Ovechkin hits 40 while eclipsing Gretzky for the all-time NHL goal mark, 897 and counting. He stacked 44 goals last season and remains weathered yet lethal, fueling Washington’s continued playoff push as the Capitals pursue a lightweight rebuild around him. The team’s front office has kept faith with the core, surrounding him with a refreshed supporting cast, hinting this could be a rare, productive twilight chapter rather than a sad fade.

Beyond the milestone, the storyline centers on balance: can Ovechkin chase 900 and beyond while the Capitals stay competitive and avoid a full rebuild? Management signals patience, the coach emphasizes love for the game, and fans wonder if the season ends with a retirement tour or one more run at glory in a contending roster.

Tampa Bay Lightning surge into the Capitals with Point, Kucherov, and Hagel leading the charge, Hedman stabilizing the back end for strong power-play upside. The Caps present a soft target on defense, boosting the trio’s ceiling and Hedman’s PP value.

Vegas Golden Knights bring a balanced, mid-priced stack with Dorofeyev, Hertl and Saad, supported by Theodore. Calgary’s shaky defense and goaltending push this grouping into tournament-friendly territory, especially when paired with Hill’s road form.

Anaheim Ducks roll Kreider-Killorn-Carlsson with LaCombe adding uzt on D, offering high shot volume and sleeper upside in GPPs against Pittsburgh’s road woes.

Montreal Canadiens offer a cheap but productive stack with Bolduc, Dach and Gallagher, aided by Matheson’s offensive bursts from the blueline. Seattle Kraken’s defense weak links open opportunities for Montreal’s group, while top-tier options from DAL, NYR, and CAL rotate as pivot plays.

Adin Hill stands out as a cash-constructor with solid road numbers, with Oettinger and Shesterkin lurking as elite alternatives. Build balanced exposures across TB, VGK, and MTL for win potential tonight.

Pavel Dorofeyev stole the show early, lighting the lamp at will and anchoring Vegas’ early push with five goals and four on the power play, highlighted by a hat trick to start the season. Shane Pinto followed with two multi-point outings for Ottawa, including clutch goals to spark a comeback and a historic multi-goal start for the franchise. Sergei Bobrovsky was flawless between the pipes for Florida, going 3-0-0 with elite save numbers as the Panthers roared to a perfect 3-0 start.

Dorofeyev’s explosive start and PP dominance position him as a must-watch asset for early-season fantasy values, especially in setups that lean on special-teams output. Pinto’s hot streak signals a high-floor scoring option in a rising Ottawa offense, while Bobrovsky’s early mastery provides a strong baseline for Panthers’ fantasy projections, provided he maintains the workload and protection from Florida’s defense.