Even so, the loss exposed defensive issues that could become costly down the stretch. Tampa Bay capitalized on mistakes, and the Penguins struggled to slow down the Lightning’s offensive push, turning what had been a competitive game into a multi-goal defeat.

Despite the result, the Pens remain in a favorable position toward the Stanley Cup playoffs with only a handful of games remaining. The margin they built earlier in the week continues to keep them on track for a postseason berth.

Do the Penguins control their playoff destiny?

The Penguins currently sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 92 points. They hold a three-point advantage over the Islanders and a four-point cushion over Columbus. With six games remaining and considering their rivals’ schedules, three more wins would likely be enough to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

Sidney Crosby acknowledged the issues that surfaced in the loss while crediting Tampa Bay’s performance. “They’re a good team. We can’t make the mistakes that we made against them. We’ve got to make sure that defensively, we’re stronger. We just have to be better.”

Even after the defeat, the Pens remain in control of their own fate. If the Penguins tighten up defensively and take advantage of upcoming matchups, their recent cushion should be enough to carry them into the postseason without needing help from other teams.

“I just feel like you’re so day-to-day, and the season is flying by. Like, so much has happened. You don’t even really think about it until it’s here,” Hughes commented on his return to Vancouver, via Rink Wide: Vancouver’s Jeff Paterson. “Probably won’t feel real until warmups. It’s been such a long year, you don’t even process everything that’s going on.”

Hughes was drafted by the Canucks with the 7th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He quickly became a franchise cornerstone and blossomed into arguably the best defenseman in the league. In the 2022–23 season, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy. Now, he returns to an arena he used to call home, only this time he will be wearing a different jersey.

For Hughes, it will also be his first game on Canadian ice since winning gold with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Whether that memory will play a role in how the home fans greet him at Rogers Arena remains to be seen. One thing is clear, though: the stage is set for an emotional return by all accounts.

Hughes’ numbers this season

With Vancouver spiraling out of control, it became clear that Hughes’ time with the organization would run out soon in the 2025-26 season. On December 12, 2025, the Wild acquired Hughes, and the defenseman has been nothing short of lights-out ever since.

Hughes had registered 23 points in 26 games with Vancouver this season. Since being dealt to Minnesota, he has put up 49 points (four goals and 45 assists) in 42 outings. Against the Canucks, Hughes will look to record his 50th career point with the Wild.

Clinching scenario for Wild against Canucks

The realities couldn’t be more different for Minnesota and Vancouver. As they go head-to-head, that contrast is on full display. The Wild can clinch a playoff spot with just one point against Vancouver, while the Canucks would lock in last place in the league standings with a loss of any kind.

There are other scenarios around the league that could lead to the same outcome, but that’s the bottom line. If Hughes and his new team walk away with a win in Vancouver, they will punch their ticket to the postseason while also ensuring the Canucks finish at the bottom of the standings—and, in turn, secure the best odds of landing the first overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery.

“There’s no excuse. I think if we’re making excuses for that performance, it’s going to be a short [playoff] run,” Bednar said after the 8-6 loss at home to the Canucks, via NHL.com. “We have to play [with effort] for 60 minutes. But we weren’t even close.”

Bednar’s comments aren’t by chance. After a dominant first half of the 2025–26 NHL season, the Avs are now showing cracks in their foundation. MacKinnon remains red-hot—he scored his 50th goal of the season (121 points) against Vancouver—but the team is struggling in other areas.

Avalanche’s concerning form

Indeed, the Avs have won five of their last seven games, but they are just 5-4-1 over their last 10 outings. Moreover, Colorado is looking fragile at home. At Ball Arena in the Mile High City—where the Avs are expected to have a second wind against visiting opponents—the Avalanche have lost five of their last six home games.

As things stand, Colorado is on track to finish the campaign as Presidents’ Trophy champions. That would mean the Stanley Cup Playoffs run through Denver—with MacKinnon’s side enjoying home-ice advantage in every round. Yet if the Avs continue to be a liability on home ice, that advantage could become a burden.

Moreover, the Avalanche have some unfinished business when it comes to the postseason. They’ve had one of the best cores in the league for years, yet aside from their Stanley Cup run in 2022, the Avalanche have never made it past the second round. Colorado could once again run into its kryptonite—the Dallas Stars—in the 2026 playoffs, and there’s no guarantee the Avs would come out of that matchup alive.

Bednar wants Colorado to play with hunger again

Thus, Bednar is wasting no time sending a message to his team. Every dog has its day—that’s a fact. But for a struggling Canucks team to have it against the No. 1 team in the league is something Colorado can’t fathom and won’t let slide.

The Avalanche have eight games left on the schedule. With their playoff spot already secured, these final games will be crucial in helping them find their mojo. If not, as Bednar bluntly warned, the Avs could be headed for another short playoff run.

Colorado should know better—these disappointing endings have a way of snowballing, and sooner or later, the team could find itself buried under an avalanche of heartbreak and self-doubt.

“He’s doing OK… he’s going to miss some time, though,” Bednar said according to NHL.com. “Nothing that puts the playoffs in jeopardy, but we want to make sure he’s right for the final stretch.”

The injury occurred during Monday’s 9-2 win, when Makar was hit in the second period and did not return for the third. Despite the setback, he still recorded three assists in the game, continuing his strong season.

Avalanche prioritize recovery with playoffs approaching

Colorado’s decision to rest Makar reflects its position in the standings. The team has already secured a playoff spot and sits atop the Central Division, giving it flexibility to manage workloads.

Makar has been one of the league’s most productive defensemen this season, totaling 75 points (20 goals, 55 assists) in 73 games while averaging nearly 25 minutes of ice time. His impact on both ends of the ice makes him a critical piece of the Avalanche’s postseason plans.

What Makar’s absence means for Colorado

While the timeline remains unclear, Bednar made it clear the injury is not considered serious. The focus is on ensuring Makar is fully healthy before the playoffs begin rather than rushing him back for the final regular-season games.

With eight games remaining, Colorado will rely on its depth to maintain momentum. The priority, however, is clear: having Makar ready at full strength when the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.

“Does [Garand] get one more start? Does he get two more starts? Is that going to significantly influence where we stand as far as assessing his overall game? Probably not,” Sullivan stated, per Newsday Sports’ Colin Stephenson.

With his message, Sullivan made it clear the Rangers have already formed an opinion on Garand. Whether he plays more games in the 2025-26 NHL season matters little to them, they are quite set on what they think of the 23-year-old netminder. However, he may be shut down for the remainder of the campaign.

“[Shesterkin] has a desire to play because he loves hockey, and that’s important, from my standpoint, and so he’s going to play games,” Sullivan concluded. The Russian netminder has earned that benefit with his incredible recent form. Especially after his goalie fight, which captain J.T. Miller called a “leadership moment”.

Rangers fans don’t love this decision

Sullivan’s confession on Garand isn’t exactly what fans on Broadway want to hear. Of course, Shesterkin gives the team a better chance to win games, but that’s not too important for Rangers fans right now. Many are calling for the Blueshirts to tank and bolster their odds of securing the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. The Rangers have shown that is not an option, though.

Regardless, the fanbase in the Big Apple would like to see the young goalie and find out what he’s really made of. The Rangers seem to differ in their thinking. With Jonathan Quick trending closer to a return from injury, it seems the veteran goalie will get the nod in net whenever Shesterkin gets the night off.

Rangers must keep one

Both Garand and Quick are playing on expiring contracts ahead of the offseason. However, they are in completely opposite stages of their careers, which makes the decision much easier for the Rangers. Quick, 40, will become an unrestricted free agent. The jury is still out on whether he will retire or play another season in the NHL.

Most likely, if he runs it back in 2026–27, he will look to sign with a team that gives him a shot at his fourth Stanley Cup. That would put the Blueshirts out of contention—if they even consider re-signing Quick in the first place.

As for Garand, he is a pending restricted free agent (RFA). Barring an unexpected turn of events, Garand will be signed to an extension and become New York’s primary backup to Shesterkin, while Quick will test free agency and consider all his options. Those include hanging up the pads.

“[The Lightning] are a team that we’ve definitely been trying to get to,” Caufield said in a powerful statement after the game, via NHL.com. “We’ve been building. It’s obviously a good feeling, but we’re still hungry for more.”

Following the 4-1 victory at Benchmark International Arena, the Canadiens are still third in the Atlantic Division, but have cut down Tampa Bay‘s lead over them to just two points. Though still pressured by the Boston Bruins (currently WC1) with 94 points, the Habs’ 96 points put them in great position to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Wins like Tuesday night’s over the Bolts show the rest of the league that Montreal is for real, and a menace come playoff time in the NHL. This could be the year the Canadiens snap Canada’s Cup drought, and hoist their first Stanley Cup since 1993.

Caufield’s numbers

Cole Caufield has earned the nickname “Mr. Saturday Night” thanks to his perfect blend of consistency and, as kids these days call it, aura during the 2025–26 NHL season. As it stands, Caufield has scored 20 goals in 21 Saturday night outings this campaign, as reported by Montreal Gazette.

However, Caufield could very well be called “Mr. Tuesday Night” or any other day, for that matter. He’s been that good all season long—every day of the week. Thus, it’s not surprising he is second in the league in goals with 47, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon’s 49.

Caufield leads Montreal’s Cup dream

Caufield is putting on a show night in and night out for the Canadiens. With him in such form, fans in Quebec’s metropolis can let their dreams run wild and free. The sky is the limit in the City of Saints, and the Habs aren’t afraid to aim for the stars and shoot for the moon.

“I thought we were outworked for sure,” Keefe admitted postgame, via NHL.com. “I thought they played with more structure. We’ve been playing kind of a pretty loose game. The Rangers came out and played with purpose.”

Hadn’t it been for a late surge against the Chicago Blackhawks (27-34-14), the Devils would be mired in a three-game losing streak. New Jersey has spiraled out of control in the NHL season, just when New York is finding the most success it’s had all year.

Rangers caught Devils by surprise

Keefe and the Devils thought they had the Rangers all figured out. No matter how much they struggled throughout the season, they believed a matchup against the Blueshirts was always going to be favorable. However, New York suddenly showed its teeth and finally answered back against New Jersey.

The loss at Madison Square Garden sends the Devils back to square one. Whatever they thought they had going against the Rangers may be futile now. For Keefe and company, it’s a sad note to end the season series on.

Rangers finally get one over Devils

It took the Blueshirts until the last Battle of the Hudson, but they finally defeated the Devils in the 2025–26 NHL campaign. The Rangers had already been swept in the season series by the rival New York Islanders and avoided humiliation with a 4–1 win at home over New Jersey.

Had they lost to Keefe and the Devils again, the Rangers would have recorded their first-ever winless year against their cross-town rivals. Still, a 1–6–0 record against teams in the New York metro area is far from the goal for the Blueshirts. At this stage, Mike Sullivan and company are content with their baby steps, but there’s a lot of work left to be done.

Where Rangers, Devils, and Islanders stand

In a shocking turn of events, the Rangers are currently the hottest team in the New York metro area. The Devils’ season is all but over, as they sit 10 points behind the last wild card spot. The Rangers are officially eliminated, but playing with no pressure has led to their most success of the season.

As for the Islanders, they are sitting in a playoff spot but are dangerously flirting with the abyss. The Isles are just one point ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for third in the Metropolitan Division. If they don’t secure a divisional spot, they will enter the dogfight of the wild-card race, where only two sides out of a six-team battle will make it out alive.

Having lost two in a row, alarms are going off on Long Island. The Islanders will face five teams in playoff position (or on the playoff bubble) in their last six outings of the season. To say they will be playing for their lives would be an understatement.

Miller praised the fight as a message to the Rangers’ locker room. “It’s just so rare, unexpected,” Miller said, according to Fox Sport. “To see a goalie stick up for himself and have our back sends a message. It shows what a leader he is.”

Forward Mika Zibanejad, who has played alongside both goalies with Team Sweden, couldn’t hide his excitement. “It was awesome. I knew Markstrom is feisty, so when he started skating over, I had a feeling it was gonna happen… a lot of fun to watch,” Zibanejad said, according to Newsday Sports’ Colin Stephenson, smiling throughout.

Shesterkin sets the tone

Shesterkin’s willingness to fight resonated with his teammates, reinforcing toughness and accountability. Even in a difficult season, the gesture highlighted the importance of standing up for each other and leading by example.

Season context and next game

The Rangers, now 31-35-9 and already eliminated from playoff contention, hope moments like this spark energy and focus. They return to the ice Thursday to face the Montreal Canadiens, carrying Shesterkin’s leadership into the next game.

The injury occurred during Colorado’s 9–2 win over Calgary, where he still managed to record three assists before exiting in the second period. He left that game early after taking a hit and did not return.

Reports indicate the concern stems from an upper-body issue, with early speculation ranging from minor discomfort to a possible shoulder injury, though multiple insiders have suggested it is not believed to be serious at this stage.

How did Cale Makar get injured?

Cale Makar suffered an upper-body injury after taking a hit during the Colorado Avalanche’s 9–2 win. The play occurred late in the second period when the star defenseman was checked by Flames forward Adam Klapka, after which he briefly stayed in the game but was visibly affected and did not return for the third period.

Before leaving the ice, the defenseman had already been one of the standout performers of the night, recording three assists and continuing his dominant offensive form from the blue line.

However, the hit led the team’s medical staff to pull him out for precautionary evaluation, and he was officially ruled out for the remainder of the game with what the club labeled an upper-body injury.

When could Cale Makar return to play?

Cale Makar is currently considered day-to-day, meaning his return to the Colorado Avalanche could come as soon as the next game, but it will ultimately depend on how he responds to treatment and pregame testing.

Medical updates suggest the organization is treating the situation cautiously, especially with the playoffs approaching and the Avalanche in a strong position in the standings.

For now, his status remains a true game-time decision heading into upcoming matchups, including the scheduled clash against the Vancouver Canucks, with final confirmation expected closer to puck drop depending on warmups and coaching evaluation.

How has Cale Makar performed this season?

Cale Makar is once again delivering a Norris Trophy–caliber season for the Colorado Avalanche, posting 66 points (19 goals and 47 assists) in 57 games so far in 2025–26.

The elite defenseman remains one of the most productive blue-liners in the entire NHL, ranking near the top among defensemen in both points and plus-minus while playing heavy minutes in all situations.

His offensive impact has been especially consistent in recent weeks, including multi-point performances that have helped the Avalanche maintain one of the strongest records in the Western Conference.

The Avalanche consistently control possession and scoring chances with him leading the breakout game and stabilizing defensive matchups against top opponents, reinforcing why he is considered a central piece of their Stanley Cup aspirations heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

“We’ll write our own story,” McLellan said, according to NHL.com. “There’s teams that are elevating right now and there’s teams that aren’t, and right now, we’re one of them that aren’t.” The coach acknowledged that the team’s drive and consistency have been lacking, leaving the Red Wings short in critical moments.

The Penguins, boosted by a goal and an assist from Egor Chinakhov, remain strong in the Metropolitan Division, winning three of their last four games. Detroit, meanwhile, has lost four of five, falling behind in the playoff race with just a handful of games remaining.

Red Wings’ struggles highlighted by early goals

Pittsburgh opened the scoring quickly, with Rickard Rakell netting his 20th goal of the season on the Penguins’ first shot. Anthony Mantha followed with his 30th goal of the year, and Chinakhov added a third before the end of the first period. Detroit’s John Gibson was pulled for the second straight game after allowing three goals on 14 shots, with Cam Talbot finishing in relief.

Detroit’s competitive lapses are part of a broader trend this season, with the team missing the playoffs for nine straight years. McLellan noted, “Some of it’s technique and skill too. But the will and the drive is something we could use a little bit more of right now.”

Silver linings amid defeat

Despite the loss, Dylan Larkin scored his 30th goal of the season, continuing a streak of five consecutive 30-goal seasons. Meanwhile, the Penguins adjusted without injured Bryan Rust, and Evgeni Malkin returned with an assist and five shots on goal.

With the Red Wings’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread, McLellan and his team must elevate both effort and execution if they hope to challenge the Eastern Conference wild-card spots in the final games of the season.

While the legendary center has missed the last four contests due to an undisclosed upper-body injury, there is a glimmer of hope for the PPG Paints Arena crowd. He returned to practice in a full-contact capacity earlier this week.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for this Tuesday night showdown. As the 2025-26 NHL regular season winds down, the Penguins find themselves in a heated battle for positioning within the Metropolitan Division.

What happened to Evgeni Malkin?

Evgeni Malkin is currently sidelined with an undisclosed upper-body injury sustained during the Pittsburgh Penguins’ matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 22.

While the team has been tight-lipped about the exact nature of the ailment, head coach Dan Muse clarified that this is a new issue and not a recurrence of the shoulder injury that cost “Geno” significant time earlier this winter.

The injury occurred during a physical sequence late in the game, and though he initially attempted to play through the discomfort, he was moved to “day-to-day” status shortly after.

The veteran center had been in vintage form prior to the setback, serving as the engine for the second line and providing the secondary scoring the Penguins desperately need for their playoff push.

How many games has Evgeni Malkin missed?

Evgeni Malkin has missed the last four consecutive games since being scratched from the lineup on March 24. His absence has forced the team to shuffle their middle-six forward group, relying on younger talent and tactical adjustments to fill the void left by one of the most productive players in franchise history.

This latest stint on the injured list adds to a turbulent 2025-26 season for the Russian superstar. Earlier in the campaign, “Geno” missed 15 games due to a separate upper-body injury and sat out an additional five games due to an NHL suspension following a high-sticking incident.

Despite these interruptions, he has remained a point-per-game player when healthy, making his current absence even more glaring as the team fights for a wild-card spot.

When could Evgeni Malkin return?

Evgeni Malkin could return as early as tonight, March 31, against the Detroit Red Wings, though he remains a game-time decision. The most encouraging sign for Penguins fans was his participation in a full-contact practice this past Sunday.

Typically, when a player of his caliber sheds the non-contact jersey and rejoins the main group for drills, a return to game action follows within 48 to 72 hours.

The coaching staff opted to keep him out of Monday’s blowout win against the Islanders to ensure he was 100% ready for the “back-to-back” scenario. If he doesn’t suit up tonight at PPG Paints Arena, his next opportunity will come on Thursday, April 2, when the team travels to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.