Week 22 Fantasy Hockey Trade Deadline Start 'Em & Sit 'Em (Mar. 21-Mar. 27)
This is one pivotal week (Mar. 21 - Mar. 27). First, it is day-by-day games played time.
- Monday (Mar. 21) -- 4
- Tuesday (Mar. 22) -- 11
- Wednesday (Mar. 23) -- 4
- Thursday (Mar. 24) -- 10
- Friday (Mar. 25) -- 5
- Saturday (Mar. 26) -- 12
- Sunday (Mar. 27) -- 8
Again, note the busy times of the week with the Sunday kicker. Keep in mind, Monday will still be chaotic with more trades expected. Here is the team breakdown of the games played.
Teams Playing Four Games: Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets
Teams Playing Three Games: Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals.
Teams Playing Two Games: Seattle Kraken
In Week 22, the Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday have a Sunday kicker. This means several teams will be playing three games in four days/nights. With the NHL Trade Deadline upon us (Monday, 3:00 PM ET), there have been some moves that will have an impact. Let's see below.
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Fantasy Hockey Forwards To Start In Week 22
C Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward served his two-game suspension then came back with a vengeance. Like Perron, Matthews has scored a bunch of goals (seven in his last five games). With 46 goals in 57 games, the question is this week the week Matthews gets to 50 goals? With games against New Jersey, Montreal, and even Florida, goals should not be in short supply or shots for that matter. This is just an easy week to sit and roster the forward and his linemates. Even the Toronto power-play units will see a bump up. Matthews is arguably the number forward option for Week 22.
W David Perron, St. Louis Blues
The "Perron Bender" is in full effect. Even with a disjointed schedule, David Perron now has eight goals in his previous five games. That is coming on a whopping 28 shots (5.6 per game). At the very least, the shots and six scoring chances a game could continue. St. Louis has good matchups at home versus Philadelphia and on the road in Washington. Even a home game against the Carolina Hurricanes is not quite so bad (consider Carolina is not expected to add at the deadline). Simply, keep rostering Perron as an LW1 or LW2 until further notice.
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Fantasy Hockey Forwards To Sit In Week 22
W Clayton Keller, Arizona Coyotes
So, do not sit Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Instead, the crazier idea may be to sit someone like Clayton Keller. Keller has quietly been one of those wingers that have produced a point a game all season (61 points in 61 games). Keller does have three goals and four assists in the last five games and has Nick Schmaltz by his side which has helped. However, Arizona has just one good matchup at home against Seattle. One can almost write off playing Calgary and Keller could have some issues in Winnipeg as well (three shots, no points in two meetings). Cross your fingers on this.
W Claude Giroux, Florida Panthers
The rationale for sitting Claude Giroux this week is risky. Most anyone knows that. His minutes will be a little different as he slots into the top-unit power play and maybe the second line at even strength. How is it all going to mesh? That's the big question. It could be another case where the team and veteran need a little time. Giroux is a bit used to less ice time over his past ten games (about two minutes less than his 19:14 average). The forward's effectiveness is not quite the same on the man advantage as it used to be (about one point per five starts -- three goals, nine assists). Finally, there is only one puck and a lot of players who can thrive in a scoring role in Florida. Do not expect a ton of points here.
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Fantasy Hockey Defenseman To Start In Week 22
D Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators play four times in Week 22. Roman Josi is on fire from a fantasy standpoint with two goals and 12 assists in his last five games. This is not a misprint as Josi is now up to 75 points on the season. As he vaults himself further up into the Norris Trophy debate, his fantasy value has shot up once more. Nashville is in a scenario where they must keep playing well. With the top-six clicking in Nashville from an offensive standpoint, one has to keep on playing Josi. After all, who else is there from a fantasy standpoint on the blueline from Nashville? Exactly.
Fantasy Hockey Defenseman To Sit In Week 22
D Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks
The strategy for some players in new places maybe just to sit them for a week. Hampus Lindholm was traded over the weekend to the Boston Bruins. With an expected extension (not done at press time), Lindholm will be slotted into the top-four. Power-play time may be rather low to non-existent at first and overall playing time may suffer some. Consider that Lindholm will not play against Montreal so that is one game ticked off for Week 22. That leaves just two games and an adjustment period. Lindholm may play 20-21 minutes at best similar to his last five games in Anaheim. Be cautious here.
Fantasy Hockey Goalie To Start In Week 22
G Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers
This is our time to use Igor Shesterkin this week. Why? Shesterkin plays the New Jersey Devils which can be entertaining. However, a win is almost a certainty. New York has defeated New Jersey eight straight times. Right now, the Russian goalie leads the Vezina Award discussion and honestly our fantasy goalie awards as well. After that, the Rangers entertain the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. At home, both of those games are winnable along with an elevated chance of more quality starts. Shesterkin has 30 wins in 40 starts, 31 quality starts, and has saved 39 goals above expected. Expect more of the same in Week 22.
Fantasy Hockey Goalie To Sit In Week 22
Minnesota Wild goaltenders
There were quite a few candidates for this slot. However, the uncertainty of Marc-Andre Fleury means Cam Talbot cannot feel too easy-going into Monday. Minnesota, at one point, went through a span where they allowed 61 goals in 13 games. Things have stabilized a bit with wins against Boston and Chicago. However, Chicago was saddled with the flu and a ticked-off locker room. Boston did not have Patrice Bergeron in the lineup and looked a bit lost. As time ticks closer to the trade deadline, we will find out if Bill Guerin pulls the trigger on Fleury or stands pat in goal. These are anxious times either way and it best to just sit Wild goaltenders for this week anyway.
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