Fantasy Hockey Daily Lineup Leans for March 24
With a busy slate on March 24, fantasy managers need to separate true must-starts from matchup-dependent options. Today’s focus is on where to lean in tight start/sit calls, who’s auditioning for prime power-play roles, and which matchups can swing your categories. We’ll zero in on Brock Nelson, Anthony Cirelli, and Jeremy Swayman, and how to deploy them with confidence.
What’s New & Why It Matters
The big storyline for March 24 is opportunity meeting form. Nelson is locked into a top-six role with power-play one usage for the Colorado Avalanche and is in the middle of a strong finishing run. That combination of deployment and recent touch around the net makes him more than just a fringe start; he’s someone you actively build your forward group around today, especially in leagues that reward goals heavily.
Cirelli’s value spike is all about linemates. Centering the Tampa Bay Lightning’s top line alongside an elite winger like Nikita Kucherov instantly raises his ceiling. When a defensively responsible center with decent offensive instincts gets that kind of exposure, you get a streaming profile that can help across multiple categories, even if the overall name value isn’t flashy. His current usage suggests a live audition for a sustained top-line look, and fantasy managers should treat it that way while it lasts.
In goal, Swayman’s situation with the Boston Bruins is exactly what you want on a busy night: a confirmed or strongly expected starter with a dominant home track record and a favorable matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. When a goalie is both playing well and backed by a structured defensive team, you can lean into that start even if the opponent has offensive weapons. For many managers, Swayman should be the tiebreaker in close goalie decisions today.
Fantasy Implications
Points-Only
In points-only formats, Nelson is a clear green light. His top-six role and PP1 usage on Colorado mean heavy offensive-zone time and frequent touches with skilled linemates. With his current goal-scoring rhythm, you’re not just chasing a hot streak; you’re capitalizing on a player whose role fully supports continued production. If you’re debating Nelson versus a mid-tier winger on a weaker power play, Nelson should get the nod today.
Cirelli becomes a strong streaming play in points-only because of his top-line exposure. Even if he’s not the primary shooter on that line, simply being on the ice with Kucherov increases his assist potential and secondary point upside. He’s the kind of player who can quietly post a multi-point night when the Lightning’s top unit clicks, and that makes him a priority start if you have any fringe forwards you’re unsure about.
Goalie decisions in points-only (or wins/points-weighted formats) tilt heavily toward Swayman. Boston’s ability to control play at home and Swayman’s recent success against Toronto give him both a solid floor and real shutout or low-goal-against upside. If your alternative is a road goalie in a coin-flip matchup, Swayman’s situation is preferable for maximizing win probability and minimizing risk.
Categories / Bangers
In multi-cat leagues, Nelson’s value extends beyond goals. His role on the top power play gives him strong potential for power-play points, and his shot volume should help in SOG categories. If your league counts game-winning goals or similar bonuses, his usage in key offensive situations adds sneaky upside. On a night like this, he’s not someone you sit unless you’re absolutely loaded at forward.
Cirelli is particularly interesting in categories formats. While his offensive ceiling is elevated by his spot with Kucherov, his two-way game can also bring value in faceoff wins (if counted) and potentially some peripheral stats like hits. That makes him a flexible stream: he can chip in across the board rather than being purely points-dependent. If you’re chasing a blend of assists, plus-minus, and a bit of grit, Cirelli is a strong plug-and-play option.
For goalie categories, Swayman is a high-confidence start. His home performance suggests strong ratios in goals-against average and save percentage, and Boston’s structure should help keep shot quality manageable. If you’re protecting ratios late in the week, Swayman is the type of start you can feel comfortable rolling out, rather than benching out of fear of a blowup. The combination of win equity and ratio stability is exactly what you want in head-to-head matchups.
Dynasty / Keeper
In dynasty and keeper formats, Nelson’s current run reinforces his profile as a reliable, if somewhat underappreciated, scoring forward. His top-six and PP1 role on a strong offensive team suggests that this isn’t a fluke; he can be viewed as a medium-term hold who provides steady production. If your window to contend is now or in the next couple of seasons, he’s the type of veteran you’re happy to ride rather than shop aggressively.
Cirelli’s top-line audition has more long-term intrigue. If he cements himself as the regular center alongside Kucherov, his dynasty value climbs meaningfully. Managers in deeper keeper formats should be watching not just tonight’s box score, but his overall usage: offensive-zone starts, power-play time, and whether he sticks on that line in future games. A sustained run in this role would justify treating him as more than just a streamer—potentially a long-term middle-six center with top-line upside.
Swayman’s trajectory in Boston continues to point toward a stable, high-end starter profile. His strong home record and success against quality opponents like Toronto are encouraging signs for his long-term fantasy value. In dynasty, these are the starts that build trust: if he consistently delivers in spotlight games, he solidifies himself as a goalie you can anchor your build around for several seasons.
Who to Add / Stream / Watch
- Brock Nelson – Add/Start (all formats): Locked into a top-six, PP1 role for Colorado and riding consistent goal-scoring form, he should be in your lineup wherever you have him.
- Anthony Cirelli – Short-term stream (standard/deep): Centering Tampa Bay’s top line with Kucherov gives him elevated scoring and assist upside for as long as he holds that spot.
- Jeremy Swayman – Confident start (all formats): Excellent home record and strong recent performance versus Toronto make him a high-floor, high-upside goalie play tonight.
- Boston Bruins skaters – Streaming targets (categories): With Swayman stabilizing things in net and a favorable matchup, depth Bruins can help in plus-minus and secondary scoring.
Fantasy Takeaways
- Start Brock Nelson wherever possible; his top-six, PP1 role and current scoring touch make him a lineup anchor for March 24.
- Anthony Cirelli is a strong short-term stream thanks to his top-line deployment with Nikita Kucherov, especially in leagues counting multiple categories.
- Jeremy Swayman is a high-confidence goalie start, with Boston’s home dominance and his track record against Toronto boosting his win and ratio outlook.
- Streaming Boston Bruins skaters is a viable strategy in categories formats, leveraging their favorable matchup and team structure.
- Monitor Cirelli’s continued usage on Tampa Bay’s top line; if it sticks, his value shifts from streamer to long-term hold in deeper keeper leagues.
Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.