NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 17, 2026, 3:30 PM ET
NHL Playoff Picture & Player Milestones
The race for postseason positioning intensified as several key teams navigated late-season challenges, even as playoff projections espn.com showed the San Jose Sharks espn.com still having a path to either a wild card berth or the Pacific Division title. Separately, the Anaheim Ducks espn.com continue assessing their own slim chances for a Pacific Division crown, while the broader postseason picture remains murky, prompting discussions about which teams might bust the bracket espn.com as the final weeks unfold. Compounding the pressure, the Edmonton Oilers espn.com face a significant hurdle with star forward Leon Draisaitl, who amassed 97 points in 65 games, likely missing the remainder of the regular season due to a lower-body injury sustained Sunday. On a brighter note for individual achievement, Detroit's Patrick Kane scored twice espn.com during a 5-2 win over Calgary, propelling him into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for NHL players born in the United States.
League Governance & International Play
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman espn.com addressed the status of Russian players regarding future international tournaments, stating that "time will tell" whether their contingent will be invited to the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. This discussion coincides with the NHL's announcement that the World Cup will feature games in three North American and European cities when it returns in February 2028, with Calgary and Edmonton espn.com confirmed as two of the North American host locations alongside Prague. In player movement news, the Chicago Blackhawks espn.com secured a long-term asset by signing Sacha Boisvert, one of their premier prospects, to a three-year entry-level contract. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals espn.com bolstered their roster during their playoff push by officially signing defenseman Cole Hutson to a three-year deal immediately following the conclusion of his sophomore season at Boston University.
Player Health & Fantasy Outlook
Injury concerns emerged for both the Montreal Canadiens espn.com and the broader league, as forward Kirby Dach was forced to exit Sunday's game against the Anaheim Ducks following an upper-body injury sustained from a high hit delivered by Ducks winger Jeffrey Viel. As teams manage health, fantasy managers are looking for immediate production, making Monday's essential guide to weekly adds a necessity for securing short-term gains from players like Blake Coleman and Troy Terry espn.com. Beyond immediate roster moves, fan sentiment is already turning toward postseason narratives, with Brent Burns espn.com leading the list of "old guys without a Cup" (OGWAC candidates) that supporters will be rooting for during the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. Furthermore, in a matter unrelated to current NHL action, Team USA star Jack Hughes espn.com publicly stated his desire to reclaim the gold medal-winning overtime puck currently housed at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.