Corey Abbott Mon, October 26, 2026 at 4:30 PM UTC · 4 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finding dependable goaltending can be challenging. However, fantasy hockey managers can benefit from riding hot hands, while avoiding cold ones, managing the schedule and making roster changes to fill short- and long-term needs.
Jacob Fowler, MTL: Since being recalled from the AHL on Oct. 7, Fowler has become Montreal's go-to option between the pipes. In six NHL appearances, he has a 5-1-0 record, a 1.79 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. Jakub Dobes has struggled since his 2026-27 season debut, and Sam Montembeault is still recovering from a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, Fowler is currently riding a five-game winning streak.
Devin Cooley, CGY: Cooley won both of his starts last week, extending his winning streak to three straight. During that three-game stretch, he defeated Carolina, Minnesota and Detroit with 98 saves on 102 shots. Despite his recent uptick in game action, it is still premature to tab Cooley as the Flames' No. 1 netminder. However, it wouldn't be surprising if the team continued to ride his hot hand in a challenging week. Calgary will face Toronto, Edmonton, Seattle and Colorado, making the goaltending a risky play.
Dylan Garand, NYR: Garand has one win in his last five outings (1-3-1), and he has allowed 17 goals on 130 shots. He has made seven straight starts for the Rangers and has given up five goals in each of his past two appearances. The 24-year-old goalie has been overworked, and his play has suffered. With Igor Shesterkin out for the season and Joonas Korpisalo still unavailable, the Rangers signed James Reimer to a one-year contract on Sunday. That should ease some pressure on Garand, but it could also reduce his playing time.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, BUF: Luukkonen is 1-1-3 in his last five outings, giving up 18 goals on 163 shots. He has allowed four goals on three occasions during that span. He is winless in his past three outings (0-1-2). Buffalo has a three-game road trip in California this week, including stops in San Jose, Anaheim and Los Angeles. Alex Lyon suffered a setback in his recovery from an upper-body injury and isn't with the Sabres on the trip. Lyon is starting to progress again, but Luukkonen will get more time to attempt to work his way out of his early-season struggles.
Teams with four games: CGY, EDM, LAK, OTT, WPG
Teams with three games: ANA, BOS, BUF, CAR, CHI, CBJ, DAL, DET, MIN, MTL, NSH, NJD, NYI, PHI, SJS, STL, TOR, UTA, VAN, WSH
Teams with back-to-backs: CGY, EDM, LAK, OTT, WPG, NJD, PHI, WSH
Dustin Wolf should get a chance to return to the crease this week, as the Flames play three times in four days. Matt Tomkins could see his first NHL action since 2023-24 in Edmonton's back-to-back against the Islanders on Saturday and the Rangers on Sunday. Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg could split the Kings' four-game week. With Linus Ullmark out with a lower-body strain, Jonas Johansson could push Samuel Ersson for playing time in Ottawa.
Winnipeg finally dealt Connor Hellebuyck on Friday, sending him to New Jersey in a blockbuster trade. It's unclear when Hellebuyck will make his Devils debut, but the Jets have a crowded crease. Stuart Skinner is still the clear No. 1, but Nico Daws and Clay Stevenson may compete for backup starts. Winnipeg plays four times in six days, including a back-to-back against Tampa Bay and Florida on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Darcy Kuemper, LAK (42% rostered): Kuemper's statistics took a significant hit in poor showings against Edmonton and Colorado. However, he has performed well in his other appearances. He has won his last two outings, stopping 71 of 75 shots. While the team's 2.33 goals per game in 2026-27 remains a concern, Kuemper and Forsberg (5% rostered) have solid spot-start appeal this week in matchups against the Rangers, Blackhawks, Senators and Sabres.
Anthony Stolarz, TOR (23% rostered): Stolarz has outplayed Sergei Bobrovsky in Toronto's first 13 games of the 2026-27 season. The 32-year-old Stolarz has a 4-1-0 record, a 2.79 GAA and a .907 save percentage through five starts. He has stopped 66 of 70 shots in consecutive victories. Bobrovsky has also won his last two outings, which could lead to a timeshare between the Maple Leafs' puck-stoppers.
Jonas Johansson, OTT (1% rostered): Johansson made 24 saves in a 7-4 win over the Rangers on Saturday. It was hardly a masterpiece, but he earned the win, something Ersson hasn't done in three starts this season. Ersson's struggles could open the door for Johansson to see increased playing time until Ullmark returns to the lineup. It's a situation worth monitoring because of Ottawa's superb start to the campaign. However, a four-game road trip against the Golden Knights, Kings, Sharks and Ducks this week will be challenging.
Source: Sports
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