WED. MARCH 25
Player to watch for goal, point and/or shots on goal: Alex Tuch, F, BUF (vs. BOS; 7:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT, NESN, TVAS2)
The Buffalo Sabres forward leads them in goals (seven in 12 games) since the NHL resumed play following the 2026 Winter Olympics and is one away from his third career 30-goal season (36 in 2022-23 and 2024-25). Tuch, who can be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, has scored 16 of his 29 goals this season on home ice and brings added value considering he's been covering categories all season; he is the only NHL player with at least 50 points (59), 70 blocks (77) and 70 hits (72). Tuch is playing on Buffalo's top line with Tage Thompson (leads team with 36 goals) as well as their second power play with Jack Quinn (five goals in his past seven games) and Bowen Byram (career-high 97 shots on goal this season). Since Dec. 9, Buffalo is an NHL-best 33-6-3 while ranking second in goals per game (3.83) over that span. Per NHL EDGE stats, Tuch ranks among the forward leaders in high-danger goals (17; 97th percentile), total skating distance (200.56 miles; 91st percentile) and average shot speed (57.74 mph; 85th percentile). -- Troy Perlowitz
Player to watch for point, shots on goal and/or goal: Alexis Lafreniere, F, NYR (at TOR; 7:30 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN, MSG)
The New York Rangers forward has 47 points (20 goals, 27 assists) and a career-high nine power-play points and 17:27 time on ice per game in 71 games this season. Lafreniere, who is leading the Rangers in points (18 in 16 games), goals (10), even-strength points (14) and shots on goal (38) since Jan. 31, is averaging 19:13 TOI/GP and has 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 12 games in March. Lafreniere is playing on the first line with Mika Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault and first power play with J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck, Adam Fox and Zibanejad. Per NHL EGDE stats, Lafreniere ranks highly among forwards in high-danger goals (14; 91st percentile), high-danger SOG (60; 90th percentile), midrange SOG (50; 86th percentile), offensive zone time percentage (45.4; 89th percentile) and skating distance (199.54; 90th percentile). The Toronto Maple Leafs have allowed the most shots on goal per game (32.3) and the fourth-most goals per game (3.44). -- Chris Meaney
Read more: 'NHL Goal Chase' picks
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Others to watch for goal and/or shots on goal:
David Pastrnak, F, BOS (at BUF)
Tage Thompson, F, BUF (vs. BOS)
Matthew Knies, F, TOR (vs. NYR)
Others to watch for point:
Josh Norris, F, BUF (vs. BOS)
Gabe Perreault, F, NYR (at TOR)
Easton Cowan, F, TOR (vs. NYR)
Others to watch for assist:
Rasmus Dahlin, D, BUF (vs. BOS)
Adam Fox, D, NYR (at TOR)
William Nylander, F, TOR (vs. NYR)
Others to watch for shots on goal:
Mika Zibanejad, F, NYR (at TOR)
John Tavares, F, TOR (vs. NYR)
Josh Doan, F, BUF (vs. BOS)
Line combos/trios to consider:
BUF: Tage Thompson -- Alex Tuch
NYR: Mika Zibanejad -- Alexis Lafreniere
TOR: John Tavares -- William Nylander
BUF: Josh Norris -- Josh Doan
NHL FUTURES WATCH
NOTES: The below players are candidates to watch, from front-runners to sleepers, for various 2026 NHL Awards. These lists are a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen, Chris Meaney and Troy Perlowitz.
Art Ross Trophy:
- Nikita Kucherov, F, TBL
- Connor McDavid, F, EDM
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy:
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
- Cole Caufield, F, MTL
- Nikita Kucherov, F, TBL
Hart Trophy:
- Nikita Kucherov, F, TBL
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
- Macklin Celebrini, F, SJS
Norris Trophy:
- Cale Makar, D, COL
- Zach Werenski, D, CBJ
- Evan Bouchard, D, EDM
Vezina Trophy:
- Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, TBL
- Ilya Sorokin, G, NYI
Jack Adams Award:
- Lindy Ruff, BUF
- Dan Muse, PIT
Stanley Cup:
- Colorado Avalanche
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Dallas Stars
- Minnesota Wild
- Buffalo Sabres
