NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 18, 2026, 12:30 AM ET
NHL Playoff Picture & Player Availability
The race for postseason positioning heated up as the San Jose Sharks remain mathematically viable for both a wild card berth and the Pacific Division crown, although playoff projections suggest a tight finish across the conference. Meanwhile, any chance the Edmonton Oilers had of securing home-ice advantage took a severe hit; star center Leon Draisaitl, who has amassed 97 points across just 65 games this season, is now expected to miss the remainder of the regular schedule due to a lower-body injury sustained Sunday. In international hockey news, Team USA forward Jack Hughes confirmed his desire to reclaim the puck from the Hockey Hall of Fame display in Toronto, the artifact commemorating his overtime goal that secured the Winter Games gold medal.