Goalie Announcements (Feb 1)

Well, since we're in the midst of the Waiver Draft, let me try and sell you on some starters who have yet to find jobs in the hockey pool this season.  There are still some teams in need of some help, possibly in the bonus round, due to injury.  I just want to show all of those in need, that these guys are getting some action and maybe (probably not though) they need your consideration.

Harri Sateri (N/A) versus Chad Johnson (N/A)
The Florida Panthers are currently operating with no hockey pool goalies for the next week or two, possibly more, and it has been Harri Sateri getting the nod of late for the Cats. He currently has 1 win in five appearances, good enough for 2 points, thus far.  It's a pretty small sample size, but he's the one getting the nods.

The Buffalo Sabres have decided to make it an all-available goalie affair, as Chad Johnson gets the nod tonight, getting rewarded for some good efforts in recent games.  Johnson was a Week Nine drop, since he wasn't getting the action required to stay among the hockey pool elite, but now he's getting some time and possibly should be getting consideration from you, the poolie.

Alex Lyon (N/A) versus Keith Kinkaid (Stuart)
The Philadelphia Flyers are now down to their third goalie on the depth chart, as Brian Elliott is on the IR and Michal Neuvirth is struggling with a stomach bug.  The Flyers are on back-to-back nights and Alex Lyon made his NHL debut in relief against the Capitals and performed admirably.  The long-term on Lyon probably isn't very good, since Elliott isn't too far away and Neuvirth's bug is temporary.  You may not want to get too excited here.

Stuart's team moved into top spot in the standings this week, thanks to a Mover & Shaker-like week so far, and Keith Kinkaid has 2 points already this week.  This bodes well for his team tonight, surely.

Curtis McElhinney (N/A) versus Henrik Lundqvist (Brian)
The Toronto Maple Leafs are also on back-to-back nights, doing the tour of New York City, going from Brooklyn to Broadway tonight, as they take on the Rangers in the second half. Curtis McElhinney, one of the top available backup goalies in the Waiver Draft, gets one of his rare starts tonight, showing off his wares for your approval.  McElhinney has 10 points in eight appearances this season, so his scoring rate isn't too bad and should be worth considering, since he is the solid number two in Toronto.

The New York Rangers are on the brink of being sellers at this year's trade deadline and Henrik Lundqvist has to be relied upon to keep that from happening, trying to impose his will on his teammates to turn this around.  I'm sure Brian's pool team would like the turnaround too, as it opens up tonight's schedule in 16th, maybe already too far back of the money.

Jonathan Bernier (Scott) versus Al Montoya (N/A)
The Edmonton Oilers are expected to go with Al Montoya tonight with the Colorado Avalanche in town, thanks to Cam Talbot not feeling his best this week.  This is the Oilers' only game this week, which would need something to be necessarily the matter with Talbot, in order for him not to get the start, not to mention being a key game against a hot team, as the Oilers struggle to tread water in the Western Conference playoff race.  A good appearance for Montoya could boost his stock considerably, I'm sure.

The Avalanche did activate Semyon Varlamov from the Injured Reserve on Thursday, but there was no indication that he would indeed get the start tonight against Edmonton, since Jonathan Bernier has performed so well of late, he was named one of February's three stars by the NHL.  I would have to think Scott's goalie continues his run.

Anton Forsberg (N/A) versus Jacob Markstrom (Wes)
The Waiver Draft has seen a couple of teams sniffing around the Chicago Blackhawks goaltending situation, but no one seems to want to jump in head first here and take a gamble on one of the keepers.  I suppose there is good reason for that, since Chicago hasn't been that strong and the goaltenders are rotating as frequently as the defensemen.  Tonight in Vancouver, it is expected to be Anton Forsberg giving another audition tonight.

Jacob Markstrom, the Canucks starter tonight, has 2 PIM this season, helping to add to Wes' goon team total this year, but he isn't really the type of goalie that goes out to hack, slash and punch his way through the traffic in front.  So, it'll just be a start for points, I guess.