Daily Fantasy Lineup Leans and Goalie Calls for December 29

With projected lines and confirmed starters locked in for December 29, it’s time to tighten your start/sit calls. Today’s slate features elite studs like Connor McDavid, key injuries reshaping power plays, and a few sneaky goalie streams. Let’s focus on where usage, PP1 auditions, and matchup context should push your lineup decisions.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The biggest constant is also the biggest edge: McDavid is cemented on Edmonton’s top line and PP1, skating with high-skill linemates. In any format, that role keeps his floor sky-high and makes him a lock in every lineup you can fit him into.

In Florida, the story is less about tonight’s box score and more about what’s coming. Matthew Tkachuk has finally returned to practice for the first time this season. He’s not a plug-and-play yet, but his proximity to a return reshapes the Panthers’ future PP1 and top-six usage. If he’s on your IR, you should be planning now for how to clear a roster spot the moment he’s activated.

On the blue line, injuries elsewhere open the door for power-play reshuffles around the league. That often means temporary PP1 auditions for offensive defensemen and top-line wingers. While specific units will vary game to game, the key is simple: when a regular PP1 fixture is out, whoever steps into that role gets an immediate short-term value spike, especially in points-only formats.

In goal, Igor Shesterkin is confirmed to start for the New York Rangers against a strong opponent, while Logan Thompson is lined up for the Washington Capitals in a tougher matchup versus Florida. Shesterkin is a high-confidence roll despite the opponent; Thompson is more of a matchup-dependent stream where volume and win equity are in question but still viable in the right league context.

Finally, in Minnesota, prospect winger Danila Yurov is getting a premium audition on the top line alongside high-end offensive talent. Any time a young winger lands next to a superstar like Kirill Kaprizov, there’s short-term streaming juice and longer-term dynasty intrigue.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

McDavid is the easiest call of the night: locked into heavy minutes, elite linemates, and PP1, he’s not just a start, he’s a player you build your entire scoring plan around. If you’re in a daily moves league, you never sit him, even in so-called “tough” matchups.

Tkachuk’s situation is more subtle. In points-only leagues, his eventual return will immediately restore him as a core piece thanks to his combination of goals, assists, and PP production. For today, the move is preparation: if your IR is full, start identifying your weakest bench scorer to cut when Florida announces his activation. Managers in shallower formats who got impatient and dropped him have opened a window; if he’s somehow on waivers, stash him now.

Yurov is the classic top-line flier. Skating with Minnesota’s best offensive players gives him exposure to primary assists, tap-in chances, and PP spillover if he earns trust. In standard points-only redraft leagues, he’s more of a watchlist or short-term add if you need upside. In deeper formats, he’s a viable start while the top-line deployment holds.

On the back end, any offensive defenseman who slides into PP1 because of injuries elsewhere becomes a sneaky one-night stand. If your league allows daily moves and you see a PP1 tag on a normally second-unit blueliner, that’s worth a stream in points-only, especially on teams with strong forward cores.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, McDavid remains automatic, but the context shifts slightly: his shot volume, power-play points, and plus/minus upside are as important as raw scoring. You don’t get cute here—he’s in your lineup regardless of opponent or back-to-back status.

Tkachuk, when active, is a unicorn in bangers formats—elite scoring plus hits, PIM, and strong PP usage. The fact that he’s practicing again should have categories managers double-checking that he’s not inexplicably on waivers. If he is, he’s a must-add stash. If you already roster him, resist any lowball trade offers while he’s still technically out; use tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge fair value once he’s closer to returning.

Shesterkin is a high-confidence start tonight even against a dangerous opponent because of his save percentage ceiling and strong chance to deliver wins and quality starts. In leagues counting saves, he’s especially valuable in tougher matchups where he’ll face more rubber but still has the talent to hold up.

Thompson is more matchup-sensitive. Against an aggressive Florida attack, you’re banking on volume and hoping the goals against don’t sink your ratios. He’s a viable play in deeper categories leagues where saves and starts are scarce, but in shallow formats you can be more selective and stream him only if you’re chasing counting stats late in the week.

Yurov doesn’t bring the heavy banger profile yet, but his top-line role can still help in shots and plus/minus while he’s riding shotgun with Minnesota’s stars. In categories leagues with limited moves, he’s more of a speculative add than a must-start, but he’s the kind of player who can quickly earn more trust if he clicks with his linemates.

Dynasty / Keeper

McDavid is already the cornerstone of any dynasty roster; tonight’s start/sit decision is trivial, but his usage reinforces his long-term value. Heavy minutes and perpetual PP1 time mean you can safely build around him for years.

Tkachuk’s return to practice is a major green flag for long-term managers who might have worried about a lost season. As long as he’s trending toward a full return, there’s no reason to panic-sell. If anything, this is a buy-low moment in leagues where his manager is frustrated by the slow ramp-up.

Yurov is the most interesting dynasty piece on this slate. Top-line deployment at his age, next to a superstar, is exactly the kind of signal you want when deciding whether to stash. Even if his short-term production is streaky, the role suggests the organization sees him as a core piece. In deep keeper and dynasty formats, he should already be rostered or at least at the top of your watchlist.

For goalies, Shesterkin remains a premium long-term asset. Nights like this—starting against a strong opponent—show the kind of trust his team has in him. Thompson profiles more as a streaming or tandem option in dynasty unless he clearly seizes a true workhorse role down the line.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Connor McDavid – Start (all leagues): Locked into top-line and PP1 usage; automatic start regardless of matchup.
Matthew Tkachuk – Watchlist / Stash: Back at practice and trending toward a return; plan your roster to activate him immediately.
Igor Shesterkin – Start (standard & deep): Confirmed starter with elite upside even versus a tough opponent.
Logan Thompson – Short-term stream (deep leagues): Starting against Florida; viable if you need saves or a volume spot start.
Danila Yurov – Add in deep / Watch in standard: Top-line role in Minnesota next to high-end talent gives him immediate upside.
Any PP1 replacement defenseman – Short-term stream: If an injury pushes a puck-moving blueliner onto PP1, he’s worth a one-night look in points-heavy formats.

Fantasy Takeaways

Start McDavid everywhere; his top-line and PP1 role make him matchup-proof.
Stash or hold Tkachuk as he ramps up in practice, and be ready to clear a roster spot when Florida activates him.
Roll Shesterkin with confidence for saves and ratios, even against strong opposition.
Use Thompson as a calculated stream in deeper leagues where you need volume, not as an automatic start.
Prioritize Yurov and other top-line or PP1 audition players as high-upside streams and dynasty stashes.

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