NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: March 18, 2026, 6:30 PM ET

NHL Playoff Race & Player Returns

The Penguins face the Hurricanes Wednesday in a pivotal matchup that directly impacts the Eastern Conference playoff picture, as Pittsburgh seeks to close the gap on Carolina in the standings following a busy Tuesday around the league. Star center Sidney Crosby will re-enter the lineup against Carolina after being sidelined since suffering a lower-body injury that forced him out of the recent Olympic tournament. Separately, the Hockey Hall of Fame declined to award Jack Hughes the game puck from his gold-medal-winning Olympic goal, clarifying that such memorabilia belongs to the organizing body rather than the individual player.