There are just four games on the docket tonight, which gives us limited options for assembling a lineup. Here are my recommendations for this light night of action.
SLATE PREVIEW
Ottawa is playing on the second half of a back-to-back set, so the Senators might be fatigued tonight. The other seven teams are going into the day rested, but Seattle, Philadelphia, Buffalo and Vegas are all set to play again Thursday, which might influence those teams' lineup decisions tonight.
GOALIES
Akira Schmid, VGK at LAK ($7,400): Schmid has allowed just two goals in each of his past two games. He has an .895 save percentage this campaign, but plenty of support from his teammates has resulted in him getting a 13-4-5 record and a 2.49 GAA.
James Reimer, OTT at NYR ($7,100): With limited options, Reimer might be worth a dice roll. Although it's not confirmed, Reimer is projected to make his NHL season debut. The Rangers have gone 1-5-2 across their past eight games, so there's a good chance Reimer picks up the win, even if the Senators did play Tuesday.
VALUE PLAYS
Jesper Bratt, NJD vs. SEA ($5,700): Bratt might be starting a new hot streak after registering an assist Sunday and collecting two goals Monday. He's up to 11 goals and 36 points in 46 outings in 2025-26, including 12 points with the man advantage.
Berkly Catton, SEA at NJD ($4,000): The 19-year-old rookie has just four goals in 31 appearances this campaign, but all four of those markers have occurred across his past four games. Catton was selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and he collected 38 goals and 109 points in 57 regular-season outings with WHL Spokane in 2024-25, so he has plenty of offensive upside and is worth taking a chance on, especially while he's hot.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Jack Eichel (C - $7,900), Mark Stone (W - $7,800), Ivan Barbashev (W - $5,300)
Stone has been incredible lately, scoring seven goals and 12 points across his active eight-game scoring streak. That brings him up to 15 goals and 41 points this season despite him being limited to 28 appearances in 2025-26. Eichel is also red hot, supplying four goals and seven points across his ongoing five-game scoring streak. That gives him 16 goals and 48 points in 37 outings this campaign.
Barbashev hasn't been as noteworthy lately from an offensive perspective, but he has been solid overall with 12 goals and 32 points in 44 appearances this season, which makes him worth grabbing given his low price point and favorable linemates.
DEFENSEMEN
Jake Sanderson, OTT at NYR ($6,600): Sanderson has collected a goal and seven points across his past eight appearances. That's pushed him up to eight goals and 33 points in 45 outings this campaign. He's on pace to surpass his career high of 57 points, which he set in the 2024-25 regular season.
Noah Hanifin, VGK at LAK ($5,600): Hanifin has been a steady contributor recently, collecting five assists across his past seven outings. He's up to two goals and 18 points in 34 appearances in 2025-26.
