NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 1:41 PM ET
NHL International Expansion
The NHL is expanding its global footprint espn.com with the Blackhawks and Senators set to play two games in Germany next season as part of the league's Global Series. The move continues the NHL's push into European markets, following previous international games in Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic. League officials are targeting increased European viewership espn.com and merchandise sales as part of the long-term strategy to grow the sport internationally.
Injury Updates
The Maple Leafs are facing a major setback espn.com after captain Auston Matthews left Thursday's game against Anaheim with a knee injury following a controversial hit from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe called it a "dirty play" after Matthews exited with what appeared to be a significant lower-body injury. Meanwhile, the Avalanche successfully appealed espn.com Nathan Mac Kinnon's game misconduct from Tuesday's matchup against Edmonton, with the NHL rescinding the penalty after reviewing the goalie interference call.
Team Transactions
The Carolina Hurricanes announced new ownership structure espn.com with three new minority stakeholders joining the organization under majority owner Tom Dundon. Financial terms weren't disclosed, but the move signals continued investment in the franchise as the Hurricanes remain competitive in the Metropolitan Division. In free agency news, the Utah Mammoth locked up star forward espn.com Nick Schmaltz with an eight-year, $64 million contract extension, keeping him off the open market this summer.
Game Results
The Vegas Golden Knights routed the Penguins espn.com 6-2 Thursday night with captain Mark Stone returning from a five-game absence due to upper-body injury. Stone's presence immediately bolstered Vegas' offense, while the Avalanche fell to the Oilers espn.com 4-3 in a game marred by controversy over Mac Kinnon's ejection. The Bruins extended their home winning streak espn.com to 13 games with a 2-1 overtime victory against the Kings, capped by Charlie McAvoy's game-winner just 39 seconds into the extra period.
Playoff Picture
The Oilers are positioning for a deep run espn.com as the playoff race intensifies, with updated Stanley Cup projections showing Edmonton as a top contender in the Western Conference. The Stars-Oilers matchup is being viewed as a potential conference finals preview espn.com, with both teams jockeying for favorable seeding. In the East, the Bruins' dominance at home has them locked into strong positioning espn.com, while wild card races remain fluid with less than a month remaining in the regular season.
League Discipline
The NHL cleared the Senators of major penalties espn.com regarding their involvement in the canceled 2022 trade between Vegas and Anaheim involving Evgenii Dadonov. The league determined Ottawa would not forfeit their 2026 first-round draft pick, closing the book on a saga that had lingered for nearly two seasons. The decision prevents further complications espn.com for Ottawa's rebuilding efforts under new management.
Women's Hockey
The Professional Women's Hockey League is expanding its television presence espn.com with an upcoming game set for national broadcast in the United States. The PWHL is also exploring partnership opportunities espn.com with the Ottawa Senators to secure a permanent home for its Ottawa Charge team as the current arena undergoes renovations. These moves represent significant steps forward espn.com for women's professional hockey as the league enters its second season.
Fantasy Hockey
With the fantasy hockey playoffs approaching, analysts are identifying key pickup targets espn.com for championship runs, including under-the-radar players who could provide late-season boosts. Strategic advice is focusing on categories that swing matchups espn.com, with streaming goaltenders and targeting specific stat categories becoming increasingly important as rosters tighten. The timing coincides with NHL trade deadline fallout, where buyers and sellers are being evaluated espn.com for their impact on fantasy value.
Trade Deadline Analysis
The NHL trade deadline produced mixed results across the league espn.com, with some teams dramatically upgrading while others stood pat. The Avalanche's handling of Mac Kinnon's ejection highlighted tensions espn.com between star players and officiating, particularly regarding goalie interference calls. As the season winds down, overreactions from deadline day are being tempered espn.com by actual on-ice results, with true contenders separating from pretenders in both conferences.