The NHL season heats up with a six-game slate, showcasing key matchups and stellar players. The Nashville Predators' first line shines against the Anaheim Ducks, with Steven Stamkos on a four-game scoring streak, supported by Ryan O'Reilly. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes, led by Sebastian Aho, display potent scoring against the Detroit Red Wings. The Edmonton Oilers, featuring Connor McDavid, face the New York Islanders, while the Winnipeg Jets' line is expected to perform well against the Dallas Stars.

Defensemen such as Shayne Gostisbehere and Evan Bouchard present significant upside, given their roles in potent power-play units. In goal, Karel Vejmelka and Mackenzie Blackwood are highlighted as top picks, thanks to favorable matchups. Be sure to monitor injury updates before finalizing your fantasy lineup.

In the latest NHL news, Buffalo Sabres forward JJ Peterka is day-to-day with an unspecified issue. Meanwhile, teammate Jiri Kulich returns to the lineup after battling an illness. The Calgary Flames face challenges as forward Mikael Backlund left the last game with an upper-body injury. Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer provided a hopeful update on Roope Hintz, stating he could return as soon as Sunday after recovering from a facial injury, contingent on passing a five-day threshold.

Additionally, the Montreal Canadiens see Patrik Laine back in action, but Joel Armia is sidelined due to a hand injury. Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen Ryan Shea and Pierre-Olivier Joseph are both week-to-week with upper-body injuries. Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev remains a question mark for the upcoming game, still day-to-day after an upper-body injury sustained on February 25. Vancouver Canucks' Quinn Hughes has returned from injury, although Elias Pettersson left a recent game with an undisclosed injury, adding to the team's concerns.

In a thrilling overtime victory, Sebastian Aho netted his fifth overtime goal of the season, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames. Jaccob Slavin contributed with a goal, while goalie Pyotr Kochetkov made 15 saves in regulation, showcasing a solid defensive effort from Carolina.

The Flames finally broke their scoreless streak, with Nazem Kadri scoring a power-play goal that ended a frustrating 171-minute dry spell. Despite their struggles, Calgary's Dustin Wolf put forth a commendable performance, making 31 saves. Carolina struggled on the power play, going 0-for-6, which included a missed chance during a four-minute double-minor.

In a decisive victory, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1, breaking a five-game losing streak. Adam Henrique kicked things off with a short-handed goal, followed by Corey Perry's strike from Leon Draisaitl's setup. Connor McDavid sealed the deal with an empty-netter. Calvin Pickard stood tall, stopping 35 shots, while Frederik Andersen made 28 saves for the Hurricanes, who struggled to capitalize on three power-play opportunities and are now 3 for 25 in their last ten games.

This win marked a significant moment for the Oilers, ending their road losing streak and providing crucial momentum as they look ahead to their next game against Anaheim. Sebastian Aho managed to score for Carolina, but the team's recent slump continues as they have lost six of their last eight games. Draisaitl’s points streak reached 11 games, showcasing his importance to the team's offense despite his goal streak ending.

The Carolina Hurricanes are at a pivotal moment with Mikko Rantanen, just acquired from the Colorado Avalanche. Despite their efforts to extend him with an eight-year, $100 million offer, Rantanen's inclination to decline looms large. Complicated by the fact that the Hurricanes haven’t secured his commitment before trading for him, they risk losing him again, as they did with Jake Guentzel last season.

With the March 7 trade deadline fast approaching, the Toronto Maple Leafs are poised to make a move. They need to step up to secure an elite player like Rantanen, who could provide the secondary scoring they desperately need heading into the playoffs. If the Leafs can meet the Hurricanes' trade demands, they might just find themselves with a game-changing asset for their postseason run.