As the NHL season winds down, the excitement is palpable, especially with several young talents entering the league and key players making their returns from injury. Oliver Kapanen is back with the Montreal Canadiens just in time for the playoffs. After an impressive stint in the Swedish Hockey League, where he scored 35 points in 36 games and led all players aged 21 and younger, fans are eager to see how he integrates back into the Habs' lineup.

In Minnesota, injured stars Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek may be making their way back just when it counts the most—the postseason. While nothing is confirmed yet, the latest updates suggest that both are making progress and could be ready for action by the start of the playoffs.

In New Jersey, the Devils are also anticipating a boost with Cody Glass's potential return to the lineup next week, just as they prepare for their playoff push. Over in Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin is eyeing a return following a tough stretch. The Penguins' upcoming road trip presents a perfect opportunity for Malkin to hit the ice again.

In a thrilling recent game, the New York Rangers beat the Minnesota Wild 5-4 in overtime, securing vital points for their playoff hopes. Artemi Panarin was a standout performer with a goal and two assists, marking his seventh consecutive season with at least 80 points. His linemate K'Andre Miller has also been impressive, on the verge of achieving a triple-digit milestone in hits and blocks.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs also enjoyed success, defeating the Florida Panthers 3-2, enhancing their playoff seeding as they now sit comfortably ahead in the Atlantic Division. John Tavares continues to chase a 40-goal season, while young star Matthew Knies crossed the 50-point threshold in just his second NHL season.

The Carolina Hurricanes showed no mercy against the Washington Capitals, dominating with a 5-1 victory, which included two power-play goals from Jackson Blake. The Hurricanes’ power play has become notably effective recently, scoring nine times in their last 11 games since the Trade Deadline.

In the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche pulled off a dramatic 3-2 shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, with Cale Makar extending his incredible season, now needing just three points in six games to hit the 90-point mark for the second year in a row.

However, the Vancouver Canucks' playoff hopes took a serious blow with a disheartening 5-0 loss to the Seattle Kraken, leaving them unlikely to secure a spot with only seven games left to play.

As we look towards the playoffs, some players are surging while others are struggling. Montreal's Juraj Slafkovský is enjoying a notable uptick in performance, significantly contributing to his team's expected goals. Conversely, players like Marchment and Washington's defense duo of Rasmus Sandin and John Carlson are experiencing declines just as the postseason approach.

With the final weeks of the regular season looming, all eyes are set on these narratives as teams vie for the ultimate Stanley Cup glory. Keep following as we track the wild ride towards the playoffs!