Jamie Benn returned to the Dallas Stars lineup, boosting their offensive power as they are in a critical phase of the season. His presence is crucial for the Stars, who aim to secure a strong postseason position. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers faced a setback without key players Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, who are both nursing upper-body injuries. Coach Paul Maurice has stated the importance of healing these players for a competitive playoff run, hinting at potential returns by the end of the week. The Panthers are strategically resting players like Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart to ensure full recovery for the playoffs.

In Nashville, Spencer Stastney has made a timely return following an upper-body injury, while the Pittsburgh Penguins dealt with a loss as Philip Tomasino missed a game due to his own upper-body issue. The Washington Capitals are also adjusting to injuries, with Aliaksei Protas being ruled week-to-week with a lower-body injury, highlighting the injuries' toll as teams gear up for the end of the regular season and the playoffs ahead.