With the NHL free agency period approaching, teams are poised to make significant moves, especially with the salary cap increasing by a record $7.5 million. Key players such as Mitch Marner and Brad Marchand have already been signed, leading to a limited but interesting pool of free agents available.

Brock Boeser, a six-time 20-goal scorer, is among the most notable names. After a solid season with 25 goals and 25 assists, he may find a fresh start as the Vancouver Canucks enter a rebuilding phase. Meanwhile, Nikolaj Ehlers is another player to watch, having produced nearly a point per game last season. His market value could rise due to limited supply as teams scramble for scoring talent.

Veteran defenseman Brent Burns, now 40, remains a strong candidate for a contender seeking experience, while goaltender Ilya Samsonov is intriguing despite previous struggles. Lastly, players like Nate Schmidt and Dmitry Orlov could also find new homes as teams seek to bolster their rosters ahead of the new season.

The Vegas Golden Knights will be without their leading scorer, Jack Eichel, in their upcoming game against the Colorado Avalanche due to an upper-body injury. Eichel's absence is significant as he has struggled in recent games, failing to score or assist in his last four outings. The Golden Knights remain strong in the Pacific Division, holding a five-point lead over the Los Angeles Kings.

Meanwhile, the team has seen some positive developments with Tomas Hertl returning to practice after a lengthy injury absence. Backup goalie Ilya Samsonov is also nearing a return, having been out since March 23. With Eichel missing the chance to score his 100th goal for the franchise, players like Jonathan Marchessault and Mark Stone will need to step up their game to maintain their strong positioning as the regular season winds down.

Steven Stamkos showcased his prowess with two goals and an assist, leading the Nashville Predators to a 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Nashville took an impressive 4-0 lead before fending off a late surge from Vegas, who struggled to find their rhythm despite a strong second half.

Nashville's Filip Forsberg contributed with a goal and an assist, while Justus Annunen was solid in net, making 19 saves. Pavel Dorofeyev had a standout performance for Vegas, netting his first career hat trick, marking him as the team's leading scorer.

As fantasy leagues gear up for the upcoming week, several players are emerging as strong waiver wire candidates. Patrick Kane of the Detroit Red Wings has seen a resurgence following a coaching change, averaging an impressive 3.49 fantasy points per game (FPPG) recently. Similarly, Matthew Knies from the Toronto Maple Leafs is capitalizing on the return of star Auston Matthews, showcasing his scoring ability. Meanwhile, Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators has rebounded from injury, making him a valuable asset.

On the defensive front, Jackson LaCombe of the Anaheim Ducks is making waves as a surprising fantasy contributor, while Ryan Lindgren of the New York Rangers is stepping up in Jacob Trouba's absence. In goal, Cam Talbot of the Detroit Red Wings and rookie Jakub Dobes of the Montreal Canadiens are notable options.