Schedule Analysis: Down to 13

Schedule Analysis: Down to 13

This article is part of our Schedule Analysis series.

In previous installments of the SA, you were warned about the lack of opportunities high-quality players from Anaheim, Nashville and the Islanders will provide. It's the final two weeks (13 days) of the NHL regular season, and likely your fantasy playoffs or standings clock, so let's find trends and tweaks to bring you home.


Back-to-Back Smacks
Usually back-to-back occurrences are an opportunity for streaming a back-up goaltender, much-less two occurrences in one week. But the question remains: what happens when its the mopey Maple Leafs?

Losers of seven straight, I believe Toronto is the pick-your-poison week of the year. James Reimer or Jonathan Bernier? To top it off, the Buds will play all Atlantic division opponents this week. Tread lightly. Combined record of 7-6 against this week's opponents.

Four Aces
With next week's final schedule being a short six-day docket, it will be important to take advantage of the 13 (including Toronto) four-game teams this week. Let's talk about a few of these.

It's insane to think as bad as it's been in Buffalo, there are still playoff eligible points hiding in the cursed city? Combined record of 2-3-1 against this week's opponents.

Records against this week's opponents:
Chicago: 4-3-1
Colorado: 1-4-2
Detroit: 5-4-1
Edmonton: 2-8-2
Florida: 5-2-4
Montreal: 5-2-4
Ottawa: 4-6-2
St. Louis: 5-5-1
Tampa Bay: 10-2-1
Vancouver: 6-2-0
Washington: 5-2-2

Three of a Kind

Hold 'Em
Arizona has Buffalo and San Jose on back-to-back nights.

Winners of six straight, it's hard to bet against Columbus, especially when

In previous installments of the SA, you were warned about the lack of opportunities high-quality players from Anaheim, Nashville and the Islanders will provide. It's the final two weeks (13 days) of the NHL regular season, and likely your fantasy playoffs or standings clock, so let's find trends and tweaks to bring you home.


Back-to-Back Smacks
Usually back-to-back occurrences are an opportunity for streaming a back-up goaltender, much-less two occurrences in one week. But the question remains: what happens when its the mopey Maple Leafs?

Losers of seven straight, I believe Toronto is the pick-your-poison week of the year. James Reimer or Jonathan Bernier? To top it off, the Buds will play all Atlantic division opponents this week. Tread lightly. Combined record of 7-6 against this week's opponents.

Four Aces
With next week's final schedule being a short six-day docket, it will be important to take advantage of the 13 (including Toronto) four-game teams this week. Let's talk about a few of these.

It's insane to think as bad as it's been in Buffalo, there are still playoff eligible points hiding in the cursed city? Combined record of 2-3-1 against this week's opponents.

Records against this week's opponents:
Chicago: 4-3-1
Colorado: 1-4-2
Detroit: 5-4-1
Edmonton: 2-8-2
Florida: 5-2-4
Montreal: 5-2-4
Ottawa: 4-6-2
St. Louis: 5-5-1
Tampa Bay: 10-2-1
Vancouver: 6-2-0
Washington: 5-2-2

Three of a Kind

Hold 'Em
Arizona has Buffalo and San Jose on back-to-back nights.

Winners of six straight, it's hard to bet against Columbus, especially when they've man-handled their Keystone state division rivals.

After visiting the windy city, Los Angeles will host the Oilers and Avs.

Fold Em
Carolina has won two straight and even enjoyed success again Philly, who they'll host later in the week. Problem is they will play on the road (11-21-4)

Dallas has managed to stay in the hunt for the final playoff spot, but their minimal (6:4 GF:GA) edge in the season series with Calgary is the only possibility for confidence in the Stars and their fragile defensive personnel.

New Jersey has enjoyed some success again Columbus, but they're closing out strong. That leaves the cross-river rival Rangers and Montreal on back-to-back nights.

Muck Your Cards
While three of the five teams playing two games this week repeat the awkward fantasy relationship next week as well, two will turn around and play four in the final six days of the season.

Winners in eight of 12 tilts this month, be careful with who you drop out of surging Winnipeg. The Jets have found the net at least four times in six of those wins.

Minnesota will be an interesting thought for owners this week. No, they have clinched and a two-tilt week certainly doesn't help, but perhaps it will force them to have an inspired final week of the season.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian Rutherford
A freelance writer of all things but mostly sports, music and politics, Brian Rutherford was raised on Long Island, NY and currently resides in a suburb of Dallas, Texas. His favorite teams are the New York Rangers, Texas Rangers, New York Giants and New York Knicks. "So the difference I think, boils down to this: you can either impose yourself on reality and then write about it, or you can impose yourself on reality by writing it." -Hunter S. Thompson "The Proud Highway"
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