I have tried to check in on goalie usage a few times this season as things change more often than they have in the past. Most starting goalies don't play more than 60 games anymore and the typical sweet spot for playoff-bound teams is 50-55 games for the starter to make sure he is fresh enough at the end of the regular season. Exceptions this season are Connor Hellebuyck, Juuse Saros, Jacob Markstrom and Thatcher Demko.

We checked in with Western teams in November and December.

Anaheim Ducks

When we last looked at Anaheim, Anthony Stolarz was beginning to see more starts in December and the split with John Gibson was 70/30 for Gibson at that point.

Since then Anaheim has played 24 games where Gibson started 15 games with a 6-7-2 record, a 90.1 save percentage and a minus 4.70 GSAA (goals saved above average).

Stolarz started eight games with a 3-5-0 record and a 90.4 save percentage and a minus 2.64 GSAA.Rookie Lukas Dostal got into three games and won one and lost one with a 92.9 save percentage and a 1.48 GSAA. The 21-year-old Dostal was a 3rd round pick for the Ducks in 2018 and is in his second year in the AHL. He scored a goal last week to go along with 51 saves in a 5-2 victory with San Diego.

Overall, Stolarz has started a career-high 16 games this season and until recently was in better form than Gibson, but he has come back to earth as you can see from above. Stolarz did win in overtime on Sunday night where he gave up two goals on 22 shots in a 3-2 win against San Jose.

Gibson has struggled at times this year, which is three years in a row of being a little below average. That has to be concerning for the Ducks as he is signed until the end of 2026-27 at $6.4 million AAV.

January/February split: 60/40 Gibson (Overall 68/22 Gibson)

Arizona Coyotes

In December, Scott Wedgewood saw about 66 percent of the starts for the Coyotes, but since then Karel Vejmelka has started 16 of Arizona's 26 games with a record of 6-10-0, a save percentage of 90.4 and a GSAA of minus 4.00. Wedgewood received eight starts and had a record of 4-4-0, a 92.7 save percentage and a GSAA of 4.95.

Overall, Vejmelka has played well at times but has yet to grab the brass ring completely over the journeyman Wedgewood, who has outplayed him recently and should see more games down the stretch but probably won't. The Coyotes might see Vejmelka as the solution for the next few seasons, so might elect to give him starts over Wedgewood just to give him the experience.

Vejmelka has 30 starts on the season with a record of 8-21-1, a save percentage of 90.3 and a GSAA of minus 6.15. Wedgewood has 24 starts with an 8-13-3 record and a 90.7 save percentage and a GSAA of minus 3.66.

January/February split: 64/36 Vejmelka (55/45 Vejmelka)

Calgary Flames

The split in December was 67/33 Markstrom and I expected it to be much the same as I'm always concerned with fatigue and Markstrom after seeing it over several seasons in Vancouver. The reality for January/February was Markstrom starting 20 of 25 games which is an 80/20 split.

It didn't seem to hurt Markstrom as he posted a 14-5-1 record with three shutouts, a 92.1 save percentage and a GSAA of 5.69. Vladar only managed four starts and was 2-2-0 with a save percentage of 85.7 and a GSAA of minus 6.03. The Flames are now backed into a corner as Sutter might not trust Vladar.

Overall, Markstrom has started 42 games, with a record of 25-11-6, eight shutouts, a save percentage of 92.5 and a GSAA of 16.76 (3rd in the NHL). Vladar has 11 starts and is 7-3-1 with a save percentage of 90.3 and a GSAA of minus 2.61.

This is the only warning sign I see from this team that has been playing so well. If Markstrom goes down, they are in trouble. Darryl Sutter is playing with a bit of fire.

January/February split: 80/20 Markstrom (79/21 Markstrom)

Chicago Blackhawks

The split in December was 66/34 for Marc-Andre Fleury over Kevin Lankinen. Since December, Fleury started 21 of the Blackhawks’ 27 games with a record of 8-10-3, a save percentage of 90.6 and a GSAA of minus 4.57. Lankinen, Collin Delia and Arvid Soderblom combined for the other six games with a record of 1-4-1, a save percentage of 87.0 and a GSAA of minus 9.44.

Chicago hasn't had much choice but to go with Fleury to increase his trade value.

Overall, Fleury has started 41 of the 56 games the Blackhawks have played with a record of 17-20-4, a save percentage of 90.9 and a GSAA of minus 3.50.

I'm not sure where Chicago turns to when they trade Fleury before or at the deadline.

January/February split: 78/22 Fleury (73/27 Fleury)

Colorado Avalanche

Pavel Francouz had just come back from injury in December and had played one game at the point we last looked at. Darcy Kuemper was just rounding into form which has continued.

Since December, Kuemper has started 17 games with an impressive record of 14-1-2, a save percentage of 92.7 and a GSAA of 9.35. Francouz has played equally as well in his 12 starts and has a record of 9-2-1, with a save percentage of 92.8 and a GSAA of 5.55. I thought if Francouz played well he might get a 50/50 split, but both goalies have been fantastic.

On the season, Kuemper has 38 starts with a record of 27-6-5, a save percentage of 91.8 and a GSAA of 7.32. His game is certainly trending up. Francouz now has 13 starts with a 9-3-1 record, a 92.3 save percentage and a GSAA of 4.57.

Colorado is in a good position right now as both goalies are rolling going into the last quarter. They will probably just ride the hot hand and avoid back-to-backs.

January/February split: 59/41 Kuemper (64/36 Kuemper)

Dallas Stars

This is now Jake Oettinger's team and they will ride him to try to get into the playoffs. The Stars were splitting Oettinger and Braden Holtby about 50/50 in December but since then Oettinger has grabbed the reins.

Oettinger has 17 starts since December with a record of 12-4-1, a 92.1 save percentage and a GSAA of 5.32. Holtby on the other hand has started eight games with five wins and three losses, an 89.7 save percentage and a GSAA of minus 3.86. Anton Khudobin saw one start while Oettinger was down with Covid.

Overall, Oettinger now has 27 starts with a record of 19-6-2, a 92.2 save percentage and a GSAA of 8.20. He should get 60 percent of the starts for the next five seasons if healthy.

Holtby has 21 starts with a record of 10-10-1, a save percentage of 91.3 and a GSAA of 1.03. Holtby's fine play in the first two months has almost been undone since then.

January/February split: 65/35 Oettinger (56/44 Oettinger)

Edmonton Oilers

What a fun topic this is for Oiler fans. Mike Smith is back from injury, Mikko Koskinen is still an Oiler and Stuart Skinner is now in the AHL.

In the 25 games the Oilers have played since December, Koskinen leads the team with 12 starts and a 7-2-3 record, a 90.6 save percentage and a GSAA of minus 2.04.

Smith has started 10 games with a record of 3-7-0, a save percentage of 88.8 and a GSAA of minus 6.44. Skinner managed three starts and went 1-2-0 with a save percentage of 89.7 and a GSAA of minus 0.95.

Much has been made of the fact that if only the Oilers had average goaltending they would have five or six more wins on the season. I just don't see how they can take the chance once again in the playoffs, without at least trying to add a better goalie. It might cost them a Kailer Yamamoto, but it needs to be done.

Overall, Koskinen has 31 starts with an 18-9-3 record, a 90.4 save percentage and a GSAA of minus 6.83. Smith has 14 starts and a 5-8-1 record, an 89.1 save percentage and a GSAA of minus 8.95. Skinner has 13 starts and is 6-6-1 with a save percentage of 91.3 and a GSAA of 0.66.

Skinner has been the best of the bunch and at 39-years of age, Mike Smith is unlikely to play himself back into the form he had in the regular season last year.

January/February split: 54/46 Koskinen (53/47 Koskinen)

Los Angeles Kings

When we last looked at the Kings, Jonathan Quick was on top of the world. Since then, he's fallen off where he had 12 starts with a 6-4-2 record, an 88.0 save percentage and a GSAA of minus 9.88.

Cal Petersen had 13 starts and went 10-3-0 with a save percentage of 91.0 and a GSAA of minus 0.28. 

The Kings will need one or both of Quick or Petersen to play better if this team wants to surprise everyone and get into the playoffs.

On the whole, Quick has started 32 games with a record of 15-11-6, a save percentage of 90.8 and a GSAA of minus 2.39. Petersen has started 24 games with a record of 15-8-1, a save percentage of 90.2 and a GSAA of minus 5.88.

I think these two will go 50/50 until one of them emerges as the front-runner down the stretch.

January/February split: 52/48 Petersen (57/43 Quick)

Minnesota Wild

Cam Talbot has struggled since December and has been injured during that period. That gave Kaapo Kahkonen a chance to steal the crease and he took it.

Since December, Talbot has started 10 games with a record of 5-5-0, a save percentage of 89.0 and a GSAA of minus 6.10.

Kahkonen has 14 starts with a record of 8-5-1, a save percentage of 91.2 and a GSAA of 2.08. Kahkonen had been much better than Talbot but has struggled recently.

Overall, Talbot has started 33 games with a record of 20-12-1, a save percentage of 90.7 and a GSAA of minus 4.08. Kahkonen has now started 21 games with a record of 12-7-2, a save percentage of 91.2 and a GSAA of 0.79.

Kahkonen is still officially a rookie this season, so his leash won't be as long as Talbot's. Talbot could get his chance back sooner than later.

January/February split: 58/42 Kahkonen (61/39 Talbot)

Nashville Predators

In December I thought that there would be no reason that Juuse Saros would play more than 55-60 games this season if healthy. He is on pace for almost 70 games and isn't slowing down.

The Predators are desperate to make the playoffs and will play Saros as much as they need to to get there.

Since December, Saros has started 21 games with a record of 11-8-2, a save percentage of 92.4 and a GSAA of 9.35. David Rittich managed two games with one win and a loss.

On the year, Saros has now played 46 games with a record of 26-17-3, a 92.3 save percentage and is second in the league in GSAA at 17.78. Rittich now has only seven starts on the season and is 4-2-1 with a save percentage of 89.0 and a GSAA of minus 4.60.

January/February split: 91/9 Saros (84/16 Saros)

San Jose Sharks

Adin Hill has been out with a lower-body injury for the past month and is out for a few more weeks. Unfortunately for the Sharks, James Reimer joined him and is out on a week-to-week basis as well with a lower-body injury.

The team traded for Alex Stalock and has brought up Zach Sawchenko to hold the fort.

Since December, Reimer had 15 starts and 4-7-4, with a save percentage of 90.3 and a GSAA of minus 4.23. Hill had six starts before being hurt and went 3-2-1 with a save percentage of 90.4 and a GSAA of minus 1.27.

Sawchenko had two starts with a record of 0-1-1 and a GSAA of 0.85, while Stalock was shelled in his only start  where he allowed six goals on 28 shots in an 8-0 loss to Anaheim.

On the year, Reimer had become the number one goalie from his fine play and the injury to Hill. In 32 starts he is 15-12-5, with a save percentage of 91.6 and a GSAA of 5.01. Hill has 21 starts with a record of 9-11-1, a save percentage of 90.1 and a GSAA of minus 5.91.

Until Reimer or Hill is back, it looks like Sawchenko has done enough to start until he has a bad start.

January/February split: 62/38 Reimer (57/43 Reimer)

Seattle Kraken

Goaltending and team defense have just not been a strength for the Kraken in their inaugural season. Since December, Philipp Grubauer has started 18 games with a 5-12-1 record, an 89.8 save percentage and a GSAA of minus 7.32.

Chris Driedger came back from injury and managed seven starts with a record of 2-5-0 and a save percentage of 88.3 and a GSAA of minus 5.67. Driedger was unable to take advantage of any opportunity to get more starts.

Grubauer on the season has had 41 starts and has gone 12-24-5 with a save percentage of 88.8 and a league-worst GSAA of minus 24.92. He has only 11 quality starts in 41 games for a 26.8 percentage.

Driedger has 14 starts with a 5-9-0 record, an 88.8 save percentage and a GSAA of minus 10.02. He's had only four quality starts in 14, which is even worse at 23.5 percent.

In hindsight, the price they paid for Grubauer and the opportunities for other goalies they could have picked in the expansion draft might haunt this team for a few seasons.

January/February split: 72/28 Grubauer (71/29 Gruabuer)

St. Louis Blues

It's official. Jordan Binnington has lost his starting job to Ville Husso.

Husso started 14 games since December and had a 10-2-2 record with a save percentage of 93.1 and a GSAA of 9.01. Binnington started nine games and went 4-5-0 with a save percentage of 88.9 and a GSAA of minus 6.17.

On the year, Binnington has 27 starts with a 13-11-3 record, a 90.4 save percentage and a GSAA of minus 5.77. Husso now has 20 starts with a 13-4-3 record, a 93.0 save percentage and a GSAA of 12.74.

Going forward, Husso will have a short leash as Binnington is an expensive bench warmer.

It is hard to believe that Charlie Lindgren can win all five of his starts with a 1.22 GAA and a 95.8 save percentage and not be in the NHL currently.

January/February split: 61/39 Husso (50/50)

Vancouver Canucks

I used to think the difference between Thatcher Demko and Jaroslav Halak was about half a goal or maybe one goal per game at the start of the season. It has become pretty evident that it is as much as two goals per game right now, as a result of Demko's fine play and Hasak's recent struggles.

Since December, Demko started 17 games and went 11-5-1 with a 91.4 save percentage and a GSAA of 1.48.

Demko was out for two weeks with Covid and Halak missed a week, so the Canucks were forced to go with Spencer Martin for three starts. He went 1-0-2 with a save percentage of 95.8 and a GSAA of 5.50.

The Canucks might have found a short-term replacement for Halak if he allows himself to be dealt. Halak has had three starts since December and has been awful with a save percentage of 75.9 and a GSAA of minus 8.84. I'm not sure he can rebound from his last game in a Canuck uniform.

Demko has 45 starts and much like Juuse Saros, the Canucks will play him as much as they have to. He has a record of 25-16-2, a save percentage of 91.7 and a GSAA of 8.55.

Halak, who seemed like a capable backup before the new year, now has 10 starts with a 2-6-2 record, an 88.3 save percentage and a GSAA of minus 7.90.

Until the Canucks are eliminated, Demko will see 90 percent of the starts if he is healthy. I'm not sure that is the prudent thing to do, but it's what Bruce Boudreau will do.

January/February split: 71/29 Demko (76/24 Demko)

Vegas Golden Knights

Robin Lehner played on Sunday night in a 2-1 win over Ottawa where he made 39 saves on 40 shots. He has now had 13 starts since December and has a record of 7-5-1 with a save percentage of 91.5 and a GSAA of 1.68.

Laurent Brossoit played a few more games than normal while Lehner was out and had eight starts where he went 2-3-3 with an 89.4 save percentage and a GSAA of minus 3.80. Logan Thompson also had two starts and went 1-1-0 with a GSAA of 1.52.

Lehner now has 36 starts on the season where he is 21-14-1 with a save percentage of 90.9 and a GSAA of minus 2.30. Brossoit has 19 starts with a 10-6-3 record, a 90.0 save percentage and a GSAA of minus 5.72.

Could Vegas look for some depth and/or insurance if Lehner was to go down? Both Lehner and Brossoit need to be better, but expect Lehner to see 65 percent of the starts from here on.

January/February split: 56/44 Lehner (63/37)

Winnipeg Jets

Connor Hellebuyck has started 23 games since December and has gone 7-11-5 with a save percentage of 90.2 and a GSAA of minus 5.56. Eric Comrie had only three starts as the backup over that period with a record of 3-0-0, a save percentage of 91.4 and a GSAA of 0.21.

On the season, Hellebuyck has 47 starts and is 18-20-9 with a save percentage of 91.0 and a GSAA of minus 2.17. Comrie has had nine starts and is 6-2-1 with a save percentage of 91.4 and a GSAA of 0.74.

I hate to say it, but the Jets are not making the playoffs even with Nikolaj Ehlers back in the lineup. As much as Hellebuyck has wanted to be better, he has just been squeezing the stick a little much and been average at best.

January/February split: 88/12 Hellebuyck (84/16 Hellebuyck)

Thanks for reading, and let me know if you want me to focus on any players or topics by messaging me below or following me on Twitter @gampbler15.