NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 18, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
Western Conference Playoff Picture Darkens
The Edmonton Oilers suffered a major blow espn.com as star forward Leon Draisaitl, who has compiled 97 points across 65 games this season, is now projected to miss the remainder of the regular schedule following a lower-body injury sustained Sunday. This setback places immense pressure on the team's playoff seeding as other Western contenders jockey for position; for instance, the San Jose Sharks still maintain slim possibilities espn.com for both a wild card spot and a Pacific Division berth, underscoring the volatility of the current standings race. Furthermore, the Anaheim Ducks' chances espn.com at claiming the Pacific title are being closely analyzed, illustrating the tight margins determining which teams qualify for the postseason bracket this year.
League Developments & Personnel Moves
Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed international participation espn.com, stating that "time will tell" regarding the potential invitation of Russia and its cadre of NHL players to the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, an event scheduled to feature Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague as host cities alongside other international locations announced earlier this week espn.com. On the player acquisition front, the Chicago Blackhawks secured a long-term asset espn.com by signing Sacha Boisvert, regarded as one of their premium prospects, to a three-year entry-level contract, while the Washington Capitals inked Cole Hutson espn.com to a similar three-year deal immediately after his sophomore showing at Boston University concluded in the Hockey East tournament Saturday.
Individual Milestones & Injury Updates
Detroit’s Patrick Kane achieved a significant historical marker by moving into sole possession espn.com of fourth place among all-time goal scorers for NHL players born in the United States after netting two goals in a decisive 5-2 victory over Calgary. However, the league also saw concerning exits, as Montreal forward Kirby Dach departed Sunday night’s contest espn.com against the Ducks due to an upper-body injury sustained from a high hit delivered by Anaheim’s Jeffrey Viel. Meanwhile, fans are already identifying players worthy of rooting interest this spring, with Brent Burns topping the list of "old guys without a Cup" OGWAC candidates for the 2026 playoffs espn.com, even as immediate fantasy managers seek weekly advantages by targeting specific waiver wire pickups espn.com.
Off-Ice Player Matters
In a unique request off the ice, American star Jack Hughes confirmed his desire to reclaim the puck from the Hockey Hall of Fame, where it is currently on display, stemming from his gold-medal-winning overtime goal scored for Team USA during the Winter Games which he hopes to possess personally espn.com. This focus on individual achievements and artifacts contrasts with the broader uncertainty surrounding team success, where projections continue to analyze which dark horses might emerge as this year's NCAA-style bracket busters espn.com in the upcoming NHL postseason.