The Colorado Avalanche faced significant player absences in their recent game, notably forwards Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen, Jonathan Drouin, Valeri Nichushkin, and Ross Colton, as well as defensemen Cale Makar and Devon Toews, all sidelined due to various injuries. In contrast, the Edmonton Oilers dealt with a defensive setback when Troy Stecher left the match early, with hopes for a minor issue.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton made a hopeful return by participating in warm-ups after a lengthy absence due to injuries, signaling a potential playoff return. Pittsburgh Penguins forward Philip Tomasino rejoined the lineup after a concussion, while the San Jose Sharks' Zack Ostapchuk suffered a new lower-body injury. In a similar vein, Tampa Bay Lightning's Darren Raddysh left the game early, with concerns lingering over his condition. The Winnipeg Jets chose to rest key players like Josh Morrissey and Connor Hellebuyck, raising questions about their strategy moving forward as they aim for playoff positioning.

The Colorado Avalanche faced significant player absences in their recent game, notably forwards Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen, Jonathan Drouin, Valeri Nichushkin, and Ross Colton, as well as defensemen Cale Makar and Devon Toews, all sidelined due to various injuries. In contrast, the Edmonton Oilers dealt with a defensive setback when Troy Stecher left the match early, with hopes for a minor issue.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton made a hopeful return by participating in warm-ups after a lengthy absence due to injuries, signaling a potential playoff return. Pittsburgh Penguins forward Philip Tomasino rejoined the lineup after a concussion, while the San Jose Sharks' Zack Ostapchuk suffered a new lower-body injury. In a similar vein, Tampa Bay Lightning's Darren Raddysh left the game early, with concerns lingering over his condition. The Winnipeg Jets chose to rest key players like Josh Morrissey and Connor Hellebuyck, raising questions about their strategy moving forward as they aim for playoff positioning.

The New Jersey Devils struggled against the New York Islanders, suffering a 1-0 defeat, marking their third consecutive loss as they head toward the playoffs. Key player Dougie Hamilton, who has been out for over a month, made a brief appearance in warmups, but head coach Sheldon Keefe emphasized caution regarding his return to the lineup as the Devils prepare for their playoff matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Despite some defensive stands, including a successful penalty kill that thwarted the Islanders, the Devils couldn't find the back of the net. Bo Horvat's goal in the second period proved decisive. With just two games left in the regular season, the Devils are focused on regaining form and ensuring player health ahead of the postseason.

Injury updates are rolling in as the NHL playoff race heats up. The Buffalo Sabres are dealing with a setback as forwards Josh Norris, Jordan Greenway, and Tyson Kozak miss practice. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes saw the return of Jordan Staal and Andrei Svechnikov to their lineup, although Jesperi Kotkaniemi is expected to be out for at least a week.

The Florida Panthers are also experiencing mixed news. Key players Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, and Gustav Forsling returned, but forward Sam Bennett is likely sidelined for the rest of the regular season, albeit ready for Game 1 of the playoffs. On the injury front, Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils is making progress in his recovery but has not yet rejoined practices.

Time is running out for teams and players to make their final adjustments before the playoff push, and every update can impact your fantasy lineup. Keep an eye on these developments as they unfold.

Injuries are piling up for several NHL teams as the playoffs approach. Carolina Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal sat out for a second consecutive game due to a lower-body injury, raising concerns about his availability in the postseason. Teammate Andrei Svechnikov left the last match early, though coach Rod Brind'Amour indicated the injury isn't serious. Meanwhile, Hurricanes' William Carrier is on the mend, having skated in a no-contact jersey for two days.

Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk has recently resumed skating, but uncertainty remains regarding his readiness. The New Jersey Devils are also monitoring Dougie Hamilton's progress, as he recovers from knee surgery, with expectations that he may be back by the second round. In New York, Rangers forward Matt Rempe participated in the morning skate after an upper-body injury, while David Kampf and Jake McCabe exited their previous game with injuries. The Pittsburgh Penguins are dealing with Evgeni Malkin, who is traveling with the team but has missed the last three games due to an upper-body injury.