Holtby made 23 saves, and will resume his role as Washington’s starter, however he will surely split the next two outings with Phoenix Copley, as the Caps have a back-to-back with San Jose and Toronto.
Frederik Andersen, TOR: Andersen returned after an eight-game absence, suffering a defeat to the Avalanche, but pulled out a win against the league’s top team in the Lightning. Andersen’s been one of the league’s top goalies all season, winning 21 of 32 games with a 2.53 GAA and .923 save percentage. His Leafs have just one game on the schedule this week, where they host the aforementioned Capitals.
Craig Anderson, OTT: The veteran netminder missed the last 11 contests with a concussion, but has finally been activated from injured reserve. Anders Nilsson got the start for Friday’s game versus Carolina, but it’s encouraging to see Anderson back in the lineup, even if it is as the backup. The Senators host the Coyotes, their lone game this week, and Anderson could get the start, or they could opt to let him rest until after the All-Star break.
MacKenzie Blackwood, NJD: Blackwood missed three contests with a lower body injury, but has started three of New Jersey’s past four games, allowing 10 goals against while gathering a pair of wins. He’s taken the starting role from Keith Kinkaid, and could force the Devils into a making a tough decision once Cory Schneider comes back. Schneider still hasn’t participated in a regular team practice, showing that his return isn’t imminent. If you are to own a New Jersey goalie, take Blackwood, while keeping an eye on Schneider’s health. Just note that the Devils are one of many teams without a game this week.
Juuse Saros, NSH: The backup goaltender was out of the lineup due to illness, but relieved Pekka Rinne in Sunday’s loss to Carolina, then got the start against the Capitals, where the Predators won 7-2. Saros has won his last three starts, and is due to start taking on more of the workload. The Preds are comfortably in a playoff position, so Saros can benefit from the team giving Rinne more rest down the stretch. Nashville hits the road to meet Colorado and Vegas this week, and we could see both goaltenders each get a start, especially with Rinne going to the All-Star Game.
Injury Notes
Corey Crawford, CHI (concussion), Brian Elliott, PHI (lower body), Antti Raanta, ARZ (lower body) all remain out indefinitely. Meanwhile, Ryan Miller could return after the All-Star Break based on his original timeline.
Struggling
Carter Hutton, BUF: Hutton got off to an average start with the Sabres, but once he got settled in he took his team to the top of the standings, which included an eight-game win streak for the goaltender. However, he’s only won two of the following 12 games, capped off by allowing five goals on 12 shots to the Oilers Monday night. This has led to Hutton now sharing the crease with Linus Ullmark. 11 of Buffalo’s last 22 games have seen Ullmark get the start.
Sent Down
Adin Hill, ARZ: After filling in as the Coyotes starter when both Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta (lower body) were out of commission, Hill has been starting less and less now that Kuemper is healthy. He’ll go to the AHL and get more meaningful ice time, while the Coyotes will run with Kuemper and Calvin Pickard as his backup. Arizona plays a back-to-back in Ottawa and Montreal, creating an opportunity for both goaltenders to receive a start.
NHL Teams with Two Games
With games only taking place Monday through Wednesday, the max amount of games anyone can have is two. There are a handful of teams with two games, including: Arizona Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals.
Arizona, Carolina, San Jose, and Washington each play a back-to-back.
NHL Teams with No Games
The All-Star break has caused a schedule where a number of teams have no games this week. Those clubs are: Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Winnipeg Jets.
Make sure all of your goaltenders don’t play for the above 10 teams, otherwise you better check out what’s available on the waiver wire.
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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