NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 2:52 AM ET
Player Injuries & Discipline
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews left Thursday's game espn.com against Anaheim after suffering a knee-on-knee hit from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas, raising concerns about the star's availability for upcoming critical games. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche received positive news as the NHL rescinded Nathan MacKinnon's game misconduct espn.com from Tuesday's match against Edmonton, though the team remained critical espn.com of the officials' decision to eject their star center for goalie interference in what proved to be a 4-3 loss. On Tuesday, Boston's Charlie McAvoy scored 39 seconds into overtime espn.com to secure a 2-1 victory over the Kings, extending the Bruins' home winning streak to 13 games before rushing off for dental work after losing teeth during the contest.
League Business & Roster Moves
The Utah Mammoth secured their star forward espn.com by re-signing Nick Schmaltz to an eight-year, $64 million contract extension, preventing the talented player from hitting free agency this summer. In ownership news, the Carolina Hurricanes welcomed three new minority stakeholders espn.com as Tom Dundon sold a portion of his ownership stake, adding fresh investment and perspective to the franchise. The Ottawa Senators retained their 2026 first-round draft pick espn.com after the NHL decided not to penalize the team for their role in a canceled 2022 trade between Vegas and Anaheim involving winger Evgenii Dadonov, providing valuable future assets for the rebuilding club.
Playoff Race & Strategy
With the NHL postseason approaching, fantasy hockey enthusiasts prepared for championship runs espn.com using expert tips on lineup strategies and player selections to secure league victories. On the ice, the playoff picture continued to take shape as teams jockeyed for position in the tightly contested Western Conference, with the Utah Mammoth hoping to tighten their grip espn.com on a wild card spot by taking on the Wild. Meanwhile, analysts debated potential matchups espn.com including whether a Stars-Oilers showdown might serve as a preview of a future conference finals, reflecting the competitive balance in the league's top tier.
Women's Hockey & Expansion
The Professional Women's Hockey League expanded its national reach espn.com with Detroit games set for national television audiences in the United States, bringing increased visibility to women's professional hockey. In Ottawa, the PWHL team explored a partnership espn.com with the NHL's Senators to secure their future in the city, as the league navigates facility challenges while the Senators' home arena undergoes renovations. This move represents a strategic alignment that could benefit both organizations amid the growing momentum for women's hockey.
Trade Deadline Analysis
Following the NHL's trade deadline frenzy, analysts separated fact from fiction espn.com in evaluating overreactions about teams' prospects, with particular focus on whether the Avalanche had truly become "unbeatable" and if Eastern contenders had missed significant opportunities. Meanwhile, scouts projected impacts espn.com for top NHL prospects like Rosen and Jiricek who were moved at the deadline, assessing how these young players might contribute to their new teams as the regular season winds down and playoff intensity builds.