Finding volume plays and schedule advantages is essential in head-to-head and roto leagues. With that in mind, here are the schedule details for the week of November 18-24, along with specific targets who could tip the scales in close fantasy matchups.
4 Games
Arizona Coyotes (LAK, TOR, @LAK, EDM)
Carolina Hurricanes (@CHI, PHI, FLA, @DET)
Detroit Red Wings (OTT, @CBJ, @NJD, CAR)
Edmonton Oilers (@SJS, @LAK, @VGK, @ARI)
Florida Panthers (PHI, ANA, @CAR, BUF)
3 Games
Anaheim Ducks (@WSH, @FLA, @TBL)
Boston Bruins (@NJD, BUF, MIN)
Buffalo Sabres (MIN, @BOS, @FLA)
Calgary Flames (COL, @STL, @PHI)
Chicago Blackhawks (CAR, TBL, @DAL)
Colorado Avalanche (@CGY, @MIN, TOR)
Columbus Blue Jackets (MTL, DET, @WPG)
Dallas Stars (VAN, WPG, CHI)
Los Angeles Kings (@ARI, EDM, ARI)
Minnesota Wild (@BUF, COL, @BOS)
Montreal Canadiens (@CBJ, OTT, NYR)
Nashville Predators (WPG, VAN, @STL)
New Jersey Devils (BOS, @PIT, DET)
New York Islanders (@PIT, PIT, @SJS)
New York Rangers (WSH, @OTT, @MTL)
Ottawa Senators (@DET, @MTL, NYR)
Philadelphia Flyers (@FLA, @CAR, CGY)
Pittsburgh Penguins (NYI, @NYI, NJD)
San Jose Sharks (EDM, @VGK, NYI)
St. Louis Blues (TBL, CGY, NSH)
Tampa Bay Lightning (@STL, @CHI, ANA)
Toronto Maple Leafs (@VGK, @ARI, @COL)
Vancouver Canucks (@DAL, @NSH, @WSH)
Vegas Golden Knights (TOR, SJS, EDM)
Washington Capitals (ANA, @NYR, VAN)
Winnipeg Jets (@NSH, @DAL, CBJ)
Schedule Analysis
For the first time this season, every team plays at least three games. The total games played by each fantasy team will be very high next week, which somewhat negates the advantage of having players on the five teams with four-game weeks. Still, in head-to-head leagues, having a few extra games from those four-game players could swing tight categories.
-The Hurricanes are poised for a strong four-game performance by virtue of facing two teams (DET, FLA) who have trouble preventing goals and three squads (DET, FLA, CHI) with a negative goal differential.
-With two of their four games coming against the lowly Kings (-1.05 goal differential), the Coyotes should provide plenty of fantasy value. It helps that many of their mid-level players (some of whom are listed below) fly under the radar in most leagues.
-The Panthers have the toughest slate among the four-game clubs. Florida faces a trio of squads with positive goal differentials and all four of their opponents have a goals-against average below 3.00.
-Among the three-game clubs, Boston has arguably the most favorable schedule. Two of the Bruins three opponents (NJD, MIN) are among the easiest to score on and have poor goal differentials.
-The Canadiens are the other three-game team with an appealing slate. Montreal faces two clubs (OTT, CBJ) with poor goal differentials. And their third game comes against a Rangers squad that has allowed the second-most shots per game in the NHL.
Volume Plays
Erik Haula, Carolina Hurricanes (C/LW, 35 percent rostered)
Haula is among the best positioned to take advantage of the Hurricanes favorable four-game slate. The 28 year old is tied for the team lead with eight goals and five of his 11 points have come with the man advantage. For leagues that value face-offs won, he also ranks second on the team in that category.
Conor Garland, Arizona Coyotes (LW/RW, 14 percent)
Garland finds his name in this space for a second straight edition, as his perch atop the Coyotes goals list and the team’s volume-heavy schedule make him a fine option to pot a pair next week. The winger is also sitting at a healthy +7 and has compiled 47 shots on goal.
Alex Goligoski, Arizona Coyotes (D, 48%)
I will bang the drum on Goligoski for a second consecutive week. The rearguard is one of just a handful of defensemen who have tallied more than 30 in both the hits and blocks categories while also remaining available in more than half of leagues. He also has 10 assists and is sitting at +7, making him a potential multi-category impact player during a four-game week.
Filip Hronek, Detroit Red Wings (D, 25%)
Like Goligoski, Hronek is heading into a four-game week after posting healthy fantasy-related stats thus far. From an offensive perspective, the defenseman has strong totals in goals (four), assists (six) and shots (44). And he has a physical side to his game, having totaled 27 hits and 25 blocks.
Tyler Bertuzzi, Detroit Red Wings (LW/RW, 54%)
Bertuzzi is among the most likely Red Wings to take advantage of a four-game week on the offensive end. The winger leads the team with 12 assists and places second on the club in both goals (eight) and power-play points (five). The 24 year old is logging 19:29 minutes per game and is at the right age to make a jump in his overall production.
Robby Fabbri, Detroit Red Wings (LW/RW, 17%)
A move to the Red Wings seems to have put a bounce in Fabbri’s step, as the winger has collected a quarter of points in four games with the club. Widely available, he should be added for a four-game week while fantasy managers find out if this recent surge is sustainable.
Zack Kassian, Edmonton Oilers (RW, 43%)
The bruising winger (four 100-PIM seasons, 64 hits this year) is always a threat to contribute in the toughness categories, but this season he has also stepped up his offensive game by collecting seven goals and eight assists. He is also among the NHL leaders at +12, making Kassian an excellent candidate to thrive in a four-game week.
