NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 18, 2026, 10:30 AM ET
Playoff Races Intensify & Injury Woes Mount
The Eastern Conference playoff picture remains tightly contested as the Pittsburgh Penguins face off espn.com against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday, with projections showing a tight race for the final wild-card spots. Meanwhile, the Western Conference suffered a major blow as Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl espn.com is now expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury Sunday, putting a damper on their playoff positioning despite his 97 points across 65 games. The uncertainty surrounding playoff seeding extends to the Pacific Division, where the San Jose Sharks maintain possibilities espn.com for both a wild-card berth and a division finish, adding complexity to the final stretch of the schedule. Further complicating matters for Montreal, forward Kirby Dach left Sunday's game espn.com against the Ducks following an upper-body injury sustained from a high hit by Jeffrey Viel, raising concerns about his availability for the Canadiens' late push.
League Business & Future Tournaments
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the status espn.com of Russian participation in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, stating that "time will tell" regarding invitations for the nation, which boasts numerous league stars. This uncertainty contrasts with the confirmed host sites for the 2028 tournament, which will feature games in Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague espn.com, marking the return of the mid-season international showcase. On the prospect front, the Chicago Blackhawks secured a deal espn.com with Sacha Boisvert, locking up one of their top prospects to a three-year entry-level contract, while the Washington Capitals simultaneously finalized a three-year agreement espn.com with Cole Hutson following the conclusion of his sophomore season at Boston University.
Individual Milestones & Player Requests
Detroit forward Patrick Kane achieved a milestone espn.com by scoring twice against Calgary, moving him into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for NHL players born in the U.S. and helping the Red Wings secure a 5-2 victory. Away from the NHL regular season, Team USA hero Jack Hughes expressed his desire espn.com to reclaim the puck from his gold-medal-winning overtime goal, which is currently on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. As the postseason approaches, teams and fans are identifying candidates for the "old guys without a Cup," with Brent Burns leading the list espn.com of veterans fans will be rooting for to lift the Stanley Cup in 2026. For those managing fantasy rosters, the Monday morning guide recommended pickups espn.com like Blake Coleman and Troy Terry based on specialized matchup analysis for the coming week.