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

Today’s projected NHL lineups and starting goalies give us a fresh set of edges to exploit. Injuries on the Bruins blue line, a confirmed start for Brandon Bussi, and potential power-play shuffles all impact your fantasy decisions. Let’s break down where to lean on close start/sit calls, who’s worth streaming, and how confident you should be in today’s goalie options.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The headline in goal is Brandon Bussi getting the nod for the Hurricanes against the Bruins. Anytime a less-established goalie is confirmed, it opens a streaming lane in fantasy, especially if the matchup is manageable or the team in front of him suppresses chances well enough to protect his ratios.

On the Boston side, injuries to Charlie McAvoy and Elias Lindholm are reshaping usage. With McAvoy out and possibly facing a longer absence, the Bruins’ power-play quarterback role is in flux. Whoever steps into that PP1 spot gets an immediate bump in fantasy relevance, even if they’re not a high-profile name. Lindholm nearing a return would stabilize the top six and PP units, so his status is critical for both his own value and his linemates.

In Washington, the Kings visit the Capitals with Darcy Kuemper expected to start. Kuemper’s usage has been spotty at times, but an expected start with a decent matchup makes him a viable add in leagues where goaltending volume is scarce. The potential return of John Carlson for the Capitals affects both their power play and how dangerous they are as an opponent; a functioning PP1 on the other side can turn a good goalie matchup into a more volatile one.

In Edmonton, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continue to drive the Oilers attack against a Sabres squad dealing with multiple injuries. That combination of elite talent versus a depleted opponent is exactly what you want when breaking ties on start/sit decisions for any Edmonton skater who’s riding shotgun in the top six or on PP1. This is also a prime spot to stream Oilers this week if they’re floating on your wire.

Finally, the Canucks may roll with Kevin Lankinen in back-to-back starts against the Panthers. Back-to-backs usually raise red flags, but a short-term volume spike can be valuable in categories formats if you’re chasing saves or wins. Just understand that the floor is lower when fatigue and a strong opponent are in play.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, you’re mostly chasing deployment: top lines and PP1. For Edmonton, any winger attached to Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl is a strong start today given the Sabres’ injury issues. This is the kind of matchup where you lean in aggressively on Oilers exposure rather than getting cute with fringe options on weaker offenses.

On the Bruins, the absence of Charlie McAvoy pushes secondary defensemen into more offensive situations. Whoever inherits the top power-play quarterback role becomes a viable short-term points-only play, even if their five-on-five ceiling is modest. If Elias Lindholm is close to returning, you don’t need to rush him into your lineup the moment he’s active, but you should be ready to slot him in quickly once you see him back in a top-six and PP1 role.

For Washington, a returning John Carlson instantly reclaims high-end points-only relevance. His presence would also raise the tide for the Capitals’ forwards on PP1, making them more appealing in tight start/sit calls. On the Kings’ side, if the matchup looks favorable and their top unit is intact, you can comfortably start their primary scoring pieces in points-only leagues.

On defense, the injury to Sean Durzi (who remains out) removes a potential secondary scoring option from your blue-line mix. In shallow points-only formats, that’s enough reason to move on if you need the roster spot for a healthier, PP-deployed defenseman.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, today is about balancing volume and matchup risk. Brandon Bussi is a viable start if you need saves and a shot at a win, but understand that facing the Bruins’ offense can be volatile. If your ratios are already fragile, you might pivot to a safer option; if you’re chasing counting stats, Bussi’s confirmed start is valuable.

Darcy Kuemper is the more traditional categories add: an expected start with a track record of providing solid save totals and a chance at good percentages. In leagues where streaming goalies is common, he should be near the top of your list today. Meanwhile, Kevin Lankinen is more of a high-variance stream. Back-to-back starts can mean lots of rubber, which is great for saves but risky for goals-against and save percentage. If you’re trailing in goalie volume and need to swing, he fits; if you’re protecting a slim lead in ratios, you might bench him.

With Sean Durzi sidelined, his usual contributions in hits, blocks, and shots are off the table. In bangers formats, that’s enough justification to drop him if you have a healthy, multi-cat option available. On the flip side, any Bruins defenseman stepping into heavier minutes due to the McAvoy injury could quietly rack up blocks and hits even if the offense isn’t elite.

For skaters, prioritize anyone seeing PP1 time, especially on the Oilers. Power-play exposure is one of the most efficient ways to pick up shots, power-play points, and sometimes even PIM if things get chippy. If you’re unsure how much to weigh that deployment, our guide on how to value PP1 time can help frame those decisions.

Dynasty / Keeper

In longer-term formats, the main focus today is monitoring roles rather than chasing one-night spikes. Elias Lindholm nearing a return is important for dynasty managers: if he steps back into a prime role on the Bruins’ top six and first power-play unit, his long-term scoring trajectory stabilizes. If he’s eased in on a lower line or secondary power play, expectations should be tempered.

Brandon Bussi is more interesting in dynasty than redraft if he strings together multiple starts. One confirmed game doesn’t change his long-term outlook by itself, but it’s a data point on how the Hurricanes view him. If he looks composed and the team continues to trust him, he graduates from fringe prospect to legitimate future piece in net.

On the blue line, the McAvoy injury is a reminder of how quickly opportunity can open for younger defensemen. Keep an eye on who steps into heavier minutes and PP time; if a younger Bruins defender sticks with PP1 for an extended stretch, that’s the type of role change that can permanently raise a dynasty asset’s ceiling.

For managers looking to reshape their rosters beyond today, use the NHL Trade Analyzer to weigh multi-player deals involving injured names like McAvoy or Durzi versus emerging options who are gaining deployment right now.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Brandon Bussi – Short-term stream: Confirmed starter for the Hurricanes; useful if you need goalie volume and are willing to accept some risk.
Darcy Kuemper – Add in standard/deep categories: Expected start with solid multi-cat upside in saves, wins, and decent ratios.
Kevin Lankinen – High-risk stream: Likely back-to-back start offers big save potential but a shaky floor against a strong opponent.
Elias Lindholm – Watchlist / stash: Nearing a return for Boston; could quickly regain top-six and PP1 usage once fully back.
Bruins PP1 defenseman – Deep-league add: Whoever replaces Charlie McAvoy on the top power play gains immediate value for assists and PPP.
Oilers PP1 winger – Short-term stream: Any winger riding with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl is a strong play versus an injury-thinned Sabres squad.
John Carlson – Watch for activation: If he returns, he’s an automatic start and boosts the entire Capitals PP1.
Sean Durzi – Drop if you need the spot: Still out, and the lack of immediate timeline makes him expendable in non-keeper bangers leagues.

Fantasy Takeaways

Brandon Bussi is a viable one-day goalie stream if you’re chasing volume, but don’t force it if your ratios are fragile.
Stash or closely monitor Elias Lindholm; once he’s back in Boston’s top six and on PP1, he’s an automatic lineup play.
Darcy Kuemper should be added where available in categories leagues given his expected start and solid profile.
Kevin Lankinen is a classic boom/bust stream: great if you need saves, dangerous if you’re protecting ratios.
With Sean Durzi still out, it’s reasonable to cut him in bangers formats if a healthy multi-cat option is on the wire.
Lean into Oilers exposure today; anyone tied to Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl in the top six or on PP1 is a strong start.

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