Looking ahead at five guys to target in Week 18.

 

San Jose Sharks = Target

 

Games: 7 (5H/2A)

Favorable Matchups:

    – @ Edmonton

        > Worst defensive team

        > 7^th most shots allowed per game

        > 47 goals allowed in last 12 games (3.92 GAA)

    – @ Calgary

        > 3^rd worst defensive team

        > 9^th worst PK

        > 32 goals allowed in last 10 games (3.20 GAA)

    – vs. Dallas

        > 6^th worst defensive team

        > 8^th most shots allowed per game

        > 40 goals allowed in 12 2014 games (3.33 GAA)

 

The Sharks have been a great source for fantasy points this season and this upcoming schedule will prove to be no different.  San Jose is one of five teams to play seven games during this span, five of which are at the Shark Tank.  No one on the Sharks is hotter than Joe Pavelski right now (one could argue in the entire league).  That top line of Pavelski, Joe Thornton and Brent Burns will continue to carry the mail until Logan Couture can return and add some more talent for Patrick Marleau to play with.

 

Columbus Blue Jackets = Consider

 

Games: 6 (4H/2A)

Favorable Matchups:

    – vs. Buffalo

        > 2^nd most shots allowed per game

        > 19 goals allowed in last 5 games (3.80 GAA)

        > Ryan Miller has yielded 10 goals in his past three games

    – vs. Ottawa

        > 4^th worst defensive team

        > 4^th most shots allowed per game

        > 12 goals allowed in last 4 games (3.00 GAA)

    – vs. Washington

        > 8^th worst defensive team

        > 10^th worst PK

        > 3^rd most shots allowed per game

 

The Blue Jackets have scored three or more goals every game since January 6^th.   Oddly enough, they've won every single one of those games too.  The offense is really spread out on this team.  They have six forwards between 25 and 37 points.  Mark Letestu has been hot lately and could turn that group into seven soon.  Columbus' top scorers appear to be Ryan Johansen, Cam Atkinson, Brandon Dubinsky and James Wisniewski (when he's healthy).  So you probably won't have one or two guys that light it up, but as a group, they all chip in.

 

Nashville Predators = Beware

 

Games: 5 (1H/4A)

Unfavorable Matchups:

    – @ Winnipeg

        > 10^th best PK

        > 7 goals allowed in past four games (1.75 GAA)

        > Ondrej Pavelec has a .933 SV% since Paul Maurice took over as Head Coach (going into the San Jose game)

    – vs. New Jersey

        > 3^rd best defensive team

        > 2^nd best PK

        > Fewest shots allowed per game

    – @ St. Louis

        > 4^th best defensive team

        > 8^th best PK

        > 2^nd fewest shots allowed per game

 

The Predators have been putting the puck in the net pretty well lately, posting 15 goals in the past four games. The next two games are Calgary and Edmonton, who both like letting in goals.  However, after that, they face a new-look Jets followed by two defensive stalwarts in New Jersey and St. Louis and then a four day break.  Nashville is already 25^th in the league in scoring, so don't plan on that improving.

 

Carolina Hurricanes = Avoid

 

Games: 5 (4H/1A)

Unfavorable Matchups:

    – @ Montreal

        > 10^th best defensive team

        > 4^th best PK

        > Carey Price is still an all-world goalie when he's on his game, despite putting up two stinkers in a row

    – vs. St. Louis

        > See above

    – vs. Winnipeg

        > See above

 

The Canes followed up two consecutive games of being shutout with three, three, three and five goals, which is a good response.  But their upcoming schedule doesn't look too promising.  After Ottawa on Saturday, the surging Blue Jackets come to town.  Following that game is a trip to Montreal and then visits from St. Louis and the now defensively stingy, Winnipeg Jets.  Jeff Skinner has cooled off considerably and Jiri Tlusty is now reunited with Eric Staal and Alex Semin.  Outside of Staal and Skinner, there hasn't been much to write home about when it comes to fantasy output in Carolina.

 

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.

 

Boston: Ryan Spooner (1%) – Odds are it's slim pickings for Boston players in your league.  The top six are mostly owned, so that leaves 3^rd liners that get powerplay time.  Spooner is skating with Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson at evens, but draws Jarome Iginla and David Krejci on the PP.

 

Columbus: Cam Atkinson (13%) – Seven points in his last eight games.  Lines up with Brandon Dubinsky in all situations.

 

San Jose: Tommy Wingels (16%) – Three points in his last two games.  While Couture is out, he is slotted in with Marleau and Matt Nieto at even strength.

 

Buffalo: Steve Ott (10%) – Five points in his past five along with 6 PIMs, 23 hits and 47 faceoff wins.  Ott is paired with Cody Hodgson at even strength and gets second unit PP time.

 

Los Angeles: Trevor Lewis (0%) – Four points in his past five games.  Played last game in Jeff Carter's spot on Anze Kopitar's wing and picked up an assist on Kopitar's goal.

 

 

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, January 27^th through Sunday, February 2^nd

 

Monday: 12 teams

Tuesday: 22 teams

Wednesday: 6 teams

Thursday: 20 teams

Friday: 10 teams

Saturday: 22 teams

Sunday: 4 teams

 

I'm not sure if it's a coincidence or the NHL schedulers actually know what they're doing, but I've noticed more and more Monday games now that Monday Night Football is done for the season.  Speaking of football, there are only two games on the Sunday that is so Super, both in the afternoon.

 

Other than that, the schedule is pretty typical.

 

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

 

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
Washington Capitals		X		X 📢 advertisement:	X		X
Vancouver Canucks	X		X		X
New York Islanders	X		X		X
San Jose Sharks	X		X	X		X

 

Friday, January 24 to Thursday, January 30

Best Bets

Columbus (4.31) – 4 Games: BUF, @CAR, OTW, WSH

Boston (4.09) – 4 Games: @PHI, @NYI, FLA, MTL

San Jose (4.07) – 4 Games: MIN, LA, @EDM, @CGY

New Jersey (4.01) – 4 Games: WSH, NYR, @STL, @DAL

Edmonton (4.01) – 4 Games: PHX, NSH, @VAN, SJ

Steer Clear

NY Rangers (1.90) – 2 Games: @NJ, @NYI

St. Louis (1.99) – 2 Games: @NYI, NJ

Minnesota (2.71) – 3 Games: @SJ, @ANH, @COL

Anaheim (2.81) – 3 Games: @LA, MIN, PHI

NY Islanders (2.84) – 3 Games: STL, BOS, NYR

Saturday, January 25 to Friday, January 31

Best Bets

Vancouver (4.46) – 4 Games: PHX, EDM, CHI, @WPG

Columbus (4.31) – 4 Games: BUF, @CAR, OTW, WSH

Winnipeg (4.10) – 4 Games: TOR, @CHI, NSH, VAN

Boston (4.09) – 4 Games: @PHI, @NYI, FLA, MTL

San Jose (4.07) – 4 Games: MIN, LA, @EDM, @CGY

Steer Clear

Ottawa (1.90) – 2 Games: @CBJ, TB

Calgary (2.00) – 2 Games: CHI, SJ

Minnesota (2.71) – 3 Games: @SJ, @ANH, @COL

Phoenix (2.75) – 3 Games: @VAN, LA, BUF

Florida (2.80) – 3 Games: @DET, @BOS, @TOR

Sunday, January 26 to Saturday, February 1

Best Bets

Vancouver (4.46) – 4 Games: PHX, EDM, CHI, @WPG

Boston (4.40) – 4 Games: @NYI, FLA, MTL, EDM

Columbus (4.36) – 4 Games: @CAR, OTW, WSH, FLA

San Jose (4.12) – 4 Games: LA, @EDM, @CGY, CHI

Buffalo (4.00) – 4 Games: @PIT, WSH, @PHX, @COL

Steer Clear

Philadelphia (2.71) – 3 Games: DET, @ANH, @LA

Carolina (2.80) – 3 Games: CBJ, @MTL, STL

Montreal (2.80) – 3 Games: CAR, @BOS, TB

Dallas (2.85) – 3 Games: COL, NJ, @ANH

Washington (2.85) – 3 Games: @BUF, @CBJ, @DET

Monday, January 27 to Sunday, February 2

Best Bets

Boston (4.40) – 4 Games: @NYI, FLA, MTL, EDM

Columbus (4.36) – 4 Games: @CAR, OTW, WSH, FLA

San Jose (4.12) – 4 Games: LA, @EDM, @CGY, CHI

Buffalo (4.00) – 4 Games: @PIT, WSH, @PHX, @COL

Los Angeles (3.95) – 4 Games: @SJ, @PHX, PIT, PHI

Steer Clear

NY Rangers (2.30) – 2 Games: @NYI, NYI

Edmonton (2.61) – 3 Games: @VAN, SJ, @BOS

Nashville (2.70) – 3 Games: @WPG, NJ, @STL

Philadelphia (2.71) – 3 Games: DET, @ANH, @LA

Carolina (2.80) – 3 Games: CBJ, @MTL, STL

Tuesday, January 28 to Monday, February 3

Best Bets

Buffalo (4.36) – 4 Games: WSH, @PHX, @COL, EDM

San Jose (4.33) – 4 Games: @EDM, @CGY, CHI, PHI

Columbus (4.32) – 4 Games: OTW, WSH, FLA, @ANH

Anaheim (4.25) – 4 Games: MIN, PHI, DAL, CBJ

Los Angeles (4.14) – 4 Games: @PHX, PIT, PHI, CHI

Steer Clear

Carolina (1.75) – 2 Games: @MTL, STL

Dallas (1.80) – 2 Games: NJ, @ANH

NY Islanders (2.00) – 2 Games: NYR, @NYR

NY Rangers (2.30) – 2 Games: @NYI, NYI

Nashville (2.70) – 3 Games: @WPG, NJ, @STL

Wednesday, January 29 to Tuesday, February 4

Best Bets

San Jose (4.33) – 4 Games: @EDM, @CGY, CHI, PHI

Washington (4.16) – 4 Games: @CBJ, @DET, DET, NYI

Montreal (4.06) – 4 Games: @BOS, TB, WPG, CGY

Vancouver (3.81) – 4 Games: CHI, @WPG, @DET, @BOS

Colorado (3.81) – 4 Games: MIN, BUF, @NJ, @NYR

Steer Clear

Nashville (1.70) – 2 Games: NJ, @STL

Carolina (2.00) – 2 Games: STL, WPG

Chicago (2.47) – 3 Games: @VAN, @SJ, @LA

Philadelphia (2.52) – 3 Games: @ANH, @LA, @SJ

Edmonton (2.70) – 3 Games: SJ, @BOS, @BUF

Thursday, January 30 to Wednesday, February 5

Best Bets

San Jose (4.35) – 4 Games: @CGY, CHI, PHI, DAL

Anaheim (4.31) – 4 Games: PHI, DAL, CBJ, CHI

Buffalo (4.25) – 4 Games: @PHX, @COL, EDM, PIT

Washington (4.16) – 4 Games: @CBJ, @DET, DET, NYI

Montreal (4.06) – 4 Games: @BOS, TB, WPG, CGY

Steer Clear

Nashville (1.70) – 2 Games: NJ, @STL

Edmonton (1.76) – 2 Games: @BOS, @BUF

NY Islanders (1.95) – 2 Games: @NYR, @WSH

Carolina (2.00) – 2 Games: STL, WPG

NY Rangers (2.26) – 2 Games: NYI, COL