Vancouver dominated Calgary 8-1 in a high-octane preseason showcase, led by Quinn Hughes with a goal and two assists and Max Sasson’s two tallies. Pettersson and Raty pounced on the power play, while Forbort also chipped in on the PK with a short-handed score. Lankinen stood tall with 29 saves as Vancouver stretched its attack and depth ahead of the regular season. Calgary’s lone reply came from Joel Farabee early in the second; Prosvetov and Cooley struggled in goal.

Seattle built a 3-0 lead by the first intermission and cruised to a 4-2 win over Edmonton behind Winterton’s two goals, including a shorty. Daccord stopped 32; Nurse and Savoie answered for the Oilers, but Pickard’s 13 saves couldn’t close the gap. Both games spotlighted standout depth, special-teams execution, and the early shape of each club’s roster battles for opening night.

Calgary's 2025-26 forward depth is taking shape with locks anchored by Huberdeau, Kadri, Sharangovich, Coronato, Backlund, Frost, Zary and Pospisil. Coleman and Lomberg are near certainties, while Farabee faces scoring and lineup pressure. Klapka and Kerins are clear bubble players, with Honzek, Hunt, Morton and Kirkland pushing for a last slot. An Andersson trade could shuffle both forward and defense depth, making camp pivotal for early-season roles.

The lineup leans toward a possible 14F/7D if the trade lands; Zary-Frost-Coronato could form a dynamic third line, with Backlund possibly sliding to 4C. The Oilers weekend series and Wranglers prospects provide a live read on the pipeline as no veteran PTOs have been added yet, keeping Calgary flexible into training camp.

Daily Fantasy Hockey is back, and with a nine-game slate on April 3, 2025, fantasy hockey enthusiasts have a plethora of options to consider. Top implied team totals are led by the Edmonton Oilers at 4.2, followed closely by the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars. In goal, Andrei Vasilevskiy emerges as a solid pick against the Ottawa Senators, boasting strong recent performance despite some underlying concerns. For offensive picks, Leon Draisaitl and Nazem Kadri are expected to shine, with favorable matchups against struggling defenses.

Value plays and stack options abound, with players like Viktor Arvidsson and Joel Farabee also anticipated to make a significant impact. The importance of monitoring player statuses and injury updates cannot be overstated, as they can heavily influence lineup decisions. Utilize RotoBaller's DFS tools to optimize your strategy and stay ahead in your contests.

The Calgary Flames fell short against the Dallas Stars, suffering a 5-2 defeat despite outshooting their opponents with over 106 shot attempts and more high-danger chances. The Flames had two goals disallowed, fueling frustration among players and the coaching staff. Nazem Kadri, who found the net twice, expressed disappointment over perceived injustices in officiating. Head coach Ryan Huska emphasized the need to focus on the positives as the Flames prepare for an important matchup against the Edmonton Oilers, needing to secure wins for a playoff push.

The NHL injury report reveals notable updates affecting several teams as the season approaches its conclusion. For the Buffalo Sabres, Sam Lafferty's groin injury could sideline him for the upcoming game, which raises questions about depth and lineup adjustments.

In Calgary, MacKenzie Weegar is expected to be back for the upcoming game after missing a match due to a lower-body injury, while teammate Joel Farabee is dealing with an illness, casting doubt on his participation. The Blackhawks also face challenges as Alec Martinez and Jason Dickinson both exited their latest game early due to hits and scrums respectively.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers are navigating concerns around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's health, with Draisaitl's potential return appearing to be sooner than McDavid's. The situation remains fluid, with both players pivotal for playoff aspirations.