Daily Fantasy Lineup Leans: Starts, Sits, PP1 Looks and Goalies to Trust

Today’s projected NHL lineups bring a mix of injury fallout, potential debuts, and a couple of rock-solid goalie options. With Connor McDavid driving the Oilers’ attack, Ilya Sorokin and Jeremy Swayman locked in as expected starters, and the Penguins adjusting to life without Sidney Crosby, fantasy managers need to be precise with start/sit calls. Below, we’ll zoom in on power-play roles, matchup context, and goalie confidence so you can squeeze every point out of today’s slate.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The biggest shakeup is in Pittsburgh, where Crosby’s lower-body injury removes the Penguins’ offensive centerpiece. Any time a franchise anchor is out, it changes deployment, linemates, and power-play distribution. For fantasy, that means you’re not only benching Crosby, you’re also tempering expectations for the pieces that usually ride shotgun with him, especially in tougher matchups.

In New York, the Rangers could give Tye Kartye his first look after claiming him on waivers. Where he slots in will dictate his immediate fantasy appeal: a top-nine role with secondary power-play time would put him on the deep-league radar right away. Even if he starts lower in the lineup, a strong debut could fast-track him into more meaningful minutes, so this is a classic short-term audition with medium-term upside.

On the blue line, the Devils are anticipating a return for Luke Hughes. Getting him back stabilizes their puck movement and power play. If he steps right back into a prominent role, that’s a quiet boost for New Jersey’s forwards and a potential PP1 quarterback re-entering the fantasy conversation.

In goal, Sorokin is lined up to start for the Islanders and Swayman is expected to go for the Bruins after his Olympic stint. Both situations scream confidence: Sorokin as a high-floor workhorse when the Islanders play their usual structured style, and Swayman as a strong option behind a Bruins team that typically suppresses chances well. For managers juggling limited goalie starts, these are the kind of green lights you build your day around.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, McDavid remains the easiest decision on the board. Leading the Oilers’ top line, he’s locked into massive usage at even strength and on the first power-play unit. Unless there’s a last-minute surprise, you’re not overthinking this: he’s in your lineup and you build around him.

Crosby’s absence is more than just a zero in your lineup; it can drag down the overall ceiling of Pittsburgh’s offense. Secondary Penguins forwards who rely on his playmaking lose some assist and plus-minus potential, especially if they’re pushed into tougher matchups without his support. In marginal calls between a Penguin depth scorer and a comparable option on a healthier team, lean away from Pittsburgh until we see how the new combinations click.

Luke Hughes’ potential return is a quiet but important note for points-only leagues. If he steps right back into a power-play role, he becomes a viable streaming option for managers chasing assists and power-play points. His presence also helps Devils forwards by improving breakout efficiency and zone entries, which can translate into more sustained offensive pressure.

For the Rangers, Kartye’s value today hinges on deployment. If he lands in the top nine with some power-play looks, deep points-only leagues can justify a speculative start or at least a quick add in formats where you can churn the bottom of your roster. If he’s sheltered on the fourth line without special-teams time, you’re better off just monitoring his usage and waiting for a clearer signal.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, McDavid remains elite not just for points, but for shot volume and power-play production. If your opponent is leaning heavily on goalie or defensive categories, stacking McDavid with other Oilers skaters can be an effective way to push goals, assists, and PPP in one concentrated bet.

Sorokin is a priority start in categories formats whenever he’s projected to go. Wins can be volatile, but his save percentage and volume of saves typically give you multiple paths to value. If you’re protecting ratios, he’s exactly the kind of goalie you want active, especially if the matchup isn’t against a top-tier offensive juggernaut.

Swayman carries similar appeal. His environment in Boston often supports strong goals-against and save percentage numbers, and he’s usually a good bet for a win when the Bruins are favored. If you’re juggling three goalies, he should be at or near the top of your priority list today unless you’re facing an extreme schedule imbalance.

Crosby’s injury doesn’t just hurt your scoring; it can also impact plus-minus and even power-play categories if you don’t have a comparable replacement. If your league counts hits and blocks, consider streaming in a depth forward or defenseman who can pad those categories while you weather his absence. On the flip side, if Kartye’s debut comes with a physical edge and some secondary scoring, he could quickly become a sneaky bangers/points hybrid in deeper formats.

Dynasty / Keeper

For long-term formats, today is more about information gathering than all-in moves. McDavid and Sorokin are already foundational pieces; your decisions there are straightforward starts with no real dynasty angle beyond their continued elite status.

Crosby’s injury is a reminder that aging stars carry increased durability risk. You’re not making a panic move in dynasty, but it’s reasonable to start thinking about succession planning at center if you’ve been leaning heavily on him. Use tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to explore whether moving him in the medium term for younger assets makes sense for your build.

Luke Hughes’ return is important for dynasty managers who have been stashing him. How quickly he’s trusted with prime minutes and power-play usage will tell you a lot about his trajectory as a long-term PP1 quarterback. If he’s immediately back in a featured role, that’s a strong buy signal before his value fully catches up.

Kartye is the main dynasty wild card today. A waiver claim followed by an early debut suggests the Rangers see something they like. If he shows chemistry with skilled linemates or earns quick power-play looks, he’s the type of player you want to get ahead of in deeper keeper formats before the rest of your league notices.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Connor McDavid – Start (all formats): Automatic start as the Oilers’ top-line and PP1 driver; build your day’s scoring floor around him.
Ilya Sorokin – Start (standard and categories): Expected Islanders starter with strong ratio and volume upside; prioritize him if you’re chasing goalie cats.
Jeremy Swayman – Start (all formats): Likely Bruins starter after the Olympics, backed by a defensive structure that supports wins and ratios.
Sidney Crosby – Bench (all formats): Out with a lower-body injury; move him to IR/bench and stream the roster spot where possible.
Tye Kartye – Watchlist / Deep-league stream: Monitor his Rangers deployment; a top-nine role with PP time would make him an immediate deep-league flier.
Luke Hughes – Watchlist / Add in deep leagues: If he returns to a prominent Devils power-play role, he’s worth adding for assists and PP production.

Fantasy Takeaways

Start McDavid everywhere and treat Oilers skaters as strong complementary plays around his heavy usage.
Lock in Sorokin and Swayman as high-confidence goalie starts if you’re managing limited appearances.
Bench Crosby across formats, use IR if available, and be ready to stream his spot for short-term production.
Track Kartye’s Rangers debut closely; deployment will determine whether he’s just a watchlist name or a viable deep-league add.
Monitor Luke Hughes’ role on the Devils’ power play—quickly reclaiming prime usage would make him a valuable defensive pickup.

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