The Week Ahead: Mar. 12-19

As the playoffs approach every game is starting to take on a playoff-like feel. While the races aren't quite as tight as they have been in the last couple of years, there is still a ton of room for things to change before the end of the regular season. This week is going to play host to a lot of potential "Win and in" games, depending on how things go.

San Jose @ Calgary on Tuesday could see a matchup of teams battling for the 8th and final playoff seed in the West as well as two teams trying to right the ship and gain some momentum going forward.

Rumor has it that the Thursday night matchup between the Rangers and the Penguins could be the return of Sidney Crosby. The game is on NHL Network.

While lacking the intensity of a head to head matchup for a playoff spot, Colorado @ Buffalo on Wednesday could have two teams trying to stay in the playoff hunt.

The always-intense matchup between the Anaheim Ducks and LA Kings will see another iteration on Friday, and with the Kings sticking around .500 recently, they're going to want to get hot soon, and a win at the Pond would certainly give them that.

Important Fantasy points: Ottawa Senators play 3 games against 2 non-playoff teams this week, Detroit's Brendan Smith has 3 points in his last 4 games and is available in your league, I'm almost positive. Blake Wheeler is getting hot, but is going against a very hot Dallas team. I am back on the Ray Emery bandwagon.