Goalie Start 'Em, Sit 'Em ft Vejmelka, Luukkonen, Kuemper, and More

Hey hockey fans, welcome to Goalie Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em! Between the looming trade deadline and the return of spring, there has been a buzz in the air recently. In the next few days we are going to find out which teams are sellers and which teams are buyers. As fantasy managers, let’s be sure we are paying attention to the action and take advantage in our own leagues wherever we can. And while there hasn’t been any recent goalie moves, there have been some defenseman on the move and those changes could certainly impact the performance of the goalies on the teams involved. So far, Tyler Myers has been traded from Vancouver to Dallas, further hanging any Canucks goalie out to dry, while simultaneously reinforcing the blue line in front of the netminders in Dallas. Likewise, the Oilers were able to add to their D depth at the expense of Spencer Knight and the Blackhawks when they acquired Connor Murphy, Chicago’s leader in blocks. More developments are likely to come, so if you can stay on top of the trade news there could be savvy fantasy trades to be made or gems to pick out of the waiver pile. Now, as for Thursday night’s slate, we’ve got 8 games and 16 goalies in action - Let’s dive in!

(Please note that the goalies listed are considered “probable” to start. Keep refreshing your Goalie Post app to see which goalies are “confirmed” starting. Don’t have the app? Get it for Apple or Android.)

START ‘EM

Karel Vejmelka, Utah Mammoth - Maybe it’s a scheduling conflict with the Mammoth and Thursdays, but for whatever reason, this is Vejmelka’s first appearance here in a long while - despite starting the most games by a goalie this season (48). The “Zero G” poster boy has had a terrific campaign, leading the league in wins (29) while contributing solid metrics (2.59 GAA and .901 SV%) across the board. The Czech native looks to be the first goalie to reach 30 wins on the year, as the Utah Mammoth take on the Flyers at XFinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The Flyers have won 3 of 4 since NHL action returned from the break, but have yet to defeat the Mammoth since the club rebranded itself in Utah (0-1-2). The Mammoth defense has held opponents to just 2.77 Goals Against per Game, good enough for fourth best in the NHL. Facing a Flyers team that has struggled to score at times this year, let’s look for for Vejmelka to keep it steady enough to earn win number 30 on the season, Start ‘Em!

START ‘EM

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo Sabres - I’ll admit that I have been on the wrong side of almost every goalie outcome when it has come to the Pens this season, but maybe that changes tonight when the red hot Sabres stroll into Steel City. The 26 year old Luukkonen has won his last 2 starts by letting in only 3 goals on 66 shots faced as his Buffalo Sabres continue to climb the standings, winning 4 straight since the break and 10 of their last 13 matches overall. Dating back to the start of 2026, the Sabres are top 10 in Wins, Goals Forced, and Goals Against, and in a tightly contested Atlantic Division, they can’t afford to take their foot of the gas anytime soon. The Penguins, meanwhile, have gotten key contributions throughout their lineup this year, keeping them in a playoff spot despite looking thin at talent on paper. But in a tough matchup against the Sabres, I suspect (once again) the Crosby-less Penguins to falter, making this a ripe opportunity for Luukkonen to pick up another W. Start ‘Em!

SIT ‘EM

Darcy Kuemper, Los Angeles Kings - In a wide open Pacific Division, the Kings have done their best to squander captain Anze Kopitar’s farewell bid for one more Cup run, dropping 7 of their past 10, letting in 4 or more goals in 5 of their last 6, and ultimately firing head coach Jim Hiller and replacing him with assistant D.J. Smith. Their opponents Thursday night, the New York Islanders, have won 5 in a row and 8 of 10, and have scored 13 goals in their 3 games since the return from break (all wins). The Kings have struggled mightily at home this year, picking up 9 wins in 30 attempts, and this homestead against rookie sensation Schaefer and the Islanders may not be the match that they find their footing in. If you can afford to exercise caution here, leave Kuemper sitting on the side and Sit ‘Em!

SIT ‘EM

Jonathon Quick, New York Rangers - Hopefully your fantasy season is not riding on Quick’s start at home Thursday night against the visiting Maple Leafs, but in case it is - you may want to revisit that thought. The numbers on this are rather alarming: going back to mid-November, the 40 year old future hall of famer has compiled 15 losses against an increasingly lonely 1 win. We have to expect that Quick is due for a win at some point, but with all the trade chatter going on in Broadway this week, it’s doubtful the blue and red are able to maintain their focus on the ice. New York, as a team, has lost 8 of their last 10 overall and has just 7 wins on home ice this season in 28 contests. Even against a slumping Toronto team, there are safer options on the waiver wire. Sit ‘Em!

DESPERATION MODE START

James Reimer, Ottawa Senators - James Reimer, has been a boon for the Sens crease since he joined the team midseason, helping stabilize their goalie rotation by providing safe, if uninspiring, play in net. The 37 year old will be looking to pick up his fourth win of the year (7 GP) and looks to have a great opportunity to do just that when the Sens head to Calgary to take on the dying Flames, who’s fire has seemingly been burnt out some time ago, as made evident by their league worst 2.48 Goals Forced per Game. If you are desperate for goalie help, you may as well take advantage of the matchup, as the Flames have dropped 9 of their last 12 and have looked rather uninspired ahead of the trade deadline. At just 4% rostered in Fantrax, this may be the juicy matchup that you are desperate for off the wire. Start ‘Em!

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading! My name is Garrett Finlay and you can follow me on X @garrett_fi51284 and on Bluesky @garrettfinlay.bsky.social where I am often talking goalies and fantasy hockey. I’ll be back here next Thursday to breakdown another busy night of twine tending action! Happy Hockeying and good luck out there!