Fantasy Hockey 2025-26: Weekly Strength of Schedule and Streaming Targets — Week 2
Finding an edge in fantasy hockey often comes down to maximizing your man games — and targeting players with favourable matchups. Our Fantasy Hockey Strength of Schedule tool helps you do precisely that.
Each week, we evaluate every NHL team’s upcoming slate using three key factors:
- Games Played: More games mean more opportunities for fantasy points.
- Strength of Schedule (SOS): Based on opponent difficulty, the higher the score, the easier the matchups.
- Light Nights: Nights with eight or fewer NHL games, when it’s easier to fit extra players into your active lineup.
By combining these three components, the tool highlights which teams — and streamers — are best positioned for fantasy success this week.
Week 2 Strength of Schedule
Week 2 Streaming Targets
4 Games, 3 Light Nights
Utah Mammoth
The Mammoth have by far the best streaming schedule this week. They play four times, including three light nights, and face the third-easiest average opponent rating. Even better, they feature two widely available players worth adding.
The first is Nick Schmaltz (C/RW – 30% Rostered), who has averaged 69 points (25G, 44A) per 82 games over the last four seasons. Through two games this year, he’s recorded two assists and seven shots while averaging 19:52 TOI. Schmaltz is the top streaming target of the week.
If Schmaltz is already taken, or if you’re in a banger league and want more category coverage, look to Jack McBain (C/LW – 7%). With Barrett Hayton banged up, McBain has been skating in the top six to start the year, producing one goal, seven shots, four hits, and three blocks in 17:05 ATOI. The line of McBain–Schmaltz–Keller has generated plenty of offense early, creating 12 scoring chances and four high-danger looks at 5v5.
Chicago Blackhawks
Like Utah, Chicago plays four games this week, including three on light nights, but their schedule is much tougher; it ranks 20th in average opponent difficulty. Still, the Blackhawks offer several intriguing streaming options that could turn into long-term holds if their early success continues.
The most obvious target is Frank Nazar (C – 36% Rostered). He’s opened the season on fire, recording one goal and four assists (five points) in three games while averaging 19:53 TOI. That level of deployment is encouraging, but his production may regress, the Bertuzzi–Nazar–Teravainen line has scored three 5v5 goals on just 0.87 xGF and an unsustainable 30.0 SH%. Even if the scoring cools off, Nazar’s ice time and 4.3 shot attempts per game suggest he’ll continue to provide fantasy value.
Teuvo Teravainen (LW/RW – 16%) has also started strong with one goal and three assists, but his fantasy ceiling is slightly lower given his lighter shot volume. If that line’s early luck fades, Teravainen is more likely to see a dip in production than Nazar.
While streaming a defenseman isn’t always ideal, Sam Rinzel (D – 39% Rostered) looks like much more than a short-term play. The rookie blueliner has impressed early with one goal, five shots (12 attempts), and 23:26 TOI/gm, including top-pair and PP1 usage. It’s rare to find that combination of role and opportunity available in over 60% of leagues.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings are the third team this week with four games and three light nights, but their schedule is a tough one. They face the Maple Leafs, Panthers, Lightning, and Oilers, which caps their streaming upside a bit. Still, there are a couple of strong fantasy options to consider.
If Patrick Kane (RW – 49% Rostered) is available in your league, he’s an easy add. Kane has looked sharp to start the season with 1G and 3A in two games, and he’s produced at a 73-point pace (28G, 45A) over 124 games since joining Detroit. He should be rostered in far more leagues than he currently is.
If Kane is expectedly unavailable in your league, Marco Kasper (C/LW – 20%) is worth a look. He’s centering Detroit’s second line with Kane and Alex DeBrincat, and the trio has carried over their strong chemistry from last season. In 2024-25, they generated 3.3 xGF/60 at 5v5 but were limited by a low 6.5 SH%. That appears to be correcting early this year, and they’re dominating through two games, posting a 79.4 xGF% and 15–4 scoring chance edge at 5v5.
If that level of play continues, Kasper could be in for a breakout season. He also brings extra value in banger leagues, averaging 8.0 hits per 60 for his career.
4 Games, 2 Light Nights
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks have just two light-night games this week, but with a 10-game slate on Monday, there’s a good chance you’ll have a roster spot available. If so, Vancouver is worth targeting; they have five forwards under 50% rostered who offer streaming appeal.
Leading the way are Brock Boeser (RW – 45%) and Jake DeBrusk (LW/RW – 28%), both skating on the top line with Elias Pettersson and the top power-play unit. Boeser, just two years removed from a 40-goal season, slipped in drafts but has scored in both games so far while averaging 4.5 shot attempts per game. He’s more of a potential long-term hold than a true streamer. DeBrusk fits the latter category better, a steady 25-goal, 50-point producer who’s started well with two assists in two games and can chip in across multiple categories.
Vancouver’s second line is also widely available. Evander Kane (LW/RW – 34%), Conor Garland (RW – 6%), and Filip Chytil (C – 3%) are all viable targets. Kane is the preferred option, skating on PP1 and contributing strong peripherals with nine hits and 10 shot attempts through two games. If he’s already rostered, Garland and Chytil are fine fallback plays. Chytil opened the year with a two-goal, five-shot performance, while Garland has quietly averaged 50 points (19G, 31A) per 82 games over the last four seasons. Neither is a week-winner, but both can provide steady depth production.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Like Vancouver, the Lightning have just two light-night games this week, but one of their four matchups falls on Monday’s 10-game slate. However, Tampa Bay doesn’t offer many clear waiver targets, even if you have a lineup spot open that night.
The most intriguing option is Oliver Bjorkstrand (RW – 10%), who’s currently skating on PP1. He’s tallied one goal and one assist in two games, but limited 5v5 usage (13:28 TOI/gm) caps his upside.
At the other end of the spectrum is Anthony Cirelli (C – 21%), who logs heavy 5v5 minutes but sees minimal power-play time. He broke out with 59 points last season, yet has been held off the scoresheet through two games. Cirelli offers a safer floor, while Bjorkstrand provides higher multi-goal and power-play upside.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are only worth targeting if you have a roster spot available on Thursday, but if you do, there are a couple of intriguing winger options to consider.
Trent Frederic (C/LW/RW – 12%) continues to skate on a line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. After a quiet opener, he was much more active in Game 2, registering four shots, five attempts, and three hits. Frederic isn’t the most offensively gifted player, but skating alongside two of the league’s best makes him a worthwhile short-term flier.
David Tomasek (RW – 2%) might be even more appealing. Although he’s playing lower in the lineup at 5v5, he’s taken Zach Hyman’s spot on PP1, which gives him immediate fantasy relevance. Edmonton’s power play is among the league’s most dangerous, and Tomasek has already produced one PPA and seven shots through two games. He also brings legitimate scoring upside after posting 24 goals and 33 assists (57 points) in 47 games in the SHL last season.