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.

As we dive into the second half of the NHL season, there are prime opportunities for fantasy managers to capitalize on favorable matchups this Saturday. The Boston Bruins' forward line, featuring David Pastrnak, Pavel Zacha, and Morgan Geekie, is particularly enticing against the Anaheim Ducks, who have struggled defensively. Pastrnak is riding a 13-game point streak, making him a must-have despite his high salary.

Similarly, the Ottawa Senators’ line, including Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson, presents a strong case against the Montreal Canadiens, who have been leaking goals. Keep an eye on injury statuses for strategic adjustments. The Columbus Blue Jackets’ forwards also stand out against the Chicago Blackhawks, given their impressive Expected Goals metrics.

Defensively, Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens is a solid choice against the Senators, capitalizing on Ottawa's power play struggles. For goaltenders, Jeremy Swayman and Adin Hill are poised for strong performances in favorable matchups against the Ducks and Canucks, respectively. Injury updates are crucial as they can shift the landscape of tonight's lineups.

The NHL makes its much-anticipated return after a 12-day break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Players are gearing up for action, especially those who didn't participate in the tournament. Teams are preparing for a busy schedule ahead, with some expected to manage player fatigue through careful rotations.

This week’s highlights include key matchups like the Anaheim Ducks facing off against the Boston Bruins. Stars like David Pastrnak are on fire, with a remarkable point streak, while the Ducks' Troy Terry and Frank Vatrano lead their team offensively. Other noteworthy players include Nathan MacKinnon, who's dominating the scoring charts, and Leon Draisaitl, who tops the goal-scoring leaderboard.

Alex Ovechkin scored his 877th career goal, closing in on Wayne Gretzky's all-time record, but the Washington Capitals fell to the Winnipeg Jets 5-4 in overtime. Ovechkin's late-game goal tied the match, igniting the crowd, but Josh Morrissey clinched the win for the Jets with a goal in overtime. The loss marked Washington's first back-to-back defeats since mid-December, despite contributions from Pierre-Luc Dubois, Tom Wilson, and others.

Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers secured a convincing 5-1 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks, with Sam Reinhart hitting a milestone of 30 goals for the season. The Panthers’ strong performance solidified their position atop the Atlantic division.

In Boston, David Pastrnak scored a hat trick, leading the Bruins to a 6-3 win over the New York Rangers, who struggled despite J.T. Miller's return. The Pittsburgh Penguins also triumphed, blanking the Nashville Predators 3-0, powered by Sidney Crosby's continued scoring streak.

David Pastrnak delivered a stellar performance with a hat trick and an assist, powering the Boston Bruins to a 6-3 victory against the New York Rangers. This brilliant outing helped the Bruins end a two-game losing streak. Alongside Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, Charlie Coyle, and Pavel Zacha contributed to the scoreline, while Jeremy Swayman made 22 saves in goal. In contrast, J.T. Miller marked his return to the Rangers with two goals after rejoining from Vancouver, but his efforts weren't enough to prevent a third consecutive regulation loss for New York.

The game saw an exciting exchange of goals, with Miller's early strike leveling the score at 1-1. However, Pastrnak quickly regained the lead for Boston. After Miller's second goal narrowed the gap in the third period, Pastrnak responded immediately, sealing the game with his third goal shortly after.