NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 12:40 PM ET
NHL Playoff Picture
The Edmonton Oilers' postseason path continues to take shape as the regular season winds down, with projections showing a likely first-round matchup against a Pacific Division opponent. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche received a boost when the NHL rescinded Nathan Mac Kinnon's game misconduct from Tuesday's contest against Edmonton, potentially avoiding a suspension that could have impacted their playoff positioning.
Fantasy Hockey Impact
With the ESPN Fantasy postseason underway, analysts are identifying key pickups to secure a championship, while fantasy managers are implementing strategic lineup approaches to maximize their chances. The timing is particularly challenging for teams with injured stars, as the fantasy playoffs coincide with the NHL's stretch run.
Injury Updates
The Vegas Golden Knights got a major boost with captain Mark Stone's return from a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury, as he helped lead them to a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs suffered a significant blow when captain Auston Matthews left Thursday's game against Anaheim after a controversial knee-on-knee hit from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas, with the Leafs calling the play "dirty."
League Transactions
The Carolina Hurricanes announced new ownership structure as Tom Dundon sold portions of the team to three new minority stakeholders, though financial terms weren't disclosed. In a separate matter, the NHL cleared the Ottawa Senators of any wrongdoing regarding their 2026 first-round draft pick, determining they won't forfeit the selection for their role in a canceled 2022 trade involving Evgenii Dadonov between Vegas and Anaheim.