This week in the NHL saw a significant number of injury updates that could greatly impact fantasy lineups as teams near the end of the regular season. The Buffalo Sabres are grappling with key absences as Josh Norris missed a game due to a mid-body injury, while Sam Lafferty was absent from practice. The Calgary Flames also faced setbacks with Mikael Backlund sidelined, while MacKenzie Weegar and Joel Farabee made their returns.

The Chicago Blackhawks are particularly hit hard, as Jason Dickinson is out for the season with a wrist injury, and Alec Martinez is day-to-day. In Detroit, the Red Wings are monitoring Elmer Soderblom, who will miss the upcoming game after re-aggravating an injury. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings’ Tanner Jeannot exited a game with an undisclosed injury, and Alex Turcotte is day-to-day.

Other notable mentions include the St. Louis Blues’ Colton Parayko, who is skating but not ready to return, and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Erik Cernak, who also suffered an injury. The Vegas Golden Knights are managing Tomas Hertl's absence on a road trip, while Alex Pietrangelo is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. With the regular season winding down, these injuries could significantly affect playoff aspirations and fantasy rosters alike.

Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues will undergo surgery on his left knee, expected to keep him sidelined for at least six weeks. This injury comes after a strong performance this season, where he has achieved a career-high of 15 goals and matched his personal best of 35 points. Known for his defensive prowess, Parayko is averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice time per game, leading all Blues players in this metric.

The Blues currently sit just one point shy of the playoff race, showing resilience with a record of 6-1-1 in their last eight games. His absence could significantly impact their defensive strategy as they aim to secure a wildcard spot in the playoffs.

Colton Parayko, the St. Louis Blues' leading defenseman, faces a significant setback as he is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season due to a knee injury sustained during a recent game against the Los Angeles Kings. The injury occurred during a shootout victory, and Blues' GM Doug Armstrong confirmed that Parayko will undergo a surgical procedure with a six-week recovery timeline. This absence comes at a critical time for the Blues, who are currently vying for a playoff spot, sitting just one point behind the final wild-card position in the Western Conference.

Parayko, who averages nearly 24 minutes of ice time per game and has contributed 35 points this season, plays a pivotal role in the team's defense. His loss is likely to strain an already challenged roster as the Blues work to secure their playoff aspirations. With only two days remaining before the end of the regular season, the management will need to assess their options quickly to fill the void left by his absence.

The St. Louis Blues are facing a significant setback as top defenseman Colton Parayko is set to miss the remainder of the regular season due to a left knee injury sustained during a recent shootout victory against the Los Angeles Kings. Blues general manager Doug Armstrong announced that Parayko will undergo knee surgery and will be evaluated in six weeks. With Parayko averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice time per game and contributing 35 points this season, his absence is expected to have a substantial impact on the Blues' playoff hopes, especially as they trail just one point behind the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.