NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Injury Updates
Dallas Stars espn.com forward Tyler Seguin is being ruled out for the rest of the NHL regular season and postseason, a source told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski on Friday. The Stars will need to adjust their lineup without their veteran center for the stretch run.
Olympic Return
The Panthers hosted the Maple Leafs espn.com in their first post-Olympic game Thursday night, with Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews taking part in a ceremonial faceoff. Meanwhile, Vegas Golden Knights espn.com returned without five players from the Olympic final, traveling without Canadian forwards Mark Stone and Mitch Marner, defenseman Shea Theodore, and U.S. stars Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin.
Milestone Achievement
Joel Quenneville espn.com joined Scotty Bowman in the exclusive 1,000-win club when his Ducks rallied to beat the Oilers on Wednesday night. The veteran coach reached the milestone in his 2,372nd game, becoming just the second coach in NHL history to achieve this feat.
Personal Matters
Lightning coach Jon Cooper espn.com is out for two games after the death of his father, Robert. The team will be without their head coach as they navigate the return from the Olympic break. Additionally, St. Louis Blues espn.com forward Robert Thomas, who is second on the team with 33 points, will take a temporary leave of absence because of a personal matter.
Honors and Recognition
The Devils honored Jack Hughes espn.com before their game Wednesday night against the Sabres. The U.S. Olympic hero received recognition from his home crowd as NHL play resumed following the international tournament.
Upcoming Action
ABC's NHL doubleheader espn.com features playoff implications with Penguins-Rangers and Bruins-Flyers matchups. The network's Saturday slate offers crucial games as teams position themselves for the postseason push.
Off-Ice Developments
Brady Tkachuk espn.com said he didn't appreciate the AI-doctored video released by the White House that made it appear he was disparaging Canadians. The Senators captain spoke out against the manipulated content that circulated on social media.
Player Development
Through his foundation, Maple Leafs center John Tavares espn.com has driven awareness of the mental health conversation. The veteran forward's off-ice work has complemented his on-ice renaissance as he continues to impact the game beyond statistics.
Trade Deadline Approaches
As the NHL returns from the Olympic break, many teams are seeking to bolster their rosters for a deep run this spring. The playoff races have restarted with several big names potentially available before the trade deadline.