NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 4, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Playoff Races Heat Up & Roster Setbacks

As the regular season nears its conclusion with fewer than 10 games remaining for every club, the race for postseason berths intensified around the league, although some teams faced immediate roster challenges. The Minnesota Wild officially clinched a playoff spot following a victory against Vancouver, securing their first postseason appearance since 2015, while the Philadelphia Flyers still require a win Friday and external assistance to keep their slim postseason hopes alive following a busy 14-game night across the schedule. Compounding the difficulties for contenders, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced season-ending shoulder surgery for defenseman Damon Severson on Thursday, sidelining him for the remainder of their campaign, while the Colorado Avalanche confirmed star defenseman Cale Makar will miss several games due to an upper-body injury sustained earlier in the week.

Star Power & Goaltending Returns

The Colorado Avalanche celebrated Nathan MacKinnon becoming the first NHL player this season to surpass the 50-goal threshold after beating Vancouver's Kevin Lankinen early Wednesday, demonstrating elite offensive production even as the team manages injuries. Meanwhile, goaltending news provided a boost for one contender as Vegas Golden Knights netminder Carter Hart returned from the injured reserve list to stop 19 shots in a 6-3 Thursday night victory over Calgary, marking his first action since suffering a left leg injury on January 8. Furthermore, the league witnessed inspiring individual stories, such as Carolina Hurricanes goalie Brandon Bussi enjoying a record-breaking debut season, heavily motivated by his brother Dylan's ongoing inspiration.

League Operations & Off-Ice Matters

With the season winding down, attention shifted to critical off-ice matters, including the immediate future of several California-based teams as the playoff picture remains fluid for the Ducks, Sharks, and Kings following Wednesday's action. Separately, the Dallas Stars organization launched an internal inquiry after video surfaced allegedly showing four fans performing what appeared to be a Nazi salute during a game back in December, indicating swift action on conduct violations. Adding expert commentary to league governance discussions, Hall of Famer Chris Pronger weighed in on recent controversial hits and offered his perspective on the ongoing role and future direction of the NHL's Player Safety department.

Power Rankings & Remaining Schedule Focus

As teams jockey for seeding, the latest NHL Power Rankings adjustment features a new 1-to-32 poll designed to identify the most important remaining matchups across the schedule that will dictate playoff positioning and draft lottery outcomes in the final stretch.