NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 9, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

NHL Playoff Picture & Milestones

The Eastern Conference playoff race saw the Pittsburgh Penguins clinch a postseason berth Thursday night, securing their first trip to the dance in three years after securing their fifth victory in the last six contests dating back to March 30. Meanwhile, Connor McDavid delivered a dominant five-point performance, netting his 15th career hat trick in an Oilers victory that propelled them into sole possession of the Pacific Division lead. In individual accolades, Cole Caufield etched his name into Montreal lore by becoming the first Canadiens player in over thirty years to reach the 50-goal plateau this season.

Defensive Records & Injury Woes

Defensemen were central to Thursday night's action, with Matthew Schaefer matching the NHL rookie defenseman goal-scoring record by tallying his 23rd of the campaign, tying the mark previously held by Hall of Famer Brian Leetch. However, several blue-liners saw their seasons interrupted by physical setbacks; Nazem Kadri will miss "some games" for the Avalanche due to a finger injury, while Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot impressively returned to the lineup just 17 days after suffering a broken arm. Further defensive absences plague the league, as Predators star Roman Josi was scratched late due to an upper-body issue, and Sabres goalie Alex Lyon faces a potential absence for the start of the playoffs because of a strained lower-body muscle according to coach Lindy Ruff.

Team Management & Roster Moves

Amid ongoing struggles that have the Seattle Kraken nearing elimination from playoff contention, co-owner Tod Leiweke publicly affirmed the organization's commitment to improvement, stating they are "committed to fixing it." In roster news from outside the playoff bracket, the Minnesota Wild finalized a two-year entry-level contract with defenseman Viking Gustafsson Nyberg, a former UConn standout, which begins immediately in the current season. Compounding injury concerns for the Devils, the team announced they are shutting down defenseman Luke Hughes to undergo an undisclosed procedure, ensuring he will not return this year.

College Hockey Update

In collegiate action, the University of Wisconsin advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four championship game for the first time since 2010 after defeating North Dakota by a tight 2-1 margin on Thursday.