Week 17 Fantasy Hockey Start 'Em & Sit 'Em (Feb. 14-Feb. 20)
The NHL's start and sit take another interesting dynamic this week. Fortunately, after last week's "long week," things are back to a sort of normal. There will be 46 makeup games played in all from Feb. 14-20. Let's break down the schedule matrix in the terms of games by night.
- Monday (Feb. 14) -- 4
- Tuesday (Feb. 15) -- 9
- Wednesday (Feb. 16) -- 4
- Thursday (Feb. 17) -- 10
- Friday (Feb. 18) -- 4
- Saturday (Feb. 19) -- 7
- Sunday (Feb. 20) -- 8
Thankfully no teams are playing six or seven times this week.
Teams Playing Five Games:
Edmonton Oilers.
Teams Playing Four Games:
Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets.
Teams Playing Three Games:
Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights.
Teams Playing Two Games:
Arizona Coyotes, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals.
Teams Playing One Game:
New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning.
In Week 17, there are still some lopsided schedules to take advantage of. This time, some weekend back-to-backs can make or break one's week too.
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Fantasy Hockey Forwards To Start In Week 17
W Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild play four times this week and they are the hottest team in the NHL not named the Colorado Avalanche. They are led by Kirill Kaprizov who is now up to 54 points in 42 games. That includes five points in his last five games with the potential for more. He has 24 shots and 28 scoring chances during this span. The winger also gets favorable matchups versus Edmonton, Detroit, and Winnipeg. The increasing shot rate and room for growth in the shot percentage are quite encouraging. He is about on pace with his numbers for last season and could exceed those totals over an 82-game schedule. Kaprizov is a must-start this week and do not forget to look at teammate Matt Boldy as well.
C Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers
is this not an easy choice? Yes. However, Florida plays three times this week and should have an entertaining game with the Minnesota Wild. Bennett does not play top-line minutes but has 21 goals in 37 games. Five of his 21 goals are on the man advantage and Bennett has six game-winning goals. He also has five points in his last five games including four goals. Andrew Mangiapane and his 24 goals came close to upending Bennett here but Florida has games against Carolina, Minnesota, and Chicago. That Chicago matchup could be full of fireworks and maybe a big boost on the final day of the fantasy week.
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Fantasy Hockey Forwards To Sit In Week 17
Any New Jersey Devils or Tampa Bay Lightning Forward
This is all about the math again. New Jersey and Tampa Bay just play once and that is it. The irony is that the teams play each other on Tuesday night from Newark this time around. Is that one game enough to help fantasy owners this week? That answer is no. Both teams will have at least a week off between games. Especially in weekly transaction leagues, it is an excellent idea to hit the sit option even for some of the best players in the NHL. That even includes players like Andrei Vasilevskiy and Victor Hedman too. But again, give forwards from the Devils and Lightning a rest.
W Taylor Hall, Boston Bruins
This one could be viewed as a little dicey. Hall had two-point games back to back during the "long week" but went ice cold on Thursday and Saturday. Hall had just two shots on goal and two scoring chances. That's it. The Carolina game was one thing but the Ottawa contest was more troubling. With the injury to Patrice Bergeron and suspension to Brad Marchand, it might be a good idea to sit at Hall another week. Besides Charlie Coyle might be the hotter commodity and he is likely still on those waiver wires.
Not sure who to start this week? Use our fantasy hockey Start / Sit Tool!
Fantasy Hockey Defenseman To Start In Week 17
D Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers defender may not get a ton of points offensively but he racks up shots, hits, blocked shots, and ice time. Darnell Nurse is averaging a whopping 26:35 of ice time a game. With Edmonton playing five times this week, he is bound to put up some impressive peripheral numbers. He had 19 hits and 13 blocked shots to go along with his ten shots during the last five-game stretch. While he had just a mere assist, Nurse had 15 scoring chances in all. Is he a 50 to 55 point defenseman in the NHL? Probably not. Is Nurse a peg below that? Probably. Nurse has been underperforming this season and could bounce back in Week 17. At the least, he is going to keep shooting.
Fantasy Hockey Defenseman To Sit In Week 17
D John Carlson, Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals blueliner added a helper on Sunday to close last week out on a high note with six shots on goal and seven scoring chances. John Carlson is starting to near his projections from the start of the year. He now has nine goals and 27 assists in 45 games. He had four points in his previous five contests. Carlson and the Washington Capitals play just twice this week but there is a question mark as to Carlson's status. The middle of their defense is no doubt porous but Washington may have a harder time putting up the offense if the blueliner gets suspended for his hit to Brady Tkachuk on Sunday.
Fantasy Hockey Goalie To Start In Week 17
G Jacob Markstrom, Calgary Flames
We wanted to keep playing Matt Murray but were told to pick someone else this week. Besides Murray, there is Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. Markstrom is on another run reeling off four straight victories. That includes allowing just six goals and posting a shutout against the Vegas Golden Knights at home. Markstrom has been incredible this season. He is 20-10-5 overall in 36 starts with eight shutouts. The eight shutouts lead the NHL. He has also saved career-high goals saved above average of nearly 18. There's almost half a season to go.
Fantasy Hockey Goalie To Sit In Week 17
G Jack Campbell, Toronto Maple Leafs
It is ominous that the Toronto Maple Leafs' defense has dried up along with Jack Campbell's increasing goals-against average and decreasing save percentage. How rough has it been? Campbell has allowed three or more goals in seven of his last eight appearances. He was even yanked at home against New Jersey then gave up three more goals (did get a win) in the return clash. Campbell has four RBS's in this span and a fifth start where he had just a .850 save percentage. Toronto does play three times this week but there are better options that play 3-4 times in Week 17.
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