Charlotte Hornets (44-38, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (45-37, eighth in the Eastern Conference)
Orlando, Florida; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Hornets -3.5; over/under is 218
PLAY-IN GAME: The Magic and Hornets square off to decide the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
BOTTOM LINE: The Orlando Magic and the Charlotte Hornets take the court for the NBA Playoffs Play-In Tournament. The winner claims the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
The Magic are 26-26 against Eastern Conference opponents. Orlando is 20-26 against opponents with a winning record.
The Hornets are 11-5 against the rest of their division. Charlotte is seventh in the Eastern Conference scoring 116.0 points per game and is shooting 46.0%.
The Magic are shooting 46.4% from the field this season, 0.3 percentage points lower than the 46.7% the Hornets allow to opponents. The Hornets are shooting 46.0% from the field, 1.6% lower than the 47.6% the Magic's opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Paolo Banchero is averaging 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Magic. Jalen Suggs is averaging 2.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LaMelo Ball is averaging 20.1 points and 7.1 assists for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 19.5 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 7-3, averaging 116.4 points, 43.5 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.5 points per game.
Hornets: 6-4, averaging 113.4 points, 44.8 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 6.3 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.1 points.
INJURIES: Magic: Jonathan Isaac: day to day (knee).
Hornets: Moussa Diabate: day to day (hip), PJ Hall: out for season (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Atlanta Hawks (46-36, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (53-29, third in the Eastern Conference)
New York; Saturday, 6 p.m. EDT
LINE: Knicks -5.5; over/under is 216.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Knicks host first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks to open the Eastern Conference first round. New York went 2-1 against Atlanta during the regular season. The Knicks won the last regular season meeting 108-105 on Monday, April 6 led by 30 points from Jalen Brunson, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 36 points for the Hawks.
The Knicks are 35-17 against conference opponents. New York averages 116.5 points while outscoring opponents by 6.4 points per game.
The Hawks are 27-25 in conference play. Atlanta is 7-8 in one-possession games.
The Knicks average 116.5 points per game, 0.5 more points than the 116.0 the Hawks give up. The Hawks are shooting 47.4% from the field, 1.4% higher than the 46.0% the Knicks' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mikal Bridges is scoring 14.4 points per game and averaging 3.8 rebounds for the Knicks. Brunson is averaging 20.3 points and 2.2 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Jalen Johnson is scoring 22.5 points per game and averaging 10.3 rebounds for the Hawks. Alexander-Walker is averaging 3.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 6-4, averaging 111.2 points, 40.3 rebounds, 26.9 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.3 points per game.
Hawks: 6-4, averaging 120.0 points, 44.5 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 8.7 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.6 points.
INJURIES: Knicks: Tyler Kolek: day to day (oblique), OG Anunoby: day to day (ankle), Josh Hart: day to day (ankle), Mitchell Robinson: day to day (ankle), Karl-Anthony Towns: day to day (elbow), Jalen Brunson: day to day (ankle).
Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu: day to day (finger), Nickeil Alexander-Walker: day to day (toe), Jalen Johnson: day to day (rest), CJ McCollum: day to day (rest), Jonathan Kuminga: day to day (knee), Dyson Daniels: day to day (toe), Jock Landale: out (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Houston Rockets (52-30, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference)
Los Angeles; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Rockets -5.5; over/under is 207.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Lakers host first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets to open the Western Conference first round. Los Angeles went 2-1 against Houston during the regular season. The Lakers won the last regular season matchup 124-116 on Thursday, March 19 led by 40 points from Luka Doncic, while Alperen Sengun scored 27 points for the Rockets.
The Lakers are 33-19 in Western Conference games. Los Angeles has an 8-3 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Rockets are 29-23 against Western Conference opponents. Houston has a 5-9 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Lakers make 50.2% of their shots from the field this season, which is 4.2 percentage points higher than the Rockets have allowed to their opponents (46.0%). The Rockets average 11.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.3 fewer made shots on average than the 12.8 per game the Lakers allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jake LaRavia is scoring 8.2 points per game and averaging 4.0 rebounds for the Lakers. LeBron James is averaging 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Kevin Durant is averaging 26 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Rockets. Reed Sheppard is averaging 3.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 7-3, averaging 116.2 points, 41.4 rebounds, 28.6 assists, 10.4 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.2 points per game.
Rockets: 9-1, averaging 123.6 points, 49.1 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 7.7 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 49.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.4 points.
INJURIES: Lakers: Austin Reaves: out (rib), Jaxson Hayes: day to day (foot), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).
Rockets: Kevin Durant: day to day (rest), Amen Thompson: day to day (rest), Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle), Jabari Smith Jr.: day to day (rest), Alperen Sengun: day to day (rest).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Toronto Raptors (46-36, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference)
Cleveland; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT
LINE: Cavaliers -8.5; over/under is 219.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Cavaliers host first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Toronto Raptors to open the Eastern Conference first round. Toronto went 3-0 against Cleveland during the regular season. The Raptors won the last regular season matchup 110-99 on Tuesday, Nov. 25 led by 37 points from Brandon Ingram, while Donovan Mitchell scored 17 points for the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers have gone 33-19 against Eastern Conference teams. Cleveland is seventh in the Eastern Conference in rebounding averaging 44.4 rebounds. Evan Mobley paces the Cavaliers with 9.0 boards.
The Raptors have gone 33-19 against Eastern Conference opponents. Toronto has a 21-27 record against teams above .500.
The Cavaliers are shooting 48.2% from the field this season, 1.5 percentage points higher than the 46.7% the Raptors allow to opponents. The Raptors are shooting 48.2% from the field, 1.8% higher than the 46.4% the Cavaliers' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mitchell is averaging 27.9 points, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals for the Cavaliers. James Harden is averaging 15.3 points and 5.9 assists over the last 10 games.
Scottie Barnes is averaging 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Raptors. Ja'Kobe Walter is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 7-3, averaging 121.8 points, 45.0 rebounds, 29.1 assists, 7.6 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.0 points per game.
Raptors: 6-4, averaging 119.8 points, 41.0 rebounds, 32.3 assists, 10.0 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 52.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.6 points.
INJURIES: Cavaliers: James Harden: day to day (rest), Dean Wade: day to day (ankle), Dennis Schroder: day to day (rest), Evan Mobley: day to day (calf), Keon Ellis: day to day (knee), Jarrett Allen: day to day (injury management), Thomas Bryant: day to day (calf), Sam Merrill: day to day (hamstring), Donovan Mitchell: day to day (ankle).
Raptors: Chucky Hepburn: day to day (knee), Immanuel Quickley: day to day (hamstring).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Send in your questions now for this week’s episode of The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast to discuss everything Pistons. Submit your question to the comments section here or on X/Twitter to @TheRealWesD3 and/or @blakesilverman.
Join us live on Saturday afternoon for the show where we’ll preview the Pistons’ postseason. We’ll know who the Pistons play in the first round by the time we record, so how are you feeling about the matchup? What’s your prediction for the series? And how does Cade Cunningham’s successful grievance for NBA postseason honors impact Jalen Duren’s potential All-NBA hopes?
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It's game 82 of the regular season, and a lot of players are being sat for “matinence” and rightfully so, but it doesn't mean there isn't one last game to win. It wasn’t the prettiest of games for sure, but the Avalanche made sure to go out with a bang and secure their 55th win of the season with a 2-0 win over the Seattle Kraken.
Period 1:
It was a pretty good period for the Avalanche; they took control of the Kraken and kept them on their pace for the entire period. Nick Blankenburg sends a shot through the blueline that goes initially, but the Kraken challenge for offside and succeed, so it remains tied at 0-0.
The Avalanche gets its first power play opportunity when Ryker Evans is called for high-sticking, but fails to capitalize. The period ends 0-0 as the Avalanche finish the period outshooting the Kraken 17-7.
Period 2:
Vince Dunn called for tripping just thirty seconds into the period, but the Avalanche failed to score on their second power play opportunity.
It's Nick Blankenburg again to open the scoring, but this time officially as he scored from a tight right angle, banks it off Victor Ostman, and in to make it 1-0. Vince Dunn is called for roughing, right before the goal was scored, but the Avalanche failed to score on their third power play opportunity.
The Avalanche head to their first penalty kill as Brent Burns is called for hooking just over a minute into the third period, but they are successful in killing off the penalty. They would get their fourth power-play opportunity as Berkeley Catton is called for hooking, but can't capitalize on that one.
Sam Malinski called for interference just before the Catton power play expired, so it's 4-on-4 for 22 seconds, then the Kraken power play takes over, but the Avalanche can kill that one off as well.
Parker Kelly ices the game as he finishes a great cross-ice pass from Makar to make it 2-0. Both Logan O’Connor and Vince Dunn take roughing penalties, but nothing comes out of the 4-on-4 hockey, and the game finishes 2-0.
With that win, the Avalanche finish the 2025-26 season with a record of 56-16-11, good for 121 points, which sets a franchise record for most points in a season—beating out the 119 set by the 2021-22 Stanley Cup team.
Next Game
The playoffs have arrived, and the Colorado Avalanche will be taking on the Los Angeles Kings in round one of the Stanley Cup playoffs, with game one taking place on Sunday, April 19, at 3 pm EST/1 pm MT.
This will be the first time that these two teams have met in the playoffs since 2018, when the Penguins won in six games. It's also the last time the Penguins won a playoff series, so it's only fitting that they'll have a chance to snap their eight-year drought against the team they last won a series against.
For a while, it looked like the Flyers were going to miss the playoffs, but they went on a massive heater down the stretch, winning 12 of their last 16 games. At one point, they were nine points out of a playoff spot in March, but got hot at the perfect time.
Meanwhile, the Penguins were in a playoff spot for a good chunk of the season and finished the job against the New Jersey Devils on Apr. 9.
Playoff series history
The two teams have met in seven playoff series, with the Flyers winning four. Here's the full series history:
- 1989 Patrick Division Finals: Flyers defeated the Penguins in seven games
- 1997 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Flyers defeated the Penguins in five games
- 2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Flyers defeated the Penguins in six games
- 2008 Eastern Conference Final: Penguins defeated the Flyers in five games
- 2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Penguins defeated the Flyers in six games
- 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Flyers defeated the Penguins in six games
- 2018 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Penguins defeated the Flyers in six games
2025-26 Season Series
Each team won two of the four games during the 2025-26 regular season. The Flyers won the first matchup 3-2 in a shootout back on Oct. 28 before the Penguins won the next two 5-1 on Dec. 1 and 6-3 on Jan. 15. The Flyers won the final matchup 4-3 in a shootout on Mar. 7.
Penguins' projected lineup
Forwards
Chinakhov-Crosby-Rust
Novak-Rakell-Malkin
Soderblom-Kindel-Mantha
Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari
Defensive pairs
Wotherspoon-Karlsson
Girard-Letang
Shea-Clifton
Goaltender
Stuart Skinner
Flyers' projected lineup
Forwards
Foerster-Zegras-Tippett
Konecny-Dvorak-Martone
Barkey-Cates-Michkov
Couturier-Glendening-Hathaway
Defensive pairs
Sanheim-Ristolainen
York-Drysdale
Seeler-Andrae
Goaltender
Dan Vladar
Key matchup to watch: Penguins' potent offense vs Flyers' stingy defense
This is going to be a great chess match during the series. The Penguins were one of the best offensive teams during the regular season, finishing third in goals per game with 3.54. Only the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche were better at putting the puck in the back of the net.
On the other side, the Flyers finished third in 5v5 expected goals against per 60, allowing only 2.19. Only the Ottawa Senators and Vegas Golden Knights ranked better than them. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has done a great job of getting the Flyers to play responsibly in their own end, especially towards the end of the regular season. This will be a fun battle throughout the series.
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) returns to the net against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Penguins' X-Factors: Erik Karlsson and Stuart Skinner
Erik Karlsson was named the Penguins' MVP for the 2025-26 regular season and for good reason. He was outstanding for the Penguins, finishing the year with 15 goals and 66 points in 75 games. He put the team on his back during the March gauntlet when the Penguins had to play a lot of those games without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Karlsson was great in all situations this year, whether it was at 5v5, the power play, or on the penalty kill. This will be the first time he has played in the playoffs since 2019, and he has been great in the postseason throughout his career, racking up eight goals and 53 points in 67 playoff games.
Skinner has been the better goaltender down the stretch of the season for the Penguins and has a lot of big-game experience. He's been to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals as a member of the Edmonton Oilers and has played really well in back-to-back Western Conference Finals. If the Penguins can get at least average goaltending from Skinner in this series, they should be fine.
Series schedule
Game 1: Saturday, Apr. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/SportsNet Pittsburgh
Game 2: Monday, Apr. 20 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN/SportsNet Pittsburgh
Game 3: Wednesday, Apr. 22 at 7 p.m. ET on TNT/truTV/HBO Max/SportsNet Pittsburgh
Game 4: Saturday, Apr. 25 at 8 p.m. ET on TBS/truTV/HBO Max/SportsNet Pittsburgh
Game 5: Monday, Apr. 27, time TBD
Game 6: Wednesday, Apr. 29, time TBD
Game 7: Saturday, May. 2, time TBD
Series prediction
This will be a tougher series than some fans expect it to be, but in the end, the Penguins' depth will be too much for the Flyers to overcome. I also think the Penguins' special teams will outplay the Flyers' special teams in this series, even if fewer penalties are called than in the regular season.
Sidney Crosby also loves to play against the Flyers, and I think he'll have at least one big moment in this series. Give me the Penguins in six games.
Apr 16, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young (2) throws to first base during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | David Frerker-Imagn Images
Ever since Artemis II launched a little over two weeks ago, I’ve felt an itch in my bones. The itch for Kerbal Space Program. I finally gave in tonight, while watching the Seattle Mariners get swept by their legally mandated rivals, the San Diego Padres. Tonight’s 5-2 loss comes on the heel’s of last night’s 9th inning disaster and puts a sour taste in the team’s mouth as they head back north. But whereas last night the Mariners were gallant right up to the bitter end, tonight’s game they were just goofus. It almost looked like the game of baseball was alien to them.
For those not in the know, in the video game Kerbal Space Program, the player takes on the task of guiding little green aliens to outer space using real rocket science and orbital mechanics. It is not an easy game, nor a simple one, but it is, and this is important, incredibly goofy. The rockets wobble and explode, the buildings burn, the satellites crash, and through it all the little green guys just keep smiling. And, in a strange way, I see either the Seattle Mariners in them, or Kerbals in the Mariners. Watch this old announcement trailer and see if you catch my meaning.
When Brendan Donovan led off the game with a walk, it was a nominal liftoff. And then he detached his boosters before they were out of fuel, and got himself picked off at first for the second out of the inning. Whoops. Later on, Luke Raley hit a nice line drive in the second inning, but activated the parachutes too early. So instead of banging a double off the wall, he allowed Fernando Tatís Jr. to make a shoestring catch to end the inning.
In KSP, the player’s main adversaries are two forces of nature: atmospheric drag and gravity. But for the Mariners, the padres have been playing so well and are on such a streak that they may as well be considered forces of nature, as inexorable as the force that guides the arc of a home run ball. Or in the case of the Padres, a bunch of annoying seeing-eye ground balls that get through for singles and score a run. But hey look! One of them hit a hot shot to Naylor at first! Now he can turn a double play!
Uh-oh, Josh dropped it. There he learned a valuable KSP lesson: you can’t go too fast too low. Just Josh rushing to transfer the ball while still in a crouch caused him to drop the ball, your rocket going too fast too low in the atmosphere is just going to waste fuel and produce unnecessary heating. In rocket science, just as in baseball, it’s often better to slow down, take your time, and take some of the (atmospheric) pressure off yourself. But because Josh wasn’t able to turn that double play and end the inning, one run scored directly, and then two more Padres came across the plate to make it a 4-0 ballgame.
Offensively, the Mariners looked a little lost at the plate, as if Walker Buehler’s sweeper was as incomprehensible to them as the Tsiolkovsky rocket equation. I mean, what part of Δu = Veqln (mf/me) − g0 ⋅ tb is hard to understand? The Mariners made two big threats. The threat in the 4th failed to even go suborbital as a pair of leadoff singles by Donovan and Raleigh were left stranded.
The threat in the 6th succeeded in breaking through the atmosphere, however. This time, after a pair of leadoff singles by Young and Donovan, Cal hit a line drive that made splashdown in right field and scored Cole Young easily. Now finally mortal, the Padres were forced to replace Buehler.
Julio followed up Cal’s Apollo mission with an Artemis mission, also hitting a line drive into right that scored a runner from third. Now, with runners on first and second with nobody out, then the bases loaded with one out, the Mariners were poised to finally enter orbit a tie or take the lead from the Padres. But then they ran out of fuel. Connor Joe pinch hit for Luke Raley and struck out on a high fastball, and J.P. hit a routine groundball to end the inning. There would be no orbit and, for the Mariners, no more spaceflights. They’d never get so close to the Padres again.
In fact, the Padres managed to rub some salt in the wound in the 7th when, with runners on second and third, Cole Young lost a pop up in the San Diego sky and dropped it, giving the Friars another run.
Mercifully, that inning, and the remaining two, were soon ended, completing the San Diego sweep putting the Seattle Space Program on hold. Perhaps its time to go back to the drawing board in the Vehicle Assembly Building and start over with a new design. Put Julio at first base. Make Cal pitch. Have George Kirby play shortstop. That’s the kind of thing I do in KSP when my rocket just flat out isn’t working. And you know what? It usually works.
The Mariners return home tomorrow for a 3-game set against the Texas Rangers. After also being swept by Texas a couple weeks ago, some wins against a divisional rival are exactly what this team needs right now. The most demoralized fans among you would say that beating the Rangers this weekend is a dream. But what can I say? I like to shoot for the moon.
Kings center Anze Kopitar will be competing in the NHL playoffs for the final time. (Ryan Sun / Associated Press)
The Kings looked nothing like a playoff team heading into the NHL’s trade deadline. They had lost six of their last eight games, had just fired their coach and had saw their second-leading scorer go down with a broken leg in the Olympic tournament.
They were backing away from the playoffs, not heading toward them. So general manager Ken Holland did the prudent thing and largely stood pat, trading a couple of veterans for draft picks and making only a pair of minor acquisitions.
Turns out he wasn’t waving a white flag but rather a green one because the Kings hit the gas after that, gathering points in 16 of their final 20 games, finishing the regular season as one of the hottest teams in the NHL. That earned them a fifth straight trip to the playoffs and a first-round meeting with the Colorado Avalanche, the league’s winningest team, beginning Sunday in Denver.
The Ducks, meanwhile, advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2018 but they stumbled in, losing eight of their last 10 and blowing a five-point lead in the Pacific Division and the home-ice advantage that went with it over the final three weeks. The Ducks, the third-place team in the Pacific Division, will start on the road in Edmonton on Monday.
Kings interim coach D.J. Smith during a game in March in Boston. (Charles Krupa / Associated Press)
“It’s been a climb. Probably didn’t look very good a while ago,” said Kings interim coach D.J. Smith, who could lose the interim part of that title after going 11-6-6 after replacing Jim Hiller behind the bench with 23 games to play. “It’s a credit to the guys, the leadership. They played playoff hockey for a while now. And it’s allowed us this opportunity.”
Actually, crediting the Kings with playing playoff hockey isn’t necessarily a compliment since the team hasn’t won a postseason series since hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2014. But it’s been more than a decade since the Kings have entered the playoffs carrying this kind of momentum and they have a few people to thank for that.
Anton Forsberg has been key for the Kings down the stretch. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
Journeyman goaltender Anton Forsberg, who spent most of his first season in Los Angeles backing up Darcy Kuemper, won five straight starts in April to key the Kings’ fast finish. Russian winger Artemi Panarin, acquired from the New York Rangers just before the Olympic break and a month before the trade deadline, contributed nine goals and 18 assists in 26 games, helping make up for the loss of forwards Kevin Fiala and Andrei Kuzmenko to injuries. And Quinton Byfield scored 10 times in his final 13 games to set a career high with 24 goals.
“Since the break I feel like we’ve really come together as a group,” Byfield said.
The team displayed uncommon grit as well, going to overtime an NHL-record 33 times. (They lost 20 of those games; if they have gotten the second point in just a third of those, they would have won the division.)
And finally, the Kings were also fueled by a desire to give captain Anze Kopitar one more chance at a title. Kopitar, who announced in September that this season would be his last, gave an emotional good-bye speech to the fans after the final regular-season home game. His teammates were determined to give him an encore in the playoffs.
“That had a lot to do with it,” Smith said. “Guys were playing for him. He gets one more chance to play at home.
“We found a way.”
Kopitar, however, credited his coach for the team’s fast finish.
“Once Smithy came in, he just changed the energy a little bit and we’re trying to be a little more aggressive versus sitting back,” said Kopitar, the Kings’ all-time leader in games, points and assists.
Cutter Gauthier is the first Duck to score 40 goals in a season since Corey Perry in 2013-14. (Melissa Majchrzak / Associated Press)
For the Ducks, they’re not only returning to the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons — only the Detroit Red Wings have a longer active postseason drought — but they also posted a winning record for the first time since 2018.
Troy Terry, who played two games as a rookie that season, is the only Duck remaining from that team.
“This year has just felt different from the start,” he said. “It was less question marks about the potential of the team. We knew what we could be.”
Which isn’t to say it’s been easy. The team had two seven-game winning streaks but also weathered losing streaks of nine and six games.
“We had a couple of roller coasters there, starting and then slowing down and getting back on it,” said coach Joel Quenneville, who has taken five teams to the NHL playoffs, winning three Stanley Cups in Chicago.
The Ducks’ 273 goals this season are the most in franchise history but the 288 they allowed is third-worst all time, leaving the team with the second-highest goal differential of any playoff team. (Only the Kings are worse at -22.)
Speaking of history, winger Cutter Gauthier, with 18 goals in the final 23 games, is the first Duck to score 40 goals in a season since Corey Perry in 2013-14. At 22, he’s also the second-youngest to get there, trailing only Paul Kariya.
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Arsenii Sergeev made 27 saves in his first NHL start, Zayne Parekh broke a third-period tie and the Calgary Flames beat the playoff-bound Los Angeles Kings 3-1 on Thursday night to end the season.
The Kings learned during the game that they’d be the second wild-card in the Western Conference and face NHL regular-season champion Colorado in the first round — with Game 1 on Sunday in Denver.
Los Angeles finished 35-27-20. Earlier Thursday, Edmonton took second place in the Pacific Division with a 6-1 home victory over Vancouver, and Anaheim won 5-4 at Nashville to finish third.
Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee also scored for Calgary. The Flames finished 34-39-9.
Kings star Anze Kopitar appeared in his final regular-season game, finishing with the seventh-most career points by a born and trained European player with 1,316. The leader of the category is Jaromir Jagr with 1,921.
Quinton Byfield scored for Los Angeles, and Anton Forsberg made 18 saves.
Frost opened the scoring at 5:21 of the second period on a power play with his 22nd of the season. Byfield tied it less than two minutes later with his 24th.
Farabee scored into an empty net to reach 20 goals.
INGLEWOOD, CA - APRIL 15: Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors smiles during the game against the LA Clippers during the SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Latvian big man Kristaps Porziņģis had arguably his best game with the Golden State Warriors last night against the Los Angeles Clippers, notching 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on 8-of-12 shooting from the field (3-of-6 on threes). However, his availability is up in the air for tomorrow’s tilt against the Phoenix Suns.
Kristaps Porzingis listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game at Phoenix with right ankle soreness. He was limping around with it taped up after last night’s win in LA.
Should Porziņģis be unavailable tomorrow, it is assumed that Al Horford will start in his place. However, that would also meant that the Warriors’ center depth will take a massive hit, which could see Draymond Green at the five for spurts, should Steve Kerr deem it necessary. Green was at his best against the Clippers with either Porziņģis or Horford behind him as a backline rim protector; without either of them in certain configurations, Green might find it difficult to plug holes and erase mistakes despite his history of being a capable roamer and help-side defender.
For those who thought Aaron Boone might have nothing to get ejected about with the arrival of the automated ball-strike system, think again.
The Yankees manager picked up his first ejection late in Thursday’s 11-4 loss to the Angels, getting tossed by home plate umpire Will Little at the end of the eighth inning for arguing a balk call from the top of the eighth.
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“I still haven’t gotten good clarity, because of course they got overly sensitive when I was as calm as could be,” said Boone, who first went out to talk to Little in the middle of the eighth before going out again at the end of the frame.
“I wasn’t out there arguing, I just wanted to hear their explanation. I’m going to wait to get more clarity. I think it’s a fine play.”
First base umpire Ryan Additon called the balk on lefty Ryan Yarbrough, who tried to pick off the man at first with runners on first and second and two outs in what was then a 7-4 game.
Boone said the Yankees had a play on for Yarbrough to attempt a pickoff at first and thought the throw over was within the rules. But he was dissatisfied with the lack of explanation for why it was called a balk.
“Will gave it to me behind home plate, but then I wanted what I thought should have been more of an explanation,” said Boone, who has led the AL in ejections in each of the last five years. “So I went out to talk to Ryan out at first and [crew chief Lance Barksdale] cut me off.”
Aaron Boone argues with home plate umpire Will Little in the eighth inning before getting ejected for the first time this season in the Yankees’ 11-4 blowout loss to the Angels on April 16, 2024. Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The plan is for Cole to get fully built up on his minor-league assignment, instead of doing what the Yankees did with Cam Schlittler to start this season and taking him at around 70 pitches to finish off that buildup in the big leagues.
“It’s one step at a time,” Boone said. “Looking forward to him starting on Friday and we’ll build him from there. Even when he gets back to us, we’ll probably be conservative with him.”
Rehab assignments come with a 30-day clock for pitchers — May 16 would be the final day of that for Cole — but those coming back from Tommy John surgery, as the former AL Cy Young winner is, can extend that window if needed.
Carlos Rodón, meanwhile, could be back shortly before Cole.
The left-hander, whose return from elbow surgery was delayed by a hamstring issue, is scheduled to throw live batting practice Saturday, after which he could get cleared to begin a rehab assignment that would likely include “at least” three games — potentially putting him in a position to rejoin the Yankees in the second week of May.
Oswald Peraza tormented his former team all series, going 2-for-4 with a double, home run, walk and three RBIs on Thursday after going 3-for-3 with a homer and a walk Tuesday.
“Man, he looked like what we were excited about several years ago,” Boone said. “Then obviously went through a couple years of really struggling. He’s super talented, always has been. … Clearly in as good a place as he’s been in a few years.”
For the first time this season, the scuffling Ryan McMahon did not play third base during a Max Fried start.
Despite Boone’s stated preference to have the defensively gifted McMahon handling the hot corner for Fried, who generates a high clip of ground balls there, he started Amed Rosario to balance the lineup on a day when the Angels were throwing a bullpen game.
The Yankees lost their automated ball-strike system challenges by the bottom of the third inning Thursday.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Trent Grisham were both proven wrong trying to get strikes turned into balls.
MLB Atlanta Braves pitcher Ian Hamilton | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves’ day off began with another bullpen shuffle, and this time, right-hander Ian Hamilton got the call. In addition to his selection, the club optioned lefty Hayden Harris to Triple-A Gwinnett and designated righty Osvaldo Bido for assignment.
The #Braves today selected RHP Ian Hamilton to the major league roster and designated RHP Osvaldo Bido for assignment. The club also optioned LHP Hayden Harris to Triple-A Gwinnett following last night’s game. Additionally, RHP Spencer Strider tonight begins a rehabilitation…
30-year-old Hamilton joined the Braves in December of last year and has yet to make his Atlanta debut. He’s thrown just 6.1 innings in Gwinnett this season, where he owns a 2.84 ERA. He’s given up just one base on balls and whiffed nine.
Harris was called up earlier this week and did not get a shot at big league action. As for Bido, the move is a direct result of his lackluster outing against Miami.
Bryce Elder has been effective early this season and is shaping up to be a regular in the starting rotation.
Jim Jarvis is on a nine-game hitting streak down in Triple-A. More in the minor league recap.
Luke Williams has rejoined the Braves on a minor-league deal, per the transaction log. He was designated for assignment earlier this week and elected free agency.
MLB News:
The Washington Nationals acquired left-hander Richard Lovelady from the New York Mets in exchange for cash. The Mets designated him for assignment over the weekend.
From the Feed:
Brian Snitker will be inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame on April 25, and there’s a slate of special guests that will be in attendance.
Apr 16, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Chase Dollander (32) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Colorado Rockies entered their series finale in Houston against the Astros needing a win in the worst way. Losers of six straight on the road, the Rockies could have ended their road trip with seven consecutive losses with a daunting match-up against the Los Angeles Dodgers quickly approaching.
The Rockies got the memo. Despite a shaky start from opener Juan Mejia, the Rockies pitching was largely excellent. They held the strong Astros offense to just two runs on their way to a victory that no doubt resonated in the clubhouse.
Cold Open
With the Rockies scuttling to get the most out of their pitching staff due to injuries and heavy bullpen use during this road trip, righty Juan Mejia was begged as the opener. Mejia threw just over half of his 30 pitches for strikes and recorded two strikeouts, but three singles and a hit by pitch helped the Astros jump head to an early lead. Mejia was pulled after recording just two outs.
Cut to the Chase
Chase Dollander turned in one of the best performances of his young career operating in bulk relief of Juan Mejia. Dollander consistently dialed up high velocity on his fastball—regularly hitting 100 MPH—and induced a 44% whiff rate on the pitch. He also made strong use of his slider and changeup (with 40% and 43% whiff rates, respectively) as he struck out a career high nine batters in 5.1 scoreless innings.
Dollander held the Astros hitless until his final inning of work. In the sixth inning a leadoff walk to Isaac Paredes and a double deflected off the glove of third baseman Kyle Karros had runners on second and third with no outs. Dollander proceeded to bear down with a gutsy finish. After getting noted Rockies killer Christian Walker to ground out without advancing the runners, Dollander struck out the next two batters to end the inning with no damage done.
See what happens when you don’t strike out 15 times?
Tonight was one of the Rockies’ most disciplined games at the plate so far this season. The Rockies struck out just five times against the combined Astros bullpen—including the opener Ryan Weiss—while chasing significantly less than previous games over this road trip. They also drew six walks.
Unfortunately, that didn’t necessarily equate to runs. The Rockies scored just three runs on nine hits, going 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position and leaving nine men stranded.
Tyler Freeman, Hunter Goodman, and Brenton Doyle were the Rockies’ heroes at the plate. Freeman went 3-for-5 with an RBI without striking out—though he did ground into a momentum-killing double-play—while Hunter Goodman both went 2-for-3 with a walk. Doyle put his speed to good use with two stolen bases while Goodman hit his fifth home run of the season.
Dollander gave way to Jaden Hill, Jimmy Herget, and Victor Vodnik. All three relievers faced traffic but kept the Astros off the board. Hill walked two and gave up a hit, but managed to navigate the inning unscathed while Herget also gave up a walk. Vodnik also issued a walk, and a towering fly ball off the bat of Isaac Paredes gave Rockies fans flashbacks as it looked like they were about to be walked off yet again. However, the ball fell into Mickey Moniak’s glove at the wall and Vodnik earned his second save of the season.
The Rockies are heading back to what might be a chilly and snow-touched Coors Field tomorrow to start a four-game series against the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers. Tomoyuki Sugano 菅野 智之 will make the start for the Rockies, looking to continue building on his excellent start.Tyler Glasnow will go for the Dodgers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM MDT.
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Connor McDavid had four assists to take the NHL scoring title with 138 points and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks 6-1 on Thursday night to finish second in the Pacific Division and open the playoffs at home.
Edmonton will host Anaheim on Monday night in Game 1. The Oilers were 7-2-2 in their last 11 to finish 41-30-12, while Vancouver was last in the NHL at 25-49-8.
McDavid won his sixth Art Ross title as the NHL scoring leader to tie Mario Lemieux and Gordie Howe for second — four behind Wayne Gretzky. McDavid reached 1,220 career points, passing Jeremy Roenick, Larry Murphy and Jean Beliveau to advance to 47th on the NHL list. McDavid entered the season 71st.
Rookie Matthew Savoie had his first hat trick, Josh Samanski, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Colton Dach also scored and Evan Bouchard had three assists. Connor Ingram made 11 saves, allowing only Ty Mueller's first career goal.
Edmonton was buoyed by the return of forward Zach Hyman and is expecting star forward Leon Draisaitl back during the opening series.
