In fantasy hockey, strategy is everything. One of the biggest underutilized tools is undoubtedly schedule manipulation. When constructing your roster — Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool included — it would be wise to comprise a lineup filled with as many man-games as possible. Sometimes, quantity over quality when selecting players could benefit you in the long run.
On a weekly basis, I’ll lay out the upcoming NHL schedule from a fantasy perspective. The information provided will feature advice, analysis and opinion on how to navigate through the slate. Also, be sure to pay attention — the best you can — to what’s happening around the league. Naturally, roster movement generates significant fantasy opportunity, especially when it comes to line assignments.
Here’s a look at the week of Oct. 7-13:
Monday: 2 Games
Tuesday: 8 Games
Wednesday: 3 Games
Thursday: 11 Games
Friday: 3 Games
Saturday: 14 Games
Sunday: 3 Games
Total: 44 Games
[snippet id=4748264]
FOUR GAMES (5 TEAMS): CGY, LAK, PIT, VGK, WPG
Calgary Flames
Schedule: Tues (LAK), Thurs (@DAL), Sat (@VGK), Sun (@SJS)
Waiver Looks: Mikael Backlund, T.J. Brodie
SN Fantasy Pool Targets: Johnny Gaudreau (4), Sean Monahan (3), David Rittich (3)
Los Angeles Kings
Schedule: Tues (@CGY), Wed (@VAN), Sat (NSH), Sun (VGK)
Waiver Looks: Ilya Kovalchuk, Jeff Carter
SN Fantasy Pool Targets: Anze Kopitar (2), Drew Doughty (2), Jonathan Quick (3)
Pittsburgh Penguins
Schedule: Tues (WPG), Thurs (ANA), Sat (@MIN), Sun (@WPG)
Waiver Looks: Dominik Kahun, Brandon Tanev
SN Fantasy Pool Targets: Alex Galchenyuk (2), Kris Letang (3), Matt Murray (3)
Vegas Golden Knights
Schedule: Tues (BOS), Thurs (@ARI), Sat (CGY), Sun (@LAK)
Waiver Looks: Cody Glass, Reilly Smith
SN Fantasy Pool Targets: Marc-Andre Fleury (4), Jonathan Marchessault (2), Max Pacioretty (2),
Winnipeg Jets
Schedule: Tues (@PIT), Thurs (@MIN), Sat (@CHI), Sun (PIT)
Waiver Looks: Jack Roslovic, Neil Pionk
SN Fantasy Pool Targets: Kyle Connor (2), Nikolaj Ehlers (2), Patrik Laine (2)
THREE GAMES (17 TEAMS): ANA, BOS, BUF, CAR, CBJ, DAL, DET, EDM, FLA, MTL, NSH, NJD, NYI, SJS, STL, TOR, WSH
Additionally, in daily leagues, it’s always a solid strategy to target teams playing on quiet nights. That way, you’re maximizing output. For this week, I like Buffalo’s schedule. They play Monday (@CBJ), Wed (MTL) and Friday (FLA).
Grab Sam Reinhart (54 per cent in Yahoo!) and/or Victor Olofsson (36 per cent in Yahoo!) immediately.
TWO GAMES (8 TEAMS): ARI, CHI, COL, MIN, OTT, PHI, TBL, VAN
ONE GAME (1 TEAM): NYR
New York Rangers
Schedule: Sat (EDM)
Dump: Ryan Strome, Adam Fox
When constructing your roster for the Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool, I’d steer clear of any New York Rangers due to their light schedule (one game). Considering his torrid start, you have to feel for Mika Zibanejad. Additionally, Arizona, Chicago, Colorado, Minnesota, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Vancouver play just twice – be smart.
On the other side of the spectrum, it would be wise to litter your squad with players from Calgary, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Vegas and Winnipeg. Each team has a league-high four games in seven days. The rest of the league has three contests.
Looking for goalie starts? Keep in mind that 12 teams have back-to-backs this week (ANA, CGY, CAR, CBJ, FLA, LAK x2, MTL, NJD, NYI, PIT, VGK and WPG).
[relatedlinks]
