Tonight's starting goalies - Nov 18, 2008

It seems that every time I praise a goaltender or slam one the exact opposite seems to occur. (note to self, slam Carey Price tomorrow)

After I pointed out how Miikka Kiprusoff's numbers had plummeted over the last 4 years he immediately put up 5 straight wins and allowed 8 goals in 5 games.

Same with Steve Mason, Carey Price and Tim Thomas. So this can be a valuable resource for you. Read what I write, and do the opposite. Just like Costanza, it may lead you to fantasy glory!

Since then he has allowed 26 goals in 6 games. I am not sure wether he is toast or off to another slow start.

When all else fails though, look at the declining numbers. Those have not lied. His save percentage is marginally up, and goals against average down since my last post, but they are still in stark contrast to the elite numbers we had been accustom to.

Prepare for the resurrection folks! Starting tonight.

With thanks to the Goalie Post, on to today's starters

Minnesota Wild @ Pittsburgh Penguins

N. Backstrom (vs Penguins, 0-0-0) probable

D. Sabourin (vs Lightning, 1-1-0, 2.00 GAA, .933 SV%) firm

Marc Andre Fleury will miss tonight because of an undisclosed injury. You know, the type that aren't a big deal but the team refuses to discuss it. What are we talking about here hemroids? And if it is hemroids, would they call that out with an ass? If it isn't major why can't they discuss it? The NHL needs to take a page from the most succesful league in the world, the NFL and disclose all injuries, more Bettman nonsense.

Montreal Canadiens @ Carolina Hurricanes

C. Price (vs Hurricanes, 1-1-0. 3.43. .905 SV%) firm

C. Ward (vs Canadiens, 6-2-2, 2.65 GAA, .916 SV%) probable

Here we go again, Mr. Career .898 SV% standing on his head against the Canadiens again. You would think his name was Camèron Wardieux.

Edmonton Oilers @ Columbus Blue Jackets

M. Garon (vs Jackets, 6-1-2, 2.31 GAA, .926 SV%) probable

P. Leclaire (vs Oilers, 1-1-2, 2.65 GAA, .894 SV%) firm

If you employ one of the Oilers threesome, get used to the flip of the coin prognostication for their starting goaltender. Waiting til 8:30 EST to set your goaltender will become a familiar routine.

Florida Panthers @ Tampa Bay Lightning

T. Vokoun (vs Bolts, 5-5-1, 2.74 GAA, .913 SV%) firm

M. Smith (vs Panthers, 0-2-1, 2.99 GAA, .902 SV%) firm

Looking at this matchup reminds me of what Jack Kent Cooke said when informed there were 300,000 former Canadians living within a three-hour drive of Los Angeles, and remarked, "Now I know why they left Canada: They hate hockey!". Old people in Florida go there to get away from the cold, or shitty hockey teams. Take your pick.

Chicago Blackhawks @ Phoenix Coyotes

N. Khabibulin (vs Coyotes, 8-3-1, 1.82 GAA, .935 SV%) probable

I. Bryzgalov (vs Hawks, 4-3-2, 2.17 GAA, .915 SV%) probable

Has anybody ever paid more money for 7 wins? Right now the Hawks are paying $1.7M per win. Who says Brian Burke has no chance of ending up in Chicago.

Colorado Avalanche @ Calgary Flames

P. Budaj (vs Flames, 4-7-1, 3.88 GAA, .871 SV%) probable

M. Kiprusoff (vs Avs, 14-10-4, 2.82 GAA, .897 SV%) probable

Bet the house on the Flames tonight!

Tonight's starting goalies - Nov 16, 2008

If you are a fantasy football player you know the importance of handcuffing a backup running back to it's starter. The same principle applies in Fantasy Hockey.

Players like Chris Osgood, Patrick Lalime and Vesa Toskala were more valuable because of the team they played for than their ability.

Well with Nabokov's lower body injury, or as the NFL would say, out with a leg, Brian Boucher should be an immediate add for Nabokov's owners. At first glance it looked like Nabokov would make a quick return, but it looks like it could be nagging and therefore a long term concern.

The Sharks are showing they are among the class of the West and will most likely put up 50+ wins. If Nabokov is out for a sustained period of time, Boucher will be protected enough and has enough ability to make a huge difference. It is a low risk, high reward gamble as dumping your worst player may reward you with the goaltender on a top 2 team in the Western Conference.

If he is still available, act now.

With thanks to the Goalie Post, on to today's starters

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Carolina Hurricanes

M. Smith (vs Hurricanes, 0-2-1, 4.89 GAA, .865 SV%) probable

C. Ward (vs Lightning, 7-7-1, 3.00 GAA, .895 SV%) probable

The owners in Tampa are a joke. But the bigger joke is the NHL media who looked at all the nonsensical moves they made in the off season and branded them a contender. Anytime you want to fool media, go out and sign as many big names as possible regardless of the fit. They see the names and automatically predict improvement. Who cares that hockey is won from the goaltender out and that the Lightning went into the season with an unproven netminder and a defense thinner than Nicole Ritchie.

Montreal Canadiens @ St. Louis Blues

C. Price (vs Blues, 0-0-0) firm

M. Legace (vs Canadiens, 2-0-0, 2.40 GAA, .904 SV%)) probable

This would have looked like a slam dunk two weeks ago for the Canadiens, but they are legitimately struggling. The wheels have come off because a couple of teams have pushed back. Are the Canadiens in the Tavares hunt? No, but their flaws have been exposed very early. If the coaching staff has the chops to counteract those flaws it may be a good thing, if not, look for another playoff flameout.

Atlanta Thrashers @ Philadelphia Flyers

J. Hedberg (vs Flyers, 1-5-1, 3.65 GAA, .871 SV%) probable

A. Niittymaki (vs Thrashers, 10-0-0, 1.51 GAA, .946 SV%) firm

It is amazing how french goaltenders get up to play the Canadiens. Martin Biron has been a disaster all year, yet last night he looked like the second coming of Bernie Parent in Montreal.

Not sure if it was the Habs sucking, or Biron playing great. I tend to lean to the Habs sucking myself.

San Jose Sharks @ Chicago Blackhawks

B. Boucher (vs Hawks, 4-2-2, 1.84 GAA, .930 SV%) probable

C. Huet (vs Sharks, 0-2-1, 3.65 GAA, .863 SV%) probable

Can you say somebody is slumping because they have given up 9 goals in their last 4 games? Boucher is off to a sick start and will continue to produce as long as Nabokov is out.

LA Kings @ Anaheim Ducks

J. Labarbera (vs Ducks, 3-2-1, 2.41 GAA, .916 SV%) probable

JS Giguere (vs Kings, 17-11-7, 2.77 GAA, .917 SV%) probable

Labarbera better be ready to stand on his head tonight, because Ersberg has a firm grip on the starters job and does not look like he is willing to let it go.