NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 22, 2026, 1:30 AM ET
NHL Playoff Races & Top Seed Battles
The race for the top seed in the league intensified as teams jockeyed for position ahead of the postseason bracket solidifying, with playoff projections updated following an action-packed 11-game "Super Saturday" slate espn.com. Attention remains focused on the battle for the Presidents' Trophy, where current standings are being closely monitored as the final weeks approach espn.com. Meanwhile, the potential for early playoff matchups is already drawing scrutiny, exemplified by the Thursday contest between the Mammoth & Golden Knights that some see as a preview of a potential first-round series espn.com.
Maple Leafs Face Major Injury Setbacks
The Toronto Maple Leafs endured a difficult stretch marked by significant personnel losses, compounding their season struggles. Captain Auston Matthews underwent successful MCL surgery on Thursday, sidelining the star forward for an expected recovery period of 12 weeks espn.com. Further compounding defensive woes, backup goaltender Anthony Stolarz was forced to miss Saturday's start after sustaining a puck to the throat during pregame warmups espn.com. These injuries complicate the team's path as they look to improve upon their current standing relative to preseason over/under expectations across the league espn.com.
Mid-Market Moves & Blackhawks Absences
While some franchises grapple with immediate injury concerns, others are making structural changes for the long term; the New York Islanders announced plans to relocate their AHL affiliate from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Hamilton, Ontario, starting next season espn.com. In Chicago, the Blackhawks scratched two players for Friday's game against Colorado, as defenseman Louis Crevier and forward Andrew Mangiapane were held out due to unspecified ailments espn.com. These absences add pressure on the shorthanded Blackhawks squad attempting to distance itself from the bottom of the standings, which dictates the upcoming draft lottery positioning espn.com.