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

Today’s projected lineups bring several key returns and role shifts that should directly shape your fantasy decisions. With Bo Horvat and Elias Pettersson coming back, a new top-line look for William Eklund, and Adam Fox still sidelined while Ilya Sorokin sits on IR, you need to recalibrate your start/sit leans, PP1 exposure, and goalie plans for tonight’s slate.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The headline news is Horvat’s return to the Islanders lineup after missing multiple games. As a top-six center and focal point of their attack, his presence elevates the entire forward group and restores a more normal power-play structure. If he jumps right back into his usual offensive role, he’s an automatic start in most fantasy formats.

On the flip side, Sorokin remains on injured reserve, leaving the Islanders without their workhorse starter. That removes a typically high-confidence goalie option from your pool and may force managers to lean into riskier spot starts or volume-based streams elsewhere.

In San Jose, Eklund’s promotion to the Sharks top line is one of the more intriguing PP1 audition stories of the night. Top-line usage on a weaker team can still be valuable in fantasy, especially if it comes with prime power-play deployment and heavy offensive-zone usage.

Vancouver gets a major boost with Pettersson’s return. As the Canucks’ top-line center and offensive engine, his presence stabilizes their scoring depth and should help any linemates who have been treading water in his absence. Expect him to step immediately into top even-strength minutes and a central role on the first power-play unit.

The Rangers remain without Adam Fox on the back end. His absence continues to reshape their power-play quarterback situation and reduces their blue-line puck-moving quality. For fantasy, that means you’re still missing a high-end defenseman, and whoever is filling in on PP1 for New York retains short-term value until Fox is ready to return.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, Horvat should slide directly back into your active lineup. His role as a top-six center with strong power-play usage gives him a high floor for shots and involvement around the net. As long as he’s healthy, benching him in points-only leagues is leaving upside on the table.

Pettersson is in the same category but with an even higher ceiling. His return restores Vancouver’s top-unit cohesion and should bump up the value of any forwards riding shotgun with him at even strength or on PP1. If you were forced to sit him while hurt, he goes right back into your starting lineup without hesitation.

Eklund becomes a viable short-term scoring play. Top-line deployment on San Jose means he should see the ice in offensive situations and potentially on the first power-play unit. In points-only leagues, that combination of opportunity and usage makes him a reasonable stream if you have an open spot or a fringe forward to cut.

Fox’s injury keeps a major source of blue-line scoring off the table. You obviously can’t start him while he’s out, but in points-only formats with IR spots, he’s a clear hold. His eventual return should immediately reestablish him as a top scoring defenseman, so don’t overreact by dropping him for a short-lived hot streak elsewhere.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, Horvat’s return is particularly valuable for managers needing faceoff wins, shots, and some secondary hits. Even if he starts a bit slowly on the scoresheet, his peripheral categories should still justify a start in most setups.

Pettersson’s main value is in points, shots, and power-play production, but his return also helps the Canucks’ overall possession game, which can trickle down into more shot attempts and better plus-minus outcomes for his line. If you were streaming a replacement center, you can safely move that player back to the bench or the wire.

Eklund’s appeal in bangers formats is more modest. His primary draw is opportunity and potential power-play points, not heavy hits or blocks. He’s best used as a scoring-focused streamer on nights when you’re chasing goals, assists, and PPP rather than grit stats.

With Fox out, the Rangers’ replacement PP quarterback remains a short-term categories option, especially for power-play points and shots from the back end. However, without Fox’s elite puck-moving, New York’s PP ceiling is a bit lower, which slightly dings the value of their net-front and bumper options in categories leagues.

In goal, Sorokin’s absence forces you to look elsewhere for saves and wins. If you were leaning heavily on him as a volume starter, you may need to accept more volatility from spot starts or lean on matchup-based streams. Avoid trying to replace his name value with blind aggression; focus on goalies with favorable home matchups or weaker opposing offenses when possible.

Dynasty / Keeper

In longer-term formats, Horvat’s brief absence shouldn’t change his valuation. As a top-six center with a stable role, he remains a solid medium-term asset. If anything, his quick return from injury is reassuring for managers worried about lingering issues.

Pettersson’s return is similarly stabilizing. He remains a cornerstone piece in dynasty and keeper leagues, and any window to buy low due to his absence is likely closing. If another manager is still nervous about re-injury, this might be your last realistic chance to explore a deal using the NHL Trade Analyzer as a guide.

Eklund is the most interesting dynasty name here. A top-line audition on a rebuilding Sharks squad is exactly the kind of opportunity you want to see for a developing forward. Even if the production is inconsistent in the short term, the fact that he’s trusted with top-line and potential PP1 minutes is a positive signal for his long-term trajectory.

Fox’s injury doesn’t materially change his dynasty outlook. Elite offensive defensemen remain scarce, and a short-term absence shouldn’t push him off your core. In fact, if a contending manager in your league is frustrated by the lack of immediate production, you could explore a buy-low scenario.

Sorokin’s IR stint is a reminder of goalie volatility in long-term formats. He still profiles as a high-end starter when healthy, so avoid overreacting. In dynasty, this is more a depth and risk-management lesson than a reason to move him.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Bo Horvat – Add/Start (all but the shallowest leagues): Back in a top-six, power-play-heavy role for the Islanders, he should be active in every lineup where you roster him.
Elias Pettersson – Add/Start (all leagues): Returns as Vancouver’s offensive driver and PP1 centerpiece; lock him in wherever you have him.
William Eklund – Short-term stream (points-only and deep categories): Top-line usage on the Sharks with potential PP1 time makes him a strong scoring-focused streamer.
Adam Fox – Hold (all leagues): Still out, but his elite upside on the Rangers’ blue line means you stash rather than cut, especially if you have IR space.
Ilya Sorokin – IR stash (all leagues): Unavailable tonight, but remains a high-end starter when healthy; move him to IR and seek matchup-based goalie streams.

Fantasy Takeaways

Activate Bo Horvat everywhere you can; his return restores the Islanders’ top-six and power-play stability.
Get Elias Pettersson back into your starting lineup immediately, as he reclaims a central role in Vancouver’s offense and PP1.
Use William Eklund as a targeted scoring streamer while he’s riding shotgun on the Sharks’ top line and auditioning for prime PP usage.
Keep Adam Fox stashed despite his absence; his eventual return should instantly re-anchor the Rangers’ power play.
With Ilya Sorokin on IR, pivot to matchup-based goalie streams rather than forcing risky starts in tough spots.

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