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 best schedule this week.

How it Works:

• Team Defensive Ratings are given on a scale of 0-100, with 0 being the best possible defensive team and 100 being the worst. For context, CBJ currently grades as the worst defensively, with a rating of 92.16. Carolina is the best, with a rating of 12.46.
• SCORE: The sum of all of the Defensive Ratings that the team will face this week.
• AVG Opponent: The Average Defensive Ratings that the team will face this week.
• Strength of Schedule is determined by the sum of defensive ratings, because we want players that play the most games but also have the easiest matchups.
• Light Nights: A night in the NHL with eight or fewer games.

Week 16 – Strength of Schedule

Week 16 Opponent Ratings

Team Ratings are based solely on defensive metrics and goaltending quality in order to identify the best matchups for skaters. They are in no way a reflection of overall team quality. The lower the rating, the better the team is defensively = worse skater matchup.

Week 16 Streaming Targets

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Los Angeles Kings

Pierre-Luc Dubois (C/LW) – 40% Owned

Dubois has had a disappointing season so far, posting only 19 points (9G / 10A) in 43 games. However, things are looking up for him heading into this week. He was moved to the top line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe on Saturday, a spot that should afford him a lot of playing time and scoring chances this week. Dubois has had stretches of production this season, so he could have a good week with the easy matchups and new linemates.

Quinton Byfield (C/LW) – 39% Owned

With Dubois moving up, Byfield was the one bumped from the top-6 on Saturday. Still, he scored his 13th goal of the season and remains on the Kings’ top power-play unit. Byfield’s shot volume has picked up recently; he’s had at least two shots in six straight games, firing a total of 13 on net (2.2 per game) during that stretch. Playing time will be a bit of a concern for him while he’s on the third line, but there’s always a chance he gets reunited with Kopitar and Kempe if things don’t go well with Dubois.

Phillip Danault (C) – 27% Owned

Danault has the safest floor of the Kings’ streaming targets but has a limited ceiling. Danault isn’t a massive point producer, but his line always has the puck, and he comes into the week on a bit of a heater–he has eight points (2G / 6A) in his last eight games. His shot volume (1.6 per game over that stretch) will limit his goal-scoring upside, even with easy matchups this week.

David Rittich (G) – 21% Owned

I don’t usually include goalies in this post, but Rittich currently has short-term and potentially long-term fantasy value. H’e been lights out for the Kings and seems to be taking over the No.1 job from Cam Talbot. The veteran netminder has gone 4-1-1 with a sparkling 1.58 GAA and .937 SV% in seven appearances (six starts) this season. The Kings are one of the best defensive teams in the league and will do a good job insulating Rittich and we already know they have matchups that can provide him with plenty of goal support. He could start you with a win on Monday if he gets the start vs. the last-place San Jose Sharks.

Vegas Golden Knights

Ivan Barbashev (C/LW) – 34% Owned

Barbashev has quietly been very productive since the end of November, posting 17 points (7G / 10A) in his last 23 games, including two goals and two assists in his last two games. With the Golden Knights decimated by injuries, they will continue to lean heavily on their top-6. Barbashev has averaged 17:48 ATOI in his last six games, way up from the 14:59 ATOI he played in his first 40 games.

Chandler Stephenson (C) – 25% Owned

With Jack Eichel and William Karlsson both sidelined, Stephenson is now the Golden Knights No.1 centre. So far, he’s thrived in the role, picking up five points (1G / 4A) and eight shots (2.0 per game) over his last four games. Most importantly, his usage has been massive. He’s played over 20 minutes in back-to-back games and should continue to do so on L1 and PP1 in some favourable matchups this week.

Nicolas Roy (C) – 2% Owned

Roy is the deep-league version of Stephenson. He’s been bumped up to the second line with Eichel and Karlsson out and has five points (2G /3A) and 15 SOG (2.1 per game) in his last seven games. His line with Barbashev and Jonathan Marchessault has been very good so far. They’ve averaged 2.9 xGF/60 and 31.3 SCF/60 in 52 5v5 minutes so far and will be productive this week if they keep those rates up.

Pavel Dorofeyev (LW) – 1% Owned

Dorofeyev has been the biggest benefactor from all the injuries. He’s jumped up from fringe player to the top line and comes into the week with seven points (4G / 3A) in his last 11 games. His shot volume has been tremendous (2.5 SOG/gm), especially in the last four games, where he has 15 SOG (3.8 per game). While he’s skating with the top line and top power-play unit, he’s a fantastic streaming option in deep leagues and is available in 99 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Florida Panthers

Sam Bennett (C) – 28% Owned

Bennett centres one of the best lines in hockey, with Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe on his wings. The trio averages 3.4 xGF/60 and 38.0 SCF/60. While Tkachuk and Verhaeghe have been especially hot, Bennett is much lower owned and has 12 points (7G / 5A) in his last 16 games. His reliable shot volume (2.8 SOG/gm) will afford him plenty of chances to score goals this week.

Anton Lundell (C) – 3% Owned

Lundell carries some value, while Aleksander Barkov remains sidelined. He won’t play Monday but has eyes on returning Wednesday. If that’s the case, Lundell becomes a bit of a wasted pick-up, so only scoop him up if he’s the only option available. In the two games without Barkov, Lundell has three points (1G / 2A), nine SOG and has averaged 18:24 TOI/gm.