NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 15, 2026, 4:43 PM ET
Suspensions and Injuries
Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas suspended five games espn.com by the NHL Department of Player Safety for a knee-on-knee hit that ended Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews' season. The suspension comes as the league continues to crack down on dangerous hits, with Gudas missing crucial games for Anaheim's Pacific Division title push. Matthews' absence creates a significant void for Toronto's playoff hopes, as the reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner was leading the NHL in goals before the injury.
Contract Extensions
The Sharks signed Ty Dellandrea to a two-year, $3.25 million extension espn.com on Friday, securing the forward's services through the 2025-26 season. The deal provides San Jose with cost certainty for a player who has shown steady improvement since being acquired from Dallas. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes added three new minority stakeholders espn.com as Tom Dundon sold portions of his ownership stake, though financial terms of those investments weren't disclosed.
International Expansion
The Blackhawks and Senators will play two games in Germany next season espn.com as part of the NHL's Global Series, expanding the league's international footprint. The games mark the first regular-season NHL contests in Germany and represent a continued push to grow hockey's popularity in European markets. Exact dates and venues for the Germany games will be announced later this spring.
Player Returns and Discipline
Vegas captain Mark Stone returned from injury espn.com Thursday, helping the Knights defeat Pittsburgh 6-2 in his first game back from a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury. Stone's return provides a boost to Vegas' Stanley Cup aspirations. In related discipline news, the NHL rescinded Nathan MacKinnon's game misconduct espn.com from Tuesday's contest against Edmonton, allowing the Avalanche star to avoid further penalties for his role in a heated matchup with the Oilers.
Playoff Picture Developments
The Ducks' Pacific Division title chances remain mathematically alive espn.com heading into the final stretch, though they'll need significant help from other teams while winning out themselves. Anaheim faces a challenging schedule but could still claim the division crown if they run the table and receive favorable results elsewhere. The Bruins-Capitals matchup highlighted Saturday's 14-game slate, featuring crucial contests that will shape both conference standings and draft lottery positioning heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
Fantasy Hockey Considerations
With ESPN's fantasy postseason underway, strategic pickups could determine championships espn.com as teams make their final pushes. Waiver wire additions with favorable schedules or expanded roles due to injuries have become increasingly valuable, particularly for categories like plus-minus, blocked shots, and special teams production. The compressed fantasy playoff schedule means every roster move carries added weight for title contenders.