Today’s NHL Fantasy Lineup Leans: Starts, Sits, and PP1 Watch

Today’s projected lines and starting goalies give fantasy managers a narrow window to squeeze out edges. With stars like Auston Matthews sidelined and key veterans such as Jamie Benn returning, deployment is shifting across several teams. Let’s break down how to handle your start/sit calls, where the power-play auditions are happening, and which goalies you can actually trust tonight.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The biggest storyline is injury volatility. The Maple Leafs are without Auston Matthews, which reshuffles their top six and power-play units. Expect secondary scorers to be pushed into more offensive situations, but also recognize that the overall ceiling of the unit drops without their elite finisher. That makes fringe Leafs options more matchup-dependent streams than auto-starts.

In New Jersey, both Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton are in flux—Hughes is out while Hamilton is a game-time decision. If Hamilton dresses, he’s the favorite to reclaim PP1 quarterback duties, but any limitation could open a short-term audition for another defenseman. For fantasy purposes, treat the Devils’ power play as high-variance tonight: big upside if Hamilton is in and mobile, but a lower floor if they’re improvising on the back end.

The Stars get a jolt with Jamie Benn making his season debut. His return stabilizes their middle six and second power-play unit, and there’s a non-zero chance he sneaks into PP1 usage if he looks sharp early. In categories formats, his physical profile plus offensive role make him immediately relevant.

In net, the Kraken turn back to Joey Daccord, who returns from injury to start against the Red Wings. The matchup isn’t a layup, but the vote of confidence from Seattle’s staff and his prior form make him a viable fantasy start, especially in points-only or wins-focused formats. Meanwhile, Vitek Vanecek draws a favorable matchup against the Sharks, making him one of the better streaming options on the slate.

On the downside, Nick Foligno landing on injured reserve with a hand issue removes a depth multi-cat option from consideration. In most formats, that’s your cue to free up the roster spot.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

With Auston Matthews out, you should lower expectations for complementary Maple Leafs forwards. The top unit will still generate chances, but the finishing talent takes a hit. In tight points-only leagues, this is a spot where you can justify sitting fringe Leafs if you have comparable options in better offensive environments.

For New Jersey, the absence of Jack Hughes shifts primary creation duties to the remaining top-six forwards. If Dougie Hamilton plays and runs PP1, Devils skaters on that unit retain strong points-only value. If he’s out, the PP becomes more committee-based and less predictable, which slightly dings the ceiling of everyone involved for tonight.

Jamie Benn is the key swing piece in points-only formats. In his first game back for the Stars, you’re mainly chasing deployment: if he lands in a top-six role with some power-play exposure, he’s a viable start right away. If he’s eased in on a lower line with minimal PP time, he’s more of a watch-and-see in shallower leagues but still startable in deeper formats.

In goal, Joey Daccord is a green light in most points-only or wins-heavy setups. The Kraken trust him enough to hand him the crease immediately, and that alone is a strong signal for usage. Vitek Vanecek also profiles as a strong single-day play thanks to the soft matchup against the Sharks; if you’re chasing a win without caring much about rate stats, he’s a priority start.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat formats, the ripple effects of these lineup changes are more nuanced. The Maple Leafs losing Auston Matthews might reduce goals, but it can increase shot volume and time-on-ice for secondary forwards who are suddenly asked to carry more of the load. If one of those players has a history of throwing hits or blocking shots, they become more attractive streams for tonight.

Jamie Benn is the clear categories winner here. His return for the Stars immediately injects hits, PIM risk, and net-front presence on the power play. Even if the points are rusty in his first game, the peripheral floor should be solid enough to justify starting him in most bangers leagues.

On the back end, a healthy Dougie Hamilton is a premium categories defenseman—shots, blocks, and power-play production all in one package. If he’s confirmed in and on PP1, he’s a must-start. If he’s scratched or limited, look for whichever Devils defenseman steps into that top power-play role; even a short-term audition there can be valuable, especially if you understand how to value PP1 time in your scoring system.

In goal, both Joey Daccord and Vitek Vanecek are viable category starts, but for different reasons. Daccord offers a blend of volume and potential save percentage if the Kraken can keep the Red Wings to the outside. Vanecek’s value is more matchup-driven; against the Sharks, you’re primarily chasing the win and hoping the shot quality stays manageable.

With Nick Foligno on IR, you lose a depth source of hits and PIM. In deeper leagues, you’ll want to replace that profile rather than chasing pure scoring with that roster spot.

Dynasty / Keeper

Tonight’s news has several subtle dynasty angles. The Devils’ handling of Dougie Hamilton and their PP1 setup is particularly important. If a younger defenseman gets a look on the top unit while Hamilton is a game-time decision or limited, that’s a signal the organization may be grooming a successor for more long-term responsibility. Even if you’re not starting that player tonight, it’s worth monitoring usage for future seasons.

Connor Brown is listed as a game-time decision for the Devils, and he’s a classic dynasty watchlist name. Once fully healthy, he could carve out a meaningful role in the middle six with secondary power-play time. In deep keeper formats, this is the type of player you stash early before the box scores catch up.

For goalies, Joey Daccord returning to the Kraken crease reinforces his medium-term hold in dynasty. Every time a team hands a goalie the net right off an injury, it’s a sign of organizational trust. If he strings together a few solid starts, his long-term value solidifies, and you can even explore selling high using tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer if your league is goalie-hungry.

Jamie Benn doesn’t gain dynasty value from this return—he is what he is at this stage—but his presence can boost the value of younger Stars forwards who get to play alongside him or benefit from softer matchups down the lineup.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Joey Daccord – Start/Stream: Returning as the Kraken starter with a reasonable matchup, he’s a strong play for wins and decent ratios today.
Jamie Benn – Add in categories, Stream in points-only: Season debut for the Stars with multi-cat upside and potential PP usage makes him worth activating immediately.
Vitek Vanecek – Short-term stream: Draws a favorable matchup against the Sharks and is a prime one-day goalie option if you need a win.
Connor Brown – Watchlist (dynasty/deep): Game-time decision for the Devils; monitor his health and deployment for future middle-six and PP2 value.
Dougie Hamilton – Start if active: If he’s in and on PP1 for the Devils, he’s an automatic start for shots, blocks, and power-play production.
Nick Foligno – Drop in most formats: On injured reserve with a hand injury, making him expendable outside of very deep leagues.

Fantasy Takeaways

Lean into Joey Daccord and Vitek Vanecek as today’s top goalie streams given their starting confirmations and favorable usage.
Activate Jamie Benn right away in categories formats, where his hits and net-front role for the Stars provide a strong floor even if the scoring lags.
Treat Devils skaters as high-variance options until the status of Dougie Hamilton is clear, as PP1 structure will swing their value.
Downgrade fringe Maple Leafs forwards for tonight with Auston Matthews out, especially in shallow points-only leagues.
Use Connor Brown as a dynasty watchlist stash and don’t hesitate to cut Nick Foligno in most formats while he’s on IR.

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