Posts

Posted on

Sharp and Uzan shine in OT as No. 3 Houston outlasts Syracuse 78-74 at Players Era

Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan each scored 26 points, teaming for all 11 of No. 3 Houston's points in overtime, in the Cougars' 78-74 victory over Syracuse on Monday in the opening round of the Players Era. Uzan, playing in his hometown, scored six points in OT and Sharp had five to keep the Cougars (6-0) undefeated. Chris Cenac Jr. scored all eight of his points after halftime and had 12 rebounds.

Posted on

Patrick Kane Achieves Yet Another Career Milestone With Red Wings

The Hall of Fame credentials for Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane are already guaranteed, and he's added yet another impressive milestone to his resume.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Image

With an assist on teammate Alex DeBrincat's first period goal on Monday evening against the New Jersey Devils, Kane moved past former Red Wings forward Brendan Shanahan for sole possession of 29th place in the NHL's all-time points list with 1,355. 

Kane, who has 860 career assists, is just 35 shy of passing Phil Housley for the most in the career of an American born player.

Speaking of former Red Wings, he's also just 20 points away from passing Mike Modano for the most points in the history of the NHL by an American born player. 

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum

Posted on

NHL Wrongly Declines Further Discipline for Mikko Rantanen

Mikko Rantanen will miss the Dallas Stars’ upcoming road game against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday as he serves an automatic one-game suspension.

On November 18, with under a minute remaining in regulation, Rantanen skated through a check by New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield and checked Alex Romanov from behind, propelling him violently into the end boards. Romanov was eventually assisted off the ice. Rantanen was given a five-minute major for boarding, which carries an automatic game misconduct.

The NHL did not discipline Rantanen for the hit, citing the slight contact from Mayfield, a decision that did not sit well with many fans. While Mayfield may have slowed him slightly, that hardly explains Rantanen’s forward thrust that carried him through Mayfield and into Romanov, though that was the rationale offered after the fact.

Can of Worms

In discussions with my colleagues, we reached a consensus. The NHL’s decision not to suspend Rantanen for the hit on Romanov risked setting a troubling precedent. Hockey is a contact sport, yet such leniency could encourage players to take liberties that endanger their peers. What was especially surprising, however, was that it would be Mikko Rantanen himself repeating the same behavior just days later against the Calgary Flames, charging out of the penalty box and plowing through Matt Coronato. 

"Dallas’ Mikko Rantanen has been automatically suspended for one game under Rule 23.6, Physical Infractions Category," the NHL Department of Player Safety said in a statement on X. "In regular season League games, any player who incurs a total of two (2) game misconduct penalties in the Physical Infractions Category, before playing 41 consecutive regular season League games without such penalty, shall be suspended automatically for the next League game of his team."

NHL Should Have Suspended Rantanen Longer

Revisiting the hit on Romanov, who is now sidelined for five to six months following shoulder surgery sustained in the play, it is evident that Rantanen’s intent was to deliver a forceful impact. While Mayfield’s contact may have slightly altered his trajectory, there is little doubt that his objective was to drive Romanov into the boards. Rantanen extended his arms—a motion rarely seen in the context of a conventional hockey stop, but one commonly employed to deliver a hit, which is what happened.

If the play had truly been unintentional, and Rantanen had merely “lost control” to the detriment of Romanov’s season, it seems unlikely he would engage in similarly reckless behavior just two games later. Yet he did, charging out of the penalty box and targeting Matt Coronato. This was not a simple boarding incident; Rantanen took at least five strides before reaching Coronato, meeting the criteria for charging as well. Boarding, charging, two game misconducts in less than a week—and all of it resulting in only a one-game suspension—raises serious questions about the league’s disciplinary standards.

What are we actually doing? What is the point of having a Department of Player Safety if we're not actually taking safety seriously. It's like having a department in the government dedicated to balancing the budget while consistently being in debt and not actually doing the things the people voted for you to accomplish.

The issue extends beyond setting a poor precedent, as the optics are equally troubling and demand serious scrutiny. According to NHL rules, a player must accumulate two game misconducts within a 41-game span to trigger an automatic suspension. When a player reaches that threshold in just a matter of days, it seems reasonable to question whether a more substantial penalty is warranted. The league could have easily imposed a four- or five-game suspension on Rantanen if it chose to exercise stricter judgment. It is, after all, the NHL’s prerogative, but should another player sustain a serious injury due to what appears to be leniency, the consequences for the league’s credibility could be severe.

Sports Betting

It is also important to recognize that the NHL faces a significant dilemma with sports betting. A 2018 Nielsen Sports study estimated that the league’s annual revenue could increase by at least $216 million from sports betting alone, a figure that has likely grown considerably in the years since. Suspensions can be costly for business. Much like in combat sports, where a fighter testing positive for a banned substance can disrupt events and revenue, leagues often calibrate penalties to minimize financial disruption. First-time offenders typically receive six-month suspensions, which coincides roughly with the natural cadence of a fighter’s career, thereby limiting the impact on the sport’s revenue stream.

For the NHL, however, the priority should be clear: protecting players must take precedence, regardless of the team or the business considerations involved.

Image

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Posted on

Wizards rookie Tre Johnson to miss weeks due to hip injury

Tre Johnson, the rookie guard who is one of the lone bright spots in Washington's ugly start to the season, will miss multiple weeks dealing with a hip flexor issue, Varun Shankar of the Washington Post reports.

Johnson was out for the Washington on Saturday, then on Monday the team confirmed the injury but did not provide an official return timeline.

This is the same injury that caused Johnson to miss time last season at Texas, and he had been playing through some pain there, according to Shankar at the Post.

Johnson is averaging 11.5 points a game and shooting 39.5% from 3-point range. Because of the injury, Johnson had seen his minutes drop, playing fewer than 20 in his last three before being ruled out. Look for Cam Whitmore and Corey Kispert to get more run with Johnson sidelined.

Posted on

Are The New York Islanders For Real?

One of the biggest surprises of the early NHL season has been the rapid rise of the New York Islanders. Entering the year, expectations were modest. After holding the first overall pick along with two additional first-rounders, the franchise seemed ready to focus on long-term growth rather than immediate success.

That outlook changed quickly. Their top selection, Matthew Schaefer, has been a tremendous hit. His electric start has energized the entire organization and helped push the Islanders to a shocking 13-8-2 record that almost no one saw coming.

Schaefer’s breakout is only part of the story as several veterans have turned back the clock, led by Bo Horvat. The 30-year-old center looks like the same player who put up 68 points two seasons ago. He currently leads the team with 14 goals, 11 assists, and 25 points in 23 games. Riding alongside Horvat is Emil Heineman, formerly a depth winger in Montreal, who has flourished on the top line with nine goals and six assists.

Another key contributor is Mathew Barzal, the most recognizable Islander, who has added 17 points in 22 games while anchoring the second line. Having both Horvat and Barzal controlling the center of the ice has been an underrated advantage and a major reason behind New York’s early success.

Still, no player has changed the team’s trajectory more than Schaefer. The rookie defenseman has burst onto the scene with remarkable poise, logging heavy minutes in every situation and seeming to break a new record every night. At 18 years and 70 days old, he became the youngest player in NHL history to score an overtime goal, surpassing Sidney Crosby’s mark from 2005. 

During a six-game point streak to begin his career, he put up seven points with two goals and five assists, becoming the youngest defenseman ever to accomplish that feat. His outstanding play has not only made him the clear favorite for the Calder Trophy but has also sparked early conversation about his potential spot on Team Canada for the 2026 Olympics.

The Islanders have also benefited from Ilya Sorokin regaining his form. The goaltender owns a 2.64 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and a 7-6-2 record, providing stability in net.

All of this raises an important question. Are the Islanders legitimate playoff contenders, or will their early momentum eventually fade? We saw a similar story last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who went on an emotional run in honor of the late Johnny Gaudreau before running out of steam and narrowly missing the postseason.

Sportsbooks appear cautious as well. Schaefer is the heavy Calder favorite at -238, but the Islanders' playoff odds have already tightened to +110. For believers, this may be the last chance to buy in at value.

Islanders' Matthew Schaefer, Avalanche's Cale Makar Already Near-Locks in NHL Award RacesIslanders' Matthew Schaefer, Avalanche's Cale Makar Already Near-Locks in NHL Award RacesAn 18-year-old phenom and a Norris contender are dominating early NHL award races, setting impressive records and dazzling fans.

It is hard not to believe when you look at the teams they have beaten. Some wins have been driven by energy, but others have been convincing statements. In only their fourth game, they defeated the Oilers 4-2,  they beat several of the league’s best teams, including the Capitals, Devils, Golden Knights, and Stars. Their dominance over the Atlantic-leading Red Wings has been especially notable, outscoring Detroit 12 to 2 in their two meetings.

Within the Metropolitan Division, the Islanders have been just as impressive. Excluding their first two games of the season, they have gone 4-1-1 in their last six divisional matchups. With teams like the Capitals, Penguins, Blue Jackets, and Flyers still early in various stages of their rebuilds, there is little reason to think New York cannot remain in the top three.

The Islanders have quickly become one of the most entertaining teams in hockey, and they continue to show that they are worth believing in.

Image

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Posted on

Mets owners Steve, Alex Cohen tip cap to Brandon Nimmo following trade to Rangers

Brandon Nimmo’s time in the Big Apple has come to an end. 

The outfielder spent his first 10 years with the Mets after being selected as the 13th overall pick in the 2011 Draft. 

Nimmo fought through his share of ups-and-downs over the years, but he established himself as a fan favorite with his infectious smile and the high-energy play he brought to the field everyday.

He expressed his desire to remain a Met his entire career after signing an eight-year extension ahead of the 2023 season, but two years into that deal the organization had other plans. 

David Stearns said it was not an easy decision, but the Mets opted to ship Nimmo out of town on Sunday night in a deal with the Texas Rangers for veteran 2B Marcus Semien. 

His chapter with the Mets comes to a close with a .262 average, 135 homers, 188 doubles, 463 RBI, a .364 on-base percentage, and a .802 OPS over 1,066 games. 

Owners Steve and Alex Cohen released a statement shortly after the deal became official on Monday afternoon. 

“Brandon represented our organization with heart, grit, and passion,” they wrote. “He embodied everything it meant to be a Met on and off the field. We are grateful for everything he gave to our team and community. We wish Brandon, Chelsea, and Tatum all the best.”

Posted on

How fiery Steve Kerr sparked Warriors' scorching second quarter in win over Jazz

How fiery Steve Kerr sparked Warriors' scorching second quarter in win over Jazz originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – With Draymond Green watching from the bench Monday night, the Warriors shook off an ugly first quarter, pressed the “power” button in the second quarter and became the team Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Steve Kerr keep insisting they are.

Hustle? Check. Grit? Check. Ball movement? Check. Rebounding? Check. Shooting. Check. Spirited defense, without Draymond? Double check. And two – two – turnovers, neither of which was costly.

Those 12 scorching minutes during which the Warriors outscored Utah by 21 launched them to a 134-117 victory that buried a three-game losing streak.

It all came together and a very visible tongue-lashing by Steve Kerr late in the first quarter.

“We just wanted some good vibes around here,” said Curry, who scored a game-high 31 points. “We had good practice yesterday. Utah was coming off a back-to-back (set). We wanted to get off to a better start than we did.

“But we responded after that quick timeout. Coach lit a fire underneath us, and I’m just glad the way we responded as a whole. We know we can play better, but it’s nice to have a little bit of offensive rhythm tonight and see the ball go in after a rough start.

Kerr, hopping off the bench to call a timeout, was livid about a defensive breakdown by Brandin Podziemski with 1:53 left in the first quarter that allowed Keyonte George to drain a wide-open 3-pointer, his fourth in the quarter without a miss.

“Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen were the two guys that we wanted to contain tonight and pay special attention to,” Kerr said. “And 10 minutes into the game, George is 4-for-4 from 3. Wide open shots. We just lost our focus, and I just wanted to gently remind them that we needed to focus more.”

The Warriors were being torched, as the Jazz shot 61.9 percent from the field, including 70 percent from beyond the arc, in the first quarter. Utah led by as much as 11 and took a 35-26 lead into the second quarter.

“Talents like that, they’re going to score,” Curry said. “But we gave him four wide-open 3s. And anybody knows that shouldn’t happen in this league if you’re keying on two of their best players, two of their best scorers.”

Kerr’s reminder prompted the Warriors to grow fangs and use them in the second quarter. They opened with a 21-0 run and outscored Utah 41-20. They limited the Jazz to 8-of-27 shooting from the field, including 2-of-11 from distance.

Meanwhile, Golden State was shooting 58.6 percent from the field, including 53.8 percent from deep, with Moses Moody (10 points) and Buddy Hield (nine) accounting for almost half the 41 points, while Pat Spencer and rookie Will Richard came off the bench, bringing energy.

The game had flipped. The Warriors, despite a few lapses, looked like a different team over the final three quarters, posting a 108-82 advantage.

“We took care of the ball, and that’s priority No. 1 for us,” Kerr said, referring to eight turnovers after the first quarter. “When we take care of it, we generally win. We’re 9-1 now, when we win a turnover battle, and like 1-8 when we don’t. It’s obvious what our measuring stick is, and that helps our defense. I like that. I like the way the ball moved. And once we got a Pat and Will out there, I really liked the ball movement, the flow, the energy, it just it felt right.”

One clue of the team’s energy is that of the 11 Warriors who played, all but one grabbed at least two rebounds. The persistence on the glass allowed them to post a 50-47 rebounding edge over a much bigger Utah squad.
Hield, slumping most of the season, delivered his most productively efficient game thus far, finishing with a season-high 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field, including 4-of-8 from distance. He added five rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes.

From big things to the little things – the kind of things neglected all too often – it was 36 minutes of high-quality hoops that allowed the Warriors to roll to a rare feel-good win.

Now, it’s about staying on point, finding consistency and gathering momentum.

“That’s the biggest thing, understanding how they’re trying to score who’s going to have the ball,” Curry said. “But you have to just go step-by-step in terms of us putting together 48 minutes of solid sound defense, where we’re truly proud of the way we play, start to finish.

“We know we haven’t done that yet.”

With 63 games remaining, there will be plenty of opportunities to change that.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Posted on

Keegan Murray shines thanks to new mindset in Kings' OT win vs. Timberwolves

Keegan Murray shines thanks to new mindset in Kings' OT win vs. Timberwolves  originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The difference a two-way wing like Keegan Murray can make. 

Behind Murray’s 26 points and a career-best 14 rebounds, the Kings, 18 games later, picked up consecutive wins for the first time in the 2025-26 NBA season, edging past the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-112 in overtime on Monday night at Golden 1 Center. 

In October, Murray tore the UCL in his left thumb during a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers and underwent surgery, forcing him to miss the first 15 games of the season.

In that span, the Kings racked up a poor 3-12 record, including an eight–game losing skid. It appeared as if there were no possible remedies to Sacramento’s ailment. 

Insert, Murray, who, early on in his third season, is proving why the Kings shelled out a five-year, $140 million contract extension for his services. 

“It makes a big difference having Keegan Murray back,” veteran DeMar DeRozan told NBC Sports California’s Kyle Draper, Morgan Ragan and Deuce Mason on “Kings Postgame Live.” 

“One of our best players. A guy that could go out and do everything. He changed the dynamic of the floor, so having him out there definitely helps.” 

Sacramento now has won two of the three games that have featured Murray. The 25-year-old is back. The Kings are back. 

But perhaps more importantly, Murray’s long-awaited two-way aggressiveness and fierce mentality are here.

“I think I just had a really good offseason,” Murray told reporters. “I got away from Sacramento a little bit. I feel like I just unlocked a different mindset going into this year. 

“Obviously, I couldn’t start this season. Obviously, I missed a month to start. For me, it’s just finding my rhythm back and each game I’m feeling more comfortable on the court. So, aggression is not really an issue for me this year.”

Murray drilled a wide-open 3-pointer to give the Kings a 110-107 lead with two minutes left in overtime, helping Sacramento overcome a once 10-point deficit with 3:04 minutes left in the fourth quarter. 

DeRozan, who surpassed Alex English in the league’s all-time scoring list, posted a team-high 33 points. 

Malik Monk added 22 points off the bench for the Kings, while Precious Achiuwa registered 10 points and seven rebounds for Sacramento.

With a menacing Murray on the floor, purple beams await the Kings.

Download and follow The Deuce & Mo Podcast

Posted on

Keegan Murray shines thanks to new mindset in Kings' OT win vs. Timberwolves

Keegan Murray shines thanks to new mindset in Kings' OT win vs. Timberwolves  originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The difference a two-way wing like Keegan Murray can make. 

Behind Murray’s 26 points and a career-best 14 rebounds, the Kings, 18 games later, picked up consecutive wins for the first time in the 2025-26 NBA season, edging past the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-112 in overtime on Monday night at Golden 1 Center. 

In October, Murray tore the UCL in his left thumb during a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers and underwent surgery, forcing him to miss the first 15 games of the season.

In that span, the Kings racked up a poor 3-12 record, including an eight–game losing skid. It appeared as if there were no possible remedies to Sacramento’s ailment. 

Insert, Murray, who early on in his third season, is proving why the Kings shelled out a five-year, $140 million extension for his services. 

“It makes a big difference having Keegan Murray back,” veteran DeMar DeRozan told NBC Sports California’s Kyle Draper, Morgan Ragan and Deuce Mason on “Kings Postgame Live.” 

“One of our best players. A guy that could go out and do everything. He changed the dynamic of the floor, so having him out there definitely helps.” 

Sacramento now has won two of the three games that have featured Murray. The 25-year-old is back. The Kings are back. 

But perhaps more importantly, Murray’s long-awaited two-way aggressiveness and fierce mentality are here.

“I think I just had a really good offseason,” Murray told reporters. “I got away from Sacramento a little bit. I feel like I just unlocked a different mindset going into this year. 

“Obviously, I couldn’t start this season. Obviously, I missed a month to start. For me, it’s just finding my rhythm back and each game I’m feeling more comfortable on the court. So, aggression is not really an issue for me this year.”

Murray drilled a wide-open 3-pointer to give the Kings a 110-107 lead with two minutes left in overtime, helping Sacramento overcome a once 10-point deficit with 3:04 minutes left in the fourth quarter. 

DeRozan, who surpassed Alex English in the league’s all-time scoring list, posted a team-high 33 points. 

Malik Monk added 22 points off the bench for the Kings, while Precious Achiuwa registered 10 points and seven rebounds for Sacramento.

With a menacing Murray on the floor, purple beams await the Kings.

Download and follow The Deuce & Mo Podcast