We are now over a month into the season, and both the Arizona Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks are holding playoff spots. Did anybody expect that? Well, there is still plenty of hockey left so a lot can change. The first full NHL week in November is here. And we are back with the 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Weekly Planner.
Week 5 is an extremely busy week across the league as every team will play at least three times over the week. Almost half the league will also encounter a back-to-back. That can be the ultimate test for a team that is trying to figure out their true selves.
This week will feature two premier matchups that contain four of the top teams in the league right now. Saturday, the Colorado Avalanche travel to take on the defending Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights. Then, the Dallas Stars will welcome in the 9-0-1 Boston Bruins.
It's a great week for hockey, and I'm ready to look ahead with all of you. I think it's about time we jump into the 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Weekly Planner.
2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Weekly Planner
November 4, 2023 - November 10, 2023
Top Targets
Mason McTavish, Center/Left Wing, Anaheim Ducks (71% Rostered)
MASON MCTAVISH AT THE END OF REGULATION! ?
This kid's on fire!!! pic.twitter.com/KU4OS55Ljd
— NHL (@NHL) October 31, 2023
The youth movement has taken its course in Anaheim, and Mason McTavish is taking the lead. The former 3rd overall pick has jumped into the season red-hot, recording 12 points (five goals and seven assists) through 10 games.
McTavish seems to found chemistry with Frank Vatrano, and the duo has helped the Ducks get out to a surprising 6-4 record. These two together should have a big week coming up as the Ducks will remain home for the next week. They'll be welcoming the Golden Knights, Penguins, and Flyers to the Honda Center.
If your fantasy team is looking for an option to make an instant impact, McTavish is your guy. He will be carrying a six-game point streak (four goals and five assists) into the new week.
Filip Hronek, Defense, Vancouver Canucks (64% Rostered)
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The Vancouver Canucks enter Week 5 with a record of 7-2-1 and have a league-best +24 goal differential. Filip Hronek has played a large part in the team's success at both ends of the ice and could be one of the best fantasy defensemen in the league right now.
As we move into the new week, Hronek has racked up 10 assists through the team's first 10 games. Seven of those assists have come in the last five games! He'll continue to get his chances, too, as he has been paired with star Quinn Hughes.
The 26-year-old can be extremely valuable when trying to find a fantasy option on the blue line. He will continue to get powerplay minutes and shots on goal, while also blocking multiple shots per game.
Pavel Zacha, Center, Boston Bruins (49% Rostered)
Pavel Zacha wins it in overtime for the Bruins. pic.twitter.com/n13FiVVcgU
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) October 31, 2023
Pavel Zacha had his work cut out for him heading into this season. With Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retiring in the offseason, Zacha was appointed the team's new #1 center. Through the early part of the season, he is living up to expectations.
Like last season, he is flanked on the right side by his Czech countryman David Pastrnak. The two continue to highly impact the Bruins' offense and will do so throughout the season. Zacha got off to a slow start to the season but has been hot through the last handful of games (three goals and two assists over four games).
As long as Zacha is linked to David Pastrnak, he will remain a valuable fantasy hockey player.
Injury Alerts
Adam Fox, Defense, New York Rangers
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Following Thursday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the New York Rangers have placed Adam Fox on long-term injured reserve. The star defenseman was on the receiving end of a knee-on-knee collision with Sebastian Aho forcing him out of the game early.
The Rangers will now be without one of their top players until at least November 29 while they look to hang on to the top spot in the Metropolitan Division.
Sam Bennett, Center, Florida Panthers
Sam Bennett began the 2023 campaign on the injured reserve and has found himself back on injured reserve almost immediately. The 27-year-old returned to action on 10/30 following a seven-game absence to start the season due to a lower-body injury. He soon exited this game during the second period with another lower-body injury.
This season hasn't been one to remember for Bennett, who is now considered week-to-week. The Panthers now hope that he can recover fully so they can get him back in the lineup.
Carter Hart, Goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
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This season has gotten off to a solid start for Carter Hart, who is looking to have a breakout season. Now, he will need to focus on recovering from a mid-body injury suffered on Wednesday night.
Hart was forced to leave the game against the Sabres after surrendering a goal in the first period of action. It looked like he was going to try to remain in the game and play through the injury, but was ultimately pulled after looking uncomfortable in the crease.
The Flyers will look to remain hot with their backup goalie, but the hope is that Hart can return soon.
Team Worth Watching This Week
Toronto Maple Leafs
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If you are a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, you are likely very excited for Week 5. When looking at how the team has played through the first 10 games, along with who is on the upcoming schedule, you should see the good things this week will bring.
The Leafs will remain in the comforts of home all week. The new week features four straight games at Scotiabank Arena. They'll welcome in the Sabres, Lightning, Senators, and Flames for action. On paper, the Leafs will have the advantage against all four teams on the schedule. Toronto should have no problem taking care of business.
In the beginning part of the season, Toronto has had strong play out of the gates from all of their star players. Leading the way in points is William Nylander with 14, while Auston Matthews leads the team in goals with eight. The team's top two lines have carried the production and should continue to do so as we move into the second month of the season. While not likely, you should be looking for players in this group if you want to succeed in fantasy!
Unfortunately for Toronto, they have not had many contributions from their bottom six forwards. This week could be a big one for the team, as they welcome in some lesser talent. They will be looking for the bottom six to get going, and this feels like a good week for this to happen.
Week 5 Most Games (4)
Florida Panthers - @CHI, CBJ, @WSH, CAR
Minnesota Wild – NYR, @NYI, @NYR, @BUF
San Jose Sharks – PIT, PHI, EDM, @VGK
Tampa Bay Lightning – @OTT, @TOR, @MTL, CHI
Toronto Maple Leafs – BUF, TBL, OTT, CGY
Vegas Golden Knights – COL, @ANA, LAK, SJS
Week 5 Fewest Games (3)
Anaheim Ducks – VGK, PIT, PHI
Arizona Coyotes – WPG, SEA, @STL
Boston Bruins – @DET, @DAL, NYI
Buffalo Sabres – @TOR, @CAR, MIN
Calgary Flames - @SEA, NSH, @TOR
Carolina Hurricanes – @NYI, BUF, @FLA
Chicago Blackhawks – FLA, NJD, @TBL
Colorado Avalanche - @VGK, NJD, SEA
Columbus Blue Jackets – @WSH, @FLA, DAL
Dallas Stars – @VAN, BOS, @CBJ
Detroit Red Wings – BOS, @NYR, MTL
Edmonton Oilers – NSH, @VAN, @SJS
Los Angeles Kings – @PHI, @VGK, PIT
Montreal Canadiens - @STL, TBL, @DET
Nashville Predators - @EDM, @CGY, @WPG
New Jersey Devils – @CHI, @COL, WSH
NY Islanders – CAR, MIN, @BOS
NY Rangers - @MIN, DET, MIN
Ottawa Senators – TBL, @TOR, VAN
Philadelphia Flyers – LAK, @SJS, @ANA
Pittsburgh Penguins – @SJS, @ANA, @LAK
Seattle Kraken – CGY, @ARI, @COL
St. Louis Blues – MTL, WPG, ARI
Vancouver Canucks – DAL, EDM, @OTT
Washington Capitals – CBJ, FLA, @NJD
Winnipeg Jets – @ARI, @STL, NSH
Week 5 Back-To-Back Tracker
Buffalo Sabres - 11/03 PHI & 11/04 @TOR + 11/10 MIN & 11/11 @PIT
Calgary Flames - 11/10 @TOR & 11/11 @OTT
Carolina Hurricanes - 11/10 @FLA & 11/11 @TBL
Chicago Blackhawks - 11/04 FLA & 11/05 NJD
Los Angeles Kings - 11/08 @VGK & 11/09 PIT
Minnesota Wild - 11/09 @NYR & 11/10 @BUF
Ottawa Senators - 11/08 @TOR & 11/09 VAN
Philadelphia Flyers - 11/03 @BUF & 11/04 LAK
San Jose Sharks - 11/09 EDM & 11/10 @VGK
St. Louis Blues - 11/03 NJD & 11/04 MTL
Tampa Bay Lightning - 11/06 @TOR & 11/07 MTL
Toronto Maple Leafs - 11/10 CGY & 11/11 VAN
Vegas Golden Knights - 11/04 COL & 11/05 @ANA
Washington Capitals - 11/10 @NJD & 11/11 @NYI
What was missed in the 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Weekly Planner? Be sure to comment below!
Be sure to get all of your Fantasy Hockey advice from the F6P team.
