Fantasy Hockey 2025-26: Weekly Strength of Schedule and Streaming Targets — Week 7
Picture this: You're battling it out in your fantasy hockey league, desperately seeking that extra edge to outscore your rivals—and it all boils down to spotting those golden opportunities where your players face favorable matchups and rack up points like never before. But here's the kicker: most managers overlook the power of a smart schedule dive. Curious how to turn that around? Let's dive into our expert analysis for Week 7, where we'll uncover the best teams and players poised for breakout performances.
Securing an advantage in fantasy hockey frequently hinges on optimizing 'man games'—that is, ensuring your rostered players are active and facing the right opponents at the right times. Our dedicated Fantasy Hockey Strength of Schedule tool is designed exactly for this purpose, empowering you to make smarter lineup decisions.
Week after week, we scrutinize the upcoming games for every NHL squad by focusing on three crucial elements:
- Games Played: The more contests a team has scheduled, the greater the chances for accumulating fantasy points—think of it as more chances to shine on the ice.
- Strength of Schedule (SOS): This measures the difficulty of opponents; a higher score indicates easier matchups, meaning less defensive pressure and more scoring opportunities.
- Light Nights: These are evenings with eight or fewer NHL games, making it simpler to activate additional players in your starting lineup without overcommitting your bench.
By weaving together these three factors, the tool shines a spotlight on teams—and specific players worth streaming—that are ideally set up for fantasy triumphs this week.
For a comprehensive overview of each team's schedule, head over to our Fantasy Hockey Strength of Schedule Tool (https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/strength-of-schedule)—it's refreshed daily to reveal which squads boast the highest number of games and prime light-night advantages.
Week 7 Strength of Schedule
Week 7 Streaming Targets
Carolina Hurricanes
Among the three squads with four Light Night matchups this week, Carolina stands out with the most lenient schedule of the group—and ranks second overall in ease. Pair that with an array of top-notch streaming possibilities, and the Hurricanes emerge as the top priority for fantasy managers aiming to boost their points.
Logan Stankoven (C/RW — 28% Rostered)
Nikolaj Ehlers has recently been integrated into the second line alongside Stankoven and Jackson Blake, and the combination has been electric, dominating play with impressive underlying metrics:
- 3.5 expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) — a stat that estimates scoring chances based on shot quality and location, helping beginners gauge offensive potential without relying solely on actual goals.
- 35.7 scoring chances for per 60 minutes (SCF/60), indicating high-quality opportunities to score.
- 15.0 high-danger scoring chances for per 60 minutes (HDCF/60), focusing on the most threatening shots.
- A 4–0 goal differential, meaning they've outscored opponents significantly.
While Stankoven's points haven't exploded yet, these advanced stats hint at a potential big week ahead. So far, he has seven points (4 goals and 3 assists) in his last 12 outings, while maintaining 1.8 shots on goal (SOG) and 3.7 shot attempts per game—solid volume that could translate to more production.
Jackson Blake (RW — 11% Rostered)
Blake has notched five points (1 goal and 4 assists) in his recent six games, and 13 points (4 goals and 9 assists) across 18 season games. His shot output has slowed slightly after an initial hot streak, but it's more about precision than volume—he's still averaging 4.3 shot attempts per contest in his last 10, suggesting he's creating chances even if not burying them all.
Both Stankoven and Blake look primed for success this week, though Blake's consistent shot generation might offer a more reliable path to points.
Boston Bruins
Boston secures the next-best schedule among teams with four Light Nights, yet their scoring is largely driven by players already on most rosters. Their bench depth for streaming isn't robust, and top option Viktor Arvidsson suffered an injury on Saturday, removing him from consideration.
Pavel Zacha (C/LW — 47% Rostered)
Zacha represents the Bruins' leading streaming candidate, even though he's already claimed in nearly half of Yahoo leagues. He's kicked off the season strongly with 16 points (5 goals and 11 assists) in 20 games, with over 56% of that coming on the power play. His first-unit power-play role is the key draw, as his even-strength stats lag—only 1.6 SOG per game and limited goal-scoring potential outside special teams.
Marat Khusnutdinov (C — 1% Rostered)
With Elias Lindholm and Casey Mittelstadt out, Khusnutdinov has stepped in to center David Pastrnak on the top line and taken over the first power-play unit following Arvidsson's injury. The opportunity is elite, though his baseline performance isn't guaranteed.
He's tallied five points (3 goals and 2 assists) in his past eight games but contributes minimally in other areas:
- 1.1 SOG per game
- 2.1 shot attempts per game
- 0.6 hits per game
He's a deep-league streaming play purely due to his proximity to Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie, but he'll need to cash in on that exposure to deliver value—think of it as betting on elite linemates to create chances, even if his own skills are unproven.
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo rounds out the trio of teams with four Light Nights. They provide a wealth of streaming choices, albeit with some unpredictability baked in.
Josh Doan (LW/RW — 9% Rostered)
Doan enjoyed a nine-game hot streak in October (9 points: 4 goals and 5 assists) before cooling off early in November. He bounced back with points in consecutive games last week and now has 12 points (5 goals and 7 assists) in his last 15 outings.
His supporting stats are encouraging:
- 2.7 SOG per game
- 4.3 shot attempts per game
- 1.2 hits per game
His ice time isn't extensive (15–16 minutes), but he's maximizing his role effectively.
Ryan McLeod (C — 2% Rostered)
McLeod is a streamer whose value stems from opportunity. Amid injuries, he's now on the top line with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, netting a goal on Saturday with 19:20 time on ice.
This trio hasn't skated together much since early 2024, but when they have, they've posted strong underlying numbers:
- 3.0 xGF/60
- 36.4 SCF/60
- 8.8 HDCF/60
He may not have a massive individual upside, but significant ice time beside talented partners could yield solid results—imagine the boost from playing with high-scoring wingers.
Isak Rosen (RW — 1% Rostered)
Injuries have thrust Rosen into a prominent spot early on, and he's risen to the occasion. After 12 points (5 goals and 7 assists) in eight AHL games, he's added three goals and two assists in seven NHL appearances.
He's part of a youthful second line with three former first-round picks (average age 22.3), who've outscored foes 4–1. However, a 40% shooting percentage suggests some luck is involved and regression might follow.
Of the three, Rosen leads in shot creation:
- 3.9 shot attempts per game
- 1.6 SOG per game
Calgary Flames
Given that Boston and Buffalo fall short on high-potential streamers, the Flames might actually be the smarter pick. They boast the sixth-easiest opponent rating, three Light Nights, and their entire top line is readily available—all three playing together even on the power play.
The unit has performed admirably:
- 2.8 xGF/60
- 30.7 SCF/60
- 11.7 HDCF/60
Jonathan Huberdeau (C/LW — 27% Rostered)
I've highlighted this before: Calgary's offense isn't world-class, but it's improved markedly since Huberdeau's October 18 return. He has nine points (4 goals and 5 assists) in 15 games, averaging 20:35 time on ice with:
- 2.0 SOG per game
- 3.7 shot attempts per game
With premier usage and a consistent first power-play spot, Huberdeau provides a dependable base with upside for a big week.
Matt Coronato (RW — 9% Rostered)
I was bullish on Coronato pre-season, and he's justifying that faith. After an early surge followed by a brief bench stint, he's regained form with extraordinary shot totals.
Over his last five games:
- 30 SOG
- 43 shot attempts (That's 6.0 SOG and 8.6 attempts per game)
While that pace won't last, since his return from the scratch, he's held at:
- 3.6 SOG per game
- 5.7 shot attempts per game
This elite volume, combined with top-line and power-play roles, makes Coronato a prime candidate for multiple goals—perhaps the most explosive option on waivers this week. For beginners, think of shot volume as a predictor of scoring bursts, even if not every attempt lands.
Morgan Frost (C — 4% Rostered)
If Huberdeau and Coronato are snatched up, Frost is your next best bet. He's only managed three points in his last eight games but has 10 points (3 goals and 7 assists) in his last 19 overall. His shot output is decent—not as prolific as Coronato's—and his scoring is steady, though not Huberdeau-level.
The minutes are excellent, positioning him as a solid deep-league option rather than a must-stream.
Others to Consider
Cole Perfetti (WPG — C/LW/RW — 38% Rostered)
Among teams with three Light Nights, the Jets face the mildest opposition. Perfetti debuted November 9 and has one goal and one assist in four games. Winnipeg's second line has struggled, but Perfetti and Jonathan Toews have clicked, boosting xGF/60 to 2.83—a big leap from Toews' 1.73 without him.
Perfetti also mans the first power play, and the Jets rank eighth in power-play efficiency. A strong role and matchup make him a compelling streamer—ideal for those betting on young talent adapting quickly.
Mats Zuccarello (MIN — RW — 17% Rostered)
Minnesota's slate is tougher than Winnipeg or Calgary's, but they still have three Light Nights, kicking off Wednesday against Carolina. Zuccarello could be more of a weekend target (Pittsburgh on Friday, Winnipeg on Sunday), yet his role and output shine.
He's racked up four assists in five games post-injury. After gradual re-entry, he's logged 20+ minutes in two straight and averages 4.0 shot attempts per game. If he improves his 40% shooting, a goal might be imminent—highlighting how veterans can rebound with sustained minutes.
Andre Burakovsky (CHI — LW/RW — 24% Rostered)
Burakovsky came back from a minor ailment on Saturday, playing 20:06 without a point. But the minutes count: top line with Connor Bedard and first power play is streamer gold.
His shooting is inconsistent—four attempts in half his games, zero in others—making him risky long-term. Still, he's viable for streaming with 14 points (7 goals and 7 assists) in 16 games, some inflated by luck. With Bedard, scoring is always possible— but here's where it gets controversial: Is relying on a young star like Bedard sustainable, or does it invite regression? Many argue it's a boom-or-bust proposition, and this is the part most people miss—the role outweighs peripherals for short-term gains.
What are your thoughts on these streaming targets? Do you believe in betting on high-upside players like Coronato despite potential regression, or do you prefer safer options like Huberdeau? And let's debate: Should fantasy managers prioritize volume stats over actual production when projecting breakouts? Share your opinions in the comments—agreement or disagreement welcome!
