Mastering Your Fantasy Hockey Strategy: Unpacking the October 2024 Schedule

This report offers insights into the teams with a more relaxed schedule during this period, providing fantasy players with a competitive edge. This guide is crucial in determining which players to stream, keeping in mind that a high-scoring player’s worth outweighs the benefit of a less busy schedule.

Colorado Avalanche: The Spotlight Team of October 2024

No NHL team enjoys more visibility this October than the Colorado Avalanche, with six games scheduled on less busy nights. For fantasy hockey players, this three-week stretch could yield significant dividends in all head-to-head (H2H) competitions.

Player to note? Jonathan Drouin. Despite a potential reshuffle due to the return of forwards Artturi Lehkonen, Gabriel Landeskog, and Valeri Nichushkin, Drouin is currently positioned on a top unit with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. His performance last year, with 48 points in his last 53 games (including 16 goals), makes him a valuable asset.

Winnipeg Jets: A Team to Watch Closely

Alongside the Penguins and Ducks, the Winnipeg Jets are one of only three teams playing five times when a maximum of six games are on the NHL schedule. This offers opportunities for players like Gabriel Vilardi, who now skates on a top Jets line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor.

Anaheim Ducks: The Potential Powerhouse

The Anaheim Ducks’ new top line holds immense potential for productivity, featuring sophomore center Leo Carlsson, veteran winger Alex Killorn, and rookie Cutter Gauthier. Each player is underrepresented in fantasy leagues, making them potentially valuable assets to consider.

Pittsburgh Penguins: The Comeback Kids

After missing the season opener, Bryan Rust is expected to return soon, making him a player worth considering. As a top-line player and power-play partner to Sidney Crosby, Rust’s performance last season, contributing 28 goals and 28 assists in only 62 games, is indicative of his potential.

Understanding the Schedule

While players from teams with less busy schedules offer an advantage, it’s important to note that 10 teams are scheduled to compete on only one night when fewer than six games are scheduled for the rest of October. These teams include the Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, Seattle Kraken, St. Louis Blues, and Washington Capitals. This information is essential when considering player additions, assuming all other factors are equal.