Today’s NHL Lineups: Start/Sit Calls, PP1 Auditions and Goalie Confidence

Today’s projected lineups are loaded with fantasy-relevant wrinkles: key returns, big-name injuries, and a possible rookie look in Philadelphia. This breakdown focuses on immediate start/sit leans, who might grab prime power-play time, and how confident you should feel about your goalie and skater choices in daily lineups.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The headline news is Valeri Nichushkin returning to the Avalanche lineup. Slotted back into a top-six role, he jumps right into fantasy relevance. Colorado typically leans heavily on its core forwards, so any healthy top-six winger there is an automatic radar player, especially if he sees time with the main power-play unit.

On the flip side, the Maple Leafs are without William Nylander, who’s sidelined by a groin injury. That absence forces Toronto to redistribute high-end minutes and power-play touches. For fantasy managers, this both removes a must-start option and opens short-term opportunity for whoever steps into his usage.

In Pittsburgh, Kris Letang is listed as questionable with an upper-body issue. His status is critical: when he’s out, the entire Penguins power-play structure changes. Managers need a contingency plan at defense in case he’s ruled out close to puck drop.

Finally, the Flyers could insert Nikita Grebenkin into the lineup. He’s not a locked-in producer yet, but any newcomer with a chance at scoring-line deployment is worth monitoring in deeper formats, especially on lighter schedule days where streaming matters.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

Valeri Nichushkin should be treated as an automatic start in points-only formats as long as he’s confirmed in the top six. Colorado’s scoring environment is elite, and a healthy Nichushkin typically rides shotgun with high-end playmakers at even strength and often gets a look on the primary power-play unit. Even if he starts on PP2, his combination of finishing and net-front work gives him multi-point upside on any given night.

William Nylander being unavailable is straightforward: he must be on your bench or IR slot. The more subtle impact is that Toronto’s remaining top forwards may see slightly higher usage and shot volume, but you can’t replace Nylander’s ceiling one-for-one. In daily lineups, you may need to pivot to a comparable winger from another game rather than forcing a risky in-house replacement.

Kris Letang is a true game-time decision fantasy-wise. If he’s active, he remains a strong play in points-only leagues because of his role as a top-pair, power-play quarterback. If he’s out, his usual power-play spot likely shifts to another defenseman, but without explicit confirmation in the projections, the safer move is to roll with a known PP1 option from another team rather than guessing on Pittsburgh’s replacement.

Nikita Grebenkin is more of a speculative points-only play. If he lands in a middle-six scoring role with some secondary power-play time, he has the skill to chip in. However, unless your league is deep or you’re desperate for a one-day plug, he’s better as a watchlist name than a must-add.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category formats, Nichushkin’s return is even more valuable. He can contribute across the board: shots, hits, and power-play points if he sticks in a prime role. That profile makes him a high-confidence start today; even if the points don’t come, his peripheral floor is usually solid enough to justify locking him in.

Nylander’s injury is a major blow in categories leagues that count shots and power-play production. You’ll need to replace both volume and efficiency. Look for wingers with strong shot rates or heavy power-play usage elsewhere on your roster or on the wire, rather than banking on a low-volume Leaf depth player to fill the void.

Letang’s uncertainty is tricky in bangers formats. When he plays, he brings shots, blocks, and strong power-play exposure, making him a premium all-around defenseman. If he’s ruled out, you may want to pivot to a defenseman who offers reliable hits and blocks, even if the offensive ceiling is lower, just to avoid a zero in your lineup.

Grebenkin’s category appeal depends entirely on how the Flyers deploy him. If he’s sheltered in a scoring role, his value leans more toward points and shots than hits or blocks. For today, he’s more of a speculative add in deep leagues that reward offensive counting stats rather than a must-start banger.

Dynasty / Keeper

For dynasty managers, Nichushkin’s return is a reminder that his long-term value is tied to health and role more than talent. When he’s in Colorado’s top six with power-play exposure, he profiles as a reliable multi-year asset. Today’s game is a good barometer for how quickly he can re-establish that level after injury.

Nylander’s injury doesn’t materially change his dynasty outlook; groin issues can be annoying in the short term but rarely alter a star’s long-range trajectory if managed properly. In keeper formats, this is more of a short-term annoyance than a reason to consider moving him, unless your contention window is extremely narrow and you’re exploring options via tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer.

Letang’s questionable status is more meaningful in dynasty. Any missed time for an aging, high-usage defenseman is a reminder that you should have succession plans on your blue line. If you’re contending, you ride him when he’s active; if you’re retooling, you can use stretches of strong production to gauge trade value.

Grebenkin is the most interesting dynasty name here. If he indeed gets into the Flyers lineup and earns meaningful minutes, this could be an early look at a potential long-term scoring piece. You don’t need to rush him into your active lineup today, but adding him to a farm or deep bench spot before he pops is often how you get ahead of your league.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Valeri Nichushkin – Add/Start (all leagues): Healthy and back in a top-six role for Colorado, with strong upside if he sees PP1 time.
William Nylander – Sit/Hold: Out with a groin injury; stash on IR where possible and don’t force a risky replacement from Toronto’s depth.
Kris Letang – Monitor/Start if active: Questionable with an upper-body injury; if he’s in, his top-pair and PP role make him a must-start.
Nikita Grebenkin – Watchlist/Add in deep leagues: Possible Flyers lineup inclusion who could offer scoring depth if he lands in a middle-six role.
Maple Leafs replacement winger – Short-term stream (deep): Whoever steps into Nylander’s even-strength and PP minutes can be a one-day volume play in deeper formats.
Penguins PP defense replacement – Short-term stream: If Letang sits, the defenseman who takes over PP duties becomes a viable spot start for power-play chasing.

Fantasy Takeaways

Activate Valeri Nichushkin everywhere; his return to a top-six Avalanche role makes him a high-confidence start today.
Bench William Nylander across all formats and use your IR slot; look outside Toronto for safer replacement scoring.
Track Kris Letang’s status right up to warmups and have a backup defenseman ready in case he’s ruled out.
Add or at least closely monitor Nikita Grebenkin in deep leagues if he’s confirmed in a scoring role for the Flyers.
Use today’s lineup shifts to identify who grabs new PP1 or PP2 opportunities and be ready to stream those players quickly.

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