Happy trade deadline eve fantasy hockey players! I’ve returned for another edition of Thursday’s Best and Worst Goalie Starts. Had a small reprieve last week due to an illness, but I’m back and better than ever.

Those fantasy schedules are rounding down and the stretch to make the playoffs is upon us. With a slate of 12 games tonight, I’m going to find you goalies that hopefully give you the edge to sneak in. With all that said, let’s get to it.

Top Three Goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky – Florida Panthers

First on the list today is Sergei Bobrovsky (Fantrax 92%, Yahoo 97%) of the Florida Panthers. The Panthers are playing some tremendous hockey now. Winners of six in a row and 12 of their last 13, they have shot up the odds board to win the Stanley Cup. Bob, much to his credit, is a big reason why. Of the 24 goalie options available tonight, he comes in second in GSAA. With competition from the likes of Thatcher Demko, Adin Hill, Ilya Sorokin, and Jakub Markstrom that’s no small feat in and of itself. Bob is having himself a Vezina caliber season. Moving away from his advanced stats, the match up looks good too. The Philadelphia Flyers are a decent team with a GF/60 at 2.68 and CF% of 51.5. They will get their chances and a decent number of shots off for those save points. Unfortunately for the Flyers, they will simply be outmatched by the fire power of Florida. The Panthers should control play with ease with a CF% of 57.29. At -217 favorites on betting sites, this is a game Bob, and the Cats should take easily.

Saves, limited goals, and win bonus. If you’re one of the lucky fantasy managers with Bob on your roster, start him with confidence.

Juuse Saros – Nashville Predators

Slotting in at the number two spot is Juuse Saros (Fantrax 98%, Yahoo 98%) of the Nashville Predators. Much like Florida, the Nashville Predators are playing surprisingly good hockey. Winners of eight of their last nine games, they somehow continue to stay snug in that final wildcard spot in the west. Juuse’s and Nashville’s opponent, the Buffalo Sabres, are playing their second game in two nights. While back-to-back play has been fairly unpredictable this year, one thing you can count on is Buffalo’s terrible back up goaltender Eric Comrie. He’s just not very good. Vegas and the oddsmaker’s have Nashville penciled in as -160 favorites indicating that they expect Nashville to win at 61.50% of the time. I have them a little higher than that, especially with the recent departure of Casey Mittelstadt. It should leave a pretty significant void for them in their top six, and given yesterday’s play, I’m pretty sure I’m right. Moving away from team play and focusing on statistics, I’ll admit, the situation doesn’t look as promising. Of the 24 goalies available Juuse comes in 14th a GSAA with 3.02. Still, it’s a positive number, and as noted above, the competition is top notch today. Despite the less than promising stats I still have Juuse ranked number two. The matchup is ideal, Buffalo is slightly over matched by Nashville, and I believe in Juuse’s ability as should you.

The save total will be there. Expect around two goals against, and a win.

Ilya Sorokin – New York Islanders

Coming in at the third and final spot is one Ilya Sorokin (Fantrax 99%, Yahoo 99%) of the New York Islanders. Like the previous two goalies/teams listed, the New York Islanders are playing decent hockey. Winners of four in a row and five of their last seven, it appears I might have to eat some crow about Patrick Roy. Look, I’m not a supporter, but his recent results mean they could be on the verge of turning things around on the Island. News flash, they most likely aren’t. The simple fact is they are middling team that is prone to streaky play, they have been all season. Frankly, I see no reason why this trend won’t continue. On the flip side of the coin, they do have two things going for them tonight, one of the best goalies in the league, and their opponent, the San Jose Sharks. Now It’s true, Sorokin’s box car stats this year are far from sublime, but I assure you, that’s because the Islander’s defense is abysmal. Of the 24 goalie options available tonight, Sorokin has the seventh best GSAA at 9.26. Only Thatcher Demko, Jeremy Swayman, and Sergei Bobrosky really outshine him. Ilya is very much still a great goalie, and as advertised. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about the Islander’s defense today, cause they’re playing the Sharks. Look, I’m not going to insult your intelligence and list off a bunch of advanced stats to show the Sharks are bad. You already know it. So, if you have Sorokin on your roster, slide him into a starting spot tonight. Don’t expect a huge save total, but maybe he brings home a shutout for us. He’s definitely getting the win.

Goalies to Avoid

Joonas Korpisalo – Ottawa Senators

First on the list of goalies to avoid is Joonas Korpisalo (Fantrax 59%, Yahoo 48%) of the Ottawa Senators. I list Joonas, but really, it’s whomever is in goal for the Sens. As of right now I believe Joonas is starting but he has missed two games due to illness. Why shouldn’t you start an Ottawa goalie? Let me count the reasons. For starters, the team is playing borderline awful hockey at the moment. Losers of six of their last eight games, they just aren’t seeing the improvement they were hoping for when they changed coaches. Is it all Jacques Martin’s fault? Who’s to say, but one thing I do know is that the team looks very bad right now. Stats wise, if Korpi does start it’s not pretty. Of the 24 goalies available tonight, Korpi comes in last in GSAA at -17.53. Beating out the likes of Nico Daws, Sam Montembeault, and Eric Comrie. Pretty remarkable given Korpi’s pedigree and the hope Ottawa had for him when they signed him. Factor in that the Sens won’t be on fresh legs since they’re playing the back end of a back to back and this is a pretty easy pass.

Daniil Tarasov – Columbus Blue Jackets

Last on the list of goalies to avoid is Daniil Tarasov (Fantrax 20%, Yahoo 3%) of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Just like above, this applies to whomever is starting for the CBJ. As of now Tarasov is listed. The biggest factor against Columbus is their opponent, the Edmonton Oilers. I don’t need to list the Oilers players; you already know that murderer’s row. Another huge issue for the Blue Jackets is they’re just not good at defense. Clocking a 2.9 xGA/60, that number, there’s no other way to put it, it’s just bad. If Tarasov is indeed a go, his stats don’t improve the situation. Of the 24 options tonight, he comes in at 17th for GSAA at -6.06.

Point blank, when it’s the CBJ versus Edmonton, you don’t bet on the Blue Jackets.

If you’ve made it this far, I just want to thank you for coming along and wish you good luck tonight. As always, if you have any questions feel free to shoot me a DM on X @Bobbybets1122.