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Last updated: April 13, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

NHL Playoff Races & Player Health

The Eastern Conference playoff picture clarified Sunday as the New York Islanders officially missed the postseason following a decisive 4-1 defeat against the Montreal Canadiens, ending a stretch where they held a playoff spot for most of the campaign. Across the league, attention shifts to Monday’s ten matchups determining final seeding and confirming the draft lottery order, with multiple franchises fighting for positioning in the final week of regulation play. Meanwhile, player health remains a growing concern; Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann has been ruled out for the final three regular-season contests due to a lower-body injury sustained recently. Separately, Chicago Blackhawks rookie Frank Nazar is slated to return to the lineup Monday wearing a protective cage after losing two upper front teeth during Saturday’s 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

Goaltending Transitions & Award Watch

The goaltending fraternity is set for a major change as 40-year-old veteran Jonathan Quick announced his impending retirement, concluding a nearly two-decade career where he established himself as one of the generation's elite netminders. This transition comes as league hardware discussions intensify; while the Ted Lindsay Award offers recognition for the league's best player, the Hart Trophy retains superior historical prestige among voters. Early projections for the upcoming season's honors suggest Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov is currently leading the panel's voting for the league MVP award based on preliminary ballots submitted by PHWA members.

Iconic Farewells & Rivalries

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, whose future remains uncertain beyond this season, appeared to manage the potential end of his era following Sunday's 3-0 shutout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins by politely declining any ceremonial farewell handshakes with Sidney Crosby and the opposing team, signaling a focus purely on securing a playoff berth rather than sentiment.