This article is part of our Schedule Analysis series.
Four Aces
As always, you will want to avoid counting on players with two games and place your bets on those with four.
1. Anaheim Ducks
Still chasing Los Angeles for the Pacific division title, the Ducks have a game in hand this week and three of four at home where they 23-9-5. Coming into the week with a ridiculous combined record of 10-1-3 against their opponents this season,
Anaheim has split the season series (1-1, 7:6 GF:GA) with the Stars while man-handling the Flames (4-0, 17:9), Oilers (3-0-1, 11:8) and Canucks (2-0-2, 11:6).
2. Washington Capitals
After hosting the Jackets (2-0-1, 4-10 on the power play) the Caps (combined record of 6-0-2 against this week's opponents) head out for three straight games, including the Avs and 'Yotes on back-to-back nights.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins
Regardless of how the Pens play against the Rangers on Sunday, Pittsburgh has really kicked things into high gear and comes into the week with a combined record of 7-1 against this week's opponents.
4. Colorado Avalanche
The Avs will start the week with the first of two remaining trips to the Music City and play in St. Louis (3-0, 9:5 GF:GA) the next night before heading home for two tilts, including another matchup with the Blues on Sunday.
5. Dallas Stars
With four of six remaining at home (24-11-2) the Stars have already clinched their playoff berth, but they are still trying to ward off the Blues for the Central division title.
6. Detroit Red
Four Aces
As always, you will want to avoid counting on players with two games and place your bets on those with four.
1. Anaheim Ducks
Still chasing Los Angeles for the Pacific division title, the Ducks have a game in hand this week and three of four at home where they 23-9-5. Coming into the week with a ridiculous combined record of 10-1-3 against their opponents this season,
Anaheim has split the season series (1-1, 7:6 GF:GA) with the Stars while man-handling the Flames (4-0, 17:9), Oilers (3-0-1, 11:8) and Canucks (2-0-2, 11:6).
2. Washington Capitals
After hosting the Jackets (2-0-1, 4-10 on the power play) the Caps (combined record of 6-0-2 against this week's opponents) head out for three straight games, including the Avs and 'Yotes on back-to-back nights.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins
Regardless of how the Pens play against the Rangers on Sunday, Pittsburgh has really kicked things into high gear and comes into the week with a combined record of 7-1 against this week's opponents.
4. Colorado Avalanche
The Avs will start the week with the first of two remaining trips to the Music City and play in St. Louis (3-0, 9:5 GF:GA) the next night before heading home for two tilts, including another matchup with the Blues on Sunday.
5. Dallas Stars
With four of six remaining at home (24-11-2) the Stars have already clinched their playoff berth, but they are still trying to ward off the Blues for the Central division title.
6. Detroit Red Wings
More important than their 7-4 combined record against this week's opponents is the two back-to-backs during which the Red Wings will travel around the Great Lakes this week, including two in the Motor City. Petr Mrazek had put up solid numbers this season against all four opponents, but with games on back-to-back nights, Detroit is going to have to turn to a struggling Jimmy Howard at least once.
7. Minnesota Wild
With the Avs still nipping at their feet, the Wild, winners of five straight, could find themselves in a precarious position heading into their final week. Take away Minnesota's surprising season record (4-0, 16:8 GF:GA) against the Blackhawks and the Wild are a combined 2-3-1 against the Sens, Red Wings and Jets.
8. Nashville Predators
The Preds begin their week with the first of two remaining road games in Dallas then shuffle off to Pittsburgh before beginning their final home stand of the season.
9. San Jose Sharks
Losers of three straight, the Sharks have a home-and-home against the Canucks, sandwiched in between a home game against L.A. and road game against Nashville.
10. Philadelphia Flyers
Take away the Flyers' 0-2 record (4:8 GF:GA) against their in-state rivals and Philadelphia has managed a very balanced combined record of 3-3 against Winnipeg, Washington and Ottawa this season.
11. Toronto Maple Leafs
While Toronto hasn't had much to play this season, they are 6-3-1 over their last 10 games. That said, their combined record of 3-5-4 against this week's opponents provides little reason for confidence.
12. Winnipeg Jets
After facing off with Philly on Monday, the Jets head home for their final three games.
13. Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres continue to progress, regardless of their place in the standings, going 5-3-2 over their last ten. Unfortunately, that's where the good news ends, as Buffalo struggles (combined 3-7-1) against just about all of their opponents this week, with the exception of a tight season series (2-1, 7:8 GF:GA) against Toronto.
14. Calgary Flames
Heavy with expectations after a big offseason last summer, another disappointing season is winding down for the Flames and they'll spend four straight on the road (11-22-3) against four teams they are not getting results against (combined 2-8-2 record).
Three of a Kind
Two teams play three games with a contrasting strength of schedule.
Note: Although the Isles play just three this week, they will have the rare five games in seven days in the final week of the season.
Hold
Tampa Bay Lightning (4-2-1)
The Lightning host their final three this week before heading out on the road for a four-game road trip to end the season.
Fold
New Jersey (1-3-1)
Contrasting Tampa's schedule, the Devils should officially be eliminated from the wild card race by the time they return from their Florida swing with three at home to end season.
The Flop
A breakdown of possible bankable trends for each night of the week.
Monday - Anaheim is 3-0-1 against Edmonton and has victimized the Oilers' penalty kill units for four goals in 11 opportunities, while the Flames are 5-15 against the Coyotes on the man-advantage this season.
Tuesday - Aside from the previously mentioned Hawks issues with the Wild, three of the Panthers' nine goals against the Leafs have come on the power play.
Wednesday - Anaheim is an eye-popping 7-for-11 on the power play and 4-0 against Calgary this season.
Thursday - The Coyotes are 2-0 and outscoring the Stars 9-4 in those two wins.
Friday - Oddly enough, Minnesota, who is 4-0 against Chicago, has had their problems against Winnipeg, going 1-3 against the Jets. The Wild have gone 1-15 against the Jets' PK unit.
Saturday - Both the Flames (4-15) and Oilers (3-10) have managed to produce on the power play against each other. Although the Canes' power play hasn't done much against the Jackets, Carolina is 3-0 and outscoring Columbus 11-6 this season. If Jimmy Howard gets a nod, it would certainly be against Toronto, who Howard has done well against in nine career starts (4-2-2, 1.91 GAA).
Sunday - The cross-state rival Pens and Flyers will match up for the first of two remaining games this season. Although Pittsburgh is outscoring Philadelphia 8-4 in two wins, three of the Flyers' four goals have been on the power play.
