NHL Schedule Analysis: Some Hope For the Yotes

So good to be back to normal schedule folks, well sort of. With Monday blacked out and 90 league games squeezed into six days, some teams you'll want to avoid while others will provide you will a boost out of the break.

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Back-to-Back Jacks

Washington not only plays four games with coming on a b2b occurrence, but they play eight games over the next 14 days. Dmitry Orlov (wrist) continues his progression and might begin skating with the team again soon.

Four Aces

Here are four more teams giving you the most bang for your buck.

Arizona continues its seven game road (7-13-2) trip with a four-game slate. Outside of Sunday's contest with Montreal, none of the four teams leave you hopeless for the 'Yotes, despite their dismal play of late. Mike Smith is certainly a candidate for turning things around in the second half.

Montreal plays three of four from home. Historically, Max Pacioretty's point-per-game average in the last three months of the season outweighs that of the first three months, while P.K. Subban won't awaken until March. SLEEPERS ALERT, P.A. Parenteau (upper body) and David Desharnais seem to kick things up a notch in the second of the half as well.

After hosting Colorado, Nashville plays four straight on the road, including a rematch in Colorado, as well as the Blues and Pens all in a four day span. They'll get their spoils as starting next week, they play seven of eight from Music City, but a true testament to their staying power happens this week. Surprise, surprise, Shea Weber won the hardest shot in the skills competition.

Pittsburgh splits the week up with two at home and two on the road, starting with three games in the first four eligible nights this week. Sidney Crosby (lower body) missed the All-Star game again due to ill-timed injury and may miss one or possibly two of this week's tilts. Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang have some issues of their own.

Low Straight

Here are a few teams that have a slow (five games over the next 14 days) schedule coming out of the break.

Boston plays two this week and three games next week
Detroit plays three this week and two next week.
Los Angeles plays two this week and three next week. Martin Jones (back spasms) was activated from IR and reclaims his spot as Jonathan Quick's back-up.
Minnesota plays three this week and two next week.
Ottawa plays plays two this week and three next week 

High Straight

Here are a few teams that have a busy (seven or more games over the next 14 days) schedule coming out of the break.

Anaheim plays three this week and four next week. Coach Bruce Boudreau expects Clayton Stoner (lower body) to be ready when the Ducks play on Tuesday.
Buffalo plays three this week and four next week.
Dallas plays three this week and four next week.
Florida plays three this week and four next week.
Islanders play three this week and four next week.
Rangers play three this week and four next week.
St. Louis plays three this week and four next week.
Tampa Bay plays three this week and four next week. While Tyler Johnson (lower body) did not participate in the All-Star skills or game, he's expected back on Tuesday. Jonathan Drouin won the Fastest Skater competition.
Winnipeg plays three this week and four next week.

Table Talk with The Phil Naessens Show (https://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/)

1). Several listeners wanted to know if we had some post All-Star game tips and advice?

Yeah, a firesale in Toronto lol...just kidding, well, maybe... Point being... keep your eye on the trade rumors, RotoWire especially does an awesome deadline day forum and you can get great spec there. Players on the move not only impact the team acquiring them, but open up a slot for a fiery young blue-chipper, So if Antoine Vermette really does get dealt, perhaps we could see the debut of Max Domi? That's more wishful thinking on my part...but the point being is check out individual statistics of young AHL talent as well as second or third line guys that could be demoted as a result of the receiving team. Also, back-up goalies continue to be a worthy investigation and that only strengthens as the season grows. Veteran goalies begin to tweak muscles and organizations with their eye towards the playoffs or future begin to plays things more safely.

2). A listener wanted to know about picking up Winnipeg's Zach Bogosian?

With three goals and a plus-8 in January why not? Always been a supporter of this guy, because the Jets have the firepower to be explosive at times (averaging just below four goals a game this month) and he usually reaps the rewards. Over the course of his career he does seem to break down as the season grows, specifically in February no less, where he's only managed to play 10-games or more twice over the course of his seven year career. So that is red flag, but what if this is season he trained hard enough? There's no telling with this guy. Based on number of games on Winnipeg's schedule (12 in February, 14 in March), I would have to say no, but I might gamble on him depending on my roster situation.

3). Should several listeners keep or drop Jaromir Jagr?

The age-old question, when does Father Time call in his loan? Even when you think he's slumping he'll go out and nab a hat trick. Decent amount of hockey ahead with 27 games combined in Feburary and March. The plus/minus and mini-slumps are definitely hurting you, I get it. Six game homestand starting in middle February could certainly help. He rakes too much in March, I can't in good conscience suggest dropping him, at least get some value for him in a trade if you can't wait it out.

4). Keep or drop Mike Fisher?

Ah, Mr. Underwood... Putting up decently pedestrian numbers this season, but just a bit off pace from his career season of 2009-10 when he posted 53 points. With the Preds playing 15 games in both February and March, he'll have plenty of chances to pick up the pace, question is will he remain healthy? Like most pedestrian NHL players, career numbers in February take a dip only to soar in March again. Unless you're dropping him for the next big thing, again, get something for him in a deal maybe, but don't drop this second line center straight up, too many tilts in his near future and the Preds could hit high gear.