A notable NFL expert believes there was a very specific reason Aaron Rodgers waited until this week to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it wasn’t about haggling for money.

After a few months of speculation and rumors, the inevitable happened, and NFL legend Aaron Rodgers signed a new one-year deal with the Steelers. Most of the league expected him to return to Pittsburgh for a second season. Especially when the team did not give him many options.

When the Steelers exercised the unrestricted free agent tender on the 42-year-old, it severely limited his options to sign elsewhere because Pittsburgh would receive a compensatory draft selection if he joined another team. So why did it take until May for Rodgers to finally sign a contract?

Aaron Rodgers wanted to see the Steelers’ schedule before re-signing?

Some have speculated that he is still not sure whether he will play another season. Others have suggested that he was not completely set on reuniting with his former Green Bay Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy. However, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has a different idea: Rodgers wanted to take a look at the Steelers’ 2026 schedule first.

Florio suggests that he waited until after May 14, when the schedule was released, to anger the NFL, because if he had known he would return in 2026, he would have placed more Steelers games in primetime during the first half of the season. And the four-time NFL MVP wouldn’t be interested in helping the league. But maybe he just wanted to see how tough the road to the playoffs could be?

While next season’s schedule isn’t easy for Pittsburgh, it’s not one of the five to six worst. Knowing they don’t have a specific schedule, perhaps Rodgers has received final confirmation that he will return for another season and make a playoff run in 2026. Because in the end, he just wants another year in the league for more wins and glory.

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

Auston Matthews and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs are uncertain. After a difficult year in Toronto, the organization hired a new general manager and fired head coach Craig Berube. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are the hope for the Maple Leafs, and Matthews will have to step up to impress to stay afloat.

However, what about the possibility of Matthews being traded to the Minnesota Wild? The blockbuster business idea has gained some popularity on social media in recent weeks.

Why the Auston Matthews-to-Minnesota trade discussion is suddenly surfacing

Matthews wants to see what Toronto does during the 2026 NHL offseason before committing to another year. If the 28-year-old superstar isn’t happy with the Maple Leafs, he could request a trade to another organization. Wild figures to be one of the most attractive options for Matthews.

Minnesota is looking to acquire an elite center, and Matthews would be a perfect fit. Matthews played with Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber at the Winter Olympics, so he will be reunited with his teammates with the Wild. Minnesota is one of several teams that may be interested in Matthews, but why would he consider a blockbuster trade?

Why the Minnesota Wild would even consider a blockbuster move

The Wild just need to improve their roster. After acquiring Hughes, the organization made the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs before being eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota clearly needs an elite center, and Matthews would be a great pick-up.

Matthews already has chemistry with Hughes, Boldy and Faber, so it won’t be a long adjustment period. The Wild know that another trade for an elite player would put them on Colorado’s level. Whether it’s Matthews or a different NHL star, a trade appears to be on the horizon.

How Auston Matthews will change the Minnesota Wild’s offense

Matthews would solve Minnesota’s issues at the center position. The Maple Leafs star’s elite goalscoring will give the Wild one of the league’s best 1-2 punches, with Kirill Kaprizov under long-term contract. These two stars, combined with Hughes and Faber, will fix Minnesota’s power play and make it arguably the best unit in the NHL.

The Wild will be able to control the offensive pace with Matthews and Hughes. It also allows other centers to thrive in smaller roles, giving Minnesota more depth. A trade for Matthews would give the Wild an effective five-on-five attack that will be a threat every night.

What needs to happen to land Auston Matthews in the jungle?S

The Wild would absolutely need to trade for Matthews. If the 28-year-old superstar requests a trade, there will be multiple teams bidding for his services. The only way for the Wild to acquire Matthews on a waiver is for him to tell Toronto he wants “Minnesota, and only Minnesota”.

It could happen, but Minnesota can’t count on it. The organization would have to send elite prospects and multiple first-round draft picks to start the conversation. Jonas Brodin and Jesper Wallstad would be a good starting point, but depending on the market, the Maple Leafs could demand more.

Major obstacles coming in the way of Matthews business

The biggest hurdle is Matthews’ absolute no-movement clause. If the Toronto star requests a trade he will essentially be able to choose his next destination. Therefore, if there is another team that Matthews has as his preferred destination, Minnesota may be out of luck.

Matthews has a cap hit of $13.25 million, so the Wild will have to figure out how to work it within their payroll. This could limit the team around Matthews, Hughes and other stars. However, it all comes back to Matthews and his desires. If Minnesota isn’t his top landing spot, it could be difficult to make a deal.

What could happen next in the Auston Matthews trade rumors?

For now, Matthews is looking forward to seeing what Toronto can do to build a Stanley Cup playoff contender this offseason. If the Maple Leafs convince him of their long-term plan, it could put the trade rumors to rest, at least for a while. Another bad season could push Matthews to the breaking point where he wants to win a Stanley Cup outside of Toronto.

The next step will be to keep an eye on Toronto’s moves. Will this be enough to convince Matthews to return for a second season? If so, the idea could be pursued next offseason or revisited during the 2026–27 NHL season. Minnesota wants to establish an elite center, and if Matthews is available, it should make every effort to make it happen.

READ MORE: Auston Matthews traded to Los Angeles Kings? 5 possible business sites

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

You shouldn’t put anything past Bill Guerin. That’s why you shouldn’t be surprised to hear that he’s attempted to poach the youngest Hughes brother from the New Jersey Devils.

If you haven’t heard of it, visit the link below.

Yesterday was a good day for New Jersey Hockey Now. We’ve acquired Daniel Amoia who is joining me on Devil’s Beat.

NJHN is your go-to Devils source for all your New Jersey hockey needs, and we’re taking it to another level with Daniel.

You can find his author page here.

Daniel made his first publication yesterday which is also below, but stay tuned for more to come.

Elsewhere, Quinn on the Future in Minnesota, Heavily Fined on Torts, and More!

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: interesting. So, Bill Guerin has as much interest in bringing all of the Hughes brothers to Minnesota as the Devils have in employing all of them in New Jersey. evidence? Guerin called Tom Fitzgerald about a possible trade for Luke Hughes.

So, given the fact that Guerin feels the need to give himself an advantage when it comes to the Hughes brothers, what does this mean for how he feels about his chances of retaining Quinn Hughes? Daniel Amoia breaks it down in his first appearance with New Jersey Hockey Now.

📺 devil’s rink report: It has been reported that Auston Matthews’ future in Toronto is uncertain. Well, some people have drawn attention to New Jersey in a potential franchise changing trade. In the latest video on Devils Rink Report, I break down the deal that’s received a lot of backlash online and weigh in on whether it makes sense.

Last week, we went live with immediate reaction after the draft lottery. The full episode can be found 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.

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NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

Athletic ($): I mean, what else was he going to say? He loses all his leverage in contract negotiations by saying otherwise. At the Minnesota Wild exit meetings, Quinn Hughes was asked and stated that he was interested in remaining in Minnesota.

As many have already pointed out, Zach Parise said the same thing before leaving the Devils… for the Wild!

We will see what happens.

Forever Blueshirts: John Tortorella always finds a way back into the spotlight. New York Rangers fans know his fiery passion, and now the Vegas Golden Knights do too. And man, is the NHL attacking Torts with a big hammer. Tortorella has been heavily fined, and Vegas is being forced to forfeit a high draft pick for refusing to hold a media availability after eliminating the Anaheim Ducks.

pittsburgh hockey now: What’s next for Ricard Raquel who has definitely been pushed back from 2024-25? The decision here is definitely in the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose Hockey Now: Okay, no big deal. This is his second year in the league and Maclin Celebrini was fourth in league scoring with 104 points. Well, on July 1st, he is eligible to extend with the San Jose Sharks. What will that look like?

Philly hockey now: Here’s how the Philadelphia Flyers are becoming a destination players want to visit.

Montreal hockey now: It may not be as sustainable as it has been for them, but the Montreal Canadiens are succeeding in their adversity.

Toronto Hockey Now: What does Auston Matthews’ future hold with the Toronto Maple Leafs? Here’s the latest update from inside.

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

The Minnesota Wild need to improve after the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After blowing a 3–0 lead in Game 5, the Colorado Avalanche swept Minnesota in five games. This was a disappointing conclusion; However, the Wild should be back on the trade market this summer. In fact, Minnesota has been linked to a surprise NHL superstar.

The Athletic’s Michael Russo and Joe Smith listed Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews as a player Minnesota should trade this summer. Matthews, who was captain of the United States at the Winter Olympics, could be on the move this offseason.

So, what does Minnesota need to see to make Matthews a realistic trade target?

Auston Matthews should request a trade with the Minnesota Wild as a destination

New Toronto general manager John Chayka will have to prove to Matthews that he can build a roster capable of returning to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Like Quinn Hughes, Matthews is also scheduled to become a free agent in two seasons prior to the 2025-26 NHL season. Therefore, the 28-year-old center has a significant advantage.

If the Maple Leafs do not convince Matthews that they can be a competitive team, he can request a trade this summer or during the 2026–27 NHL season. In this scenario, Minnesota would be one of the destinations Matthews is willing to play for moving forward.

Matthews has a no-activity clause in his contract, so he must clear a trade out of Toronto. The NHL superstar has ties to Minnesota, as Hughes, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber all played with them on the Olympic team and during the Four Nations. It would not be surprising if organization was one of their main priorities.

It’s unclear where Minnesota would have the assets to acquire Matthews after trading for Hughes in December 2025. The best scenario for the Wild would be for Matthews to request “Minnesota and only Minnesota” to play with his Olympic teammates. Either way, a trade could be a real possibility this summer.

If Matthews wants out of Toronto, the Wild should call whenever that happens.

READ MORE: NHL insider makes bold prediction on Quinn Hughes extension with Minnesota Wild

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Bill Guerin appears to want to accomplish what former New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald couldn’t. He wants to reunite the Hughes brothers, but in Minnesota.

According to a report from Michael Russo via The Athletic, the Wild GM attempted to trade for Luke Hughes — the youngest of the three NHL phenoms — during the 2025-26 season.

Idea? After ambushing the Devils for Quinn Hughes and luring him to Minnesota, get Luke and sign superstar forward Jack Hughes if he becomes a free agent in 2030.

“Everyone knows the Hughes brothers want to play together. Maybe Jack wants to come to Minnesota to join forces with Quinn instead of waiting now or doing it the other way,” Russo wrote in his latest. “That would be complicated, however, because it’s hard to believe that Jack would leave his youngest brother, Luke, behind with the New Jersey Devils. That’s why, according to league sources, the Wild made an offer to former Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald to acquire Luke last season. Still, it seems unlikely that new GM Sunny Mehta’s first move would be to trade Jack Hughes. The same can be said for Hischier, He’s eligible for an extension this offseason, though. And if the Devils get the impression the Skipper won’t move, you can bet they’ll put him on the market.”

Fitzgerald is no longer in the GM chair as he and the Devils parted ways and New Jersey hired Sunny Mehta as its sixth GM in franchise history.

Fitzgerald’s departure stemmed from Ball dropping the ball in the Quinn saga when he was still in Vancouver and preferred to ply his trade in New Jersey.

However, the ex-Devils GM did do one thing right by nabbing the youngest Hughes brother.

Not only is Luke projected to emerge as the Devils’ No. 1 defenseman, but holding on to him gives New Jersey its best chance to keep Jack long-term.

The Devils signed Luke to a long-term, seven-year contract last September, with six years remaining after the 2025–26 season.

This will be an interesting summer for both the Devils and the Wild.

Quinn is eligible to sign an extension on July 1 as he has one year remaining on his contract. It remains to be seen whether he does so or not, but it’s no secret that Quinn has been highly complimentary of the Wild organization—specifically Guerin.

The Devils have decisions to make themselves this summer, namely the pending free agent contracts in Simon Nemec and Arseniy Gritsyuk, as well as Nico Hischier who, like Quinn, is eligible for an extension on July 1 with one year left on his deal.

We know Guerin will continue his aggressive approach to upgrading the Wild while also doing everything he can to keep Quinn in Minny.

However, Mehta’s approach remains to be seen as a first-time GM in the NHL.

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

A new report suggests that if Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts doesn’t have a big season in 2026, sports officials think it will be his last season in the City of Brotherly Love.

In just six seasons, Hurts has already solidified his place as one of the best signal callers to ever wear an Eagles uniform. After taking over the starting job in his sophomore season (2021), the second-round pick went to the Pro Bowl three times and led the team to two Super Bowl trips, including a win and MVP honors in 2024.

Yet it hasn’t always been easy for Hurts in Philadelphia. He has had to deal with several different offensive coordinators over the course of his career, and has been more resistant to being pushed out of his comfort zone to the point of frustrating teammates and the organization this past season.

However, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Hurts has been “as open as we can” to new methods of offense this off-season, with Sean Mannion preparing to call up players in 2026. Additionally, he has worked extensively with receiver DeVonta Smith and veteran Elijah Moore in recent months.

Jalen Hurts will be on the trade block next year if he doesn’t improve in 2026

Still, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of pressure on the QB after his downfall last season. Hurts has something to prove in 2026, and if he can’t have a bounce-back year, some around the game think this will be his last year with the Eagles.

When an AFC official asked Fowler if Philly could move him next year if the offense struggled, he said, “I feel bad.” “The player is becoming polarized, and as his running ability begins to decline, his value will also decline. And [Eagles general manager Howie Roseman] Will always be active in finding solutions.”

Fowler says Philadelphia would lose $2.9 million in salary cap space if he is traded before June 1, 2027. But if he is dealt after June 1, they will save $21.4 million on the cap for that year. Similar to the situation going on with AJ Brown and expectations that they are waiting until June 1 to trade him.

Philadelphia Eagles QB predicts a big season in 2026

However, a personal evaluator who spoke to Fowler believes Jalen Hurts is destined for a big season. This could give the QB an advantage if he pushes for a contract extension after the season.

“I think he’ll play well,” the NFC personnel evaluator said. “He’s had so many different coordinators over the years that he’ll be able to adjust to the changes, and if the running game comes back into form, he’ll throw it in nicely over the top.”

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

The Minnesota Wild are halfway to starting their summer vacation after losing 5-2 to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of the Western Conference Second Round series at Ball Arena on Tuesday night.

It wasn’t a track meet like their 9-6 loss in Game 1 on Saturday. But the end result was the same – a three-goal loss in which the Wild couldn’t stop Avs stars Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. MacKinnon, who finished third in the NHL in scoring during the regular season, had his second consecutive one-goal, two-assist night, while Necas scored the game’s first goal and set up another.

Gabriel Landeskog, Nicolas Roy, and Valeri Nichushkin also scored for the Avs, the NHL’s top team during the regular season. Scott Wedgwood made 29 saves to win his sixth game in as many tries.

The Wild got a goal by Kirill Kaprizov in the first period and a goal by Marcus Johansson with 5:27 left in the third period, but it was not enough against the NHL’s highest-scoring team during the regular season.

The series takes a three-day break before heading to Grand Casino Arena for Game 3 on Saturday. Extra days off Thursday and Friday due to Minnesota Frost’s PWHL playoff games. That will give coach John Hynes some more time to figure out how to stop the Avs, who have allowed 14 goals in the first two games.

Goaltender change won’t help Wild in Game 2 loss

The Wild changed goaltenders after the Game 1 loss. Rookie Jesper Wallstad took the seat and veteran Philipp Gustavsson got his first start since April 13. This is their next-to-last regular season game. But Gustavsson didn’t get the better of Wallstad in the first 10 minutes, allowing him to score on his first two shots.

MacKinnon did all the work on the first goal of the game. He raced to the right in his own area and found Necas arriving late. Necas found a gap between three defenders and beat Gustavsson with a backhander at 2:51 for a 1-0 lead.

The excitement had not yet subsided when the Wild took advantage of Colorado’s defensive mistake and tied the score. Cale Makar was well out of position and Ryan Hartman sent Kaprizov on a breakaway. Minnesota’s all-time playoff goal-scoring leader beat Wedgewood at 2:57 – six seconds after Necas scored – tying the game at 1–1.

The Wild held Colorado without a goal for more than five minutes. But Colorado made it 2-for-2 on Landeskog’s power-play goal at 8:24. Landeskog found a soft spot in the slot and finished the tic-tac-toe passing play from Makar to Necas to MacKinnon, whose perfect feed set up Colorado’s captain for a 10-foot snap shot on which Gustavsson had no chance.

Minnesota forced the tying goal during their first power play after Brock Nelson was sent off for holding at 13:16. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Wild had six high-danger chances while on the man-advantage, but Wedgwood stopped all of them.

The period ended with Colorado leading 2–1, although the Wild had a 10–7 edge in shots on goal.

As they did in the opening 20 minutes, the Avs scored on their first shot of the second period. Minnesota failed to get the puck deep in an attempt to enter the zone; The Avs took advantage after Russ Colton saw Roy intercepted. Roy immediately hit his shot and beat Gustavsson at 1:24 to take a 3-1 lead.

The Wild again had 10 shots in the second period, but they attacked less consistently and did not seriously test Wedgwood.

Wedgwood kept Minnesota from getting closer after Nelson took a tripping penalty at 4:20. The Avs did not score after Matt Zuccarello was called for tripping at 7:26, but MacKinnon’s power-play one-timer from the left circle at 13:18 extended the lead to 4–1.

Marcus Johansson got one back at 14:33, but that was as close as Minnesota got. Nichushkin’s empty net with five seconds remaining rubbed more salt into the wound.

Key takeaways after the Wild’s 5-2 loss to Avalanche in Game 2

wild stars shine

The Avalanche are getting great production from MacKinnon and Necas. The Wild can’t say the same about many of their top players.

Defenseman Quinn Hughes, who entered the game leading all players in postseason scoring, had a rough night. He played 28:07 but finished minus-1 with no shots on goal, three shot attempts, one hit and one blocked shot. The Avs paid a lot of attention to Minnesota’s top defender – especially on a big third-period hit by MacKinnon.

Kaprizov had a goal and a few other good chances, but Matt Boldy had no points, finished at minus-1 and wasn’t much of a factor. Boldy, the Wild’s leading scorer with six goals in the first round, has one assist in two games.

The Wild won’t be able to beat an elite team without their top players firing on all cylinders, they weren’t doing that on Tuesday.

Special teams problems continue

The Wild’s special teams are still dragging him down.

Minnesota was 2-for-4 on the power play in the Wild’s 6-1 win over the Dallas Stars. But it has done almost nothing since then, a trend that continued against Colorado. Minnesota went 0–2, making the Wild 0–5 in the series and 26–2 in the last seven games.

The penalty-killer, who allowed Dallas to score 10 times on 25 chances in the opening round, isn’t faring much better against Colorado. The Avs are 2-for-5 and 3-for-7 in the first two games. Minnesota’s 13 power-play goals allowed and minus-9 differential are the worst of any team in this year’s playoffs.

break time

The Wild will be glad they get an extra day off before Game 3. They’re hoping the offseason will allow injured Joel Eriksson Ek, one of the NHL’s best two-way centers, to return to the lineup at home.

Hines will undoubtedly use the time to figure out who he will start in goal on Saturday. Wallstadt scored eight goals in Game 1 but the Wild advanced to Dallas in the first round. Gustavsson, who carried most of the load during the regular season, allowed few goals on preventable shots.

Whoever he chooses will have to put in a big effort in front of the home fans. The Wild are trying to reach the conference finals for the first time since 2003.

stat shots

The Wild are down 2-0 in a series for the ninth time in their history. He won only one of the first eight. This happened in 2014, when they lost the first two games on the road but won Game 7 in Denver to clinch the series.

The Wild and Avs tied the second-fastest two-goal total in a Stanley Cup game; The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers played six seconds into Game 2 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The record is five seconds, set by the Penguins and Buffalo Sabers in Game 3 of the preliminary round in 1979.

Colorado started 6–0 in this year’s playoffs, tying the Carolina Hurricanes. This marks the fifth time in playoff history that multiple teams have started the postseason so long.

It was MacKinnon’s 21st career multi-point playoff game. This moved him ahead of Hall of Famer (now Avs president) Joe Sakic for the most wins in franchise history.

Colorado set an NHL record with 12 different goaltenders in the first two games of any postseason series.

Jon Krieger covered his first New York Rangers game (against the California Golden Seals) in November 1975 and it… More about Jon Krieger

The Dallas Stars have become accustomed to winning dramatic, seven-game series in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, as they have done so for two consecutive years.

So after a 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on home ice in Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round, the Stars will have to do it again to advance in 2026.

Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen scored once each, with Robertson continuing his rough start in these playoffs by scoring for the fifth consecutive game. Jake Oettinger made 24 saves in the loss, and Dallas now trails the best-of-7 series 3-2.

Game 6 will be Thursday in St. Paul, Minn.

Stars didn’t do enough to win Game 5

Dallas hosted Game 5 of the first-round playoff series for the fourth consecutive year. They averaged 4.33 goals and 26 shots per game over the past three games, including a 4-0 win over the Wild in 2023.

So Stars fans could be forgiven for liking what they saw from the home team on Tuesday night. Dallas had only 22 shots on goal, and only 12 in the first 48 minutes, before a late-game push in an inexplicably flat performance for a veteran team in a decisive game that was too little, too late.

“Everyone needs to step up,” Stars coach Glenn Gulutzan said. “It’s a team effort to try and get it done. … We just need a little bit more from everybody.”

Oettinger’s playoff struggles again reared their ugly head, most notably on Michael McCarron’s insurance goal at 7:47 of the third period, which ultimately served as the game-winner. Oettinger lost his balance and failed to keep his pads on the ice, and McCarron slipped the puck under him, giving Minnesota a 3–1 lead at 7:47 of the third minute.

The Stars lacked the desperation expected in such an important game. They had no high-danger scoring chances in the first period – Minnesota led 6–0 in such chances over the course of 20 minutes – and dominated expected goal chances in the first period by 1.41–0.44, even though it was 1–1 to one.

Stars need to do more at 5-on-5

Robertson’s third-period goal will go down as an even-strength tally, but even that is misleading because it came on a 5-on-4 with Oettinger pulled for an extra attacker.

The Stars are not able to score strongly in this series also. He hasn’t scored a goal at five-on-five since Robertson scored in the first period of Game 3 – a span of nearly 220 minutes. The Stars’ three goals at five-on-five are the fewest of any team still playing – and are tied with the Ottawa Senators for 15th in the playoffs, ahead of only the Los Angeles Kings’ two.

“We thought we created some opportunities for ourselves,” Gulutzan said. “Now we have to take the next step and adopt some of those.”

Dallas made only 16 shots from five in the game.

The Stars are in the series thanks to their white-hot power play, which led to Heiskanen’s game-tying goal in the first period for the ninth time in the series. But the man-advantage went to 0 of 3 after the first period of Game 5.

Dallas needs win again at Minnesota

Dallas had earned home-ice advantage for two of the final three games after a double-overtime win over Minnesota in Game 3.

But two consecutive losses, one in OT and the other in Game 5 in a largely tied affair, have pushed the Stars to the brink of elimination. They’ll have to overcome both Matt Boldy (four goals) and the Wild, but also the noisy atmosphere at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, which certainly awaits.

Dallas is 1-3 in St. Paul this season, although one of its regular season losses came in overtime. The Wild must be feeling angry, too, as this core has yet to win a postseason series – Minnesota hasn’t won a playoff series since 2015.

But the Stars haven’t won a series since the 1999 Western Conference Finals, going down 3-2. They will need a better performance in Game 6 to have a chance to potentially win the series at home in Game 7.

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

Nils Lundqvist has become an unsung hero for the Dallas Stars this year.

But Dallas will need a win without the defenseman to take a 3-2 lead in the series against the rival Minnesota Wild.

The Stars ejected Lundqvist from Game 5 on Tuesday night after he skated into the face of Wild forward Michael McCarron.

Lundqvist has two points in the series, both assists, while his average time on ice is 16:45. He is playing on Dallas’ second pairing with Thomas Harley and is also killing penalties for Dallas.

Stars rule out Nils Lundqvist but ‘must watch’ him before series ends

Lundqvist did not need to go to the hospital with injuries to his face. But Stars coach Glenn Gulutzan confirmed he will not be available for the all-important game at American Airlines Center, although the Stars have him listed as day-to-day.

“You won’t see Nils in the game tomorrow,” Gulutzan told reporters on Monday. “We need to see that before the series ends.”

Lundqvist, whom Dallas acquired from the New York Rangers in September 2022, has been a regular on the Dallas blue line when healthy. He had 11 points this season and has skated in 16 Stanley Cup playoff games over the past three seasons – he missed the entire postseason last year due to shoulder surgery.

Tyler Myers is expected to replace Lundqvist with Harley on the Stars’ second pairing. The Houston-born, 6-8 defenseman has no points and is minus 3 while averaging 21:04 on ice over the course of four games.

Who will replace Nils Lundqvist in the Stars lineup?

Of course, the Stars will want to have Lundqvist ready for Game 5. But even with him out, they still have options.

Ilya Libushkin is the most likely player to be in the Dallas lineup against Minnesota. Libushkin played in 53 games with the Stars this season and was plus-1, plus he’s a veteran of 28 playoff games, including 14 games while filling in for Lundqvist in the playoffs a year ago.

But Alex Petrovic also suited up for 54 games and had 10 points for the Stars. Petrovic played in 17 postseason games for the Stars in 2025 and contributed one goal and one assist.

Both Libushkin and Petrovic are right shooting guards, so the decision depends on whether Gulutzan wants to go with the 6-5 Petrovic or the faster but equally bulky Libushkin.

Gulutzan is confident that no matter who he chooses, the game will not decline much.

“They all played well,” Gulutzan said. “That’s the beauty of our lineup, they all played well. That helps when you make your decision.”

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

The Dallas Stars were one shot away from sending the rival Minnesota Wild to the brink of elimination.

Instead the Western Conference First Round would return to American Airlines Center tied at two games apiece after Matthew Boldy scored at 19:31 of the first OT, giving the Wild a 3–2 victory at Grand Casino Arena.

Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen scored once each, and goaltender Jake Oettinger made 40 saves for the Stars.

Dallas did what it needed to by reclaiming home-ice advantage with its double-overtime win in Game 3. But he blew two one-goal leads, and so allowed a great chance to take a 3-1 lead by allowing Marcus Foligno’s goal with just 5:20 remaining in regulation.

Game 5 is Tuesday at Dallas at 7 p.m.

Here are the takeaways from Game 4:

Jason Robertson and the Stars’ power play stay red hot

Dallas entered the game Saturday on a special-teams burner, and its PK didn’t allow a single goal and its man-advantage remained very hot.

Both of Dallas’ goals came on the power play, with Robertson scoring his second man-up goal and Heiskanen scoring his first goal of the series.

“Our power play has been good,” Stars coach Glenn Gulutzan said after the game.

The Stars’ power play is now 8 of 19 (42.1%) in four games and second only to the Anaheim Ducks among all teams. The Ducks have 11 less PP than the Stars due to one less game.

Dallas has scored four consecutive goals on the power play. The Stars have found success moving the puck down high and then taking advantage of diagonal passes and beating Jesper Wallstad on sharp-angle shots – which is what Robertson, Heiskanen and Matt Duchene did on their own goals.

Robertson has now scored in every game of the series and is the only one of the three Star players with multiple PPG in the series. At this point the Stars need to figure out how to score at even strength, as they only have three goals at 5-on-5.

“We just couldn’t get any puck luck,” Gulutzan said. “We just have to start over to finish something.”

Jake Oettinger almost saved the stars

Oettinger has lost Stars games in the past, but their goalie wasn’t the reason for their loss on Saturday.

In Game 4 the Wild finished with a 3.84 expected goals against and outscored the Stars 24–17 in the third period and overtime. Foligno’s goal came from a rebound, where the Minnesota forward got over Oettinger and deposited the puck into the empty cage. Brock Faber’s goal was a shot worth watching.

Oettinger’s numbers in the series may not look impressive, but he has been excellent since Dallas’ 6-1 loss in Game 1. The Stars’ franchise goalie has a 1.38 all-situation goals-against average and a .924 save percentage over his last three games and could use some extra support from his teammates.

“I thought he made some massive saves,” Gulutzan said. “You need it this time of year, and he gave it to us.”

Oettinger made 10-belle saves after 10-belle saves throughout OT – Minnesota could only beat him when Boldy tried to kick the puck for a disallowed goal. But Boldy then redirected Jared Spurgeon’s shot from the point.

The Wild, Stars series deserves to be equal

Game 1 was lopsided, but the series went as we all expected.

The last two games have gone to overtime, including a double-OT affair in Game 3. The investigation is strict. The atmosphere is noisy. Both teams are highly-skilled. This series should be tied at two points after four matches.

It’s easier said than done, but Stars fans should try to enjoy the ride of Stanley Cup playoff hockey. This series seems destined to go seven games, and even Gulutzan has acknowledged that.

“There are a lot of guys playing good hockey in this series,” Gulutzan said. “It’s just two good hockey teams.”

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

One of the things New Jersey Devils fans are hoping for is a first-round exit from the Minnesota Wild.

Why?

Because some people are still holding out hope that the Devils might take Hughes’ older brother if he is hesitant to commit to his new team. When the calendar turns to July 1, Hughes has one year left on his contract. So whether it’s a deal this summer or via free agency next offseason, the less successful Minnesota is, the more likely it is that Quinn won’t commit.

Personally, I see Quinn staying in Minnesota. But never say never. Especially when there are no results.

At the Links, a slow burn by Devils ownership before eventually firing Tom Fitzgerald.

Elsewhere, chaos in Philly, Alexis Lafreniere’s big deal, and goalie crisis in Buffalo?

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: Why didn’t Devils ownership fire Tom Fitzgerald sooner? At Sunny Mehta’s introductory press conference, managing partner David Blitzer explained that “there was no eureka moment.”

📺 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.

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Buffalo hockey now: Yes, that’s my name in the byline. I’m helping with our Buffalo Sabers coverage while they’re in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. First, after heading into Game 2, does Buffalo already have a goaltender crisis?

Forever Blueshirts: The New York Rangers knew their top six wasn’t scaring anyone. Part of the issue is that Alexis Lafreniere hasn’t taken the step forward expected. The former No. 1 overall pick explained that he knows he can get even better, and wants to maintain his strong position in 2025-26.

Athletic ($): Devils fans are expecting it to be bad, but after the Minnesota Wild’s loss to the Dallas Stars last night, their reaction in Game 4 while falling behind 2-1 in the series will really tell us all if they are any different.

If not, maybe Quinn Hughes isn’t ready to live in Minnie.

Boston Hockey Now: As for the Boston Bruins, they do not have a captain in this Stanley Cup playoffs. However, Jeremy Swayman is establishing himself as a leader.

Philly hockey now: What a series this is shaping up to be for the Philadelphia Flyers. Amidst massive chaos last night they took a 3-0 series lead over their rivals from Pennsylvania. More from Will James here.

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

Manchester CityGianluigi Donnarumma has been going through a difficult time for the last few weeks.

The goalkeeper has now vowed to make a fresh start.

Donnarumma was an important part of the Italy team that failed to make it to the World Cup. Bosnia defeated the Azzurri on penalties, despite the 26-year-old being a renowned shot-stopper.

He was also involved in a scrap after the game, which added fuel to the fire.

It’s natural that Italy’s struggles will affect their most important players. The Manchester City player has now opened up about his mental condition and how the last two weeks have been for him.

Manchester City players affected by the crisis

spoke to donnarumma sky italia Revealed about the Azzurri that he could not digest the World Cup failure for several days.

“In the first few days, I had a hard time digesting it, but the truth is that we need to start again, move forward and react.”

He urged everyone to move forward and focus on qualifying for the 2030 edition of the tournament.

“Now we have to move forward because, in recent years, despite disappointments, we have achieved important things. We have to react. It is difficult, but we need to move forward with strength and with the knowledge that Italy will return to greatness.”

Additionally, the Manchester City player also hit back at claims the Italy star was demanding a bonus ahead of the Bosnia clash. He said that he did not ask for a single penny from the Italian Football Federation (Figc).

“As captain, I never asked for a single euro from the Italian national team. Like every competition, what the national team does is give a gift to the players who qualify for the tournament.”

Elaborating on his disappointment, he said: “That is all. Nobody ever asked for anything from the federation: our gift was to go to the World Cup, and we could not succeed in it. What came out saddened me. I repeat, no one ever asked for a bonus.

Donnarumma’s leadership shined

The fact that Donnarumma was trusted to speak out about Italy’s problems shows that he is now seen as one of the most responsible players in the team. His credibility goes beyond the pitch and he is the real leader of the team.

This is very positive for Manchester City, who have no doubts about his qualities. He has made crucial saves in the Premier League and played a role in keeping them in the title race.

Pep Guardiola’s side will be hoping to have recovered from the disappointment with Italy. They have hopes of winning and can’t afford any mistakes from any team leader.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the verge of contention. While they missed the playoffs last season, it is now up to general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles to make sure they don’t do that again in 2026.

They already have their work cut out for them after losing a pair of locker room leaders, one in Mike Evans on offense and one in Lavonte David on defense. The Buccaneers have one of the game’s great young receivers in Emeka Egbuka, but replacing David will not be easy, but free agent signee Alex Anzalone will give it his best shot.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, where they have the 15th overall pick in the first round. The Bucs could use that pick to help replenish an offense that will no longer have Evans. Or, they could use it to strengthen their defense after losing a defensive leader like David.

Knowing the weaknesses of the Buccaneers, athleticNick Baumgardner projects Tampa Bay to select edge-rusher Keldrick Faulk out of Auburn. Baumgardner suggested the 6-foot-6, 276-pound prospect has “pretty wild potential.”

“Faulk is 2025 first-rounder Mychal Williams without the injury history,” Baumgardner wrote. “One of the youngest players in the class, Faulk’s potential (6 feet 6 inches and 276 pounds with nearly 35-inch arms) is quite wild. Todd Bowles can have fun with this selection.”

Keeping with the theme, Faulk is viewed as a wild card with his draft projection, but he is expected to land anywhere from the top-15 to the end of the first. However, almost everyone agrees that he will hear his name called on the first night of the draft, possibly even by Tampa Bay.

RELATED: Tampa Bay Buccaneers interested in 25-year-old former first-round pick

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Frustration is a good word to describe today’s game for the Senators. Against a stingy Minnesota Wild team, the Sens struggled to generate offense throughout the game. The only goal they scored came late in the third when Drake Batherson scored his 31st goal of the season. Meanwhile, the Wild scored two goals in the first, one in the second and another in the third to win the game 4–1. Let’s get into the details.

Cousins ​​and Greg the Standouts

There wasn’t much good in it for the senators. Although not as disappointing as their 6-3 loss to the Panthers a few days earlier, the Sens were unable to create many quality chances. The Wild played heavily and were able to control the game on the boards. The two most notable Sens were Cousins ​​and Gregg. This makes sense as they both have tenacious styles and refuse to back down, getting under their opponents’ skin again and again. Gregg finished the night with six shots and three hits, while Cousins ​​had five hits and two with Foligno yelling at him throughout the game.

Wild Goalkeeper – What Could Have Been

The Wild gave up 2.84 goals per game today, fourth best in the NHL. His save percentage is the best in the NHL at .906. He has the second most shutouts with eight. The disappointing thing about all this from the senators’ perspective is how this senatorial pairing could have happened.

Of course, that pair is Philipp Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt. Wallstadt was solid today, saving 33 of the Senators’ 34 shots while allowing very few second chances. In 2021, the Senators had the 10th overall pick. Wallstead should have been selected in that category. The Sens opted to draft Tyler Boucher, who has not yet played in the NHL. Volstad was selected 20th overall by the Wild.

As for Gustavsson, his senator connection is a little more obvious. He virtually spent a few years in the Sens organization, including 27 NHL games with Ottawa. Before the start of the 2022–23 season, he was traded to the Wild for Cam Talbot. Talbot played a total of 36 games as a Senator, while Gustavsson is closing in on 200 games with the Wild.

additional comments

Good news? The Red Wings lost to the weak Rangers today. And the good news? Jake Sanderson played just under 25 minutes today returning from injury. Tim Stützle picked up a late assist, but that was as quiet a game as you’ll see from him. I wonder if Travis Green can get him and Brady Tkachuk back together soon. Senators will have no time to rest. They will take the field again tomorrow at 5pm to take on a great Carolina Hurricanes team. This could absolutely be James Reamer’s game.

Danny was born and raised in Ottawa and still lives in that city. He has followed… more about Danny McCloskey

令人沮丧这个词来形容参议员队今天的比赛是一个很好的词。面对一支吝啬的明尼苏达狂野队，森斯整场比赛都在努力创造进攻。他们打进的唯一进球是在第三节后半段，德雷克·巴瑟森打进了他本赛季的第 31 粒进球。与此同时，狂野队在第一场比赛中连进两球，第二场比赛中又进一球，第三场比赛中又进一球，最终以4-1获胜。让我们深入了解细节。

考辛斯和格雷格表现出色

这对参议员来说并没有多大好处。虽然不像几天前以 6-3 输给黑豹队那么马虎，但桑斯队根本无法创造出很多高质量的机会。狂野队打了一场激烈的比赛，并且能够沿着棋盘控制比赛。最引人注目的两个桑斯是考辛斯和格雷格。这是有道理的，因为他们都有顽强的作风，拒绝退缩，同时一次又一次地激怒对手。格雷格以六次出手和三支安打结束了整个晚上，而考辛斯则有五支安打和两次福利尼奥整场比赛都对他大喊大叫。

狂野守门员 – 本来可以是什么

狂野队今天场均失球 2.84 个，位居 NHL 第四位。他们的扑救率是 NHL 中最高的，为 0.906。他们的绝杀次数位居第二，有八次。从桑斯的角度来看，这一切令人沮丧的部分是，这很可能是参议员二人组。

当然，这对搭档就是菲利普·古斯塔夫森 (Filip Gustavsson) 和杰斯珀·沃尔施泰特 (Jesper Wallstedt)。沃尔施泰特今天表现出色，在参议员队 34 次射门中扑出 33 次，同时几乎没有放弃第二次机会。 2021年，参议员队获得了第10顺位选秀权。沃尔施泰特应该在这个范围内被选中。桑斯队选择了尚未参加过 NHL 比赛的泰勒·鲍彻 (Tyler Boucher)。沃尔施泰特随后被狂野队选为第20名。

至于古斯塔夫森，他与参议员的联系更为明显。他确实在 Sens 组织工作了几年，其中包括代表渥太华队参加了 27 场 NHL 比赛。 2022-23 赛季开始前，他被交易到荒野换来卡姆·塔尔伯特。塔尔博特作为参议员总共打了 36 场比赛，而古斯塔夫森则在狂野队打了 200 场比赛。

附加说明

好消息？红翼队今天输给了实力较弱的流浪者队。还有更多好消息吗？杰克·桑德森今天伤愈复出，上场时间不到 25 分钟。蒂姆·斯图茨勒在最后时刻接到了一次助攻，但正如你从他身上看到的那样，这是一场安静的比赛。我想知道特拉维斯·格林是否会很快让他和布雷迪·特卡丘克重新走到一起。参议员们没有时间休息。明天下午 5 点，他们将再次回归，迎战强大的卡罗莱纳飓风队。这很可能是詹姆斯·雷默的游戏。

丹尼在渥太华出生和长大，至今仍居住在这座城市。他遵循…有关丹尼·麦克洛斯基的更多信息

Birmingham City’s August Priske says he is finding the Championship intense since his transfer in January.

The Denmark U21 international joined Birmingham City from Djurgårdens IF in January and the move allowed him to drastically improve his wages.

Two months ago, Sports Witness Covered claims from Sweden The striker improves his wages at Birmingham City, allowing him to earn £20.5k [€23.05k] per week. Game-wise, he’s still adjusting to the new league.

He graduated from FC Midtjylland’s academy and made his first-team debut in 2021. They sent him on loan to Jong PSV [PSV Eindhoven’s reserve team] and FC Eindhoven before being sold to Djurgårdens IF in August 2024.

Last year, the striker was Allsvenskan’s top scorer with 18 goals. He also contributed two assists in 27 matches.

His performances attracted the attention of other clubs, but in the end Birmingham City won the battle. Since moving to St. Andrews, he has yet to score his first goal.

The Dane’s championship statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 10
• Start: 3
• Total minutes: 356
• Minutes per game: 36
• Expected target: 1.01
• Expected Support: 0.16
• Big chances missed: 1

How Birmingham City convinced August Priske

Earlier this week, the frontman assisted a goal in Denmark’s 4-0 win over Wales in a European U21 qualifier. This will give the Danish media a chance to talk to August Priske and this week’s edition bold His interview has been published.

During his first few months at Birmingham City he said: “The level is high. There are many good players, and both training and matches are intense.”

“The intensity is probably the biggest difference to other places I’ve been to. It’s a wilder form of football with a lot of running, duels and ‘fights’.”

The Blues are 11th in the table, 10 points behind sixth-placed Southampton and are hoping to reach the playoffs.

“We have hope for the playoff places, but it is clear that we have put ourselves in a situation where things seem more difficult than before. However, we must do our part to finish the season in the best possible way, and then we will see where we end up,” Priske explained.

Bold State Lille, Besiktas and Red Bull Austria all tried to sign him in the winter market. However, he chose the city of Birmingham and explained his choice.

“He [ambitions] This is a big part of the reason I made the switch. In the first meeting he said that the goal was not in the middle of the championship and that impressed me. He added.

“It’s one thing to have ambitions and expectations for yourself. Another thing is to dare to speak out loud about them. That’s a good thing. It’s obvious that there’s pressure, but as a person I don’t feel it too much. I put more pressure on myself than I think on others.”

Our Opinion: The Dane could start to shine next season

August Priske changed club and country in the middle of the season. This means that he will have to adapt not only to the new league but also to the new place.

The full pre-season in the summer gives him enough time to prepare well and understand the manager’s methods. This could improve the striker’s chances of showcasing his qualities at Birmingham City.

🇩🇪Marvin Daksh | The Birmingham City player is attracting interest from Real Sociedad, AEK Athens and MLShttps://t.co/y4J8qJ8fJY #bcfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 16 March 2026

周四晚上，温哥华加人队在大赌场竞技场以 5-2 输给明尼苏达野生队，比赛几乎在第二节开始时就发生了逆转。

马特·博尔迪和瑞安·哈特曼各进两球，基里尔·卡普里佐夫贡献一球和一次助攻，菲利普·古斯塔夫森做出 30 次扑救，帮助明尼苏达锁定季后赛席位。汤姆·威兰德和杰克·德布鲁斯克为加人队得分。

据 NHL.com 报道，狂野队在休息四天后进入了休息状态。加人队以 8-6 狂胜科罗拉多队后，比赛还不到 24 小时。

加人队一开始就充满活力，阻力是真实的，有几分钟的时间，加人队看起来可能会在对阵一支更年轻的球队时在疲惫的双腿上偷走一分。

然而，加人队这次却找不到同样的得分机会，明尼苏达队连续第二个赛季锁定了季后赛席位，也是过去七年里第六次。

游戏的故事

第一节比赛进行到8分32秒时，乔尔·埃里克森·埃克（Joel Eriksson Ek）在蓝线处将冰球保持活力并帮助创造了2对1的机会，博尔迪（Boldy）首开纪录。加人队在本节后期做出了回应。 16:00，威兰德将比分追成 1-1，泰迪·布鲁格 (Teddy Blueger) 的射门从端板上猛烈弹起，正好落在他的球杆上。

威兰德现在得到 20 分，这使他成为自 2019-20 赛季奎因·休斯以来第一位达到这一分数的加人队新秀防守球员。

不久之后，仅 42 秒后，德布鲁斯克在菲利普·赫罗内克击中横梁后将冰球击出空中，将比分改写为 2-1。

然后就快速翻转了。第二节开始仅 23 秒，泽夫·布伊姆 (Zeev Buium) 在远蓝线错失跨冰传球后，博尔迪将比分追平，这位狂野边锋独自打入了本赛季的第 40 个进球。

几分钟后，卡普里佐夫接到埃利亚斯·佩特森(Elias Pettersson)的传球，将球传给了马茨·祖卡雷洛(Mats Zuccarello)，后者又接回球，并从一个艰难的角度埋下了自己的第40个进球，帮助明尼苏达队以3-2领先。

哈特曼在第三节一开始就让比赛陷入了困境，他在禁区边缘补给了祖卡雷洛的射门，将比分改写为4-2。这是他本赛季第 20 场比赛的最后一球。

更难统计

NHL.com 强调，这是 Wild 历史上第一次两名队友在同一场比赛中进球数达到 40 个大关。对于明尼苏达州来说，这是群星齐聚的夜晚之一。对于加人队来说，这再次提醒人们，一旦一支优秀的球队夺取控制权，差距就会变得多么小。

据路透社报道，尼基塔·托洛皮洛 (Nikita Tolopilo) 停止了 34 次投篮，这充分说明了一旦明尼苏达找到节奏，加人队必须吸收多少。

还有一个尴尬的次要情节是奎因·休斯自去年 12 月交易以来首次面对加人队。休斯以一次助攻完成了+4的成绩，他在代表荒野队出战的43场比赛中送出46次助攻，这已经是防守球员的单赛季球队纪录。除了失败之外，休斯的数据对于任何加人队球迷来说都很难接受。

週四晚上，溫哥華加人隊在大賭場競技場以 5-2 輸給明尼蘇達野生隊，比賽幾乎在第二節開始時就發生了逆轉。

馬特·博爾迪和瑞安·哈特曼各進兩球，基里爾·卡普里佐夫貢獻一球和一次助攻，菲利普·古斯塔夫森做出 30 次撲救，幫助明尼蘇達鎖定季後賽席位。湯姆·威蘭德和傑克·德布魯斯克為加人隊得分。

據 NHL.com 報道，狂野隊在休息四天后進入了休息狀態。加人隊以 8-6 狂胜科羅拉多隊後，比賽不到 24 小時。

加人隊一開始就充滿活力，阻力是真實的，有幾分鐘的時間，加人隊看起來可能會在對陣一支更年輕的球隊時在疲憊的雙腿上偷走一分。

然而，加人隊這次卻找不到同樣的得分機會，明尼蘇達隊連續第二個賽季鎖定了季後賽席位，也是過去七年裡第六次。

遊戲的故事

第一節比賽進行到8分32秒時，喬爾·埃里克森·埃克（Joel Eriksson Ek）在藍線處將冰球保持活力並幫助創造了2對1的機會，博爾迪（Boldy）首開紀錄。加人隊在本節後期做出了回應。 16:00，威蘭德將比分追成 1-1，泰迪·布魯格 (Teddy Blueger) 的射門從端板上猛烈彈起，正好落在他的球桿上。

威蘭德現在得到 20 分，這使他成為自 2019-20 賽季奎因休斯以來第一位達到這一分數的加人隊新秀防守球員。

不久之後，僅 42 秒後，德布魯斯克在菲利普·赫羅內克擊中橫梁後將冰球擊出空中，將比分改寫為 2-1。

然後就快速翻轉了。在第二節開始僅 23 秒，澤夫·布伊姆 (Zeev Buium) 在遠藍線錯失跨冰傳球後，博爾迪將比分追平，這位狂野邊鋒獨自打入了本賽季的第 40 個進球。

幾分鐘後，卡普里佐夫接到埃利亞斯·佩特森(Elias Pettersson)的傳球，將球傳給了馬茨·祖卡雷洛(Mats Zuccarello)，後者又接回球，並從一個艱難的角度埋下了自己的第40個進球，幫助明尼蘇達隊以3-2領先。

哈特曼在第三節一開始就讓比賽陷入了困境，他在禁區邊緣補給了祖卡雷洛的射門，將比分改寫為4-2。這是他本賽季第 20 場比賽的最後一球。

更難統計

NHL.com 強調，這是 Wild 歷史上第一次兩名隊友在同一場比賽中進球數達到 40 個大關。對明尼蘇達州來說，這是群星齊聚的夜晚之一。對加人來說，這再次提醒人們，一旦優秀的球隊奪取控制權，差距就會變得多小。

根據路透社報道，尼基塔·托洛皮洛 (Nikita Tolopilo) 停止了 34 次投籃，這充分說明了一旦明尼蘇達找到節奏，加人隊必須吸收多少。

還有一個尷尬的次要情節是奎因休斯自去年 12 月交易以來首次面對加人隊。休斯以一次助攻完成了+4的成績，他在代表荒野隊出戰的43場比賽中送出46次助攻，這已經是防守球員的單季球隊紀錄。除了失利之外，休斯的數據對於任何加人隊球迷來說都很難接受。

One of the safest bets in sports is that when Isiah Thomas appears on a talk show, he’ll find a way to disrespect his former rival Michael Jordan, with whom he had a much-publicized beef during his NBA career. Thomas was apparently very upset when he was left off the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team”, allegedly on Jordan’s orders.

Recently, Thomas stopped by FanDuel’s “Run It Back” show and took a wild hypothetical about what might have happened if Kevin Durant, not Jordan, was running the ship for those iconic Chicago Bulls teams of the 1990s.

“I said to Kevin Durant, if you had played in our era, and they put you in the triple post in that mid-post area, and they took Michael Jordan out, and you played with Pippen, and you played with Kukoc… could he have won six championships? Absolutely,” Thomas said, previously on Twitter, according to Run It Back on X. “…With all of them around, and him getting a chance to post up in the mid-range…yeah, he can do the same thing.”

Thomas could have possibly made his point about Durant’s greatness without bringing up Jordan’s name, but that might have been asking too much of the great point guard.

Thomas and the Detroit Pistons were one of the few teams that had their way against Jordan early in his career, before he overcame them en route to winning six NBA championships over an eight-year period in the 1990s.

Of course, Thomas was a special player in his own right, winning multiple championships with the Pistons and establishing himself as one of the greatest point guards of all-time.

However, it doesn’t look like he and Jordan will be making amends any time soon.

Julius Randle sank the game-winning bucket with 8.8 seconds remaining to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Houston Rockets 110-108 in overtime on Wednesday at Target Center.

The Timberwolves had to come back In an expansion to dispose of the Rockets and improve to 45-28.

Julius Randle’s game-winner lifts Wolves over Rockets

15-0 run in overtime hits stand-alone.pic.twitter.com/1rFEy7qjL5

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 26 March 2026

They also had to endure the loss of Naz Reed in overtime after he was ejected by referee Scott Foster after a critical call.

Randle’s courageous basket felt like poetic justice for the Timberwolves, and the veteran forward made his true feelings known after the game, as SB Nation’s Ryan Eichten reported.

“Julius Randle is walking down the hallway to the locker room right now: ‘Scott Foster didn’t do this,'” Eichten wrote on X.

The Timberwolves were trailing by five points when Reid scored with 4:13 left in overtime.

Randle finished with 24 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Reed had 14 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

In a postgame interview with ESPN, the 31-year-old Randle Gave credit for this to my colleaguesAlso admitted that they now have the tie-breaker against the Rockets.

“We’re ready for now. It’s as simple as that,” Randall said.

“It feels good. We took care of business, especially at home. We’ve got another game against this team, so it’s important for us to get it done. I’m very proud of our team, for the resiliency we showed. Everyone stepped up and made big plays at different points in the game.”

“We are ready for now.” 😤

-Julius Randle after Minnesota’s OT win over the Rockets pic.twitter.com/0v7hv9JAgK

– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 26 March 2026

Jaden McDaniels added 25 points, two steals and two blocks, while Rudy Gobert added 14 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks.

The Timberwolves are still without Anthony Edwards due to a knee injury.

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories and content you may have missed on Friday.

montreal canadiens news

Despite a disappointing end to Thursday’s loss against the Detroit Red Wings, the Canadiens were fired by head coach Martin Saint-Louis on Friday. The decision caused a lot of anger on social media, but if we remove emotions from the equation, it would be fair to suggest that sometimes the carrot yields better results than the stick.

#hubs Friday morning’s practice at Brossard has been canceled. Day off for the team,

– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) 20 March 2026

Is anyone surprised that Lane Hutson decided to practice despite having a day off? Oliver Kapanen joined Hutson, with both players spending time working with skills coach Adam Nicholls.

Presumably, Len Hutson and Oliver Kapanen can’t spend a single morning without putting on their skates.

He’s on the ice this morning in Brossard with Adam Nicholls.@DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #hutsan #kapanen #nhl pic.twitter.com/QUqrldI6rg

– Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) 20 March 2026

Vincent Arseneau is a despicable, mean man. He made quick work of Springfield Thunderbirds winger Cale Casey in the Rockets’ 4–1 victory.

Ouch what a fight Arseneau!! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/yFWa7hR3NB

– The Rocket Girl 🚀🇨🇦 (@TheRocket9Girl) 20 March 2026

There were also some other incidents that did not involve a Rockets player demolishing his opponent. Samuel Blais (11), Jared Davidson (16), Philipp Messer (9), and Florian Czekaj (15) found the back of the net for the Rockets, while Kaapo Kahkonen stopped 28 of 29 shots to seal the win.

Baker Month 🚨 https://t.co/7nvQeDcAzw pic.twitter.com/VOjrLVkPPm

– X – Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) 21 March 2026

There was some unfortunate Montreal news on Friday, as former Montreal Expos announcer Roger Brulotte passed away. He was 79 years old.

Congratulations to legendary Montreal Expos broadcaster Roger Brulotte 💔🙏 pic.twitter.com/a7E2MFSyPo

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 21 March 2026

ICYMI: The Canadiens have a relatively healthy power play, but they could immediately improve on that if they decided to take a few more shots every game. The Habs rank seventh in the NHL on power plays, but are among the teams that take the fewest shots. [Canadiens Powerplay Issues Reflected In One Key Statistic]

Sportsknot Network

Jake Allen was a monster for the New Jersey Devils at Capital One Arena on Friday against the visiting Washington Capitals. It’s a shame he couldn’t get the goal support. [New Jersey Devils]

After the Bruins’ loss to Nashville, Charlie McAvoy said that “every other game is the most important.” The Boston Bruins are well ahead in the playoff race, and they currently rank as the first wildcard. [Boston Bruins]

It wasn’t like the Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday in a rematch of the last two Stanley Cup Finals. That’s how he did it. And that made coach Paul Morris smile.. [Floriday Panthers]

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 New York Knicks faced a tough challenge on Tuesday night when they took on the Indiana Pacers without star guard Jalen Brunson. That’s where his podcast co-host and Knicks teammate Josh Hart decided to step in.

Brunson was ruled out of Tuesday’s game against the Pacers due to a right ankle injury and a cervical strain, having been marked as ‘questionable’ in the morning and ‘out’ before the contest.

Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart, who has worn multiple hats for the organization since arriving in 2022, stepped up in a big way with 30 points, 33 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals, while shooting 12 of 13 from the field and 5 of 5 from beyond the arc.

According to Stathead, Hart became the first player Had 30 points, five rebounds, five assists and five made three-pointers while shooting 80 percent or better from the floor, the first in NBA history.

Josh Hart is the first player in NBA history

30+ pts
5+ REB
5+ AST
5+ 3p
90+ FG%

In a game. pic.twitter.com/IjrSOmLFOj

– Statmuse (@statmuse) 18 March 2026

The only players who have come very close to recording that kind of statline and efficiency are Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul. Leonard recorded 45 points, five rebounds, five assists and six three-pointers while shooting 75 percent from the field in the Clippers’ home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves last week. Paul recorded a line of 32 points, five rebounds, nine assists and five three-pointers while shooting 76.9 percent from the field in 2014.

It was the highest scoring effort of the season for Hart, whose career high of 44 points was recorded in 2022.

Hart was one of six Knicks players to score in double figures in Tuesday’s 136-110 win over the Pacers. OG Anunoby scored 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the field with eight rebounds and four assists in the win.

The Pacers also had six players in double figures, but their high-scoring player was Jairus Walker with 16 points.

On the season, Josh Hart is averaging 11.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 38 percent from three.

It was the fourth straight win for the Knicks, who are trying to keep up with the rest of the Eastern Conference in their quest for a top-six seed. New York currently boasts a 45–25 record, which trails the Boston Celtics’ 45–23 record for the two-seed in the East. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers (41-27) and Toronto Raptors (38-29) are the closest teams below the Knicks in the standings.

The Knicks will now have two days off before taking on the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, March 20 inside Barclays Center.

The Carolina Hurricanes won…somehow…and Alexander Nikishin almost completed Gordie Howe’s hat trick.

Facing the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first of three meetings in March, the Hurricanes were nearly overpowered by a lack of discipline and some honestly questionable calls in the game, which certainly created some playoff-style energy.

Logan Stankoven opened the match with a goal eight minutes into the match, but Nikolaj Ehlers was injured shortly after in a tangle with Erik Karlsson in the corner boards. Thankfully, he returned at the beginning of the second frame and played the rest of the game.

Less than 20 seconds after Ehlers’ injury, Anthony Mantha tied the game with less than a minute remaining in the first period.

As the second period began, so did the onslaught of penalties.

The Hurricanes spent eight minutes in the box, six of which were in favor of the Penguins. The third penalty – drawn when William Carrier closed his hands on the puck – resulted in a power play goal by Bryan Rust, giving Pittsburgh the lead.

However, the fourth penalty was taken by Alexander Nikishin, who also drew a penalty on Noel Acciari after he pulled the Penguins winger into a duel while his teams dunked it in the melee. However, this resulted in equally harsh punishments as they more or less stuck to each other.

Eric Robinson tried to stuff the puck and it led to a nice scrum
Alexander Nikishin tried to go at it with Noel Acciari, but it didn’t lead to a full fight, just a little skirmish
Divisional rivalry, playoff style hockey is already heating up and I’m here for it… pic.twitter.com/RsqZwFjOFN

– Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) 11 March 2026

Things got wild in the third period

In the third period, the Hurricanes finally got control of their game and kept a clean frame, with Mark Jankowski tying the game and Seth Jarvis giving them the go-ahead goal.

This time, the Penguins kept the penalty box bench hot, and even gave the Hurricanes a pair of two-man advantages.

Nikishin was able to convert a very well executed back-and-forth play to tie the special teams goals and give the Hurricanes a two-goal lead. If the feud with Accieri had been more than any foul, Nikishin would have got a Gordie Howe hat-trick. This wouldn’t be the first time he’s gotten close to someone this season, and I’d be surprised if it’s the last.

However, with more than two minutes left in the game, the arena DJ saw fit to play the Hurricanes’ celebration song, ‘Sweet Caroline’, which is usually played in the final seconds of a sure-win game.

And can you guess what happened? Acciari and Rust tied the game while Stuart Skinner hit the bench.

And then came overtime

Overtime began, which saw Jakob Slavin enter the penalty box after barely a slash on the stick of Anthony Mantha. However, that apparently wasn’t an issue as Mantha then beat goaltender Frederik Andersen.

Despite some back-and-forth attempts, no goal could be scored after which a shootout took place.

Seth Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov and Jackson Blake went for the Hurricanes, while Ben Kindel, Egor Chinakhov and Anthony Mantha did so for the Penguins. Svechnikov and Blake were both able to find the twine, but Kindel was the only penguin to have such luck.

The Hurricanes won the game 5–4, but would see them again the following Wednesday.

Frederik Andersen had a little help distracting him straight from the Mushroom Kingdom in the shootout 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Bs6860KPVy

– Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) 11 March 2026

Special teams performed well

Going into the game, the Hurricanes were at a notable disadvantage, as they ranked 11th on the power play (22.5%) and 14th on the penalty kill (79.4%), while the Penguins ranked sixth on the power play (25.3%) and second on the penalty kill (84.4%). Additionally, they were without their usual power play quarterback Shayne Gostisbeer, who missed his second consecutive game due to a lower body injury.

Still, he had four notable runs shorthanded, and killed four of five penalties while scoring on one of five power plays.

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

The highly anticipated meeting between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets lived up to the billing on Monday, as both teams thrilled fans with down-to-the-wire finishes.

When the smoke cleared at Paycom Center, the Thunder won 129–126, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander burying the game-winning three-pointer with 3.3 seconds remaining.

The Nuggets still had a chance to steal the win, but Aaron Gordon missed his three-point attempt.

Ax fans were high on testosterone after the wild finish between the conference rivals.

@howzitgoin808 said, “As a Nuggets fan, Shai is the best in the league until proven otherwise. Mad props to him. He was incredible.”

“The playoffs are going to be fun. The Thunder can’t beat the (San Antonio) Spurs, and the Nuggets can’t beat the Thunder. Then you’ve got the (Minnesota) Timberwolves, (Los Angeles) Lakers, (Phoenix) Suns, (Houston) Rockets as wild cards,” @QB2Good added.

“SGA hit the Nuggets with the reality stone. They don’t want to see the Thunder in the playoffs,” @Kbellinger12 said, including a meme of Thanos.

SGA hits Nuggets with the Reality Stone. They don’t want to see the Thunder in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/dajwvEtqYq

– WeNotLikeOs (@Kbellinger12) 10 March 2026

@bllrsIG wrote, “We need to watch the Denver Nuggets vs. OKC Thunder Western Conference Finals. That game wasn’t real.”

“Nuggets-Thunder is the best rivalry ever in the NBA,” @dj0ssef posted.

There were several storylines involved in this hotly contested affair, including the MVP matchup between Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, a potential preview of the playoffs and, of course, the bad blood from their last meeting, where Jokic got into it with Lou Dort and Jaylin Williams.

The Thunder are now 3-0 against the Nuggets this season.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who tied Wilt Chamberlain for the longest streak of 20-point games, finished with 35 points, nine rebounds and 15 assists.

Jokic, meanwhile, had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists.

Oklahoma City played without Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein.

What do the Vegas Golden Knights have in common with someone who takes blood thinners? Once bleeding starts it may be difficult to stop.

All season long, the Golden Knights have suffered from an uncharacteristic problem: they tend to spiral after allowing a goal. That’s exactly what happened when they hosted the Minnesota Wild at T-Mobile Arena on Friday. The Wild scored three quick goals in the second period, which proved too much for the Golden Knights to overcome in the 4–2 loss.

The first round was equal. The Golden Knights got off to a good start, shutting down the Minnesota power play and defeating the Wild 8–6. Colton Sissons got two breakaway chances, but Phillip Gustavsson shut the door both times.

Except for a three-minute gap early in the second period, the Golden Knights were the better team. They outshot the Wild 10-7 and created five high-danger scoring chances while allowing only one.

The problem is that during that 3:07 exception, Minnesota scored three times.

The Wild broke the ice at 5:18 of the second period. Noah Hanifin couldn’t connect with Mitch Marner on a no-look backhander, and Matt Zuccarello raced to the loose puck. Zuccarello slipped between Hanifin and Rasmus Andersson, drove in alone, and completed the breakaway.

The Wild doubled their lead at 8:25 of the second minute. Yakov Trenin had the puck behind the goal and found Daniil Yurov for a one-timer. Akira Schmid made the save, but the rebound went to Zack Bogosian above the right circle and the defenseman deflected the shot past the Rockets.

Just 18 seconds later, the Wild added to their lead. Brock Faber hit a shot from the point and Michael McCarron redirected it home.

After McCarron’s goal, the Golden Knights finally managed to stop the bleeding and not dig their hole any deeper. They renewed their attack, but Filip Gustavsson was exceptional.

As has often been the case this season, the Golden Knights ultimately finished in third place. Pavel Dorofeyev scored a penalty just 1:22 into the period, giving his team its first power play of the night.

The Golden Knights scored their third goal at 2:17, less than a minute into the power play. Jack Eichel delivered a pass through the middle and Pavel Dorofeyev found the winger’s 30th goal of the season.

Solving Filip Gustavsson did wonders for the team’s confidence and the Golden Knights continued their attack. He recorded 14 shots and created 13 scoring chances in the third period; However, their desperate offense resulted in the Wild having 10 scoring chances.

The Wild took advantage of one of those scoring opportunities and restored their two-goal lead at 15:42 of the third. Michael McCarron passed the puck out to Vladimir Tarasenko, who raced up the ice on a 3-on-1 with Yakov Trenin and Jared Spurgeon. Tarasenko entered the field, played catch with Spurgeon and fired a shot that went past Akira Schmidt short-side.

The Golden Knights refused to go quietly and responded with 3:05 remaining in regulation. Tomas Hertl pressured Kirill Kaprizov under the goal line and forced a turnover. Pavel Dorofeyev sent a centering pass to Mitch Marner, who redirected it to Filip Gustavsson.

Despite pulling Akira Schmid for an extra attacker, the Golden Knights failed to generate the expected looks and lost 4–2.

“It’s pretty much the same,” head coach Bruce Cassidy said after the team’s loss. “We fall behind. Our stretch is very bad, and one becomes two and becomes three… It should be better now, with a more experienced group.”

Hannah Kirkel is a beat writer who covers the Vegas Golden Knights for Vegas Hockey Now on SportsNote. She studied more about Hannah Kirkel

In a less dangerous but equally entertaining modern NBA beef, Patrick Beverley and former Atlanta Hawks talisman Trae Young have been taking shots at each other for the past few months, mostly on social media. What started as a debate about tryouts at the NBA All-Star Game soon turned full-blown, with Beverley questioning Trae’s work ethic and whether he matched up with his teammates.

Now, about two months after Young made the move to the Washington Wizards, Beverley posted a not-so-subtle dig at Young, questioning why the two-time All-Star wasn’t wanted by competing teams.

wait. Look look what happened?? Oh ok I guess I wasn’t wrong!! And why didn’t a competing team want him? And why did ATL trade the franchise?

PatBev™️ https://t.co/ZZABXXnbEv

-Patrick Beverly (@patbev21) 5 March 2026

“Wait, wait. Guess what happened?? Okay, I guess I wasn’t wrong!! And why didn’t a competing team want him? And why did ATL trade the franchise? PatBev™️,” he wrote on Twitter.

Of course, teams were dealing with minimal cap space last offseason and Young also reportedly wanted to be the focal point of his new team, both of which could have been a factor in his move to the Wizards. Regardless, Beverley was clearly late to the party and posted this comment a few weeks after the move, even though he has yet to play a game due to a right knee sprain and quadriceps strain.

The controversy began when Beverley claimed that Trae’s postseason resume was not commensurate with the superstardom he had earned. Young has reached the playoffs three times in his seven NBA seasons, reaching the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals with the Hawks. This came after averaging 28.8 points and 9.5 assists per game in the playoffs.

Beverley went even further, questioning Young’s leadership reputation in the league. He suggested that players and staff associated with the Hawks organization were transferred or replaced due to the environment surrounding Young, reviving the narrative that has followed the Atlanta guard throughout his career.

The Wizards star responded in a nearly 12-minute YouTube video. Despite this, according to The Athletic, Beverley went further and even labeled Young a “coach killer”, claiming that coaches, teammates and front-office personnel associated with him are often replaced.

While the Hawks have indeed cycled through leadership, including head coaches Lloyd Pierce and Nate McMillan, the organization’s instability was not due to its star player alone. Plus, at 27, Young is still learning the ropes and has had plenty of time to silence his critics, with Beverley undoubtedly at the forefront of that line.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has opened up about the challenges of his career, specifically his numerous injuries and criticism regarding his weight.

While he is one of the best players in the NBA, Williamson has struggled to stay on the court due to health issues. In an interview with ESPN, he admitted that he was disappointed when he missed his third season due to a broken foot and that people blamed his weight.

Instead of expressing sympathy for the 25-year-old star who is struggling with an ankle injury, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called him a “food addict.” He also claimed that the Pelicans “encouraged” him to talk to Williamson about his weight.

In response, Pelican posted a video of Smith’s popular bloopers on X, adding the caption, “Stick to solitaire, Stephen.” Bonus points for effortless alliteration.

Of course, Smith did not hide his anger and threatened the Pelicans.

“Removing stuff from a decade, two decades, three decades ago? No problem. See you all tomorrow at @FirstTech. Remember one thing: you asked for it!” the 58-year-old analyst wrote.

Pulling out stuff from a decade, two decades, three decades ago, ???? No problem. see you all tomorrow @FirstTech. Remember one thing: YOU ASKED FOR THIS!!!!

-Stephen A. Smith (@stephenasmith) 3 March 2026

The moment Smith doesn’t return a blow is the moment the world’s most distinguished historians will write about.

However, Pelican’s work was not complete, Posting a GIF Of Smith’s former partner, Max Zellerman.

https://t.co/Rgq8Y1zJv5 pic.twitter.com/ShVwloRERf

– New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) 3 March 2026

Smith has repeatedly been involved in well-publicized controversies, including an altercation with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James last season. James also tackled Smith during a game, with Smith later describing the move as “weak”.

Smith has often defended his role as a member of the media, and it seems he will pull the same card with the Pelicans. No, he can’t use it on solitaire.

For a rookie point guard, the pace of the NBA game is often the biggest shock to the system. For the rebuilding New Orleans Pelicans and phenomenal first-round pick Jeremiah Fears, the revelation has been learning when to hit the breaks. As the regular season ends, the 19-year-old says the most important knowledge he has gained in his first 60 games has been mastering the art of deception through speed.

That’s why Fears has spent the past several weeks exploiting his elite athleticism rather than highlighting it at every turn. At least that was the first thing to be said when asked why things were going well lately.

“Through my speed, playing with speed. I think two months ago, I was just trying to use my speed. Now it’s learning when to use my speed, when to attack and get downhill, attacking angles, attack spots, and knowing where you’re trying to get on the floor. I’m manipulating the defense,” Fears began. “I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job of it since the All-Star break. So, just continuing to learn, continuing to slow the game down and make the game a lot easier for myself.”

At the beginning of the season, Fiers often tried to dominate defenders with pure acceleration. While that approach sometimes produced highlight plays in transition, it also led to tough shots and hasty decisions in the half-court.

Veteran NBA defenses adjusted quickly, forcing rookie guards into competitive situations by sitting in driving lanes. The experience forced Fear to think about how he used his physical equipment. Instead of attacking at maximum speed on every possession, he has started to vary the pace and wait for defenders to shift before increasing the pace. The adjustments have helped them create a better look for everyone.

“That’s huge. Being able to pick and choose when you should use your speed is definitely huge because it will definitely trick the defense,” Fears said. “I’m fast, so most of the time they’ll be thinking, “Okay, he’s going to try to get down there.” So, they’ll be intimidated by my speed.”

Fear is forcing defenders into uncomfortable positions before they can properly set themselves up, creating more advantageous angles and open driving lanes than could be generated from raw speed alone. As the Pelicans play the final weeks of a challenging season, the speedster is focused on refining that balance. While his playmaking has evolved, the former Oklahoma player remains conscious of areas that need improvement.

“I’m just continuing to play with that speed and choose when I need to use my speed. Maybe on breaks or in plays where the defense turns heads, use my speed,” Fears explained. “The last few games, I’ve been turning over a little too much, so I definitely need to cut down on the turnovers. Watch a little extra film and make sure I continue to take care of the ball. Try not to have too many turnovers. At the end of the day, those turnovers can lead to some easy baskets that you can take and potentially open up games.”

The Pelicans can deal with rookie turnovers, as long as Fiers does not play a timid role, everything should fall into place moving forward. He is averaging 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 36.1% from three-point range over the last eight games. This is one way to break the rookie wall while shuffling between the starting lineup and a bench role. But statistics don’t tell the whole story. What really matters is that his All-Rookie contributions to this point have displayed many franchise cornerstone characteristics.

The Minnesota Wild are looking for an upgrade at center by the NHL trade deadline. After trading for defenseman Quinn Hughes, the Wild hope to complete their roster to make a big push at the Stanley Cup. Now, Minnesota is being linked to a big trade of the Olympic gold medalist to Team USA.

Minnesota is still in pursuit of New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, reports Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on TNT. Trocheck, who was part of the Olympic gold medal team for the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, is the main focus of New York’s trade deadline plans.

The 32-year-old center has 12 goals and 38 points in 45 games with New York this season. Despite New York’s struggles, Trocheck is still performing at an elite level, especially on the power play. Trocheck is a top-six option for a Stanley Cup-caliber team, and Minnesota would be a perfect fit.

Hughes, along with Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber, have the Wild poised for big performances in the Western Conference. The Minnesota trade for Trocheck would officially solidify their place among Stanley Cup contending teams. Currently, the Wild are in third place in the Central Division with 80 points.

Trocheck is under contract for the 2028–29 NHL season with a $5.625 million cap hit. The 32-year-old center is still performing at a high level, and his cap hit is good for teams to acquire. Minnesota has been searching for an elite center since December, and Trocheck would check the box.

READ MORE: 5 trade targets for the Detroit Red Wings at the 2026 NHL trade deadline

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

The rivalry between WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley has reached a new level after an interesting exchange on X.com. The two superstars, who are set to collide at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, broke the fourth wall by exchanging accusations regarding backstage politics and social media management.

The tension began when Ripley shared resurfaced footage of 2023 that showed Cargill praising him as a “powerhouse”, attempting to portray the champion as a longtime fan who is now horrified by the reality of their match. Cargill quickly hit back, posting the footage alongside a clip from his recent appearance on the Beyond the Bell podcast.

In the video, the champion can be seen laughing while holding her title belt, and when asked about her previous comments she dismissively said she was “just talking”. Along with the video, Cargill suggested that WWE’s social media team is working overtime to build momentum for the replay ahead of the showdown at Allegiant Stadium in April.

Kevin Durant is coming off a historic 40-point performance that led the Houston Rockets to a 113-108 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday. He is regularly viewed as one of the best net scorers in league history. On Saturday, Kendrick Perkins took those claims a little further by comparing Durant to 35-time Grammy Award winner Beyoncé.

During the latest segment of ESPN’s “First Take,” Perkins claimed the 37-year-old forward is the greatest scorer in league history. The former center turned NBA analyst says there are no flaws in Durant’s game, which is why the Rockets star is similar to Beyoncé.

“[Kevin Durant is] “The greatest scorer to ever play the game of basketball,” Perkins said. When you talk about someone who has zero flaws, it’s Beyoncé on the aggressive end. He is innocent… There are no holes in his game.”

“[Kevin Durant is] The greatest scorer to ever play the game of basketball… When you talk about a guy who has zero flaws, he’s Beyoncé on the offensive end… There’s no flaws in his game.’

– Kendrick Perkins 🤔

(via @FirstTech)pic.twitter.com/wqeycSMGly

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 28 February 2026

Although he is in his 18th NBA season, Kevin Durant is still lighting up the scoreboard. He’s a legitimate threat from anywhere on the floor, and it’s hard to disagree with Kendrick Perkins’ sentiment. Especially after watching Durant record 40 points on 50.0% shooting and 10 of 10 from the free-throw line against the Magic.

In 55 games played so far this season, the 16-time All-Star is averaging 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He also has a 50.8% field goal percentage, while shooting 40.2% from beyond the three-point line.

Durant will have another opportunity to showcase his skills on Saturday when the Rockets take on the Miami Heat on the road. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM EST.

The Golden State Warriors suffered a huge loss in their matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. To recap, the Warriors were missing Stephen Curry, Kristaps Porzingis and Draymond Green, plus a long-term injury sidelined Jimmy Butler for an extended period of time. Even their leading scorer had to sit out for the second consecutive night in De’Anthony Melton’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.

But the Warriors still got back to winning ways; It was a team effort that led to the Dubs’ 133–112 win on the road. Eight different players scored in double figures for the Warriors, and it was rookie guard Will Richard who finished the night as the team’s leading scorer with 21 points on 9-15 shooting from the field and 2-6 shooting from deep.

Richard finished with five rebounds, six assists and three steals to round out a fine effort to lead the Warriors to the win. In doing so, Richard became the fourth rookie to have at least 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in a single game this season, joining Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Jeremiah Fears as the only players to do so, according to WillRichardMuse on X (formerly Twitter).

It has to be said that the absence of some key players for the Dubs gave Richard a chance to fill up the stat sheet. However, he has shown time and again that he can step up when given the opportunity, and that is exactly what he did.

Warriors’ troubles are increasing amid difficult weather

The hits have kept coming for the Warriors; Curry is currently dealing with a knee injury, and the man he got in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga hasn’t been able to play a few games in a row during his ongoing bout with POTS.

The Warriors will need more from their undrafted players these games, and if Richard can maintain this level of play he should earn himself more minutes.

Bayern Munich have not been in contact with Nick Voltemed since he joined Newcastle United in the summer transfer window.

he is According to Abendzeitung Munich. The newspaper has dismissed rumors of a possible move to Bayern Munich this summer after ‘wild rumours’ about him.

Reports have linked Woltemaid with a move to Newcastle after a few difficult months at St James’ Park.

He made a strong start to life in England with four goals in five games following a €75m move in the summer, but has since managed just three goals in 19 games.

Newcastle United are struggling

This has seen Eddie Howe drop him from his side with greater regularity, opening the door to exit negotiations. A rumor in England revealed that Newcastle United were up for sale. He then mentioned Bayern as one of the potential buyers.

But according to information from AZ, ‘There is no truth in the story.’ There has been no contact between Bayern bosses and Voltemed’s camp since joining Newcastle. These are just ‘wild rumours’.

The 24-year-old wants to focus solely on Newcastle’s preparation for the World Cup with Germany this summer. What happens after that remains to be seen.

There is ‘a great deal of mutual respect’ between the two sides. Bayern would love to sign Woltemade from Stuttgart in the summer. But the transfer failed due to subsequent demands, which Newcastle met.

Bayern was disappointed by this. Honorary Chairman Uli Hoenes strongly advocated VolteMed. Face to face, he personally promised the striker a deal. Interestingly, he is not one of Bayern’s big names to have publicly announced a move to Wolverhampton, Newcastle or in the months since.

bayern munich frustration

Sport Witness covered it extensively, as Max Eberle explained Newcastle His plans were destroyed in November.

Those who have spoken have made it clear that they are fed up with the disappointment and are looking elsewhere. AZ information is also contained therein.

However the newspaper says the situation could change if Harry Kane does not extend his contract. It expires in 2027 and renewal is on the table. He has interest from Saudi Arabia and FC Barcelona.

However, there have been no talks with Voldemort yet and there has been no contact since joining Newcastle.

The Portland Trail Blazers entered Sunday looking to erase their previous defensive debacle. They saw the Denver Nuggets score an astonishing 157 points. That means Portland had less than 48 hours to quickly get their defense right against the Phoenix Suns.

The Blazers accomplished a rare feat in NBA history by losing 92-77 on Sunday.

According to OptaSTATS, this is the most defensive feat that Portland has achieved.

Impressive defensive moments from the Blazers

Camara’s block stood out as one of a surprising 11 swats for Portland. But he was also not considered the most impressive defensive performer.

Donavan Clingan captured that title – blocking four of the Suns’ attempts to advance. Wit Crazy and Robert Williams III both teamed up for a pair of blocks. Scooter Henderson and Jerami Grant also added a block each for the Blazers.

Clingan finished with 23 points and collected 13 rebounds for a double-double. Camara also had his double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds).

Grant led the Clingans with 23 points, while Henderson reached double figures with 11 points. Portland forced Phoenix to shoot a disappointing 36.5% from field goal range, including 25.7% in the three-point game. While the Blazers committed 21 turnovers, the Suns turned the basketball over 19 times.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards surprised many with his lack of knowledge of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and MLB’s Minnesota Twins.

Edwards made the comments during a special guest appearance on the sports comedy podcast Sunday Conversation. As the franchise player of the Timberwolves, fans will assume he knows at least one player from Minnesota’s professional baseball or hockey teams. However, Edwards, who is always up for debate about being the face of the NBA, is always completely honest with his comments and lacks the media-trained fake answers given by many star athletes.

Edwards said at 2:56, “I haven’t got any favorite players among them. I don’t know any players from the Twins or the Wild. I’ll put it to you, I don’t watch baseball or hockey.”

Given his tendency to be outspoken, it’s funny to hear his honesty here, in which he admits he doesn’t watch or care about Minnesota’s other pro teams.

What’s next for Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards goes viral with his highlights and statements on and off the court. This example was no different as the Timberwolves star continues to draw attention with his comments about the sports world

Edwards has had a strong season as he approaches the halfway point of his sixth year in the league. Over the course of 47 appearances, he has averaged 29.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is shooting 49.4% from the field, including 40.1% from beyond the arc, and 79.4% from the free-throw line.

Minnesota has a 35–23 record on the season, tied for sixth in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, while trailing the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.

After Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Timberwolves will look to bounce back in their next matchup. They’ll be on the road when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on February 24th at 10 PM ET.

Austin Reaves had a ridiculous highlight during the Los Angeles Clippers matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Reeves is playing the fifth season of his NBA career with the Lakers. He rose up the ranks as he became one of the best guards in the league, turning himself into one of the top scoring options on the team.

Reaves continues to make headlines with his finesse on the offensive side of the ball. This was the situation during the Lakers’ duel with the Clippers. The star guard drove the ball into the paint behind his back and successfully converted a wild reverse layup, surprising the home crowd.

Austin found out what the game is 🍿👀

(via @nba)
pic.twitter.com/4AMsVMt5KU

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 21 February 2026

Austin Reaves, how the Lakers played against the Clippers

It was an incredible highlight for Austin Reaves as he helped the Lakers come out of the All-Star break with a solid 125-122 win over the Clippers.

The two teams went toe-to-toe throughout the game and the Lakers only led 99-95 heading into the fourth quarter. Despite this, the hosts held on and made enough big plays to secure a win over their state rivals.

Four players scored in double figures for the Lakers in the win, including Reaves. He finished with a stat line of 29 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. He made 9 of 15 shots from the field, including 4 of 5 from beyond the arc and 7 of 7 from the free-throw line. Luka Doncic led the way with 38 points and 11 assists, LeBron James came next with 13 points and 11 assists, while Deandre Ayton provided 13 points and seven rebounds.

Los Angeles improved to a 34–21 record on the season and finished fifth in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns while trailing the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers will stay at home and await their next matchup. They will host the Orlando Magic as tip-off takes place on February 24 at 10:30 PM ET.

Heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, it felt like eventual No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young was the talk of the town. CJ Stroud had a great performance in the Peach Bowl with 348 yards and four touchdowns, but he couldn’t do anything to convince the Carolina Panthers that he was more than deserving of the first pick.

Then, their NFL careers progressed, and it quickly became clear that Stroud was more equipped for immediate success than Young. He helped lead Stroud to the divisional round playoffs and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl along the way. Meanwhile, Young led his team to a 2–14 record with the second-lowest completion rate in football.

During that first season, it appeared as if the Texans had discovered their next superstar QB. If he could take a last-place team in their division and get them into the playoffs the following year, what else was Stroud capable of doing? We didn’t know it, but felt the sky was the limit.

Unfortunately, Stroud’s arrow has not been rising in the last two years. The Texans have still reached the playoffs each time, but have been eliminated in the divisional round.

However, this time, Stroud’s performance was a big reason why the Texans were unable to advance. Teams don’t win many games because their quarterback is only able to complete 42.6% of his passes while throwing four interceptions like Stroud did.

During the playoff loss, many wondered aloud whether coach Demeco Ryans should have subbed Stroud for his backup QB, Davis Mills. That never happened, but Stroud’s performance didn’t stop the NFL rumor mill from spitting out some wild ideas.

The latest example comes from NFL Draft expert Todd McShay, who suggests Stroud will be a popular trade target this offseason.

“I’m told there are some big-name QBs who are being targeted. C.J. Stroud is one of them. Does he need a change of scenery? Be prepared for that. Stroud has not been the guy he was in his rookie year the last two years in Houston. Some [teams] Looking at him and saying, ‘Can we get that rookie year guy from Stroud here?'”

After the season ended, the Texans addressed Stroud’s future with the team, and they were not able to commit to the young QB at all. Still, that doesn’t mean they’re ready to gut their roster after three consecutive playoff appearances. Still, some people, like McShay, at least believe the trade is possible, but it takes two to tango.

RELATED: Potential NFL rule change makes blockbuster trades more likely

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

On Sunday night, the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities concluded with the game itself, which actually consisted of four 12-minute games as part of a round robin tournament. The young American team won the tournament, defeating a team filled with US veterans as well as international players, with Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards winning the All-Star Game MVP award.

The NBA has changed the All-Star Game format several times over the past few years in an effort to drum up any kind of competitive spirit among the players, and the product appeared to be an improvement on Sunday compared to what we’ve seen before.

However, that didn’t stop St. John’s head coach and basketball icon Rick Pitino from proposing another idea to move the event forward.

“It’s great to see the new format with the All-Star Game. I suggested the NBA do the Ryder Cup with basketball. Starting in Greece and then going back to the states. It would be incredible and even more popular than the Ryder Cup,” he wrote on Twitter.

The NBA implementing its own version of golf’s Ryder Cup would certainly be worth seeing, and would continue the theme of US vs. international players that started this year.

For now, it seems like the league is happy with what we saw from the players on Sunday night, as the game lived up to the billing and produced some entertainment for the fans in attendance at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Now, the league will move forward into an expanded season, although Adam Silver and company still have a ton of questions to answer, including the rise of artificial intelligence, gambling, and a number of other factors that could have a major impact on the game as we know it.

上個賽季的一項令人著迷的統計數據顯示了紐約噴氣機隊球迷有多麼熱愛他們的球隊，儘管這支球隊近年來表現不佳。

2025 年 NFL 賽季對紐約噴氣機隊球迷來說又是一個災難性的賽季。進入最新的競選活動後，他們對未來的日子充滿了希望。他們剛剛在羅伯特·薩利赫 (Robert Saleh) 的帶領下經歷了兩個令人失望的賽季，其中包括 2024 年的 5 勝 12 負的成績。這導致教練和總經理喬·道格拉斯 (Joe Douglas) 被解僱。

然而，儘管紐約噴氣機隊的前球星亞倫·格倫重返擔任新任主教練令人興奮，但他們本賽季的表現甚至更糟。他們創造了新紀錄，成為 NFL 歷史上第一支在一個賽季沒有被攔截的球隊，而他們的進攻卻很糟糕，最終以 3-14 結束比賽。這是該隊過去 40 年來第三差的成績。

在賈斯汀·菲爾茲擔任四分衛的情況下，紐約噴氣機隊的進攻往往難以觀察。然後，當球隊決定在 NFL 交易截止日期之前交易掉兩名防守最好的球員時，下半場球隊的情況並沒有好多少。球隊本賽季的表現讓他們在四月份的 NFL 選秀中獲得了第二順位選秀權。

儘管又經歷了一個悲慘的賽季，岡格林球迷表明他們仍然是比賽中最忠誠和最活躍的人之一。本週，Pro Football Reference 發布了聯盟所有 32 支球隊 2025 年的上座率。

總上座率和主場上座率排名第一的球隊是達拉斯牛仔隊。這並不奇怪，因為牛仔隊長期以來擁有大量的球迷基礎。此外，聯盟目前的王朝球隊堪薩斯城酋長隊也躋身前三。然而，他們背後的球隊的主場上座率卻令人驚訝。

儘管賽季戰績為 3-14 勝，但紐約噴氣機隊在 2025 年主場上座率上排名第四，在大都會人壽體育場的比賽門票售出 660,246 張。這比排名第五的紐約巨人隊高出近 1,000 分。

G-Men 隊也度過了一個糟糕的賽季，最終戰績為 4 勝 13 負。然而，他們也有更多的理由來觀看他們，比如新秀四分衛賈克森·達特和防守明星布萊恩·伯恩斯。此外，他們還有更美好的歷史。因此，當紐約噴氣機隊顯然將再經歷一個失敗的賽季時，長期的紐約噴氣機隊球迷會被他們的歷史擊垮並對球隊失去興趣，這是可以理解的。

然而，紐約噴氣機隊的球迷表現出了對這支球隊的頑固熱愛，而且他們的熱愛似乎比州內競爭對手紐約巨人隊還要多。

Jason Burgos 於 2017 年獲得新聞學學位後，擔任多個網站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 關於 Jason Burgos 的更多信息

當布法羅比爾隊正在尋找被解僱的主教練肖恩·麥克德莫特的替代者時，有新的傳言稱他們正在考慮一種跳出框框的選擇。

在過去的三年裡，麥克德莫特幾乎一直處於加熱狀態。這是令人印象深刻的成功所帶來的，包括兩次參加分區冠軍賽和六年內五次獲得亞足聯東區冠軍。去年奪得亞足聯冠軍後，這對比爾隊來說是一個超級碗賽季，或者說是失敗的賽季。

對於教練來說不幸的是，他的球隊在本週的分區季后賽中未能擊敗丹佛野馬隊，距離這個目標還差得很遠。第二天，懸在麥克德莫特頭上的錘子終於落下，他在效力9個賽季、取得98場胜​​利後被球隊驅逐。

從那以後，各種各樣的教練紛紛成為 BUF Bills 下一任主教練的候選人。包括前進攻協調員、紐約巨人隊前主教練布萊恩·達博爾（Brian Daboll）和現任 OC 喬·布雷迪（Joe Brady）。

BUF Bills 採訪菲利普·里弗斯

然而，據傳也有少數人預料到的人也會參加比賽。據 ESPN 的 Adam Schefter 報導，預計週五面試這份工作的正是前洛杉磯閃電隊和印第安納波利斯小馬隊四分衛菲利普·里弗斯。

里弗斯在退役四個賽季後，上個月令人震驚地重返聯盟，試圖幫助印第安納波利斯隊進入季后賽。最終，現任聖邁克爾天主教高中教練和小馬隊未能進入季后賽。然而，考慮到目前的情況，這位44歲的球員的表現遠遠超出了他應有的水平。

里弗斯沒有在 NFL 或大學擔任過教練工作。然而，他因其成為男人領袖的能力而受到好評，賽季後的報導表明他可能會得到聯盟各地的一些教練考慮。

Jason Burgos 於 2017 年獲得新聞學學位後，擔任多個網站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 關於 Jason Burgos 的更多信息