NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 12:51 PM ET
NHL Playoff Picture
The NHL's playoff race intensified espn.com with 14 games scheduled Saturday, headlined by the Bruins-Capitals matchup. Updated projections show the Oilers' postseason path becoming clearer espn.com as they jockey for positioning in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Stars-Oilers showdown could preview espn.com a potential conference finals clash, with both teams separated by just two points in the standings.
Player Discipline and Injuries
Anaheim's Radko Gudas received a five-game suspension espn.com for a knee-on-knee hit that ended Toronto's Auston Matthews' season, marking one of the harshest penalties this year for dangerous play. In contrasting news, Vegas captain Mark Stone returned from injury espn.com after missing five games with an upper-body issue, immediately impacting the Knights' 6-2 victory over Pittsburgh. The NHL also rescinded Nathan MacKinnon's game misconduct espn.com from Tuesday's contest against Edmonton, removing the major penalty from the Avalanche star's record.
Contract Extensions and Free Agency
The Utah Mammoth secured Nick Schmaltz long-term espn.com with an eight-year, $64 million extension, keeping the forward from hitting free agency this summer. San Jose locked up Ty Dellandrea espn.com with a two-year, $3.25 million deal, while the Blackhawks and Senators announced a European series espn.com that will see them play two games in Germany next season as part of the NHL's Global Series expansion.
Front Office Moves
Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon brought in three new minority stakeholders espn.com, selling portions of his stake in the team to expand ownership. In league discipline, the NHL decided against forfeiting espn.com Ottawa's 2026 first-round pick despite the Senators' involvement in the canceled 2022 trade between Vegas and Anaheim involving Evgenii Dadonov.
Fantasy Hockey Focus
With the fantasy hockey playoffs underway, experts recommend specific pickups from each team to bolster championship rosters espn.com. Strategic lineup advice emphasizes streaming goalies during back-to-back situations and targeting players on teams fighting for playoff positioning. The fantasy landscape continues to evolve espn.com as the regular season winds down and teams begin resting injured stars.
Women's Hockey Developments
The Professional Women's Hockey League announced national TV exposure espn.com for a Detroit game, expanding its broadcast reach in the United States. Meanwhile, the PWHL's Ottawa Charge explored partnership options espn.com with the NHL's Senators as their current home undergoes renovations, seeking to maintain their presence in the Canadian capital.