All fantasy owners need help in the short term AND the long term. The Looking Ahead feature identifies one player to plug into lineups in the short term, a second to invest in for the long term, a third to bench for the coming week, and a fourth who will struggle to meet expectations for some time. All players discussed are selected based on their upcoming schedule. Stats in this article updated through March 27^th

Author’s note: this is the last Looking Ahead for the year, hopefully it came in handy and you win your seasons!

The Immediate Fix (Grab this guy and use him for the next several days)

Alexander Steen, RW, St. Louis Blues (Available in 60 percent of Yahoo! Leagues) – With the Blues having an excellent finishing schedule (see below), Steen is a strong add at this point thanks to getting moved away from the Schenn/Schwartz duo. Since Vladimir Tarasenko has come back from injury and moved Steen down to the second line, Steen’s feasted on lesser opposition to the tune of 2G-3A in his last six, and he’s played more than 19 minutes in five of those six. He still gets top power play time on the point and is a strong peripheral player; for those pushing for a championship and losing someone like Johnny Gaudreau, Steen is a more-than-adequate replacement.

Since this is the last Looking Ahead of the season, BONUS IMMEDIATE FIX: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is only 42% owned, and since moving up to play wing beside Connor McDavid, has scored 2G-5A in six games. If he’s available, he’s the C to pick up.

The Building Block (Buy now, sit back and enjoy the production)

Ryan Donato, LW, Boston Bruins (Available in 85 percent of Yahoo! Leagues) – The rare NCAA draft pick who makes the mid-year jump to the NHL and finds immediate success, Donato both has the talent to succeed as a fantasy asset as well as have the opportunity to succeed – a crucial factor. Donato plays even strength alongside David Krecji and a rotating cast of wingers which will eventually be Rick Nash or Jake DeBrusk, but importantly he’s been slotted into the first power play of a potent Bruins team. Since joining the Bs, Donato has put up 3G-2A (including two PPP) in six games and has fired 16SOG; Donato AVERAGED six shots per game in the NCAA, so expect that shot volume to keep up. He’s a great add for a stretch run but is also a necessary add for deep keeper leagues.

The Odd Man Out (His short-term value is cause for concern)

John Klingberg, D, Dallas Stars (Owned in 95 percent of Yahoo! Leagues) – The Stars’ remaining schedule is horrible (see below), and Klingberg hasn’t been producing as his regular pace since February. In his last ten games, Klingberg has five points (all assists) – which is great for a defenseman! – but his matchups that are left should continue to keep his scoring down. Expect the Stars to try out Julius Honka and Esa Lindell on the power play now that they’re officially eliminated, so shelve Klingberg the rest of the way.

The Anchors (They’ll do nothing but disappoint even over the long haul)

Duncan Keith, D, Chicago Blackhawks (Owned in 80 percent of Yahoo! Leagues) – It may be time to officially give up the cost on Duncan Keith, especially for those not in keeper leagues. If you’ve made it this far with Keith and his 31 points and are STILL contending, congratulations! While it’s never a good idea to recommend dropping someone who’s hitting career lows in shooting percentage, the team around Keith is a far cry from what it used to be, made clear by the ‘Hawks having the 28^th-ranked power play. Unless he gets moved for salary purposes, keeper owners should be looking long and hard at biting the bullet on Keith – the return off a horrible year wouldn’t retrieve much – and season-long owners need to make this move two months ago.

Love ‘Em (These squads are sure to pay dividends in the coming days)

St. Louis – The Bluenotes have six games left in their push for the playoffs and are winners of six straight which includes four games where they scored three or more goals; three or more shouldn’t jump off the page, but considering they only accomplished that four times in February, that’s a big step. During this streak they’ve also racked up shot volume (38+ in all six wins), and their upcoming schedule sees Chicago twice, Arizona, Washington, Colorado, and Vegas.

Toronto – With Auston Matthews back the Leafs again have three competent scoring lines, and a great schedule to close out the year: at the Islanders and Devils – two free-skating teams that are prone to high-event hockey, and home against the Jets, Sabres and Canadiens. Only the Devils and Jets are making the playoffs of those five, and only the Jets are a strong defensive match that could hurt fantasy owners.

Florida – Although their six games left aren’t all going to be easy – three of them come against the Bruins – Florida is an offensive firepower, and every game is a must-win for them down the stretch. Their other three games come against Carolina, Nashville and Buffalo, all at home. Since flipping the calendar from February to March, the Panthers haven’t taken less than 30SOG in a game, and have scored less than three goals only three times (15GP).

Leave ‘Em (These squads will leave fantasy owners sorely disappointed in the short term)

Calgary – It doesn’t really matter how many games the Flames have left at this point, because their current roster without Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau is not a good one to put it mildly. With a top line of Sam Bennett, Mikael Backlund and Troy Brouwer, the Flames have put up three goals in five games and been shut out three times; just put any remaining Flames on the bench of waiver wire.

Chicago – The Blackhawks’ four remaining games allow them to play spoiler, but there’s nothing easy about them: at Colorado, at St. Louis, home vs. St. Louis, and they finish the season on a travelling back-to-back against Winnipeg. That’s three games against two of the best defensive teams in the league – Winnipeg and St. Louis are 5^th and 4^th-best in terms of Goals Allowed – which isn’t a recipe for fantasy success.

Dallas – With four games remaining and three on the road, the Stars are limping to the finish line this year and should be avoided. While the Big 3 of Benn, Seguin and Radulov are always going to be above replacement level and shouldn’t be benched, the Stars remaining games are against Minnesota at home, and then SJ/LA/Anaheim in California to finish their season.