Unveiling the Significance of Goaltender Duos in Fantasy Hockey

The Trend of Goaltender Tandems

Our analysis of the top-performing goalies each season since 2009-10 indicates that goaltender tandems have become a crucial strategy for fantasy hockey success. We examined the top 24 goalies across 360 season-long stat lines and found that 98 of them had achieved their ranking while playing less than 55% of the total game time in the crease, also known as ‘crease share’. Interestingly, nearly half of these goalies have emerged in the past five seasons.

Shift in Crease Share Averages

Comparing the past and recent trends, the average crease share of a top-12 goalie from 2009-10 to 2018-19 was 72.7%. However, over the past five seasons, this figure has dropped to 62.3%. This suggests a gradual fading out of the ‘workhorse’ goalie model, where one goalie dominates the crease time.

A Deeper Dive into the Stats

Over the past 15 years, only 78 goalies have managed to secure a crease share of more than 75%. Notably, 42 of these instances occurred within the first five years of our statistical review period (2009-10 to 2013-14). In contrast, during the past five seasons, only 10 goalies reached that 75% threshold.

The Importance of Tandems

This trend underscores the growing importance of goalie tandems in fantasy hockey. To illustrate, the percentage of fantasy points generated by the top 24 goaltenders from goaltenders with a crease share below 55% was a mere 14.4% from 2009-10 to 2013-14. However, this figure has more than doubled to 30.3% between 2019-20 and 2023-24.

Team-wise Analysis of Goaltender Tandems

Let’s delve into some specific teams that are likely to employ a goalie tandem and may yield a high-performing fantasy goaltender from that duo. We’ve excluded teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, or Chicago Blackhawks that are less likely to generate a fantasy-relevant goalie, especially in a tandem setup. We’ve also omitted teams likely to have a goalie claim 65% or more of the crease share.

Case Studies

A few teams that stand out with potential fantasy relevant goalie tandems include the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and the Vegas Golden Knights. Each team’s performance in the previous season and their roster for the upcoming season provide valuable insights for fantasy hockey enthusiasts.

What’s Next?

The landscape of fantasy hockey goalkeeping is evolving, with a visible shift towards goalie tandems. This new strategy demands that players adapt their game plans to stay competitive, making the upcoming seasons even more exciting for fantasy hockey enthusiasts.