This article is part of our Schedule Analysis series.
In a season that spans six months, there are only a few weeks that provide juicy trends to bank on. With the Christmas break smack dab in the middle of this week's schedule, fantasy owners will have just two days to start and two days to end in order to get the most bang for your buck.
Showdown
Dallas vs. St. Louis
The only two teams that will play four games this week are the same two that have the most high-profile goaltender shares in the league. But first, they'll both be busy before the break, with St. Louis visiting Philly and Boston while the Stars travel to Minnesota and host Chicago. Both teams come into the week with a head of steam, as the Blues are on a three-game winning streak, while Dallas is 6-2-2 over it's last 10. While the two teams split the season (2-2-1 St. Louis 18 goals, Dallas 16) series down the middle last year, St. Louis shut out Dallas (3-0) in their game last week, as Jake Allen (26 saves) got the best of Antti Niemi (23-of-26), who was beaten by David Backes, Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan Reaves. With both locker rooms having two very capable goaltenders, it will be interesting to see how the two coaches plan out their week.
Three's A Crowd
While you will want to avoid investing in players on one-game teams (Sabres, Rangers and Sharks), the short week forces a premium on 11 three-game teams, especially nice
In a season that spans six months, there are only a few weeks that provide juicy trends to bank on. With the Christmas break smack dab in the middle of this week's schedule, fantasy owners will have just two days to start and two days to end in order to get the most bang for your buck.
Showdown
Dallas vs. St. Louis
The only two teams that will play four games this week are the same two that have the most high-profile goaltender shares in the league. But first, they'll both be busy before the break, with St. Louis visiting Philly and Boston while the Stars travel to Minnesota and host Chicago. Both teams come into the week with a head of steam, as the Blues are on a three-game winning streak, while Dallas is 6-2-2 over it's last 10. While the two teams split the season (2-2-1 St. Louis 18 goals, Dallas 16) series down the middle last year, St. Louis shut out Dallas (3-0) in their game last week, as Jake Allen (26 saves) got the best of Antti Niemi (23-of-26), who was beaten by David Backes, Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan Reaves. With both locker rooms having two very capable goaltenders, it will be interesting to see how the two coaches plan out their week.
Three's A Crowd
While you will want to avoid investing in players on one-game teams (Sabres, Rangers and Sharks), the short week forces a premium on 11 three-game teams, especially nice for owners with goaltender handcuffs.
1. Boston Bruins
After hosting the Blues, Boston gets their Christmas gift late, a tilt against Buffalo at home and Ottawa on the road where the Bruins are 11-2-2. David Pastrnak (foot) played for AHL Providence Saturday night, but don't get too excited about his return, as he may be on his way to the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship.
2. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets open with a pair of road games (6-10-1 record) against mediocre Pacific teams and then close out the week with the skidding Pens.
3. Edmonton Oilers
Unfortunately, the Oilers stumbled and did not continue their winning ways, but they have arguably one of the easiest schedules of the week, beginning with a host battle against the aforementioned Jets. Anders Nilsson has had back-to-back losses, so we should see Cam Talbot get at least one start this week. Benoit Pouliot (lower body) returned Saturday but registered a minus-2.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins have lost four straight, but on paper the schedule doesn't provide a ton of resistance with dates against Columbus, Minnie and Winnie. Trevor Daley has two points in his last two and is on the team's top power-play unit. Matt Murray was decent Saturday, but Jeff Zatkoff should get two starts this week. Conor Sheary is reportedly building good chemistry with Sidney Crosby.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets, the only other team to change coaches thus far, are 2-0 against the Pens but are 0-1-1 this season against the Floridian teams. Rene Bourque was activated from IR on Saturday but did not play against the Flyers. While Jack Johnson (upper body) didn't, Ryan Johansen (previous healthy scratch) played in Saturday's win and registered two PIM, three shots and two hits in 20-plus minutes of ice time. Joonas Korpisalo got the win in net. David Savard (ankle) is expected to miss four weeks.
6. Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks have an ugly schedule as they visit the Isles and Rangers on back-to-back nights to start the week before heading home to host the Flyers, who are 6-2-2 over their last 10 contests. John Gibson seems to be yielding to Frederik Andersen.
7. Carolina Hurricanes
The Canes have a nice easy transition into the break as they host Washington on Monday before getting four days off. They remain in Carolina to host New Jersey after the break and travel to Chicago on Sunday.
8. Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have three away from home, including bouts with Nashville and Minnesota on back-to-back nights. Neither Mike Condon nor Dustin Tokarski have been good but look for each to get a start Monday and Tuesday, and whoever battles best should be rewarded with the start in Washington.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto was initially ranked a bit higher, but Colorado is streaking, Arizona is capable of a surge and the Isles are slowly putting things together. It will will be interesting to see how Jonathan Bernier comes back after a convincing 5-0 shutout of the Kings. Michael Grabner doubled his fantasy production in Saturday's win over L.A. Meanwhile Leo Komarov continues to pay big dividends.
10. Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes play two of three at home where their game is a bit more trustworthy, but tilts against the Avs and Kings could prove more difficult. Louis Domingue won his first start of the season and could steal some starts from Anders Lindback (illness). Martin Hanzal (lower body) returned Saturday with a plus-1 in 15 minutes of total ice time.
11. Minnesota Wild
Yes, Minnesota is one of the NHL's best at home (12-3-1), but when those visitors are the Stars and Canadiens on back-to-back nights, it might not matter. Making matters worse, they face the Pens after the break.
2x4
The short week also means teams playing twice in four days are actually considered the average schedule. Here are the top three best and worst teams based on strength of schedule:
Best
1. Bay Lightning
The Lightning play on the last day before the break and first day back, both at home against the Canucks and Jackets. Perhaps this latest round of Steven Stamkos rumors helped him snap his 10-game goal drought Friday.
2. New York Islanders
The Islanders will be at home for both tilts on the first and last day of the week.
3. Colorado Avalanche
Winners of five straight, the Avs will be home for Christmas as they also play at home on the first and last day of the week. Blake Comeau has a three-game point streak, while Jarome Iginla snapped out of his slump in Saturday's win.
Worst
28. Chicago Blackhawks
Winners of four straight against Carolina, who they host Sunday, the Hawks will visit Dallas before heading to break.
29. Ottawa Senators
The Sens travel to Florida before heading home for the break, and then have a Sunday home game against the Bruins.
30. Nashville Predators
Still boasting one of the best home records in the league, two home games on a shortened holiday week are a sight for sore Predators (4-4-2 over L10) eyes, but when the teams are Montreal and Detroit you may want to think twice about locking in Preds players. Mike Fisher (lower body) skated Saturday but did not play against the Wild.
