NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 11:54 AM ET
NHL Playoff Picture
The NHL's 14-game Saturday slate features a marquee matchup between the Bruins and Capitals, with playoff implications across the conference. Boston's 4-1-1 stretch has them within striking distance of the Metropolitan division lead, while Washington's inconsistent play has dropped them to seventh in the East. The league's playoff projection models show the Rangers and Panthers holding the top two seeds in the East, with the Golden Knights and Avalanche leading the West race.
Player Discipline
Anaheim's Radko Gudas received a five-game suspension for a knee-on-knee hit that ended Toronto's Auston Matthews' season. The Department of Player Safety determined the hit was reckless and targeted, with Matthews suffering a sprained MCL that will keep him out for the remainder of the regular season. Gudas, who has a history of disciplinary issues, will forfeit approximately $200,000 in salary.
Contract Extensions
The San Jose Sharks secured forward Ty Dellandrea with a two-year, $3.25 million extension, locking up the 24-year-old at an $1.625 million annual cap hit. Dellandrea has been a key penalty-killing contributor this season, posting 15 points in 52 games while averaging over 15 minutes of ice time. The deal provides the Sharks with cost certainty as they rebuild around younger talent.
International Expansion
The NHL announced that the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators will play two regular-season games in Germany next season as part of the Global Series. The games, scheduled for November 8-9 in Berlin, mark the league's continued push into European markets. This will be the Blackhawks' first international regular-season games since 2019, while the Senators are making their debut appearance in the Global Series.