A tough decision can be made easier with these charts showing you the best five and worst five schedules for upcoming seven-day periods. Some of you used them last year but for the benefit of new readers here is a refresher. The number next to the team indicates the ‘multiplier’ to use on a player’s point-per-game pace to give you an idea how many points to expect for that week.

We have finally reached the week where I can stop talking about the massive 12 game homestand that the Tampa Bay Lightning have been on. I have to say though, results are not as impressive as I would have thought going into this streak. Combine Tampa's outstanding home record with the inconsistent play by the Caps this year, and I would have thought the Lightning would have a much larger lead in the Southeast through nine games than they do right now. I can't wait for a great March and April from these two teams (who unfortunately only play once more). Tampa finishes the home stretch off against Florida, Phoenix and New Jersey.

A couple of weeks ago, I warned against going after any Thrashers, but noted that I figured a lot of poolies had already split ways with them. Well this week, that dubious honour goes to the members of the Colorado Avalanche. Not only have they now lost nine straight games and dropped 11 points back of 8^th in the West, they only play seven games in the next 21 days, five of which are on the road.

This current 10 game road trip has not phased the Kings one bit, as they have gained at least a point in their last 11 games including their shootout loss to the Rangers on Thursday.  They still have two more road games to go, and then come back to STAPLES for a six game homestand. While Dallas seems to be playing their way out of the Pacific, I would love to see either the Kings or Coyotes take the division over San Jose.