The NHL is entering a critical week with the upcoming trade deadline on Friday. Six games are scheduled on deadline day, which is surprising given the potential player movements. As teams balance their playoff aspirations and potential trades, several key players are in the spotlight.

The Boston Bruins, currently on the playoff bubble, might consider trading Brad Marchand, especially after his recent upper-body injury. Meanwhile, David Pastrnak is on fire with a remarkable 17-game point streak. The Anaheim Ducks will rely on Lukas Dostal in net, as John Gibson's future remains uncertain amidst trade rumors.

For the Colorado Avalanche, Jonathan Drouin's recent contributions and Valeri Nichushkin's return from injury provide a silver lining. The New York Rangers are feeling the pressure, with Adam Fox on IR, and are hoping to make a significant move as they look for a turnaround.

St. Louis' Brayden Schenn is a player to watch, as he might be on the move, while Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy is aiming to maintain his impressive form. With many teams playing multiple games this week, fatigue and performance will be crucial as the deadline approaches.

The Anaheim Ducks faced the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night at Honda Center, looking to continue their recent success. Despite a strong run, the Ducks faltered against a Blackhawks team that had traded their star defenseman Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers shortly before the game. Ducks goalie John Gibson returned from injury but struggled, stopping 18 of 24 shots, while Blackhawks goalie Arvid Soderblom managed to stop 28 of 31 shots against him.

With Trevor Zegras serving a suspension, the Ducks sought to maintain their playoff position. Despite their recent good form, they allowed several goals due to defensive breakdowns and struggled to capitalize on their offensive chances. Notably, rookie Leo Carlsson showed potential with increased physicality, while Pavel Mintyukov's defensive play earned praise.

The Detroit Red Wings have executed a surprising trade, sending goaltender Ville Husso to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for future considerations. This unexpected move came as the Ducks faced a goalie shortage following John Gibson's injury.

By trading Husso, who was buried in the AHL, the Red Wings freed up significant salary cap space, allowing for potential high-profile acquisitions. As the trade opens up opportunities for Detroit, fans are left speculating about forthcoming moves, possibly involving star players like Elias Pettersson or Dylan Cozens.

John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks is expected to return soon, providing a much-needed boost to the team's goaltending. On the other hand, the Boston Bruins have confirmed that defenseman Hampus Lindholm is out for the rest of the season, creating a challenge for their defensive lineup. GM Don Sweeney provided an update on Charlie McAvoy, who is recovering well from a hospital stay but has no surgery timeline for his shoulder injury. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly negotiating a lucrative deal with Mikko Rantanen, and injuries continue to plague teams like the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings.

Matthew Tkachuk’s groin injury might keep him sidelined longer, but Florida Panthers’ coach Paul Maurice remains optimistic. The Minnesota Wild is hopeful about Jakub Lauko's availability tonight, while the New York Islanders face uncertainty with Chris Kreider's upper-body injury, prompting a forward recall. Other notable mentions include the Columbus Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski taking a maintenance day and the Vancouver Canucks' Quinn Hughes missing six games due to injury.