Fantasy Hockey 2025-26: Weekly Strength of Schedule and Streaming Targets — Week 5

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.

If you’re looking for a full breakdown of every team’s upcoming schedule, check out our Fantasy Hockey Strength of Schedule Tool — updated daily to show which teams have the most games and valuable light-night matchups each week.

Week 5 Strength of Schedule

Week 5 Streaming Targets

The NHL’s Frozen Frenzy completely threw off the streaming schedule in Week 4, but Week 5 is much more balanced and packed with streaming opportunities. One team has four light-night games, while four others have three, so there’s plenty of streaming targets to be found.

Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago tops this week’s streaming list; they’re the only team with four games on light nights, so you won’t have to worry about lineup conflicts. The matchups aren’t amazing (19th in Average Opponent Rating, 50.1), but the sheer volume makes them worth targeting.

Ryan Donato (C/LW/RW – 34% Rostered)

Donato hasn’t matched last year’s contract-season surge, but he’s still producing in a secondary role. Through 12 games, he’s tallied 6G, 2A with steady volume (2.2 SOG/gm, 1.4 hits/gm). He offers balanced category coverage and multi-position eligibility, though he’d benefit from more top-line or PP1 time.

Andre Burakovsky (LW – 3% Rostered)

After three down years in Seattle, Burakovsky is showing flashes of his Colorado form. He’s up to nine points (4G / 5A) in 11 games while averaging a career-high 17:05 TOI/gm. Playing over 84% of his 5v5 minutes with Connor Bedard, the pair has driven play well (2.8 xGF/60, 27.7 SCF/60, 10.4 HDCF/60). He’s also seeing PP1 usage, with nearly half his production coming on the man advantage. Burakovsky doesn’t bring much in peripherals, but his scoring ceiling is higher than Donato’s this week.

Tyler Bertuzzi (LW/RW – 10% Rostered)

Bertuzzi remains a steady, low-key contributor. Over his last three seasons, he’s averaged roughly 1.1 goals, 1.1 assists, 7.2 SOG, and 4.0 hits per four games — consistent depth production that plays well in a busy week. He’s skating 16:38 TOI/gm on Chicago’s second line and top power-play unit, giving him both volume and opportunity.

Teuvo Teravainen (LW/RW – 20% Rostered)

Teravainen is more of a specialist. He’ll chip in assists and power-play points but offers limited shot volume (1.3 per game) and goal scoring.

Calgary Flames

The Flames only play three times this week, but all three are on light nights, and they own the easiest schedule of the week based on Average Opponent Rating (79.4). Matchups against CBJ, CHI, and MIN set up well on paper, but the question is, can they capitalize?

Through 14 games, Calgary ranks dead last in goals per game (2.14), and lineup volatility hasn’t helped; several of their best streamers have been scratched recently. Proceed with cautious optimism.

Jonathan Huberdeau (C/LW – 31% Rostered)

The Flames’ offence has looked more functional since Huberdeau rejoined the lineup on October 18th. Before his return, they averaged 1.77 GF/60 and 2.72 xGF/60; since then, those numbers have improved slightly to 2.31 GF/60 and 2.86 xGF/60.

Huberdeau has seven points (4G / 3A) in nine games, though his 1.7 SOG/gm keeps him more of an assist-heavy play. Still, his 19:34 ATOI ranks second among Calgary forwards, giving him the most secure usage and fantasy relevance on the roster this week.

Blake Coleman (C/LW/RW – 27% Rostered)

Coleman remains one of the most reliable Flames. He’s dressed in 98.5% of games since joining the team in 2022. He offers excellent peripherals with solid depth scoring: 2.6 SOG, 4.4 shot attempts, and 2.0 hits per game.

That pace translates to roughly 1G, 1A, 8 SOG, and 6 hits across three games — a strong floor for category coverage and a solid play in banger leagues.

Mikael Backlund (C – 4% Rostered)

Backlund is a steady but low-upside option. He’s posted six points (2G / 4A) in 14 games, right in line with his typical production. Without meaningful power-play time, his fantasy ceiling is limited. You know what you’re getting, but you may prefer to chase higher-upside plays this week.

Matt Coronato (RW – 10% Rostered)

It’s surprising that Coronato’s lineup spot has been in question after he finished last season with 23 points (13G / 10A) in his final 33 games (a 32G / 25A pace). The good news: he’s been in the lineup for four straight and is seeing more opportunity, averaging 16:08 TOI over his last three.

He ranks second on the team in shot attempts (behind Kadri) and recently skated on a line with Morgan Frost and Huberdeau, plus PP1 usage. If that deployment sticks, Coronato could easily lead Calgary in fantasy value this week.

Morgan Frost (C – 6% Rostered)

Frost shifted back to center on Sunday but logged a season-high four SOG in 17:13 TOI. With five points (1G / 4A) in his last seven games and growing trust from the coaching staff, he’s a worthwhile speculative streamer if he remains in the top-six and on PP1.

Seattle Kraken

Like Calgary, Seattle has one of the softest schedules this week — the 2nd-easiest Average Opponent Rating (69.3) — but their offence remains a concern. The Kraken are averaging just 2.73 goals per game, the ninth-lowest mark in the NHL.

Jaden Schwartz (C/LW – 18% Rostered)

Schwartz has quietly had a strong start, picking up points in eight of 11 games for a total of 10 points (4G / 6A). His current luck (19.0 SH%, 17.6 on-ice SH%) likely isn’t sustainable, but all you need is one more hot week. With a clearly defined role and steady usage, he offers a safe floor with modest upside.

Jordan Eberle (RW – 8% Rostered)

Eberle’s profile is similar to Schwartz’s, but his production looks more sustainable. He’s registered eight points (4G / 4A) in 11 games while maintaining reasonable metrics (16.0 SH%, 13.6 on-ice SH%). His shot volume and deployment are slightly stronger than Schwartz’s, making him a safer streaming option overall.

Matty Beniers (C – 12% Rostered)

Beniers continues to be a steady, if unspectacular, producer. He’s logging heavy minutes on the top line and power play, but has just one goal to show for it so far. His low shot volume caps his goal-scoring upside, keeping him in assist-heavy streamer territory. Realistically, his ceiling looks like a 20-goal, 30-assist player over a full season.

Chandler Stephenson (C – 6% Rostered)

Stephenson’s usage is enticing — 20+ minutes per game and PP1 time — but the results haven’t followed. With just 18 shots in 11 games, his floor is almost nonexistent. He’s managed seven points (3G / 4A), so there’s some upside if things break right, but there’s just as much risk he posts zeros across the board.

Vancouver Canucks

The theme of Week 5 continues; teams with the best schedules can’t seem to score. Vancouver’s schedule ranks 9th in Average Opponent Rating (69.2), slightly tougher than Calgary or Seattle, but still among the easiest this week. Unfortunately, injuries have ravaged their lineup, and they currently sit 28th in the NHL in goals per game (2.54).

Kiefer Sherwood (RW – 53% Rostered)

Sherwood is the most widely rostered player on this list, mostly thanks to his appeal in banger formats. In standard leagues, he’s still available in many spots despite being tied for fourth in the NHL with nine goals. His 36.0 SH% screams regression, but with Vancouver’s injuries, he’s been leaned on heavily — averaging 21:58 TOI/gm over his last three. If that workload continues, Sherwood should keep getting enough opportunities to stay productive, even as his shooting percentage comes back to earth.

Brock Boeser (RW – 36% Rostered)

Boeser remains one of the more reliable goal scorers available on the wire. With four goals in 11 games, he’s tracking toward another 30+ goal season and continues to perform right in line with his production from the last two years. His finishing ability makes him a high-upside streaming option this week, especially with added ice time from the Canucks’ injury woes.

Jake DeBrusk (RW – 22% Rostered)

DeBrusk has been generating quality chances all season but hasn’t been rewarded yet. He’s averaging 2.8 SOG/gm and 4.4 shot attempts/gm, both career-best rates, but shooting just 5.6% so far. The process is strong — the puck luck isn’t. This is an ideal buy-low window and a great time to stream him for a potential breakout week.

Evander Kane (LW – 27% Rostered)

Like DeBrusk, Kane’s been all volume, no results. He’s firing 2.4 SOG and 5.5 shot attempts per game but has yet to score — the most shots in the NHL without a goal so far. That’s unlikely to last much longer. Add in his 2.2 hits per game, and Kane offers a solid multi-category floor with major positive regression on the horizon.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Unlike the Flames, Kraken and Canucks, the Maple Leafs boast a high-powered offence, but their Week 5 schedule isn’t as favourable, ranking 16th in Average Opponent Rating (53.7). Still, there are a few intriguing short-term streamers worth considering if their deployment holds.

Easton Cowan (RW – 3% Rostered)

Cowan was recently elevated to the second line with John Tavares and immediately made an impact, scoring a goal on four shots Saturday in Philadelphia. Over his last two games, he’s fired 15 shot attempts and hit the net seven times, showing promising volume. If that volume continues and he remains in the top-6, Cowan could be a sneaky-good streamer this week.

Bobby McMann (LW – 5% Rostered)

McMann has spent plenty of time in Toronto’s top-6 but hasn’t converted that opportunity into much offence — just 2G, 1A in 12 games. However, he does offer solid category coverage in deeper formats, averaging 3.2 shot attempts and 3.1 hits per game. If his extremely low 5.5 on-ice SH% starts to correct, he could quietly deliver some points alongside his peripherals.

Matias Maccelli (LW/RW – 5% Rostered)

Maccelli has been very much a pass-first winger, averaging fewer than one shot per game, which limits his fantasy appeal. His recent demotion from the top-6 makes him a lower-priority add for now. If he’s reunited with skill linemates during Monday’s skate, he could re-enter the streaming conversation, but until then, it’s best to look elsewhere.

Nick Robertson (RW – 1% Rostered)

Robertson is currently skating on the top line, but his role is highly dependent on William Nylander’s health. Even after posting back-to-back multi-point games, Robertson’s lineup spot isn’t secure enough to trust for a full-week stream. He’s a short-term upside flier, not a reliable plug-and-play.