NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 17, 2026, 10:30 PM ET
Western Conference Playoff Races Suffer Setbacks
The Edmonton Oilers face uncertainty as star forward Leon Draisaitl is projected to miss the remainder of the regular season following a lower-body injury sustained Sunday, a significant blow to a team that relied on his 97 points across 65 games for their push. Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks' playoff hopes remain mathematically alive, with projections showing a wild card berth or even a Pacific Division title still within reach, although the team’s final standing will dictate their draft lottery positioning.
U.S. Scoring Milestones & International Honors
Detroit’s Patrick Kane cemented his place in American hockey history, scoring twice in a decisive 5-2 victory over Calgary to secure sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for NHL players born in the United States. Separately, Team USA star Jack Hughes revealed a desire to reclaim his gold-medal-winning puck from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, where the artifact is currently on display following his Winter Games overtime heroics.