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Nezza says she sang national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium against team's wishes

Nezza extends her arm while singing the national anthem in Spanish before the Dodgers played the Giants Saturday
Nezza sings the national anthem in Spanish before the Dodgers played the Giants at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. (Jessie Alcheh / Associated Press)

Singer and social media personality Nezza sang the national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night.

And, according to a video the performer later posted to social media, she did so against the wishes of the Dodgers organization.

In a video Nezza, whose full name is Vanessa Hernández, posted to TikTok, an unidentified Dodgers employee is heard telling her before Saturday’s performance that “we are going to do the song in English today, so I’m not sure if that wasn’t relayed.”

Then, the video cuts to Nezza — who was wearing a Dominican Republic shirt — signing a Spanish version of the "Star-Spangled Banner" on the field ahead of the Dodgers’ win against the San Francisco Giants.

Read more:Hernández: Cowardly Dodgers remain silent as ICE raids terrorize their fans

The video’s caption: “So I did it anyway.”

In a separate video, Nezza, 30, said the version of the song she sang was commissioned in 1945 by the U.S. State Department under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and that she wanted to sing it amid the recent unrest in Los Angeles stemming from raids by ICE agents.

“I didn’t think I would be met with any sort of no, especially because we’re in LA and with everything happening,” she said. “But today out of all days, I just could not believe when she [the Dodgers employee] walked in and told me 'no.' But I just felt like I needed to do it. Para mi gente.”

The Dodgers did not issue a public comment on the situation, but a team official said there were no consequences from the club regarding the performance and that Nezza would be welcome back at the stadium in the future.

Nezza reacts emotionally after singing the national anthem prior to a game between the Dodgers and the Giants.
Nezza reacts after singing the national anthem prior to a game between the Dodgers and Giants in at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. (Jessie Alcheh / Associated Press)

In general, the Dodgers have largely been quiet about the raids and resulting protests in the city over the last week.

Manager Dave Roberts has been asked about the situation twice. On Monday, he said that, “I just hope that we can be a positive distraction for what people are going through in Los Angeles right now.”

On Friday, he offered little further comment: “I know that when you're having to bring people in and deport people, all the unrest, it's certainly unsettling for everyone,” he said, “But I haven't dug enough and can't speak intelligently on it."

Veteran Kiké Hernández spoke out on Instagram on Saturday, writing that “I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights.”

The Dodgers, however, have not issued any team-level statement, and a club executive told The Times’ Dylan Hernández on Friday that they did not plan to make any comment.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Wheeler, Bohm and bamboo (?) lead Phillies to Father's Day sweep over Blue Jays

Wheeler, Bohm and bamboo (?) lead Phillies to Father's Day sweep over Blue Jays originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Father’s Day at the ballpark can be one of the most treasured days of the year because, for many, baseball and dads go hand in hand.

And if you were taught or introduced to the game because of your dad, the pair are intertwined for life.

So while it was an uncharacteristically cold and damp June Sunday in South Philadelphia, the Phillies made sure to send fans home celebrating the day … and a win.

With Zack Wheeler leading the way, the Phillies bested the Blue Jays, 11-4, and collected their fifth sweep of the season. Wrapping the homestand 5-1, the consecutive series wins improved their season series record to 16-7-1, which only trails the Detroit Tigers as best in MLB.

Wheeler went 6.0 innings and allowed four hits and two runs, only one was earned and punched out nine. It’s now the fourth time this season he’s had at least nine strikeouts without allowing a walk.

The Phillies wasted no time snagging a lead for Wheeler to work with. Seriously, if you blinked in the bottom of the first inning, you might have missed it.

The first pitch Trea Turner saw from Toronto’s José Berríos was a double down the leftfield line; Kyle Schwarber drove him in with a single on the very next pitch.

Otto Kemp has settled in nicely since playing his first game at Citizens Bank Park Monday (that’s an understatement). Alec Bohm drove him home after leading off the third inning with a single.

Just one inning later, Kemp was on the opposite end and tacked on two RBI for the Phillies. In the six games at home, he had 10 hits and four RBI. Kemp said after the club’s walk-off win against the Cubs he specifically waited to be called up to experience the home crowd — the Philly faithful have lived up to his expectations — just as he has to theirs.

Kemp wasn’t the only one putting up impressive numbers this past week — Bohm has been on an offensive tear (also, somehow an understatement).

Bohm had his fourth multi-hit game in the homestand Sunday, with three RBI and a two-run homerun he clobbered 344 ft. Overall, he had 10 hits, two home runs and nine RBI. That lowly .217 average that lingered in the beginning of May is clearly a thing of the past as his average has climbed to .283.

There are ebbs and flows throughout a baseball season — it’s expected when there’s 162 games to be played. Getting hot at the right time is key … but it never hurts to have a little bit of luck as well.

When reporters filed into Rob Thomson’s office for his pregame availability, it felt like we were transported six years into the past.

Why? Bamboo.

This isn’t the first time bamboo has graced the clubhouse vicinity. “Bamboo” Brad Miller, a utility player who joined the club in the midst of the 2019 season, brought bamboo to Citizens Bank Park. It just so happened to coincide with the offense finding life again during a dreary stretch.

Now, in Thomson’s office, a small stalk was resting in a cup in front of a massive bamboo plant.

Topper went on to tell the lore of the two plants, and how hitting coach Kevin Long’s wife, Marcey, was in the office May 29. Check the date — a day before the Brewers came to town.

“She said, ‘Let me take that home, get it some sunlight and bring it back to you,'” Thomson said.

During the bamboo-less stretch, the Phillies were swept twice and lost all three series to the Brewers, Blue Jays and Pirates.

“The last day in Pittsburgh, Long called Marcey, and he said, ‘You better get that damn thing back in (Thomson’s) office,'” Thomson said.

Since the status of the mini plant was still unclear, Marcey also brought one that is clearly thriving.

“That’s the story of our success,” Thomson said with a laugh.

Sweeps are uncommon but they do happen … and the Phillies were well on their way to sweeping Toronto by the sixth inning. Capping it off with a Nick Castellanos grand slam though? That might’ve been the bamboo luck.

Who knows, maybe a little magic has found its way back to the Phillies.

Listen, they’re 5-1 since it returned. Can it really be a coincidence twice?

It was an exhilarating day at the ballpark … and one I look forward to debriefing with my dad.

After all, he did introduce me to the game.

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Red Sox trade Rafael Devers to Giants in shocking move: Report

Red Sox trade Rafael Devers to Giants in shocking move: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Boston Red Sox made a stunning, franchise-altering move on Sunday, just hours after completing a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees at Fenway Park.

Veteran slugger Rafael Devers was traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, left-hander Kyle Harrison, and minor-leaguers James Tibbs and Jose Bello, per multiple reports.

The shocking move ends Devers’ eight-plus-year tenure with the Red Sox. Devers signed a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension with Boston before the 2023 campaign.

Devers was in the midst of a stellar season as the Red Sox’ designated hitter. The 28-year-old has slashed .271/.400/.494 with 14 homers, 57 RBI, and an American League-leading 55 walks over 72 games.

Those impressive numbers, however, were overshadowed by off-the-field drama. After the Red Sox signed star third baseman Alex Bregman in the offseason, Devers scoffed at the idea of moving from third to DH. He eventually acquiesced, but tensions boiled over again when the team asked him to play first base in the wake of Triston Casas’ injury.

Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox “had enough” of Devers’ attitude.

“The team’s feeling was that a $313.5M contract comes with responsibilities to do what is right for the team and that Devers did not live up to those responsibilities,” Abraham wrote on BlueSky. “They had enough and they traded him.”

The Giants will pay the remainder of Devers’ contract — roughly $254 million — according to reports.

Devers, a three-time All-Star, initially signed with the Red Sox as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2013, when he was only 16 years old. He helped Boston to a World Series title in 2018 and has since been one of the faces of the franchise.

As for the players headed to Boston, Hicks and Harrison are high-upside pitchers who underwhelmed in San Francisco. The hard-throwing Hicks has a 6.47 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 13 appearances (nine starts) this season. Harrison, a former top Giants prospect, has a 4.56 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in eight games (four starts).

The 22-year-old Tibbs, selected 13th overall in the 2024 draft, notched 12 homers and 32 RBI with a .857 OPS in 56 games with San Francisco’s High-A affiliate, the Eugene Emeralds.

Bello, a 20-year-old right-hander, posted a 2.00 ERA and 0.72 WHIP in eight appearances (18 innings) at the Arizona Complex League.

The Red Sox will visit the Seattle Mariners for a three-game series starting Monday night. They will then take on Devers and the Giants in a three-game series in San Francisco starting on Friday.

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Magic reportedly acquire Desmond Bane: Fantasy impact

While the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder are still competing in the NBA Finals, the rest of the NBA is focused on the future. For the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic, that meant making a significant trade on Sunday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Headed to Orlando is shooting guard Desmond Bane, and the Magic gave up a lot to acquire his services. Here's a look at how the trade impacts fantasy basketball in 2025-26.

Orlando receives:

Desmond Bane

While his scoring average decreased this season, Bane's availability improved after being unable to hit 60 games in either of the prior two campaigns. In 69 appearances, he averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.4 three-pointers in 32.0 minutes. Shooting 48.4 percent from the field, 39.2 percent from three and 89.4 percent from the foul line, Bane was a third-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats. Heading to a team that's in dire need of perimeter shooting may raise his fantasy ceiling, even with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner due to have the basketball in their hands quite often. Bane entered last season with a Yahoo! ADP of 44; he may go a bit earlier in standard league drafts.

Having a shooter of Bane's caliber in the lineup should improve the spacing for Wagner and Banchero, with the former averaging a career-high 4.7 assists per game this season. Banchero has been a better option for points leagues than category leagues for much of his NBA career, but he did provide top-100 value in eight-cat formats in 2024-25. Also worth watching from a fantasy standpoint will be Jalen Suggs, who was a sixth-round player before going down with a season-ending quad injury in early March. Playing alongside Bane should also benefit Suggs, but he's only exceeded 55 games once in his first four seasons.

Memphis receives:

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Cole Anthony

2025 first-round pick

2026 first-round pick via Phoenix

2028 first-round pick

2030 first-round pick

2029 first-round pick swap (lightly protected)

The Grizzlies' decision to part ways with Bane nets the franchise a significant haul in terms of draft capital; are they done, or will some of those picks be used to add a star to the lineup? The 2025 pick gets Memphis back into the first round after sending their pick (18th overall) to Washington as part of the Marcus Smart trade consummated at the February deadline.

As for the players Memphis has acquired, Caldwell-Pope appears well-positioned to slot into the spot left vacant by Bane. KCP struggled in Orlando this season, averaging 8.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 three-pointers in 77 appearances. While solid defensively, Caldwell-Pope's scoring average was his lowest since his rookie season (2013-14). Also, his 34.2 percent mark from beyond the arc was KCP's lowest since 2015-16. He would finish the regular season outside the top-150 in eight- and nine-cat formats. The change of scenery may be a positive for Caldwell-Pope, but he should once again be no better than a late-round option in standard leagues.

Anthony may also benefit from a move, as the 2024-25 season was his least productive in five years with the Magic. Appearing in 67 games, he averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 three-pointers in 18.4 minutes, shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 82.3 percent from the foul line. Due to Suggs' injury-related absences, Anthony made 22 starts, but he was not productive enough to become a reliable streamer in most leagues. Anthony finished the season ranked well outside the top-200 in eight- and nine-cat formats, and that does not appear likely to change in Memphis.

In addition to having Ja Morant, the Grizzlies' confidence in Scotty Pippen Jr. increased throughout the 2024-25 season. By the end of his time in Orlando, Anthony was not a lock for rotation minutes, and he may be headed for a similar situation with the Grizzlies.

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Report: Orlando acquires Desmond Bane from Memphis for Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four firsts

Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman said this offseason it was time to "turn the page" on the Magic's rebuild and become a win-now team.

On Sunday he did just that, agreeing to a trade that is all-in: Memphis is trading guard Desmond Bane to Orlando for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.

The first reaction to this trade: Bane is a perfect fit for what Orlando needs, but that is a very steep price to pay.

Orlando needs shooting more than anything and Bane brings that, knocking down 39.2% of his 3-pointers last season, and for his career is a 41% shooter from beyond the arc. More than just a gunner, Bane was a secondary shot creator in Memphis who averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists a game last season. Put him next to a healthy Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and the Magic offense should make a leap from its 27th-in-the-league ranking a year ago, especially with Banchero and Wagner setting screens for Bane (that will be very difficult to defend). Bane is also a solid defender who will fit in with the Magic's elite unit on that end.

Weltman and Orlando surveyed the East, saw that it feels more wide open in the wake of the Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard injuries, and decided now was the time to push their chips into the middle of the table. Orlando could well be a top-four team in the East next season and a playoff threat.

What is jaw-dropping about the trade is the four unprotected first-round picks.

That's a lot to surrender for a player who has never been an All-Star before, especially in a trade where the Magic had to throw in two quality veterans.

In Memphis, it feels like more moves are on the way, the four picks give them flexibility to make future trades to lower payroll, clearing the way for a massive Jaren Jackson Jr. extension this summer.

\While Bane played a key role in the offense when Ja Morant has been out, Caldwell-Pope steps in as a rock-solid starter at the two and Anthony can be a good first guard off the bench for the Grizzlies. However, it's the picks that give them flexibility to make future trades or use those picks to add depth over time.

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Mets Notes: Francisco Lindor's toe won't be year-long issue, Kodai Senga not shut down completely

Manager Carlos Mendoza is getting Francisco Lindor some time “off his feet” for Sunday’s series finale with the Tampa Bay Rays, but the Mets’ leader wouldn’t take a full day off.

“As you guys know, how hard it is to get him to take an off day or take him out of the lineup,” Mendoza said with a smile. “We went back and forth [Saturday] night after the game, and we settled in on the DH [role].”

With the Mets having an off day on Monday, the skipper hoped to give Lindor two days of rest and “buy some extra time there,” but lost the battle and had to settle for keeping his bat in the lineup and having Luisangel Acuña get his first start in 10 days at shortstop. 

This is Lindor’s first day not playing the field since he returned to action after not starting in two games following sustaining a broken pinky toe. But Mendoza said the injury is improving.

“I wouldn’t say significantly, but it’s getting better,” the manager said in response to a reporter’s question about whether the injury had significantly improved. “It’s all about pain tolerance. He feels like, day by day, he’s getting. There’s better days than others. What I’m getting from the trainers is, hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, it will be a lot better. 

“I don’t think this is something that he’s gonna have to play through the whole year. We feel like at some point, the fracture will heal and he’ll be close to a hundred percent. They’re never a hundred percent. But he’s getting better.” 

Lindor missed just one game with the toe before entering as a pinch-hitter to deliver a go-ahead, game-winning hit in the first game in Colorado. He has nine hits in his last 30 at-bats (.300) with three doubles and two RBI over eight games.

Kodai Senga already improving

Mendoza spoke with the starter on Saturday and said he was in “a good spirit” after MRI results revealed a low-grade hamstring injury, which the manager called “relatively good news.”

“He understands, obviously, but also knows that we got a little bit of good news here,” Mendoza said. “He’s gonna continue and try to keep his arm moving, which is a good sign. He’s not gonna be completely shut down.”

The manager reported the righty said on Saturday that he had “already felt better than he did the day before.” 

“Definitely, he’s in a better place,” Mendoza said.

Senga was forced out of Thursday's start against Washington after 5.2 innings, sustaining the injury while running to cover first base. On the year, he has pitched to a league-leading 1.47 ERA with a 1.113 WHIP over 73.2 innings and 13 starts. He had 70 strikeouts to 31 walks.

On the rotation, Mendoza said he feels good despite the injury to Senga and a rough outing on Saturday from Tylor Megill.

“But overall, I feel good, especially with guys like [Frankie] Montas, Sean [Manaea], where they’re at in their rehab process,” he said. “WE have some reinforcements coming, too. But, again, gotta keep going and we feel good with what we have.”

Mark Vientos headed for Syracuse

The third baseman will begin his rehab assignment with the Triple-A club on Tuesday as he works his way back from a hamstring issue.

Mendoza did not know how many games he would play before he could return to the big league club. “We’ll see how that goes,” he added.

Vientos last appeared in a game on June 2 in Los Angeles. He has been struggling at the plate compared to last year, with six home runs and 21 RBI and a .230/.298/.380 slash line for a .678 OPS over 208 plate appearances and 53 games.

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Giants acquire All-Star slugger Rafael Devers in blockbuster trade with Red Sox

Giants acquire All-Star slugger Rafael Devers in blockbuster trade with Red Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants made an Earth-shattering trade on Sunday afternoon.

San Francisco acquired All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for pitchers Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison and prospects James Tibbs III and Jose Bello, the teams announced.

Fansided’s Robert Murray first reported news of the deal, with details later confirmed by NBC Sports Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic.

Harrison, who was slated to start for the Giants on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, was informed of the deal while warming up in the bullpen at Dodger Stadium.

Devers hit .272 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI in 73 games for the Red Sox during the 2025 MLB season.

The 28-year-old slugger is in the second season of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract that likely secures his place as a foundational Giants piece for years to come.

Harrison departs after spending parts of three seasons in San Francisco after the Giants selected the local southpaw from De La Salle High School in Concord No. 85 overall in the 2020 MLB Draft.

San Francisco selected Tibbs No. 13 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, and the 22-year-old outfielder recorded a .246 batting average with 12 home runs and 32 RBI for the Giants’ High-A affiliate Eugene Emeralds during the 2025 season.

Bello made eight appearances this season for the Giants’ Arizona Complex League team, logging a 2.00 ERA with 28 strikeouts and a 0.72 WHIP in 18 innings of work.

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3 Free Agent Defenceman That Detroit Should Target

Three defenceman the Detroit Red Wings should look to sign this upcoming off-season

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The Detroit Red Wings are heading into a very important off-season for the franchise, as the young core is beginning to mature and with a couple key additions could make their first return to the playoffs in nine seasons. 

One of the most glaring issues the team needs to address is its blue line. The defense produced 134 points, which ranked sixth in the NHL, but struggled to contain opposing attacks and finished in the bottom 12 in goals-against average at 3.16 last season.

The issue also extends to the crease, as regular starters Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon finished with goals-against averages of 2.93 and 2.81 respectively, ranking 33rd and 28th among NHL goalies with at least 30 starts.

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The Red Wings need a reset with their backend entirely and new bench boss Todd McLellan should help. With his insights and a new defensive structure that succeeded in a big way like during his time with the LA Kings, they should be able to defend better but will still need improvements. 

Steve Yzerman and company in Detroit's management team need to find better options than going back to veterans like Jeff Petry and Ben Chiarot, who are both past their prime. 

Luckily for them, this off-season presents plenty of free agent defencemen that can be difference makers for the Red Wings. They currently rank 13th in projected available cap space with $21.3 million, according to PuckPedia. 

Vladislav Gavrikov - Los Angeles Kings

The 29-year-old Russian native made his presence felt during the Kings first round series versus the Oilers and has generated many interested suitors in acquiring one of the most underrated defensive defenceman in the NHL. 

Gavrikov is criminally underrated after posting a +26 plus/minus, which ranked among the top 12 in the NHL. He averaged just over 23 minutes per game, the second most on the Kings, and led the team in blocked shots with 140, which ranked 36th in the league.

He also logged the third most shorthanded minutes across the NHL, at almost 270 minutes on the kill, underlining his value as one of the league's best penalty killers.

More Red Wings: Red Wings Have Pieces to Make Offer for Stars’ Robertson

Nate Schmidt - Florida Panthers 

The 33-year-old veteran is a relatively cheap low-cost option that has proven to be highly effective for the Panthers, who may be on their way to their second straight Stanley Cup.

Schmidt could provide insights on what made the Panthers so successful with their elite defensive system that the Red Wings could learn from and incorporate it into their own. 

After recording 12 points and 34 hits through 22 games this postseason, he may be a bit of a hot commodity for a veteran blueliner to come in and work with a younger team so it may cost more than expected. 

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

Ryan Lindgren - Colorado Avalanche

Lindgren would be a valuable addition to the Red Wings' blue line, bringing steady defensive play and reliability. Last season, he averaged 19:42 of ice time over 72 games with the Rangers and Avalanche, adding 128 blocked shots and 80 hits. 

He led the Rangers in penalty kill minutes the year prior and consistently drew heavy defensive zone assignments, showing he's trusted in tough situations. His career plus-minus of +54 since 2019–20 reflects his ability to keep opponents off the scoresheet.

Lindgren won't drive offense but excels at limiting chances and supporting more mobile partners, making him an ideal addition to stabilize a top-four role and bolster the penalty kill.

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Canadiens: Laval Rocket Loses Veteran Center

While the Montreal Canadiens didn’t advance very far in the playoffs, its farm team in the AHL, the Laval Rocket, reached the semifinals of the Calder Cup. The young group made a deep run backed by a few experienced veterans who guided them through the choppy waters of a Cup quest. One of those veterans was 27-year-old Repentigny native Brandon Gignac, who had been with the organization for the last four seasons, and will leave it with the memories of a deep playoff run.

The left-shot center announced yesterday that he has signed a two-year deal with EHC Kloten, the former team of blueliner David Reinbacher, in Switzerland. Gignac was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils, but was only able to play a single game with them in the NHL.

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He played 127 games with their AHL affiliate before being sent down to the ECHL. He didn’t receive a qualifying offer from the Devils in the Summer of 2021 and joined the Canadiens’ organization as a free agent then. In his four years in the Habs’ system, he played 173 games in the AHL, picking up 120 points in the process. He’s third in all-time scoring with the Rocket behind Alex Belzile with 130 points and Rafael Harvey-Pinard, who has 126.

Gignac also played seven games with the Tricolore during the 2023-24 season, scoring his first and only career goal in the NHL. He dealt with an injury that prevented him from playing all but 15 games with the Rocket this year, and he didn’t receive any call-up, which is understandable in such circumstances.

The center felt the AHL was as high as he would get in North American hockey and decided to try his luck in another pro league overseas. Kloten, his new team, finished seventh in the standings last season in a 14-team Swiss A league.

Photo credit: Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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4 Important Oilers Changes To Make A Miracle Happen

EDMONTON – “We’re never going to quit on each other.”

It seems like the Edmonton Oilers have Rick Astley on the mind. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

“Never Gonna Give You Up” is a certifiable hit and describes how the Oilers will fight for each other to the bitter end (apparently).

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been through a lot in his tenure with the Oilers. All of the ups and downs have led to this moment – a second crack at winning the Stanley Cup.

Oilers' Fan Holding 'Believe' Sign (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)

To come back from a 3-2 deficit is going to demand the best from everyone in the lineup: from Connor McDavid to Vasily Podkolzin to Adam Henrique to Evander Kane to Trent Frederic to Evan Bouchard to Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner.

Anyone who believes that the Florida Panthers have the series signed, sealed, and delivered hasn’t been watching the Oilers this year. All season long, they have been proving the doubters and skeptics wrong.

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And now, they have another golden opportunity to do that.

In order to put their stick where their mouth is (see what I did there?), they will need to do things differently in Game 6. Here are four changes the Oilers can make to manufacture a miracle. 

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

Who are the Oilers? Are they a dump-and-chase team or a fly down the ice and burn their opponents with speed and skill team?

Clearly and undeniably, they are the latter. Instead of playing the Panthers game, they need to force the Panthers to play their game.

Naturally, that is easier for me to say than for them to implement against the rock-solid defending of the reigning Stanley Cup Champions.

In Game 5, their biggest obstacle wasn’t breaking the puck out of their zone; it was breaking the puck out of their zone with possession. Countless times, they would get the puck outside of their blueline by one or two feet, only for the Panthers to carry it back into their end immediately.

The Oilers have a ton of speed and skill, so use it. If there isn’t a pass available, follow the open ice and take it into the Panthers' end. If you find yourself bearing down on the Panthers' net, then take a shot and follow up on the rebound. 

It’s better to take a faceoff in the opponent’s end after any kind of scoring chance than to have the risk of a scoring chance against.

They should strongly consider bringing John Klingberg back into the lineup for Game 6. Troy Stecher performed admirably, but he just doesn’t have the wheels or creativity of Klingberg.

Bring Kapanen Back In

And while we are on the topic of bringing another player back into the lineup, let’s find a spot for Kasperi Kapanen. Having Game 5 off will light a fire under him, prompting him to play like he did when he first showed up against the Vegas Golden Knights.

He brings speed and tenacity, two things the Oilers need more of for Game 6 in Florida. The Oilers are sorely missing Zach Hyman. But now is the time for others to rise and make a name for themselves.

If the Oilers can’t bring Hyman back into the lineup, they need more players to play like him. They need more forwards to forecheck hard and finish their checks in the Panthers’ end to make their life difficult.

Give The Net Back To Stuart Skinner

One of the best aspects of the Oilers' team is the working relationship and friendship between Pickard and Skinner. They are each other's biggest cheerleader through thick and thin. That kind of camaraderie doesn’t just happen; they have worked at it for a long time, and everyone gets to see the result of that.

All of that being said, the Oilers should have Skinner start Game 6. 

Skinner is great at bouncing back after losses. Even in Game 4 when he gave up three goals, if he wasn’t in the net during that first period, the score could have been even more lopsided.

Had Pickard won Game 5, it would be tough to go back to Skinner for Game 6. Given the circumstances, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Kris Knoblauch go back to Skinner for the next game.

Oilers Stuart Skinner, Darnell Nurse, & More Reveal Movies They LoveOilers Stuart Skinner, Darnell Nurse, & More Reveal Movies They LoveEDMONTON – “That’s actually a discussion in our room and there are some painful answers.”

Somebody Get Connor McDavid Some Space

McDavid hasn’t had the most productive Cup Final. That’s not a knock on the best player in the game – that’s the reality of playing against the Panthers.

This is a team that knows how to defend against McDavid, hang off him like you’re his favorite suit.

Someone like Kapanen or Kane (or even Frederic) needs to get put on his wing for Game 6. Their mission (should they choose to accept) will be to make space for Connor to do Connor things.

Things may look bleak right now, Oilers fans, but with some tweaks and a few mild changes, a miracle is possible.

They’ve come too far to quit now.

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Panthers Brad Marchand Joins Mario Lemieux In NHL Record Book

Brad Marchand has been nothing short of spectacular for the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final, and this carried over to Game 5 against the Edmonton Oilers. Marchand was a significant reason for the Panthers' huge win, as he scored two goals, including Florida's eventual game-winner. 

With this monster performance, Marchand now has six goals in five games against the Oilers this series and has entered the NHL record book because of it. 

According to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston, Marchand is now only the second player in NHL history to score at least five goals in two different Stanley Cup Finals in the last 59 years. The only other player to do so was NHL legend Mario Lemieux. 

When noting that Lemieux is one of the greatest players to ever play in the NHL, there is no question that Marchand achieving this is very impressive. No. 63's play this Stanley Cup Final is a big reason why the Panthers are up 3-2 in the series.

Marchand has been such an excellent addition for the Panthers since they acquired him from the Boston Bruins at the 2025 NHL trade deadline. In 22 games this post-season, he now has 10 goals, 20 points, and a plus-18 rating. It will now be fascinating to see if he can stay hot and help the Panthers lift the Stanley Cup again from here. 

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Photo Credit: © Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

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'Leon Draisaitl' Is German For Clutch In Oilers’ 2025 NHL Playoff Run

As the Edmonton Oilers fight to keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive in Sunrise on Tuesday, they’ll go into Game 6 knowing that they have one of the most clutch scorers in the game on their side.

While he didn’t previously have this tool in his toolkit, Leon Draisaitl has developed a knack for scoring in overtime in these playoffs. His sudden-death winners in Games 1 and 4 against the Florida Panthers put him in a group of just five players in NHL history to score multiple overtime goals in the Stanley Cup Final. His shots also ended Game 4 of Round 1 against the Los Angeles Kings and Game 2 of Round 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights, making his four overtime goals in 2025 an all-time record for a single post-season. 

Nobody has ever scored more in playoff overtime than Joe Sakic. The Hockey Hall of Famer and current president of hockey operations for the Colorado Avalanche ended eight games in extra time for the team during his 20-year playing career.

In just two months, Draisaitl has gotten himself halfway to that benchmark. At age 29, about to start his eight-year contract extension next season, he still has a lot of hockey ahead of him. 

Points have always come easily to the big German, who won the Art Ross Trophy in 2020 and just logged his fourth 50-goal NHL season in his 11-year career. His 52 goals, in only 71 games played in 2024-25, earned him his first Rocket Richard trophy. He’s one of just four active players with multiple 50-goal campaigns, along with Alex Ovechkin (nine), and Auston Matthews and Steven Stamkos (two each).

For Draisaitl, it’s not just how many, but when. Eleven of his 52 goals this year were game-winners, tying Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets. Of those, a league-leading six came in overtime.

Zoom out, and the trend holds. Since his first full season in 2015-16, Draisaitl leads the NHL with 19 overtime goals, and his 71 game-winners in that time are second only to his best bud Connor McDavid (72)

Despite Saturday’s 5-2 setback, Draisaitl and McDavid are currently tied for the 2025 playoff scoring lead, each with 33 points in 21 games. Draisaitl’s 11 goals are the most on the Oilers and second only to Sam Bennett (15) in the 2025 playoffs. 

McDavid carries the reputation as the league’s slickest skater, but Draisaitl is no slouch. Look at his NHL Edge stats for the playoffs, and you’ll see that his ability to generate bursts of high speed is right up with the very best — and that he does it often. And while Draisaitl doesn’t possess a particularly hard shot, he shoots often — and is uncannily accurate. 

A statistical analysis shows that’s because he has been able to get into high-danger areas, where his odds of success are greater. When he’s there, he increases his chances of success with a quick release that catches goalies off guard, not in optimal position.

Leon Draisaitl (Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images)

Over the last three playoffs, Draisaitl has produced 34 goals and 82 points in 58 games. Those are massive numbers during the toughest hockey of the year. He’s seven goals ahead of second-place Bennett and second in points behind McDavid. Matthew Tkachuk is the highest-ranking non-Oiler, at 68 points. 

This spring, Carter Verhaeghe has added three more game-winning goals to bring his career total to 10. That list includes three straight winners to close out the Washington Capitals in 2022 and, most dramatically, the Game 7 OT dagger against Boston in 2023. 

For all of Bennett and Brad Marchand’s heroics in these playoffs, Verhaeghe retains the title of Florida’s ‘Captain Clutch’ — and could very well have more tricks up his sleeve.

If the Panthers have one weakness, it’s closing out a playoff series. In the 2024 final, of course, they let the Oilers off the mat from a 0-3 deficit and extended the proceedings all the way to Game 7. This year, they needed two tries to eliminate both the Toronto Maple Leafs, after going up 3-2 in the second round, and the Carolina Hurricanes after taking a 3-0 lead in the conference final.

That leaves the door open for Edmonton, just a crack.

In the next week, legends will be made and reputations will be secured. For the Oilers, their best chance to bring the series back to Rogers Place and potentially capture Canada’s first Cup since 1993 likely lives on the sneaky stick of Leon Draisaitl.

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Bailey Smith hits the right note at Geelong but he is no showstopper | Jonathan Horn

The Cats midfielder has starred since moving from the Bulldogs as his frantic, full pelt way suits the way his new team seeks to play

Bailey Smith could easily have coasted along against Essendon on the weekend. He could have racked up a few dozen disposals for Geelong and saved his hamstrings for the far more onerous challenge of Brisbane this Friday. But that’s not how he’s wired. Everything is at full throttle. There is not a lot of craft or guile to how he plays. He simply runs the opposition into the ground. With apologies to Shane Crawford and Robert Harvey, he runs harder than any footballer I can remember.

Prior to his knee injury at Western Bulldogs, Smith had been gradually squeezed out of favour. The coach Luke Beveridge didn’t quite know what to do with him. The fanbase was increasingly frustrated with him. He was a hard footballer to place. He was a subdued, resentful figure.

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Highlighting Recent Father Moments With The Vancouver Canucks

Happy fathers day Vancouver Canucks fans! Today, let’s help celebrate some fatherly moments in the past couple of seasons in Canucks history. From Conor Garland’s impressive effort against the New York Rangers only a day before the birth of his first son, to Max Sasson’s father chiming in on the pronunciation of their last name, here are some memorable father-related moments from the past two seasons. 

Arshdeep Bains Makes NHL Debut On Father’s Trip 

Bains made his NHL debut last season in a 3–1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on February 20, 2024. What made this debut even more special, however, is the fact that it coincided with the Canucks’ annual fathers trip. This meant that Kuldip, Bains’ father, was able to take in his son’s first NHL game live despite not being in Vancouver. 

“It’s every kid’s dream to make their dad proud,” Bains told Sportsnet after his first NHL game.  

“We are so proud. The whole town is behind him, everyone is calling — it’s unreal,” Bains’ father said to CBC News before the game last year. 

Since his memorable debut, Bains has made a great impression on the Canucks organizations. He scored his first NHL goal on October 26, 2024 in a 4–3 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. As well, he has been a force throughout Abbotsford’s Calder Cup Playoff run, leading his team in assists with 11 in 19 games.  

Phil Di Giuseppe Scores First NHL Playoff Goal After Birth Of Child  

The Canucks were deep in the middle of their Division Final series against the Edmonton Oilers in 2024 when Di Giuseppe and his wife welcomed their second child. At the time of the birth, Vancouver led the series 2–1, though they surrendered Game 4 to the Oilers while in Edmonton. Di Giuseppe came back into the lineup for Game 5, ultimately scoring his first NHL playoff goal and helping his team take a 3–2 series lead. 

“It just makes what we do even more meaningful and that much more special, that they can come see me at work,” Di Giuseppe told The Hockey News back in January about being a father during the season. “Obviously, they’re a little too young now. So I would assume the guys with older kids get a greater sense of how proud that must feel. You know, just getting their chance to watch their dad go to work.” 

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Conor Garland Dominates In Loss To Rangers, Welcomes First Son The Day After

Vancouver was in a state of mild chaos the morning of November 19, 2024. The organization had just announced that J.T. Miller would be taking an indefinite leave of absence, making them even more shorthanded considering Brock Boeser had already been out for a couple of weeks at this time. Garland’s status for the game was questionable as well, as his wife, Meghan, had been admitted to the hospital in anticipation of birthing the couple’s first child. After some deliberation, Garland decided to play. 

While the Canucks ultimately lost this game 4–3, Garland was one of the team’s stars. He scored the 3–3 game-tying goal and logged 20:58 minutes played in the match. Almost immediately after, he rushed back to the hospital and welcomed his first child the morning after. True to his love for sharks and the movie Jaws, the Canucks forward named his son Quint after one of the movie’s characters. 

To add to this memorable moment, Quint’s godfather is none other than Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. 

Max Sasson’s Father, Alan, Has Given The Team Lots To Talk About 

Many have discussed the impact of players called up to the Canucks throughout the season, with many of these players making their NHL debuts as a result of this. One underrated part of this process has been the joy shown by not just the player, but those around them who are undoubtedly proud of their accomplishments. Sasson made his NHL debut on November 23, 2024 against the Ottawa Senators, and nabbed his first NHL point in a play that made his father jump out of his seat in excitement. 

Another moment from this season that stuck out actually took place due to a change in Sportsnet’s Canucks broadcast. During the December 28, 2024 broadcast of the Canucks’ 5–4 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken, host Dan Murphy and commentators John Shorthouse and Dave Tomlinson notably changed their pronunciation of “Sasson.” By Vancouver’s next home broadcast, the pronunciation had changed back to how they had originally been saying it. 

“I inadvertently introduced myself old school,” Sasson’s father, Alan, explained on X regarding the pronunciation mix-up. 

While the pronunciation saga was short-lived, it was still a fun moment while it happened. 

Dec 21, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) celebrates scoring with forward Conor Garland (8) and forward Phillip Di Giuseppe (34) and defenseman Derek Forbort (27) against the Ottawa Senators during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Bonus: Former Canuck Chris Tanev Almost Came Back To Vancouver During Off-Season, According To Father

The final moment on this list involves a player who spent a decade with the Canucks. Tanev, who signed his entry-level contract with Vancouver as an undrafted free agent back in June of 2010, joined the Calgary Flames back in 2020 after signing a four-year deal in free agency. With this deal ending in 2024, after a quick stint with the Dallas Stars in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Tanev had a few choices regarding which team he could sign with next. While he ultimately committed to his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, father Mike Tanev noted that his son had almost come back to his first NHL team. 

“When Chris went to Dallas, we had a decision to make this summer. There were three teams,” Tanev’s dad explained on the show Donnie and Dhali back in February of 2025. “There was Vancouver — obviously, huge interest from Vancouver — Toronto and Dallas. The family thing makes sense. How close was Vancouver? I don’t know. But I can tell you [Vancouver] was one of the three teams that Christopher had to choose from.” 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

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Tatjana Maria shocks Amanda Anisimova to win Queen’s Club women’s singles final – as it happened

Tatjana Maria, a qualifier, beat Amanda Anisimova, the No 8 seed, to win the first women’s tournament at Queen’s since 1973

Ready … play.

Apparently Anisimova was practising this morning and had someone hitting slices at her. That makes sense, but it won’t be the same as what’s in store for her on court this afternoon. Thing is – and as I type, there’s another “slice and dice” – the match may, in fact, be decided by how her excellence on the return matches up with Maria’s excellence on serve.

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