Andrei Svechnikov is making a promising return for the Carolina Hurricanes after missing three games due to an upper-body injury. Coach Rod Brind'Amour indicated that Svechnikov practiced yesterday and could potentially play on Thursday, highlighting that his participation in practice is a positive sign.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche has also made progress, participating fully in practice for the first time. This is an encouraging development as he continues to recover, with plans to travel with the team and skate during their upcoming road games. In contrast, the Avalanche are awaiting further evaluations on Josh Manson’s injury, while the Minnesota Wild deal with day-to-day updates on several players including Jonas Brodin, Kirill Kaprizov, and Joel Eriksson Ek.

The Winnipeg Jets demonstrated resilience by overcoming a two-goal deficit to clinch a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken in overtime. Dylan Samberg's decisive goal came just 1:47 into the extra period, showcasing the Jets' never-give-up attitude. Cole Perfetti contributed significantly, scoring a goal and adding an assist. Kyle Connor also found the net, bringing his season total to 36 goals. The Jets' strong performance was further highlighted by Vladislav Namestnikov's two assists and a solid effort in goal from Eric Comrie, who made 14 saves before leaving the game after a collision, paving the way for Connor Hellebuyck to step in temporarily.

Seattle’s early lead was established by Jani Nyman and Michael Eyssimont, but Winnipeg's late first-period goal by Perfetti changed momentum. Connor's equalizer in the second period demonstrated the Jets' offensive capability, especially after Morgan Barron's crucial blocked shot led to his breakaway goal. Despite the loss, Joey Daccord's 23 saves kept the Kraken competitive as they strive to recover from a recent slump. The victory marked a significant achievement for Winnipeg, moving them ahead of Washington in the standings, while Seattle struggles to maintain playoff hopes.

The Washington Capitals showcased their offensive firepower, defeating the Anaheim Ducks 7-4 during the first leg of their California road trip. This victory marked their fifth consecutive win, pushing their record for the season to an impressive 43-14-8. Goaltender Logan Thompson delivered a solid performance with 26 saves. Key players included Dylan Strome, who scored the opening goal and extended his point streak to five games. Tom Wilson also continued his strong form, contributing with two assists and setting a new career high for points in a season.

As the game unfolded, a back-and-forth scoring battle ensued with each team trading goals. Aliaksei Protas emerged as the standout player, netting a hat trick, including a crucial empty-net goal in the closing seconds. The Capitals' balanced scoring was evident, with multiple players reaching significant milestones, such as Pierre-Luc Dubois recording key assists and Andrew Mangiapane finding his rhythm on the third line.

Amidst a dismal season, the Chicago Blackhawks confront pivotal decisions regarding Seth Jones and other players. Jones, who requested a trade, is tied to a hefty $9.5 million annual contract for the next five years and has displayed solid offensive stats (27 points in 42 games) despite injury setbacks. The significant salary demands pose a challenge for management, especially considering his declining speed at 30 years old.

The Blackhawks are also considering the future of Connor Murphy, a dependable defenseman looking for playoff opportunities after 721 regular-season games without a playoff appearance. Murphy's contract, set at $4.4 million for one more season, may entice teams looking for defensive assets. Meanwhile, Ryan Donato is enjoying a career year, and if the Blackhawks can secure a solid return for him, it could be an avenue for rebuilding.

In a dominating performance, the Anaheim Ducks secured their fifth consecutive home victory by beating the Vancouver Canucks 5-2. Key players included Frank Vatrano, Cutter Gauthier, and Ryan Strome, who all scored during a pivotal second period. Lukas Dostal made 22 saves in goal, contributing to the Ducks' eighth win in 11 matches. Despite a strong opening from the Canucks, who scored two quick goals, the Ducks responded with five unanswered goals, marking a significant momentum shift.

Strome's game-winning goal late in the second period was crucial, showcasing his scoring ability alongside Troy Terry, who rounded off the scoring with an empty-net goal. The Ducks have shown resilience, particularly in their recent home stretch, reflecting a turnaround in their season after a rough start.