NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 18, 2026, 3:30 PM ET
NHL Playoff Scramble & Injury Updates
The race for Eastern Conference positioning intensified as the Pittsburgh Penguins prepare to host the Hurricanes espn.com in a critical matchup Wednesday, with star center Sidney Crosby set to return espn.com after missing time following a lower-body injury sustained during the Olympics. Meanwhile, the Western Conference faces significant blow, as Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is likely out espn.com for the remainder of the regular season, having tallied 97 points across 65 games before the setback on Sunday. Elsewhere in the East, the Montreal Canadiens saw Kirby Dach exit espn.com their Sunday contest against the Ducks following an upper-body injury resulting from a high hit delivered by Jeffrey Viel, adding another injury concern for the playoff-bound squads.
Team Building & Prospect Signings
While several teams jockey for playoff seeding, others are securing future assets, evidenced by the Chicago Blackhawks finalizing a three-year entry-level contract espn.com with Sacha Boisvert, rated among the organization's premier prospects. Similarly, the Washington Capitals quickly signed prospect Cole Hutson espn.com to a similar three-year deal immediately after his sophomore season at Boston University concluded with the Hockey East tournament loss on Saturday. These signings come as the league manages ongoing international relations, with Commissioner Gary Bettman stating "time will tell" espn.com regarding the potential inclusion of Russian players and their NHL contingent in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.
World Cup & League Milestones
The NHL is moving ahead with preparations for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, confirming that Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague will serve as host cities espn.com for the tournament scheduled for February 2028. On an individual achievement front, Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane netted two goals espn.com in a 5-2 victory over Calgary, elevating him past another benchmark to stand alone in fourth place for all-time goals scored by a U.S.-born NHL player. Furthermore, while some players chase team success, fans are already looking toward the future, with Brent Burns leading the current list espn.com of OGWAC (Old Guys With A candidates for whom rooting interest will peak during the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Fantasy Outlook & Miscellaneous Notes
For fantasy hockey managers navigating the final stretch, Monday's guide provided essential advice on weekly waiver wire pickups espn.com, detailing recommended additions like Blake Coleman and Troy Terry based on favorable matchups. Beyond the immediate action, the post-Olympic landscape continues to yield unique stories, such as the Hockey Hall of Fame confirming it will not transfer espn.com the gold-medal-winning puck from Jack Hughes's Olympic performance, asserting it is not his property to claim. Playoff projections remain fluid across the board, with the San Jose Sharks still having paths espn.com open to either a wild card berth or a Pacific Division title as the standings continue to shift daily.