Every Thursday during the season, NHL.com fantasy hockey staff writer David Satriano provides in-depth goalie analysis. From updated weekly top 30 rankings to trending players and more, Satriano is your go-to guy for fantasy goalie advice all season long.
The Arizona Coyotes' goaltending situation hasn't been a topic of conversation much in this space mainly because Mike Smith has been unable to regain his form from a few years ago. Following a 2014-15 season when he was 14-42-5 with a 3.16 goals-against average and .904 save percentage, Smith is 10-9-1 with a 3.03 GAA and .901 save percentage. He had surgery earlier this week to repair a core muscle and will be out 8-10 weeks.
Smith (48 percent owned in Yahoo Leagues) hadn't played since Dec. 8 with Anders Lindback starting each of the two games since. Lindback was signed by the Coyotes in part as an insurance policy in case Smith got injured. He's 4-5-1 with a 2.92 GAA and .900 save percentage. Lindback (10 percent owned) has allowed five goals in two of his past three appearances but is expected to get most of the starts in Smith's absence, although general manager Don Maloney didn't rule out acquiring another goalie.