Tonight's starting goalies - Nov 28, 2008

Is there a more secure job nowadays then playing goal for the Colorado Avalanche?

I understand that Peter Budaj has been hot lately with 14 goals against in his last 8 starts, a .950+ SV% and 5 wins but does it really make a difference to the Avs?

Budaj was brutal to start the season, yet there was Andrew Raycroft modeling hats for www.avalanche.com, stapled to the bench. Is Raycroft that bad? Do his kids think that he is lying when he tells them he is an NHL goaltender and once was considered the best rookie in the league? (you know it was a thin year when Michael Ryder was runner-up).

The Avalanche used to have Patrick Roy patroling the crease, since his retirement they have failed to maintain their contender status. Could it have anything to do with the names David Aebischer, Jose Theodore, Peter Budaj and Andrew Raycroft?

But I digress. I think Peter Budaj could pull a Ned Braden and have Tony Granato look down the bench and ask Adam Foote if he has ever played net before he put Raycroft back in net.

Peter Budaj > Andrew Raycroft > Manon Rheaume. Don't expect any playoff games in Denver anytime soon.

With thanks to the goalie post, on to tonight's starters

NY Islanders @ Boston Bruins

T. Thomas (vs Islanders, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) probable

J. MacDonald (vs Bruins, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) probable

Two of the hottest teams going head to head in Boston tonight. You know a season is long when that sentence can be used in reference to the NY Islanders.

Carolina Hurricanes @ Philadelphia Flyers

C. Ward (vs Flyers, 2-4-1, 3.59 GAA, .876 SV%) probable

M. Biron (vs Canes, 9-4-2, 2.50 GAA, .917 SV%) firm

I don't think I could despise two teams more than the Canes and Flyers. I wonder if it has anything to do with them knocking the Habs out of the playoffs? Nah, don't like NASCAR or philly cheesesteaks.

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Minnesota Wild

M. Smith (vs Wild, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) firm

N. Backstrom (vs Lightning, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) probable

Josh Harding meet Mike Smith. There is hope for young backups with promise being traded and given an opportunity.

Colorado Avalanche @ Phoenix Coyotes

P. Budaj (vs Coyotes, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) firm

M. Telqvist (vs Avalanche, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) firm

Former terrible Leaf backup meet former terrible Leaf backup. To think, at one time John Ferguson Jr. convinced the top notch Toronto media that Andrew Raycroft and Mikael Telqvist were the future of the Maple Leafs. And one wonders why Leaf Nation cringes at the taste of Kool-Aid.

Chicago Blackhawks @ Anaheim Ducks

C. Huet (vs Ducks, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) probable

J. Hiller (vs Hawks, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) firm

Cristobal Huet, playing time. Playing time, Cristobal Huet. Your vacation is over Mr. Huet, you may now proceed to play well, but just poor enough that the Hawks second guess your contract.

Montreal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals

J. Halak (vs Capitals, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) firm

J. Theodore (vs Canadiens, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) firm

You ever think Jose Theodore wonders what the hell happened? See what happens when you are good looking? I am reminded of the quote by the great George Best "If I 'd been born ugly, you'd never have heard of Pele". Then again, wouldn't Pascal Leclaire be the best goalie in the league? Nevermind

Pittsburgh Penguins @Buffalo Sabres

R. Miller (vs Penguins, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) probable

D. Sabourin (vs Sabres, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) firm

Can we play this game outside the HSBC Arena again, it could be -40 and everybody would be warm because of the 36 fires ablaze in Buffalo county. Was Commander Tom an Astronaut, or a fire man?

Nashville Predators @ Atlanta Thrashers

P. Rinne (vs Thrashers, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) likely

J. Hedberg (vs Predators, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) firm

Remember when Johan Hedberg at 27 years of age showed up in Pittsburgh with his Moose helmet and lead the Pens to the second round of the playoffs? Neither does 90% of the hockey universe. Remember when Dan Ellis at 27 years of age wrestled the starting job away from Chris Mason in 2008? Neither will 90% of the hockey universe.

NY Rangers @ Florida Panthers

H. Lundqvist (vs Panthers, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) probable

C. Anderson (vs Rangers, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) firm

I know that the Movember moustache is for a good cause, but unless your name is Larry Robinson it just doesn't look right.

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Detroit Red Wings

P. Leclaire (vs Wings, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) probable

C. Osgood (vs Jackets, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) firm

You think if Pascal Leclaire wore the Osgood style helmet he would get an edge? I mean it has to be intimidating breaking in on him and being exposed to the horror of his face right? Could you imagine if he played in the original 6 era with no mask? Shudder, thank god for Jacques Plante!

San Jose Sharks @ Dallas Stars

E. Nabokov (vs Stars, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) firm

M. Turco (vs Sharks, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) probable

If Ron Wilson is such a great coach, why is Patrick Marleau playing out of his mind and San Jose better than they were last year? Anybody? Must be "The Tin Man" Joe Thornton's fault.

Tonight's starting goalies - Nov 27, 2008

While browsing the waiver wire to fill in a temporary backup for Carey Price I was shocked to see the name at the top of the available list.

Not shocked that he was available, but shocked at the numbers that Alex Bald had put up during the first quarter of the season. A 2.04 GAA and a .926 SV%?

Let's just say I had to click on the link to Alex Bald's page more than once. There it was, an Ottawa Senators goaltender near the top of the league in goaltending categories yet had only registered 6 wins.

Was I in bizarro world? A Sens goalie who is playing out of his mind yet not winning games? A stark contrast to the Patrick Lalime era, where the Sens goalie just had to stop shots from outside the blue line to win games (a task that Lalime struggled with).

Bald has wrested the starting job from Martin Gerber, mind you, that is as difficult as Kevin Federline getting the kids from Brittney, but Auld has given up 2 or fewer goals in 9 of his 14 starts and has been rewarded with a 6-5-3 record.

The media is just slowly coming to terms with the idea that the Sens no longer have players like Martin Havlat, Todd White, Radek Bonk and Bryan Smolinski on their 3rd line and perennial All-Stars Wade Redden and Zdeno Chara are plying their trade elsewhere.

Now if only the owner in my league who traded Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Kari Lehtonen and Justin Pogge and a first round pick for Ray Emery and Jaromr Jagr had known it a little earlier, he may have saved himself the trouble of making the worst trade in keeper league history, that, is an article for another day.

With thanks to the goalie post, on to tonight's starters

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Ottawa Senators

V. Toskala (vs Senators, 5-3-0, 3.09 GAA, .893 SV%) probable

A. Auld (vs Leafs, 2-3-2, 2.34 GAA, .928 SV%) firm

The battle of Ontario isn't what it used to be. It used to be a no brainer for me which position I would rather be in. The Sens used to have a strong farm system and young NHL players on affordable contracts, but their current brain trust has really butchered the tail end of their contender window. With three elite level players and very little else, the Sens are not cap friendly and do not possess young players to compensate for Heatley, Spezza and Alfreddson's inflated deals. The Leafs right now may have less talent, but are not locked into long term deals, have little pressure to perform and have a fanbase who has a new regime to sell the future. Sens fans have expectations, Leaf fans do not. I think I just said I would rather be the Leafs? Now you know the Sens are a mess!

Calgary Flames @ Vancouver Canucks

M. Kiprusoff (vs Canucks, 14-13-5, 2.99 GAA, .891 SV%) probable

C. Sanford (vs Flames, 1-3-0, 3.32 GAA, .888 SV%) firm

The Sanford/Schneider era begins in Vancouver. If you are conservative go with Sanford, he is a veteran who should be able to step in and do a solid job of bridging the gap to Luongo. If you like to roll the dice, then the upside of Schneider is the way to go, his monster numbers in the AHL may afford him a nice run if Sanford falters in any way.

Tonight's starting goalies - Nov 26, 2008

Evgeni Nabokov returns tonight as owners rejoice everywhere.

After sitting for only 5 games last season, Nabokov had to sit for 3 weeks. But in Nabokov's absence, Boucher had the better numbers. Boucher has a better goals-against average (1.88) and save percentage (.928) than Nabokov (2.71 and .891) this season. That should provide Todd McLellan with the confidence to go to Boucher at any time this year.

Now there is no goalie controversy in San Jose, but you have to wonder if his days of 70+ starts are over. Let's hope Nabby owners never have to deal with the Toskala/Nabokov style tandem every again.

For Nabokov, he should take advantage of his situation. It is not to often in your life where you can pay to have your groin massaged and get away with it.

With thanks to the goalie post.

Tonight's starting goalies - Nov 25, 2008

St. Louis Blues @ Nashville Predators

C. Mason (vs Predators, 0-0-0) likely

D. Ellis (vs Blues, 2-1-0, 3.06 GAA, .879 SV%) probable

Mason get his chance for revenge tonight, he should be fired up that the Predators allowed a career minor leaguer to outperform another career minor leaguer, and chose the wrong career minor leaguer. Can you exact revenge against yourself? note: 1-0 shutout for Mason in a shootout? Would Vegas even given odds on that? Once again why the whole premise of projections are ridiculous. The only one who knew this result was coming was Biff Tannen.

Atlanta Thrashers @ Toronto Maple Leafs

J. Hedberg (vs Leafs, 6-5-0, 3.01 GAA, .891 SV%) firm - Fan 590

C. Joseph (vs Thrashers, 6-4-0, 2.99 GAA, .883 SV%) firm

Calling Vesa Toskala, John Ferguson jr. on line one. He wants to congratulate you on making the only positive move he made in 4 years look bad.

LA Kings @ Calgary Flames

E. Ersberg (vs Flames, 0-0-0) probable

M. Kiprusoff (vs Kings, 10-5-1, 2.55 GAA, .910 SV%) probable

I take it back, the Kings aren't tanking anymore. But I will take it back if LaBarbera sees the ice again. Bad goaltending exposes flaws, good goaltending hides them. Kind of like a very large chest on a woman.

Tonight's starting goalies - Nov 21, 2008

Is it possible that JS Giguere is underrated?

Names like Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist, Miikka Kiprusoff and Roberto Luongo always seem to get drafted before Giguere every season.

Last season he finished ahead of Brodeur in 2 of the 4 most important categories and tied him in another.

In 2006-07 the only goalies who finished ahead of him were Brodeur, Luongo, Hasek and Backstrom.

Personally, I think it has to do with his equipment. I believe that he is underrated because of his oversized LEGAL equipment. People tend to think that he is cheating, but Giguere has perfected the technical art of goaltending and has used the rules to his advantage. There is no doubt he does not have the same ability as Luongo or Brodeur, but in fantasy it doesn't really matter.

As long as the NHL continues to employ a guy for $80,000 a year to monitor goalies, instead of invest in a crew full of people to measure and maintain that a goaltender actually fit his equipment, Giguere is going to remain among the fantasy elite.

But in a keeper league, be wary. It is not a mystery why Giguere bounced from Hartford to Calgary before ending up in Anaheim. Should the NHL change the rules and force Giguere to go

from this....

To this....

Then you may have a slight problem.

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

Florida Panthers @ Boston Bruins

C. Anderson (vs Devils, 2-1-0, 1.64 GAA, .955 SV%) probable

T. Thomas (vs Panthers, 1-5-1, 4.97 GAA, .857 SV%) probable

Tim Thomas and the Bruins continue to roll along, the scary thing to think about is how good the Bruins would be with an elite goaltender. This is shaping up as an Ottawa Senators story, Thomas is more Lalime than Brodeur. Remember, a good system in Boston was capable of making Andrew Raycroft look like a future star at one time.

NY Islanders @ NJ Devils

J. MacDonald (vs Devils, 1-1-1, 1.67 GAA, .951 SV%) firm

K. Weekes (vs Islanders, 8-9-2, 3.01 GAA, .896 SV%) firm

Wow, the Islanders are one strained groin away from starting Peter Mannino. Has a GM ever strapped on oversized equipment and been the emergency starter? You better start stretching Mr. Snow. And what does it say about Kevin Weekes when he is under .500 against the NY ISLANDERS!!

Phoenix Coyotes @ Carolina Hurricanes

I. Bryzgalov (vs Hurricanes, 0-1-0, 5.74 GAA, .786 SV%) likely

C. Ward (vs Coyotes, 0-2-0, 5.40 GAA, .822 SV%) probable

Is it possible to fire the coach if he is a part owner? Just asking.

Philadelphia Flyers @ Buffalo Sabres

M. Biron (vs Sabres, 2-2-1, 3.88 GAA, .864 SV%) firm

R. Miller (vs Flyers, 7-3-1, 2.78 GAA, .905 SV%) probable

Martin Biron returns to the city that launched his mediocre career. Yawn. Something tells me the Sabres are not losing any sleep over that decision.

Nashville Predators @ Tampa Bay Lightning

D. Ellis (vs Lightning, 0-0-1, 1.97 GAA, .920 SV%) probable

M. Smith (vs Predators, 2-1-0, 2.34 GAA, .892 SV%) probable

The Lightning are 5-6-7. Only in NHL 2.0 could you lose 13 of 18 games and be within 4 points of a playoff spot. How does Gary Bettman have a job again?

Anaheim Mighty Ducks @ St. Louis Blues

JS Giguere (vs Blues, 10-2-2, 2.04 GAA, .920 SV%) probable

M. Legace (vs Ducks, 4-8-1, 3.82 GAA, .878 SV%) probable

Manny Legace was the second rated fantasy goaltender in 2006. Just thought I would mention that.

Tonight's starting goalies - Nov 20, 2008

Don't look now, but the quiet resurection of Marty Turco's season has begun. Although he only has 2 wins in his last 5 starts he has only allowed 11 goals in those starts. The opportunity to buy low on Turco could disappear very quickly should he continue to improve his numbers over the next couple of weeks.

Just like anything in fantasy sports, patience is essential in winning championships. The opportunity to get lucky will always exist for individual owners, but maintaining a consistent contender requires patience.

Those who chose to panic early on and deal Turco, are probably the same owners who dealt away Martin Brodeur after his sluggish start to 2008.

The Dallas incumbent has put up 4 consecutive 30+ wins seasons, 6 times has produced a sub 2.50 GAA and has only once registered a save percentage below .900. Add in the fact that he plays on a Stars team that made the Conference finals last season and has not registered a season of less than 90 pts since 1996 and it remains a no brainer that he will rebound.

Keep poking around Turco owners, but your time may be running out to steal one of fantasy's elite goalkeepers.

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

Florida Panthers @ New Jersey Devils

T. Vokoun (vs Devils, 4-3-1, 2.54 GAA, .917 SV%) firm

S. Clemmensen (vs Panthers, 0-0-0) probable

Pure guess on Clemmensen, probably the same attitude that Brent Sutter takes when sending out his starting goaltender. Not quite the same as penciling in Fatso on a nightly basis.

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Atlanta Thrashers

D. Sabourin (vs Thrashers, 0-0-0) likely

J. Hedberg (vs Penguins, 1-0-0, 2.98 GAA, .824 SV%) probable

Thanks to the NHL, the Lehtonen situation has become ridiculous. Nobody knows what is wrong with him, this helps the NHL how? This is right up there with expanding to regions who don't care about hockey, the glowing puck and linkage in the salary cap that has caused the floor to approach the hard cap the NHLPA proposed 4 years ago. Bettman keeps his job how? I agree with the Sportsguy, Stern sent him from the NBA to sabotage the league.

Montreal Canadiens @ Ottawa Senators

C. Price (vs Senators, 3-2-0, 2.54 GAA, .916 SV%) likely

A. Auld (vs Canadiens, 1-2-1, 2.93 GAA, .903 SV%) firm

A battle of two struggling teams. Everybody thought the Habs had righted the ship with a 4-0 whipping of the Sens last week, but people still associate contender with the Senators, even though they have done nothing to earn that respect in the last calendar year. Kind of like people still buying AC DC records.

Vancouver Canucks @ Minnesota Wild

C. Sanford (vs Wild, 3-2-0, 2.63 GAA, .905 SV%) likely

N. Backstrom (vs Canucks, 7-2-3, 2.03 GAA, .928 SV%) probable

I think Roberto Luongo has earned the night off tonight. I still can't believe that Henrik Lundqvist yanked himself from the game. Can't remember the last time I saw that.

Chicago Blackhawks @ Dallas Stars

N. Khabibulin (vs Stars, 14-14-3, 2.77 GAA, .902 SV%) likely

M. Turco (vs Hawks, 14-2-1, 1.78 GAA, .925 SV%) probable

With Turco sporting a 14-2-1 career mark against the Hawks, it would seem like his resurrection should continue. But these aren't your daddy's Blackhawks, well, actually they are, the Hawks used to be good. Let's rephrase, these aren't your older brother's Blackhawks.

Calgary Flames @ Colorado Avalanche

M. Kiprusoff (vs Avs, 15-10-4, 2.76 GAA, .898 SV%) probable

P. Budaj (vs Flames, 4-8-1, 3.82 GAA, .878 SV%) firm

Is Peter Budaj so good that Raycroft cannot even get into a game? Ladies and gentlemen, the John Ferguson Jr. era.

Detroit Red Wings @ Edmonton Oilers

C. Osgood (vs Oilers, 16-8-7, 2.26 GAA, .913 SV%) firm

M. Garon (vs Red Wings, 3-3-0, 3.54 GAA, .893 SV%) probable

A team with three mediocre goalies, battles a team with no goalies at all, NEXT on versus.

Washington Capitals @ Los Angeles Kings

B. Johnson (vs Kings, 2-4-1, 2.71 GAA, .897 SV%) likely

E. Ersberg (vs Capitals, 0-0-0) firm

If Eric Ersberg played in Toronto this guy would be a rockstar, in LA, nobody cares. Toronto media has hyped in no discernable order: Andrew Raycroft, Damian Rhodes, Marcel Cousineau, Peter Ing, Mikael Telqvist, Jeff Reece, Alan Bester, Justin Pogge etc.

Tonight's starting goalies - Nov 19, 2008

Huge game in New York City tonight.

The battle of the top two fantasy goalies in hockey takes place. Luongo enters the game trailing Lundqvist in three of four categories.

Lundqvist has posted two more wins than Luongo and holds a slim margin over him in GAA and SV%. The category where Luongo has the edge is in shutouts, a category in which he holds a 5-0 lead.

There is no doubt who is the more dominant player, most of the Canucks success is attributed to Luongo carrying them on his back. Lundqvist plays on a more complete Rangers squad and his value is helped by this fact.

Lundqvist is a solid number two right now in keeper leagues, but Luongo has been Dominik Hasek in 1998 dominant. In the month of November Bobby Lou has allowed 7 goals over his last 7 games on 207 shots. With his only losses registering in a shootout in 1-1 OT ties.

Will this game determine the number one goalie in fantasy? No. In a keeper league, that is Luongo's to keep. Lundqvist's could challenge should the Rangers remain on their 118 point pace, but that, is highly unlikely.

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

updated @ 2:34 PM

Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins

R. Miller (vs Bruins, 12-4-4, 2.49 GAA, .913 SV%) probable

M. Fernandez (vs Sabres, 4-0-1, 1.77 GAA, .941 SV%) probable

Ryan Miller has come crashing down to earth after the Sabres quick start. After winning 7 of his first 9 starts and back to back shutouts, Miller has given up 15 goals in his last 4 games. Good thing he plays in such an optimistic city like Buffalo.

Vancouver Cannucks @ NY Rangers

R. Luongo (vs Rangers, 6-10-2. 2.65, .921 SV%) firm

H. Lundqvist (vs Canucks, 0-1-0, 3.03 GAA, .903 SV%) firm

We haven't seen a matchup like this with two stars at the top of their games since Traci Lords hooked up with John Holmes in the early 80s. Nice to have the Center Ice package on nights like these.

Washington Capitals @ Anaheim Ducks

J. Theodore (vs Ducks, 5-4-0, 2.72 GAA, .917 SV%) probable

J. Hiller (vs Capitals, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) probable