Boston Bruins (6-2, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Los Angeles Kings (0-3-2, in the Pacific Division)
Los Angeles; Saturday, 9 p.m. EDT
LINE: Kings -138, Bruins +113; over/under is 6
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Kings take on the Boston Bruins as losers of five straight games.
Los Angeles is 0-3-2 overall and 0-2-0 in home games. The Kings have given up 21 goals while scoring 11 for a -10 scoring differential.
Boston has gone 3-1-0 in road games and 6-2 overall. The Bruins have a +12 scoring differential, with 30 total goals scored and 18 given up.
Saturday's game is the first meeting between these teams this season.
INJURIES: Kings: Jakub Dvorak: out (upper-body), Mats Zuccarello: out (undisclosed), Kevin Fiala: out (leg), Jan Jenik: out (undisclosed), Alex Turcotte: out (undisclosed).
Bruins: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Rasmus Andersson has moved on from Calgary, but he hasn't stopped caring about the people he left behind.
As the Flames stumble through the early stages of a rebuild, the former Calgary defenceman has a message for fans: have faith.
Andersson spent nine seasons with the Flames before joining the Vegas Golden Knights, giving him plenty of firsthand experience with the expectations that come with playing in Calgary. He knows how much the team means to the city, which is why watching it struggle isn't easy.
But speaking with Sportsnet’s Eric Francis, Andersson pointed to a reality that can get lost when losses start piling up. Calgary made the decision to rebuild, and that process was never going to be pretty from the start.
“You just can't have it both ways,” Andersson said, addressing fans calling for changes amid the team's disastrous opening stretch.
The Flames have stumbled out of the gate, going 1-6 through their first seven games. They’ve scored just 14 goals, the second-fewest in the league ahead of only the Los Angeles Kings (11), while their 35 goals against are also the second-most, trailing only the Vancouver Canucks (41).
The 29-year-old isn't dismissing the frustration. He's simply reminding supporters that building a contender takes more than a few good weeks, particularly when a roster is going through significant changes.
Andersson still keeps tabs on his old club, even if he doesn't follow the day-to-day conversation as closely as he did while playing there. Seeing familiar faces in a very different lineup has been an adjustment, but his feelings toward the organization haven't changed.
He remains in touch with his former teammates and the coaching staff, while hoping to see Calgary’s younger players develop into established NHL talents. The bonds he formed during his nine years with the Flames haven’t faded just because he’s moved on.
“They’re all gonna be friends for the rest of my life,” Andersson said.
Life in Las Vegas has treated him and his family well. He signed a seven-year, $59.5-million contract this summer and is settling into his new surroundings, but Calgary hasn't become just another stop in his career.
The Scotiabank Saddledome, where his son took his first strides on skates, still holds plenty of memories. With the Flames nearing the end of their time in the building, Andersson is looking forward to returning in February.
He may be on the other side now, but there's no hard feeling toward Calgary. If anything, he wants to see the rebuild work — and give the fans who supported him for nine years a reason to celebrate again.
DENVER — Sports are largely the theatre of the unexpected.
We’ve seen it throughout history, from Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson to the Arizona Diamondbacks beating the New York Yankees in the World Series. More recently, the Milwaukee Brewers reminded us that money doesn’t guarantee success, spending $146.2 million less than the two-time reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers before sweeping them out of the National League Championship Series.
The Colorado Avalanche are coming off a 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ball Arena. T.J. Hughes scored his first goal, Nathan MacKinnon had a four-point night, Artturi Lehkonen is off to the best start of his professional career, and Mackenzie Blackwood is making his critics look foolish.
Things are going well for Colorado. But Monday’s matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers is the kind of game the Avalanche cannot afford to take lightly.
Philadelphia has yet to win through its first nine games. Suggesting that a winless team could pose a serious threat might sound ridiculous, but I’ve covered sports long enough, particularly boxing, to know that records don’t always tell the whole story.
Just ask Anthony Joshua.
When Andy Ruiz Shocked the Boxing World
In 2019, Joshua was widely considered the king of the heavyweight division. The British fighter and 2012 Olympic gold medalist held three of boxing’s four major world titles, with Deontay Wilder holding the fourth. Despite years of anticipation, Joshua and Wilder never fought.
Joshua was preparing to make his American debut against undefeated contender Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller in New York. Miller, who was promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions, was supposed to be Joshua’s opponent for a major world title defense.
I had a personal connection to the promotion through my friend Clifford Mass, an investor in the company who also served as its vice president of business development.
On April 16, 2019, I received information from multiple sources that Miller had scored a pair of hat-tricks—but not the kind celebrated on the ice.
Miller failed three separate drug tests, testing positive for three different performance-enhancing substances: EPO, human growth hormone, and GW1516. He had previously failed a drug test as a kickboxer and had refused testing on another occasion.
I texted Mass what I knew to be true. His response, following a string of profanities, was memorable: “You just delivered the worst news I’ve gotten in a long time. Oh well.”
Miller was pulled from the card, leaving promoters scrambling for a replacement.
Enter Andy Ruiz Jr.
Ruiz was undefeated and had remarkably fast hands, but his physique didn't fit the typical image of a heavyweight champion. Some observers made jokes about his build, comparing it to a stack of jelly rolls. Few expected him to beat Joshua.
What happened in the ring, however, was nothing short of stunning
Joshua scored an early knockdown, and it looked as though the fight might go according to plan. But he became reckless, at times appearing to admire his own work rather than remain focused on Ruiz. The challenger took advantage, dropping Joshua four times before stopping him in the seventh round in one of the biggest upsets in modern sports history.
Ruiz became an instant celebrity. Credit: USA Today
That's what makes this story relevant to Colorado.
The Flyers Have Already Burned Colorado Once
On paper, the Avalanche have a significant advantage over Philadelphia. Colorado's 36 goals are tied for the NHL lead with the Vegas Golden Knights, the same team that swept the Avalanche out of the Western Conference Final this season.
The Flyers, meanwhile, have scored just 11 goals through nine games, the fewest in the league. Their 33 goals allowed also ranked third-worst in the NHL as of publication, behind only the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks.
But a struggling team can still have players capable of changing a game in a hurry. And the Flyers have already shown Colorado what that looks like.
On January 23 at Ball Arena, Philadelphia handed the Avalanche a 7-3 loss. Owen Tippett recorded a hat trick and an assist, while Matvei Michkov had two goals and an assist. Denver Barkey and then-Flyer Bobby Brink also scored.
Colorado fell behind 2-0 in the first period but fought back, scoring three times in the second to tie the game at 3-3. Then everything fell apart. Philadelphia scored four times in the final period, turning a competitive game into a blowout that head coach Jared Bednar described as “horrible.”
The Flyers were 23-17-9 at the time, so they weren't the winless team we're seeing now. Still, the result should serve as a reminder that Philadelphia can hurt Colorado when the Avalanche make mistakes.
And that's been a concern for Colorado at times. The Avalanche have occasionally played down to their opposition, leading to costly turnovers and defensive breakdowns. Against a team desperate for its first win, those mistakes could be all the encouragement Philadelphia needs.
The last thing Colorado wants is to hand the Flyers their first victory of the season. A 7-3 loss to a winless opponent would be an ugly result, especially for a team with championship aspirations.
No Game Is Won on Paper
The Avalanche have more than enough talent to win this matchup. MacKinnon and the offense are producing, Hughes is finding his footing, Lehkonen is playing some of the best hockey of his career, and Blackwood has been answering his critics.
But none of that matters if Colorado takes its foot off the gas.
Joshua was the heavyweight champion, and Ruiz was the replacement almost nobody expected to win. Yet Ruiz seized his opportunity, and Joshua never recovered.
Colorado doesn't need to fear Philadelphia, but it does need to respect the matchup. The Flyers have struggled badly, yet they've beaten the Avalanche convincingly before. That alone should be enough to get Colorado's attention.
Monday should be a game the Avalanche expect to win. The challenge is making sure they don't start playing as though they've already won it.
Because sports have a funny way of punishing teams that underestimate their opponents. And the Avalanche have already seen what can happen when the unexpected becomes reality.
All Blacks secure 13th straight win against Wallabies
Barrett and Moorby score two tries each at Accor Stadium
It’s skipper Codie Taylor that is out onto the field first though, leading his players past Nathan Charles, allowing every All Black to shake the former Wallaby hooker by the hand.
Damien McKenzie is responsible for the final prematch rev-up. Vision of his address appears to show every member of the New Zealand squad wearing bright coral pink boots to sign off their otherwise entirely black outfit. It’s a very strong look.
Bronny James is back with the Los Angeles Lakers for his third season in the NBA.
But it will be the first season James is not playing alongside his father, LeBron. That, though, allows him the opportunity to step out of his father’s shadow and continue to carve out a role in Los Angeles.
The Lakers, including coach JJ Redick, have thought highly of Bronny James and the progress he’s made since being drafted by the franchise in 2024 with the 55th overall pick.
James missed his only shot attempt of the game from the 3-point line in Friday's 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets in the teams' preseason finale. He collected one rebound and one assist in 12 minutes of action.
Redick did state earlier in the week that James had not looked particularly good during the first four preseason games.
“I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us,” Redick said. “I don't think he's played well in the four preseason games, but he's had good practices.
“Again, some of it's just rhythm and some of it's just who he's playing with, right? He's played a lot of minutes, especially in the second half of games with our two-way guys. ... Some of it is like the group he's with. I think it's not setting him up for success.”
As a rookie, James played just 6.7 minutes per game and averaged 2.3 points in 27 games played. Last season, he averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists in 42 games played.
He will likely still have an opportunity to build off his second season in the league. The former USC Trojan saw an increase in games played during both the regular season and postseason, indicating a stronger sense of belief from the coaching staff.
James had his contract fully guaranteed by the Lakers during the offseason. He will make $2.3 million this season, the third year of a four-year deal that he signed in 2024. The fourth year of James' deal is a team option.
How good can Bronny James be?
James has the potential to be a quality defensive player in the NBA. His defensive ability and decision-making could work in his favor as he continues to establish a role with Los Angeles.
Bronny James is back with the Los Angeles Lakers for his third season in the NBA.
But it will be the first season James is not playing alongside his father, LeBron. That, though, allows him the opportunity to step out of his father’s shadow and continue to carve out a role in Los Angeles.
The Lakers, including coach JJ Redick, have thought highly of Bronny James and the progress he’s made since being drafted by the franchise in 2024 with the 55th overall pick.
James missed his only shot attempt of the game from the 3-point line in Friday's 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets in the teams' preseason finale. He collected one rebound and one assist in 12 minutes of action.
Redick did state earlier in the week that James had not looked particularly good during the first four preseason games.
“I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us,” Redick said. “I don't think he's played well in the four preseason games, but he's had good practices.
“Again, some of it's just rhythm and some of it's just who he's playing with, right? He's played a lot of minutes, especially in the second half of games with our two-way guys. ... Some of it is like the group he's with. I think it's not setting him up for success.”
As a rookie, James played just 6.7 minutes per game and averaged 2.3 points in 27 games played. Last season, he averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists in 42 games played.
He will likely still have an opportunity to build off his second season in the league. The former USC Trojan saw an increase in games played during both the regular season and postseason, indicating a stronger sense of belief from the coaching staff.
James had his contract fully guaranteed by the Lakers during the offseason. He will make $2.3 million this season, the third year of a four-year deal that he signed in 2024. The fourth year of James' deal is a team option.
How good can Bronny James be?
James has the potential to be a quality defensive player in the NBA. His defensive ability and decision-making could work in his favor as he continues to establish a role with Los Angeles.
A roster overhaul in the aftermath of LeBron James' departure this summer left the Lakers with an almost completely new look − and an extra body. They carried 16 full-time players on their roster into training camp, one above the 15-player maximum allowed by the NBA. Both general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick said they'd evaluate at the end of training camp and, with the preseason now wrapped up with their 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, it's painfully clear who the odd man out is.
It's Dalton Knecht.
Bronny James has had his share of struggles, too. Redick admitted James didn't play well in his first four preseason games, averaging just 2.8 points per game on 26.7% shooting with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.08 entering Friday, but the Lakers' third-year coach added that James has performed better in practices. He didn't mince words, however, when it came to Knecht.
"I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. Needs changed, the fit changed. I think he’s gotten better as a player the last two years. I think, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the injuries we had. I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings," Redick told reporters. "And he’s in a tough spot right now."
He's not wrong.
When the Lakers drafted Knecht 17th overall in the 2024 draft, it looked like they had gotten a steal. They needed a spot-up shooter to help space the floor and complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis; Knecht checked that box. They needed size; the 6-foot-5, 215-pound wing out of Tennessee checked that box, too. His jump shot, while streaky, was seemingly worth more than the questions about his defense and athleticism at the time.
And for the first half season of his career, that all looked to be true. Who could forget his career-high 37-point game against the Utah Jazz in 2024, where his nine made 3s (shooting 75%!) tied the NBA rookie record? That wasn't an isolated instance, either; Knecht put up 27 the night before and 17 the night after.
DALTON KNECHT HAD HIMSELF A NIGHT:
🔥 37 PTS (career high) 🔥 9 3PM (ties rookie record) 🔥 Scored 22 straight for LA@Lakers move 2-0 in #EmiratesNBACup play and are undefeated going back to last season 💯 pic.twitter.com/OjMOeKxY4p
Two years in, those original questions have only gotten louder. Knecht's shooting is still streaky and has even devolved to the point where he could be considered unreliable on offense. On the defensive end of the floor, he's looked lost at times, often finding himself out of position and unable to stay in front of his man. That was a major factor in his minutes being cut almost in half − from 19.2 to 10.2 per night − between his first and second seasons.
The Lakers no longer have a need for shooting with the arrivals of Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Ziaire Williams along the wings. There's simply no room for Knecht. The most telling sign his days in LA are probably numbered? He didn't check into Friday's game until midway through the fourth quarter − the 12th man off the bench − and finished scoreless for the second game in a row. The only other stats he registered in his 7 minutes and 30 seconds were a rebound and assist.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported on Friday morning that the Lakers have had trade discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks centered around Knecht and Jericho Sims, but there was reportedly "some pessimism" that a deal would actually be reached. While getting any value back for Knecht would be a plus for the Lakers at this point, any trade in which they get a player back would need LA to include a second outgoing player in order to meet the league roster limit.
It could also be a plus for Knecht, who would probably benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.
A roster overhaul in the aftermath of LeBron James' departure this summer left the Lakers with an almost completely new look − and an extra body. They carried 16 full-time players on their roster into training camp, one above the 15-player maximum allowed by the NBA. Both general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick said they'd evaluate at the end of training camp and, with the preseason now wrapped up with their 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, it's painfully clear who the odd man out is.
It's Dalton Knecht.
Bronny James has had his share of struggles, too. Redick admitted James didn't play well in his first four preseason games, averaging just 2.8 points per game on 26.7% shooting with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.08 entering Friday, but the Lakers' third-year coach added that James has performed better in practices. He didn't mince words, however, when it came to Knecht.
"I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. Needs changed, the fit changed. I think he’s gotten better as a player the last two years. I think, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the injuries we had. I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings," Redick told reporters. "And he’s in a tough spot right now."
He's not wrong.
When the Lakers drafted Knecht 17th overall in the 2024 draft, it looked like they had gotten a steal. They needed a spot-up shooter to help space the floor and complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis; Knecht checked that box. They needed size; the 6-foot-5, 215-pound wing out of Tennessee checked that box, too. His jump shot, while streaky, was seemingly worth more than the questions about his defense and athleticism at the time.
And for the first half season of his career, that all looked to be true. Who could forget his career-high 37-point game against the Utah Jazz in 2024, where his nine made 3s (shooting 75%!) tied the NBA rookie record? That wasn't an isolated instance, either; Knecht put up 27 the night before and 17 the night after.
DALTON KNECHT HAD HIMSELF A NIGHT:
🔥 37 PTS (career high) 🔥 9 3PM (ties rookie record) 🔥 Scored 22 straight for LA@Lakers move 2-0 in #EmiratesNBACup play and are undefeated going back to last season 💯 pic.twitter.com/OjMOeKxY4p
Two years in, those original questions have only gotten louder. Knecht's shooting is still streaky and has even devolved to the point where he could be considered unreliable on offense. On the defensive end of the floor, he's looked lost at times, often finding himself out of position and unable to stay in front of his man. That was a major factor in his minutes being cut almost in half − from 19.2 to 10.2 per night − between his first and second seasons.
The Lakers no longer have a need for shooting with the arrivals of Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Ziaire Williams along the wings. There's simply no room for Knecht. The most telling sign his days in LA are probably numbered? He didn't check into Friday's game until midway through the fourth quarter − the 12th man off the bench − and finished scoreless for the second game in a row. The only other stats he registered in his 7 minutes and 30 seconds were a rebound and assist.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported on Friday morning that the Lakers have had trade discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks centered around Knecht and Jericho Sims, but there was reportedly "some pessimism" that a deal would actually be reached. While getting any value back for Knecht would be a plus for the Lakers at this point, any trade in which they get a player back would need LA to include a second outgoing player in order to meet the league roster limit.
It could also be a plus for Knecht, who would probably benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.
Before heading out for a four-game road trip to the Tri-State area, the Anaheim Ducks hosted the Boston Bruins on Friday night at Honda Center.
The Ducks are coming off a disappointing 4-2 loss to the basement-dwelling Calgary Flames on Tuesday, while the Bruins came into this game on a three-game winning streak, outscoring opponents by a total of 17-5.
Anaheim was without their captain, Mikael Granlund, for this game, who is listed as “day-to-day” with an upper-body injury. With both Granlund and center Ryan Poehling unavailable for this game, head coach Joel Quenneville inserted Cutter Gauthier, who had missed the Ducks’ previous game with his own upper-body injury, at second-line center and dressed talented rookie winger Nikita Klepov.
Here’s how the Ducks lined up to start this game:
Killorn-Carlsson-Klepov
Nesterenko-Gauthier-Sennecke
Vatrano-McQueen-Caulfield
Greer-Washe-Malott
LaCombe-Warren
Mintyukov-Luneau
Hinds-Helleson
Lukas Dostal got the start for the Ducks for the sixth time in seven games to open the season and stopped 18 of 22 shots. He was opposed by Michael DiPietro in the Boston crease, who stopped 25 of 27.
“A little bit of our details we lost towards the end of the second and the third,” defenseman Jackson LaCombe said after the game. “Then we couldn’t score on the power play. That definitely hurt us. So, we just got to be more disciplined and sharper in our execution.”
Game Notes
After 40 minutes, the Ducks were seemingly in control of this game and dictating 5v5 play. Special teams had been the Ducks’ driving factor toward their early success this season, but this game flipped that script entirely, as their power play didn’t convert on any of their five opportunities and their penalty kill allowed three goals on four attempts.
Cutter Gauthier: Gauthier hadn’t played center for an entire game since he debuted in the NHL in the spring of 2024. He didn’t miss a beat in this game, proving to be the true goal line to goal line centerman that Quenneville’s systems require. His skating ability in defensive zone coverage rapidly eliminated time and space for attackers, and he did well to recover from broken exits and fill lanes while backtracking to the top of the crease.
He translated his off-puck prowess to breakouts, where he put himself in positions to receive second passes out of the zone while at full speed, and when he was transporting in neutral ice, he did well to navigate sticks and bodies while maintaining possession. If Gauthier can stick as the second-line center or fill in for spurts, he will solve a lot of the Ducks’ roster construction question marks early in the year.
Power Play: Perhaps they missed Mikael Granlund’s detailed presence. Perhaps Boston’s PK and coaching staff found some flaws in Anaheim’s tactics. Perhaps a combination of the two, compounded with a foreign (to this season) lack of execution, but Anaheim had difficulty gaining clean entries and finding time and space along the perimeter.
Regardless of the entry wrinkle they attempted, the Ducks struggled to keep pucks moving down the wall and into a setup after the trailer dished to the outside after gaining blue. They lacked the decisiveness to which we’d become accustomed within their structure and reverted to rimming pucks behind the net to incite battles elsewhere in the zone, battles they often lost before Boston cleared the zone.
Nikita Klepov: On the Ducks top line for the first time in his two-game career, Klepov was afforded the time and space to operate that he wasn’t in his debut, as in this game, he played alongside Leo Carlsson, who garners ample attention, and Alex Killorn, who provides veteran details to maintain possession and keeps pucks moving north by finding linemates in space.
Klepov was able to display aspects of why the Ducks decided to make the trade to draft him and eventually decide to have him start the season in the NHL. He was smart, tenacious, and manipulative with the puck on his stick and cycling. He found Carlsson in space multiple times, unlocking a bit of Carlsson’s cycle potential, and seemed to generate quality opportunities at will, especially from below the dots. His composure and dictation were far beyond what is expected from a young rookie in his second career game.
Breakouts: At 5v5, the area where the Ducks had struggled most coming into this one was on their breakout and exit sequences. Though they deploy a blueline consisting of six players 25 years old and younger, they showed more composure and confidence in corners and behind their net on retrievals.
Their ability to draw forecheckers low, thwart them, and buy time for their outlets to gain position or find open ice led to cleaner exits than displayed through the first six games, an encouraging sign moving forward.
Next, the Ducks will head to the New York metropolitan area to start their four-game road trip, beginning on Monday against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden at 4 pm PST.
Lakers guard Quentin Grimes, shown here driving on Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski on Oct. 13, finished with 11 points in a 121-106 preseason loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (David Becker / Associated Press)
When coach JJ Redick announced his starters for the Lakers’ final preseason game Friday night, he was asked if those same players would start opening night Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors.
“I know that there’s a chance Quentin is gonna have an opportunity to start,” Redick said. “This was the original plan we were gonna have for the Sacramento game with Collin [Sexton] out. ... We just wanna get a look on that tonight, and we’ll see. But nothing definitive for next week.”
Grimes averaged 12.3 points, 2.5 assists and shot 53.3%, including 41.2% from three-point range, in 24.3 minutes per game in the preseason.
Redick said he was “still open to both” when asked if he could start Grimes and stagger his time with the starters on the bench.
In his first five NBA seasons, Grimes has mostly been a reserve, starting 146 of 318 games.
Grimes started the second half for the Lakers and scored 11 points in a 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
“I think you’re looking for balance in lineups and you’re looking for players that complement and fit each other,” Redick said. “He’s going to start a lot of games for us. That’s just the reality of it. I don’t know who our base starting group is yet, but we’re going to look at this tonight.
“We wanted to get a look on this first game because Collin was out. That fourth ballhandler for us hasn’t been great. I said that the other night and talked to those guys ... I don’t say anything out here that I don’t tell my players. So Quentin is also going to maybe have some looks as a ballhandler.”
Doncic, who didn’t play in the second half, finished with 15 points.
Reaves scored 19 points, Williams had 14, Kessler had six and Thybulle had seven.
Lakers guard Quentin Grimes, shown here driving on Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski on Oct. 13, finished with 11 points in a 121-106 preseason loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (David Becker / Associated Press)
When coach JJ Redick announced his starters for the Lakers’ final preseason game Friday night, he was asked if those same players would start opening night Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors.
“I know that there’s a chance Quentin is gonna have an opportunity to start,” Redick said. “This was the original plan we were gonna have for the Sacramento game with Collin [Sexton] out. ... We just wanna get a look on that tonight, and we’ll see. But nothing definitive for next week.”
Grimes averaged 12.3 points, 2.5 assists and shot 53.3%, including 41.2% from three-point range, in 24.3 minutes per game in the preseason.
Redick said he was “still open to both” when asked if he could start Grimes and stagger his time with the starters on the bench.
In his first five NBA seasons, Grimes has mostly been a reserve, starting 146 of 318 games.
Grimes started the second half for the Lakers and scored 11 points in a 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
“I think you’re looking for balance in lineups and you’re looking for players that complement and fit each other,” Redick said. “He’s going to start a lot of games for us. That’s just the reality of it. I don’t know who our base starting group is yet, but we’re going to look at this tonight.
“We wanted to get a look on this first game because Collin was out. That fourth ballhandler for us hasn’t been great. I said that the other night and talked to those guys ... I don’t say anything out here that I don’t tell my players. So Quentin is also going to maybe have some looks as a ballhandler.”
Doncic, who didn’t play in the second half, finished with 15 points.
Reaves scored 19 points, Williams had 14, Kessler had six and Thybulle had seven.
The Pittsburgh Penguins came out like a house on fire against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night, but couldn't sustain it for a full 60 minutes.
They played a strong 20 minutes and took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission, then allowed four more goals to lose 5-2. The Penguins had no answer for the Avalanche's pushback to start the second period, and their defensive zone woes continued in a second straight loss.
Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust scored for the Penguins. Malkin made a beautiful move to the slot to score his fourth goal of the season, and Rust scored 29 seconds later off a great pass from Sidney Crosby.
- Let's get some of the positives out of the way. Sidney Crosby played his best game of the season on Friday, and it wasn't close. His pass for Rust's goal was great, and it felt like he had eyes in the back of his head all game.
He was threading the needle beautifully and even had some glorious chances of his own. He's very much back after a slow start, which will be a big deal if the Penguins can get out of this rut.
- I didn't mind the Penguins' 5v5 play at all and thought they got plenty of quality chances throughout this game. However, the problem is that nobody outside of Malkin or Rust could finish their chances.
Rickard Rakell had a glorious semi-breakaway in the second period, but Mackenize Blackwood turned it aside. Andrei Kuzmenko was stoned on the doorstep during a third-period power play. Tommy Novak was denied twice. Ville Koivunen had a ridiculous tip earlier in the game when it was still 2-1, but it hit the post.
It simply wasn't their night.
- Speaking of Koivunen, this was his best game since opening night against the Flyers. He fit well on the Malkin line in place of injured Egor Chinakhov and made a beautiful play to start the rush that led to Malkin's goal. He was engaged all game long and, as mentioned above, almost had a highlight-reel goal, but it hit the post.
It was a much-needed performance from him.
- Alright, let's get to the negative. Just like Tuesday, special teams killed the Penguins in this one. They were way too passive on the penalty kill, allowing the Avalanche to do whatever they wanted on the power play.
T.J. Hughes's goal won't be scored as an official power-play goal, but it may as well be one since he scored it immediately after the penalty expired. Declan Carlile was too slow and didn't get to Hughes in time, giving him an easy goal.
- As for the power play, what more is there to say? The first unit is an absolute disaster right now and needs to be broken up. The zone entries are pitiful, and even when the unit gains the zone, the players fold under pressure, leading to easy clears. If you ask me, they need to experiment with Rakell and Malkin on PP2. They look lost on the first unit.
- Declan Carlile was a mess on the top pair again. This has been a theme over the last week: he looks out of his depth. He's trying to do way too much and isn't opting for the simple plays.
He was out to lunch in his own zone and didn't look comfortable. It'll be interesting to see whether Muse moves him away from Karlsson so he can face some lesser competition and regain some confidence
- I also didn't like Karlsson's game tonight. He was making some strange decisions with the puck in the offensive zone and wasn't winning his assignments in his own end. I know he has seven points (all assists) in eight games, but the Penguins need more from him if they want to get to where they want to be this year.
- The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Penguins since they have a matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. Like the Avalanche, the Golden Knights are one of the best teams in the NHL and have been steamrolling teams since the season began.
It would behoove the Penguins to take two points in that game and split the back-to-back before they close out this four-game trip with the Utah Mammoth, who are also red-hot, on Monday.
DENVER — Artturi Lehkonen isn't one to make a big deal out of himself. He'd rather do his job, score his goals and move on to the next game.
That's part of what makes him so good. It's also why the Colorado Avalanche shouldn't wait much longer to get a contract extension done.
Lehkonen scored twice in Thursday night's 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ball Arena, giving him six goals through eight games. His previous best through eight games was three, set during the 2024-25 season.
He's never started an NHL season like this, and he's doing it in the final year of his contract.
Lehkonen signed a five-year, $22.5 million deal with Colorado in July 2022, just after helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup. He hasn't signed an extension, and if he keeps scoring at this pace, his next contract could get a lot more expensive.
The funny thing is, Lehkonen probably wouldn't give himself much credit for any of it.
Earlier this month, I asked him how he prepares for those moments when a game is on the line. His answer was about as humble as you'd expect.
“I don't know, it's... Just trying to find that being in the right place at the right time, I guess.”
That's Lehkonen. Six goals in eight games, a history of scoring huge playoff goals, and he makes it sound like he's just getting lucky.
But there's a reason he's always around when the Avalanche need a goal.
Lehkonen goes to the net. He fights for loose pucks. He does the work in the corners and isn't afraid to take a hit to make a play. He's not waiting for the perfect opportunity to score. He works until one comes his way.
We've seen what that looks like in the playoffs. Lehkonen scored the overtime winner against Edmonton in the 2022 Western Conference Final before scoring the goal that clinched the Stanley Cup against Tampa Bay. A year earlier, he scored in overtime to send Montreal to the Final.
He has a knack for showing up when it matters. That's not luck. That's who he is as a player.
And now he's putting up career-best numbers to go with everything else he brings to Colorado.
The Avalanche have plenty of stars, but players like Lehkonen are a big part of what makes a team successful. He can score, defend and play the hard minutes. He doesn't need the spotlight, and he doesn't need to be the best player on the ice to make a difference.
Even his teammates know how much he brings to the team.
Mackenzie Blackwood, who made 29 saves in Thursday night's win, summed it up perfectly when talking about Lehkonen after the game.
"Art is like the unsung hero... He doesn't get enough credit."
It's a fitting description of a player whose value goes well beyond the scoresheet. The goals are just making his impact harder to ignore.
Colorado still has to manage its salary cap, and there's a long way to go this season. But the Avalanche know what Lehkonen brings. He's already helped them win a championship, and he's showing again why he's such a good fit.
The longer they wait, the more expensive he could potentially become.
Lehkonen will probably keep doing what he's always done. He'll shrug off the goals, give credit to his teammates and get ready for the next game. He isn't going to make a public fuss about his contract or tell anyone how much he's worth.
That's fine. He shouldn't have to.
Joe Sakic needs to make sure the business side gets taken care of.
DENVER (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon had three assists and a power-play goal, Artturi Lehkonen scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche rallied to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Friday night.
T.J. Hughes scored his first NHL goal, while Mackenzie Blackwood settled in after a shaky start to stop 29 shots.
Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust gave Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead after scoring 29 seconds apart midway through the first period. The Avalanche erupted for five straight tallies, including three in the second period.
Colorado finished 1 of 4 on the power play in the Avalanche debut of assistant coach Brett McLean. He’s in charge of the unit after Dave Hakstol left to take over as head coach of the men’s hockey program at Arizona State.
Lehkonen’s second goal tied it 25 seconds into the second period. Captain Gabriel Landeskog had a goal nearly four minutes later for his 83rd career go-ahead score. He’s tied with Mikko Rantanen for sixth-most in Avalanche history. Hall of Famer Joe Sakic tops the list with 210.
Hughes got free down low and poked in a pass from MacKinnon. He was hugged by Cale Makar and then playfully squirted with water by Landeskog as Hughes made his way past the bench.
Sidney Crosby notched his 1,110th career assist to move into sole possession of seventh place in NHL history. He’s also one assist shy of matching Ray Bourque (1,111 with Boston) for the most in league history with a one franchise.
BRUINS 4, DUCKS 2
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Elias Lindholm assisted on the tying goal and scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, leading Boston past Anaheim for its fourth straight victory.
David Pastrnak scored a tying power-play goal and Frederic Brunet got his first NHL goal for the Bruins, who roared back from an early two-goal deficit and improved to 6-2-0.
Less than five minutes after Pastrnak converted a give-and-go with Lindholm, the Ducks failed to mark Lindholm during a power play and allowed him to tap in a pass from Pavel Zacha with 11:39 to play. Matthew Poitras added another goal with 3:40 left on James Hagens’ second assist of the night.
Michael DiPietro made 25 saves in his second start of the season for the Bruins.
Beckett Sennecke got his fifth goal and Tim Washe also scored for the Ducks, who have lost three straight home games while giving up 13 goals. Lukas Dostal stopped 18 shots.
Ducks captain Mikael Granlund sat out with an upper-body injury, and goal-scoring winger Cutter Gauthier filled in by moving to center for the first time in his NHL career.
The New Zealand All Blacks came close to rewriting the record books with a scintillating, one-sided performance in their thirteenth straight win over the Wallabies
