NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 10, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Races & Seeding Clashes

The final week of the regular season intensified the playoff chase following a quiet Friday, with the Colorado Avalanche clinching the NHL's top regular-season seed after defeating the Calgary Flames 3-1 on Thursday night. The Avs had previously secured the Central Division and Western Conference's No. 1 spot earlier in the week by beating the Blues by the same 3-1 margin. While the playoff picture solidified for some, the Washington Capitals faced a must-win scenario against the Toronto Maple Leafs to keep their postseason hopes alive, while the Pittsburgh Penguins punched their ticket by securing their fifth victory in six games since March 30, ending a three-year drought.

The playoff landscape remains murky in other areas, prompting an updated assessment of all races as teams head into the final stretch. The Utah Mammoth clinched a playoff berth following their fifth consecutive victory, a 4-1 triumph over the Nashville Predators, which was confirmed later that evening when the Anaheim Ducks defeated the San Jose Sharks. Conversely, the Seattle Kraken face elimination concerns, leading CEO Tod Leiweke to assure fans that the organization is "committed to fixing it" following a disappointing campaign.

Individual Milestones & Contract Uncertainty

Individual brilliance continued to shine even as team fates were being determined, with veteran Alex Ovechkin achieving his 20th career 30-goal campaign, even as his future remains uncertain with his contract expiring. The Great 8 confirmed he will defer any decision on retirement until the summer concludes the Capitals' season. Elsewhere in milestone territory, Cole Caufield joined exclusive company by becoming the first Montreal Canadiens player in over three decades to surpass the 50-goal mark. Meanwhile, Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer tied the NHL record for rookie defenseman goals, scoring his 23rd to match the mark set by Hall of Famer Brian Leetch.

Defensemen were also making headlines for unexpected offensive feats, as John Carlson of the Ducks celebrated netting the first hat trick of his 17-season career during Anaheim's decisive 6-1 victory over the Sharks on Thursday. On the personnel front, Senators blueliner Thomas Chabot demonstrated remarkable recovery, returning to the lineup just 17 days after suffering a broken arm to play against the Panthers. However, several teams dealt with fresh injury setbacks: Nashville’s Roman Josi was a late scratch against Utah due to an upper-body issue, the Avalanche confirmed Nazem Kadri would miss "some games" with a finger injury, and Sabres goalie Alex Lyon may miss the start of the playoffs due to a strained lower-body muscle.

Coaching Changes & Offseason Outlook

The recent coaching shift in Vegas has yielded immediate positive results, as the Golden Knights remained unbeaten under new coach John Tortorella, extending their streak to four victories following a Tuesday night 2-1 decision over the Canucks. This coaching impact contrasted with organizational changes in Seattle, where Ron Francis announced he is stepping down as Kraken president of hockey operations at season's end. In player movement news, the Bruins signed Beanpot MVP James Hagens to a three-year entry-level contract carrying a $975,000 cap hit, while the Minnesota Wild added depth by inking UConn standout Viking Gustafsson Nyberg to a two-year deal.

The league-wide evaluation process is well underway, as reflected in the updated 1-32 Power Rankings released ahead of the offseason signing period. Teams are assessing their needs, though some key personnel decisions are already being made regarding player availability; for instance, the Devils decided to shut down defenseman Luke Hughes so he can undergo an undisclosed procedure, while Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield was ruled out against Chicago with a lower-body injury. Adding to the injury woes, Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz was helped off the ice early against the Capitals due to a lower-body issue sustained in the first period Wednesday.

NCAA Frozen Four Developments

Beyond the NHL action, the collegiate Frozen Four delivered dramatic results, setting the stage for a major national championship game. The University of Denver staged a massive upset, winning 4-3 in double overtime against Michigan after Kent Anderson scored the game-winner, propelling the Pioneers into the final against Wisconsin. The Badgers earned their spot by defeating North Dakota 2-1, marking Wisconsin's first appearance in the title game since 2010.

Meanwhile, the Utah Mammoth debuted a new fan attraction at the Delta Center called the "Zammoth," designed to move fans around the ice surface during pregame and intermission periods, adding spectacle to their playoff-bound season. This focus on fan experience contrasts with the high-stakes player decisions looming for established stars like Ovechkin and the organizational restructuring occurring in Seattle.