NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 13, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture & Player Notes

The Eastern Conference playoff race intensified Monday as the Philadelphia Flyers clinched a postseason berth following a dramatic 3-2 shootout victory over the top-seeded Carolina Hurricanes, concluding a first-year coach Rick Tocchet’s successful campaign to end their drought. While seeding solidified, the Florida Panthers announced plans to launch a girls travel hockey program later this year, utilizing both current and former practice facilities as the organization expands its community footprint. Separately, veteran goaltender Jonathan Quick, 40, marked the end of his decorated two-decade career, which included three Stanley Cup championships, by allowing three goals in the New York Rangers’ 3-2 final-night loss.

Western Conference Injuries & League Development

The approaching postseason saw a significant blow to the Seattle Kraken, as forward Jared McCann was ruled out indefinitely with a lower-body injury, forcing him to miss the final three regular-season contests as the team finalized its standings. Meanwhile, the league remains focused on end-of-season accolades, with discussions continuing around the most prestigious individual honors, such as the Ted Lindsay Award, which merits consideration alongside the Hart Trophy as the definitive measure of the NHL's most outstanding player. Furthermore, PHWA voter panels are currently finalizing their ballots for the 2026 NHL Awards, indicating that several categories feature tight finishes among the leading candidates this year. With only a handful of games remaining, Monday's slate of ten matchups carried immense weight for determining both the final playoff seeds and the ultimate draft lottery order across the entire league.