Daily Fantasy Lineups: Start/Sit Calls, PP1 Looks and Goalie Leans

Today’s slate revolves around a few key matchups: Montreal in Tampa Bay and the Islanders hosting Columbus. With projected lines and starters mostly settled, your edge comes from nailing start/sit calls, reading PP1 auditions, and trusting (or fading) the right goalies. Let’s break down how to handle Cole Caufield, Brayden Point, the Blue Jackets’ blue line, and the goalie duels headlining tonight.

What’s New & Why It Matters

Montreal heads into Tampa Bay leaning heavily on their top line, with Caufield and Nick Suzuki driving the offense. Injuries to Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook concentrate even more usage on that first unit, which boosts Caufield’s shot volume and power-play exposure but also makes the Canadiens easier to game-plan against. On the other side, Tampa Bay’s attack is again centered around Point and Nikita Kucherov, with secondary pieces like Oliver Bjorkstrand benefiting from top-six deployment alongside Anthony Cirelli.

The Islanders–Blue Jackets matchup brings a different fantasy angle. New York is rolling with Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal as their primary offensive engines, while Columbus leans on Adam Fantilli and a heavy-minute top pair featuring Ivan Provorov. Provorov’s role on the top pairing keeps his floor solid in multi-cat formats, even if his offensive ceiling is modest.

In goal, Jonas Johansson is projected to start for the Lightning against Montreal, a matchup that offers strong win equity and reasonable ratios given Tampa’s firepower and Montreal’s thin depth. For the Islanders, David Rittich draws another start after a shutout, signaling clear short-term confidence from the coaching staff and making him one of the more attractive streaming options on the board.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

For pure scoring formats, this is a night to lean into top-line and PP1 exposure. Caufield’s value spikes with Montreal forced to funnel offense through him; even in a tough matchup, his shot volume and power-play touches justify starting him in most points leagues. Just temper expectations for plus/minus if your format counts it, as Tampa Bay should control play at five-on-five.

On the Lightning side, Point remains an automatic start. The Canadiens’ injuries weaken their ability to match lines and defend elite centers, which should tilt high-danger chances toward Tampa’s top unit. If Bjorkstrand is indeed riding shotgun in the top six and seeing PP2 or occasional PP1 looks, he becomes a viable short-term scoring add in standard and deep points-only formats, especially if you need a one- or two-game burst.

For Islanders skaters, Horvat and Barzal are obvious plays, but the matchup context helps their secondary pieces as well. Columbus is still leaning on young forwards like Fantilli, which can lead to breakdowns against structured teams like New York. That boosts the assist upside across the Islanders’ top six and makes Rittich’s win bonus more likely in leagues that reward goalie victories.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat formats, Provorov is the sneaky stabilizer. His top-pair usage for Columbus means heavy minutes, exposure to blocks and hits, and enough secondary offense to keep him from being a pure peripherals-only play. As a stream, he fits perfectly if you’re chasing blocks, hits, or time on ice without sacrificing too much in plus/minus.

For forwards, Caufield’s primary contributions remain goals and shots; he’s less helpful in hits or PIM, so his value is highest in leagues that reward SOG and power-play production. Point is more well-rounded in offensive categories (goals, assists, PPP, shots), and Tampa’s expected possession edge against Montreal gives him a strong floor across scoring cats.

In net, Johansson and Rittich both profile as strong category plays tonight. Johansson’s path to value is wins and decent ratios behind a superior team; Rittich’s is volume plus a relatively favorable matchup against a Columbus squad still finding its offensive identity. If your league counts saves, both are attractive, but Rittich’s recent shutout gives him a slight edge in perceived safety, especially if you’re protecting GAA and SV%.

Dynasty / Keeper

In longer-term formats, the headline names tonight are still relevant, but the lens changes. Caufield is already a core dynasty asset; nights like this, where he carries Montreal’s offense, reinforce his long-term role as a high-volume shooter and primary power-play weapon. Even in tough matchups, you want those reps for your young cornerstone winger.

For Tampa, Point is firmly in his prime and a set-and-forget dynasty piece. What matters more is monitoring who gets extended looks alongside him and on PP1. If Bjorkstrand sticks in a top-six role with regular power-play time, he moves from streamer to longer-term hold in deeper dynasty formats, especially if your league rewards goals and shots.

On the prospect side, Rutger McGroarty is one to quietly track. Increased ice time and trust from his coaching staff signal a potential climb up his team’s depth chart. He’s not an immediate add in most dynasty leagues, but he’s the type of player you want on your watchlist now so you can move quickly if his role jumps or he earns a permanent PP1 spot. Provorov, meanwhile, is more of a steady veteran piece in dynasty—useful for contending teams needing reliable peripherals, but with limited growth left in his profile.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Jonas Johansson – Start / Short-term stream: Projected starter for Tampa Bay against a depleted Montreal squad, with strong win potential in categories leagues.
David Rittich – Start / Short-term stream: Coming off a shutout and starting again for the Islanders, he’s a high-confidence play versus Columbus.
Cole Caufield – Start (points-heavy leagues): Montreal’s offense runs through him with key injuries, boosting his shot and PP1 volume despite a tough matchup.
Brayden Point – Auto-start: Locked into Tampa’s top line and top power play, with Montreal’s thin depth offering multi-point upside.
Oliver Bjorkstrand – Add in deeper points-only: Riding in Tampa’s top six with Anthony Cirelli, giving him a meaningful bump in scoring opportunity.
Ivan Provorov – Stream in bangers: Top-pair minutes for Columbus translate to reliable hits, blocks, and peripheral volume.
Rutger McGroarty – Dynasty watchlist: Growing ice time and responsibility make him a stash candidate if your league rosters prospects deeply.

Fantasy Takeaways

Stream Johansson confidently for wins and solid ratios with Tampa favored over a shorthanded Montreal lineup.
Ride Rittich while he’s hot; back-to-back starts after a shutout show strong coaching trust and a favorable matchup.
Lean into Caufield’s expanded role for goals and shots, but be prepared for shaky plus/minus in tougher road matchups.
Use Provorov as a plug-and-play bangers stream when you need blocks, hits, and heavy minutes from the blue line.
In deeper and dynasty formats, monitor Bjorkstrand’s and McGroarty’s usage for early signals of sustainable top-six or PP1 roles.

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