Today’s NHL Lineups: Goalie Starts, PP1 Looks and Fantasy Start/Sit Calls

With multiple games on the slate and several crease situations in flux, today is all about reading goalie confirmations, matchup context, and power-play opportunity. Below, we break down how to handle projected starters like Jonas Johansson, Linus Ullmark, Ville Husso, and Ilya Sorokin, plus what today’s lineups mean for your skater decisions and PP1 exposure.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The key storyline today is in the crease. Tampa Bay is visiting Montreal, and Johansson is expected to go in back-to-back games for the Lightning. That kind of confidence from the coaching staff signals he’s more than a pure spot starter right now, and the matchup against a rebuilding Canadiens squad keeps his win equity high for fantasy.

In Ottawa, Ullmark has been confirmed as the starter for the Senators against New Jersey. He projects as a high-floor play when he’s in, and the confirmation early in the day lets you lock him into your categories lineups without scrambling for late news.

Anaheim turns to Husso as the Ducks take on Pittsburgh. On paper, it’s a tougher matchup, but Husso’s status as the starter makes him a viable streaming option, especially in deeper formats or if you’re chasing volume starts this week.

On Long Island, Sorokin gets the nod for the Islanders against Vegas. He’s the most bankable talent on today’s goalie board, and when he’s confirmed, he’s almost always an automatic start in fantasy, even against stronger opponents.

For skaters, today’s projected lineups keep elite names in their usual heavy-usage roles: Nikita Kucherov driving Tampa’s top line and top power play, Connor McDavid anchoring Edmonton’s first line, and elite defensemen like Victor Hedman and Cale Makar running their respective PP1 units. There aren’t many surprise PP1 auditions implied today, but the stability itself is valuable for start/sit calls.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, goalie decisions are mostly about wins and minimizing blow-up risk. Johansson’s expected back-to-back start suggests Tampa trusts him behind a strong offensive core led by Kucherov and Hedman. Against Montreal, he’s a recommended start if you need a win and can live with some variance in goals against.

Ullmark’s confirmed role for Ottawa today makes him a priority start in points-only leagues. He has enough track record and structure in front of him to be considered a safe play, and confirmation means you don’t have to leave a goalie slot empty waiting on late news.

Husso is more of a swing in points-only. Anaheim’s matchup with Pittsburgh could turn into a higher-scoring game, so he’s best used when you’re behind in goalie games played and need to chase a win. If your goalie categories are already in good shape this week, you can afford to sit him and avoid the risk.

Sorokin is the clear top-tier option today. Even if Vegas pushes play, Sorokin’s talent and workload give him both win and save potential. In points-only, you start him without overthinking the opponent.

For skaters, today’s stable top-unit deployment means you lean into your studs. Kucherov and McDavid are obvious auto-starts, but the key is not overreacting to a single tough matchup. If they’re on PP1 and first line, they’re in your lineup. Hedman and Makar remain must-starts from the back end because of their PP1 quarterback roles and heavy minutes.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, today’s goalie choices hinge on volume and rate stats. Johansson’s back-to-back start implies a decent shot at a win and a healthy save total, but it also raises fatigue concerns. If your ratios (GAA, SV%) are fragile, you might pivot to a safer option; if you’re chasing wins and saves, he’s a strong play.

Ullmark is the most balanced categories option among the streaming-level goalies. Ottawa’s structure and his confirmed status make him ideal if you want to protect GAA and SV% while still having a realistic shot at a win. He’s the priority categories start if you’re choosing between him, Johansson, and Husso.

Husso is more of a volume-and-hope play. Expect shots against versus Pittsburgh, which can be good if you’re chasing saves but dangerous for ratios. In head-to-head, use him if you’re already behind in goalie stats and need to swing for upside; otherwise, you can sit him and protect your lead.

Sorokin is the premium categories anchor. He should deliver strong save totals and competitive ratios regardless of opponent. If you’re streaming multiple goalies today, try to pair Sorokin’s stability with just one higher-risk option rather than stacking volatility.

For skaters, prioritize players who touch PP1 and shoot a lot. Kucherov and McDavid obviously fit that bill, but Hedman and Makar are especially valuable in banger formats today because they bring shots, power-play points, and some peripherals from the blue line. If you’re deciding between a low-volume scoring winger and a PP2 defenseman with hits and blocks, lean toward the multi-cat D on busy nights like this.

Dynasty / Keeper

Today’s goalie slate also carries some longer-term signals. Johansson earning back-to-back starts hints that Tampa might be more open to giving him an extended look. In dynasty, that’s enough to move him from pure streamer to speculative hold if you have a deep bench and are light in goal.

Ullmark’s confirmed role in Ottawa reinforces his status as a stable, mid-term solution in the crease. He’s not a breakout youth piece, but he’s the kind of reliable veteran starter who can anchor a contender in dynasty while you wait on prospects to develop.

Husso’s start for Anaheim is more about opportunity than long-term safety. If he strings together strong outings, he could carve out a more secure role. In deeper dynasty formats, he’s a reasonable stash if you’re rebuilding and willing to live with short-term volatility.

Sorokin remains a cornerstone dynasty asset. Every confirmed start in a high-leverage matchup just reinforces that he’s a long-term workhorse. If your league allows goalie-heavy builds, he’s exactly the type of player you build around rather than shop, unless you’re exploring options in the NHL Trade Analyzer to reshape your roster.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Jonas Johansson – Add/Stream (standard & deep): Expected back-to-back start for Tampa Bay against Montreal gives him strong win and save potential if you can stomach some risk.
Linus Ullmark – Add/Stream (all formats): Confirmed starter for Ottawa with a solid floor in wins and ratios makes him a priority plug-in wherever he’s available.
Ville Husso – Short-term stream (deep): Starting for Anaheim versus Pittsburgh; use him if you’re chasing goalie volume or need a desperation win in deeper leagues.
Ilya Sorokin – Lock-in start (all formats): High-end starter for the Islanders who should be in every lineup today regardless of opponent.
Nikita Kucherov – Must start: Top-line, top-PP role for Tampa Bay keeps his ceiling elite; don’t overthink matchup concerns.
Victor Hedman – Must start: PP1 quarterback for Tampa with strong multi-cat contributions from the blue line.
Cale Makar – Must start: Heavy minutes and PP1 usage for Colorado make him a set-and-forget defenseman.
Connor McDavid – Must start: First-line, PP1 centerpiece for Edmonton; always in your lineup when the Oilers play.

Fantasy Takeaways

Johansson’s expected back-to-back start for Tampa Bay makes him a high-upside stream for managers chasing wins and saves.
Ullmark’s confirmed role in Ottawa gives him the safest blend of volume and ratios among today’s streaming-level goalie options.
Husso is a matchup-risky but viable volume play for deeper leagues, best used when you’re behind in goalie categories.
Sorokin remains an automatic start in all formats, offering elite stability even against strong opponents.
Top-unit fixtures like Kucherov, McDavid, Hedman, and Makar should all be locked into lineups thanks to secure PP1 and heavy-even-strength usage.

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