Here are your start / sit fantasy recommendations for the February 1st NHL games.
Please note that you should always start your star players. This list is here to help you if you have two similar players and are debating on which one to start.
While a player may be a “sit” recommendation, he should still be put in your lineup over a player without a game tonight. Accumulating stats takes priority over no stats at all.
Different factors go into picking start / sit candidates including strength of opponent, scoring categories, history vs opponent and sometimes, gut feelings. Take that into consideration before making your final decision.
Players are listed in no particular order.
NOTE: These recommendations are posted before the first game of the day. Some changes may be made if any major changes occur to NHL lineups such as injuries, scratches, or especially, starting goalies, once new information is received. Check back often for any changes, especially for late games.
Forwards
File Photo: Harry How/Getty Images
| Start | Sit | |
| Patrik Berglund – STL | Jordin Tootoo – DET | |
| (3 G, 5 pts in last 4 gms. 9 G, 14 pts in 24 gms vs DET) | (Okay if you need PIMs. Not doing anything else) | |
| Joel Ward – WAS | Guillaume Latendress – OTT | |
| (2 G, 4 pts in last 4 gms. Worth a start right now) | (Will not play tonight) | |
| Damien Brunner – DET | Daniel Cleary – DET | |
| (3 G, 4 points, 16 SOG last 4 games) | (Still scoreless. No useful numbers in other categories) | |
| Cory Conacher – TB | Brayden Schenn – PHI | |
| (Multiple points in 4 of 6 games) | (Help with hits, not much else) | |
| Zack Kassian – VAN | Derek Roy – DAL | |
| (Putting up #’s on top line. 1 G in 5 of last 6 gms) | (Will miss his 4th straight game tonight) |
Defensemen
File Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images
| Start | Sit | |
| Justin Faulk – CAR | Dustin Byfuglien – WPG | |
| (Returns tonight. Plays top mins, helps across the board) | (Will miss his second consecutive game) | |
| Tom Gilbert – MIN | Trevor Daley – DAL | |
| (Lost of ice time. 6 pts during current 4 gm pt streak) | (Still scoreless. Not putting up #’s in any category) | |
| Sergei Gonchar – OTT | Luca Sbisa – ANA | |
| (Will be back in the lineup tonight. Worth a start) | (Still scoreless. Light numbers all around) | |
| Nick Leddy – CHI | Brendan Smith – DET | |
| (Points in 5 of 7 games) | (Off to a slow start. Tough opponent) | |
| John Carlson – WAS | Cam Fowler – ANA | |
| (Pts not there yet, but contributing in every other cat.) | (Not putting up any numbers yet) |
Goalies
File Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
| Start | Sit | |
| Dan Ellis – CAR | Ondrej Pavelec – WPG | |
| (Has looked good: 2 GA on 54 shots. Faces hurting team) | (0-2, 4.58 GAA last 2. Faces highest scoring tm) | |
| Anders Lindback – TB | Braden Holtby – WAS | |
| (3 game winning streak. 4-0, 2.50 GAA at home) | (Gets the start, but hasn’t looked good) | |
| Niklas Backstrom – MIN | Roberto Luongo – VAN | |
| (Has looked much better lately) | (Starts again but faces toughest opponent yet) | |
| Mike Smith – PHX | Viktor Fasth – ANA | |
| (Returns tonight against a tm struggling to score) | (Gets 2nd career start vs tougher opponent) |
Remember, use this list as a guideline if you are debating between a few players to round out your lineup. Just because a star player appears on the “sit” list doesn’t necessarily mean you should sit that player if your other options aren’t decidedly better.
If you have any questions about your fantasy lineup, don’t hesitate to ask.
Good Luck!
Carlos Figueiredo
NHL Rankings & Content Editor
Dynasty Sports Empire
@SpeakoftheDevs
