NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 1, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Injury Woes & Historic Milestones

The Colorado Avalanche face adversity as star defenseman Cale Makar will miss several games after sustaining an upper-body injury during a recent matchup against Calgary, injecting immediate uncertainty into their defensive corps. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals secured a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, propelled by Alex Ovechkin, who notched his 20th 30-goal season, extending his historical record in the process. Separately, physical play resulted in injuries for two other players when Sabres center Sam Carrick suffered a left arm injury after engaging in a third-period fight with Islanders captain Anders Lee, illustrating the high-contact nature of recent contests.

Goaltender Antics & League Commentary

In a rare display of aggression, Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin and Devils counterpart Jacob Markstrom were seen trading punches midway through the third period of New York's decisive 4-1 win Tuesday night, captivating observers. Hall of Famer Chris Pronger also weighed in on current league matters, offering his assessment regarding a recent controversial hit on Auston Matthews and discussing the ongoing challenges facing the NHL Department of Player Safety in officiating high-speed contact. As the season progresses, the playoff picture tightens, with attention turning toward the crucial Wednesday slate involving several California franchises as teams vie for final postseason berths.