NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 16, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Picture & Team Management

The final days of the regular season saw several teams clinching playoff berths while others made significant front-office moves. The Anaheim Ducks secured a Western Conference spot for the first time since 2015, despite posting a mediocre 3-5-2 record over their last 10 games, capitalizing on the San Jose Sharks' defeat of Nashville. In the East, the Philadelphia Flyers earned their first postseason appearance since 2020 after defeating the conference-leading Carolina Hurricanes in a shootout Monday, though the Hurricanes still clinched the top seed in the East. Further east, the Buffalo Sabres capped their impressive run by capturing the Atlantic Division title, their first division crown since the 2009-10 season. Amidst these competitive developments, the Chicago Blackhawks extended General Manager Kyle Davidson’s contract on Wednesday, signaling confidence in his long-term vision for the franchise.

Player Health & Season Endings

Injuries began to significantly impact postseason preparations for contenders this week. Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz is slated to miss the start of the playoffs following a setback in his recovery from a lower-body ailment, putting pressure on the team's top offensive line, even as other players return to health. On the West Coast, the Seattle Kraken confirmed that forward Jared McCann’s season is over due to a lower-body injury, forcing him to sit out the final three regular-season contests. Meanwhile, goaltender Jonathan Quick, who recently turned 40, concluded his decorated career after nearly two decades, making 14 saves in the New York Rangers' 3-2 loss during his final outing.

Season Reflections & Offseason Outlook

As the season concluded, several teams were left contemplating disappointing finishes and charting offseason strategies. Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness publicly criticized his players’ lack of effort following a season-ending loss to Washington, stating bluntly, "They don't care". Conversely, Washington’s Alex Ovechkin gave fans something to cheer about in the finale, assisting on the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Columbus and hearing widespread chants of "One more year!" from the home crowd. For the teams missing the postseason, attention is already shifting to summer moves, with analysts beginning to map out free agency and draft plans for every eliminated club ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

League Trends & Previews

League-wide statistics reveal a challenging year for netminders, as the average NHL save percentage dipped below the .900 mark for the first time in thirty years, suggesting an offensive shift across the sport. As the final seeding configurations were being ironed out in mid-week games, the focus inevitably turned toward future predictions, with league insiders debating which contender is poised for a surprise run and who might disappoint in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. Furthermore, Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon is generating historical comparisons, with debate emerging over whether the 30-year-old has already surpassed franchise legend Joe Sakic as the greatest player in Avalanche history.

Community Relations & Future Growth

Off-ice developments included a public relations misstep for the New York Islanders, who are facing significant criticism after promoting a jumbotron fundraiser benefiting a former NYPD sergeant convicted of manslaughter. On a more positive community note, the Florida Panthers announced plans to launch a new girls' travel hockey program set to begin play later this year out of their current and former practice facilities.