Welcome back all! We're coming right down to the wire here in fantasy with many leagues out there. If you're league is like mine there's a couple teams at the top, couple at the bottom, and a log jam of clubs between the three and seven spot. Every week matters, of course, but these are the matchups that can really determine a season. Let's dive on in and see what we got cooking this week.

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

Max Pacioretty, LW, Washington Capitals (Rostered in 5% of ESPN leagues, 42% Fantrax, 12% Yahoo) – Okay so this is the Immediate Fix of all Immediate Fixes, and it's Max Pacioretty. There's some pros and cons to this one but follow me here.  

Pacioretty had a slow February, with his last goal prior to Sunday coming back on January 3. However, his assist rates climbed over the past week, which might mean that we're catching ligtning in a bottle. Pacioretty contributed a goal in each of Washington's back-to-back games this past Monday and Tuesday, so maybe this is a sign here that the 35-year-old winger might be starting to heat up after seasons of coming back from injury.  

So, we have a check mark here for playing well, but a short-term advantage comes in the form of Washington's schedule. They'll play today (Friday) as one of three games on the slate against the Flyers and Sunday against an Arizona team that I think had its last win in regulation sometime in 2023. If you have a roster that's in need of a winger, then I think Pacioretty might be a solid addition if your matchup is close.

If you do make this add, there is some buyer beware. Ice time is a little on the low side and if you're reading this then you've probably read previous Looking Aheads and know just how I feel about rostering Capitals. I would also only look at this add for the rest of this week as the Caps are only on the schedule twice next week. Still, Pacioretty is a player that I've always been a fan of and would make sure to have him on my draft sheet in years past. He might just be a lower rostered option for those that need scoring to close out the week. 

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

Gustav Nyquist, RW, Nashville Predators (Rostered in 25% of ESPN leagues, 53% Fantrax, 32% Yahoo) – Before we talk all things Gustav Nyquist, I need to share with you all a tale of roster construction that might help you someday. So, I have an umm friend, who wanted to add Nyquist to their fantasy league. This friend was about to head out for the day and thought to themselves that they'll add Nyquist later in the afternoon. When myse- I, I mean my friend went to make the add, Nyquist was nowhere to be seen on waivers. Claimed just one minute before. Moral of the story, if you have a player you want to add, make the add/drop and don't wait! Unless you're driving, then wait.

Anyway, back to Nyquist. What am I missing here when it comes to this player? 25% rostered over on ESPN, 32% on Yahoo, and a little over half on Fantrax. I get it, he's a player that I don't think most had on their draft board to start the year, but he's been fantastic for the Predators so far this season as well as a nice fantasy player to have. He's on the top line for Nashville across from Filip Forsberg, and skates with that line at even strength and on the power play for full correlation. I'm in four different leagues and just scanning the waivers he'd be the best option in most cases.

Nyquist has six points in his last four games and is on pace for a 66-point season, which again, I don't think any of us saw coming. He also has decent average time on ice around 17:30, and that hasn't wavered much over the season. If there's a player that can potentially help that's available in most leagues out there, Nyquist makes a great option.

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

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Florida Panthers (Rostered in 25% of ESPN leagues, 61% Fantrax, 27% Yahoo) – I had a tough time finding an Odd Man Out for this week but settled on Ekman-Larsson. This could have something to do with potentially how he'll be deployed for Florida the rest of the season.

No points in his last 11 games played, not great along with not much shooting and hits/blocks to go along with the lack of offense. I think as well with Brandon Montour returning to the lineup, there's not as much time on special teams, which we don't like to see for fantasy. Okay so that's the bad and maybe not too bleak when we look at where he potentially still has some value.

First bit of value here is that he plays for the Panthers who it seems like night in, and night out bulldoze right through whoever they're facing. Sure, that doesn't sometimes lead to fantasy value, but I'd rather have a player in fantasy on a good team than one that may be struggling. Also have to take a look around the waivers for defenseman and its slim pickings out there in a majority of leagues. If you're rostering him now, I think you can hold onto him for the time being, but if there's options elsewhere, he would be the player that I would look to move.

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

Logan Cooley, C, Arizona Coyotes (Rostered in 48% of ESPN leagues, 62%, Fantrax, 14% Yahoo) – Logan Cooley and the Yotes were a fun story at the start of the season, and I even had him on my watchlist in my main league. That was October though, as now Cooley and the Coyotes have really started to falter.

I know I've said this in the past, but I'm very hestiant in rostering rookies in fantasy and it's for the reason that we're seeing now with Cooley. No points in his last five games played and has seen his ice time seriously slide the past month. Most rookies have a rough patch at some point, and that's just what we're seeing from Cooley now.

Now if you're in dynasty, obviously disregard as Cooley could be a real special player for you down the road. But for yearly fantasy, how much would rostering him throughout the remainder of the season into fantasy playoffs really help?

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

This period runs through March 1– March 13

Arizona – Yes, I know it's Arizona here, but the analyzer loves them throughout this period of time. Two games against Chicago helps along with a solid number of games on the schedule upcoming have them as a Love 'Em.

Los Angeles – We love a good homestand here as the Kings will start a five-game homestand on Sunday.

Pittsburgh – I actually like the Pens upcoming schedule with games at home against Columbus and Washington at home.

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

Tampa Bay – Tampa is one of the higher rostered clubs in fantasy. With only two games for them on the schedule next week, it will make it harder to fill a roster in many leagues. They're a Leave 'Em for this week.  

NY Rangers – Another week for the Rangers as a Leave 'Em with only games on Monday and Saturday next week.

Washington – The Caps have a game against Chicago on Saturday, which is great. But they have only two games next week.

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