NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 6, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Picture Shakes Up

The Eastern Conference playoff race saw major turbulence over the weekend as several teams battled for the final spots, while the reigning champions were officially grounded Back-to-back champion Panthers to miss playoffs. The injury-plagued Panthers were eliminated from contention following a decisive 9-4 defeat against Pittsburgh on Saturday, ensuring a new Stanley Cup winner for the first time since 2023. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers kept their slim hopes alive after Porter Martone netted a critical power-play goal in overtime Sunday, securing a 2-1 victory over the Boston Bruins and pushing them closer to ending their postseason drought NHL playoff watch: Where the wild cards stand on Sunday. The weekend also featured the Buffalo Sabres clinching a playoff berth, finally ending an NHL-record 14 seasons of futility amidst a busy Saturday slate featuring 15 games that determined several eliminations and clinches NHL playoff watch: Guide to all 15 games on Statement Saturday.

Coaching Changes & Player Personnel

Amidst the postseason scramble, the New York Islanders made a dramatic mid-season coaching change, firing Patrick Roy after the team dropped seven of its last 10 contests and immediately installing Peter DeBoer behind the bench to salvage the year. In personnel news impacting depth, Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on Thursday, removing a key defensive piece for Columbus. Conversely, the Vegas Golden Knights received a boost as goaltender Carter Knight returned from a lower-body injury sustained January 8, stopping 19 shots in a 6-3 Thursday night win over Calgary. These roster shifts come as teams approach the final stretch, with league-wide NHL Power Rankings reflecting the most important remaining games for all 32 clubs with fewer than 10 contests remaining.