8 games left - Rinne or Howard?

[Achilles]

Well ladies and gents, it's crunch time.

My league info is in sig. Less than 3 weeks to go and I'm only 40.5 fantasy points out of first place. The leader has only one goalie game left. I have 8, and I want to use them wisely. As a result, I'm once again reaching out to you good people for strategy advice.

I have Pekka Rinne and Jimmy Howard. Here's their schedules:

Nashville
Mar 20 - EDM
Mar 22 - @ PIT
Mar 24 - WPG
Mar 25 -@ CHI
Mar 27 -@ STL
Mar 30 -@ DET
Mar 31 - CHI
Apr 3 - MIN
Apr 5 - DAL
Apr 7 - @ COL
____________
10

Detroit
Mar 19 - WSH
Mar 21 - @ NYR
Mar 24 - CAR
Mar 26 - CBJ
Mar 28 - @ CBJ
Mar 30 - NSH
Apr 1 - FLA
Apr 4 - @ STL
Apr 5 - NJ
Apr 7 - CHI
_______________
10

There's no guarantee that my goalies will be starting a particular game. However, I want to maximize my wins and shutouts - especially shutouts. I think I definitely want these matchups:

Rinne vs. EDM, WPG (in NSH), MIN (in NSH)
Howard vs. CBJ (home and home)

That's a potential 5 out of the 8 games I have left.

I like the home games, and teams fighting for a playoff spot can be scary (Col, Wsh, potentially Car, etc.)

So, your thoughts on games to take/avoid? Detroit is at home vs. the Caps tonight. They've been a huge disappointment, but are coming off a tough loss so they could be dangerous. Do I start Howard tonight?

How would you approach this in my position?

Thanks all,
A

[ericdaoust]

Rinne is the better goalie. Roll with him and don't look back.

[bondon]

I would roll Rinne pretty much every time....but the matchups that I like on top of what you listed for him are

@CHI
vs. CHI
vs. DAL
@COL

If i'm being honest there aren't many matchups out there that I would be hiding Rinne against...i'd even start him against Detroit.

I like Howard vs. CAR and FLA as well. I see a whole ton of matchups I wouldn't mind.

[Achilles]

Thanks guys....I agree the Rinne is the better goalie (not too many SO this year though), but Howard is no slouch....and DET wins a lot.

I definitely want him in vs. Columbus.

b0ndon: I agree about FLA, and likely Carolina...but the Canes are fighting to get in the playoffs and playing well.

Decisions, decisions

Any other thoughts...anyone want to suggest more DET starts? Are either team's backups slated to get more starts than usual in the final 3 weeks?

[ericdaoust]

Thanks guys....I agree the Rinne is the better goalie (not too many SO this year though), but Howard is no slouch....and DET wins a lot.

I definitely want him in vs. Columbus.

b0ndon: I agree about FLA, and likely Carolina...but the Canes are fighting to get in the playoffs and playing well.

Decisions, decisions

Any other thoughts...anyone want to suggest more DET starts? Are either team's backups slated to get more starts than usual in the final 3 weeks?

Don't overthink match-ups and shutout trends. The best goalie gives you the best odds of getting a W/SO next game. You can flip-flop based on match-ups if you want but you risk leaving a big game from Rinne on the table if you're not careful.

[A Watch]

Another for Rinne..... Best multi cat goalie in the league IMO.