Boston navigates a post-2025 shift, balancing contention with rebuilding. Trades at the deadline emptied veteran caps and set the stage for a youth-driven 2025-26, with Jim Montgomery ousted and Joe Sacco guiding a refreshed lineup. Tanner Jeannot is the only long-term lock, while two breakout bets loom: Matt Poitras and Mason Lohrei, expected to anchor Boston’s future as they push for bigger roles.

From a fantasy lens, Poitras could drive a third line and unlock scoring with Jeannot and Kuraly, aiming toward 20+ goals and 50+ points if given sustained minutes. Lohrei projects into a top-four role, offering two-way value and peripheral stats. The Bruins’ fresh core, plus potential PP time, creates upside for opportunistic managers.

Evgeny Kuznetsov, once a star for the Washington Capitals, is drawing interest from multiple NHL teams despite a challenging recent season with only 24 points in 63 games. His playmaking potential remains enticing, particularly after a solid performance in the KHL, where he scored 37 points in 39 games. Now at 33 and coming off a terminated KHL contract, Kuznetsov seeks to return to the NHL without needing a tryout, indicating a desire for a cap-friendly one-year deal. Teams are intrigued by his skills but wonder about his mentality and health following his injury struggles.

Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators are looking to add toughness to their roster, potentially targeting Tanner Jeannot. After a year with limited playtime due to injuries, Jeannot may come at a bargain price. Ottawa's cap space stands at under $11 million, and they are looking to balance signing key players like Claude Giroux while pursuing higher-profile wingers such as Nikolaj Ehlers or Brock Boeser.

This week in the NHL saw a significant number of injury updates that could greatly impact fantasy lineups as teams near the end of the regular season. The Buffalo Sabres are grappling with key absences as Josh Norris missed a game due to a mid-body injury, while Sam Lafferty was absent from practice. The Calgary Flames also faced setbacks with Mikael Backlund sidelined, while MacKenzie Weegar and Joel Farabee made their returns.

The Chicago Blackhawks are particularly hit hard, as Jason Dickinson is out for the season with a wrist injury, and Alec Martinez is day-to-day. In Detroit, the Red Wings are monitoring Elmer Soderblom, who will miss the upcoming game after re-aggravating an injury. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings’ Tanner Jeannot exited a game with an undisclosed injury, and Alex Turcotte is day-to-day.

Other notable mentions include the St. Louis Blues’ Colton Parayko, who is skating but not ready to return, and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Erik Cernak, who also suffered an injury. The Vegas Golden Knights are managing Tomas Hertl's absence on a road trip, while Alex Pietrangelo is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. With the regular season winding down, these injuries could significantly affect playoff aspirations and fantasy rosters alike.

The Los Angeles Kings have recalled Samuel Helenius from the Ontario Reign as they struggle with a four-game losing streak and an overall decline in physicality. Despite Helenius' limited offensive output, he brings a physical presence with 80 hits this season, ensuring the Kings won't be easily pushed around. This move raises questions about the future of Tanner Jeannot, who has been ineffective with a 20-game goal drought.

Trevor Lewis, despite slumping metrics, remains in the lineup, indicating the Kings are sticking with veteran experience. Meanwhile, Brandt Clarke's playing time has dwindled since Drew Doughty's return, adding to the ongoing lineup scrutiny. Helenius's recall seems aimed at bolstering the bottom six, but it also highlights the Kings' broader struggles with lineup decisions and performance consistency.

As the NHL gears up for an exciting Sunday night, nine games are on the schedule, with a particular focus on the late matchups. The highlight is the nationally televised clash between the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks, set to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. This game marks the fourth and final encounter of the season between these two teams, with the home side currently holding the advantage in their previous three meetings.

The Stars, with a record of 20-13-1, look to bounce back after a narrow 3-2 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks, struggling at 12-22-2, are on a three-game losing streak following a heavy 6-2 defeat in Buffalo. The Stars’ Jake Oettinger is projected to start in goal, while the Blackhawks will rely on Arvid Soderblom.

In another matchup, the Philadelphia Flyers face off against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena at 9:00 p.m. ET. The Kings, boasting a record of 20-10-5, previously defeated the Flyers 7-3 in their last encounter. With both teams coming off recent games, the Kings appear to be better positioned for success in this matchup, particularly with their solid goaltending.

Betting insights suggest taking the Stars on the puck line against the Blackhawks and favoring the Kings to cover against the Flyers, with favorable odds available across various sportsbooks. The night promises to be action-packed with potential for significant outcomes in the NHL standings.