NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 3:39 PM ET
NHL Suspensions and Injuries
The NHL handed down a five-game ban espn.com to Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas for a knee-on-knee hit that ended Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews' season, marking the league's most severe suspension this week. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche saw a major penalty rescinded espn.com for Nathan Mac Kinnon after his game misconduct against the Edmonton Oilers was reviewed, allowing the star forward to avoid further discipline.
Contract Extensions and Team Moves
The San Jose Sharks signed Ty Dellandrea espn.com to a two-year, $3.25 million extension, securing the forward's services through the 2025-26 season. The Carolina Hurricanes added three new minority stakeholders espn.com as owner Tom Dundon sold portions of the team to new investors, though financial terms were not disclosed. In international news, the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators will play two games in Germany espn.com next season as part of the NHL's Global Series expansion.
Recent Game Results
The Vegas Golden Knights rallied past the Penguins espn.com 6-2 Thursday with captain Mark Stone returning from a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury, contributing to the victory with a goal and an assist. The win keeps Vegas in strong position for a top-three seed in the Western Conference standings.
Trade and Draft Developments
The NHL will not forfeit Ottawa's 2026 first-round pick espn.com despite the Senators' involvement in a canceled 2022 trade between Vegas and Anaheim involving winger Evgenii Dadonov, clearing a major uncertainty for the rebuilding franchise's future assets.
Stanley Cup Playoff Picture
With the regular season winding down, the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals headline a 14-game slate espn.com Saturday that could significantly impact seeding in both conferences. The Edmonton Oilers' postseason path continues to take shape espn.com as they battle for home-ice advantage in the first round, while the Dallas Stars' positioning has analysts wondering if their upcoming matchups against Edmonton could serve as a conference finals preview espn.com.
Fantasy Hockey Focus
As the ESPN Fantasy postseason begins, analysts recommend targeting specific pickups espn.com from each NHL team to bolster championship runs, with emphasis on players showing increased ice time and power-play opportunities in the season's final weeks.
Women's Hockey Expansion
The Professional Women's Hockey League announced a Detroit game espn.com that will reach a national television audience in the United States, marking continued growth for the circuit. Additionally, the PWHL's Ottawa Charge is exploring a partnership espn.com with the NHL's Senators to remain in the Canadian capital after their current arena undergoes renovations that would reduce capacity.