Here's a look around the league at the latest trends after another week of hockey. Some food for thought, some leftover stats and, of course, some fantasy advice. Let's dig in.
All fancy stats courtesy Natural Stat Trick.
Goalies … Again
I can't remember a time when the Predators looked so toothless, because even as an expansion team they were never truly terrible. The low point came Saturday night when the 30th-place Red Wings led 3-0 at the end of the second period, forcing coach John Hynes to replace Pekka Rinne with Juuse Saros, whose .881 Sv% going into the game was even less after it was over. The Preds were supposed to be good — still are on paper — and this was supposed to be the season Saros became a legit No. 1.
Sticking with flailing starters is like holding onto the One Ring — it's hard to part with, but the longer you hold it, the more it will torture your soul and make your life miserable. The Preds picked it up in the third period but still lost, 4-2, and it's anyone's guess who starts during their upcoming six-game road trip. Saros (61 percent rostered) is still the right long-term play (talent notwithstanding), but Rinne (27 percent and climbing) is worth having on the bench because he's outplayed Saros, and it seems like the Preds might split the remaining starts. I have some hope the Preds can be good again, but I'm also prepared for
