Fantasy Hockey: Weekly Strength of Schedule and Streaming Targets — Week 16
Identifying the players with four games each week and filling your roster with those players can increase your chances of winning your fantasy hockey matchup. That’s why our Weekly Schedule tool is so helpful!
I took that weekly schedule and combined it with a Team Defense Score I created using key defensive metrics to find which teams/skaters have the easiest schedule this week.
Week 16 – Strength of Schedule
Week 16 Streaming Targets
Week 16 is a good week for streaming because only Tuesday and Saturday have 10-plus games, so you should be able to get your streamers into your lineup on almost every night.
- SOS = Strength of Schedule Rank (1 good, 32 bad)
- Light = No. of games on Lighter days (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)
- DR = Defensive Ranking (1st = Best Defensive Team, 32nd = Worst Defensive Team)
Arizona Coyotes (SOS: #1 | Light: 1)
The Coyotes have just three games this week, and all three of them are on the busiest nights of the week, making streaming their players a little more difficult. However, they have the easiest schedule this week, taking on the Ducks (x2) and Blues.
Nick Schmaltz (C/RW) – 15% Rostered
The Coyotes are the third-lowest scoring team in the NHL, but Schmaltz has posted solid totals this season. Since the middle of December, Schmaltz has registered 19 points (4G / 15A) in his last 22 games. Schmaltz and Clayton Keller are the offensive drivers for the Coyotes, so he’s the best streaming option on the team.
Barrett Hayton (C) – 3% Rostered
Hayton was recently promoted to the Coyotes’ top line with Schmaltz and Keller. The underlying metrics have been solid, but it hasn’t led to great offensive numbers for Hayton. He’s gone pointless in his last six games but has nine points (4G / 5A) in his last 14 games. He’s a deep-league target.
Dylan Guenther (RW) – 2% Rostered
Guenther has played well in the last couple of weeks, scoring three goals with one assist (four points) in his last seven games. Most impressively, he has fired 20 shots on goal (2.9 SOG/gm) while averaging 15:32 TOI/gm, so this should be sustainable for the rookie winger.
Boston Bruins (SOS: #2 | Light: 2)
The Bruins have the second-easiest schedule of the week, but unfortunately, their games on light days come against their toughest opponents (TBL & CAR).
David Krejci (C) – 35% Rostered
Krejci has quietly been on a terrific run, picking up nine points (1G / 8A) in his last seven games. If you look back even further, Krejci has 28 points (9G / 18A) in his last 28 games, with a plus-20 rating, 48 SOG and five PPP.
Pavel Zacha (C/LW/RW) – 23% Rostered
Like Krejci, Zacha has been solid on the Bruins’ second line, scoring five goals with six assists (11 points) in his last 14 games. Their underlying metrics aren’t great, but playing with David Pastrnak helps you overcome pedestrian xG totals.
Columbus Blue Jackets (SOS: #3 | Light: 3)
The Blue Jackets have a great schedule this week, four games, the third-easiest schedule, and three games on light days. As a team, they’re struggling, but they have a few quality streaming targets.
Boone Jenner (C) – 31% Rostered
Since returning from injury, Jenner has just one goal on 13 shots (7.7%) in five games. Still, in his last 25 games, he has 19 points (11G / 8A), so expect him to get back on track before too long. Jenner has bounced around the top-6 a bit lately, but he remains on the top power-play unit and continues to play big minutes (18:53 ATOI).
Jack Roslovic (C) – 7% Rostered
Roslovic went pointless in his first four games of January but has picked up seven points (1G / 6A) in his last seven games. He’s averaged 2.0 SOG/gm over that stretch while playing 18:06 ATOI. Roslovic centred the top-line with Gaudreau and Laine on his wings on Saturday, making him a great streaming option.
Kirill Marchenko (RW) – 1% Rostered
Marchenko’s role continues to grow in Columbus. He spent time on the top line and top power-play unit but most recently found himself on the third line and second PP unit. He’s worth a look as a streamer if he gets promoted again because he’s uber-talented but just needs the minutes.
Other Streaming Targets
New York Islanders (SOS: #4 | Light: 3)
- Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C) – 25% Rostered
- Anthony Beauvillier (LW/RW) – 1% Rostred
Calgary Flames (SOS: #7 | Light: 3)
- Andrew Mangiapane (LW/RW) – 27% Rostered
- Mikael Backlund (C) – 15% Rostered
- Blake Coleman (LW/RW) – 6% Rostered
Toronto Maple Leafs (SOS: #9 | Light: 4)
- Calle Jarnkrok (C/LW/RW) – 9% Rostered