NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Awards Race Heating Up
With about a month left in the season, NHL Awards Watch espn.com shows Celebrini challenging for MVP while the Norris Trophy race remains a dead heat. PHWA voters are closely watching performances as the regular season winds down.
Playoff Picture Taking Shape
The NHL playoff watch espn.com reveals the Blue Jackets' path to the postseason after adding Conor Garland at the deadline. Columbus remains in contention, while full playoff projections and draft lottery standings show the evolving landscape. The Stanley Cup playoff watch espn.com shows how the trade deadline has reset postseason races, with division titles and seeding still up for grabs.
Central Division Battle Intensifies
(https://headlinesbriefing.com/sports/espn-nhl/central-divisions-elite-playoff-hopes-after-nhl-trade-deadline-moves-acfdeb7a) to the Central Division playoff battle, Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota all made significant additions during trade deadline season. The Avalanche face a setback with captain Gabriel Landeskog espn.com sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, Colorado has re-acquired Nazem Kadri espn.com in a trade with the Flames, bringing back the forward who won a Stanley Cup with them in 2021-22.
Pacific Division Showdown
The Pacific Division title espn.com race heats up as the Oilers and Golden Knights prepare to face off on ESPN. This crucial matchup could determine home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs.
Player News and Transactions
The Kings paid tribute espn.com to Artemi Panarin's brief overlap with their mascot's jersey after his number change to. The Red Wings acquired Justin Faulk espn.com from the rebuilding Blues, adding a 15-year veteran defenseman to their roster. The Leafs traded Bobby McMann espn.com to the Kraken and Scott Laughton to the Kings, making moves ahead of Friday's deadline.
Suspensions and Discipline
Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin espn.com received a five-game suspension for slashing Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during Thursday's game against the Sabres. The Department of Player Safety handed down the ban following review of the incident.
Goaltending Moves
After taking calls but failing to deal him, Panthers GM Bill Zito espn.com said the plan now is to try and get a new deal done with 37-year-old goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. The Sharks locked up Alex Nedeljkovic espn.com with a two-year contract extension, securing their netminding future.
Return to Tampa
Cup Final regular Corey Perry espn.com is heading back to the Lightning after a trade from the Kings. The veteran forward, who has won multiple Stanley Cups, rejoins Tampa Bay for another playoff push.
Western Conference Shuffle
The Kraken signed captain Jordan Eberle espn.com to a two-year extension worth $5.5 million annually. Meanwhile, the Isles landed Brayden Schenn espn.com from the Blues in a trade that sends Jonathan Drouin, two picks and a prospect back to St. Louis. Schenn had served as St. Louis' captain for the past three seasons.
Family Reunion
The Hawks sent Nick Foligno espn.com to play with his brother on the Wild, giving the veteran forward an opportunity to skate alongside Marcus Foligno. The Blackhawks captain requested the trade to join his sibling in Minnesota.
Return to Action
Team USA hero Jack Hughes espn.com had a hat trick and an assist in his first NHL game since winning gold at the Olympics. The Devils defeated the rival Rangers 6-3, with Hughes' three goals marking his first tallies since the tournament in Italy.
Remembering a Legend
Troy Murray espn.com, who played 12 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and became the team's longtime broadcasting analyst, has died at age. The organization mourned the loss of the former player and beloved broadcaster.