Today’s NHL Lineups: Start/Sit Calls, Goalie Streams and PP1 Angles

Today’s slate is shaped by key injuries and some lopsided matchups, especially in Rangers–Bruins and Blue Jackets–Avalanche. With Igor Shesterkin sidelined, goalie decisions are front and center, while elite skaters like Nathan MacKinnon are in smash spots. Let’s break down how to handle your start/sit choices, short-term goalie streams, and power-play exposure.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The New York Rangers are without Igor Shesterkin, forcing Jonathan Quick into the starting role against Boston. That changes the complexion of the Rangers–Bruins matchup: New York loses its elite safety net in net, while Boston’s shooters get a small bump. On the other side, Jeremy Swayman draws a Rangers lineup missing multiple key pieces, making Boston’s crease one of the most attractive fantasy spots on the board.

In Columbus–Colorado, MacKinnon continues to drive a high-octane Avalanche attack against a Blue Jackets team that tends to bleed chances. That’s a green light for all formats on MacKinnon and a high-variance spot for Elvis Merzlikins, who should see plenty of rubber. High shot volume can turn a tough matchup into a sneaky categories win if he holds up reasonably well.

Power-play roles are also in flux around these injuries. With Shesterkin out, the Rangers may lean more heavily on defensive structure and special teams to stay competitive, which can consolidate usage for their top-unit skaters. Meanwhile, Boston’s top power-play unit gets a matchup against a backup goalie, increasing goal equity for anyone attached to PP1.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, you’re chasing ceiling and team scoring environment above all else. MacKinnon is the clearest must-start on the slate; he’s a top-line center on a loaded Avalanche offense facing a vulnerable Blue Jackets group. There’s no matchup-based argument to sit him—if anything, this is the kind of night you hope for when you roster him.

For New York–Boston, the offensive tilt leans toward the Bruins. With the Rangers missing Shesterkin and other key pieces, Boston’s top forwards and PP1 options should be prioritized over fringe Rangers skaters. If you’re debating between a mid-tier Ranger and a similar-level option from a healthier, more stable offense, lean away from New York today.

On the Rangers side, the absence of Shesterkin doesn’t directly hurt their scorers, but it does increase blowout risk. That can shorten benches if the game gets out of hand. Stick with locked-in top-line, top-PP Rangers if you have them, but avoid fringe depth plays who rely on favorable game scripts.

Columbus skaters are a tougher sell in pure scoring leagues. With Merzlikins likely under siege, the Blue Jackets may spend long stretches without the puck. Unless you have a true top offensive option from Columbus, you’re better off rolling comparable players in more favorable spots.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat formats, today’s goalie landscape is where you can gain the most ground. Swayman is a premium start: he gets a depleted Rangers lineup and the backing of a strong Bruins defensive structure. He’s a high-probability play for wins and strong ratios, with decent save volume upside if the Rangers manage to push the pace.

Quick is more of a calculated gamble. He benefits from the Rangers’ overall quality, but he faces a disciplined Bruins team that can generate sustained pressure. In categories leagues, he’s viable if you’re chasing wins and saves and can afford some risk to your goals-against and save percentage. If your ratios are already fragile, you may want to pivot to a safer option if available.

Merzlikins is the classic volume-based stream. Against Colorado, he could easily face a barrage of shots. That’s bad news for goals-against but great for save totals. If you’re behind in saves and have some cushion in ratios, streaming Merzlikins can make sense—especially in deeper formats where workhorse starts are hard to find. Just understand that the floor is low if the Avalanche offense fully clicks.

Skater peripherals also matter more in this context. In a game where Columbus is likely chasing, any Blue Jackets forwards you do start could rack up shots and hits trying to claw back. On the flip side, Avalanche skaters should see plenty of offensive-zone time, boosting shot volume and power-play opportunities, which helps in shots, power-play points, and plus-minus.

Dynasty / Keeper

Today’s news doesn’t radically shift long-term values, but it does offer some dynasty context. Shesterkin’s lower-body injury is a reminder of how critical elite goalies are in keeper formats. He remains a firm hold and IR stash wherever possible; short-term absences don’t change his status as a cornerstone asset. If your league allows IR spots, use them aggressively rather than considering any kind of panic move.

Quick’s current run as the Rangers’ starter is almost purely short-term value. In dynasty, this is more about leveraging his temporary role for this season’s push than revising his long-term outlook. If you’re a contender, his starts are useful; if you’re rebuilding, you’re better off focusing on younger, more stable options and perhaps flipping Quick to a contender if your format allows trades.

Swayman’s strong spot today reinforces his trajectory as a high-end keeper goalie. Any time he gets a clean matchup behind a strong Bruins team, it underscores his long-term appeal as a ratio stabilizer with consistent win equity. Merzlikins remains more of a volume-based asset in dynasty: valuable in deep leagues that reward saves, but heavily dependent on team context. Nights like this against elite offenses highlight both his upside in workload and his vulnerability in ratios.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Jonathan Quick – Stream: Short-term starting gig for the New York Rangers with Shesterkin out makes him a viable spot start in standard and deep leagues.
Jeremy Swayman – Strong start: Locked-in Bruins starter in a favorable home matchup against a depleted Rangers lineup; prioritize him wherever you roster him.
Igor Shesterkin – IR stash: Don’t drop; move him to IR and use the open roster spot for streaming while you wait out the lower-body injury.
Nathan MacKinnon – Must start: Elite Avalanche center in a plus matchup versus Columbus; automatic start in every format.
Elvis Merzlikins – Deep-league stream: Tough matchup against Colorado, but high shot volume can pay off in saves for categories managers.

Fantasy Takeaways

With Shesterkin sidelined, Quick becomes a short-term streaming option, but his matchup against Boston keeps him in the high-risk, medium-reward tier.
Swayman is one of today’s best goalie starts, combining a strong defensive team with a Rangers opponent missing key pieces.
Shesterkin should be treated as an automatic IR stash, not a drop candidate, even if you’re scrambling for goalie starts.
MacKinnon is in a dream scoring spot against Columbus; build your daily lineup assuming he anchors your offensive categories.
Merzlikins is a volume-based categories stream—use him if you need saves and can tolerate potential damage to ratios.

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