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 25-December 1, along with specific targets who could tip the scales in close fantasy matchups.
4 Games
Boston Bruins (@MTL, @OTT, NYR, MTL)
Buffalo Sabres (@TBL, CGY, TOR, @TOR)
Columbus Blue Jackets (OTT, PHI, PIT, @NYI)
Dallas Stars (VGK, @CHI, STL, @MIN)
Los Angeles Kings (SJS, NYI, @SJS, WPG)
Minnesota Wild (@NYR, @NJD, OTT, DAL)
Montreal Canadiens (BOS, NJD, PHI, @BOS)
Nashville Predators (STL, VGK, @CAR, @FLA)
New York Rangers (MIN, CAR, @BOS, @NJD)
Ottawa Senators (@CBJ, BOS, @MIN, @CGY)
Philadelphia Flyers (VAN, @CBJ, DET, @MTL)
Pittsburgh Penguins (CGY, VAN, @CBJ, @STL)
San Jose Sharks (@LAK, WPG, LAK, @ARI)
St. Louis Blues (@NSH, @TBL, @DAL, PIT)
Tampa Bay Lightning (BUF, STL, @WSH, CAR)
Vancouver Canucks (@PHI, @PIT, @EDM, EDM)
3 Games
Anaheim Ducks (NYI, @ARI, WPG)
Arizona Coyotes (ANA, @VGK, SJS)
Calgary Flames (@PIT, @BUF, OTT)
Carolina Hurricanes (@NYR, NSH, @TBL)
Chicago Blackhawks (DAL, COL, @COL)
Colorado Avalanche (EDM, @CHI, CHI)
Detroit Red Wings (TOR, @PHI, WSH)
Edmonton Oilers (@COL, VAN, @VAN)
New Jersey Devils (MIN, @MTL, NYR)
New York Islanders (@ANA, @LAK, CBJ)
Toronto Maple Leafs (@DET, @BUF, BUF)
Vegas Golden Knights (@DAL, @NSH, ARI)
Washington Capitals (FLA, TBL, @DET)
Winnipeg Jets (@SJS, @ANA, @LAK)
2 Games
Florida Panthers (@WSH, NSH)
Schedule Analysis
-With 16 teams heading into four-game weeks, this is the heaviest week to this point in the season. The plethora of four-contest clubs makes players on the Panthers close to unusable next week.
-Although the Wild are far from an offensive juggernaut, the club could be surprisingly productive from an offensive perspective during their four-game week when they face a trio of teams (DET, NJD, NYR) who rank among the bottom-4 in goals-against average.
-The Bruins are not only one of the best teams in the NHL, but they are heading into a four-game week that should allow their stars to flourish. Boston faces the lowly Senators and a Rangers squad that has trouble preventing scoring chances (35.8 shots allowed per game) and keeping the puck out of their net (3.47 GAA). Boston’s other two matchups are reasonable ones against the Habs.
-For the third-straight week, the Senators own a favorable schedule. Ottawa faces two teams (MIN, CBJ) with poor goal differentials and a third team (CGY) who is in the midst of a notable slump.
-By virtue of facing the lowly Kings (3.45 GAA) on two occasions, the Sharks have a favorable four-game week. The club’s schedule also includes a reasonable matchup against the Jets and an offense-limiting one vs. the Coyotes.
-The Blues have one of the toughest four-game slates, as they take on four squads (PIT, DAL, TBL, NSH) will positive goal differentials.
-The Canucks are another of the four-game teams to avoid chasing. Vancouver has two games against a dangerous Oilers team and two other matchups (PIT, PHI) against teams with positive goal differentials.
Volume Plays
Eric Staal, Minnesota Wild (C, 25 percent rostered)
Staal is sitting at a dismal -11 but also leads the Wild with 16 points and ranks second on the team with 162 face-offs won. He has a trio of power-play points and a respectable 45 shots on goal. Although center options are plentiful, Staal is a reasonable option for a four-game week.
Charlie Coyle, Boston Bruins (C/RW, 11 percent)
Coyle is providing the Bruins with plenty of secondary scoring of late, having collected nine points in the past 30 days. He also sits at +6 over that 30-day stretch, and over the course of the full season, he ranks second on the club with 105 face-offs won.
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins (D, 28%)
Chara remains a fine option for those who need all-around production from the back end. Averaging 21:54 TOI, the 42 year old has collected four goals and five assists, along with 27 hits and 39 blocked shots. Also, his +/- (+14) is among the best in hockey.
Barclay Goodrow, San Jose Sharks (C/LW/RW, 17%)
Goodrow has been an underrated source of fantasy production this season, having collected 11 points (six goals), 45 hits and 21 blocked shots. And for leagues that count face-offs won, the multi-position asset has tallied 87 in that category.
Brenden Dillon, San Jose Sharks (D, 4%)
Although almost entirely a one-category asset, Dillon sits sixth in the NHL with 74 hits and could swing that category during a four-game week. He will also make some contributions in blocked shots (22 in 2019-20).
Mark Borowiecki, Ottawa Senators (D, 43%)
A top-100 asset thus far in most formats, Borowiecki has been a major difference-maker in hits (86) while also logging solid totals in points (nine), blocks (38) and +/- (+8). The Ottawa rearguard should be active in virtually every league for his upcoming four-game stanza.
Phillip Danault, Montreal Canadiens (C, 19%)
Danault is heading into a four-game week with solid totals in points (17), +/- (+9) and hits (36). But his spot on this list mainly comes from ranking sixth in the NHL with 236 face-offs won. He could swing that category next week.
Brandon Tanev, Pittsburgh Penguins (LW/RW, 24%)
Tanev is a great option for those who are looking for a four-game winger with a little sandpaper in his game. The Penguin has compiled 86 hits while collecting solid points totals (five goals, six assists) and blocking 19 shots.
