Apr 8, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs guard guard Dylan Harper (2) during the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
I must admit that I didn’t have high hopes entering yesterday’s game. After all, both Castle and Wemby were sidelined, and the Spurs weren’t really playing for anything (the chance of them getting the first seed is now officially zero). In contrast, a Portland win tonight would have matched their record with the Clippers, giving them an excellent chance to finish the regular season with an improved position in the play-in. Even so, the shorthanded Spurs came out firing and won each of the first three quarters, showcasing impressive depth and versatility. While I hate to see injuries, especially this late in the season, it is heartening to know that this iteration of the Silver and Black can beat a motivated opponent without two of its best players.
Another piece of good news is that — while the box score for this game was pretty vanilla in some respects — it did produce some highly unusual combinations related to free throws, as you will see below. I’m testing out a slightly modified format for the highlights today; first, I’ll outline the key box score factors that determined the game. Second, I’ll identify any notable rarities contained within the box score. These posts are still new and evolving, so please let me know what you think!
Factors that Decided the Game
This game was quite balanced in many key areas, and where imbalances existed they were often offsetting.
Regarding balanced stats, San Antonio had a minor edge in total rebounds (+2), a minor deficit in turnovers (+1), and no advantage or disadvantage in total offensive rebounds. San Antonio did have an edge in ORB% (not pictured here), but again it was mild.
The Spurs were notably more efficient from the field, including FG% and 3P% margins of +3.7 and +5.5 percentage points, respectively. However, these advantages were offset by Portland’s edge in volume, including FGA and 3PA margins of +5 and +8, respectively. The net result of these competing forces was that San Antonio made one more field goal and one less three, thus outscoring the Blazers by a single point from the field.
With everything else being a wash, this game was effectively decided at the free throw line. Fortunately, the Spurs had big advantages in both volume (+9 FTA) and especially FT% ( +28.95 percentage points), resulting in a FTM differential of +10 (i.e., about 91% of San Antonio’s final margin of victory).
Rare Box Score Stats
The Spurs’ victory at the charity stripe was weird, because it was quite large despite the combined free throw volume and efficiency of the two teams being unimpressive.
For example, this contest marked just the 40th time in the last 13 regular seasons that a winning team achieved a FTM differential of +10 or better on no more than 19 FTA. Put another way, this combination happens about 3 times per regular season on average, or about once in every 422 games.
In the set of 40 games mentioned above, the winning team almost always achieved their large FTM margin with excellent efficiency. However, the Spurs’ FT% in this game was basically average. In fact, regular season winners have earned a FTM margin of +10 or more on 19 of fewer FTA and a FT% no better than 78.95% just five times since 2012-2013, or about once in every 3,372 regular season games.
Due to Portland’s dreadful FT% (50%), San Antonio achieved a FT% margin of +28.95 percentage points despite having a FT% of just 78.95%. In the last 13 regular seasons, about one in every 375 winners have met or bettered that FT% differential with a FT% that bad or worse (that’s about 3.3 instances per regular season).
What are Team Graded Box Scores?
Very briefly, these box scores grade winner-loser differentials for basic box score statistics, with the grade being based on the winning team’s differential relative to other NBA winners during a defined reference period. Think of it like a report card for understanding how a given winner performed relative to other winners. The reference period used runs from the start of the 2012-2013 season to the latest date of play, including only games in the same season category (i.e., regular season and playoff games are not compared to each other).
Data Source: The underlying data used to create these box scores was collected from Basketball Reference. In all cases, the data are collected the morning after the game is played. Although rare, postgame statistical revisions after data collection do occur and may affect the results after the fact.
The Vancouver Canucks (22-47-8) start their final California road trip on Thursday as they take on the Los Angeles Kings (32-26-9). While the Kings are fighting for a playoff spot, the Canucks are looking to snap a three-game losing streak. As for the last 10 games, Los Angeles is 4-2-4 while Vancouver is 1-9-0.
One of the biggest questions heading into this game is whether the Canucks and Kings will head to overtime. Los Angeles has needed an extra period 32 times this season, which leads the NHL. These two teams have already gone to overtime once this season, and very well could be headed there again on Thursday night.
Something to monitor when it comes to Vancouver is the number of shots the Canucks can generate. Vancouver finished Tuesday's loss with just 11, which is the second-lowest total for a home game in franchise history. The Canucks will be looking for a stronger effort on Thursday, which should mean a significantly higher shot total against the Kings.
Players To Watch:
Max Sasson:
Max Sasson continued his career year by picking up his 13th goal of the season on Tuesday. The 25-year-old has been a bright spot for Vancouver this season as he sits with 19 points in 64 games. If Sasson continues his strong play, he should be able to reach the 15-goal mark before the end of the campaign.
Brandt Clarke:
Brandt Clarke has developed into a solid top-four defenceman in the NHL. The 23-year-old has 39 points in 77 games while averaging 19:48 per game. Clarke is going to be a pain in the Canucks side for years to come as he can impact the game at both ends of the ice.
Vancouver Canucks (22–47–8):
Points:
Elias Pettersson: 15–33–48
Filip Hronek: 8–38–46
Brock Boeser: 21–23–44
Jake DeBrusk: 19–19–38
Linus Karlsson: 15-19-34
Goaltenders:
Kevin Lankinen: 9–26–5
Thatcher Demko: 8–10–1
Nikita Tolopilo: 5–10–2
Jiří Patera: 0–1–0
Los Angeles Kings(32–26–19):
Points:
Adrian Kempe: 32-37-69
Quinton Byfield: 20-24-44
Kevin Fiala: 18-22-40
Brandt Clarke: 8-31-39
Alex Laferriere: 19-19-38
Goaltenders:
Darcy Kuemper: 19-14-14
Anton Forsberg: 13-11-5
Pheonix Copley: 0-1-0
Game Information:
Start time: 7:30 pm PT
Venue: crypto.com Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
Mar 26, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tom Willander (5) battles with Los Angeles Kings forward Artemi Panarin (10) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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After 64 games in his rookie season with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, Luke Haymes is set to make his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday against the New York Islanders.
The 22-year-old will enter the lineup for Bo Groulx, who's being sent back down to the AHL so he doesn't have to go through waivers ahead of the Marlies' playoff run later this month.
Craig Berube says Akhtyamov is coming up for the trip tomorrow. So will Villeneuve and Haymes.
Berube confirms that Haymes will make his NHL debut tomorrow since Groulx has to go down for waiver-count purposes. @Ozoon_CA
Haymes was recalled by the Maple Leafs on Tuesday and practiced with the team before returning to the Marlies on Wednesday for their school-day game against the Utica Comets, which Toronto won in overtime.
The Ottawa, Ontario-born forward has been a center in the Marlies' middle six for most of this season, tallying 17 goals and 32 points in 64 games, and has adjusted well to the pro game after leaving Dartmouth College last spring.
"He's got skill. He seems like an intelligent player to me," said Craig Berube on Tuesday after Haymes' first practice with the club.
"I haven't watched him a ton down there, but he's gotten better and better, I know that. He plays in all situations down there, but he's a guy that, I'm not sure where he'll fit in when he does (play), but like I said, he's got ability, he's got skill, and he's got a pretty good mind for the game."
Haymes will likely slot in as the fourth-line center against the Islanders. Jacob Quillan, with whom Haymes spent the majority of his season with on the Marlies, could move up to Groulx's spot on the third line.
"He's a really good player," said Quillan of Haymes following Toronto's 4-0 loss to the Washington Capitals. "A lot of speed. He's having a lot of success with the Marlies, and he can shoot the puck. Looking forward to seeing what he can do."
"He came in, and you can tell, he tried to feel out how fast the game would be in the AHL level, and he adjusted to it pretty well," Groulx added on Wednesday night. "A really smart player. He's really good on faceoffs, and he started scoring a lot for the Marlies the past two months. It's good to see."
Artur Akhtyamov will start for the Maple Leafs against the Islanders on Wednesday night after Joseph Woll played a majority of Tuesday's matchup following Anthony Stolarz's departure from the game.
It will be Akhtyamov's first start at the NHL level. (He made his NHL debut on Dec. 13 against the Oilers, coming in for the relief of Dennis Hildeby and playing 10:32.)
William Villeneuve will also be recalled for Thursday's game, Berube said, after Brandon Carlo left with a lower-body injury against the Capitals. It's unknown if he'll make his NHL debut alongside Haymes on Long Island.
With four games remaining in the season, the Maple Leafs should do everything to play their prospects, especially someone like Villeneuve, who's been in the organization for four years but has yet to play at the NHL level.
"I always think there's value in getting young guys a game or two," Berube said on Tuesday. "I don't think it hurts; it gets them a taste of the NHL."
For their first win since Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were ruled out for the remainder of the NBA’s regular season.
For the right formula that they can depend on with their star guards sidelined.
Lakers star Luka Doncic has been ruled out for the remainder of the NBA’s regular season. NBAE via Getty Images
For a traditional nine-man rotation that they can take into their first-round playoff series, with the hopes Doncic or Reaves will return at some point during the postseason.
To see the Lakers (50-29) get blown out by the league-leading Thunder, 123-87, for the second time in five days wasn’t a surprise, especially considering they were also without LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes in addition to Doncic and Reaves.
Coach JJ Redick called a timeout 2 ½ minutes into the game, quickly yanking Rui Hachimura from the game after Hachimura “didn’t do his job,” Redick said.
“We’ve got to find nine guys that are all in on us fighting and willing to go out on whatever metaphor you want to use — I don’t want to use a war metaphor in this time — but whatever you got to do to go out and fight and be all in on the team,” Redick said. “We’ll find the nine guys. It’s a great opportunity for us over the next three games to find those guys.”
And if the Lakers’ last two games were any indication, there’s a lot of playing time up for grabs.
“Those sort of spots are — they’re open,” Redick said. “Similar to what we’ve done when we’ve been healthy at [center], we’ll play the [center] that is all in that day, and we’ll figure out who that is.”
Realistically, the Lakers have most of their Doncic-, Reaves-less rotation figured out.
James, Smart, Hayes, Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Luke Kennard and Jake LaRavia have played and been in the main rotation every game they’ve been available for the Lakers this season.
The Lakers have seven rotation players without Austin Reaves (15) and Luka Doncic. NBAE via Getty Images
That’s unlikely to change, putting the Lakers at seven rotation players without Doncic and Reaves.
But what about the final two spots?
Up for grabs between Vanderbilt, Adou Thiero, Bronny James, Kobe Bufkin, Maxi Kleber and Dalton Knecht.
Two-way players Drew Timme, Chris Manon and Nick Smith Jr. can be in the regular-season rotation but aren’t eligible to play during the postseason unless they’re converted to standard NBA deals.
Bufkin and Knecht can likely be ruled out of the rotation; neither has gotten regular playing time even when the team has dealt with multiple injuries.
That leaves Vanderbilt and Kleber as the players who’ll most likely fill out the rotation, with Thiero and Bronny James having an outside shot.
The Lakers’ Adou Thiero has an outside chance to earn a rotation spot. NBAE via Getty Images
Even though Vanderbilt has gone through significant stretches of not receiving regular playing time, and Tuesday’s altercation between him and Redick stemmed from a “confluence of things,” he’s still a veteran player whom the Lakers have leaned on more than most of their less experienced players.
The same applies for Kleber, who unlocks some of the team’s bigger lineups when he slots next to Ayton or Hayes.
There are three regular-season games left: The Lakers play the Warriors in San Francisco on Thursday before hosting the Suns on Friday and the Jazz on Sunday.
Plenty of time for the team’s younger players, including Thiero, who had 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal against the Thunder, to make their case.
“Just trying to go out there and keep building my own confidence and building the coaches’ confidence to put more trust in me,” Thiero said. “And show what I can do in those situations.”
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 08: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Devin Booker #1 after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 08, 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t clean. It wasn’t pretty. And yeah, the Dallas Mavericks did their part. Pulling Cooper Flagg late, the five-second violation down five, no real push to extend the game. You saw it. But a win is a win for the Phoenix Suns, and this one mattered. Because with it, they lock up the seventh seed as the Los Angeles Clippers fall. Opponent still unknown, but that piece is secured. Two games left, and you know where you stand. There is value in that. There is comfort in that. Even if the path to get there felt a little clunky.
The Suns clinch the 7th seed in the Western Conference as they (narrowly) defeat the Mavericks, and the Clippers are losing big to OKC.
Who their opponent is remains to be seen. It will be the Clippers or the Blazers, who play each other on Friday.
And honestly, I’ll say it, I’m happy. Because I got what I wanted. It came in an unexpected way, with Jalen Green going down early, and you never root for that. But it opened the door. It created minutes, and those minutes went to the young guys. We saw Rasheer Fleming again. Ryan Dunn got some run. As the season approaches its twilight, and considering how putrid the team has been guarding the perimeter, it was nice to see them again.
Jordan Ott rolled out Khaman Maluach for his first start, and you saw the good and the bad. Late rotations, inconsistent box outs, all of that. But he was out there and he was playing. He was learning in real time. And yeah, blocking his former teammate Flagg? That was a moment.
Now, did the influx of youth solve everything? No. Dallas pushed consistently as rust was evident. Every Suns’ run had an answer. It got tight, some would say too tight. Phoenix flirted with letting it slip, and you could feel that tension creeping in. But they held on. And more importantly, they learned.
That is what this is about right now. Yes, locking in the seventh seed matters. But development has been the thread all season, and in Game 80, you saw it again. Not perfect. Not polished. But progress. And we’ve been looking for signs of progress for the past month. So I’ll take it.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
Mark Williams’ effectiveness — and his size — helped him earn his 7th BSB of the year.
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 29: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks and Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets talk after the game at American Airlines Center on January 29, 2026 in Dallas, 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. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2025 NBA Draft always had more to offer than just the grand prize at the top of the class in Cooper Flagg. Flagg was the runaway No. 1 pick throughout his one-and-done season at Duke, but a strong group of prospects emerged behind him led by college teammate Kon Knueppel, Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe, and Rutgers star Dylan Harper.
This year’s rookie class didn’t just live up to the hype, it exceeded it. There were impact first-year players all over the league, and while Flagg was spectacular for the Dallas Mavericks, he may not even win NBA Rookie of the Year.
Another talented NBA Draft class is coming down the pipe right now, and the success of the current rookie class should only make teams more desperate for lottery luck. Remember: a lot can change in a year. My rookie rankings from last season would look completely different now if I re-ranked the 2024 class. Let’s rank the NBA’s best rookies for the 2025-26 season based on their first-year impact.
12. Hugo Gonzalez, F, Boston Celtics
Gonzalez wasn’t expected to be an immediate contributor after barely playing at Real Madrid when the Celtics took him with the No. 28 overall pick. Instead, he looks like another hidden gem for Brad Stevens. Gonzalez has the potential to become one of the best wing defenders in the league with a strong 225-pound frame and 6’11 wingspan, and he’s already graded out in the 91st percentile of defensive EPM in his rookie year. The Celtics outscored teams by nearly 14 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor, good for a monstrous +7.2 net-rating. There could be some noise in the plus/minus stats, but Gonzalez’s physical tools, motor, and high-IQ gives him a strong defensive floor while his offense continues to develop.
11. Collin Murray-Boyles, F, Toronto Raptors
Murray-Boyles had the traits of a future All-Defensive team selection entering the draft, and he already made a big impact on that end for a winning team in his rookie year. CMB racked up deflections, steals, and blocks for the Raptors this year, and showed his sharp instincts as a help defender who consistently knew how to plug a leak in the team structure. His three-point shot looked better than expected in a small sample at 34 percent, but significantly increasing his volume from deep is the next step. Even if Murray-Boyles never becomes a plus shooter, he still adds offensive value with his playmaking in the middle of the floor and his offensive rebounding. Finishing with a +3.1% rTS (true shooting relative to league average) is an encouraging sign not just for his scoring efficiency, but also for his overall feel. Toronto found a keeper with the No. 9 overall pick.
10. Jeremiah Fears, G, New Orleans Pelicans
Fears graded out poorly in the impact stats with a -4 net-rating dragging him down. That shouldn’t surprise anyone for one of the youngest rookies in the class, and it shouldn’t be too discouraging yet either. Fears’ blend of speed and elite ball handling ability is what future stars are made of, and hex put it on display with a few 20+ point scoring outbursts every month. He’s not yet an efficient scorer with -5.4 rTS% and still struggles with his turnovers, but the flashes of star-level guard production were there in spurts. He finished in the 100th percentile of rim attempts league-wide, burning defenders to the cup even if he couldn’t always finish. Adding more strength and gaining more experience will help Fears learn how to harvest all of his gifts. He won’t turn 20 years old until the start of next season, and there’s on reason to rush his development just yet. If Fears can keep improving from the baseline he established this year, New Orleans should have its point guard of the future.
9. Derik Queen, F, New Orleans Pelicans
Queen was a divisive prospect coming out of Maryland because his elite strengths also came with some alarming weaknesses, and both were on display during an up-and-down rookie year with New Orleans. Let’s focus on the positives first: Queen’s jumbo creation looked fantastic at times in creating scoring chances for himself and his teammates. His handle and footwork are both impressive for his size, and he showed an ability to both get to the free throw line and make his foul shots. Defenders bounce off Queen on his drives to the rim, and he’s at his best when he’s diming up teammates with rim assists or kick outs to three. The other side of the floor is more of an issue. New Orleans allowed a 121.6 defensive rating with Queen on the floor, and a 115.5 defensive rating with him on the bench, which is the difference between No. 30 and No. 20 in the league. That’s not all Queen’s fault, of course, and the Pelicans’ context didn’t exactly set him up for success. Still, improving as a shooter and defender would go a long way to making Queen more of an impactful player in the long run.
8. Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Charlotte Hornets
Kalkbrenner has been an instant contributor for a winning team as a rookie, which is a big success for any second-round pick. The Hornets knew they were getting a stout defensive big man after he won four Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards in college, and the 7’1 center has indeed been able to provide quality rim protection in drop coverage all season. Would you believe that he also finished second in the entire league in field goal percentage among players who played at least 500 minutes? Kalkbrenner shot nearly 75 percent, which is impressive even if almost every shot was assisted. His upside is more limited than many of his peers, but he knows his role and executes it well. That’s solid for the No. 34 overall pick.
7. Maxime Raynaud, C, Sacramento Kings
Raynaud immediately looks like a steal for the Kings with the No. 42 overall pick. After a four-year career at Stanford, the 7’1 big man has been a productive scorer from day one whose offensive value should only continue to climb as his playmaking and outside shooting develops with better team context and more experience. Raynaud put up 22.5 points per 100 possessions by finishing well at the rim (73.4 percent) and being one of the league’s most effective players from the short mid-range area, which shows his touch on floaters. He only shot 28 percent from three after being much better than that in college, and I’d expect him to be a better outside shooter going forward as he adjusts to the NBA line. His 7.5 percent assist rate undersells his passing ability, too, and that should also pop going forward when he gets some better teammates. Defense is a big issue for Raynaud and certainly undercuts his overall value, but his offensive skill is worth celebrating, especially for a mid-second round pick.
6. Ace Bailey, F, Utah Jazz
Bailey did exactly what any team would want out of their 19-year-old rookie by continuing to look more comfortable as his minutes increased throughout the season. He’s had some huge scoring games in the second half of the season by stressing opposing defenses as an off-ball gunner with the size and touch to splash shots all over the floor. Bailey’s three-point volume was encouraging by taking 45 percent of his field goal attempts from deep, and his touch (35 percent three-point percentage) should only improve in time. His physical tools as a bouncy 6’9 wing allow him to add an element of shot-blocking and offensive rebounding from the perimeter, too. His passing is still pretty minimal and his scoring efficiency fell 4.2 points below league average, but the outline of a deadly off-ball scorer has been there, and that’s an encouraging sign for year two.
5. Cedric Coward, F, Memphis Grizzlies
Coward was close to playing for Duke this season before getting strong intel back at the combine and eventually turning into a lottery pick. His rise from D3 Willamette to an instant impact rookie is one of the most inspiring stories in basketball. The 6’7 wing immediately showed he could be a plus defensively and on the glass, gobbling up boards and contesting shots with his ridiculous 7’2 wingspan. His length and strength were always a good bet to translate, but his scoring punch (24.5 points per 100 possessions) and connective passing both exceeded expectations. His rim finishing is already super impressive, and his outside shooting will only get better over time. He looks like a long-term starter on the wing for Memphis.
4. Dylan Harper, G, San Antonio Spurs
Harper is the rare No. 2 overall pick to land on a legitimate championship contender, and he’s found ways to contribute off the bench during San Antonio’s rise around Victor Wembanyama. He’s a demon going to the rim and already has a lot of finishing craft when he gets in close. He’s a good facilitator too who ranks in the 96th percentile of potential assists (15.3 per 100 possessions) while also doing a great job limiting live-ball turnovers. Harper is going to be a good defender in time too as a big guard who hustles for loose balls, hits the glass, and uses his size to overwhelm smaller ball handlers. He’s in a perfect position to thrive next to Wembanyama long-term even if he does feel a little redundant on the current roster. Harper will slowly grow into Wemby’s top sidekick, and they’re going to be a brilliant pairing for years to come.
3. VJ Edgecombe, G, Philadelphia 76ers
Edgecombe’s athleticism, motor, and willingness to get up threes has made him a staple in Philly’s lineups since opening night. The 6’4 guard leverages his top-tier explosiveness on both ends. Defensively, Edgecombe has been stockpiling steals and blocks all year, and he also hits the defensive glass well for a guard while flying in for loose balls whenever he gets a chance. His open court scoring has already been excellent with 67.6 percent true shooting in transition, and his three ball is already at a respectable 35.7 percent. The rim finishing woes Edgecombe showed in college have stuck with him into the NBA, but he has the tools to get better there once he learns more craft. There are plenty of different outcomes for him from here, but it’s fantastic that he can already play a winning role for a solid playoff team.
2. Cooper Flagg, F, Dallas Mavericks
Flagg lived up to the hype in his rookie year and continued to affirm that he’ll become a superstar eventually. As the youngest player in the NBA this season, Flagg took on point guard duties early in the season and still acquitted himself well despite a heavy creation burden. He’s going to be a phenomenal scorer in time, and putting up 29.8 points per 100 possessions as a super young rookie proves that even if he was slightly below league average in his scoring efficiency. His playmaking is going to be one of his strongest skills, and his ability to avoid live ball turnovers is proof that he’s cut out for the point-forward role. Flagg’s shooting will be better than his 29 percent three-point stroke in time. He also has way more upside defensively than he showed this year, where he looked solid but not spectacular while handling a huge offensive load. I’d like to see the Mavs get more ball handling around Flagg and allow him to use more of his energy on the defensive end, where he once looked elite. He’s still going No. 1 in any redraft, but an incredible year from his college teammates means he shouldn’t win Rookie of the Year.
1. Kon Knueppel, G, Charlotte Hornets
Kon Knueppel has been the best rookie in the NBA this season, and he deserves to win the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year award. The No. 4 overall pick has been a deadly offensive weapon, and it has fueled Charlotte’s rise into becoming the Eastern Conference’s team of the future. Knueppel leads the NBA in three-point makes this season while knocking down 43 percent of his looks from behind the arc. He’s already one of the most dangerous screeners in the game, using his big body to free up ball handlers, then darting behind the line for quick pick-and-pop jumpers. Knueppel is more than just a shooter: he’s a smart ball mover, an active participant on the glass, and a smart team defender who knows where to be. Posting +6 rTS% and being a key part of the NBA’s best five-man lineup is almost unthinkable for a rookie. It was going to take a historic season to keep Flagg away from the Rookie of the Year award, and Knueppel delivered it.
The New York Islanders' season is on the brink as they return to action against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night for Pete DeBoer's first game behind their bench.
Not only is Toronto on the second of a back-to-back after the Washington Capitals shut them out 4-0 on Wednesday, but they will be turning to Arthur Akhtyamov, who will be making his first career NHL start.
Anthony Stolarz needs imaging.
Akhtyamov makes his first NHL start on Long Island tomorrow.
Haynes and Villeneuve getting called up. Groulx going back down.
Drafted by Toronto in the fourth round (No. 106) of the 2020 NHL Draft, the 24-year-old has made one NHL appearance, when he stopped all five shots in relief against the Edmonton Oilers back on Dec. 13.
In 36 AHL appearances with the Marlies, Toronto's AHL affiliate, Akhtyamov went 20-12-4, with a 2.90 GAA and a .903 SV% and one shutout.
With four games to go, the Islanders find themselves three points back of the second wild-card Ottawa Senators and the Philadelphia Flyers, who are currently holding the third seed in the Metropolitan Division.
The Islanders essentially have to run the tables with four games to go and get some help.
However, like always, it's a one-game-at-a-time approach, and they'll need to make life as uncomfortable as possible for the young 6'2 tendy, especially early.
Puck drop between the Islanders and Maple Leafs comes your way at 6:45 PM ET.
Buffalo Sabres - 48-23-8 - 104 Points - 5-3-2 in the last 10 - Won 2 - 1st in the Atlantic
Columbus Blue Jackets - 39-27-12 - 90 Points - 3-6-1 in the last 10 - Won 1 - 4th in the Metro
Team Notes Per CBJ PR
Columbus began a three-game road trip with a 4-3 SO win at Detroit on Tuesday. The club concludes its road portion of the regular season at Buffalo on Thursday and Montreal on Saturday.
The team has earned points in 11 of its last 15 road games, ranking fourth-T in the NHL in points pct. since Jan. 11 (10-4-1, .700).
The Jackets have also earned points in 26 of their past 34 contests overall since Jan. 11 (21-8-5, 47 pts.). The club ranks third in the league in goals-against per game (2.62) and fourth-T in points pct. (.691) over that stretch.
The Blue Jackets play all four of their games this week against the Atlantic Division. The club has earned points in 19 of its last 23 games against the division dating back to Apr. 8, 2025 (14-4-5) following the win at Detroit.
Columbus leads the NHL with a franchise-record 58 goals scored by defensemen in 2025-26 (58-135-193, 78 GP).
Player Notes Per CBJ PR
Adam Fantilli notched the tying goal on Tuesday with 17 seconds remaining and has set single-season career highs in assists and points with 23-33-56 in 78 contests.
Jet Greaves, who turned aside 34-of-37 shots faced in regulation and overtime in the win at Detroit, has earned points in 16 of his last 20 starts since Jan. 11 (13-4-3, 2.37 GAA, .914 SV% in 21 GP), ranking fifth among NHL goaltenders in GAA and sixth in SV% over that stretch (min. 6 GP).
Kirill Marchenko has posted assists in four of the past five games (1-5-6) and is the fifth player in Blue Jackets history with 25-plus goals in consecutive seasons (31 in 2024-25; 26 in 2025-26).
Mason Marchment has collected assists in each of his past four outings (1-5-6) and has 2-6-8 in his last seven games. He ranks second on the team in goals since making his CBJ debut on Dec. 20, 2025 (14-15-29 in 35 GP).
Zach Werenski set a new single-season franchise record with his 26th multi-point effort on Tuesday (1-1-2). He has recorded 22-58-80 in 71 games in 2025-26 and became the third American-born defenseman in NHL history with consecutive 80-point campaigns (Brian Leetch, 1990-91 - 1991-92 with NYR; Phil Housley, 1991-92 - 1992-93 with WPG).
Blue Jackets Stats
Power Play - 19.6% - 21st in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 75.9% - 28th in the NHL
Goals For - 238 - 17th in the NHL
Goals Against - 239 - 19th in the NHL
SabresStats
Power Play - 20.4% - 18th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 82.0% - 6th in the NHL
Goals For - 270 - 22nd in the NHL
Goals Against - 236 - 12th in the NHL
Series History vs. TheSabres
Columbus is 29-16-1-3 all-time, and 15-8-0-3 all-time in Buffalo.
Columbus has won three-straight and four of the past five meetings. The club has also earned points in 18 of the last24 meetings in the series dating back to Mar. 28, 2017 (15-6-3).
CBJ have earned points in nine out of their last ten games at KeyBank Center since Mar. 31, 2019 (6-1-3).
The teams have combined for seven or more goals in six of the past eight games at KeyBank Center.
Three of the last four meetings overall and five of the past seven have been decided by a single goal. Each of the past three contests at KeyBank Center have been one-goal decisions.
The Blue Jackets have had a perfect penalty kill in the last three games at Buffalo (4-for-4) and seven games overall (16-for-16).
The Jackets have scored a power play goal in four of the past six meetings of the series (4-for-10; 40.0 pct.).
Who To Watch For TheSabres
Tage Thompson leads the Sabres with 38 goals and 78 points.
Rasmus Dahlin leads Buffalo with 52 assists.
Goalie Alex Lyon is 20-10-4 with a SV% of .907.
CBJ Player Notes vsSabres
Boone Jenner has 15 points in 26 games vs. the Sabres.
Zach Werenski has 19 points in 21 games.
Charlie Coyle has 24 points in his career against Buffalo.
Injured Reserve & Other Injuries
Brendan Smith - Lower Body - Missed 40 Games IR - Out for the rest of the regular season.
Damon Severson - Missed 6 Games - Upper Body - OUT FOR THE SEASON
Dmitri Voronkov - Missed 5 Games - Upper Body - Week-to-week
Mathieu Olivier - Missed 4 Games - Upper Body - OUT FOR THE SEASON
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 202
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FanDuel Sports Network. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
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DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche return home Thursday night with little left to prove in the regular season — but plenty of momentum.
Already locked into the Central Division title and the Western Conference’s top seed, Colorado opens a two-game homestand against the Calgary Flames in the second of three meetings between the clubs this season. The Avalanche dominated the first matchup, a 9–2 win in Denver on March 30, with one more meeting scheduled next week in Calgary.
Colorado Bounces Back
The Avalanche clinched their position atop the conference with a 3–1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Valeri Nichushkin scored twice, including a shorthanded goal, while Martin Necas added his 37th of the season. Scott Wedgewood turned aside 18 of 19 shots to secure the win.
Colorado’s top-end production continues to drive its success. Nathan MacKinnon enters the matchup leading the NHL with 51 goals while sitting among the league leaders in both assists and total points. Necas has also emerged as a consistent contributor, ranking among the NHL’s top scorers this season.
In net, Wedgewood has quietly been one of the league’s most efficient goaltenders, posting elite numbers in both save percentage and goals-against average among regular starters.
Flames Looking To Regroup
Calgary arrives in Denver following a 4–3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, a game in which they surrendered a two-goal third-period lead. Wyatt Johnston completed the comeback for Dallas with the overtime winner.
Offensively, the Flames have leaned on a balanced group. Morgan Frost leads the team in goals, while Matt Coronato and Mikael Backlund are among several players clustered near the team lead in points.
Matchup Trends
Historically, Colorado has held the edge in this matchup, owning a winning record across more than 130 regular season meetings. The Avalanche also won the only playoff series between the teams, taking a five-game set in the 2019 Western Conference First Round.
Recent form suggests another difficult test for Calgary. Colorado has been dominant on special teams down the stretch, operating with one of the league’s top penalty-kill units over the past month, while continuing to generate offense at one of the NHL’s highest rates.
With postseason positioning already secured, the Avalanche enter the final stretch focused on maintaining rhythm. Calgary, meanwhile, continues to play for pride and consistency as the regular season winds down.
The Game
The Avalanche (51-16-10) face the Flames (32-36-9) at Ball Arena, with coverage set to begin at 7 p.m. local time.
LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1978: Paul Westphal #44 of the Phoenix Suns looks on against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1978 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Westphal played for the Suns from 1975-80. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Duke great JJ Redick stirred things up a while back when he said guys like Boston Celtic Bob Cousy were “plumbers and firemen” in the off-season and couldn’t play in today’s NBA.
He had a point to an extent: although Cousy had phenomenal court vision, he was small by today’s standards, and if you watch any video at all, you’ll realize quickly that, like just about everyone else in his era, Cousy’s off-hand was very weak when it came to ball handling.
Cousy retired in 1963. In 1972, just 10 years later, the Celtics drafted Paul Westphal out of Southern Cal, and his skill set was entirely different.
Cousy said he learned to pass like a prodigy out of necessity, but he never developed his off-hand. In fairness, in the 1950s and ‘60s, he didn’t really need to.
Westphal, by contrast, was probably the greatest ambidextrous talent at that point in basketball history, and remains one of the finest to this day.
In 1975, the Celtics traded him to Phoenix, and he led the Suns to the NBA Finals against his old team, losing 4-2. Game 5, however, was extraordinary, going to triple overtime before the Celtics prevailed, 128-126.
Westphal had many career highlights, as you’ll see, but his greatest play ever may have been this stunner from the third overtime in that triple OT classic loss to Boston. It’s hard to believe anyone could take a shot like that, under that kind of pressure, much less hit it.
After Tom Fitzgerald deservedly lost his job on Monday, fans wondered if the team might come out with some new found pep in their step for their Tuesday night game against the Philadelphia Flyers. After all, as of Tuesday afternoon, the Devils still mathematically had a chance to possibly make the playoffs with a regulation win. As with much of this season however, the Devils, or more accurately, Jacob Markstrom came out flat and disappointed the fans, letting up a goal on the second shot he faced, leading the Devils to an eventual 5-1 loss. The loss against the Flyers coupled with a victory that same night by Ottawa means that the Devils have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Jacob Markstrom started in net for the Devils, his second game in a row, and did what he has done so well all season. He showed yet again how consistently inconsistent he is in his level of play. Coming off of his first shutout of the season against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, he let up 2 goals less than 4 minutes into the first period. As he’s done numerous times this season, he dug a hole for the Devils early, making their path to victory much more difficult than any supposed NHL starting goalie ever should do this frequently. Trevor Zegras scored two goals in the first period to put the Flyers up 2-0 before Cody Glass got the Devils to within 1 at 12:12 of the first period. Markstrom would strike again in the 2nd period however, allowing 2 more goals to Tyson Foerster less than 5 minutes into the 2nd period, to effectively end any chance the Devils had at a comeback and the playoffs. Nick Seeler scored an empty net goal in the third period, and that was all she wrote for the night and 2025-2026.
Last Penguins Game
Way back on Sunday, the Penguins defeated the Florida Panthers by a score of 5-2. Sidney “I never seem to get old or slow down” Crosby showed yet again, that Father Time has not come for him yet, scoring 1 goal to go with 2 assists on the night. He’s up to 72 points in 66 games this season and at age 38, appears to have a lot left in the tank. The Penguins have not officially locked up a playoff spot yet, but the victory, their 2nd in a row against the Panthers and 4th in their last 5 games, helped give them a comfortable cushion. Now at 96 points on the season, they sit comfortably in 2nd place in the Metro, 4 points ahead of the Flyers and 6 points ahead of 4th place Columbus Blue Jackets. As an additional note here, with the Penguins victory over the Panthers on Saturday, the Florida Panthers were officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Arturs Silovs started in net for Pittsburgh, the 2nd game in a row, and his second win in 2 nights against Florida. Florida was never in command of the game at any point. The Penguins took a 3-1 lead in the first period on goals from Elmer Soderblom, Sidney Crosby, and Rickard Rakell. Rakell added his second goal of the night in the 2nd period to send the two teams into the 3rd period with the Penguins up 4-1. Bryan Rust officially turned out the lights and shut the door with his 28th goal to put the Penguins up 5-1, and Florida scored a meaningless power play goal at 14:15 of the third to end the game at 5-2.
Injuries, Roster for Tonight, Yada, Yada, Yada.
With the Devils now officially eliminated from playoff contention, one would assume that the Devils, or more specifically, Sheldon Keefe, will not feel the need to the start Jacob Markstrom in back to back games. Will Jake Allen split the remaining 4 starts with Markstrom? Will the big club give anyone else from the AHL a chance to show what they bring to the table as they play out the final 4 (no, not that final four)? Time will tell. I am sure though, that I hope the final four games of this season, represent the last few games we are subjected to seeing Jacob Markstrom in net for the Devils.
Grimace’s Prediction and 2025-2026 Record Tracker
Grimace wanted to be here, but like the Devils will be on April 15th, he’s playing golf. We had a custom set made for him, and maybe if he’s in a good mood, he’ll let me share a picture on here. He did ask me to relay a message to all of you, which I’ll share here. “Dear fellow Devils Nation members, I’m sorry I let you down with my predictions and that I stunk as bad as the Devils did this season. I promise to try and do better next season. For now though, FORE!”
Grimace’s 2025-2026 Season Prediction record currently stands at 13-14-0.
Your Take
As I’ve written many times over the past few weeks, “what’s left to say” at this point. The Devils have been eliminated from the playoffs for the 11th time in the last 14 seasons. The fact that any fans are surprised by the frustration of other fans, when looking at that stat, will never stop being confusing to me. I suppose if anyone is looking for something interesting to focus on over these final four games, here you go. Jack Hughes currently sits at 72 points on the season. His current 2nd highest point total in a single season is 74 points, back in 2023-2024. If he can manage 3 points in his final 4 games, he can have a new 2nd best point total of his career. Yay, I guess. 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. 🙂
Sometimes all you need is an opportunity, and for Russian goaltending prospect Artur Akhtyamov, that time is now. The goaltender will make his first NHL start for the Toronto Maple Leafs when the club visits the New York Islanders on Thursday.
This was clearly not the plan for the Leafs, but they arrived at this situation quickly. Anthony Stolarz sustained a lower-body injury early in the Leafs’ 4-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, forcing Joseph Woll into a busy night. Stolarz’s season could be over; the goaltender, who has already been sidelined twice this year, requires imaging on his latest ailment.
Dennis Hildeby has had some success with the Leafs as the No. 3 option in these types of situations. He played in 19 games while one or both of Stolarz and Woll were unavailable for various reasons, posting a 5-6-4 record with a .912 save percentage. However, Hildeby played for the Marlies earlier in the day, helping the AHL club clinch a playoff berth with a 4-3 win over the Utica Comets.
So, rather than exposing either Woll or Hildeby to starts on consecutive days, the Leafs will turn to Akhtyamov, a player Head Coach Craig Berube is eager to evaluate.
Berube confirms Akhtyamov will make his first NHL start tomorrow.@Ozoon_CA
“I really liked him right from camp,” Berube said. “He’s backed up a couple of times this year and just has a great personality. He's played well down there. He's a competitor, he’s got fast reflexes, and he's competitive as hell. I like the kid a lot”.
Akhtyamov has posted a 20-12-4 record this season with the Marlies alongside a .903 save percentage. Selected in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, the goalie from Kazan signed a three-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $900,000. The last two years of that deal are one-way.
“He’s a really good goaltender, really dialed in,” Leafs forward Bo Groulx said of Akhtyamov. “Really, a mentally strong goalie. If he gets scored on or a bad goal goes in, he’s not fazed by it. And he takes on the challenge to be better. I think that’s his greatest strength".
With Woll and Stolarz both unavailable earlier this season, Akhtyamov made his NHL debut in relief on Dec. 13. He stopped all five shots he faced in 11 minutes of action during a 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
‘No one gives us a chance … we have to show the fight’
Champions League first-leg loss was side’s 16th of season
Virgil van Dijk has compared the scale of Liverpool’s task against Paris Saint-Germain to that against Barcelona in 2019 but conceded belief may not be as strong in Arne Slot’s team amid an “unacceptable” season.
Liverpool require another remarkable Anfield comeback to salvage their Champions League aspirations after losing the first leg of their quarter-final against PSG 2-0 on Wednesday. The scoreline flattered the Premier League champions, who were outclassed at the Parc des Princes, yet Van Dijk is “100%” convinced the tie can be transformed on home soil. Memories of Barcelona in 2019 fuel the captain’s conviction.
The Chicago Blackhawks had three players participate in the NCAA Tournament, but none of them reached the Frozen Four. John Mustard, Julius Sumpf, and Providence were eliminated by Quinnipiac during their Regional Semi-Final, and Adam Gajan's Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs were defeated by Michigan in their Regional Final.
Gajan, a goaltender, played a key role in stopping Gavin McKenna from advancing further in the tournament. Now, McKenna is next in line to be the number one overall pick in the NHL Draft.
Scott Powers of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Mustard is going to return to Providence for another year in 2026-27. He then speculated that he could sign and get in some NHL games at the end of the same season. Sumpf's future is still to be determined.
Blackhawks forward prospect John Mustard plans to return to Providence for his junior season. There was a chance he would turn pro after his college season ended. I imagine he's a candidate to sign late next season and play in some NHL games.
As for Gajan, he signed with the Blackhawks shortly after his season ended in a somewhat surprising transaction. He is going to play in the AHL for a while in an attempt to earn his first NHL look.
Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Denver remain and will play their semi-final games on Thursday.
Wisconsin will battle North Dakota at 4 PM CT while Michigan takes on Denver at 7:30. These games will take place at T-Mobile Arena, home of the Vegas Golden Knights.
With no Blackhawks involved, scouts will have their eyes focused on other things. The most important player for them to keep an eye on is Keaton Verhoeff of North Dakota. He is the only player on any of the four teams projected to be a top-five draft pick, which is where the Blackhawks are likely to end up.
Potential decisions made with some of their current defensemen will influence whether or not a skilled right-shot blue-liner will be high on their draft board, but this is a chance to watch him on the biggest stage. Kyle Davidson and his staff need to leave no stone unturned.
Although his backwards skating could use some work, he moves well for a player of his stature (6'4", 212 lbs). He has an accurate shot (wrist or slap) and has a high-end hockey IQ that allows him to make smart decisions with the puck.
When Verhoeff reaches the NHL, it may not be long before he is able to quarterback a top power play unit. The Blackhawks have a few "solid" players who can do so, but they have had better success with five forwards for a reason. A defenseman like Verhoeff may allow them to have success with a more traditional top unit.
If North Dakota finds a way to beat Wisconsin, which is a wonderful story in their own right, that likely means that Verhoeff played over 20 minutes, used his puck skills to his advantage, and played well enough when forced to defend.
Like most offensive defensemen at this age, Verhoeff does have some work to do in his own end, especially on the rush. The pro game will teach him how to take the defensive side of the game to create offense with his skillset, in other words, "playing the right way".
The winner of this North Dakota vs Wisconsin will play the winner of the high-octane Michigan squad and this Denver team, which is on the precipice of becoming a college hockey dynasty.
Blackhawks scouts must also be watching to see which other players show something, in case the chance to draft or sign them comes along. Collin Graf was undrafted back when Quinnipiac won the National Championship, and the San Jose Sharks nabbed him. Now he is a 20-goal scorer in the NHL. Is another version of Graf out there? The Frozen Four will give insight into that on the big stage.
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.
The Montreal Canadiens announced on Wednesday that the Professional Hockey Writers Association had selected Mike Matheson as the team’s candidate for the Bill Masterton Trophy. The Pointe-Claire native has proven incredibly important to the Habs while completely redefining his role and still excelling.
When the Canadiens first acquired the 6-foot-2 and 216 lb defenseman in the (first) Jeff Petry trade, he was counted on to be the power play quarterback, and his mobility made him the team’s most offensive defenseman. That allowed him to register a career-high 62 points in 2023-24, but then the rebuilding Canadiens started to get prime reinforcements on the blueline, namely Lane Hutson last season and Noah Dobson this year.
Their arrivals had a huge impact on Matheson’s role, who went from being the quarterback of the first wave of the man-advantage to the second wave last season to having no power play time this year. He didn’t sulk or moan; he handled the situation like a real professional, embracing his new role because that was in the team's best interest.
From an offense-first player, he became a penalty-killing specialist for the Habs while remaining a minute muncher. He currently leads the Canadiens in time on ice with an average of 24:13, which is also the 18th highest mark in the league.
He has shown perseverance and dedication in the way he handles the metamorphosis of his role, leading by example on this young Montreal side. The alternate captain, whose contract was going to expire at the end of the season, agreed to sign a five-year contract extension with a $6 million cap hit, arguably less money than he could have gotten had he tested free agency this summer, given how the salary cap will be rising in the coming years.
Despite the change in his role, he still has 37 points this season, only one of which came on the man-advantage, up from 31 last season, when he had 10 on the power play.
Each year, the Bill Masterton Trophy is awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. The winner is selected with a poll among the 32 chapters of the PHWA at the end of the regular season.
A Canadiens player has won the award six times, the last one being Carey Price in 2021-22. Max Paccioretty, Saku Koivu, Serge Savard, Henri Richard, and Claude Provost are the other five recipients from the team.
