Daily NHL Lineups: Start/Sit Calls, PP1 Auditions and Goalie Leans

Tonight’s slate is defined by concentrated top-line firepower and a few key absences. With projected lines and starting goalies set, fantasy managers need to lean into elite usage, spot PP1 auditions, and decide how much risk to take in net. Let’s break down where to be aggressive and where to tread lightly.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The Dallas Stars are rolling with Jason Robertson atop the lineup, locked into a heavy offensive role. With Mikko Rantanen suspended, Dallas loses a key finisher and play-driver, which should funnel even more responsibility and shot volume toward Robertson and the remaining top-six. That consolidation of opportunity is exactly what you want for fantasy start decisions.

On the other side, the Edmonton Oilers have Connor McDavid centering a top line that now includes Matthew Savoie. Skating with McDavid is effectively a PP1 audition at even strength: if Savoie clicks, he’s a strong candidate to stick on the top power-play unit or at least see meaningful man-advantage time. That kind of deployment spike can turn a fringe asset into an immediate fantasy starter.

In goal, Jake Oettinger is projected to start for Dallas, while Stuart Skinner gets the nod for Edmonton. It’s a tough matchup for both, but the confirmed workload gives you a clear choice: chase volume and potential wins, or sit back if your ratios are fragile. Skinner, in particular, shapes up as a matchup-dependent stream rather than an automatic lock.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins remains out but is expected back soon for Edmonton. His absence keeps the door open for Savoie and other complementary forwards to hold elevated roles for at least one more game, sustaining their short-term fantasy relevance.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, Robertson is as automatic as it gets. With Rantanen unavailable, Dallas will lean even harder on him to drive offense, especially on the top power play. If you were ever tempted to overthink a start/sit with Robertson, tonight is not the night—he belongs in your lineup without hesitation.

McDavid’s presence supercharges anyone riding shotgun, and that’s where Savoie becomes intriguing. Even if his individual talent is still being proven at this level, simply sharing the ice with McDavid at even strength creates a high floor for assists and secondary points. If he’s seeing PP1 or even PP2 time, he’s a viable plug-and-play in deeper points-only leagues for tonight, with upside if Edmonton’s top unit clicks.

Wyatt Johnston sits in a more modest but still interesting spot as Dallas’s second-line center. In points-only, he’s more of a fringe start: if you’re choosing between him and a lower-usage depth piece elsewhere, Johnston’s top-six deployment and potential secondary power-play time give him the edge. But his ceiling tonight is a tier below the true headliners.

Mikko Rantanen, listed here with Dallas in the projections, is suspended and therefore a zero for tonight. In daily moves formats, make sure he’s on your bench or IR slot; do not burn a starting spot on a guaranteed scratch.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, Robertson’s value only grows. Expect strong shot volume and a good chance at power-play production with Rantanen out. Even if the matchup tightens scoring, Robertson’s peripherals keep him firmly in the must-start tier.

Savoie is more format-sensitive. In categories leagues, his appeal hinges on whether he’s shooting the puck and seeing PP usage. If your roster needs a short-term boost in goals, assists, and possibly power-play points, he’s a reasonable gamble. If you’re chasing hits or PIM, he’s less of a priority; think of him as a scoring-category streamer tied to McDavid’s line.

Johnston profiles as a balanced but not elite categories option. He can chip in across the board without dominating any one stat. That makes him a decent depth start if you’re trying to cover multiple categories without punting anything, but he’s not someone you force into the lineup over clearly higher-usage options.

In net, Skinner is a classic risk/reward stream. Edmonton’s offense can provide win equity, but facing Dallas’s top-heavy attack is no picnic for your ratios. If you’re behind in saves or wins and need volume, rolling Skinner is defensible. If you’re protecting a narrow lead in GAA or SV%, you might prefer to sit him and avoid the blow-up risk.

Dynasty / Keeper

Dynasty managers should be watching Savoie very closely. Any extended run next to McDavid is a massive signal of organizational trust. If he sticks in that role and earns PP1 or steady PP2 minutes, his long-term trajectory shifts from speculative prospect to core fantasy piece. This is exactly the kind of deployment jump that can force a revaluation of his dynasty value.

Johnston already carries a strong long-term profile as a second-line center with room to grow. Tonight’s game is less about one-night output and more about confirming that he can drive a line in a bigger role, especially with Rantanen out. If he continues to look comfortable, he remains a solid hold or even a buy-low via the NHL Trade Analyzer in leagues where managers are impatient.

Rantanen’s suspension is a short-term annoyance, not a dynasty concern. If anything, it creates a tiny window to inquire about his price in long-term formats if his manager is frustrated by the missed games. His underlying role and talent remain elite once he’s back.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Jason Robertson – Start: Locked into Dallas’s top line and power play with even more responsibility while Rantanen sits.
Matthew Savoie – Add/Short-term stream: Riding shotgun with McDavid gives him immediate scoring and PP1 audition upside in standard and deep leagues.
Stuart Skinner – Short-term stream: Confirmed starter with win potential; use if you need volume and can stomach some ratio risk.
Wyatt Johnston – Watchlist / Deep-league start: Second-line center with growing usage; worth a start in deeper formats and a watch in shallower ones.
Mikko Rantanen – Sit: Suspended and unavailable tonight; make sure he’s on your bench or IR, not in an active slot.

Fantasy Takeaways

Start Jason Robertson everywhere; Rantanen’s suspension only increases his offensive burden and opportunity.
Matthew Savoie is a high-upside stream while he’s stapled to McDavid and sniffing PP1 time.
Stuart Skinner is a matchup-dependent goalie stream—use him if you need wins and saves, but protect fragile ratios.
Wyatt Johnston belongs on watchlists in all leagues and in starting lineups for deeper formats given his second-line role.
Bench Mikko Rantanen for tonight; don’t waste a lineup spot on a suspended player.

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