Each Tuesday, NHL fans can play the Pepsi Zero Sugar NHL Goalie Challenge. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.
The weekly contest will allow fans to showcase their knowledge by choosing team goalies for three different categories (win, fewest goals against, most saves) with bonus points awarded for any shutouts from your team goalie picks.
NOTE: Fans can create their own leagues or join the “NHL Fantasy on Ice” podcast group (league code: BT219R).
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Potential win: Carolina Hurricanes (vs. NSH)
The Hurricanes are once again the best possession team in the NHL (58.5 shot attempts percentage at 5-on-5) and allowing the fewest shots on goal per game (25.2). The Nashville Predators, meanwhile, are averaging the fewest goals per game (2.54) in the League this season and remain without injured defenseman Roman Josi. The Hurricanes’ goalie tandem of Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov has helped them win nine of their past 10 games. Andersen has 11 wins, a .918 save percentage and one shutout in 16 games this season. Kochetkov has an NHL career-high 25 wins in 41 games this season and has combined for 10 shutouts over the past three seasons (tied for eighth in League over span). — Pete Jensen
Chance at fewest goals allowed: Colorado Avalanche (vs. DET)
Since Mackenzie Blackwood made his Avalanche debut on Dec. 14, 2024 following a trade from the San Jose Sharks, his new team ranks second in fewest goals allowed (2.33) and fourth in shots on goal differential (plus-4.6) per game. Among NHL goalies to make at least 20 starts over that span, Blackwood ranks sixth in both save percentage (.917; .909 in 19 games with Sharks) and goals-against average (2.22; 3.00 with Sharks). The Avalanche have won seven straight home games against the Detroit Red Wings, their second longest active home win streak against a single opponent (11 straight home wins against the Sharks); Colorado has allowed no more than three goals in all seven of those games and outshot Detroit in five of them. For the Red Wings, this will be the second leg of a back-to-back after defeating the Utah Hockey Club 5-1 on Monday (Detroit: 2-5-1 in second half of back-to-back games this season). Per NHL EDGE stats, Blackwood ranks seventh in the League in high-danger save percentage (.832). — Troy Perlowitz
Chance at most saves: New York Rangers (at LAK)
The Rangers have allowed the fifth-most shots per game (30.1) this season and the third-most on the road (31.3). Igor Shesterkin ranks first in shots against (1,526), second in saves (1,384) and fifth in saves per game (26.11) among goalies with 2,000 minutes of ice time. Shesterkin, who had a shutout in his most-recent road game, is tied for second in the NHL with five shutouts. He has a 2.74 goals-against average and .915 save percentage on the road (compared to 2.87 GAA and .900 SV% at home). Per NHL EDGE stats, Shesterkin is fifth in games with a save percentage greater than .900 (31), is first in high-danger shots against (437) and high-danger saves (360) and is second in midrange shots against (437) and tied for second in midrange saves (387). His high-danger save percentage is .824 and league average is .806. — Chris Meaney