The 18th week of the 2023-24 NHL season has begun and there are some good goalie options to add to your fantasy team. Whether you need netminders for just this week or for a bit longer, we’ll cover the best ones to pick up. When looking for goalie streams in fantasy hockey, it’s best to look at back-to-backs and if there are injuries to starters. This is a look at the three best options in net to stream in Week 18 of the fantasy hockey season.
Fantasy Hockey Week 18 Goalie Streams
David Rittich, Los Angeles Kings
After such a great start to the season for Cam Talbot and the Los Angeles Kings, both have fallen off hard. For fantasy purposes, that has been great for those who are in need of a goalie for the short-term or even the long-term. Coming in and playing a lot recently has been David Rittich, who actually started the season in the AHL as the third string.
Even though the Kings haven’t been winning a whole lot, when they have, Rittich is partially responsible for that. Why I say he may just be an option for the short-term is due to the fact that he is a backup at best in the NHL. This is a hot run for the most part he has been on and it will eventually come to an end when Talbot and the Kings figure things out. I anticipate that may be sooner than later, but still enough time for you to take advantage of adding Rittich. The Kings play four times this week against the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, and Pittsburgh Penguins. There is an opportunity for at least two starts this week.
Lukas Dostal, Anaheim Ducks
John Gibson, the Anaheim Ducks starter, was injured in the game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday and he was taken out after the second period. This forced Lukas Dostal into the game, and even though he got the loss, it may lead to more starts in the coming days and for this week in fantasy hockey.
Dostal doesn’t have the greatest numbers this season, but for playing on a bottom-of-the-league team, a .901 SV% is respectable. The Ducks have won some games recently and any team can get hot, so it isn’t a bad option to pick up a backup first when you know they are good for a start or two. The Ducks play three games this week against the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs. These aren’t the hardest matchups and the Ducks do have a chance at winning. Thus, Dostal has a chance at winning and putting up half-decent numbers.
Alex Nedeljkovic, Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins could be having a better year, but it is no fault of their goaltenders. While Tristan Jarry is the starter and should start two of the three games the team has this week, Alex Nedeljkovic is who we are interested in here. The Penguins kick off their week on Wednesday with a back-to-back against the Florida Panthers and then the Chicago Blackhawks on the second night. Nedeljkovic should get the start against the Blackhawks, one of the easiest matchups in the league.
When called upon, Nedeljkovic has been very solid, posting an 8-4-3 record with 2.63 GAA, .917 SV%, and one shutout. With the Penguins playing their back-to-back before the weekend, you will also have time to pick up anything else you need after you get the start from the Penguins’ backup on Thursday.
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Make sure to take advantage of these goalies for this week. The longer you wait, the more of a chance someone you may want is picked up before you get to them. There are early games that you will want to take advantage of as well. While a couple of these goaltenders should get at least one start this week, be sure to keep an eye on any other options throughout the week that may become solid options as well.