NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Olympic Aftermath
The United States espn.com Olympic hockey team's gold medal victory over Canada drew an average audience of 26 million viewers on NBC and Peacock. Jack Hughes espn.com was honored by the Devils before their game against the Sabres, celebrating his role in the Olympic triumph.
Key Injuries
Pittsburgh Penguins espn.com captain Sidney Crosby will miss at least four weeks after being placed on injured reserve. Dallas Stars espn.com forward Tyler Seguin is being ruled out for the remainder of the regular season and postseason due to an ACL injury.
Coaching Changes
Lightning coach Jon Cooper espn.com is out for two games following the death of his father, Robert. Joel Quenneville espn.com joined Scotty Bowman in the exclusive 1,000-win club when his Ducks rallied to beat the Oilers.
Player Spotlight
Maple Leafs center John Tavares espn.com has driven mental health awareness through his foundation, contributing to his on-ice renaissance. Panthers captain Matthew Tkachuk espn.com expressed frustration over a White House AI video that doctored footage to make it appear he was disparaging Canadians.
Olympic Return
Vegas Golden Knights espn.com returned without five players from the Olympic final, including American stars Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin, plus Canadian forwards Mark Stone and Mitch Marner and defenseman Shea Theodore. The Panthers espn.com hosted the Maple Leafs in their first post-Olympic game, featuring a ceremonial faceoff between Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews.
Upcoming Games
ABC's NHL doubleheader espn.com features playoff implications with Penguins-Rangers and Bruins-Flyers matchups. St. Louis Blues espn.com forward Robert Thomas, second on the team with 33 points, will take a temporary leave of absence due to a personal matter.
Trade Market
As playoff races restart, many teams espn.com are seeking to bolster their rosters for a deep run this spring. NHL Power Rankings espn.com see big shifts beyond the top five as the league returns from the Olympic break.
Fantasy Strategy
March's NHL schedule espn.com offers opportunities to use lineup strategy to your advantage, with essential guidance available for fantasy hockey managers looking to optimize their rosters during this crucial period.