The 2023-2024 hockey season has been incredibly different than the season previous. Sure, the good teams are still good (except Edmonton) and the bad teams are still bad. But we can't get into the 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 5 goalie report without mentioning the goalie play has been mind-boggling.
The guys you expect to dominate are struggling and the guys you wouldn't think about are shutting out the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Outside of Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark, the top-tier goalies have just not been producing the results you would expect.
Let's look at who has been hot or cold in the 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey week 5 goalie report.
2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Goalie Report
Stock Up
Charlie Lindgren, Washington Capitals (3-1-0, .947 SV%, 1.76 GAA)
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Charlie Lindgren has looked terrific filling in for Darcy Kuemper. He's made only three starts in the month of November but he was able to carry the Capitals to three straight victories. His most impressive game was his improbable shutout over the Vegas Golden Knights.
He only allowed three goals in his last three games and appears to have found a groove following his first start at the start of the season. He only made 26 starts last season so he doesn't have the kind of upside we might hope for.
Lindgren is rostered in 11% of leagues on Yahoo and will likely not move much higher. I'd keep an eye on him if your team is struggling. This level of play can definitely help out in a bind if he's expected to grab a start.
Casey DeSmith, Vancouver Canucks (4-0-1, .916 SV%, 2.67 GAA)
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Casey DeSmith has been playing out of his mind. In fact, the entire Vancouver team has been playing on another level. They should be favored in most of their games giving him a ton of win equity.
He's coming off two straight wins where he recorded at least a .933 SV% and allowed only two goals. Three of the league leaders in points play for the Canucks and it's almost like he could play mediocre and still be a great option.
DeSmith is rostered in only 27% of leagues on Yahoo and I really think he is worth grabbing and holding onto. I snagged him in one of my leagues and have not looked back. Vancouver is a monster of a team and I am all for rostering a goalie who plays regularly for them.
Stock Down
Semyon Varlamov, New York Islanders (2-3-0, .940 SV%, 2.04 GAA)
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Semyon Varlamov had an impressive two shutouts and then fell back to Earth. He dropped his last two games with a sub .900 SV% to disappoint those who rushed out to claim him.
The Islanders are supposed to have top-tier goaltending but so far this season, that has not been the case. Even Ilya Sorokin has not found a win in his last five starts.
They should still be a solid team and will likely, and hopefully, get things going soon. He's rostered in 41% of leagues on Yahoo and would still be worth grabbing for one of his upcoming starts.
His underlying stats are still very solid, albeit a little inflated from the two shutouts.
Philipp Grubauer, Seattle Kraken (3-6-0, .891 SV%, 3.37 GAA)
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Philipp Grubauer has lost two of his last three games. He surprisingly found a win against Colorado but allowed four goals against Calgary and Edmonton. Seattle has been very up and down this year after their great playoff run last year.
Grubauer has not had the best stats the last few seasons, with a sub .900 SV% over his last two seasons. If he gets into some kind of rhythm he might provide some value, but it remains to be seen.
He is rostered in 32% of leagues on Yahoo which feels slightly higher than I'd expect. Maybe he can help you find a win but his stats will most likely hurt more than help.
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