Daily Fantasy Lineup Leans: Starts, Sits and Goalie Calls for Today

Today’s slate is all about reacting quickly to injury news and projected goalie starts. With stars like Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes sidelined and Joey Daccord returning in net, fantasy managers need to lean into matchup context, PP1 auditions, and short-term opportunity. Here’s how to set your roster with confidence for tonight’s games.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The biggest shock for fantasy managers is the Toronto lineup heading into its game against the Blues without Auston Matthews. Any time a centerpiece like Matthews is out, it reshapes the entire power play and five-on-five deployment. Expect secondary forwards to see more offensive-zone starts and PP1 looks, which can create one-night streaming value even if the overall team ceiling is slightly lower.

In New Jersey, the Devils are also missing Jack Hughes. That pushes more responsibility onto their remaining top-six forwards and increases the importance of whoever is running PP1 from the back end. It also makes tonight’s start for Jacob Markstrom more interesting: if the Devils lean on structure over run-and-gun offense without Hughes, Markstrom’s ratios could benefit even if his win equity is modest.

In Seattle, Joey Daccord returns from injury to start against the Red Wings. A returning starter can be tricky to trust immediately, but the organization clearly wants him back in the crease, which is a strong vote of confidence. With Matty Beniers centering the top line, the Kraken are signaling they’re comfortable leaning on their young core in a matchup that could go either way.

Calgary gets a boost with Mikael Backlund expected to play despite missing morning skate. His presence stabilizes the middle six and the penalty kill, which indirectly helps Jacob Markstrom’s workload and quality of chances against. On the flip side, the Blackhawks lose Nick Foligno to a hand injury and IR, thinning their veteran depth around Connor Bedard. That likely means even more offensive responsibility for Bedard but less support, which is a mixed bag for tonight’s counting stats.

Finally, the Lightning’s situation with Victor Hedman being questionable for tonight looms large. If Hedman sits or is limited, Tampa’s PP1 could look very different, with another defenseman or a fourth forward stepping into the quarterback role. That’s a prime PP1 audition spot and a potential short-term boost for whoever gets the nod.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, the absence of Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes forces you to recalibrate expectations for their linemates. Toronto’s top wingers lose some assist equity without Matthews’ finishing, but whoever slides into the top center role gains immediate streaming appeal as a volume opportunity play. Look for increased PP1 usage and extra touches in the offensive zone; that’s where one-night value is created.

For New Jersey, Jack Hughes being out shifts more of the creative burden to the remaining top-six and the PP1 quarterback. If Victor Hedman is limited or out for Tampa, that game could tilt into a more defensive battle, which slightly caps the ceiling for Devils skaters but keeps Markstrom’s ratios in a safer range. In points-only, that nudges fringe Devils forwards into more of a “safe floor, modest ceiling” profile tonight.

Joey Daccord is a viable start in points-only leagues that count goalie wins and basic ratios. Returning from injury always carries some risk, but Seattle clearly trusts him enough to give him the crease against Detroit. If your alternative is a backup in a tough matchup, Daccord’s combination of volume and team context makes him a reasonable play.

In Chicago, Nick Foligno’s absence doesn’t move the needle much in points-only, but it does concentrate even more of the offense through Connor Bedard. Bedard remains a long-term stud and a strong hold or trade target in any format that values future upside. For tonight, expect plenty of puck touches and shot attempts, even if the supporting cast is thin.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, the ripple effects of these injuries are even more important. With Auston Matthews out, Toronto’s secondary forwards could see bumps in shots on goal and power-play time, and some of the depth wingers may be asked to forecheck more aggressively, boosting hits. If your league counts hits and blocks, fringe Leafs who move up the lineup become sneaky one-night streams.

For the Devils, missing Jack Hughes likely means a more conservative approach, which can help Jacob Markstrom’s save percentage and goals-against categories if the team keeps chances to the outside. He’s still more of a watchlist or matchup-based start in standard categories leagues, but tonight’s setup is quietly favorable if you’re chasing ratios and can live without a guaranteed win.

Joey Daccord is a strong categories play if you need saves and a realistic shot at a win. Seattle tends to limit high-danger chances when they’re on their game, and Daccord’s return suggests he’s healthy enough to handle a full workload. If you’re behind in goalie starts this week, he’s the kind of calculated risk that can swing your matchup.

Nick Foligno’s move to IR makes him an easy drop in points-only and most categories leagues. His value was tied to peripheral stats and veteran usage; with the hand injury, he’s not contributing in hits or PIM for the foreseeable future. Use that roster spot on a short-term streamer with PP1 exposure or a goalie start.

Dynasty / Keeper

In dynasty formats, tonight’s slate is another reminder of how quickly opportunity can open and close. Connor Bedard continues to be a premium long-term asset, and Foligno’s absence only reinforces that Chicago will run everything through him. If there’s any window to acquire Bedard at less than superstar pricing, this is where you lean on tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to structure a multi-piece offer.

Matty Beniers centering the top line for Seattle is exactly what dynasty managers want to see. Even if tonight’s box score is modest, the role is what matters: top-line, offensive usage against a beatable opponent. That’s the kind of deployment that accelerates development and justifies patience in deeper keeper formats.

On the blue line, Victor Hedman’s questionable status is a reminder to keep tabs on whoever steps into PP1 when he’s not 100%. If a younger Lightning defenseman or a forward gets a look as the primary power-play quarterback, that’s a potential long-term riser. Use tonight as a scouting opportunity rather than overreacting to one game’s results.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Joey Daccord – Add/Start (standard & deep): Returning to the crease in a manageable matchup, he’s a strong play if you need goalie volume and a shot at solid ratios.
Matty Beniers – Add (categories & deep points): Locked in as Seattle’s top-line center, he offers immediate upside in shots and points with room to grow.
Jacob Markstrom – Watchlist/Spot start (categories): Starting for the Devils in a reasonable matchup, he’s a ratios-friendly option if you’re streaming goalies.
Victor Hedman replacement in Tampa – Watchlist (all formats): Whoever runs PP1 if Hedman sits becomes an instant short-term power-play specialist to monitor.
Mikael Backlund – Short-term stream (deep categories): Expected to play, he stabilizes Calgary’s middle six and can chip in faceoffs, shots, and some secondary scoring.
Nick Foligno – Drop (most formats): On IR with a hand injury, he’s not providing hits or depth scoring for the near future.
Connor Bedard – Trade target (dynasty): With Chicago thin around him, his usage and long-term ceiling remain elite; explore creative offers if his manager is worried about team context.

Fantasy Takeaways

Start Joey Daccord with confidence if you need goalie volume; his return signals trust from Seattle in a workable matchup.
With Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes out, prioritize streaming forwards who gain PP1 and top-line auditions for one-night upside.
Nick Foligno’s IR stint makes him an easy cut in most leagues; use that spot on a PP1 or goalie streamer instead.
Jacob Markstrom is a matchup-based play tonight and a worthwhile watchlist name if the Devils tighten up defensively without Hughes.
Connor Bedard remains a prime dynasty trade target; heavy usage now only strengthens his long-term fantasy profile.

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