NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 3, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Scramble & Team News

As the regular season winds down with fewer than ten games remaining for most clubs, the playoff picture solidified following a busy Thursday night slate, even as certain teams fight for their postseason lives. The Minnesota Wild clinched their spot in the bracket, securing an opportunity to advance past the first round for the first time since 2015, while the Philadelphia Flyers face a narrow path requiring a victory Friday combined with several other results to keep their slim hopes alive after the previous night's 14-game schedule. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights received a boost as goaltender Carter Knight returned from his left leg injury, stopping 19 shots in a 6-3 victory over Calgary.

League Integrity & Fan Conduct

Off the ice, the Dallas Stars confirmed an internal inquiry into four fans displaying what appeared to be a Nazi salute during a December contest at the American Airlines Center. This investigation into fan conduct comes as teams focus intensely on performance, with updated NHL Power Rankings detailing the most important remaining matchups that will directly influence seeding across the conference races.