A Roto-Look Ahead – Week 17
Tom Reeve
2009-01-23
Many fantasy pools have their playoffs the last few weeks of the regular season. Over the next few weeks I would like to address the 'playoff' schedule a few times. I want the analysis to be tailored to your rules, your formats, yours teams and your concerns so please post your playoff schedule questions in the 'Article Feedback' forum.
The first question is from metaldude26 and the dude was asking if going into the final four weeks of the season going with Loungo and Miller is a good bet given the team's final schedule. The answer is they should provide a great duo as Vancouver has one of the strongest schedules with 14 games in the final four weeks and Buffalo is in the middle of the pack with 13 games. In terms of goalie starts both teams only have one set of back-to-back games. If you did want to pick up a third goalie the Flames (good luck) would be your best bet for minimizing conflicts as Vancouver, Buffalo and Calgary only play on the same night once in those final four weeks. Minnesota, St. Louis and Nashville conflict only twice with Buffalo and Vancouver so they are also a good bet for getting the most games out of three goalies with two roster spots.
Second question is from kytmagic who is looking at a first round bye but is concerned about the third to last week of the season (March 23 to March 29) and wants to know which team's schedules are looking strong that week. Twelve teams play four games that week and taking into account their opponents the best of the group are Blue Jackets, Red Wings, Panthers, Canucks or Ducks. On the other end definitely worry if you are relying too heavily on players from the Capitals, Bruins, Penguins or Coyotes to carry you through the round as they only play two games.
Looking at a team's schedule may help your chances of finding a good injury replacement. Here are some of the high and low ratings for teams over a two, three and four week period starting January 23, 2009. The rating is shown in brackets.
Two weeks
High ratings: Bruins (5.79), Senators (5.77), Panthers (5.64)
Low ratings: Kings (3.70), Canucks (2.94)
Three weeks
High ratings: Red Wings (9.36), Predators (9.07), Canadiens (9.05), Lightning (9.02)
Low ratings: Capitals (6.57), Blackhawks (6.46), Canucks (5.98)
Four weeks
High ratings: Blue Jackets (13.22), Predators (13.17)
Low ratings: Ducks (9.81), Capitals (9.51)
Friday, January 23, 2009 to Thursday, January 29, 2009 | ||||||
Best Bets | ||||||
Thrashers, Stars, Red Wings, Panthers – play two games | ||||||
Avalanche, Rangers, Senators, Hurricanes – play two games | ||||||
Sharks, Canadiens, Bruins, Sabres – play two games | ||||||
Lightning, Ducks, Coyotes – play two games | ||||||
Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Devils – play two games | ||||||
Steer Clear | ||||||
Wild, Islanders, Oilers – play one game | ||||||
Flames, Canucks, Blues – play one game | ||||||
Blue Jackets, Flyers – play one game | ||||||
Penguins, Kings – play one game | ||||||
Predators, Capitals – play one game | ||||||
Saturday, January 24, 2009 to Friday January 30, 2009 | ||||||
Best Bets | ||||||
Lightning – play three games | ||||||
Senators – play three games | ||||||
Devils – play three games | ||||||
0 | ||||||
0 | ||||||
Steer Clear | ||||||
Islanders – play one game | ||||||
Canucks – play one game | ||||||
Blues – play one game | ||||||
Kings – play one game | ||||||
Capitals – play one game | ||||||
Sunday, January 25, 2009 to Saturday January 31, 2009 | ||||||
Best Bets | ||||||
Columbus 3.36 – three home games DET, OTT, DAL | ||||||
Atlanta 3.35 – three games DAL, NYI, CAR | ||||||
Carolina 3.27 – three games NYR, TB, ATL | ||||||
Florida 3.24 – three games PHI, MTL, NYI | ||||||
Dallas 3.16 – three games ATL, DET, CBJ | ||||||
Steer Clear | ||||||
Los Angeles 1.80 – two games CHI, MTL | ||||||
Nashville 1.81 – two games VAN, CGY | ||||||
Washington 1.81 – two games BOS, DET | ||||||
Vancouver 1.89 – two games NAS, EDM | ||||||
Edmonton 1.89 – two games BUF, MIN | ||||||
Monday, January 26, 2009 to Sunday February 1, 2009 | ||||||
Best Bets | ||||||
Ottawa 3.39 – four games NJ, STL, CBJ, WAS | ||||||
Boston 3.80 – four games WAS, NJ, NYR, MTL | ||||||
Montreal 3.78 – four games TB, FLA, LA, BOS | ||||||
Columbus 3.36 – three home games DET, OTT, DAL | ||||||
Atlanta 3.35 – three games DAL, NYI, CAR | ||||||
Steer Clear | ||||||
Los Angeles 1.80 – two games CHI, MTL | ||||||
Vancouver 1.89 – two games NAS, MIN | ||||||
Calgary 2.10 – two games BUF, NAS | ||||||
NY Islanders 2.19 – two games ATL, FLA | ||||||
St. Louis 2.21 – two games OTT, PHI | ||||||
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 to Monday February 2, 2009 | ||||||
Best Bets | ||||||
Detroit 4.42 – four games CBJ, DAL, WAS, STL | ||||||
Ottawa 3.39 – four games NJ, STL, CBJ, WAS | ||||||
Anaheim 3.90 – four games PHX, CHI, COL, BUF | ||||||
Colorado 4.20 – four games SJ, TOR, ANA, CGY | ||||||
Buffalo 3.80 – four road games EDM, CGY, PHX, ANA | ||||||
Steer Clear | ||||||
Los Angeles 1.80 – two games CHI, MTL | ||||||
Vancouver 1.89 – two games NAS, MIN | ||||||
NY Islanders 2.19 – two games ATL, FLA | ||||||
Chicago 2.57 – three road games ANA, LA, SJ | ||||||
Nashville 2.76 – three road games VAN, CGY, EDM | ||||||
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 to Tuesday February 3, 2009 | ||||||
Best Bets | ||||||
Calgary 4.19 – four games BUF, NAS, COL, DAL | ||||||
St. Louis 4.11 – four games OTT, PHI, DET, CBJ | ||||||
Ottawa 3.99 – four games STL, CBJ, WAS, LA | ||||||
Montreal 3.89 – four games FLA, LA, BOS, PIT | ||||||
Nashville 3.81 – four games VAN, CGY, EDM, PHX | ||||||
Steer Clear | ||||||
Minnesota 1.81 – two games EDM, VAN | ||||||
San Jose 2.00 – two games PHX, CHI | ||||||
Philadelphia 2.19 – two games TB, STL | ||||||
Boston 2.75 – three games NJ, NYR, MTL | ||||||
Los Angeles 2.75 – three games CHI, MTL, OTT | ||||||
Thursday, January 29, 2009 to Wednesday February 4, 2009 | ||||||
Best Bets | ||||||
Detroit 4.52 – four games DAL, WAS, STL, PHX | ||||||
Tampa Bay 4.29 – four games CAR, PHI, NYI, PIT | ||||||
Toronto 4.11 – four games COL, PIT, FLA, BUF | ||||||
St. Louis 4.11 – four games OTT, PHI, DET, CBJ | ||||||
Pittsburgh 4.01 – four games NJ, TOR, MTL, TB | ||||||
Steer Clear | ||||||
Vancouver 1.89 – two games MIN, CAR | ||||||
San Jose 2.00 – two games PHX, CHI | ||||||
NY Rangers 2.02 – two games BOS, ATL | ||||||
Chicago 2.57 – three games LA, SJ, EDM | ||||||
Los Angeles 2.75 – three games CHI, MTL, OTT | ||||||
Friday, January 30, 2009 to Thursday, February 5, 2009 | ||||||
Best Bets | ||||||
St. Louis 4.11 – four games PHI, DET, CBJ, EDM | ||||||
Calgary 4.09 – four games NAS, COL, DAL, CHI | ||||||
Pittsburgh 4.01 – four games NJ, TOR, MTL, TB | ||||||
Nashville 4.00 – four games CGY, EDM, PHX, ANA | ||||||
Edmonton 3.98 – four games MIN, NAS, CHI, STL | ||||||
Steer Clear | ||||||
Atlanta 1.81 – two games CAR, NYR | ||||||
Vancouver 1.89 – two games MIN, CAR | ||||||
San Jose 2.00 – two games PHX, CHI | ||||||
NY Rangers 2.02 – two games BOS, ATL | ||||||
New Jersey 2.21 – two games PIT, WAS | ||||||
Saturday, January 31, 2009 to Friday February 6, 2009 | ||||||
Best Bets | ||||||
Pittsburgh 4.20 – four games TOR, MTL, TB, CBJ | ||||||
Buffalo 4.11 – four games PHX, ANA, TOR, MTL | ||||||
St. Louis 4.11 – four games PHI, DET, CBJ, EDM | ||||||
Washington 3.90 – four games DET, OTT, NJ, LA | ||||||
Dallas 3.90 – four games CBJ, CGY, COL, NYR | ||||||
Steer Clear | ||||||
Vancouver 1.89 – two games MIN, CAR | ||||||
Philadelphia 1.98 – two games STL, BOS | ||||||
San Jose 2.00 – two games PHX, CHI | ||||||
Tampa Bay 2.19 – two games NYI, PIT | ||||||
New Jersey 2.19 – two games WAS, ATL | ||||||
Sunday, February 1, 2009 to Saturday February 7, 2009 | ||||||
Best Bets | ||||||
Montreal 4.21 – four games BOS, PIT, BUF, TOR | ||||||
Buffalo 4.11 – four games ANA, TOR, MTL, OTT | ||||||
Edmonton 4.09 – four games NAS, CHI, STL, DET | ||||||
Calgary 4.09 – four games COL, DAL, CHI, ANA | ||||||
Boston 4.01 – four games MTL, PHI, OTT, PHI | ||||||
Steer Clear | ||||||
Philadelphia 1.60 – two games BOS, BOS | ||||||
Atlanta 1.80 – two games NYR, NJ | ||||||
Vancouver 2.00 – two games CAR, CHI | ||||||
San Jose 2.00 – two games CAR, CBJ | ||||||
Minnesota 2.10 – two games ANA, NAS |