In a thrilling matchup, the Colorado Avalanche overcame the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2, thanks to Jimmy Vesey's first goal with the team and Charlie Coyle's clutch shootout goal. The Avs showcased their dominance, particularly in the latter half of the game, with a significant edge in shots on goal.

Valeri Nichushkin netted his 20th goal of the season, joining Nathan MacKinnon in the spotlight. MacKinnon's assist propelled him back to the top of the NHL scoring leaderboard with 116 points, matching Joe Sakic's franchise record for career points. The game highlighted Colorado's resilience despite missing several regulars, while Vegas continues to aim for the Pacific Division title.

Chris MacFarland, the general manager for the Colorado Avalanche, has been actively reshaping his roster, recently acquiring Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey from the New York Rangers. However, the status of captain Gabe Landeskog remains uncertain as he continues his recovery from knee surgery, entering his third consecutive season without playing. Coach Jared Bednar is not expecting Landeskog to return imminently, and while MacFarland expresses hope for a playoff return in 2025, he has removed any deadlines for next season. The Avalanche have already utilized some long-term injured reserve cap space and are looking to optimize their roster ahead of the trade deadline.

MacFarland's recent trades have significantly altered the team dynamic, adding depth in key positions, including two goaltenders and a top-five defenseman. With the trade deadline approaching, he is open to further adjustments, especially considering Casey Mittelstadt's inconsistent performance this season. Moving Mittelstadt would likely require a strategic return, potentially pairing him in trades similar to last season's deals. The Avalanche's roster may continue to evolve as they navigate injuries and explore options to enhance their playoff chances.

The New York Rangers have made a strategic trade ahead of the NHL deadline, parting ways with defenseman Ryan Lindgren and winger Jimmy Vesey, both of whom are set to become unrestricted free agents. The Rangers have acquired veteran defenseman Calvin de Haan, young center Juuso Parssinen, and conditional draft picks in return. This move is seen as both a retooling effort and an acknowledgment of the team's current competitive window.

Calvin de Haan, once a first-round pick, adds experience to the Rangers' blue line, having played in over 675 games across multiple teams. Although his statistics may not shine this season, de Haan is expected to provide a steady presence alongside Zac Jones in the defensive pairings. Parssinen, a promising talent previously mentioned in trade discussions, will center the third line, potentially showcasing his offensive upside alongside Brennan Othmann and Jonny Brodzinski.

The New York Rangers have opted to rest forward Reilly Smith during their matchup against the Nashville Predators, primarily as a precautionary measure ahead of the NHL trade deadline. With Smith set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, the Rangers want to avoid any potential injury that could complicate a trade, as he has surfaced as a viable candidate for a deal. This season marks Smith's first with the Rangers, where he has contributed 29 points over 898 career games.

In recent transactions, the Rangers traded Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche, both of whom share the same impending UFA status. The Rangers currently sit just four points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, adding urgency to their roster decisions as they navigate the trade deadline.

Reilly Smith, a key player for the New York Rangers, is being held out of the lineup as the team prepares for a series of trades ahead of the deadline. With Smith being a pending unrestricted free agent, he is expected to be the next asset on the move following the recent trades of Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Rangers are also looking to move Calvin de Haan, the only other pending UFA on the roster, and have several restricted free agents, including K’Andre Miller and Zac Jones. While the team may explore trading established players like Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin, these deals are anticipated to be more complicated.