Fantasy Hockey Schedule Hacks: Stream Senators, Kings and More

Maximizing light nights and back-to-backs is one of the easiest ways to squeeze extra games out of your fantasy roster. January’s schedule gives us exploitable pockets for the Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and even the Utah Mammoth. Targeting the right secondary pieces from these teams can turn a close matchup in your favor without burning long-term roster spots.

What’s New & Why It Matters

January features clusters of light nights where only a handful of teams play, plus scattered back-to-backs that let you roll the same streamer twice without worrying about lineup congestion. The Senators and Kings, in particular, show up repeatedly on those quieter slates, while Anaheim and Utah offer complementary options when your core players are idle.

That makes players like Claude Giroux and Alex Laferriere more valuable than their season-long numbers alone suggest. They’re locked into top roles and can be slotted into your lineup on nights when many stars are off. Meanwhile, Mikael Granlund, Beckett Sennecke, and Sean Durzi become ideal schedule-based streamers or short-term adds, especially in deeper formats.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, your priority is stacking exposure to top lines and top power-play units on light nights. Giroux is the headliner here: he’s operating as a top-six forward with PP1 deployment in Ottawa and is still available in many leagues. When the Senators hit a stretch of favorable off-nights or back-to-backs, he becomes an automatic plug-and-play, often giving you an extra game or two over managers who don’t plan around the schedule.

For the Kings, Laferriere’s spot on the top line and power play gives him a similar schedule-driven boost. Even if his overall totals lag behind bigger names, those prime minutes on light nights can translate into meaningful short bursts of production. In Anaheim, Granlund’s current run on the top line with a skilled center elevates him from fringe depth piece to a strong streaming option whenever the Ducks land on quiet slates.

On the blue line, Durzi’s role as a top-pair, PP1 quarterback for Utah means he can anchor your defense during heavy schedule weeks. When your usual defensemen are idle or stuck on crowded nights, sliding Durzi into your lineup on lighter days can keep your scoring floor high without sacrificing upside.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, schedule edges compound because every extra game brings more chances for shots, hits, blocks, and power-play points. Laferriere stands out as a multi-category gem: he offers shot volume and defensive contributions from a top-line, PP1 role, making him a strong add when the Kings have multiple light nights or a back-to-back.

Giroux’s value in categories leagues goes beyond assists and power-play points. His steady shot volume and strong usage mean that when Ottawa has a favorable schedule stretch, he can chip in across several categories at once. Granlund, while more scoring-focused, still benefits in deeper bangers formats because any top-line forward playing extra games will naturally accumulate peripheral stats.

Durzi is particularly important for managers chasing blocks, shots from the back end, and power-play production. His top-pair usage ensures he’s on the ice in all situations, so when Utah hits a run of light nights, he’s exactly the kind of defenseman who can swing categories like PPP, SOG, and blocks in your favor.

Dynasty / Keeper

For long-term formats, the schedule is less about one-week spikes and more about identifying players whose roles are trending upward. Giroux is producing at a level that still makes him relevant in deeper dynasty leagues, especially for contenders who can exploit his schedule-friendly stretches to chase a title.

Laferriere is the most intriguing dynasty piece among this group. Earning and holding a top-line, PP1 role on a strong Kings squad is a significant signal for his long-term trajectory. If he continues to deliver multi-category value, he’s the kind of player you can acquire before his perception fully catches up to his deployment.

Beckett Sennecke is more of a patience play. He’s currently in a scoring-line, PP1-capable role with Anaheim and has shown the ability to contribute offensively, even if he’s coming off a slump. In dynasty, these are the moments to quietly add or stash players like Sennecke: the role is there, the skill is there, and a rebound could quickly make him a core piece of your future roster.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Claude Giroux (OTT) – Add: Top-six and PP1 usage on a favorable January schedule makes him a high-impact scorer, especially in deeper leagues.
Alex Laferriere (LAK) – Add: Locked into the Kings’ top line and power play with multi-category contributions, ideal for exploiting light nights.
Mikael Granlund (ANA) – Short-term stream: Riding a scoring streak on Anaheim’s top line, perfect for short bursts when the Ducks hit back-to-backs.
Beckett Sennecke (ANA) – Watchlist / Deep add: Scoring-line, PP1-capable winger who could rebound quickly and reward patient managers in deeper or dynasty formats.
Sean Durzi (UTA) – Add: Top-pair, PP1 defenseman with steady point production and strong peripheral upside during Utah’s favorable stretches.

Fantasy Takeaways

Prioritize Claude Giroux on light nights and back-to-backs; his top-six, PP1 role in Ottawa makes him a high-value add in deeper formats.
Alex Laferriere should be scooped in most leagues as a multi-category winger riding prime deployment on the Kings’ top line and power play.
Use Mikael Granlund as a schedule-based streamer while he remains on Anaheim’s top line and continues his scoring run.
Stash or closely monitor Beckett Sennecke in dynasty; his scoring role and power-play usage suggest rebound potential.
Sean Durzi is a must-roster defenseman in many leagues thanks to his PP1 quarterback role and consistent production for Utah.

Source: ESPN.com. See the original for full details.