In the high-stakes world of fantasy hockey, few positions are as critical as goaltending. Your goalies can make or break your week—and your season. But it’s not just about talent. Matchups matter. Which teams should you be jumping to start your netminders against? And which squads have you running for the hills? Here’s your guide.
The Five Teams Fantasy Goalies Crave
If you see your goalie scheduled to face one of these offensively challenged clubs, get him locked and loaded into your lineup immediately:
- Nashville Predators: Surrender a league-high 4.45 fantasy points per game (FPAPG) to opposing goalies
- New York Islanders: Allow second-most FPAPG (3.94) and are tied for most shutouts allowed (4)
- Edmonton Oilers: High-powered offense consistently fails to convert, giving up 3rd-most FPAPG (3.66)
- Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby and company are aging and underperforming, conceding 3.35 FPAPG
- San Jose Sharks: Young and rebuilding, the Sharks provide easy prey with 3.25 FPAPG allowed
Elite talents like Igor Shesterkin and Andrei Vasilevskiy will always be must-starts. But if you’re debating between two mid-tier options, the team they’re facing should be the deciding factor. A date with the Predators or Isles can turn an average goalie into a world-beater for a night.
Steer Clear of These Offensive Juggernauts
On the flip side, there are some teams you pray your goalies avoid. No matter how talented the netminder, these five squads will shred them and torpedo your fantasy week:
- Washington Capitals: Limit goalies to a paltry -1.68 FPAPG, by far the lowest in the NHL
- Winnipeg Jets: High-flying forwards bury goalies to the tune of -1.06 FPAPG
- Vegas Golden Knights: Even without Jack Eichel, the Knights still inflict -0.52 FPAPG on opposing creases
- Florida Panthers: Loaded with talent up front, Florida punishes goalies with -0.27 FPAPG
- Carolina Hurricanes: Goalies suffer to a -0.08 FPAPG when the ‘Canes come to town
Unless you have a Vezina frontrunner between the pipes, consider benching your goalies when these offensive onslaughts are on the schedule. Even an elite fantasy goaltender can get lit up and cost you a matchup against these firepower-laden foes.
Analyzing Other Key Factors
Studying FPAPG yields useful insights that don’t always align with a team’s real-world record. For instance:
- The New York Islanders rank 19th in the standings but 2nd in FPAPG allowed due to frequently getting shut out
- The Edmonton Oilers are a respectable 15th overall but a goalie’s dream in 3rd for FPAPG surrendered
- The contending Boston Bruins inflate opposing goalie stats by rarely getting blanked and losing tight, low-scoring affairs
A team’s scoring and winning percentage are useful data points. But for fantasy purposes, FPAPG is the most relevant metric. It directly measures how a squad affects the stats that matter for your fantasy goalies.
Crafting a Matchup-Based Goalie Rotation
Armed with this knowledge, savvy fantasy managers can optimize their netminding. It’s all about playing the matchups. Follow these steps to goalie glory:
- Collect multiple startable goalies, even if they’re not elite
- Check the schedule at the start of each week
- Start netminders facing bottom feeders like Nashville and the Islanders
- Bench goalies against Washington, Winnipeg and other top attacks, when possible
- Stream backups and spot starters in prime matchups
- Profit as the extra wins and stellar stats roll in
“I used to just start my studs every night, no matter what. But since I started factoring in matchups, my goalies have taken me to another level. I’m crushing my league now.”
– A fantasy manager who wished to remain anonymous
In head-to-head formats, this can be the difference between sneaking into the playoffs and watching from the sidelines. And in rotisserie leagues, it will boost you up the standings as you rack up extra goalie points your rivals miss.
The Bottom Line on Fantasy Hockey Matchups
At the end of the day, goaltending is the key position in fantasy hockey. No other spot has such power to singlehandedly win or lose you a week. You can’t control how well your goalies play, but you can control who they play against.
By using FPAPG to stream goalies against weak attacks and avoid potent offenses, you’ll maximize the most critical position in the game. Nail your netminding, and a fantasy championship will be within your grasp.
So pore over those matchups, scour that waiver wire, and get the right goalies in your lineup. Your fantasy fate depends on it.
