The best schedules in fantasy hockey for Week 18.
Considerable talent isn't enough to propel a player to fantasy greatness. The following four players are capable of becoming high-end lineup options, and each seems to be on the verge of taking his game to the next level. Let's take a look ahead at what fantasy owners can expect from these guys over the course of the next few weeks and months.
Ryan Strome, C/RW, New York Islanders – The longtime top prospect has been incredibly productive during the 2014-15 season despite limited ice time. Seeing less than 15 minutes of action per game, Strome has managed to total nine goals and 25 assists in 47 games. He's proven worthy of top-six minutes and significant power-play time alongside talented teammate and gifted playmaker John Tavares, but he has yet to be fully unleashed by coach Jack Capuano. However, a recent upper-body injury to fellow Islanders forward Kyle Okposo may be all Strome needs to receive more playing time and increase his offensive output. It looks like Okposo will miss about two months, so look for the Isles to lean on the former top-five prospect. Strome has the pedigree to be a fantasy star, and long-anticipated breakout appears imminent.
Evander Kane, LW, Winnipeg – Though he has appeared in 358 games (or the equivalent of almost four-and-a-half seasons), Kane is still just 23 years of age. The Winnipeg forward has been on the cusp of stardom for what seems like forever, but he has failed to take his game to the next level. Kane did total 30 goals and 57 points in his age-20 season, so he is capable of being a fantasy force. Is this the year? Healthy (again) after a lower-body injury kept him out of the lineup for a couple of weeks around the beginning January, Kane has totaled seven points in his last seven games. It's highly doubtful he's suddenly turned into a point-per-game player, but Kane is still getting better as a player. Nagging injuries are always a concern with Kane, but if he can stay on the ice, the gifted winger is going to be a major weapon down the stretch this season. The buy-low window is closing… fast.
Tampa Bay 2.65 – three games – STL, DAL and LAK
Monday, February 2 to Sunday, February 8
Best Bets
San Jose 4.34 – four games – EDM, CGY, VAN and CAR
New York Rangers 4.20 – four games – FLA, BOS, NSH and DAL
New York Rangers 4.15 – four games – FLA, PHI, BOS and BUF
Nashville 4.14 – four games – TOR, ANA, NYR and FLA
Dallas 4.09 – four games – COL, TBL, BUF and NYR
Steer Clear
Minnesota 1.89 – two games – CHI and COL
Detroit 1.95 – two games – COL and ARI
Philadelphia 2.05 – two games – NYI and WAS
Carolina 2.80 – three games – all on road
Chicago 2.80 – three games – all on road
Tuesday, February 3 to Monday, February 9
Best Bets
San Jose 4.45 – four games – CGYx2, VAN and CAR
New Jersey 4.31 – four games – OTT, TOR, MTL and EDM
New York Islanders 4.15 – four games – FLA, PHI, BOS and BUF
Nashville 4.14 – four games – TOR, ANA, NYR and FLA
Dallas 4.09 – four games – COL, TBL, BUF and NYR
Steer Clear
Detroit 1.95 – two games – COL and ARI
Philadelphia 2.05 – two games – NYI and WAS
Carolina 2.80 – three games – all on road
Calgary 2.85 – three games – SJSx2 and PIT
Winnipeg 2.94 – three games – VAN, CHI and COL
Wednesday, February 4 to Tuesday, February 10
Best Bets
San Jose 4.45 – four games – CGYx2, VAN and CAR
Boston 4.16 – four games – NYR, NYI, MTL and DAL
Buffalo 4.15 – four games – all at home
St. Louis 4.09 – four games – BUF, CBJ, CHI and ARI
Nashville 4.09 – four games – ANA, NYR, FLA and TBL
Steer Clear
Carolina 1.95 – two games – ARI and SJS
Detroit 1.95 – two games – COL and ARI
Columbus 2.78 – three games – STL, OTT and LAK
Calgary 2.85 – three games – SJSx2 and PIT
Vancouver 2.89 – three games – SJS, PIT and MIN
Thursday, February 5 to Wednesday, February 11
Best Bets
San Jose 4.41 – four games – VAN, CAR, CGY and WAS
Chicago 4.16 – four games – WPG, STL, ARI and VAN
Buffalo 4.15 – four games – all at home
St. Louis 4.09 – four games – BUF, CBJ, CHI and ARI
Nashville 4.09 – four games – ANA, NYR, FLA and TBL
Steer Clear
Calgary 1.85 – two games – PIT and SJS
Carolina 1.95 – two games – ARI and SJS
Columbus 2.78 – three games – STL, OTT and LAK
Detroit 2.80 – three games – all on road
Florida 2.94 – three games – LAK, NSH and ANA
Related Posts
UPCOMING GAMES
Starting Goalies
Top Skater Views
| Players | Team | |
|---|---|---|
| TREVOR ZEGRAS |
 PHI | |
| RYAN POEHLING |
 ANA | |
| BROCK BOESER |
 VAN | |
| MARCO KASPER |
 DET | |
| JJ PETERKA |
 BUF
| |
Top Goalie Profile Views
MIN
LINE COMBOS
| Frequency |
 NYR Players
| |
|---|---|---|
| 21.4 | VINCENT TROCHECK GABE PERREAULT ARTEMI PANARIN | |
| 19.8 | MATT REMPE SAM CARRICK JONNY BRODZINSKI | |
| 18.7 | MIKA ZIBANEJAD CHRIS KREIDER WILL CUYLLE | |
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