Schedule Analysis: Four-Game Flurry

With the busiest week (106 games) remaining ahead, more than half of the NHL has four tilts this week.

Back-to-Back Jacks
Armed with a surging in-season steal (Devan Dubnyk), head coach Mike Yeo has been the least likely to follow traditional goaltender percentages. Despite this basic truth, with two back-to-back occurrences this week, it's very likely Dubnyk's streak of 30 straight starts comes to an end. Question is, who will play (Darcy Kuemper or Niklas Backstrom) and will anyone recognize them?

Considering Yeo has been alternating Backstrom and Kuemper as Dubnyk's back-up lately, perhaps the trip up to the press box has been to help each avoid splinters, who knows. Either way, your guess is as good as mine as to who has the upper hand to one, two or possibly even zero nods this week. Drop us a line Yeo, because sharing is caring.

Minnesota has enjoyed success against of this week's opponents, except for sputtering Los Angeles. Charlie Coyle and Jonas Brodin each had a pair of points against the Blues on Saturday while Justin Fontaine had a career night. As for Zach Parise, he seems fine. Combined record of 4-2 against this week's opponents.

Four Aces
Because more than half (17 teams) the league will play a four-game schedule this week, let's find a trend to give you the man advantage on this week's playoff opponent or standings problem.

Straight
While a four-game schedule usually means rogue points in streaming a back-up goaltender, two teams will not provide that opportunity and could go with their No. 1 all week.

Calgary draws two at home then two on the road. While they're not exactly tearing it up against the Avs, Stars or Wild, the Flames are 3-for-5 on the power play while going 2-0 against the Preds. Josh Jooris (undisclosed) missed his second straight game on Saturday. It appears Karri Ramo and Jonas Hiller will end the season on a stalemate, working in a job-share, so the fact that the Flames lack a back-to-back set is really of no assistance to anyone. Combined record of 3-3-1 against this weeks opponents.

Chicago has seemingly righted the ship and this week's schedule is loaded with opportunities for easy wins, on paper. In contrast to Calgary, who they'll open the week against on Monday, the Blackhawks have enjoyed success against their first three opponents, though Winnipeg (1-3, GF:GA 5:11) seems to have their number. It will be interesting to see if Scott Darling gets a start this week, if only to rest Corey Crawford for the playoff run. Combined record of 3-3-1 against this week's opponents.

Full House
The remaining 15 teams with a full schedule will not all provide the same opportunities. The following four teams (as well as aforementioned Chicago) will also play four tilts next week, providing you with eight opportunities for points over the next 14 days:

Colorado draws three of four on the road where they are barely over .500 (14-12-9). But their fight to stay alive in the playoff hunt, and record this year against this week's opponents, suggest a decent week. Ryan O'Reilly has strung together a nice three-game set. Semyon Varlamov stopped 37-of-40 on Saturday. Combined record of 4-1-1 against this week's opponents.

Detroit starts the week of slowly before hosting the Lightning (being outscored 12-5 this season) and traveling to Long Island on back-to-back nights to end the week. Petr Mrazek should get a start this week. Combined record of 3-3-1 against this week's opponents.

Florida begins a five-game road trip where they are just 15-14-7 this season. Finally, the week is here when we find out if the Panthers are truly a contender or pretender. While the Sunrise-based team has done well this year against their first three opponents, Ottawa should prove to be a tough game. Jimmy Hayes broke his silence in Saturday's win over Boston, while Tomas Kopecky was the odd man out after missing five games with an illness. Meanwhile, Brandon Pirri is making for an interesting streaming option lately. Combined record of 5-4-2 against this week's opponents.

Speaking of scratching and clawing, the Sens start the week off slowly by hosting the Sharks on Monday, then a few days off before the Rangers come to town. They close out the week with must-wins against the flailing Maple Leafs and playoff-hungry Panthers. Milan Michalek did not return to Saturday's game after taking a shot to the head. Clarke MacArthur (concussion) could return this week. Combined record of 5-2-1 against this week's opponents.

Other RotoWire Reports: Who knows when James Neal (upper body) will return. Steve Mason (illness) did not play on Saturday. Evgeny Kuznetsov is beginning to put things together as the team's second-line center. Casey Bailey has signed an entry level deal with Toronto. Zach Bogosian (lower body) is still day-to-day. Injuries to Michael Cammalleri (illness) and Patrik Elias (back spasms) left the Devils punchless against the Isles on Saturday. Valeri Nichushkin's (hip) conditioning stint in the AHL will last at least two games, perhaps too late for any fantasy impact. Dustin Byfuglien (upper body) missed Saturday's practice and game, but could be back this week. Calvin de Haan was a healthy scratch as a result of Nick Leddy's (lower body) return on Saturday, while Ryan Strome returned to prominence against the Devils. Jonathan Drouin was spotted practicing on Tampa's top line. Brandon Dubinsky (upper body) could be back Tuesday against Anaheim. Both undisclosed injuries, Christian Ehrhoff missed Saturday's tilt with Arizona, but Steve Downie did not. Another undisclosed Pens injury, Patric Hornqvist could return on Tuesday, but Evgeni Malkin (lower body) has no timetable for return. Carl Gunnarsson left Saturday's game against Minnesota with an upper-body injury. Taylor Hall (ankle) logged an assist in his return to the lineup against the Flyers. David Krejci (knee) could be back this week. The long-awaited return of Alec Martinez (concussion) is almost here. Ryan Murray should be considered at least day-to-day after missing Saturday's tilt.