We could watch him all summer, too. | NHLI via Getty Images
With two series Thursday night and one of them concluding, there is sadly no playoff hockey Friday nor Sunday either. It really is that time of year.
Islanders News
Matthew Schaefer: “I’m just happy I’m able to be a part of it to help these kids.” [NHL]
Some teammates raving about the Calder winner. [Isles]
Here’s a brief Q&A with him before he knew he won the Calder. [Isles on Twitter]
About draft prospect Ryan Lin, a defenseman some of you have targeted at 13th overall. [THN]
R.I.P. Paul Boutilier, an Isles (among other teams) defenseman in the ‘80s. [Post]
Elsewhere
Mitch Marner scored a pretty incredible breakaway goal as Vegas clinched their series over the Ducks. [NHL]
The Canadiens are also one win away from the conference final after winning Game 5 in Buffalo. [NHL]
The Sabres switched their goalies yet again. [Sportsnet]
Awaiting them are the Hurricanes, whose GM Eric Tulsky is enjoying their 8-0 ride. [NHL]
Officially now (after word leaked they asked Vegas for permission to speak to Bruce Cassidy), the Oilers have fired Kris Knoblauch, who never could recover from the yips that kept him from accurately throwing to first base. [NHL]
They’ll hope the new coach can somehow convince Connor McDavid to stay. [NHL | Sportsnet]
The Sedins are back to run the Canucks, with Ryan Johnson as GM. [Sportsnet | NHL]
Seven potential candidates for the Leafs coaching job. [Sportsnet]
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: (EDITORS NOTE: This image was captured using a slow shutter speed) Darryn Peterson participates in the pro lane drill during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is the latest example of big stuff happening with the Washington Wizards when I’m traveling or heavily scheduled and unable to write or talk about the news.
If I’m on an airplane, you can count on the Wizards making a trade or getting a piece of major news. It feels inevitable.
So, in the last year (at least for a while) where the NBA rewards tanking, the Wizards tanked hardest and best and won the number one overall pick in this year’s loaded draft. “Loaded” in this case is used in a reputational kind of way. I haven’t run Ye Olde Draft Analyzer (YODA for short) yet and don’t have firm opinions on any of the prospects. In other words, I’ve heard people talk about how great this draft is at the top, but I haven’t assessed those claims for myself. Yet.
Judging by the headlines, The Official Rumor Silly Season is underway. The Wizards front office wisely communicated an openness to trading the top pick. If the prospects are as good as they’re reputed to be, a trade could deliver a proverbial King’s Ransom.
My favorite so far is the one about the Utah Jazz wanting to trade up a spot to pick Brigham Young forward AJ Dybantsa. If Dybantsa isn’t Washington’s guy at #1, then taking other stuff to move down a spot and get the guy they wanted anyway is just good business.
Here’s my quick first take on the numbers of the prospects widely considered to be in play for Washington at the top spot in the draft: Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer.
AJ Dybantsa | F | BYU
AJ Dybantsa could be the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft whether the Wizards keep the pick or not. | NBAE via Getty Images
What to like: It’d be hard to argue too much with Dybanta’s on-court production — per 100 team possessions, he averaged 41.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. He converted 56.8% of his twos, which suggests he’ll be able to compete inside, and he basically never fouled. He got to the free throw line regularly, which means he was stressing opponent defenses.
Yellow Flags: He shot 33.1% on threes, and his 77.4% free throw percentage is fine but not exceptional. Slightly bigger concern: not many steals or blocks for a 6-9 kid with superior athleticism. His overall offensive efficiency was strong despite the ho-hum three-point shooting and 5.0 turnovers per 100 possessions.
How he measured: Just fine — over 6-8 in socks with a 7-foot wingspan. His agility times were strong, and he practically jumped out of the gym (fourth best maximum vertical at the combine).
Darryn Peterson | G | Kansas
Is Darryn Peterson the most talented player in this year’s NBA Draft? | NBAE via Getty Images
What to like: Veteran draftnik Jonathan Givony says Peterson is the best talent in this year’s draft. He views Peterson as on a different level than Dybantsa. That’s strong praise. A few numbers jump off the screen — per 100 possessions, 40.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks. He shot 38.2% on threes and 82.6% from free throw line on (a high) 11.1 attempts per 100. Those stocks (steals + blocks) are an impressive signal of his athleticism and defensive activity.
Yellow Flags: Sub-50% on twos, a dozen missed games, and just 697 total NCAA minutes. The cramping issue is a legitimate concern, though reportedly the cause (creatine supplements) has been identified and corrected. His offensive rating (points produced per 100 individual possessions) was decent but unexceptional. Reportedly, Peterson would have preferred to play more of an on-ball role.
How he measured: Another ”just fine” — 6-4.5 in socks with a 6-9.75 wingspan. His agility times and vertical measurements look more than good enough to suggest he won’t be overwhelmed physically in the NBA.
Cameron Boozer | F | Duke
Could insane production and average NBA athleticism land Cameron Boozer in the top spot in this year’s NBA Draft? | NBAE via Getty Images
What to like: Insane production — per 100 possessions, 40.3 points, 18.3 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks. He shot 39.1% on a pretty good volume of threes, 60.7% on twos, and 78.9% from the free throw line on 13.2 attempts per 100. His offensive rating was 136, which is…well…insane considering his 29.9% usage.
Yellow Flags: Turnovers were a bit elevated (4.5 per 100), and the blocks are on the low side for someone who played a decent amount in the paint. Other than that, see “How he measured.”
How he measured: Potential concerns here, depending on how much his NBA team needs him to play inside. He’s 6-8.25 in socks with a 7-1.5 wingspan and a standing reach of 9-feet. Those are basically wing dimensions. But, he also weighs 253 pounds, which means he’s a big dude.
The agility times look pretty ordinary for a forward. The vertical measurements landed below the middle of the pack. Perhaps part of the explanation behind the relatively low blocks.
The forgoing should not be confused with a full evaluation, which is still to come. My initial impressions suggest it would difficult to go too wrong with any one of these three. They were all wildly productive at the highest levels of college basketball. Each has many strengths and a few fairly small worry points to nitpick. On first look, all three appear to be very strong prospects with a high likelihood of becoming outstanding NBA players.
As the NBA Draft Combine is officially underway in Chicago, Illinois, the Kentucky Wildcats have a few guys in the draft testing their luck as they look to get drafted June 23-24 in Brooklyn, New York.
Two-year Wildcat Otega Oweh is making a name for himself as he’s had two great scrimmages under his belt. In his first scrimmage, Oweh gave some peers a ho-hum 20-point game (7/12 FG, 1/3 on 3s), with four rebounds in just 18 minutes. The New Jersey native showed great athleticism, a high motor, and the ability to finish at the rim.
In the final scrimmage at the combine, Oweh did his thing, once again. He finished the day with another 21-point outing (6-14), 9-10 from the charity stripe, five rebounds, and one assist. Oweh’s lack of consistency from three-point range showed, as he was 0-5 from deep.
Oweh sits at 105 on the NBA Draft’s best player in 2026, according to ESPN. However, Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor recently projected Oweh to be drafted 59th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With a couple of strong outings, good numbers, and his ability to defend, Oweh should get some looks in the second round of the draft next month.
Following a disappointing first-round playoff exit, the Boston Celtics now shift their attention toward a pivotal offseason and the upcoming NBA Draft, where they currently hold the 27th and 40th overall selections. Selecting near the back end of the first round, and in the early portion of the second, is familiar territory for the Celtics front office.
Since 2023, the Boston Celtics have selected Baylor Scheierman at No. 30 and Hugo Gonzalez at No. 28 in the first round, while also using second-round capital on Jordan Walsh at No. 35, Anton Watson at No. 54, and last year’s 32nd overall pick, which they ultimately traded in a deal that brought in Amari Williams and Max Shulga.
According to Hoopshype’s annual draft workout tracker, Boston has already begun the initial phase of its pre-draft evaluations for this draft cycle. Here are the prospects the Celtics have brought in so far:
Whether Brad Stevens, Celtics’ President of Basketball Operations, decides to package one or both selections in a trade for established talent or maneuver around the draft board, the group of prospects Boston has begun evaluating makes for an intriguing starting point in the team’s pre-draft process. So, let’s dive in.
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27: Zuby Ejiofor #24 of the St. John's Red Storm looks on during the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Duke Blue Devils at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Zuby Ejiofor is one of the more fascinating late first-round to early second-round prospects in this year’s draft class because of how translatable his role appears to be at the NBA level. The former Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball transfer blossomed into the centerpiece of St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball under Rick Pitino, developing from a high-energy rotational big into one of the most impactful two-way forwards in college basketball.
Ejiofor did measure in shorter than his previously listed 6’9” height at this year’s NBA Combine, but his leadership, motor, and non-negotiable attitude to the defensive side of the ball will still seemingly get him drafted pretty comfortably.
Defensively, is where his money is made. Ejiofor will be a versatile switch-capable big who can defend multiple frontcourt positions, protect the rim in weak-side rotations, and survive on the perimeter better than most players his size and weight. His combination of elite strength and good length (7’2” wingspan) allows him to hold ground against bigger centers despite lacking towering height. Without elite athletic ability, he relies on verticality and positioning. Scouts consistently point to his defensive instincts, motor, and physicality as NBA-level traits.
Ejiofor can create events on the defensive side as shown by his 7.2 block percentage (80th percentile) and 2.2 steal percentage which ranked in the 83rd percentile positionally, but his intangibles along with all the traits I listed above make him so much more impactful looking outside the box score. This made him an advanced analytics darling last year as he ranked third in the nation in BPM (Box Plus Minus) and 11th in DBPM (Defensive Box Plus Minus). These stats should not be taken as end all be all projections as they are not perfect.
Offensively, his game is still evolving, but there are intriguing signs of modern utility. He plays with a relentless motor and thrives doing the kind of connective, winning plays NBA teams value from role-playing frontcourt pieces like being a good screener, a strong finisher around the rim, offensive rebounding and an increasingly effective passer in dribble-handoff actions and short-roll situations. One of the more notable developments in his game this past season was his improvement as a facilitator, showcasing better court vision and decision-making from the high post. His 3.7 assists per game and 23 assist percentage both ranked in the 97th percentile.
His bruiser/bully mentality on offense did lead to him getting to the line a ton in college. His 69.4% free throw rate (seven attempts per game) ranked in the 95th percentile. He converted 71% of his attempts at the stripe which is solid for a guy his size but if he can get better from there, that would be great. This ties into the swing skill for him which is his perimeter shooting.
I believe Zuby Ejiofor has the potential to develop into a Swiss Army knife, high-IQ frontcourt player who does not necessarily need to be a great shooter to impact winning, though added perimeter range would certainly elevate his value. He shot just 30% from three-point range last season on 59 attempts and has yet to demonstrate consistent enough touch from beyond the arc to command defensive attention at the collegiate level. That said, he has shown enough makes to suggest there is at least some developmental upside, and his shooting mechanics are not broken, leaving room for gradual improvement over time.
If everything goes as planned for Zuby Ejiofor, I see a considerable amount of Isaiah Stewart likeness in his game (probably minus the fights).
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 04: Andrej Stojakovic #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on while playing against the UConn Huskies in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Just because players share a last name does not necessarily mean they are related, but when you see “Stojakovic” on the back of a basketball jersey, it naturally invites speculation about a possible family connection. In this case, however, the assumption is correct: Andrej Stojakovic is the son of former NBA All-Star and champion Peja Stojakovic.
Andrej transferred to Illinois last season after spending his first two years with Stanford and California. On offense, he is probably the opposite of what you would expect from someone with his last name. The 6’5” wing is an absolute slashing two-point scoring oriented player, and he does something Brad Stevens noted as a point of improvement for the Celtics.
At his end-of-season press conference, Stevens emphasized the need for the Celtics to generate more consistent rim pressure moving forward. “One of the things that we’ve gotta figure out is how to have more of an impact at the rim,” Stevens said, later expanding on the point by asking, “I think the biggest thing is can we generate looks at the rim?”
One of the more notable remarks from the session came when he underscored the organization’s offensive priorities, stating, “Every one of us would prefer a dunk over that, over a three. Every single one of us. And we struggled to generate them.”
Stojakovic ranked in the 98th percentile in unassisted rim makes per 100 possessions last season at 5.4 shooting 66% from there. Furthermore, he averaged 11 rim attempts per 100 possessions, and over half of his overall attempts on the season come from there. Even though he averaged seven less minutes and four less shots than his previous season at California, when he got his opportunities to slash, Illinois did a good job of having the floor spaced whether it was from the wing or a planned iso at the elbow.
38% of his possessions on offense saw him driving to the rim, and he achieved 1.00 PPP (points per possession) on that play type. He’s not the most athletic guy, but he shows real craft and determination when driving that works more often than not. He loves to use the spin move when defenders manage to cut him off, or he feels majority of their momentum going one way. This driving ability also translates to transition offense as he posted 1.38 PPP on the break. He also seems somewhat comfortable in the mid-range area as he shot 45% from there.
As a shooter though, Andrej has struggled all three years of his collegiate career. He’s at 30.5% on average in his campaigns and just had his worst one from three shooting 24.4% on 2.5 attempts. His release isn’t the smoothest and is slower than you would like. Unless he can rework his mechanics (totally possible), this almost entirely limits his ability as someone who can create threes for himself and make them off the bounce. Also, I don’t believe his handle is the best, but it is effective for what he does.
On defense I do see him being a solid team and individual defender. He routinely stays in front of the ball and has good instincts when peeling off to either another offensive player or to passing lanes. He didn’t post great defensive playmaking statistics last season (0.9 stl % + 1.9 blk %) but with his pursuit and contests after screens I do see some shot blocking ability. In his 2024-2025 season with Cal, he posted a 3.6 blk percentage (1.2 a game) which ranked in the 96th percentile for his position.
It remains to be seen whether Andrej Stojakovic will ultimately hear his name called on draft night, but he has shown enough to warrant a closer look during the evaluation process from Boston.
Kashie Natt | 6’3” | Guard-Wing | Sam Houston St. | 23
Kashie Natt is one of the most unique players in this NBA Draft cycle. He started his collegiate career at the JUCO level playing at Southern Shreveport before transferring and playing his next three seasons at LSU Alexandria. He turned some heads with his play there winning NABC Player of the Year and NAIA National Player of the Year ultimately leading to his step up in division play.
The 6’3” Natt is a literal annoying gnat (in the most complimentary way possible) to every offense he plays. He is a defensive menace and plays with an edge that only a few can match. Natt’s 4.2 stl % ranked in the top 20 in the nation, tallying him as one of the most disruptive players in college basketball. Well, I guess him winning Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year would do the trick also.
His athleticism helps him be that disruptive defender as he is one of the best vertical athletes in the Draft. He’s able to rise up like a center for some incredible blocks either on ball or help side.
On the ball, his quick feet and anticipation make him one of the best in the class. His hands and instincts are absurd, and he flies around making plays from distances most cannot. His traits have me thinking he could be really valuable as a gap defender at the next level with those hands, instincts, and range.
Another reason why he’s so unique is that he averaged 8.2(!) rebounds a game at 6’3” with 2.3 of those coming on the offensive glass which we know the Celtics love. This past season he posted a 23.6 defensive rebound percentage which I’m not sure a player his height or shorter has done in a long time. He led all of Conference USA in defensive rebounds and double doubles. His play even translated versus higher levels of competition as he put up 16 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals on Texas Tech who was #10 at the time.
Natt isn’t a ready-made offensive player which I’ll discuss later, but he did shoot 39% from three 2.5 attempts last season. His last four years have seen him hit 34.9% from behind the arc so there is some level of consistency with him as a shooter. This of course will be pivotal to his value at the next level as I believe he can contribute on defense right away.
Although I love the traits he has, Natt is not a perfect player. Defensively, the only concern I see is foul trouble. His fiery temperament and blazing play style can occasionally lead to early fouls. That said, the issue may not be as pronounced at the NBA level, where he would play fewer minutes and have an additional foul to work with. On offense he is not a polished player. He can get crazy with the handle sometimes which can lead to turnovers. He only averaged 1.2 turnovers last season, so I don’t see this being a big issue.
As a playmaker, I don’t see him doing anything extraordinary. When creating for himself he does have flashes of some on the ball pop especially as a straight-line driver using his athleticism to get to the lane. When he gets there though, he has to work on finishing through contact and making rim reads for teammates. Other than that, I can’t see him as of right now being someone you can say consistently, “here take the ball and create offense” and honestly that’s ok.
While Kashie Natt is going through the draft process right now, he did sign to transfer to Oklahoma State next season, meaning it’s not set in stone if he comes out this year. Whether it’s this year or next, I love the outlier traits Natt presents and will keep an eye on him.
The lyrics are a nod to Curry’s college, Davidson College, a private liberal arts college in Davidson, North Carolina, where he played college hoops for three seasons that completely changed his life.
Before Curry thrived with the Wildcats, it’s safe to say the average college basketball fan didn’t know much about the program.
Years later, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t know Curry or Davidson, and as Drake noted perfectly, you walk around the Bay Area or into any basketball arena and you see a swarm of Curry’s No. 30 jerseys.
Drake and Steph’s wife, Ayesha Curry, share a close friendship and family-like bond, rooted in a mutual Canadian connection that’s grown throughout his relationship with the Warriors star. The Currys even congratulated the famous rapper for his multi-album release.
This isn’t the first time Drake has name-dropped the Currys in a song, with one of his most notable bars being, “I been Steph Curry with the shot … Chef Curry with the pot, boy.”
Dusty May asserted himself as the portal king as he built a championship-winning roster last season, and he found the right pieces going into next season that sets Michigan up to defend its crown.
Louisville proved its all-in and is ready to get back in the national title conversation.
Louisville secured the top transfer in Flory Bidunga (Kansas), an absolute defensive monster that changes games. Plus, Louisville added Alvaro Folgueiras (Iowa) after he became a March hero for the Hawkeyes.
Other additions include big names the Cardinals are hoping can bounce back after injury-riddled campaigns. Jackson Shelstad (Oregon) spent two seasons dropping all sorts of points for the Ducks before he was limited to just 12 games last season, and Karter Knox (Arkansas) can rebound from a meniscus injury. There’s also De’Shayne Montgomery (Dayton) and Gabe Dynes (USC).
On paper, this should be a Final Four contender. Pat Kelsey has all the pieces to have one of the most lethal offenses in the country. If Louisville lives up to expectations, the Cardinals will be heading to Detroit.
Duke
Duke is always going to be a title contender because, well, it’s Duke. But Jon Scheyer has learned it takes a lot more than elite freshmen to succeed in March, and this could finally be the right recipe.
The Blue Devils got a premier scorer in John Blackwell (Wisconsin), one of the best shooters available in the country after he scored at least 20 points in nearly half of his games this past season. He can command the offense and kickstart runs that put teams away. Duke also got Drew Scharnowski (Belmont), a mid-major star that will be a force in the interior with all-ACC capabilities, which could make the Duke frontcourt one of the most feared in the sport. There's also the intrigue of Jacob Theodosiou (Loyola-Md.), a guard that could lead the second unit off the bench.
It’s been 11 years since Duke last won a national title, the longest drought since it captured its first championship in 1991. It also hasn’t won one since Mike Krzyzewski retired. The pressure is on to stop falling short in March, and the amount of experience coming in with the freshmen sensations could finally get Scheyer over the hump and restore order in Durham.
Texas
Sean Miller somewhat surprised in his first season, going from First Four to the only double-digit seed to reach the Sweet 16. It was still a talented roster and has followed it up by assembling a squad for his second season that will be expected to reach the second weekend of the tournament.
The Longhorns got two of the best players from its old conference in the Big 12, bringing in Isaiah Johnson (Colorado) and David Punch (TCU). Johnson made a name for himself right away when he put up 24 points in his college debut, and he ended up leading the Buffaloes in about every statistical category. He quietly was one of the best freshmen in the country, while Punch took a big leap in his second season, comfortably become an effective post player. There's also guys ready to take that next step in Elyjah Freeman (Auburn), Mikey Lewis (Saint Mary's) and Amari Evans (Tennessee).
In total, all five of Texas' transfers ranked in the top 100 available players, according to 247Sports, meaning they're all capable of making big contributions alongside a formidable freshmen class. The Longhorns are shaping up to show last season was just the start of a successful tenure for Miller.
Tennessee
Rocky Top is still searching for that first Final Four appearance after falling just short in the past three seasons. Rick Barnes has gotten Tennessee to the doorstep by building up transfers, but this time, he's got some already solidified ballers that can bring the Volunteers to the promise land.
Tennessee addressed the roster depletion by making additions to every single position. It starts with Juke Harris (Wake Forest), who was one of the top 15 scorers in the country (21.4 ppg) last season and turned it up against quality opponents. The backcourt is loaded, from Dai Dai Ames (Cal) and his clutch gene to Missouri Valley Conference player of the year Tyler Lundblade (Belmont) and his remarkable shooting figures (93.4% free throw percentage, 1st in Division I). Then there's Terrence Hill Jr. (VCU) who became a star in the NCAA Tournament, an all-around wing player in Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame) and exceptional defenders in Braedan Lue (Kennesaw State) and Miles Rubin (Loyola Chicago).
This is shaping up to be an elite offense, as Tennessee is bringing in players that combined for an average of 107.3 points per game. Of course, not everyone will produce the numbers at their previous stops, but it makes for a team that has several guys that can be plugged in and cause headaches for opponents, with the potential to take reign in the SEC.
UConn
UConn just played in its third championship game in four seasons — winning two of them — and Dan Hurley smartly maneuvered to keep the Huskies one of the top dogs.
His two biggest needs were replacing Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr., and while you can't get exact 2.0 versions of them, Hurley found Nikolas Khamenia (Duke) and Najai Hines (Seton Hall) to fill those roles. Khamenia was a five-star recruit out of high school that didn't play much due to Duke's loaded roster, but in those few minutes proved to be a quality shooter while gritty in crashing the boards. Hines was another highly touted freshman that showed off strength near the basket, swatting shot attempts and generating second-chance opportunities. He has the physicality Hurley will love.
The approach to find the right pieces instead of going after best talent will benefit Hurley, especially knowing he's got key contributors back and intriguing freshmen also coming in. Don't get tired of seeing UConn playing for championships just yet.
Buffalo Sabres (50-23-9, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10, in the Atlantic Division)
Montreal, Quebec; Saturday, 8 p.m. EDT
LINE: Canadiens -159, Sabres +134; over/under is 6.5
NHL PLAYOFFS SECOND ROUND: Canadiens lead series 3-2
BOTTOM LINE: The Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres in the second round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-2 lead in the series. The teams meet Thursday for the 10th time this season. The Canadiens won the previous meeting 6-3.
Montreal has a 23-12-3 record in Atlantic Division games and a 48-24-10 record overall. The Canadiens have committed 350 total penalties (4.3 per game) to rank fourth in the league.
Buffalo is 50-23-9 overall with a 22-10-5 record in Atlantic Division games. The Sabres have committed 316 total penalties (3.9 per game) to rank ninth in league play.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nicholas Suzuki has scored 29 goals with 72 assists for the Canadiens. Lane Hutson has one goal and nine assists over the last 10 games.
Rasmus Dahlin has 19 goals and 55 assists for the Sabres. Zachary Benson has scored four goals and added three assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Canadiens: 6-3-1, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.4 assists, 5.7 penalties and 14.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.
Sabres: 5-4-1, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.8 assists, 5.9 penalties and 16.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.
INJURIES: Canadiens: Patrik Laine: out (abdomen).
Sabres: Noah Ostlund: out (lower body), Jiri Kulich: out for season (ear), Justin Danforth: out for season (kneecap).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
ANAHEIM, May 14th, 2026– In California, Duck Season typically runs from October through January. But tonight, for one night and one night only, it was reopened at the Honda Center.
According to California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Vegas Golden Knights could have scored two more goals tonight. But, as it turned out, they didn’t need to hit the daily bag limit to defeat the Anaheim Ducks.
The puck dropped at 6:50 p.m. PST. They made their way through the handshake line at 9:36, and because media availability was so short, I imagine that the team was wheels up for a flight back to Las Vegas by 10:15. Head coach John Tortorella also declined to speak to the media following the series win.
Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals is scheduled for 5 p.m. PST on Wednesday at Ball Arena in Denver.
1. Birds of Prey? No– Birds *Are* Prey
The Ducks were moving targets for the Golden Knights tonight– and it had nothing to do with wearing orange. They made costly mistake after costly mistake, and the Golden Knights capitalized on nearly every single one. There is no better example than their shorthanded goal, which came after the Ducks cheated for offense. Mitch Marner took advantage of this.
“As soon as I saw that he had the puck with some time and space, I just tried to build up speed,” said forward Brett Howden following the 5-1 win. “I thought he was going to kick it out to me, and then he didn’t– he just stayed patient, stayed patient. When he has the puck on his stick, I just try to get to the net… Luckily enough, I found some space, and he made the play.”
Howden became just the eighth player in NHL history to score three short-handed goals in the same postseason.
“It’s funny,” said Howden postgame. “I was just telling Mitch that I don’t know if I’ve ever had a shorthanded goal before. He’s made some unbelievable plays to set me up for some of those.”
2. Next Man Up
It’s important to note that the most impressive part of the Golden Knights’ blowout win is that they did it without Brayden McNabb. The defenseman received a one-game suspension from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety following a hit on Ryan Poehling in Game 5 that knocked the Ducks forward out of the game, and out of Game 6 as well.
“Losing Nabber [is tough],” said defenseman Rasmus Andersson following Game 5. “He’s one of the leaders, if not the leader, on the back end. It’s time for other players to step up.”
And step up they did.
Andersson, Shea Theodore, and Noah Hanifin all played over 24 minutes tonight. Kaedan Korczak returned to the lineup and performed admirably in a limited role. Ben Hutton, too, has given the Golden Knights solid minutes ever since returning to the lineup six games ago. Dylan Coghlan, who played just three games with the NHL club during the regular season, has played in each of the last three games. He logged nearly 20 minutes tonight, recorded four hits, and was a +3.
3. That’s Me in the Spotlight, Losing My Religion
Brayden McNabb has served as alternate captain this season, and Mitch Marner wore the ‘A’ in his absence. And, boy, did he ever fill that role. He scored just 62 seconds into the first period, and made Brett Howden’s shorthanded game-winning goal happen. Marner continues to lead the postseason in scoring with seven goals and 18 points in 11 games.
“He’s a game-breaker, right? You saw it in that series– he was the best player in the series,” said Jack Eichel following the 5-1 win. “He comes out here at the beginning of the first period, makes two incredible plays, and all of a sudden we’re playing with the lead.
“Mitch has been incredible,” continued Eichel. “From day one in training camp, his personality has gelled really well with the team. Obviously, his play is incredible. He’s on a pretty special run right now, and it’s been a lot of fun to watch.
“I feel like he’s had a lot of critics,” Eichel finished. “He’s shutting a lot of people up right now. I’m super happy for him.”
Wreathed with more than 150 years of hopes, dreams and drama, the FA Cup reflects sporting heritage and mystique
Footballing physiques have changed a great deal over the decades, but when Chelsea meet Manchester City on Saturday there’s one outline we’ll all recognise. While the average shape has got leaner and more toned, this body has stayed comfortable in its old-school proportions. A modest waist gives on to surprisingly wide hips. Arms that have never lifted weights remain a little skinny for the frame. And yet none of this has been a hindrance in the modern game: every year, the FA Cup trophy still ends up on the winning team.
This is one of sport’s most iconic pieces of silverware, wreathed with more than 150 years of hopes, dreams and drama. It’s a far more emotive sight than the cartoonishly crowned Premier League trophy, or even the stylishly minimalist Champions League trophy. And this makes it even more extraordinary to remember that the object itself is still not out of its tween years. This weekend it will make its 13th Cup final appearance.
The 35-year-old will break the Bears’ top-flight appearance record against Northampton – and still hasn’t scored a try
Bristol’s Jake Woolmore has been pursuing a couple of personal goals for a while. Beneath the Friday night lights in Northampton he is about to tick off one of them by breaking the Bears’ top-flight appearance record. If he is also able to mark this special occasion by surrendering his status as the least likely person in the league to score a try, so much the better.
With fifth-placed Bristol seeking a win over the league leaders to bolster their playoff hopes, the 35-year-old prop is quick to stress the team’s interests come first. That said, if he makes it over the try‑line for the first time on his 142nd league appearance for the club (and 184th in all competitions), the celebrations will be even mightier. As he puts it: “I can’t imagine there are many people who’ve played over 180 games for one club without scoring.”
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 10: De'aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs attempts a three-point basket against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 10, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a dominant victory in Game Five, the San Antonio Spurs will head to Minnesota with a chance to clinch a spot in the Western Conference Finals. In case you’re looking for even more drama than an elimination game, it will be the first time Victor Wembanyama has played in the Target Center since he was ejected from Game Four of the series.
The Spurs found success in Minneapolis the last time they had a must-win game coming off a blowout at home. San Antonio won Game Three in Minnesota 115-108, thanks to some clutch scoring by Wembanyama down the stretch. This game will likely elicit a more desperate effort from the Wolves, who are known for fighting back when their backs are against the wall. San Antonio will need to be ready for a feisty and physical Wolves squad playing in front of a raucous crowd.
The Silver and Black will trot into Minnesota with a clean injury report. They’ll need all hands on deck to close this series out on the road. With the Oklahoma City Thunder getting plenty of rest, and the unpredictability of a Game Seven, San Antonio will have a bit of desperation themselves to win this series in six.
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Spurs Injuries: No injuries
Timberwolves Injuries: Donte DiVincenzo – Out (achilles)
What to watch for:
Getting to the basket
The Spurs outscored the Wolves in the paint 68-36 in Game Five. They relentlessly attacked the paint, especially in transition, to put Minnesota away in the second half. Getting to the rim and scoring through contact should be a focal point for their offense in Game Six, especially if the Wolves are thinking about going smaller with Rudy Gobert sitting on the bench. Gobert has been great defensively in this series, but has struggled offensively in the last few games, which has led to the Wolves going to Naz Reid at the center spot to spread the Spurs out a bit and add some offensive versatility to their lineup. Without Gobert’s rim protection, San Antonio has been able to capitalize at the rim. They’ll need more of that to close out this series on the road.
Can a second Timberwolf step up?
Anthony Edwards has been incredible in this series. He’s averaging 23.6 points while shooting 50.6% from the field and 40% from three. He’s been so good that the Spurs have elected to double-team him every time he catches the ball or brings it up the floor. San Antonio has begged another Timberwolf to beat them, and so far, none of them have risen to the challenge. Julius Randle has struggled, Ayo Dosumnu hasn’t hit the heights of his performance in the first round, and Jaden McDaniels has struggled to score over Wembanyama at the rim. If just one of these players turns it on in Game Six, the Spurs’ strategy of doubling Edwards could fall apart, and we may see a new defensive scheme from Mitch Johnson and Sean Sweeney.
Role players hitting threes
San Antonio has had hot-and-cold shooting performances from its role players in the playoffs. Julian Champagnie started the playoffs shooting the lights out, but has come back to earth a bit in recent games. Devin Vassell has struggled to find his stroke from deep all postseason, shooting just 31% from three. The Spurs need these two to hit open shots on Friday. The Silver and Black’s guards have done a great job of penetrating and drawing multiple defenders. Their shooters need to make the defense pay for collapsing onto drivers.
While not a role player, De’Aaron Fox’s shooting stroke will be important here, too. Elimination games on the road are exactly where veterans need to step up and take the reins. Fox is only shooting 44% from the field and 30.6% from three. Getting some of those mid-range jumpers and pull-up threes to go down could be just what the Spurs need to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 13: Blaze Alexander #23 of the Baltimore Orioles drives in two runs with a single in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 13, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Introduction
On February 5th, 2026 Arizona Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen sent fan favorite infielder Blaze Alexander to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for relief pitcher Kade Strowd, along with two minor league prospects, RHP Wellington Aracena and infielder Jose Mejia. It definitely hasn’t been long enough to evaluate this trade fairly, and won’t be for a few years, but I am going to try to do that today anyway.
How’s Blaze doing for the Orioles anyway?
Blaze Alexander has appeared in 36 games for the Baltimore Orioles, He’s seen time at every fielding position other than catcher, first base and pitcher, and as a result, his defensive stats have really taken hit. This is pretty clearly demonstrated by his Def stat on Fangraphs (which includes the positional adjustment) going from a positive 2.7 for the Diamondbacks in 2025 to -2.7 in 2026. Looking over his advanced fielding stats at each position, Blaze is still an above average fielder at third base, and possibly at the two corner outfield positions, but he’s a well below average fielder anywhere else in the field. Blaze’s defense would be fine if he was taking steps forward and growing as a hitter, but that’s not what we’ve been seeing through his first 100 plate appearances. He’s hitting .244/.299/.289 with a 70 wRC+, 69 OPS+, and a .271 wOBA; combined with his defensive decline, that puts his seasons value at -0.1 fWAR.
It’s actually not all doom and gloom for Blaze, as he’s actually been hitting the ball harder with a max EV a full 2.2 MPH faster than his highs in previous seasons. His expected wOBA (.306), expected Batting Average (.281), and expected Slugging Percentage (.350) do give some indication that he’s been somewhat unlucky as well. I think Blaze has the potential to turn it around if the Orioles leave him at a defensive position he’s actually comfortable at.
Okay, that’s cool, but what about the players the D’Backs acquired?
First up, there’s Kade Strowd, who was assigned to the AAA affiliate Reno Aces after not making the MLB Roster out of spring. Strowd has been an effective reliever for the Aces so far in the 14 games he’s appeared in. He’s put up a 2.40 ERA, though that does come with a significantly higher 4.17 FIP and xFIP, so I would expect that ERA to go up. Strowd seems like a solid candidate to be called up eventually this season, especially if there are any injuries in the bullpen.
RHP Wellington Aracena was assigned to the A+ Level Hillsboro Hops. There he’s started 5 games, but appeared in 6, pitching 18 ⅓ IP with a 2.95 ERA, a 3.58 FIP, 3.61 xFIP, and a 64 ERA-. In other words, he’s been an above average pitcher so far. Aracena has stood out to me thanks to an insane 32.4 strikeout percentage, in addition to his other stats above.
Finally, there’s 2nd baseman Jose Mejia, who has stood out the most to me, thanks to his performance at the plate in 2026. In 32 games and 132 plate appearances for the D’Backs A ball level affiliate Visalia Rawhide, Mejia is hitting .308/.455/.500 with a .442 wOBA and 152 wRC+. Mejia is sporting an excellent 19.5 walk percentage, along with a more than acceptable 15.9 strikeout percentage. Mejia has been an above average hitter throughout his minor league career, ans hiis .363 BABIP is well in line with his career norms, so this isn’t a case of a fluke hot streak. Mejia appears to legitimately be one of the better hitters in the Diamondbacks farm system.
Conclusion
While none of the players acquired are currently on the MLB roster for the Dbacks, the results so far in 2026 from each player make this trade look more and more promising as time goes by. Kade Strowd should be a useful bullpen piece in the very near future, with Aracena hopefully doing the same a few seasons down the line. Mejia looks like a guy who should climb the Dbacks top prospect list, though he plays a position that the Dbacks are absolutely stacked at currently. Meanwhile Blaze Alexander is currently struggling for the Orioles and may be sent down to the Minors sooner rather than later if his struggles continue.
It’s still way too early, but right now this looks like one of the better long term moves that GM Mike Hazen made over the offseason.
The Anaheim Ducks returned home, facing elimination for the first time this postseason after falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in overtime in Game 5.
Pavel Dorofeyev was the star of the show, scoring two goals––including the overtime winner––to give the Golden Knights a pivotal 3-2 series lead heading back to Honda Center. The Ducks lost forward Ryan Poehling to injury in the first period after a late hit from Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb. McNabb had a hearing with NHL Player Safety on Wednesday and was suspended for Game 6. Kaeden Korczak drew back into the lineup in his absence.
With Poehling out, Jansen Harkins drew back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch in Games 3 and 4. Mason McTavish slid into the middle to center the third line with Jeff Viel and Cutter Gauthier. No other lineup changes were made.
Lukáš Dostál and Carter Hart faced one another once again, with Dostál stopping 16 of 21 shots and Hart stopping 31 of 32 shots.
Game Notes
Game 6 was almost reminiscent of Game 3 from the jump, with the Ducks conceding a goal on the first shot against and then giving up a shorthanded goal. Mitch Marner was at the forefront of the action once again, as he was in Game 3. He scored the first Vegas goal and had the primary assist on Brett Howden's shorthanded tally. Shea Theodore's power play tally saw the Ducks facing a three-goal deficit at the end of the first period.
Joel Quenneville swapped Troy Terry and Beckett Sennecke after the second period, which gave Leo Carlsson's line a bit more speed. The Golden Knights showed why they have been a playoff contender almost every season of their existence, refusing to play a safe game and continuing to push back against Anaheim's attempts to erase their deficit. Their plethora of playoff experience was evident in this one. Anaheim made a push in the second and third, but the early 3-0 hole was too much to overcome.
Power Play-The power play was a very sore spot for the Ducks in this series, as the Golden Knights killed off all but four of the 21 opportunities that the Ducks had. The Ducks also gave up two shorthanded goals.
Anaheim's power play success against the Oilers wasn't going to be replicated, but there were times when they were unable to even generate momentum on the man advantage. Though they did get a power play goal in this game courtesy of Mikael Granlund, the power play did not shift the tide nearly enough overall.
Olen Zellweger-Zellweger continues to give the Ducks a dynamic option on the blue line, capable of creating offense with both his skating and shot. Where Jackson LaCombe has taken a bit of a backseat offensively in the past few games, Zellweger has grabbed that opportunity by the horns. It led to more ice time for the second consecutive game as he was paired with John Carlson down the stretch.
John Carlson-Carlson was a non-factor in this game and most of the series, quite frankly. He registered just one point and was a minus-4. He was walked several times in Game 4 and his attempt to go off the wall in the defensive zone led directly to a goal against in Game 5. The savvy, veteran plays he was pulling off in the Oilers series were few and far between in the Vegas series, with his lack of foot speed unable to cover up some of his mistakes.
Ryan Poehling-The Ducks really missed Poehling in this game, as they didn't have a bridge to cover the gap between Carlsson/Granlund and Washe. While McTavish and Gauthier drove play well in Game 4 without Poehling, they couldn't quite replicate that in Game 5. Some of that may have been due to the absence of Poehling, who also holds a big role on the penalty kill.
The Ducks' season comes to an end after securing a playoff berth for the first time in eight seasons. They also won their first playoff series in nine seasons. While their season is over, their young core gained plenty of experience, which they can pull from heading into next season.
Goaltending-While Lukáš Dostál isn't solely to blame for this loss, he was outplayed by Carter Hart in this one. The dreaded "first shot, first goal" trend which has followed Dostál into the playoffs reared its head once again. He did play well in Game 5, which makes that overtime loss sting a bit more. This is the most games Dostál has ever started in his pro career, including a stint at the Winter Olympics in February. It's also important to remember that next season will be just his second as the full-time starter.
When the Vegas Golden Knights took the ice on Thursday night, they did so with one mission: beat the Anaheim Ducks and advance to the Western Conference Finals. They certainly rose to the occasion– they struck 62 seconds into the first period and never let up en route to a 5-1 victory.
Less than a minute into the first period, William Karlsson sprung Mitch Marner on a breakaway. What followed was one of the most impressive goals in Golden Knights history.
Marner moved in on Lukáš Dostál, shielding the puck from a pursuing Jackson LaCombe. When Dostál moved to cut off Marner’s angle, the forward pulled up, stopping on a dime. Marner went forehand-backhand-forehand-backhand, and finished the play off forehand, between-the-legs, while skating backward.
Mr. Game Six. Stretch pass from William Karlsson, and Money Mitch is in on a breakaway. Dostál closes him off, no problem. Money Mitch with the pull up, tucks it home, and puts his team up early.
“I didn’t really have a good look at it, being behind the play. But from the glimpse I saw, it was just so sick,” said defenseman Shea Theodore postgame. “That’s him, though. [Marner] is so good on his edges, and he’s so good at finding different ways to get things done.”
The Golden Knights doubled their lead at 8:30 in the first. Mitch Marner took the puck up ice, carried it into the zone, and surveyed the ice as Brett Howden drove the net. Marner threaded a pass between Jackson LaCombe and Alex Killorn to set Howden up for a one-timer.
It’s the shorthanded specialist. Marner made it happen, and Howden finished it off. Have you heard that one before?
The Golden Knights added to their lead on the power play at 17:19 in the first. Tomáš Hertl won the draw clean back to Shea Theodore, who moved into the high slot and fired a wrister through traffic that found its way home.
That took all of four seconds. Snipe city, population Shea Theodore. Rips one from the point.
Anaheim came out flying to start the second period and recorded five shots in the first four minutes. Eventually, they broke through on the power play.
The Ducks broke through on the power play at 12:46 in the second. Troy Terry entered the zone with speed, danced between Mitch Marner and Shea Theodore, and fired a cross-ice pass to Mikael Granlund. Granlund picked his spot and ripped a wrister past Carter Hart far-side.
Mikael Granlund. Wow. What a shot. Let’s one rip from the top of the left circle and beats Hart far-side.
Granlund’s goal rejuvenated a frustrated group, but to no avail. Despite outshooting the Golden Knights 28-12 in the final two periods, the Ducks simply weren’t able to capitalize.
The Golden Knights restored their three-goal lead just 2:52 into the third. John Carlson tried to rim the puck around the boards, but it never made it to Alex Killorn at the half wall. Ivan Barbashev read the play, intercepted the pass, and threaded a backhand through Mikael Granlund to find Pavel Dorofeyev with time and space. Dorofeyev stepped into the slot and beat Lukáš Dostál far-side with a wicked wrister.
The kid is on fire! Ducks turnover, Ivan Barbashev with a backhand feed, and Pavel Dorofeyev finishes it off with a laser from the slot.
The Golden Knights tacked on another at 12:32 in the third. Rasmus Andersson fired the puck deep into the zone, and Lukáš Dostál left his crease to play the puck behind the net. Pavel Dorofeyev got to it first, protected the puck from Jacob Trouba, rolled out to below the right circle, and beat Lukáš Dostál over the shoulder short-side.
Pavel Dorofeyev. Ew. Drifts out from behind the net and rips one over Dostál’s shoulder.
The Ducks pulled Lukáš Dostál for the extra attacker with over five minutes remaining in regulation. But a four-goal deficit is a mountain to climb; despite recording eight shots, they couldn’t solve Carter Hart, and the Golden Knights held on for a commanding 5-1 victory.
