Crawford, Backstrom, Schneider?

[Moosebill]

Today Crawford plays Toronto, Backstrom faces the Panthers, and Schneider is playing the Rangers. I'm in a close battle for goalie categories counting W, SV%, GAA, and SO.

I'm leaning towards starting Schneider against NY. I like Chicago to win against the leafs, but the leafs offense scares me. The Leafs are weak in puck possession and that's one of Chicago's main strengths, so I think this could be the game Toronto's advanced stats catch up with them. That said, Backstrom is facing the Florida Panthers. He looked pretty bad though before the injury, and since this is his first game back I don't know if I want to risk it, even if it is a weak opponent.

I only need one start to reach my 3 goalie start minimum (which I think would be Schneider), but with potentially favorable starts like this I'm leaning towards starting two in order to minimize the effects in case the Devils leave Schneider out to dry again.

What do you guys think?

[bondon]

Well you have a better idea of your matchup situation but I'd have no problem starting Crawford and Backstrom even if the categories were close.

[suvojitde]

Firstly, Harding gets the start in goal against the Panthers, not Backstrom - not sure where you got that Backstrom is starting.

Secondly, with an abysmal offense and worst record in the NHL right now, why would you risk playing Schneider, that too against a team that is starting to recover from a poor start and has Lundy as their starting goalie? True, it could all work out, as this is a game of chance, but if you had to take a chance, why would you not do so with Crawford at home against Toronto?