Fantasy Hockey Daily Lineup Tiers for March 17

With a busy March 17 slate, fantasy value is driven by power-play roles, matchup edges, and which goalies you can actually trust. Today’s focus is on squeezing every point out of Zach Werenski, taking advantage of Bobby McMann’s PP1 audition, and deciding if you’re comfortable rolling out Minnesota Wild starter Filip Gustavsson against Chicago. Use these tiers to make tight start/sit calls and target short-term streams.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The biggest storyline for March 17 is Werenski’s emergence as an elite fantasy defenseman. He’s not just a safe floor play; he’s leading defensemen in points per game and locked into top-pair and PP1 duties for the Columbus Blue Jackets. In daily formats, that combination of role and production makes him a near-automatic start regardless of opponent.

Up front, McMann has quietly stepped into a prime scoring environment for the Seattle Kraken. He’s riding recent multipoint efforts while skating on the top line and first power-play unit. That kind of deployment is exactly what we look for in a short-term breakout: strong linemates, heavy offensive-zone usage, and PP1 time. He’s the definition of a high-upside stream in deeper formats and a viable spot start in standard leagues that reward volume and power-play production.

In net, Gustavsson is the classic matchup-based streamer. The Wild have been stumbling, but a date with the Chicago Blackhawks is about as favorable as it gets. Gustavsson’s track record against Chicago and his solid road play suggest he’s in a good spot to deliver wins and strong ratios, even if Minnesota’s overall form has been uneven.

Put together, these situations highlight today’s key edges: ride elite PP1 usage (Werenski), attack soft matchups with hot top-line forwards (McMann), and selectively trust matchup-driven goalies (Gustavsson) even when the team isn’t at its best.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, Werenski belongs in your highest confidence tier. His combination of first-pair minutes and top power-play deployment for Columbus gives him both a high floor and a ceiling that rivals many elite forwards. Bench him only if you are absolutely overloaded on defense and in a format with strict positional limits; otherwise, he’s a plug-and-play anchor.

McMann’s value spikes in points-only leagues whenever he’s attached to PP1. Top-line usage on Seattle means he’s likely seeing the ice with the team’s best playmakers in offensive situations. Managers should lean into this while it lasts: he’s a strong start if you’re chasing offense today, especially if you’re behind in your matchup and need upside rather than safe, low-event options.

Gustavsson’s direct impact on points-only leagues is limited to wins and possibly shutouts, but his presence can indirectly boost your skater decisions. If you’re confident in a strong outing from him against Chicago, you can afford to load your lineup with higher-risk, higher-reward skaters, knowing your goaltending might stabilize your matchup.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, Werenski’s value extends beyond points. Heavy minutes and top-unit power-play time usually translate into strong shot volume and plenty of opportunities for power-play points. Even if he’s not a big hitter, his offensive contributions from the blue line are difficult to replace, and his ice time gives him chances to chip in blocks as well. He should be in your lineup in virtually all categories formats.

McMann’s recent multipoint games suggest he’s finding soft spots offensively, and his top-line role should give him a steady stream of shots. If your league counts shots on goal and power-play points, he’s particularly appealing as a streamer. Even without heavy hits or PIM, his offensive profile fits managers looking to make up ground in goals, assists, and PPP on a single busy night.

Gustavsson is a high-leverage play in categories leagues today. A strong outing against Chicago can swing wins, goals-against average, and save percentage in one shot. Given his history of solid road performances and success versus the Blackhawks, he’s worth starting if you’re not already locked into your goalie minimums. Just be aware that Minnesota’s recent struggles mean there’s still some volatility; he’s better suited to managers who can absorb a bit of risk in exchange for a potential big payoff.

Dynasty / Keeper

In dynasty and keeper formats, Werenski is cementing himself as a cornerstone defenseman. Leading all blueliners in points per game is a strong signal that his current usage isn’t a fluke. Columbus is building around him, and his role as PP1 quarterback should be secure for years. If your league allows in-season trading, he’s the type of asset you only move in a blockbuster; otherwise, you simply enjoy the production.

McMann’s current role with Seattle is more of a long look than a guaranteed long-term spot, but it’s exactly the kind of audition you want to monitor in dynasty. Top-line and PP1 minutes suggest the organization wants to see if he can be part of their scoring core. If he sticks in that role down the stretch, he could move from fringe depth piece to legitimate keeper in deeper formats. For now, he’s a speculative hold or cheap trade target if your league values upside over name recognition.

Gustavsson profiles as a matchup-dependent starter in most long-term builds. His strong numbers against Chicago and on the road show he can thrive in the right environment, but Minnesota’s inconsistency makes him more of a 1B/2G than a locked-in franchise goalie in dynasty. He’s worth holding as part of a tandem, especially in leagues where managers can rotate based on opponent, but he’s not untouchable if you can upgrade to a more stable starter.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Zach Werenski – Start (all leagues): Elite PP1 usage and top-pair minutes for Columbus make him a must-start in every format today.
Bobby McMann – Add/Stream (deep & standard): Riding top-line and first power-play deployment for Seattle with recent multipoint games gives him high short-term scoring upside.
Filip Gustavsson – Stream (all leagues): Favorable matchup against Chicago and strong road history make him a high-upside goalie play if you need wins and ratios.
Minnesota Wild skaters – Watchlist/Spot starts: Despite their slump, a soft matchup with Chicago makes their top-six forwards and PP1 options viable one-night plays.
Columbus Blue Jackets PP1 stack – Watch: If Werenski is driving the top unit, any available PP1 forwards from Columbus are worth monitoring for short-term streams.
Seattle Kraken PP1 exposure – Stream: Anyone riding shotgun with McMann on Seattle’s first power play can be a sneaky add in deeper leagues.

Fantasy Takeaways

Lock Werenski into your lineup; his PP1 role and league-leading production among defensemen make him a top-tier start.
Take advantage of McMann’s top-line and PP1 audition in Seattle as a high-upside stream, especially if you’re chasing offense.
Gustavsson is a strong matchup-based goalie start against Chicago, particularly if you need a late-week push in wins and ratios.
Don’t overreact to Minnesota’s recent skid; the matchup with Chicago still favors rolling out their key fantasy pieces.
Prioritize players with secure PP1 roles and favorable opponents when making tight start/sit calls on a crowded slate.

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