A huge slate of games on the last Sunday of the year, but I backing only four must-start goalie options:
After a 0-4 road trip, the Minnesota are thrilled to be back at home where they have won four straight games. They will be missing their best forward in Zach Parise, but they should benefit from the probable return of Josh Harding in goal. He has been the far better option in the crease, as he has put up Vezina worthy numbers: 18-5-1/1.59 GAA/ .939 SP. Look for his return to spark the Wild against a John Tavares-less Islanders teamNo Roberto Luongo? No problem, as back-up Eddie Lack has been excellent for the Vancouver Canucks, posting a 6-2 record with a 1.92 GAA and a .924 SP. Calgary has struggled mightily to muster any type of offense, plus they usually have their hands full with the Canucks, losing the last three head-to-head encounters. No lack of confidence here, as Lack wins big!After the 7-2 shallacking at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Avalanche should be primed for this home clash against Winnipeg. Semyon Varlamov is their probable starter and considering his 10-5 home record and a 2.24 GAA, start him with extreme confidence. Winnipeg will go with Al Montoya, as Ondrej Pavelec has been downright dreadful and basically unstartable in fantasy leagues right now.Our upset special is a motivated Cam Ward playing for his job in the Hurricane's road tilt against a Toronto team that has been firing blanks on offense and have been playing down to their opposition at the Air Canada Center. Take Ward in this spot.FANTASY MUST-START
Josh Harding *, Minnesota vs. NYI
Semyon Varlamov, Colorado vs. Winnipeg
Eddie Lack, Vancouver @ Calgary
SLEEPER ALERT
Cam Ward *, Carolina @ Toronto
*:NOT CONFIRMED
GOALIE DAILY PICKS
Steve: (50-30) Harding
Ray: (44-35) Lack
Mike: (38-27) Varlamov
THE GOALIE EDGE: 12/29/13 primepucks.comSun 12/29/13 10:34 AM