Smelling salts have become a routine pre-faceoff jolt on NHL benches, interpreted by players as a quick switch into game mode. Dubois, now with the Capitals, says it helps him click into competition, and peers like Robert Thomas and Seth Jarvis describe the wake-up buzz as real, while Connor Bedard notes it’s a personal choice. The practice sits amid safety debates and evolving policies across hockey and football.

The NHL studies the policy, Hockey Canada and the PWHL restrict usage in youth and pro settings, and the NFL has tightened access amid FDA warnings. Capitals, Blues, Hurricanes, Blackhawks and Panthers illustrate a spectrum of opinion on its value and risks for fantasy lineups.

Florida faces a brutal test to repeat as champions after losing captain Aleksander Barkov to a long-term knee injury and potentially watching Matthew Tkachuk miss early action. Still, the Panthers enter a season defined by resilience, with odds marking them as underdogs behind Edmonton, Vegas, and a handful of powerhouses. Olympic play adds a global spectacle before a brutal 403-game stretch resumes, testing every contender’s depth and fantasy upside.

Across the league, the sport remains rich with storyline: Crosby, McDavid, MacKinnon and Hedman headline a star-studded chase for gold and the Cup, while coaches shuffle and rookies rise. The schedule emphasizes endurance and the fantasy implications of injuries, breaks, and midseason pivots, setting up a season where depth, timing, and elite talent decide fantasy and betting outcomes.