Penguins/Devils Recap: Pens pull away in third period to beat New Jersey

PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 26: Parker Wotherspoon #28 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battles against Dawson Mercer #91 of the New Jersey Devils at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 26, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Pregame

The first Crosby-less lineup of the season for the Penguins serves as the first Samuel Girard appearance in the lineup. Arturs Silovs gets the nod in net.

The visiting New Jersey Devils bring this lineup to the proceedings.

First period

Both teams trade some chances early, the Penguins are the better team early with the Evgeni Malkin line generating some chances before New Jersey starts to get the better of the play, forcing Silovs to make a couple of nice blocker stops.

Pittsburgh gets the first power play and nice zone time, it takes a while for them to settle in. Malkin and Kris Letang move the puck, Letang fires. Tommy Novak gets a piece to redirect things on Jacob Markstrom. 1-0.

One goal often begats another, NJ gets a chance very late but it doesn’t go.

Shots go 9-6 PIT in the first, the power play goal being the difference.

Second period

The Devils adjust and respond in the second with a better effort and more control of the puck. They get their first power play when Malkin high sticks a guy.

The power play doesn’t score but it helps build towards a goal soon after. Paul Cotter gets a piece of a Dougie Hamilton point shot. The Penguins decide to challenge, for some unknown reason because there was hardly anything there.

Goal stands, NJ to the power play. The Pens kill it off but are right back to the penalty box soon after, Avery Hayes being the guilty party this time with a slash.

The penalty parade continues, Hayes draws one this time however the Penguins can’t score on their second power play of the evening. Soon after it’s Kris Letang’s turn to head to the box after knocking over Jesper Bratt. Another kill after some Connor Dewar hero ball to keep rushes going up the ice.

Turns out with 2:00 left that one more power play can get squeezed into a penalty-fest of a period, this time Simon Nemec of the Devils was the guilty party. No dice for the Pens on the late chance for a go-ahead goal.

Silovs and saves like this are the reason the game is tied after two periods:

Third period

Pittsburgh comes out strong to start the third, the Hayes, Rakell and Rust line builds momentum and amps up the pressure. That continues a little later, Ryan Shea hammers the post so hard the puck ricochets with force way out to Connor Clifton. Clifton can tell that Markstrom is way off his angle and quickly sends another effort in. It hits the crossbar and goes in. 2-1 Pens.

50 seconds later, the Pens double their lead. Malkin springs Egor Chinakhov, who drives to the net and makes a deft move to lift the puck back across Markstrom. 3-1 Pens, just like that.

The Devils pull Markstrom with almost four minutes left, getting aggressive while down two goals. That added pressure might have been a reason Clifton went to clear a puck on his backhand and sailed it out of play to take a penalty. They get Markstrom out for a 6v4 but their push ends when Blake Lizotte picks off a Hamilton pass, skates down and puts the puck into the empty net. 4-1.

Some thoughts

  • Faceoffs will be one area to monitor for the Pens without Crosby. He’s always not only near the top of the league in faceoff winning percentage, but also in pure numbers of faceoffs. This season, for instance, Crosby’s 1,171 faceoffs represent almost 39% of the total draws the team has had and was the third highest in the league. Ben Kindel (way down 402 faceoffs) was next on the list. Faceoffs were a struggle tonight, the Pens only won 40% of the draws and most of their top centers struggled (Rakell at 30%, Lizotte and Novak at a matching 33%).
  • Welp, Dan Muse didn’t learn what goaltender interference was during the Olympic break. Muse is now 0-6 at making coaches challenges in that area. Each one has been seemingly been a worse challenge than the next, this one was almost no amount of contact with the goalie. It’s arguably the one hole in Muse’s coaching repertoire so far. Whatever the thought process is on those challenges need to be worked out, already!
  • One area Muse has nailed is in the department of picking a goalie. Silovs was incredible in this game and was at his best when most of the game was tight. The Pens weren’t great over stretches for this one, thanks to their goalie they weren’t punished for that and able to punch in a few in the third period to pull away.
  • Connor Dewar had two shorthanded breakaways. Didn’t score on either though it’s a sign he’s definitely looking to get up the ice these days even when shorthanded. The Pens’ PK has been good this year (and very good lately) yet they haven’t really been aggressively looking to strike on it too often. That might be changing.
  • Samuel Girard as a Penguin was an interesting watch, as expected he’s a good skater. You can tell he’s been well-schooled and coached, had a team-high three blocks and was positioned impeccably in the defensive zone to leave a fine first impression.
  • Evgeni Malkin always seems to look fresh and rejuvenated when he gets a few weeks off, he doubtlessly also knows without No. 87 around it’s on him to step up as the guy. That usually works out well too given his 1.34 point/game rate in the situation. Two assists tonight, plus four shots on goal, very noticeable performance.
  • The defense was just as key at generating offense tonight. Letang’s shot got deflected for a goal. Shea hit two posts, the second one opening up an opportunity for his partner Clifton to score it himself. All hands are going to have to be on deck like that.
  • The penalty kill is going to have to be strong as well, and was up to the task by going a perfect 5/5, plus Lizotte’s EN clincher. Big effort there, particularly in the second period when New Jersey had four cracks at their power play.
  • Pens improve to 11-1-5 in games against division opponents this year. Massive stuff to pile up the points against the teams they’re competing with the most for a playoff berth.

That makes for a victorious first game back from the break, getting the Pens off on the right foot for what figures to be a very challenging path ahead. They handled business nicely against a team down in the standings while at home, as they should have. Up next are two afternoon games this weekend, starting in New York against the Rangers on Saturday.

Tyrese Maxey breaks 76ers record for 3-pointers as Philadelphia beats Miami Heat 124-117

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tyrese Maxey broke Allen Iverson's 76ers franchise record for 3-pointers, finishing with five 3s and 28 points Thursday night in Philadelphia's 124-117 victory over the Miami Heat.

Maxey also had 11 assists and helped steady the Sixers after they blew a 16-point halftime lead. Joel Embiid had 26 points and 11 rebounds and Kelly Oubre scored 21 points for Philadelphia, which has won three straight after dropping its previous four.

Bam Adebayo had 29 points and 14 rebounds and Tyler Herro scored 25 points for the Heat, who have lost two straight.

Maxey came in with 882 3-pointers, three behind Iverson, and broke the record with 1:38 left in the first quarter. He made all five of his 3s — a career high for a period — and scored 20 points in the first quarter alone. He finished 5 of 12 beyond the arc.

The 25-year-old Maxey has 887 3-pointers midway through his sixth season; Iverson played his first 10 seasons and parts of two more for the Sixers.

Miami took its first lead of the game on a 3 by Herro with 2:44 left, but the Heat didn't score again. Maxey hit two free throws and then found Kelly Oubre for a 3 to put the Sixers back ahead 121-117. Embiid extended the lead on a 3 with 29.2 seconds remaining.

The Sixers led 73-57 at halftime. Miami rallied to tie it late in the third quarter, and the margin was within single digits the rest of the way.

Up next

Heat: Host Houston on Saturday.

76ers: At Boston on Sunday night.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Panthers Hit Ground Running, Resume Season With Strong 5-1 Victory Over Toronto

The Florida Panthers resumed their NHL season following the league’s Olympic break when they hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.

With only 25 games remaining and plenty of ground to make up in the playoff race, Florida jumped all over the Leafs and skated to an exhilarating 5-1 victory at Amerant Bank Arena.

It didn’t take long for the Panthers to give their home fans something to cheer about.

Just 3:18 into the game, Brad Marchand jumped on the rebound of an Anton Lundell shot from the side boards, kicking the puck to his stick and depositing it behind a sprawling Joseph Woll to give the Cats an early 1-0 lead.

Less than two minutes later, with Nicolas Roy in the penalty box for tripping Matthew Tkachuk, the Panthers stuck again.

This time it was a great backhand pass by Evan Rodrigues finding Carter Verhaeghe at the side of Woll’s net, and a quick snipe over Woll’s glove to put Florida up 2-0 at the 5:13 mark.

With Toronto on the power play late in the period, Florida took the opportunity to add to their lead.

As the Leafs were attempting to exit their own zone and move toward Florida’s blue line, Rodrigues picked off a pass by William Nylander and headed in all alone on a breakaway.

A nasty backhand-forehand move in which Rodrigues completely stopped his forward motion and dangled the puck around Woll’s leg gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead to take into the first intermission.

That’s how the score would remain until early in the third period.

With Toronto on the power play, a backhand pass by John Tavares went off Gus Forsling’s skate and through the legs of Sergei Bobrovsky, cutting into Florida’s lead just 47 seconds into the final frame.

The Leafs wouldn’t get any closer, as Bobrovsky shut the door and Marchand added an empty-net goal with 3:09 to go to give the Cats a 4-1 lead.

For good measure, Matthew Tkachuk also got in on the fun, scoring his own empty-netter with 1:52 to go after Toronto pulled Woll a second time. 

On to the Sabres.

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Photo caption: Feb 26, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (63) scores against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Brady Tkachuk bloodied by big hit, gets misconduct penalty in NHL return

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk was acknowledged before Thursday's game for winning a gold medal with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Midway through the Feb. 26 home game against the Detroit Red Wings, Tkachuk had a bloody nose and a trip to the penalty box.

At the 7:40 mark of the second period, Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson delivered a big hit that sent Tkachuk to the ice. The puck wasn't nearby, so Edvinsson was assessed two minutes for interference, plus five minutes for fighting as Ottawa's Dylan Cozens dropped the gloves in defense of his teammate.

But Tkachuk also received a 10-minute misconduct penalty, apparently for chirping at Edvinsson after he went to the penalty box.

Both continued to argue with each other while in the penalty box.

Tkachuk scored the game's opening goal, but Detroit captain Dylan Larkin, another Team USA standout, scored twice in the Red Wings' 2-1 overtime win.

The day was a busy one for Tkachuk, who was making his first appearance since the Olympics. He answered questions after practice about the gold medal experience plus a White House TikTok video in which his voice was dubbed over to make it sound like he was insulting Canadians.

Tkachuk called the video, which included artificial intelligence, "clearly fake because it's not my voice and not my lips moving."

He added: "It's not my voice. It's not what I was saying. I would never say that. It's not who I am. So, I guess I don't like that video."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brady Tkachuk bloodied by Simon Edvinsson hit in NHL return

Longtime MLB umpire Bruce Froemming dies at 86

Longtime MLB umpire Bruce Froemming has died at the age of 86, his family confirmed to The Athletic.

Froemming's sons told The Athletic and Associated Press that Froemming fell at his home in Wisconsin on Tuesday and hit his head on the hardwood floor. He was taken to a hospital in Milwaukee, according to his family, before succumbing to a brain bleed that medical personnel were unable to stop. Froemming had been on blood thinners.

Froemming worked 5,163 MLB games, which is the third-most games by an MLB umpire, over 37 consecutive baseball seasons beginning in 1971. Among those games, he worked five World Series and was on the field for 11 no-hitters.

Froemming was behind the plate for no-hitters by Milt Pappas (1972), Ed Halicki (1975), Nolan Ryan (1981) and José Jiménez (1999).

Bruce Froemming during a 2006 game between Detroit and Cleveland.

Froemming retired in 2007, when his total games worked stood second behind Bill Klem’s 5,373. Both Froemming and Klem were surpassed by Joe West, who worked 5,460 games before he retired in 2021.

Following his retirement, Froemming served as a special assistant to the league’s vice president on umpiring.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bruce Froemming dies at 86: Umpire worked MLB games for 37 seasons

Maxey sets franchise all-time record for threes in Sixers’ big win over Heat

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 26: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a three point basket during the first quarter against the Miami Heat at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

A franchise record and a big standings win in one night — what a treat.

The Sixers outlasted the Miami Heat 124-117 Thursday night. They are now 33-26, still in control of the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Tyrese Maxey dropped 20 in the first quarter, breaking Allen Iverson’s franchise record for made three-pointers, and led the Sixers with 28 points and 11 assists. Joel Embiid put up 26 and 11 boards on 8-of-20 shooting despite picking up some banged up ribs in the second quarter.

VJ Edgecombe, again coming up with big clutch baskets despite some quiet stretches, finished with 19 points and eight rebounds, shooting 8-of-12 from the floor. Bam Adebayo led all scorers with 29.

The Sixers were only down Paul George (suspension) and Johni Broome (meniscus tear) while the Heat were only down Nikola Jovic.

Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.

First Quarter

  • Embiid opened this game much more aggressively than the previous one, muscling his way to the basket for two easy layups before knocking down a three. He was the hub of everything early, scoring or assisting their first 14 points scored in the half-court. His two-man game opened up Maxey for a three and he also threw a nice pass to Dominick Barlow cutting to the block.
  • As he’s done a lot of as of late, Quentin Grimes knocked down a three very quickly after checking in for the first time. Two turnovers in a row, one that saw him get stripped and the other a bad post-entry pass, helped the Heat erase the early Sixers’ lead. Whether this was the first time all year he had a short leash, or Nick Nurse wanted to go big with both Jabari Walker and Trendon Watford, Grimes’ first shift only lasted a little over two minutes.
  • Once he made his first two threes, it seemed like Maxey wanted to get breaking the franchise record for made threes over as quickly as possible while keeping the offense somewhat organized. He made his fourth three of the quarter to pass Allen Iverson with a little over a minute left in the first. While the Sixers couldn’t stop themselves from fouling Miami, Watford’s foul on Jaime Jaquez at least gave the fans a chance to give Maxey a nice round of applause. He added on another three and a trip to the line, but that only had the Sixers up by one.

Second Quarter

  • After taking a hard foul on the first play of the quarter, Embiid was favoring his side for the remainder of his shift. He was still able to score with ease, even getting down the floor and up for an alley-oop, but Edgecombe threw an errant pass. Even if the Sixers weren’t getting stops, they took over control of the pace to start the quarter, with Edgecombe beating most of the Heat back on defense nearly every time down the floor. He was also hobbling a bit after completing an and-1 on one of those fast-break possessions.
  • That nick Edgecombe took didn’t seem to slow him down at all. On top of his three transition drives to the hoop, Maxey hit him with a lob as well. It looked like he was playing with more confidence as the quarter wore on, especially after hitting a grenade three to beat the shot clock.
  • Miami starting the night cold from three helped the Sixers defense a lot. They basically just had to keep the Heat out of the paint to get stops. Two quick makes followed by another Grimes turnover was just the shot of life they needed as the Sixers were starting to build a lead. Embiid was able to settle things, drawing two shooting fouls on the swipe through move. Grimes redeemed himself with a corner three to give the Sixers a 16-point lead at the break.

Third Quarter

  • Seriously, what do they do at halftime? The Sixers didn’t pay for it too much immediately, but it took them nearly four minutes to score in the second half. They seemed to let a loose ball or two speed them up, either hoisting a contested three or trying to drive through the whole defense.
  • The timeout Nurse called didn’t stop Adebayo or Tyler Herro from catching fire from three, nor did it really get the Sixers’ offense back on track. They hit a couple kick-out threes but Maxey and Embiid weren’t able to cook the same way they had been. Adebayo was on such a three-point surge Miami briefly took their first lead of the night.
  • That second three from the Sixers at least stopped the bleeding for a moment. After Kelly Oubre Jr. sunk that one, he and Maxey strung two good drives together for baskets. After Cam Payne and Barlow hit their first threes of the game, an Adem Bona putback appeared to end the quarter on good vibes, pushing the lead to seven. Maxey thought he was fouled on the miss that caused the putback and got T’d up after a very heated conversation.

Fourth Quarter

  • For the second straight quarter it took the Sixers a couple minutes to score and Miami capitalized with a 7-0 run to tie it up again. A Payne three to end that was much needed, but not as much as Edgecombe scoring his first points since the second quarter. 
  • Still favoring his midsection quite a bit, Embiid looked like a different player in the second half. He had multiple passes he just couldn’t corral and his shots not even coming close were a result of him not being able to bully his way to spots as easily. He went to the bench with 6:48 to go at a timeout. While Edgecombe and Oubre both hit jumpers coming out of that timeout, Miami responded with two threes on their ensuing trips down the floor.
  • Maxey and Edgecombe were finally able to break the Heat’s zone consistently as the game wound down, which was good because Embiid continued to sit on the bench. After a pair of Maxey free throws, he kicked to Oubre for an open three to put the lead back up to four. Edgecombe impressively secured the rebound on the Heat miss, but the Sixers ensuing basket was waved off due to basket interference from Bona.
  • Perhaps it was the interference call that did it, because Embiid replaced Bona after that possession. After Herro missed a contested three, the Sixers got another kick-out three, this time it was Embiid and he drilled it to put the game away.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander not on injury report, set to return to Thunder Friday vs. Nuggets

Here's a sentence that should scare the rest of the NBA: The Oklahoma City Thunder are getting healthy.

Shai Gilgous Alexander, who missed nine games with an abdominal strain, is not on the injury report and is expected to return to the Thunder rotation on Friday night against Denver.

The reigning NBA MVP, Gilgous-Alexander is the frontrunner to repeat, averaging 31.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds per game shooting 39% from 3-point range.

Oklahoma City kept its head above water, going 5-4 with Gilgeous-Alexander out (Jalen Williams missed seven of those games, and there are a host of other injuries on the team). The Thunder retain the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but the red-hot Spurs are now just two games behind them and have a much easier schedule the rest of the way (OKC has the second-toughest remaining schedule in the league). Oklahoma City and Detroit are now in a race for the No. 1 overall seed in the league (the Thunder lead by a half-game as of this writing, but the Pistons have one fewer loss).

His return comes in time both for his chance to play enough games to qualify for postseason awards (he can only miss six more games this season) and to keep the Thunder as a top seed — a huge advantage with how loud their arena is during the playoffs.

No. 21 North Carolina women share scoring wealth in beating Virginia 82-70

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Elina Aarnisalo scored 20 points, Lanie Grant added 15 points and 21st-ranked North Carolina ended its two-game losing streak by beating Virginia 82-70 on Thursday night.

Reserve Nyla Brooks scored 11 points, and Nyla Harris and Ciera Toomey each scored 10 for North Carolina (24-6, 13-4 ACC), which shot 58% (29 of 50), including 67% (16 of 24) from 3-point range.

Kymora Johnson scored 22 points and Romi Levy 15 for Virginia (19-9, 11-6).

North Carolina built a 9-0 lead and carried it to 15-8 at the end of the first quarter. The Tar Heels opened its offense in the second, outscoring Virginia 13-5 over in the first 4 1/2 minutes of the quarter to build their lead to 28-13. North Carolina led 40-23 at halftime.

North Carolina maintained its double-digit lead through the third until Levy made a 3-pointer with 6:57 left to get the Cavaliers within 66-57. After trading baskets, the Tar Heels went back to their double-digit cushion with an 8-2 run and were never threatened again.

North Carolina reached 13 conference wins for the second straight season — the first time in school history to hit the mark in back-to-back seasons.

Virginia is sporting its first 19-win season in the four-year tenure of head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton.

Up next

North Carolina: Hosts 12th-ranked Duke in a regular-season finale on Sunday.

Virginia: Hosts Virginia Tech on Sunday.

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NHL Rumors: Sabres Have 2 Flyers Trade Targets To Consider

Recently, we here at The Hockey News Buffalo Sabres looked at two trade candidates from the Calgary Flames. 

Now, in this latest edition of the Sabres trade targets series, let's look at two Philadelphia Flyers who could be good fits for the Atlantic Division club.

Owen Tippett 

Owen Tippett has been a popular name in the rumor mill this season, and he would have the potential to be a very nice addition to the Sabres' roster. The 27-year-old forward would give the Sabres another skilled forward to work with in their top nine and would be an obvious choice for their power play if acquired.

Tippett would be more than a rental for the Sabres if acquired, as he has a $6.2 million cap hit until the end of the 2031-32 season. In 57 games this season, he has recorded 19 goals, 16 assists, and 35 points. 

Noah Juulsen 

The Sabres need another depth defenseman with experience, and the Flyers have a decent option in Noah Juulsen. The 28-year-old could work well on the Sabres' bottom pairing or even as an extra defenseman. 

Juulsen would not be a big addition to the Sabres' roster, but he would give them another much-needed right-shot defenseman. In 43 games this season, he has recorded one goal, nine points, 90 hits, and a plus-2 rating.

Hassett scores 15 on 5 3-pointers as No. 16 Kentucky women win 63-56 over Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Amelia Hassett scored 15 points on five 3-pointers to lead No. 16 Kentucky past Auburn 63-56 on Thursday night.

Hassett was 5 of 8 from the floor and posted six rebounds and two blocks. Clara Strack notched 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks — after entering second in the nation with 75 blocks, having already broken her own Kentucky program record of 73 blocks set last season.

Teonni Key had 11 points and nine rebounds for Kentucky and Morgan Tonie also scored 11 to go with four assists.

The Wildcats (21-8, 8-7 Southeastern Conference) held a 35-27 lead at the half after starting the game on a 14-3 run. The lead shrunk to six in the third quarter, before another 14-3 run ballooned it to as much as 19. The Tigers closed the game on a 14-2 run over the final 5:47.

Khady Leye had 20 points, eight rebounds and two steals for the Tigers (14-15, 3-12). Harissoum Coulibaly added 13 points. Kaitlyn Duhon had five steals, driving a 17-8 turnover advantage and 15-9 margin on points off turnovers.

The Wildcats outrebounded the Tigers 37-26 and shot 46% (24 of 52) to the Tigers' 39% (22 of 57).

Up next

Kentucky ends the regular season on Sunday, hosting No. 3 South Carolina.

Auburn finishes its regular season slate with a trip to Arkansas on Sunday.

___

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Rangers’ Olympic heroes get warm welcome home as ‘U-S-A’ chants fill Garden

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) and New York Rangers center J.T. Miller (8) are honored by the New York Rangers along with New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan after winning Olympic gold with Team USA in a pre game ceremony when the New York Rangers played the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday, February 26, 2026, Image 2 shows New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) is greeted by the fans as the New York Rangers honor him along with New York Rangers center J.T. Miller (8) and New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan after winning Olympic gold with Team USA in a pre game ceremony when the New York Rangers played the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Madison Square Garden on Feb, 26, 2026
Rangers

For a few moments, J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck had the Garden spotlight to themselves.

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A video montage congratulating the Rangers’ five Team USA representatives from the Winter Olympics — who all were part of the run in Milan that ended with the country’s first gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980 — had just finished playing Thursday, recognizing Miller, Trocheck, head coach Mike Sullivan (USA head coach), assistant coach David Quinn (USA assistant coach) and president and general manager Chris Drury (USA assistant general manager) — with Drury, the architect of this disappointing Rangers season and retooling, getting booed loudly during the proceedings.

The ceremony, something that has been replicated throughout the NHL as players rejoined their respective teams, lasted around four minutes before the Blueshirts’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Flyers.

Sullivan’s speech from inside the American locker room pregame played on the scoreboard. Highlights from the gold-medal game, too. And then Trocheck and Miller were both shown receiving their gold medals.

Vincent Trocheck, who won a gold medal for Team USA, is greeted by the fans before the Rangers’ game against the Flyers on Feb. 26, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post

“The celebration before the game is a special moment for a lot of us,” Sullivan said. “Certainly proud of the accomplishment that the Olympic team was able to win the gold medal. We’re particularly proud of J.T. and [Trocheck] and the contribution that they had in helping us win over there. Those guys were instrumental in so many ways.”

Trocheck and Miller were key pieces of a penalty kill unit that went 18-for-18 throughout the tournament. Across the entire men’s hockey tournament, Trocheck finished with the third-highest faceoff percentage.

And Thursday, the celebration for Team USA’s medal — which stretched from Milan to Miami to the White House, morphing into a political controversy along the way — reached their home venue.


In a season where the Rangers’ focus has shifted to what’s next, Brendan Brisson became the latest to get a chance.

The 24-year-old and former first-round pick — part of the return in the March trade that sent Reilly Smith to the Golden Knights — was recalled from AHL Hartford to practice with the Blueshirts during the Olympic break and made his Rangers debut Thursday.



He skated on the third line alongside Noah Laba and Conor Sheary while also logging time with the second power-play unit. Brisson, who previously appeared in 24 NHL games across two stints while with the Golden Knights, collected 13 goals and 23 points in 46 games with the Wolf Pack.

Gold medal winners Vincent Trocheck (right) and J.T. Miller, along with head coach Mike Sullivan, are honored by the Rangers in a pregame ceremony on Feb. 26, 2026 before the Rangers faced the Flyers. Robert Sabo for NY Post

“I’m just gonna try to go out there [Thursday] and be good in the system, be good in the details of the game and if I get a chance, hopefully generate on it, produce on it,” Brisson told The Post before the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Flyers.


Forward Brett Berard was assigned to the Wolf Pack and goaltender Hugo Ollas was assigned to ECHL Bloomington Bison before the game.


Gotham Sports App, which is the direct-to-consumer streaming branch of MSG and YES Networks, can now be purchased through Prime Video, the company announced. It serves as the streaming space for Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Yankees, Knicks, Nets and Sabres coverage.

Florida women beat No. 19 Ole Miss 74-67 for 1st victory over ranked team this season

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Liv McGill had 28 points, six rebounds and eight assists, Laila Reynolds added 14 points, and Florida beat No. 19 Mississippi 74-67 on Thursday night for its first victory over a ranked opponent this season.

Florida (17-13, 5-10 SEC) snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series.

McGill found Reynolds for an alley-oop layup in transition for a 63-51 lead early in the fourth during a 12-1 run.

But Ole Miss scored the next nine points, with two 3-pointers from Tianna Thompson, to get within 65-60 with 4:13 left. The Rebels would not get closer that five points the rest of the way as Me’Arah O’Neal and McGill combined to go 4 of 4 at the stripe in the final 1:16 to secure it.

Florida (17-13, 5-10 SEC) shot 59% from the field and outscored Ole Miss 46-20 inside the paint. McGill made a layup early in the third quarter to break Florida’s single-season scoring record, passing Tonya Washington’s mark of 631 points.

Thompson set career highs with 25 points and seven 3-pointers for Ole Miss (21-9, 8-7). Cotie McMahon added 15 points and Christeen Iwuala had 10. Latasha Lattimore, the Rebels' third-leading scorer, was injured in the third and did not return.

Florida closed the first half on a 15-5 run to take a 40-37 lead into the break. McGill led the Gators with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Ole Miss went without a field goal for the final five minutes of the first half.

Up next

Ole Miss: Returns home to play Texas A&M on Sunday in a regular-season finale for both teams.

Florida: Goes on the road to face No. 23 Georgia to conclude its season.

___

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Nazem Kadri Reunion: Smart Move or Costly Gamble?

DENVER — The clock is ticking in Colorado. 

With the trade deadline looming and a championship window still wide open, the Colorado Avalanche find themselves in a familiar position: aggressive, calculated, and unafraid to swing big. Cap space is available. A former Stanley Cup hero could be within reach. The question isn’t whether the Avalanche can make a blockbuster move — it’s whether they should.

Nazem Kadri taking a hard hit from Winnipeg Jets forward Adam Lowry earlier this season.

Cap Space Creates Opportunity

The Avalanche wasted no time getting to work once the Olympic trade freeze lifted. In a decisive move, Colorado shipped longtime defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Brett Kulak.

Kulak made his Avalanche debut in a 4–2 victory over the Utah Mammoth at Delta Center, and the early returns were solid. But the real win may not have been on the ice — it was on the balance sheet.

By moving Girard without retaining salary, Colorado cleared significant cap space. The Avalanche now sit with approximately $8.74 million in flexibility, giving general manager Chris MacFarland the financial breathing room to pursue something far more ambitious.

The Nazem Kadri Question

Reacquiring Nazem Kadri would be more than a nostalgic reunion. It would be a competitive statement.

Kadri was instrumental in Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup run, producing a career-best 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) in 71 regular-season games before delivering timely playoff heroics. After the Avalanche were unable to retain him, he signed with the Calgary Flames, where his production has remained respectable — though not quite at his Colorado peak.

At 35, Kadri is no longer the dynamic force he once was. But context matters. Calgary sits near the bottom of the Pacific Division at 23-27-6, and Kadri has made little secret of his dissatisfaction with the direction of the franchise. A return to Denver could reignite both his production and his edge.

Kadri, slotted as a third-line center, could give the Avalanche enviable depth and matchup flexibility heading into the postseason.

But if Kadri demands to play the second-line role, that could become a serious issue. Brock Nelson has excelled in the role and is having a career-best season along with just capturing Olympic gold in Milan, the first gold medal for the United States since 1980. The last thing you want to do is have an angry player who's locked in on a long-term deal.

But if Kadri is willing to be the third-line center, it could be a solid fit. 

The Veteran Blueprint: Brent Burns

Age alone is not a disqualifier in Colorado.

Just look at Brent Burns.

Brent Burns is having a tremendous campaign for Colorado. Credit: Ron Chenoy
Brent Burns is having a tremendous campaign for Colorado. Credit: Ron Chenoy

At 40 years old, Burns is authoring an impressive campaign, tallying nine goals and 18 assists for 27 points in 56 games with a career-best +30 rating. While plus/minus is no longer a favored analytic darling, it remains an indicator of on-ice impact — and Burns’ number speaks volumes.

His previous high-water mark came during the 2013-14 season with the San Jose Sharks, where he became a franchise cornerstone and later captured the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2017 as the league’s top defenseman.

Burns is in Colorado for one reason: to win another Stanley Cup. If he can defy the aging curve, the Avalanche may believe Kadri can do the same.

The Real Cost of a Reunion

The complication, as always, lies in the asking price.

Colorado’s identity is built on depth — and dismantling that depth could be counterproductive. Parker Kelly is enjoying a career year and serves as a vital locker-room presence. If Calgary demands Kelly, that may be a nonstarter.

The Flames may want to steal Parker Kelly away from the Avalanche. Credit: Rob Gray
The Flames may want to steal Parker Kelly away from the Avalanche. Credit: Rob Gray

A package centered around Ross Colton and a draft pick could be palatable, but a rebuilding Flames organization will likely demand more. Top prospect Mikhail Gulyayev would certainly intrigue Calgary’s front office.

The Avalanche must determine whether sacrificing future assets — and potentially disrupting team chemistry — is worth a short-term surge.

If Not Kadri, Then Who?

If Kadri proves too costly, an alternative exists in Ryan O’Reilly.

While not the fleetest skater at this stage of his career, O’Reilly remains elite in the faceoff circle and thrives in the hard areas of the ice. His three-goal performance on January 16 at Ball Arena was a reminder that his instincts and net-front prowess remain intact.

Former Avalanche forward Ryan O'Reilly. Credit: Brad Mills
Former Avalanche forward Ryan O'Reilly. Credit: Brad Mills

Colorado’s playoff needs are clear: win draws, grind in traffic, score the ugly goals when space evaporates.

O’Reilly fits that description.

Championship Windows Don’t Wait

What this ultimately comes down to is urgency.

The Avalanche’s championship window is not closed — but it is not infinite. With a core still in its prime and veterans pushing for one more ring, Colorado must balance boldness with prudence.

Cap space gives them options. Familiar names stir emotion. But championships are not won on sentiment.

Avs fans would love to see this again. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas
Avs fans would love to see this again. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas

As the trade deadline accelerates toward its climax, all eyes turn to CMac — and whether the next move will be a calculated tweak or a seismic swing.

Because in Colorado, second chances can lead to parades.

Image

Rockies manager and players comment on a 11-3 Rockies win

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Chad Stevens #39 of the Colorado Rockies greets third base coach Andy González #81 after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Earlier today, the Colorado Rockies absolutely pounded the San Francisco Giants.

[Clears throat: taco’s.]

For game highlights, click here.

First, here’s manager Warren Schaeffer’s thoughts on the day’s performances:

And Jordan Beck — and please appreciate an exceptional throw:

Cole Carrigg weighs in on his spring training so far:

Here’s Charlie Condon:

And finally, Kyle Karros discusses the Rockies’ new hitting approach as well as the triple he hit today:


Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

Utah Jazz sign Mo Bamba to 10-day contract

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 29: Mo Bamba #11 of the Utah Jazz poses for a portrait at Redman Studios on September 29, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

According to Shams Charania (through agents), the Utah Jazz have signed Mo Bamba to a 10-day contract.

This likely comes because of the loss to Jusuf Nurkic, who is out for the season. Bamba was on the Jazz roster to start the season and now makes his return. We’ll see if this will turn into a larger contract, but we may be seeing multiple 10-day contracts as the season goes on.

Bamba has not been able to find a home in the NBA, and it’s unlikely this is a long-term thing. That said, Bamba is a true center, something the Jazz do not have on their roster. This allows the Jazz to use their young players with a true center in certain lineups. The closest thing they have to that right now is Kyle Filipowski, but he doesn’t look like a long-term fit at center for Utah. We may not see Bamba at all, but it is a nice option for Utah to get a lineup on the floor that vaguely resembles what we might see next season.