Ottawa succumbs 4-1 to Nashville as captain Brady Tkachuk leaves early with an arm injury, adding to Ottawa’s depth concerns with Drake Batherson already out. The Senators showed improvement on the penalty kill, but four first-period penalties and a sputtering Nashville power play kept the game out of reach. Jonathan Marchessault hammered a two-goal night for the Predators, while Thomas Chabot spoke to a more aggressive, structured approach that could buoy Ottawa moving forward. The Senators visit the Buffalo Sabres next.

Fantasy managers should monitor Tkachuk’s status closely; any absence boosts the need for secondary scorers and deeper lines in Ottawa, while Chabot’s workload and power-play opportunities could rise if Tkachuk sits. Nashville’s still-volatile power play showed life late, suggesting Marchessault and Josi remain primary sources of value. Look for a bounce-back in Ottawa’s PK and for Nashville to clamp down defensively as they regain timing against division rivals.

Overall, this game underscored a tense, edge-of-seat start to the season with key injury shadows and evolving line chemistry. The next test vs. Buffalo looms as a chance to validate the adjustments and give fantasy managers more concrete streaming targets.

Early-week NHL fantasy push centers on waiver-wire depth and targeted streams. Anton Lundell looks like the Panthers’ answer to Barkov’s absence, while Elias Lindholm returns to a prime Bruins role. Shane Pinto and Matty Beniers offer high ceiling with top-line/minor adjustments, and Marco Kasper plus Leo Carlsson carry multi-position appeal in deeper leagues. Defenders Ekblad and Nikishin push for steady PP time, with solid goalie streams in Vejmelka and Jarry on deck for the week.

Short-term adds include Brazeau, Nazar, McBain and Jarry, while Malkin, Bedard, Hayton, Keller, Schmaltz, Barkov, Tkachuk and Jones shape daily decisions across races and spots. Track schedule density, lines, and PP usage to maximize both season-long value and daily fantasy upside.

Capitals rebound from the opening loss to Boston by grabbing four points in NYC, flashing a rugged, defense-first identity. Lindgren and Thompson have anchored the net with a combined .957 save rate, and Washington has blanked the 5-on-5 for long stretches while the offense shows flashes—Protas’ two goals against the Islanders highlight a rising scorer amid a work-in-progress power play. Ovechkin remains scoreless as the schedule heats up with a visit from Tampa Bay.

The weekend underscored a team-wide push to tighten details and establish consistency, with Carbery stressing accountability and evolution as the Caps chase more performances like Saturday’s four-goal eruption.

Anthony Beauvillier tipped home Alex Ovechkin’s shot to lift Washington to a 1-0 win over New York, backed by 35 saves from Darcy Lindgren in his first start of the season. The Caps’ defense locked down the Rangers, preserving the shutout as Washington won back-to-back games following a win over the Islanders.

Ovechkin extended his legend with 728 career assists and 897 goals while pushing toward 1,500 games with a single franchise, a milestone that remains within reach as he enters his 21st season. Declan Chisholm apron-assisted for his first Washington point in his 100th career game, while Lindgren earned his 10th career shutout in a relief-heavy night for New York.

For the Rangers, Jonathan Quick returned for his season debut with 20 saves, and Mika Zibanejad threatened early before Lindgren held the line with a glove-and-stick showcase. Will Cuylle and Sam Carrick both tested late, but Washington’s defense and special-teams small-edge carried the day. Up next: Capitals host Tampa Bay; Rangers welcome Edmonton.