NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 2, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

NHL Scorers & Standings Watch

Nathan MacKinnon became the first player this season to reach the 50-goal plateau after his first-period liner beat Vancouver goaltender Kevin Lankinen on Wednesday night, providing a bright spot for the Colorado Avalanche. However, the Avs face immediate adversity as defenseman Cale Makar will miss several games due to an upper-body injury sustained in a preceding victory over the Calgary Flames. Elsewhere in the Western Conference race, the playoff picture remains fluid, with action involving the Ducks, Sharks, and Kings Wednesday influencing the final draft lottery positioning and postseason seeding possibilities for the California clubs as projections update.

Player Safety & League Commentary

The ongoing conversation regarding player conduct received attention from Hall of Famer Chris Pronger, who offered his perspective on recent high-profile incidents, including the hit on Auston Matthews. Pronger's commentary focused on the current state of the NHL Player Safety department and the standards being enforced across the league as teams push toward the postseason.