Fantasy Hockey: Targeting Goalies With Back-to-Back Games
The fantasy hockey playoffs are fast approaching and now that the trade deadline has passed, acquiring impactful players becomes more and more difficult. Streaming players here and there can still be helpful but it becomes harder to do now that fantasy owners are approaching their maximum acquisitions for the season. This is especially difficult when it comes to streaming goalies.
ICYMI: Maximizing Games to Win in the Playoffs
Below is a breakdown of every teams’ back-to-back schedule for the rest of the season. We take a look at a couple of the more intriguing teams to target and help you plan accordingly to get the most value out of some low-owned goalie options for the remainder of the season and playoffs.
Back-to-Back Games for Each Team
Teams to Target
Florida Panthers
The Panthers’ goaltending situation has played out rather unexpectedly this season. Spencer Knight (36% owned) was expected to, at worst, compete with Sergei Bobrovsky (92%) for the starting job this season but after recording a .892 SV% in his first 13 appearances (6-4-2), was sent down to the AHL. Knight has seen limited action in the NHL since but has been much improved when he called upon with a 4-2-0 record and .921 SV%. Bobrovsky has started in 23 of 30 games for the Panthers since Knight’s initial demotion and as a result, there has been very little value for Florida backup goalies in fantasy hockey. However, with six back-to-backs for the remainder of the season, look for Knight to see an increased workload.
In seven back-to-back sets for the Panthers this season, Bobrovsky has started both games only once. Knight has played in five back-to-back sets while Jonas Johansson (1%) has played in one. It has become clear that Johansson is just being used as a placeholder for whenever Knight is playing in the AHL and probably won’t see any action for the remainder of the season. In leagues where quality goalie starts are hard to come by on the waiver wire, Knight could provide major value for you down the stretch and into the playoffs. Adding Knight now almost guarantees to get you a start every week for the remainder of the season. If you are in a situation where you have very few player acquisitions remaining and are not solidified in your goaltending position, add Knight now.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes only have four back-to-back sets for the remainder of the season, but with two sets in both of the most common three-week playoff formats, there is a lot of value in adding Antti Raanta (28%). The Hurricanes rank first in their division as well but, unlike the Panthers, are significantly stingier defensively, and have allowed the fewest goals in the league.
If whatever is currently sidelining Frederik Andersen (99%) proves to be serious, then of course adding Raanta is a no-brainer. But if his injury proves to be minor, as initially expected, then Raanta can still provide you with significant value. Raanta has been terrific of late, with a 4-0-1 record along with a .933 SV% and one shutout. Even before Andersen’s injury, Raanta was starting to see action more regularly and not just exclusively back-to-backs. Andersen has faced some injury trouble in recent years and the Hurricanes will do everything in their power to keep him healthy for what they hope to be a deep playoff run. Look for Raanta to get a start in all four back-to-backs for the remainder of the season and possibly some additional games as well.
New York Islanders
In a bizarre scheduling quirk, the Islanders have one back-to-back in every week for the rest of the season. Ilya Sorokin has been outstanding this season, going 19-12-7 with a 2.32 GAA, .925 SV%, and six shutouts. He figures to start the lion’s share of the games down the stretch, but the back-to-backs open up the possibility of Semyon Varlamov starting at least one game per week. He is significantly higher owned than Knight and Raanta but at 59 percent, may still be available in your league. Varlamov has only four wins this season but has had issues with goal support. Overall, he’s been solid, posting a .912 SV% in 19 appearances.
There’s also the potential for him to be traded at the deadline to a goalie-needy team, which could lead to an even greater workload than just back-to-backs for the Islanders.
Takeaway
Raanta and Knight play for two of the top teams in the league so, naturally, they are two of the most attractive streaming options. However, if they are already unavailable there are still plenty of other options depending on the format and activity in your league. Use the above chart to determine what works for you, whether it’s a long-term addition or if you’re trying to gain an advantage on a week-to-week basis.