Weekend watch: Plan ahead for unbalanced schedule
The Devils visit the Sabres Friday night. The Canucks host the Ducks on Sunday. Everyone else — plus Anaheim and Buffalo again in their respective back-to-backs — plays Saturday. If nothing else, this 1-15-1 weekend slate is easy enough to summarize.
Addressing the two solo acts sandwiching Saturday’s heaving schedule, if Jake Allen is half as adept in Buffalo as he was Tuesday night in Toronto, the New Jersey netminder presents as a viable streaming play against the volatile Sabres. However, know that call-up Devon Levi (projected) was also terrific when tapped to start against Vancouver earlier this month, and more recently in relief of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen versus the Senators Wednesday. In Sunday’s solo battle, Vancouver’s current go-to goalie appears the heavy fantasy favorite against the 2-10-1 Ducks.
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Notable notes from Saturday’s docket include a projected heavyweight bout between two quality but annoyed (coming off losses) squads, when Colorado welcomes the Predators. A cracker of a game altogether, but perhaps a slight nail-biter for invested fantasy managers hoping to advance past this playoff week.
In more lopsided (on paper) affairs, the Oilers hope to make it three straight when hosting the fumbling Ducks, Dallas’ Jamie Benn aspires to extend his current point streak to nine games in Seattle, the Kings could very well resume their winning ways against the despondent Flames, St. Louis — with either Jordan Binnington or Joel Hofer in net — hosts the rather beatable Sharks, while the Penguins are looking to better the beleaguered Blue Jackets for the second time in three days. To outline a few.
So, plenty of workable fantasy assets to choose from, available either on your own roster or the wire if, for example, starting Juuse Saros or Alexandar Georgiev makes you a bit nervy.
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Tyler Bertuzzi, F, Toronto Maple Leafs (Available in 51.1% of ESPN.com leagues): Excuse the overstatement of the obvious, but there’s a veritable upside to playing on a line with Auston Matthews. Clearly enjoying that benefit, and performing efficiently in his own right, Bertuzzi potted another pair of goals against the Capitals Thursday, extending his current tally to six in seven games (plus two assists).
Jake Neighbours, F, St. Louis Blues (Available in 84.9% of ESPN.com leagues): Skating on a scoring line with Robert Thomas, the young lad has six goals and three assists in eight contests. And Saturday’s matchup appears rather agreeable. The Blues face a Sharks team that’s surrendered a league-high average of 5.13 goals/game in their past eight (March 14).
Dylan Guenther, F, Arizona Coyotes (Available in 93.9% of ESPN.com leagues): While Logan Cooley’s hat trick against the Predators Thursday was indeed impressive, his linemate has been the more consistent of the two, particularly from a fantasy perspective. With four goals and three assists on 29 shots, Guenther is averaging 2.4 fantasy points/game since March 10.
Tom Wilson, F, Washington Capitals (Available in 73.8% of ESPN.com leagues): Just a heads-up, he’s due back from suspension after Tuesday’s game in Buffalo. Before violently decking Noah Gregor in the face with his stick, Wilson was on a minor fantasy tear, averaging 2.7 points/game in March.
Mattias Ekholm, D, Edmonton Oilers (Available in 69.4% of ESPN.com leagues): Since pointing out Ekholm’s renewed affinity for pitching in production-wise last week, we’ve seen the Oilers defender contribute another three assists on 12 shots. He’s still blocking them, too.
Logan Thompson, G, Vegas Golden Knights (Available in 31.5% of ESPN.com leagues): While it doesn’t sound like Adin Hill (undisclosed) will be out too long, Thompson has won four straight starts for Vegas. He was flat-out spectacular against Winnipeg Thursday night.
See also: Pavel Zacha, F, Boston Bruins
Mats Zuccarello, F, Minnesota Wild: The veteran winger is more attractive as a fantasy asset when playing on the same line as Kirill Kaprizov, which he isn’t at present. Plus there’s the modest haul of three assists (no goals) in nine games.
Casey DeSmith, G, Vancouver Canucks (Available in 83.8% of ESPN.com leagues): Vancouver’s current No. 1 probably deserved a better fate Thursday after holding the sizzling Stars to only two goals on 33 shots. One he’ll likely enjoy Sunday if/when the rest of the Canucks manage to score more than a single against the visiting Ducks.
Alex Nedeljkovic, G, Pittsburgh Penguins (Available in 96.4% of ESPN.com leagues): The Penguins’ netminder stopped 17 of 19 shots in Thursday’s 3-2 victory over the Blue Jackets. Good enough. Nedeljkovic could be worth streaming again Saturday when Pittsburgh faces Columbus once more.
Jonathan Quick, G, New York Rangers (Available in 96.4% of ESPN.com leagues): If he gets the start against the Coyotes in Arizona Saturday. Winner of three straight, New York’s backup was better than good in last week’s 5-2 win over Boston.
David Rittich, G, Los Angeles Kings (Available in 95.9% of ESPN.com leagues): If he gets the start in Calgary Saturday. While Rittich has two shutouts in his past three starts (vs. MIN and NYI), the clearly deflated Flames are foundering.