The weekend stretch to win your week in a head-to-head Fantasy League is here, and those 2 or 3 points you get off of the waiver wire during a weekend can make or break your head-to-head matchup … we are here to help with that.

*Team records and Special Teams rankings accurate as of Thursday February 23rd, 2012

Here are the teams that play twice this this weekend February 24th-26th (Friday to Sunday, home games in Green, road games in Red):

Boston Bruins: Fri @ Buf, Sat @ Ott
Buffalo Sabres: Fri vs Bos, Sat @ NYR
Chicago Blackhawks: Sat @ LA, Sun@ Anh
Colorado Avalanche: Fri @ Clb, Sat @ Det
Columbus Blue Jackets: Fri @ Col, Sun @ Pit
Dallas Stars: Fri vs Min, Sun vs Van
Florida Panthers: Sat @ Car, Sun vs Mtl
Minnesota Wild: Fri @ Dal, Sun vs SJ
Montreal Canadiens: Fri @ Was, Sun @ Fla
New Jersey Devils: Fri vs Van, Sun vs TB
New York Islanders: Fri vs NYR, Sun @ Ott
New York Rangers: Fri @NYI, Sat vs Buff
Ottawa Senators: Sat vs Bos, Sun vs NYI
Pittsburgh Penguins: Sat vs TB, Sun vs Clb
San Jose Sharks: Sat @ Nas, Sun @ Min
Tampa Bay Lightning: Sat @ Pit, Sun @ NJ
Vancouver Canucks: Fri @ NJ, Sun @ Dal
Washington Capitals: Fri vs Mtl, Sat @ Tor

Written by MindPuck’s Fantasy Experts

Dale Dupuis –> @MPdaledupuis
Steven Wild –> @MPWild

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Scorers to Pick-Up

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Boston Bruins (36-20-2)

Home (18-10-2), Away (18-10-0), Last 10 (4-6-0)
Fri @ Buf, Sat @ Ott
Chris Kelly: Former London Knights always have a special place in my heart, especially when they are doing well (Sorry Rico Fata). Kelly has already tied his career high in goals (15) and should be able to best his career high in points this year as well. His ice time fluctuates pretty heavily depending on how many penalties the Bruins take but his +23 means that even if he puts up the goose egg this weekend he will at least be above the waterline in +/-.

Buffalo Sabres (26-27-7)

Home (15-11-7), Away (11-16-0), Last 10 (5-3-2)
Fri vs Bos, Sat @ NYR
Double or nothing this weekend in exile. Part of me wants to suggest somebody because they did well last weekend but I am sticking with my promise not to pick them especially against two of the best teams in the East.

Chicago Blackhawks (33-21-5)

Home (21-6-4), Away (12-15-3), Last 10 (4-6-0)
Sat @ LA, Sun@ Anh
Bryan Bickell: The Bickell monster has been doing his part to help the Blackhawks stay out of free fall in the past few games. He is currently riding a three game assist streak and has bumped his ice time from the 9 minute mark up to the 13 minute mark in the past few games. Strictly an even strength player he should be able to get in on the action against the Kings who are struggling mightily right now – a well rested Ducks squad on Sunday might be a challenge for all of the Hawks.

Colorado Avalanche (30-27-4)

Home (17-13-1), Away (13-14-3), Last 10 (4-4-2)
Fri @ Clb, Sat @ Det
Ryan O’Reilly: On the fringes of the top 50 in scoring and owned in 30% of leagues, I am no mathematician but that doesn’t add up. Weekend after weekend he has delivered. Heres hoping Downie doesn’t slow down how hot he has been with his pal “Don’t call me Peter” Gabriel (Landeskog).

Columbus Blue Jackets (18-35-7)

Home (11-16-3), Away (7-19-4), Last 10 (5-4-1)
Fri @ Col, Sun @ Pit
If I am not recommending a Sabre why in the world would I recommend a Blue Jacket, you would have better luck betting on Sasha Baron Cohen being allowed at the Oscars this weekend.

Dallas Stars (30-26-4)

Home (16-12-2), Away (14-14-2), Last 10 (4-4-2)
Fri vs Min, Sun vs Van
Mike Ribeiro: Apparently the pool has been closed for the past few games because Ribeiro has reluctantly had to play hockey and remind people why he is entitled to a pay cheque. 4 game point streak including a goal against his old team. Hopefully this spring weather doesn’t get him distracted.

Florida Panthers (27-20-11)

Home (14-8-7), Away (13-12-4), Last 10 (5-5-0)
Sat @ Car, Sun vs Mtl
Tomas Fleischmann: A stretch to be available (64% owned) but the Panthers are not exactly a potent offensive force and therefore are either going to be 3rd or 9th in the East. His main job is to feed the man of many toe drags in south beach (Versteeg) but he has been very productive with 7 points in the last 6 games. He is on the top line and top PP unit which should click against the ‘Canes. They need to capitalize on two bottom feeder teams this weekend to pad their lead in the southeast, if they don’t and miss the playoffs this will be one weekend to blame.

Minnesota Wild (26-24-9)

Home (14-10-4), Away (12-14-5), Last 10 (2-6-2)
Fri @ Dal, Sun vs SJ
Cal Clutterbuck: Just coming off the shelf CC is a welcome addition back into the roster with all the injuries they are facing. There isn’t much to work with based on streaks since he is just coming back, this is more a hunch he will contribute.

Montreal Canadiens (24-27-10)

Home (11-14-8), Away (13-13-2), Last 10 (5-4-1)
Fri @ Was, Sun @ Fla
David Desharnais: Until the little guy gets the respect he deserves he will continue to be the pick of the week for the Habs. He will get assists. Count on it.

New Jersey Devils (35-20-4)

Home (16-10-3), Away (19-10-1), Last 10 (8-1-1)
Fri vs Van, Sun vs TB
David Clarkson: This is an injustice how a guy with 23 goals and 97 pim is owned in 35% of leagues. 11 points in the past 11 games is nothing to look down on either. Tough game Friday but Sunday should be 2 points.
Adam Henrique: 6 points in the last 4 games and leading the rookie scoring race is worth him being on your team but if you are that hard to please he plays on a line with Parise and Kovalchuck. If that isn’t good enough still I really don’t know what you want.

New York Islanders (25-27-8)

Home (13-14-5), Away (12-13-3), Last 10 (4-5-1)
Fri vs NYR, Sun @ Ott
P.A. Parenteau: The man hasn’t gone more than 2 games without registering at least a point since mid November. That is what the kids call consistent. Sees time on the Islanders surprisingly strong PP and against lesser defenders who are trying to contain Tavares.

New York Rangers (38-15-5)

Home (19-7-2), Away (19-8-3), Last 10 (7-3-0)
Fri @NYI, Sat vs Buf
Artem Anisimov: When he isn’t shooting goalies in face he is actually getting points on a regular basis (7 points in the past 9 games). He lines up alongside Gaborik (probably the best shooter in NHL 12… prove me wrong EA Sports) and Stepan for just shy of 20 minutes a game. The Rangers have rolled along all season and should keep going against two mediocre opponents this weekend. Barring him getting his face smashed in for a great celly, Anisimov will be a solid pickup.

Ottawa Senators (32-22-8)

Home (16-11-3), Away (16-11-5), Last 10 (5-3-2)
Sat vs Bos, Sun vs NYI
Daniel Alfredsson: Starting to get some love from Fantasy Poolers now (60% owned), as long as he doesn’t grow his golden locks out like Krusty the Clown again, Alfie should remain a solid waiver pick-up for the rest of the season. 5 points in his past 5 skates, averaging around 20 minutes a night in that span and 2:52 PP time, the Captain will need to lead his team to victory this weekend to create a cushion in the standings and provide some playoff insurance.

Pittsburgh Penguins (34-21-5)

Home (18-8-2), Away (16-13-3), Last 10 (5-4-1)
Sat vs TB, Sun vs Clb
Chris Kunitz: It appears as though I cursed the man with my “TRADE AWAY: Chris Kunitz” article: He’s got 1 point in 4 games since I published it *queue celebratory dance.* All that said, look for Pittsburgh to put 3rd degree burns on the back of opposing goalies necks this weekend with excessive lamp-lighting … Tampa Bay and Columbus are 24th and 30th respectively on the PK respectively, and the Penguins’ PP unit should look resemble the Harlem Globe Trotters vs. St. Paul’s Elementary School Basketball team. Kunitz’s permanent spot on the 1st unit should pay dividends, especially at home in both games.

San Jose Sharks (31-20-7)

Home (18-9-2), Away (13-11-5), Last 10 (3-6-1)
Sat @ Nas, Sun @ Min
Jamie McGinn: I am publishing this portion against my will while being held at gunpoint (help!). There is no justification for picking anyone up off the waiver wire from the Sharks this weekend, as they play on the road against two solid defensive teams. Not to mention, all of the Sharks decent scorers are owned in 98.7% of hockey pools. McGinn is really your only option.

Tampa Bay Lightning (27-26-6)

Home (18-9-2), Away (9-17-4), Last 10 (5-3-2)
Sat @ Pit, Sun @ NJ
Teddy Purcell: Don’t look now, but the Teddy bear is hotter than a Bunsen Burner after an incompetent Grade 9 class left the science room irresponsibly. 8 points in his last 5 games, that’s what happens when you play on the top line with Steven Stamkos while he’s torching tendies.

Vancouver Canucks (38-16-6)

Home (18-6-4), Away (20-10-2), Last 10 (7-1-2)
Fri @ NJ, Sun @ Dal
Jannik Hansen: If you don’t have a twin, and you play for the Canucks, you usually won’t get that much playing time. Notwithstanding, Hansen has made the best of his 14 minutes a night with 3 points in his last 4 games. If the Canucks are going to get secondary scoring this weekend on the road, Hansen will likely be in on it.

Washington Capitals (29-26-5)

Home (19-8-2), Away (10-18-3), Last 10 (3-6-1)
Fri vs Mtl, Sat @ Tor
Mathieu Perrault: There is no one who looks better putting a puck in the net with his face than “Bobby Red Boots” Mathieu Perrault. 3 points in his last 5 outings, he is as likely as anyone on Washington right now to put up some numbers.