Fantasy Hockey Head-to-Head Week 17 Primer, Part 2

As I noted last week before the All-Star Weekend, the Predators, Senators and Sharks played twice before the all-star festivities began, which means fantasy managers can fade them in the second part of Week 17.

The Preds and Sens play just one game each, while the Sharks don't play at all and will not resume play until Feb. 14 in Winnipeg. 

It's a relatively light schedule as teams return from the break, but even with a league-leading six all-stars, the Canucks face a huge workload and they're one of only three teams playing four games. Both the Canucks and Avalanche play all four games on the road, with the Avs starting off with a back-to-back Monday and Tuesday. 

The next tier below will see 15 teams play three games, six teams will play twice and seven will play just once. Obviously, try to stay away from the teams that play two games or less. 

The other wrinkle is the inevitable trades that will be consummated in the coming weeks. The Canucks and Jets got a head start on the action by acquiring Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan, respectively, and with so many teams sitting idle, this might be a good time to swing for a trade so their new player can get acclimated rather than being thrown right into the middle of a road trip. 

Another factor to consider for teams playing Saturday and Sunday, including the Canucks: the Super Bowl. The NHL has traditionally shied away from scheduling games head-to-head against one of the biggest sporting events of the year (smart), which means matinee games for the weekend. Though the Canucks play four time, it might be good to fade them over the weekend. 

Schedule

Pick players from teams at the top of the schedule matrix to maximize games and matchups. Green is good. Red is bad. All advanced stats courtesy naturalstatrick.com. All positions and rostered percentages are courtesy of Yahoo Fantasy. Points percentages as of Saturday.

Weekly Bangers

(< 50% rostered on Yahoo, on teams with 4 games this week)

Hits/GP

Dakota Joshua, C/LW, VAN - 2.98
Noah Juulsen, D, VAN - 2.41
Josh Manson, D, COL - 2.36
Beck Malenstyn, LW, WSH - 2.30
Martin Fehervary, D, WSH - 2.07

Blocks/GP

Ian Cole, D, VAN - 2.06
Samuel Girard, D, COL - 2.04
Tyler Myers, D, VAN - 1.90
Rasmus Sandin, D, WSH - 1.67
Martin Fehervary, D, WSH - 1.63 

Season-long adds

(< 25% rostered on Yahoo)

Updated from Week 17, Part 1: 

Wyatt Johnston, C/RW, DAL (28% rostered)

Johnston was rostered in 25 percent of leagues when I recommended him last week and it's already increased by 12 percent (or three percentage points, if you want to be pedantic). 

Gaining RW eligibility so soon has increased Johnston's fantasy value even more after joining the top line with Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson. 

Mid-term holds

(< 25% rostered on Yahoo)

Updated from Week 17, Part 1: 

Ross Colton, C/LW, COL (25% rostered)

As long as Colton remains the Avs' No. 2 center -- and it seems like he will since Ryan Johansen has been hugely disappointing -- he's going to play plenty of minutes and therefore have plenty of fantasy value. Colton was rostered in only 18 percent of leagues last week, so he's quickly catching people's attention. 

The addition of Zach Parise, who is expected to make his Avs debut following the All-Star Weekend, beefs up the Avs' depth, and in turn gives Colton more quality wingers to potentially play with. Colton has six assists in his past three games. 

Sean Monahan, C, WPG (25% rostered)

You wonder if Monahan would've netted the Habs a first-round pick from the Jets had he not been on such a hot streak prior to the trade. Regardless, Monahan's now rostered in one-quarter of leagues, an increase from 17 percent last week. 

We shall see how the lineup shakes out since Cole Perfetti lacks enough experience to be the full-time No. 2 center, and Vladislav Namestnikov's more suited as a two-way center than as a playmaking pivot. Monahan figures to get top-six and power play ice time, and his fantasy value will be very dependent on his usage. 

Dylan Strome, C, WSH (24% rostered)

Strome and the Caps play four times in the second part of Week 17, and he's scored four goals in his past five games. He's the Caps' leading goal scorer, which is strange to say in itself, but also their most productive center. For the remainder of the season, Strome should be one of their top options. 

Nicolas Roy, C/RW, VEG (9% rostered)

William Karlsson was activated off IR on Sunday, but I think he replaces Chandler Stephenson on the top line, leaving Roy's line with Jonathan Marchessault and Ivan Barbashev intact. That's been the Knights' best line recently with Roy on a four-game points streak and winning plenty of faceoffs as well. 

(NEW) Pius Suter, C, VAN (4% rostered)

The acquisition of Elias Lindholm likely bumps Suter off PP1, which hurts his fantasy value since two of his six most recent points have been scored on the power play.

However, the Canucks strongly hinted that Lindholm will form another scoring line with Elias Pettersson, which means Suter's spot on a line with J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser is safe. That's great news for Suter, who's averaged over 18 minutes in his past three games. No word on when Suter will gain LW eligibility, which would be nice for lineup flexibility. 

Short-term streamers

(< 25% rostered on Yahoo)

Updated from Week 17, Part 1: 

JJ Peterka, RW, BUF (18% rostered)

Peterka's on a roll with five goals in his past five games, including two straight two-goal performances. Peterka can be a great option in a pinch because he's proven himself to be a decent high-volume shooter with 133 shots so far this season. With Jack Quinn out for two months, look for Peterka to see a slight increase in playing time.