Fantasy Hockey Schedule Hacks – Lineup Picks, October Stacks

By setting the benchmark at six matches – while another twenty teams are at least inactive – we have mapped out which clubs are booked to compete on so-called slower nights, from October 10 to October 31. Here's a quartet of teams to spot in that regard when deciding which available players to stream, all else being equal. Obviously, you don't shuffle over a scoring star in a fourth liner just because of how the schedule is going.

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Colorado avalanche

No other team in the NHL deserves a larger viewing population in October than the Avalanche, who play on six supposedly lighter nights. That's a significant stretch for just three weeks – one that could yield tangible fantasy dividends across all H2H leagues.

In addition to the team's fantasy heavy hitters, Jonathan Drouin will once again be deployed on a top unit and power play with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. While that configuration should change once a group of prominent forwards – Artturi Lehkonen, Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin – return, none of the aforementioned are expected until November at the earliest. Storing one of the three on IR while scheduling Drouin is one strategy. If the IR option is not in play, the veteran winger still deserves an immediate swirl in deeper competition. After establishing himself alongside MacKinnon last year, Drouin put up 48 points – more than a third of them on the power play – in his last 53 games, including 16 goals.

Second line center Casey Mittelstadt is invoking (again, probably for now) as a member of the Avs' top power play. And keep an eye on it Nikolai Kovalenko, who enjoyed an excellent camp with Colorado. The 24-year-old rookie will immediately, albeit temporarily, start on the wing for Mittelstadt in 2024-2025 and has extensive KHL experience competing and scoring against adult men. On the blue line, Samuel Girard, included in just 5% of ESPN Fantasy leagues, has value as a solid all-around fantasy performer.

Winnipeg Jets

Along with the Penguins and Ducks (see below), Winnipeg is one of only three teams to play five times when there are a maximum of six games on the NHL schedule. So give Gabriel Vilardi a good, long look at deeper leagues and/or those where players can be easily switched in and out. The winger, included in just 16% of ESPN Fantasy competition, skates on a Jets top scoring line and plays a power play with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. If available, Nikolaj Ehlers serves as another intriguing candidate as a power-play asset and second-line winger. Defender Dylan De Melo has value in fantasy leagues that reward blocked shots, and, unlike fellow Winnipeg defensemen Josh Morrissey and Neal Pionk, he's likely there for the taking.

Anaheim Ducks

There's a lot to like about the productive potential of the Ducks' new top line, including the second-year center Leo Carlssonexperienced winger Alex Killorn and newcomer Cutter Gauthier. None of them are overwhelmingly included in ESPN Fantasy leagues. Killorn and his 65-point potential, plus a good number of shots and hits, are likely available in yours.

Sophomore defender Jackson LaCombe is one to watch as a potential breakout candidate, and not just in the dynasty league. The University of Minnesota alum launches 2024-25 on the top power play, teaming up with Radko Gud at equal strength. While it's hardly a permanent setup, it's a promising start. The 23-year-old is certainly worth keeping an eye on in Anaheim's first few games. Gudas, on the other hand, is a proven performer in competitions where hits and blocked shots are counted. The Ducks' new captain averaged 2.0 fantasy points/game in standard ESPN Fantasy games last season.

Pittsburgh penguins

Back soon after missing the season opener, Bryan Rust It's definitely worth putting the rest of this month on your schedule. Rust, Sidney Crosby's top line and power-play sidekick, threw for 28 goals and 28 assists in just 62 games last season. When healthy, the veteran winger can perform as a close-point/game player.

Second-line winger Michael Bunting is another fantasy operator worth considering in reasonable sized leagues. After his trade from Carolina to Pittsburgh last winter, Bunting put up 19 points in 21 games, including a handful with the extra skater. Defender Marcus Pettersson blocks shots regularly and pitches with enough production to remain fantasy relevant in deeper competition.

Then there are the teams that play most often when everyone else is also active. For the remainder of October, ten teams will compete on just one night, when there are fewer than six games scheduled: Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, Seattle Kraken, St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals. A bit of fodder for fantasy if you're considering adding one player over the other, all else being considered equal.