This article is part of our Schedule Analysis series.
With fantasy playoffs in full effect, it's never been more imperative to follow the ebb and flows of the NHL schedule.
GNW - Games Next Week
FW - Final Week
TRG - Total Remaining Games
Four Aces
As always, fantasy owners will want to avoid expecting too much from players on teams with just two games (Buffalo, Colorado) and look for the most production from those on teams playing four games. Here are your five four-game teams this week, ranked based on combined season totals against each opponent.
1. Los Angeles Kings
The Kings will hit the road for three of four this week. There is not a ton of shock about Los Angeles' stranglehold on Edmonton (4-0, 14:8 GF:GA) but their 2-0 (6:4 GF:GA) record against Nashville is a bit surprising. While the Kings have had their issues (4-1 loss) with Winnipeg in their only meeting this year, the season was barely two weeks old at that time. It should be a good week for a Kings squad, winners of four straight, that always gets things going at the right time.
2. Carolina Hurricanes
It may seem strange considering the 'Canes have already shipped off Stanley Cup winning forward and captain Eric Staal, but thanks to the new old fashioned OTL (league leading 14), Carolina is still in the race for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and will play three of four in Raleigh, where they are 17-12-6. More importantly, they have managed decent
With fantasy playoffs in full effect, it's never been more imperative to follow the ebb and flows of the NHL schedule.
GNW - Games Next Week
FW - Final Week
TRG - Total Remaining Games
Four Aces
As always, fantasy owners will want to avoid expecting too much from players on teams with just two games (Buffalo, Colorado) and look for the most production from those on teams playing four games. Here are your five four-game teams this week, ranked based on combined season totals against each opponent.
1. Los Angeles Kings
The Kings will hit the road for three of four this week. There is not a ton of shock about Los Angeles' stranglehold on Edmonton (4-0, 14:8 GF:GA) but their 2-0 (6:4 GF:GA) record against Nashville is a bit surprising. While the Kings have had their issues (4-1 loss) with Winnipeg in their only meeting this year, the season was barely two weeks old at that time. It should be a good week for a Kings squad, winners of four straight, that always gets things going at the right time.
2. Carolina Hurricanes
It may seem strange considering the 'Canes have already shipped off Stanley Cup winning forward and captain Eric Staal, but thanks to the new old fashioned OTL (league leading 14), Carolina is still in the race for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and will play three of four in Raleigh, where they are 17-12-6. More importantly, they have managed decent results (combined record of 6-3-1 against this week's opponents) against both the Isles (9:5 GF:GA) and Jackets (8:4, GF:GA).
3. New York Islanders
Outside of the Isles 0-1-1 record against Carolina, New York has wins against their other three opponents (Tampa, Ottawa, Philly) this week, including a combined 4-for-8 in power play opportunities versus the Lightning (2-3) and Sens (2-5).
4. New York Rangers
One of the league's best home teams, the Rangers (23-8-3 at MSG this season) are also one of the league's most inconsistent teams. Although they will play three of four at home, they have had mixed results against Florida (1-1, 5:7 GF:GA) and Boston (1-1, 5:5 GF:GA) and are losing the season series to Montreal (0-2, 1:8 GF:GA) and Pittsburgh (1-2, 7:9 GF:GA). Additionally, the Rangers' penalty-kill units have also had problems against all four opponents, including three goals allowed (10 chances) to the Panthers, and two goals to each the Bruins (four chances) and Penguins (eight chances).
5. Vancouver Canucks
With their playoff hopes now buried, the Canucks will look to play spoiler, starting with four Western Conference foes and three on the road this week. The news gets worse when you consider Vancouver is a combined 2-5 against this week's opponents.
Three of a Kind
There are two teams playing three games this week but with very a different strengths of schedule.
Hold 'Em
Anaheim Ducks
While the Ducks have righted the ship over the course of the season, they're barely above .500 (16-13-4) on the road, where they play all three Atlantic Division opponents this week. Although Anaheim had their problems with Toronto (4-0 loss), the Leafs are quite a bit different than they were in January. The Ducks have not lost to the Canadiens since the 2013-14 campaign and lead the season series over the Sens 1-0. With a day of rest in between each contest, don't be surprised if Anaheim begins to lean toward one goaltender as they prep for a playoff run. As RotoWire's Paul Bruno recently opined, John Gibson may have the edge for off-ice reasons. Will Frederik Andersen play second fiddle down the stretch?
Fold' Em
New Jersey Devils
Quickly fading into a postseason state of mind, New Jersey will have three days off to prep before playing three games in four nights, owning a combined 3-6-1 record against this week's opponents. With Cory Schneider (knee) just now due to be re-evaluated and Yann Danis having his troubles over his past two starts, don't be surprised if the Devils give Keith Kinkaid the nod on the back-to-back nights and all three games.
The Flop
Monday - After a 5-4 Rangers' OT win in November, the Panthers shut out the Rangers after the new year. The Panthers are 3-10 on the power play this season. That is where the trending momentum ends for a very different Panthers team that has not won at MSG since the 2012-13 campaign and is 3-4-1 on the road over their last eight games. One thing is certain: you will see a battle of No. 1 goaltenders (Roberto Luongo, Henrik Lundqvist) in this matchup of two playoff-bound teams.
Tuesday - The Capitals are 2-0 (2-5 on the power play) and outscoring the Sens 9-2 in those wins. With the Sens beginning a back-to-back, it's likely you'll see Craig Anderson but you'll want to check back on Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday - A light night in the league (two games), you'll have a choice of two very balanced match-ups (BOS/NYR, NYI/OTT) in which all four Eastern Conference teams have a win and a loss against their opponent. If you're looking to pad your PPP stats, look toward the Bruins ninth-ranked power-play unit against the Rangers '28th ranked penalty-kill unit.
Thursday - A matchup of two teams on the edge of wild card contention, the Avs (inside the bubble) host Philadelphia (outside the bubble) and already own a 4-0 win over the Flyers in November. There's still no word on the status of Matt Duchene (knee), who notched a pair of goals in the aforementioned win. The no-longer-rostered Reto Berra was responsible for the shutout back in the season's second month.
Friday - Washington is 3-0 (including an OT win) against New Jersey this season, outscoring the Devils 12-8, and has collected two goals in 11 power-play opportunities. Bear in mind, the Devils have also collected a pair of goals on in almost half (six) the power play opportunities.
Saturday - Invariably, the same week the league posts one of the slowest nights of the year is one of the busiest nights of the season when 28 (save for New Jersey, Vancouver) of the 30 NHL teams will be in action.
Sunday - Power play's should be in high-octane as Chicago is 3-7 and Vancouver is 2-4 on the man-advantage against each other this season.
