NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 9:45 PM ET
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will miss the remainder of the NHL season after suffering a torn MCL in his left knee, a significant blow to Toronto's playoff aspirations espn.com. Meanwhile, the Sharks bolstered their forward depth by signing Ty Dellandrea to a two-year, $3.25 million extension espn.com. The Avalanche received positive news as the NHL rescinded the game misconduct Nathan Mac Kinnon received Tuesday against the Oilers, though Colorado sharply disagreed with the initial ejection for goalie interference espn.com. In Utah, the Mammoth locked up forward Nick Schmaltz with an eight-year, $64 million contract extension, keeping him off the free-agent market espn.com.
International Expansion and League Developments
The Blackhawks and Senators will play two games in Germany next season as part of the NHL's Global Series, expanding the league's international footprint espn.com. In the women's game, PWHL Detroit's upcoming contest will be broadcast nationally in the United States, marking a significant step for professional women's hockey visibility espn.com. The PWHL is also exploring a partnership with the Senators to remain in Ottawa as its current home venue undergoes renovations espn.com.
Trade Deadline Analysis and Playoff Picture
The NHL trade deadline's final week sparked numerous hot takes about contenders, with analysts identifying which reactions were justified and which were overblown espn.com. The Avalanche's deadline acquisitions have some wondering if they've become unbeatable, while East contenders' moves are being scrutinized for their effectiveness espn.com. Updated Stanley Cup playoff projections show the Oilers' potential postseason path taking shape, with questions about whether the Stars-Oilers matchup could be a conference finals preview espn.com. The Senators avoided losing their 2026 first-round pick despite their role in the canceled 2022 Dadonov trade between Vegas and Anaheim espn.com.
Fantasy Hockey and Notable Performances
With the ESPN Fantasy postseason underway, analysts are identifying key pickups from each team that could help secure a championship espn.com. For those seeking an edge, comprehensive playoff guides offer tips, tricks, and lineup strategies espn.com. On the ice, Knights captain Mark Stone made his return from a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury, helping Vegas defeat Pittsburgh 6-2 espn.com. Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy scored 39 seconds into overtime to beat the Kings 2-1, extending Boston's home winning streak to 13 games while requiring additional dental work after losing more teeth espn.com.
Ownership Changes
The Hurricanes announced three new minority stakeholders joining the organization, with owner Tom Dundon selling a portion of the team to the new investors espn.com.