In the ever-evolving world of fantasy hockey, finding that elusive edge can be the difference between a championship and a heart-wrenching near-miss. And one of the most effective strategies to gain that edge is by maximizing your team's performance during favorable matchups. This is where our Fantasy Hockey Strength of Schedule tool comes into play, offering a comprehensive analysis of each NHL team's upcoming slate.
Week 23: A Standard Scheduling Week
Week 23 presents a fairly typical scheduling scenario, with busy nights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and lighter action on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. For fantasy managers, this means strategically setting lineups early in the week and keeping a close eye on the busier nights to identify any open roster spots. These open spots can then be filled with players who have more games or stronger matchups, thus maximizing fantasy points.
The Key Factors: Games Played, Strength of Schedule, and Light Nights
Our Fantasy Hockey Strength of Schedule tool evaluates teams based on three critical factors:
Games Played: More games mean more opportunities for fantasy points. It's a simple concept, but one that can be easily overlooked.
See AlsoUND vs Merrimack 2026 NCAA Hockey Tournament | First Round Live RecapTony DeAngelo's Rise: From NHL Afterthought to Islanders' Playoff MVP?Jason Zucker's Power-Play Mastery: Unlocking Buffalo Sabres' Special Teams SuccessBrad Larsen: Embraced by the NHL After Tragic Loss — A Columbus Blue Jackets StoryStrength of Schedule (SOS): This metric considers the difficulty of an opponent. A higher score indicates easier matchups, which can lead to more favorable outcomes for your team.
Light Nights: These are nights with eight or fewer NHL games. On these nights, it's easier to fit extra players into your active lineup, giving you an opportunity to squeeze out every last point.
By combining these factors, the tool highlights the teams and players that are best positioned for fantasy success each week.
Week 23 Streaming Targets: A Deep Dive
Let's delve into the streaming targets for Week 23, categorized into three key areas: Most Light Nights, Most Games, and Best Matchups.
Most Light Nights
St. Louis Blues: The Blues are the only team with four Light Nights this week. While they don't have many great streaming options, Jimmy Snuggerud and Pavel Buchnevich are worth considering if available.
Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks have three Light Nights and a favorable schedule with matchups against Toronto, San Jose, St. Louis, and Calgary. Mikael Granlund, who has been on a goal-scoring tear, is a standout option.
Colorado Avalanche: The Avalanche also have three Light Nights, but their key players are mostly rostered. Gabriel Landeskog, who has seen his roster percentage drop, could be a sneaky add if available.
Most Games
Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins are the only team with a five-game schedule this week. Despite injuries to Crosby and Malkin, Anthony Mantha and Yegor Chinakhov are reliable streaming options.
Ben Kindel: Kindel has been generating solid shot volume but has not seen the same production. He could be a deep-league option this week.
Best Matchups
Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers have the most favorable Average Opponent Rating this week, with games against Washington, Detroit, the Islanders, and Boston. Noah Cates and the intriguing prospect Porter Martone are worth monitoring.
New Jersey Devils: The Devils face the Rangers, Capitals, and Canadiens twice this week. Connor Brown, who has been productive since the Olympic break, is a solid streaming option.
Final Thoughts
Fantasy hockey is a game of strategy and adaptation. By leveraging tools like our Fantasy Hockey Strength of Schedule, managers can stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions. Remember, every little advantage counts, and sometimes it's the players you stream on the right nights that make the difference between winning and losing. Stay tuned for more insights and analysis as the season progresses!
