NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 2:39 PM ET
NHL Playoff Picture
The NHL's 14-game Saturday slate features the marquee matchup between the Bruins and Capitals espn.com, with both teams jockeying for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. The Oilers' postseason path espn.com continues to take shape as Edmonton battles for home-ice advantage, while the Stars-Oilers showdown espn.com has analysts wondering if it's a preview of the Western Conference finals. Updated Stanley Cup playoff projections espn.com show the traditional powerhouses holding serve, though several wild-card races remain fluid heading into the final stretch.
Player Discipline and Injuries
The NHL Department of Player Safety suspended Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas espn.com for five games after his knee-on-knee hit ended Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews' season. The controversial hit has reignited debates about player safety and supplemental discipline. Meanwhile, the NHL rescinded Nathan MacKinnon's game misconduct espn.com from Tuesday's contest against Edmonton, a decision the Avalanche star confirmed to The Denver Post. The Knights welcomed back captain Mark Stone espn.com from a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury, and his return helped Vegas defeat Pittsburgh 6-2 on Thursday.
Transactions and League News
The Sharks secured forward Ty Dellandrea espn.com with a two-year, $3.25 million contract extension, locking up the young forward through the 2025-26 season. In a major development, the NHL decided not to forfeit the Senators' 2026 first-round pick espn.com for their role in the canceled 2022 trade involving Evgenii Dadonov between Vegas and Anaheim. The Blackhawks and Senators will play two games in Germany espn.com next season as part of the NHL's Global Series expansion. The Hurricanes added three new minority stakeholders espn.com as owner Tom Dundon sold a portion of the team to new investors.
Fantasy Hockey and Women's Hockey
With ESPN Fantasy's postseason underway, analysts are highlighting key pickups from each team to help owners win championships. The PWHL is set for national TV exposure espn.com in the United States, marking a significant step for women's professional hockey. Meanwhile, the PWHL's Detroit team is exploring options to stay in Ottawa espn.com through a potential partnership with the NHL's Senators, as their current home faces downsizing during renovations.