Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse has been suspended for one game following a dangerous cross-check against Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield. The incident occurred during a recent game, leading to Nurse missing the Oilers' regular-season finale. Despite this setback, he will be eligible to return for the playoffs as the Oilers prepare for their first-round matchup against the Kings. Nurse has a history of suspensions and fines that underscore the impact of his physical style of play.

The NHL Department of Player Safety determined that Nurse delivered an intentional cross-check to Byfield's head while he was on the ice, meriting supplemental discipline. The nature of the incident, along with Nurse’s disciplinary history, played a pivotal role in the decision to impose a suspension. Nurse’s absence is particularly critical for the Oilers as they enter the playoffs, given that fellow defenseman Mattias Ekholm will also be unavailable.

The Philadelphia Flyers extended their winning streak to two games with a commanding 7-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Matvei Michkov showcased his talent, scoring two goals, while Samuel Ersson contributed with 17 saves in his first start of the season. The Sabres, who had won their previous three games, struggled defensively, as their coach Lindy Ruff pointed out a lack of discipline leading to early goals for the Flyers. After jumping to a 2-0 lead, the Flyers saw the Sabres respond with three consecutive goals. However, Michkov's equalizer ignited a dominant performance from Philadelphia, allowing them to regain control and secure the win.

In a thrilling encounter, the Seattle Kraken triumphed over the Buffalo Sabres 6-4, with Jamie Oleksiak netting the pivotal goal in the second period. Oleksiak's strike came shortly after Tage Thompson equalized for Buffalo, showcasing the intense back-and-forth action of the game. The scoring frenzy began early, with Jack Quinn giving the Sabres an initial lead before Seattle surged ahead with goals from John Hayden, Chandler Stephenson, and Matty Beniers.

Despite Buffalo's attempts to rally through Jason Zucker and Thompson's goals, the Kraken regained control with third-period goals from Adam Larsson and Jared McCann, whose performance included a goal and two assists. The victory marked Seattle's dominance over Buffalo, improving their all-time record against the Sabres to 7-1, with their only loss occurring earlier this year.

In a thrilling comeback, the Seattle Kraken rallied to defeat the Buffalo Sabres 6-2, with Kaapo Kakko leading the charge by scoring two pivotal goals in the third period. The Kraken initially faced a daunting two-goal deficit after Sabres players Sam Lafferty and Jack Quinn found the net in the first period. However, Seattle turned the tide with six consecutive goals, showcasing their resilience and scoring prowess.

Joey Daccord was instrumental in goal for the Kraken, making 33 saves, while Oliver Bjorkstrand sparked the comeback by scoring early in the third period. Kakko's impressive performance included another goal shortly after Bjorkstrand's, as well as a power-play goal that solidified the victory. This win marked a significant turnaround for Seattle, who had just suffered a loss against Columbus.

The Ottawa Senators faced a disheartening 4-0 defeat against the Buffalo Sabres, marking their fourth consecutive loss. Defenceman Thomas Chabot candidly acknowledged the team's poor performance, stating that there were no excuses for the lackluster display. The Senators, who returned to home ice for the first time since mid-December, were met with boos from the crowd.

Despite a strong start earlier in the season, Ottawa has struggled since the Christmas break, managing only one win in five games. Coach Travis Green pointed out that their lack of scoring has significantly hindered their success, with key players like Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson failing to find the net in recent games.