October 31 Fantasy Hockey Goalie Matchups: Stuart Skinner, Juuse Saros, Jeremy Swayman and More

There’s a reason everyone gets excited about a goalie goal. It’s like when an offensive lineman scores a touchdown, or a bruting center makes a 3-pointer. These players are often underappreciated because they don’t directly score many points, but they do invaluable work that most people never see.

Everyone sees the goalie and the work he’s doing, but his job is to deny scoring chances, and players who put points on the board always get more recognition. For every goalie who doesn’t get to score, we still see you.

Let’s look at the goalie fantasy matchup rankings for Thursday based on opponent shot per game and goal per game averages. Rankings in those two categories were compared: teams with positive differences take more shots and score less goals, theoretically giving more quality save opportunities. This doesn’t factor in goalie abilities at all; it’s simply about the matchup.

I listed all goalies who have played for each team. Always check starting lineups to make sure you have the right guy in your lineup. All stats are from NHL.com.

1. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, Edmonton Oilers

Opponent: Nashville Predators (+27)

• Shots Per Game: 35.9 (1st)
• Goals Per Game: 2.56 (28th)

2. Juuse Saros and Scott Wedgewood, Nashville Predators

Opponent: Edmonton Oilers (+18)

• Shots Per Game: 34.3 (3rd)
• Goals Per Game: 2.20 (21st)

3. Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo, Boston Bruins

Opponent: Carolina Hurricanes (+11)

• Shots Per Game: 34.6 (2nd)
• Goals Per Game: 3.38 (13th)

4. Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer, Seattle Kraken

Opponent: Toronto Maple Leafs (+10)

• Shots Per Game: 32.1 (5th)
• Goals Per Game: 3.20 (T-15th)

5. Lukas Dostal and James Reimer, Anaheim Ducks

Opponent: Pittsburgh Penguins (+9)

• Shots Per Game: 31.0 (T-10th)
• Goals Per Game: 3.00 (T-19th)

6. Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek, San Jose Sharks

Opponent: Chicago Blackhawks (+5)

• Shots Per Game: 28.1 (19th)
• Goals Per Game: 2.70 (T-24th)

7. Petr Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom, Chicago Blackhawks

Opponent: San Jose Sharks (+4)

• Shots Per Game: 27.5 (25th)
• Goals Per Game: 2.45 (29th)

T-8. Joel Blomqvist and Alex Nedeljkovic, Pittsburgh Penguins

Opponent: Anaheim Ducks (+2)

• Shots Per Game: 26.8 (T-28th)
• Goals Per Game: 2.33 (30th)

T-8. Samuel Ersson, Ivan Fedotov, and Aleksei Kolosov, Philadelphia Flyers

Opponent: St. Louis Blues (+2)

• Shots Per Game: 27.8 (22nd)
• Goals Per Game: 2.70 (T-24th)

10. Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov, Carolina Hurricanes

Opponent: Boston Bruins (+1)

• Shots Per Game: 27.7 (23rd)
• Goals Per Game: 27.0 (T-24th)

11. Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau, Montreal Canadiens

Opponent: Washington Capitals (-2)

• Shots Per Game: 31.1 (9th)
• Goals Per Game: 3.88 (7th)

12. Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer, St. Louis Blues

Opponent: Philadelphia Flyers (-7)

• Shots Per Game: 26.7 (30th)
• Goals Per Game: 2.80 (23rd)

13. Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson, Washington Capitals

Opponent: Montreal Canadiens (-10)

• Shots Per Game: 25.9 (31st)
• Goals Per Game: 2.90 (T-21st)

14. Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, Toronto Maple Leafs

Opponent: Seattle Kraken (-11)

• Shots Per Game: 27.9 (21st)
• Goals Per Game: 3.50 (10th)