Coffee in the Crease: Hellebuyck a must start this week

Welcome back everyone! Remember, today’s slate starts a bit earlier as there are 1pm games on Monday so make sure if you’re around before lock to get your roster moves made. With that, let’s dive in!

Kochetkov to AHL

We have to start this off talking about Pyotr Kochetkov, who has been the focal point of the fantasy/DFS goalie landscape for a little over a month as well as the likely reason those rostering him got a few wins over that timeframe. Today, Kochetkov was reassigned to AHL Chicago which leaves those rostering him looking for a potential replacement in the lineup.

I had thought that Carolina would potentially roster three goaltenders for the time being, but I think some good decision making went into this. Fredrik Andersen returned from his 29-game absence and in two starts back has looked good, earning two wins and allowing only three goals. In his second game back versus the Pittsburgh Penguins he even carried a shutout deep into the third period until allowing a power play goal. This is all while Antti Raanta remains the backup who recently has become a popular addition to fantasy rosters.

For Carolina, they feel as though the time Kochetkov spends in the AHL will be beneficial as he will get more opportunities there to play meaningful minutes. From a fantasy standpoint this happens. Player A gets hurt, player B steps in, player A returns, player B’s returns to their previous role. I do think that Carolina still may decide to move Raanta to potentially open back up a spot for Kochetkov but for now this is what the Carolina goaltending depth will look like.

Edmonton’s tandem

I feel like I’ve written about the Edmonton goaltending situation before…and likely will again at some point later this season. This past weekend Jack Campbell started both Friday and Saturday night for the Oilers while Stuart Skinner was out of the lineup to be with his wife and their child. Sure, that’s not an injury or a wait and see lineup decision but it does leave me guessing as to how the Oilers go about choosing who will start or not on a given night.

Edmonton burned me two weeks ago, two writers claimed Skinner would start in net, but their was a surprise at warmups when Campbell lead them out. It’s more or less frustrating as well because in most leagues both Skinner, Campbell are available on waivers, making them each a good addition at times, that is if you can navigate the starter situation. My advice, for me personally I am staying away. I can see the case to be made on a week when Edmonton plays four times to potentially roster both goaltenders, but that’s a tough task for leagues where only one goaltender starts on a given night. Unless one of the two begins to get a bulk of the starts, I think this is a situation that will be too difficult to navigate for the time being.

Goalies to target this week

Collin Delia, Vancouver Canucks (Rostered in 1% of ESPN leagues, 9% Fantrax, 4% Yahoo) 6 starts, 4 wins, 0 OTL, 3.41 GA/G, .895 Sv%, 0 SO

Out of Vancouver’s three goaltenders, Thatcher Demko, Spencer Martin, and Collin Delia, Delia has been the best of the trio and it might not be that close. I suppose that might not be saying much, but it is when you’re a club like Vancouver stuck right in-between essentially moving on from this current core of players or doubling down. Looking at his, Demko is still on injured reserve and Martin has not won a game since December 27th, allowing at least three goals or more in every start since then. Delia is available in most leagues and if given the start, will see Tampa and either Colorado or Edmonton on a home back-to-back. Not the easiest upcoming schedule but a good chance to get lower rostered starts.

Ville Husso, Detroit Red Wings (Rostered in 71% of ESPN leagues, 89% Fantrax, 6% Yahoo) 29 starts, 14 wins, 5 OTL, 3.00 GA/G, .902 Sv%, 3 SO

I think Husso has been snakebit this season because although the wins and goals against have not been favorable, some of his advanced stats are. Since December 1st, he is fourth in high danger save percentage at even strength amongst goaltenders with at least 10 starts in that time frame. Over that same period the offense has the third lowest Corsi for per 60 and third lowest goals for per 60. If things start to click here for Detroit I don’t see why Husso could string a good month or so of games together. This week Detroit plays a road back-to-back versus Colorado and Arizona, then a road Thursday against Vegas, followed by a home matchup against Philadelphia. I think there’s two wins worth of games in there for Husso.

Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets (Rostered in 99% of ESPN leagues, 99% Fantrax, 98% Yahoo) 33 starts, 22 wins, 1 OTL, 2.37 GA/G, .996 Sv%, 3 SO

It's gotten to the point for me in DFS where I just sort of always consider adding Hellebuyck to my lineup and in the end usually do. He’s always sort of mid-priced for a goaltender and his stats this season have been outstanding. He has the most saves at even strength in the NHL, the second highest goals saved about average, and the third best save percentage of goaltenders with at least 20 starts. This week I imagine he will get at least three starts in net for the Jets and I think he is well worth consideration to start in each.

For continued fantasy news and notes throughout the season, follow me on Twitter @ndySanz