It might have dropped during the National Anthem in Game 1, but the NHL has at last finally dropped the schedule for the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Carolina Hurricanes opened up the second round slate at home on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers and they'll play Game 2 again at Lenovo Center on Monday, May 4 at 7 p.m.
Here's the full schedule breakdown:
Game 1 - 8 p.m., Saturday, May 2 (@ Lenovo Center) Game 2 - 7 p.m., Monday, May 4 (@ Lenovo Center) Game 3 - 8 p.m., Thursday, May 7 (@ Xfinity Mobile Arena) Game 4 - 6 p.m., Saturday, May 9 (@ Xfinity Mobile Arena) Game 5 - Monday, May 11 (@ Lenovo Center) Game 6 - Wednesday, May 13 (@ Xfinity Mobile Arena) Game 7 - Saturday, May 16 (@ Lenovo Center)
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Well, it's a lot more than that shot. It's Toronto's pressure twice causing Cleveland to collapse in the clutch. In Game 4 in Toronto, the Cavaliers led by eight with less than five minutes remaining, with the most memorable moment being Donovan Mitchell not being able to get the ball past half court.
Game 6 was wilder. Toronto had been the better team all night and was up by 11 entering the fourth quarter, but Cleveland's core five — Dean Wade, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen — sparked a comeback, forced overtime, then did not have the bounces go their way.
This has been an incredibly even series statistically, with both teams scoring exactly 669 points through six games, and, as a result, each has the same 113.2 offensive rating. On paper, it shouldn't be this close, Cleveland should have won this series handily, especially against a shorthanded Toronto team without starters Brandon Ingram or Immanuel Quickley much of the series (Ingram is officially questionable for Game 7, Quickley is out).
Yet here we are in Game 7 and anything can happen. Including wild bounces off the rim. Here's what you need to know about Game 7.
When is Raptors vs. Cavaliers Game 7?
Game 7 between the Raptors and Cavaliers is at 7:30 on Sunday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. The game will be broadcast on NBC and can be streamed on Peacock.
Player to watch: James Harden
James Harden could take over, dominate this game and win it for Cleveland.
Or, he could have another game like Game 4 — where he had more turnovers than field goals — and cost them the game.
Harden has a history of doing both in big moments at his previous stops, and this risk was part of what the Cavaliers traded for him at the deadline. For all he does well, his playoff foibles are a known quantity.
Harden's overall numbers for the series are good: 21 points, 6.7 assists and 5.2 rebounds a game, shooting 39.5% from 3-point range. But he also is averaging 5.7 turnovers a game — and those are what fuel Toronto's transition offense that it needs.
Which Harden to the Cavaliers get on Sunday? It could decide the game.
Keys to look for in Game 7
Do the Raptors turnover Harden, Mitchell?
Toronto has been successful in this series with a pressure defense that has frustrated Harden and Mitchell — combined, they are averaging 8.3 turnovers per game.
Toronto is the younger, more athletic team and wants to play fast — if the Cavaliers' stars cough up the ball and the Raptors' young legs get out in transition, this could be a long night for Cavs fans.
Can the Raptors buck history?
Cleveland knocked Toronto out of the playoffs for three straight years (2016-2018), and the Raptors are 0-10 against the Cavaliers in playoff games in Cleveland.
If that trend is going to change, look for big nights from one (or both) of Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, both of whom are averaging 24 points a game.
Toronto has played harder in this series than Cleveland — it has defended with more energy, dove after the loose balls, and just used hustle to make up for a talent gap. They just need to do that one more time.
Los Angeles will enter the series fairly healthy, but the status of Luka Doncic remains uncertain.
He suffered a hamstring injury on April 2 in a blowout regular-season loss to the Thunder and has not played in a game since. He has missed 11 games, the Lakers going 7-4 during that span.
Doncic led the league in points per game with 33.5 during the regular season. He was also third with 8.3 assists per game.
Will Luka Doncic play vs. Thunder?
Doncic appears doubtful to start the series for the Lakers. The guard will likely have to take necessary steps to return — things like practice and 5-on-5 simulation games — before he's ready to play in a postseason environment.
Will Luka Doncic play Game 1 for Lakers?
Doncic was ruled out for Game 6 on May 1. The Lakers are expected to release a status report on Monday, May 4 with an update on the star guard.
When do Lakers play next?
The Lakers will play the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 on Tuesday, May 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT). The game will air on NBC and can be streamed on Peacock.
The Flyers ruled out their regular-season goals leader about a half-hour before the start of the game due to an undisclosed injury.
Tippett had 28 goals and 23 assists in the regular season, then had one goal and one assist in the six-game series against Pittsburgh that marked Philadelphia's first postseason appearance since 2020.
The Flyers said Tippett is considered day to day.
The Hurricanes took the ice a week after closing out a sweep of Ottawa. But defenseman Alexander Nikishin was out of the lineup Saturday as he continues to recover from a concussion suffered on a jarring hit by Tyler Kleven in Game 4. Nikishin had returned to skating in a yellow no-contact jersey by Wednesday, then shed that practice Friday.
Coach Rod Brind’Amour said Saturday morning that Nikishin needed to complete another test as he works to clear the concussion protocol.
Carolina forward Nikolaj Ehlers was back after a lower-body injury made him a late scratch for Game 4.
Coming out of the lockout for the 2005-2006 season, the Senators seemed to have it all.
They had an excellent young team whose playoff kryptonite for four of the previous five seasons had been the Toronto Maple Leafs. But with Toronto missing the playoffs that year, as they would for 10 of the next 11 years, they were no longer a concern.
Meanwhile, the Sens had the league's best offence, the second-best defence, and entered the playoffs as the top seed in the East and the Stanley Cup favourite.
They had acquired Dany Heatley and Dominik Hasek for that season, and Zdeno Chara and Martin Havlat were both still here. For my money, it was the greatest team in Senators history.
Back in February, my colleague, Graeme Nichols, produced the best story ever written about the 2005-06 Senators. It's an incredible, long-form piece, filled with interviews and anecdotes with just about everyone from that team, and I highly encourage you to check it out here.
But as we hit The Hockey News Archive, it's time for a little time-travel, a chance to dip back into the moment to see what people were saying about the 2006 Senators. Mike Brophy wrote in our Apr 25, 2006, issue about the Senators' chances as they entered the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
A New Sensation
From The Hockey News Apr 25, 2006 Vol. 59, Issue 31
It’s Stanley Cup or bust for the Ottawa Senators as they try to reverse their failed playoff history and win Canada’s first NHL title since 1993.
BY MIKE BROPHY
A few years ago, Daniel Alfredsson boldly announced his Ottawa Senators would win the Stanley Cup.
Then, a few days later, he backed off his ambitious statement by saying something to the affect of, “I didn’t say this year.”
The Senators, of course, have not won a Stanley Cup; at least not since 1927. The current incarnation of the Ottawa Senators has yet to even make it to the final since joining the league in 1992-93.
So, any predictions for us this year, Daniel?
“No,” Alfredsson says with a chuckle.
You’re out of the prediction-making business?
“Not exactly,” he continues. “I think it will be a great playoffs. There will be some upsets, as always, and it’s going to be really fun playing in the playoffs and watching the other games as well.”
OK, if you won’t say your team is going to win the Stanley Cup, Daniel, we’ll say it for you. With all due respect to a number of contenders in the new NHL, the Senators have what it takes to win the Cup, particularly since their nemesis, the Toronto Maple Leafs, aren’t going to the dance. And to think, not long ago Ottawa’s Stanley Cup was simply to get past the Leafs, who sent them golfing in four of the past five seasons.
Now, before you say the Senators don’t have a chance if No. 1 goalie Dominik Hasek doesn’t return from his groin injury, it must be said that rookie Ray Emery has proven himself to be good enough to carry the load. When a team is as good as the Senators, it doesn’t necessarily need great goaltending to win it all; it just needs its goalie not to lose games. The Senators will be fine.
“You need at least good goaltending and in the past that may have been one of the shortcomings I experienced,” says Ottawa coach Bryan Murray. “The other team’s goalies played just a tad better than my goalies. We’re hoping that just good goaltending this time will be adequate.”
Alfredsson says his team is quietly confident about its chances in the post-season.
“The biggest thing entering the playoffs is, we know we have a team that can win it all,” Alfredsson says. “But you need a lot of things to go right for you. You need to be healthy and you need to have a little good luck. More than anything, you need to play well in big games.
“We feel this is a good opportunity for this group and we’re going to try to make the most it and see what happens.”
This group, as Alfredsson puts it, contains some the NHL’s most dangerous scorers.
Dany Heatley, who has revived his career in Ottawa, ranked fourth in league scoring, having set the team record for goals in a season with 48 and totalling 97 points in 78 games. Alfredsson, himself, who had established single-season highs in goals (41) and points (95) with four games remaining, was seventh in league scoring. Super playmaker Jason Spezza, despite missing 14 games with a chest injury, had 68 assists and 86 points in 64 games.
And that is just the tip of the iceberg. No team comes close to matching the Senators’ scoring depth up front with the likes of Peter Schaefer, Bryan Smolinski, newly acquired Tyler Arnason, Antoine Vermette, Patrick Eaves, Mike Fisher and even tough guy Chris Neil capable of lightning it up on any given night.
What is even more astounding is the fact the Senators also have one of the best and deepest bluelines in the NHL.
Wade Redden and Zdeno Chara are bona fide stars, solid at both ends of the rink, while Chris Phillips, Brian Pothier, Anton Volchenkov and rookie Andrej Meszaros, who is among the NHL leaders at plus-35, are all rock-solid.
Bryan Murray has coached and managed great teams in the past, most recently taking the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to the final as GM in 2003. But this year, he says, is different.
“No. 1, I think our defensive corps is as good as I’ve ever had…the depth of it,” Murray says. “I’ve had some good individual players on the blueline like (Rod) Langway and (Scott) Stevens, but to have the depth that we have is a little more than I’ve had in the past. If we get everybody back, we have a lot of depth up front, too, with a lot of scoring ability.”
The Senators, like all teams, will face some distractions, such as if and when will Hasek be back; and, can the team afford to sign both Chara and Redden, who will be unrestricted free agents in the summer. But Murray says it should not affect the way the team plays on the ice.
“We just try to focus now on the team,” Murray says. “Obviously we’re affected somewhat by what people say, but mostly we just play. As a coach, all you can do is prepare and play.”
Before the season began, we chose the Philadelphia Flyers as our Cup favorite. And why not? They added superstar Peter Forsberg, along with monster defensemen Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje and big, scoring winger Mike Knuble, as well as a handful of blue chip prospects. That had us convinced the season would be nothing more than a formality. Just hand them the Cup.
The Flyers, though, have been woefully inconsistent. Injuries have taken a toll and there was never really a point during the season where it looked like they would ultimately live up to expectations. The thing about the Flyers is, you can’t dismiss them completely because they have so much talent they are entirely capable of kicking it into gear and winning every game they play. In that regard, coach Ken Hitchcock may face his greatest challenge ever.
Other teams capable of upsetting the Senators include the Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes. People waiting for the Prague Rangers to fold their tents in the playoffs may be disappointed. If goalie Henrik Lundqvist and superstar Jaromir Jagr, the NHL’s most valuable player, live up to their potential, they’ll be a tough opponent for anybody. And don’t discount the work their grunt players do, either.
While the Hurricanes have only played .500 hockey down the stretch, they, too, will not be a desirable opponent for anyone in the opening round.
As for the 2004 Stanley Cup-champion Lightning, unless goalie John Grahame goes to bed one night and wakes up the next morning as Bernie Parent, Tampa Bay doesn’t stand a chance of repeating. The other finalist from two years ago, the Calgary Flames, have put a lot of trust in goalie Miikka Kiprusoff and may rue the day they failed to find an offense-minded center to play with Jarome Iginla.
While we think the Stanley Cup champion will come from the Eastern Conference, the most interesting and competitive hockey is in the West, where the team that finishes eighth – the San Jose Sharks, in all likelihood – could be a threat to make it all the way to the final.
Detroit and Dallas, the cream of the Western crop, both look like potential conference champions, but it won’t be an easy trail to the final.
“What people don’t understand when a team from the East wins the Cup is, the Western Conference teams kick the crap out of each other just trying to make it to the final,” says Edmonton defenseman Chris Pronger.
Looking for a dark horse? Try Pronger’s Oilers – if they made the playoffs, that is. With three games remaining in the regular season, the Oilers were sitting in eighth place in the Western Conference. The additions of defenseman Jaroslav Spacek and left winger Sergei Samsonov have added experience and skill at both ends. If Dwayne Roloson offers up solid goaltending, the Oilers certainly could pull off a first round upset.
And if that happens, they could go on a roll similar to the one the Flames went on two years ago.
Will being the Cup favorite make life tough for the Senators?
“It can’t matter that much, if we let outside factors be that big of a deal,” Murray says.
“But I think, from a confidence point of view, we talk about what we have to do and to have other people recognize a certain ability level doesn’t hurt.”
STAT SHOT
Here’s how teams that were still in the playoff picture through April 10 compare in goals scored per game, goals against per game, overall record in overtime and shootouts, and odds of winning the Cup.
By Mike Brophy The Hockey News Archive Apr 25, 2006/vol. 59, issue 31
The Philadelphia Flyers are going to enter Game 1 of Round 2 against the vaunted Carolina Hurricanes without perhaps their most important player for this kind of matchup.
On Saturday night, the Flyers announced that speedster winger Owen Tippett would sit against the Hurricanes with an injury, declaring him day-to-day.
Notably, the Flyers did not disclose the nature of the injury (upper-body, lower-body, etc.).
It was becoming clear towards the end of the Round 1 series with the Pittsburgh Penguins that Tippett, 27, was not quite himself.
The buccaneering winger recorded more than one shot on goal in just two of the six games against the Penguins, which is highly unusual for a volume-shooter like him.
Tippett loves to shoot from everywhere and anywhere, and, obviously, uses his legs and power to create opportunities for himself and teammates.
Neither of those things were happening, and Tippett was increasingly invisible for the Flyers leading up to this point.
The 27-year-old out late for Saturday's practice, which was the first indication that he would be out for Game 1 against the Hurricanes.
In his stead, we can expect that rookie Alex Bump remains in the lineup, Tyson Foerster moves up, and veteran Garnet Hathaway draws back in on the fourth line.
Sean Couturier - Luke Glendening - Garnet Hathaway
Travis Sanheim - Rasmus Ristolainen
Cam York - Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler - Noah Juulsen
In the six games leading up to his injury, Tippett recorded one goal (empty-net) and one assist for the Flyers with a +2 rating and nine shots on goal.
Bump, 22, now playing in an expanded role, has one goal in two playoff games for the Flyers with a +1 rating and a hefty six shots on goal.
They were one shot away from sending their first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers back to Pittsburgh for Game 7, but Cam York had other ideas, beating Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs at the end of the first overtime period. He fired a harmless-looking shot from the point, but it found the back of the net since Silovs was screened.
Penguins rookie forward Ben Kindel was on the ice for the goal after he was guilty of an icing that brought the faceoff back to the defensive zone. He ultimately lost the draw, and the Penguins couldn't clear the puck in time before York scored.
Kindel was asked about those two plays during Friday's locker cleanout day and delivered one heck of an answer.
“Still kind of sick to my stomach when you think about that last shift and how the season ended," Kindel said. "Nothing you can do about it now. Just look to use it as motivation in the future and in future years. And to do whatever you can to not let it end like that again.”
That's a player who is going to be a future leader on this team. It's also big that Kindel got to experience these high-stakes games so he could see what the Stanley Cup Playoffs are all about. Did he go pointless in six games? Yes, but I honestly thought he was getting better as the series went on.
He played well defensively and created some scoring chances as we got deeper into the series, especially in Game 6, when he nearly won it in OT. The series may have ended on a sour note for him and the team, but he's going to be totally fine.
Pittsburgh Penguins center Ben Kindel (81) handles the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae (36) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Kindel had a tremendous rookie season, finishing with 17 goals and 35 points in 77 games. He was the third-line center for most of the season and faced every challenge that came his way, passing each one with ease. Kindel really liked how everything went and also told reporters that he loves playing for the Penguins.
“It was great," Kindel said. "It was a great experience. A lot of fun. I love playing for this team. Great to get a first year under my belt in the NHL and see what it was like. I think I learned a lot.”
Kindel blew past everyone's expectations for him this season. It was widely expected that he would return to the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, but he kept improving throughout training camp and the preseason.
The coaching staff and front office rewarded him for his great September with a spot in the opening night lineup against the New York Rangers, and he impressed right away. Despite only playing in his first game, he looked like a seasoned veteran out there. He made all the right reads, was responsible in his own end, and was around the crease at times.
He built off that performance and scored his first NHL goal on Oct. 11 against that same Rangers team. He then kept getting even better, and the Penguins had no choice but to start his entry-level contract. He played in every situation throughout the season and will now go through his first offseason as an NHL player.
Kindel will undoubtedly be stronger for next season when it gets going in October. The fact that he's already this good and he's still only 19 is also crazy. There's a real chance that he scores 20-25 goals and puts up 60-65 points next season if he keeps developing well.
He's going to be an important player for a long time.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 10: Baylor Scheierman #55 and Luka Garza #52 of the Boston Celtics smiles against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 10, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
BOSTON — The Celtics will roll out a completely new starting lineup when they face the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night for Game 7.
Jaylen Brown and Derrick White will start as per usual.
In addition, Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr., and Luka Garza will start in place of Jayson Tatum, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta.
The Celtics are rolling out a stunning starters lineup:
Jaylen Brown Derrick White Baylor Scheierman Ron Harper Jr. Luka Garza
Tatum will miss his first game in these playoffs with what Joe Mazzulla described as “back-of-knee” tightness. Tatum is day-to-day after being ruled out two hours before tip-off. Hauser and Queta, meanwhile, will come off the bench.
Garza, Scheierman, and Harper Jr led the Celtics to victory in the final game of the regular season, beating the Orlando Magic. Now, those guys get a chance to save the Celtics season.
Ruturaj Gaikwad led from the front with an unbeaten 67 as Chennai Super Kings hammered fellow IPL giants Mumbai Indians by eight wickets on Saturday to stay in the hunt for the playoffs.
It’s winner-takes-all time at Rocket Arena on Sunday, but while the Toronto Raptors are playing with house money in Game 7, the stakes couldn’t be higher for this much-hyped Cleveland Cavaliers squad.
With grit that Cleveland couldn’t match, Toronto stayed alive on Friday thanks to RJ Barrett’s miracle shot, and my Raptors vs Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks expect the Canadian to be a steady source of offense on May 3.
Raptors vs Cavaliers prediction
Raptors vs Cavaliers best bet: RJ Barrett Over 22.5 points (-125)
If RJ Barrett wasn't already a hometown hero for the Toronto Raptors, his game-winning 3-pointer in Game 6 sealed the deal. Barrett has embraced the chance to spearhead this depleted Raptors offense over the last three games, and I don't see him shying away from the Game 7 spotlight.
Barrett finished with 24 points in Game 6, and he’s averaging 24.3 points per game overall in this series on 51% shooting. Including the final game of the regular season, Barrett has gone past this points prop number infive of his last seven outings.
With Immanuel Quickley sidelined, Barrett has attempted 19+ shots in each of his past four contests, and he can continue to hunt James Harden and Donovan Mitchell and bully his way into the paint. Any time the hosts dare to lean on shooters off the bench, they’ll also be targets for Barrett.
Though he continues to leave points on the table at the free-throw line, Barrett's aggression has sent him to the charity stripe 36 times in this series, and he’s one of the likeliest Raptors to get out in transition to pad his tally.
Even if Brandon Ingram gives it a go in Game 7, I see Barrett finding ways to score inside and outside — 42% from 3-point range in these playoffs — and keep the Raptors in the fight.
Raptors vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
While Barrett is one of the keys for Toronto offensively, Collin Murray-Boyles’ two-way impact is another big X-factor for the visitors. CMB has grabbed 7+ rebounds in four of his last five outings, and he logged 40 minutes in Game 6 as the Raptors leaned into smaller lineups down the stretch.
Given the Cavs’ struggles to create good looks and Harden’s history in elimination games, this line is surprisingly high. Toronto has covered the spread in the last four games of this series, and I expect Darko Rajakovic’s young core to bounce back faster following Friday’s slugfest.
Raptors vs Cavaliers SGP
RJ Barrett Over 22.5 points
Collin Murray-Boyles Over 6.5 rebounds
Raptors +8
Raptors vs Cavaliers odds for Game 7
Spread: Raptors +8 (-110) | Cavaliers -8 (-110)
Moneyline: Raptors +270 | Cavaliers -340
Over/Under: Over 211.5 (-110) | Under 211.5 (-110)
Raptors vs Cavaliers betting trend to know
Toronto is 7-2 ATS in its last nine matchups against Cleveland. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 7
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Raptors vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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Jayson Tatum, the man who dropped 51 points on the 76ers just three years ago in another Game 7, is officially out for this year's Game 7 against Philadelphia due to left knee stiffness.
Tatum had been dealing with this knee issue during Game 6 but brushed it aside after the game, saying he was going to play in Game 7. However, earlier on Saturday the Celtics downgraded him from "available" to "questionable," and now they have changed that to "out."
Don't be surprised if Baylor Scheierman moves into the starting lineup for Boston. Also expect to see more of Jordan Walsh and an extra-heavy dose of Payton Pritchard.
Tatum played in 22 games at the end of the regular season, returning from a torn Achilles suffered last year in the playoffs. Through six games in this series, Tatum is averaging 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game, shooting 35.6% from 3-point range.
Boston entered this series not only as the heavy favorites to advance, but also as the favorites to win the East. However, some off shooting nights — the Celtics have shot below 30% from 3-point range in all three losses — and the return of Joel Embiid for the 76ers have this series now going to a decisive Game 7.
Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) and Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) and forward Paul George (8) wrestle for the ball during the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Tonight the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics play in Game 7 of their first round series. Tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET. Watch on NBC or Peacock. Enjoy the game!
With that, he shared that he already has a list of candidates of various degrees of experience, admitting that his radar is about "five to eight" names long. Though Holland's preference doesn't seem to be concrete in terms of his next coach's experience, there are plenty of veteran bench bosses out there.
Here are three veteran head coaches who should be on Holland's list going into the 2026-27 regular season.
Bruce Cassidy
For teams that are looking to be competitive and a contender for the Stanley Cup playoffs, Bruce Cassidy should be at the top of that list for all those organizations.
Cassidy has led two different teams to the Stanley Cup finals. First, it was the Boston Bruins in 2019 when they eventually lost to the St. Louis Blues. He won the Jack Adams Trophy just one season later.
Most recently, he pushed the Vegas Golden Knights to be Cup champions for the first time in franchise history in 2023.
The Golden Knights fired him on March 29, and he is currently on the market and is probably on Holland's short list of coaching candidates.
Bruce Cassidy (Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports)
Peter Laviolette
Peter Laviolette has been a head coach in the NHL for a very long time. He's coached over 1,500 games in the league, winning a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, and also visited the Stanley Cup final on two separate occasions with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and the Nashville Predators in 2017.
He's spent this past 2025-26 campaign on the sidelines. His last stint was two years with the New York Rangers. In his first season with the Rangers, he took them to the Eastern Conference finals, followed by missing the playoffs in the next year, ultimately costing him his job.
Nonetheless, he's accomplished big achievements with whatever team he's guided in the past, even if he has a shorter shelf life than others.
Gerard Gallant is another bench boss who has seen the Stanley Cup final. He was the coach who led the Golden Knights to the final in their first year of existence in 2017. He also won the Jack Adams Trophy that season as the NHL's best head coach of the year.
Gallant has been out of the NHL for a little while now. His last stint was with the Rangers from 2021-22 to 2022-23.
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 28: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half of Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — The Celtics will be without Jayson Tatum when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night for a Game 7. Tatum was ruled out with left knee stiffness two hours before tip-off.
Tatum was initially planning on playing after missing the final 15 minutes of Thursday’s Game 6 in Philadelphia, but was listed as questionable on Saturday afternoon.
“I expect to play,” Tatum said. “It was my other leg, not the one I injured last year. I mean, I wasn’t like overly concerned. Shit, I came out at four minutes, like I was supposed to. Just kind of assessed the game — he took the starters out fairly early in the fourth quarter.”
Despite that, Tatum was ruled out at 5:30pm.
“He came in today with knee discomfort,” Joe Mazzulla said ahead of tip-off, describing Tatum as day-to-day.
Baylor Scheierman or Jordan Walsh would likely take his place in the starting lineup. Payton Pritchard, who has been the team’s third-leading scorer all year, could also enter the starting lineup ahead of Game 7.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Nick Davila #82 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the ninth inning of a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox at Peoria Stadium on February 24, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mariners made a surprising move to bolster their bullpen today, calling up right-handed reliever Nick Davila from Double-A Arkansas. In a corresponding move, LHP Josh Simpson – who was just summoned yesterday from Triple-A – was returned to Tacoma. The Mariners roster is now full at 40 players.
If you’re not familiar with Davila’s name, that’s understandable, although Davila is a long-tenured Mariners minor-leaguer; he’s been cropping up in our MiLB round-ups as far back as 2023, when we said the then-24-year-old Davila was “old for the level” at High-A. Davila has stuck around, though, and saw significant action this spring with the big-league club this spring with many players away at the WBC, often being used as a clean-up man after another reliever had made a mess of things.
My blurb for Davila in the NRIs article this spring said this:
The Mariners re-signed Davila, 27, to a minor-league contract this off-season with an invitation to spring training, which is why he’s here. Davila is more of a contact manager than a strikeout artist, a tough fit as a reliever; he also got a little walk-happy in Arkansas this year, which is a problem that will have to be tamped down.
So far, so good on that front. Davila has been serving as Arkansas’ closer this year, and so far over nine innings pitched he’s amassed two saves and 10 strikeouts to just one walk. Davila’s primary weapon is a sweeper that he pairs with a sinker, which doesn’t lead to a ton of strikeouts but does get hitters to put the ball on the ground.
Davila, who spent one season at USF after transferring from Hillsborough CC, was originally signed by the Tigers as an undrafted free agent back in July of 2020 and spent 2021-22 in the Detroit organization before coming to Seattle as a minor league free-agent signing in 2023. When and if he makes an appearance for the Mariners, it will mark the Mariners’ second debut of the season.
