NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: March 29, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Playoff Races & Injury Woes

As the NHL postseason looms three weeks out, several key contenders are dealing with mounting injury concerns, potentially altering the competitive balance across the league. The Pittsburgh Penguins confirmed that veterans Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were day-to-day and sidelined for Saturday's defeat against the Stars, following Crosby’s exit Thursday night against the Senators with a lower-body ailment, marking his second such issue in a short span. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators face a lengthy absence for defenseman Thomas Chabot, who is expected to miss up to two months after suffering a broken arm, while the Florida Panthers saw forward Evan Rodrigues’ season likely end after he fractured his right hand in a 3-2 Thursday loss to the Wild. These absences complicate the picture for teams like the Detroit Red Wings, who are rapidly running out of time to climb back into a playoff berth as projections narrow their postseason chances.

Saturday Showcase & Historical Context

The league saw a massive slate of 15 games on Saturday, providing critical late-season evaluation opportunities for clubs jockeying for position. In one of Thursday's higher-scoring affairs, Washington's Alex Ovechkin registered his 34th career hat trick during a 7-4 victory over the Mammoth, adding to his considerable historical resume as teams look toward the playoffs. Ahead of the postseason push, a review of team histories revealed the specific franchise leaders in career playoff points for every organization, offering context on which current stars might be chasing historical benchmarks. Separately, on the future-looking front, dynasty-focused fantasy managers are tracking prospects like Celebrini, Schaefer, and Bedard as they assess talent for the next five seasons, even as current college stars like Michigan's Michael Hage draw motivation from personal tragedy heading into the Frozen Four.