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Grid change. Lance Stroll will now start from the pit after setup changes.
Just a reminder what Kimi needs to do to become the youngest world champion of all time today. He’ll clinch the title if he wins and George Russell finishes outside the top eight, with Lewis Hamilton outside the top four.
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There’s no doubt that the first two games of the 2026 World Series have been nothing short of incredible. The City of Milwaukee has waited 44 years for this and is now two wins away from its first World Series in 69 years.
With any team that’s making a run to a championship, many different factors go into a team’s success; for the Brewers, it’s so difficult to narrow it down to just one. Of course, you’ve got the bullpen, the relentlessness of the offense, and a manager’s trust in the midst of adversity.
For once, the Brewers’ starting pitching, clever defense, and small-ball approach aren’t holding down the fort. Rather, the monotonous, tedious at-bats mixed with the ability to feed off one another have been driving the boat, and that’s what we saw in last night’s tumultuous 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Of the many storylines to come out of last night, it was the Brewers bullpen once again, dominating the mound. Specifically, Aaron Ashby improved his postseason line to a whopping 15.2 innings pitched, five hits allowed, and 17 strikeouts, the best line of anyone on the team. He is now second in MLB history with the most consecutive scoreless innings pitched to start the postseason, trailing only 2016 Andrew Miller with the Cleveland Indians by .1 innings.
While the Brewers pitching got 27 outs in a high-stress volume, the Brewers offense put far more pressure on the Rays pitching staff by prolonging at-bats. Beginning at surface level, the Brewers were retired in order just once last night, which came in the bottom of the second inning. Outside of that, the Brewers sent at least four batters to the plate in each inning.
The at-bats that jolted the Brewers offense awake weren’t lengthy, which is astonishing. But the punches that were landed, meaning at-bats where runs were scored, batters took longer in the box. Chourio and Bauers saw a collective of five pitches to get the offense started; after that, each at-bat that resulted in a run, the Brewers offense saw at least six pitches.
From that point on, the narrative wasn’t just Bauers’ ability to put together long at-bats but rather the entire lineup. During those long innings for the Rays pitching staff, they struggled to put away the Brewers hitters. Even in the “shortest” inning of the night for the Rays pitching staff, the Brewers forced Drew Rasmussen to throw 18 pitches to go 1-2-3. A large chunk of those pitches were thrown to Jackson Chourio, who quickly fell into a 0-2 count before fouling off five pitches, mixed in with three balls. Not that Rasmussen had his A+ stuff last night, but this at-bat was quietly underrated despite it resulting in a groundout, as that had pushed his pitch count to 48 through two innings.
Once Logan Henderson settled into the game, the Brewers offense began chipping away, slowly and methodically. After a lengthy bottom of the second inning, none other than Bauers stepped in and picked up right where the offense left off. Bauers went to the plate and saw seven pitches to open the bottom of the third. Christian Yelich followed up with a six-pitch at-bat himself.
To some, seeing Rasmussen come out for the fourth inning was a bit of a shock, but to the Brewers, they saw an opportunity: to break into the Rays bullpen before hitting the halfway mark of the game. Cooper Pratt settled into the game nicely after his first-inning error and proved it after his not-so-rookie-looking at-bat. After a called strike to open his plate appearance, he swung at a pitch quite far outside of the zone, then came three straight takes. All three were on a fastball, until he fouled one off before walking. After a few quicker at-bats from the bottom of the lineup, Bauers landed the final blow to Rasmussen with another six-pitch at-bat to load the bases.
Throughout the 2026 postseason, the Brewers have faced a handful of the best pitchers with the highest Whiff percentages in baseball. Whiff% measures how often a batter swings and misses the ball compared to the total number of swings they take. So far in the postseason, they have faced five pitchers that all rank in the top 50 among qualified starters. Rasmussen was one last night, Nick Martinez the other, and of course Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the NLCS.
If you lower the Whiff% to a minimum of 50 innings pitched, the number of pitchers that the Brewers have seen in the postseason spikes to 10 out of the top 100. This goes to show that the quality of pitching that the Brewers have seen throughout this run, with all the comebacks involved, is among the top in baseball.
Cam Booser had the most efficient inning from any Rays pitcher that we’ve seen at any point in the World Series, as it took him just 10 pitches to get through the fifth inning, and that’s with allowing a one-out walk. The next inning, though, you could see the tide change. Sal Frelick isn’t known for his power, until it comes to tying the game in big moments. First, in college, when Boston College trailed by three, what’d he do? Take Auburn deep to right-center field to tie the game. The next? Game three of the 2024 Wild Card Series to extend the Brewers’ lead over the New York Mets. Finally, in the biggest and best at-bat of his career, he hits a home run straightaway to center field to tie the game.
How’d he get there? By making Ian Seymour throw eight pitches. After getting ahead 0-1, Seymour threw him two straight balls. Then the foul barrage came. Four of them, all by just a flick of the bat. Then, he got a gift of a fastball left over the plate, and he didn’t miss. It was his first home run since July 11th. This season alone, most of his hits were either pull-side or opposite-field; his hits up the middle were groundballs, rarely line drives; he had five total all season.
Seymour couldn’t find a way to get rid of the Brewers; Hamilton followed up with a nine-pitch at-bat, then Chourio saw eight pitches, and Bauer saw six. The Brewers were in control.
The seventh inning wasn’t as lengthy as what we saw, but it was still effective as Cooper Pratt hit the go-ahead single. The bottom of the eighth inning was the final blow. The Rays needed two pitchers to get through the inning; three of the five batters to appear in the inning saw five pitches or more.
Overall on the night, the Brewers fouled off 44 pitches; 22 of those were with their backs against the wall in two-strike counts. The series is far from over, and the Brewers still have yet to face a couple more of the Rays pitchers who are high in Whiff%, that being Freddy Peralta and Griffin Jax.
Patience has been a key approach for the Brewers all season, and it somehow has gotten better in the postseason among the league’s best. The Brewers will seek to continue their success in this department Monday night against their former teammate.
Two years ago, no one could have fathomed the idea of Luka Dončić retiring anywhere but Dallas. The Mavericks had built a team capable of making the Finals around him and his fierce loyalty all made it seem like a done deal that he’d be the Dirk Nowitzki successor and play his whole career in Texas.
Everyone knows what transpired next with Luka shockingly being shipped to Los Angeles. The Lakers have worked to build a team around their new superstar, who still remains as loyal as ever. And given how the Lakers have treated him, it’s not surprising that Luka now feels the same about his new franchise as he did about his last.
In a recent interview with Melissa Rohlin of the California Post, he said he feels comfortable in Los Angeles and wants to finish his career in purple and gold (emphasis added).
“After that, at training camp last year, I felt I was where I belonged,” Dončić told the California Post. “I feel very good in LA. I’m very excited. Very happy. Obviously it’s a beautiful place to live. But just being with the Lakers organization, being a part of it, it’s such an honor. It’s amazing to be here.”
Dončić has embraced the whiplash-inducing change he never envisioned.
When asked if he wants to retire as a Laker, he didn’t hesitate.
“Hopefully, yeah,” Dončić told the California Post. “But as you know in this NBA business, you never know what’s going to happen. But I feel like I’ve found something here that’s very comfortable for me. And hopefully [that happens].”
While this is the first time Luka has said he wants to retire with the franchise, the overall sentiment of wanting to remain with the franchise has been consistent pretty much since he landed in Los Angeles.
The ball, then, is in the Lakers’ court. If Luka wants to be with the franchise for the rest of his career, it’s on them to put a team around him to remain competitive.
It is encouraging, though, that Luka wants to be here long-term. The challenge now is to make sure he keeps that mindset.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
Shadab Khan’s maiden century rescued Pakistan from a dire situation and took them to a stunning one-wicket victory over England in the one-day international in Lahore on Sunday, booking the hosts’ spot in the final of the tri-series.
Talk about an exciting weekend! The New Jersey Devils kicked it off with the Connor Hellebuyck blockbuster trade. The big news was on everyone’s mind heading into Saturday afternoon’s game and following the 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings.
“There should be a lot of noise about it. It's a huge splash for our team, our market,” Jack Hughes stated after the Devils' third win in a row. The Hellebuyck deal is where this week’s Devils Notebook begins. With a few days to process the trade, it’s a good time ot look at some lessons and takeaways from the deal for both the Devils, the Winnipeg Jets, and the NHL.
1. The best time to trade a player is early; the value only goes down from there. The analogy is a car: once it’s purchased, the value is at its highest. In the Jets’ case, they had offers when the draft took place.
There were reports that the Buffalo Sabres wanted to acquire Hellebuyck, and other teams were willing to move top draft picks to make the deal happen. Instead, the Jets waited, hoping the trade request from their goaltender would subside and that a better offer would come later.
Devils Admit The Hellebuyck Trade Stirred Up Mixed Emotions“I’ve been through those days. They’re not easy, but when you get a guy coming back like Connor, you can feel the buzz,” Jake AllenWeeks turned into months, and the Heritage Classic, combined with a team-imposed suspension ending, put an official clock on this trade. The Jets had to get it done this weekend. Devils' general manager, Sunny Mehta, made his offer to acquire Hellebuyck at a time when he knew the Jets were desperate to get a deal done.
The return for many hockey fans appears underwhelming. The Devils gave up Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad, Alexander Command, and two future draft picks. However, none of the draft picks were first-rounders, and Mercer is the only NHL-ready skater in the return.
The problem for the Jets is that their hands were tied. Hellebuyck had a no-trade clause and could pick his destination. Moreover, they had to trade him, and the rest of the league knew it.
Devils Are Proving They Can Defend To Win Games & With Good Timing“Sometimes it’s just an ugly game; it’s not a fun game; it’s boring, and it’s what team’s going to crack first. A good team finds a way to win those gritty, boring games,” Brett Pesce. That said, GM Kevyn Chevedeyoff waited until the last minute, even though he had better offers earlier. Many people would criticize Jim Rutherford for making trades well before deadlines, whether it was the Bo Horvat or Quinn Hughes deals. However, that approach gave the Vancouver Canucks the best possible offers, and when the best offer is on the table, it’s best not to wait.
2. Eventually, every GM must make a big swing to take a good team and put it over the hump. Mehta is coming over from the Florida Panthers, who were known for their aggressive approach under GM Bill Zito. Only three players on the back-to-back Cup-winning teams were drafted and developed by the team (Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, and Anton Lundell). The rest were signed in free agency or added in trades.
Zito’s early years as the Panthers team builder featured under-the-radar trades that turned into home runs. The Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett trades came at a low cost and gave them two top-six forwards. However, Zito had to take the big swing to turn the Panthers into a Cup contender.
Connor Hellebuyck Believes The Devils Are Building Towards A Stanley Cup"You just look for an organization that's willing to do whatever it takes, and I think they have that as well,” Connor Hellebuyck. That swing was Matthew Tkachuk. The Panthers gave up a lot to get him, sending MacKenzie Weegar and Jonathan Huberdeau to the Calgary Flames. However, the Tkachuk move changed the team and built it for Cup runs.
Eric Tulsky operated the same way when he took over as the Carolina Hurricanes GM. His big swing was the Mikko Rantanen trade, yet what made that move more impressive is that he realized it wouldn’t work out and flipped the star to the Dallas Stars for Logan Stankoven, who became an integral part of the 2026 Cup-winning team (interestingly, the Rantanen addition also gave the Hurricanes Taylor Hall, who was also a pivotal part of the playoff run).
Sure, these trades can backfire. Nobody wants to be the GM who trades away Nick Suzuki for Max Pacioretty, yet everyone wants to be the Vegas Golden Knights, who made that deal along with the Jack Eichel and Mark Stone trades to build the 2023 Cup team.
Mehta is operating the same way but at a higher speed. He made his safe bets early on in his tenure, acquiring Amadeus Lombardi, Luke Evangelista, and a handful of depth players with upside in the offseason. Now, he’s ready to take swings. Hellebuyck is the big one who takes a Devils team that’s 7-4 and puts them in the contention conversation.
3. Great teams can never have enough depth. When Mehta took over the Devils, it was a priority to add depth both on the NHL roster and at the American Hockey League level. Having the extra players helps when the injuries pile up, but also allows a GM to make a trade and not worry about the fallout.
Mehta moved Mercer, a valuable middle-six winger, in the Hellebuyck trade. Yet he had the luxury of trading him because Evangelista, Anthony Mantha, and Jesper Boqvist, three players he acquired this summer, were playing a similar role and could fill that void.
While it’s tough to trade Daws, a goaltender who was developed in the Devils farm system, the move was possible because of the Rémi Poirier waiver claim. If Hellebuyck isn’t ready for a few weeks, Jake Allen can take on the majority of the workload while Poirier can start a game or two.
Adding depth also adds resources to the team. The Devils were in a better position to make this trade now than they were at the draft because of all the moves Mehta made.
4. Goaltending doesn’t make the biggest difference, but it makes enough of a difference. The conversation around the Devils and goaltending after the trade was whether Hellebuyck adds enough value to make a difference. Does any goaltender move the needle enough to turn a team into a Stanley Cup contender? The recent Cup winners, notably the Hurricanes and Golden Knights, proved that a team doesn’t need to spend big on the position or have a clear-cut number one to win it all.
Mehta, who comes from an analytical background, addressed this topic at Hellebuyck’s introductory press conference. “I think that the spread is narrower than most people think, but that doesn't mean the spread is zero at all,” he stated regarding the impact of elite goaltending.
It’s worth adding that the position is tougher to predict. So, why make a move for a goaltender when the deal can flop? If the goaltending position is tricky to predict, where do you want to bet? You want to bet on a person that has a large sample size of excellent results who's on a good cap hit. That's literally the three things that hit with Connor,” Mehta added.
A great goaltender might add a few wins or steal a few games. Similarly, the gap between good and great coaching might be a game or two. However, that’s the difference between making and missing the playoffs. More importantly, a game or two can be the difference between winning a series or two. With Hellebuyck in the net, the Devils have enough of an edge over their division rivals to make the playoffs. If he plays at a high level, they might have the advantage over any team in a playoff series. And that’s a strong enough argument for Mehta to make this trade.
5. One move in a vacuum might not work out, but if it opens the door for other star players, then it makes the initial deal worthwhile. The John Tavares contract, for example, wasn’t a great one for the Toronto Maple Leafs, arguably an overpay. That said, that deal convinced other star players to join the Maple Leafs and, more importantly, convinced the young core at the time that they were building something special (even if they didn’t in the end).
A more relevant example to the Devils is the Sergei Bobrovsky contract. When the Panthers signed the goaltender, it was viewed as a terrible deal that was sure to age poorly. However, that contract was the first move to build them into a contender. By signing a star goaltender, it convinced other players that they were willing to buy in and make a push for a Cup.
The Devils made a handful of moves to convince Hellebuyck to lift his no-trade clause and join them. The direction that the team is heading in convinced him that they are trending in the right direction.
Likewise, the Hellebuyck trade sends a message to the room that this front office is willing to go all in. It also sends the message to players on other teams that the Devils are making a push to win a Cup, and it’s a place worth signing in free agency or waiving a no-trade clause to join.
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported this week that Dylan Larkin expanded his trade list to include 10 teams. Larkin has a no-trade clause, but with the Detroit Red Wings refusing to move him, he’s willing to open up the list to teams that can make a favorable offer. The Devils were one of the teams on that list.
Even after acquiring Hellebuyck, there’s always room for improvement, and the Devils are far from finished. “We're never done. We're never done, but I'm excited about the roster, and you guys know that; we talked about that in training camp,” Mehta stated after the Hellebuyck addition.
At first, it seems unlikely that the Devils can make this trade. After all, other teams have more assets to move. However, the Devils have everything in place to make a trade happen, notably because of the depth they’ve stocked up on this offseason.
If the Red Wings want young NHL-ready players, the Devils can offer Arseny Gritsyuk or Luke Evangelista. If they want prospects, the Devils have Anton Silaev and Lenni Hämeenaho in their system. They also have two 2027 first-round picks.
In short, Mehta has enough to put together a strong package. The asking price for top-six centers is usually three pieces, and while the Red Wings will want more for Larkin, they might settle for that price.
Larkin, at first glance, isn’t the player that the Devils need. They are set up in the middle with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. However, he’s a versatile forward who can play anywhere in the lineup and impact the game in different ways. Adding him gives the Devils forward unit another dimension.
Cynically, it’s easy to look at the Devils and think that they are trying to assemble the USA Olympic super team (minus the Tkachuk brothers). Why stop at Hellebuyck or Larkin? They might as well add Zack Werenski at the trade deadline, especially if the Columbus Blue Jackets are sellers. Plus, they can sign Quinn Hughes in the offseason.
That said, Larkin might become Mehta’s next target. And as Mehta has shown, when he has a target, he’s willing to make the right offer to get it done.
The Devils haven’t had a real road trip yet this season. They’ve played three of their first 11 games on the road, but the rest of their games have been at Prudential Center. This week, they have a back-to-back against the Dallas Stars (Oct. 27) and Colorado Avalanche (Oct. 28) before wrapping things up against the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 30.
“It’s actually great that we have a road trip. We haven't really had an actual trip yet, so I think it's good for our group,” Jake Allen mentioned after the third consecutive home game. It’s good for teams who need a “simple road game,” which typically happens when teams have minimal practice time. It also helps teams that are playing the right way, as they can build a hot streak.
It’s specifically beneficial for the Devils, who are looking to bond as a team, especially now that Hellebuyck is joining them. “I remember coming here when I got traded, and we went right on the trip, and I thought it was great for me,” Allen added. Allen, like Hellebuyck, is a veteran goaltender who needed time with the team both on and off the ice. A road trip provides it.
“Perfect timing to get on the road. We've accomplished what we needed to here on this home stand. Our game's in a really good place right now,” Brenden Dillon stated. It’s a good time for the Devils to build on their hot streak and move up in the standings.
The question many fans have is whether Hellebuyck will start a game on the upcoming road trip. Hellebuyck is ready to go, something he told Mehta the moment the trade was official, and he confirmed during his introductory presser. It speaks to his competitive drive. However, it’s still up in the air, and the Devils will figure it out as things play out.
Dillon couldn’t stop beaming and holding back his excitement when talking about Hellebuyck. The two were teammates in Winnipeg and knew each other well, allowing him to help with the move. “I think my wife's texted his wife about places to live and not to live, where to where to go. He's got two kids right around my two. So, it'll be great,” Dillon noted.
Both players are at a similar point in their careers. Both Dillon and Hellebuyck are in their 30s, have families, and are looking to win a Cup before retiring and settling down.
While the media was waiting to speak to Sheldon Keefe in his pregame availability against the Kings, I asked Amanda Stein, the Devils team reporter and media aficionado for the past decade, if Hellebuyck was the best goaltender she’s covered. Before joining the Devils beat, she covered the Montreal Canadiens, so Carey Price was the best goaltender she’s covered.
Seconds later, a handful of reporters were debating which goaltender was better and who was the greatest of all time. Is Carey Price in the top 10? What about Marc-Andre Fleury? It was a fun moment before everyone gathered around Keefe to discuss Hellebuyck and the state of the Devils.
Arseny Gritsyuk scored on an empty net in Saturday’s 3-1 win to extend his scoring streak to five games. He now leads the Devils with six goals on the season. The Devils were hoping for a breakout season from Gritsyuk, and so far, he’s delivered.
After acquiring Hellebuyck, Mehta admitted it was exciting to get the deal done. “Yeah, it's exciting. They're all exciting, though. Every trade we make, every transaction, every signing, every contract, everything. It's why I love this job. It's, you know, I love it. I love the action,” Mehta noted. It’s the feeling that the Devils, the fans, and everyone in between have right now. It’s an exciting time for the Devils!
What’s on your mind from the past week? What will you keep an eye on in the upcoming matchups? Comment below!
The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a frustrating start to the season. They’ve shown how good they could be with impressive stretches throughout their first two games, but poor closes to both contests have made it clear that they’re far from a finished product.
The Cavs will welcome a good Minnesota Timberwolves team to town on Monday. Minnesota made a big move this summer by trading for LaMelo Ball, and so far, things have paid off. The Timberwolves have beaten the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic by a combined 47 points in their first two contests. They’ll be hosting the Toronto Raptors on Sunday evening.
This will be a good test for the Cavs.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (1-1) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-0)
Where: Rocket Arena – Cleveland, OH
When: Monday, Oct. 26 at 7 PM
TV: DAZN, WUAB (Channel 43), RESN, NBA League Pass
Point spread: Not yet set
Cavs injury report: Nae’Qwan Tomlin – OUT (back), Khalifa Diop – OUT (left knee), Ernest Udeh Jr. – OUT (G League)
Timberwolves injury report for Sunday’s game vs. Toronto: Donte DiVincenzo – OUT (right Achilles)
Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Timberwolves expected starting lineup: LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert
Cavs jersey:Black Statement Edition uniform
Previous matchup: Both teams split the season series last year. The Cavs won their last contest on January 10, 146-134.
Here’s a look at both teams’ regular-season impact stats from last season via Cleaning the Glass.
| Offensive Rating | Defensive Rating | Net Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavs | 118.9 (8th) | 115 (15th) | +3.9 (9th) |
| Timberwolves | 116.8 (14th) | 113.2 (6th) | +3.6 (10th) |
It’s Sunday once more, and you know what that means — it’s time for our weekly social media roundup! With the untimely end of the Yankees season now more than a week and a half behind us, we begin to settle into what looks to be a long, long, loooooong winter. The offseason doesn’t mean that life stops, however, and this week, we have a jam-packed social media roundup. And so, without further ado, let’s get started!
This past Tuesday, the 2026-2027 NBA season went underway, and with it came one last celebration for the New York Knicks. The 2026 NBA Champions received their championship rings and raised a banner at Madison Square Garden, before unfortunately losing to the 76ers in the first game of the new season. A pair of Yankees fan favorites, Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler, were in attendance.
They weren’t the only ones from the Yankees family there, though. YES researcher James Smyth was also in the Garden, although since he didn’t mow down the Red Sox lineup or lead the league in postseason home runs and RBI (seriously, that’s how dominant Rice’s postseason was), he didn’t get a seat on celebrity row.
Former Yankee infielders Gleyber Torres and Gio Urshela, along with their wives, were spotted on vacation together in Europe. Although they no longer don the pinstripes (and although Urshela has retired from the sport entirely), it’s nice to see they still find time to hang out.
The Somerset Patriots, as always, take great pride in the big league performance of their former players; this week, they celebrated the season totals of Yankees rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr.
Two weeks ago, Luke Pettitte — not only the son of a Yankee legend, but himself now a Yankee prospect — celebrated his wedding. This past week, his mother Laura took to Instagram to reflect on the occasion. She and Andy also went on a hike.
Brendan Beck sat down with the Somerset Patriots to discuss his Major League debut and his dominant season with the Triple-A Scranton RailRiders.
The Scranton No-Longer-The-RailRiders are hosting a yard sale on November 1st, if anyone is in Scranton, PA, and interested in buying RailRider merchandise.
HeraldJoe Mazzulla ‘grateful’ for Jaylen Brown but backs Jayson Tatum: ‘He’s our guy’
Jaylen Brown responds to Jayson Tatum’s ‘no beef’ comments: ‘He should stay ready’
Globe ‘It’s no beef, but it might be a little lamb chops’: Jaylen Brown extends saga with Jayson Tatum
Former Celtic teammate Blake Griffin weighs in on ‘disappointing’ Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown rift
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Jaylen Brown confirms ‘no beef’ with Jayson Tatum, but adds, ‘he should stay ready’
How Paul George blew up the Knicks’ offense
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NESNJayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown ‘Beef’ Timeline: Icy Warmups, Cap Emoji and Lamb Chops
Mass LiveJoe Mazzulla gives view on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown relationship
Jaylen Brown responds to Jayson Tatum in latest detail of saga
Celtics Wire Blake Griffin disappointed in revival of Tatum – Brown Celtics beef
Joe Mazzulla thanks Jaylen Brown for time with Celtics, but ready to move on with Jayson Tatum
The AthleticJoe Mazzulla on Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown tension: ‘Nobody is perfect’
Jaylen Brown on Jayson Tatum: ‘No beef, but there might be some lamb chops’
Boston Sports JournalNBA Notebook: Tatum vs. Brown, basketball is back, and Knicks phishing drama
Hardwood Houdini Derrick White shooting woes being fixed would be massive boon for Celtics’ offense
Ball pressure continues to be a concern for Celtics’ offense
Hugo Gonzalez looks like odd man out for Celtics after offseason full of hype
Unfortunately, Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown drama isn’t going away any time soon
Heat’s struggles demonstrate why Celtics passed on Giannis
Celtics’ chaotic new defensive identity on full display in home-opener
The complications of putting Jordan Walsh in the Celtics starting lineup
Neemias Queta’s surprising clutch 3-pointer could help solve big Celtics dilemma
Sam Hauser still appears to be the Celtics’ preferred bench wing
Payton Pritchard breakout season struggling to get off the ground
The hatchet is officially buried between Celtics and Ray Allen
CLNS Media/YouTube Jayson Tatum Answers My Question About Jaylen Brown CAP Emoji | Celtics Daily
Celtics Week 1 Stock Report: Tatum UP Pritchard DOWN
Celtics RoundtableBoston Celtics Observations: Offense Needs More Scoring Depth Early On
Boston Celtics Soap Opera: Joe Mazzulla Weighs in on Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics Unveil One of Coolest In-Arena Promotions Out There
Boston Celtics Drama: People Seem Frustrated By Jaylen Brown’s Comments
Bleacher ReportNBA G League Draft 2026 Results, Full Team Rosters for Basketball League
Jaylen Brown vs. Jayson Tatum Full Revenge-Game Schedule as 76ers, Celtics Stars Trade Viral Quotes
Hoops Rumors Knicks Notes: Robinson, Brown, Bridges, Ring Fiasco
Sixers Notes: Brown, Tatum, LeBron, Embiid, Walker
WIVB 4Jaylen Brown says he has no beef with former Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum
NY PostJaylen Brown ratchets up Jayson Tatum drama: ‘He should stay ready at all times’
HeavyJaylen Brown Sends Jayson Tatum Cryptic Warning After Denying Beef
Former Celtics Teammate Sends Strong Message on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown ‘Beef’
Jayson Tatum Reacts to Encouraging Celtics Development Against Knicks
Celtics Fans Fire Back At Jaylen Brown Over ‘Lamb Chops’ Remark
Fadeaway World Jaylen Brown Trolls Jayson Tatum Over His ‘No Beef’ Comments: “He Got A Great PR Team”
Mitchell Robinson Mocks ‘Stupid’ Fan After Beating Knicks With Celtics
Joe Mazzulla Defends Jayson Tatum Amid Tension With Jaylen Brown: “He’s Our Guy”
SI .com Boston Celtics Player Grades After Win Over Knicks, Led by Jayson Tatum’s A+ night
Jaylen Brown Passed on Chance to Stamp Out Jayson Tatum Feud, and Now the Story is Bigger Than Ever
Men’s JournalCeltics Legend Cedric Maxwell Talks Importance of Joe Mazzulla, Biggest Question for 76ers, & More
Fan RecapJayson Tatum Delivered The Response Celtics Fans Needed
Jayson Tatum Showed The Celtics What They Need From Him
Paul George Is Already Making Celtics Doubters Look Premature
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While the Golden State Warriors are still looking for their first win of the season, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is leaving a strong impression on the organization.
After the Warriors fell to 0-3, following a 131-122 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, Kerr wasn’t shy to point out some areas the rookie will need to grow in his development.
One moment in particular that Kerr reflected on was when Lendeborg launched himself into Khaman Maluach.
“In college he could do that, but this is a different league,” Kerr said. “He’ll learn. He’s playing a ton, and he’s gonna get all these reps, and we’re gonna keep showing him film, and he’s gonna get all these reps, and we’re gonna keep showing him film, and he’ll get better and better.”
As Kerr knows Lendeborg will continue to grow, he also praised him for not being scared of the moment.
“He’s fearless, he’s huge, and he’s got a great skill set,” Kerr said. “He can dribble, pass, and shoot. The biggest thing is continuing to learn the NBA, and he’s gonna feel that; he’s gonna do that.”
As Kerr said, Lendeborg has been playing fearlessly.
On Wednesday, Lendeborg played in his first career NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers and was seen trash-talking Luka Doncic.
After the game was over, Lendeborg said he “lost all respect” for Doncic because he was “whining and complaining.”
Lendeborg’s exchange with Doncic has been considered controversial by some, but his teammate Draymond Green loved it.
After the game ended, Green told Evan Webeck of The California Post that regardless of the result, he was happy to see the rookie not back down against one of the best guards in the league.
Lendeborg admitted after the battle was over that he went “overboard” with comments against Doncic but said, “it is what it is.”
Over the summer, Lendeborg helped lead the Warriors to an NBA Summer League title and was crowned the league’s MVP.
So far this season, he’s averaged 34.3 minutes on the court, with 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
For the World Series, we’re bringing you some of the key quotes and storylines from each game following the postgame press conference.
Pat Murphy
The Brewers erased an early 4-0 deficit to win 5-4 and take a 2-0 series lead. Murphy again spent most of the press conference discussing what impressed him most, including rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt. Pratt made an error on the first play of the game that snowballed into the Rays’ four-run first inning, but he bounced back to deliver a go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the seventh.
“That speaks to Cooper, what type of individual he is, being able to hang in there when things didn’t go great for him early, even early in that at-bat. That guy is super tough on right-handers. For him to put that ball in play, we spent a lot of time on that reliever and talking about how to face him. He’s outstanding, and Coop just put together a great at-bat, a great teacher for every young person in the room that the game doesn’t start a certain way, doesn’t mean it has to end that way.”
As a follow-up, Murphy was asked about this team’s mentality and its ability to come back from deficits over and over again:
“We’re down to the end of the season here. They’re going to tap us on the shoulder here at some point and tell us no more. Guys just, they don’t give up. They believe, and they don’t give up. They just keep going. That’s a great club across the way, it really is.”
In a game full of quality at-bats, Murphy shouted out several, starting with Brice Turang.
“His day didn’t start exactly the way he wanted. He had a line drive caught, but he put together four quality ABs today. Numerous guys (did). Sal put together four quality (at-bats), hit four balls on the screws today. Bauers put together quality (at-bats). Chourio gets two knocks. Contreras two knocks.”
Another at-bat Murphy highlighted was William Contreras’ RBI single in the first inning.
“It’s a huge at-bat. Huge at-bat. We set (Contreras up), and he came through with a knock, and then Mitchell got a big knock. That first inning meant something that we bounced back against a pitcher that good. I mean, that guy (Rays starter Drew Rasmussen), he’s as good as there is out there. We got his pitch count up and got him out of there.”
Murphy had high praise for Aaron Ashby, who pitched the final 1 2/3 innings of the win, comparing him to legendary relievers Goose Gossage and Rollie Fingers.
“He does what it takes. It’s unconventional. Multiple innings in relief. It’s Goose Gossage-like. I guess we had a guy like that here too, Rollie.”
He was also asked about starting pitcher Logan Henderson, who gave up four runs (three earned) in that first inning.
“I think he was a little jittery again in the first inning. I think in his mind he thinks he’s tired because it’s the end of the year and it’s a lot, but this is where you’ve got to learn that lesson that you’ve got a lot left. You pick yourself up. You’ve got a lot left. He’s got to come to that realization because we need him going forward.”
Finally, Murphy was asked if he’s a “big Sal fan,” referring to Frelick. Murphy responded by saying he named his son’s dog Sal.
Sal Frelick and Cooper Pratt
Frelick, who hit the game-tying home run in the sixth, and Pratt, who hit a go-ahead single in the seventh, broke down their performances after the game.
Frelick on his approach against Tampa Bay reliever Ian Seymour prior to the home run:
“He’s pretty much a sinker guy. Was fouling them off. Missed a few good ones. And then late in the at-bat, he started throwing four seams and kind of caught me by surprise. Was able to spoil a few of those and was just really hoping, because I had seen the sinker earlier, that he would maybe leave one over the plate, and yeah, he did.”
Pratt on baseball being a redemptive game:
“I need to be better defensively, but it’s always awesome when you have an opportunity to kind of redeem yourself and make up for it. Yeah, probably wasn’t the best swing, but it did the job and gave us the opportunity to score a run. I’m not going to complain.”
Frelick on this team’s comeback mentality:
“It seems like we’ve had a lot of experience with it in the postseason so far. It feels like kind of down early almost every game so far. I’m not sure what the actual numbers are on that. Our offense is built to kind of chip away and wear on pitchers, which I think can be good when you’re trying to come back. At the same time, if we’re up, it’s the same exact approach.
I think just having an offense built like that is really good for when you’re down. Again, today we go down four. We know how good that guy (Rasmussen) is over there. Let’s just wear on him, see if we can get him out of the game, get to their bullpen and really break the thing open.”
Frelick on being a competitor:
“I don’t know, I just grew up playing a ton of different sports. I wasn’t always the most gifted athlete. Murph will tell you firsthand that it’s never pretty watching me take a swing or run or field or whatever it might be. I just always felt like that was where I was able to get my edge was just kind of turn everything into a competition. Put myself in the box and iso me and the pitcher. Or on defense, just iso me and the ball. How can I beat it?
I just feel like that’s how I’ve always played. I know Murph always tells me I can’t look flashy, I can’t look cool. That’s not me. He doesn’t want that. Not that I do either, but I’m glad that he allows me to play that way.”
And Frelick on Pratt:
“Just to highlight this guy real quick… has a little mistake early in the game, doesn’t slam a glove, doesn’t hang his head, nothing. Comes off the field and later in the game has a big at-bat and maybe swings at a ball or two, locks it back in. This is a rookie, like people forget. This is our shortstop. This is a rookie, and we trust him. I just hope that if there’s people, young kids watching, that was just really cool for me to see. Coop has grown up a lot — I don’t know if you would have done that maybe your first game, but it’s cool to see.
I just hope everybody understands how hard that is, especially in the moment. All you want to do is throw something or get mad, but you’ve got four at-bats. I was just proud of that.”
Frelick and Pratt on whether they thought Frelick’s deep fly out in the seventh inning had a chance to make it over the fence:
FRELICK: “Did you think it was gone?”
PRATT: “I thought it had a chance or at least off the wall.”
FRELICK: “I’ve never hit a homer that I thought was gone, so, no, I didn’t.” (Laughter.)
PRATT: “It looked good off the bat.”
It will be a battle of early-season undefeated teams as the 2-0 Detroit Pistons will visit the 3-0 Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday evening at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Both teams hope to contend for the Eastern Conference title, and both teams went about it in very different ways. The Pistons kept a young core intact, and their biggest move of the offseason was adding journeymen John Collins and Isaiah Joe. The Sixers, meanwhile, swung a huge trade of Paul George for Jaylen Brown and then convinced a little-known player named LeBron James of winding down his career in Philly.
When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Watch: TV: TV20 Detroit | Streaming: DAZN-Detroit
Odds: Pistons +1.5
While this stands as a great test for the Pistons, they will not have their full complement of players. Jalen Duren has already been ruled out for tonight and the next two weeks with a hamstring injury suffered against the Miami Heat. The Pistons might also be without star defensive forward Ausar Thompson, who sustained an ankle injury against the Heat.
Duren left that game early in the second quarter and Thompson exited early in the third, and the Pistons were still able to cruise to victory over the Heat. But the Sixers should be a different story.
The good news with Duren out is that the Sixers are also expected to rest Joel Embiid after the big man notched a triple-double against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. LeBron, who sat out that game Saturday, is expected to suit up.
The Pistons know that Paul Reed is more than capable of making winning basketball plays whether in a starter or reserve role. More interesting, and potentially worrying, is what the Pistons will do with their backup center minutes. I imagine it will be an opportunity for the organization to look at John Collins as a backup five. It also is another opportunity for the Pistons to become the prolific 3-point shooting team nobody thinks they are.
Without Duren and Thompson, two non-shooters, potentially replaced in the starting lineup by Reed and Isaiah Joe (or maybe Javonte Green), and having Collins play minutes at the five, expect a lot of five-out action. Last season, the Pistons attempted just 30.9 threes per game (29th in the NBA). It’s early, but through two games, they are hoisting 39 per game. After tonight, they could rank in the top five in 3-point shooting volume in the NBA. Weird.
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Joe, John Collins, Paul Reed
Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Adem Bona
How many 3-point attempts for the Detroit Pistons tonight?
Being a young-player fan in the Bay has been a creative writing exercise for a while now. How many times has Dub Nation squinted at a flash in the third quarter of a blowout and built a whole career out of it? I’m thinking of Anthony Randolph truthers. We argue about the thin line between bad player fits and organizational rigidity . I’ve written plenty of those columns myself. The future was always the thing we got to talk about while the present belonged to Steph.
That’s why the first week of this season has felt strange. Generally most (good) teams let their rookies learn on company time, getting their feet wet without absorbing massive responsibility. The Warriors’ rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is already punching time on the clock with the season on the line.
Through three games, Big Yax is averaging 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in about 34 minutes a night, and he’s hitting 44.4% from three. He opened with a steady 12 in Los Angeles. Against Memphis, he put up 18 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals. Then in Phoenix, he hit six threes on his way to 26.
Now, let’s just take a step back and activate gold blooded homerism. Hey Stathead, how many players in Warriors history have averaged 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists for a season?
That’s four Hall of Famers, with none none of them rookies. Three games doesn’t put Yaxel in that room, buuuut it’s a funny room to have him standing outside of, don’t cha think?
And for the blistering fireball of skepticism I’m sure awaits for me for daring to dream, let’s clarify that none of this is garbage-time production. Coach Steve Kerr is giving him starter minutes in close games because the team needs what he does right now. With Yaxel, I keep catching myself skipping the projection step entirely, because he’s already answering the questions I’d normally spend three years asking when checking out a prospect.
And it made me think of when James Wiseman was drafted and thrown into the fire on a depleted team. In December 2020, Klay was out with the Achilles, and the Warriors handed a 19-year-old the starting center job on opening night. Remember how Coach Kerr praised Wiseman at that time?
The Warriors are just three games into the season, but rookie James Wiseman has been the obvious choice when it comes to exciting storylines. “Now imagine doing that while playing three college games, then not playing at all for over a year, and then not having training camp. It’s insane. What we’re asking James to do is insane. He’s handling it beautifully.”
James Wiseman (2020–21, first 3 games, age 19): 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0 assists, 1.3 blocks, 1.0 steal in 24.0 minutes, shooting 46.9% from the field (15-of-32), 83.3% from three (5-of-6) and 64.3% from the line (9-of-14)
Wiseman scored 19 in Brooklyn, then had 18 points and three blocks on Christmas in Milwaukee. I remember how that felt. The Warriors were getting blown out, but a 7-footer galloping to the rim gave us something to believe in. Every good night was a promise, and we were all collecting promises.
Yaxel arrived with the job already posted, and there’s a reason the Warriors felt comfortable posting it. He’s 24. He went from a warehouse job to junior college, then to UAB and Michigan, before the Warriors took him 11th. He’s had five years of college basketball to figure out who he is. Wiseman had three college games.
So these NBA three games don’t prove Yaxel was the better prospect as they show two very different starting points. Wiseman was a raw idea the Warriors hoped would turn into a player. Yaxel already arrived as a player, and nobody knows yet how much bigger his game can get. With Wiseman, you fell in love with the ceiling and with Yaxel, you’re watching the floor and noticing it’s already pretty high.
Wiseman’s story went sideways for reasons no three-game sample could have predicted. He tore his right meniscus at the end of his rookie year and then missed the entire next season. The early flashes were real but they just never got the runway.
Here’s the part that keeps nagging at me. The Warriors are 0-3. For years, the problem with Warriors rookies was timing. The kids weren’t ready yet, and the Steph clock doesn’t wait. The whole plan was to keep winning with the vets while the young guys caught up. Now the Warriors finally have a rookie who doesn’t need to catch up, and they’re still losing because of injuries and age. In Phoenix he was plus-5 in a nine-point loss. The rookie has held up his end of the deal more or less for three straight games, and the deal still isn’t closing. He’s still got a ways to go, duh. He’s shooting 66.7% at the line, and he turned it over six times against Memphis. His helpside defense has been trash according to his coach.
But still, as far as a rookies go, there’s a lot to like so far with Big Yax. For years, the question was whether the Warriors’ young players could help Steph win now. Three games into Yaxel’s career, the question is whether the Warriors can win while he’s helping them.
As the Philadelphia Flyers eagerly anticipate the return of numerous injured veterans, another roster move has been made, freeing up a spot in the lineup if needed.
On Sunday, the Flyers announced that forward Jacob Gaucher has been re-assigned to the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where he'll get back to playing in a top-line role next to top center prospect Jett Luchanko.
With Gaucher off the NHL roster, the Flyers have exactly one spot available on their 23-man roster, with key veterans Travis Konecny, Cam York, and Owen Tippett candidates to be activated from injured reserve to fill the spot.
Konecny, 29, is yet to resume skating and has been out for the Flyers since Oct. 8. The Flyers' two-time 30-goal-scorer is likely at least a week or two away from a return at this point.
As for York, though, the 25-year-old has returned to full participation in practice for the Flyers, skating on a defense pair with Rasmus Ristolainen during Friday's session at the Flyers Training Center.
Ristolainen, of course, made his return against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday afternoon, playing for the first time sinec Oct. 3.
Flyers Place Well-Respected Tough Guy on WaiversThe Philadelphia Flyers have cut Garrett Wilson in anticipation of reinforcements returning from injured reserve.Tippett has been considered day-to-day by the Flyers since suffering an upper-body injury in a game against Detroit on Oct. 15, and given that Gaucher, a forward, is the latest to leave the club, it certainly seems as though Tippett is next in line to come back from injury.
Tippett, 27, has been dealing with his injury for some time now, according to head coach Rick Tocchet, and the speedster finally got to a point where it was better to sit out and rest, having absorbed a heavy check from defenseman Moritz Seider in the Detroit game.
Of note, Gaucher served as the Flyers' fourth-line center for Saturday's game against Anaheim, slotting in between Denver Barkey and rookie winger Cole Knuble.
Previously, Gaucher had played wing next to Sean Couturier and Michael Bunting for the Flyers, though lines have regularly been in flux with the team's nine-game winless start, followed by a three-game win streak.
Although Tippett has largely struggled for the Flyers this season, scoring just one goal, one assist, and two points in nine games, his presence will surely be welcomed back by a Flyers team that has been featuring Noel Acciari in a top-six role as of late.
Tippett has scored at least 27 goals for the Flyers in three of the last four seasons, and if he can get going again, the Flyers will be much more likely to dig themselves out of the Eastern Conference's basement going forward.
Entering 2026, the catcher position was one the Nationals were dying to get more production out of, as their catching room ranked dead last in fWAR in 2025 with -1.3. Keibert Ruiz had steadily been declining ever since being extended in early 2023, and Drew Millas and Riley Adams each had something to offer in a backup role, but probably not in a starting role. The acquisition of Harry Ford for Jose A. Ferrer in the offseason provided the Nats with a little more long-term clarity about the position, but probably not an immediate solution.
Turns out, the answer to the Nationals’ catching woes was just a commitment to better coaching; with the new staff in charge, the Nats’ catching room took a major leap, going from last in fWAR in 2025 to 17th in 2026. Now, as the Nationals enter a critical offseason for setting them up for success in the near future, let’s take a look at the Nats’ catching unit as a whole, and make sense of where playing time makes the most sense to go to in 2027.
Keibert Ruiz
Keibert Ruiz took the biggest leap of perhaps any National under the new coaching staff in 2026. He hit .280/.316/.443 with 10 home runs and a 105 wRC+, making him five percent better than the league-average hitter after adjusting for league and ballpark. His 1.9 fWAR was a considerable improvement from his -1.1 mark in 2025, and made him a completely viable starting catcher option for the Nats.
The defensive improvement mattered just as much. In 2025, Ruiz finished with minus-six blocks above average, plus-one caught stealing above average, and minus-nine framing runs. Those numbers illustrate why catching defense requires more than counting runners thrown out. His throwing was respectable relative to his opportunities, but other parts of his game remained costly.
In 2026, Statcast credited Ruiz with plus-two catching runs, including plus-three framing runs, zero blocking runs and minus-two throwing runs, along with a positive ABS contribution. Blocking runs and blocks above average are different measures, but the broader improvement is clear. Ruiz became a more complete catcher, even with room to improve against the running game.
Ruiz’s contract went from practically unmovable last season to now not bad value, and raises the question of if another team called the Nats with an offer for Ruiz, should they consider it? Ruiz certainly now looks like at least a decent platoon option behind the plate, but the presence of some other catching options in Triple-A could make him expendable depending on how the front office feels.
Harry Ford
Ford’s first season with the Nats was hardly a declaration that the position belonged to him. In 38 major-league games, he hit .190/.314/.350 with three home runs and an 87 wRC+. His Triple-A performance also fell short of expectations: a .223/.370/.335 line and 96 wRC+.
There were encouraging details beneath those numbers. Ford walked in 14.4 percent of his major-league plate appearances, showing that his patience could survive the jump. But getting on base cannot carry the entire offensive profile. The Nats need more consistent contact and damage when he swings.
Ruiz and Ford are a sensible catching platoon, as Ruiz performs better against righties and Ford performs better against lefties. Still, Ford may need to take a step forward either offensively or defensively in 2027 to guarantee his starting role moving forward.
Maxwell Romero Jr.
Romero delivered the loudest power numbers of the group, hitting 23 home runs across Double-A and Triple-A while batting .253/.364/.515. He reached Rochester in July, putting himself close enough to matter in the 2027 discussion.
Minor-league production does not automatically translate into major-league success. Nevertheless, that combination of power and on-base ability deserves consideration at a position where the Nats have struggled to generate offense.
Romero should enter spring training with a chance to push the established options. Depending on how Romero performs, Ruiz may become a luxury rather than a necessity for the Nats, one they could move to upgrade other areas such as the pitching staff. At minimum, he gives the Nationals another potential answer if injuries or poor performance disrupt their plans.
Where do Drew Millas and Caleb Lomavita fit?
Millas faces a tougher argument after hitting .185/.277/.262 with two home runs and a 53 wRC+ in 50 games. A backup catcher can survive below-average offense, but that level of production leaves little margin elsewhere. He looks more like depth than someone the Nats should pencil into its preferred tandem.
Lomavita remains a longer-term consideration. He hit 14 home runs with a .244/.311/.453 line and 102 wRC+ at Double-A. The power increased considerably from his six-homer 2025 season, though his overall offensive production was only slightly above league average. His season also ended on the injured list.
Entering 2027, Ruiz offers the strongest immediate case, Ford remains the key development priority, and Romero supplies intriguing pressure from below. For the first time in a long time, the Nats seem to have some solid options for how they move forward with their catching unit, rather than hoping for the best from what they had.
The Colorado Avalanche will take on the Nashville Predators Sunday evening at Bridgestone Arena, and two familiar faces will be waiting on the other side.
Ross Colton and Jack Drury are set to face their former team for the first time since leaving Colorado in the offseason.
Neither departure was exactly simple. Colton was traded to Nashville alongside goaltender Isak Posch in a cost-cutting move that brought goaltender Magnus Chrona and two draft picks back to Colorado. Drury, meanwhile, was dealt with forward Chase Bradley and a draft pick in exchange for Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux. Drury’s situation was a little more complicated, as the restricted free agent turned down multiple contract offers, leaving Colorado with limited options.
Still, both players left their mark on the Avalanche. Drury was a reliable fourth-line center who brought defensive responsibility and consistency, while Colton provided a physical edge and timely scoring. After a disappointing regular season that saw him benched for Colorado’s first two playoff games, Colton found his game again and delivered some much-needed bite when the stakes were highest. Unfortunately, even that wasn’t enough to save the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche from a second-round sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Colton finished his Colorado tenure with 42 goals and 51 assists in 214 regular-season games, adding three goals and six assists in 23 playoff appearances. Drury, who arrived in Colorado as part of the Mikko Rantanen trade with Carolina, recorded 15 goals and 21 assists in 115 regular-season games. He also chipped in four goals and three assists in 20 playoff games, including a huge goal in Game 3 against Vegas that gave Colorado a 3-0 lead before the Avs let the game slip away late.
Now, both will get their first crack at their former club in Predators colors.
Nashville enters Sunday’s matchup at 3-3-4 through 10 games, while Colorado is looking to build on Friday’s 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning after dropping its previous two contests.
And yes, Artturi Lehkonen — not Nathan MacKinnon — leads the Avalanche in goals. Lehkonen has found the net nine times in 11 games, while MacKinnon continues to do MacKinnon things with seven goals and 13 assists for a team-high 20 points.
MacKinnon has two goals and four assists in his last five games against Nashville, while Martin Necas has recorded one goal and two assists over his last five meetings with the Predators. Lehkonen, meanwhile, has been a thorn in Nashville’s side throughout his career, piling up seven goals and seven assists against the Predators.
For Nashville, former Avalanche forward Ryan O’Reilly is coming off a hat trick against Colorado in the teams’ most recent meeting on January 16. Filip Forsberg has scored 20 career goals against the Avs in 43 games, including three in his last five, while Steven Stamkos has 12 goals against Colorado in 31 career matchups.
So, if the Avalanche defense was hoping for a quiet night, that probably isn’t happening.
The expected matchup in net is Scott Wedgewood against Justus Annunen, adding another layer of intrigue to an already familiar-feeling game.
The two goaltenders were traded for one another in a series of moves following Colorado’s acquisition of Mackenzie Blackwood in exchange for Alexandar Georgiev. Now, they’ll face off against their former organizations, with both looking to make their old teams regret letting them go.
Wedgewood has posted a 2.23 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage in seven career games against Nashville, giving Colorado a steady option between the pipes. Annunen, meanwhile, lost his only career appearance against the Avalanche despite turning in a respectable .925 save percentage.
With former teammates on both sides, a couple of familiar goal scorers and a goaltending matchup with a little extra history, Sunday’s game has plenty of potential storylines.
The puck drops at 6 p.m. local time from Bridgestone Arena. And for Colton and Drury, it’s their first chance to show the Avalanche exactly what they’re missing.
