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Toronto Maple Leafs On The Cusp Of Longest Active Playoff Streak – But The Pressure Is Higher Than Ever

Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the cusp of standing alone with the longest active NHL playoff streak.

Toronto can clinch a playoff spot for the ninth straight season on Wednesday night, while it’s a matter of time before the Eastern Conference’s last place team, the Boston Bruins, are eliminated from contention. Both clubs are currently tied for the longest streak at eight seasons.

In the most important sense, the Leafs’ streak of playoff appearances doesn’t mean much besides the fact that the pressure to win at least a couple of rounds is higher than ever. They’ve only won one playoff round in eight seasons. 

Not only that, but since 2016-17, the Leafs have the 15th-most playoff wins and the 15th-most playoff games played. This is a stark reminder of how many chances the Buds have blown.

Toronto’s active playoff streak is an emotional double-edged sword for Leafs fans. Most of them remember the lean years, when the Buds didn’t make the playoffs in 10 of 11 seasons beginning in 2005-06. So, having playoff games for what will be nine straight years now is far preferable to the alternative of no playoff games.

Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Logs More PK Minutes, But At What Cost?Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Logs More PK Minutes, But At What Cost?Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews hasn’t scored as many goals this year, but he has a significant career high elsewhere.

However, if the Maple Leafs do get eliminated in the first or second round of this year’s post-season – or even if they win two playoff series and then get unceremoniously swept in the Eastern final – there will be no moral victories.

There won’t be any more excuses that will satisfy Leafs fans if they don’t excel in the playoffs under all that pressure. There will be no more press conferences where Leafs brass talks about patience and the learning process. Those days are long over. 

The only thing Leafs fans will want is turnover. If that means saying goodbye to pending Leafs UFAs Mitch Marner and John Tavares, Leafs fans may say, “so be it.” This should be the team's last chance at running it back with the same core in hopes that things eventually improve because they already changed the coach, and they changed the GM two years ago.

It’s no wonder that the stakes are sky-high for the Buds this spring. They may win the highly competitive Atlantic Division, but imagine the fallout if they follow up with a first-round loss to the Ottawa Senators or Montreal Canadiens. Or imagine the blowback if the Leafs get out of Round 1, only to be demolished by the defending Cup-champion Florida Panthers or Tampa Bay Lightning in Round 2. The mushroom cloud of anger and frustration that could envelop the franchise will return bigger than usual.

So, while it will be a slight moral victory if the Leafs extend the longest active playoff streak and win the division for the first 82-game season since the 1999-2000 campaign, it won’t matter one iota if Toronto doesn’t reward its customers with a serious playoff run. 

They’ve shown encouraging signs of grinding out wins and playing playoff-style hockey this season, so it’s about time they take advantage of it in the post-season. Otherwise, all these years of getting into the playoffs will amount to a Blue-And-White hill of beans.

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Why the LA Kings Are Built to Upset the Western Confrence’s Top Teams

© Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

As it stands now, the Los Angeles Kings are still battling with the Edmonton Oilers to hold onto that second seed in the Pacific division. They will face them in two critical games this month, which will be key to ending up with the second seed and having a home-ice advantage against them in their likely first-round matchup.  

But for now, the Los Angeles Kings aren't favorites entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but they're becoming one of the West's most feared underdogs. LA can pull off a deep playoff upset with their rich defensive corps, elite goaltending, and a system designed for playoff hockey.

A Tale of Two Teams: Struggles vs. the East, Dominance in the West

While the Kings have struggled against the league's top of the Eastern Conference (19-9-4), despite their impressive record, they've split a lot of their games against the top teams in the conference, including the Tampa Bay Lightnings, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils and—most recently losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs —they've flipped the script in their last two games. Their response? Scoring a combined 12 goals against the San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets in back-to-back dominating performances.

But what's most important is that they're  3-0 vs. the Central Division-leading Jets this year. Winnipeg, one of the best Stanley Cup hopefuls, hasn't been able to penetrate LA's solid defensive system and grinding play. This means the Kings can compete with the best in the West—even if their record against Eastern Conference opponents is a little suspect.

Again, it'll be about matchups come playoff time, which could favor the Kings depending on who they play in the first round. The good thing for the Kings is that they won't have to play both the Stars or Avalanche in the postseason because those two will play it out in the first round, leaving either one of those teams, the Jets or maybe the Golden Knights. 

Defensive Structure and Goal Tending: The Kings' Greatest Strengths

LA's defense-oriented strategy is built for playoff play. They grind the tempo, tire opponents on the boards, and limit high-danger chances. 

Drew Doughty captains a defense that neutralizes visiting stars, especially when facing offense-first teams such as Edmonton or Dallas. Doughty is a future hall-of-famer playing extremely high in his career, including this season, when he became the first Kings' defenceman in history to hit 1,200 games. 

The Kings possess one of the league's top penalty-killing units, a weapon system against foes who employ the power play as a means of scoring (aka Jets, Stars, and Golden Knights).

Balanced Scoring: Beyond Kopitar & Kempe

While Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe remain chief offense drivers, LA depth scoring has been the biggest X-factor down the stretch. 

Kevin Fiala, Trevor Moore, and Quinton Byfield have delivered, offering the Kings numerous lines of threat to score from.

Adding Andrei Kuzmenko and Warren Foegele in the second half of the season threw even more gasoline on the fire of the scoring lineup. We see a lot of teams who make deals in the second half of the season, leading them to make deep playoff runs and even win the Stanley Cup because of the chemistry and depth they bring right away to the franchise. 

The Kings have had three or more goals in four of their last six games, so they are clicking and peaking at the right time, getting their offense hot at the perfect time.

Matchup Nightmare for the West's Top Teams

The Kings possess the right prescription to fight against some of the West's most significant dangers. 

Edmonton Oilers: LA has faced the Oilers in back-to-back-to-back playoffs and possesses the defense system that can slow up Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. If they get them again, the Kings' ability to play a grinding, physical style of hockey might enrage Edmonton's speed.

Dallas Stars: Dallas is one of the best Western Conference teams, but the Kings' structured play and hard forecheck can shut down their transition. LA also won the season series against Dallas 2-1, including their recent win in February when they went to overtime tied 4-4 and scored the game-winning goal. 

Winnipeg Jets: We saw the defensive clinic the Kings put on the Jets a few days ago, sweeping the season series 3-0. In all games, the King's defense has held the number 3 ranked offensive Jets team to one goal in all three meetings, showcasing the level to which the Kings can amp up their defense. 

Final Take: LA's Playoff Formula is Coming Together

With their recent success against Western Conference teams, top-notch penalty killing, and a physical, disciplined brand of hockey, the Kings have everything it takes to make life miserable for the top contenders. While they've struggled against the East, the fact that they're 3-0 against Winnipeg, one of the top teams in the West, is all it takes to prove that they're more than capable of upsetting a favorite.

In an open-ice hockey conference where grinding is the word, LA's ability to grind down teams makes them the biggest wild card of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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‘Stressful’ debut as Daria Kasatkina appears as Australian player for first time

  • World No 12 switched allegiance from Russia last week
  • She overcomes nerves to beat Lauren Davis 6-1, 6-1 in Charleston

“And please welcome from Australia, Daria Kasatkina!” With those words from the MC introducing her on court at the Charleston Open on Wednesday, Australia’s latest tennis import admitted she was left feeling a bag of nerves about the advent of her new adventure.

She need not have worried. For just over an hour later, following her consummate first triumph as an Australian player, Kasatkina was soaking up the cheers of the US crowd amid the strains of “I come from a land Down Under”, while beaming a smile of relief mixed with joy.

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76ers' Joel Embiid will 'undergo arthroscopic surgery next week to address his left knee'

Joel Embiid had said earlier this season his troublesome left knee might require another surgery and a "lengthy recovery" process. He was not wrong.

Embiid is set to "undergo arthroscopic surgery next week to address his left knee," the 76ers announced Wednesday.

This is the same knee Embiid had meniscus surgery on in early 2024. After that, he pushed to return for last season's playoffs. While he averaged 33 points and 10.8 rebounds a game, Embiid was not his dominant self, shot 44.4%, and both he and the 76ers were bounced in the first round by the Knicks.

Embiid won gold playing for USA Basketball in the Paris Olympics, but his knee was never right this season and he played only 19 games for the Sixers. With Embiid having a setback every time he tried to ramp up and play more, the 76ers shut him down for the season back on February 28. Even with this surgery, it is likely this is a chronic condition that will limit how much Embiid can play during the regular season in the future.

Just before this season, Embiid signed a three-year, $192.9 million contract extension with Philadelphia, which kicks in next season and is fully guaranteed.

After a massively disappointing season in Philadelphia that will see them miss even the play-in, there will be calls for change. However, the max contracts for Embiid and Paul George are two of the most untradable ones in the league, and the 76ers are not going to trade Tyrese Maxey. While Philadelphia has some hard questions to answer about who to bring back next season — the Sixers want to re-sign Kelly Oubre, Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele but likely can't afford all three and staying under the second apron of the luxury tax — they are largely going to run it back next season and hope for better health and a bounce-back year.

One where Embiid plays far more than 19 games.

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Tomas Hertl Returns To Golden Knights' Practice In Non-Contact Jersey

Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) celebrates after scoring a third goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl practiced today in a non-contact jersey for the first time since suffering his injury against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Mar. 23.

The initial reaction and news that broke was disheartening, with some reports saying that Hertl's chances of returning before the playoffs were slim. Twice Hertl was announced out for the remainder of the week but todays news was the first bit of positive news.

Returning in non-contact is the first step in the return process, the next step will be practicing with contact at least once. The Golden Knights are back in action on Thursday when they host the league-leading Winnipeg Jets. 

The timeline following the injury has been unclear to both the fans and the organization.

"I’m sure he wants to be around his teammates," coach Bruce Cassidy said. "He’s been putting the work in. We weren’t sure how it was going to come along, but good to see him back out there."

Cassidy has ruled out Hertl for the next three games, but they'll be taking it day-by-day following those games. Allowing Hertl to get some game action before the beginning of the playoffs will bode well for the 31-year-old. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

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Freshman Jeremiah Fears declares for NBA draft after one standout season at Oklahoma

Jeremiah Fears has declared for the NBA draft after one standout season at Oklahoma.

Fears made the announcement on a social media post Wednesday. The 6-foot-4 guard is projected by many to be a lottery pick. He averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season and helped the Sooners reach the NCAA Tournament.

“This year has been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for all the love and support I have received from the OU fan base!” he said in a statement on social media. “I want to express my gratitude to coach (Porter) Moser and the entire coaching staff, who believed in me and allowed me to showcase my abilities at the University of Oklahoma.”

The previous high-profile freshman at Oklahoma, Trae Young, has kept in contact with Fears. Young was the No. 5 pick in the 2018 draft and was an All-Star for the Atlanta Hawks this season.

“Jeremiah is going to be a really good player,” Young said in January. “I mean, being one of the highest recruits that we’ve got at OU in a while, I’ve been keeping up.”

Fears had plenty of big games that boosted his stock. He scored 26 points against Arizona. He hit a 30-footer, drew a foul and completed a four-point play late that pushed the Sooners to an 87-86 win over Michigan in the Jumpman Invitational. He scored 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting and made four 3-pointers in a loss to No. 2 Florida.

He scored 29 points in an Southeastern Conference Tournament win over Georgia. In a loss to Connecticut in the NCAA Tournament, he scored 20 points and kept the Sooners in the game.

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NBA investigating Ja Morant doing finger gun motions at Warriors bench

The NBA is investigating Ja Morant — who has been suspended multiple times by the NBA for waiving a gun on social media — for using a gun gesture toward the Golden State bench and in celebration of 3-pointers during the Grizzlies' loss to the Warriors Tuesday night, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.

Morant made the gun gesture multiple times during the game, usually aimed at the nearest defender, and in celebration of one of his five 3-pointers. Late in the game when the Warriors were in complete control, Golden State's Buddy Hield mocked Morant by making the gun gesture back at him. Morant saw that and made the gesture back toward the Warriors bench, with some trash talk involved.

Morant and Hield were given technical fouls for the exchange, and the league is also investigating Hield, according to the report.

Morant has used this celebration before on 3-pointers, and he is not the only player to use a gun gesture or something similar to celebrate a 3. The NBA has no rule explicitly banning a gesture, but it has fined players for things such as a throat-slashing gesture or the big balls celebration.

Because of Morant's history, the gun gesture takes on a different significance. Morant was suspended for eight games near the end of the 2022-23 season after he showed off a gun on Instagram Live while at a strip club in Colorado. Morant told NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at the time he had learned his lesson, however, that summer Morant was seen again on Instagram Live with a gun while riding in a friend's car. This time, the league suspended Morant 25 games at the start of the 2023-24 season.

If the NBA cracks down on gun gestures, it cannot just go after Morant, other players have used that celebration as well. The NBA also would be following in the footsteps of the NFL, which cracked down on finger gun celebrations (players have been fined).

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'Make a name for myself': How the Lakers' Jaxson Hayes shows his worth

EL SEGUNDO, CA - APRIL 02: Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes speaks with the media during a Lakers practice at UCLA Health Training Center on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 in El Segundo, CA.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, speaking with reporters after practice Wednesday in El Segundo, said of his occasional frustration with officials, "I gotta remember they're human too and gotta just focus on the game, focus on myself." (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

The stakes here in early April for the Lakers are easy to see, the trophies that sit in owner Jeanie Buss’ window overlooking the practice courts a constant reminder of what the goals are for the team, particularly at a time when the talent on the roster looks formidable.

But for a player like center Jaxson Hayes, there are other things at play, the free-agent-to-be in the most important role of his career on the best team for which he's played.

“I just view it as opportunity to make a name for myself, an opportunity to go win some games and win a ring,” Hayes said after the Lakers held a rare practice Wednesday. “And I just look at it as I gotta come in locked in every day and just try to make the most out of every day, be the best version of myself.”

The best version of Hayes has been fully optimized with Luka Doncic now on the Lakers, the trade doing more than leaving Hayes as the lone option to lead the frontcourt with Anthony Davis off to Dallas. It also paired Hayes with Doncic, a maestro when it comes to playing with athletic centers who he can find space for lobs near the rim.

Hayes is averaging nearly 9.0 points per game while shooting 76.9% from the field since the trade. And even when Hayes is not scoring easy baskets, his rim-running has forced defenses to suck into the paint and create more open shots on the perimeter.

“When teams do that, man, it's either Luka's gonna get a bucket or one of the shooters gonna get a bucket,” Hayes said.

Read more:Lakers hold off Rockets to score important home win amid playoff seeding race

It’s made him one of the most important Lakers, a player with a skill set the team can’t really replace when he’s not on the court. When he missed four games in early March, the Lakers lost all four.

“I've told him this a number of times over the last week or so, he's so important for us,” coach JJ Redick said before a win over Houston on Monday. “If we're wanting to win at the highest level, he's gotta be elite. And that's not to put pressure on him because he has guys that can take that pressure off of him. But we need him on the floor. We need him to stay out of foul trouble. We need him to lay off the referees. He's gotta be locked in.”

Hayes’ frustration with the officials has been an issue as his minutes have increased, and he acknowledged he’s trying to find more empathy during emotional moments of the game.

“It's been a very big topic of discussion, and it's something I'm trying to work on,” he said. “Obviously I play with a lot of passion and I'm a very passionate player and very energetic player. So sometimes I get on the refs when I feel like they miss 'em, but I gotta remember they're human too and gotta just focus on the game, focus on myself. So that's been a big point of emphasis for us and just leaving them alone and focus on myself.”

Playoff preview?

The Lakers host Golden State on Thursday, the first time the teams meet since both squads reconfigured their rosters.

Since acquiring Jimmy Butler from Miami, the Warriors (44-31) have rocketed up the standings and could be a first-round opponent for the Lakers (46-29).

Stephen Curry had 52 points, including 12 three-pointers, Tuesday in a win over Memphis.

“Jimmy's just such a competitor and everyone knows that,” Hayes said. “We see what he's done with Miami the past few years, so just changed the whole game. We gotta deal with him and Draymond [Green], two very big competitors. And obviously Steph is Steph.

“Yeah, it definitely brings a lot of differences and more energy to the game.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Golden Knights Sign NCAA Prospect To Entry-Level Contract

Michigan Wolverines forward Jackson Hallum (21) skates against Penn State during a Big Ten Tournament quarter final game at Yost Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Vegas Golden Knights have signed Jackson Hallum to a two-year, entry-level contract.

The 22-year-old played three seasons at the University of Michigan, scoring 17 goals and 42 points in 84 games. His junior season saw him set a career-high in goals, scoring eight goals and 17 points in 36 games. 

The Golden Knights selected Hallum in the third round (91st overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft. Prior to joining the Wolverines, Hallum recorded 29 goals and 70 points in 62 games in his final season in the USHL. 

Listed at 6'0, 170 lbs, Hallum is known for his speed and was considered one of the fastest skaters in his draft class. He's aggressive on the forecheck, willing to throw a big hit to earn the puck back.

The left-handed winger will join the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL for their final eight games of the season. Hallum is the second NCAA prospect the Golden Knights have signed, the first being Trevor Connelly. The Silver Knights have struggled for quite some time and the Golden Knights organization looks to be beefing the roster up with prospects. Mathieu Cataford is another forward who is likely to join following the conclusion of his season. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Golden Knights Sign Trevor Connelly To Entry-Level ContractGolden Knights Sign Trevor Connelly To Entry-Level ContractThe Vegas Golden Knights have signed top prospect Trevor Connelly to a three-year, entry-level contract.
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Manchester City 2-0 Leicester, Brighton 0-3 Aston Villa and more: Premier League – as it happened

A superb goal from Sandro Tonali lit up the night, while Manchester City’s fans turned up late and their opponents didn’t turn up at all

Danny Mills, watching the Manchester City game, says he is “confused” by a Leicester side that is “almost waving a white flag”.

Ten minutes into the Manchester City game, and a load of fans are just coming in. The protest seems to have had decent numbers, even if the majority of supporters – certainly in the stand that runs along the side of the pitch opposite the TV cameras – were in their seats before kick-off.

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Carmelo Anthony to be inducted into Hall of Fame on first ballot

One of the pure bucket getters the game has ever seen — whether he was winning an NCAA title, winning one of his three Olympic gold medals, or averaging 22.5 points a game in the NBA — there has been nobody like Carmelo Anthony.

Now he is deservingly going to be a first ballot Hall of Famer, which was expected but has been officially broken by Shams Charania of ESPN.

Anthony averaged 22.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over his 19-year career, which started with the Nuggets, moved on to the Knicks, and also included stops with the Thunder, Rockets, Trail Blazers, and Lakers. 'Melo led the NBA in scoring in 2012-13, was a 10-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA player, ranks 12th on the league's all-time points list, and was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary team.

Tributes poured in for Anthony, but the best one came from the Atlanta Hawks.

(For those that don't remember, Anthony was traded from the Thunder to the Hawks in the summer of 2018, he was technically a member of the Atlanta franchise for five days before he was waived.)

The official announcement of the Neismith Basketbal Hall of Fame class of 2025 will come this weekend during the Final Four in San Antonio. Other locks to make the Hall of Fame out of this class include Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Dwight Howard, and the 2008 USA Basketball men's Olympic team — which included both Anthony and Howard.

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Aaron Boone encouraged by hot starts from Yankees' youngsters: 'We need them to be this and better'

The Yankees have entered the 2025 season banking on a young core to blossom without long stretches of growing pains. And while it's still far too early to draw conclusions on what these players will produce by the end of the 162-game marathon, the first week's worth of results are at least encouraging.

Call it a small sample size -- because it very much is -- but the Yankees' crop of homegrown talent is providing pop in the lineup that's not just connected to the torpedo bat craze. Between youngsters Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, and Ben Rice are seven home runs in just 39 total at-bats, and top prospect Jasson Dominguez joined the party with his first blast of the year on Tuesday.

With ample help from captain Aaron Judge, the Yankees hit a league-record 18 homers through their first four games. The questions and doubts surrounding the team's ability to reach base consistently and deliver in the clutch still exist, but the youth movement is already embracing a rather tall order.

"It's four games, but certainly been encouraged by Austin, Volpe," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks. "Even before Dominguez had two hits and the homer yesterday, not a ton of results for him necessarily in the first few games, but I thought his at-bats were really good....

"I feel like those guys are all better hitters than they've been in the past, and continue to improve. We're relying on those guys heavily. We need them to be this and better. I've been encouraged by what we've seen from our younger players. They've kind of carried their spring training into the early days of the season so far."

The new faces in pinstripes are also pulling their weight, as Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt have combined to hit .310 with two homers. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is also off to a hot start with three round-trippers in his first March and April with the club. From top to bottom, the Yankees are barreling pitches.

New York's goal of defending its American League pennant and capturing that elusive championship is undoubtedly contingent upon the veterans living up to their career marks. But the 26-and-under group is bearing plenty of responsibility too. The Yankees' six true homegrown players in last week's Opening Day lineup were their most in five decades.