NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 18, 2026, 1:30 PM ET
NHL Playoff Races & Star Injuries
The Eastern Conference playoff picture grew more intricate as Penguins star Sidney Crosby espn.com prepares for a Wednesday return against the Carolina Hurricanes following a lower-body injury sustained during the Olympics, a matchup critical for Pittsburgh's chances to catch the Hurricanes espn.com in the standings. Conversely, the Edmonton Oilers face a potentially devastating stretch run with star forward Leon Draisaitl, who has tallied 97 points in 65 games, likely sidelined for the remainder of the regular season espn.com due to a similar lower-body ailment suffered Sunday. Meanwhile, injury concerns also surfaced on the Canadiens, as forward Kirby Dach exited Sunday’s game espn.com against the Ducks after absorbing a high hit from Jeffrey Viel, resulting in an upper-body injury.
Prospect Signings & Individual Milestones
While several teams battle for playoff positioning, others are solidifying their futures, as the Chicago Blackhawks agreed to a three-year entry-level contract espn.com with Sacha Boisvert, rated among the organization's top prospects. Similarly, the Washington Capitals secured Cole Hutson, whose sophomore campaign at Boston University concluded Saturday in the Hockey East tournament, signing him to a three-year deal espn.com as they push for the postseason. On the individual achievement front, Detroit’s Patrick Kane delivered a two-goal performance in a 5-2 win over Calgary, moving him into sole possession of fourth place all-time for goals scored by a U.S.-born NHL player espn.com.
International Hockey & Future Tournaments
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the future of global competition, confirming that Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague will serve as host cities when the World Cup of Hockey officially returns in February 2028, though he conceded that "time will tell" regarding the participation of Russia and its NHL contingent espn.com. Separately, Team USA gold medalist Jack Hughes expressed his desire to reclaim the puck from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, stating publicly that he wants his golden goal puck back espn.com after the museum displayed it following the Winter Games victory.
Draft Lottery & Fantasy Outlooks
As the regular season winds down, projection models continue to shift across the league, with analyses tracking which teams might become this year's "bracket busters" among the wild card contenders, alongside tracking the latest draft lottery standings espn.com. The San Jose Sharks remain a team to watch, as scenarios still exist that could see them secure either a wild card berth or a Pacific Division spot, depending on their final performance metrics during the stretch run espn.com. Furthermore, fantasy managers received necessary guidance on Monday with weekly adds focusing on players like Blake Coleman and Troy Terry, offering strategic advice for matchup-based weekly pickups espn.com. Fans looking for compelling narratives can also track players nearing the end of their careers, such as Brent Burns, who leads the current crop of "old guys without a Cup" candidates for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs espn.com.