April 8th – Fantasy Hockey Goalie Rankings

It is April 8th, which means there are just six nights left of regular season NHL action. The playoff picture in both conferences is starting to take shape, but there are still a ton of important gams left to be played. The Capitals and Maple Leafs 100 per cent have to win tonight to keep their playoff hopes alive, but even then they are in trouble. In the West, Nashville is still alive, but barely. So it comes down to Dallas and Phoenix, who are both in action tonight–and will meet in the final game of season. It is going to be exciting, but below is my goalie rankings for tonight to help you decide which netminders to start in this crucial Fantasy Hockey Championship week. Good Luck!

***

1. Sergei Bobrovsky (vs. PHX) – Bob has won two of his last four started with a 1.72 GAA, .948 SV% and two shutouts. Tonight, he takes on a Coyotes team who have tallied four goals in their last four.
2. Tuukka Rask (@ MIN) – Rask is fifth in the NHL in Wins (35) and GAA (2.04), third in SV% (.930) and first in Shutouts (7)… It does not get any better than that. You would start him if he was playing Team Canada, so Minnesota should be no big deal. (Likely)
3. Jimmy Howard (@ BUF) – Howard has won three in a row with a 2.00 GAA and .929 SV% and gets a great matchup against the Sabres, who he just beat on Friday.
4. Henrik Lundqvist (vs. CAR) – Even though Lundqvist has lost three of four, he has posted a 2.46 GAA and .925 SV% in the process. He is one of the best in the NHL and the Hurricanes are not a playoff team.
5. Ryan Miller (vs. WSH) – Miller’s numbers have taken a hit recently, but he is still one of the NHL’s best goalies on a top-3 team in the league. On top of that, he faces the Capitals, who have lost five of six.
6. Ben Bishop (vs. TOR) – Bishop is still picking up the W’s but his GAA and SV% have been average recently. While, he has been so-so as of late, the Leafs have been horrible, so Bishop is a safe play tonight.
7. Roberto Luongo (vs. PHI) – Bobby Lu is 5-6-1 with a 2.45 GAA and .923 SV% with the Panthers and stole the show on Sunday. The Flyers have lost six of eight, so Luongo may actually be able to win two in a row for the first time with Florida.
8. Steve Mason (@ FLA) – Mason has won just two in his last five starts with a 2.40 GAA and .914 SV% and has gone 1-1 with a 2.04 / .913 against Florida this season.
9. Kari Lehtonen (vs. NSH) – The Stars are desperate for points right now, and Lehtonen is 2-2 with a 2.77 GAA and .904 SV% vs. Nashville this season… This game will be one to keep an eye on.
10. Ilya Bryzgalov (vs. BOS) – Bryzgalov has a shutout streak of 142 minutes, 15 seconds intact right now, but draws an awfully tough assignment tonight vs. the Bruins. Boston is 16-1-2 in their last 19 contests.
11. J.S Giguere (@ EDM) – The fact that this could be Giguere’s final NHL start mixed with his matchup, makes him an intriguing spot-start option. He is 10-6-0 with a 2.71 GAA and .910 SV% this season.
12. Cam Ward (@ NYR) – It has been a troubling season for the Hurricanes and Ward’ 3.11 GAA and .896 SV% in 26 starts has played a big part in their struggles. If I have to pick between Lundqvist and Ward… I’m going King Henrik all day.
13. Thomas Greiss (@ CBJ) – Greiss has lost four straight despite posting a solid 2.16 GAA and .917 SV%. Over those four games, the Coyotes offence has fallen asleep at the wheel, scoring just four goals.
14. Craig Anderson (@ NYI) – Anderson has won two of four starts with a  3.19 GAA and .900 SV% since returning from injury. While his matchup is a good one, but look at your other options first.
15. Pekka Rinne (@ DAL) – Rinne is 8-10-2 with a 2.84 GAA and .900 SV% on the season. The injury has definitely plagued him and tonight he faces a desperate Stars team, so even the matchup is working against him.
16. James Reimer (@ TB) – Reimer still has not recorded a win in a game he started since January 21st. I think that is all you need to know.
17. Ben Scrivens (vs. COL) – Scrivens has lost six of his last nine starts with a 3.87 GAA and .892 SV%. Tonight, he takes on an offensively dangerous Avs team.
18. Anders Nilsson (vs. OTT) – Nilsson is coming off of a win vs. the Senators last Tuesday, but in the Fantasy Championship, you roll your big dogs, not search for sketchy spot-starts on Tuesday.
19. Braden Holtby (@ STL) – Halak said he didn’t feel comfortable facing the Blues… Well I don’t feel comfortable starting Holtby vs. the Blues. 2.99 GAA and .911 SV% on a defensively irresponsible team against a great team… No thanks.
20. Matt Hackett (vs. DET) – Hackett has lost four in a row with a 3.90 GAA and .886 SV%. It really is not his fault, he is the victim of a horrible situation in Buffalo.