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

With multiple games on the slate and several key lineup questions, today is all about reacting quickly. Projected lines, game-time decisions, and confirmed starters are shaping the fantasy landscape, especially in matchups like Predators–Penguins and Canucks–Lightning. Below, we sort through the noise: who you can trust, who you should bench, and which power-play auditions and goalie starts can swing your matchup before the week gets away from you.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The headline item for fantasy managers is in Nashville: Juuse Saros is confirmed to start against Pittsburgh. Any time he’s locked in, he becomes a high-confidence play in most formats, and today’s matchup offers enough upside that you should be leaning aggressively toward starting him unless your crease is absolutely loaded.

Up front for the Predators, Filip Forsberg remains the offensive focal point heading into this game with the Penguins. His top-line role and heavy offensive deployment make him a near auto-start, but the matchup context matters: Pittsburgh tends to trade chances, which boosts Forsberg’s ceiling for both points and shot volume.

In Vancouver, the big question is the status of Quinn Hughes, who is a game-time decision against the Lightning. His availability doesn’t just affect your lineup; it reshapes the entire Vancouver Canucks power play. If Hughes sits, there’s an immediate PP1 audition for whoever steps into his role, which could create a short-term streaming opportunity for managers quick enough to react.

For the Minnesota–Vegas matchup, Mats Zuccarello’s recent return from illness is worth tracking. He has already played through it, which suggests he’s close to full usage again. On a team that may also be getting Vladimir Tarasenko back, Zuccarello’s spot on the top power play and in the offensive core keeps him firmly in the streaming and start conversation, especially in leagues counting power-play points and shots.

In Colorado, Artturi Lehkonen continues to benefit from time alongside Nathan MacKinnon. Any winger stapled to that kind of elite center has elevated scoring potential and strong PP1 audition vibes. Even if his usage fluctuates, the upside when he’s on the top line or top unit is high enough to matter in all but the shallowest formats.

Elsewhere, the Detroit–New York matchup features Alex DeBrincat driving offense for the Red Wings against a tough Rangers squad, while the Islanders face a difficult test versus the Avalanche. These are spots where you may want to lean into your high-end talent but be more selective with fringe pieces.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, confirmed deployment and offensive environment are everything. With Juuse Saros locked in, you’re not chasing points from him, but his stability in net supports Predators skaters like Filip Forsberg by keeping the game competitive and high-event rather than a blowout. Forsberg should be in your lineup almost regardless of opponent, but today’s matchup with Pittsburgh’s offensive style adds extra multi-point upside.

The biggest swing piece is Quinn Hughes. If he plays, he’s an automatic start in all points-only leagues. His role as the primary puck-mover on PP1 for the Vancouver Canucks gives him one of the highest assist ceilings on the slate. If he’s ruled out, downgrade Vancouver’s secondary forwards slightly; the power play is less dynamic without him orchestrating from the blue line.

For the Wild, Mats Zuccarello is a strong start in points-only if he’s confirmed in and skating in his usual top-six role. He’s a primary setup man and power-play contributor, and a matchup against Vegas, while not soft, still offers enough opportunity for a player who thrives on touches with skilled linemates. If Tarasenko returns, it may even open more space for Zuccarello at five-on-five.

Artturi Lehkonen is a classic points-only swing piece today. If he’s riding shotgun with MacKinnon and seeing PP1 looks, he’s a must-start. If he’s bumped down the lineup or off the top unit, he becomes more of a fringe play in shallow leagues but still a hold in deeper formats because of the ongoing chance to reclaim that prime deployment.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, today’s decisions are more nuanced. Filip Forsberg should be locked in; he contributes across shots and goals, and the Penguins matchup should allow him to generate plenty of attempts. Even if he doesn’t find the scoresheet, the volume stats help buffer his floor.

The Vancouver Canucks situation with Quinn Hughes is crucial in categories. Hughes is elite for assists and power-play points, but he doesn’t bring heavy hits or blocks. If he’s out, whoever steps into the PP1 role may offer a different stat mix—potentially more shots or blocks with less pure playmaking. That can change how you balance your blue line if you’re chasing specific categories late in the week.

Mats Zuccarello is more of a finesse contributor than a banger, but he can still help in shots and power-play categories. If you’re chasing hits and PIM, he’s less appealing; however, in leagues where PPP and SOG matter, he remains a viable start or stream against Vegas, especially if you’re behind in offensive cats.

Artturi Lehkonen becomes particularly attractive in bangers leagues when he’s in a top-line role. He can chip in with hits and shots on top of his scoring, making him a multi-category asset. If you’re choosing between a low-event depth defenseman and Lehkonen in a flex spot, lean toward the winger for upside across several categories.

In goal, Juuse Saros is a clear start for save volume and potential wins. The Penguins can generate plenty of shots, which is ideal if your league rewards saves heavily. There is some risk in ratios if the game opens up, but Saros’ talent level and workload make him worth the gamble in most category formats.

Dynasty / Keeper

Dynasty managers should be thinking beyond just today, but these lineup notes still matter. Quinn Hughes being a game-time decision is a reminder of how central he is to the Vancouver Canucks offense. Any time he’s out, watch closely who inherits his PP1 role; that player becomes a short-term streamer now and a potential long-term stash if they show they can handle top-unit duties. This is a textbook example of why understanding how to value PP1 time is critical in dynasty formats.

Artturi Lehkonen is a sneaky dynasty add or hold. Skating with an elite center like MacKinnon raises his long-term ceiling, and even if his role fluctuates, he profiles as the type of winger who can stick in a top-six role on a strong team for years. If he’s somehow on your wire in deeper dynasty leagues, this is a good time to scoop him up before his production spikes again.

For goalies, Juuse Saros remains a cornerstone asset. Confirmed starts in good matchups reinforce his status as a long-term workhorse. If your dynasty team is rebuilding, he’s the kind of goalie you can either build around or shop using tools like an NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge his market value.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Juuse Saros – Start: Locked-in starter against Pittsburgh with strong save and win potential; roll him in almost all formats.
Quinn Hughes – Monitor: Game-time decision; if active, he’s an automatic start, if out, pivot quickly and stream his PP1 replacement.
Filip Forsberg – Start: Top-line threat in a potentially high-event game versus the Penguins; strong ceiling for goals and shots.
Mats Zuccarello – Short-term stream: Coming off illness but back in the lineup; useful for assists and power-play production against Vegas.
Vladimir Tarasenko – Watchlist: Potential return boosts his goal-scoring upside; monitor usage and PP deployment before committing a start in shallow leagues.
Artturi Lehkonen – Add/Start in deeper leagues: Skating with MacKinnon gives him strong scoring and multi-cat upside; worth adding where available.
Alex DeBrincat – Start: Driving Detroit’s offense versus the Rangers; even in a tough matchup, his shot volume and scoring role make him a must-start.
Islanders depth forwards – Sit in shallow leagues: Tough matchup against Colorado limits their offensive ceiling; reserve them unless your league is very deep.

Fantasy Takeaways

Juuse Saros is a strong start today thanks to a confirmed workload and a matchup that should deliver saves and win potential.
Monitor Quinn Hughes right up to puck drop; his status will reshape the Vancouver Canucks power play and create a PP1 audition if he sits.
Mats Zuccarello is a viable short-term stream despite his recent illness, especially if you need power-play points and assists against Vegas.
Artturi Lehkonen remains a priority add in deeper and dynasty formats while he’s riding shotgun with MacKinnon and getting PP looks.
In tougher matchups like Islanders–Avalanche and Red Wings–Rangers, start your stars (DeBrincat, top Avalanche pieces) but be cautious with fringe skaters.

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