Goalie Announcements (Dec 8)

After a scheduled night off from watching the survivor pool intently, we're back at it on a relatively busy Thursday night, with 10 games on the schedule.

We're back to Grant Watch... Week Nine!  Grant has two possible goalies going for his win tonight and... they're in the same game.  Let's have a look at what his chances are.

At the beginning of the morning, it was looking like Grant was going to be out of luck in this game, but Winnipeg may have saved his bacon, as Michael Hutchinson was the first goalie off the ice after the morning skate, which is the usual indicator that he would be the starter.  So, he will have a shot at a win tonight.  At the other end, however, it will be Stacey M.'s keeper, Antti Raanta, giving her a chance to play spoiler and pick up a key 2 points in the standings.

Calvin Pickard will get a start in Boston tonight for the Avalanche and it is most likely that he'll get their number one, Tuukka Rask.  Derek B. will get a rare start start, while Troy gets a less-than-rare start.  Even though Troy has a much better goaltending tandem, he's still trying to catch Derek in the standings.

Although there are some conflicting reports about the starter for the Edmonton Oilers tonight, but I think it's fair to think that Jonas Gustavsson, which doesn't do much for the hockey pool, but Brenda & Seward will get a start from the home side in Steve Mason.  The Flyers are going to run the miles out of Mason, until Michal Neuvirth comes back anyways.

It's Mike versus Dale B. in Brooklyn tonight, when the Blues take on the Islanders, as the goaltending match-up has been confirmed as Jake Allen against Thomas Greiss.  Mike currently trails Dale in the standings by 8 points and trails the money by 13 points, so there is still lots to play for in this game.

There was a chance that Cam could have had a match-up of both of his goalies in Sunrise, FL tonight, but that isn't going to be the case.  The Pittsburgh Penguins have opted to go with Scott's goalie, Matt Murray, while Cam will have Roberto Luongo going for the Panthers tonight.  This does make for a good match-up for the money, as both teams are in the chase, separated by 1 points themselves, and Cam is ahead, 3 points behind the money.

How about a prime time goaltending match-up in Montreal tonight?  I'm sure Stuart and Benson will appreciate this one, as they yell at each other from the top or bottom of their staircase at home... as Cory Schneider will go for the Devils and Carey Price will go again for the Habs tonight.  Stuart is an even 40 points behind his brother for 1st place in the standings and could use a little bit of ammo for bragging rights.

The Canucks continue their road trip in Tampa Bay tonight, taking on the Lightning.  In net, we'll see Ryan Miller return to the net for the visitors, taking on Ben Bishop at the other end, everyone confirmed in the morning today.  Dale C., who has Bishop going, currently leads the pool for the Basement Dweller this week and could really use the 2 points to get himself out the hole, while Brenda & Seward, playing opposite, are one of two teams that lead for the Mover & Shaker.  Any momentum advantage here?

Pekka Rinne will give another start to Stacey M. tonight and her goalie will take on the other goalie for Dale C., Kari Lehtonen, as they both get two starts.  The Predators and Stars will go in a Central Division clash, with the Preds running a pretty good game at the moment.  The two pool teams are 9 points apart, but that only encompasses two spots, 20th and 22nd.

No surprises in the desert tonight.  The Calgary Flames are into Glendale to take on the Coyotes and the match-up will be of the hot hands, Chad Johnson against Mike Smith.  Johnson will provide a key start for John S. in his bid to defend 3rd place and Marcie will get a start for attempt to ascend back up the standings to a money position, starting from 11th.

We were still waiting for the starter for the Carolina Hurricanes, but it is very likely that they will start Michael Leighton, which is a non-pool goalie, and he'll expect to see another non-pool goalie, Jeff Zatkoff.  So, this game is a complete wash.