As the Stanley Cup playoffs loom, Canadian tourists have flocked to Las Vegas to witness the matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights. Although Canada remains a leading source of visitors to Las Vegas, a recent decline attributed to the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and Canada leaves some worry about future tourism.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent meeting with President Donald Trump highlights this tension, with both leaders expressing a desire for mutual cooperation. Amidst these discussions, the parents of Golden Knights forward Reilly Smith shared optimism about collaboration between the nations, emphasizing their frequent visits to support their son and the team.

The NHL Trade Deadline has reshaped the Western Conference playoff landscape, with several players making significant impacts as the postseason approaches. Mikko Rantanen's transfer from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Dallas Stars highlighted the deadline, where he has already contributed 17 points in 18 games, establishing chemistry with teammates Wyatt Johnston and Jamie Benn. Expect to see him in a top-six role during the playoffs, particularly against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche.

Brock Nelson is another key acquisition, joining the Avalanche from the New York Islanders. With 13 points in his first 19 games for Colorado, Nelson is set to bolster their center depth, crucial for playoff success. His history of playoff performance, including 50 points in 78 playoff games, makes him a player to watch.

Additionally, Andrei Kuzmenko's move to the Los Angeles Kings has proven fruitful, showing signs of his previous form from the Vancouver Canucks. With points in six of his last seven games, Kuzmenko is aligning well alongside Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe, creating a potent offensive threat. Meanwhile, Reilly Smith's return to the Vegas Golden Knights demonstrates the importance of veteran depth in playoff runs, as he has already tallied 11 points since his acquisition.

Reilly Smith's stellar performance led the Vegas Golden Knights to a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the Calgary Flames, highlighted by his two goals, including the decisive shot in overtime. Smith's game-winning goal came after he maneuvered behind the net and fired a backhand shot that slipped past Flames' goalie, Dustin Wolf. Pavel Dorofeyev also shone, scoring his 33rd goal of the season, solidifying Vegas's place at the top of the Pacific Division with a three-point buffer over the Los Angeles Kings.

Calgary's effort was led by Joel Hanley and Matt Coronato, who both found the net, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Knights. The Flames remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, trailing the Minnesota Wild for the second wild-card position in the Western Conference. Akira Schmid, making his season debut in goal for the Knights, showcased solid skill, making 21 saves to secure the victory.

The NHL trade deadline has stirred excitement, with several teams making bold moves to bolster their rosters as they gear up for the playoffs. The Florida Panthers have secured defenseman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks, aiming to strengthen their back end. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning have added Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Seattle Kraken, escalating their pursuit of another Cup.

In the West, the Edmonton Oilers have made headlines by acquiring Trent Frederic from the Boston Bruins to add depth and size, followed by Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks for defensive support. The Vegas Golden Knights have re-acquired Reilly Smith from the New York Rangers, while the Colorado Avalanche picked up center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders to enhance their offensive capability. As the deadline approaches, the fate of Mikko Rantanen remains uncertain as he has yet to sign an extension with the Carolina Hurricanes.

The New Jersey Devils made a significant move ahead of the trade deadline by acquiring veteran defenseman Brian Dumoulin from Anaheim. This comes after a tough blow as leading scorer Jack Hughes will miss the remainder of the season due to shoulder surgery. The Devils also lost their top defenseman, Dougie Hamilton, to injury. By placing Hughes on long-term injured reserve, New Jersey can add around $10 million in player salaries before the deadline, which gives them flexibility to strengthen their roster further.

Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers acquired Nico Sturm from San Jose, enhancing their depth as they aim for another deep playoff run. Sturm, a reliable penalty killer, has seen considerable success on face-offs. The Panthers' focus is on solidifying their playoff position after winning the Stanley Cup last season. In a notable move, the Vegas Golden Knights re-signed winger Reilly Smith from the New York Rangers, as they look to bolster their lineup after last season's championship victory.