NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 12, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Picture Solidifies Amid Injury Concerns

The Western Conference playoff race saw major movement on Saturday, with the Vegas Golden Knights clinching a postseason berth after Jack Eichel tallied the game-winner 1:19 into overtime against the Colorado Avalanche, ending the contest 3-2. However, the victory came at a cost for the Avalanche, as coach Jared Bednar was rushed to a hospital after sustaining a direct hit to the face from a puck during the same overtime period. Elsewhere in the tight races, the Detroit Red Wings officially saw their postseason hopes vanish following a 5-3 defeat to the New Jersey Devils, ensuring the Original Six franchise will miss the playoffs for a tenth consecutive year. Furthermore, the San Jose Sharks, despite forward Tyler Toffoli spearheading a 30-point improvement this season, now face virtual elimination after a narrow 4-3 shootout loss leaving their playoff path thin.

Eastern Conference Showdowns & Player Safety

The Eastern Conference saw a notable tribute as the Pittsburgh Penguins displayed a video honoring Alex Ovechkin's long-standing rivalry with Sidney Crosby during the Washington Capitals' decisive 6-3 win. In a move that preempted the on-ice history, the Penguins scratched both Crosby and Malkin ahead of what would have been Crosby's 100th matchup against the Capitals star, allowing Ovechkin to enjoy the warm reception from Pittsburgh fans. Meanwhile, injury concerns plagued the Central Division as Chicago Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar was forced to exit the team's 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues after taking a direct puck shot to the face. On the coaching front, Philadelphia’s Rick Tocchet is receiving praise for successfully steering the Flyers back into contention after overcoming initial criticism of his early tenure.

NCAA Hockey Concludes with Denver's Triumph

Shifting focus to amateur ranks, the Denver Pioneers secured their third NCAA Division I hockey championship in five seasons by defeating the Wisconsin Badgers 2-1 in the Frozen Four final held in Las Vegas. This victory capped a dominant run for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference representatives. In individual awards, Minnesota Duluth's Max Plante captured the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, becoming the seventh player from the program to earn the honor, beating out finalists Eric Pohlkamp of Denver and T.J. Hughes from Michigan. The comprehensive slate of 15 potential elimination and clinching games provided ample drama across the final day of the NHL regular season schedule.