Fantasy Hockey Pucks on Net: Complete schedule analysis and lineup tips
Welcome to the first edition on Pucks on Net! Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time playing or watching hockey has heard numerous coaches remind their teams that by putting plenty of pucks on the net, good things will inevitably happen.
That same volume-related approach applies to fantasy hockey, where maximizing games played and finding schedule advantages can make all the difference in head-to-head and roto leagues.
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Here is your one-stop-shop for all the schedule details during the week of October 14-20:
4 Games
Buffalo Sabres (DAL, @ANA, @LAK, @SJS)
Montreal Canadiens (TBL, @STL, MIN, @MIN)
Washington Capitals (COL, TOR, NYR, @CHI)
Dallas Stars (@BUF, @CBJ, @PIT, @PHI)
Colorado Avalanche (@WSH, @PIT, @FLA, @TBL)
Minnesota Wild (@OTT, @TOR, @MON, MON)
Vancouver Canucks (DET, @STL, @NJD, @NYR)
Edmonton Oilers (@CHI, PHI, DET, @WPG)
Calgary Flames (PHI, DET, @LAK, @ANA)
Anaheim Ducks (@BOS, BUF, CAR, CGY)
3 Games
Arizona Coyotes (@WPG, NSH, OTT)
Boston Bruins (ANA, TBL, @TOR)
Toronto Maple Leafs (MIN, @WSH, BOS)
Detroit Red Wings (@VAN, @CGY, @EDM)
Florida Panthers (@NJD, COL, @NSH)
Ottawa Senators (MIN, @VGK, @ARI)
Tampa Bay Lightning (@MON, @BOS, COL)
New Jersey Devils (FLA, NYR, VAN)
New York Rangers (@NJD, @WSH, VAN)
Pittsburgh Penguins (COL, DAL, VGK)
Philadelphia Flyers (@CGY, @EDM, DAL)
Columbus Blue Jackets (DAL, @CHI, @NYI)
New York Islanders (STL, @WPG, @CBJ)
Carolina Hurricanes (@LAK, @SJS, @ANA)
Winnipeg Jets (ARI, NYI, EDM)
Nashville Predators (@VGK, @ARI, FLA)
St. Louis Blues (@NYI, VAN, MON)
Chicago Blackhawks (EDM, CBJ, WSH)
Los Angeles Kings (CAR, BUF, CGY)
Vegas Golden Knights (NSH, OTT, @PIT)
2 Games
San Jose Sharks (CGY, BUF)
Schedule Analysis
-The Wild are not usually a source of offense, but within their four-game week, they face three teams who missed the 2019 playoffs and a contest against a Leafs squad that is more known for offense than defense.
-The Canucks have to head East during this week, but matchups against the Red Wings, Devils and Rangers are not especially daunting.
-Within their four games, the Oilers play three contests against teams who were among the five worst in goals against last season.
-The Flames face two teams (PHI, DET) who struggled to keep the puck out of their net last year, followed by two matches against opponents (LAK, ANA) from whom most of us aren’t expecting much this season.
-Although the Stars have four games, they are all road contests. Dallas ranked 29th in goals scored on the road last season.
-The Jets were among the best teams at home last season in terms of goals scored and goal differential. They are at home all week and do not face any of the expected Cup contenders.
-Although they have three home games, the Penguins have their work cut out for them against DAL, COL, and VGK.
Volume plays
Milan Lucic (LW, CGY, 9 percent rostered)
The bruising winger is a great source of hits and PIM, and he could help with +/- and points during a favorable four-game week.
Noah Hanifan, D, CGY, 8 percent)
Hanifan has averaged 21:48 TOI thus far, and he can contribute shots, blocks, and hits. He could also have a positive +/- next week.
Zach Parise (LW, MIN, 26%)
The Wild have a rare chance to accumulate goals next week, and their 2018-19 leader in both points and shots is sitting on waivers in the majority of leagues.
Jakob Vrana (LW, WSH, 21%)
Vrana (+20 last season) could provide valuable goals and plenty of shots during a four-game week that includes three home contests.
Zack Kassian (RW, EDM, 15%)
The rugged winger helps with PIM and hits while seeing his share of time alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Casey Mittelstadt (C, BUF, 4%)
Although he flopped last season, this 20-year-old clearly has game-breaking talent. A four-game week feels like the perfect time for those in deep leagues to give Mittelstadt a chance for his sophomore campaign.
Marcus Johansson, C/LW, BUF, 7%)
Johansson is usually productive when healthy, and he is off to a strong start with the Sabres (2G, 2A). His wing eligibility and 13 face-offs won so far this season is also appealing to leagues who value that stat.
Travis Hamonic (D, CGY, 1%)
Hamonic had sneaky value last season in the +/- and blocks categories.
Erik Johnson (D, COL, 5%)
The veteran rearguard averaged 21:48 minutes per game last season and should see plenty of action during his upcoming four-game week.
Nikita Zadorov (D, COL, 32%)
Zadorov compiled 228 hits last season and should be a difference-maker in that category during his four-game stanza.
Mikko Koskinen (G, EDM, 17%)
Although Koskinen is sharing time with Mike Smith, he has been the better goalie thus far and should get two starts next week.
Carter Hutton (G, BUF, 56%)
Having already collected three wins with a 2.32 GAA, Hutton is the most appealing goaltender who is sitting on waivers in roughly half of all leagues.
