NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 3, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

NHL Playoff Race Tightens & Roster Setbacks

As the league enters its final stretch, the Minnesota Wild secured their postseason berth following a decisive win against the Vancouver Canucks, marking their first guaranteed berth since 2015 and keeping their hopes for advancing past the first round alive. Conversely, the Columbus Blue Jackets suffered a major blow as defenseman Damon Severson required season-ending shoulder surgery performed Thursday, severely diminishing their defensive depth for the remaining games. The playoff picture remains razor-thin for clubs like the Philadelphia Flyers, whose path to the postseason now hinges on securing a win Friday coupled with multiple external results, according to updated projections following a busy 14-game slate Wednesday night.

Goaltending Returns & Power Ranking Shifts

In a critical contest for Western Conference positioning, the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Calgary Flames 6-3, aided by the successful return of goaltender Carter Knight, who stopped 19 shots in his first action since suffering a left leg injury on January 8. With only a handful of contests remaining league-wide, the updated power rankings reflect these late-season pressures, emphasizing the most important remaining matchups that will ultimately determine the final seeding across all divisions. These results are shaping the final evaluation of teams as the league prepares for the postseason, contrasting the immediate injury setbacks faced by clubs like Columbus.