NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Player News & Performance
Jack Hughes espn.com returned to form with a hat trick and an assist in the New Jersey Devils' 6-3 victory over the rival New York Rangers, marking his first NHL goals since winning gold with Team USA two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Evgeni Malkin espn.com received a five-game suspension for slashing Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during Thursday's game between the Penguins and Sabres. In other injury news, Mark Stone espn.com was placed on injured reserve after suffering an upper-body injury in Sunday's loss at Pittsburgh.
Trades & Transactions
The NHL trade deadline brought significant movement as teams positioned themselves for the playoff push. The Avalanche espn.com re-acquired forward Nazem Kadri in a swap with the Flames, bringing back the player who helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2021-22. The Maple Leafs espn.com made multiple deals, sending Bobby McMann to the Kraken and Scott Laughton to the Kings. Corey Perry espn.com is heading back to the Lightning after a trade from the Kings, while Jordan Eberle espn.com signed a two-year extension with the Kraken. In surprising moves, John Carlson espn.com was traded from the Capitals to the Ducks, and Colton Parayko espn.com invoked his no-movement clause to prevent a trade to the Sabres.
Playoff Race & Standings
With the trade deadline passed, attention turns to the Stanley Cup playoff race. Playoff spots espn.com, division titles and seeds remain up for grabs across the league. The NHL Power Rankings espn.com have been updated, providing a new 1-32 poll and highlighting each team's top game in March as the postseason approaches. Teams like the Blue Jackets espn.com continue their push for their first Stanley Cup playoff berth since 2020, while the Islanders espn.com added Brayden Schenn to bolster their roster for the playoff push.
League News
The hockey community mourned the loss of Troy Murray espn.com, who played 12 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and later became the team's longtime broadcasting analyst. Murray passed away at age. In women's hockey, a PWHL game on April 4 between the New York Sirens and Seattle Torrent espn.com has sold out Madison Square Garden, with a crowd expected to set a U.S. attendance record for professional women's hockey. The league also announced a special "Inside Out Classic" game on April 5 when the Capitals espn.com face the Rangers, featuring players skating alongside characters from the Pixar film. Fantasy hockey enthusiasts have been analyzing the trade deadline moves espn.com for potential impacts on their rosters.