As a fantasy hockey manager, the performance of your goalie is crucial to the success of your team. Your expectations may vary, from desiring a win or a specific number of fantasy points, to simply hoping to avoid negative points.
In a competitive 12-team league, securing a reliable goalie may prove challenging. Therefore, it is important to establish realistic expectations for your netminder.
Points are the key metric to consider when evaluating a goalie’s performance in fantasy hockey. A win typically earns four points, while a goal against deducts two points. Each save is worth 0.2 points, with an additional point for an overtime loss, and three bonus points for a shutout.
Surprisingly, the average number of fantasy points for the top 24 goalies in ESPN leagues is just 2.4 points. Even when assessing the top 24 goalies in terms of total fantasy points, the average only slightly improves to 3.0 points.
It is essential to closely evaluate individual goalies to determine their consistency and performance levels. Metrics such as the percentage of appearances above the 2.4-point threshold, total number of instances where fantasy points were lost, and other key statistics should be considered. Notably, expert analysis and commentary on bonus goalies outside the top 24 can also provide valuable insights.
For example, Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers has excelled in 66.7% of his appearances, accumulating 35.6 fantasy points. In comparison, Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets has achieved an above-average performance in 60.0% of his appearances, earning 42.8 fantasy points.
Conversely, some goalies have struggled to meet expectations. Ilya Samsonov of the Toronto Maple Leafs has been above average in only 30.0% of his appearances, amassing a mere 1.8 fantasy points. Furthermore, instances of negative scores, such as Alexandar Georgiev’s -24.0 fantasy points for the Colorado Avalanche, should be considered when evaluating a goalie’s performance.
In addition to the top 24 goalies, bonus goalies who did not make it to the top roster percentage were also evaluated. Joonas Korpisalo of the Ottawa Senators excelled in 41.7% of his appearances, while Ville Husso of the Detroit Red Wings achieved above-average status in 36.4% of his starts.
When selecting a goalie for your fantasy hockey team, prioritise consistency in performance to avoid negative points while maximising positive contributions. Typically, the top goalies in the league exhibit a higher percentage of above-average starts, resulting in greater fantasy points.
Thus, it is crucial to utilise data and statistics when making informed decisions on which goalie to start, ultimately increasing the likelihood of fantasy hockey success.