By Garrett Rees
WEEKLY BREAKDOWN
Here is the weekly breakdown for this upcoming week, March 11 – March 17:
- 5 GAMES: BOS
- 4 GAMES: LAK, NAS, OTT, PIT, WAS, WPG
- 3 GAMES: ANA, BUF, CAR, CBJ, CGY, COL, DAL, DET, EDM, FLA, MIN, NJD, NYR, PHX, SJS, STL, TBL, TOR, VAN
- 2 GAMES: CHI, MON, NYI, PHI
Another team with 5 games in one week! Other than that, it’s a relatively slow week as there are only seven teams playing more than 3 games while there are four teams playing 2. Looks like Chicago will enjoy the rest as the mighty has fallen and has now lost their first two games this season, both of them in a row versus Colorado and Edmonton. Here is how the week breaks down per day:
- MON – 2 games
- TUES – 11 games
- WED – 3 games
- THU – 11 games
- FRI – 3 game
- SAT – 13 games
- SUN – 4 games
Some big ups and downs this week, with four or less games on four days this week while the others are sporting at least 11. Monday features BOS@OTT and CGY@LAK, Wednesday has DET@CGY, OTT@MON, and PHI@NJD, Friday sees DET@EDM, NAS@CGY, and NJD@PHI and Finally Sunday will see matchups of BOS@PIT, BUF@WAS, NAS@EDM, and WPG@OTT.
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:
ANA, CHI, DET, NAS, NYI, NYR
HOME COOKING
These teams are playing all of their games at home this week so they should be rested and practicing:
CBJ, DAL, STL
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/alternate goaltenders could see some action:
BOSx2, BUF, DET, LAK, NAS, NJD, OTT, PIT, WAS, WPG
WHO’S HOT
- PIT – 5 wins
- CBJ – 5 wins
- MTL – 3 wins
- ANA – 3 wins
WHO’S NOT
- TBL – 2 losses (2-8-0 past 10 games)
- FLA – 1 loss (2-6-2 past 10 games)
- NJD – 3-6-1 past 10 games
- NAS – 3-6-1 past 10 games
STRONG SCHEDULES
Now let’s take a look at a couple of the most favorable matchups of the week:
Boston Bruins – Opponents: @OTT+@PIT, FLA, WAS+@PIT – Playing five games is never a bad thing for fantasy managers. The Bruins have been hot lately too, going 8-1-1 in their past 10 games. They start off the week with a back-to-back, have a day off, host the Panthers on Wednesday, have another day off, and then end the week with another back-to-back set. Technically that’s the only way a 5-game week can happen though since teams aren’t allowed to play games three days in a row, but I digress. Definitely make sure to get your Bruins out there for Week 8.
Ottawa Senators – Opponents: BOS, @MON, @BUF+WPG – The Senators are another relatively hot team after going 6-2-2 their past 10 games and they have a very nice fantasy schedule next week as they are playing 3 of their 4 games on the slow nights of the week. The beginning of the week may not be easy but this team has shown that they can overcome adversity. First up is Boston on Monday followed by Montreal on Wednesday. They then have a back-to-back set against Buffalo and Winnipeg on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Nashville Predators – Opponents: @DAL, @VAN+@CGY, @EDM – Although they haven’t been winning all that much lately and they will have to be dealing with a lot of travel as everyone of their four games is on the road, but fantasy managers will still want to take advantage of their Week 8 schedule as they are playing their final two games of the week on the oh so slow Friday and Sunday against teams that have the capacity to allow a decent amount of goals. First up is Dallas on Tuesday followed by a back-to-back set versus Vancouver and Calgary on Thursday and Friday. They then end the week in Edmonton on Sunday.
WEAK SCHEDULES
…And the least favorable matchups of the week:
Dallas Stars – Opponents: NAS, ANA, CHI – Facing three stingy opponents – including the top two teams in the West – on the three busiest nights of the week might not bode too well for fantasy managers for Week 8. They face the Preds on Tuesday, the Ducks on Thursday, and then the ‘Hawks on Saturday. When looking at the waiver-wire for Week 8, might be wise to stay away from the Stars.
Florida Panthers – Opponents: TBL, @BOS, NYI – The Panthers have been struggling lately going 1-4-1 in the month of March while scoring more than 2 goals in a game only once in that span. Playing on the three busiest nights of the week doesn’t help fantasy managers out at all, either. I’d look elsewhere for help during Week 8.
Minnesota Wild – Opponents: ANA, COL, @COL – Another case of playing all of their Week 8 games on the three busiest nights of the week. Look elsewhere for help for your squad during Week 8.
Good luck out there, everyone. Hit me up on Twitter @G_Rees with any questions or comments
