This article is part of our Schedule Analysis series.
With almost two thirds of the league playing a very plain three-game schedule, most owners will have to really do their homework in the first full week of the new year.
Four Aces (The Home-and-Home Edition)
In addition to hosting half of this week's traditional home-and-home match-ups, Chicago and Carolina have arguably the most favorable schedule of four-game teams.
Carolina vs. Columbus
Unsurprisingly, neither team comes into their first matchup of the season with a winning record, but if you were to look for an advantage it would lean towards the Hurricanes (16-17-6), who not only sport a better record than the Blue Jackets (15-22-3) but enjoyed a 3-0-1 (13:10 GF:GA) series win one season ago.
Chicago vs Pittsburgh
Already leading the series 2-0 (5:3 GF:GA), it doesn't take a stretch of the imagination to assume that Chicago could take both games, but don't count out the Pens, who are 4-1-1 over their last six contests.
The Rest are ranked from most favorable to least. Here are the remaining six teams playing four times this week:
1. Washington Capitals
The Capitals finish a stretch in which they play eight of 10 contests on the road, including Saturday's contest, a second game - Washington pummeled the Rangers 7-3 in December - in three weeks at Madison Square Garden. The Caps bring a combined 2-0 (6:2 GF:GA) against Boston and Ottawa while meeting the Isles for the first time this season.
2. St. Louis Blues
While the Blues haven't won a game
With almost two thirds of the league playing a very plain three-game schedule, most owners will have to really do their homework in the first full week of the new year.
Four Aces (The Home-and-Home Edition)
In addition to hosting half of this week's traditional home-and-home match-ups, Chicago and Carolina have arguably the most favorable schedule of four-game teams.
Carolina vs. Columbus
Unsurprisingly, neither team comes into their first matchup of the season with a winning record, but if you were to look for an advantage it would lean towards the Hurricanes (16-17-6), who not only sport a better record than the Blue Jackets (15-22-3) but enjoyed a 3-0-1 (13:10 GF:GA) series win one season ago.
Chicago vs Pittsburgh
Already leading the series 2-0 (5:3 GF:GA), it doesn't take a stretch of the imagination to assume that Chicago could take both games, but don't count out the Pens, who are 4-1-1 over their last six contests.
The Rest are ranked from most favorable to least. Here are the remaining six teams playing four times this week:
1. Washington Capitals
The Capitals finish a stretch in which they play eight of 10 contests on the road, including Saturday's contest, a second game - Washington pummeled the Rangers 7-3 in December - in three weeks at Madison Square Garden. The Caps bring a combined 2-0 (6:2 GF:GA) against Boston and Ottawa while meeting the Isles for the first time this season.
2. St. Louis Blues
While the Blues haven't won a game in regulation since a 3-2 victory over Calgary in mid-December, on paper, matches with Ottawa and Anaheim should be easy picking for St. Louis. It will be interesting to see if Brian Elliott starts the front or back-end (team record of 3-3) of their road tilts in the greater Los Angeles area, as he brings an disappointing record against both the Ducks (1-5-2, 3.10 GAA) and Kings (1-4-2, 2.22 GAA).
3. Minnesota Wild
Save for one win over Columbus in October and their record (0-1-2, 8:13 GF:GA) against the high-powered Stars, the Wild will play two Metropolitan division teams for the first time this season, both of whom (Philadelphia, New Jersey) they split the season series with last year.
4. Colorado Avalanche
The bad news for Avs players is they'll be at home for three of four this week, where Colorado is 6-9-3. The good news? Colorado is a combined 3-1-1 against this week's opponents, including three Central division rivals.
5. Ottawa Senators
Don't let the two home games fool you, including Sunday's tilt, the Senators play seven of their next nine on the road (8-9-2). After playing the Blues for the first time this season, they'll take on the NHL's hottest team in the Panthers, then the Bruins and the Eastern Conference-leading Capitals.
6. New Jersey Devils
Sure, the Devils have won three straight and four of their last five, but one look at their combined record (2-7-2, 23:41 GF:GA) against this week's opponents suggest tougher times ahead.
Three of a Kind
With just four teams (Flames, Islanders, Rangers, Sharks) playing two games this week, 18 others will play the ordinary three-game docket. Here are the three most favorable and unfavorable team schedules:
Best
1. Nashville Predators
The Predators host the Jets, who they blew out 7-0 earlier this season. After a few days off, they head out on the road (7-8-4) for three straight games, including two against the Avs (0-1) and Yotes (1-0).
2. Florida Panthers
The Panthers look to remain perfect on their six-game home stand and extend their winning streak to nine games Sunday against Minnesota before taking their squad on the road for six straight. Although the Atlantic division leading (wow, say it again) Panthers bring in a 2-2 record (9:10 GF:GA) against this week's opponents, the Panthers should take at least two of three from either of the Sabres, Sens and Oilers.
3. Los Angeles Kings
While the Kings have won five straight, the only reason we wouldn't suggest a great week out of L.A. is because of their 5-0 loss to Toronto earlier last month. Otherwise, the Kings are 6-1 against the Central division this season, who they play in two of three this week.
Worst
28. Pittsburgh Penguins
Winners of two straight, Pittsburgh plays Chicago (7-3 over their last 10) on a back-to-back before continuing their six-game road trip in Montreal on Saturday.
29. Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers have lost three in a row, and while they'll play two of their three opponents this week for the first time this season, they were just 1-2-2 against the Canadiens and Wild last season and have an 0-1-1 record against the Isles this season.
30. Boston Bruins
I'm not saying the Bruins lose all three games, but hosting Washington to start the week doesn't exactly bode well for a great showing.
