NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 14, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

NHL Playoff Picture Solidifies Amid Late-Season Turmoil

The final stretch of the NHL regular season saw several teams punching their tickets to the postseason while others saw their hopes extinguished, all against a backdrop of league-wide statistical anomalies. The Anaheim Ducks secured a Western Conference berth despite a recent 3-5-2 run over their last ten contests, a feat achieved after the San Jose Sharks fell 3-2 to the Nashville Predators on Monday. Conversely, the Sharks themselves found themselves on the brink after a subsequent 4-3 shootout loss to the Canucks, a devastating result for a team that had improved by 30 points in the standings this year. Adding to the Eastern Conference drama, the Philadelphia Flyers, under first-year coach Rick Tocchet, clinched their first berth since 2020 following a 3-2 shootout victory over the top-seeded Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings watched their postseason drought extend to a full decade after a decisive 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon.

The battle for seeding concluded with strong divisional performances, as the Buffalo Sabres claimed the Atlantic Division title on Monday, marking their first division crown since the 2009-10 campaign after ending their lengthy playoff drought. In the West, the Vegas Golden Knights punched their ticket late Saturday when Jack Eichel scored 1:19 into overtime to secure a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. The playoff structure is now nearly set, though Tuesday's slate of games remains vital for determining final seeding and the associated draft lottery order, according to current playoff watch reports. Unfortunately for the Seattle Kraken, forward Jared McCann's season concluded prematurely; he will miss the final three regular-season games due to a lower-body injury sustained recently by the winger.

Goaltending Decline & Veteran Farewells

A concerning trend across the league this season is the sharp decline in netminding efficiency, with the average NHL save percentage dipping below the .900 threshold for the first time in three decades, suggesting increased offensive output or defensive struggles league-wide. This era of change was underscored by the final appearance of veteran netminder Jonathan Quick, the 40-year-old three-time Stanley Cup champion, who turned away 14 shots in the New York Rangers' 3-2 defeat in what served as his final game. While the Islanders' postseason aspirations evaporated following a 4-1 loss to the Canadiens on Sunday, eliminating them after holding a playoff spot for most of the year dashed their hopes, Washington’s Alex Ovechkin chose not to engage in potential farewell handshakes with Sidney Crosby after the Capitals lost 3-0 to Pittsburgh Sunday, waving off the gestures amid retirement speculation.

Coaching Injuries & Organizational Moves

Off-ice developments included significant setbacks for coaching staffs and forward groups. Colorado Avalanche Coach Jared Bednar will be absent through the playoffs after suffering facial fractures from taking a puck to the face, forcing him to miss the team’s concluding road trip to western Canada. Furthermore, the Chicago Blackhawks saw forward Frank Nazar exit Saturday’s 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues after he was also struck in the face by a puck during the contest. On the organizational front, the Florida Panthers announced plans for a new girls travel hockey program, which will begin operations later this year out of the team's facilities, with Granato's brother set to run the new venture.

to the Offseason & Collegiate Success

As the focus shifts toward the summer, analysts are already projecting the necessary personnel moves for teams that failed to qualify, detailing the free agency and draft strategies required for these clubs to raise expectations for the 2026-27 season. Separately, the NCAA hockey world celebrated a dominant performance as the University of Denver secured their third national title in the last five years, defeating Wisconsin 2-1 in the Frozen Four championship game. Attention also remains on the major player awards, where finalized ballots for the Ted Lindsay Award—often considered the top player honor alongside the Hart Trophy—are being compiled, with voting panels identifying finalists in several tight races.