NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing

Last updated: March 17, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

NHL Playoff Picture & Injury Woes

The Edmonton Oilers face uncertainty after star forward Leon Draisaitl, who had accumulated 97 points across 65 games, sustained a lower-body injury Sunday and is now expected to miss the remainder of the regular season, severely impacting their postseason seeding chances. Meanwhile, the race for the final playoff berths remains tight, with the San Jose Sharks still mathematically capable of securing either a wild card slot or the Pacific Division title, according to updated projections that also factor in the draft lottery standings. This turbulence contrasts with individual milestones, such as Detroit's Patrick Kane, who cemented fourth place on the all-time goals list for U.S.-born NHL players by scoring twice in a decisive 5-2 road victory against Calgary.

Player Milestones & Hall of Fame Requests

While team fortunes fluctuate near the regular-season conclusion, American star Jack Hughes has publicly voiced his desire to reclaim a specific piece of memorabilia from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto: the puck from his game-winning overtime goal scored for Team USA during the Winter Games. This personal quest for the artifact comes as other veteran players like Kane continue ascending all-time leaderboards, having now surpassed the previous record holder for American goal-scorers. Hughes seeks puck return from the Toronto display case, emphasizing personal history over institutional recognition for his international triumph.