The current NHL landscape is seeing several key players dealing with injuries, impacting their respective teams as we head into a crucial part of the season. Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames took a maintenance day, while teammate Aydar Suniev has been working off-ice due to injury concerns. Colorado Avalanche's Jonathan Drouin and Martin Necas missed a recent game due to lower-body injuries, while Dallas Stars' Jamie Benn also sat out with a maintenance issue. The Detroit Red Wings await goaltender Petr Mrazek's return, who needs to practice before rejoining game action.

In Edmonton, Leon Draisaitl left a game early, his third after returning from an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers' Aleksander Barkov is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, though Coach Paul Maurice is optimistic about his recovery timeline. The Nashville Predators have recalled Ozzy Wiesblatt due to injuries to Colton Sissons and Jonathan Marchessault, and goaltender Spencer Stastney is also sidelined. Notably, New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair is taking time off for personal reflection, following a tough stretch of games. The Ottawa Senators face a similar situation with Brady Tkachuk missing games due to upper-body and hip injuries. Lastly, the Pittsburgh Penguins are getting Evgeni Malkin back into the fold, as they navigate their injury-plagued roster.

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 waiver wire is a crucial resource for fantasy managers as the NHL season begins to wind down, especially with the playoff chase intensifying. With teams like Minnesota Wild playing frequently on off nights, shrewd managers can bolster their rosters with viable streaming options. Key players to look at include Ryan Hartman and Frederick Gaudreau, who can provide valuable points during lighter schedule days. Conversely, teams like the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs have fewer games this week, making their fantasy assets less appealing.

Among potential pickups, Jonathan Drouin is returning to form with the Colorado Avalanche, posting impressive stats while skating alongside Nathan MacKinnon. Boone Jenner is also on a scoring streak for the Columbus Blue Jackets, proving his worth as a solid contributor. Adding active players like Matt Coronato from the Calgary Flames or Taylor Hall from the Hurricanes can make a decisive difference in your lineup's performance over the coming days.

The Colorado Avalanche continued their dominant home form with a decisive 4-0 victory against the Los Angeles Kings. Devon Toews not only contributed defensively but also made notable saves, mirroring the opposing goaltender’s efforts. Martin Necas shone with a pair of goals, while Cale Makar and Jonathan Drouin chipped in with multi-point performances, showcasing Colorado's offensive depth. Coach Jared Bednar praised the team's solid defensive game, noting an overall strong performance as they aim to secure playoff positioning.

Building on their recent form, the Avalanche have an impressive 12-1-1 record since late January, dominating with a remarkable goal differential. This win further cements their status as a formidable contender, as they aim to replicate this intensity and execution through the playoffs. Fans are optimistic, chanting for the Cup as they witness the team's resurgence.

Only two NHL games are scheduled for Wednesday, but both promise an exciting doubleheader on TNT, starting at 7 p.m. ET. The Kraken, coming off a back-to-back, face off against the Minnesota Wild. For fantasy enthusiasts, key DFS lineup recommendations are essential, especially considering the Kraken’s struggles in goal against a solid Wild offense.

Filip Gustavsson of the Wild is a top goalie pick at $8,000. With a .915 save percentage and a solid GAA, he can capitalize on Seattle's offensive inconsistencies. Jonathan Drouin at $3,800 is a value play worth noting, having collected 13 points in his last 16 games, making him a potential sleeper in your lineup. Stacking the Wild's Frederick Gaudreau, Mats Zuccarello, and Marcus Johansson also appears promising, particularly given Seattle's weak penalty kill and their struggles in goal with Philipp Grubauer.