Now that action is about to resume in the NHL, the conversations will go from how great Connor Hellebuyck was in the gold medal game to how things are going in front of the net for the Montreal Canadiens.
After a rough start to the season for Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes, the organization called up Jacob Fowler to shake things up and even sent the Bécancour native to the Laval Rocket for a conditioning stint. It looked like it might have done the trick for a short while, but Montembeault stumbled again, and shortly thereafter, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton elected to let goaltending coach Eric Raymond go.
A few days later, the Canadiens announced that they were promoting Marco Marciano, the Laval Rocket goalie coach. Fast forward to now, have a lengthy Olympic break, and everyone is anxious to see how things will go between the pipes. Dobes hasn’t lost in regulation since December 9, and Montembeault was solid in his last game before the break. It will be interesting to see how things go now that Mariano has had time to work with his new goalies.
Yesterday, La Presse’s Simon-Olivier Lorange published an article featuring former Canadiens’ goaltender Cayden Primeau’s comments on the newly appointed goalie coach, and the 26-year-old gave him a ringing endorsement. Speaking to Lorange on the phone, he explained:
I’ve only got incredible things to say about him. That nomination was fully deserved, and it was about time that it happened to him. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does in the NHL.
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Primeau also praised his work ethic:
I’ve never met anyone who works harder than him. He’s the first to get to the arena, and often, the last to leave. You can tell he’s enjoying it, and it makes everything more fun.
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According to the now member of the Carolina Hurricanes organization, Marciano has a knack for working on the mental side of things:
He’s excellent on the mental side. He uses many techniques to help his goaltenders with everything they are experiencing. He tries to find solutions everywhere.
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That’s an encouraging comment given the fact that Montembeault’s issues seemed to be more mental than anything else this season. As Martin St-Louis often said, he didn’t forget how to play goalie, and when a netminder lets the first shot in repeatedly, it’s often a sign of nerves. It looks like the Habs’ netminders will be in good hands with Marciano, who now has an opportunity to prove what he can do in the big league.
AUSTIN TX, - November 9, 2025: Harrison Ingram #55 of the Austin Spurs is introduced before the game against the Birmingham Squadron on November 9, 2025 at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Per a Spurs press release:
The NBA G League announced that Austin Spurs forward Harrison Ingram has been named NBA G League Player of the Week for games played Feb. 9-22. This marks the first Player of the Week honor of Ingram’s career and the first for an Austin player this season.
Spurs forward Harrison Ingram just earned NBA G League Player of the Week honors after a dominant stretch with Austin.
His highlight came last week in a 116–115 win over the San Diego Clippers, where he nearly posted a triple-double with 23 points, 12 boards, and 8 assists in 36… pic.twitter.com/Z9xqePk2to
Ingram averaged 22.2 points, 13.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists over five games. He recorded four double-doubles and one triple-double as the Austin Spurs went 4-1.
Harrison Ingram filled up every column 📊 TRIPLE-DOUBLE. Impact on both ends. That Spurs DNA showing early. pic.twitter.com/Dadmqr9R9W
Ingram also posted a season-high 30 points against the Iowa Wolves on February 10th.
In his second season with the Silver and Black, Ingram has appeared in 76 games (72 starts) and holds career averages of 13.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 33.3 minutes. His 31 career double-doubles rank third in franchise history.
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against Nikola Vucevic #4 and Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night opened with signs that the Suns had steadied themselves after the loss to Portland, the narrow win over Orlando, and the beating they took against San Antonio. Injuries have weighed heavily on them, but for a half, Phoenix looked functional. They trailed 50-46 at the break, and the offense felt balanced, which was a welcome sight. Shots were falling, something that has been rare for this team throughout February. There was flow. There was purpose.
Then the third quarter arrived.
It turned into an avalanche of green inside the Mortgage Matchup Center, and at times it sounded like TD Garden had relocated to downtown Phoenix. The Suns opened the night 7-of-14 from three. They then missed their next 12 straight. The Suns also got overwhelmed on the offensive glass. They surrendered 22 offensive rebounds to Boston and finished with 25 defensive rebounds of their own. Boston only turned those extra chances into 15 second-chance points, but the issue remains. Phoenix continues to struggle with closing possessions and preventing second and third opportunities, and that lack of control keeps resurfacing at costly moments.
That pattern is becoming far too familiar. Long shooting droughts, extended inefficiency from deep, poor rebounding, and an inability to steady themselves when the offense freezes over. Injuries factor into it, but schematically, the counter never arrives. Whether that is personnel, competition, or system-related, the result is the same. Phoenix becomes a team that survives through the three, and lately, it has not survived at all. The third quarter broke the game open, with Boston outscoring the Suns 30-11. Against a team operating like a machine, that margin is fatal.
Phoenix pushed, because they always do, opening the fourth on a 9-0 run that trimmed the deficit to 14. It did not matter. The damage was already done. Shooting 18.2% in the third quarter sealed it long before the final horn.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
The Portland game, with 77 total points, is one we’d like to forget. But it is one may never will. Why? Because it is the first game that Khaman Maluach earned Bright Side Baller honors. Here’s to many more, Khaman.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 59 against the Celtics. Here are your nominees:
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 04: A shot by Cleveland Monsters center Luca Del Bel Belluz (10) sneak sunder Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Filip Larsson (31) for a goal during the third period of the American Hockey League game between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Cleveland Monsters on April 4, 2025, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It was all systems go for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this past week, victors in all three of their recent games. Even the weekend snowstorm in New York couldn’t stop WBS from getting in and out of Bridgeport with a shutout win.
Wednesday, Feb. 18 – PENGUINS 7 at Springfield 2 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scored a season-high seven goals in its decimation of Springfield, the team’s first win out of the All-Star break. Avery Hayes scored another hat trick, bringing him to 19 goals on the year. Ville Koivunen and Tanner Howe both had two-goal nights in front 30 saves by Sergei Murashov.
Saturday, Feb. 21 – PENGUINS 4 vs. Bridgeport 3 The Penguins scored four-straight goals to outlast the Islanders on Military Appreciation Night presented by MetLife. After Bridgeport seized a 2-0 lead, Filip Hållander and Atley Calvet lit the lamp before the first intermission. Sebastian Aho gave Wilkes-Barre/Scranton the lead in the middle frame, and video review granted Koivunen the game-winner in the third.
Sunday, Feb. 22 – PENGUINS 4 at Bridgeport 0 Murashov posted 25 saves for his third shutout of the season, while Wilkes-Barre/Scranton secured is third-straight win. Howe started the scoring early in the second period, followed by Connecticut native Phil Kemp. Third-period power-play goals by Gabe Klassen and Aidan McDonough put things to bed.
Just as good as winning is a lot of the names that Pittsburgh will want to see are doing well: Avery Hayes is back up in the NHL, Murashov notched another shutout, Rutger McGroarty had three assists, rookie Tanner Howe is up to seven points in eight games on the season, Ville Koivunen has four goals and six points in the last four games. Lots of encouraging signs from the farm.
Koivunen is one of the most intriguing players in the system, he’s having all sorts of AHL success (including 31 points in 25 games, making him third in the league in points/game). Koivunen’s limitations skating were evident in his NHL games this season, yet his AHL production is showing this is a player on the verge of another chance. It’s now his draft+5 season, he turns 23 over the summer. After accumulating seven NHL points in eight games playing out the stretch in Pittsburgh last season many thought that 2025-26 might have been Koivunen’s time to take that huge step forward. It hasn’t worked out that way to this point, but he looks very close. He might be the most intriguing case of seeing where a fast forward to 10 or 12 months to see where he’s at with his career.
For now, it’s Wilkes’s gain to have such a solid point-producer in the lineup. The Penguins remain in second place in their division, and although they’ve climbed to within two points of Providence, the Bruins have a commanding four-games in hand still to play.
Up next this week will be a tough task for WBS, they’re in Cleveland for two games on Friday and Saturday night. The Monsters are in third place in the North Division and carry an impressive 7-2-1 record over their last 10 games.
Way back on February 5th, the Devils lost at home to the New York Islanders 3-1. The game was scoreless after the 1st period before the Devils and Islanders traded goals in the 2nd period. Nico Hischier (who is the captain of the team, in case Bryce Salvador never told you before) had the lone goal for the Devils, his 19th of the year. The Islanders sealed the game with 2 late goals in the 3rd period (one of them an empty net goal). On the bright side, as Tim said in his recap of this game, at least the Devils made progress in this game, only losing 3-1, as opposed to the 9-0 nuke that the Islanders dropped on the Devils back on January 6th. Jake Allen started in net for the Devils and while he did let up 3 goals, it’s hard to win when the team in front of you only scores 1 goal.
The game was their 3rd loss in a row, and also their 5th loss in their last 6 games. During their 3 game losing streak, the Devils have only scored 2 goals, while letting up 10 goals. 10 goals against in 3 games, is actually not horrible. Scoring 2 goals in 3 games though is atrocious. The lack of offense though has been a problem for a while now with the Devils. As of this article, the Devils have scored 146 goals this season. That’s good for dead last in the entire Eastern Conference, including 5 goals behind the Rangers. Their goal output is “good” for 31st, in the league, only 4 more than the Calgary Flames. The Devils have suffered many problems this season, not just one or two specific problems. Right now though, it doesn’t matter what your goalies do, or what your defense does, if you can’t put the puck in the net.
Last Sabres Game
Like the Devils, The Sabres also played their last game on February 5th, losing 5-2 at home to the Penguins. The Sabres jumped out to an early lead, less than 2 minutes into the game, on Jason Zucker’s 15th goal of the season. The Penguins would score 2 goals before the end of the 1st, to make it 2-1 and they added another goal in the 2nd to start the 3rd period up 3-1. Tage Thompson scored less than 2 minutes into the 3rd period on the PP, his 30th of the season, to bring the Sabres within 1 goal at 3-2. However, the Penguins added 2 late goals, including an empty net goal, to put the game away 5-2.
The loss was their 2nd in a row, and 3rd in their last 4 games. However, prior to that, the Sabres had a 5 game win streak from 1/20 – 1/29. Overall the Sabres are playing pretty well this season. They currently have 32 wins, which is tied for 4th place in the Eastern Conference. Alex Lyon has been the go to man in net for the Sabres, having started 25 games already this season. He started 4 out of the last 5 games for the Sabres before the break, however, with the time off, I would expect him to get the start tonight.
Injuries, Roster for Tonight, Yada, Yada, Yada.
The Devils held a practice on Tuesday afternoon, and Amanda Stein posted the lines on X. Keep in mind that Timo Meier and Jonas Siegenthaler were traveling back to NJ on Tuesday. Per Stein, “both will be back for the morning skate ahead of facing Buffalo.” As of this article, it looks like Jack’s arrival time in New Jersey is still to be determined.
Here's how the #NJDevils are lining up today at practice… so, take this for what it is… of course, they are still missing some key components.
Grimace has been feeling good so far this week from watching the Jack Hughes goal over and over on YouTube. To be frank, I had to politely ask him to turn if off after the 115th time. I think he’s just overconfident at this point, but he has predicted a Devils win for tonight.
Grimace’s 2025-2026 Season Prediction record currently stands at 12-11-0.
Your Take
I know there are a large number of Devils fans that are still riding the high of seeing Jack Hughes score the golden goal for USA in the olympics. That was awesome to see, and great for his confidence and the sport in general. With that being said, the Olympics are over and this is the NHL, not Team USA. Will the high from that game and the confidence from the win carry over to the Devils? Hopefully, the answer is yes. At the same time, nothing would surprise me with this team this year. Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below and thanks for reading!
In a shameless bit of non hockey related self promotion (approved by Chris – thanks Chris), I wanted to plug my brand new podcast on here, if any of you are interested in listening. We have a light hearted, fun discussion about any movies, music or video games mostly from the 1980s and 1990s. Please feel free to listen to us on any of the formats below and any feedback is welcome (positive and negative). Also, please follow us and subscribe, even if you think we stink. 🙂
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors drives towards the basket on GG Jackson #45 of the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 09, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let’s talk about resilience, Dub Nation. The Warriors limp into FedExForum tonight missing Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Kristaps Porzingis, carrying their playoff hopes on the backs of Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski and a collection of contributors who were largely afterthoughts two months ago. And somehow, the Warriors are still eighth in the Western Conference at 30-28, clinging to that play-in spot with both hands.
Next up in there way is the new look Memphis Grizzlies, who have let go of pretty much anybody who played in these two teams short lived rivalry besides Ja Morant. Oh by the way, he’s out with an elbow injury for another week and a half at least.
De’Anthony Melton on how he feels physically and if he thinks he can play in the 5 back-to-backs left this season:
“I feel good. I feel solid. Taking it day by day, see how tomorrow holds up. See how my body holds up and just keep checking along. Most definitely. There were… pic.twitter.com/HpdgwEuYsh
Last night in New Orleans was painful. Zion Williamson dropped 26, Dejounte Murray made his return from a torn Achilles like he never missed a beat, and the Warriors shot a brutal 24.4% from three on 45 attempts. You can survive a lot of things in this league. Making eleven threes on 45 attempts isn’t one of them. Melton’s season-high 28 and Moody’s 24 weren’t enough to close a four-point gap with under two minutes left, and Golden State fell 113-109 to a Pelicans team that seemed like an easier win on paper than real life.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr highlighted 21 turnovers and a lack of offensive execution against New Orleans.
“With the injuries we have, we have to play well to win. And I don’t think we played well tonight.”
Now it’s time to face Memphis one night later. The Grizzlies that once made this rivalry genuinely threatening, the Dillon Brooks-led outfit that tortured Golden State in the 2022 playoffs, barely exists anymore. Jaren Jackson Jr. is gone. The team just lost to the Sacramento Kings, who had dropped sixteen straight and hadn’t won since January 16th. They are decimated by injuries, missing eight players in the loss to Sacramento. Some relative unknowns are running this show now, and the Ja Morant trade rumors are so loud at this point that ESPN’s insiders are writing offseason previews about it in February.
Here’s what matters: Golden State has handled Memphis twice this season, 131-118 in October and 114-113 in a February nail-biter. Only nine Warriors saw action Tuesday. Tonight won’t look much different. But this is a winnable game against a rebuilding team that just got embarrassed by the league’s worst record. The play-in picture is close enough that every W matters.
Game tips off tonight at FedExForum. Come on, Dub Nation. This one’s there for the taking.
There's an opportunity for more trades because there's a gap between the haves and the have-nots, and top teams have needs. The last-place Canucks, who already moved Quinn Hughes and Kiefer Sherwood, have Evander Kane and Teddy Blueger as pending free agents. The Rangers could move Vincent Trocheck, Flames center Nazem Kadri would be coveted and the Blues could be sellers.
Will the Panthers keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive?
They won the last two Stanley Cup titles, went to the Final the year before that and were Presidents' Trophy winners in 2021-22. But that string of success suffered a serious blow when captain and Selke Trophy winner Aleksander Barkov needed ACL surgery after being injured on his first day of practice in September.
They're also missing defensemen Dmitry Kulikov and Seth Jones and sit in last place in the Atlantic Division with 61 points, eight points out of a playoff spot. The good news is Matthew Tkachuk returned before the break and that Jones is skating with a non-contact jersey. Bill Zito is a creative general manager and Paul Maurice a top-notch coach. They have 25 games to make up those points, which is possible if they come out strong after the break. And as they showed the last three years, if they make it into the postseason, they can go far.
Can the Sabres end their playoff drought?
Their 14 years out of the playoffs is an NHL record. It looked like it might reach 15 when they started slowly. But things turned around when they fired general manager Kevyn Adams and promoted Jarmo Kekalainen. They pushed a winning streak to 10 games and now sit in the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. But they lost three out of four heading into the break and will need to remedy that, especially when they will be facing the Lightning and Golden Knights two times each in the next 11 games.
Can the Red Wings end their playoff drought?
They haven't made the playoffs in nine years and are sitting in third place in the tough Atlantic Division. Other teams have a game or more in hand. But their goaltending is better than in the past because of John Gibson, and they have plenty of cap space to make a move at the deadline.
Can Kings overcome the loss of Kevin Fiala?
Fiala broke his leg while playing for Switzerland at the Olympics, had surgery and will miss the rest of the regular season. The Kings have Panarin now, but his acquisition was designed to boost an offense that had Fiala in the lineup. Fiala leads the Kings with 17 power-play points. Los Angeles is three points out of a playoff spot, so it might need to make another trade.
But for college basketball fans, the angst and excitement of March Madness has already arrived. With conference tournaments around the corner, the excitement for the 2026 NCAA Tournament is building among many fan bases.
Fans have been treated to potential Final Four previews, with Duke-Michigan and Houston-Arizona facing off on Saturday, Feb. 21. Another big one ― No. 11 Illinois hosting No. 3 Michigan ― is on the docket for Friday, Feb. 27, which could help determine final seeding for the tournament.
However, while fans of programs are certainly excited, the bigger joy fans get is watching the teams currently on the bubble playing for their postseason lives. For all intents and purposes, their NCAA Tournament has already begun for these teams.
Here's a look at the latest NCAA Tournament preview, including bubble teams and locks to reach March Madness:
March Madness bracket bubble watch tracker
March Madness locks
Based on games through Tuesday, Feb. 24
Big Ten (7): Michigan, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin
Torvik's metrics are used in the NCAA's BPI equation, alongside third-party analyst Ken Pomeroy, also referenced as KenPom by college basketball fans.
NCAA Tournament likely ins
Big 12(1): UCF
Big Ten (2): Indiana, UCLA
ACC(2): SMU, Miami
SEC (4): Kentucky, Texas A&M, Texas, Georgia
Big East(0): N/A
Other(2): Saint Mary's, New Mexico
Even with two weeks left in the regular season, the likely-ins list is shorter than the locks. The teams on this list have between a 70% and 98.9% chance to reach the NCAA Tournament, per Torvik.
However, Texas and New Mexico have been big droppers over the past few weeks, while UCLA has worked itself into the equation following an upset win over Illinois on Feb. 21.
NCAA Tournament bubble teams
Big 12(3): Texas Christian, West Virginia, Cincinnati
Big Ten (3): Ohio State, Southern California, Washington
ACC(2): Virginia Tech, California
SEC (2): Auburn, Missouri
Big East(1): Seton Hall
Other(3): Santa Clara, San Diego State, VCU
All of these teams have their work cut out to reach the NCAA Tournament, and not all of them are going to crack a spot in the tournament. They are going to either need to win out, win their respective conference tournament, or need some help with other teams stumbling.
However, having a shot is all that matters at this point in the season.
While there are still regular-season games and conference tournaments to be played, the March Madness picture for men's college basketball is starting to come into shape.
Strong national championship contenders for the 2026 NCAA Tournament include Duke (led by Cameron Boozer), Arizona (led by Brayden Burries), Michigan (led by Yaxel Lendeborg), Iowa State (led by Milan Momcilovic), Connecticut (led by Solo Ball), Houston (led by Kingston Fleming) and Illinois (led by Keaton Wagler). Reigning national champion Florida has also started to re-enter the mix in recent weeks with a few wins over Alabama and Kentucky.
There are, of course, a handful of teams sitting on the bubble that are hoping to secure a key win (or a few) to change their status from "March Madness maybes" to "March Madness locks" over the next few weeks.
The Final Four is set for five weeks from this upcoming Saturday in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium, the first time the Final Four is being held in the NFL stadium of the Indianapolis Colts since the COVID-19 bubble tournament in 2021, when Baylor took down Gonzaga.
Here's what to know on the when March Madness gets underway for men's college basketball:
When is March Madness?
March Madness gets going on Tuesday, March 17 in Dayton, Ohio, at UD Arena with the First Four. The condensed 64-team bracket will then officially get underway with first-round games two days later on Thursday, March 19.
When is Selection Sunday?
Date: Sunday, March 15
Selection Sunday for the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament is set for Sunday, March 15 at 6 p.m. ET. The unveiling of the 68-team bracket will take place after the conclusion of the Big Ten championship game.
Complete March Madness 2026 schedule
Here’s a rundown of the schedule for the 2026 NCAA men's tournament:
First Four: March 17-18
First round: March 19-20
Second round: March 21-22
Sweet 16: March 26-27
Elite Eight: March 28-29
Final Four: Saturday, April 4 (at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis)
National championship game: Monday, April 6 (at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis)
Feb 20, 2026; Sarasota, Florida, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) prepares to take batting practice before the start of the spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Welcome to Wacky Wednesday with Washington. Was that just an excuse for dumb alliteration? Well, we’ll weather such worries whenever Will Warren weighs in.
OK fine, now I’m done, but only to a certain extent. For today’s prompt, we want to be a little less serious and just consider what the funniest possible outcome for the Yankees’ 2026 season might be. This could be either “positive” funny, like Trent Grisham randomly popping off for 34 homers last year after nearly being non-tendered, or “negative” funny, like Jasson Domínguez finally getting a starting outfield shot and then doing … whatever the hell he was doing on defense in 2025. Feel free to get creative! I would personally love it if Jake Bird because a vital bullpen piece after being almost completely written off after his rapid post-Trade Deadline implosion in 2025. Or in a more outlandish world, if Luis Gil and Austin Wells decided to write a Todd-esque rock opera.
Today on the site, Andrés will delve into why he’s excited to watch 2024 first-rounder Ben Hess develop this year. We’ll also have Sam celebrating Paul O’Neill’s 63rd birthday (yowza), Jeremy previewing Ryan McMahon’s first full season in pinstripes since coming over from the Rockies at the 2025 Trade Deadline, and Peter previewing the ever-rebuilding Nationals. Lastly, prospect specialist Nolan Rabine bids a fond farewell to Pinstripe Alley with a final look at the prospects he’s most looking forward to watching from the metaphorical PSA sidelines in 2026.
You guys get to be on the same team again. | NHLI via Getty Images
The NHL is back in action after its damn-near-monthlong Olympic break with eight games tonight, though the Islanders don’t resume until tomorrow night in Montreal, one of 12 games Thursday.
That didn’t keep them from kicking off the looming trade frenzy, though, with a minor league swap of Julien Gauthier to the Blues/Springfield for Matt Luff for the Isles/Bridgeport. This continues what is becoming a tradition of late-season scrapyard swaps between these two franchises.
Both guys have NHL experience and can step in when needed, but they are primarily AHL resources at this point. The Blues are terrible this season and have dealt with a cascade of forward injuries but only afforded Luff five NHL games. He’s been a scorer in the A though. Gauthier looked like he might have a chance at a regular bottom-line role a couple of seasons ago before injuries derailed both 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Both Isles Olympians are back in town (Bo Horvat did not skate though) and expected to play Thursday. [THN | Isles]
The official announcement of Luff for Gauthier. [Isles]
Patrick Roy knows how both Horvat and Ondrej Palat are feeling after falling short at the Olympics. Roy was on the 1998 Canada team that fell to the Czechs. [Newsday]
Five important games among many for the Isles down the stretch. [Newsday]
Islanders Anxiety podcast: Dan and Mike relive the Olympics and some hilarious hot takes. [LHH]
Elsewhere
The Penguins continue to build flexibility and get younger, flipping Brett Kulak (part of the Jarry trade) to Colorado for Samuel Girard and a second-round pick. [NHL]
The Kyper trade board is updated for the drama to follow over the next week. [Sportsnet]
The Canucks are one of those teams that knows they’re about to lose some guys. [Sportsnet]
Coming off IR just in time for the trade deadline, Blake Coleman is a Flame until he’s told he’s not. [NHL]
Out since the first day of training camp, Aleksandar Barkov says he’s on track for a playoff return following knee surgery. [NHL]
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 28: Samuel Girard #49 of the Colorado Avalanche skates with the puck against the Ottawa Senators on January 28, 2026, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Here are your Pens Points for this Wednesday morning…
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas made yet another intriguing trade on Tuesday, as the March 6 trading deadline draws nearer. The Penguins have traded defenseman Brett Kulak to the Colorado Avalanche for defenseman Samuel Girard and a second-round pick in the 2028 draft. [PensBurgh]
Ryder Fetterolf, a Sewickley, Pennsylvania, native playing goalie for the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s, has been one of the league’s top netminders this season with an impressive record, strong metrics, and multiple shutouts, earning a spot in the Top Prospects Game as he prepares for the NHL Draft. [Trib Live]
Forward prospect Bill Zonnon is embracing his role as a visible Black hockey player and role model, using his platform to inspire youth and highlight the importance of representation in the sport. He credits seeing players like P.K. Subban as a child for shaping his passion and is proud to give back through community engagement and leadership. [Penguins]
Updates from around the NHL…
The International Ice Hockey Federation says it will continue using 3-on-3 overtime at international tournaments, including the Olympics, despite criticism that the format strays from traditional 5-on-5 hockey. Critics argue it isn’t true to the sport, but IIHF president Luc Tardif defended it as necessary to fit tight tournament schedules. [Sportsnet]
Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews said he will not waive his no-movement clause before the March 6 trade deadline. Toews, 37, said he wants to keep playing for his hometown club as they try to climb the standings. [Sportsnet]
Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen will miss at least the next two weeks with a lower-body injury suffered during the Winter Olympics. The team expects him to return before the end of the regular season. [TSN]
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 24: James Harden #1 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the New York Knicks on February 24, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Knicks head coach Mike Brown didn’t take the bait when asked pregame if his team lost something they could exploit against the Cavs since they don’t have two smaller guards after swapping out Darius Garland for James Harden.
“I don’t necessarily think that,” Brown said diplomatically.
Brown did, however, go into all the ways that Harden changes the offensive dynamic. It isn’t that the Cavs necessarily want to do different things; they’re just better at doing so due to his size and strength.
“Your backside [defense] has to be on point. Your transition [defense] has to be on point because everybody wants to run because he’s great at throwing that long pass. There are a lot of things you have to pay attention to. At the end of the day, they still have Donovan (Mitchell).”
They also still have Jarrett Allen, who’s playing the best basketball of his career.
Unlike Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Allen was an active part of the offense early, which led to him controlling the paint on both ends. He finished with 19 points on 7-8 shooting to go along with 10 big rebounds.
Performances like this have become the norm in February, to the point that his teammates are jokingly referring to this version of Allen as “Black History Month J.A.” In February, he’s averaging 21.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game on 74% shooting.
Allen has been one of the best centers in the league during that stretch, and it was all spurred on by head coach Kenny Atkinson challenging him several weeks back when it was announced Evan Mobley would be a few weeks with a calf strain.
“He told me you’re going to have to pick it up,” Allen said. “You’re gonna have to make up for the loss of rim protection, lost offensive ability, and I took it to heart.”
It’s fair to say Allen has. And the Cavs have been at their best this season when he’s actively involved in the offense. They’re now 19-2 when he’s scored 15 or more points in a game. His rim pressure simply opens everything up for the offense, and that’s even more true after the addition of Harden.
The two-man game between Harden and Allen is lethal, given how well their skillsets match.
“He understands when to roll to the basket, when to short roll, when to find the pocket, screening angles, different things like that,” Harden said. “He’s so athletic, he gets into the role, to the screen, out of the screen so fast, which you know, I got to get used to that.”
Allen’s grasp of how to do these things pairs incredibly well with someone like Harden, who may be the best pick-and-roll manipulator in the history of the game.
“Just his patience,” Allen said. “He’s not going to force any lob…He’s not going to try to make the hero play. He’s going to try to pick the other team apart. Just try to understand their defense and try to make the right play.”
This play is a great example of how Allen’s feel and Harden’s patience can work in tandem.
Here, Allen sets a high screen for Harden, but holds it long enough to get OG Anunoby to trail on the play, forcing Karl Anthony-Towns to step up. Instead of Harden trying to blow by Towns, he slowly strings him out across the court, creating more separation between him and the roller. By the time Harden delivers the pass to Allen, the only thing the defense can do is foul or give up what would be an easy lay-in with how far out of position they are.
Good players can create mismatches and advantages. Great ones can amplify those advantages to consistently break a defense.
Harden processes the game at such a high level. He can diagnose and dissect what is happening in real time, allowing him to make the correct decision seemingly whenever he’s running the pick-and-roll.
“The first option is myself scoring the basketball off the pick-and-roll,” Harden said. “Then it’s the big, and then, once they figure that out, then it trickles down to the corner threes and the pull-behind guys and so forth.”
Allen said after the game that the offense has been clicking because they’ve been able to repeatedly run the same set and consistently score.
The Cavs have been able to do that with the pick-and-roll. It’s such a simple action, but when you run it correctly, there’s seemingly unlimited positive outcomes.
This is a good example of that. The Knicks know that they want to get the ball to Allen, so they crash to keep that from happening. This leads to the kickout to Dean Wade. But in the shuffle, the off-balance defense lost Allen, which set up another easy dunk inside.
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The Cavs have become a one-play Madden spammer. But no matter what the defense does, it’s nearly impossible to take away all the possible outcomes if it’s run correctly. Someone is bound to be left alone. It just comes down to execution at that point.
Being able to lean on the pick-and-roll has made the offensive adjustment easy; the same can’t be said for the defense, even on a night they held the Knicks under 100 points.
The defensive strategy has been simple since the trades: protect the rim at all costs and live with the three-point variance. These last two games show how differently that can play out depending on the night.
It didn’t work against the Thunder. They hit over half of their threes. Conversely, the Knicks converted just 27% of them, which led to their offense sputtering, particularly in the third quarter when they went 1-12 from three and essentially lost the game in that span.
Playing this way is a good short-term strategy, but it may not be how this team reaches its ceiling. That’s why both Allen and Harden brought up the defense as an area of concern postgame, even though they just held one of the best offenses in the league to only 94 points.
“Defense is going to be the key,” Harden said. “If we can find a way to really hone in defensively, and really get stops and limit teams to one shot, we’re going to be very, very tough.”
The Cavs are a better team now than they were the previous two times they played the Knicks. Swapping out an injured Garland for Harden has drastically changed the offense, as has finding legit bench contributors in Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, who’ve done an incredible job of stabilizing the second unit.
In their Christmas Day meeting, the Cavs got up big in the third quarter, but coughed it all up in the fourth due to an inability to execute offensively, combined with poor defensive rebounding.
Tuesday night was different as they simply kept their foot on the gas, never giving the Knicks any hope that they could come back from their 18-point deficit at the end of the third. This speaks to how much more prepared the Cavs are to face elite opponents, despite their limited time together.
“I think we’re pretty good, but the crazy part is, we’ve had two practices (since the trade),” Mitchell said. “There’s some groups out there where we’re just playing off [feel]. Like, Dennis came in and created this play for me the first game we’ve got here, and we’ve been runnnig that. … We’ve just been going off film and going off our IQ. … Thats a credit to the guys coming in here.”
The scary thing is that the Cavs believe they’re nowhere near their ceiling for this group.
“We’ll continue to get better and better,” Mitchell said. “The fact that were doing what we’ve been doing at a high level without much time together, it speaks to a lot, but we’re not even close to where we want to be. We have a lot more we can figure out.”
When the Boston Celtics acquired Nikola Vučević at February’s NBA trade deadline, it gave them options.
Adding Vučević provided Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla the flexibility to lean on the two-time All-Star, roll with a double-big lineup, or bring him off the bench behind Neemias Queta — the plan Boston has used to acclimate Vooch. But the Anfernee Simons–Chicago Bulls swap in the final 48 hours before the deadline has not only benefited Vučević, now in a contending environment, and Boston’s need for frontcourt depth; it’s also gone a long way for Queta’s breakout campaign as a first-year starter.
“It’s been huge,” Queta told reporters following Tuesday night’s win over the Phoenix Suns, per CLNS Media. “I’m trying to pick his brain every day, trying to figure out how I can get better with my game as well. Credit to him — I think he’s been a great addition in terms of spacing the floor, being able to be a threat down low. He’s going to rebound for sure, too. He’s going to be key for us late in the season, and we’re still trying to figure out a couple of things with him — how to get him in his best spots, and he’s trying to get loose too.”
Vučević has only been around for six games, and Queta isn’t squandering the opportunity of sharing a locker room with the 15-year veteran’s expertise.
For the first 52 games of the season, Queta was on his own. Chris Boucher, a nine-year veteran and two-time champion, joined the Celtics but fizzled out of the rotation early before a deadline trade to the Utah Jazz. With only six games of prior starting experience, Queta was elevated from his usual backup role in response to the offseason departures of Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, becoming Joe Mazzulla’s starting center. It marked the first true opportunity of Queta’s career, and easily the most challenging.
So as soon as Vučević entered Boston’s locker room for the first time, Queta spotted an avenue, and he wasn’t going to pass it up.
Vučević spent nine years with the Orlando Magic and his six most recent seasons in Chicago, fortifying himself as one of the league’s most skilled perimeter big men. Over the years, he was frequently linked to Boston in trade rumors, and each time landed in Beantown to face the Celtics, fans across the city made their desire clear — offering warm welcomes and not-so-subtle invitations to join the fold, even though it took until his age-35 season for that desire to come to fruition.
In his prime, Vučević was an automatic double-double, capable of averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds. Today, he remains one of the league’s best at spacing the floor and knocking down the three-ball, but it’s the finer details of Vučević’s game that Queta has been eyeing for years.
Now, Queta has the luxury of working alongside Vučević daily, seeing it all up close.
“Being able to seal guys off, how he can be a threat down low, how he can make quick moves down there in the paint, in the post, and just how much more effective I can be,” Queta explained. “Just picking his brain on anything.”
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 24: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics attempts to dunk the ball over Jamaree Bouyea #17 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Queta made his 53rd start in 54 appearances this season on Tuesday night in Phoenix. He scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, recording his second consecutive double-double for the first time in his career. His performance wasn’t beyond what Queta has proven capable of as a full-time starter, but it was an extension of the player he’s been before Vučević arrived — eager to learn and ready to step up wherever the team needs him.
“(He’s) curious about the details, wants to get better, understands what he has to do to help us win games, and takes pride in that,” Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS Media.
That attitude will be most beneficial as Queta logs big, meaningful minutes while Vučević serves as both a teammate and a reliable shoulder to lean on. Whether in practice, on off-days, or during games, Queta can look to Vučević as a source of guidance straight from an expert’s perspective.
What began as a daunting task for Queta has become an ideal situation for the 26-year-old. He’s been a vital part of the retooled Celtics offense, particularly when running the Spain pick-and-roll, and has quietly eased Boston’s frontcourt concerns. Replacing Porziņģis, Horford, and Kornet is no small task, but the promotion has paid off, and now having Vučević in the mix is somewhat of a reward that could pay dividends for Queta over time.
Boston’s fourth straight victory, without Jaylen Brown, was just the latest indicator of his ascension.
“That’s a sign of the consistency that he’s playing with,” Mazzulla told reporters. “That’s the growth of a guy — when you can earn being counted on every night — and he’s earned that. We know, heading into every game, that we can count on him. So it’s a credit to him.”
Queta isn’t looking to put a cap on his potential development.
This season was penciled in as a bridge year for Queta to get his feet wet, but that’s no longer the prevailing sentiment. Boston is flourishing, as is Queta, and expectations have been restored, pushing the Celtics back into the conversation as contenders. He’s no longer viewed as an easy-to-pull-for underdog thrown into a tough situation. Queta has been legit, and he’s been legit throughout the season’s entirety. If anything, he’s underrated when compared with the rest of the league’s starting centers, and little by little, he’s continuously changing the narrative around him.
“I feel like I’ve taken strides in so many different aspects of my game,” Queta told reporters. “And there’s so much more I can get better at. I don’t wanna pinpoint just one thing. I feel like it’d be a disservice to all the stuff I’m getting better at. By thinking, ‘Oh, this is the biggest thing I’ve done,’ I’d be shortchanging what’s coming next. I’m still hungry, and I still wanna keep on getting better.”
Cricket board and eight franchises issue joint statement
ECB sent email to teams warning against discrimination
The England and Wales Cricket Board and all eight of the Hundred teams have jointly insisted the competition is “inclusive and open to all” amid claims Pakistan players could be frozen out by the Indian-owned franchises.
It had been reported by the BBC that Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds would not consider any Pakistan cricketers at the Hundred auction in March.
