NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 11:58 PM ET
Player Discipline and Injuries
Radko Gudas received a 5-game suspension espn.com from the NHL Department of Player Safety for a knee-on-knee hit that ended Auston Matthews' season, continuing the league's crackdown on dangerous plays. On a positive note, Vegas Knights captain Mark Stone returned from a five-game absence espn.com with an upper-body injury and immediately contributed to a 6-2 victory over the Penguins. Colorado Avalanche center Nathan Mac Kinnon had his game misconduct rescinded espn.com after officials initially ejected him for goalie interference in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to Edmonton, a decision the Avalanche organization sharply disagreed with espn.com, raising questions about officiating consistency. In Boston, defenseman Charlie McAvoy scored 39 seconds into overtime espn.com to complete the Bruins' 13th consecutive home win against the Kings before rushing off for dental work after losing several teeth during the physical contest.
Contract Extensions and Team Business
The San Jose Sharks secured their young forward espn.com by signing Ty Dellandrea to a two-year, $3.25 million extension, providing stability for the team's depth. In Utah, the Mammoth locked up their key player espn.com with forward Nick Schmaltz agreeing to an eight-year, $64 million contract extension that will keep him with the franchise through 2031. Ownership structures continued to shift around the league as Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon sold a portion of his stake espn.com to three new minority owners, bringing fresh investment to the franchise. The Ottawa Senators avoided a significant penalty espn.com when the NHL confirmed they would not be forced to forfeit their 2026 first-round draft pick for their involvement in a canceled 2022 trade between Vegas and Anaheim involving winger Evgenii Dadonov.
Global Expansion and Women's Hockey
The NHL continued its international push espn.com by announcing that the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators will play two games in Germany next season as part of the NHL's Global Series. On the women's hockey front, the Professional Women's Hockey League set a major broadcasting milestone espn.com with plans to bring Detroit games to a national television audience in the United States. The PWHL also explored a strategic partnership espn.com with the NHL's Senators to maintain their presence in Ottawa, as their current venue faces downsizing due to renovations, highlighting the growing intersection between the professional men's and women's games.
Playoff Race and Fantasy Analysis
As the playoff race intensifies, Edmonton's postseason path becomes clearer espn.com with updated projections showing potential matchups, while the Dallas Stars and Oilers emerged as potential conference finals contenders espn.com in the latest playoff simulations. Fantasy hockey players received timely advice with team-by-team playoff pickups recommended espn.com to maximize championship chances, while strategic lineup strategies espn.com were highlighted to help fantasy managers navigate the crucial playoff period. The NHL trade deadline sparked numerous hot takes espn.com, with analysts debating whether the Colorado Avalanche had become unbeatable and if Eastern Conference contenders had missed their opportunity, though many of these reactions were deemed premature as the season approaches its final stretch.