Five players with good schedules worth targetting in Week 12.

Detroit Red Wings = Target

Games: 6 (5H/1A)

Favorable Matchups:

    – vs. Calgary

        > 3^rd worst defensive team

        > Reto Berra: 3.18 GAA / .896 SV% / 0 SHO

        > Karri Ramo: 2.82 GAA / .903 SV% / 0 SHO

    – @ Toronto

        > 9^th worst defensive team

        > 5^th worst PK

        > Most shots allowed per game

        > 17 goals allowed in the past four games

    – vs. NY Islanders

        > 3^rd worst defensive team

        > Worst PK

        > One game in past month allowing fewer than three goals

The Wings have an upcoming home stand that starts out tough with Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Anaheim coming to town.  But then Detroit will get their offense going with a visit from Calgary, a trip to Toronto for a Winter Classic appetizer and then the Islanders coming to the Joe.  The Wings had a run of games with no Pavel Datsyuk or Henrik Zetterberg in their lineup, so naturally they struggled to score in those games.  But they actually weren't that bad.  Datsyuk is back but no Zetterberg until the 28^th, at the earliest.  As long as it isn't in the shootout, your Wings should be a decent bet to put up some points over the next two weeks.

Toronto Maple Leafs = Consider

Games: 6 (4H/2A)

Favorable Matchups:

    – vs. Florida

        > 4^th worst defensive team

        > 3^rd worst PK

        > 25 goals allowed in the past seven games

    – vs. Phoenix

        > 5^th worst defensive team

        > 4^th worst PK

        > 5^th most shots allowed per game

Seems like the two Winter Classic participants are looking good as fantasy targets for the next week or two leading up to the big game.  That's good news for HBO.  The Leafs have been having a rough go over the past two or three weeks, winning only two games in their past ten.  Outside of Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk, there haven't been many Maple Leafs lighting the lamp much.  That should turn around in the final couple weeks of 2013.

Chicago Blackhawks = Beware

Games: 5 (3H/2A)

Unfavorable Matchups:

    – vs. Los Angeles

        > Best defensive team

        > 7^th best PK

        > 5^th fewest shots allowed per game

    – vs. Vancouver

        > 8^th best defensive team

        > Best PK

        > 8^th fewest shots allowed per game

    – vs. New Jersey

        > 10^th best defensive team

        > 3^rd best PK

        > Fewest shots allowed per game

I know what you're thinking.  I must be on crack, right?  Beware of starting Blackhawks?  You mean the team that just scored six or more goals in three straight games (19 goals)?  Sure thing buddy.  Don't quit your day job.  This might be a stretch, but hear me out.  The Hawks are the best offensive team in the NHL right now, averaging over two goals more per game than the pathetic Buffalo Sabres (in fact, you should always avoid the Sabres, every week).  Oh wait, that wasn't a reason to beware of starting your Blackhawks.  Right.  Their 19 goals in the last three games were against Florida, Dallas and Philadelphia, so not exactly the stingiest of teams.  Chicago travels to Toronto on Saturday and will probably snipe Bernier/Reimer for a few goals to make me look bad, and I don't doubt it.  The difficult part of their schedule comes next.  The next night, the Los Angeles Kings and Martin Jones come to town.  Then they play the Predators, Canucks and Devils before taking three days off for Christmas.  Just temper your expectations and only expect five goals a night, not six.

Carolina Hurricanes = Avoid

Games: 4 (2H/2A)

Unfavorable Matchups:

    – The Hurricanes actually don't have bad matchups, it's just the lack of games.  Check out this schedule:

        > Saturday in Phoenix

        > Five days off

        > Back-to-back with Washington coming to town and then traveling to Tampa Bay

        > Columbus comes to town two days later

        > Three days off for Christmas

Possible Pickups

Here's a list of some players, owned in less than 30% of Yahoo leagues, to target for the upcoming Monday to Sunday schedule.

Toronto: David Clarkson (20%) – In a points-only league, he's a bust, just like the Leafs are learning.  But if your league tracks SOG, Hits and/or PIMs, he can still have decent value.  Any points would just be gravy.

Ottawa: Mike Zibanejad (6%) – Had him here last week and he put up two assists in his next game, but then nothing in his next three.  He's still on the top line with Jason Spezza and now Clarke MacArthur.

Winnipeg: Olli Jokinen (11%) – Five points in the past five games.  He's not the 100-point player he used to be, but he gives the Jets some secondary scoring while getting PP2 time.

Pittsburgh: Jayson Megna (0%) – Two points and +3 in the last four games.  He was taking Evgeni Malkin's spot while he was injured.  Now he is taking James Neal's spot while he's suspended.

Colorado: John Mitchell (1%) – All of Colorado's top six are owned in at least 41% of leagues.  So that leaves their third line center as one the remaining options if the Avalanche schedule fits your roster.

Light Day Targets

Want to know what teams to target based on their schedule landing on light days for the upcoming Monday to Sunday schedule?

Week: Monday, December 16 through Sunday, December 22

Monday: 8 teams

Tuesday: 24 teams

Wednesday: 4 teams

Thursday: 22 teams

Friday: 10 teams

Saturday: 24 teams

Sunday: 4 teams

We have a heavy Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday schedule again (11 or 12 games on each).  Wednesday and Sunday are really light with only two games on each day.

So what teams have a good schedule for the light days?