NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 12, 2026, 10:57 PM ET
NHL On-Ice Drama
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews collapsed to the ice after a knee-on-knee hit from Anaheim’s Radko Gudas during Thursday’s matchup, ending his night with 12:43 of play. The NHL overturned game misconduct handed to Colorado Avalanche star Nathan Mac Kinnon for a cross-check against Edmonton on Tuesday, per his statement to The Denver Post. Meanwhile, Dallas Stars’ playoff push gained momentum as projections show them trailing only the Oilers in the Western Conference’s Central Division, with both teams holding 51 points apiece entering Saturday’s clash.
League Business Shifts
Carolina Hurricanes added three minority stakeholders after Tom Dundon sold stakes to new investors, valuing the franchise at $2.34 billion—a 12% jump from 2022 valuations. The NHL reversed disciplinary decisions regarding Ottawa Senators’ 2022 trade fallout, confirming they’ll retain their 2026 first-round pick despite the canceled Anaheim-Vegas deal involving Evgenii Dadonov.
PWHL Expansion
The Professional Women’s Hockey League secured national TV coverage for its Detroit franchise, with ESPN+ set to broadcast regular-season games starting this spring, projecting 25% viewership growth compared to 2023 leagues.
Playoff Watch
With Boston Bruins climbing to third in the Atlantic Division after a 4-1 win over Toronto, and Tampa Bay Lightning stabilizing at fourth following a 3-2 overtime loss to Pittsburgh, the Eastern Conference race remains tight. Colorado’s Mac Kinnon led all scorers with 34 goals despite disciplinary hiccups, while Matthews’ absence weakened Toronto’s top line, as the Leafs dropped 5-2 to Anaheim.