標籤: Conference

The Montreal Canadiens are set to face the surging Carolina Hurricanes in the 2026 NHL Eastern Conference Finals, giving us a great opportunity to evaluate their 5v5 numbers throughout the regular season.

Next we’ll look at how the Habs and Canes performed when they faced each other on three occasions.

Canadiens and Hurricanes regular-season statistics (5v5)

The first thing we should note is that the Hurricane is the epitome of an ‘analytics darling’ team. They take a lot of shots, and they outscore their opponents by significant margins.

They are also a top-5 team when it comes to creating high-danger scoring chances.

When it comes to shot-share battles, expect the Hurricane to reign supreme.

Shooting and goaltending

On the other side of the coin, the Canadians enjoyed better goaltending in both regular save percentage and high-danger save percentage. They also had more skilled shooters, including higher quality shooting opportunities.

While the Hurricanes put more rubber on net, the Habs are much better at stopping said rubber, not to mention when it comes to capitalizing on their own scoring opportunities.

It’s a battle of quantity versus quality, with the Hurricanes requiring an incredibly high volume of shots to generate most of their attack.

Target

When we boil things down to their ability to score and prevent goals their results are quite similar.

The Habs score more often at 5v5, but the Hurricanes are still among the top 10 teams, while the Canes are better at preventing the puck from entering their net, but not by much.

Canadiens Vs. storm head to head statistics

Carolina and Montreal faced off on three occasions in the regular season. All three games ended with victories for the Canadiens, although they were certainly high-event match-ups.

The Canadiens defeated the Hurricanes 7–5 on January 1, before winning two games in late March.

Overall, they outshot the Hurricanes 12-3, giving them an 80% lead in goals scored at 5v5.

That means it should be a walk in the park for hubs, right?

Absolutely not!

Statistically speaking, the Canadiens were incredibly lucky to emerge from their three games against the Hurricanes with a point, let alone three wins.

This doesn’t mean that Carolina will completely dominate the Habs at 5v5 in the upcoming series, but we shouldn’t fool ourselves into thinking that Montreal will be the favorite team due to the regular season results.

Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks

Most analysts will pick the Hurricanes to win the Eastern Conference Finals, and there is enough data to suggest that this is a very logical decision.

However, we have yet to see what impact the nearly two weeks off between playoff series will have. The Hurricanes are cold as ice, while the Canadiens have been playing essentially every two days since the playoffs began.

It is also important to remember that the Canadiens faced a lot of quality competition in the playoffs, as the Sabers and Tampa Bay Lightning were among the best teams in the Eastern Conference, while the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers were not.

If I were a betting man, my money would be on the Hurricanes, but I’d be very eager to support the Canadiens, given their tendency to rise to the challenge when faced with adversity.

And as we all know, they will face a mountain of adversities in the upcoming series vs Hurricanes.

All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

The San Antonio Spurs are three wins away from the NBA Finals. But standing in their way are the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

If you’re planning to watch Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night, take a look at everything you need to know, as well as the current odds for the Thunder vs. Spurs.

san antonio spurs next game

What channel is the Spurs game on tonight?

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Spurs and Thunder will air exclusively on NBC and Peacock.

What time does the Spurs game start tonight?

Tip-off time for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals will be 8:30 PM ET.

Spurs vs Thunder Game 1 Betting Odds

Heading into Game 2 of the West Finals, the defending champion Thunder are -238 favorites after losing in Game 1. The Spurs have +195 odds on Wednesday night.

San Antonio Spurs Western Conference Finals full schedule

Below, you can take a complete look at the 2026 Western Conference Finals schedule.

The Best Spurs Playoff Watch Parties in San Antonio

There will be plenty of watch parties around San Antonio for the Spurs series against the Thunder. The Rock at La Cantera is the official destination of the team’s watch party. However, during road games, watch parties will take place inside the Frost Bank Center.

Plucker’s Wing Bar and McIntyre’s Southtown are other popular venues that host Spurs watch parties.

How to watch a Spurs game live stream on your phone

NBC has exclusive rights to the NBA Western Conference Finals. So if you plan to watch it on your phone, you’ll need a Peacock subscription.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

After nine days of wondering who their next opponent would be, the Carolina Hurricanes finally have their opponent for the Eastern Conference Finals following the Montreal Canadiens’ overtime win in Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres.

Between their sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers in round two of the ECF and Game 1, the Hurricanes would have 11 days of rest, setting a modern NHL record. Ironically, only 1919 Canadians had more than 12.

Game 7 between the Canadiens and Sabers was certainly interesting. The Canadiens took an early lead by scoring two goals in the first frame, before the Sabers evened it out in the next two frames. However, the Sabers found the back of the net for the third time after the puck bounced off the legs of Jacob Dobbs, while the remaining puck was pushed across the line by Beck Malensteen. But unfortunately for the Sabres, as Dobbs tried to cover the puck, the referee blew the whistle – despite having no control over it, and the goal was ultimately waved off.

With 8:38 left in the extra frame, Alex Newhook got the game-winning goal.

A Brief History of the Hurricanes vs. the Habs

Throughout the regular season, the Canadiens won all three games against the Hurricanes. However, in the only two instances when the two teams have faced each other in the postseason (2002, 2006), the Hurricanes have defeated them in six games or less. Ironically, the Hurricanes also appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals in both postseasons, and won the championship in 2006.

Carolina Hurricanes-Montreal Canadiens schedule and broadcast information

game 1

When: Thursday, May 21, 8:00 pm EDT
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 2

When: Saturday, May 23, 7:00 pm EDT
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 3

When: Monday, May 25, 8:00 pm EDT
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 4

When: Wednesday, May 27, 8:00 pm EDT
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 5 (if necessary)

When: Friday, May 29, 8:00 pm EDT
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 6 (if necessary)

When: Sunday, May 31, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, TVAS

Game 7 (if necessary)

When: Tuesday, June 2, 8:00 pm EDT
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

All games will feature local play-by-play by Mike Maniscalco and analysis by Trip Tracy on the Hurricanes’ radio partner, 99.9 The Fan.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

The Montreal Canadiens advance to the Eastern Conference Finals after defeating the Buffalo Sabers 4–3 in their second-round series.

The Sabers won Game 1 and Game 4, but the Canadiens were the better team, as shown by their dominant performances in Game 2 and Game 3. That being said, Buffalo deserves credit for its impressive comeback in Game 6.

All things considered, advancing to the Conference Finals is quite an accomplishment for the league’s youngest team, but the hard work is far from over.

Next playoff opponent

The Canadiens will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals, a powerhouse team that has yet to taste anything but success in the 2026 NHL Playoffs.

The Hurricanes easily defeated the Ottawa Senators 4–0 in the first round series, outscoring them 11–5 in the process. They continued their momentum into the second round, where they once again had a dominant performance, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in four consecutive games and defeating them 13–5.

Simply put, they have been the best team in the playoffs, and by a wide margin.

They are sure to be very well rested compared to the Canadians, although that may not be an advantage given the situation. While the Habs have lacked rest, they have maintained their lead by playing every two days and facing equally competitive opponents.

While the Hurricanes have not played a game since May 9, meaning they will be facing a very cold winter ahead of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Given that Game 1 of the series is scheduled for May 21, the Hurricanes will not have played an NHL game in a dozen days, leaving a significant amount of rust for these highly-tuned athletes.

Of course, his lack of game-time action in recent days will be mitigated by the fact that the Hurricanes are one of the most talented teams in the league.

Montreal Canadiens Vs. Carolina Hurricanes conference finals

• game 1 – Thursday, May 21. Time TBD – @CarolinaHurricanes
• game 2 – Saturday, May 23. Time TBD – @CarolinaHurricanes
• game 3 – Monday, May 25. Time TBD – @MontrealCanadiens
• game 4 – Wednesday, May 27. Time TBD – @MontrealCanadiens
• *game 5 -Friday, May 29. Time TBD – @CarolinaHurricanes
• *game 6 – Sunday, May 31. Time TBD – @MontrealCanadiens
• *game 7 – Tuesday, June 2. Time TBD – @CarolinaHurricanes

*if necessary.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

LeBron James is once again poised to be the top player available in NBA free agency this offseason. While a return to the Los Angeles Lakers is much discussed, there is reportedly mutual interest with the Eastern Conference contender.

The BigPlay Scoop B. of Cleveland. According to Robinson, there is “mutual interest” between LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, money is going to be a real factor in this process.

RELATED: Executive details potential win-win contract for Lakers, LeBron

“I know the Cavs, some members of their roster have had conversations with LeBron about a possible pairing.”

Brandon “Scoop B.” Robinson on interest between Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James

Robinson also mentioned a third team that could potentially be in the mix for LeBron. Unsurprisingly, joining the NBA rumors over the past few days, the New York Knicks are being viewed as another possible option for the future Hall of Famer.

There is a complicating factor here for the Knicks and Cavaliers. This also applies to the two teams that were previously linked to LeBron, the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets, giving the Lakers a bigger chance to re-sign him.

Both the Cavaliers and Knicks are limited to offering LeBron far less than the Lakers can put on the table. While the Lakers have his Bird rights, Cleveland and New York are above the luxury tax and will have to hope the four-time NBA champion is willing to play at a steep discount.

Read more: Executives predict potential cost of Austin Reeves contract

The Cavaliers could also make a sign-and-trade to acquire LeBron, but that would require the Lakers to trade center Jarrett Allen. This again highlights why Los Angeles is still the favorite to sign him.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The San Antonio Spurs are four wins away from the NBA Finals. But standing in their way are the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

If you’re planning to watch Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday night, below you’ll find everything you need to know, as well as the upcoming schedule of their NBA playoff series.

san antonio spurs next game

What channel is the Spurs game on tonight?

Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Spurs and Thunder will air exclusively on NBC and Peacock.

What time does the Spurs game start tonight?

Tip-off time for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals will be 8:30 PM ET.

Spurs vs Thunder Game 1 Betting Odds

Heading into Game 1 of the West Finals, the defending champion Thunder are -265 favorites. The Spurs have +215 odds on Monday night.

San Antonio Spurs Western Conference Finals full schedule

Below, you can take a complete look at the 2026 Western Conference Finals schedule.

The Best Spurs Playoff Watch Parties in San Antonio

There will be plenty of watch parties around San Antonio for the Spurs series against the Thunder. The Rock at La Cantera is the official destination of the team’s watch party. However, during road games, watch parties will take place inside the Frost Bank Center.

Plucker’s Wing Bar and McIntyre’s Southtown are other popular venues that host Spurs watch parties.

How to watch a Spurs game live stream on your phone

NBC has exclusive rights to the NBA Western Conference Finals. So if you plan to watch it on your phone, you’ll need a Peacock subscription.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Ahead of Game 5 between the Buffalo Sabers and Montreal Canadiens, who are tied 2–2 in the series at the time of writing, the NHL announced the tentative schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals between the Carolina Hurricanes and whoever wins the Atlantic Series.

After winning the Eastern Conference in the regular season, the Hurricanes will have home ice advantage against any opponent.

The schedule has two different scenarios, and doesn’t list times, but at least we have dates!

Carolina Hurricanes-Buffalo Sabers schedule and broadcast information (if second-round series ends in Game 6)

game 1

When: Tuesday, May 19, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 2

When: Thursday, May 21, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 3

When: Saturday, May 23, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 4

When: Monday, May 25, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 5 (if necessary)

When: Wednesday, May 27, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 6 (if necessary)

When: Friday, May 29, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 7 (if necessary)

When: Sunday, May 31, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, TVAS

Carolina Hurricanes-Buffalo Sabres/Montreal Canadiens schedule and broadcast information (if second-round series extends to Game 7)

game 1

When: Thursday, May 21, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 2

When: Saturday, May 23, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 3

When: Monday, May 25, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 4

When: Wednesday, May 27, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 5 (if necessary)

When: Friday, May 29, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 6 (if necessary)

When: Sunday, May 31, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, TVAS

game 7 (if necessary)

When: Tuesday, June 2, TBD
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

All games will feature local play-by-play by Mike Maniscalco and analysis by Trip Tracy on the Hurricanes’ radio partner, 99.9 The Fan.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

With the Carolina Hurricanes’ historic sweep over the Philadelphia Flyers, they earned a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in four years. However, as they potentially look at 10 straight days off, it leaves time to wonder and contemplate whether they have what it takes to move past the rounds of 1-16 they have endured in the last 15 years.

So, what makes this Hurricanes team so special, and why does this postseason campaign feel different?

Hurricanes have a strong sense of identity, experience, and chemistry

This isn’t the Hurricanes’ first rodeo in the ECF; This is the third time in four years that they have reached here. However, in their last two shots, they were defeated by the Florida Panthers, with the first being all games one-goal against them, and the second being completely outclassed by their rivals from the Sunshine State.

The Panthers had little experience in that 2023 series and lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games in the Stanley Cup Finals. But in the 2025 series, the Panthers already had a Cup — they knew who they were.

However, the storms did not yet know themselves.

The summer and season were marked by significant changes with the departure of seven key players amid free agency and the Mikko Rantanen debacle. They managed to play their game in the first two rounds, but facing the Panthers once again, their style quickly disintegrated as they tried to emulate their opponent – ​​abandoning their bread and butter in puck management and instead focusing on physicality and finishing hits, something they were not particularly adept at at the time. Taylor Hall, who was only on the team for a short time, put it best as ‘not dancing with the girl they brought in’.

However, since then, they have honed their physicality while focusing heavily on conditioning without sidelining their unique playing style – the hallmark of their hard-working team. Some changes were made during the latest free agency and trade deadline, creating a stronger chemistry without the shakeup previously experienced.

As far as experience goes, all the key players except Brandon Bussey have been on teams that have been to the conference finals. Even Carolina’s two young players, 23-year-old Logan Stankoven and 22-year-old Jackson Blake, have notable experience at this stage of the postseason, with Stankoven having experienced the conference finals in the two latest postseasons (his only seasons in the NHL), and Blake having experienced it last season.

“The culture and the group that we have this year is a different level, I think, than even last year,” Blake said after the series-winning overtime goal against the Flyers. “I think last year we had a good group, and we were really united, but this year it feels a little different. I don’t know what it is, but I like the way we’re moving.”

Generally speaking, whether the Hurricanes face the Buffalo Sabers or Montreal Canadiens, they should have the upper hand in two aspects of experience and identity – having recently been in this position before, and recognizing how they want to play and have worked toward meeting those goals throughout the season.

contribution from top to bottom

The Hurricanes’ theme this season is a tattered old rope, given to the player who tried hardest after each win, which is selected by the player who got the win first – a metaphor alluding to each individual pulling their weight toward a unified goal. Really, this is a great example of how the team has performed in both the regular season and playoffs.

Currently, Carolina’s scoring leader is not Sebastian Aho’s first line, but Stankoven’s second line, with the latter having a fairly even distribution of goals and assists in the lineup. Depth players are rising to the challenge, making it difficult for opposing coaches to strategize on closing down scoring opportunities.

This is incredibly similar to the 2023 playoff Hurricanes, which also had a heavy reliance on secondary scoring, and was their best in two recent appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Comfort is a huge factor

Let’s be honest…no one saw that the storm would wreak havoc not only in the first round, but also in the second round. With this, they have played only eight games in total this post-season, whereas a team plays an average of 12 games in two rounds. Fewer games played, fewer opportunities early playoff injuries – the Hurricanes have suffered from this in recent postseasons.

Clearly, the comfort gained from consecutive sweeps is a luxury the Hurricanes have not had before, and moreover, their opponent will certainly lack.

Still, comfort versus rust will always remain a hotly debated topic – the main reason for any boon or curse after a gameless stretch. However, for goaltender Frederik Andersen – who has been one of the best goaltenders in the post-season – rest has proven time and again to benefit his performance in the past, and the Hurricanes will need him at the top of his game against whichever powerhouse comes out of the Sabres-Canadiens series.

Only time will tell which way the Eastern Conference Finals will go – whether the Hurricanes will finally make it through, or whether the curse of the semi-finals will continue. Nonetheless, this is their best chance in a long time.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

The first round of the NBA Playoffs is in the books and there were some surprises with the Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets being eliminated. This creates even more intrigue in our latest set of second round and NBA playoff predictions.

Let’s take a look at our NBA Conference Semifinals predictions.

(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (1) Oklahoma City Thunder

There’s still no timeline for Luka Doncic’s return, so we’re assuming he won’t play in the Western Conference Semifinals. For the Los Angeles Lakers, that means relying on 41-year-old LeBron James, as he averaged nearly 40 minutes per game alongside Austin Reaves against Houston. Not only do the Oklahoma City Thunder have NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the best player in basketball at the moment, but they rarely turn it over as a team (12.0, second lowest in the NBA) and they are excellent defensively. The Lakers’ lack of shooting and bucket-getters will be immediately exposed in this series, and it will be over quickly.

• Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder beat Los Angeles Lakers

(6) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (2) San Antonio Spurs

Anthony Edwards’ injury certainly makes this series more interesting. It now appears the Minnesota Timberwolves star will return for the Western Conference Semifinals; The only question is how effectively he will play despite the bone injury. Minnesota went 2–1 during the regular season series, but the final two matchups in January were decided by a total of 4 points. However, the Timberwolves will be without Donte DiVincenzo. All eyes will naturally be on the head-to-head battle between Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert. Given the ridiculous level at which Wembanyama is playing on both ends of the court, we’re rooting for San Antonio to win with his star power and depth.

• Prediction San Antonio Spurs won six games

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (1) Detroit Pistons

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons both barely survived the first round, so there should be no rest vs. rust debate for the Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup. What Cleveland brings to the table is the All-Star guard tandem of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, each of whom is capable of taking over a game. However, there are two issues for the Cavaliers. First, Detroit can bring defensive intensity and offensive scheme to both Mitchell and Harden. More importantly, while Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are very good veterans, Pistons centers Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart bring far more physicality. We don’t think Cleveland has the toughness or consistency to win this series.

• Prediction: Detroit Pistons advance in six games

(7) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (3) New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are probably the best team left in the Eastern Conference. That said, the Philadelphia 76ers are playing underdogs and there’s nothing Joel Embiid would love more than to eliminate the Knicks to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals. Where New York may run into a little trouble is the fact that Embiid may be a stopper against Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges isn’t bringing anything offensively. Philadelphia could pull off another upset if everyone stays healthy, but it’s far from certain and New York has better answers for Embiid than Boston. Ultimately, the deeper and more defensive-minded team advances.

• Prediction: New York won seven matches

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

It is absolutely true that Sunny Mehta’s first choice was always the New Jersey Devils. However, there was no guarantee in his mind that he was the Devils’ first choice before firing Tom Fitzgerald.

In the link, how HBSE ambushed MLSE for Mehta. Also, details of Mehta’s introductory conference.

Elsewhere, a standout rookie is looking for more in Buffalo, Detroit, and Captain Macklin?

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils ownership made several mistakes in hiring Sunny Mehta. Certainly, Mehta wanted the devils and the devils wanted Mehta. But there is more to it. Here’s how HBSE ambushed Toronto to capture Mehta.

📺 devil’s rink report: Mehta met the media for the first time for his introductory press conference and expressed his support to the organization, media and fans alike. He didn’t reveal too much, but there was a lot to chew on. In the latest episode of Devil’s Rink Report, we gave the full details.

Full episode here 👇🏼

Please like and subscribe our Youtube channel And turn on those notifications when we go live every Friday!

For podcast listeners, we have officially launched on multiple platforms. Listen to Devil’s Rink Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

Too! Devil’s Rink Report is now on TikTok – follow us here.

sign up for new jersey hockey now Newsletter for daily Devils intel straight to your inbox.

NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

Buffalo hockey now: The Buffalo Sabers took Game 3 from the Boston Bruins on their own field. Here’s how Noah Ostlund’s NHL playoff debut stole the show with a 3-1 win.

Forever Blueshirts: Here’s how Alexis Lafreniere is making one of the guys covering the New York Rangers a believer.

Athletic ($): The Habs have been a fun story to watch this season, but the Tampa Bay Lightning may not be able to catch up to them in the series. That’s why the bolts are behind.

Pittsburgh hockey now: If the Pittsburgh Penguins have a chance to overcome a 3-0 deficit in their first-round series, here are three things they need to do.

Boston hockey now: Just like the Sabers got Ostlund, Boston Bruins head coach Marco Sturm is looking for more continuity from his kid line.

San Jose Hockey Now: Ryan Reaves wants to see Macklin Celebrini wear the ‘C’ for the San Jose Sharks.

Colorado hockey now: Despite leading the series 3-0 over the Los Angeles Kings, is the Colorado Avalanche power play an issue?

Philly hockey now: That’s why Will James says there should be some confidence in Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuelsson.

Detroit hockey now: The Detroit Red Wings ultimately did not make the playoffs and are now the longest-serving team to miss the league. They need more from their top players. That’s why they want Lucas Raymond to shoot more.

Montreal hockey now: On their way to taking the lead over the Lightning, here’s how Len Hutson called the game for the Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 on Friday night.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

Sunny Mehta soon became a New Jersey Devils loyalist on Tuesday. But, come on. He is a former professional poker player. Of course he was not going to show his hand.

However, he did tell me about my accent, which is blatantly obvious that it originates from Staten Island.

Yes, that’s where I grew up. Don’t worry, I’m originally from New Jersey now.

Anyway, Mehta has said all the right things. He didn’t give much away, but he gave us enough to chew on. More details on the key takeaways below.

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: Here are three takeaways from Sunny Mehta’s introductory press conference that included news regarding Devils ownership.

📺 devil’s rink report: So, what priorities will Mehta face as he steps into his new role as general manager in New Jersey? We break it down in the latest Devils Rink report.

Full episode here 👇🏼

Please like and subscribe our Youtube channel And turn on those notifications when we go live every Friday!

For podcast listeners, we have officially launched on multiple platforms. Listen to Devil’s Rink Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

Too! Devil’s Rink Report is now on TikTok – follow us here.

sign up for new jersey hockey now Newsletter for daily Devils intel straight to your inbox.

NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

Forever Blueshirts: One of the biggest issues with the New York Rangers last season? No one was afraid of his top-six.

Athletic ($): Could Kevin Adams be back in the front office already? The Vancouver Canucks are allowed to talk to him about a potential role.

Pittsburgh hockey now: Here’s how NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has hit back at goaltender interference and the optimism surrounding the sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose Hockey Now: Michael Misa had a good rookie season. However, the San Jose Sharks forward knows he has a lot more to offer, and he’s excited to show the “real” version of himself next season.

Philly hockey now: The Philadelphia Flyers are fun to watch right now, man. That’s why Philly was actually successful after taking a commanding 2-0 lead over its Pennsylvania rival.

montreal hockey now: If you missed the highlights of the exciting matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning, check them out here.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on Sportsnaut and … More about James Nicholls

Sunny Mehta is living his dream as the general manager of the New Jersey Devils.

He himself had said this in his opening statement.

“First and foremost, I really want to thank David Blitzer, all of Devils ownership, Josh Harris and Bob Myers, Tad Brown for hiring me not only today, but 12 years ago,” Mehta began. “I can definitely tell you that my career wouldn’t be the same without these people. And it’s a thrill. To be honest, it’s a dream to be back here.”

The local boy has come home – where he previously worked as Director of Analytics – but now in a very different role.

However, he has returned before. When the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup — in both 2024 and 2025 — Mehta brought Lord Stanley back to his days in New Jersey with the trophy.

For Mehta, it’s always been New Jersey.

It was here that he fell in love with hockey. It was here that he fell in love with devils. And that is why he is in this position today.

There was not a single revelation in Mehta’s initial press conference. This is the 48-year-old officers’ second day on the job. He revealed that he has had at least one conversation with everyone in the organization, including the coaching staff and every player on the roster.

What it revealed was that their optimism stemmed from some of the parts the Devils already had.

“I’m extremely optimistic about this team,” Mehta said. “We have a lot of talented players, and I really believe that these talented players are going to reach a turning point and get over that hurdle. It’s my job to make sure this roster continues to be filled with the amount of talent needed to be a championship team, and I intend to do that.”

And while that’s all well and good, it’s the results that will speak the loudest.

So, what was the biggest takeaway from his introductory press conference?

Everything is under evaluation

Mehta decapitated the snake at the beginning of his introductory press conference. He explained to everyone and everything working under him is for evaluation.

It starts with Sheldon Keefe – who was present at Mehta’s introductory press conference – and extends to Nico Hischier, Simon Nemec and Arseny Gritsyuk.

This also extends to his personal cabinet, assistant coaching staff and scouting department.

“As far as the short term is concerned, moving forward, there is going to be a period of evaluation for all the players, coaches and staff,” Mehta said. “No decisions are made on anything related to him. As for David.” [Blitzer] As indicated, this is literally day two for me.”

So, there is no answer today as to who will be the head coach when the puck drops in September. And no, we don’t know the level of urgency to lock down some key pending free agents.

However, we will soon find out.

Worth noting is that when he was asked who he wanted to be like as GM, Mehta said, “I want to be like Sunny Mehta.”

In a copycat league, that’s definitely the right mindset to have going into this position.

expense for cap

The story is that the Devils owners are cheap and don’t spend where necessary.

Uh, have you seen the net worth of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Enterprises?

With Devils co-owner David Blitzer in attendance, he answered the question everyone, including Mehta, wanted to hear.

In fact, Mehta sat on his chair as soon as he heard the answer. There is no bond on the new Devils GM. He is free to spend as he sees fit.

“It’s fair to say that we intend to spend up to the limit,” Blitzer explained.

We’ll see how it looks in the offseason. However, this is not the strongest crop of free agents. This does not mean that Mehta cannot work for top talents in the trade market. It is interesting to note that there is no restriction on this.

However, Mehta’s gutted reaction to Blitzer’s answer was obvious. It’s clear he’s excited to scout the Devils roster and put his fingerprints on it.

familiar territory

Yes, Mehta grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey, after moving to the Garden State at the age of four. Sure, he played high school hockey in Ramapo, New Jersey.

However, that’s not why Mehta is in familiar territory as the Devils’ new GM.

Mehta arrived in the Florida Panthers organization in 2020 as vice president of hockey strategy and an analyst. The Panthers were still in turmoil. They finished the season with a 35–26–8 record, and lost in the qualifying round of the playoffs during the second half of the COVID cutoff season.

However, since that time Mehta has helped the Panthers become two-time Stanley Cup champions. Still, not without some changes. Mehta is looking to do the same thing for the Devils.

“I see a lot of similarities [in New Jersey’s roster] Because when I got to Florida, they were going through some tough times recently,” Mehta said. “But they had some very talented players. There are some things we need to keep and some things we need to change.”

After consecutive first and second round exits, Mehta played a hand in sending key players Jonathan Huberdeau and McKenzie Weegar to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk in a blockbuster deal.

That’s when the culture of Florida changed.

The Panthers then made their second appearance in the Finals, but ultimately lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. And then, they became consecutive Stanley Cup champions in 2024 and 2025.

“I think the biggest thing is that I was already involved in that decision-making process, I was fortunate that I got a chance to work under my last boss, Bill Zito. Our backgrounds were a little different, in the sense that he went into law, I went into finance. But, he’s also a guy who grew up in hockey like me, and he’s also a guy who never played professionally. But I think that’s Bill’s biggest strength, and the fact that he’s a group of guys in Florida. Our biggest strength was the idea of having a diverse group of different people with hockey backgrounds and different perspectives. Bill did a phenomenal job of gathering those different perspectives and coming to a decision, and that’s what I intend to do here.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

For the first time in 20 years, the Carolina Hurricanes established themselves as the best Eastern Conference team throughout the regular season. It didn’t come with any dramatic impact, nor did it come with any spectacular victory – but it came nonetheless.

Starting the night with some of their six best players out of the starting lineup, they faced a hungry Philadelphia Flyers team that was fighting for a postseason opportunity.

The first period was all Carolina, taking a two-goal lead by the end of the frame. The first goal came off the stick of Bradley Nadeau, with an assist from Nikolaj Ehlers, who sent a no-look pass to the rookie who had positioned himself in the slot.

A few minutes later, the Hurricanes got the man advantage due to a holding penalty, which Ehlers managed to capitalize on. In doing so, he achieved the first 70-point season of his 11-season career.

However, the second period belonged to the Flyers – scoring two to tie the game. The first goal came from Matvei Michkov, thanks to a Hurricanes concession as the game began. His second goal, meanwhile, was during the power play – a snapshot of penalty-drawer Trevor Zegras who was left completely alone by Brandon Bussey’s net.

During halftime, Ehlers talked about the two goals he allowed, recognizing that they were the result of puck mismanagement and that it was something he would need to tighten up in the following frames.

In fact, they worked together defensively in the final period, giving up only four possessions compared to nine in the second period. But ultimately, Philadelphia wasn’t giving up that much. The game remained deadlocked through regulation, and then as has happened every time they faced each other this season, they went into overtime.

As the extra frames opened, the Hurricanes had scored the points needed to win the Eastern Conference. Additionally, the Flyers’ overtime points eliminated the Columbus Blue Jackets from the playoffs.

However, nothing was achieved in five minutes of three-on-three and they were locked in a shootout for the third time in four matches played together.

The decider came in the fourth round of the shootout, as Tyson Foster managed to defeat Brandon Bussey, becoming the third skater to do so in the 14 rounds played by the goaltender this season.

With their win, the Flyers clinched third place in the Metropolitan Division – the only remaining playoff spot in the Eastern Conference – and clinched a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2020. Interestingly, the only Eastern playoff matchup confirmed for the postseason is now the Flyers against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are in second place in the Metro Division.

(PSST, Philly Hockey Now’s William James wrote a great article on the Flyers’ playoff clinch – be sure to check it out if you want to see the Flyers’ perspective!)

storm notes

Nicolas Deslauriers’ return to Philadelphia, where he will be playing through the 2022-23 season, has been more difficult than usual. Literally. He had 11 hits on his former teammates (notably Rasmus Ristolainen and Emil Andre, who had three hits each). This tied his career high for most hits in a single game, which he set in a game against the Dallas Stars on March 13, 2018, when he was a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

During the second period, Jalen Chatfield took a heavy hit from Owen Tippett. He was slow to get up and proceeded to walk down the tunnel, but returned to the game shortly afterwards. It was his first game since suffering a lower-body injury against the Boston Bruins last Tuesday.

The loss was the Hurricanes’ first in Philadelphia since March 5, 2020.

The last time the Hurricanes finished first in the Eastern Conference was in the 2005–06 season.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

crystal Palace They face Fiorentina in the Conference League quarterfinals on Thursday. The game at Selhurst Park could prove huge for the Italian side, who are in a relegation battle from Serie A.

Things have improved over the past few weeks for La Viola, who are unbeaten in four league games. The European competition will be a different challenge, as they have had to struggle against the likes of Rakow, Jagiellonia and even Lussen.

The Polish team took them to extra time last month, even though the Florence club won 3–0 in the first leg. In short, this has been the story of Fiorentina’s rollercoaster campaign.

Their strange record in the Conference League will not be the only problem against Crystal Palace, as Paolo Vanoli’s side struggle with a number of fitness concerns.

Many uncertainties for Fiorentina

gazzetta dello sport Today praised Nicolo Fagioli, who played a key role in the second leg against Rakao. He also scored against Hellas Verona at the weekend and should feature against the Eagles.

A key player returning for Fiorentina is Dodo, who was missing against Verona. He has already returned to training should he travel to London to play against Crystal Palace.

This is the only positive, as Rolando Mandragora is likely to be out. Manor Solomon, Nicolo Fortini and fullback Fabiano Parisi should also remain out. Notably, the Israeli winger has not played since the beginning of March due to a thigh problem.

That’s why Fiorentina will rely heavily on Fagioli, who could also have been called up to the Italian national team a few weeks ago. After a disappointing first few months he has turned a corner and is La Viola’s most important player at the moment.

Our opinion: Fiorentina can’t surprise

For now, Vanoli’s team has one major goal for the season and that is to avoid relegation. A club as big as Fiorentina cannot reach Serie B and the campaign has been a nightmare.

This has affected their performances in the Conference League and it is evident in every game.

Therefore, Crystal Palace may not face major problems on Thursday. Even though Fagioli and Moise Kean will be involved, things sometimes go wrong for the Florence club when they play an extra game in a week. They will also play the second leg next week, which will increase the pressure on them.

Oliver Glasner’s side have not played a game since March 19 and that could tip things in their favour.

The NBA is set to vote during its Board of Governors meeting later this month to consider adding two expansion teams to the league in Las Vegas and Seattle. Both teams will begin play during the 2028–2029 season.

There’s a good chance the proposal is agreed to, meaning there will be a conference realignment when it comes to other teams. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, there are already two teams being mentioned as possible options to move to the Eastern Conference.

Charania wrote, “NBA officials expect that either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Memphis Grizzlies will move East and realign the conferences with a 16-16 conference, when Seattle and Las Vegas become Western teams.”

It makes perfect sense to move the Grizzlies to the Eastern Conference, simply because they are already on this side of the field. They’re a team that belongs in the Western Conference, but is nowhere near the West. This would be a good sign for them to relocate to the East, as they would not have to travel far all the time, as they always have to do.

As far as the Timberwolves are concerned, this seems like another good option to head east, as they are more in the northeastern region of the US.

It will be interesting to see what the league agrees to, but first, the vote must be in favor of adding expansion teams. This could be a major win for the league, as industry executives have presented offers in the range of $7–10 billion for each team, and it is estimated that the Las Vegas and Seattle markets will be part of the NBA’s top eight revenue generators.

Following the first vote, there will be a possible final vote at the end of the year to finalize the transaction for the 32 teams. 23 out of 30 governors will have to vote in favor in both voting rounds.

Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ 142-130 win against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday amid a 51-point explosion from Luka Doncic, the Lakers find themselves climbing up to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference standings. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, there is still about a month of the regular season left with some key games coming up, and it would be fair for the Lakers to hold on to the third seed in the West standings for the NBA Playoffs.

“I’m looking for a way for the Lakers to get to the playoffs. It’s going to take three,” Windhorst said. “No. 1, you have home court in the first round. Last year they had home court in the first round and they lost. You’ve still got to play good basketball … and you’re probably on the same side of the bracket as the Spurs.

“If you’re choosing to root for the Spurs or the Thunder, you’re probably going to pick the Spurs because of their inexperience overall. They’re not as deep as the Thunder… The next three games are huge for the Lakers. Home against the Nuggets… And then they go off on a six-game road trip. The first two games of that trip, in Houston. With teams all around them wanting to beat them, we’re going to be a lot more about the Lakers after the next 10 days.” Will get to know.”

Currently, the West’s standings from No. 3 to No. 7 are separated by just two games. The Spurs are obviously a better matchup for the Lakers than the Thunder in the NBA playoffs. But last season, JJ Redick cautioned against trying to manipulate seeding for favorable playoff series.

The Lakers have 16 games left in the regular season, four of which are against teams they are battling for playoff position with in the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns. Windhorst is right in that the upcoming stretch will say a lot about the Lakers moving forward in the West playoff picture.

The Montreal Canadiens have 20 games left to play in the 2025-26 season, giving us a great opportunity to look at the team’s playoff odds again.

We’ll also evaluate the changes in the odds of the various Eastern Conference teams competing with the Habs for a playoff spot.

Updated Montreal Canadiens Playoff Odds

With 78 points in the bank after 62 games, the Canadiens are on solid pace to qualify for the playoffs.

According to Money Puck, his chances are currently 81.8%.

If they maintain this pace, they will finish the year with 103 points, which is significantly more than their results last season.

The Habs finished 2024-25 with 91 points, thus, their pace in 2025-26 represents a 13% increase in points per game.

The standings in the Eastern Conference are relatively opposite.

The Canadiens are just five points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the wild card race, however, it should be noted that they are only six points behind the Buffalo Sabers for the top spot in the Atlantic Division with two games remaining.

As always, the Eastern Conference is offering a very tortuous, chaotic playoff race.

With that in mind, we must remember that it is very difficult to close a gap of five or six points in the standings with only 20 games left on the schedule, especially since there are overtime and shootout points in the games.

Although the points paint a somewhat worrisome picture, the prospects reflect the fact that scoring a half-dozen points with very few games left to play is a tall mountain to climb for any NHL club.

Changes in Eastern Conference playoff odds

Two months ago, Montreal’s playoff chances were less than 70%.

Within a month, they increased slightly, but not to the point where anyone would feel comfortable suggesting any signs of relaxation.

With the Olympic break behind us, the Canadiens have not only strengthened their position, but they have increased their chances by more than 12%.

While the Canadiens slowly but surely improved their odds, some teams, such as the Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs, fell out of the playoff race, paying homage to Thelma and Louise.

On the other side of the coin, the New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings significantly improved their chances of qualifying for the 2025-26 playoffs.

remaining montreal canadiens games

Opponents: Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders (x2), Carolina Hurricanes (x2), Columbus Blue Jackets (x2), Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning (x2), New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils (2), Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers.

With 20 games left on the docket, the Habs will face 17 Eastern Conference teams that will certainly have a major impact on their playoff race. They will play organizations in the Atlantic Division on seven occasions, while facing teams currently in a playoff spot nine times.

In other words, while Montreal’s playoff prospects are relatively healthy, there are enough games left in the season that there could be quite a swing when we consider that most of their rivals are also competing for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks

All things considered, the Canadiens have a very high chance of reaching the playoffs, an accomplishment that should be celebrated.

Just four years ago, they were the worst team in the league, and they were given the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Expectations may have risen to unreasonable levels since then, but there’s no doubt that the Habs have done a great job in their rebuild.

This is one of the cleanest, most streamlined rebuilds in modern NHL history, as reflected by their strong bid to qualify for the playoffs in consecutive seasons.

All Montreal Canadiens and NHL playoff odds via Money Puck.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

The Cleveland Cavaliers got revenge on the Detroit Pistons 113-109 on Tuesday as Jaylon Tyson and James Harden combined to lead the way at Rocket Arena.

The Cavaliers improved to 39-24. They lost to the Pistons 122-119 in overtime on Friday.

Tyson scored 22 points on 8 of 15 shooting, including five three-pointers, in another solid performance. He also added three rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Meanwhile, Harden recorded 18 points, five rebounds and seven assists.

Tyson was invited to the post-game conference, and he made sure to have one of his biggest supporters with him. jordan tyson sat on the sidelines That’s when he watched his older brother answer questions from the media, as shown in a video posted by Leah Doherty of Cleveland 19 News.

#cavs Jaylon Tyson is a special guest at the post-game press conference, his brother Jordan is here tonight. pic.twitter.com/a1KpoVnQrN

– Leah Doherty (@LeahDohertyTV) 4 March 2026

The younger Tyson, who starred for Arizona State, is hoping to have his name called in next month’s NFL draft. He is one of the top prospects at wide receiver, with many critics tagging him as a mid-first round pick.

However, there are concerns over his injury history, as he has struggled to remain on the field due to problems with his knee, collarbone and hamstring.

Still, that could mirror the journey of the elder Tyson, whom the Cavaliers drafted as the 20th overall pick in 2024. Although he was an unlikely prospect out of California and barely played in his rookie year, he has played a major role this season.

He is averaging 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 27.6 minutes per game. He ranks third in the league in three-point accuracy with 46%, behind only Luke Kennard and his teammate Sam Merrill of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The NBA is getting ready for the homestretch of the season, restarting the season following the end of NBA All-Star Weekend. Thursday night was the restart of the season, and the night’s game was an Eastern Conference showdown between the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks. The Pistons won 126–111, thanks to Cade Cunningham, but it strengthened the argument that these were the two best teams in the East.

NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has been known to make some big moves on social media during the NBA season since leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. He spoke after watching the game on Thursday Pistons and Knicks picked to reach Eastern Conference Finals, but worth keeping an eye on The Cavaliers, 76ers, and even the Celtics.

After the game, Johnson praised the Pistons’ performance, especially that of point guard Cade Cunningham after he took over and led Detroit to a big win.

Johnson said, “NBA fans around the world, I hope you didn’t see Detroit Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham’s performance last night against the New York Knicks. He had a spectacular performance, scoring 42 points, 13 assists and 8 rebounds! Cade scored from everywhere on the court – the three-pointer, the midrange jumper, and he was taking it to the basket. When he dunked on the three he may have had the best game of the year. Hits with the left hand!”

New York had some moments, with Jalen Brunson scoring 30 and Karl-Anthony Towns adding 21 points and 11 boards, but the Knicks struggled from three-point range and couldn’t get enough stops on defense to really swing momentum. Detroit consistently created separation, extended the advantage into the high teens late in the game and never allowed it to get into danger.

Johnson’s confidence in the Knicks and Pistons stems from the fact that both teams have been the most consistent in the Eastern Conference. There’s a lot to like about teams like the Cavaliers, 76ers and Celtics, but the consistency of those top two is what sets them apart and is a significant difference.

我們根據《Madden 26》獲得了 NFL 分區冠軍賽結果，看看比賽認為誰會在本週末獲勝。上週，《Madden 26》在預測分區賽比賽中取得了 3-1 的成績。總體而言，自常規賽第一周以來，NFL 比賽的預測結果為 178-104。它能在分區冠軍賽中提高這些數字嗎？讓我們通過模擬本週末《Madden 26》的每場比賽來找出答案。

根據《Madden 26》，NFL 聯盟冠軍賽結果

週日冠軍賽已定！ #NFL季后賽 pic.twitter.com/1ONNGFZVY1

— NFL (@NFL) 2026 年 1 月 19 日

新英格蘭愛國者隊對陣丹佛野馬隊 – 根據《Madden 26》報導，NFL 聯盟冠軍賽結果

賈勒特·斯蒂德漢姆在博·尼克斯缺陣期間表現出色，但野馬隊無法阻止愛國者隊繼續第 12 次參加超級碗比賽。野馬隊在整場比賽中都保持著接近的比分，防守隊員發揮出色以保持他們的活力。儘管斯蒂德姆打得不錯，但他自 2023 年以來的第一次首發有點不准確。

全場比賽，新英格蘭只落後過一次，但上半場結束時以17-13領先。德雷克·梅耶 (Drake Maye) 傳球達陣，並在通往勝利的路上再次跑動。比賽還剩大約 13 分鐘時，拉蒙德·史蒂文森 (Rhamondre Stevenson) 6 碼達陣跑動讓愛國者隊以 27-20 領先。

丹佛隊有多次機會再次扳平比分。斯蒂德姆甚至在比賽還剩 16 秒時帶領野馬隊進入 NE 18。但連續四次未完成和失誤導致了新英格蘭隊的勝利。儘管打得很好，但這對野馬隊來說還不夠，他們的賽季以不愉快的方式結束。

洛杉磯公羊隊對陣西雅圖海鷹隊 – 根據《Madden 26》報導，NFL 聯盟冠軍賽結果

儘管西雅圖海鷹隊在比賽的大部分時間裡佔據主導地位，但還是讓公羊隊在最後九分鐘內取得了三次無人接球的達陣，將比賽拖入加時賽。

海鷹隊的跑衛肯尼思·沃克三世 (Kenneth Walker III) 盡其所能地提升了自己的角色。沒有了 RB 扎克·查博內特，海鷹隊就嚴重依賴他們的明星 HB。他最終取得了 3 次達陣，其中包括第三節的 32 碼跑球。由於陰雨天氣，傳球變得困難，薩姆·達諾德 (Sam Darnold) 很難將球傳到空中。

與此同時，馬修·斯塔福德慢慢來，但他在第四節爆發了。他找到普卡·納庫亞 (Puka Nacua) 連續兩次達陣，在比賽還剩 1 分 28 秒時將比分改寫為 24-17。公羊隊的防守迫使球隊快速三進出局，並在比賽還剩1分19秒左右時成功得球。洛杉磯隊的進攻很困難，大約一分鐘內只移動了 16 碼。但達萬特·亞當斯 (Davante Adams) 在比賽時間結束前完成了一次關鍵的 60 碼達陣接球。

在加時賽中，公羊隊的外接手澤維爾·史密斯觸地得分，最終贏得了比賽。在海鷹隊的進攻中，達諾德帶領球隊進入了 LAR 領地，但四場比賽結束了西雅圖隊的賽季。

據《Madden 26》報導，新英格蘭愛國者隊和洛杉磯公羊隊將在第 60 屆超級碗比賽中交鋒。這兩支球隊在超級碗歷史上已經交手過兩次，愛國者隊贏得了兩場比賽。此外，這兩次勝利都發生在湯姆·布雷迪時代。

總而言之，根據《Madden 26》，我們的 NFL 分區冠軍賽結果到此結束。我們希望您喜歡閱讀，我們期待看到它的表現！無論結果如何，我們都期待看到遊戲可能預測會發生什麼瘋狂的事情。

最後，如需了解更多遊戲或 NFL 新聞，請訪問 ClutchPoints。此外，請訂閱我們的遊戲通訊以獲取更多每周信息。