The Minnesota Wild faced off against the New Jersey Devils, falling 5-2 despite a valiant effort to recover from an early deficit. Nico Hischier dominated, netting a hat trick, while Jacob Markstrom secured 22 saves for the Devils. The Wild's scoring came from Marcus Foligno and Ryan Hartman, but they struggled to convert on power plays, particularly in crucial moments. Filip Gustavsson made 28 saves but couldn't hold off the Devils' aggressive offensive play. The loss marks Minnesota's third in four games as they prepare for an upcoming road trip.

David Perron netted the game-winner as the Ottawa Senators edged the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in Newark, avoiding a third consecutive loss. Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson also found the net for Ottawa, who now leads the Eastern Conference wild-card standings. Linus Ullmark made 25 saves in a bounce-back performance after a rough outing against Colorado. Nico Hischier and Erik Haula scored for New Jersey, who have lost three of their last four games.

The Senators started strong, scoring twice in quick succession during the second period. Tkachuk opened the scoring with a deflection of a Jake Sanderson pass, followed by Batherson redirecting a Dylan Cozens pass. New Jersey's Hischier got one back with a power-play goal, but Ottawa's Perron restored the two-goal lead shortly thereafter. Haula's late goal narrowed the deficit, but it wasn't enough.

In an intense matchup, the Calgary Flames staged a thrilling comeback to defeat the New Jersey Devils 5-3, thanks to Jonathan Huberdeau's late goal that turned the tide with just over three minutes remaining. The Flames demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming a two-goal deficit in the third period with strong contributions from Matt Coronato, Connor Zary, Daniil Miromanov, and Nazem Kadri, each finding the back of the net. Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolfe was pivotal, making 26 saves to secure the victory.

Nico Hischier of the Devils extended his point streak with a goal and an assist, but it wasn't enough as the team faced its first regulation loss of the season when leading entering the third period. The game highlighted the Flames' playoff aspirations, particularly as they look to secure a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Injury issues continue to plague several NHL teams as the season progresses. Carolina Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov skipped practice, while defenseman Dmitry Orlov took to the ice. The Columbus Blue Jackets are dealing with the absence of Jake Christiansen due to an upper-body injury, sidelining him for the next game. The Dallas Stars are hopeful for Roope Hintz's return this Sunday after a puck-related facial injury. Edmonton Oilers forward Mattias Janmark missed a game due to illness.

In Minnesota, the Wild's Jonas Brodin returned to practice after a long absence but remains week-to-week. Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek are also still out with injuries. The New Jersey Devils are bracing for the long-term absences of Dougie Hamilton and Jack Hughes, potentially impacting their playoff hopes. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators are monitoring Brady Tkachuk's hip concern closely as he aims to return on Saturday.

As the fantasy hockey playoffs approach, the battle between Jonathan Huberdeau's Calgary Flames and Nico Hischier's New Jersey Devils intensifies. For head-to-head leagues with daily roster movements, managing your lineup is crucial, especially with the Devils' limited 14-game schedule against favorable opponents. Conversely, the Flames have 17 games left, presenting them as a higher total fantasy potential option despite a tougher opponent ranking.

Combining players strategically—like Hischier with a frequent-playing teammate—can optimize scoring opportunities during the Devils' down days. Meanwhile, in leagues with locked weekly lineups, the Flames' breadth of games may allow for a broader fantasy impact. Analyzing each team's matchups is essential as fantasy managers prepare for the final push toward playoff victories.