Twenty-six days.
Believe it or not, the 2021/2022 NHL regular season is just that.
Before the dust settles, however, the fantasy owners undoubtedly have the aspiration of the championship in mind as the marathon will become a sprint in the next few weeks.
Thanks to those of you who have won the first round of your playoffs and good luck to many more to start your journey.
1. The NHL will temporarily show 53 games next week (April 4-10).
Monday: 4 games
Tuesday: 10 games
Wednesday: 5 games
Thursday: 10 games
Friday: 5 games
Saturday: 12 games
Sunday: 7 games
2. For schedule manipulation, this week there are 12 four-game teams to target when it comes to adding waivers (BOS, BUF, CGY, CAR, CBJ, DAL, NSH, OTT, PIT, STL, TBL, TOR).
2. From a schedule standpoint, I like these three slates the most:
Boston Bruins: Mon (@CBJ), Tuesday (@DET), Fri (@TBL), Sun (@WSH)
Appearance of waiver: Eric Howla, Jack Dibrusk
SN Fantasy: David Pasternak 3, BOS Goliath 3
St. Louis Blues: Mon (ARI), Mercury (SEA), Venus (MIN), Saturn (NYI)
Appearance of waiver: Robert Thomas, Justin Falk
SN Fantasy: STL Goliath 3, Vladimir Tarasenko 2
Tampa Bay Lightning: Mon (TOR), Wed (@WSH), Fri (BOS), Sun (BUF)
Appearance of waiver: Brandon Hegel, Anthony Searle
SN Fantasy: Nikita Kucherov 4, TBL Golis 4
4. In addition, stay away from Chicago and Vegas. Each team will only play twice, so it is unlikely that they will cost you much.
5. Though behind Jack Campbell in a mix of maple leaves, I wouldn’t sleep on Eric Calgren. Petro Mrajak is on the shelf for the foreseeable future, a Campbell or bust for Toronto this season, so it would be wise not to overdo it. Observe closely.
6. He will continue to skate in the second line with John Tavares and Alex Kerfut, but Ilya Mikheyev will continue as an alternative to the boastful streamer. The Russian winger has scored five goals and seven points in his last nine appearances.
7. Scoop up Victor Olofson. The dual-qualified Sabers winger has been quietly warming up recently with six goals and nine points from his last 11 outings.
8. In general, Buffalo has a lot of unnecessary values at the moment. Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner, Alex Tuch and Kyle Okposo should also be firmly on your radar, especially since the Sabers are playing four times this coming week.
9. After missing nearly a month with injuries to his lower body, Anton Lundell returned to the Panthers lineup in Newark on Saturday afternoon. Take a look.
10. Exclude Mackenzie Wigger. Cats Blueliner have registered just one point in the last 12 games. Yes.
11. The same goes for Neil Piank in Winnipeg. He has only two minor points in the last 10 matches.
12. In-house replacement of injured Jack Werensky in Columbus is Adam Bokvist.
13. In addition, Josh Morrissey, Brett Pesce, Chris Wideman, Damon Severson and Gustav Forsling have recently been providing some semi-decent section coverage.
14. Also, put Colorado Bowen Bairam on your watch list. The 20-year-old Blue-chip defender, who was on private leave and has not played since Jan. 11, is currently on conditional loan at AHL. He may return to the NHL soon. Be careful.
15 If you own a stock in Arizona, I’ll cut the bait right away. Clayton Keller has been done for years, and it sounds like Lawson Cruz. Frankly, I don’t expect much from them. How dare they get dirty like Trevor Zagras and Troy Terry.
16. Rookie Matt stands for Boldy Wild, Tyson just goes skate with Frederick Goodreau and red-hot Kevin Fialla. Flow away!
17. On Broadway, in the absence of Ryan Strom (Lower Body), Andrew Cop has been admitted to the center in the second line alongside Artemi Panarin and Dryden Hunt.
18. Some Storm / Nazem Qadri Center-worthy injury replacement options: Brock Nelson, Trevor Zegras and Nico Hisier.
19. I know I mentioned him earlier when discussing the Blues’ schedule, but I really felt that Robert Thomas deserved his own thoughts this week. He is burning again; His latest point streak is now up to five matches and nine points. Add him!
20 Needless to say, I want to avoid the Detroit and New Jersey creases at any cost for the rest of the season. In the better part of the second half, these two teams defensively wrecked the train. Stay away!