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

With confirmed starters and injury news rolling in, today is all about making sharp, context-driven decisions. Goalie confidence, power-play usage and who benefits from big-name absences like Sidney Crosby and Aleksander Barkov will decide a lot of matchups. Let’s walk through what’s new, how it affects your fantasy lineup, and where you can squeeze out an edge tonight.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The headline items for fantasy managers today are in net and on the top lines. The New York Rangers roll with Igor Shesterkin against the Toronto Maple Leafs, while Toronto counters with Joseph Woll. In Buffalo, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen draws a Crosby-less Pittsburgh Penguins squad, which meaningfully softens his matchup.

On the injury front, the Pittsburgh offense is still without Sidney Crosby, and the Florida Panthers are missing Aleksander Barkov due to a knee issue. Both absences shuffle top lines and power-play units, opening short-term opportunity for teammates while slightly capping the ceiling of secondary pieces who rely on elite playmaking.

For skaters, this is a slate where you lean into secure deployment: top lines, heavy even-strength minutes and PP1 roles. For goalies, the combination of matchup quality and team defensive structure should drive your start/sit calls more than name value alone.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, today’s focus is on who benefits from elite centers being out and which stars retain their usual ceiling despite tough matchups. With Crosby sidelined, Buffalo’s top offensive players get a friendlier environment against a weakened Penguins attack, which indirectly supports Luukkonen’s win equity and keeps Sabres forwards in strong start territory.

On the Rangers–Maple Leafs side, you’re not sitting true studs. Auston Matthews and Mika Zibanejad remain automatic in points-only; the confirmed starts for Shesterkin and Woll mostly influence your expectations rather than your decisions on those elite skaters. What you can do is break ties in favor of players attached to strong power-play units. The Rangers’ top unit, driven by Zibanejad and Adam Fox, remains a high-end source of points even in a potentially tight game, while Toronto’s top group around Matthews is always capable of breaking a slate.

In Florida, Barkov’s absence dings the overall efficiency of the Panthers’ top six. Wingers who normally ride shotgun with him lose some assist and plus/minus upside. You still start your best Panthers in shallow leagues, but if you’re debating a fringe Florida forward versus a comparable option in a healthier offense, lean away from the Barkov-dependent piece until he’s back.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category and bangers leagues, today’s goalie confirmations and injury news give you a chance to target volume and peripherals. Shesterkin is a locked-in start in all formats; even against a potent Toronto attack, he should see plenty of shots, giving you strong save and potentially save-percentage contributions. If your league rewards saves heavily, his ceiling is actually enhanced by the difficulty of the matchup.

Woll is more of a matchup-driven call. The Rangers can generate quality chances, but Toronto’s shot suppression has improved in front of him. In standard leagues, he’s a viable start, especially if you’re chasing wins. If you’re protecting ratios and already have safe volume elsewhere, you can be slightly more cautious, but the projection still leans start in most setups.

Luukkonen is the clearest green light among today’s goalies. Facing a Penguins team without Crosby lowers the likelihood of getting burned by elite finishing, and Buffalo’s willingness to let opponents shoot can give him strong save totals. In categories leagues, that combination of volume and improved matchup makes him a priority start and a strong stream if he’s somehow available.

For skaters, the absence of Barkov and Crosby often means replacement centers get elevated minutes, face tougher matchups, and are asked to do more in the dirty areas. Those players can be sneaky sources of hits and faceoff wins even if the offense is inconsistent. If your league counts blocks from defensemen, Fox remains a premium option thanks to heavy minutes in all situations, including penalty kill and PP1.

Dynasty / Keeper

In longer-term formats, today’s news is less about panic and more about observation. Crosby’s multi-week absence is a reminder that aging stars carry increased injury risk, but he remains a hold in all dynasty formats. If your team is contending, you simply weather the short-term gap; if you’re retooling, use tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge whether moving him in the offseason makes sense.

Barkov’s knee issue is concerning but not a reason to downgrade him long term unless additional negative reports surface. For now, he’s a firm hold; the more interesting angle is which Panthers forwards step into expanded roles. Those auditions can create future value if someone seizes a permanent PP1 or top-line spot even after Barkov returns.

In goal, Luukkonen’s continued trust as a starter against a name-brand opponent, even one missing Crosby, is a positive signal for his organizational standing. In dynasty, that kind of vote of confidence matters. If he strings together strong starts in these spots, he can move from streamer to long-term hold in deeper formats. Woll is in a similar bucket: every start against quality opposition is another data point that he’s more than just a short-term backup.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – Add/Stream (standard & deep): Confirmed start against a Crosby-less Penguins team makes him one of today’s best widely-available goalie plays.
Joseph Woll – Stream (standard): Starting for the Toronto Maple Leafs with solid win equity; deploy if you need goalie volume and can tolerate some risk.
Igor Shesterkin – Lock-in Start (all): Elite starter confirmed for the Rangers; high shot volume from Toronto can translate into big save totals.
Aleksander Barkov – Hold (all): Knee injury sidelines him, but his long-term value for the Florida Panthers remains intact; don’t drop outside of extreme shallow formats.
Sidney Crosby – Hold (all): Out for several weeks, yet still a cornerstone asset; stash on IR and resist sell-low offers.
Adam Fox – Add/Start (standard & deep): Heavy minutes and PP1 role for the Rangers keep him a priority play whenever he’s active.
Auston Matthews – Priority Start (all): Top-line, top-PP role for the Maple Leafs means you keep him in regardless of Shesterkin’s presence.

Fantasy Takeaways

Start your studs in net: Shesterkin is an automatic start, and Woll is a viable play where you need wins and saves.
Lean into matchup-softened goalies: Luukkonen gets a meaningful boost facing a Penguins team missing Crosby.
Injured stars are holds, not drops: Both Crosby and Barkov should be stashed, not shopped at a discount.
PP1 exposure breaks ties: When choosing between fringe options, favor those attached to top units in Toronto, New York and Buffalo.
Monitor injury replacements: Centers and wingers elevated by the Crosby and Barkov absences can turn short-term auditions into longer-term roles.

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