Today’s NHL Playoff Lineups: Start/Sit Calls, PP1 Looks and Goalie Tiers

Playoff fantasy is all about reacting faster than your opponents to lineup shifts and goalie confirmations. Today’s slate is small but loaded with edges: goalie confidence plays, top-line auditions, and key injury replacements you can exploit. Let’s break down how to handle Alex Lyon, Lukas Dostal, and the new-look forward groups in Vegas and Anaheim for your start/sit and streaming decisions.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The big story in goal is Lyon’s continued run as the clear starter for the Buffalo Sabres. He’s handled six straight starts, which tells you everything about the coaching staff’s trust level. In playoff-style fantasy formats, that kind of leash is gold: volume plus reasonable win equity in a single package.

On the West Coast, Lukas Dostal is confirmed for the Anaheim Ducks. Anaheim isn’t a defensive juggernaut, but a locked-in starter on a light day can swing goalie categories by himself, especially in leagues with tight minimums or limited moves.

Up front, the Vegas Golden Knights are reshuffling after the injury to Mark Stone. Pavel Dorofeyev has been elevated to the top line, which likely comes with prime offensive deployment and a strong chance at PP1 looks. That’s a massive usage bump and exactly the kind of late-playoff swing you want to chase.

Vegas also welcomes back Brandon Saad, who slides into a depth role but can still chip in hits and secondary scoring. For deeper bangers formats, that combination of physical play and opportunistic offense can quietly win you the margins.

Finally, Mason McTavish returns to the Ducks’ lineup as a third-line center. His role may not scream elite volume, but he’s talented enough to spike points in any given game and could see opportunistic PP usage. On a short slate, those small edges matter.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, Lyon is a strong start today. The volume is there, and the Sabres are committed to him as their playoff workhorse. Even if the matchup isn’t perfect, the combination of potential for a win and solid save totals is enough to justify rolling him out unless you have a truly elite alternative.

Dostal is more matchup-dependent in points-only, but with his start confirmed, he’s viable if your other options are shaky or not playing. Think of him as a mid-tier play: not a must-start in every situation, but absolutely usable if you need the game volume or are chasing goalie points.

Among skaters, Dorofeyev is the headline. Top-line deployment in Vegas, especially with a chance at PP1, puts him firmly on the streaming radar and even into must-start territory if you already roster him. The combination of better linemates and increased offensive-zone usage raises both his floor and ceiling for today.

McTavish is a sneaky points-only start. Despite being listed as a third-line center, his offensive toolkit and potential for special-teams usage give him realistic multi-point upside in any given game. If you’re deciding between a low-ceiling depth winger and McTavish, lean toward his talent and opportunity in a condensed slate.

Saad, in points-only, is more of a break-glass option. With his role lower in the lineup, you’re hoping for opportunistic goals rather than steady production. He’s usable in very deep leagues or if you’re starved for games played, but he’s not a priority start.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat formats, Lyon jumps from solid to near auto-start. Six straight starts signal job security, which means strong volume in saves, plus a decent shot at wins. If your league counts saves or starts, he’s exactly the kind of goalie you want active today.

Dostal is a classic high-variance categories play. He could give you a big save total and strong ratios if he’s on, but Anaheim’s defensive environment means there’s also blowup risk. If you’re chasing saves or need to make up ground in goalie counting stats, he’s worth the gamble; if you’re protecting ratios, you’ll need to weigh your cushion carefully.

Dorofeyev’s value spikes in categories if he indeed sees PP1 time. Power-play points, shots, and possibly plus-minus all get a boost when you’re stapled to Vegas’ best offensive players. He’s a strong add/stream in leagues that count PPP and SOG.

Saad is more interesting in bangers than in pure scoring. His physical playstyle can help in hits, and he can still finish chances when he gets them. In deeper leagues that count hits and goals, he’s a worthwhile watchlist or short-term stream if you need a multi-cat depth winger.

McTavish brings a nice blend of categories upside: shots, some physicality, and scoring potential. In standard 6x4 or 7x4 setups, he’s a viable start today, especially if you’re looking to pad SOG and have some exposure to Anaheim’s offense.

Dynasty / Keeper

From a long-term perspective, Dorofeyev is the most intriguing name. A top-line audition on a contending Vegas squad is a meaningful signal. If he sticks in that role and earns sustained PP1 time, his dynasty value jumps from speculative to legitimately exciting. This is a good window to stash him if he’s still on the wire in deeper formats.

McTavish remains a core dynasty piece. Today’s return to the lineup is less about one game and more about reaffirming his place in Anaheim’s future. Any flashes of chemistry or expanded usage down the stretch should be noted as part of his long-term trajectory.

Lyon and Dostal are more situational in dynasty. Lyon’s current run as the Sabres’ starter is valuable, but his long-term hold depends on how Buffalo handles their crease beyond this playoff push. Dostal, on the other hand, is younger and still carving out his role; every confirmed start is another data point suggesting the Ducks see him as part of their future tandem.

Saad is more of a veteran depth piece in dynasty formats. Useful in very deep leagues for his multi-cat floor, but not someone you build around. Treat him as a plug-and-play option rather than a long-term asset.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Alex Lyon – Start / Short-term stream (all formats): Locked-in starter for Buffalo with six straight starts; strong volume and coach trust make him a priority play today.
Lukas Dostal – Start in need-based spots (categories): Confirmed starter for Anaheim; high save potential if you’re chasing goalie counting stats.
Pavel Dorofeyev – Add / Stream (points-only, categories): Elevated to Vegas’ top line with potential PP1 usage; prime opportunity for a scoring spike.
Mason McTavish – Start / Stream (points-only, standard cats): Back in Anaheim’s lineup with real offensive upside and some category juice.
Brandon Saad – Watchlist / Deep-league stream (bangers): Returning in a depth role for Vegas; can contribute hits and opportunistic goals in multi-cat formats.

Fantasy Takeaways

Lyon’s run of consecutive starts for Buffalo makes him a confident start and one of today’s best streaming goalies.
Dostal is a high-variance but valuable categories play if you need saves and are willing to risk your ratios.
Dorofeyev’s promotion to Vegas’ top line, with possible PP1 time, gives him must-add upside in many leagues.
McTavish’s return boosts Anaheim’s scoring depth and offers sneaky points and category production on a short slate.
Saad is best viewed as a bangers-depth option: monitor his minutes and usage before fully committing in shallow formats.

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