NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 18, 2026, 2:30 AM ET
Playoff Picture & Injury Woes
The Western Conference playoff race remains intensely competitive, with the San Jose Sharks still holding possibilities espn.com for both a wild card berth and a Pacific Division spot, even as full projections continue to update daily espn.com. The pursuit of the postseason was complicated by a major blow to the Edmonton Oilers espn.com, as star forward Leon Draisaitl, who has amassed 97 points in just 65 games, is now likely to miss the remainder of the regular season due to a lower-body injury sustained Sunday. Meanwhile, injury concerns surfaced on the Eastern side when Montreal forward Kirby Dach departed Sunday’s game espn.com against the Ducks following an upper-body injury incurred after a high hit from Anaheim's Jeffrey Viel.
League Milestones & Player Moves
Detroit's Patrick Kane achieved a significant individual milestone, scoring twice in a 5-2 victory espn.com over Calgary to claim sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for National Hockey League players born in the United States. On the organizational front, the Chicago Blackhawks officially secured a three-year entry-level deal espn.com with Sacha Boisvert, regarded as one of their premier prospects, while the Washington Capitals moved quickly to finalize a similar three-year contract with Cole Hutson following the conclusion of his sophomore season at Boston University espn.com. Beyond current players, there is fan sentiment building around veterans still chasing their first title, with Brent Burns topping the list of "old guys without a Cup" candidates for the 2026 postseason espn.com.
International Competition & Future Planning
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that the World Cup of Hockey will return in February 2028, naming Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague as the three confirmed host cities espn.com. However, when questioned about the potential participation of Russia and its contingent of NHL stars, Bettman offered a non-committal response, stating that "time will tell" regarding their invitation to the tournament espn.com. Separately, American star Jack Hughes expressed a desire to reclaim a specific piece of memorabilia, revealing that he intends to retrieve his gold-medal-winning overtime puck from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, where it is currently on display espn.com.
Fantasy Outlook
For those managing weekly fantasy rosters, the Monday guide provided essential advice on potential acquisitions based on favorable matchups, detailing which players like Blake Coleman and Troy Terry are worth adding ahead of the upcoming schedule espn.com.