Fantasy Hockey Head-to-Head Week 14 Primer

Imagine my excitement when I saw that Saturday had all 32 teams in action. The NHL doesn't do this enough, and it's a dream even though the starts aren't staggered enough.

This will be the final 16-game day scheduled for the season, so enjoy it while you can. It officially marks the halfway mark of the season; any player looking to turn his season around in the second half has to be doing so around this time. 

There are seven teams playing four games in Week 14, highlighted by the Stars at the top at the top of the schedule matrix. The Stars, Flyers and Wild play games on the off-days, which make them ideal targets. Thanks to a Saturday matchup against the Connor Bedard-less Blackhawks, the Stars also have the fifth-easiest schedule of the week following the Senators, Jets, Oilers and Hurricanes.

The Bruins and Canucks have arguably the toughest schedules with a back-to-back Monday and Tuesday, and four road games in six days, but these are potentially high-scoring matchups. I wouldn't be shy about streaming any Bruins or Canucks, except maybe Casey DeSmith, who will surely see action at some point against potentially a strong offensive team such as the Rangers or Islanders. 

The Canes, Devils and Blue Jackets will be the laggards with two games apiece. None of them play on off-days, which gives them even less value in fantasy. The Devils, in particularly, with a banged-up lineup facing the Lightning and Panthers, seem primed to go winless in Week 14. 

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 - 3.05 
Simon Benoit, D, TOR - 2.83 
Will Cuylle, LW, NYR - 2.53 
Nicolas Deslauriers, LW, PHI - 2.50 
Noah Juulsen, D, VAN - 2.36 
Garnet Hathaway, RW, PHI - 2.36 

Blocks/GP

Nick Seeler, D, PHI - 2.67 
Timothy Liljegren, D, TOR - 2.45 
Jake Middleton, D, MIN - 2.29 
Mark Giordano, D, TOR - 2.28 
TJ Brodie, D, TOR - 2.22 

Season-long adds

(< 25% rostered on Yahoo)

Brock Faber, D, MIN (24% rostered)

After a brief three-game run, Faber stopped producing points but he snapped the drought with a three-assist effort against the Jackets. While he's one of those players who are much better in real life than in fantasy, there's still a lot of value to be had for the Wild's top defenseman and PP QB. He's scored 19 points in 38 games this season. 

Mid-term holds

(< 25% rostered on Yahoo)

Jonathan Drouin, C/LW, COL (23% rostered)

As long as Drouin plays 20-plus minutes a night with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, he's going to have immense fantasy value. He's just far too unreliable and inconsistent at times, but there's no doubt Drouin's on a heater with four goals in three games. It's a tough schedule for the Avs — Boston, Vegas and Toronto — but they can score against any team. 

Vladislav Namestnikov, C/LW, WPG (17% rostered)

He's scored only four goals this season, but Namestnikov's been on fire as the Jets' No. 2 center. He's scored eight points in his past six games centering Cole Perfetti and Alex Iafallo, and on occasion may also skate with Nikolaj Ehlers and Gabe Vilardi. 

Alexander Kerfoot, C/LW, ARI (13% rostered)

As long as Kerfoot centers Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz on the top line, he's going to pick up points. Though he's normally an unexciting, low-event player, Kerfoot is trusted by coaches because he's dependable. With added ice time and quality linemates, look for Kerfoot to continue to produce points. 

Morgan Geekie, C/RW, BOS (10% rostered)

Even with Pavel Zacha returning to the lineup, Morgan Geekie has maintained his spot as the No. 1 center. Zacha's shifted to the left wing while David Pastrnak stays on the right wing. Geekie is certainly taking advantage with 18 points in 32 games, including six in the past seven games, and fills multiple categories with shots, faceoffs and some blocks and hits. 

Short-term streamers

(< 25% rostered on Yahoo)

Dakota Joshua, C/LW, VAN (24% rostered)

Joshua's excellent run continues, now up to 19 points in 38 games while also being one of the league leaders in hits. He's excellent in multi-category leagues and the Canucks play four games in Week 14. His line with Connor Garland and Teddy Blueger is arguably the best third line in the league, and they've been as productive as the top lines from poor teams. 

Andrew Mangiapane, LW/RW, CGY (21% rostered)

Mangiapane's goal against the Hawks stretched his points streak to five games despite averaging less than 16 minutes per game. The Flames' offense has come alive recently even though they've lost two straight, and with an upcoming matchup against the Sens, Mangiapane should be able to deliver points over the next game or two. 

Ryan Hartman, C/RW, MIN (17% rostered)

The return of Mats Zuccarello balances out the Wild's offense and Hartman is playing on the right wing with Joel Eriksson Ek at center on the second line. Eriksson Ek has been an excellent source of shots this season and Hartman can capitalize by either setting him up or cleaning up the rebounds. With four games in Week 14, Hartman has a chance to continue his hot streak. He's scored eight points in his past 12 games.