Tonight's starting goalies - Nov 14, 2008

Sorry about the no show yesterday, TSN deadline crunch wiped out my entire day yesterday, and a trade veto in my fantasy hockey league lead to 9 hours of debates and insults, good times.

Anyways, lets get back to business and the return of the starting goaltenders.

With the continuing injury woes of Kari Lehtonen the name Ondrej Pavelec should be on the minds of all keeper league owners.

The continuing frustration with Lehtonen's consistent health issues could lead to Pavelec's ascendency, sooner rather than later.

The Czech goalie posseses all the skills of a future starting NHL goaltender. An athletic butterfly goaltender, he likes to challenge and possesses great anticipation, as well as the calm demeanour and mental focus that could propel him to the star level. His biggest drawback at this point is inconsistency and the fact that he may languish on a bad to mediocre Thrashers team for some time. But in a keeper league patience is essential to winning a championship.

With OHL and international experience added to his AHL championship, Pavelec has the resume for NHL success. Add in a coach who rode him to that AHL title at the NHL level and the trigger may be pulled on Lehtonen much quicker than you think.

If your league has a minor league system, or you have extra roster space, Pavelec is a must add.

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

New Jersey Devils @ Washington Capitals

S. Clemmensen (vs Capitals, 1-1-0, 2.61 GAA, .893 SV%) probable

J. Theodore (vs Devils, 4-13-0, 2.69 GAA, .909 SV%) firm

Well, well, well. Jose Theodore worked his ass off in practice and apparently did not allow a goal in the last week and forced the Caps to place him back between the pipes, well, not really.

Brent Johnson got hurt and Boudreau has been left with no choice but to start the 4 Million Dollar man.

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Buffalo Sabres

P. Leclaire (vs Sabres, 1-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 SV%) likely

P. Lalime (vs Jackets, 7-3-0, 2.64 GAA, .896 SV%)) probable

The ugly bastard is back between the pipes and the Steve Mason hype has all of a sudden subsided after his mediocre showing against the Coyotes. Look at his numbers, are those really deserving of the Canadian media's latest lovefest and last weeks 2nd NHL star? Take it away Flava! Wow, a Patrick Lalime start without a rant from me, now that is a first!

Carolina Hurricanes @ Atlanta Thrashers

C. Ward (vs Thrashers, 10-5-2, 3.42 GAA, .882 SV%) likely

J. Hedberg (vs Hurricanes, 7-4-2, 3.04 GAA, .902 SV%) likely

How much better would Pavelec look with the acquisition of Tavares or Hedman? The shit has not settled at the bottom of the bowl yet, and Atlanta is one of the teams that has shown shocking buoyancy.

Detroit Red Wings @ Florida Panthers

T. Conklin (vs Panthers, 5-0-0, 1.59 GAA, .951 SV%) likely

C. Anderson (vs Wings, 0-2-0, 3.11 GAA, .908 SV%) firm

Will this be the night where Detroit gets a shutout and allows no shots on goal, proving once and for all that they don't really need a goalie? I am torn on wether this will happen first, or if Osgood will give up 1 goal on 1 shot in a 1-0 loss.

St. Louis Bluess @ Chicago Blackhawks

M. Legace (vs Hawks, 11-9-0, 2.29 GAA, .912 SV%) probable

N. Khabibulin (vs Blues, 18-14-3, 2.85 GAA, .908 SV%) firm

Can the Hawks please get off their asses and trade one of their goalies? Platoons destroy fantasy sports.

Nashville Predators @ Anaheim Ducks

D. Ellis (vs Ducks, 0-1-0, 5.05 GAA, .865 SV%) probable

JS Giguere (vs Predators, 13-6-0, 1.77 GAA, .938 SV%) probable

Nothing like a sophomore jinx at the age of 28, two years in a row the Predators have sold off their previous starter because of strong seasons by journeymen goaltenders. Does that make sense to you?

Tonight's starting goalies - Nov 9, 2008

I remember when Kari Lehtonen was the next great Finish goaltender. With the emergence of Miika Kiprusoff in the 2004 playoffs and Vesa Toskala in San Jose and Antero Niittymaki winning the Calder Cup MVP, the Finnish goaltender had replaced the Quebec goaltender as the next fad.

When Lehtonen was drafted 2nd overall in 2002 they hype had him projected as the next superstar goaltender, being Finnish just intensified the hype. When he made his 4 game debut in 2004 those in the know rushed to the waiver wire to acquire his rights.
A chance to acquire the next great goaltender for nothing? In a keeper league this was a golden opportunity. 4 games, 5 goals against and a shutout and the hype had intensified.

Lehtonen followed that debut with an outstanding performance during the 2005 AHL season with the Wolves. With the return of NHL hockey he was handed the Thrashers number one job and immediately injured his groin in the first game of the season. Upon his return his performance was not as dynamic as his debut but a solid rookie performance was once again undermined by a late season ankle injury. At this point the injuries were overlooked and Lehtonen looked to be a fixture in goal on a rising Thrashers squad. In a keeper league he remained a hot commodity.

For all the patient owners Lehtonen rewarded them with 34 wins and a .912 SV%. His goals against average was in the high two's, but he had finally begun to scratch the surface on his TUP (tremendous upside potential).

Well, the next season the injury bug raised it's ugly head again and the disastrous move of trading Braydon Coburn for Alexei Zhitnik and the loss of Marian Hossa wiped the lustre of the potential powerhouse in Atlanta. So now Lehtonen owners were left with a charter member of the Marian Havorik All-Stars on a team that was closer to the lottery than the playoffs, a far cry from the potential All-Star on the Cup contender.

Now 14 games into the 2009 season Lehtonen has already hit the IL and has Ondrej Pavelec nipping on his heels. So the big question is, can Lehtonen ever reach that untapped potential or was he the product of Justin Pogge type hype?

My guess would be a change of scenery is the most likely scenario to recessitate his career, and your only option if you are a Lehtonen owner is to hold onto him until he can regain some of his previous lofty ranking. Anything outside trading him to a Thrashers fan will most likely result in you getting burnt.

With thanks to the Goalie Post, on to tonight's starters.

Atlanta Thrashers @ Carolina Hurricanes

K. Lehtonen (vs Hurricanes, 3-9-1, 3.87 GAA, .880 SV%) probable

C. Ward (vs Thrashers, 10-4-2, 3.33 GAA, .887 SV%) probable

Following the 2006 season these two goalies could have returned you a boatload in trade. Today? Essentially nothing.

Calgary Flames @ Chicago Blackhawks

M. Kiprusoff (vs Hawks, 8-4-3, 2.23 GAA, .923 SV%) likely

C. Huet (vs Flames, 1-4-1, 2.96 GAA, .890 SV%)) firm

You think this is what Cristobal Huet had in mind when he left Washington? You have to love professional sports. The Capitals are happy as hell with Huet after his strong stretch run last season, Huet is happy with being the undisputed starter in DC, and the Caps lowball him, Huet goes looking for the money and now they are both unhappy.

Edmonton Oilers @ New Jersey Devils

D. Roloson (vs Devils, 0-6-2, 2.97 GAA, .889 SV%) probable

K. Weekes (vs Oilers, 1-2-0, 3.62 GAA, .880 SV%) probable

The battle of the journeymen, how exciting.

San Jose Sharks @ Phoenix Coyotes

B. Boucher (vs Coyotes, 1-2-2, 3.95 GAA, .870 SV%) probable

I. Bryzgalov (vs Shark, 5-4-1, 2.35 GAA, .922 SV%)) firm

Boucher seems to have caught fire again, ride him while he is hot, because when he cools down, he cools all the way down to Worcester.

Florida Panthers @ Anaheim Ducks

C. Anderson (vs Ducks, 0-2-0, 3.55 GAA, .863 SV%) probable

JS Giguere (vs Panthers, 4-3-1, 2.73 GAA, .911 SV%) probable