The New Jersey Devils faced a tough challenge in Game 2 of their playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, succumbing to a 3-1 defeat. The Hurricanes took a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, with Jordan Martinook proving to be a thorn in the Devils’ side, scoring a goal and providing an assist. This marks Martinook's impressive tally of four goals and 13 points in seven playoff games against New Jersey.

Despite a bright start from the Devils, who took the lead early in the first period through Jesper Bratt, the Hurricanes quickly responded, scoring twice in the second period. Shayne Gostisbehere and Martinook's short-handed goal turned the tide in favor of Carolina. The Devils struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, with only 25 shots on goal, while their defense was also tested as they played without key players Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon.

The latest updates in the NHL reveal several roster changes and injury concerns that could impact fantasy leagues. Shayne Gostisbehere of the Carolina Hurricanes is sidelined with a lower back issue, while teammate Taylor Hall was rested for a recent game. The Colorado Avalanche are also facing challenges, with forward Miles Wood missing a game due to illness and Gabriel Landeskog recently returning from a lengthy absence. After three years, Landeskog returned to play, expressing cautious optimism about his health after a strong showing in the AHL.

In Edmonton, the Oilers are bracing for potentially devastating news regarding Mattias Ekholm, who might be facing a lengthy injury absence that could derail their playoff aspirations. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers opted to healthy scratch Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart, indicating stronger depth than initially perceived. Other injuries of note include Jared Spurgeon of the Minnesota Wild, who missed time after taking a puck to the throat, and Pierre Engvall of the New York Islanders, who needed assistance off the ice, raising further concerns about his availability.

Boston Bruins' coach Joe Sacco confirmed that defenseman Charlie McAvoy and forward Mark Kastelic are both out for the season, which could significantly impact the team's playoff chances. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes are dealing with Shayne Gostisbehere, who missed a recent game due to an upper-body injury. On the Columbus Blue Jackets front, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has also missed a game due to injury.

In New York, the Islanders' Ilya Sorokin is uncertain for the remainder of the season following a lower-body injury. However, fellow defenseman K’Andre Miller has returned to the Rangers' lineup after a brief absence due to illness. The Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk expects to soon resume skating, aiming for a timely return ahead of the playoffs.

The Penguins are facing a tough period, losing Tommy Novak, Blake Lizotte, Noel Acciari, Matt Nieto, and Rutger McGroarty for the season. Lastly, Jakob Chychrun of the Capitals was a late scratch due to illness, highlighting the ongoing injury challenges faced by teams as they approach critical late-season games.

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.

Seth Jarvis, a key forward for the Carolina Hurricanes, suffered a concerning head injury during a game against the Los Angeles Kings, resulting in a disappointing 7-2 defeat. The incident occurred when Jarvis was fouled by Kings' Warren Foegele, causing him to crash into the boards. Despite being helped off the ice, Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour expressed cautious optimism about Jarvis's condition, suggesting he may have avoided serious injury.

Currently leading the Hurricanes in goals with 27 and contributing significantly with 52 points, Jarvis's absence would be a considerable blow for the team. The Hurricanes were already missing captain Jordan Staal and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere due to injuries and illnesses, which could challenge their upcoming match against Anaheim. With this loss, Carolina's impressive eight-game winning streak has come to an end.