NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 13, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Picture Solidifies & Eliminations

The final week of the NHL regular season delivered decisive blows to several contenders, effectively sealing playoff berths for some while ending the postseason dreams for others. The Vegas Golden Knights punched their ticket after Jack Eichel scored 1:19 into overtime Saturday night to secure a narrow 3-2 victory against the Colorado Avalanche. Conversely, the New York Islanders saw their hopes dashed following a decisive 4-1 Saturday loss to the Montreal Canadiens, immediately removing them from contention despite holding a postseason spot for the majority of the campaign. The postseason picture became even clearer Sunday when the Detroit Red Wings officially missed out, as a 5-3 defeat against the New Jersey Devils assured the Original Six franchise will not reach the playoffs for a full decade.

The wave of eliminations continued across the league, leaving several hopefuls clinging to slim possibilities. The San Jose Sharks remain on thin ice after dropping a shootout contest to the Vancouver Canucks, despite having improved their standings by 30 points this season. Meanwhile, the New York Islanders’ defeat on Sunday meant that key figures like goaltender Ilya Sorokin watched their season end, concluding a year where high expectations were ultimately unmet. The flurry of decisive games leading into the final weekend was captured in the extensive NHL playoff watch coverage detailing scenarios across the slate of 15 "Supreme Saturday" matchups, providing necessary intel as teams fought for positioning.

Player Milestones & Incidents

While team fates were being decided, several veteran players reached personal milestones, even as others faced abrupt, injury-related exits. Alex Ovechkin, whose future remains uncertain as his contract expires this season, completed his 20th 30-goal campaign and was lauded by Pittsburgh players even after the Capitals fell 3-0 to the Penguins on Sunday. Following that game, Ovechkin politely waved off any potential farewell handshakes with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, despite speculation surrounding his retirement. Adding to the league’s injury ledger, Chicago Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar was forced to exit Saturday’s 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues after sustaining a direct puck strike to the face, mirroring an earlier injury concern for a different team’s bench boss.

In a separate, highly unusual incident, Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar will miss the remainder of the road trip and the end of the regular season after suffering facial fractures from taking a puck to the face, meaning he will be absent until the playoffs begin for Colorado. On a brighter note for veteran defensemen, Washington’s John Carlson celebrated a rare career achievement, netting his first career hat trick in the Ducks’ 6-1 dismantling of the Sharks Thursday night, a feat accomplished in his 17th NHL season. Furthermore, the Pittsburgh Penguins scratched several stars, including Sidney Crosby, just hours before what was scheduled to be his 100th career meeting against Ovechkin, a strategic move in a tight playoff race.

Front Office Moves & Amateur Success

Away from the immediate playoff battles, front-office stability was secured in Anaheim while the collegiate hockey world crowned its champion. The Anaheim Ducks committed to their management structure by agreeing to a multiyear contract extension with General Manager Pat Verbeek, who has been credited with recent organizational shifts. On the college ice, the University of Denver captured the NCAA title, defeating Wisconsin 2-1 in the Frozen Four final to secure their third national championship in just five years, demonstrating sustained elite performance at the amateur level. Additionally, the individual collegiate honor went to Minnesota Duluth's Max Plante, who claimed the Hobey Baker Award, edging out Denver’s Eric Pohlkamp and Michigan’s T.J. Hughes as the nation’s top player.

Coaching & Offseason Outlook

Coaching dynamics remained a talking point across the league as some benches showed immediate results. Philadelphia Head Coach Rick Tocchet defended his tenure after facing initial scrutiny, stating, "I bleed orange and black," as his team continued to find success late in the schedule. the annual look at team strength placed the league’s hierarchy in perspective with the release of the updated Power Rankings, which also included an analysis of each team’s most critical upcoming free agent. Separately, fantasy hockey analysts were already evaluating the 2026 season, identifying the most valuable draft picks and breakout players from the recently concluded campaign.