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 2024-25 NHL schedule poses unique challenges for teams, especially for the New York Rangers, who experience significant gaps between games due to Madison Square Garden's busy event calendar. While the Minnesota Wild have enjoyed a packed schedule, playing numerous games in quick succession, the Rangers face the complex task of balancing player rest and performance on the ice. Coach John Hynes emphasizes the importance of managing the transition from rest to game readiness. Key players like Kirill Kaprizov are also in the spotlight as he progresses in his rehab, hinting at a potential return before the season's end.

The Minnesota Wild are grappling with offensive struggles as they edge closer to the playoff picture, significantly affected by the absence of key players Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek. Their recent performance has seen them score an average of just 2.1 goals per game, highlighting the uphill battle they face to reach the crucial three-goal mark, often needed for victory. With only seven games remaining, the team's mentality is to stay positive and maintain relentless pressure, as evidenced in their recent shootout loss against the New Jersey Devils.

Despite their difficulties in scoring at even strength—averaging 1.5 goals without power plays—the Wild have shown resilience on the defensive end, buoyed by players like Jonas Brodin and solid goaltending from Filip Gustavsson. Players like Matt Boldy and Marcus Foligno have embodied the team's 'head down and keep working' ethos, crucial as they navigate the final stretch of the season while hoping for a playoff berth.

Troy Terry of the Anaheim Ducks suffered an injury during a recent game, colliding with teammate Frank Vatrano and leaving in the third period without an update on his status. Meanwhile, Jacob Trouba of the New York Rangers missed his game due to a lower-body injury and is currently day-to-day. In Carolina, Jordan Staal also missed his game with a lower-body issue. For the Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid is not traveling on their road trip, but coach Kris Knoblauch is optimistic about his return before the regular season concludes. Leon Draisaitl has returned to the lineup as the Oilers prepare for a crucial stretch. Additionally, Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild is working towards a comeback, but his return may not be imminent, as he will consult with his doctors to determine the next steps.

In a bid to regroup after the Minnesota Wild's disappointing 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, coach John Hynes pushed his players hard in practice before their trip to New Jersey. The session saw injured forwards Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek participating fully, raising hopes for a quicker return to form for the offense. Despite their involvement, Hynes tempered expectations regarding their availability for upcoming games against the Devils and Rangers, awaiting further assessment from Kaprizov's doctor.

The Wild will face the Devils again soon, and Hynes emphasized the importance of tightening up their defensive play after a video review pointed out critical lapses. Meanwhile, in college hockey news, Minnesota Gophers forward Connor Kurth signed an entry-level deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, joining his former teammates who have already made the leap to the NHL.