Schedule Analysis: Four of a Kind

A quick glance at this week's grid (92 games) and it seems pretty cut and dry. Sometimes looks can be deceiving and this well-known fact has never been more evident in this week's NHL Schedule Analysis.

When making short-term free agent pick-ups, be sure to sneak a peak at the GNW (next week's schedule) column, as more than half of the league's 30 teams will play at least four games. That's right, the Straight Flush (five-game schedule) is on the horizon for one NHL team.

Four of a Kind

Aside from your usual avoidance of two-game teams (Boston, Buffalo, Carolina, Colorado, Detroit), seven teams have four contests in seven days. And while the full docket usually provides a considerably predictable punch for fantasy owners, this week's seven teams have some unusual schedule quirks.

Common Hand

Edmonton starts the week off with a back-to-back set, then continues their road trip through Canada.

Florida starts off hosting Anaheim on Tuesday before they hit the road for their back-to-back in Minnesota and Dallas, and then returning home to host St. Louis. Yikes, we wouldn't be surprised to see a winless week for Roberto Luongo and company. After sitting as a healthy scratch, Sean Bergenheim (flu) is day-to-day.

Minnesota hosts Vancouver on Monday before traveling to Winnipeg for a game the next night, and then the spoils of war, ahem, the Panthers and 'Canes visit later on in the week. Charlie Coyle is showing signs of life and Devan Dubnyk continues his hot streak.

Vancouver gets road games with the Wild and Hawks on Monday and Wednesday, respectively, before heading home to host the Bruins and back out to Calgary on Saturday. Alex Burrows might be worth grabbing.

Back-to-Back Jacks

Arizona has the best opportunity for points with two back-to-back occurrences. Although Mike Smith has been good of late, the way Louis Domingue played in his hometown of Montreal two weeks ago has us considering him. Mikkel Boedker (ruptured spleen) has no timetable for return.

Antti In?

Because Chicago's four game-week begins on a rare Sunday/Monday back-to-back set, Antti Raanta's services will likely be needed Monday against Arizona. But there's a strong possibility Corey Crawford starts the rest of their spread-out schedule.

San Jose's Antti Niemi has been solid (nine goals allowed in his last five games) as of late, and with a four-game docket spread evenly, there's theoretically no need to give Alex Stalock the nod. Marc-Edouard Vlasic (illness) didn't play on Saturday.

Table Talk with Phil Naessens

1). A listener wanted to know if the season ended now, who would be our Fantasy Hockey MVP?

This is always a tough question, so I'll do my best, if your guy gets left out, try not to get too upset...

Goalies: it's between Frederick Andersen or Pekka Rinne, who have endured injuries.

Forwards:Alex Ovechkin, Jakub Voracek (58 points), Vladimir Tarasenko (51 points, plus-26), Tyler Seguin, Tyler Johnson, Claude Giroux has been great on the power play, John Tavares, Sidney Crosby, as usual, or even Rick Nash, who has done his damage in just 50 games.

Defensemen would include Kevin Shattenkirk, Mark Giordano, Dustin Byfuglien, Erik Karlsson... or even Kris Letang...

I'd say the top-3 go to Jakub Voracek, Letang (40 points in 45 games), who has a five-assist night and Dustin Byfuglien. In the end, my vote goes to Buff. No, 33 points isn't overpowering, but he's managing a plus-7 with 150-plus shots on goal and 101 PIM while eligible at two positions and playing for the pedestrian Jets.

But to me, your fantasy MVP should be a guy you drafted late or not at all and is tops in league production now...

For goalies you have to love what Devan Dubnyk, Jaroslav Halak, Petr Mzarek and Michael Hutchinson have done with their seasons.

For forwards,Nick Foligno, Filip Forsberg, Johnny Guadreau or even Tyler Johnson, who ranked near the top 200 when the season began.

And defensemenKevin Klein, John Klingberg, your boy Aaron Ekblad, Sami Vatanen and T.J. Brodie.

For your fantasy surprise MVP of the year, if I had to choose right now, I would have to give it to Tyler Johnson.

2). A listener wanted to know about picking up Sean Monahan.

He's taken in both of my leagues. 130 shots on goal, 17 points to match his 17 assists... Calgary is certainly better this season, meaning his plus-6 should stay there....On the negative side, he's got just three games a week until the end of the month. I know this guy has been consistent over his last 10-or-so contests, but remember, that's coming off a 13-game goal-scoring drought where he posted just five assists and a minus-4 rating. His shot rates were certainly down during that time, so that's a big tell tale for him. This is a tough one, as his home/away splits don't show much, so we look to other habits... his best night of the week has been 11 points in 9 games on Thursdays. He's scheduled for just two Thursdays over the next five weeks...

3). A listener wanted to know who the best Fantasy Hockey goalie tandem is?

Jonathan Quick and Martin Jones come to mind. Call me a homer, but Henrik Lundqvist and Cam Talbot are nice, but that one isn't really applicable at the moment. Brian Elliott and Jake Allen...In the end, I think I would trust Corey Crawford and Antti Raanta the most..

4). A listener wanted to know about picking up Brad Marchand?

He's certainly capable of filling some columns for you. He has 64 PIM in 46 games, and Boston has begun to figure things out since the new year. You gotta love the fact that he lines up with Patrice Bergeron the majority of the time, and Loui Eriksson possibly. However, in his short-term future, I don't like his splits: a goal and three assists in his last 10 road games, where the Bruins spend six of their next nine. That said, he had seven shots on goal for the second time in his career, the first having been in his second full season. Where there's opportunities, there's usually points. I'd pick him up...

Other RotoWire Reports: Andre Burakovsky was recalled. Alex Chiasson (lower body) returned to the lineup and his spot on the fourth line Saturday. Cal Clutterbuck and Calvin de Haan left Saturday's game with upper-body injuries. Braydon Coburn (foot) is traveling with the team, but Michael Raffl is not. Blake Comeau (wrist) is expected to practice Monday with the team's second line. J.T. Miller should dress more with Jesper Fast (knee) out. Ryan Getzlaf (lower body) is a game-time decision Sunday against the Lightning. Scott Hartnell continues his renaissance season. Erik Johnson (knee) has resumed light activities. Evander Kane (shoulder) had his surgery but should not be rostered in any format outside of dynasty. Jori Lehtera (concussion) could be eyeing a return soon. Ryan Murphy had an MRI on Saturday, while Ryan Murray is expected out 4-to-6 weeks. Kyle Palmieri was a healthy scratch on Friday. Jonathan Bernier (illness) missed Saturday's game, prompting a temporary call-up for Antoine Bubeau (8-7-5, 2.58 GAA in AHL). David Clarkson also missed the Leafs' game on Saturday's as a healthy scratch. Cody Franson (hip) collected an assist on Saturday. Dion Phaneuf hand) was placed on IR. Derek Stepan (flu) was likely to return to the lineup on Sunday, so he should be back to full strength this week.