Week 19 Fantasy Hockey Start 'Em & Sit 'Em (Feb. 28-Mar. 6)
The NHL "Start and Sit" roars into March like a lion. Fantasy hockey playoffs draw ever closer. There will be 51 games played in all from Feb. 28 - Mar. 6. Let's take a look at the breakdown of games.
- Monday (Feb. 28) -- 3
- Tuesday (Mar. 1) -- 9
- Wednesday (Mar. 2) -- 4
- Thursday (Mar. 3) -- 9
- Friday (Mar. 4) -- 7
- Saturday (Mar. 5) -- 10
- Sunday (Mar. 6) -- 8
Again, note the final four nights. That is a lot of games spread out (35 in total).
Teams Playing Four Games: Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights.
Teams Playing Three Games: Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets.
Teams Playing Two Games: Arizona Coyotes, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins.
In Week 19, the back end of the schedule puts some heat into the fantasy week.
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Fantasy Hockey Forwards To Start In Week 19
W Patrik Laine, Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets forward has been on some goal-scoring binge of late. The Finnish winger has six goals in his last five games and that includes a couple more assists. Overall on the season, Laine has 19 goals in 33 games. It has been a trying season for the forward. He lost his father earlier in the season, had a few injuries, and then came back to a mess in Columbus. What is more impressive with Laine is how few power-play points he has accumulated (just nine). Laine over an 82-game schedule is on pace for more than 40 goals. When the forward is on a streak, he has to be rostered.
C Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
The math flips to Hughes' favor this week as the center keeps on rolling with ten points in his last five games. That includes 19 shots on goal and a couple of blocked shots and hits too. That translates to four goals and six assists in this span. Overall, Hughes now has 15 goals and 21 assists in 32 games on 105 shots. Shot volume is up, chances are up and already has nine power-play points. Just imagine if Hughes had stayed healthy. The center plays four times this week and has some more good opposition to pile up points against.
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Fantasy Hockey Forwards To Sit In Week 19
C John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs
Ten goals were scored by Toronto on Saturday night and John Tavares did not register a single point. Not one. The center has not scored in a dozen games and though he has eight assists, his shot volume has dipped a bit. It even seems like Tavares is passing up opportunities as well. It does seem like playing with Alex Kerfoot has run its course. Last year, Toronto acquired Alex Galchenyuk to heat things. That did the trick. The question is what can Kyle Dubas and Toronto do to change things up. Until they figure that out, Tavares is probably worth a seat.
W Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
This could be a bit tough but Nashville plays just twice this week and Filip Forsberg is facing a bit of an uncertain time. Trade rumors are out there amidst some potential contract extension talk. No one is honestly sure of what to believe on the latest with Forsberg. He did score against Tampa on Saturday to give him 27 goals in 40 games. The problem is other wingers play three and four times this week with just as much appeal. Seattle and San Jose are not bad matchups on the surface but shots could be limited for Forsberg after a four-day rest.
Not sure who to start this week? Use our fantasy hockey Start / Sit Tool!
Fantasy Hockey Defenseman To Start In Week 19
D Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning play four times in Week 19 and Hedman figures to be a big factor fantasy-wise. Games against Chicago, Detroit, and Ottawa make this a good week for Tampa Bay players. The defenseman is still averaging a point a game on the season. Lately, Hedman has been averaging three blocked shots a game, a hit a game, and almost three shots a contest. In his past four starts, Hedman has four points. The Tampa defenseman plays more than 25 minutes a night and could be especially a factor on the man advantage this week. Hedman remains a contender for the Norris Trophy and a top fantasy option from the blueline.
Fantasy Hockey Defenseman To Sit In Week 19
D Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers defenseman plays just two games this week. They do play against Ottawa and Detroit at home, which is good. On the other hand, Ekblad has had four shots on goal the past two games and only one was a quality shot with two scoring chances. It is a risk to avoid Ekblad this week but again, this is more about choosing some different options. It is all about trying to take advantage of the schedule. Maximizing the number of games played is essential. Realizing the potential that Ekblad might have lesser chances for points is reasonable as well. There is some concern that Ekblad has played too much lately too.
Fantasy Hockey Goalie To Start In Week 19
G Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
Swayman, since the Tuukka Rask cameo, has played even better of late. He is 4-0-1 in his last five decisions and still is enjoying one heck of a fantasy hockey season. He has just 12 wins in 23 games BUT a 2.04 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. That includes two shutouts. Swayman has formed an excellent bond with fellow goalie Linus Ullmark. The two backstoppers, particularly Swayman, have kept Boston in way more games than they should have thise season. Swayman could see as many as three starts in Week 19.
Fantasy Hockey Goalie To Sit In Week 19
G John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
It has been a vicious downward spiral over the past five starts for John Gibson. Losing four of those five games has not helped. After what was a promising start, 2021-22 is looking more and more like the previous two years where Gibson burned out. Is a trade on the horizon? Either way, with the bad, starts mounting, it has been time to sit John Gibson for the foreseeable future. When a goaltender allows 23 goals on 128 shots, that is just a resounding sign. Look elsewhere and far away from Anaheim this March for one's fantasy hockey sanity.
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