The Midweek Goalie Stream: Week 20
Four Goalies to Target for the Remainder of the Fantasy Period
We’re reaching the end of the fantasy hockey season. In many league formats, we have one more week of the regular season before the postseason begins. Thus, many fantasy hockey managers must finish the season strong to build essential momentum for the playoffs.
We’re a few days into Week 20, but that doesn’t mean managers can’t improve their rosters midweek. Here’s the remaining Week 20 schedule via TJ Stats’ schedule summary app (available via his Patreon).
In this post, I will look at four likely available goalies to target who could help boost managers’ fantasy performance for the remainder of this week.
Spencer Knight, CHI (21% rostered)
The Florida Panthers surprisingly traded Knight before the deadline in a deal that sent defenseman Seth Jones to Florida. Even though Knight wasn’t expected to be traded, he has already boosted a Blackhawks team in another rebuilding season. As of Wednesday, Chicago’s 45 points are good for last place in the Central Division.
Knight has been a breath of fresh air in the net for the Blackhawks. He won his debut start with Chicago on March 3rd against the Kings, saving 42 shots with a GAA of 1.00, SV% of 0.976, and GSAA of 3.16. That performance earned him his 13th win and 14th quality start of the season in 24 games played between Florida and Chicago.
In his last four games, the 23-year-old American goalie has a 4-0 record with a 1.75 GAA, 0.940 SV%, and 4.58 GSAA. Granted, he is now playing on a rebuilding team instead of on a squad competing for a Stanley Cup, which could affect his overall metrics for the rest of the season (2.34 GAA, 0.912 SV%, 58% QS%). However, he becomes the highest upside option in the net for the Blackhawks, as Peter Mrazek’s (10 wins, 3.46 GAA, 0.890 SV% in 33 GP) days look numbered, especially with younger options such as Knight and Arvid Soderblom available.
Knight will start tonight at home against Ottawa, which should be a good challenge for the young goaltender, especially with the Senators fighting for a playoff spot (the Senators have 65 points).
John Gibson, ANA (15% rostered)
On one end, Gibson’s stats don’t look all that great. In his past four games, he has a 3.00 GAA, 0.887 SV%, a -0.97 GSAA, and 33.3% QS%. Those are a bit down from his overall numbers this year, which are pretty impressive. In 25 games, he only has nine wins, but his 2.76 GAA, 0.911 SV%, and 72.62 GSAA are all solid marks, especially for fantasy leagues that utilize category scoring.
A big reason why managers should consider streaming Gibson this week is that the Ducks are on fire on the offensive end.
They have 14 goals in their last three games and are coming off a 6-2 win over the Oilers on the road (the previous night). Anaheim moves westward tonight to British Columbia to play the Canucks, the second game of a back-to-back. While some offensive regression is to be expected, the Ducks recently beat Vancouver 5-2 at home on February 27th.
The Canucks offense has stagnated since trading away JT Miller, though they have had issues for most of the season. This year, their 165 goals scored mark is the fourth-worst mark in the Western Conference. They are still hunting for a postseason berth with 65 points, but they are trending in the wrong direction, which sets up an opportunity for the Ducks to collect two upset wins in a row.
Tonight is a prime opportunity for Gibson to collect a win and possibly quality start in Vancouver.
Alex Lyon, DET (9% rostered)
The Red Wings’ fortunes have dramatically turned since Todd McLellan took over the reins as coach in Detroit. While McLellan’s familiarity with Cam Talbot was known, it seems like Lyon has also thrived in the net under his new coach.
Lyon has three wins and three quality starts in his last four games. Over that stretch, he has two wins, a 3.19 GAA, 0.886 SV%, and 0.42 GSAA. He had one bad start (RBS) during that four-game sample, which explains the weighed-down save and goals-allowed metrics.
Conversely, his overall numbers this year have been solid. In 24 games, he has 11 wins, 11 quality starts, a 2.71 GAA, .903 SV%, and 62.39 GSAA. Thus, there’s much to be hopeful about with Lyon, even with him as a primary backup in Detroit.
The Red Wings play a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday against Utah and Washington, respectively. Lyon likely will get that start at home against Utah, which will be a much more favorable matchup than on the road against Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals.
Eric Comrie, WPG (4% rostered)
It isn’t easy playing behind a Vezina award winner like Connor Hellebuyck. After all, Hellebuyck gets most of the starts in Winnipeg, and rightfully so, especially with the Jets at the top of the Western Conference with 88 points.
However, Comrie may not be a bad option for managers looking for a one-start stream this week to boost their matchups.
The 29-year-old Canadian goalie has three wins and three quality starts in his last four games. He has had two wins in three starts over the past month, a 1.65 GAA, a 0.940 SV%, a 3.22 GSAA, and 66.7% QS%. The volume isn’t there to make Comrie a long-term option for a fantasy squad, even as a third goalie. However, when Comrie is in the net for Winnipeg, he produces fantasy-wise.
Winnipeg has a three-game week with back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday at Philadelphia and New Jersey, respectively. Both those squads have been inconsistent offensively, as the Flyers have a -25 goal differential this season, and the Devils have only collected six goals in their last three games.
Comrie should get a start in one of those games and could sneak a win and quality start in the process for fantasy managers, who likely should drop him immediately after he plays.
Photo Credit: Bill Smith | NHLI via Getty Images