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

Today’s projected lines and crease assignments give fantasy managers a clear roadmap for setting competitive rosters. With stars locked into heavy usage, rookies getting prime auditions and a few key injuries reshaping depth charts, there are exploitable edges in both skater and goalie slots. Let’s focus on who belongs in your lineup right now, who’s worth streaming or watching closely, and how to handle today’s power-play and matchup dynamics.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The Penguins are rolling out their familiar structure with Sidney Crosby anchoring the top line between Kevin Hayes and Bryan Rust. That keeps Crosby in a high-usage, all-situations role, and it stabilizes the environment around him for fantasy purposes. With Tristan Jarry projected to start, Pittsburgh offers both a high-floor offensive anchor and a viable goalie play in most formats.

On the other side of that rivalry, the Flyers’ top unit features Matvei Michkov riding shotgun with Sean Couturier. That’s a significant audition for Michkov, who now gets top-line deployment and likely premium power-play looks. However, Philadelphia is missing Rasmus Ristolainen on the back end, which slightly dents their defensive stability and banger-category appeal from the blue line. Dan Vladar is expected in net, which makes this matchup more attractive for Penguins skaters.

In the Blue Jackets–Devils tilt, Adam Fantilli is projected to lead Columbus’ top line while New Jersey is without Jack Hughes. That combination points to a more balanced game script than usual for Devils opponents; Columbus’ top unit could see softer matchups than they typically would against a full-strength Devils squad.

The Jets–Sabres matchup is highlighted by Kyle Connor on Winnipeg’s top line facing a Buffalo squad that welcomes back Josh Norris. Norris’ return changes the Sabres’ center depth and power-play structure, but he’s still a player you want to evaluate carefully in his first games back rather than auto-starting in shallow formats.

Finally, Anaheim turns to Ville Husso against the Blues, who will be without Pius Suter. Husso’s start creates a potential streaming opportunity in net if you’re chasing volume, while St. Louis missing a forward piece slightly softens their offensive threat.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring leagues, Crosby is as straightforward a start as it gets. He’s locked into top-line usage with capable wingers, and the Flyers’ injury-weakened blue line plus Dan Vladar in goal tilt this matchup in his favor. If you’re ever debating fringe star options, today is a day to lean heavily into Crosby’s ceiling.

Michkov’s promotion to the Flyers’ top line is the most intriguing development for upside chasers. Skating with Sean Couturier in prime minutes gives him a real shot at multi-point production, especially if he’s seeing first-unit power-play time. In points-only formats, he’s a viable start if you’ve been stashing him, and he’s a priority speculative add in any league where he’s still available.

Josh Norris’ return for the Sabres is more nuanced. Top-line or top-six deployment immediately puts him back on the scoring radar, but first games back from injury often come with some rust and potentially managed minutes. In shallow points-only leagues, he’s more of a bench-and-evaluate option today. In deeper formats, you can justify starting him if your alternatives are low-upside depth forwards.

On the Devils–Blue Jackets front, Adam Fantilli’s top-line role for Columbus makes him a sneaky streaming option in deeper points-only leagues, especially with New Jersey missing Jack Hughes and potentially losing some of their usual territorial dominance. Fantilli’s ceiling rises whenever he’s stapled to the top unit.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, Crosby remains an automatic start, but his value extends beyond points into shots and power-play production. The matchup against a Flyers team missing Ristolainen’s physical presence could also mean more offensive-zone time and shot volume for Pittsburgh’s top line.

Tristan Jarry projects as a strong start in categories formats. You’re getting confirmed volume, a decent chance at a win, and a matchup against a Flyers lineup that’s still integrating Michkov and missing a key defensive piece. If you’re debating between fringe starters, Jarry should be near the top of your list today.

Ristolainen being out is a direct hit to managers who rely on him for hits and blocks. You can’t afford to leave an injured player in your lineup in daily formats; move him to IR if possible and look to stream a replacement who can replicate some of that peripheral production.

Michkov’s value in categories leagues will hinge on how quickly his shot volume and power-play role ramp up. For now, he’s more of a scoring and PPP play than a hits/blocks contributor, but top-line usage gives him a path to relevance even in multi-cat setups.

Josh Norris is a classic watch-and-see in categories. Coming off injury, it’s unclear how much he’ll contribute in faceoff wins, shots and special-teams usage right away. If you’re in a deep league, you can roll him out cautiously; in standard formats, monitor his ice time and shot volume before committing him to your nightly lineup.

Dynasty / Keeper

Dynasty managers should be laser-focused on Michkov’s deployment today. Top-line usage at this stage is a strong signal that the Flyers view him as a core offensive piece, not just a sheltered rookie. Even if the box score doesn’t pop immediately, the role alone is enough to justify adding or aggressively holding him in any long-term format.

Fantilli’s continued presence as a top-line center for Columbus reinforces his long-term trajectory. Any time a young center is trusted with that responsibility, it accelerates their development curve. If your league is deep enough that he’s still available, he’s worth a stash, but even if he’s rostered, this is a good time to consider using the NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge his trade value.

For Norris, the key dynasty question is health and role stability. A successful return in a top-line center role for the Sabres would restore his long-term value as a multi-category contributor. Today’s game is less about immediate stats and more about confirming that he’s back in a prominent spot without visible limitations.

Ristolainen’s injury is a reminder of the volatility attached to banger-heavy defensemen. In dynasty, he remains a niche asset for specific builds, but this absence opens the door for you to explore younger, healthier options who can provide hits and blocks without the same durability concerns.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Sidney Crosby – Start in all formats: Locked into the Penguins’ top line in a favorable matchup against a shorthanded Flyers defense.
Tristan Jarry – Start/stream in categories: Confirmed starter with a solid path to wins and saves versus a still-gelling Flyers offense.
Matvei Michkov – Add in dynasty, stream in deep redraft: Top-line and likely PP1 usage give him immediate upside and long-term appeal.
Josh Norris – Watchlist or cautious start: Returning from injury; monitor minutes and shot volume before locking him into standard-league lineups.
Adam Fantilli – Deep-league stream: Top-line center role for Columbus makes him a sneaky points-only and PPP streamer.
Ville Husso – Short-term goalie stream: Projected start against a Blues team missing Pius Suter offers volume with moderate risk.
Rasmus Ristolainen – Drop/IR stash only: Injured and providing zero value today; replace his banger stats via streaming.

Fantasy Takeaways

Lock Sidney Crosby into your lineup in every format; his top-line role and matchup versus an undermanned Flyers blue line give him elite upside today.
Start Tristan Jarry wherever you can; confirmed volume plus a favorable opponent make him one of the safer goalie plays on the slate.
Prioritize adding or starting Matvei Michkov in deeper and dynasty leagues, as his top-line audition with Sean Couturier signals major opportunity.
Treat Josh Norris as a watchlist or fringe start while he works back from injury; don’t overcommit until his minutes and usage stabilize.
Move Rasmus Ristolainen to IR or drop him in shallower formats, then stream a healthy banger to cover hits and blocks.

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