Daily Fantasy Lineup Leans: Goalies, PP1 Watch and Today’s Tough Calls

Today’s NHL slate is all about reacting quickly to goalie confirmations and last-minute lineup news. With several crease situations in flux and a possible top-line return in Colorado, fantasy managers need to squeeze every edge out of matchups, power-play auditions, and short-term streams.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The biggest storyline is in goal. Eric Comrie is projected to start for the Winnipeg Jets against the New York Rangers, giving managers a fresh streaming option in net. Comrie’s value hinges on whether Winnipeg can limit the Rangers’ top scorers and keep his ratios intact, but any confirmed starter with volume is on the radar in daily formats.

In Nashville, Justus Annunen is expected to get the nod again with Juuse Saros still out. Annunen’s opportunity is workload-driven: starting-caliber volume without the usual name value tax. If the Predators can keep games relatively low-event, he’s a strong categories play for saves and potential wins.

On Long Island, Ilya Sorokin is lined up for back-to-back starts for the New York Islanders after a rough outing against Montreal. The big question is confidence: does he rebound behind a typically structured Islanders defense, or do the cracks deepen? For most fantasy managers, this is a lean-start spot where you trust the talent unless your ratios are already hanging by a thread.

Up front, the possible return of Gabriel Landeskog for the Colorado Avalanche could reshape their top line and power play. If he slots back into his usual top-line, PP1 role, it boosts his own value and slightly dings fringe Avalanche forwards who have been filling in on the first unit. It also creates a classic PP1 audition window as Colorado tests combinations around their core stars.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only leagues, today’s focus is less about volume and more about ceiling. Comrie and Annunen are viable if your league counts wins and you’re chasing goalie appearances, but their main value is as short-term plug-ins rather than long-term anchors. If you’re already safely ahead in goalie starts this week, you can afford to be more selective.

Sorokin, on the other hand, remains an auto-start in most points formats. One bad game doesn’t erase his track record, and back-to-back starts usually signal strong organizational confidence. Unless you’re in an extremely shallow league with multiple elite alternatives, you roll him and live with the variance.

Landeskog’s potential return is the key skater storyline. If he’s confirmed in the top six and on PP1, he immediately jumps from watchlist to must-roster in any league with a reasonable bench. Even if he’s eased in with slightly reduced minutes, exposure to Colorado’s top offensive pieces and first-unit power-play time gives him a strong floor and multi-point upside on any given night.

Categories / Bangers

In categories leagues, the goalie decisions get trickier. Comrie is a reasonable stream if you need saves and a shot at a win, but he’s more volatile in ratios. If you’re protecting a narrow lead in goals-against average or save percentage, consider your risk tolerance before locking him in.

Annunen stands out as a volume play while Saros is sidelined. The Predators’ defensive structure can help keep his ratios respectable, and the sheer number of shots he’s likely to face gives him a solid saves floor. He’s especially appealing in deeper leagues where any starting goalie with a decent defensive team in front of him is gold.

Sorokin is still a cornerstone in categories formats. Back-to-back starts can mean a bit of fatigue, but the Islanders’ system typically suppresses high-danger chances. Unless your matchup is already lost in goalie stats, you generally don’t sit a talent like Sorokin when he’s confirmed to go.

For skaters, Landeskog’s value in bangers leagues goes beyond points. If he’s close to his usual form, he contributes in hits and potentially shots along with power-play production. Managers in multi-cat setups should be ready to activate him as soon as his return is confirmed, especially if he’s immediately on PP1. His presence could also shift other Avalanche forwards off the top unit, so be ready to adjust if a fringe PP1 winger loses that prime deployment.

Dynasty / Keeper

In dynasty and keeper formats, today’s goalie news is more about evaluation than immediate action. Comrie and Annunen project as short-term opportunity plays rather than long-term solutions. If either strings together a run of strong starts, they could carve out a larger role, but for now they’re best viewed as streaming assets or speculative depth in very deep leagues.

Sorokin remains a foundational piece in dynasty. A single bad game followed by a quick turnaround start is actually reassuring: the Islanders clearly trust him. If anything, this could be a subtle buy-low window in leagues where managers overreact to short-term struggles. Using tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer can help you gauge fair value if you’re looking to acquire him.

Landeskog’s situation is more nuanced. A successful return to top-line and PP1 usage would stabilize his long-term outlook and reassert him as a core fantasy asset in Colorado. Dynasty managers should be watching his minutes, deployment, and whether he immediately reclaims his net-front role on the first power-play unit. If he looks healthy and the usage is there, he shifts from risky hold to strong keeper again.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Eric Comrie – Short-term stream (all formats): Expected starter for Winnipeg today; a viable spot start if you need goalie volume and can stomach some ratio risk.
Justus Annunen – Add/stream in standard and deep leagues: Locked into starts while Saros is out, offering strong saves volume and a shot at wins behind a structured Nashville team.
Ilya Sorokin – Strong start/hold (all formats): Back-to-back starts signal trust; keep him active unless you’re in extreme ratio protection mode.
Gabriel Landeskog – Watchlist to immediate add: If confirmed back on Colorado’s top line and PP1, he’s a must-add wherever he was dropped, with multi-cat upside.

Fantasy Takeaways

Stream Eric Comrie today if you need an extra goalie start, but weigh your ratio risk against your matchup needs.
Ride Justus Annunen while Juuse Saros is out; starting volume plus a decent defensive environment makes him a strong short-term play.
Keep Ilya Sorokin active despite his last rough outing—back-to-back starts show the Islanders still fully trust him.
Monitor Gabriel Landeskog’s status closely; a confirmed return to Colorado’s top line and PP1 makes him an instant add in most leagues.
Be ready to react to any Avalanche PP1 shuffles, as Landeskog’s return could push fringe first-unit options back into secondary roles.

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