Posted by John Pereira
Canucks' top prospect Cory Schneider didn't have to wait long to be given the title of starter in Vancouver.
If you read Sean Allen's contribution to the fantasy hockey blog earlier this week, you'd know all about Schneider. You'd also know that veteran Curtis Sanford was being given first shot at filling in for Roberto Luongo while the All-Star netminder is sidelined with a pulled groin. Well, as the old saying goes, "And then there was one." Sanford was pulled after stopping the first 11 shots he faced against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night because of back spasms. Sanford has now officially been listed as day-to-day. Enter Schneider, he of the 1.37 goals-against average in the AHL, the last man standing.
Schneider stopped 15 of the 18 shots he faced to absorb his second loss in as many NHL games. The former first-round pick is still acclimating himself to the NHL game and will struggle at times, but he becomes an intriguing storyline now that he is the only viable option the Canucks have in net. Schneider is currently owned in only 3.7 percent of ESPN.com leagues, but he's worth the gamble. Not often does a starting goalie just appear on a waiver wire (especially in a deep league) midway through the season. And keep in mind, this is not like many other situations when a journeyman or failed prospect falls into a few starts; this is a bona fide future All-Star sitting on your waiver wire.
At the other end of the ice in the same game stood another future star goalie: Steve Mason. Mason allowed only two goals on 32 shots, looking impressive in earning his sixth win of the season and lowering his GAA to just 2.08. Mason's best save of the night came after Vancouver had pulled Schneider for a two-man advantage and Mason was able to get his glove on a shot by Kyle Wellwood to preserve the lead. Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock, who has not been secretive about his general dislike for young players in the past, was certainly impressed with his 20-year-old goalie after the game. "That save Mase made was unbelievable … terrific." Mason remains available in more than half of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Ice Chips
Good news for Vesa Toskala owners: The talented Finn posted his third solid effort in a row for the Maple Leafs, allowing just one goal on 33 shots in a win over the surprising Los Angeles Kings. Toskala has struggled mightily this season but is showing signs of turning it around. He has a 1.30 GAA and .958 save percentage over his past three games. … Although rookie Drew Doughty was held off the score sheet, it was still a big night for the London, Ontario, native. Doughty logged a staggering 24 minutes of ice time, which makes him noteworthy for ESPN.com leagues that use average time on ice as a stat. He often leads the Kings in ice time most nights, and should be owned in more than 16.7 percent of leagues. … Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne remains unbeaten this season as he made 30 saves for his first career shutout and fourth win of the season. If you play in a deep league and own Dan Ellis, you may well want to consider handcuffing yourself with Rinne, who is widely available. … If only Rick Nash could be this productive all the time. He picked up another two assists Monday night. … When you think of a matchup between Colorado and Minnesota, the words "high-scoring" don't necessarily come to mind. The teams combined for 11 goals Monday in a 6-5 Avalanche victory. Paul Stastny and linemate Milan Hejduk each had three-point nights to snap out of their recent scoring slumps. The pair looked explosive. … Despite the fact that Jean-Sebastien Giguere looked good stopping 37 of 38 shots in his return to the lineup, he was pulled in the third period because Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle decided "he had seen enough rubber for one game and [to] not take a chance." Carlyle was referencing Giguere's long history of groin problems. … It's too bad that Marian Hossa signed only a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings, because this looks like a match made in heaven. Hossa scored again in Monday's win over Anaheim, giving him 27 points on the season. He is on pace for 90-plus points this season, and is one of the main reasons Detroit has been so successful this year. Let's hope he decides to re-sign with the Wings next season.
