Every Thursday during the season, NHL.com's Evan Sporer will provide you with in-depth analysis of goaltenders. From updated weekly top-30 rankings to trending players and more, Sporer will be your go-to guy for advice on fantasy goalies all season long.
UPDATED TOP 30 GOALIE RANKINGSJohn Gibson was always the future when it came to the Anaheim Ducks' crease. The only question was, when would the future arrive?
Gibson burst onto the scene last season, a highly touted second-round pick (No. 39) from the 2011 NHL Draft who won two gold medals playing for United States junior teams in international competitions.
The rookie did not disappoint, winning his first start via an 18-save shutout against the Vancouver Canucks, and then winning his first postseason start -- another shutout -- against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.
Going into this season, Anaheim had a good problem on its goalie depth chart. Gibson and Frederik Andersen each figured to compete for minutes, only an injury in November kept Gibson out for an extended period, then landed him in the American Hockey League with Andersen playing so well.
FANTASY HOCKEY ANALYSIS
The fantasy playoffs are underway in head-to-head leagues, so NHL.com has you covered with weekly fantasy hockey positional rankings, real-time spins and video analysis as you pursue your league title.
Circumstance and a hot goalie were delaying the future in Anaheim, but the future can only wait for so long.
Just as Gibson sustained an injury under bizarre circumstances -- during a pregame warmup -- Andersen also sustained a strange injury. When a defenseman inadvertently tipped over Andersen's goal, causing it to fall and the crossbar to hit him on the neck, the door was opened for Gibson.
Since getting recalled by the Ducks, Gibson has gradually been returning to form. He has a .922 save percentage in his 14 start since Andersen was injured, but what really has made him stand out is how well he's played since Andersen has come back.
If coach Bruce Boudreau is using the end of the regular season as a litmus test to decide which of his goalies will get playing time in the postseason, count Gibson as the early favorite. Since Andersen returned from his injury, he has made three starts to Gibson's five. The numbers, though, aren't really close when the two goalies are juxtaposed:
Gibson: 4-1-0, .921 save percentage, 30.5 shots against per 60 minutes
Andersen: 1-2-0, .894 save percentage, 22.4 shots against per 60 minutes
Despite facing a heavier workload, Gibson is putting up better numbers. This isn't likely a trend that will only see Gibson earn more playing time down the stretch and into the playoffs, but into next season. Andersen will be on the final year of his contract in 2015-16, one in which he's put up very good numbers. But Gibson is young, only getting better, and isn't fit to be splitting time or gaining experience in the American Hockey League. And with a job up for grabs that's exactly how Gibson is playing right now.
TRENDING UP
Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils
GAA: 2.16 | SVP: .929
TRENDING DOWN
Frederik Andersen, Anaheim Ducks
Again, the numbers since his return from injury haven't been glowing. That, combined with how Gibson has been playing and the Ducks chasing the Presidents' Trophy, could be a formula for Gibson getting the majority of starts down the stretch. After Andersen was given two straight starts for Anaheim in which he allowed six goals on 36 shots, Gibson has started the Ducks' past four.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
GAA: 2.25 | SVP: .922
TOP 30 FANTASY GOALIES
These modified re-rankings are a projection of a goalie's fantasy output for the entire season. Our ranks are based on volume categories like games played, wins, saves, goals-against average (GAA) and save percentage (SV%). The plus or minus for each player is movement based on our most recent rankings from last week (NR means not ranked in previous rankings). It is important to note that our rankings reflect sheer fantasy value, not talent. A less-talented goalie could be ranked higher due to their team's strong defense and offense.
These modified re-rankings are a projection of a goalie's fantasy output for the entire season. Our ranks are based on volume categories like games played, wins, saves, goals-against average (GAA) and save percentage (SV%). The plus or minus for each player is movement based on our most recent rankings from last week (NR means not ranked in previous rankings). It is important to note that our rankings reflect sheer fantasy value, not talent. A less-talented goalie could be ranked higher due to their team's strong defense and offense.
| 1 | Carey Price, MTL (SAME) | 16 | Andrew Hammond, OTT (+4) |
| 2 | Pekka Rinne, NSH (SAME) | 17 | Jimmy Howard, DET (-3) |
| 3 | Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT (SAME) | 18 | Steve Mason, PHI (SAME) |
| 4 | Cory Schneider, NJD (+2) |
19 | Semyon Varlamov, COL (NR - IR) |
| 5 | Braden Holtby, WSH (-1) |
20 | Eddie Lack, VAN (+2) |
| 6 | Tuukka Rask, BOS (-1) |
21 | Andrei Vasilevskiy, TBL (+4) |
| 7 | Corey Crawford, CHI (+1) |
22 | Michael Hutchinson, WPG (-3) |
| 8 | Roberto Luongo, FLA (-1) |
23 | Sergei Bobrovsky, CBJ (SAME) |
| 9 | Devan Dubnyk, MIN (SAME) | 24 | Frederik Andersen, ANA (-7) |
| 10 | Brian Elliott, STL (SAME) | 25 | Antti Niemi, SJS (-1) |
| 11 | Jonathan Quick, LAK (+1) |
26 | Ondrej Pavelec, WPG (NEW) |
| 12 | Jaroslav Halak, NYI - DTD | 27 | Kari Lehtonen, DAL (SAME) |
| 13 | Ben Bishop, TBL (SAME) | 28 | Jake Allen, STL (+1) |
| 14 | Cam Talbot, NYR (+1) |
29 | Dan Ellis, FLA (NEW) |
| 15 | John Gibson, ANA (+1) |
30 | Petr Mrazek, DET (NEW) |
Dropped out: Scott Darling, Alex Stalock, Calvin Pickard
Key injuries: Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Miller, Craig Anderson, Robin Lehner
DTD: Day-to-day; NR - IR: Not ranked last week because of injury
---
NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. © Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.