COLUMBUS, Ohio — Far too many times over the past few years, the Islanders have been in the same position the Blue Jackets were Saturday night: playing a four-point game, long before the end of the season, where it felt like their lives were on the line.
Rarely have they been in the opposite chair, but there they were Saturday. Columbus came into the evening six points behind the Islanders — the playoff team closest to them — and with two games in hand. An Islanders win wasn’t going to eliminate the Blue Jackets, but surely a growing standings deficit the week of the trade deadline would point Columbus general manager Don Waddell in a certain direction.
Now, Waddell has a hard week in front of him. His team tossed away a 2-0 lead in a game it was dominating through 30 minutes, and the Islanders walked out of Nationwide Arena with a 4-3 overtime victory on Simon Holmstrom’s game-winning goal that left the Blue Jackets seven points out of a playoff spot and gasping for air.
It was the second game of two on this road trip in which the Islanders trailed by two goals in the second period, and the second game of two in which their resiliency, along with some timely adjustments from coach Patrick Roy, made that forgettable.
Simon Holmstrom (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning overtime goal in the Islanders’ 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets on Feb. 28, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
“We just needed to be better with our puck management, that’s all it was,” Roy said. “When our ‘D’ were in [the offensive zone], we have to cover for them, and we didn’t do a good job. And they took advantage of it.
“… I thought we started putting more pressure on our neutral zone instead of sitting back. We had more pressure on our forecheck and we pressed more on the D-Zone coverage. I thought that created the game we had towards the end.”
There was also something more simple: throwing pucks and bodies to the net. That was how Anders Lee, off a Scott Mayfield rebound, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, off his own rebound, scored 22 seconds apart to tie the game just after its halfway point. And it was how Mayfield made it 3-2 off a shot that ricocheted, taking a hard left turn off Kirill Marchenko and hitting Zach Werenski before crossing the goal line at 17:10 of the second.
Ilya Sorokin makes a save on Boone Jenner during the first period of the Islanders’ overtime road win over the Blue Jackets. NHLI via Getty Images
Columbus came back down and re-tied it on Adam Fantilli’s deflection from Werenski to set up a 3-3 game entering the last 20 minutes, but the damage was done and the game had shifted.
“We saw what was working,” Pageau said. “Low to high, get pucks at the net, crash the net. That’s what created most of our goals. Other than the OT winner, all the goals were created like that.”
Just like two nights prior in Montreal, the Islanders got better as the game went on. The third period was their best, and if not for some good work by Jet Greaves, the Blue Jackets would have lost this game before overtime.
Undefeated in games that end in 3-on-3 play, though, the Islanders weren’t about to let their perfect record slip. They barely let the Blue Jackets touch the puck, and Holmstrom eventually put away Tony DeAngelo’s outlet pass to seal the win.
Anders Lee (right) battles for position with left wing Danton Heinen during the Islanders’ road overtime win over the Blue Jackets. Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
“I think we proved the last two games we’re very resilient,” Holmstrom said. “We don’t quit. We stay with it.”
The Islanders had started this one slowly. Their puck management was less than great, and aside from Cal Ritchie’s line, there weren’t many chances to speak of. Even Ilya Sorokin made a rare error, letting the puck trickle through him 2:30 into the game on Isac Lundeström’s tip from Dante Fabbro.
Mason Marchment, the villain last time these teams played, made it 2-0 early in the second off Charlie Coyle’s feed to the right circle that seemed to make its way through the Islanders’ defense in slow motion.
Lee and Pageau — who scored the tying and winning goals on Thursday in Montreal — pulled the Islanders back into the game, and this is a team that doesn’t tend to let those opportunities go to waste.
They didn’t Saturday.
And they may have just pushed Columbus’ season to the brink.
DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 28: Gavin Brindley #54 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates after a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
In continuation of the Central Division showdowns, the Colorado Avalanche moved on in their busy schedule in hosting the Chicago Blackhawks in a Saturday afternoon affair hoping to erase the bitter taste of defeat from two nights ago. It wasn’t a masterful effort but still Colorado found enough to end up with a 3-1 win over Chicago.
The Game
It wasn’t the start to the game the Avalanche were hoping for. Devon Toews took a hooking penalty six minutes into the match and Connor Bedard converted for Chicago on the power play for the game’s first score. For the rest of the first period the two teams would trade fruitless power plays while the Avalanche crafted a 14-4 shot advantage.
The second period wasn’t much better and was a slog to get through. Colorado took a too many men penalty early and then Chicago was called for three straight infractions after that. Colorado capitalized on none of them, gaining only a 9-5 shot advantage in the period in the process.
A sign of life, though, emerged after the fourth failed power play of the game for Colorado as Cale Makar found the back of the net with nine seconds left in the period. It wasn’t even a clean pass from MacKinnon as a Blackhawk tipped it on the way to Makar but he was able to find an open look much closer to the net that he has been and fired his favorite shot from the top of the right circle to tie the game 1-1 heading into the second intermission.
A shorthanded 3-on-1 happened early in the final frame but the Avalanche over-passed their way out of it to keep the game tied. Who knew the fourth line would bail out the Avalanche in their third minute of time on ice in the game? That’s exactly what happened midway through the third period to give Colorado their first lead of the contest when Gavin Brindley cleaned up some loose change at the net front.
Nothing else happened in this game except for an empty net goal scored by Makar after just seconds after Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Nečas over-passed themselves into a turnover when they had a chance at securing the victory. A 3-1 Colorado win was recorded after this sloppy game.
Takeaways
Joel Kiviranta remained absent from this game with Zakhar Bardakov participating in his place. Prior to the game Jared Bednar admitted on the radio that the Finn is going through concussion protocol.
It was nice to see Brindley as the hero of the game but it’s troubling he still ended with 3:26 time on ice and not a second more after he scored the game winning goal. It’s fair to wonder how much of the current bottom six forward group will remain on the roster after the upcoming NHL trade deadline on Friday.
Upcoming
A busy March schedule kicks off with the first of a back-to-back in California against the LA Kings at 8:30 p.m. MT on Monday, March 2nd.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Simon Holmstrom scored 1:50 into overtime as the New York Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 on Saturday night for their fourth straight win.
Holmstrom got the feed from Tony DeAngelo and had a clear path up the right side of the ice before cutting toward the net with a wrist shot to beat Columbus’ Jet Greaves.
It was Holmstrom’s 14th goal of the season and his second in overtime. The Islanders are 8-0 in overtime games this season, the only team in the league that hasn’t lost in the extra period.
Scott Mayfield had a goal and assist for the Islanders. Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored 22 seconds apart in the second period to erase a two-goal deficit. Ilya Sorokin stopped 27 shots.
Columbus’ Zach Wereneki, who had the assist on Jack Hughes’ goal in the United States’ gold-medal victory over Canada at the Olympics, had a pair of assists and extended his points streak to a nine games, the longest run by a defenseman in franchise history.
Werenski, second among NHL defensemen with 65 points, has 13 in his last nine games (two goals, 11 assists). It was Werenski’s 21st multipoint game this season and the 100th of his 10-year career. With 621 games played, he’s the fifth-fastest active defenseman to reach the mark.
Isac Lundeström, Mason Marchment, Adam Fantilli had Columbus’ goals. Greaves made 22 saves.
Columbus is seven points behind the Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division and five back of Boston for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.
Marchment, whose goal 3:58 into the second gave the Blue Jackets a 2-0 lead, has 10 goals in 16 games with the Blue Jackets since being acquired in a trade from Seattle on Dec. 19. That’s the fewest games a Columbus player has needed to reach double-digit goals.
Feb 28, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Timo Meier (28) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images | Joe Puetz-Imagn Images
First Period
In the first period, the Devils had a very disjointed effort. Despite not generating a ton of scoring chances (three high-danger), the team had several giveaways. Per Natural Stat Trick, Dawson Mercer (2), Connor Brown, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Hischier, Simon Nemec, and Timo Meier were all credited with giveaways on bad passes. Having seven giveaways in a game can be bad enough, but the Devils made other mistakes with the puck, too. Sometimes, they recovered well, and sometimes, they did not.
My least favorite moment of the first period was on the penalty kill, after Dougie Hamilton took a trip. Luke Hughes, who does not get a ton of penalty killing time, made an excellent read to intercept a pass in the defensive zone and skated it out himself. After gaining the center ice line, Hughes looked to feed it across to Nick Bjugstad. Those two and Jesper Bratt entered the zone, but one too many passes back between Bjugstad and Bratt led to a chance the other way. Bratt could have put pressure on Binnington with a one-timer on the rush, but he was too much of a perfectionist.
I will disagree with Bryce Salvador’s commentary on that play, as he praised Luke for having the responsibility to get back on defense rather than press the attack too much. I get it — it’s the penalty kill. But Luke Hughes made a perfect read on a bad pass and had good legs going into the offensive zone, and we know he is skilled enough to score. I do not think he should be coached in a way to automatically defer to the forwards there. If Luke Hughes thinks he can take the puck to the net himself, he should do it. If he thinks he has a shot, he should take it. We are talking about someone whose skillset should make him a 60+ point defenseman (or better) if his speed/hands combo are used right. We’ve seen him go nearly end-to-end, we’ve seen him score on the rush, and while I think he made a great pass to Nick Bjugstad, I would have had no issue if he went up on offense by himself. That’s who he has to be if he wants to reach his full potential.
Second Period
Jesper Bratt drew a penalty to start the second period. Unfortunately, the first unit looked rather rough without him or Meier, as Connor Brown and Arseny Gritsyuk were on the top wave. Their first shot of the power play came from a play off the faceoff from Luke Hughes to Simon Nemec, who found Timo Meier to the side of the slot. His shot was saved by Binnington, and St. Louis cleared the puck off the glass and out of play as the penalty expired.
Not long after Jack Hughes set up Connor Brown for a potential one-timer that was fanned on after Jack had spun around the zone to create a passing lane, Brett Pesce fired a shot off the iron. But the Devils did not get down on themselves, and Timo Meier roofed a shot on the rush to give them a lead! Coming down the right wing on the rush, Timo Meier looked like a true difference maker, putting the puck over Binnington’s blocker arm.
Unfortunately, he would take a high sticking penalty with three minutes to play in the period. Prior to the penalty, the Devils were doing a great job of controlling the pace of play in the second period, generating eight high-danger chances throughout the period to zero by St. Louis at five-on-five. And it was a rough penalty to take, too, as the Devils were pressuring in the offensive zone at the time. Thankfully, the Devils had a good kill, and the temporary loss of momentum did not come back to bite them.
Brett Pesce got tripped up at the end of the penalty kill, gutting the play out to go into the corner, drawing another trip as his knee seemed to be bothering him going off the ice. The Devils had another chance, but St. Louis cleared early on. But Dougie Hamilton drop passed to Jack in the neutral zone, and Jack Hughes went all the way around the net before teeing up a one-timer for Dougie, who ripped it past Binnington for a 2-0 lead!
That might have been the #NJDevils best second period since October. At 5v5 (14:56):
The Devils ran into trouble early when Jack Hughes took an uncharacteristic delay of game penalty. Again, the Devils had a great penalty kill, almost creating a scoring chance when Nick Bjugstad took on a few Blues and came away with the puck in the offensive zone, firing a shot that was blocked. Dougie Hamilton looked for Jack coming out of the box at the end of the kill, but the puck off the boards just missed Jack’s stick.
Back at even strength, the pace of play was very slow in the third period. The Devils, who dominated the second period, sat back more in the third period. The Blues emptied the net with over three minutes to play, as they were struggling to create offense. Bratt iced the puck looking for a long empty netter with 2:48 to play, but the Devils did a good job of slowing play down on the boards after the icing faceoff to draw another whistle, giving them the chance to change with 2:38 to play. After keeping the Blues to the outside on the following shift, Dawson Mercer got the puck in the slot and cleared it down the ice, just missing the left post by a foot or so.
Markstrom tried to go for the full-ength empty netter and was promptly scored on by Pavel Buchnevich with just over a minute to play. It could have been called for goaltender interference, as Buchnevich prevented Makrstrom from returning to the crease after his clearing attempt was knocked down, but the Devils chose not to challenge. I understand not wanting to take a penalty for delay of game if the challenge failed, but it seemed like clear interference in not allowing the goalie a path back to the crease.
After the Devils iced the puck with 40 seconds to play, the Blues called timeout. Nico Hischier won the draw, but Dougie Hamilton’s chip up the ice was blocked back to Hischier. Hischier was held up, but he iced the puck with 33 seconds to play. They won the puck back again in the defensive zone after the next draw, and Connor Brown deflected the puck a good 25 feet into the air at the blueline to get it out to center ice. But Brown and Bratt pressured the puck more, and Jesper Bratt passed up an empty netter to set Nico Hischier up for the Devils’ third goal of the game, as they beat the Blues 3-1.
The Devils won this game with a great second period effort. They had as many shots in the second period at five-on-five as the other two periods combined (14), while they had eight of their 11 high-danger scoring chances. So, while the Devils went into a bit of a prevent defense, parking the bus in the third period, the St. Louis Blues were already tired. Per Natural Stat Trick, the St. Louis Blues had 15 “extra long” shifts during the game to only 10 for the Devils, while they had 51 total long shifts to the Devils’ 55. While I cannot break Natural Stat Trick’s data on a by-period level (unless I look before the end of the game), I am going to take a guess that most of St. Louis’ “extra long shifts” came in that second period. The Devils dominated the puck that period, and it was very difficult for St. Louis to get full changes as a result. You can see this on the Meier goal, as Justin Faulk was one of the Blues who were unable to change off after Pesce’s shot rang iron, and he was unable to block Meier’s shot.
This is something I have hated from the Devils this season. All too often, it seems like they are losing the second period shift battle. So, a good start in the first period turns to them getting tired down the stretch until they play an entire uncompetitive third period. Instead of falling into that trap today, they inflicted it on St. Louis. I think it made a big difference in St. Louis being unable to crack the Devils in the third period, even though the forwards dialed it back.
A Change in the Offensive Approach and Olympic Markstrom
Two huge things have stood in the Devils’ way this season: their very conservative in-zone offense and the inconsistency from Jacob Markstrom in goal. Both looked a lot different today.
On offense, the Devils have often only kept one or two forwards around the net this season, working around the perimeter and along the blueline. Sometimes, this gets so bad that the Devils have four skaters above the faceoff dots hunting for the infinitesimal chance of that one skater in front getting deflecting the puck with three or four opponent skaters clogging the slot area. When the Devils were at their best today, they were cycling three or even (shockingly) four skaters attacking below the dots.
Were there some miscues? Yes. Jonas Siegenthaler’s scorpion-style kick block at the end of the first period after Dougie Hamilton went for an aggressive pinch on Brayden Schenn was a good example of that. But that is why the Devils pay mobile shutdown defensemen like Siegenthaler and Dillon a lot of money. They are paid to cover for when the offensive playmakers put the team in a difficult spot. Siegenthaler earns his paycheck with plays like that. Players like Hamilton (who scored the game-winning goal), Nemec, and Hughes are going to need to take risks to maximize their offensive potential.
Thankfully, Sheldon Keefe did not send a message to play more safely in the second. Their execution was simply better. Going for more aggressive plays led to better offense, and I would love to see more of this kind of play moving forward.
On the other end of the ice, Jacob Markstrom continued to look like OLYMPIC MARKSTROM rather than the iteration we saw from him between October and January. He stopped 25 of 26 shots with 1.67 expected goals against in all situations, though I still think he should have had a shutout. In two games since playing for Team Sweden in Milan, Markstrom is 1-1-0 with a .935 save percentage. In his last four NHL appearances, going back to January 29, Markstrom is 2-2-0 with a .931 save percentage and a goals against average just over 2.00. Markstrom’s best statistical stretch this season came from December 19 to January 3, when he was 2-2-0 with a .941 save percentage — the only four-game stretch with a better save percentage than this one for Markstrom. If he can sustain it this time, it would go a long way to easing concerns over the team’s goaltending over the next year or so.
Your Thoughts
What did you think of today’s game? Did you think the Devils played well? How do you think this game will impact their personal confidence in the next few weeks? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and thanks for reading.
At 1:47 of the overtime frame, Simon Holmstrom collected a stretch pass from Tony DeAngelo before cutting across the crease to beat a sprawling Jet Greaves for the game-winning goal:
With the win, the Islanders now hold a seven-point lead on Columbus for third place in the Metropolitan Division and now sit tied in points with the Pittsburgh Penguins for second.
Here's how we got there.
For a second straight game, the Islanders found themselves down 2-0 but, in short order, found themselves back even.
After Matthew Schaefer needed 55 seconds on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens to score twice and tie that hockey game, the Islanders needed just 22 seconds to do the same on Saturday.
First, it was Islanders captain Anders Lee batting a puck out of the air off a Scott Mayfield backhand at 11:37 of the second:
Then, at 11:59 of the second, Jean-Gabriel Pageau followed up his own rebound, before the puck bounced in past Blue Jackets' netminder Jet Greaves. Columbus head coach Rick Bowness would challenge for goaltender interference, but the call on the ice stood:
Cody Bellinger’s back “went out on him a little bit” Friday, manager Aaron Boone said, which kept him out of Saturday’s 5-1 win over the Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field. Bellinger will not play in Sunday’s game against the Phillies, either, but the Yankees are hoping he could get back into action by Tuesday following Monday’s team off-day.
“He’ll probably be, I’m guessing, a couple days,” Boone said. “He was quite a bit better today. Trainers aren’t too concerned about it. And this is something that crops up on him every now and then, usually sometime in spring or early in the year.”
Cody Bellinger flies out during the Yankees’ spring training win over the Braves on Feb. 26, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The 30-year-old Bellinger has played in three games so far this spring, the most recent one Thursday.
The veteran outfielder missed a pair of games last April due to the same back issue, but it proved to be a minor deal then, which the Yankees are hoping is also the case this time around.
An inflamed back forced Cam Schlittler to be slowed down earlier in camp, but the right-hander has since resumed his ramp-up and is expected to throw another live batting practice Sunday.
The plan is for Giancarlo Stanton to make his spring debut on Tuesday when the Yankees host Panama at Steinbrenner Field. As has become customary, the veteran DH has been slow-played into games in an attempt to keep him healthy over the long haul.
And while Stanton has consistently maintained that the pain from his tennis elbow in both arms is never going away, he has continued to get his work in early in camp, including taking ground balls in right field on Saturday morning.
A day after Gerrit Cole faced hitters for the second time in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, Brian Cashman joined the chorus of voices who have gushed about how everything has gone to this point.
“There’s twists and turns to rehab — you have good days, you have bad days — it feels like he’s had nothing but good days, which is fantastic,” Cashman said. “He had Tommy John in a little bit of an older part of your career and you don’t know how age is going to play an impact. Even if everything goes perfect, sometimes the velocity’s not there after they come back. But right now, it looks good.”
Amed Rosario was a late scratch from Saturday’s lineup due to WBC travel. He was going to get only one at-bat in the game before having to fly out, so the Yankees opted to have him take it in live batting practice on a backfield instead. … Ryan Yarbrough was sick Friday, so his next outing has been pushed back after starting a game last Monday.
Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz believed that his team was going to get a huge boost in the lineup this offseason.
Before Kyle Schwarber signed a five-year, $150 million deal to stay with the Phillies in December, De La Cruz thought that the three-time All-Star was joining the Reds.
Elly De La Cruz reacts at third base in the eighth inning against the Mets’ win over the Reds on July 20, 2025 at Citi Field. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
De La Cruz also said he saw Schwarber on his free agent visit for Cincinnati while working out at the Reds’ facility, and that they had a brief conversation.
It was rumored early in the offseason that Schwarber, an Ohio native, could have signed with the Reds, and that they offered him a five-year deal worth $125 million, according to multiple reports.
Though Schwarber ultimately remained in Philadelphia, he admitted that he was “impressed” by the Reds after meeting with them.
“I was impressed,” Schwarber told MLB.com in December. “Me and [my wife] Paige went down to Cincinnati, and we were able to sit down and have that conversation with them and hear them out. I would say that they were not pulling chains, and that they were wanting to try to get me to Cincinnati.
Kyle Schwarber watches his three-run home run in the seventh inning of the Phillies’ blowout win over the Mets at Citizens Bank Park on Sept. 9, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“There are things that you have to cover your bases and every aspect of it. We had those conversations, and I appreciate every conversation I had with every team.”
De La Cruz was not alone in thinking that Schwarber could have wound up in Cincinnati, as Phillies teammate Bryce Harper told reporters earlier in February that he also thought the designated hitter was signing with the Reds.
“I thought Kyle was going to go to Cincinnati to tell you the truth,” Harper said. “I thought it was a done deal going to Cincinnati just because being at home and things like that.
“Obviously I didn’t know. We kind of messed with him the whole time about him going back home and playing in front of his fan base.”
Schwarber was regarded as one of the top available bats this free agency after having a career year in 2025, posting a slash line of .240/.365/.563 with an NL-leading 56 homers while leading all of MLB in RBIs (132).
So what kind of reaction would Matthews get in the Canadian city? Would country or NHL team be the determining factor?
When the words "gold medalist" were said, there seemed to be a mixed reaction, but when Matthews' Leafs position and name were mentioned, the cheers reigned and people stood and clapped.
Watch the video below:
The Maple Leafs salute their Olympians Oliver Ekman-Larsson, William Nylander and Auston Matthews 🫡 pic.twitter.com/nsJNBgnelr
Philadelphia center Joel Embiid, who has already missed 28 games this season, will miss at least three more after an MRI revealed an oblique strain, the team announced Saturday.
Embiid was bothered by his oblique during Thursday night's win over Miami, even going back to the locker room for a short stint after being hit by Kel'el Ware. Embiid returned to the game and hit a clutch 3-pointer in the final minute, but did not speak to reporters after the game (and coach Nick Nurse had no update on his condition.
Embiid had played in the 76ers' last two games after missing the previous five with knee and shin issues. When he has played, he has been brilliant this season, averaging 26.6 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. Philadelphia, currently the No. 6 seed in the East (1.5 games ahead of Orlando and the play-in), and it needs a healthy Embiid to have a shot to pull off an upset in the playoffs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Myles Colvin scored 32 points on a near-perfect shooting effort and Wake Forest rallied in the second half to defeat Syracuse 88-83 on Saturday night.
Colvin made seven of eight 3-pointers and his only 3-point miss came with 1:22 remaining in the game. He shot 9 of 12 overall and was 7 for 7 at the free-throw line.
Tre’Von Spillers scored 16 for Wake Forest (15-14, 6-10 ACC) and Juke Harris added 13. Off the bench, Cooper Schwieger scored 11 points and Sebastian Akins added 10 points.
Donnie Freeman scored 28 points and Nate Kingz 20 for Syracuse (also 15-14, 6-10). Naithan George had 13 points and 10 assists, and Sadiq White Jr. scored 12 off the bench.
The Orange trailed 14-13 before they buried seven 3-pointers in the final 12-plus minutes of the first half. They made 10 of 18 from beyond the arc in the first half and led 46-42 at halftime. They made only 3 of 8 from deep in the second half.
Syracuse's largest lead of the second half was 56-49 five minutes after halftime before Wake Forest began to rally. Near the 11-minute mark Colvin drained a 3 that began a near nine-minute stretch in which the Deacs made 10 of 11 shots, including eight in a row.
Still, a driving layup by Freeman had Syracuse within 84-80 in the final minute, but an offensive rebound and putback by Schwieger gave Wake Forest a six-point margin with 30 seconds left.
Up next
Syracuse: The Orange visit No. 24 Louisville on Tuesday and finish the regular season with a home game against Pitt on Saturday.
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons visit No. 11 Virginia on Tuesday and host Cal on Saturday.
Feb 18, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tanner Scott (66) walks out of the clubhouse during Los Angeles Dodger workouts at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
PHOENIX –– Blake Treinen made the road to redemption sound simple Saturday morning.
The Dodgers’ bullpen can learn from the struggles it endured last year. But that dark past is now something to forget.
“Nobody in this organization, in the seven years I’ve been here, has ever focused on negatives,” Treinen said. “Some teams might be like, ‘I can’t act like I did last year. I can’t do what I did last year.’ But we’re not gonna live in the past. Nobody lives in the past.”
Blake Treinen made the road to redemption sound simple Saturday morning. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
As a group, the team’s bullpen posted the 10th-highest ERA in the majors while blowing the 10th-most saves.
Previously trustworthy veterans including Treinen and Tanner Scott were a big part of the problem. Treinen suffered a career-worst 5.40 ERA while battling an elbow injury that sidelined him for 3.5 months over the summer. Scott succumbed to a 4.74 ERA while dealing with his own elbow problems, ultimately losing his role as de facto closer after going 23 for 33 in save opportunities.
Those flaws nearly sunk the Dodgers’ title-defense hopes, forcing the team to lean heavily on its starting rotation in the playoffs and convert Roki Sasaki into an emergency postseason closer.
But now, the club is banking on a bounce-back performance from its new-look –– yet largely familiar –– relief corps.
Previously trustworthy veterans including Treinen and Tanner Scott were a big part of the problem. Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
While the arrival of new $69 million closer Edwin Díaz should provide the Dodgers’ bullpen with backend stability, getting Treinen and Scott back on track will be just as important.
In a perfect world, they could be two of the Dodgers’ primary set-up men. Díaz’s presence should also allow Roberts to deploy them in more matchup-friendly situations.
First, however, they’ll have to rectify the issues that plagued them last year –– and forget the frustrations that came along with them.
For Scott, the task this year will be staying away from the middle of the strike zone, a bugaboo that resulted in him allowing 11 home runs in 2025 (tied for ninth most among all MLB relievers).
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He said he’s done a “deep dive” with pitching coaches Connor McGuiness and Mark Prior this spring to diagnose flaws in his delivery, which he believed contributed to his poor command and his late-July elbow injury.
Compared with last spring, which Scott described as a “sprint” because of the Dodgers’ early start in Japan, he also feels like he has more time to make sure the changes stick.
In his Cactus League debut Saturday, he offered some early encouraging signs by throwing a scoreless inning in which he located his pitches around the edges of the zone.
Compared with last spring, which Scott described as a “sprint” because of the Dodgers’ early start in Japan, he also feels like he has more time to make sure the changes stick. Jason Szenes for CA Post
“(I’m) just making sure my stuff is playing exactly how I want it to be,” Scott said. “Everything starts with delivery.”
For Treinen, one big focus will be recalibrating his typically lethal sweeper. Last season, the pitch failed to induce as much swing-and-miss as usual, a problem some people around the team believed stemmed from slight changes in his arm slot.
On Thursday, Treinen also had an encouraging start to spring play, throwing a scoreless inning that included two strikeouts, the first coming on a swing-and-miss sweeper.
“Last game was great, results-wise,” Treinen said. “There’s still a lot to improve on. But that’s good, when I feel like I was OK but the results were good.”
There are other middle relievers the Dodgers will count on this season.
There are other middle relievers the Dodgers will count on this season. JASON SZENES FOR CA POST
Alex Vesia remains another top left-handed option, while Jack Dreyer will look to build upon his rookie success. The team is hoping to get production from Brock Stewart, Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol once they return from injuries (though Graterol’s status is uncertain now, as he continues to battle shoulder problems that sidelined him all of last season). Ben Casparius, Will Klein and Edgardo Henriquez are also battling for depth roles (though Henriquez has looked shaky in his first couple spring outings, struggling to command the ball).
“I mean, our whole lineup is stacked,” Scott said of the bullpen. “Anyone can pitch in any spot.”
Still, outside of Díaz, no other relievers on the club have the kind of track records that Treinen and Scott do.
That’s the past experience they’ll try to tap into this season –– leaving the failures of last year, for both themselves and the bullpen at large, in the rearview mirror as they look forward now.
“Wash it, flush it like a toilet, and just let it be,” Scott said. “Wasn’t that great last year. But it’s a new year.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to snap their two-game losing streak as they finish off their three-game road trip against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday afternoon.
Cleveland has lost their last two games without the services of either Donovan Mitchell (groin) or James Harden (thumb). They will still be without Mitchell, but Harden could be making his return to the lineup.
The Nets are a good team to break a losing streak against. They’ve lost seven in a row and have made it clear that they aren’t trying to win games at this point in the season. We’ll see if the Cavs can take advantage of that.
TV: FanDuel Sports Network – Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network App, NBA League Pass
Point spread: Cavs -11
Cavs injury report: Donovan Mitchell – OUT (groin), James Harden – QUESTIONABLE (thumb), Dean Wade – OUT (ankle), Keon Ellis QUESTIONABLE (left index finger fracture), Max Strus – OUT (foot), Riley Minix – OUT (G League)
Nets injury report: Nick Claxton – QUESTIONABLE (thumb), Egor Demin – (foot), Tyson Etienne – OUT (G League), Chaney Johson – OUT (G League), E.J. Lindell – OUT (G League), Drake Powell – OUT (G League)
Cavs expectedstarting lineup: Dennis Schroder, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Nets expected starting lineup: Nolan Traore, Egor Demin, Noah Clowney, Michael Porter Jr. Nic Claxton
Jan 24, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) controls the ball in front of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks gave point guard Ryan Nembhard a well-deserved chance after leading the NCAA in assists per game with 9.8 during his senior season with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. He finished with a school record 325 total assists in 2024-25.
After proving his worth in the NBA on a two-way contract and splitting his time with the G League’s Texas Legends, Nembhard has signed a two-year contract (per Todd Ramasar and Jaafar Choufani of Life Sports Agency). It will be a standard NBA contract that includes a team option for the 2026-27 season. Veteran guard Tyus Jones was waived to create the roster spot.
Nembhard brought a spark to coach Jason Kidd’s team when he was with the big club, averaging 9.9 points on a 44.4 three-point shooting percentage and 6.1 assists per game in 17 starts for the Mavericks. That included three double-double performances.
He will be a key piece of the rotation in Dallas and a favorite to play alongside the face of the franchise, forward Cooper Flagg.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
But Saturday, general manager Brian Cashman brought the once-hyped prospect back to earth, reiterating the challenge that the 23-year-old outfielder still faces to make the major league roster.
“He’s taking his reps and trying to push himself in the mix,” Cashman said before the Yankees’ 5-1 win over the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “Clearly the everyday spot’s not there, with [Trent] Grisham and [Cody] Bellinger and [Aaron] Judge and [Giancarlo] Stanton, currently. But you know how things change really quickly, so all he can do right now, him and [Spencer] Jones, as well as [Randal] Grichuk and anybody else, is put themselves in a position for us to take notice and we’ll evaluate what opportunities exist at the end of camp and make calls.
“Hopefully those calls will be tough ones to make.”
Yankees left fielder Jasson Domínguez (24) hits an rbi single against the Minnesota Twins in the fifth inning during spring training on Feb. 27, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Despite a slash line of .417/.429/.833 through four spring training games, Domínguez’s narrow path back to The Bronx grew slimmer when the Yankees recently agreed to a minor league deal with Grichuk, a 12-year veteran who offers a far superior track record against lefty pitching.
Grichuk, who participated in his first workout with the Yankees on Saturday, has a .268 lifetime batting average against southpaws, while posting a .819 OPS.
Domínguez has only had 134 career plate appearances against lefties, but the switch-hitter has badly struggled from the right side, batting .176 with one home run and a .530 OPS.
Grichuk, who debuted with St. Louis in 2014, has 212 career home runs and a career .763 OPS.
New York Yankees left fielder Jasson Domínguez (24) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the second inning during spring training at Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium on Friday. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
“Just trying to provide some choices for us,” Cashman said of signing Grichuk. “Hopefully we’ll have tough decisions by the end of camp. That means everybody stayed healthy and performed at a high level and it makes those decisions difficult. That’s ultimately the goal. But obviously he has a history of hitting left-handers. We tried to acquire him at the deadline last year. He got popped from Colorado to Kansas City, so took another crack at him again this winter.”
Last year, Domínguez lost his starting job after being deemed too green to contribute to a title contender. This year, a 34-year-old on a minor league deal may provide more upside.
The future may have to wait.
“He’s been a pro,” said Cashman, describing how Domínguez has handled the situation. “I think he knows what’s in his control, which is performing, showing a commitment level on a day-in and day-out basis, and then letting the rest take care of itself. So he knows what’s in his control, which is that, and what’s not in his control, which is how the roster shakes out.
“I think Domínguez, Spencer Jones and anybody else is just looking to make a name for themselves and make sure people take notice of them. We’ll act accordingly.”
New York Mets pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) throws in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals during Spring Training Clover Field, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Port St. Lucie.
PORT ST. LUCIE — In a bullpen that’s been overhauled since last year, with former closer Edwin Díaz now a Dodger, replaced by Devin Williams following a rough season in The Bronx, among the most intriguing members is Craig Kimbrel.
Only four pitchers have recorded more career saves than the right-hander who turns 38 in May and is still looking to contribute.
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Kimbrel is coming off a season in which he did not record any saves and was released twice before he finished the year with Houston.
He made his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday and had mixed results in his one inning, as Kimbrel gave up a run and walked a pair of batters in a 3-2 loss to Washington at Clover Park.
At this point of Kimbrel’s career, though, he’s not overly concerned about the numbers — although he was bothered by the two free passes.
Earlier in the week, Kimbrel said his body felt good and he was working his way back into form, and following Saturday’s appearance, Carlos Mendoza was encouraged by some of the veteran’s stuff.
New York Mets pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) throws in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Port St. Lucie. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
There was increased velocity on his fastball and Kimbrel said he’s trying to integrate a cutter into his arsenal “to get guys off my fastball and open up some offspeed opportunities.”
“It was good to go out there and compete and get on track to where I want to be,’’ Kimbrel said.
The Mets could have a spot for Kimbrel in the pen if he proves that he’s still capable of getting batters out and the team values his presence in camp, but he turns 38 in May and will have to earn a spot.
New York Mets pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) reacts in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals during Spring Training at Clover Field. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Mendoza said Saturday that Luis Robert Jr. is scheduled to play his first game of the spring Wednesday, adding that it will be on the minor league side as the team looks to keep the center fielder — acquired from the White Sox in the offseason for a package that included Luisangel Acuña — healthy after Robert battled lower-body injuries during the previous two seasons.
He’s been getting at-bats, but the team has held off on putting Robert in game situations.
Mendoza said Francisco Lindor has not yet progressed to impact activities — like catching a ball — after getting the stitches out of his surgically repaired left hand following the stress fracture in his hamate bone.
“He’s getting a lot of exercise and [building] strength in that area,’’ Mendoza said of the shortstop who advanced to long toss and one-handed swings Friday. “He’s continuing to get stronger before we start impact drills.”
Grae Kessinger, in camp as shortstop depth, was scheduled to get an MRI on Saturday after injuring his left knee in Friday’s game against the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla., was on crutches in the clubhouse Saturday.
