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Contributed by David Satriano
Antero Niittymaki has won four of his last five starts, allowing just five goals during that span.
Anaheim Ducks
One of the big trades involving the Leafs this weekend sent J.S. Giguere and his large salary to Toronto, with Vesa Toskala heading to the Ducks. For Hiller, this trade officially cements his place as the number one goalie in Anaheim for the next few years. Hiller had already started 39 of the Ducks’ 56 games this year and is 10-3 in his last 13 starts. He has started 19 of the Ducks’ past 22 games, and even though the Ducks aren’t doing well as a team, Hiller posts good numbers.
Minnesota Wild
Niklas Backstrom has recovered from a back injury, but he is now sidelined with the stomach flu. He has started 42 games for the Wild, and was the only Minnesota netminder to not be given more than a game off. Josh Harding has taken his place, going 2-1 in those three games allowing 7 goals, while recording one shutout, but he has a hip injury, which led to third-stringer Wade Dubielewicz starting Tuesday night. He allowed four goals in a 4-2 loss to Dallas, his first game of the season. Backstrom had lost three games in a row before his last start, so Harding may see more work in the goaltending mix.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Mike Smith, out since January 8 with a neck injury, made his return on Sunday, allowing three goals in 31 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Capitals. Despite the solid performance, Antero Niittymaki has played well for most of season. Niittymaki allowed only one goal in a 2-1 win at Atlanta Tuesday night. The bottom line is that right now Niittymaki gives the Bolts the best chance to win, so he may receive most of the starts for a team that is still in the playoff race.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The aforementioned Giguere got his feet wet Tuesday night against the Devils allowing no goals on 30 shots in a 3-0 win. Coach Ron Wilson said that Giguere will start the majority of the team’s 26 remaning games, with Jonas Gustavsson starting once a week. If you need goalie help, Giguere is a nice play. He is back with his former GM (Burke) and goalie coach (Francois Allaire) and should help the Leafs, who rank dead-last in goals-against average. Also, the acquisition of blueliner Dion Phaneuf should help. Giguere has only started 17 games this season (4-8-5, 3.14 GAA, .900 SV%), not really getting a chance to reclaim his former job from Hiller.
Email me at david@fantasyhockey.com