NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 1, 2026, 11:35 PM ET

Injury Woes & Player Discipline

The Colorado Avalanche face setbacks as top defenseman Cale Makar will miss several games following an upper-body injury sustained during a recent victory against the Flames, creating immediate defensive concerns for the top contenders. Meanwhile, the league’s penchant for on-ice altercations resulted in further injury when Buffalo's Sam Carrick sustained damage to his left arm after a spirited fight with Islanders captain Anders Lee earlier this week. Adding perspective to the league's physical nature, Hall of Famer Chris Pronger weighed in on recent controversial hits and the ongoing challenges facing the NHL's Department of Player Safety initiatives.

Goaltending Firepower & Scoring Milestones

A rare display of aggression between the pipes occurred during the Rangers' 4-1 triumph over the Devils, where New York's Igor Shesterkin and New Jersey counterpart Jacob Markstrom engaged in a lengthy third-period goaltender brawl. Separately, the pursuit of records continued in the East, as Alex Ovechkin notched his 20th career 30-goal season by scoring twice in the Capitals' 6-4 defeat of the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night, extending his own NHL benchmark. the playoff picture remains fluid, with several California-based franchises in action Wednesday as the race for the final postseason slots heats up across the Western Conference standings.