NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: March 31, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Executive Shakeups & Playoff Fallout

The NHL entered a period of major organizational upheaval following the regular season's conclusion, highlighted by the Toronto Maple Leafs firing general manager Brad Treliving just as the franchise faced its first playoff miss since the 2016-17 campaign. This front-office turbulence mirrored on-ice drama in the West, where the Vegas Golden Knights dismissed coach Bruce Cassidy on Sunday, with GM Kelly McCrimmon citing a loss of team "spark," leading to the immediate hiring of John Tortorella to try and reignite their Stanley Cup aspirations. These moves are setting the stage for a highly anticipated offseason as several clubs attempt to recalibrate their rosters ahead of the draft lottery projections, which are now being finalized across the league.

Injury Returns & Roster Moves

On the ice, the Pittsburgh Penguins secured a decisive victory over the Islanders, bolstered by the return of captain Sidney Crosby, who rejoined the lineup Monday after sitting out the previous contest due to a lower-body ailment. While playoff positioning tightens, fantasy hockey managers are preparing for their final matchups, with analysts advising the immediate addition of in-form players like Conner McMann and Jakub Snuggerud to bolster lineups for the championship weeks. For the 16 fan bases whose teams missed the cut, a guide is already available ranking the top Stanley Cup playoff bandwagon options to follow as the postseason commences.