We're back and it's officially the best time of the fantasy season. For most leagues out there, this is the last week of the regular season before the playoffs begin which means that there's going to be those teams out there on the bubble, and those jockeying for position. Whether you're looking to secure a bye or just get in, this week's Looking Ahead is all about getting into playoffs and making some noise once you're in.

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

Nino Niederreiter, LW, Winnipeg Jets (Rostered in 33% of ESPN leagues, 49% Fantrax, 29% Yahoo) – The Jets have everything we could want in an Immediate Fix this week. They play on both Saturday and Sunday as well as four times next week. It was easy to decide who is a potential addition and that's El Niño, Nino Niederreiter.

I was curious what the Jets were going to do around the trade deadline and thought that they would look more for some size on the backend but once the trade was announced to acquire Niederreiter, I thought it made a lot of sense for what he brings to the table. He shoots the puck and brings physicality to his game. This is music to our ears for fantasy and the reason I've rostered Niederreiter on every stop of his career.

Along with the schedule being extremely favorable, Niederreiter's play has been great since coming over to Winnipeg. In five games played he has four points and 13 shots to go along with hits. Not only has his play been great but he's skating along Winnipeg's top line with Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, and top power play mercifully taking Blake Wheeler's spot on the top unit. Niederreiter hit a stretch in January where he was fantastic for fantasy and that was skating along a Nashville like with Mikael Granlund and Cody Glass, I can only imagine he'll be even better in his new role with the Jets.

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

Rasmus Sandin, D, Washington Capitals (Rostered in 11% of ESPN leagues, 62% Fantrax, 41% Yahoo) – Coincidentally another player on a new club, Rasmus Sandin has raised some eyebrows lately since coming over from Toronto.

This isn't a dig at all at the Leafs, really it's not. Sandin was in a much different role in Toronto and although he'd seen some time quarterbacking a powerplay, his play has fit more with the Capitals so far. Going back to before the trade and including his two games so far with the Capitals, Sandin has nine points in five games, and I think makes for an interesting addition moving forward. We've hit that point in the fantasy season were looking for a defenseman on the waiver wire can be a tedious task to say the very least so when we have an opportunity to find value there I think it's worth taking a chance on.

With John Carlson still out for Washington and the Capitals d-core being what it is, it's extremely likely that Sandin is on the Capitals top pair and gets all of the top power play minutes. The Capitals power play isn't as lethal as it's been in season's past and I think that partially has to do with players for them going in and out of the lineup, but for Sandin this could be a very good fantasy spot. For DFS, I don't usually play much from Washington, but he'll likely be a cheaper option to pair with an Alex Ovechkin one-off or a two-man of Ovechkin and Anthony Mantha…which I am very curious how that duo looks together.

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

Andrew Mangiapane, LW/RW, Calgary Flames (Rostered in 45% of ESPN leagues, 52% of Fantrax, 35% Yahoo) – We have a trade and call up casualty and that goes to Andrew Mangiapane. For those in larger leagues I think he still holds some value but those with smaller benches you may have a decision to make come fantasy playoffs.

With Jakob Pelletier receiving top power play time and Nick or Brett Ritchie (it's Nick but have to laugh there), Mangiapane finds himself as an odd-man out and that's sort of been the case all season. Last season Mangiapane was a second line player who got a boost from the Tyler Tiffoli trade while this season he's seen less and less power play time while playing on Calgary's bottom six. Make no mistake about it, the Flames third line has been excellent this season and a personal filler stack favorite in DFS, but that's not exactly where you're hoping that fantasy production can come from.   

The Flames as a club are still shooting the lights out with the second most shots on goal since January first, but the goals themselves have been harder to come by. Given the roster numbers that Mangiapane has I think he may be first on the chopping block if you're in between two players as we move into fantasy playoffs.  

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

Pierre-Luc Dubois, C, Winnipeg Jets (Rostered in 94% of ESPN leagues, 97% Fantrax, 85% Yahoo) – I know above on the Immediate Fix I talked about Winnipeg and how good of a spot they'll be in moving forward, and although that's true, we have an injury that could hinder that for one of Winnipeg's better forwards.

Pierre-Luc Dubois sustained an upper-body injury in Monday's game against the Sharks and while he's just listed as "Out" and not placed on IR, I think there's some concern here. The Jets announced that Dubois will not be traveling with the club on their upcoming three-game road trip which means that even if he is healthy when they return, that won't be until at the very least next Thursday when the Jets return home to play the Bruins. That could be make or break, and if his injury is more severe and lingers into next week, I think there's a world where he's shutdown even longer to get healthy before the NHL playoffs get underway.   

This is a tough situation, if you have the IR space and can afford an add this week, I think potentially stashing him there makes some sense. I will say though, if you're in a playoff matchup it's do or die and there's nothing more frustrating than waiting on injury news to determine your roster. Believe me, I rostered Max Pacioretty when he played for Vegas.

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

This period runs through March 10^th to March 22^nd

Tampa Bay – Tampa has a very busy schedule upcoming, which is fantastic given how higher rostered as a club they are. The Bolts will see New Jersey three times next week, a little bit of a schedule quirk there but we'll take it. I wouldn't be surprised if both sides mix and match their lines to prepare for playoffs but for now Tampa is a Love Em.

Nashville – Even if it is Nashville, we love games played and we love homestands. Nashville will be in action twice over the weekend and then start a three game homestand next week.

Calgary – Is a decent start by Jacob Markstrom on Tuesday what turns this club around? The Flames have a very favorable schedule starting tonight against Anaheim followed by games against Ottawa, Arizona, and Vegas. The Knights do always pose a challenge, but we'll have to see just what they're goaltending situation looks like next week.

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

Florida – Only two games on the horizon next week for the Panthers and that's not great news as they are one of the highest rostered teams in fantasy. Not having Florida on the schedule next week possess problems to put a roster together, they're a Leave 'Em for now.

Detroit – Through their lines and in net, the Red Wings aren't as higher rostered as Florida, but they do pose the same issue with only playing twice next week. As an added bonus they have a home-and-home against Boston this weekend, a tough task for any club in the NHL.

Carolina – Carolina has been excellent over the past couple of months and there's no reason they could be slowing down now, but they do have a tougher schedule upcoming. They'll be at home against Winnipeg, then have a back-to-back road swing in Toronto and Philadelphia. Sure, it’s the Flyers, but back-to-back on the road is never easy.

*For continued fantasy news and notes, follow me on Twitter @ndySanz.