NHL Hockey 3 Days

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

NHL Playoff Scrambles and Sealing Bids

The race for playoff positioning intensified across the league as the regular season reached its final stretch, with multiple teams fighting for slim advantages or facing elimination. The Vegas Golden Knights secured their spot Saturday night when Jack Eichel scored 1:19 into overtime to defeat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2, confirming Vegas's postseason entry. Conversely, the New York Islanders saw their lengthy tenure in a playoff position abruptly end Sunday following a definitive 4-1 road loss to the Montreal Canadiens, officially knocking them out. Furthermore, the San Jose Sharks remain on the brink of elimination after dropping a shootout decision to the Canucks, despite having improved their standing by 30 points this season, while the Detroit Red Wings also confirmed their playoff drought will extend to a full decade after a 5-3 defeat against the Devils sealing their postseason fate. Monday’s slate featured ten critical matchups, determining final seeding and shaping the draft lottery order as the calendar flipped toward April.

Coaching and Player Injuries Amidst the Final Push

The physical toll of the season showed this weekend, with two key figures suffering facial injuries during Saturday's action. Colorado Avalanche Coach Jared Bednar sustained facial fractures after taking a puck to the face, forcing him to miss the remainder of the road trip and subsequent playoff games, putting immediate pressure on his staff. In player news, Chicago Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar was also forced out of Saturday's 5-3 loss against the St. Louis Blues after being struck in the face by a puck, raising immediate injury concerns. Meanwhile, Philadelphia coach Rick Tocchet, who faced initial criticism, is now receiving praise for successfully navigating the team through adversity, stating simply, "I bleed orange and black" after recent positive results.

Rivalry Moments and Award Speculation

The marquee matchup between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday provided a dramatic moment as Alex Ovechkin downplayed potential retirement scenarios, waving off farewell handshakes despite Washington’s 3-0 defeat. The Penguins chose to rest stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for that game, scratching them hours before what would have been their 100th career meeting against Ovechkin. Separately, the conversation surrounding league excellence continues, with prognosticators suggesting the Ted Lindsay Award offers a strong case for the league's most valuable player, though the Hart Memorial Trophy retains greater overall prestige. Panel voting for the upcoming hardware suggests Nikita Kucherov is gaining traction for the MVP honor, leading the final 2026 NHL Awards watch ahead of tight races in other categories as PHWA voters finalize ballots.

NCAA Hockey Concludes with Denver’s Triumph

Away from the professional intensity, the collegiate hockey world crowned its champion as the University of Denver secured the Frozen Four title Sunday. Denver defeated Wisconsin 2-1 in the final game, claiming their third national championship in the last five years, cementing a dominant run in the NCAA circuit. Highlighting individual amateur achievement, Minnesota Duluth's Max Plante captured the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, beating out finalists Eric Pohlkamp of Denver and T.J. Hughes from Michigan. In NHL front-office stability, the Anaheim Ducks granted General Manager Pat Verbeek a multiyear contract extension to lead their rebuilding efforts.