NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 4:37 PM ET
Saturday's NHL Playoff Picture
The NHL's 14-game slate Saturday features the Bruins-Capitals showdown as the marquee matchup, with Boston holding a slim 1-point edge over Washington in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. The Maple Leafs, already locked into the postseason, will be without Auston Matthews for the remainder of the regular season after the NHL Department of Player Safety handed Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas a five-game suspension for his knee-on-knee hit on the Toronto star.
Playoff Implications
With just two weeks remaining, the wild-card races remain fluid as the Panthers and Lightning jostle for Atlantic Division positioning while the Jets and Golden Knights battle for Western Conference seeding. The draft lottery standings show the Blackhawks and Devils in prime position for the top pick, though Montreal's late-season surge has vaulted them into the top-five conversation. Teams on the bubble like the Sabres and Blues face must-win scenarios this weekend to keep their postseason hopes alive.