A tough decision can be made easier with these charts showing you the best five and worst five schedules for upcoming seven-day periods. Some of you used them last year but for the benefit of new readers here is a refresher. The number next to the team indicates the 'multiplier' to use on a player's point-per-game pace to give you an idea how many points to expect for that week.

All-Star Weekend is upon us, which means I have to take a bit of a wider approach on this week’s article. All of the weekly schedules on the chart below are pretty bare because of a six day hiatus from NHL action, but thanks to Yahoo! getting their heads out of their arses, they have extended this week so that it’s now from January 24^th – Feb 6^th.

But first, for those not going by this schedule, here is some info on the week ahead. Only three teams have a four game week in this entire set of weekly schedules, and while none of them normally inspire much confidence, their schedules make things look even bleaker.

The Panthers will start with a bang at home Friday night against Tampa Bay, but then face the suddenly resurgent Brodeur, and then the always surging Lundqvist and Thomas. Yes, the Cam Ward’s play has been a bit streaky this year, but he should be the least of the Islanders worries during their four game week starting Friday night. It features a home and home against Miller and the Sabres, and a trip to Pittsburgh where the Pens will likely be in defense mode without Crosby and Malkin. The Flames are the final team with a four game week, and they face three teams in the top 10 in goals allowed, Dallas, Vancouver and Nashville, and finish it off with the Blues.

If you aren’t in a league that is combining this and next week, expect a lot of one game weeks for a lot of your players, especially in any league that starts between Monday and Friday. The Ducks and Sabres are both stuck with zero games on the Wednesday to Tuesday schedule. Hopefully not many leagues are going to be decided in late January.

For those of you in Yahoo! or a league that is taking the break into consideration, here are some notes from the two week schedules.

Monday January 24 – Sunday February 6

When the lowest score is the Blackhawks, who play three home games against Minnesota, Colorado and Edmonton, and then a game in Tampa, you know you can’t go wrong with choices during this week.

Tuesday January 25 – Monday February 7

Phoenix and Edmonton lead the way with six games weeks. The Panthers are one of the top rated teams, but play all five games on the road. No team plays less than five games.

Wednesday January 26 – Tuesday February 8

The Devils are the only six game team during this week, but face the Rangers, Panthers, Habs and Canes in that stretch. The Sabres are the only team that plays three games this week.

After this schedule, things return back to the normal two or three game weeks for all teams. I will still be back next Friday with a post All-Star break analysis.

Happy Pooling!

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