NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 12:48 AM ET
Discipline & Player News
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews espn.com will miss the remainder of the regular season and playoffs after Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas was suspended five games espn.com for a knee-on-knee hit. The punishment, handed down by the NHL Department of Player Safety, ends Matthews' campaign abruptly. In a separate disciplinary matter involving the Colorado Avalanche, the league rescinded Nathan MacKinnon's game misconduct espn.com from Tuesday's contest against Edmonton. The Avalanche had sharply criticized the original ejection espn.com, which stemmed from Mac Kinnon making contact with Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner during a play, arguing it was incidental and not interference.
Team Business & International
The NHL's international expansion continues as the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks espn.com will play two games in Germany next season as part of the Global Series. This follows the Carolina Hurricanes' announcement espn.com of three new minority stakeholders, a move by owner Tom Dundon to broaden the team's investment base. Meanwhile, a long-standing trade controversy was resolved when the league confirmed the Senators will not forfeit espn.com their 2026 first-round draft pick for their role in the canceled 2022 Evgenii Dadonov trade with Vegas. On the contract front, the Utah Mammoth secured their young core by re-signing Nick Schmaltz espn.com to an eight-year, $64 million extension, a deal that buys out his upcoming free agency.
Playoff Races & Fantasy Strategy
As the regular season nears its conclusion, Stanley Cup playoff projections espn.com are crystallizing, with a key focus on the potential Western Conference finals matchup espn.com between the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers' path to the Cup is under particular scrutiny. For fantasy hockey managers, the postseason brings a different set of challenges. Analysts have identified a key pickup from each team espn.com to target for the ESPN fantasy playoffs, emphasizing players who could provide a late-season surge. To maximize those lineups, a separate guide offers critical tips and lineup strategies espn.com for navigating the fantasy playoff format and winning a league championship.
PWHL & Women's Hockey
The Professional Women's Hockey League gained a significant platform with the announcement that a Detroit game will air on national television espn.com in the United States, a major broadcast milestone. In Ottawa, the PWHL's Charge franchise is seeking a venue solution espn.com as its current home, TD Place Arena, undergoes downsizing during renovations. The team is exploring a partnership with the NHL's Senators espn.com to secure a stable long-term home in the nation's capital. Separately on the men's side, the San Jose Sharks made a depth move, signing forward Ty Dellandrea espn.com to a two-year, $3.25 million contract extension.
Injury Updates & Team Performance
The Vegas Golden Knights received a boost with the return of captain Mark Stone espn.com from an upper-body injury. Stone, who missed five games, immediately impacted the lineup, contributing to a decisive 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. His return bolsters a Knights team navigating the final stretch of the season.