NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 12:51 AM ET
NHL Injury & Discipline Updates
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews exited after knee-on-knee hit from Anaheim’s Radko Gudas during Thursday’s matchup, sidelining the star forward amid first-period action. Meanwhile, the NHL rescinded the game misconduct handed to Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan Mac Kinnon for his Tuesday altercation with Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse, per the league’s review.
Carolina Hurricanes Ownership Shifts
The Carolina Hurricanes added three new minority stakeholders Thursday as team owner Tom Dundon sold stakes to undisclosed investors, expanding the franchise’s ownership structure. Separately, the Ottawa Senators avoided forfeiting their 2026 first-round pick following NHL arbitration over a canceled 2022 trade involving Evgenii Dadonov, preserving their draft asset amid ongoing disputes.
Playoff Projections & Expansion
Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers emerged as conference finals favorites in updated playoff models, with analysts citing their respective 98 and 95 points as key predictors. Additionally, the Professional Women’s Hockey League secured national TV coverage for its Detroit team’s debut season, targeting a U.S. broadcast deal to boost visibility ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.