Buffalo earned a 5-3 win over Pittsburgh in a lively preseason clash in Buffalo. Tristan Broz opened the scoring on a Penguins power play, Buffalo answered with a dynamic sequence from Krebs to Norris, and Matt Dumba and Filip Hallander added to a back-and-forth first half. Ville Koivunen struck again to reset the momentum, and Rasmus Dahlin punctuated Buffalo’s pace before Hallander iced it with an empty-net clincher.

Silovs impressed in goal for Pittsburgh, Luukkonen exited with a lower-body issue for Buffalo, and the night underscored growth from Penguins youngsters like Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke. Owen Pickering and Jack St. Ivany flashed potential while questions about who earns an opening-night roster spot lingered, especially with Broz and Hayes showcasing versatile, high-energy games.

Six NHL breakout candidates for 2025-26 could reshape fantasy rosters: Connor Bedard should push toward an 85–90 point pace with expanded minutes and rising shooting efficiency in Chicago. Quinton Byfield is poised to anchor the Kings’ top six, taking on tougher minutes and PP time en route to a 30-goal, 45-assist season. Matty Beniers enters classic two-way breakout territory, while Zach Benson could double his production with better linemates in Buffalo. Cole Perfetti and Logan Stankoven also carry clear routes to 70-plus point seasons with more ice time and power-play exposure. Dylan Guenther and Matthew Knies serve as reminders that big roles are often the gateway to fantasy relevance, even if their teams are rebuilding.

Brady Tkachuk committed to Ottawa, quashing exit rumors and signaling a sustained push for progression after finally reaching the playoffs. He emphasized sticking with the rebuild and delivering a next-step season alongside Ottawa’s core—Chabot, Stutzle, and Norris—while the city’s support remains unwavering. The wider league picture includes the Florida Panthers’ recent peak and Toronto’s improvements, underscoring a crowded East and higher expectations for Ottawa’s growth from within. Fantasy takeaway centers on Tkachuk’s steady scoring and leadership as the anchor, with Stutzle’s playmaking and Norris’s health-driven upside likely driving deeper production as Ottawa optimizes its top lines and special-teams impact.

Beyond Tkachuk, Ottawa’s internal development becomes the key storyline for fantasy managers: Stutzle’s ceiling as a primary scorer, Chabot’s blue-line stability and PP1 duties, and Norris’s potential health-fueled contribution on secondary lines. The Panthers’ benchmark adds urgency, pushing Ottawa to convert offense into real-world and fantasy gains. As betting chatter about a 2026 Cup favorite swirls, Ottawa’s blueprint—homegrown growth, improved defensive structure, and higher-minute distribution—could unlock a more robust fantasy profile across the Senators’ depth chart, especially on the power play and 5-on-5 units.

Injury updates are rolling in as the NHL playoff race heats up. The Buffalo Sabres are dealing with a setback as forwards Josh Norris, Jordan Greenway, and Tyson Kozak miss practice. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes saw the return of Jordan Staal and Andrei Svechnikov to their lineup, although Jesperi Kotkaniemi is expected to be out for at least a week.

The Florida Panthers are also experiencing mixed news. Key players Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, and Gustav Forsling returned, but forward Sam Bennett is likely sidelined for the rest of the regular season, albeit ready for Game 1 of the playoffs. On the injury front, Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils is making progress in his recovery but has not yet rejoined practices.

Time is running out for teams and players to make their final adjustments before the playoff push, and every update can impact your fantasy lineup. Keep an eye on these developments as they unfold.

Buffalo Sabres forward Josh Norris is reportedly skating on his own, leading to optimism about his return before the end of the season. Meanwhile, teammate Tyson Kozak has been sidelined due to a hip strain, projected as week-to-week. In Carolina, Andrei Svechnikov is being held out as a precaution, while Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars participated in practice but remains doubtful for today's matchup against Pittsburgh. Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss some time but could be back for the playoffs, joining Connor McDavid, who has missed six games due to a lower-body injury. The New Jersey Devils' Cody Glass has been playing through a nagging injury but will now take time off to recover.