The NHL season has unveiled an array of fantasy surprises and disappointments. Among the notable fantasy revelations, Anaheim's Jackson LaCombe has emerged as a potential 50-point defenseman, boosting his value as a top power-play anchor. Conversely, Boston's Jeremy Swayman has struggled mightily, suggesting he should be avoided in most leagues. Buffalo's JJ Peterka has proved to be a rising star, averaging 0.85 points per game, complementing the top line impressively.

Carolina's Shayne Gostisbehere has established himself as a power-play specialist, while Columbus’ Sean Monahan reclaims his role as a top-line center. Calgary's rookie goalie Dustin Wolf is solidifying his status as a Calder candidate. The Blackhawks see Connor Bedard as their only consistent forward amidst underwhelming performances from others. Colorado's Valeri Nichushkin has shown he can be a fantasy stalwart when healthy, while Dallas' Thomas Harley faces potential regression without Miro Heiskanen.

Detroit's Patrick Kane is bouncing back, making him a mid-round pick next draft season, while Edmonton's Stuart Skinner appears to be off fantasy radars after a disappointing season. Florida's Mackie Samoskevich could be a sleeper if he earns a top-six role next year. LA’s Darcy Kuemper and Minnesota's Filip Gustavsson are both proving their worth as top netminders. Meanwhile, Montreal’s Nick Suzuki showcases durability and offensive capability, while Nashville’s Steven Stamkos hints at a possible bounce-back next season.

The Buffalo Sabres stunned the Winnipeg Jets with a 5-3 victory, led by Ryan McLeod’s stellar performance of a goal and three assists. The Sabres, despite being at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, showcased resilience after a previous loss to the Minnesota Wild. J.J. Peterka, Rasmus Dahlin, Tyson Kozak, and Alex Tuch also found the net for Buffalo. Meanwhile, Winnipeg, needing just one point to secure a playoff spot, saw goals from Nino Niederreiter, Colin Miller, and Nikolaj Ehlers, falling short in their first game of a four-game homestand.

The game featured several momentum swings, starting with Peterka’s early goal giving Buffalo a lead, only for Niederreiter’s equalizer, which had a touch of luck, to keep the Jets in the fight. Dahlin's brilliant strike before the second intermission put the Sabres ahead again. Kozak's timely goal was countered quickly by Miller, but Tuch’s late strike seemed to seal the game despite Ehlers’ efforts to bring Winnipeg back. McLeod’s empty-net goal capped off a remarkable victory for the Sabres, who are determined to finish the season strong.

This offseason poses significant questions for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they contemplate their approach to free agency. The potential for the team to trade draft picks for young talent could open the door to attracting high-profile free agents like Mitch Marner. However, securing these trades is not a straightforward task. Meanwhile, Buffalo Sabres’ JJ Peterka has emerged as a viable offer sheet candidate, although the Penguins are wary of aggressive moves with their valuable 2026 first-round pick on the line.

Rickard Rakell's value remains a topic, with the Penguins’ management suggesting they might be willing to sell low, which raises eyebrows considering the potential they once saw in him. The Penguins could also explore the trade market further as the NHL expands, with cities like Houston and Atlanta being considered for new teams, which might lead to shifts in player dynamics across the league. With the draft and free agency looming, the Penguins' strategies will be crucial in shaping their immediate future.

Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson is dealing with an illness, while JJ Peterka has returned to the lineup. Meanwhile, Carolina's Dmitry Orlov is back after a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury, but Andrei Svechnikov remains sidelined for the fourth straight game. Columbus has seen forwards Cole Sillinger and Sean Monahan back on the ice, indicating potential returns as day-to-day updates come from Coach Dean Evason. In Detroit, Elmer Soderblom and Erik Gustafsson are both day-to-day with undisclosed injuries, and Jeff Petry is traveling but not ready for the weekend.

In Philadelphia, Rasmus Ristolainen is not expected back soon, while the Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov is week-to-week, but could return before the season wraps. Ottawa's Nick Jensen is still out, and Pittsburgh's Tommy Novak is day-to-day after missing time since March 9. Coaches are keeping fans updated on players' statuses as teams prepare for upcoming matchups.