Thanksgiving and the NHL Season
As Thanksgiving approaches in the United States, NHL teams are acutely aware that the holiday marks a critical moment in their season. The playoff picture often becomes more defined by the time Thursday rolls around; teams that find themselves out of the playoff race face steep challenges to turn their fortunes around. Historically, about 75% of teams in playoff positions at this time, since the league introduced the wild-card format, maintain those standings through the remainder of the season. Last year, 12 out of 16 teams that occupied playoff spots on Thanksgiving held onto them for the following four and a half months. However, this season’s exceptionally tight standings may lead to some unexpected twists, making the outcome less predictable than usual. The Flames and Predators are nearly certain to miss the playoffs, while the Blues and Canucks are precariously close to the edge.
NHL Schedule Changes
The NHL schedule is altered this week due to the holiday; no games are slated for Thursday. Typically, this is a quieter week for the league, with few games on both Tuesday and Thursday. Only one match is on the schedule for Tuesday, while Wednesday and Friday feature a much busier slate of 15 games each. This setup leads to multiple back-to-back games over the weekend, making it essential for fantasy managers to consider starting backup goaltenders.
Fantasy Hockey Insights
If you’re hoping to maximize your roster output, targeting the Stars could be advantageous, as they have four games scheduled from Tuesday to Sunday, setting them apart from other teams. One key player to consider is Tyler Seguin, who’s currently enjoying a solid performance and is available in about 75% of Yahoo leagues.
Player Suggestions
In terms of player suggestions for fantasy leagues, there are several strong candidates:
- Adam Fantilli, C, CBJ (46% rostered) — Despite a rough start with only two goals in his first 14 games, Fantilli has recently found his stride with seven goals in just eight games and is establishing himself firmly as the team’s first-line center.
- Jack Roslovic, C/RW, EDM (44% rostered) — Currently skating alongside Connor McDavid, Roslovic is likely to see sustained ice time, especially as the Oilers look for offensive momentum.
- Jet Greaves, G, CBJ (46% rostered) — Emerging as the Blue Jackets’ primary goaltender, Greaves is proving himself despite the team’s occasional late-game struggles.
Further Considerations
Further considerations include other players who may offer value amidst tight competition:
- Tyler Seguin, C/RW, DAL (24% rostered) — Not only is Seguin benefitting from an advantageous schedule, but he’s also in excellent form with recent scoring success.
- Braeden Bowman, RW, VGK (7% rostered) — Playing prominently alongside Jack Eichel, Bowman is hitting his stride and capitalizing on scoring opportunities, making him a valuable pickup for those needing offensive depth.
- Jesper Wallstedt, G, MIN (44% rostered) — The Wild’s goaltending situation is intriguing, as Wallstedt is on a hot streak, posing some questions about how they will manage their goalie rotation in the future.
- Kevin Lankinen, G, VAN (21% rostered) — Following disappointing performances from others, Lankinen is likely to become the Canucks’ go-to goalie, especially with an upcoming schedule that allows for more starts.
Conclusion
In advance of the holiday and in a highly competitive atmosphere, this week will be crucial for fantasy hockey players to make savvy decisions. Keep an eye on line changes and player performances as the matchups unfold this busy week. For comprehensive insights and updates, make sure to subscribe to The Hockey News or explore your options in the fantasy community.
