NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 22, 2026, 3:30 PM ET
NHL Playoff Picture Tightens Amid Key Injuries
The race for postseason positioning intensified over the weekend as the NHL playoff watch focused espn.com on the Metropolitan Division, where the top four contenders all played on Sunday with playoff berths hanging in the balance. Saturday saw an 11-game slate dubbed "Super Saturday" putting numerous contests espn.com under the microscope regarding playoff seeding implications and draft lottery standings. Contextually, team health remains a major storyline; the Toronto Maple Leafs sustained espn.com a significant blow when goaltender Anthony Stolarz was forced out of Saturday's loss after suffering a puck strike to the throat during warmups. Furthermore, Toronto's offensive engine is severely hampered after captain Auston Matthews underwent successful MCL surgery espn.com on Thursday, sidelining him for an expected 12 weeks, creating immense pressure on the remaining roster down the stretch.
Team Health & Roster Moves
Beyond the Eastern Conference contenders, the Chicago Blackhawks scratched espn.com both defenseman Louis Crevier and forward Andrew Mangiapane for Friday's matchup against Colorado due to unspecified ailments, further complicating their late-season efforts. While these personnel issues impact current standings, organizational shifts are also underway, as the New York Islanders announced plans espn.com to relocate their American Hockey League affiliate from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Hamilton, Ontario, for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, as teams jockey for position, current form is being reassessed, with the latest power rankings reflecting espn.com how teams have performed relative to their initial preseason over/under projections. The battle for the league's ultimate regular-season prize, the Presidents' Trophy, remains tight, with updated projections showing espn.com which contender currently holds the best odds for securing the overall top seed heading into April.