Plenty of names have been tossed around for James Franklin's replacement. A few were asked about Penn State job during their weekly news conferences.
Buyout bonanza! Fired college football coaches getting nearly $200 million to go away
Ten FBS coaches have been fired since the start of the 2025 season. And being a fired college football doesn't seem all that bad.
More Misery For Sabres As Buffalo Loses Third Straight Game To Start New Season
Any way you want to frame it, losing three straight games to start the season is a disaster for the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres' third straight defeat came Monday at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche -- a legitimate Stanley Cup frontrunner -- and once again, offense was a problem for Buffalo.
To wit: The Sabres only managed a single run for the second straight game. Buffalo has just two goals combined in their three games. You do the math.
The Sabres weren't even close to good enough to beat the New York Rangers or the Boston Bruins in Games 1 and 2. Buffalo's offense has been feeble, to say the least, because after Monday's game, the Sabres now have the 32nd-ranked offense in the league.
Indeed, it's been a nightmare beginning to Buffalo's season. And the worst part could be soon to come.
By which, we mean the Sabres' schedule is relentless in its quality of opponent. Buffalo is taking on the Ottawa Senators in their next game. And after that, they'll square off against the Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs (twice) and Columbus Blue Jackets. And just like that, more than 10 percent of the Sabres' season will be over.
Injury-Plagued Sabres Having Worst-Case-Scenario Start To SeasonThe news from Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was about as bad as it can get for a hockey team -- Buffalo's first-line center, Josh Norris, will be on the sidelines for the foreseeable future after being injured in the Sabres' first game of the season Thursday.
And while it's true you can't earn a Stanley Cup playoff spot by the end of October, it's also true you can start to bury your playoff aspirations within the league's first month. That's the very real possibility for Buffalo in these next seven games. If they can't generate wins in the next few weeks, the Sabres will be chasing a post-season berth for what could be a very long time.
The particulars of Buffalo's three losses don't really matter. The reality is all anyone ultimately cares about is that the Sabres are once again in the basement of their division. Even an overtime and/or shootout loss would be more encouraging than the start that Buffalo has gotten out to.
Norris Out Long-Term After Being Injured In OpenerOne of the things that the Buffalo Sabres needed to make a legitimate run at the Stanley Cup Playoffs was a healthy Josh Norris playing on the top line as a #1 center, setting up sniper Tage Thompson.That hope lasted just one game, as Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff announced on Saturday that Norris will be out a “significant period of time” after being injured in the club’s 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday.
You can't make any definitive statements about the Sabres after three games. But you can definitely say that Buffalo is in the worst spot imaginable, and nothing less than a quick-and-major competitive turnaround will ensure the Sabres' season begins to circle the drain.
No. 13 Notre Dame loses center Craig to knee injury as talks continue to extend Southern Cal series
Craig suffered the injury during a 36-7 victory over N.C. State last weekend.
‘I love what I’m doing’: UCLA’s Tim Skipper focused on winning, not taking credit
Having been preoccupied with saving UCLA's season, interim coach Tim Skipper is blissfully unaware of any narratives about who's responsible for the Bruins' turnaround.
Former infielder and coach Sandy Alomar Sr. dies at 81
Jul 31, 2011; Toronto, ON, Canada; Sandy Alomar Sr. the father of former Toronto Blue Jays player Roberto Alomar (not pictured) acknowledges the crowd during his son’s number 12 retirement ceremony before the game against the Texas Rangers at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
Sandy Alomar Sr., an All-Star infielder during his playing days in the 1960s and '70s who went on to coach in the majors and manage in his native Puerto Rico, has died. He was 81.
A spokesperson for the Cleveland Guardians said Monday that the team was informed by Alomar's family about his death. Sandy Alomar Jr., who along with Hall of Fame brother Roberto played for their father in winter ball and in the minors, is on the Guardians' staff.
"Our thoughts are with the Alomar family today as the baseball community mourns his passing," the Guardians said on social media.
Alomar broke into the big leagues in 1964 with the Milwaukee Braves, one of six teams he played for. He also spent time with the New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, California Angels, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers before calling it a career in 1978.
Known more for his speed and fielding than his hitting, Alomar batted .245 with 13 home runs and 282 RBIs in 1,481 regular-season games.
He was named an All-Star in 1970. He stole 227 bases, including a career-high 39 in 1971, when he led the American League with 689 at-bats and 739 plate appearances, and took part in one playoff series with the Yankees in '76.
Alomar went into coaching in San Diego's system in the ‘80s and was the Padres third-base coach from 1986-90. He coached for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies and the Mets in the 2000s.
Padres manager Mike Shildt announces retirement after just 2 seasons in charge
Mike Shildt is retiring after two seasons as the San Diego Padres’ manager.
The Padres confirmed the 57-year-old Shildt’s decision Monday. In a letter to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Shildt said he is retiring because “the grind of the baseball season has taken a severe toll on me mentally, physically and emotionally.”
Shildt went 183-141 and led San Diego to two postseason appearances during his brief tenure. The Padres won 90 games this season and finished second in the NL West before being eliminated by the Chicago Cubs this month in a tense three-game wild-card playoff series.
Padres general manager A.J. Preller issued a statement praising Shildt.
“His dedication and passion for the game of baseball will leave an impact on our organization, and we wish him the best in his next chapter,” Preller said.
Preller will begin looking immediately for his fifth full-time manager since taking over the Padres' front office in 2014.
Before joining the Padres organization in early 2022 as a player development coach, Shildt was the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals from 2018-21, posting a winning record in each of his three full seasons. He was the NL Manager of the Year in 2019 after leading the Cards to 91 wins, the NL Central title and an NLCS appearance.
Shildt won at least 90 games in each of his four 162-game seasons with St. Louis and San Diego, and his teams made the playoffs in every one of his five full seasons in charge.
But Shildt said he began to contemplate retirement during the current season, and he finalized his decision after the Padres' painful elimination at Wrigley Field. San Diego's high-priced roster scored just five total runs in its three games in Chicago.
“While it has always been about serving others, it’s time I take care of myself and exit on my terms,” Shildt wrote.
Shildt, who never played professional baseball, took over in San Diego in November 2023 after Bob Melvin left the Padres to manage the San Francisco Giants, who fired him last month.
Melvin, Shildt and Jayce Tingler - who managed the Padres from 2020-21 - have presided over the longest stretch of sustained contention in team history despite the turnover in the dugout. The Padres have made four playoff appearances in the last six seasons and won four playoff series, reaching the NLCS in 2022.
The Padres have also persevered after the death of popular owner Peter Seidler, whose aggressive spending and charisma energized the San Diego fan base and powered Preller's ability to build a long-struggling team into a consistent winner. John Seidler became the Padres' chairman after his brother's death in November 2023.
The Padres’ new manager will be the eighth person to lead the dugout since Preller fired Bud Black in June 2015. Their chief rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been managed by San Diego County product Dave Roberts since November 2015.
San Diego becomes the eighth MLB team with a managerial opening and the ninth to change managers in this offseason. Texas has already hired Skip Schumaker, but there are openings with the Padres, Angels, Braves, Orioles, Twins, Giants, Nationals and Rockies.
Former mascot Hip-Hop to return as part of Sixers' 2000-01 team festivities
Former mascot Hip-Hop to return as part of Sixers' 2000-01 team festivities originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Sixers’ 25th anniversary celebration of their 2000-01 Eastern Conference champion team will include a familiar rabbit face.
The team announced Monday night that Hip-Hop — the Sixers’ acrobatic, trampoline-dunking rabbit mascot between 1998 and 2011 — will return during the 2025-26 season.
The Sixers will “pay tribute to Hip-Hop” at their Nov. 8 game vs. the Raptors and “specific game dates and activations with Hip-Hop will be announced throughout the season,” according to the team’s press release. Hip-Hop will team up with current mascot Franklin the Dog.
As the Sixers’ announcement video highlights, Kyle Lowry said the team should bring back Hip-Hop at media day. Lowry was a Philadelphia teenager during the Sixers’ 2000-01 run to the NBA Finals. He’s now entering his 20th NBA season.
That Nov. 8 game against Toronto is the first of 14 dates on which the Sixers will spotlight the 2000-01 team. They’ll play on a throwback court and wear the much-awaited black uniforms donned by the ’00-01 squad.
Reflecting On Pius Suter’s Time With The Vancouver Canucks
Pius Suter only spent two seasons as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, but had plenty of memorable experiences to show for it. Tonight, October 13, he’ll make his return to Rogers Arena for the first time since signing with his new team, the St. Louis Blues, in free agency.
Suter first suited up for the Canucks on October 11, 2023, after signing a two-year deal with the team in free agency. He scored his first goal with the team on November 2, potting Vancouver’s eighth of the game in a 10–1 drumming of the San Jose Sharks. This was part of an impressive five-game stretch in which he scored four goals.
December 19, 2023 was Suter’s first multi-point game as a member of the Canucks. The forward scored a goal and an assist against the Nashville Predators, a team that would come to dislike him even more later on in the spring of 2024. Only four games later, he registered his first multi-goal game with the Canucks, putting two past the Ottawa Senators and assisting on one of Elias Pettersson’s two goals of the game.
Interestingly enough, Suter seems to have a knack for scoring hat tricks against teams that he will end up joining at some point in the future. Back in 2021, as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, Suter scored his first NHL hat trick against the Detroit Red Wings — a team he ultimately ended up joining only a season after. The forward’s second career hat trick, and first with the Canucks, came against his current team, the Blues, on January 24 of 2024. Suter was the only Canuck to score in this particular game.
By far Suter’s most notable moment in his time with the Canucks was during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He scored Vancouver’s game-tying goal in Game 1 of their first round matchup against the Predators, helping the team to an eventual 4–2 win in their first home-ice playoff game in nearly 10 years. This, however, paled in comparison to his late heroics in a tight, 0–0 Game 6 in Nashville. Having already squandered an opportunity to advance to the second round, the Canucks were deadlocked with the Predators at a 0–0 score. It was Suter who broke to tie with less than two minutes to go in the final period, firing it past Juuse Saros right in front of the net after a timely no-look pass from Brock Boeser. Suter’s goal stood as the game’s tiebreaker.
Heading into the 2024–25 season, many were aware of Suter entering the final year of his contract, but didn’t see as many concerns as the ones that arose towards the start of 2025. At the start of the season, Vancouver had a relatively healthy pool of depth down the middle, making Suter appear somewhat expendable. However, as time passed, it was clear that this may not have been the case long-term. Injuries forced players out of the lineup throughout the season, resulting in Suter being only one of two centers who played more than 80 games for the Canucks this year.
Offensively, Suter hit another gear in 2024–25. By the end of December, Suter was fourth in goal-scoring for the Canucks, having tallied 11 in 35 games. This total was already only four goals away from his career-high of 15 in a single season. He ended up breaking his personal record on March 1 against the Seattle Kraken, scoring his 16th goal of the season in 59 games played.
Suter’s role with the team shifted at the end of January, but changed more substantially towards mid-March. As much as the J.T. Miller trade impacted each player’s role with the team, these things didn’t change as much as they did when centers Filip Chytil and Elias Pettersson both had their seasons cut short due to injury within the span of a week. This forced Suter into the role of first-line center — an opportunity that he hadn’t had at all yet in his time with the Canucks.
From the day Pettersson got injured to the end of the season, Suter logged the highest playing time of all forwards with 252:37 minutes in 12 games. In this span of time, he took the most faceoffs (208), logged the third-highest power play minutes (34:31) and time on the penalty kill (26:22), and scored the most points (5G, 5A). When put in the role of a top-six center, Suter performed well, forcing the Canucks to face tough decisions heading into the off-season.
Suter capped off his time with the Canucks very memorably, helping lead the effort to keep Vancouver’s playoff hopes alive by only a thread when down to the wire. The Canucks made NHL history on April 8, coming back from a 5–2 deficit within the final minute of regulation in a game against the Dallas Stars. Two of the three goals scored by the Canucks came from Suter, who found the back of the net to tie the game with six seconds remaining in regulation.
Vancouver will welcome Suter back to Rogers Arena tonight when he and the Blues arrive for their 4:00 pm PT matchup. This game will be available to stream on Amazon Prime as part of Prime Monday Night Hockey.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
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‘We Need More From Him’: Maple Leafs’ Craig Berube Challenges William Nylander For Offense Following Defeat To Red Wings
The Toronto Maple Leafs fell 3-2 to the Detroit Red Wings on Monday afternoon at Scotiabank Arena, earning no points in the standings. Despite clawing back from a 2-0 deficit, Detroit's Mason Appleton scored the game-winning goal with 45 seconds left in regulation time.
After the game, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube expressed he wants more offense from the club’s second line, which has historically seen production from John Tavares and William Nylander. Berube was particularly critical of Nylander, who has just three shots on goal through Toronto’s first three games of the season.
“Willy needs more shots. He doesn't have enough shots,” Berube said. Berube noted the forward's low output: “I think in Detroit he didn't have any, had one or two tonight against the Red Wings. We need to get him more. He needs to attack more, needs to shoot more. He's got to get on the inside more like things like that. So yes, we do need more of him”.
Nylander opened the season with a goal and two assists in Toronto’s 5-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens. However, the goal and one of the assists were scored on an empty Montreal net.
'He Did Everything For Us': Morgan Rielly Renaissance Kicks Off As Maple Leafs Down Canadiens In Season Opener The Toronto Maple Leafs didn't have any turnover on their defense from last season to this one , but they still wanted to see improvement from their highest-paid and longest-tenured defenseman.
The forward currently leads the Leafs with 14 offensive zone starts. Yet, according to Natural Stat Trick, he ranks 14th on the team in expected goals share (42.76 percent) and 17th in high-danger scoring chances share (40 percent).
Berube was asked if he felt that Nylander was moving his feet enough through three games, citing that issue in the past even when the Swede was playing well.
“Well, there is shifts in times where he is skating. But I just feel like he's, it's not enough. We need more of them,” Berube said, referring to Nylander and the second line in general. “I think it's a little bit new linemates too, but. I don't know exactly what it is, to be honest with you. But I’ll have a conversation with him and see where he’s at and what’s going on”.
The Leafs fell to 1-2-0 this season against Detroit, a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in nine seasons. There was some concern that Toronto may struggle to recoup some of the offense that departed with Mitch Marner, who signed with the Vegas Golden Knights. Nylander, who led the team with 45 goals last season, was certainly expected to produce more in the early going.
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Couturier leads Flyers' charge in home-opening win over Panthers
Couturier leads Flyers' charge in home-opening win over Panthers originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
With a good crowd behind them, the Flyers took down the Panthers, 5-2, in their home opener Monday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Sean Couturier, Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink and Christian Dvorak scored goals for the Flyers, who improved to 1-1-1 with their first win.
Couturier’s second goal of the night was the game-winner with 4:10 minutes left in the third period. Trevor Zegras found him with a beautiful assist from behind the net.
The goals from Brink and Dvorak were empty-netters.
Rick Tocchet’s club handed the two-time defending champion Panthers (3-1-0) their first loss. Florida remained without injured forwards Aleksander Barkov (knee) and Matthew Tkachuk (groin).
The Flyers are 1-1-0 against the Panthers with one more matchup to go. The clubs meet Nov. 26 back in Sunrise, Florida, where the Flyers opened the season last Thursday.
• What a difference in home openers for Couturier.
In last season’s home opener, the established center puzzlingly started the game on the fourth-line left wing.
In this season’s home opener, he had two goals and two assists.
The 32-year-old captain unleashed a huge pump of the fist after cushioning the Flyers’ lead to 2-0 with a breakaway goal in the middle stanza. Travis Konecny found him with an excellent pass.
Couturier was terrific all night.
• Dan Vladar converted 24 saves on 26 shots in his regular-season home debut with the Flyers.
He made some athletic and timely saves. In each of his two starts so far, he has given up only two goals.
Sam Reinhart cracked him late in the second period with a shorthanded goal, drawing the Panthers within 2-1 at second intermission.
Vladar fell on Sam Bennett’s game-tying power play goal about midway through the third period.
The Flyers’ penalty kill went 4 for 5.
Florida backup Daniil Tarasov stopped 17 of 20 shots.
• After being called up Sunday from AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley, Emil Andrae made his season debut in place of Egor Zamula.
The Flyers’ defensive depth is being challenged right now and Tocchet has been wanting more consistency from his bottom pair so he can better allocate minutes.
“We’re looking for somebody to make a statement on defense,” the head coach said after morning skate.
Andrae was real solid against the Panthers. The 23-year-old played with his confident puck-moving style. He was assigned to the Phantoms after playing in just two preseason games.
“Of course I was disappointed to get sent down, I didn’t play well enough to make the roster,” Andrae said after morning skate. “I just had the mindset to get back here. Go down to Lehigh, even if it takes one game or two months, I want to get back here. It’s my goal. Now I’ve got an opportunity and I’ve got to take it.”
The Flyers want to see Zamula improve his decision-making process with the puck. Former head coach John Tortorella always wanted Zamula to play with more pace.
“Yeah, I think there’s a little bit of validity to that,” Tocchet said after morning skate. “I think he gets the puck and he’s staring at his options. There’s 20 feet of space, I want him to get going. You don’t have to be the fastest player, but I think if you think faster, you look faster. That’s something he has to get better at.”
• Cam York missed a third straight game, but the top-pair defenseman took part in morning skate.
The 24-year-old has been considered day to day with a lower-body injury.
The Flyers have a couple of practices before their next game, giving York a good runway to potentially return this week.
“There is a possibility he could play Thursday,” Tocchet said after morning skate.
• The Flyers debuted their No. 1 jersey patch, which will be worn all season to honor the late Bernie Parent.
His No. 1, which hangs in the rafters here, will also be displayed on the ice behind each net.
The organization’s beloved former goalie, a Hockey Fall of Famer who led the Flyers to their back-to-back Stanley Cup titles, died Sept. 21 at the age of 80.
• The Flyers are scheduled to practice Tuesday and Wednesday before hosting the Jets on Thursday (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).
Winnipeg won the Presidents’ Trophy last season, so it’s another early test for the Flyers.
Scalabrine: Josh Minott is fitting the bill of what Celtics will need
Scalabrine: Josh Minott is fitting the bill of what Celtics will need originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Josh Minott looks worthy of Brad Stevens’ investment.
The Boston Celtics newcomer, who signed a two-year contract worth $5 million this offseason, has impressed during three preseason games and looks like a capable depth piece entering the 2025-26 campaign.
A 6-foot-8, 205-pound forward, Minott earned some well-deserved praise from NBC Sports Boston analyst Brian Scalabrine after the Green claimed a win against the Cavaliers on Sunday. Minott took home his first Tommy Award following his 16-point performance off the bench.
“He plays hard every possession,” Scalabrine said after Boston’s 138-107 victory. “I love him operating out of the corner because he can knock down the corner three, he can drive out of it. His energy is infectious.”
Minott is averaging 12.3 points and shooting better than 50 percent from the field during the preseason slate. He’s added 6.3 rebounds on average and stuffed the stat sheet with a total of five steals and two blocks in three contests.
“He’s making things happen on both sides of the ball,” Scalabrine said. “That’s all the things that this team is going to need. Hard-playing guys that have a ton of confidence. Minott fits that bill.”
The 22-year-old spent the last three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves where he averaged 2.3 points and 1.0 rebounds in five minutes per game. He was a second-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Minott has been tasked to be a disruptor on the defensive end all while head coach Joe Mazzulla is putting a clear emphasis on rebounding.
“I feel like defensive versatility, it starts with that,” Minott said of his game. “I feel like after that everything else is a plus. I’m just doing what Joe expects me to do, trying to muck up the game, make it harder on the opposing offense.”
When the regular season tips off, Minott might not receive the same 20-plus minutes he’s received during the preseason. The Celtics have some wing depth headlined by Jaylen Brown. Minott, though, could carve out an impactful every night role if he continues to play the same way he is now.
Takeaways: Nashville Predators Pick Up First Road Win, Down Senators 4-1
Oct 13, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Dylan Cozens (24) and Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Perbix (48) track the puck following a save by goalie Juuse Saros (74) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
After getting three out of a possible four points in their two home games to open the season, the Nashville Predators took to the road to start a four-game road swing across Canada.
Their first stop was Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa Monday against the Senators in an early afternoon contest on Canadian Thanksgiving Day.
In the end, it was the Predators who gave thanks, coming away with a 4-1 victory to start the season 2-0-1 and notch their first road win. Jonathan Marchessault scored two goals including an empty-netter, while Ryan O'Reilly lit the lamp for the second time this season, and Cole Smith also got an empty-net tally.
The Preds started and finished strong, something that has been an issue for the team over the past year. Juuse Saros has looked unstoppable through three games, stopping 30 of 31 shots he faced on Monday.
After playing in the first two games, Brady Martin was a healthy scratch against the Senators. This is part of his development plan, according to head coach Andrew Brunette. He will most likely be back in the lineup for Tuesday’s game in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.
Here are three takeaways from the Predators' victory.
The Predators Showed Intensity Early
Through much of last season and the first two games of this young campaign, the Predators have had a tendency to come out of the gate sluggish.
Against the Sens, they showed some intensity early in the first period and did a nice job forechecking, creating turnovers and passing the puck.
There were some lags, of course, including a 10-minutes span during the middle frame when the Predators failed to get off a shot.
Marchessault finally got the Predators on the board at 12:21 of the period for his first goal of the season. Michael Bunting and Erik Haula each picked up an assist.
Add a little bit of ✨Marchy Magic✨ pic.twitter.com/HsmPnhSQVB
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) October 13, 2025
It was difficult to get into a consistent flow in the first period, with 14 penalty minutes assessed between the two teams. But the Preds showed some signs of taking the game to their opponent right from the start, which is especially important on the road.
The real test will come when Nashville plays the second of a back-to-back Tuesday in Toronto.
Special Teams Are Once Again A Mixed Bag
The Preds’ penalty-kill unit came into Monday perfect in five chances through the first two games of the season. Aside from one blemish that netted the Sens' only goal late in the third period, the PK was solid once again.
The unit was put to the test early against Ottawa, and successfully converted on three chances in the first period alone.
During a Sens power play for delay of game, Fedor Svechkov went to the sin bin for interference with 37 seconds left on the man advantage.
Roman Josi then went off for cross-checking Brady Tkachuk to put Ottawa in a 5-on-3. Cole Smith almost got a shorthanded tally for the Predators on a nice setup from Erik Haula at 5-on-4, but Ottawa goalie Linus Ullmark denied him. Nashville got through the entire sequence successfully.
For the day, Nashville went 4-for-5 on the PK. Ridly Greig's power-play tally at 17:57 broke the perfect streak of 9-for-9 on the season.
It's a great start for a unit that finished seventh in the NHL at 81.5%.
The power play, however, continued to struggle. The Preds did not score on all six of their chances with the man advantage.
It wasn't for lack of trying. Filip Forsberg was robbed twice by Ullmark on two great scoring opportunities after a breakaway on the first power play.
Steven Stamkos had another chance on a later man advantage when Shane Pinto went off for holding Forsberg. Once again, Ullmark was up to the task.
Including Monday's game, the Predators power-play unit is 1-for-15 through three games. Fortunately, it hasn't hurt them to a great deal to this point, but that will certainly change over the long haul if it doesn't improve.
Goaltending Made A Difference Once Again
Coming into the season, there were questions about whether Juuse Saros could regain his form of 2023-24, when he posted a 2.86 goals-against average and .906 save percentage.
Through the first three games, the Finnish netminder has answered that question with a resounding YES. He has 88 saves on 93 shots faced, sporting a .945 save percentage.
On Monday, he stopped 30 of 31 shots and made numerous key saves, including one following O'Reilly's goal.
Along with that, the Preds defense has backed him up well, blocking shots and making the difference in the two victories.
Luka Doncic set to play in first preseason game against Suns Tuesday
When Luka Doncic plays in his first exhibition game of the season for the Lakers against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night, Coach JJ Redick said the plan with his star is pretty simple.
“Give him the ball,” Redick said, laughing.
Redick paused for a second.
“You talking about minutes?" he asked.
Redick said they are “still working through what that looks like” with the Lakers’ staff and Doncic’s team.
Read more:JJ Redick isn't overly concerned about the Lakers' on-court chemistry
“I think very likely it'll be some form of a ramp-up from tomorrow to whenever the second game is that he plays in,” Redick said. “What that looks like in terms of the total minute, I don't know."
But one thing is for certain when Doncic steps on the court with his teammates.
"Yeah, he'll touch the basketball,” Redick said.
The Lakers then play a back-to-back game Wednesday night in Las Vegas against the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic’s old team, but it’s highly unlikely he plays in that game.
The Lakers finish their preseason against the Sacramento Kings Friday night at Crypto.com Arena, which is when Doncic probably will play, especially since he said last week that he wanted to play in two preseason games.
The Lakers open the regular season Oct. 21 against the Golden State Warriors at home and that is the main thing Doncic is getting ready for.
He’s done more in practice, giving his teammates a view of what Doncic is like.
“Oh, he's moving great,” Jarred Vanderbilt said. “Everything that I've seen from him, he's being vocal. He's leading the charge. He's being everything we need him to be right now. So, we're happy to have him out there right now during this week, him getting some good practices and running with us, and just starting to build that momentum towards the regular season.”
Etc.
Redick said Marcus Smart, who has been recovering from an Achilles tendinopathy injury, will play against the Suns. … Redick said Maxi Kleber (quad) participated in the Lakers’ stay-ready game Monday.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Islanders fall to 0-3 on the season with 5-2 loss to Jets
ELMONT, N.Y. (AP) — Jonathan Toews recorded his first point in nearly two-and-a-half years on an assist, and the Winnipeg Jets had five different players score goals in a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders on Monday.
Logan Stanley, Mark Scheifele, Nino Niederreiter, Morgan Barron and Tanner Pearson scored for the Jets.
Gustav Nyquist and Toews, who missed the past two seasons because of the effects of chronic immune response syndrome and long COVID, assisted Niederreiter’s power-play goal about halfway through the first period.
Emil Heineman and Jean-Gabriel Pageau each scored for the Islanders.
Eric Comrie stopped 33 shots for the Jets. Ilya Sorokin had 21 saves for the Islanders, who went scoreless on five power plays.
The Islanders remain winless at 0-3-0, having allowed 13 goals to start the season. The Jets are 2-1-0.
Up next
Jets: Visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.
Islanders: Host the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.