Daily Fantasy Lineup Leans: Oilers Shuffles, Flames’ Crease, and Sabres Watchlist

Today’s projected NHL lineups bring meaningful fantasy ripples, especially for managers grinding daily start/sit calls. The Edmonton Oilers are shuffling their top six, the Calgary Flames are turning to a new starter in net, and the Buffalo Sabres are preparing for a veteran winger’s return. Let’s sort out which of these moves you can trust for tonight’s box score and which are better treated as short-term experiments.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The headline move is Jack Roslovic sliding up to the Oilers’ top line. Any time a skilled forward gets to ride shotgun with Connor McDavid, fantasy managers need to pay attention. Even if this audition is short-lived, the combination of elite linemates and likely power-play exposure gives Roslovic real one-night upside in scoring formats.

On the second line, Vasily Podkolzin is expected to skate with Leon Draisaitl. That spot tends to generate strong shot volume and secondary scoring chances. For category leagues, this is the kind of deployment that can spike goals, shots, and potentially hits if Podkolzin leans into a power-forward style.

In goal, Devin Cooley is projected to start for Calgary after Dustin Wolf’s rough outing. The matchup against Buffalo isn’t a layup, but a fresh goalie getting the nod after a poor team performance often signals a short-term confidence boost from the coaching staff. For streamers, that’s enough to consider a one-game roll of the dice if you’re chasing saves or a win.

Meanwhile, Jason Zucker is nearing a return for Buffalo. He may not be plug-and-play the moment he’s activated, but his presence could bump players down the lineup and alter power-play combinations. For now, he’s more of a stash or watchlist name, especially in deeper or dynasty setups where any top-six veteran with scoring touch has value.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, the main decision is whether to trust Jack Roslovic on Edmonton’s top line right away. With Connor McDavid driving play, even a complementary winger can fall into points via primary or secondary assists. If Roslovic sees any time on the first power-play unit, his ceiling jumps another tier for tonight. He’s a strong start if you have a flexible lineup spot, and a viable short-term add if you’re light at forward.

Vasily Podkolzin benefits from playing with Leon Draisaitl, but his value in points-only is slightly more volatile. That line can still produce multi-point nights, yet Podkolzin’s role is more dependent on finishing chances rather than being a primary playmaker. Think of him as a high-variance stream: great if you’re chasing upside, but not mandatory if your roster is already stable.

Jason Zucker’s looming return for the Buffalo Sabres is more of a medium-term note. Once he’s back, he could slot into a scoring role and see secondary power-play work. In points-only leagues with benches, he’s worth a speculative stash if you’re thin at wing; otherwise, monitor his deployment and jump once he’s clearly in the top six.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, Podkolzin is the most intriguing short-term play. Skating with Draisaitl should elevate his shot volume and scoring chances, and if he leans into a physical style, he can contribute hits along with goals. For managers needing a one- or two-game jolt in goals, shots, and maybe hits, he’s a strong stream while this deployment lasts.

Roslovic still has value in categories, but his profile is more assist- and power-play-point driven than multi-cat heavy. Start him if you’re chasing points or PPP, but don’t expect big totals in hits or blocks. If your league heavily rewards peripherals, he’s more of a matchup-dependent play than an automatic start.

Devin Cooley is a classic streaming goalie for volume categories. If he indeed starts for the Calgary Flames, you’re rolling the dice on saves and a potential win, with the understanding that ratios could be volatile. In head-to-head, that’s often worth it if you’re behind in goalie categories and need to swing for upside.

Dynasty / Keeper

For dynasty managers, the key is separating short-term deployment from long-term trajectory. Roslovic’s promotion is a great opportunity, but it doesn’t necessarily lock him into a permanent top-line role. If he clicks with McDavid, his long-term value could rise, yet this is still more of a short-term window to capitalize rather than a guaranteed breakout.

Podkolzin is the more interesting long-term piece. Any extended run alongside Draisaitl can accelerate his development and confidence. If he shows he can keep pace offensively and handle tougher minutes, his future role solidifies as a top-six power winger. In deeper keepers, this is a good time to buy low or at least monitor closely.

Jason Zucker is a different kind of dynasty asset: more of a veteran depth scorer than a building block. His upcoming return matters more for contending teams that need short-term depth than for rebuilding rosters. In dynasty, he’s a situational hold or short-term add when healthy, not a core piece.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Jack Roslovic – Add/Start (standard & points-only): Elevated to Edmonton’s top line with McDavid, giving him immediate scoring and power-play upside for tonight.
Vasily Podkolzin – Short-term stream (categories): Skating with Draisaitl makes him a high-upside play for goals, shots, and potentially hits while this deployment lasts.
Devin Cooley – Goalie stream (all formats): Expected start for Calgary offers a one-night swing at saves and a win if you can tolerate some ratio risk.
Jason Zucker – Watchlist/Stash (deep & dynasty): Nearing a return for Buffalo and could slide into a scoring role that matters in deeper leagues.
Connor McDavid – Automatic start (all formats): Any line shuffle that gives him a fresh winger like Roslovic only reinforces his must-start status.
Leon Draisaitl – Automatic start (all formats): Podkolzin’s presence on his flank boosts the winger more than Draisaitl, but it signals strong line stability for tonight.

Fantasy Takeaways

Jack Roslovic’s promotion to the Oilers’ top line makes him a strong start and viable short-term add in scoring-heavy formats.
Vasily Podkolzin is a high-upside category stream while he’s riding shotgun with Leon Draisaitl.
Devin Cooley is a reasonable one-night goalie stream for managers chasing volume and a possible win.
Jason Zucker’s impending return for Buffalo is a depth scoring boost to monitor, especially in deeper and dynasty leagues.
Today’s line changes are auditions; be ready to move quickly if these combinations stick beyond tonight.

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