Anton Forsberg suffered an injury during the Blackhawks morning skate, so Delia has been called-up to serve as Cam Ward’s backup. Delia was 17-7-2 with a 2.72 GAA and .900 SV% in 28 games with the IceHogs last year.
Forsberg had to be helped off of the ice during the Blackhawks morning skate and will not be available to backup Cam Ward tonight. Forsberg will eventually be the Blackhawks’ No.3 netminder when Corey Crawford is healthy. Colin Delia will meet the team and serve as their No.2 in Ottawa.
Bailey didn’t skate this morning, but head coach Barry Trotz said there is a “0.0% chance” that he won’t play tonight. Bailey is coming off of the best season of his career (18G / 53A / 71P) and will start the year on the top line with Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier.
Hellebuyck has quickly become one of the best goalies in the NHL, leading the league in games played (67) and wins (44) last year while posting a rock-solid 2.36 GAA, .924 SV% and six shutouts. Hellebuyck could very well lead the NHL in wins again this season with a high-powered Jets offence playing in front of him.
Despite signing Robin Lehner this summer, the Islanders will go with Thomas Griess in the season opener. This would save Lehner for the home opener against the Predators on Saturday. Greiss is coming off of a tough season, playing in just 27 games with a 3.82 GAA, .892 SV% and one shutout. He draws a tough start to the season in Carolina, 2018’s best possession team.
The Stars picked up Connor Carrick in a trade with the Maple Leafs and he will play over Honka in the Stars season opener. Honka has had a hard time getting his NHL career on track, picking just nine points (2G / 7A) in 58 games.
During his first season in Dallas, Bishop went 26-17-5 with a 2.49 GAA, .916 SV% and five shutouts in 53 games. Bishop finished with a positive goals saved above average (6.12) and should be in line for 30-plus wins for the fourth time in his career. He makes for a strong start at home against a Coyotes team that he was 2-0 against last year.
Halak replaced Tuukka Rask in the Bruins 7-0 loss to the Capitals on Wednesday. Halak entered the game when it was 5-0 and ended up stopping 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%) in his Bruins debut. Halak was originally scheduled to start on Thursday, and Bruce Cassidy will stick with him despite both goalies playing on Wednesday.
Over the last two seasons, Allen has averaged 60 starts per season while posting a 2.75 GAA (14th) and .906 SV% (21st). Allen looks like a pretty average netminder, but he plays behind a defensively sound team that scores a lot of goals, so he’ll rack up the wins this year. He draws a brutal matchup tonight with the Jets in town—he was 1-2-0 with a 3.34 GAA and .890 SV% against them last season.
During his age-35 season, Rinne started 59 games games and won 42 games while posting a 2.31 GAA, .927 SV% and leading the NHL in shutouts (8) and goals saved above average (27.5). Rinne enters the final year of his contract, so they could turn to Juuse Saros if Rinne struggles early-on. He should be able to get off to a good start as he faces a below average Rangers team.
Dumoulin, who has been battling an upper-body injury, took part in Wednesday’s practice and today’s morning skate, so it looks like he’ll play tonight. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan loves the “game-time decision” tag, so expect Dumoulin to be in the lineup.
Hutton led the NHL in GAA (2.09) and SV% (.931) while starting 32 games as the St. Louis Blues’ backup last year. His strong season earned him a big contract this summer and he gets his first chance as a No.1 netminder with the Sabres. His numbers will take a hit, but he his capable of turning in No.2 fantasy netminder numbers .
After being limited by injury in both 2016 and 2017, Howard started 57 games for the first time since 2012. Howard was 22-27-9 with a 2.85 GAA and .910 SV% and is a risky fantasy option this season behind a young Red Wings team. He was 0-0-2 while allowing six goals on 73 shots (.918 SV%) against the Blue Jackets a year ago.
The Maple Leafs lost their goaltending depth when both Curtis McElhinney and Calvin Pickard were claimed on waivers a couple of days ago. The 32-year-old netminder was 3-7-3 with a 3.36 GAA and .898 SV% in 15 games with the Blackhawks a season ago.
The extent of Ladd's injury is unknown at this point but Isles' GM Lou Lamoriello said LTIR is not being considered at this point. Ladd has been skating as of late but remains without a timetable for his return. He had 12 goals and 17 assists in 73 games for the Islanders last season.
The move opens up a roster spot for forward Sheldon Dries. Toninato had two points in 37 games for the Avalanche last season.
Price was once revered as the best goalie in the NHL and one of the first goalies drafted in fantasy. He is coming off of the worst season of his career, posting a 3.11 GAA and .900 SV% across 49 games and the team in front of him only got worse this summer. Price will be a No.2 starting option throughout the season, but he is a very risky start against a high-powered Maple Leafs attack.
Harrington left the Blue Jackets' preseason game on September 28 against the Penguins and did not return. He had two goals and three assists in 32 games for Columbus last season.
Murray was originally expected to miss the start of the season with his injury, but appears ready to go for opening night. He is projected to start the season on the Blue Jackets' second pair with Markus Nutivaara.
Elliott is the poster boy for goalie timeshares, but he always seems to finish as a quality No.2 fantasy option. The Flyers look as strong as they have in years, giving Elliott a chance to top 25 wins for the third time in five years. He had a 2.66 GAA and .909 SV% in his first year with the Flyers, but should improve on those numbers this season.
