Fantasy goalies: Scrivens saving grace for Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are on a three-game winning streak for the first time in nearly three months, and goalie Ben Scrivens is highly responsible.
Scrivens hasn't had the easiest road to the NHL this season. After being the starter for the Edmonton Oilers last season, he spent this season with their American Hockey League affiliate in Bakersfield before he was traded to Montreal on Dec. 28. Mike Condon (32 percent owned in Yahoo leagues) was filling in admirably for injured goalie and reigning Vezina and Hart trophy winner Carey Price (lower body), who has only played 12 of Montreal's 55 games. But Condon's recent struggles have led to Scrivens' opportunity, which he has seized of late.

Scrivens has made three straight starts for Montreal, going 3-0-0 and allowing four goals on 94 shots. He made 37 saves in a 4-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. His save percentage in that span is .959, and he is still available in 86 percent of Yahoo leagues.
"There is no doubt Scrivens has been outstanding since we put him in net Saturday. He gives us a huge chance. He is making key saves at the right time of the game," coach Michel Therrien told the Canadiens website after the game Tuesday.
Scrivens did have a rough start to his Canadiens career, allowing at least three goals in each of his first four starts, but proved his durability by making 53 starts last season with Edmonton. He was also extremely efficient during his stint as the Los Angeles Kings backup goalie in 2013-14, going 7-5-4 with a .931 SV% and three shutouts in 19 outings.
Price is still not nearing a return; he skated last week but has not been cleared for the next step in his recovery. Thus, Scrivens could be in net frequently for the Canadiens as they look to get back into the Stanley Cup Playoff conversation.
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TRENDING UP
Joonas Korpisalo, Columbus Blue Jackets
Not only has Korpisalo gotten the majority of starts for Columbus recently (eight straight games and 10 of the past 11 since Sergei Bobrovsky was placed on injured reserve for the second time with a groin injury), but he's been playing very well. Korpisalo made 44 saves in a 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday, following two games in which he allowed one goal in each. Of those four goals, only two were allowed at even strength.
He's 2-0-1 with a .965 save percentage in three games and is owned in 13 percent of fantasy leagues. For the season, he is 7-6-3 with a 2.58 goals-against average and .923 SV%. The Blue Jackets have won five of six and Korpisalo has allowed two goals or fewer in nine of his past 10 appearances.

TRENDING DOWN
Ryan Miller, Vancouver Canucks
Prior to making 33 saves in a 2-1 win against the Arizona Coyotes, Miller (78 percent owned) had one win in seven starts since returning from injury and has been inconsistent; he's allowed three or more goals 21 times in 36 appearances and has 12 wins in 35 decisions.
Canucks coach Willie Desjardins could opt to use Jacob Markstrom (12 percent owned) more often down the stretch. Markstrom made 29 saves in a 3-1 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday and has won four straight starts. His 2.30 GAA and .925 SV% are better than Miller's numbers (2.64 GAA, .914 SV%).
KEEP AN EYE ON
Calgary Flames goalies
Jonas Hiller has won two straight (67 saves on 71 shots) for the Flames, who need points to stay in the race for a postseason spot. Hiller (40 percent owned) has a 7-5-1 record with a 3.01 GAA and .893 SV%.
Karri Ramo (45 percent owned) has made 36 starts to Hiller's 14, and is 17-18-1 with a 2.56 GAA and .911 save percentage. Without a true No. 1 goalie, coach Bob Hartley likely will roll with the hot hand, making it frustrating for fantasy owners. Monitor the two goalies this week.
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WORTH NOTING
Martin Brodeur had his No. 30 retired by the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, so here's a Devils-related fact: current No. 1 Cory Schneider has the highest career save percentage of any goalie in NHL history (.926). Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins is second (.925) and Dominik Hasek is third (.922). … Cam Ward has started the past two games for the Carolina Hurricanes with Eddie Lack backing him up. … Frederik Andersen has taken the upper hand recently, making four of six starts for the Anaheim Ducks, allowing seven goals in the four starts. He also hasn't allowed more than two goals in any of his past nine appearances. … The Oilers sent Anders Nilsson (seven percent owned) to Bakersfield and promoted Laurent Brossoit who has made one NHL appearance.
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TOP 30 FANTASY GOALIES
These rankings indicate fantasy expectations for the rest of the season. Value is quantified by projected starts, peripheral category coverage, timeshare situations, team defenses, past performance and upside in standard Yahoo categories, which include wins, goals-against average (GAA), save percentage (SV%) and shutouts. These rankings reflect fantasy value, not necessarily the most talented goalies in order.

1. Braden Holtby, WSH (+1)
2. Corey Crawford, CHI (-1)
3. Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (+2)
4. Petr Mrazek, DET (+4)
5. Cory Schneider, NJD (+1)
6. Jonathan Quick, LAK (-3)
7. Ben Bishop, TBL (-3)
8. Brian Elliott, STL (+1)
9. Roberto Luongo, FLA (-2)
10. Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT
11. Martin Jones, SJS
12. Tuukka Rask, BOS (+1)
13. Connor Hellebuyck, WPG (+2)
14. Devan Dubnyk, MIN
15. Jaroslav Halak, NYI (+2)
16. Pekka Rinne, NSH (-4)
17. Frederik Andersen, ANA (+3)
18. Semyon Varlamov, COL (+1)
19. Antti Niemi, DAL (-1)
20. John Gibson, ANA (-4)
21. Joonas Korpisalo, CBJ (NEW)
22. Robin Lehner, BUF (+1)
23. Ben Scrivens, MTL (NEW)
24. Cam Ward, CAR (NEW)
25. Craig Anderson, OTT (+2)
26. Louis Domingue, ARI (-5)
27. Ryan Miller, VAN (-2)
28. James Reimer, TOR (-2)
29. Steve Mason, PHI (-1)
30. Karri Ramo, CGY (-1)
    Dropped out: Mike Condon, Cam Talbot, Eddie Lack
    Key injuries: Carey Price, Jake Allen, Sergei Bobrovsky, Michal Neuvirth, Ondrej Pavelec, Mike Smith