NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 18, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
NHL Playoff Races & Injury Woes
The race for the postseason tightened considerably as Oilers star Leon Draisaitl is now projected to miss the remainder of the regular season after suffering a lower-body injury Sunday, a significant blow considering the forward has already tallied 97 points across 65 games this year. Elsewhere in the standings, the San Jose Sharks' playoff hopes remain mathematically alive for both a wild card berth and the Pacific Division crown, according to the latest projections, emphasizing the volatility of the current Western Conference battle.
Player Milestones & Hall of Fame Requests
Away from the immediate playoff scramble, Team USA centerman Jack Hughes publicly stated his desire to reclaim the puck from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, the artifact commemorating his overtime winner in the Winter Games gold medal contest. This personal quest for memorabilia contrasts sharply with the organizational focus on securing their postseason positioning as the schedule winds down across the league.