NHL Fantasy Hockey: Winter Classic and Key Matchups to Watch
The 2025-26 NHL season is in full swing, and the Winter Classic is just around the corner. The New York Rangers will face off against the Florida Panthers at LoanDepot Park on Friday, promising to be an exciting event, especially if the weather permits the dome to be opened. As we dive into the 2026 part of the season, fantasy hockey managers are looking for ways to gain an edge over their competition.
The Florida Panthers are currently the most efficient team for daily lineup streamers, with four games scheduled and an average of only 11.5 other teams active. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes are set to play a rare five-game fantasy week, providing a bonus for fantasy managers with Hurricanes players on their roster.
With the Winter Classic and other key matchups on the horizon, it’s essential to stay on top of your fantasy hockey game. Choose your league size, customize the scoring, and set the rules to create the fantasy hockey league you want to play in. Create your custom league for free and get ready to take your fantasy hockey experience to the next level.
Key Players to Watch
Mason Marchment, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets, has been on a tear since joining the team, scoring three goals and a helper in three games. He’s replaced Dmitri Voronkov on the top line with Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko, and while he hasn’t broken onto the top power-play unit yet, there’s potential for even more untapped potential.
Aliaksei Protas, C/LW, Washington Capitals, has bounced back from a slow start to the season, scoring seven goals in December to match his October and November totals combined. He’s pushed up the Capitals depth chart to play with Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome, giving the team a chance to put Alex Ovechkin elsewhere.
Eeli Tolvanen, LW/RW, Seattle Kraken, has heaps of extra value in category-specific leagues thanks to his hits and offensive flair. Among players with at least 90 hits, only Dylan Cozens and Tom Wilson have more points. Ryan Hartman, C, Minnesota Wild, is another player to watch, earning heavy minutes on the top line with Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello.
Defense and Goaltenders
Noah Hanifin, D, Vegas Golden Knights, has stepped up in Shea Theodore’s absence, having a strong showing on the top power play. Esa Lindell, D, Dallas Stars, is another player to watch, blocking a lot of shots while playing a ton of minutes on a powerhouse offensive team.
Brandon Bussi, G, Carolina Hurricanes, still has the edge in the Hurricanes crease, especially after another poor outing from Andersen. Karel Vejmelka, G, Utah Mammoth, has won some games again, helping get him back on the fantasy radar. Jet Greaves, G, Columbus Blue Jackets, is also worth considering, especially if Elvis Merzlikins takes the fall to the Senators on Monday.
Short-term Streamers
Andrei Svechnikov, LW, Carolina Hurricanes, is a great choice for the coming week, thanks to a hectic schedule for the Hurricanes. Igor Chernyshov, LW, San Jose Sharks, has been fantastic since being called up, earning five points across five games on the top line with Macklin Celebrini.
Akira Schmid, G, Vegas Golden Knights, could be worth considering, especially if Carter Hart is the likely starter on Monday. Denton Mateychuk, D, Columbus Blue Jackets, has stepped comfortably into the role of power-play quarterback, with two even-strength assists on Sunday giving him four points in three games.
