NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 7:47 AM ET
Game Results
Vegas Knights reclaimed momentum as captain Mark Stone, returning from a five-game upper-body injury, spearheaded a 6-2 rout of Pittsburgh on Thursday. The comeback performance marked Stone’s first game since mid-March, with his physical presence disrupting the Penguins’ offensive rhythm. Meanwhile, Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews exited Thursday’s matchup against Anaheim after a contentious knee-on-knee hit from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas, raising questions about disciplinary oversight. The NHL reversed course on discipline by rescinding the game misconduct handed to Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan Mac Kinnon for a Tuesday altercation with Edmonton Oilers players, per Mac Kinnon’s statement to The Denver Post.
Ownership Shifts
The Carolina Hurricanes expanded its ownership structure Thursday by adding three minority stakeholders, diversifying leadership under team president Tom Dundon. The move signals a strategic pivot toward broader institutional support ahead of the 2023-24 season.
League Developments
The NHL reaffirmed draft pick integrity by declining to penalize the Ottawa Senators for their involvement in a canceled 2022 trade involving Evgenii Dadonov, preserving their 2026 first-round selection. Playoff projections intensified intrigue as analysts debate whether the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers could meet in the conference finals, with both teams securing top-three seeds in their divisions.
Other Developments
Fantasy hockey enthusiasts prepared for postseason battles with a comprehensive guide outlining lineup strategies, waiver-wire targets, and trade-deadline tactics to dominate leagues. The PWHL launched its national TV debut Thursday, bringing professional women’s hockey to U.S. audiences for the first time, starting with Detroit’s matchup against Boston.