Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Lafferty is nearing a return to the ice, which could bolster the team at a crucial point in the season. Meanwhile, Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen's status for the playoffs remains uncertain as he has yet to skate, putting his availability in question. In Detroit, goaltender Petr Mrazek is undergoing evaluations, while teammate Elmer Soderblom continues to be sidelined. The Minnesota Wild report that forwards Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek have started skating but are still on a week-to-week recovery timeline, with no imminent return expected. The situation is fluid as teams adjust to their players' statuses with the playoffs approaching.

This week in the NHL saw a significant number of injury updates that could greatly impact fantasy lineups as teams near the end of the regular season. The Buffalo Sabres are grappling with key absences as Josh Norris missed a game due to a mid-body injury, while Sam Lafferty was absent from practice. The Calgary Flames also faced setbacks with Mikael Backlund sidelined, while MacKenzie Weegar and Joel Farabee made their returns.

The Chicago Blackhawks are particularly hit hard, as Jason Dickinson is out for the season with a wrist injury, and Alec Martinez is day-to-day. In Detroit, the Red Wings are monitoring Elmer Soderblom, who will miss the upcoming game after re-aggravating an injury. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings’ Tanner Jeannot exited a game with an undisclosed injury, and Alex Turcotte is day-to-day.

Other notable mentions include the St. Louis Blues’ Colton Parayko, who is skating but not ready to return, and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Erik Cernak, who also suffered an injury. The Vegas Golden Knights are managing Tomas Hertl's absence on a road trip, while Alex Pietrangelo is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. With the regular season winding down, these injuries could significantly affect playoff aspirations and fantasy rosters alike.

The NHL injury report reveals notable updates affecting several teams as the season approaches its conclusion. For the Buffalo Sabres, Sam Lafferty's groin injury could sideline him for the upcoming game, which raises questions about depth and lineup adjustments.

In Calgary, MacKenzie Weegar is expected to be back for the upcoming game after missing a match due to a lower-body injury, while teammate Joel Farabee is dealing with an illness, casting doubt on his participation. The Blackhawks also face challenges as Alec Martinez and Jason Dickinson both exited their latest game early due to hits and scrums respectively.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers are navigating concerns around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's health, with Draisaitl's potential return appearing to be sooner than McDavid's. The situation remains fluid, with both players pivotal for playoff aspirations.

In a thrilling comeback, the Seattle Kraken rallied to defeat the Buffalo Sabres 6-2, with Kaapo Kakko leading the charge by scoring two pivotal goals in the third period. The Kraken initially faced a daunting two-goal deficit after Sabres players Sam Lafferty and Jack Quinn found the net in the first period. However, Seattle turned the tide with six consecutive goals, showcasing their resilience and scoring prowess.

Joey Daccord was instrumental in goal for the Kraken, making 33 saves, while Oliver Bjorkstrand sparked the comeback by scoring early in the third period. Kakko's impressive performance included another goal shortly after Bjorkstrand's, as well as a power-play goal that solidified the victory. This win marked a significant turnaround for Seattle, who had just suffered a loss against Columbus.

The Buffalo Sabres are set to take on the Washington Capitals tonight, aiming to halt a three-game losing streak. Facing the Capitals, the current leaders of the Eastern Conference, presents a formidable challenge for the Sabres.

In a shake-up of their lineup following the defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Sabres have made notable changes. While the first line remains unchanged with Jason Zucker, Dylan Cozens, and Tage Thompson, the second line sees Ryan McLeod stepping up as the center, accompanied by wingers JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch. Additionally, the third line features Kulich as the center, with Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs on the wings, while Jack Quinn has been reassigned to the fourth line.

Defensively, Owen Power is paired with Connor Clifton in the second pairing, while Henri Jokiharju returns to play alongside Mattias Samuelsson on the third pairing. Dennis Gilbert will serve as the extra defenseman.