Congratulations to all those still involved in head-to–head competition for the playoffs. You have clearly made some sound decisions in fantasy-related matters. Timing is crucial now more than ever. Optimizing your lineup with the best players available, or those who are, is key. PlayingThis is the key. Thursday, April 16th will see the start of 14 NHL games. 16 will give managers the opportunity to choose from a variety of options and leave those who are rejected on the bench. How about Friday’s cards, which have only two games? Sunday is the final date in many fantasy playoff series. There are six contests on the schedule. There are fewer games, which means there are less active players. Lineup slots that can be filled with valuable assets will also decrease.
At this stage it is best to not prematurely identify who won’tYour lineup Saturday should include your less-than-stellar assets. Send them out to be active on sandwiching Friday and Monday, in order to maximize the number of games played. Even if Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel PageauThe fantasy point earned by Friday and Sunday is 1.1. This is 2.2 less than for a Saturday benched player. However, the strategy is subjected to each league’s waiver rules, acquisition limits, as well as fantasy squads already steamrolling competition.
If every point is counted this weekend and you don’t have a next round in three days, then know that it’s not over. Florida PanthersAnd New York IslandersThe only two squads that are active Friday and Sunday are these, with the rest of the team being idle Saturday. These are the top free agents you can target if there is tight competition.
Florida PanthersYou are the No. If you have a target for acquisition of 1 free agent, this is Anthony Duclair(rostered in 54.3% ESPN.com leagues). You can also power play and top line with Aleksander BarkovDuclair scored two goals with eight shots in Tuesday’s win over Anaheim. This feat is even more remarkable considering the Ducks’ goalie. John GibsonThe tight overtime loss saw Barkov stop 52 of 55 shots. With nine more games to go, Barkov (34) has scored more goals than the underrated player (30). Duclair could be able to score a few fantasy points on Friday and Sunday when most NHLers are not engaged. This could mean the difference between moving on or declaring it a fantasy season.
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Anthony Duclair scores a second goal as the Panthers tie it at 2-2 against the Ducks.
Third-line centre Anton LundellA potential freelancer for fantasy sports is also available. The 20-year old rookie has returned to skating after losing 11 games due to illness. Sam ReinhartAnd Mason Marchment. He has 41 points in 58 games and will want to end the regular season with a bang, starting this weekend against the Winnipeg JetsAnd Detroit Red Wings. There’s a good possibility he’s available to you in your league for just five seconds of tapping the keyboard or mouse.
The Panthers have a blue line that includes two attractive fantasy options. These are especially appealing in leagues that reward hits or blocked shots. Contributing in many categories, scoring and not. Ben ChiarotSince leaving Montreal for Florida, he has averaged 2.2 fantasy point per game. This was before the trade deadline. Only 26.4% of ESPN.com leagues have the top-pair defender. Teammate Radko GudasThis gem is a hidden gem in fantasy competitions that reward more difficult play. The imposing defender has scored 79 points in his 13 previous contests. He has 25 blocked shots and hit 79 times (plus three bonus points). Gudas is still widely available and leads the league with 334 hits so far.
Florida’s net Spencer KnightIf you are going to play against the Red Wings on Sunday, 51.3 percent is worth considering as a streaming option. The rookie netminder has won four straight games, allowing only six goals. I’m less optimistic about Friday’s game against a Jets team that is still trying to make the playoffs. Winnipeg has scored four goals in their last three contests – two regulation wins, one OT loss to Avalanche. Veteran players are still very important. Sergei BobrovskyEven though he looked solid against the Ducks on Tuesday, he could easily win the nod in Friday’s match-up. Keep watching.
New York Islanders:The Canadiens will face us Friday, and the Maple Leafs Sunday. This is a productive Toronto team who has also faced the Canadiens. AllowedSince Mar., an average of 3.6 goals per game. 29 – Islanders should have a lot of fantasy hay on weekends when other teams are not around. Skating on the line with Mathew BarzalWinger Zach Parise(1,2%) scored two goals against the Penguins on Tuesday. This included a power-play goal (assisted by Barzal), and a shorty. The veteran, though well past his prime, still has some pop. He scored against Toronto earlier in the season, and he also earned three assists during two other contests with Montreal.
Veteran friend Kyle PalmieriHe is also a feast/famine producer and has scored three goals as well as three assists in his last seven games. Pageau and Pageau will be competing for the line. Justin BaileyPalmieri, who has spent minutes watching the man-advantage, can occasionally put in a rich fantasy total. This is what he did last Friday (3.3) in Carolina and earlier that week (4.8). He is available everywhere in the ESPN.com fantasy universe, much like Parise. Managers who are looking to score points should consider him.
Blue line for the Islanders Adam PelechIn his seven previous contests, he has recorded five assists (including one shorthanded) and blocked 10 shots. This equates to 1.8 fantasy points per game in standard competition. MoreYou will get more from a vacant position than any vacant defensive spot. Pelech is available for almost 97% of ESPN.com leagues.
Notable is also the fact that eight other NHL teams will be playing Sunday in the wrap-up of the H2H series. You can always go back to fantasy eight ball if you have nothing to lose. If you’re miraculously alive on Monday, then you can begin roster reconstruction.