Blogger Invitational

James Mirtle of FromThe Rink organizes NHL bloggers from across the expanse to an invitational league. I've teamed up with Dan Tolensky and in the second year, the first with keepers. Vincent Lecavalier and Ryan Getzlaf were kept and a goalie was needed. With the first round draft pick, Miikka Kiprusoff was chosen, and with the goaltender depth just not there, Ty Conklin and J.S. Giguere were bolstering the rest of the lineup.

The opponent this week has Craig Anderson, Chris Mason, Jonathan Quick and Calgary back up Curtis McElhinney. Goaltending has been such a nemesis that it's been the focus of this fantasy week 4 update.

Goaltending Around the League

Tm	Player	Pos	NOTES
	Roberto Luongo	G	Endured a fractured rib Saturday in the win over the visiting Maple Leafs and played through the pain, shutting out the Oilers the following night and suited up in a 5-4 loss to Detroit on Tuesday before succumbing to the pain and taking time to rest. Back up Andrew Raycroft will take over the primary duties in his absence, however, should he falter, don't be surprised to see Cory Schneider between the pipes for another audition in the NHL.
	Jonas Gustavsson	G	Healed up with groin problem and made two consecutive starts on the Leafs West coast leg of a five-game road trip, tallying his first career win, and the Leafs first of the season (2GS, 1W, 3.48 GAA, .891 SV%). Incumbent Vesa Toskala might be ready by Friday's contest against Buffalo, with Montreal the following night, it's possible to see the goalies split duties. The 'Monster' may not have the greatest numbers, but he was stellar in his two appearances and may have stolen the number one job outright from this point. The worst possibility is a tandem.
	Craig Anderson	G	Back up Peter Budaj is confirmed with H1N1 flu and sidelined for the next little while. The soaring former Panther is off to a hot start and only five wins back of career high 15. He broke Patrick Roy's mark of seven October wins and still counting with his 9th in a 3-0 shutout victory over the Oilers, and 10th against the Flames on back-to-back nights. Could be streaky, but this is exactly what a lucky GM who probably took him out of necessity to end up with early in the season.
	Ryan Miller	G	Only starter to remain undefeated (8GP, 7W, 1.60 GAA, .944 SV%) with dazzling numbers as the Buffalo Sabres steamroll over their competition early in the season. He was impressive in the 4-1 win over the Devils on Wednesday, and is the meal ticket en route to a playoff spot in Buffalo. Look for the Sabres to slacken the defense with time, but Miller remains a top 10 goalie, if not top-five by the time the season ends. Might be given some time off as the Olympics near, and could be hit-and-miss after the break depending on Buffalo's standing in the hunt for a playoff spot.
	Niklas Backstrom	G	Standing at a disappointing 3-7 isn't a true indication of the goaltenders performance, and is more of a reflection of his teams anemic offense and slightly porous defense. The record produces a 2.70 GAA while averaging 30 shots-per-game and with a .910 save-percentage. Minnesota has opened up, but don't have the guns. Backstrom has kept the Wild in most games but will struggle this season as the organization finds its character after a management overhaul.
	Dan Ellis	G	The goaltending carousel continues in the Music City, with Pekka Rinne and Ellis both unable to take the reins and run with the starter. Crease carousels are fantasy death and unless there is a real necessity, try steering away from this inevitable frustration. Nashville is also dealing with injury adversity and isn't winning much relying too hard on offense from the back end. Wins could be scarce.
	Martin Brodeur	G	Has run hot/cold thus far looking a little weak in the Devils 4-1 loss to the Sabres, yet also couldn't be faulted for most goals. Age, the possibility of being a starter in the Olympics and compressed schedules are all working against him this season. A 6-4 record makes 40 wins a lofty goal if he's not playing 70-plus games. Is becoming a bubble top-five goaltender.
	Tim Thomas	G	Stellar and the difference in the 4-3 win over the Senators making it the first time he's won consecutive games this season. The injury-plagued Bruins are already facing more adversity than at any point last season and don't have the guns to compete in the high scoring games, putting more pressure on Thomas in the short and long term. Might be the only reason Boston remains in the thick of a playoff spot while the troops return, but as the consecutive games analysis with scheduling indicated, Boston is not in the unique position to capitalize playing teams that played the night before and contributed to a stellar 2008-09.
	Evgeni Nabokov	G	Is somehow fighting some positioning issues and is flopping around more than previous seasons, but still producing top notch fantasy numbers. Went 3-2 on the recent five-game road swing but struggled with peripheral numbers (3.02 GAA, .898 SV%), before winning in a tight 2-1 home affair. Is historically better at home for the peripherals than on the road and after a matchup versus the upstart Avalanche, the Sharks go on the road for three games in a November dominated by nine road games versus five home with only two consecutive home games once in the month.
	Carey Price	G	Jaroslav Halak has started most recent games and the youngster has been riding pine. Got back into the crease with the Habs 6-1 embarrassment to Pittsburgh on Wednesday, letting in two goals in a period's work. Despite a solid start, a few rocky performances amid a five-game slide haven't reassured him of a return to form, and this is extrapolated to management. Sitting a youngster for a game or two makes him think. More than a few consecutive games riding shotgun is a definitive statement. Has a new opportunity to run with the ball. How many more chances will he get?
	Pascal Leclaire	G	Was pulled as the starter from the Ottawa/Florida game on Wednesday in the second period with flu-like symptoms he's been battling since Thursday of the previous week. Considering the amount of fear of H1N1 in NHL dressing rooms, was taken from teammates. Has had a nice bounce back season with no signs of ankle issues and aside from this flu-like problem, has become one of the better second tier fantasy goaltenders.
	Cam Ward	G	Continues to struggle along with the Hurricanes awfully reminiscent of the series of events that led to the axing of former coach Peter Laviolette. The netminder has not just struggled but at times seems to be less focused, gives up on second efforts and has often eyed his teammates after some bad goals. There's a point where he could use some time off to regroup and it's looking like it could be sooner than later. Expect some starts for the back up Michael Leighton.
	Steve Mason	G	Started the first of 7-of-9 games at home with a horrible 4-1 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, attributable to the lack of finish on the Blue Jackets part, after the goaltender kept his team in the game until late in the second period. The home stand is a good sign for turning around a rough start (3.57 GAA, .877 SV%)and a 5-4 record. Needs some scoring support however and a return of Jan Hejda to the lineup.
	Jonathan Quick	G	Extended for another three years at $1.8 million per year, the Kings starter has been rock solid in a superb start for a club looking at making headway to a playoff spot. Silenced undue fantasy critics - and some real ones - despite the chatter of the U.S. Olympic team - with a solid 8-3 record, but middling peripherals (2.74 GAA, .904 SV%). Has produced very well thus far.
	Marc-Andre Fleury	G	Making a valid case for not just a back up or third goaltender role, but as a starter thus far in the defense of the Stanley Cup. The Penguins are 9-1 with him between the pipes with a 2.07 GAA and sparkling .921 save-percentage. He was within a period away of his first shutout of the season and consider this ? he was winning with Crosby in a 'slump'. Now with the captain scoring at a better clip, he could top 20 wins by the end of November.

Check out Yahoo! Injuries for more in depth injury reports for in depth injury reports.

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