NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 17, 2026, 5:30 PM ET
Playoff Races & Star Injuries
The final stretch of the regular season is being defined by high-stakes injury news and shifting playoff pictures across the league, particularly in the West. Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl espn.com is now projected to miss the remainder of the regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury Sunday, a massive blow for a team counting on him as he sits at 97 points through 65 games. Meanwhile, the race for postseason berths remains tight, with the San Jose Sharks still mathematically in contention espn.com for both a wild card spot and the Pacific Division title, while projections continue to analyze potential bracket busters entering the tournament espn.com. On the injury front for Montreal, forward Kirby Dach exited Sunday's game espn.com against the Ducks following an upper-body ailment sustained from a high hit delivered by Anaheim’s Jeffrey Viel.
Historical Milestones & Player Movement
Individual achievements continue to draw attention as teams jockey for position, exemplified by Detroit’s Patrick Kane achieving a new milestone espn.com after scoring twice in a 5-2 win over Calgary, moving him into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for U.S.-born NHL players. In prospect news, the Chicago Blackhawks secured Sacha Boisvert espn.com on a three-year entry-level contract, signaling a commitment to one of their top young talents, while the Washington Capitals signed defenseman Cole Hutson espn.com to a similar three-year deal immediately after his sophomore season at Boston University concluded in the Hockey East tournament. Off the ice, fantasy managers are advised to look toward immediate impact players, with weekly guides suggesting pickups like Blake Coleman and Troy Terry espn.com for matchup-based roster adjustments.
International Hockey & Future Events
The future of international competition remains a topic of debate, as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that "time will tell" regarding the potential invitation for Russia and its contingent of NHL players to the 2028 World Cup of Hockey Bettman commented espn.com. That 2028 tournament is scheduled to take place across North America and Europe, with the NHL confirming that Calgary and Edmonton will serve as host cities espn.com, alongside Prague. Away from league administration, U.S. star Jack Hughes expressed his desire espn.com to retrieve the puck from his gold-medal-winning overtime goal, which is currently on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Fans are also encouraged to track veteran players seeking their first championship, as the list of "old guys without a Cup" candidates, including Brent Burns, is circulating ahead of the playoffs espn.com.