Looking Ahead 2014: Week Eight

steve laidlaw

2014-11-21

MikkelBoedker

 

Looking ahead at some of the more favourable schedules in fantasy hockey for Week Eight.

 

There are no guarantees in fantasy hockey, but a pair of tried and true strategies will always pay off in the long haul:

  • Bet on the best combination of talent and opportunity to achieve the desired level of production you are looking for from your roster. Talent means nothing without opportunity, and vice-versa.
  • Focus on the process by which you make roster decisions, as opposed to the results they yield. Long-term success is not attainable without the knowledge of why you were successful in the short term.

 

With that in mind, let's take a look ahead at some teams and players to target or avoid in the coming week or so:

 

Love 'Em (These squads are the best bet to produce for fantasy owners)

 

St. Louis – There's quite a bit to like about St. Louis's schedule over the course of the next week or 10 days. The Blues will take on the Ottawa twice (Saturday, Nov. 22 and Tuesday, Nov. 25). The Senators lack defensive depth and are a middle-of-the-road squad in terms of goals allowed on the season. Matchups against Winnipeg (Sunday, Nov. 23) and Edmonton (Friday, Nov. 28) could also yield fantasy-friendly results.

 

Pittsburgh – The Penguins have the good fortune of taking on the perpetually overwhelmed and always underwhelming Carolina Hurricanes in consecutive nights this coming week. In addition, they will also host the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs. There's not much else to say here other than feel free to fire up any and all fantasy-relevant Pens for the foreseeable future. Production is inevitable.

 

Leave 'Em (These squads will leave fantasy owners sorely disappointed for the immediate future)

 

Toronto – The Leafs have been an unmitigated disaster on the ice as of late. Over a recent three-game stretch, embattled coach Randy Carlyle's squad was outscored 17-5 in losses to Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Nashville. Now the squad will play to just two games between Friday, Nov. 21 and the following Friday, Nov. 28 (home against Detroit and on the road against the aforementioned Penguins. To make matters worse, the Leafs will take the ice for just three contests between the 21st and 29th. A lack of recent production and a lack of upcoming opportunities to turn things around make Toronto a team to avoid in the short term.

 

Chicago – This is by no means an indictment of the Blackhawks or their ability to provide fantasy-friendly numbers. It's just that Chicago will be out west on a road trip this coming week, and the team will be tested with tough road matchups against Anaheim and Los Angeles on consecutive nights. That's a tall task for any team. And while it should not prevent fantasy owners from leaning on the Blackhawks, they should keep their expectations in check.

 

Bet On 'Em (These players are owned in 25 percent of Yahoo leagues or less and may be worth a look)

 

Antoine Roussel, LW, Dallas (Available in 76 percent of Yahoo leagues) Power-play ice time is difficult to come by on the Stars, a team blessed with a bevy of offensive-oriented skaters. Despite seeing just about a minute of action per game on the man advantage, Roussel has established himself as a useful fantasy asset in all but the shallowest of leagues. The soon-to-be 25-year-old Frenchman could flirt with 20 or 25 goals in his third season in the NHL. His role with the team doesn't suggest he'll become a high-end winger to covet, but fantasy owners can take solace in the fact that his all-around contributions and ability to drive possession for his team will ensure he continues to see a considerable amount of action for Dallas.

 

Toronto 1.91 – two games – PIT and WAS

Boston 2.10 – two games – PIT and WPG

Tampa Bay 2.10 – two games – NYR and OTT

San Jose 2.15 – two games – CGY and ANA

Edmonton 2.76 – three games – all on road

Monday, November 24 to Sunday, November 30

Best Bets

New York Islanders 4.21 – four games – three at home

St. Louis 4.20 – four games – WPG, OTT, EDM and MIN

Anaheim – 4.16 – four games – three at home

Pittsburgh 4.06 – four games – BOS, TOR and CARx2

New York Rangers 4.00 – four games – MTL, TBL and PHIx2

Steer Clear

Tampa Bay 2.10 – two games – NYR and OTT

Toronto 1.91 – two games – PIT and WAS

San Jose 2.15 – two games – CGY and ANA

Boston 2.10 – two games – PIT and WPG

Edmonton 2.76 – three games – all on road

Tuesday, November 25 to Monday, December 1

Best Bets

Columbus 4.52 – four games – three at home

New York Rangers – 4.00 – four games – TBLx2 and PHIx2

Anaheim 3.95 – four games – three at home

Colorado 4.09 – four games – three at home

Edmonton 3.91 – four games – DAL, NSH, STL and ARI

Steer Clear

Toronto 1.91 – two games – PIT and WAS

Boston 2.01 – two games – WPG and ANA

San Jose 2.15 – three games – COL, ANA and LAK

Chicago 2.57 – three games – COL, ANA and LAK

Minnesota 2.74 – three games – LAK, DAL and STL

Wednesday, November 26 to Tuesday, December 2

Best Bets

Detroit 4.46 – four games – three at home

Pittsburgh 4.36 – four games – three at home

Buffalo – 4.31 – four games – three at home

New York Islanders 4.26 – four games – three at home

Washington 4.25 – four games – NYIx2, TOR and VAN

Steer Clear

Winnipeg 2.00 – two games – both on road

St. Louis 2.05 – two games – EDM and MIN

Chicago 2.57 – three games – all on road

Minnesota 2.74 – three games – LAK, DAL and STL

Anaheim 2.74 – three games – CHI, SJS and BOS

Thursday, November 27 to Wednesday, December 3

Best Bets

Montreal 4.25 – four games – BUFx2, COL and MIN

Edmonton 4.01 – four games – NSH, STL, ARI and WPG

Anaheim – 3.79 – four games – CHI, SJS, BOS and PHI

Philadelphia 3.66 – four games – NYRx2, SJS and ANA

Washington 4.25 – four games – NYIx2, TOR and VAN

Steer Clear

Los Angeles 1.84 – two games – CHI and BOS

Winnipeg 1.96 – two games – BOS and EDM

San Jose 2.00 – two games – ANA and PHI

Toronto 2.10 – two games – WAS and DAL

Colorado 2.15 – two games – DAL and MTL

 

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Mar 29 - 19:03 BUF vs N.J

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