Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche reached a remarkable milestone by scoring his 30th goal of the season in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, making him the first defenseman in Avalanche history to achieve this feat. This places him among an elite group of just nine defensemen in NHL history to reach 30 goals in a season, the first since Mike Green in 2008-09. Makar's power-play goal, set up by Nathan MacKinnon, came just before the end of the second period, contributing to a 5-2 lead for the Avalanche.

The 26-year-old's scoring prowess, combined with his two assists in the game, propelled his season point total to 90, which matches the franchise record for defensemen that he set in the previous season. This achievement marks Makar as only the fifth defenseman in NHL history to record back-to-back 90-point seasons, a distinction last accomplished by legends like Paul Coffey and Al MacInnis in the late '80s and early '90s.

Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog has ramped up his skating, fostering optimism about his recovery, though no specific timeline is available yet. Teammate Jonathan Drouin exited the latest game early due to a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen approaches two months post-knee surgery, eyeing a return possibly in the first round of the playoffs if the Stars face the Avalanche. In Minnesota, Kirill Kaprizov is traveling but won’t play until at least the team's next practice. San Jose Sharks' Shakir Mukhamadullin suffered a hit that raised concerns about his availability, while Filip Chytil of the Vancouver Canucks is dealing with concussion symptoms, casting doubt on his return this season.

The NHL playoff race heats up as the last two weeks of the regular season approach, with five teams vying for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Currently, the Montreal Canadiens occupy the second wild-card position with 79 points and will face the Boston Bruins, while the Columbus Blue Jackets, trailing slightly with 77 points, will host the Colorado Avalanche. The New York Rangers sit tied with Montreal on points but have a higher regulation win count, making them a formidable contender.

The Stathletes projection model indicates the Canadiens have a 51.7% chance to secure a playoff spot, followed by the Blue Jackets at 25.5%. The idle Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders are also in the mix, albeit with lower odds. With the regular season concluding on April 17, every game counts, especially for these playoff hopefuls.

In a thrilling matchup, the Colorado Avalanche outlasted the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in a shootout. Martin Necas leveled the game with just 11 seconds left in regulation, and Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen sealed the victory with shootout goals.

Cale Makar netted his 29th goal of the season, contributing to Chicago's lead with a mid-third period strike. The Blackhawks initially surged ahead with Ilya Mikheyev's short-handed goal and Connor Murphy's second marker. Spencer Knight, the Blackhawks goalie, showcased his skills with 29 saves, while Scott Wedgewood made 22 stops for Colorado. This win halted the Avalanche's two-game skid, while the Blackhawks continued their disappointing stretch with their 11th loss in 12 games.

As the NHL season winds down, it's crucial for fantasy hockey enthusiasts to capitalize on emerging players in daily fantasy sports (DFS). This April 2, 2025, lineup includes standout picks across all positions. Goalie Logan Thompson is a key choice against the Carolina Hurricanes, while Aatu Raty, a rising center for the Vancouver Canucks, offers excellent value at a low price, having recently scored three goals in his last four games.

On the wing, Jaden Schwartz from the Seattle Kraken boasts impressive recent stats, with a stellar return on investment in his last five outings. Defensively, Sam Malinski of the Colorado Avalanche is making waves by filling in for an injured player and consistently racking up shots and blocks. Utilizing these players can give DFS players a competitive edge amidst a crowded slate.