NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 3, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

NHL Playoff Picture Solidifies Amid Injury News

The Minnesota Wild secured their postseason berth Thursday night following a victory against the Vancouver Canucks, marking the franchise's first guaranteed playoff appearance since 2015 and giving them another shot at advancing deep into the tournament. While Minnesota celebrates, the Columbus Blue Jackets saw their season effectively end as defenseman Damon Severson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on Thursday, a significant blow to the team's backend depth. Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference race, the Philadelphia Flyers require a win in their Friday contest, coupled with several other results falling their way, to keep their slim playoff hopes alive according to updated postseason projections following a busy 14-game slate yesterday.

Western Conference Contenders & Rankings Update

The Vegas Golden Knights received a major boost as goaltender Carter Knight returned from injury, stopping 19 shots in a 6-3 victory over the Calgary Flames in his first start since suffering a left leg injury on January 8th. This crucial late-season performance comes as the league heads into the final stretch, with all clubs having fewer than 10 games remaining, prompting analysts to reassess the NHL Power Rankings to identify the most consequential matchups left on the schedule. These final contests will determine seeding and the fate of bubble teams like the Flyers, whose postseason path remains precarious heading into the weekend.