This article is part of our Schedule Analysis series.
I've added a new color to the grid this week: purple represents teams playing four games with either two back-to-backs or none.
Four Kings
Three of the league's four-game teams this week will provide a foreseeable trend of goalie usage.
New York Rangers
While Henrik Lunqdvist has started seven consecutive games and the team plays four games in seven days without a back-to-back, there's no telling what head coach Alain Vigneault will do. Antti Raanta could certainly use some action, but it won't be completely necessary. They'll play the Penguins for the first time this season as well as the Flyers and Devils for the second time in two weeks.
Combined record of 2-2-2 against this week's opponents
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings have been a much sharper squad on the road (14-8-3) this season, so it should be interesting to see how they play during their five-game home stand. While the end of the week game against Boston at home will be the first of two games on consecutive nights, the Red Wings are also set to play four times in the next seven days without a back-to-back.
Combined record of 2-3-2 against this week's opponents
Pair of Wild Cards
New Jersey Devils
Although they haven't had played on back-to-back nights since the end of December, the Devils have a 5-3 record during such circumstances. They'll visit two rivals and await two traveling west coast teams. It definitely looks like Keith Kinkaid will get at least one nod
I've added a new color to the grid this week: purple represents teams playing four games with either two back-to-backs or none.
Four Kings
Three of the league's four-game teams this week will provide a foreseeable trend of goalie usage.
New York Rangers
While Henrik Lunqdvist has started seven consecutive games and the team plays four games in seven days without a back-to-back, there's no telling what head coach Alain Vigneault will do. Antti Raanta could certainly use some action, but it won't be completely necessary. They'll play the Penguins for the first time this season as well as the Flyers and Devils for the second time in two weeks.
Combined record of 2-2-2 against this week's opponents
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings have been a much sharper squad on the road (14-8-3) this season, so it should be interesting to see how they play during their five-game home stand. While the end of the week game against Boston at home will be the first of two games on consecutive nights, the Red Wings are also set to play four times in the next seven days without a back-to-back.
Combined record of 2-3-2 against this week's opponents
Pair of Wild Cards
New Jersey Devils
Although they haven't had played on back-to-back nights since the end of December, the Devils have a 5-3 record during such circumstances. They'll visit two rivals and await two traveling west coast teams. It definitely looks like Keith Kinkaid will get at least one nod this week.
Combined record of 3-1-1 against this week's opponents
Florida Panthers
The Panthers will play two back-to-backs (10-8), starting with two on the road before heading home for a six-game home stand. You could certainly do worse than Al Montoya if Roberto Luongo gets the night off.
Combined record of 6-1 against this week's opponents.
Four Aces
...and that leaves eight other teams glancing at a four-game docket. Here's their ranking from best to worst.
1. Anaheim has a combined record of 3-0-2 against this week's opponents.
2. Boston has a combined record of 3-1 against this week's opponents.
3. Ottawa has a combined record of 4-3-1 against this week's opponents.
4. Colorado has a combined record of 1-1 against this week's opponents.
5. Philadelphia has a combined record of 3-3-3 against this week's opponents.
6. Tampa Bay has a combined record of 2-1-2 against this week's opponents.
7. Buffalo has a combined record of 4-4 against this week's opponents.
8. Los Angeles - After five days off, should be interesting to see how the Kings kick off their seven-game road trip in Boston on Tuesday. Combined record of 1-0 against this week's opponents.
Three of a Kind
Here are the most favorable/unfavorable schedules of 16 teams playing the vanilla three-game schedule.
Hold 'Em
1. Arizona has a combined record of 3-2 against this week's opponents.
2. Islanders have a combined record of 3-1-1 against this week's opponents.
3. Dallas has a combined record of 5-2 against this week's opponents.
Fold 'Em
28. Nashville has a combined record of 1-1 against this week's opponents.
29. Calgary has a combined record of 1-3-1 against this week's opponents.
30. Minnesota has a combined record of 1-2-2 against this week's opponents.
The Flop
Monday - After going 0-3-1 in the last four meetings against the Pens, the now streaking Ducks are 1-0 against Pittsburgh this season. Although that meeting was a low-scoring (2-1) contest in Anaheim, the two teams have both seemingly turned a corner and we expect a much more productive affair.
Tuesday - After losing six straight games in Minnesota, Dallas is 2-0 at Excel Center this season, outscoring the Wild 14-10, and they now lead the season series 3-1.
Wednesday - It's strange to say in February, but the Pens and Rangers will meet up for the first time this season. Had it been two weeks ago, even a sputtering blue shirts squad could have handled the Pens. But Pittsburgh has won six of their last eight and outscored King Henrik and the Rangers 16-8 en route to a 2-1-1 series win one season ago.
Thursday - Although the Bruins are nowhere near the team the Jets beat 6-2 on the season's second night, its worth another glance before you go confidently with the B's.
Friday - One would think it might be okay to bet on either Pekka Rinne or Ben Bishop, but both are capable of putting in a stinker effort, as was the case in their early season 5-4 shootout. We expect the same here.
Saturday - Including the Caps' 3-2 home loss to Dallas back in November, the Caps are 0-5 while being outscored 19-9 by Dallas since the strike-shortened season and haven't beaten the stars since the 2008-09 campaign. If the Caps really found the right formula this season, here's their chance to prove it.
Sunday -Ryan O'Reilly logged merely an assist in his return to Colorado last month and the teams combined for just three goals. While neither team has been putting up a ton of goals recently, something tells us they're both due.
