It’s hard to believe that there are only two more weeks left in the NHL season. That either means these are the last crucial weeks in all Roto and Points leagues out there or that we’re deep in the middle of fantasy playoffs. Either way, it’s do-or-die time so good luck everyone. Here’s hoping that if you’re reading this you are heading toward the championship of your head-to-head league. Also, hopefully you’re not like me and have Week 23 in the bag instead of waiting and hoping that these final few games are going to be in my favor (4-4 tie in one league to see who goes to the Championship, scary close.)
Anyways, we’ve got a lot to get ready for so let’s hop right into it, shall we?
DISCLAIMER: All stats are up to Sunday afternoon, 3/25.
WEEKLY BREAKDOWN
Here is the weekly breakdown for this upcoming week, March 26 – April 1:
4 GAMES: BOS, CBJ, CGY, CHI, DAL, DET, FLA, LAK, MIN, NYI, NYR, PHI, PIT, SJS, TBL, VAN, WPG
3 GAMES: ANA, BUF, CAR, COL, EDM, MON, NAS, NJD, OTT, STL, TOR, WAS
2 GAMES: PHX
Phoenix is the odd team out this time in a week that features more teams playing four games than teams playing three games. Because of the 17 teams playing four games, it’s going to be one busy week so get ready. Let’s see how the week breakdowns per day…
MON – 6 games
TUES – 8 games
WED – 6 games
THU – 7 games
FRI – 8 games
SAT – 12 games
SUN – 6 games
Last week was very busy with 52 games, but this week the tiniest bit busier with 53 games being played. The breakdown is very similar to last week as well, this time with one less game on Tuesday, one more game on Wednesday, one less game on Thursday, two more games on Friday, one more game on Saturday, and 1 less game on Sunday. Again, it should be pretty optimal for fantasy owners since you shouldn’t have to make too many sit/start decisions, except of course on Saturday when it breaks from the weekly norm of 6-8 games per day.
If you are in need of some pickups throughout the week, check out a couple of red hot Buffalo forwards that are available in more than 50% of yahoo leagues, Drew Stafford (4g-8a-12pts, +10 last 7 games) and Tyler Ennis (5g-7a-12pts, +11 last 8 games). If however you need a pickup that is almost guaranteed to be available, check out either the resurgent Brian Rolston (2g-7a-9pts, +7, 2 PPP during a five-game point streak) or another Buffalo forward Marcus Foligno (10 points in 8 games since being called up March 10). They are owned in 6% and 4% of Yahoo leagues respectively.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
These teams are playing all of their games on the road so be aware that fatigue may play a factor in their play:
COL, DAL, FLA, LAK, OTT
HOME COOKING
These teams are playing all of their games at home this week so they should be rested and practicing:
PHX, TOR, VAN
B2B: BACKUPS TO SEE ACTION?
All of these teams are scheduled to play in back-to-back games this upcoming week, so there are good chances that these teams’ respective backup goaltenders could see some action:
ANA, BOS, BUF, CAR, CBJ, CGY, CHI, DAL, FLA, LAK, MIN, MON, NAS, NYI, NYR, OTT, PHI, PIT, SJS, TBL, VAN, WPG
No guarantees, but if you are in need of some goalie starts, make sure to monitor these teams to try to determine if/when their backups are playing so you can snag them off of the waiver-wire if available.
GOING STREAKING
Teams that have the best win streaks currently in the NHL as of Sunday Afternoon:
PIT – 13-1-1 last 15 games
PHI – 7-2-1 past 10 games
CHI – 5 wins
BUF – 4 wins
Pittsburgh has finally lost a couple of games, falling in the shootout to Philly and getting killed 8-4 by Ottawa in their latest outing. However, they are still the hottest team in hockey, especially since Sidney Crosby has returned, and look in prime position to do very well in the playoffs. One of those teams that got the best of Pittsburgh, the Flyers, has been maintaining a high level of play as well. Meanwhile, Corey Crawford picked a really good time for his fantasy owners to finally find his game again, as he’s allowed an average of only one goal per game over his past five, winning all of them and propelling Chicago up the standings and right on the heels of Nashville and Detroit. Buffalo’s Ryan Miller is doing the same and the Sabres are back in the playoff picture, holding off both Washington and Winnipeg.
SPIRALING
Teams that have the longest current streaks in the NHL without collecting a point as of Sunday afternoon:
DET – 1-4-2 past 7 games
TOR – 3-5-2 past 10 games
CAR – 2 losses
Detroit was once fighting for the top spot in the West, but thanks to a slump they are now staving off the Preds and Hawks for that 4th place seed. Toronto and Carolina meanwhile have all but played themselves out of the playoff picture in the East, sitting 9 points out with six games left each.
STRONG SCHEDULES
Now let’s take a look at a couple of the most favorable matchups of the week:
New York Rangers – Opponents: @MIN+@WPG, MON, BOS – The Rangers are finally starting to get back to their winning ways and Week 24 should boost that even more. First up is Minnesota on Tuesday. They have yet to play them this season, but should make quick work of one of the lowest ranked and still slumping Western teams. They follow that up the next day while visiting a team they have yet to lose to so far this season, the Jets. They are 3-0-0 against them while outscoring them 8-1 in those games. Then they head home to face the Habs on Friday. They’ve had trouble against them so far this season, going 1-2-0 while being outscored 6-11, but they haven’t faced each other since the middle of January and both teams have been heading in opposite directions in the standings since then. Last up is a Sunday game against another foe they have yet to lose to, the Boston Bruins. They are 3-0-0 against them so far this year while outscoring them 10-5. Make sure to get your Rangers out there during this crucial week.
Detroit Red Wings – Opponents: CBJ, @CBJ, NAS, FLA – The wings have been slumping lately, but facing the Blue Jackets twice in a row to start Week 24 may be just what they need to get back to their winning ways. They face the Jackets on Monday and Wednesday and are 3-1-0 against them so far this year, outscoring them 14-10. Next up is a tougher opponent but the Wings have edged them out so far this season, winning 3 of their five matchups against the Predators and averaging 3 goals per game that they’ve played against them. Last up on Sunday is an unknown, as they have yet to face the Panthers yet this season but it should make for an entertaining game none-the-less. Don’t give up on your Wings and get them out there.
Anaheim Ducks – Opponents: SJS, @PHX+EDM – This is not one of the 17 teams that is playing four games during Week 24, but they have had some good success against their three upcoming opponents and have a very fantasy-friendly matchup on the ever important last day of Week 24. On Wednesday they face-off against the Sharks, whom they are 4-1-0 against so far this season with a 13-10 scoring advantage. Then they head to the desert on Saturday for a tilt against the Coyotes, whom they are 3-2-0 against this season while outscoring them 20-13. Last up is that important matchup on Sunday against the Oilers. They have won both of their games against them so far this year, outproducing them 9-2 in those games and going 3-for-5 on the power play. Getting your Ducks out there could be the key to you either winning that championship or sending you to that final week successful.
Honorable Mention goes to the Buffalo Sabres, for containing three of my four weekly pickup recommendations and seem to be showing no signs of slowing down lately. Make sure to get them out there as well.
WEAK SCHEDULES
…And the least favorable matchups of the week:
Phoenix Coyotes – Opponents: SJS, ANA – Probably not surprising at all that the team that plays the fewest amount of games during Week 24 makes this list. Not helping their cause is that they are also playing on two of the busiest nights of the week, SJS on Thursday and ANA on Saturday. They’ve actually had good luck this year against the Sharks, going 3-1-1 but lost their last matchup 4-3 in the shooutout. Anaheim has fared better against the Yotes, winning 3 of their 5 matchups while outscoring the coyotes 20-13 in those games. Considering the amount of teams playing four games during Week 24, there should be plenty of better options out there for you to choose from.
Toronto Maple Leafs – Opponents: CAR, PHI, BUF – The leafs fall in the Eastern Conference is probably going to continue during Week 24, and that doesn’t bode well for fantasy owners’ playoff chances. Tuesday they face the Hurricanes, whom they are 1-1-1 against while being outscored 7-8. However, the last time they faced the Canes was back in December and the Joffrey Lupul-less Leafs have fallen a lot in the standings since then. They then face the rising Flyers on Thursday, a team they have yet to beat this season. They are 0-2-1 against them while being outscored 5-9 in those games. Last up are the streaking Sabres on the busy Saturday. They are 2-2-0 against them in four meetings so far this season while outscoring them 11-10. However, as stated above, Ryan Miller is back on his game and the Sabres have been scoring in bunches lately and should pose a big challenge for the Leafs. I’d look for replacements for my leafs during this very important week.
Good luck out there everyone and feel free to shoot me any questions on twitter @G_Rees or post any questions or comments below. I hope that league championship is yours!
