Johnston, posting on X on Saturday, May 30, reported the family will donate the brain of the four-time Stanley Cup champion to the UNITE Brain Bank at the Boston University CTE Center "for research into the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury."
Johnston reported Lemieux's family made the decision with a desire to improve the lives of others.
"'The family emphasizes that this decision is a gift to science, to athletes and to future generations of families seeking answers. No conclusion should be drawn at this time regarding any diagnosis,'" Johnston's post, which includes a statement from the family, reads.
The Palm County Medical Examiner's Office told USA TODAY Sports in response to an open records request that "all public records you have requested for Claude Lemieux are exempt from public records as specified under SB 474 - FS 406.135. (2) (c)."
The Floridastatute cited by the Palm County Medical Examiner’s Office was enacted in 2024 and exempts photos, videos, audio recordings and autopsy reports related to suicide victims from general public records requests.
There have been several studies on the possible connection with suicide and CTE. A 2021 study conducted by a group of scientists from Switzerland, Italy and other countries surveyed the effects of CTE on boxers, hockey players and football players.
"Progressive neuropsychiatric symptoms resulting from CTE could lead to suicidal ideation (SI) and eventually suicidal behaviour (SB), especially the more severe forms of SB such as medical serious suicide attempt (SA) and completed suicide," the study said. "For example, CTE was confirmed in post-mortem examinations of over 100 former National Football League players and it was hypothesized that suicide in four of them could have resulted from CTE-induced behavioural changes, but it is difficult to make a direct connection in these cases."
Just a few days ago, baseball fans celebrated the 33rd anniversary of one of MLB’s most bizarre moments. The day that Jose Canseco tried to catch a fly ball, only to see it ricochet off his head and over the wall for a home run.
Thankfully, Saturday night’s game between Milwaukee and UCF in NCAA baseball regional action gave you an updated version.
Grant Ross for Milwaukee came to the plate in the bottom of the fifth with two outs and the bases empty. Ross lofted a fly ball to straight-away center field, where UCF outfielder DeAmez Ross tried to make the catch at the wall.
Instead, the ball deflected off his glove, and then his head, before carooming over the wall for a home run:
𝗜𝗧'𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗔 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 💥 @GrantRoss55 with his 6️⃣th Home Run of the Year… with a little help? 👷♂️👷♂️👷♂️
Here is a longer clip, that includes a few replays of the moment at the wall:
The home run staked the upstart Panthers to a 10-1 lead, just one day after the Horizon League champions knocked off Auburn, the fourth-overall seed in the NCAA baseball tournament.
While UCF has closed the gap — the score is currently 10-6 in the bottom of the seventh inning at the time of publication — this play might live on in Milwaukee lore, no matter how the game ends.
After rolling through the Eastern Conference behind Jalen Brunson’s playoff brilliance, the Knicks now face the San Antonio Spurs after Wemby & Co. eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.
Despite New York’s dominant postseason run, NBA Finals odds immediately opened the Knicks as series underdogs, saying everything about how highly the betting market views OKC.
Before Game 1 tips off, here’s a full breakdown of the opening Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Finals odds, Finals MVP markets, and the best early betting angles.
Knicks vs. Thunder NBA Finals odds
Market
Knicks
Spurs
Series price
+170
-205
Game 1 spread
+5.0 -110
-5.0 -110
Game 1 moneyline
+170
-205
Game 1 total
Over 217 -110
Under 217 -110
Odds as of 5-30 via bet365.
The New York Knicks may have entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed, but New York hasn’t looked like an underdog for weeks.
After sweeping both the 76ers and Cavaliers in back-to-back series, the Knicks punched their ticket to the NBA Finals behind Jalen Brunson’s playoff brilliance and one of the most physical defensive identities left in the postseason.
Still, sportsbooks opened San Antonio as the favorite entering the series.
The betting market clearly respects the Spurs' depth and versatility, but the Knicks have already proven throughout this playoff run that they’re more than capable of controlling games with defense, rebounding, and clutch shot-making.
NBA Finals MVP Odds
Player
Odds
Victor Wembanyama
-175
Jalen Brunson
+210
Karl-Anthony Towns
+2000
Stephon Castle
+6000
OG Anunoby
+7500
De'Aaron Fox
+10000
OG Anunoby
+12500
Odds as of 5-30 via bet365.
Jalen Brunson opened as the clear betting favorite on the Knicks side after carrying New York through the Eastern Conference playoffs, while Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby also remain intriguing long-shot options entering the NBA Finals.
Still, the market continues to lean heavily toward Oklahoma City.
Victor Wembanyama opened as the overall Finals MVP favorite at -175, reflecting both the Spurs' status as series favorites and his dominant postseason run. Meanwhile, players like Stephon Castle continue to draw respect because of San Antonio’s depth and defensive versatility.
If the Knicks are going to pull off the upset, though, it’s difficult to imagine anyone other than Brunson winning the award.
Knicks vs. Spurs series prediction
The Knicks bring physicality, depth, and defensive toughness, but this series ultimately comes down to a question they may not be able to answer: how do you consistently contain Victor Wembanyama over seven games or less?
San Antonio’s ceiling is simply higher. Wemby’s two-way dominance warps matchups on both ends, and if the Spurs get even steady secondary production, they’ll be difficult to slow.
The Knicks can grind games into the mud and steal a couple with their rebounding and half-court execution, but they lack the singular superstar force to tilt a tightly contested series.
Expect a competitive, physical Finals with multiple close finishes, but San Antonio’s star power and defensive versatility give them the edge late.
Prediction: Spurs to win NBA Finals (-205)
Early Knicks vs Spurs Game 1 prediction
We saw New York look a little sluggish in this same scenario for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, coming off an extended rest while their opponent just finished a seven-game series.
The Knicks trailed by as much as 22 points in the fourth quarter, but rallied back as Cleveland utterly collapsed.
The Spurs will not implode like that.
I don't think San Antonio will be up by 20+ points either, but if New York has to shake off rust in the Finals opener, the Spurs are too talented to not take advantage.
Prediction: Spurs -5 (-110)
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Victor Wembanyama continues Wemby-mania with Stephon Castle and rookie sensation Dylan Harper as he marches into his first NBA Finals with the Spurs. The center has already had an outstanding postseason with the most blocks in a game, and, at 22, he was the youngest player to have a 40-point, 20-rebound in playoff history.
After bulldozing through the conference semifinals and finals, this is the Knicks' first time making it to the championship round since 1999. Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges will seek to bring the Big Apple back to glory with Ben Stiller, Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet cheering them on every step of the way.
The NBA Finals tip off on Wednesday, June 3 in San Antonio.
The New York Knicks will face the San Antonio Spurs in what is sure to be a thrilling best-of-seven series for the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Victor Wembanyama was emotional after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of a heated Western Conference finals. This will be the San Antonio center's first Finals appearance after a historic playoffs run where he broke several records, including most blocks in a game and, at 22 years of age, the youngest player to notch 40+ points and 20+ rebounds in a competition.
The Knicks punched their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks' dominance was marked by an average margin of victory of 23.7 points.
Now the attention shifts to the NBA Finals, which tip off on Wednesday, June 3. Below is the complete schedule for this year’s championship series.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Drew Bowser #19 of the Chicago Cubs at bat during the eighth inning of a Spring Training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Iowa right-hander Connor Noland came off the injured list. Iowa Right-hander Yacksel Ríos went on the temporarily inactive list.
Knoxville first baseman Edgar Alvarez came off the restricted list.
Right-hander Luis Rujano was sent to the rookie ball ACL Cubs from Double-A Knoxville.
Connor Noland came off the injured list and pitched the first four innings. He allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits. Noland struck out six and walked one.
Zac Leigh relieved Noland to start the fifth inning and only managed to retire one batter. Leigh took the loss after giving up five runs on one hit and four walks over one-third of an inning. The one hit was a three-run home run. Leigh did not have a strikeout.
Gavin Hollowell is making a case for a major-league call up with another perfect inning in the seventh, striking out two. Hollowell has a 1.23 ERA and hasn’t given up an earned run since May 7.
DH Chas McCormick went 2 for 5 with two RBI.
Left fielder Ben Cowles was 2 for 5 and scored once.
The Knoxville Smokies swept a doubleheader from the Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds), 7-5 and 7-5.
Starter Jake Knapp pitched 2.2 innings and gave up one run on three hits. He walked one and struck out two.
Dawson Netz pitched the final 3.1 innings and got the win, giving up only one run on a solo home run. He allowed two hits total. Netz struck out two and walked one.
DH Ethan Hearn clubbed a solo home run in the second inning, his third on the year. Hearn went 1 for 4.
In the third inning, catcher Owen Ayers cracked a two-run home run, his seventh. Ayers was also 1 for 4.
First baseman Edgar Alvarez hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning, his fifth home run this year. Alvaraez went 1 for 3.
Finally, third baseman Jefferson Rojas hit his sixth home run with the bases empty in the seventh. Rojas went 1 for 4.
Second baseman Alex Madera was 2 for 3 with an RBI double in the third. He scored on Ayers’ home run.
Shortstop Hayden Cantrelle was 2 for 3 and scored one run.
Tyler Schlaffer started game two and allowed just one run on two hits. Schlaffer walked three and struck out six.
The Smokies went into the bottom of the seventh with a 7-1 lead, but Jackson Kirkpatrick had trouble getting anyone out. He gave up four runs on two hits and three walks over just a third of an inning. So Marino Santy was summoned from the pen with one out, two on and the tying run at the plate. He walked the first batter he faced to load the bases and then a run came home on a ground out by former Smokie Pablo Aliendo. Then Santy got a strikeout to end the game and collect the save.
Left fielder Carter Trice hit a solo home run in the second inning, his eighth on the year. Trice went 1 for 3 with the home run and a sacrifice fly for two total RBI.
Right fielder Alex Ramírez connected with the bases empty in the fifth, his fourth on the year. Ramírez went 2 for 4 with a double and the home run. He scored twice.
Center fielder Andy Garriola was 3 for 4 with a double. He scored one run and drove in one.
Koen Moreno got the start and went four innings. He allowed just two hits. Moreno walked four and struck out four.
Eli Jerzembeck pitched the next two innings and got the win because Moreno didn’t pitch five innings. Jerzembeck gave up no hits, but he walked two and struck out two.
Mason McGwire made his High-A debut in this game and was impressive in collecting a three-inning save. He allowed just one baserunner, a two-out single in the seventh. McGwire struck out six.
For the second-straight game, first baseman Drew Bowser hit a grand slam. This one came in the sixth inning. It was Bowser’s third overall home run this year. Bowser went 1 for 4.
Third baseman Matt Halbach was 1 for 1 with two walks and a hit by pitch. Halbach scored twice and his single in the third drove in a run.
Center fielder Josiah Hartshorn was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Here’s an RBI double by Jose Escobar and an RBI single by Justin Stransky. Escobar was 1 for 4 and Stransky went 1 for 3 with a walk.
Noah Edders started and gave up four runs on five hits over 3.1 innings. Edders walked two, hit one batter and struck out three.
Riely Hunsaker allowed the game to stay close, giving up just one run on three hits over 4.1 innings. Hunsaker walked two and struck out three. He also hit a batter.
Braylon Myers threw the final 1.1 innings, allowed no runs and got the win after the Pelicans took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Myers gave up just one hit. He struck out one and walked no one.
Left fielder Geuri Lubo hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to give the Pelicans the lead for the first time. It was Lubo’s second home run of the year. Lubo went 2 for 4 with a double and the home run.
Third baseman Yahil Melendez clubbed a two-run home run in the fifth to tie the game up 4-4. It was Melendez’s first home run of the year. Melendez finished 1 for 4.
Center fielder Alexey Lumpuy went 2 for 4 with two steals. He scored on a wild pitch in the third inning.
May 30, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the third quarter during game seven of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The San Antonio Spurs survived an epic Game 7 in Oklahoma City, and are going back to the Finals after 12 years. The team’s record is now 5-7 all-time in Game 7s.
The Spurs seemed to be unaffected by nerves, starting off making their first five shots and each starter scored within six minutes. Victor Wembanyama didn’t have the highest scoring night (22 points, seven rebounds, two assists), but he was leading the charge defensively. Stephon Castle also stepped up (16 points, six rebounds, six assists) as if he’d been there before and maintained his edge even while in foul trouble.
The Thunder being absent Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell didn’t have enough help around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when he was seeing multiple bodies. He still went on a wild spree, but the Spurs’ pressure made the half-court as nasty as a mud wrestling match, and it had OKC’s players shaky, missing easy ones behind the arc.
Observations
This marked the second time in NBA history that a Game 7 featured the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. Both stars were true to their nature with SGA doing a boatload of scoring, and Wemby blowing up a lot of sets. This time, the edge this time goes to SGA because he gave the opposing defense fewer breaks, but history will remember that detail less because OKC lost.
The Spurs had more ball handlers, and for a while, their motion created extra breakdowns to unlock the 3-point line. Then OKC, sensing desperation, raised its intensity and nothing came easy for the rest of the game as they scored just 34 in the lane. Keep in mind that their season low, which includes the playoffs, was 32 points.
SGA’s conditioning is next-level because he was OKC’s only capable high-usage ball handler, and he wasn’t as tired as one normally would be seeing a defense as sharp as San Antonio’s He was doing everything for them in his 43 minutes.
The first non-Wemby minutes started with the Spurs ahead by 10 points and they were up nine when the substitution came. Stephon Castle had a big part keeping the offense rolling in that span. The biggest weakness of that rotation was getting beat twice in transition. The next critical non-Wemby minutes were a short stretch in the third, and the Spurs maintained their nine-point lead. Then Luke Kornet had a huge chase down block (play of the game) on Isaiah Hartenstein in the last one after Wemby picked up his fifth foul.
Chet Holmgren was guarded by Devin Vassell plus other perimeter players, and he spent the game invisible. Some might call this one of the most embarrassing disappearing acts of all time.
Julian Champagnie had his best moment of the season in the third quarter, scoring 11 points while the game was for the taking. It was also a big emotional boost for the team, and so were Keldon Johnson’s consecutive treys and fastbreak layup early in the fourth.
The Spurs defense was fierce and unrelenting. They had six steals in the first quarter, with two belonging to De’Aaron Fox, as they swiped at drives and intercepted passes. Additionally, they did a decent of guarding without fouling.
The Thunder had the edge in second-chance scoring, but the Spurs closed the distance in the second half, and there was no bigger tip-ins than Dylan Harper’s to put the team up 11 with fewer than five minutes to go, and Castle’s with under a minute left.
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 1: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 1, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks have their mark for the NBA Finals.
After winning Game 7 at the Paycom Center, the San Antonio Spurs have completed their comeback and will face off against the Knicks in the NBA Finals.
For the Spurs, it’s their first visit to the NBA Finals since 2014 after they beat LeBron James and the Miami Heat in five games. That was San Antonio’s sixth Finals visit in a 15-year span, which began back in 1999 when they faced off against the Knicks, whom they beat in five games.
For the Knicks, they have not been back to the Finals since that trip back in 1999, but they come into this series extremely well-rested after sweeping both the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers in back-to-back series. Their last game came back on Monday, when they beat the Cavs by 37 points in Game 4 inside Rocket Arena.
The Knicks could come in with a big advantage with not as much mileage as the Spurs in the playoffs. The Spurs are coming off a brutal seven-game Western Conference Finals bloodbath against the Thunder, while the Knicks will have over a week of rest. However, the Knicks will start the series on the road and must win at least one game in San Antonio in order to win the franchise’s first title since 1973.
Posting and Toasting community, what do you think of the matchup between the Knicks and the Spurs? Let us know in the comments section below.
Victor Wembanyama and his Spurs teammates celebrate their win over the Thunder.Photograph: Nate Billings/AP
For large parts of this season, many wondered if the Oklahoma City Thunder had any weaknesses. One thing the reigning champions didn’t have was Victor Wembanyama, who led the San Antonio Spurs to a Game 7 victory in the Western Conference finals.
The Spurs’ 111-103 victory on Saturday night means they will face the New York Knicks in the NBA finals, with Game 1 set for Wednesday in San Antonio.
It would be a disservice to Wembanyama’s teammates to say the result was solely down to the 7ft 4in Frenchman, though. Julian Champagnie scored 20 points, including six three-pointers, Dylan Harper looked dangerous whenever he came off the bench and Wembanyama’s backup, Luke Kornet, pulled off a brilliant block at the rim in the fourth quarter as the Thunder threatened a comeback. Wembanyama finished the game with 22 points and seven rebounds.
“They don’t know how much I love them, and everyone stepped up tonight,” the 22-year-old said of his teammates.
The Thunder, who were without Jalen Williams due to a hamstring injury, fought hard even as the clock ticked down but they were forced to take hopeful threes from well outside the arc and the Spurs had the final say with a breakaway dunk.
Wembanyama was named the series MVP and was in tears at the end of the game.
“Realizing that some part of a childhood dream is going to come true,” said Wembanyama when he was asked why he had been so emotional as his team clinched their place in the finals. “We’re still hungry, we want more. This feeling is so powerful, I can’t explain it”.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, was typically brilliant for the Thunder, scoring 35 points and dishing out nine assists. But none of his teammates scored more than 20 as they relinquished their title.
“You have to grow from every experience, including the tough ones,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “And it’s the NBA – there are tough ones. We can also be really disappointed ... There’s nobody that we don’t think we can beat, respectfully.”
As for the Spurs, they are confident of the road ahead. They may also be cheered by history: the last time the Knicks made the NBA finals, in 1999, they faced the Spurs, who won the series 4-1.
“We never knew if we were going to get this far but when you’ve got the greatest player in the world things happen,” said Champagnie after the game.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs started the Western Conference finals with a win in Oklahoma City, then ended the series the same way.
The champions are dethroned. Wembanyama and the Spurs are headed to the NBA Finals.
Wembanyama scored 22 points, Julian Champagnie got 18 of his 20 off of 3-pointers and the Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 on Saturday night — bucking heavy odds to win a Game 7 on the road.
Victor Wembanyama, holding the Western Conference MVP trophy he won, celebrates with teammates after the Spurs’ 111-103 Game 7 win over the Thunder on May 30, 2026 in Oklahoma City. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Stephon Castle scored 16 points and De’Aaron Fox had 15. Dylan Harper added 12 and Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell each finished with 11 for the Spurs, who are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
They will host the New York Knicks in Game 1 on Wednesday night.
The Spurs reacts as a timeout is called in the second half of their Game 7 win over the Thunder. AP Photo/Nate Billings
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points, but for the eighth consecutive season the NBA will have a new champion.
Red Wings Will Rule - June 19, 1998 - Vol. 51, Issue 37 - Bob McKenzie
Here’s a little something for Washington Capitals’ coach Ron Wilson to pin on his team’s bulletin board: The Capitals will not win the Stanley Cup. In fact, they’ll be lucky to win a game against the Detroit Red Wings in this year’s final.
There, we said it and Wilson, the master motivator and one of the most colorful characters in the game today, will eat it up.
Fine, if we could put Wayne Gretizky’s Los Angeles Kings into the 1993 Cup final-something about Gretzky skating like he had “a piano on his back"-we have no problem providing some added inspiration for the Caps in their first-ever Cup final appearance.
Besides, the Capitals need all the help they can get to compete against a team as talented and driven as Scotty Bowman’s Red Wings.
The only thing that stands in the way of this being an utter mismatch is Washington netminder Olie Kol-zig, who enters the Cup final as the leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Kolzig, not Dominik Hasek, had been the NHL’s best playoff netminder this spring. Kolzig was consistent, something Hasek wasn’t, and brilliant, too. He had a goals-against average of 1.69 and save percentage of .946, both league leaders.
Heading into the final, the Caps had a 12-5 playoff record. They were outshot in 14 of those 17 games and often by a wide margin.
But it’s one thing to play sloppy hockey against the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres and have your goaltender bail you out. It is quite another, however, to do it against the Wings, who may not be as thoroughly dominant as they were a year ago, but are still a force with which to be reckoned.
The key to Red Wing success is depth and balance. Players such as Brendan Shanahan and Sergei Fedorov can misfire for a whole series, but Detroit’s depth was still good enough to beat the Dallas Stars, the NHL’s regular season titlist, in six games.
The Wings have four lines that can check and score: Steve Yzerman between Brent Gilchrist and Darren McCarty; Igor Larionov between Shanahan and Martin Lapointe; Fedorov between Tomas Holmstrom and Slava Kozlov; and the grind line of Kris Draper between Kirk Maltby and Joey Kocur, with Doug Brown ready to step into any role on any line. And Bowman mixes and matches his lines better than anyone in the game.
On the blueline, the almost error free pair of Nicklas Lidström and Larry Murphy lead the way. The Wings rely a little too much on the thirtysomething pair of Bob Rouse and Jamie Macoun, but if they could get the job done against the physically punishing Stars, they’ll get it done against the Capitals. Rookie Anders Eriksson and aged veteran Slava Fetisov comprise the third set with Dmitri Mironov and Aaron Ward providing the depth.
Certainly, after giving up longshot goals in Game 3 against the Phoenix Coyotes (Jeremy Roenick), Game 4 against the St. Louis Blues (Al Macln-nis) and Game 5 against Dallas (Jamie Langenbrunner), Wings’ netminder Chris Osgood has something to prove. But he has shown tremendous resilience in these playoffs. While Washington has an edge over Detroit in goal, it’s not as wide as Osgood’s detractors would have you believe.
Entering the final, Osgood rated at the Wings’ No. 2 candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy. The leading contender was captain Yzerman, for his complete game approach. Lid-ström, and to a lesser degree, Fedorov also rate some consideration, pending how they perform in the final.
No one should suggest the Caps aren’t full value for their first appearance in the final. If the Wings don’t show them respect, the Caps can jump up and bite them, especially if Kolzig remains true to form.
Wilson has two good offensive lines: Andrei Nikolishin between Peter Bondra and rookie star-in-waiting Richard Zednik; and savvy veteran Adam Oates between the recycled, but useful Brian Bellows and scoring hero Joey Juneau. And he got good mileage from a grinding line of Dale Hunter between Craig Berube and Chris Simon and a utility unit of Esa Tikkanen between Kelly Miller and Mike Eagles, with Michal Pivonka (bruised shoulder) and Todd Krygier (sprained knee) possibly available.
That fourth line for the Caps may find itself mismatched against any one of the Detroit lines.
The Hockey News’ scouting report (see opposite page) suggests the Detroit forwards have a significant edge in two categories-speed and competitiveness.
It’s true the Washington defense corps is, generally speaking, more mobile than Detroit’s, but what those numbers don’t reveal is how much the Caps rely on so few.
Mark Tinordi and Calle Johansson, the top pair, play a ton, as do stay-at-home Joe Reekie and offensive threat Sergei Gonchar, who often sees more than 30 minutes. The tandem of Brendan Witt and Phil Housley doesn’t play a lot, only 10 to 12 minutes some games. If it does play more against Detroit, the Wings will take advantage.
The flip side, though, is that it’s difficult to shut down Detroit using primarily four defensemen.
The Wings aren’t a particularly punishing team, but the pressure they exert with speed and puck control should break down a Washington defense that hasn’t been tested to this degree.
Another Capital weakness is their play along the boards. They got away with some sloppy efforts against Boston, Ottawa and Buffalo, three teams that simply don’t play with the same tenacity and consistency as the Wings. Enter THN’s Scouting Report and the Wings’ decided edge in spirit (competitiveness).
According to other NHL teams’ playoff scouting reports, the Caps will often leave their No. 1 power play unit, headed by Oates, on for 90 seconds. The Wings’ speedy and aggressive penalty killers could also take advantage of that.
But breaking down a series on paper is always easier than doing it on the ice. There is the Kolzig factor for the Wings to consider and the fact that the Caps are prohibitive underdogs will create a nothing-to-lose mindset that should permit Washington to play a relaxed, pressure-free game.
That said, it’s clear the Wings have better personnel than the Capitals. The Caps have good experience but so, too, do the Wings.
In each of the past three Cup finals, we’ve been shocked by four-game sweeps by the New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche and Detroit, respectively. If it happens this year, there’ll be no surprise.
THN’s pre-playoff Stanley Cup pick was Detroit. We see no reason to change it.
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The Chicago Blackhawks announced the death of Dennis Hull on Saturday, May 30. He was 81 years old.
The five-time All-Star left winger was the brother of Hall of Famer Bobby Hull and recorded 298 regular-season goals in the Windy City. He also was a member of Team Canada when they beat the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series.
“The Chicago Blackhawks are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dennis Hull earlier this morning," Blackhawks chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz said in a statement. "Dennis enjoyed a distinguished career built on his scoring ability and consistency, leaving lasting contributions not only to the Blackhawks franchise, but to the game itself.
"Known around the league for his immense skill, toughness and intelligence, Dennis was as dominant on the ice as he was beloved off it. He often drew on his sharp wit and sense of humor to keep the locker room loose, while his warmth and humility made everyone he met feel welcome.
"On behalf of the Wirtz family and the entire Blackhawks organization, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Dennis’s family, friends and teammates, and the many fans who adored him."
Dennis' nephew, Bart, also shared the news of his passing on Instagram. A cause of death has not been revealed at the time of publication.
Dennis, who was known as the "Silver Jet," played 13 of his 14 NHL seasons with the Blackhawks, who signed him ahead of the 1964-1965 season after a stint with the St. Catharines Black Hawks, an amateur team in Ontario, Canada.
He played eight of those with Bobby, the "Golden Jet," who died in 2023 at age 84. Chicago made the playoffs all but once while Dennis was on the team, including reaching the Stanley Cup Final three times, which they lost each time. He finished his career with one season with the Detroit Red Wings.
After nearly two months, Fernando Tatis Jr. is finally on the board with his first home run of the season.
In the fifth inning of the Padres’ 9-4 loss to the Nationals, Tatis blasted a towering 451-foot solo homer to left field at Nationals Park to break his harrowing streak without a home run that dated back to last season.
Before Saturday’s game, the Padres outfielder had not gone deep in 240 plate appearances, which was the longest home run drought in the MLB.
“I just knew right away,” Tatis told reporters following the game, according to The Associated Press. “About f–king time.”
Upon hitting the homer, Tatis flipped his bat and got a warm welcome from his teammates as he rounded third base.
“It was very exciting for everybody,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said. “He’s been carrying that burden. The team has been carrying that burden.”
Fernando Tatis Jr. hits belts a solo home run, the first of the season, during the fifth inning of the Padres’ 9-4 loss to the Nationals on May 30, 2026, in Washington. AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
The last time Tatis had hit a home run was a game against Arizona on Sept. 27.
“Bet you he’ll sleep a little better tonight, knowing that he has a little ‘one’ on his numbers. He has a lot in his career, but it’s different,” San Diego shortstop Xander Bogaerts said. “Everyone knows what the deal is here.
“Everyone knows he has zero, so I think getting that kind of pressure off his back is nice.”
Despite Tatis’ blast, the Padres gave up six runs to Washington in the seventh for their 25th loss of the season.
Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates with his teammates after hitting a solo home run, his first of the season, in the fifth inning of the Padres’ loss to the Nationals. AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
“There’s no off days over here, man,” Tatis said. “This game will find a way how to still punish you.”
Tatis’ numbers have taken a significant hit so far this season because of his home run drought.
Despite holding a .268 batting average going into Saturday’s game, the three-time All-Star was slugging just .307 across 55 games played.
May 30, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) looks on as Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) reacts to an overturned call during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images | Jeff Le-Imagn Images
The Saturday night matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs was supposed to be electric. What it turned out to be was…odd. The St. Louis Cardinals got a solid start out of Kyle Leahy, yet he wouldn’t make it out of the 5th inning and the Cardinals offense was nearly mute squandering what chances they had losing to the Chicago Cubs 6-1 Saturday night. It pains me to admit this, but Pete Crow-Armstrong had a lot to do with it.
Kyle Leahy gave the St. Louis Cardinals 4 1/3 innings allowing 6 hits with 4 strikeouts. He didn’t face any real drama until the top of the 2nd inning when Alex Bregman hit a ball that was initially called a home run, but the umpire review showed it ducked just to the left of the foul pole. Bregman did end up flaring a single to right field, but it didn’t lead to any runs.
The St. Louis offense didn’t awaken until JJ Wetherholt singled to center in the bottom of the 4th inning. He advanced to 2nd on an excuse me groundout by Iván Herrera and then scored the first run of the game when Alec Burleson cracked a single to right field giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.
That lead wouldn’t last long as the dreaded 5th inning rolled around which has been the nemesis of the St. Louis Cardinals pitching staff several times this season. Kyle Leahy would serve up a ball right down the middle that Pete Crow-Armstrong turned into a laser shot double to right. He then advanced to third on a Nico Hoerner groundout and then scored on a single by Michael Busch tying the game 1-1. Ryan Fernandez would come in to get the final outs of the 5th inning which he would do despite throwing a wild pitch in the process.
Ryan Fernandez would not be so fortunate in the top of the 6th inning. After making a good fielding play on a dribbler in front of the mound from Amaya, Ryan would fire the ball past Alec Burleson into right field. He would then walk Dansby Swanson before Manager Oli Marmol removed him for Justin Bruihl to face Pete Crow-Armstrong who he would hit with the first pitch to load the bases. Nico Hoerner then singled to right scoring Amaya giving the Cubs their first lead of game at 2-1. Michael Busch then hit a sacrifice fly to deep right field scoring Swanson upping the Cubs lead to 3-1.
The Cardinals would threaten in the bottom of the 6th when Victor Scott II drew a walk on a full count that was confirmed by a failed Cubs ABS challenge. The Fox announcer then made a big deal about JJ Wetherholt having never hit into a double play in his Cardinals career so far. Spoiler Alert: JJ didn’t hit into one this time either as he instead smoked a single into center field. Unfortunately, Iván Herrera would fulfill the prophecy of the Fox dude and hit into a double play grounding a ball to Alex Bregman who would step on third base and fire the ball across the diamond to first to end the inning.
The low point of the night (or best moment ever if you’re somehow a Cubs person) was Pete Crow-Armstrong responding to the “Tarps Off” crowds chants of “OVERRATED” by crushing a home run off of Gordon Graceffo right into the middle of their seats making it 4-1 Cubs in the top of the 8th inning. Well played, Armstrong, but we still despise you.
The Chicago Cubs would make a late innings comeback by St. Louis less likely as Ian Happ doubled to start the top of the 9th inning. Suzuki would then reach on an error from Nolan Gorman. After Ballesteros grounded out, Amaya would be given first base on catcher’s interference by Jimmy Crook. Matt Pushard did not help himself as he bounced a ball off of the backstop scoring Happ from third and making it 5-1 Cubs. Pushard would follow that up with a walk to Dansby Swanson and then…wait for it…another hit by Pete Crow-Armstrong who singled in Suzuki giving Chicago all the runs they’d need as it was 6-1. Believe it or not, it could have been worse. Masyn Winn made an incredible play on a ground ball up the middle that ricocheted off of JJ Wetherholt as he stepped on second and used his rifle arm on a throw to first for a double play.
To add insult to injury, the Cardinals made ridiculous decisions in the bottom of the 9th inning. Wait, there was just one ridiculous decision and it was made by Ivan Herrera. JJ Wetherholt led off the inning with a single. He was one of the few bright spots as JJ went 3 for 4 on the night. Ivan would reach on a fielder’s choice narrowly avoiding hitting into a double play, but would try to advance to third base on a single by Alec Burleson, but would be thrown out trying. Never make the first or second out of an inning at third base they say (for a good reason). Jordan Walker would make the last out of the game driving a ball deep into the left-center field gap, but it was caught by (you guessed it) Pete Crow-Armstrong.
The St. Louis Cardinals will try to rebound and win the series Sunday night when Matthew Liberatore takes the mound for another national broadcast. Jordan Wicks will get the start for the Chicago Cubs. First pitch is set for 6:20pm central time as the game will be watchable on NBC/Peacock.
Knicks
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