Five players to target in Week 23.

Here are some teams to target and avoid for the next week or two, several players to target that may be available in your league as well as teams that play a light schedule in the upcoming week.

San Jose Sharks = Target

Games: 7 (3H/4A)

Favorable Matchups:

    – @ NY Islanders

        > Worst defensive team

        > 2^nd worst penalty kill

        > 37 goals allowed in past nine games (4.11 GAA)

    – vs. Florida

        > 4^th worst defensive team

        > Worst penalty kill

        > 8^th most shots allowed per game

    – vs. Washington

        > 7^th worst defensive team

        > 7^th worst penalty kill

        > 4^th most shots allowed per game

The Sharks have scored 30 goals in seven games since the Olympic break (4.29 GPG).  The return of Logan Couture has definitely helped that.  Also, like I predicted, Brent Burns is back with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski and has four goals in his last four games.  San Jose is surging up the Pacific division standings and looking to take over the top spot from the struggling Anaheim Ducks.  The upcoming Sharks schedule features several defensively-inept teams like the Islanders, Panthers, Capitals, Flames and Oilers.

Tampa Bay Lightning = Consider

Games: 6 (3H/3A)

Favorable Matchups:

    – @ Toronto

        > 5^th worst defensive team

        > 3^rd worst penalty kill

        > Most shots allowed per game

    – @ Ottawa

        > 3^rd worst defensive team

        > 5^th worst penalty kill

        > 3^rd most shots allowed per game

    – vs. Ottawa

        > See above

It's only a matter of time before Steven Stamkos gets back into the swing of things and starts sniping opposing goalies with regularity.  As I was writing this, Stamkos was credited with his first points (goal and an assist) since his return from a broken leg.  Let the flood gates open!  Opponents like the Panthers, Maple Leafs and Senators (twice) will not only help Stamkos, but also will keep Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson rolling.

Washington Capitals = Beware

Games: 6 (3H/3A)

Unfavorable Matchups:

    – @ Los Angeles

        > Best defensive team

        > 3^rd fewest shots allowed per game

        > Allowed 11 goals in seven games since Olympic break (1.57 GAA)

    – @ San Jose

        > 4^th best defensive team

        > 6^th best penalty kill

        > 5^th fewest shots allowed per game

    – vs. Los Angeles

        > See above

The Capitals' offensive has dried up as of late with only five goals in their past four games, including being shutout twice (by Eastern Conference powerhouses Boston and Pittsburgh).  I wouldn't look for the Caps to turns things around in the next two weeks either.  Their next two games are manageable against Vancouver and Toronto, but that is followed by a West Coast trip through Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose.  Cap that off with a visit from the Kings and Washington could be knocked out of playoff contention after this three-game road trip.

New York Islanders = Avoid

Games: 5 (4H/1A)

Unfavorable Matchups:

    – vs. San Jose

        > See above

    – vs. Minnesota

        > 5^th best defensive team

        > 6^th fewest shots allowed per game

        > Darcy Kuemper has had two rough outings recently, but still sits with a 2.32 GAA and .920 SV%

Things are pretty bleak on the Island these days.  John Tavares is out for the season thanks to the Olympics.  Thomas Vanek is gone.  Charles Wang still owns the team and Garth Snow is trying to convince people that a conditional second round pick and a prospect is what they expected for Vanek.  Outside of Kyle Okposo, the Islanders are relying on some newcomers like Anders Lee and Brock Nelson to step up and produce.  The Isles are already the worst defensive club in the league, I wouldn't rely on their offense to do much either.  Sound familiar?  That's what I said last week.  Nothing's changed.  Oh, and they play the fewest games of any team over the next two weeks.

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.

Minnesota: Mikael Granlund (10%) – Six points in his past six games with a +2 and ten shots.  On a line with Zach Parise and Jason Pominville.  Fifth on the team in powerplay time per game.

Columbus: Nathan Horton (25%) – Three assists in his past four games alongside Brandon Dubinsky and Matt Calvert at even strength and the man advantage.  Fourth on the team in powerplay time.

Tampa Bay: Ondrej Palat (20%) – 11 points in nine games, dating back prior to the Olympics.  Six of those points are goals.  He's a +4 in that span and is currently skating with Valtteri Filppula and Ryan Callahan.

Chicago: Andrew Shaw (20%) – Four points in his past three games, including two goals, a +4 and ten shots.  Taking full advantage of his time with Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad as well as the #1 powerplay with Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp.

Nashville: Craig Smith (16%) – Three points in his past two games including goals in both contests.  +5 to go along with 12 shots in the same time!  Looks like he's enjoying Nashville without David Legwand around.

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, March 17^th through Sunday, March 23^rd

Monday: 8 teams

Tuesday: 24 teams

Wednesday: 8 teams

Thursday: 18 teams

Friday: 8 teams

Saturday: 22 teams

Sunday: 14 teams

Back to the usual schedule with Monday, Wednesday and Friday only having four games each.  Sunday has seven games and the rest have nine or more.

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