avalanches

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar temporarily left NHL Game 1 against the Minnesota Wild after receiving a huge blow from Marcus Foligno. The crash occurred during the first period early on and brought about immediate concern for Colorado during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Makar eventually returned to the bench, offering positive news to the Avalanche in the face of a concerning moment in the high-intensity playoff opener.

Earth's cryosphere, its frozen water, plays a vital role in regulating global climate by reflecting sunlight and controlling sea levels. Melting ice due to climate change, particularly in the Himalayas, triggers natural disasters and threatens water supplies for millions, impacting ecosystems and human livelihoods.

Christine Dawood shares her harrowing experience after her husband and son perished in the Titan submersible implosion. She recounts giving up her seat for her son, Suleman, who dreamt of seeing the Titanic. Despite safety concerns, the family embarked on the ill-fated journey, leading to a tragedy that Christine now navigates with resilience, focusing on healing and remembrance.

Jared Bednar will miss two games after suffering facial fractures and a corneal abrasion from a deflected puck during Colorado’s loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Colorado Avalanche have already secured the Presidents’ Trophy, allowing time for recovery without pressure. Assistant coaches will step in temporarily, while the team prioritizes health ahead of the playoffs, where Bednar’s return is expected to be timely and crucial.

India secured the strategic Saltoro Ridge in 1984, leading to a fierce battle for Quaid Post. Operation Rajiv saw Indian soldiers, led by Naib Subedar Bana Singh, bravely capture the post in 1987 after intense fighting. Renamed Bana Post, its capture marked a significant Indian victory, thwarting Pakistani attempts to regain dominance.

The NHL has officially announced the schedule of the final Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the matchups and schedules. Although the postseason will start with some of the important games in the field of the Eastern and Western Conferences, such prominent teams as the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Buffalo Sabres will not play on opening night, and it will be received unequally by fans.

The 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have officially begun on April 18, featuring high-profile matchups across the league. Sixteen teams are competing for the prestigious trophy, with games scheduled daily through mid-June. Fans can watch the action on various networks including ESPN, TNT, and ABC, as well as streaming on ESPN app and HBO Max.

The Edmonton Oilers have demonstrated resilience in the absence of Leon Draisaitl, and Connor McDavid has played up to the task in dominant fashion. With the NHL regular season nearing an end, the good performances by Edmonton have placed them in a good position to play in the playoffs. The recent update is the emphasis on team momentum and key performances. Also, what is to come before the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

An important boost was also provided to the Edmonton Oilers with the return of Leon Draisaitl to practice after being injured. His status ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is not clear, but there is mounting optimizm as to his fitness in the next NHL game. The reason is that head coach Kris Knoblauch and insiders propose to manage it carefully, as Draisaitl is more focused on recovering completely rather than getting back on the field immediately.

Tragedy struck Zoji La in Ladakh on Friday as an avalanche claimed at least seven lives and left several injured. The devastating snowslide also caused a significant disruption, blocking the vital Srinagar-Leh highway and halting traffic. Immediate rescue and relief operations are in full swing, with authorities expressing deep sorrow and offering condolences to affected families.

Multiple avalanches struck the Srinagar–Leh national highway on Friday, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven people and injuring five others. The avalanches hit the stretch between Zero Point and Minimarg, trapping several vehicles. Rescue operations are underway, with officials personally monitoring the situation and providing assistance.

Addressing a press conference in Drass, LAHDC-Kargil councillors praised the Army, civil administration and Ladakh Police for prompt rescue efforts and retrieval of bodies from the snow following the accident on Friday afternoon. However, they expressed surprise over “J&K Police investigating the incident on Saturday morning”. While J&K claimed the area to be part of its territory, its administrative machinery was always slow to respond when any mishap occurred there, they alleged.

The Zojila pass would earlier remain closed for nearly five months during winter, cutting off Ladakh from the rest of the country. However, with improved technology, advanced snow-clearance equipment and better planning, the pass remained open throughout this winter, barring four days, which the Border Roads Organisation described as a significant strategic and logistical achievement.

John Smart confirmed the death of his 23-year-old son, Kai Smart, after an avalanche accident in Japan. Kai was flown to Vancouver but could not recover due to severe oxygen loss. The family shared an emotional tribute, calling him full of life and adventure. His organs saved four people, and a celebration of life will be held in Whistler.

Pittsburgh’s 6-2 loss to Colorado highlighted ongoing defensive struggles, with Sidney Crosby openly acknowledging both team-wide lapses and his own mistakes. A rapid Avalanche scoring run early in the game proved decisive, exposing a troubling trend of goals conceded. With 48 goals allowed in their last 11 games, urgency is building. The Penguins now turn their focus to Ottawa, searching for defensive stability and a timely response.

The NHL’s competitive balance looks uneven this season, with the Central and Eastern conferences delivering intense playoff-style races while the Pacific Division lags behind. Connor McDavid’s “pillow fight” remark highlighted the issue, backed by standings that show a clear gap. With fewer high-pressure matchups, Pacific teams face growing questions about their true strength compared to contenders in other divisions.