This article is part of our Schedule Analysis series.
After a five-day sampling to open the season, some truths have already become apparent. Mike Green (upper-body) and Pavel Datsyuk (shoulder) have picked up where they left off last season and some unexpected (Nashville, Montreal) teams have not. But the full schedule is back and half of the NHL will engage in at least one b2b (back-to-back) occurrence. It's time to get your hands dirty owners.
A Pair
Playing a light two-game schedule (Arizona, Carolina, Chicago, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Winnipeg) usually results in a big red flag for fantasy owners. However, one team this week plays both of their games on a b2b occurrence.
Vancouver has just two tilts so don't be surprised if the Canucks lack a need for Eddie Lack. The Sedin twins, who combined for two goals and six assists through two games, seem to be back to their old selves and Radim Vrbata is attempting to be the steal of the summer.
Back-to-Back Jacks
With half of the NHL playing at least one b2b occurrence, daily formats could take advantage and stream some early season contenders. Always keep an eye on our Starters grid for more details. For now, there's one team that sticks out like a sore thumb.
The Jhonas Enroth era has begun and well, Buffalo is exactly where we expected them, 0-2 with a minus-6 goal differential. There's no question in our mind that Michal Neuvirth will get his hefty share of chances to begin a new era of her own. Talk
After a five-day sampling to open the season, some truths have already become apparent. Mike Green (upper-body) and Pavel Datsyuk (shoulder) have picked up where they left off last season and some unexpected (Nashville, Montreal) teams have not. But the full schedule is back and half of the NHL will engage in at least one b2b (back-to-back) occurrence. It's time to get your hands dirty owners.
A Pair
Playing a light two-game schedule (Arizona, Carolina, Chicago, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Winnipeg) usually results in a big red flag for fantasy owners. However, one team this week plays both of their games on a b2b occurrence.
Vancouver has just two tilts so don't be surprised if the Canucks lack a need for Eddie Lack. The Sedin twins, who combined for two goals and six assists through two games, seem to be back to their old selves and Radim Vrbata is attempting to be the steal of the summer.
Back-to-Back Jacks
With half of the NHL playing at least one b2b occurrence, daily formats could take advantage and stream some early season contenders. Always keep an eye on our Starters grid for more details. For now, there's one team that sticks out like a sore thumb.
The Jhonas Enroth era has begun and well, Buffalo is exactly where we expected them, 0-2 with a minus-6 goal differential. There's no question in our mind that Michal Neuvirth will get his hefty share of chances to begin a new era of her own. Talk that Tyler Myers will get moved certainly heated up this week. At least Zemgus Girgensons has a pair of goals through as many games.
Four Aces
Anaheim not only plays four this week, but the first two on the road will be against inferior (Sabres, Flyers) opponents, then head home to host the more formidable Wild and Blues. So far so good for Frederik Andersen, who notched the win on Saturday, and not so good for John Gibson, who didn't fare so well against Pittsburgh earlier in the week. Either way, you should see Gibson this week, likely in Philly.
Boston has seemingly cupcake games on the outsets of their week (Colorado outscored 8-0 in two losses) with road games against the Red Wings and Canadiens on b2b nights in the middle of the week. David Krejci (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day.
Calgary performed as expected (1-2) but now head out on a four game road trip through the gut of North America before heading home for a five-game homestand to close out the month. Jiri Hudler (illness) and David Jones (lower-body) missed Saturday's game.
Colorado will also spend the week in their road sweaters, only the Avs have yet to find the back of the net in this young season. Regardless of who has been responsible (Semyon Varlamov 4.33 GAA, Brad Stuart minus-4) for the eight goals allowed in those two games, Reto Berra should get his first start of the season.
San Jose is the NHL's only team to play eight games over the next 14 days, so we're certainly going to find out if their strong start (2-0, 7-0 GF/GA) can last. No one is standing out really as 12 Sharks have at least one point.
Three of a Kind
With more than half (16) of the NHL's 30 organizations getting back to the ordinary three game slate, this week, we'll give you three teams playing three games with favorable and unfavorable schedules.
Hold 'Em (favorable S.O.S.)
Despite being seriously undermanned (Boone Jenner, Nathan Horton, Brandon Dubinsky all out), Columbus (DAL, CGY, at OTT) still manhandled the visiting Rangers on Saturday. They're a hard-working team and players like Nick Foligno and Marko Dano could seemingly maintain taking up the slack. Additionally, they could soon have Ryan Murray (knee) back no less. Cam Atkinson had a pair of goals on Saturday. PREDICTION: 3-0 this week.
Florida (OTT, at BUF, at WAS) was outscored 8-3 in the opening week, so needless to say Roberto Luongo will have his hands full this year. Still you have to like their schedule this week. We're thinking a big week from Jonathan Huberdeau is long overdue. PREDICTION: 2-1.
Ottawa (at FLA, COL, CBJ) had a "meh" opening week, going 1-1 with five goals scored/allowed. After beating up the aforementioned Panthers, we think the Sens will explode on a struggling Avs squad and just barely miss out on a loss to visiting Columbus. Robin Lehner earned the first star in a 3-2 shootout win over Tampa Bay. PREDICTION: 2-1.
Fold 'Em (unfavorable S.O.S.)
New Jersey (at TBL, at WAS, SJS) is arguably the best team in the Eastern conference thus far, posting a six-goal differential (11/5). However, their week has them up and down the east coast playing decent teams and they may have to come back down to earth. Free agents Michael Ryder and Mike Cammalleri are leading the team, Eric Gelinas got on the board on Saturday as did young talent Damon Severson. PREDICTION: 1-2.
The Islanders (@NYR, SJS, at PIT) come out of the week as the best of the three N.Y. based hockey teams, but an early season showdown at Madison Square Garden should restore the status quo. From there the Isles host San Jose and travel to Pittsburgh. For this week, we're off the wagon. Not John Tavares, Ryan Strome or Frans Nielsen, but Brock Nelson leads the team with six points. Johnny Boychuk (goal, four assists) was certainly a first week blue line steal for fantasy owners. PREDICTION 1-2.
St. Louis bounced back from their home-opener loss to the Rangers but have a tough three game road trip ahead this week. Patrik Berglund (upper body) missing Saturday's tilt. At least Paul Stastny is working out. Relax Jake Allen owners, Brian Elliott seems to be in control. PREDICTION: 1-2.
OTHER NOTES: Missed the Isles scoring train? Cory Conacher notched his first goal on Saturday and could catch fire. Andre Burakovsky (three points) is off to a decent start. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were just fine last week, all that worrying for nothing. But it was Patric Hornqvist's first week in Pittsburgh that has people talking. After notching some early season points, Alexei Amelin is dealing with a lower-body injury. We could see Cody Franson (knee) back this week. Evander Kane (knee) will be reevaluated after two weeks. Anton Khudobin may yield to Cam Ward. Anders Lindback lost to his former employer. Gustav Nyquist has two goals in as many games. James Neal is pointless, but Eric Nystrom and Paul Gaustad have eight points combined. Can Devan Dubnyk overthrow King Smith? Unlikely, but he did win on Saturday. Jiri Tlusty got on the board on Saturday in a big way on Saturday. Kris Versteeg (lower-body) joins Pavel Datsyuk and Mike Green on the continually injured list.
