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.