Alright my friends we are back for another round of our ZeroG Roulette series. So, we are still on the same page no matter the goalie strategy you practice it continues to be the most volatile and frustrating position in all of fantasy sports.
As reminder 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 12th ever!
In season if the draft strategy has been put in place or even if it hasn’t it allows you to stay fluid at the position. Even if you have drafted a “bonified 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.
As a ZeroG purist it is my duty to help you my fellow GMs identify those opportunistic goalie streams based on this strategy. As we continue this series, we will look at just that your most optimal ZeroG candidates, to get ahead of your opponents and crush your competition. Goalies still continue to be that position that will make us all throw up a little bit in our mouth’s but we have to just force it back down and be brave.
So, join me once again as we ride that rollercoaster that is goalies together and let’s get into it!
*All stats are as of the morning of Saturday January 20th.
Week 16
Just Go Check
Antti Raanta 33% rostered of the Carolina Hurricanes; he is currently the last man standing in the crease for the Canes despite their recent claim of Spencer Martin off waivers. Let’s not get it twisted this is Raanta’s net for the foreseeable future, he has started 4 of the last 5 games for the Canes. Over his last 5 games he has posted a 0.855 SV%, 2.63 GAA and 4 wins, 2 of these starts being quality starts (QS). \
He will absolutely get 2 of the 3 starts in week 16 and we must grab him now before another GM from your league clues in. The Canes are arguably the best team in the NHL right now and to get their bulk starter at least for the foreseeable future should bolster any fantasy roster. Ride him while you can.
Ukka Pekka-Luukkonen (UPL) 40 % rostered of the Buffalo Sabres who has been one of the hottest goalies in the NHL over the last 3 weeks. Over his last 5 games he has posted a 0.965 SV%, 1.01 GA and 4 wins, 2 back-to-back shutouts and 4 of these starts being QS. UPL appears to have found his game and is now the Sabres 1A starter, likely getting 60% of the starts moving forward. Always risk in relying on any netminder for this team due to their inconsistency and poor defensive play but you got to ride hot guys while they are scorching hot.
UPL is likely to get 2 of 3 starts for the Sabres in week 16 against the lowly Ducks and Sharks respectably. He is a true example of a prime ZeroG option as it will be simple for us to punt him directly into the sun if his level of play drops off but go get him while the crease is hot!
One in the Chamber
Elvis Merzlikins 27% rostered of the Columbus Jackets nothing to write home about with the King as he’s been in the press box for the last 3 weeks. However, Elvis is now free with the Jackets recently placing Spencer Martin on waiver and who has now been claimed by Carolina. This must make Elvis the bulk starter rest of season if he does not get traded. He has started the Jackets last two games posting a 0.888 SV%, 3.39 GAA and 1 win. These numbers and the team in front of him aren’t good but the Jackets have 4 games in week 16 so he is likely to get 3 of the 4 starts. He’s obviously a massive gamble in the game of ZeroG roulette but if you are in a league that counts saves and you need bulk starts, then the king is for you.
Week 17
This is a PSA for week 17 as it has the All-Star break baked into it and runs a full two weeks from January 29th to February 11th, this week schedule and streaming wise is just gross. If you do grab any of the recommended ZeroG candidates from week 16 the only viable 3-week hold is Raanta as the Canes have 3 games in latter part of the week 17 schedule, like I said gross. This is a week that will be taxing for all GMs out there.
One in the Chamber
Sam Montembeault 28% rostered of the Montreal Canadiens likely to see 2 starts in a 3-game week for the Habs. Over his last 5 games Monty has been great posting a 0.929 SV%, 2.59 GAA and 3 wins, all 5 of those starts being QS. Monty is quickly becoming one of those go to ZeroG candidates every week as it is clear now he is the 1A starter in Montreal. Monty is one of the few viable and quality goalie streaming options for you in week 17. Honestly if you need help in goal now, I would not shy away from grabbing him sooner and holding him, he makes a great 3rd goalie if you practice that strategy with your roster construction. He is secretly becoming one of this season’s My Guys for me, but don’t tell anyone!
Two in the Chamber Volume Based Candidate, Maybe?
David Rittich 8% of the Los Angeles Kings at least over the last two weeks appears to be taking the net from their 1A starter in the first half of the season Cam Talbot. This has all taken place within an extremely tough run of play for both Talbot and the Kings. The team has lost 9 of their last 10 games with Talbot on the losing side in 6 of those 9 games. Enter in Rittich who has now started 3 of last 4 games for the Kings and in his last 5 starts has posted a 0.933 SV%, 1.77 GAA, 3 wins and 4 of those starts being QS.
All that considered it is now a realistic scenario that Rittich will continue to take starts away from Talbot and push him for that 1A starter role. At the very least with Talbot struggles you must believe that the Kings net has already become a 50/50 or potentially a 60/40 time share favouring Rittich in the interim until Talbot can return to form if he even can. The Kings are too deep and too good to stay in this slide for long and I for one would not want my opponents to cash in on the goalie who is getting the bulk of the starts for this team.
If the Kings continue to lean on Rittich and his level of play remains high, he could easily be a set it and forget it option at the position. At the very least you want to get your hands on him for week 16 specifically as it is likely he will see 2 of the for 4 starts if not 3 of 4 next week.
Well, that is round two of our ZeroG Roulette series in the books. Remember ZeroG 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. Let’s stay strong and know that I am right there with you walking that fine line between glorious success and complete disaster that is goalies. Always remember though history has always favored the bold, so let’s roll!
We will turn off the fares off for now and I look forward to taking you on another journey very soon, get it into it and its 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.
Apples and Ginos 