NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 17, 2026, 7:30 PM ET
NHL Playoff Races & Star Injuries
The Edmonton Oilers suffered a blow as superstar Leon Draisaitl, who has tallied 97 points across 65 games this season, is projected to miss the remainder of the regular schedule following a lower-body injury sustained Sunday, complicating their push for playoff positioning. Elsewhere in the standings maelstrom, the San Jose Sharks remain mathematically viable for both a wild card berth and the Pacific Division title, keeping their playoff projections fluid as the regular season nears its conclusion.
Player Milestones & International Hardware
Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane achieved a personal milestone by scoring twice in a 5-2 victory over Calgary, elevating him into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for NHL players born in the United States. In off-ice news, Team USA star Jack Hughes publicly stated his desire to reclaim the overtime goal puck from his gold-medal-winning performance at the Winter Games, which is currently on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.