Reilly Smith, a key player for the New York Rangers, is being held out of the lineup as the team prepares for a series of trades ahead of the deadline. With Smith being a pending unrestricted free agent, he is expected to be the next asset on the move following the recent trades of Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Rangers are also looking to move Calvin de Haan, the only other pending UFA on the roster, and have several restricted free agents, including K’Andre Miller and Zac Jones. While the team may explore trading established players like Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin, these deals are anticipated to be more complicated.

As we dive into the second half of the NHL season, there are prime opportunities for fantasy managers to capitalize on favorable matchups this Saturday. The Boston Bruins' forward line, featuring David Pastrnak, Pavel Zacha, and Morgan Geekie, is particularly enticing against the Anaheim Ducks, who have struggled defensively. Pastrnak is riding a 13-game point streak, making him a must-have despite his high salary.

Similarly, the Ottawa Senators’ line, including Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson, presents a strong case against the Montreal Canadiens, who have been leaking goals. Keep an eye on injury statuses for strategic adjustments. The Columbus Blue Jackets’ forwards also stand out against the Chicago Blackhawks, given their impressive Expected Goals metrics.

Defensively, Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens is a solid choice against the Senators, capitalizing on Ottawa's power play struggles. For goaltenders, Jeremy Swayman and Adin Hill are poised for strong performances in favorable matchups against the Ducks and Canucks, respectively. Injury updates are crucial as they can shift the landscape of tonight's lineups.

The upcoming international hockey tournament presents an interesting landscape for goalies, particularly for Team Canada, where traditional depth may be perceived as lacking. Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues is expected to start due to his experience, despite a season that has been steady but not exceptional. Behind him, Adin Hill from the Vegas Golden Knights holds the best goals-against average among Canadian netminders, although he recently struggled with some high-scoring games. Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens rounds out the trio but has faced challenges and calls for replacement.

For Team USA, Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets stands out as a top-tier goalie, although his international experience is limited. Jake Oettinger from the Dallas Stars has proven himself in the NHL but may not see action if Hellebuyck performs as expected. Finland will rely on Juuse Saros from the Nashville Predators, while Filip Gustavsson is in contention for Sweden. Each team's goalie selection reflects not just individual talent but also the overall strength of the roster they are protecting.

As Canada prepares for its 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden, the spotlight shines on its offensive stars like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, while the goaltending trio faces scrutiny. Jordan Binnington, starting against Sweden, acknowledges the pressure but emphasizes letting actions speak louder than words. The current Canadian goalies, including Adin Hill and Samuel Montembeault, lack the illustrious legacy of past Canadian goaltenders, with an average save percentage of .898 this season.

Despite their past accolades, including Stanley Cup wins, Canada’s goalie selection raises eyebrows compared to the U.S., which boasts Connor Hellebuyck's impressive stats this season. The evolving landscape of international hockey means that while Canada still produces talent, the competition is fiercer, with global players like Sweden's Linus Ullmark showcasing their abilities. Carey Price remains optimistic about Canada's future goaltending prospects, citing the growing talent pool worldwide. Former goalie Marc-André Fleury believes Canada’s current netminders will rise to the occasion despite the mounting expectations.

The Canadian hockey team is facing significant uncertainty at the goaltending position as it prepares for the upcoming Milan Olympics, especially following the retirement of legendary netminder Carey Price. With the likes of Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy not available, the team must rely on the likes of Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Samuel Montembeault. All three have struggled in the NHL this season, ranking 30th to 36th in save percentage. Binnington, however, has experience, having led St. Louis to a Stanley Cup in 2019. Despite their current performance, Canada’s coaching staff remains optimistic about their potential.

General Manager Don Sweeney expressed confidence in the selected trio, citing their past successes under pressure. The upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament presents a critical opportunity for these goalies to prove themselves ahead of the Olympics. Binnington is viewed as the frontrunner to take the starter's role, but he has acknowledged the need to elevate his play to match previous highs. For Canada, the goal will be to find a goaltender capable of competing at the highest level on the international stage.