NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 16, 2026, 12:30 AM ET
NHL Injury & Roster Updates
The Canadiens suffered a setback Sunday night when forward Kirby Dach exited their matchup against the Anaheim Ducks after sustaining an upper-body injury following a high hit delivered by winger Jeffrey Viel, creating immediate concern for Montreal's offensive depth. In roster news, the Washington Capitals finalized a deal with collegiate standout Cole Hutson, signing the defenseman to a three-year contract immediately after his season at Boston University concluded in the Hockey East tournament on Saturday.
Playoff Picture & Projections
While playoff races intensify across the conference standings, updated projections reveal the Ducks maintain slim hopes for capturing the Pacific Division title, though the pathway remains narrow following a busy slate of action Saturday. These evolving standings now factor into the final lottery odds, which teams are tracking closely as the regular season winds down toward its conclusion.