NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 11, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

NHL Regular Season Finishes & Playoff Seeding

The NHL regular season concluded with several major seeding announcements and clinching milestones across the final days of action. The Colorado Avalanche secured the West's top seed following a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, which also clinched the Central Division title, though coach Jared Bednar immediately focused on postseason readiness. The Avalanche later clinched the NHL's top overall seed by defeating the Flames 3-1 on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins punched their playoff ticket, ending a three-year postseason drought with their fifth win in six games since March 30. The playoff picture remains tight elsewhere, prompting an update on various races ahead of the zero-game Friday.

Individual Milestones & Player News

Several individual players achieved significant milestones as the season wound down. Alex Ovechkin continued his remarkable run, netting his 20th career 30-goal campaign, leaving his contract situation and future highly uncertain as the season concludes. In Montreal, Cole Caufield joined the Canadiens' exclusive 50-goal club, becoming the first player in that franchise to reach the mark in over thirty years. On the defensive side, Islanders blueliner Matthew Schaefer tied the rookie defenseman goals record by scoring his 23rd of the year, matching the mark set by Hall of Famer Brian Leetch. Furthermore, Washington’s John Carlson celebrated his first career hat trick during the Ducks' decisive 6-1 rout of the Sharks on Thursday evening in what was his 17th NHL season.

Team & Roster Management Updates

Organizational shifts and roster decisions dominated headlines as teams prepared for potential playoff runs or offseason restructuring. Anaheim Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek agreed to a multiyear extension with the club, providing stability amid the franchise's direction. For the Seattle Kraken, who are nearing playoff elimination, CEO Tod Leiweke vowed commitment to correcting team woes, while President of Hockey Operations Ron Francis announced he will step down from his role at the end of the season. In personnel moves, the Minnesota Wild inked former UConn standout Viking Gustafsson Nyberg to a two-year entry-level contract that commences with the current campaign. Boston secured a future asset, as the Bruins signed Beanpot MVP James Hagens to a three-year deal carrying a $975,000 annual cap hit.

Injury Reports & Player Returns

The final stretch featured several high-profile injuries and corresponding returns affecting playoff contenders. Colorado forward Nazem Kadri was diagnosed with a finger injury that will sideline him for "some games," as confirmed by coach Jared Bednar on Thursday following the Avalanche's division-clinching win. Defensemen faced setbacks across the league: Carolina's Jalen Chatfield, dealing with a lower-body issue, was ruled out against Chicago despite posting a career-high 15 assists, while Buffalo goalie Alex Lyon may miss the start of the playoffs due to a strained lower-body muscle per coach Lindy Ruff. Conversely, Ottawa's Thomas Chabot demonstrated quick recovery, returning to the lineup Thursday against the Panthers just 17 days after suffering a documented broken arm allowing him to play. The New Jersey Devils are shutting down defenseman Luke Hughes to undergo an undisclosed procedure ending his season early, concurrent with Maple Leafs G Anthony Stolarz leaving Wednesday's game against Washington early due to a lower-body ailment forcing a mid-game exit.

NCAA College Hockey Wrap-Up

The conclusion of the NCAA hockey season saw dramatic finishes in the Frozen Four tournament. In a stunning semifinal performance, Denver's Kent Anderson scored the game-winning goal in double overtime to defeat Michigan 4-3, propelling the Pioneers into the title game against Wisconsin. The Badgers earned their spot by edging North Dakota 2-1, marking the program's first Frozen Four final appearance since 2010. Ultimately, the University of Denver Pioneers captured the championship, and their own standout, Eric Pohlkamp, finished as a runner-up for the Hobey Baker Award, which was instead awarded to Minnesota Duluth's Max Plante, the school's seventh recipient of the honor.

Fantasy Outlook & Team Power Rankings

As the professional season winds down, analysts have begun to the offseason and evaluating the recently completed 2025-26 campaign. A review of the season offered insights into the most valuable draft picks and smartest player pickups for fantasy hockey leagues. Furthermore, updated NHL Power Rankings placed teams from 1 to 32, detailing each club's most pressing free agent target for the summer. On the ice, the surging Utah Mammoth clinched their playoff berth following a 4-1 victory over the Predators, which was their fifth consecutive win; their spot was secured after the Ducks defeated the Sharks later Thursday sealing the Western Conference bid. In a brief managerial note, John Tortorella has maintained a perfect record since taking over, steering the Golden Knights to a four-game winning streak after Tuesday's 2-1 triumph over Vancouver.