The Vancouver Canucks achieved a significant 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild, propelled by crucial contributions from Elias Pettersson, Kiefer Sherwood, and Teddy Blueger. Pettersson broke a 15-game scoring drought by netting the opener on a power play. Sherwood scored the game-winner late in the third, showcasing his offensive prowess. Blueger's empty-net goal solidified the win, while defenseman Filip Hronek stood out with two assists. Vancouver's goalie, Kevin Lankinen, was stellar, stopping 37 of 38 shots faced. With this win, the Canucks leapfrogged the Calgary Flames into playoff positioning as they eye a playoff berth with 20 games remaining in the season.

The Vancouver Canucks secured a critical 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild, with Kiefer Sherwood netting the decisive goal late in the third period. Elias Pettersson ended his 15-game scoring slump by scoring the Canucks' first goal during a power play. Teddy Blueger added an empty-netter to seal the win. Filip Hronek was a standout with two assists, while goalie Kevin Lankinen performed admirably, stopping 37 of 38 shots. Minnesota's Brock Faber temporarily equalized with a power-play goal, but the Wild could not maintain momentum. The Canucks' victory propelled them ahead of the Calgary Flames into the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, with 20 regular-season games remaining.

As the NHL trade deadline approached, the Edmonton Oilers made strategic moves to strengthen their roster, specifically targeting their blue line and forward depth. General manager Stan Bowman noted that goaltending has been a hot topic, acknowledging the slow start from netminders Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard while aiming to relieve pressure on them during the playoff push.

The Oilers acquired defenseman Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks, alongside forwards Trent Frederic and Max Jones from the Boston Bruins through a three-team trade. Bowman expressed confidence in Walman’s abilities, citing his physicality and competitive spirit as crucial assets to help the team. Jones made an immediate impact, contributing an assist in his debut.

Despite giving up first-round picks in their trades, emphasizing a win-now mentality, the Oilers retained top prospects Matthew Savoie and Sam O’Reilly, indicating a commitment to both the present and future. Additionally, Evander Kane will remain on long-term injured reserve, freeing up salary cap space. As the Oilers aim for another deep playoff run, the effectiveness of their new acquisitions and the performances of their goaltenders will be closely monitored.

Patrik Laine is the leading player in fantasy points per 60 minutes (FPP60) among NHL players with less than 200 minutes on the ice this season, averaging 10.4 points. This rank allows us to highlight effective players, even if they may not see increased ice time opportunities.

For instance, if an injury were to occur on the Winnipeg Jets' power-play unit, Nikolaj Ehlers, currently averaging 15:38 minutes, could see a rise in minutes, as he ranks in the top 10 for FPP60. Other notable players like Dylan Guenther and Kiefer Sherwood are also under observation for potential increased roles due to their current production rates.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have undergone a significant transformation, moving away from their previous puck possession style, which was a hallmark of the Kyle Dubas era. Under General Manager Brad Treliving, the team has adopted a more rugged approach, aiming to enhance their playoff performance. However, the Leafs still struggle with scoring, particularly on the power play, as evidenced by their recent 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, where they failed to capitalize on three power-play opportunities.

Leafs captain Auston Matthews acknowledged the team's disconnection during the game, stressing the need for improved puck movement and simplified play. Meanwhile, the Canucks are facing their own challenges, including internal conflicts between players J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson. Despite their struggles, the Canucks managed to secure a much-needed win during their visit to the Scotiabank Arena, further complicating the playoff picture for both teams.