4 struggling goalies set to be fantasy playoff heroes

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If you're in a 12-team league, chances are you've struggled at the goaltending position in some capacity this season. There just aren't enough elite netminders to go around.

The following four goaltenders have struggled lately, or for the majority of the season. Three represent excellent buy-low options, while the fourth could wind up being a savvy waiver-wire pickup.

Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

Carey Price hasn't played like Carey Price lately. His save percentage is just .896 in his last 16 games, compiling a record of 6-7-3. His asking price is certainly lower now than it was at the beginning of the season.

Despite Devan Dubnyk's spectacular season, Price is still the best goaltender on the planet. While Minnesota is a superior team compared to Montreal, the Habs play in a weak division and have a favorable schedule down the stretch. Here's a look at Montreal's final 12 games and where their opponents rank in goals for per game:

OPPONENT GF/G RANK
@ Senators 18
vs. Senators 18
vs. Red Wings 25
vs. Hurricanes 19
vs. Senators 18
vs. Stars 14
vs. Panthers 27
@ Lightning 16
@ Panthers 27
@ Sabres 24
vs. Lightning 16
@ Red Wings 25

As you can see, the Canadiens won't face any high-octane offenses down the stretch. Ten of their final 12 games are against divisional opponents and Montreal has dominated the Atlantic this season with a record of 10-2-5.

The team in front of Price should only get better too, as Montreal will certainly be a buyer at the trade deadline and still await the returns of C Alex Galchenyuk and RW Brendan Gallagher from injury.

Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks

Crawford has struggled to the tune of an .891 save percentage over his last nine games. This might just be enough for his fantasy owner to trade him. He hasn't been at his best this season, but as the starting goaltender of the Blackhawks, he will always have immense fantasy value.

The Hawks could stand to add a top-six forward as well as a top-four defenseman. If they can address these needs in front of Crawford, it will certainly lead to much more success for the goaltender.

Crawford's schedule isn't as favorable as Price's, but his workload is; Chicago will play four games in the fantasy playoff quarter-finals, three in the semi-finals and four the week of the fantasy championship.

Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins

Fleury is having his worst season since Mario Lemieux was still playing for the Penguins. Despite his struggles, he continues to share the crease with youngster Matt Murray.

In fact, Murray has been the one struggling lately, posting an .892 SV% in his last nine games. It's possible the 22-year-old is showing signs of fatigue in his first full NHL season.

Fleury has failed to string together a long run of strong play. His home/road splits are a big reason why:

STAT HOME ROAD
REC 11-2-1 2-5-3
GAA 2.60 4.06
SV% .924 .878

Fortunately, the Penguins close out the fantasy playoffs with six home games in their final nine outings.

If Murray continues to struggle and Fleury can figure out his road woes, the veteran could be in line for more work down the stretch.

Michal Neuvirth, Philadelphia Flyers

As a whole, the goaltending tandem of Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth has been terrible. Neuvirth has started only 12 games because of injury, but he has allowed at least three goals on seven occasions.

However, Neuvirth has drastically outplayed Mason since returning from injury Jan. 7. He has a .919 SV% in his last six games, while Mason's SV% sits at .891 in his last nine games.

Neuvirth was the more effective goaltender last season and could see more starts down the stretch as the Flyers are desperate for a solution in goal. He is worth an add if he is available in your league.

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