NHL playoff update: 7 clinched, 6 close, while the Red Wings battle their own math https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7178062/2026/04/07/nhl-playoff-race-standings-red-wings-red-light/ We’ve basically got three spots up for grabs: the last wild card in the West, the last wild card in the East and third place in the Metro. #IceHockey #Hockey

David Carle on whispers of Denver's demise, its latest Frozen Four run and his NHL future https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7175521/2026/04/07/david-carle-denver-frozen-four/ Carle, a popular pick for NHL coaching vacancies, has a chance to win his third NCAA title a year after some said DU's window had closed. #IceHockey #Hockey

How do the Panthers move on after a lost season? Catching up with Bill Zito https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7175789/2026/04/07/panthers-lost-season-bill-zito/ The Panthers GM isn't giving his team — or himself — a pass for a non-playoff season after three consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final. #IceHockey #Hockey

Goalie rotations, playoff Vasilevskiy and other NHL storylines to watch down the stretch https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7176414/2026/04/07/nhl-playoff-storylines-goalies-vasilevskiy-coaching/ Ahead of the playoffs, an in-depth look at why teams typically stop rotating goalies, Celebrini's heroics and more. #IceHockey #Hockey

Wild sign top prospect Charlie Stramel after Michigan State’s exit https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7152526/2026/04/06/wild-sign-charlie-stramel-michigan-state/ Charlie Stramel was deemed by many a bust at Wisconsin but thrived after a transfer to Michigan State. #IceHockey #Hockey

New Jersey Devils fire general manager Tom Fitzgerald https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7176974/2026/04/06/nj-devils-gm-tom-fitzgerald-fired-news/ Fitzgerald had been part of the Devils front office since 2015 at varying levels, and GM since 2020. #IceHockey #Hockey

Dallas Stars ban fan who made apparent Nazi salute at game https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7176600/2026/04/06/dallas-stars-ban-fan-gesture/ The incident took place during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 21. #IceHockey #Hockey

Peter DeBoer, Islanders react to late-season coaching change: 'Out of left field' https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7176212/2026/04/06/peter-deboer-islanders-coach-patrick-roy/ DeBoer, who takes over in New York with four games left in the regular season, is one of the most experienced coaches in the world. #IceHockey #Hockey

NHL 2025-26 Stanley Cup playoff chances and projected standings https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6694758/2026/04/06/nhl-2025-26-stanley-cup-playoff-chances-and-projected-standings/ Welcome to our 2025-26 NHL projections where you will find each team’s projected point total and chances of winning the Stanley Cup. #IceHockey #Hockey

If the NHL playoffs started today: All 8 current matchups, and who is on the doorstep https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7170965/2026/04/06/2026-nhl-playoff-matchups-projections-stanley-cup/ We are 12 days away from the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and we still have questions about many of these playoff races. #IceHockey #Hockey