Category: Sports News

Worldwide Sports News

Posted on

Red Wings’ Strong Start Dims Spotlight on Former Top Pick’s Struggles

The Detroit Red Wings are white hot to start the season with a 5-0-0 record since head coach Todd McLellan called the team out for their performance in the season opener loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Since then, the Wings have outscored their opponents 19–9, with nearly all of their victories coming against high-caliber competition including the back-to-back Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers, their divisional rivals the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, and two wins over the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

During the Red Wings’ recent hot streak, captain Dylan Larkin has set the tone with outstanding play, recording four goals and six assists for 10 points in 10 games, the most points in the NHL over that span. Detroit’s top-six forwards have all chipped in, with rookie Emmitt Finnie standing out early. Finnie has posted two goals and three assists through his first five games, maintaining a point-per-game pace, highlighted by his two-goal performance Sunday against Edmonton. His strong start has him tied for the league lead in rookie scoring alongside Minnesota’s Zeev Buium.

"Winning In Different Ways": Dylan Larkin Points To Depth Contributions As Part Of Winning Streak"Winning In Different Ways": Dylan Larkin Points To Depth Contributions As Part Of Winning StreakDetroit Red Wings team captain Dylan Larkin, who scored twice in Sunday afternoon's 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers, pointed to the contributions of players that don't necessarily grab the most attention in the headlines as part of his team's winning streak.

The Red Wings’ second line, built around the star tandem of “Cat and Pat” (Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane) with Marco Kasper in the middle, has been nothing short of dominant. The trio has combined for two goals and eight assists (11 points), making an impact both at even strength and on the power play. Depth contributions have come as well, with Mason Appleton adding three goals and an assist. 

Only one Detroit player has played all six games remains without a point. While fans are buzzing about Finnie and rookie defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård has yet to find the scoresheet despite averaging 13:43 of ice time per game on the third line. He currently sits with a -3 rating, tied with Travis Hamonic for the team’s worst plus-minus rating.

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

The lack of production is surprising given Brandsegg-Nygård’s strong preseason, when he tallied four goals and two assists for six points in seven exhibition games. The coaching staff has continued to give him opportunities, including minutes on the second power-play unit, where he still maintains a role as he looks to regain his scoring touch.

The real question is whether Brandsegg-Nygård just needs a bit more time before breaking out like Finnie did against Edmonton, or if he’s not quite the player fans hoped he’d be. 

Rookie Emmitt Finnie's Two Goals Help Red Wings Win Fifth Straight Game Rookie Emmitt Finnie's Two Goals Help Red Wings Win Fifth Straight Game Detroit Red Wings rookie forward Emmitt Finnie scored his first two NHL goals, helping his team earn their fifth straight win with a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers at Little Caesars Arena.

To be fair to the 20-year-old Norwegian winger, Brandsegg-Nygård has done plenty to try and make an impact. He’s tied with Finnie for the team lead in hits (21) and has posted above-average metrics across several areas. His top skating speed of 22.12 mph ranks in the 77th percentile league-wide, while his 83.02 mph shot velocity sits six miles per hour above the NHL average, placing him in the 75th percentile. He’s also generated nine shots this season, slightly above the league average of 8.6, and his four mid-range and two high-danger scoring chances suggest that a breakthrough could be right around the corner especially with a favorable stretch of opponents ahead.

The Red Wings next face the Buffalo Sabres, who have shown recent improvement but still surrendered 14 goals over their first four games, followed by a matchup with the New York Islanders and a home-and-home series against the St. Louis Blues. Both the Islanders and Blues rank in the bottom 13 defensively, allowing 19 and 18 goals, respectively. The opportunities will be there for Brandsegg-Nygård, but if he can’t start creating his own chances soon, Detroit’s coaching staff may be forced to explore other lineup options to reward players who are generating more offense.

Red Wings' Starting Goalie Debate Hotter Than Ever Following Gibson's 31-Save EffortRed Wings' Starting Goalie Debate Hotter Than Ever Following Gibson's 31-Save EffortGibson's 31-save spectacle ignites Detroit's goalie controversy. Who gets the crease against Edmonton?

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

Posted on

Matthew Robertson making the most of long-awaited opportunity in Rangers’ lineup

It’s been a long road to the NHL for young Rangers defenseman Matthew Robertson. 

Robertson was selected back in 2019 with the 49th overall pick in the second round of the NHL Draft, and he spent his first four seasons stashed down in the AHL before receiving a call-up down the stretch last year. 

With New York eliminated from the playoff race, he appeared in the final two games of the regular season, finishing with three shots on goal and a +3 rating. 

After more changes to the defensive core this offseason, Robertson cracked the roster as the extra defenseman to start this season, but with injuries and sluggish play he’s quickly made his way into the lineup. 

Thus far, the 24-year-old has taken advantage of the opportunity. 

“I’ve waited a long time for this,” Robertson told Mollie Walker of the NY Post. “I came into camp not knowing what to expect and I’m just grateful for the opportunity. Trying to make the most of every opportunity I get and trying to get better each day.”

Robertson certainly has looked the part as he’s skated in the Blueshirts’ last four games. 

He finally found his way onto the scorers’ sheet on Saturday night, firing a shot from the point past Montreal’s Sam Montembeault to give him his first career goal and the Rangers their first lead in the third period.  

That made up for the first big mistake of his pro career, which occurred just a minute and a half into the opening period, as a turnover sent the Canadiens the other way for an odd-man rush and the game’s opening goal. 

Mike Sullivan liked how he was able to shake it and bounceback later on. 

“As a young player, sometimes that can affect a guy,” the head coach said. “What I loved about it is just his response — his ability to shake it off and just play. Watching him the rest of the night, he was competing and playing hard, it didn’t effect his confidence or swagger.”

If that confidence and swagger continue growing, perhaps Robertson can solidify himself as a mainstay in the lineup. 

Posted on

Mets prospects Nick Morabito, Chris Suero carrying strong minor league seasons into Arizona Fall League

The Mets may already be in offseason mode, but two of their young talents have been able to carry their strong minor league seasons into the early days of the Arizona Fall League.

Nick Morabito and Chris Suero have been two of the top performers thus far for the Scottsdale Scorpions. 

Morabito slotted right back into the leadoff spot for the squad on Sunday night and he made an immediate impact, starting the bottom of the first with a second pitch single up the middle.

The speedster would steal both second and third, and scored the games opening run on a throwing error.

He would reach base twice during the 12-run bottom of the second, drawing a walk and scoring on an RBI double, then lining his second single of the game right back up the middle when his turn came back around. 

The game was called early after the ballpark was evacuated for a fire alarm going off, so Morabito finished the night 2-for-4 to bring his average to a stellar .391 through six AFL games. 

He also has a double, triple, six stolen bases (in seven attempts), and a 1.039 OPS to this point. 

The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the up-and-coming outfield prospects in the system, hitting .273 with an incredible 49 stolen bases (60 attempts) and a .348 on-base percentage in Binghamton this year.

Suero received the night off on Sunday, but he’s been swinging a good bat early in the Fall League, as well. 

The Bronx-native has kept his power-stroke going, hitting a double and two homers over his first five games. He also has two steals and continues to show his versatility, seeing time at all three of his positions (C, 1B, LF).  

Like Morabito, Suero enjoyed a bit of a breakout campaign this year, reaching Double-A at just 21 years old.  

He finished with 16 homers, 35 stolen bases, 68 RBI, and a .379 OBP between Binghamton and Brooklyn. 

The two are ranked back-to-back (15th and 16th) on Joe DeMayo's midseason Top-30 list. 

Posted on

WBS Penguins Win Back-To-Back, Remain Undefeated

The good times continue to roll in the early part of the AHL season for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins. 

After sweeping their set of games to start the season last weekend, the WBS Penguins managed to do it all again Friday and Saturday. The first was a 5-2 victory over the Hartford Wolfpack, while the second leg of the back-to-back was a 6-3 win over the Bridgeport Islanders.

And - as was the case in the first two games of the season - many of the top Penguins' prospects shined. Goaltender Sergei Murashov earned both starts, and he stopped 28 of 30 shots Friday for a .933 save percentage as well as 29 of 32 Saturday for a .906 save percentage.

Against Hartford, the scoring opened with Penguins' forward Rafael Harvey-Pinard a tick more than 12 minutes into the opening frame. Just under three minutes later, Atley Calvert - an undrafted signee who registered nine goals and 14 points in 26 games - scored his first of the season to put the Penguins up, 2-0, heading into first intermission. 

WBS Penguins Start Strong, Take Both Games Of Weekend SwingWBS Penguins Start Strong, Take Both Games Of Weekend SwingThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> are off to a 2-1 start this season, and they have played a bit better than most had expected up to this point.&nbsp;

Avery Hayes added his second of the season on a power play within the opening six minutes, and the Penguins led, 3-0. Gabe Perrault did score for the Wolfpack before the end of the middle frame, and Adam Sykora added a Hartford tally in the first part of the third period to pull the game to within one.

Then, Calvert came through again. With little more than eight minutes remaining in regulation, Calvert battled for positioning in the blue paint and was able to put one home to put the Penguins up, 4-2. Tristan Broz added his third of the season - and empty-net shorthanded goal - with less than three minutes left to cap off the 5-2 win.

Saturday went quite a bit differently for the Penguins - and for Murashov - in comparison to the other three games up to that point in the season. Murashov surrendered three goals in the first period to Alex Jefferies (shorthanded), Adam Beckman, and Hunter Drew. 

Then, Murashov turned things around - and so did the Penguins. 

In a tightly-contested second period, defenseman Ryan Graves - waived by Pittsburgh at the conclusion of NHL training camp - recorded his first goal of the season with less than five minutes left until second intermission. It was the Penguins' only goal that period, but it gave them some momentum heading into the final frame, where the onslaught ensued. 

In the third, the Penguins erupted for five consecutive goals by Harvey-Pinard, Sam Poulin, Ville Koivunen, Danton Heinen, and Calvert - which was a shorthanded goal - in 11 minutes and 10 seconds. Their six unanswered goals led them to the 6-3 victory.

Heinen - also waived by Pittsburgh - led the way with six points on the weekend, giving him a team-leading seven points in four games on the young season. 

Penguins' Top Goaltending Prospect Off To Hot Start In AHLPenguins' Top Goaltending Prospect Off To Hot Start In AHLAfter an eye-opening training camp, a top <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' goaltending prospect is enjoying a hot start to his AHL season.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!    

Posted on

Ryan Donato's Overtime Winner Lifts Blackhawks Past Ducks 2-1

The Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks are more known for playing an exciting brand of hockey than being these defensive stalwarts. That made the 0-0 score through two periods feel a bit strange, but they will always declare a winner. 

At 9:43 of the third period, Frank Nazar gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead. He scored by sweeping in a puck that went off the crossbar via a shot by Wyatt Kaiser. On the goal, Ryan Donato made a great effort play to keep it alive before Nazar and Kaiser went to work. 

Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) on XBlackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) on XNAZAR ON THE REBOUND HAWKS TAKE A 1-0 LEAD 🔥

It looked like that one goal would be all that was needed, but the tables turned very late in regulation. At 19:24 of the third period, with the goalie pulled, the Anaheim Ducks tied it on a goal scored by Mason McTavish. 

Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) on XAnaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) on X🚨 MAC-T 🚨 TIE GAME WITH 30 SECONDS LEFT! #FlyTogether

It could be deflating to let a 1-0 lead slip away like that, but that's what seems to be different about this Blackhawks group as opposed to recent seasons. 

"I just take a drink of water and keep going," Spencer Knight said after the game when asked about how he responds to the team letting the one-goal lead slip away.

Knight was also adamant that one-goal games are important to learn to win in the NHL. He referenced the playoffs all being close matches, which he would know from his time learning in the Florida Panthers organization. 

It isn't just the mindset that separates Knight from his peers; it is his overall talent. He made 38 saves on 39 shots, which played a key role in the team getting the win. His goals against average of 1.96 (8th) and save percentage of .937 (6th) rank in the top ten of all NHL goalies. 

Once the team got to overtime, there were chances on both sides. It was when Connor Bedard made a great play to find Ryan Donato in front of the net that the Blackhawks won in sudden-death overtime. Sam Rinzel, who was magnificent in all three zones, also collected an assist on the goal. 

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on XChicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on XHANG IT IN THE LOUVRE🖼️🤌

Bedard could have had a lot more than that assist. He was flying out there. A case could be made that it was his best overall game of the season, despite having just the one point. His work as a two-way center gets better and better with each passing game. 

After playing seven competitive games, the Blackhawks now have a little bit of a break. They don't play until Thursday when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning down in Tampa. This is a chance to get some rest, get a player or two back from injury, and regroup before another important stretch of games. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

Posted on

MSG Network Adds Two Former Devils to Broadcast Team

The New Jersey Devils and MSG Network have announced that two former players will join the team as TV analysts for pre- and post-game coverage occasionally over the course of the season.

The MSG Network serves as the primary broadcast home for the Devils, Rangers, Islanders, and Knicks. Cory Schneider and Mike Rupp will join Rachel Herzog and Bryce Salvador during the 2025–26 season.

Schneider played for the Devils from 2013 to 2020. He shared goaltending duties with Martin Brodeur during his first season before becoming the team’s number one goalie.

Drafted 26th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Schneider spent five seasons in Vancouver before joining New Jersey. He finished his career with the Islanders. In total, Schneider played 410 NHL games, recording 171 wins and a .918 save percentage.

Rupp also spent time with the Devils, playing for the organization from 2002 to 2009. During that period, he also played for the Phoenix Coyotes (2003–2006) and the Columbus Blue Jackets (2005–2006). His last five seasons in the league were spent with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, and New York Rangers. While with New Jersey, Rupp won the Stanley Cup in 2003.

Drafted in the third round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Rupp played 610 NHL games over his career, recording 99 points, including 54 goals and 45 assists.

Now 45 years old, Rupp has transitioned to broadcasting. Both he and Schneider have experience as analysts with the NHL Network and bring on-air experience following their playing careers.

They are set to make several appearances throughout the season, as the former Devils start their MSG Broadcasting rookie seasons. 

Posted on

Portland reaches extensions with Shaedon Sharpe (4 years, $90 million), Toumani Camara (4 years, $82 million)

There are legitimate questions about what the Portland Trail Blazers will look like on the court in a few years and which parts of their young core will be part of that future, but an athletic scoring wing and an All-Defense forward can fit in any plan.

Which is why Portland locked down two key young players on Sunday with rookie contract extensions. The Blazers and Shaedon Sharpe agreed to a four-year, $90 million extension, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN. The Trail Blazers have also agreed to a four-year, $82 million contract extension with defensive forward Toumani Camara, a deal also broken by ESPN’s Charania.

This is fantastic work by the Portland front office — they have locked up their two best wing players for the next five years at a price that will be less than 15% of the salary cap (hat tip to Keith Smith).

Sharpe is an athletic wing who averaged a career-high 18.5 points a game last season, adding 4.5 rebounds a night, but seems poised for a breakout season. He needs to improve his efficiency — 31.1% on 3-pointers last season and a 55.1 true shooting percentage that was a tick below the league average — and on the defensive end, but if he does, this will be a steal of a contract. His athleticism and ability to throw down dunks are not in question.

A lot of people around the league thought Sharpe's extension would end up north of $100 million, to get him at $90 million for the four years is a win for the Trail Blazers.

The Camara extension locks up a 25-year-old All-Defense Team player from a year ago who has been improving on offense each season. Camara's max extension would have been four years, $87 million, and that would have been a fair price. To get him on a contract worth less than $21 million on average is a great deal from Portland's front office.

Camara was almost a throw-in part of the three-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee and brought Deandre Ayton to Portland, but he ended up being one of the best parts of it for the Blazers. On top of being an elite defender, Camara is improving on offense and averaged 11.3 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc last season.

Posted on

‘Rather be where I am’: Oscar Piastri remains confident in F1 title hopes as lead narrows

  • Australian’s lead in Formula One driver standings slashed to 14 points

  • Max Verstappen back in contention after two victories at US Grand Prix

Oscar Piastri remains confident in his Formula One world championship chances after Lando Norris and Max Verstappen slashed the Australian driver’s lead at the United States Grand Prix.

Piastri endured a difficult weekend in Austin, colliding with McLaren teammate Norris in Saturday’s sprint as both were dumped out before managing only fifth in the GP race as Verstappen eased to victory.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Shohei Ohtani and the 10 greatest performances in MLB postseason history

In tossing six scoreless innings and hitting about 1,430 feet of home runs, Shohei Ohtani put up probably the most unique performance in postseason history Friday in NLCS Game 5 against the Brewers. It was perhaps the most spectacular athletic performance ever to take place on a baseball field. Maybe even any sort of field. But was it the greatest individual performance in major league postseason history?

That's a difficult question, one that many would argue hinges on context. Obviously, starring in Game 4 of the NLCS with a 3-0 series lead isn't the same as Game 7 of World Series.

But what is it up against? Here's a rundown of perhaps the top 10 single-game performances in MLB postseason history.

MLB: Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves
Way-Too-Early 2026 Fantasy Baseball Top 300 Rankings
Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani at the top? Our early 2026 Top 300 rankings highlight key fantasy storylines heading into the MLB offseason.

Best Individual MLB Postseason Performances

Honorable Mention

1963 World Series Game 1: Sandy Koufax fans 15 Yankees

Koufax threw two shutouts in the 1965 World Series, including one in Game 7 to finish off the Twins. Still, perhaps even more impressive was his two-game set in a sweep of the Yankees in the 1963 World Series. Koufax outdueled Whitey Ford twice in 5-2 and 2-1 victories, and his 15 strikeouts in Game 1 set a postseason record that has only since been exceeded twice, including once by...

Honorable Mention

1968 World Series Game 1: Bob Gibson’s 17-K shutout

Fairly or not, Gibson’s Game 7 loss keeps the Game 1 performance out of the top 10 here. Prior to that, he outdueled 1968 AL Cy Young winner Denny McLain twice in 4-0 and 10-1 complete-game victories. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, McLain came back out and won Game 6 and Mickey Lolich, working on two days’ rest after winning Game 5, got the better of Gibson as the Tigers won Game 7 by a 4-1 score.

Honorable Mention

2022 ALDS Game 1: Yordan Alvarez walks it off in ninth

In all of postseason history, two individual performances have amounted to at least a 1.0 Win Probability Added, which is a measure of how each event in a game changed win expectancy (a first-inning homer might increase a team's chances of winning from 50 to 60 percent, which would be a 0.1 win expectancy, while Kirk Gibson's famous walkoff homer in the 1988 World Series was worth 0.87). The first of those was pulled off by Babe Ruth the pitcher, who allowed one run over 14 innings to win Game 2 of the 1916 World Series for the Red Sox. The second was by Alvarez, who had already driven in two runs against the Mariners when he hit a three-run homer off Paul Sewald with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give the Astros a 7-5 win. That changed the Astros' win expectancy from nine percent to 100. But, of course, it was Game 1 of the ALDS.

Honorable Mention

2010 NLDS Game 1: Roy Halladay’s no-hitter in postseason debut

The Blue Jays never reached the playoffs in Halladay’s 12 seasons in Toronto, so the 33-year-old, who was about to win his second Cy Young Award in his first season with the Phillies, was making his postseason debut when he faced the Reds to start the 2010 NLDS. What followed was his second no-hitter of the year (the first was also a perfect game), as he allowed just a single walk to the Reds.

10) 1921 World Series Game 8: Art Nehf shuts out Yankees

Yes, Game 8, as this was the fourth and final World Series to use a best-of-nine format. The New York Giants’ starter, Nehf, was matched up with Waite Hoyt for the third time after losing Game 2 by a 3-0 score and game 5 by a 3-1 margin. This time, Nehf got the better of the future Hall of Famer in a 1-0 game, ending the series with the Giants winning 5-3. It helped a bit that Babe Ruth was limited to a pinch-hitting appearance by a bad knee.

9) 1999 ALDS Game 5: Troy O’Leary & Pedro Martinez finish off Cleveland

Pick either. After losing the first two games of the best-of-five series, the Red Sox stormed back to take Games 3 and 4 by 9-3 and 23-7 margins. Game 5 was setting up as another shootout, with Cleveland leading 8-7 after three in spite of O’Leary’s grand slam in the third. That’s when Martinez, who had been forced to leave Game 1 with a shoulder problem, took over. He pitched six hitless innings with eight strikeouts, and O’Leary hit a second homer, a three-run shot, to break an 8-8 tie in the seventh. The seven RBI from O’Leary is still tied for the postseason record.

8) 1967 World Series Game 7: Bob Gibson goes distance, homers in win

Gibson didn't really need to homer off Boston's Jim Lonborg, who was also going for third win of the World Series, to pull off the Game 7 victory here, but it was the cherry on top. Gibson won Games 1, 4 and 7 in the series, allowing a total of three runs in his three complete games.

7) 1977 World Series Game 6: Reggie Jackson hits three home runs

With the Yankees trying to close out the Dodgers, the newly coined “Mr. October” made sure the nickname would stick, homering on all three of his swings in an 8-4 win. Jackson walked in his first plate appearance and scored on a homer from Chris Chambliss. He then homered in the fourth, fifth and eighth, plating a total of five runs in the 8-4 victory.

6) 1956 World Series Game 5: Don Larsen’s perfect game

Larsen had allowed nine runs -- five earned -- over 5 2/3 innings in two career postseason appearances for the Yankees when he suddenly turned in one of the most famous performances of all-time in the 1956 World Series, pitching a perfect game in a 2-0 win over the Dodgers. Facing a lineup loaded with five future Hall of Famers, he struck out seven while going 27 up and 27 down. It was the only ever postseason no-hitter until Halladay’s in the 2010 NLCS.

5) 1962 World Series Game 7: Ralph Terry downs Giants in Game 7

Mickey Mantle versus Willie Mays turned out to be a dud, as both superstars struggled in the second and final World Series matchup (both were rookies when the Yankees and Giants previously met in 1951). Terry, in his one and only All-Star campaign, turned out to be the difference maker. After taking a tough 2-0 loss in Game 2, he went the distance in a 5-3 victory in Game 5 and then hurled a shutout in Game 7, with Willie McCovey lining out to second baseman Bill Richardson to end a 1-0 game.

4) 2011 World Series Game 6: David Freese ties it, wins it against Rangers

A rather anonymous regular until this point, Freese had already put together a whopper of a postseason by the time the Cardinals-Rangers World Series got to Game 6. He went 0-for-3 with a walk in his first four plate appearances that night, but he had a two-run triple over Nelson Cruz’s head to tie game in the ninth and then a walkoff homer in the bottom of the 11th to send the series to Game 7. He had a two-run double in that one, too, as the Cardinals won the championship. In all, he hit .397 with five homers, eight doubles and 21 RBI in 18 postseason games.

3) 2025 NLCS Game 4: Shohei Ohtani homers three times, strikes out 10

Could anyone else do what Ohtani did in finishing off the Brewers? No, not a chance. He hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium and touched 100 mph on the radar gun twice, throwing the 11 hardest pitches of the game. Ohtani’s three-homer game was the 13th in postseason history, and he struck out 10 over six scoreless innings in the 5-1 victory. Ranking his performance on a list like this just comes down to how much one wants to weigh leverage. If Ohtani had been mediocre with a 3-0 series lead in the NLCS, the Dodgers still might have won the game and almost certainly would have won the series. That’s not the case with most of these other candidates.

2) 2014 World Series Game 7: Madison Bumgarner closes out stellar series

About the closest anyone has ever come to winning a World Series by himself, Bumgarner entered Game 7 against the Royals having already pitched seven innings of one-run ball in Game 1 and a complete-game shutout in Game 5. Going into Game 7, it was figured that he might have one or two innings in him on two-days rest, but he took the ball to begin the fifth for the Giants and never gave it up, throwing five scoreless innings to finish off a 3-2 victory.

1) 1991 World Series Game 7: Jack Morris outlasts John Smoltz in 1-0 win

The performance that made him a Hall of Famer. Morris, in his lone year with the Twins, won Game 1 against the Braves and then took a no-decision in his first matchup with Smoltz in Game 4, which Atlanta went on to win. Game 7 saw both pitchers work on three days’ rest, and Smoltz was incredible for 7 1/3 innings in the scoreless duel. Morris, meanwhile, kept plugging along, throwing 10 scoreless innings before Gene Larkin singled in Dan Gladden to give the Twins the title. No one since has pitched more than nine innings in a postseason game.

Posted on

Canadiens Star Enjoying Nice Hot Streak

Nick Suzuki (© Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)

While the Montreal Canadiens lost their last game to the New York Rangers by a 4-3 final score, there is no question that they are still having a strong start to the 2025-26 season. At the time of this writing, they have a 4-2-0 record and are second in the Atlantic Division.

When looking at the Canadiens' roster, there is no question that captain Nick Suzuki is standing out in a positive way. In six games so far this season, Suzuki has scored one goal and leads the team with seven assists. Furthermore, his eight points on the year have him tied for first on the Canadiens with Cole Caufield.

Suzuki has also been very consistent offensively early on, as he is currently on a five-game point streak. This includes him putting together a three-assist night against the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 11. 

With this, there is no question that the Suzuki is making an impact right now for the Canadiens. It will be interesting to see how the 26-year-old center builds on his hot start to the year from here. 

Posted on

‘For sure, the chance is there’: Max Verstappen hopeful he can retain F1 title

  • World champion powers to US Grand Prix win in Austin

  • Verstappen now 40 points behind leader Oscar Piastri

Max Verstappen is convinced that he is now very much in the fight for the world championship after his victory at the US Grand Prix. Following a dominant win in Austin the Red Bull driver was adamant he could still yet take his fifth title and was enthused at the chance to do so.

Verstappen won with a flawless drive from pole to flag at the Circuit of the Americas, and in so doing narrowed the gap to the championship leader Oscar Piastri to 40 points. In what is now a three-way title battle Lando Norris, who took second place, is just 14 points off Piastri.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Rookie Emmitt Finnie's Two Goals Help Red Wings Win Fifth Straight Game

The Detroit Red Wings have firmly placed the bad memories of their disappointing 5-1 setback against the Montreal Canadiens in their Home Opener in the rear view mirror, having now won five consecutive games since then. 

The Red Wings bested the visiting Edmonton Oilers by a 4-2 final score on Sunday afternoon, and once again, it was a Red Wings rookie stepping up his performance and helping his club earn a valuable two points in the standings.

Forward Emmitt Finnie, one of three rookies who made the final cut for the Red Wings out of Training Camp and the pre-season, scored his first two career NHL goals as part of the win. 

The Red Wings are now 5-1 through the first six games of their centennial campaign and have not only overtaken the Canadiens for first place in the Atlantic Division, but are also tied with the Carolina Hurricanes for top spot in the Eastern Conference. 

Finnie cleaned up a rebound of a shot by teammate Jacob Bernard-Docker and beat Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner for the milestone tally:

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

He also helped seal the victory by depositing the puck into the vacated Oilers net with Skinner on the bench for an extra attacker as Edmonton was pressing for what would have been the tying marker. 

He's the second rookie to light the lamp in as many games for the Red Wings, as Axel Sandin-Pellikka had scored his first career NHL goal in the previous game, a 2-1 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday evening. 

Finnie now has two goals and three assists on the season, putting him in a three-way tie with Matthew Schaefer and Zeev Buium for the lead in rookie points. 

The Red Wings also got a pair of goals from Dylan Larkin, who broke the scoreless tie by one-timing a pass from Ben Chiarot past Skinner from the slot and added another tally shortly after Finnie's goal. 

Edmonton countered with goals from Noah Philp and Leon Draisaitl. 

Red Wings' Rookie Emmitt Finnie Scores First NHL Goal vs. Oilers Red Wings' Rookie Emmitt Finnie Scores First NHL Goal vs. Oilers Only one game after fellow rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka buried his first goal in the NHL, Emmitt Finnie has now done the same on Sunday afternoon against the Edmonton Oilers.

Red Wings goaltender John Gibson was victorious in his second straight start, stopping 16 of 18 shots that he faced. Skinner stopped 20 shots in a losing effort. 

Detroit played without Patrick Kane, who was shaken up after crashing into the boards in overtime of Friday's game. 

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

Follow Michael Whitaker On X

Posted on

From oops to aahs, Jaxson Hayes and Lakers work to catch more of Luka Doncic's passes

Lakers center Jaxson Hayes reacts to a play during a preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 15 in Las Vegas
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes reacts to a play during a preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 15 in Las Vegas. (Candice Ward / Getty Images)

Lakers center Jaxson Hayes avoided major injury on his right wrist after a hard fall in Friday’s preseason finale as X-rays taken after the game came back negative and an MRI scan revealed what Hayes on Sunday called "a light sprain."

The 7-footer missed the second half of Friday’s exhibition game with a right wrist contusion after he caught a lob from Luka Doncic and was bumped in the air while jamming a two-handed dunk in the first quarter. He stayed in the game for the second quarter and expects to be ready for Tuesday’s regular-season opener against the Golden State Warriors.

“Being a dummy,” Hayes said after practice Sunday of how he got hurt on the play. “I shouldn't have tried to catch myself, should've just fallen."

Hayes scored six points in the preseason loss to the Sacramento Kings, all on soaring dunks. He and Doncic connected on Hayes’ first basket of the game as they were playing together in the preseason for the first time.

Read more:Luka Doncic sharp again, but Kings rally to beat Lakers

Doncic’s wizardry in the pick-and-roll makes him an athletic rim-running center’s dream as the crafty point guard drops passes from every imaginable angle. But in Doncic’s first training camp with the Lakers since last year’s midseason trade, players, including new center Deandre Ayton are still adjusting to Doncic’s passes.

While coach JJ Redick said he was happy with the Lakers’ 28 assists to 10 turnovers in the preseason game against the Kings, he estimated the team missed seven assist opportunities because of misfired lobs or overly complicated passes.

“For all bigs and point guards, when you start playing with a new big or a new point guard, it's a learning period,” Hayes said. “You just learn how they like their screens. You learn how they like you to roll to the hoop. It's just little things. You learn where they like to pass you the ball. … It's just those guys [Doncic and Ayton] are figuring each other out, just like me and Luka did last year."

The chemistry between Hayes and Doncic has gotten so strong that Hayes is being recruited to join the Slovenian national team and said he is working on getting a Slovenian passport. He and Doncic are both clients of agent Bill Duffy, and Doncic and his family have been involved in the process for about a year and half, Hayes said.

Lakers guard Luka Doncic looks up the floor while dribbling during a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 14.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic looks up the floor while dribbling during a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 14. (Kelsey Grant / Getty Images)

Hayes watched Slovenia’s run to the quarterfinals in EuroBasket with a careful eye knowing that joining the team could be a possibility for him in the future. FIBA allows each national team to have one naturalized player, which the international basketball governing body defines as a player who obtains their passport for that country after turning 16.

Hayes said he had hopes of representing the United States, but USA Basketball does not have open tryouts for senior national teams.

“I wanted to just play on that stage,” Hayes said. “So I'm going do whatever it takes to play on that stage."

Etc.

The Lakers cut down their roster to 14 standard contract players on Saturday, waiving RJ Davis, Augustas Marciulionis, Anton Watson and Nate Williams after training camp officially ended. The team kept center Christian Koloko and guards Chris Manon and Nick Smith Jr. on two-way contracts. ... Manon was nursing an ankle injury during training camp but was a full participant in practice on Sunday. Bronny James (ankle) and rookie Adou Thiero (knee) went through a modified workout.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Posted on

Marchand's Meltdown Was Embarrassing And Should've Led To Greater Punishment

On Saturday, Florida Panthers left winger Brad Marchand took exception to an unwarranted cross-check from Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.

Marchand tackled Dahlin, throwing haymakers as Dahlin crouched down and shielded himself from Marchand’s fists.

In and of itself, the dust-up wasn’t different than your garden-variety NHL scuffle. One guy decides another guy has gone too far, so he attacks him. We’ve seen it before, and we’ll see it again. 

However, there is a little more to this because it was well after the two players were physically separated when Marchand took things to an embarrassing level.

After he entered the penalty box, it became clear on the broadcast that he was holding onto Dahlin’s helmet. Marchand then proceeded to rip apart the helmet with his bare hands. In response, Dahlin laughed and appeared to call Marchand a clown.

In this writer’s point of view, Dahlin wasn’t inaccurate in calling Marchand that name. This was a dubious act that would be comical if it weren’t such a stain on the sport.

Ultimately, Marchand’s petty tantrum didn’t do any damage to anyone other than himself and the game. Additionally, it cost Marchand $5,000 after the league fined him on Sunday for his actions.

Panthers’ Marchand Fined $5,000 For His Actions Against Dahlin And The SabresPanthers’ Marchand Fined $5,000 For His Actions Against Dahlin And The SabresBrad Marchand received a $5,000 fine for his actions against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, attacking Rasmus Dahlin and vandalizing his helmet.

You don’t see nonsense like this take place in other professional sports leagues.

Imagine what would happen in pro tennis if one player destroyed all the tennis rackets of their opponent.

Think of the reaction in the MLB if a pitcher ran into his opponent’s dugout and started breaking all their baseball bats over his knee.

These are hypothetical situations, but it would be shocking if those leagues didn’t severely punish someone who degraded any notion of sportsmanlike conduct the way Marchand did in Saturday's game against the Sabres.

Indeed, Marchand’s actions landed him an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty – and the Sabres made him and the Panthers pay for it by scoring one of their goals in a 3-0 Buffalo win.

Brad Marchand (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

To add to the two minor penalties the Florida left winger received on the play, Marchand should’ve been hit with an additional delay of game penalty, as it took upwards of five minutes for Dahlin to find a helmet replacement that worked for him so that the game could resume. 

You can make the argument that the situations can occur in a contact sport. But the truth is, what Marchand did doesn't happen in the highly physical NFL. And if it did, there's no doubt there’d be a major penalty handed out on the spot.

Therefore, Marchand should count himself lucky that all he got was a supplemental-discipline penalty that amounted to a financial pittance to him.

What’s most disappointing is that we thought Marchand was past these sorts of antics. We’re not saying he’d become a magnanimous ambassador for hockey. But these are the kinds of actions Marchand used to be known for early in his NHL career. And on Saturday, his behavior slipped backward in a way that does nobody any good.

Sabres Beat Panthers For Second Straight Win -- But Hard Work For Buffalo Is Just BeginningSabres Beat Panthers For Second Straight Win -- But Hard Work For Buffalo Is Just BeginningDoan ignites offense, Lyon shines in net as Sabres build crucial momentum. But the pressure remains for sustained success.

At this point in his career, Marchand should know better. He can go after anyone he wants, but nowhere in hockey’s ‘code’ does it state it’s appropriate for one player to lose their marbles over a check – even if the check is borderline dirty. 

In failing to show so much as a modicum of discipline, Marchand failed himself and the Panthers. If Marchand’s actions show anything, it’s that, after all these years of NHL experience, he can still be lured into taking hot-headed actions that ultimately hurt his team. 

If he wants to be seen as a leader in Florida, he's going to have to comport himself better than that. 

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