Weekly NHL Forecaster November 13th – November 19th

Below is a breakdown of the sixth week of NHL games in the 2017-2018 season. The graph breaks down the schedule and the strength of the opponent in goals for, goals against, their power play and penalty kill and ranks it against the rest of the league on a scale from 1-31 (with 31 being the worst) So the higher the average ranks you see for an opponent the better schedule that team has. It factors in how well a team does at home vs. on the road as well.

*Stats are as of 11/9/2017

Favorable:

Offense: Arizona Coyotes (say whaaaaaa) that’s right, I am hereby recommending looking into the Arizona Coyotes for offense. Max Domi (50% owned) Derek Stepan (31% owned) or even Chrisitan Dvorak (4% owned). The ‘yotes face the Jets, Canadiens and Senators, all in the bottom third in goals allowed. The Blue Jackets go up against the Canadiens and Rangers bptj are a,pmg the bottom third.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8FLyMnwABw

Goalies: Devan Dubnyk has a chance to rebound as he faces the Flyers, Predators and Capitals who are three teams surprisingly in the bottom half in offensive production. Jake Allen has a good week ahead with the 2^nd place Blues as he faces the Flames, Oilers, and Canucks, somehow the Flames and Oilers are the teams NOT to be afraid of this week (strange how the NHL can go off script).

Power Play: The aforementioned Coyotes have a good power play week ahead as well. Besides them, the Stars face the Hurricanes, Panthers, Lightning and Oilers, all except Tampa Bay are among the bottom third in PK. Not a bad week for Jason Spezza (51% owned – 3PPP) and Devin Shore (1% owned – 5PPP).

Penalty Kill: The Red Wings penalty kill gets a breather with Calgary Flames and Sabres, among the worst third in PP. The Golden Knights face the Oilers, Canucks and Kings, the first two are among the worst 7 teams on the power play so far this season.

Unfavorable:

Offense: The Oilers, who are fighting to get wins, go up against the Blues (7^th best defense) and Stars (3^rd best) after an easier Golden Knights game (18^th). I like the week for Devan Dubnyk but don’t like their forwards chances as they go against the Flyers, Predators and Capitals, a rough contingent of solid goalies.

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Goalies: The Devils will go up against two of the most talented young squads of forwards (Maple Leafs and Jets) with both games being on the road. I would be heavily tempted to bench Cory Schneider if there is a semi-competent option on your bench. Carey Price has a rough go with the Blue Jackets and Maple Leafs (two top 5 offenses) bookended around the Coyotes.

Power Play: Tampa is being challenged for a second straight week with the Stars (4^th best PK unit) and Islanders (12^th). The Panthers will go up against the Stars, Sharks (2^nd best PK unit), Kings (best unit) and Ducks (5^th best) if Florida has more than one PP this week, I’ll be a bit impressed.

Penalty Kill: The Devils have a brutal caldron of power play teams in Maple Leafs and Jets (both top 7 teams).The Senators face the Penguins and Rangers (both top 5 teams) with a slight breather in the Coyotes (22^nd on the power play).