Risers and Fallers: End of Season Suggestions

It’s the end of fantasy seasons for most if not all leagues so I’m going to do things different for what will be my last week of coverage. I’ll only suggest goaltenders who should be available in most leagues to utilize and avoid those on the downswing completely. At this point we're only really concerned with who can help us here and now.

Teams to hone in on are the ones in the wild card race playing playoff hockey already. A prime example is the Philadelphia Flyers (I’ll mention Dan Vladar below.) These teams are vying for their postseason lives, so the players tend to put forth their best effort and more importantly, as it relates to fantasy goaltending, the coach tends to ride the starting goalie hard.

As of this writing the teams to target being only a couple points removed from or holding onto a wild card would be the aforementioned Flyers, Blue Jackets, Senators, Red Wings, and Capitals in the East. For the West, look to the Predators, Kings, Kraken, Jets, Blues, and Sharks. That makes for a vast array of options to draw from. Pay attention to upcoming opponents as the likes of Ottawa face a murderer’s row starting tomorrow through Sunday as an example.

Dan Vladar

For any practitioners of zero-goalie strategy when drafting, Philadelphia’s starter will be the poster boy for promoting the cause going into next year. All but assured to eclipse the 25-win mark by season’s end along with above average ratios, the 28-year-old has been a borderline top-100 own all season.

Philly is peaking perhaps prematurely but they need to make the dance. 8-1-1 in their past ten tilts, Vladar and backup Samuel Ersson are locking it down between the pipes. With five quality starts in his past six appearances, the former Calgary Flame should see most starts the rest of the way.

Jet Greaves

I’ve certainly covered him a time or two throughout the campaign so let’s return to the well that keeps on providing. Prior to this season, Elvis Merzlikins had a grasp on this crease only by default in that no better option presented itself. That all changed this year with the newly minted 25-year-old Greaves asserting himself as the better netminder.

Like Vladar, he will surpass the 25-win mark with ratios better than league average. With six quality starts over his past seven nods I’d be quite confident hitching my cart to his wagon. However, I would avoid tomorrow’s tilt against Carolina if your matchup is close in goaltending stats.

Yaroslav Askarov

Suggesting the young Russian certainly carries its risks as his performance has been up and down all year. Compared to other squads though, the matchups are more digestible aided by the fact San Jose plays all their games at home the rest of the week.

The Maple Leafs tomorrow night are one I’d certainly utilize his services should he get the call as they’ve been a well documented dumpster fire. Then on Saturday they’re up against Nashville who currently sits in a wild card slot. The 23-year-old has posted one good start followed by a bad one in his past four so if the trend continues his next game will be fruitful.

Justus Annunen

Nashville only has two games this week but with it being Wednesday now, you could look their way again with said games over the next four days. Juuse Saros is the starter but he has been rather underwhelming overall this campaign. Right now I’d be looking at their 26-year-old backup who’s posted four quality starts over his past five appearances if I’m Andrew Brunette.

Again, focusing on strength of competition, these aren’t home runs the likes of playing Vancouver or the Rangers, but even with both being on the road, Nashville can beat the Kings and Sharks. Saros may very well get both of these nods but be on the lookout in case the former Colorado Avalanche mans the cage.

Eric Comrie

The journeyman is certainly second fiddle to Connor Hellebuyck but he’s been money every time he’s seen action going back to Jan. 9th. Hellebuyck may very well start Winnipeg’s two remaining games this week against stiffer competition but you never know. At the very least keep the former Buffalo Sabre on your radar.

Jesper Wallstedt

The Wild have been off all week but will play three games over four days starting tomorrow. This includes a back-to-back set this weekend so I’m mentioning their backup who may even see two of the three games with tomorrow being Vancouver. The former first rounder has been solid lately with four quality starts in his last five nods. With a strong team in front of him that can outscore any of the coming opponents, he’d make for a nice spot start when it matters most.

Charlie Lindgren

I’m mentioning him for one start only this week and that’ll be Sunday against the Rangers which I guarantee he’ll get. I’m confident in this because as a Rangers fan, I’m fully aware of his dominance against them. That and the fact the Capitals play Buffalo the night prior which I assume Logan Thompson gets.

This season has been no different for Lindgren when it comes to the Rangers as he’s played them twice and beaten them twice handedly. I don’t know if it’s the left-handedness that stymies New York or the fact that his younger brother, Ryan, used to play for them. You’re nearly assured a quality start the last day of the week when you may very well need it to advance or win it all.

Stuart Skinner/Arturs Silovs

Pittsburgh plays Florida back-to-back this weekend making both their netminders attractive options to close out the week. The Panthers sans Barkov, Marchand, Lundell, and Reinhart makes them significantly outclassed against a very motivated Penguins squad looking to make the playoffs for the first time since ‘22.

Adin Hill

This is a speculative consideration relating to the firing of Bruce Cassidy as head coach while being replaced by John Tortorella. Torts demands defensive excellence and if you don’t provide it you won’t play all that much if at all. This can only benefit Hill.

Their first game since the change was much the case, albeit was Vancouver. Nonetheless, a solid outing from the former Arizona Coyote to build upon. The Golden Knights play Calgary tomorrow which is a matchup to use him should he get the nod. Edmonton on the road Saturday isn’t ideal but they’re not exactly known for their defense either.

Thank you to any and all who followed my weekly column throughout the season. I hope I was able to provide at least some insight in your quest for a fantasy title. Use these goaltenders where you see fit depending on your matchup needs. Be bold and good luck!