Detroit’s summer plan under Steve Eiserman stayed disciplined, avoiding big overspends while shoring up depth. The additions include James van Riemsdyk for net-front bottom-six presence, Mason Appleton to move the puck, Jacob Bernard-Docker as a sleeper backstop, and Travis Hamonic for bite on the blue line. John Gibson was brought in to stabilize the goal, with Petr Mrazek adding depth behind the mask. The moves keep Detroit flexible in a crowded market, but the big question remains whether the blue line can carry a legitimate top-six and whether the club can squeeze out the extra points needed for playoff contention.

Defense remains the Lions’-eye issue; Moritz Seider and Albert Johansson are solid, but Detroit lacks proven top-pair talent. The conversation highlights that even in a rising division, competition from Ottawa and Montreal demands a needle-moving move. Eiserman’s stance is to be aggressive without overpaying, banking on internal growth to close the gap. The Gibson addition could translate to a couple more wins; beyond that, a significant roster swing may still be required to break the playoff drought.

The NHL postseason kicked off with an electrifying atmosphere, especially during the Battle of Ontario where the Toronto Maple Leafs faced the Ottawa Senators. Toronto's Anthony Stolarz made a mark in goal, establishing himself as a top 10 fantasy goaltender. With a 939 save percentage in his first playoff start, his performance was crucial despite allowing two goals. The Leafs capitalized on their power play opportunities, scoring three out of six chances, while the Senators struggled to stay disciplined, racking up penalties that cost them dearly in their 6-2 loss.

With key players like Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews contributing significantly, the depth and versatility of the Leafs' lineup shone through. Particularly, Matthews demonstrated excellent playmaking alongside his goal-scoring abilities, underlining the importance of his role in their postseason success. The Senators' captain, Brady Tkachuk, found it challenging to navigate the pressures of the game, indicating a need for a stronger performance moving forward in the series. As the teams prepare for Game 2, all eyes will be on how the Senators adjust to reclaim their footing and whether the Leafs can maintain their dominance.