Clock's ticking. There are fewer than two weeks left for fantasy managers who remain in the competitive thick of matters to make the most of each and every opportunity. Thirteen days. So, with many perceived favorable matchups peppering this long weekend's schedule -- featuring six games Friday, 11 on Saturday, and a substantial nine Sunday -- let's get straight to some fantasy-flavored highlights:
Not yet wholly out of it, the Blues could make a fair bit of fantasy racket in this weekend's venture through California, with stops in San Jose Saturday and Anaheim Sunday. As mentioned below, one under-rostered top-six forward and backup netminder merit particular attention.
Ottawa can play spoiler versus the Devils (not yet eliminated!) and Capitals, after what Brady Tkachuk called an "embarrassing" outing against the Panthers Thursday. Expect Ottawa's skaters to come out swinging after their captain's disgusted postgame speech on the dire importance of playing for pride. Plus, neither Jersey nor Washington is keeping the net all that clear at present. Play your Senators.
Look for Alexis Lafreniere to put up more points when his Rangers face the Red Wings Friday and host the Canadiens Sunday. The enduringly underappreciated fantasy player has been on an erratic tear of late.
On the subject of underappreciated players, Gustav Nyquist and the rest of the Predators visit the Tri-State area this weekend, holding dates with the Islanders and Devils. Averaging 2.4 fantasy points/game this past month, and rostered in less than half of ESPN Fantasy leagues, Nyquist collected another three assists against the Blues Thursday.
Keep in mind, only the Oilers still have eight games remaining on their regular-season slate, when most other teams look to six or seven. Contrariwise, the Panthers and Bruins only play five more times. If some way/how defenseman Mattias Ekholm remains available in your fantasy league, please give him solid thought.
The Hurricanes face the Capitals on Friday and Blue Jackets on Sunday. While there's no guarantee Frederik Andersen shifts back to the win column versus Columbus after dropping Thursday's decision to Boston - the first loss in his impressive return - I certainly like his chances. Ensure all your favorite Carolina skaters are in your active lineup for both tilts.
Well out of it, several widely available Coyotes' skaters still offer perceived fantasy value this weekend, including Nick Schmaltz, Nick Bjugstad, and Dylan Guenther. Arizona hosts Vegas Friday before visiting San Jose Sunday.
Sticking with this season's have-nots, those same Sharks also face the Blues this weekend. If needing a deeper-league fantasy boost up front, know that Mikael Granlund is relentlessly putting up points, to the tune of 21 in his past 20 games.
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Stock Up
Jake Neighbours, F, St. Louis Blues (Available in 84% of ESPN.com leagues): As mentioned, the not-yet-completely-out-of-it Blues face the Sharks and Ducks, Saturday and Sunday. A fixture alongside top center Robert Thomas, Neighbours is averaging 2.5 fantasy points/contest in his past 11 games. That impressive figure could grow even more robust after this weekend's trip through California.
JJ Peterka, F, Buffalo Sabres (Available in 79 % of ESPN.com leagues): Skating on a top line with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, Peterka added another pair (plus an assist) against the Capitals Thursday, extending his current goal total to seven in six games. The 22-year-old is also now, unsurprisingly, competing on Buffalo's top power play. The Sabres face the Flyers and Red Wings, Friday and Sunday, respectively.
Alex Nedeljkovic, G, Pittsburgh Penguins (Available in 93% of ESPN.com leagues): All considered, he merits a second shout-out this week: Now winner of five of his past six - totaling 31.0 fantasy points in a span of 10 days - Pittsburgh's current starting netminder is doing his best in helping to drag his club into a playoff position. While Saturday's date with the Lightning is no easy out, Nedeljkovic recently beat the Hurricanes, Rangers, and exceptionally desperate teams in New Jersey and Washington.
Stock Down
Sean Couturier, F, Philadelphia Flyers: After registering a single assist in 15 games - a span interrupted by a two-contest break in the press box - the Flyers' captain now has a shoulder injury. Time to cut ties, if you haven't already.
Streamer Specials
Ivan Fedotov, G, Philadelphia Flyers (Available in 99.4% of ESPN.com leagues): Against the Blue Jackets on Saturday if Samuel Ersson gets the nod Friday in Buffalo? Absolutely. The KHL export did his part in keeping his new squad competitive against the Islanders last Monday. Not too shabby for an NHL debut.
Joel Hofer, G, St. Louis Blues (Available in 97.6% of ESPN.com leagues): If Hofer is offered the opportunity as anticipated, I expect the Blues' backup to make amends Sunday in Anaheim after last week's odd loss to the Sharks. Not only because he stopped 26 of 28 shots in a recent 4-2 victory over the Ducks (Mar. 17). Also because the home side has won 11 games at the Honda Center all season long.
Philipp Grubauer/Joey Daccord, G, Seattle Kraken: Whoever gets the start in Anaheim Friday. Both Grubauer and Daccord beat the Ducks in their respective starts in Seattle last week. Not to belabor the point, but Greg Cronin's crowd isn't winning a whole bunch right now.
Marc-Andre Fleury, G, Minnesota Wild: The ex-Blackhawk (however briefly) could be in line to battle his old Chicago squad Sunday, should Filip Gustavsson earn the start against the Jets Saturday. If so, that matchup strikes as favorable enough. By my arithmetic, the Wild can't be mathematically eliminated by that point either, which matters. Oh, and stream Ryan Hartman Sunday if possible. The trouble-making forward will want to provide compensation after earning a three-game suspension for his stick-tossing antics.
See also: Scott Wedgewood, G, Dallas Stars vs. Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday