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.
Wilson has been suspended for 20 games for an illegal check to the head on Blues’ forward Oskar Sundqvist. The league appears to have had enough of Wilson’s antics, suspending him for just under a quarter of the season. With Wilson out, Brett Connolly is going to start on the Capitals first line. Wilson is not eligible to play until November 21st against the Blackhawks.
Jones has been one of the most consistent fantasy netminders since joining the Sharks in 2016. Over the last three years he has started at least 60 games in every season while posting a 2.40 GAA and .915 SV%. His splits won’t blow you away, but you know what you are getting with him. He could push for a career-high in wins with a high-powered Sharks offence in front of him.
Bitten was a third round pick of the Canadiens in 2016. The 20-year-old centre registered 64 points (20G / 44A) in 62 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) last year and will likely report to Iowa (AHL).
Olofsson was originally a second-round pick in 2013, but never really found his footing in Minnesota, playing a career-high of just 41 games. He will likely serve a similar seventh defenseman role in Montreal.
Tuch left the Golden Knights’ preseason finale with an undisclosed injury, that the Golden Knights revealed was a lower-body injury on Wednesday. Tuch is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks, which opens the door for Oscar Lindberg to enter the lineup on Thursday.
During his first season with the Flames, Smith started 55 games for the second straight seasons and went 25-22-6 with a 2.65 GAA, .916 SV% and three shutouts. Smith will be playing behind one of the best bluelines in the NHL and a solid group of forwards, making him a candidate for 30-plus wins for the first time since 2012. Smith is a great option on opening night vs. a rebuilding Canucks team.
Virtanen left Tuesday’s practice early with back spasms but he was on the ice for Wednesday’s morning skate and is expected to play vs. the Flames. Tim Schaller is expected to be a healthy scratch.
