So, you're now into the stretch drive of your weekly hockey pool and find yourself flirting with the lead. One point here or there could make the difference between watching the game on a big-screen plasma TV or another night of Kraft Dinner and wieners.
To try and help you enhance both your viewing pleasure and eating habits, here are my best bets for your goaltending picks in the final weeks of the season.
Remember, these aren't necessarily the best goaltenders in the league, rather they are stoppers that coaches are going to use as a crutch to either get them into the playoffs or improve their seeding once there. And these workhorses over the final quarter of the schedule could win, or lose, your fantasy pool.
So here is my take on the goaltenders that may rack up the most fantasy points between now and April 6th:
Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild
There could have been a few names put into this spot, most notably Chris Osgood in Motown. But I'm going with Backstrom, no questions asked. Despite sharing platoon goalies with Josh Harding for most of the season, Backstrom has put up an impressive 23-10-3 record and .913 save percentage as of Tuesday. As the Wild fight for a division title, Backstrom will be the guy they lean on.
Ilja Bryzgalov, Phoenix Coyotes
Since coming over in an early season deal with the Ducks, all Bryzgalov has done is roll up a .918 save percentage to help get the Desert Dogs into position for a surprising playoff spot. Arguably the best trade of the season to date, Wayne Gretzky will ride his new starter right to the end, for better or worse. Right now, it could end up being the former.
Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres could be scrapping it out for a playoff spot right through the 82nd game of the season. Lindy Ruff will not be taking many chances with Jocelyn Thibault.
J.S. Giguere, Anaheim Ducks
With Bryzgalov now in Arizona, there is not much option for sharing the workload in Anaheim. With the Ducks starting to show signs of the outfit that won that big shiny thing last summer, the Ducks will be getting Giggy with it. A lot.
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Stephen Valiquette has earned the right to stay in Manhattan, but, with a new contract extension in hand, there is no doubt that this is still Lundqvist's team. Surprisingly, the Blueshirts are in a fight for a playoff spot, meaning Lundqvist won't be getting many nights off.
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
Any prayer the Canucks have of seeing the post-season are going to once again ride with Luongo. Of course, that means Curtis Sanford may want to get comfortable on the bench and pick up a good book to read. I'm thinking War and Peace should do the trick.
Marty Turco, Dallas Stars
Back after a nagging neck injury, Turco and the Stars have their sights set squarely on at least the second seed in the West. Mike Smith has done an admirable job filling in, but this is Turco's team and there may not be a guy holding a hotter hand right now.
Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames
Like the Canucks, the Flames cannot afford to give any more points away if they want to be around once the real season starts. With all due respect to newly-signed Curtis Joseph, who started last night in Dallas, Kiprusoff won't be getting many more nights off.
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
Anyone who needs an answer as to why Brodeur is in this spot hasn't been paying attention the last decade and a half.
Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks
Most probably feel that Brodeur should be the top pick, but remember, this is about goalies that could help pad your fantasy totals by year's end. As of Tuesday, Nabokov had appeared in all but one game for the Sharks this year but missed his second last night with an injury. With San Jose anything but a shoo-in for the playoffs, Nabokov will shoulder the load once he returns.