Mike Strasinger-USA TODAY Sports
When Nashville Predators G Pekka Rinne went down with a hip injury earlier in the year, fantasy hockey fans didn’t know what to expect from the goaltending situation. The team didn’t have a solid backup, as Carter Hutton quickly showed that he couldn’t handle the workload of a starting goaltender. However, over the last month, the team has shockingly been able to rely on rookie goalie, Marek Mazanec.
The first-year goalie has been a rock for Nashville and Mazanec has started eight consecutive games for the Preds. The Czech Republic sensation has allowed two goals or fewer in seven straight starts and has quickly become a viable fantasy option between the pipes. Mazanec was so good, in fact, that he was even elected the Rookie of the Month in November.
Here are a look at Mazanec’s stats last month:
|
Game |
Opp. |
Goals –Saves |
Result |
|
11/8 |
WIN |
2-22 |
5-0 L (ND) |
|
11/12 |
NYI |
3-30 |
3-1 L |
|
11/15 |
PIT |
4-21 |
4-1 L |
|
11/16 |
CHI |
2-41 |
7-2 W |
|
11/19 |
DET |
0-27 |
2-0 W |
|
11/21 |
TOR |
2-26 |
4-2 W |
|
11/23 |
NYR |
2-34 |
2-0 L |
|
11/25 |
PHO |
2-31 |
4-2 W |
|
11/27 |
COL |
0-19 |
4-0 W |
|
11/28 |
EDM |
2-27 |
3-0 L |
|
11/30 |
PHI |
2-27 |
3-2 L (SO) |
Mazanec has not looked nervous or overwhelmed at al in net, and despite being just 22 years old, the kid has looked like a veteran. He hasn’t come out of the net recklessly or been intimidated by the league’s best. The rookie has beaten the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, while also shutting out the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets.
The 2012 sixth round pick may not be a long-term fantasy starter, as Rinne is expected to return around Christmas, but the kid is playing too well to not give ice time. Mazanec will continue to be in net for almost every one of Nashville’s games and will be a worthy fantasy starter each night he is in the crease.
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
