NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 12, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Races Conclude Amid Injury Concerns

The final push for playoff positioning intensified over the weekend, confirming several postseason berths while simultaneously delivering crushing eliminations and notable injury setbacks. The Vegas Golden Knights punched their ticket after Jack Eichel scored 1:19 into overtime against the Colorado Avalanche, securing a crucial 3-2 victory that clinched their spot. Unfortunately for the Avalanche, who clinched the NHL's top seed on Thursday night, the game ended with coach Jared Bednar being taken to a hospital after a puck struck his right cheek during the overtime loss 2. Elsewhere in the Western Conference, the San Jose Sharks saw their faint playoff hopes extinguished following a 4-3 shootout defeat, despite forward Tyler Toffoli helping guide the team to a 30-point jump in the standings this season. The elimination of the Sharks also sealed the postseason fate of the Detroit Red Wings, whose drought will now stretch past a decade after they fell 5-3 to the Devils 7.

Several teams experienced significant personnel scares as the regular season wound down. Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar was forced to exit Saturday's contest after sustaining a direct impact from a puck to the face during a 5-3 loss against St. Louis 6. In injury news preceding the weekend's action, Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri was expected to miss "some games" due to a finger issue 29, while Predators star defenseman Roman Josi was a late scratch against Utah due to an upper-body issue 23. Furthermore, the Devils organization announced they are shutting down defenseman Luke Hughes to undergo an undisclosed procedure 32, and Buffalo goalie Alex Lyon faces a potential absence for the start of the playoffs with a strained lower-body muscle 28.

Ovechkin Milestones & Eastern Conference Bumps

The Washington Capitals' 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins was overshadowed by the tribute paid to Alex Ovechkin during a television timeout, acknowledging his longstanding rivalry with Sidney Crosby 4. This moment came as Ovechkin continues his remarkable run, achieving his 20th 30-goal campaign, though his contract status remains unresolved post-season 16. The Penguins managed to clinch a playoff spot themselves on Thursday night, ending a three-year drought with their fifth win in six games 22, though they opted to scratch stars Crosby and Malkin ahead of the highly anticipated matchup against Ovechkin's Capitals 8. Meanwhile, in Montreal, Cole Caufield joined an exclusive club by netting his 50th goal, becoming the first Canadiens player in over three decades to reach that benchmark 24.

Team Management & Player Awards

In organizational news, Anaheim Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek secured a multiyear contract extension with the franchise this week 12, even as defenseman John Carlson netted the first hat trick of his 17-season career in a Thursday night 6-1 victory over San Jose 17. On the awards front, the NCAA hockey world crowned its champion, as the University of Denver Pioneers claimed their third national title in five years following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wisconsin in the Frozen Four final 5. Denver's path included a double-overtime thriller against Michigan, 4-3, where Kent Anderson scored the game-winner 18, while Wisconsin advanced by topping North Dakota 2-1 to reach their first final since 2010 25. Separately, Minnesota Duluth's Max Plante captured the Hobey Baker Award, surpassing Denver's Eric Pohlkamp for the honor 11.

Roster Moves & League Updates

The final week of the season saw several teams finalize their rosters and standings, with the Utah Mammoth sealing a playoff berth in only their second season after a 4-1 win over Nashville, which was their fifth consecutive victory 19. The Islanders' Matthew Schaefer tied the rookie defenseman goals record by scoring his 23rd of the year on Thursday, matching the mark set by Brian Leetch 21. In minor moves, the Minnesota Wild inked defenseman Viking Gustafsson Nyberg to a two-year entry-level deal 30, and the Senators saw Thomas Chabot return to the lineup just 17 days after suffering a broken arm 31. Philadelphia coach Rick Tocchet received praise for successfully steering the Flyers back into the playoff conversation following initial criticism 9, contrasting with the Seattle Kraken, whose CEO acknowledged their struggles and vowed to "get it fixed" as the team nears elimination 27.