The Net Effect

01/27/2010 10:55 AM -  David Satriano

Contributed by David Satriano

Montreal Canadiens
I wrote about this team last week, but Jaroslav Halak was struggling at the time.  Since then, he has started three games, playing brilliantly. Halak made 31 saves in a 3-1 win against the Devils on Friday and followed that with a shutout on Saturday against the Rangers stopping all 32 shots he faced. On Tuesday night, he was on the losing end of a 2-1 game, but still made 27 saves. He could get his fourth straight start on Wednesday against Tampa Bay as a reward for allowing just three goals in three games. Carey Price has allowed three or more goals in each of his past four starts, which should make the decision on who the Canadiens will start even easier. (Editor’s note: Price will start on Wednesday, according to RDS.)

Chicago Blackhawks
Antti Niemi had started three of the past four games for the Blackhawks before Tuesday night’s game.  He had been playing very well until allowing three goals in the first period against the Canucks on Saturday before getting pulled in favor of Cristobal Huet.  Niemi leads the league in goals against average at 1.99, but his counterpart has also been playing well. Huet stopped 22 of 24 shots in a 4-1 win over the Oilers on Tuesday and is now 22-9-3 on the year with a 2.26 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.  He may continue to get the bulk of the action, but Niemi is still a great play in leagues as long as you check his status before each game.

Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are now officially the worst team in the NHL, and the standings can prove that. After suffering a 4-1 loss against the Blackhawks on Tuesday night, the losing streak has hit 11. With Jeff Deslauriers losing 11 of his last 12 starts, the Oilers have also been trying Devan Dubnyk. He has started four of the past six for the Oilers.  In six starts, he is 0-5-1 with a 3.92 goals against average and a .869 save percentage. However, former first-round pick Dubnyk has been dubbed the Oilers’ goalie of the future, according to the Edmonton Sun. I think it’s a little too soon for that, but with Nikolai Khabibulin out and the Oilers already knowing what they have in Deslauriers, don’t be surprised if Dubnyk plays a lot for the remainder of the season.

Washington Capitals
The Capitals have won 10 of 11 games and are clicking on all cylinders. Jose Theodore has taken over for injured Semyon Varlamov, who has not played in over a month and a half.  Theodore has won six in a row, allowing 12 goals, and has a sparkling .942 save percentage over that time.  Michal Neuvirth has seen action as well, but has been far less impressive (6-4-0, 3.15 GAA, .896 SV%). If Theodore is available in your league, he is definitely worth a pickup. (Editor’s note: According to TSN, Theodore left Tuesday’s game against the Islanders after the second period with a lower-body injury. Braden Holtby has been recalled from the AHL, and he will likely back up Neuvirth on Wednesday against Anaheim.)

Email me: david@fantasyhockey.com