Fantasy hockey pickups: stack your lineup with Oilers, Senators this week

Connor McDavid continues to dominate, riding an 18-game scoring streak and averaging 4.6 fantasy points per game in ESPN standard leagues since early December. The Edmonton Oilers superstar faces five games this week against the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, and St. Louis Blues. With only the Islanders holding a playoff spot, McDavid’s owners are primed for massive output.

Fantasy managers tied to other Edmonton stars like Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard should share the excitement. But lesser-rostered options offer waiver wire gold. The Oilers and Ottawa Senators both boast favorable schedules, making them prime stacking targets through the week of January 12, 2026.

Oilers’ five-game bonanza

Edmonton’s packed slate screams opportunity. Beyond the headliners, Kasperi Kapanen stands out after returning from a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old winger joins Draisaitl’s scoring line, posting a goal and three assists in three games. Rostered in just 3.1% of leagues, his volume alone justifies a pickup—especially paired with Draisaitl’s playmaking.

Goalie Tristan Jarry could return soon, available in 58.3% of leagues. He showed No. 1 promise before a mid-December injury. If activated, his starts against softer matchups could deliver wins and quality stats.

Defender Jake Walman is also nearing a comeback. Last season, he averaged 2.2 fantasy points per game as Edmonton’s top blueliner. November’s pre-injury form was modest, but his history suggests upside. Wire availability makes him a speculative add.

The Oilers’ depth fuels multi-category help. Kapanen boosts scoring; Jarry stabilizes goaltending; Walman adds peripheral stats. Stacking two or three maximizes exposure without overcommitting.

Recent fantasy hockey pickups analysis highlights similar waiver trends, emphasizing goalies like Jarry in high-volume weeks.

Senators’ streamer-friendly schedule

Ottawa faces four games: Vancouver, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, and Detroit Red Wings. The Rangers and Red Wings tilt fall on light slate days, ideal for streaming.

This setup favors Senators exposure, even without superstar names. Their attack against middling defenses could yield points leagues value. Managers in deeper formats might target linemates or power-play contributors emerging lately.

The schedule contrasts sharply with San Jose’s two games. Ottawa’s volume edges them ahead for forward and defense pickups. Pair with Oilers for cross-conference balance.

Check daily lines for confirmation, as Ottawa’s recent projected lineups show lineup stability influencing fantasy output.

Buffalo’s Josh Doan complements this, but Senators’ slate alone warrants roster churn.

Top forwards on the wire

• Josh Doan, F, Buffalo Sabres (1.6 FPPG, 80.7% available): Top-line role with Tage Thompson yields four goals, two assists in five games. Buffalo’s homestand versus Florida, Philadelphia, Montreal, and Minnesota looks strong.

• Oliver Kapanen, F, Montreal Canadiens (1.7 FPPG, 81.3% available): Kasperi’s cousin thrives with Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky—four goals, two assists in six. Rising roster rate signals urgency.

• Justin Sourdif, F, Washington Capitals (1.1 FPPG, 93.1% available): Scoring line with Connor McMichael and Ryan Leonard, plus top power play with Alex Ovechkin. Recent five-point week vs. Anaheim.

Corey Perry in Los Angeles (1.4 FPPG, 94.3% available) offers veteran grit as a deep-league flier.

These wingers align with Oilers-Senators volume. Doan’s Sabres surge mirrors Edmonton’s firepower.

Defensemen to target

• Bowen Byram, D, Buffalo Sabres (1.7 FPPG, 75.9% available): Since December 21, four goals, seven assists, plus-15 in nine games at 25 minutes nightly. Blocked shots sweeten the deal.

• Jeremy Lauzon, D, Vegas Golden Knights (1.6 FPPG, 95.0% available): Hits machine with blocks and assists. Category saviors like him win leagues.

K’Andre Miller in Carolina (1.6 FPPG, 40.5% available) provides similar multi-cat punch.

Byram’s Buffalo ties indirectly boost Oilers stacks via conference trends. Walman fits here too upon return.

Goaltending options

• Stuart Skinner, G, Pittsburgh Penguins (1.3 FPPG, 46.0% available): 3-1 since Christmas with .954 SV%, 1.01 GAA. Hold post-Tuesday vs. Tampa.

• Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, Buffalo Sabres (2.0 FPPG, 86.0% available): 5-1, .929 SV%, 2.18 GAA since return. Homestand favors more wins.

John Gibson (Detroit, 2.3 FPPG) and Dan Vladar (Philadelphia, 2.6 FPPG) round out streamers.

Luukkonen’s form echoes Jarry’s potential. ESPN’s fantasy goalie chart tracks these shifts.

Short-term streamers

Matty Beniers (Seattle, 1.6 FPPG) heats up with five goals, two assists in six—target deeper leagues.

Charle-Edouard D’Astous (Tampa Bay, 1.3 FPPG) logs top-four minutes, five points in six.

Joseph Woll (Toronto, 3.4 FPPG) shines pre-Stolarz return; Akira Schmid (Vegas, 2.0 FPPG) rebounds.

NHL.com’s waiver picks echo Doan and Luukkonen surges.

Prioritize Oilers for volume, Senators for slate edges. Check ESPN’s most added/dropped for real-time wires. This week’s adds could swing categories—act fast before rosters tighten.