NHL Hockey 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 8:59 AM ET
Stanley Cup Playoff Picture
The Edmonton Oilers' postseason path is taking shape espn.com with projections showing them as a top-four seed in the Western Conference, though their final positioning hinges on the next two weeks of divisional matchups. Meanwhile, the NHL playoff bracket projects tight races espn.com in both conferences, with the Eastern wild card spots coming down to the wire between Florida, Washington, and Buffalo.
Fantasy Hockey Impact
With ESPN's fantasy postseason underway, key pickups include Colorado's Mikko Rantanen, who's averaging 1.2 points per game since returning from injury, and New Jersey's Nico Hischier, whose 18 goals since February make him a late-season fantasy asset espn.com. The waiver wire remains thin, but Tampa Bay's Brayden Point could provide playoff upside espn.com if he returns from his lower-body injury before the fantasy semifinals.