TheSpread.com

Thursday, February 22, 2007


Marc Denis, Tampa Bay Lightning - Denis is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Thrashers, reports the Tampa Tribune. Don't look now, but Denis is coming on strong just as Johan Holmqvist's play has gone south. However, as is usually the case with coach John Tortorella, the Lightning goalies are both likely on a short leash. If you ask us though, we think that Denis is on the verge of stealing his starting job back so astute fantasy owners may want to consider picking him up.

Johan Hedberg, Atlanta Thrashers - Hedberg is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Lightning, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Here we go again? Hedberg has reeled off two strong games in a row and coach Bob Hartley will probably continue to ride him as long as he plays at this level.

Jocelyn Thibault, Pittsburgh Penguins - Thibault is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Panthers, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Coach Michel Therrien is not happy with Marc-Andre Fleury's play as of late and promptly announced that he was benching his young goalie for tonight's game. It remains to be seen if Therrien will go back to Fleury over the weekend or if he's planning on having him sit out for a couple additional games.

Ed Belfour, Florida Panthers - Belfour is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Penguins, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Alex Auld has a knee injury and won't even be evaluated until Saturday so if Belfour is still lingering on any league's free agent list, he should probably be picked up.

Jaroslav Halak, Montreal Canadiens - Halak is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Predators, reports TSN/RDS.

Patrick Lalime, Chicago Blackhawks - Lalime is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Sharks, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.


The goalies below have not been confirmed by any sources:

Ray Emery, Ottawa Senators - Emery is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Sabres. The starting goalie is officially a "game-time decision" but Emery will be returning from his three-game suspension and while he's still the #1 goalie for the Sens, he needs to continue to play well as Martin Gerber has turned his season around and could begin to work himself back into a rotation.

Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres - Miller is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Senators.

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils - Brodeur is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers - Lundqvist is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Devils.

Antero Niittymaki, Philadelphia Flyers - Niittymaki is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Hurricanes. It's official: either the Flyers as a whole suck or all their goalies suck or more likely - both.

Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes - Ward is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Flyers.

Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton Oilers - Roloson is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Blue Jackets.

Pascal Leclaire, Columbus Blue Jackets - Leclaire is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Oilers. In case you haven't noticed, Leclaire and Fredrik Norrena are on a tight one-game rotation much like Leclaire and Marc Denis had going last year. Unfortunately, that arrangement effectively kills the fantasy value of both goalies so neither guy should be on any fantasy teams except in the deepest of leagues.

Andrew Raycroft, Toronto Maple Leafs - Raycroft is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Islanders.

Rick DiPietro, New York Islanders - DiPietro is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Maple Leafs.

Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators - Vokoun is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Canadiens.

Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks - Nabokov is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Blackhawks. There's conflicting news floating around regarding Vesa Toskala. It was originally reported that he had a case of the flu but news is now trickling in that he has a sore groin as well. Toskala wasn't able to back Nabokov up last night so it's highly doubtful he'll be able to start today as originally scheduled.

Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild - Backstrom is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Avalanche.

Peter Budaj, Colorado Avalanche - Budaj is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Wild.

Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames - Kiprusoff is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Coyotes.

Curtis Joseph, Phoenix Coyotes - Joseph is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Flames.

Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks - Luongo is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Kings.

Sean Burke, Los Angeles Kings - Burke is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Canucks.


Year-to-date: 1717 / 1808 = 95.0%