Zero G Roulette – Week’s 14 & 15

Alright my friends we are back and let’s get right into it. I don’t just talk and write about Zero G when it comes to fantasy hockey strategy, I live and breathe it in all my redraft and keeper leagues. I will be the first to admit that no matter the goalie strategy you practice it continues to be the most volatile and frustrating position in all of fantasy sports. Take a moment and think about the most annoying sound on earth, maybe nails on a chalk board, this is goalies for me.

Taking that into consideration this strategy to me is simple in drafts: it is ensuring that higher round draft capital is used for skaters, specifically positions of scarcity such as RW or D (PP1 QB) over goalies. Don’t pass on a higher caliber or upside players for the risk that is goalies. Win your league with your skaters not your goalies; it’s that simple, no goalies drafted before the 12^th ever!

In season, whether the draft strategy has been put in place or not it allows you to stay fluid at the position. Even if you have drafted a “bonafide stud” who falters that given year, (which happens every year). This strategy allows you to get off that headache. It also is a strategy from a streaming perspective that gives you an opportunity to capitalize on schedule maximization, opportunity, and match ups if you want to go that deep.

As a Zero G purist it is my duty to help you my fellow GMs identify those opportunistic goalie streams from a Zero G perspective. In this Roulette series we will look at just that your most optimal Zero G candidates, to get ahead of your opponents and crush your competition.

So, strap in and strap up on this rollercoaster that is goalies with me and let’s get into it!

Week 14

Just Go Check

Scott Wedgewood 49% rostered of the Dallas Stars, yes there is an immediate asterisk with this fine gentleman with the injury status of Jake Oettinger. However, although his status recently changed to day to day, he has yet to practice with the team so until that happens it remains Wedgewood’s net. Over his last 5 games he has posted a 0.854 SV%, 3.6 GAA and 2 wins. Look those numbers aren’t great but until Oettinger returns, he is still going to get the bulk of the starts for one of the best teams in the West and with four games next week which are all plus match ups, ride him while you can.

Jonathan Quick 54% rostered of the New York Rangers likely to see two of 4 games next week with the ladder part of their schedule seeing 3 games in 4 days including a B2B Saturday/Sunday. Over his last 5 games he has posted a 0.912 SV%, 2.6 GAA and 2 wins, 2 of these starts being Quality Starts (QS). Quick has arguably been the Rangers best goalie this season not to mention playing behind what is right now the best team in the league, you want to get in on his resurgence especially in a four-game week like next week as much as you can, go get him!

One in the Chamber

Samuel Ersson 26% rostered of the Philadelphia Flyers likely to see two of 4 games with the ladder part of their schedule next week seeing 3 games in 4 days including a B2B Friday/Saturday. Over his last five games he has posted some excellent numbers a 0.921 SV%, 2.2 GAA and 2 wins, 4 of those starts being QS. His elevated play seems to have earned him some Torts favor in that he has seen a true 50/50 split of the crease with Hart over Philly’s last 6 games. Philly has been inconsistent offensively but has been steady on the defensive end so with that system in front of him and an opportunistic schedule coming up jump on Ersson now!

Joel Hofer 9% rostered of the St Louis Blues seems likely to get 2 of 3 starts next week. Since the coaching change in St Louis Hofer and Binnington have seen a true 50/50 split in starts, rotating as the starter every game. Over his last 5 games he has posted a very respectable 0.911 SV%, 2 GAA and 2 wins, 2 of those starts being QS. Now the Blues as a whole continue to be a mirage in terms of what team is going to show up in front of Hofer but he has been overall excellent this season when called on. I will take my chances with him when the schedule calls for it like this week over Binnington any day.

Week 15

One in the Chamber

John Gibson 46% rostered and or Lukas Dostal 7% rostered of the Anaheim Ducks guaranteed two starts from each goalie with the rare double B2B Monday/Tuesday then Saturday/Sunday.  Over Gibson’s last 5 games he has posted a 0.907 SV%, 3 GAA and 2 wins, 3 of those starts being QS. Over Dostal’s last 5 he has been exceptional posting a 0.938 SV%, 2 GAA and a win, 3 of those starts being QS. Despite the Ducks inability to not be the Ducks and maintain any level of consistent play in front of them both goalies have been solid this season. That’s saying a lot based on the poor play they have had to navigate from their team. Whichever goalie gets the Caps and Sharks in week 15 that’s who I would be targeting from a streaming perspective.

Sam Montembeault 23% rostered of the Montreal Canadiens likely to see 3 starts in a 4-game week for the Habs. Over his last 5 games the numbers are truly a conundrum of results posting a 0.878 SV%, 3.4 GAA and 3 wins, 3 of those starts being QS. Monty has been arguable one of the Habs best players this season in a clearly rebuilding year. He is clearly an underrated Zero G option, as the Habs  clear 1A starter. The Habs have shown some grit in recent weeks in becoming much harder to play against. This only elevates Monty’s appeal as a quality option for you in week 15 and in all honesty if you need help in goal now, I will not shy away from grabbing him sooner.

Two in the Chamber Volume Based Candidate

Alex Lyon 33% rostered of the Detroit Red Wings can be a viable two-week streamer is you need volume starts. The Lyon is likely to see 4 starts of the Wings 6 games over the next two weeks as their current 1A starter. Over the his last 5 games he has posted a 0.906 SV%, 2.6 GAA and 3 wins, 2 of these starts being QS. Now it can be argued if the Wings are even good, and consistency has been a clear problem for this team. However, Lyon is very much a viable Zero G candidate is you want to ensure starts and even a few wins, trust the roar and get in on Lyon over the next two weeks. He can be considered a set it and forget grab at the position, if you are really hurting for help.

Well, I hope you found this article enlightening or at the very least has given you some options to help you between the pipes over the next two weeks. Remember Zero G is a lifestyle choice, and you must remain fluid at the position to maximize the benefit of this strategy. Always remember this doesn’t guarantee positive outcomes as goalies will always be a dangerous and unforgiving game of Roulette. So, take a deep breathe and steady on that trigger because that bullet of disaster might be the next start, but if you aren’t willing to play that you aren’t willing to live.

Let’s turn off the fares for now and I look forward to taking you on another journey very soon, get it into it and it’s all love!

• Craig @craigerslife on Twitter/X
• A&G or FHFH Discord channels @Craiger (FIveHoleTaxiSquad & AG)
• Co-Host of the Five Hole Fantasy Hockey (FHFH) TaxiSquad Podcast available on any of your podcast providers.