The Eastern Conference has been a masterclass lately in team resilience, competition and individual brilliance. The playoffs are currently around 15 games away for most clubs, and the competition to get in has been heating up. 

Alex Ovechkin is steadily chasing history—he's now just eight goals shy of breaking the all-time record. On March 15, he scored his 887th career goal, getting closer to Wayne Gretzky's legendary mark of 894.

Meanwhile, in Carolina, winger Andrei Svechnikov hit the ice today. Still, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour isn't convinced they should rush Svechnikov back on the road just yet. The winger has missed the last three games, and with the team riding a seven-game win streak, Brind'Amour is understandably playing it safe as they head toward the playoffs.

In Florida, we are watching rookie Mackie Samoskevich throw his name in the hat for consideration of a top-six role when Brad Marchand eventually makes his Florida Panthers debut. The 22-year-old's ability to produce at both even strength and on Florida's top power play unit has given the Panthers a new weapon in their offensive arsenal. Samoskevich's offensive contributions have been on full display in recent games – scoring a power-play goal against the Bruins on March 11, then posting two power play assists in the following game against Toronto, and another goal against Montreal – this time at even strength. He was held scoreless against the Islanders in their most recent game, but has been consistently producing offense since mid-January. 

Darren Raddysh has been on a hot streak in Tampa Bay lately. The narrative here has been one of unexpected deployment and exploiting every opportunity he has been given. Over the last seven games, Raddysh has compiled eight points with one on the power play. Between Victor Hedman's injuries, and intermittent top power play time while Hedman was healthy – he's carved out his own role as an offensive contributor. In the most recent three-game span, Raddysh has three points, including a standout performance which earned him first-star of the game against Tampa's 6-2 victory over Boston. In a thrilling comeback against the Buffalo Sabres, Raddysh enjoyed his best stretch of the season—logging 24 minutes and 47 seconds on the ice while adding a goal and an assist to his tally.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have been in a funk lately, dropping five of their last six games, including consecutive home losses to Ottawa and Florida, before their win at home against Calgary on Monday night. In the prior 10 outings, they had managed only two wins in regulation, with four games stretching into overtime or shootouts. The red-hot Senators sit just six points back of the Maple Leafs – who are holding onto the third spot in the Atlantic division. Toronto will have to turn things around in order to hold onto their foundational spot above the Wild Card race. 

On the Senators, they have not lost in regulation since before the Four Nations break, dropping only one game out of eight since March 1, losing in a shootout to the Capitals. Their opponents during this stretch have been rather friendly, defeating the likes of the Sharks, Flyers, Bruins, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Rangers and Leafs in their hot streak – one hopes they are not lulled into a false sense of security and continue to push the envelope. 

Brady Tkachuk was missing from practice on Monday, in the midst of an 8-game point streak with six goals and three assists and 23 hits to go with it, fantasy managers are hoping this won't be an issue for Tuesday's game against Montreal. 

Over in Montreal, rookie defenseman Lane Hutson is quickly becoming the Habs' spark. At just 21, he's racking up 48 assists and 52 points in 66 games while logging over 22 minutes a night. Hutson's playmaking on the power play has put him squarely at the top of the Calder Trophy conversation—a rare feat for a rookie defenseman since Lidstrom's era. His contributions helped propel Montreal into the playoff hunt during a five-game win streak after the Four Nations break, even though they now trail the New York Rangers by a single point. Hutson's blend of youthful energy and mature decision-making could be exactly what the Canadiens need as the season heats up. For reference, Cale Makar posted a 72-point pace in his rookie year, and Hutson is currently on pace for 65 points – keeping in mind Hutson does not have the same offensive talent surrounding him that Makar had during his rookie season. 

In Columbus, things haven't been clicking. With their top goaltender Elvis Merzlikins on personal leave as he awaits the arrival of a new baby, the Blue Jackets have had to rely on options like Jet Greaves and Daniil Tarasov—choices that haven't exactly been ideal. Columbus is feeling the heat, dropping four straight games and being shut out in three of their last six outings. With their wild-card hopes fading, they urgently need to tighten up their defense and light a fire on offense.

On the flip side, the Detroit Red Wings are looking to shake things up by bringing veteran Petr Mrazek back into the lineup. He's already made his presence felt — starting the last three games and earning his first shutout of the season with a 3-0 win over Vegas on March 16. Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon have been failing to deliver lately, and Detroit is banking on this new three-goalie setup to finally bring some consistency as they look to climb back into contention. Despite success on the ice, this three goalie rotation has thrown a wrench in the mix for fantasy managers who have similarly been frustrated with recent performances from Talbot and Lyon. Talbot is 4-5-1 with an .882 save percentage in his last ten starts, and Lyon is 3-3-1 sporting a .900 save percentage in his last ten – having come in to relieve Talbot twice and being pulled once. 

Quick Hits around the Eastern Conference:

• NYI – Both Noah Dobson and Tony DeAngelo were on the top power play unit 
• PIT – Penguins playing spoiler, riding a four-game winning streak as Tristan Jarry is undefeated with a .930 since being recalled to the NHL.
• BOS – Pavel Zacha has lost his top power play spot to Elias Lindholm who has four points in his last four games. 
• BUF – Josh Norris' injury status for BUF's 3-game Western road trip is in question. The Sabres play Utah on Thursday, and coach Lindy Ruff is hopeful he will return later this week.