Who to Start - Howard, Miller, Crawford (PICK 2)

[L2TG]

Hey boys,

Currently battling for 1st in a roto-style league, the league settings and my team are below in SIG. I'm in dire need of all goalie cats but most especially SHO. I have to choose 2 goalies to start tonight... who do you like?

Howard vs. MTL
Miller vs. MIN
Crawford @ BOS

Miller is a must start so it really comes down to Crawford or Howard. The CHI/BOS game will have a playoff type feel and I expect it to be tight and low scoring.. however, I definitely can't see the Bruins being shutout at home. As for who will win... flip a coin. The MTL/DET game should be low scoring... Both teams can't score right now and I smell a low scoring affair. Howard hasn't been great but the Habs are weak offensively and this should end up 2 - 1. Ultimately, I feel Miller + Howard is the best play.. the Wings need it bad and they are at home against a week offensive team. Thoughts? THANKS and REP FOR HELP!

[Pengwin7]

I've read a few comments about the Habs being weak offensively... they've been pretty good at putting a reasonable (27+) number of shots on net.
Combine that with Howard's typical low SV% this year - not a great combo.

I'll go with CHI vs. BOS.
I think Chicago is dedicated to playing a little more defensively with Pat Kane out of the line-up.
You'll see line 2 take less chances and be more defensively responsible.

I think both teams in the CHI/BOS match will take under 30 shots, with a score of 2-1 or 3-2.
Crawford for me.

[suvojitde]

Normally I would go with the studs (best goalies OR ok goalies playing for the best teams). In this situation, however, I would go with Howard instead of Crawford, because of reasons you have already outlined yourself.

[Laendarian]

I'd roll Miller and Crawford

[Shake]

Crawford and Miller.

[LawMan]

Miller is a lock.
I'd take Crawford over Howard. Both are average to solid goalies this year but Chicago is the much better team. I see a tight checking game ending up 2-1 or 2-2 after regulation.

[Eazy BZ]

Definitely Miller, and I think I would go with Crawford over Howard here. I think the Boston and Chicago game will have a playoff atmosphere, it'll be a low scoring game.

[L2TG]

Crawford and Miller it is! Thanks boys

[The Comish]

Easily Miller. For your other starter, if you are a gambler, try your hand at Howard and the desperate Red Wings. They are going to be playing very hard trying to keep that playoff streak intact, whereas Chicago is on cruise control until the playoffs begin (well, not really, but it's not the end of the world if they lose this one).

After looking at both Crawford's and Howard's numbers over the last five games or so, man, it would definitely be a gamble to start Howard over Crawford.

[mydogsnameiscrosby]

If you are trying for a SO I would go with Crawford, b/c BOS is typically a low-scoring team and much easier to see CHI blanking them than DET who are weak defensively this yr with a shaky Howard vs a HOT MTL team (not to say BOS is cold, but they couldn't finish vs MTL last game - they should have had at least 10 goals on Budaj and only got 1). Who knows though.

**For the record I am struggling with whether to ice Rask v CHI or Howard vs MTL or Greiss vs NJ. I have Miller v MIN as a lock. I am 90% going with Rask at this point.

[L2TG]

All fantastic input! This is why I love Dobbers... great community

Easily Miller. For your other starter, if you are a gambler, try your hand at Howard and the desperate Red Wings. They are going to be playing very hard trying to keep that playoff streak intact, whereas Chicago is on cruise control until the playoffs begin (well, not really, but it's not the end of the world if they lose this one).

After looking at both Crawford's and Howard's numbers over the last five games or so, man, it would definitely be a gamble to start Howard over Crawford.

This pretty much sums it up... it's a gamble to start Howard, whereas Crawford is the safe bet.

That being said I say the Bruins win emphatically tonight to send a message for the post-season... 4 - 1? I see the Wings winning a low scoring affair 2 - 1. Time to gamble with Howard!