This article is part of our Schedule Analysis series.
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Back-to-Back Jacks
Despite being pulled on Thursday, Corey Schneider has been a dependable workaholic. But it's weeks like this that New Jersey is wishing they had hung onto Martin Brodeur. Keith Kinkaid anyone? It doesn't happen often, but New Jersey has the fine pleasure of playing all four games this week on a b2b occurrence, starting with a trip to Boston then back home to host Minnesota. After two days off, they travel to meet the Capitals and then head home to host the Avs. Adam Henrique (lower body) has missed two straight games. So they're going to need Patrik Elias to step it up. Ryane Clowe (head) missed Friday's loss to Detroit. New Jersey is 1-1 on b2b occurrence in this young season.
As always, keep an eye on RW's daily goalie grid for the latest on which goalie is getting the nod in one of this week's 18 b2b occurrences.
Three of a Kind
Hold 'Em
Calgary finishes off their five-game road trip against Carolina where they have an NHL best seven wins and begin another five-game homestand against Arizona and Ottawa. Johnny Gaudreau has two goals and seven assists in his last six contests. Sean Monahan has five points (three goals) in his last four games. Jonas Hiller is the man, especially after having to clean up Karri Ramo's mess against the Panthers. Ladislav Smid (upper body) returned to the lineup on Saturday, but more importantly, Mark Giordano (four goals, seven assists in his
----------------
Back-to-Back Jacks
Despite being pulled on Thursday, Corey Schneider has been a dependable workaholic. But it's weeks like this that New Jersey is wishing they had hung onto Martin Brodeur. Keith Kinkaid anyone? It doesn't happen often, but New Jersey has the fine pleasure of playing all four games this week on a b2b occurrence, starting with a trip to Boston then back home to host Minnesota. After two days off, they travel to meet the Capitals and then head home to host the Avs. Adam Henrique (lower body) has missed two straight games. So they're going to need Patrik Elias to step it up. Ryane Clowe (head) missed Friday's loss to Detroit. New Jersey is 1-1 on b2b occurrence in this young season.
As always, keep an eye on RW's daily goalie grid for the latest on which goalie is getting the nod in one of this week's 18 b2b occurrences.
Three of a Kind
Hold 'Em
Calgary finishes off their five-game road trip against Carolina where they have an NHL best seven wins and begin another five-game homestand against Arizona and Ottawa. Johnny Gaudreau has two goals and seven assists in his last six contests. Sean Monahan has five points (three goals) in his last four games. Jonas Hiller is the man, especially after having to clean up Karri Ramo's mess against the Panthers. Ladislav Smid (upper body) returned to the lineup on Saturday, but more importantly, Mark Giordano (four goals, seven assists in his last six games) continues to put the flame in Calgary.
After floundering to close out October, the Islanders (3-1 in November) have picked up the pace again. Tilts against Colorado (minus-10 goal differential) bode well before they head south for a Florida swing on b2b nights. Chad Johnson turned in a nice defeat of the Kings on Thursday. With Jaroslav Halak playing well, sky is still the limit for this squad. Brock Nelson continues to be readily available in most standard formats, why?
How do you not bet on a team that has won seven games in a row? Pittsburgh has plenty of experience sustaining long-term winning streaks and we think they'll continue with two against the Rangers and Toronto in between. Perhaps Beau Bennett, who may or may not take Blake Comeau's spot on the team's second line, is available in your league.
Fold 'Em
Sure, Tampa Bay (10-3-3) is tied for most points in the Eastern Conference. But that they are winners in five straight does not change the fact that they'll travel to the Blackhawks and host the Sharks and Islanders this week. Jonathan Drouin has produced decently from a bottom-six circumstance.
The Rangers are as fickle as you get in this first month of league parody. Regardless of what happened in the Conference Semifinals last year, add in the chemistry of two tilts against the Pens. Broadway's best show on ice is a dismal 5-8-2 against Sidney's kids over the last three regular seasons. Although Derek Stepan should begin shaking the rust and Dan Boyle is expected back this week, this team is still building its identity. Dan Girardi avoided a major injury in Saturday's loss to Toronto. No word on whether Tomas Kaberle will be joining the red, white and blue.
Los Angeles, like the Rangers, will see one of their opponents (Anaheim) twice this week.Also like the Rangers, save for Saturday's defeat of Vancouver, the Kings have been stumbling of late and two tilts.
Four Aces
While ordinarily we would break down all teams with a four-game schedule, we're going to try something new this week. Both of our teams this week not only have four tilts this week, but will play eight games over the next 14 days and 18 games through December 7th.
Arizona will host Dallas then begin a three game road trip to Canada. Despite the travels, we like what we see for fantasy owners. The Coyotes have won three of their last four games and most of all two of their top scorers (Antoine Vermette, Shane Doan) are warming up and are owned in less than 40 percent of standard leagues (Yahoo! CBS). Max Domi is doing well in juniors and Brandon Gormley (13th overall in 2010) has posted donuts in his first three games.
Montreal is one of the strongest teams in the NHL, so finding fantasy impact on the waiver wire will be a bit tougher than Arizona. Jiri Sekac (barely even viewed, much-less owned) logged a goal and an assist in just his second game.
One Pair
Not only will three teams play just two tilts this week, they're all slated for only three next week. With that kind of time off, you may want to look elsewhere for production.
Detroit plays both of their games from home, but against Chicago and Montreal. While the Blackhawks have lost six of their last nine games and are just 1-3 in November thus far, they're still a plus-10 in goal differential and we fear this faded old school rivalry may be just what they need to turn things around. With Monster (Jonas Gustavsson) out, the week should be all Jimmy Howard's. We'll let you decide if he embraces it. Good thing they have a light schedule, Pavel Datsyuk (groin) will miss his second consecutive game on Sunday. As of now, Kyle Quincey (ankle) has missed four straight. Stephen Weiss (groin) is likely headed to AHL Grand Rapids for a conditioning assignment.
Philadelphia has the most interesting plot of the three teams playing just two games as both contests come on b2b nights hosting Columbus and visiting Montreal. Regardless of who's the favored goaltender in Philly this week, it looks like they'll both get a shot. Looks like those considering buying into the hype of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare may want to reconsider.
Vancouver, winners in seven of their last 10 contests, players make for an intriguing decision in weekly leagues, as their pummeling at the hands of Los Angeles on Saturday night puts their surprisingly good start in perspective. Nick Bonino is a big reason this team has surprised most. Radim Vrbata returned to Friday's contest after suffering an apparent leg injury earlier the game.
TABLE TALK: Bryan Allen (lower body) returned on Friday to the tune of 18-plus minutes and plus-1 rating. Andre Benoit was a minus-2 in his return to the Buffalo lineup on Friday. Andre Burakovsky seems to be settling in. Brandon Dubinsky is reportedly eyeing a return to the lineup next week. Marko Dano's time with the big club is changing. Cody Eakin (upper body) has been practicing but has missed two consecutive games. Despite Jake Allen's great play, Brian Elliott remains supreme, at least in Ken Hitchcock's eyes. Viktor Fasth turned in a decent performance against Buffalo, though we're not sure if that's something to put stock in. Jonathan Huberdeau quietly returned to the lineup on Saturday. It's sure nice to see Boone Jenner back and on the board, don't be surprised if he dials it up a notch this season. Boston is taking David Krejci's (lower body) injury serious. Meanwhile, Torey Krug (finger) has been practicing. Andrew Ladd is warming up for Winnipeg. Jori Lehtera is basking in Vladimir Tarasenko's light. Valeri Nichushkin's lack of production may be due to a lingering groin issue. T.J. Oshie is still a week or two away from serious consideration for you weekly owners. Victor Rask has two goals in his last three games, we're wondering if that might lead to more TOI.
