NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 6:57 AM ET
NHL Injury Updates
The Vegas Golden Knights reclaimed their captain as Mark Stone returned from a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury, helping his team defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2 on Thursday. Meanwhile, Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews exited Thursday's game against Anaheim following a knee-on-knee hit from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas, with the team calling the play "dirty." The NHL also rescinded Nathan MacKinnon's game misconduct from Tuesday's contest against Edmonton, the Colorado Avalanche star confirmed to The Denver Post.
NHL Business Moves
The Carolina Hurricanes announced new ownership additions as team owner Tom Dundon sold stakes to three new minority investors. In league discipline matters, the NHL decided against draft penalties for the Ottawa Senators regarding their involvement in the canceled 2022 trade between Vegas and Anaheim involving winger Evgenii Dadonov. The league will not require the Senators to forfeit their 2026 first-round draft pick.
Women's Hockey Expansion
The Professional Women's Hockey League secured national television exposure as it announced upcoming games will be broadcast to U.S. audiences, marking a significant step in the league's growth and visibility. This development comes as women's hockey continues to gain momentum following the PWHL's inaugural season.
NHL Playoff Picture
As the regular season winds down, analysts are already examining potential playoff matchups, with the Dallas Stars-Edmonton Oilers series drawing particular attention as a possible Stanley Cup conference finals preview. The NHL also released updated playoff projections and draft lottery standings, giving fans insight into potential postseason seeding scenarios. For fantasy hockey players, the playoff push brings crucial lineup decisions as teams jockey for position in their leagues' final weeks.