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Paul George takes ownership for 25-game PED suspension: ‘I’m no superhero’

New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges defends against Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George in the first half at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York, Saturday, January 3, 2026.
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges defends against Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George in the first half at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York, Saturday, January 3, 2026.

Paul George spent Tuesday issuing a mea culpa for his “poorly timed decision” that led to a 25-game ban for violating the terms of the NBA’s anti-drug program in late January.

The 76ers star did not go into detail about the failed drug test or the banned substance that he took that led to the suspension, describing it as “more on the personal side.” 

“At the moment, I didn’t know exactly the repercussions,” George said.

“Obviously, being a pro athlete takes a toll on you, and my body wasn’t where I wanted it to be, and the expectation to perform because of my body not being where it needed to be,” George said. “Obviously, I’m going to have an expectation for myself, and that’s what led to the poor decision at the time. But, again, I’ve said it throughout my career dealing with mental health, I’m no superhero. I’m a human, and I made a mistake in that moment.”

The nine-time All-Star will rejoin the Sixers lineup on Wednesday night when they face the Bulls, marking the first time he’s suited up for Philadelphia since Jan. 29 in a game against the Kings. 

The Sixers forward was allowed to practice and work out with the team, but he was unable to attend games, both on the road or at home, which he described as “tough.” 

Paul George drives on Miles McBride during the 76ers’ win over the Knicks on Jan. 3, 2026 at the Garden. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

George was averaging 16 points and coming off one of his best efforts of the year, around the time he was suspended, after he had 32 points in a win over the Bucks. 

“We’d been playing good basketball. So there was some devastation, just of the momentum that was being built,” George said of his initial reaction to the suspension. 

George entered this season coming off an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee over the summer, and he sat out for the first 12 games of the year. 

The 25-game suspension helped his body heal, and he told reporters he was feeling great.

Paul George drives on Mikal Bridgers during the 76ers’ road win over the Knicks on Jan. 3, 2026. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

His return now comes with 10 games left in the season and the Sixers sitting in seventh in the Eastern Conference. 

“We’re in the driver’s seat to close out these last 10 games,” George said. “Obviously, that’s the goal, is to try to get the best seeding possible and get ourselves out of the play-in situation, so that’s what I’m gearing for, is to take these last 10 games and use them as playoff games, have that mindset going into them, that these are must-wins to solidify a great seed. We’re still in a good position right now.”

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Carter Yakemchuk scores in NHL debut as streaking Senators top Red Wings

DETROIT (AP) — Carter Yakemchuk scored a second-period goal and also had an assist in his NHL debut as the streaking Ottawa Senators edged the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Yakemchuk, the No. 7 overall pick of the 2024 draft, had been playing for the American Hockey League’s Belleville Senators. He was called up earlier in the day with defensemen Thomas Chabot, Dennis Gilbert, Nick Jensen, Jake Sanderson and Lassi Thomson sidelined by injuries.

Yakemchuk, a 20-year-old defenseman from Alberta, had 10 goals in 50 games with Belleville.

Brady Tkachuk scored his 20th goal of the season for the Senators, who have won four straight and nine of their last 11 games. Lars Eller scored the other goal for the Senators. Linus Ullmark made 32 saves as the Senators continued their late push for an Eastern Conference playoff berth.

MAPLE LEAFS 4, BRUINS 2

BOSTON (AP) — Matthew Knies scored a pair of goals and Toronto snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory over Boston.

Max Domi and William Nylander also scored for the Maple Leafs and John Tavares had three assists as Toronto outshot Boston 35-20 and avoided a three-game season sweep in the Original Six rivalry. Anthony Stolarz finished with 18 saves.

Elias Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy scored for Boston, which still holds the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Jeremy Swayman had 31 saves for the Bruins, who lost at home for just the second time in their last 16 games.

CANADIENS 5, HURRICANES 2

MONTREAL (AP) — Cole Caufield scored his 44th goal of the season and Jakub Dobes made 41 saves as Montreal held off Carolina.

Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov had a goal and an assist each, and Oliver Kapanen also scored as Montreal erased a two-goal deficit for its second consecutive win.

Jake Evans buried an empty-net goal with 1 minute left in regulation and Caufield added an assist for a two-point night.

Nikolaj Ehlers and Jordan Staal scored for Eastern Conference-leading Carolina, which lost for the first time in four games.

PANTHERS 5, KRAKEN 4, SO

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Florida gave up a three-goal, third-period lead but recovered for a shootout win over Seattle on Vinnie Hinostroza’s goal.

The Panthers led 4-1 on Noah Gregor’s goal with 7:39 to play, but Seattle’s Matty Beniers, Jordan Eberle and Bobby McMann scored in a span of 2:21 to force overtime. Eberle and McMann scored just 14 seconds apart.

Seattle, which has lost eight of 10, has not won since beating the Panthers 6-2 at home on March 15.

Nolan Foote, Eetu Luostarinen and Carter Verhaeghe also scored for the Panthers with Sergei Bobrovsky making 22 saves.

Ryker Evans also scored a third-period goal for Seattle and Joey Daccord had 20 saves.

BLACKHAWKS 4, ISLANDERS 3

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Anton Frondell had an assist in his NHL debut, Nick Lardis and Frank Nazar each had a goal and an assist and Chicago defeated the New York.

Ilya Mikheyev and Tyler Bertuzzi also had goals for the Blackhawks, who scored four straight goals and snapped a two-game skid. Arvid Soderblom made 44 saves.

Anders Lee, Simon Holmstrom and Calum Ritchie scored for the Islanders, who lost for the third time in four games. David Rittich allowed three goals on 12 shots before being replaced by Ilya Sorokin, who made 11 saves.

BLUE JACKETS 3, FLYERS 2

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Zach Werenski continued his torrid scoring pace with a goal and an assist as Columbus defeated Philadelphia.

Columbus scored a pair of goals 1:44 apart to start the second period. The Blue Jackets outshot the Flyers 6-0 in the opening three minutes of the period.

Mathieu Olivier scored the first goal 44 seconds into the second period, taking a pass from Werenski on a 3-on-2 rush and snapping a shot over the glove of Philadelphia goalie Dan Vladar to tie the score 1-1.

On his next shift, Werenski came out of the corner and worked his way into the high slot. He took a pass from Damon Severson and beat Vladar with a snapshot.

Werenski now has 77 points this season, second-most among NHL defensemen.

AVALANCHE 6, PENGUINS 2

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Martin Necas scored twice, Nathan MacKinnon poured in his NHL-leading 46th goal and the Colorado breezed past the Pittsburgh.

Necas, Sam Malinski and Parker Kelly scored within a 1:55 span late in the first period to break it open as the Avalanche atoned for one-sided loss to the Penguins last week in Denver by returning the favor in Pittsburgh. Cale Makar picked up the assist on Necas’ first goal, boosting his career point total to 499. Ross Colton scored an empty-netter late.

Scott Wedgewood stopped 27 shots for the NHL-leading Avalanche, who have won the first three games of a four-game road swing that finishes up in Winnipeg on Thursday.

Egor Chinakov and Rickard Rakell scored for Pittsburgh. Kris Letang picked up the secondary assist to become the 21st defenseman in league history to reach the 800 career points when he picked up a secondary assist on Chinakov’s career-high 17th goal of the season.

LIGHTNING 6, WILD 3

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Erik Cernak scored a tiebreaking goal with 2:53 left in the third period Minnesota goaltender Filip Gustavsson misplayed a carom off the end boards and Tampa Bay beat the Wild.

Cernak scored his second of the season after Charle-EdouardD’Astous’ pass traveled the length of the ice and bounced off the end boards toward Gustavsson, who failed to control the puck with his glove. The puck went between Gustavsson’s legs into the crease and Cernak pounced, sending it into the open net.

Tampa Bay rallied from a two-goal deficit, scoring three goals in the second period and five unanswered overall over the second and the third to win for the fourth time in five games and fifth time in seven.

Darren Raddysh had a goal and two assists, Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel and Jake Guentzel also scored, and Pontus Holmberg added an empty-netter in the final half-minute. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 20 saves to win his fourth straight start. Guentzel’s goal was his 32nd of the season and the 300th for his career.

Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and an assist, and Mats Zuccarello and Brock Faber also scored for the Wild, who have lost five of their last seven games. Gustavsson stopped 19 of the 23 shots that he faced.

BLUES 3, CAPITALS 0

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jimmy Snuggerud and Otto Stenberg scored, Joel Hofer made 21 saves and St. Louis beat Washington.

Jordan Kyrou scored his team-leading 17th goal into an empty net with 41 seconds remaining to seal the win for Hofer, who earned his sixth shutout of the season and the eighth of his career.

St. Louis, which has won two in a row, has gone 9-2-2 since returning from the Olympic break.

Logan Thompson made 24 saves for Washington, which had not lost in regulation in its previous five games.

PREDATORS 6, SHARKS 3

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Filip Forsberg scored a goal and assisted on two others to lead Nashville to a victory over San Jose in a matchup of teams headed in opposite directions in the standings.

Matthew Wood, Roman Josi, Luke Evangelista, Brady Skjei and Steven Stamkos also scored and Juuse Saros made 27 saves for Nashville, winners of a season-high five consecutive games. Jonathan Marchessault had three assists.

Will Smith scored two goals, Adam Gaudette had one and Alex Nedeljkovic made 13 saves for the Sharks, who lost their fifth straight game.

DEVILS 6, STARS 4

DALLAS (AP) — Jack Hughes scored twice in New Jersey’s four-goal first period, and the Devils handed Dallas consecutive losses in regulation for the first time in two months.

Jesper Bratt and Connor Brown also had goals as the Devils put four of their first five shots past Jake Oettinger to end the Dallas goalie’s career-best point streak at 14 games. Oettinger was pulled after the first period.

Wyatt Johnston had two goals to reach 40 for the first time in his career, and Jason Robertson scored his 39th for Dallas, which hadn’t lost two in a row in regulation since dropping three straight from Jan. 13-18.

JETS 4, GOLDEN KNIGHTS 1

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Mark Scheifele had a goal and two assists — and a rare fighting major in the second period — to lead the Winnipeg to a victory over Vegas.

Kyle Connor, Alex Iafallo and Cole Perfetti also scored for Winnipeg, which snapped a five-game home skid against Vegas.

Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves to snap his six-game winless streak against the Golden Knights.

Colton Sissons scored the lone goal on the power play for Vegas. Adin Hill stopped 17 shots.

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Jalen Brunson scores 15 in fourth as Knicks win seventh straight, 121-116, over Pelicans

Jalen Brunson scored 15 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks earned a seventh straight win, 121-116, beating back a good effort from the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. 

Brunson was the closer after entering with just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Knicks (47-25) had used a tremendous first quarter to build a double-digit lead, but over the remaining three quarters, they nearly tossed it away with stretches of cold shooting.

Brunson had some help with six teammates in double-figures, led by OG Anunoby pouring in 21 on 7-for-16 shooting (5-for-13 from three) with four rebounds, four assists, three steals and was a plus-17 in 40 minutes. Off the bench, New York got a big boost from Jordan Clarkson, 10 points and five assists for a plus-11 in 21 minutes, and Mitchell Robinson, 11 points and eight rebounds (four offensive) for a plus-11 in 21 minutes. 

Here are the takeaways...

- Anunoby knocked down his first bucket (a corner three) and kept at it in the first, for seven early points. Brunson made it a 4-for-7 from behind the arc by the Knicks with a three over Zion Williamson to put New York ahead 22-21 with 5:04 to play in the first. 

Robinson made an immediate impact with three points, three rebounds (one offensive), and a block in his first 100 seconds of game time in the first. Clarkson then picked up the baton with four points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in his first 3:38 of time. The bench duo then combined for a Clarkson-to-Robinson alley-oop in the middle of what would be a 15-0 Knicks run to close the quarter for a 42-28 lead with Anunoby knocking down a three at the buzzer (on a fourth Clarkson assist).

New York shot 15-for-21 (71.4 percent) in the first and held New Orleans to 11-for-25 (44 percent). Anunoby led them with 13 and Brunson had 10 with three of the team's 10 assists.

- Remember that big run to close the first? The exact opposite came about in the second as the Pelicans scored the first six points, as the Knicks missed their first five shots from the floor. Mike Brown had seen enough, asking for time, three minutes in after a turnover led to a Pelicans fastbreak and an 11-2 run.

The stretch featured some rough moments, like Karl-Anthony Towns missing a pair of shots by the cup, and then he was whistled for two fouls in 14 seconds, and the Pelicans had the lead down to one. A Karlo Matković three gave New Orleans the lead at 46-44, capping an 18-2 run in the quarter's first five minutes. 

Miles Bridges made the Knicks' first field goal in the quarter after seven straight misses. And a Josh Hart bucket and Anunoby three – both off Robinson offensive rebounds – put New York back ahead by two and forced another New Orleans timeout with five to play in the half. Robinson had seven points and six boards in 13 first-half minutes.

Anunoby's two-handed slam (on a good find from Bridges) gave him 18 points in the half and the Knicks 18 assists on 24 made buckets. The lead at halftime was back to 66-60, thanks to a couple of Bridges threes in the quarter's final two minutes.

Towns had a strange half, going 3-for-9 from the floor for 11 points with four rebounds, but was a minus-12 in 13 minutes. Only Jose Alvarado,a minus-13 in five minutes against his former team, was worse. Brunson, meanwhile, was a plus-19 in 19 minutes

- After six-straight from the Pellicans to start the third, a Towns putback slam, a Bridges corner three, and an Anunoby three stemmed the tide. But a 7-0 Pelicans spurt tied the game with 6:30 to play in the quarter as the Knicks opened 4-for-12 from the floor with the Pelicans connecting on 6 of 10.

Clarkson and Robinson entered just past the midway point with the Knicks up a pair and in need of a spark, but the Pelicans grabbed a three-point lead with a 12-2 run. The spark game as the Knicks shot 8-for-13 from the floor after their bad start, but even with Brunson adding two late assists – first finding a cutting Clarkson and then an alley-oop to Robinson – to give him six in the game, New York held just a 93-92 lead to take to the fourth. 

- The Knicks opened the fourth unlike the other periods: Anunoby steal (his third), a Mohamed Diawara finger roll, and a Towns three for a six-point lead to force a Pelicans timeout. Up four, the Knicks got a gift when Derik Queen was called for a flagrant foul on a reckless closeout, and after Hart made all three from the line. But New York, 1-for-7 from the floor, after that New Orleans timeout, had to call for time when the visitors cut the lead to three with 7:25 to play.

Out of the Brown timeout, Brunson entered and connected on a step-back jumper, and a few possessions later, a fadeaway from 16 feet to give him 21 in the game. But the Pelicans, as they’d done since the first, wouldn’t go down quietly. Jeremiah Fears, who came into the game averaging 13 points a night, added two baskets to give him 21 for the game on 9-for-12 shooting. The rookie then grabbed a steal, leading to a layup and a Knicks timeout with just over four to play, and the lead was down to two.

Brunson responded with back-to-back buckets to give him 10 straight points and forced a Pels timeout. With Towns sitting since the 7:25 mark in the period, Anunoby was the tallest man on the court along with Brunson, Hart, Clarkson, and Bridges down the stretch to match up with a small-ball New Orleans lineup.

After a Brunson assist and three at the line, including one on a technical free throw, for a seven-point lead with 71 seconds to go, the visitors responded again and the lead was three with 16 seconds to play.

Brunson made no mess of the final moments with two from the line, to give him 15 in the quarter to seal it. 

- Bridges finished with 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting (4-for-10 from three) with seven assists and two rebounds, and was a minus-9 in 37 minutes. 

Towns finished with 21 points on 8-for-17 shooting (2-for-6 from three) with 14 rebounds (three offensive) but was a minus-11 in 24 minutes. 

Hart had 10 points on 3-for-8 shooting with eight rebounds and three assists and was a minus-14 in 38 minutes. 

Diawara had just the one bucket, but was a plus-15 in his 11-minute cameo.

New York shot 51.8 percent (44-for-85) for the game, including 39.4 percent (13-for-33) from three. New Orleans shot 51.1 percent (45-for-88) and 44.1 percent (15-for-34) from three. Williamson led the visitors with 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting (6-for-8 from the line) with four rebounds, two assists, and was a plus-15 in 34 minutes. No other Pelican was more than a plus-1.

Game MVP: Jalen Brunson, of course

When he entered in the fourth, you just knew he would be the focus, and yet, he couldn't be stopped. He finished with 32 points on 11-for-19 shooting (2-for-4 from deep) with seven assists and was a plus-16 in 39 minutes.

Highlights

What's next

The Knicks look to extend their winning streak to eight games when they head to Charlotte to take on the Hornets. Tip is set for Thursday at 7 p.m.

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Caufield scores his 44th and Dobes makes 41 saves to lead Canadiens past Hurricanes 5-2

MONTREAL (AP) — Cole Caufield scored his 44th goal of the season and Jakub Dobes made 41 saves as the Montreal Canadiens held off the Carolina Hurricanes for a 5-2 win on Tuesday night.

Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov had a goal and an assist each, and Oliver Kapanen also scored as Montreal erased a two-goal deficit for its second consecutive win.

Jake Evans buried an empty-net goal with 1 minute left in regulation and Caufield added an assist for a two-point night.

Nikolaj Ehlers and Jordan Staal scored for Eastern Conference-leading Carolina, which lost for the first time in four games.

Frederik Andersen stopped 14 shots.

The Canadiens sit third in the Atlantic Division with 88 points. The New York Islanders, who lost on Tuesday and are the top team outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture, trailed by three points.

Ehlers opened the scoring on the power play 2:36 into the first period when Montreal defenseman Mike Matheson deflected his pass intended for Seth Jarvis into the Canadiens’ net. Staal doubled the lead at 7:09, beating Dobes glove side.

Kapanen tipped in Struble’s point shot at 12:11 to give the Canadiens some life before Montreal struck twice in the second period.

Caufield trails Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon by two goals for the league lead. No Canadien has led the NHL in goals since Guy Lafleur in 1977-78.

The Canadiens secured their 24th comeback win of the season, tying for the most in a single season in franchise history (1992-93, 1975-76).

Up next

Hurricanes: Host New Jersey on Saturday.

Canadiens: End a three-game homestand against Columbus on Thursday.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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Crammed Test cricket schedule risks leaving Australian summers unrecognisable | Geoff Lemon

Four matches in four weeks for the men’s team compromises the quality of the sport – and makes the Test season a contradiction in terms

This has long been on the way, and here it is. Test season, the centrepiece of Australia’s summer, will next time around consist of four matches played over four weekends, not starting until the second week of December and done a week into January. Cricket Australia will instead claim to have expanded the schedule to seven Tests, but their tropical excursion against Bangladesh is in August, and the pink-ball sideshow masquerading as the 150th anniversary Test will have half its overs in March darkness. Both are distant islands to the summer mainland. Unlike most cricket countries, Tests are still Australia’s most substantial earner and site of interest. Yet in a world of sports trying to claim more of the calendar, Australian administrators are in voluntary retreat.

Even as recent decades have squeezed the format into shorter series, while tour matches are euthanised and preparation is eroded as an outdated luxury, there still has to be time within a series itself. Two matches could run back to back, maybe three, but any longer and there has to be space built into the tour, gaps of a week or 10 days to offset the physical demand. Those pauses also gave the audience time for breath; they let players rest and storylines compound. Much of the rhythm of cricket is in waiting.

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What Hubert Davis said after UNC basketball fired him

Hubert Davis won nearly 70% of his games as North Carolina head coach.

But that wasn't enough to keep him in the job at his alma mater.

Davis led the Tar Heels to the national championship game in his first season 2021-22 and back to the Sweet 16 in 2023-24. But UNC missed the tournament altogether in 2022-23 and was bounced in the first round the past two seasons, including blowing a 19-point lead to VCU in last week's first round.

At UNC, that's not good enough.

UNC basketball coach candidates: Who will replace Hubert Davis? Expect big names linked

The school announced a "change in leadership" on Tuesday, March 24. Davis went 124-54 in his five seasons in charge in Chapel Hill.

He released a statement Tuesday night after the news of his dismissal:

"Tonight, I was let go by the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. My desire was to continue to coach here. This opportunity has truly been such a blessing."

UNC says it will conduct a "national search" for its next head coach.

Expect the list of candidates to include some of basketball's biggest names as one of the sport's biggest brands looks for a reset.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hubert Davis fired: What former UNC coach said after news of dismissal

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UNC fires Hubert Davis: Reactions from college basketball world

North Carolina men's basketball coach Hubert Davis will not return next season, the school announced on Tuesday night.

Davis, 55, was fired by North Carolina, which called the move a "leadership change."

The decision comes nearly a week after the Tar Heels were upset in an overtime loss, 82-78, to VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The now-former UNC coach is set to be owed nearly $5.3 million, per his contract.

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Billy Donovan could walk away from coaching Bulls after trying season

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan reacts during an NBA game, Image 2 shows Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan talks with forward Jalen Smith (25) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies

One NBA coach could be calling it quits after the season.

There is “growing momentum” that Bulls coach Billy Donovan could step away from the job when this season concludes, according to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday.

Donovan, 60, is likely not done coaching, according to the report, but could just take a year off to evaluate what he wants to do next, with the Bulls struggling during a season in which he lost his father and mother-in-law in a matter of weeks. 

Chicago head coach Billy Donovan talks with forward Jalen Smith during the second half of the Bulls’ blowout win over the Grizzlies at United Center on March 16, 2026. Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The Bulls have only made the playoffs one time during Donovan’s six seasons — a first-round exit in 2021-22. That season was the only time the team won more than 40 games with him. 

Donovan, who signed a multi-year contract extension in July 2025, hasn’t exactly been given the plethora of talent from general manager Arturas Karnisovas, who also could soon be on the hot seat as Donovan’s departure would eliminate one potential scapegoat, per the report.

The Bulls are sitting in 12th place in the East at  29-42, well behind the Nets, Wizards and Pacers in the tanking race. 

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan reacts during the second half of a game against the Thunder at United Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Some of Donovan’s top players during his Chicago tenure have been Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Tre Jones. All good players, but not exactly game-changing NBA talent in a top-heavy Eastern Conference.

The team hasn’t picked higher than 11th in the draft the past five seasons, limiting its chance to add a true impact rookie.

It could be a situation that leads to Donovan walking away.

Donovan, who led Florida to back-to-back national championships at the NCAA level, has compiled a 467-401 record over 11 NBA seasons.

He won coach of the year in Oklahoma City in 2019-20 and led the Thunder to the Western Conference finals with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in his first season. 

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Blackhawks 4, Islanders 3: It’s a shame

Simon was dialed in, at least. | NHLI via Getty Images

With multiple teams pushing for a playoff spot they are letting slip away, the Islanders wasted a golden opportunity to keep pace against a bottom-five team that has nothing to play for but the pretense that next season will be better.

The Isles got out to a decent start and 1-0 lead in the first minute on Anders Lee’s 16th of the season, but the Chicago Blackhawks stormed back with three goals in a seven-minute span of the first, capitalizing on a Mat Barzal turnover to get on the board and then a contagious series of more turnovers and sloppy play.

A 3-1 deficit after 20 minutes is completely reversible against a “fragile” team — and Ilya Sorokin took over for David Rittich after that first period but the Isles were the ones to crumble after an obvious icing was not called. Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield acted like they’d never played together as they coughed up the puck behind the Isles net, Mayfield getting bodied off and then flailing away. The Blackhawks pounced, Frank Nazar converted and the lead was 4-1 just six minutes into the second period.

The Isles squandered a full power play late in the second period to bring that three-goal deficit into the third. They eventually got going and made it close, but they couldn’t dig out of the hole, causing Thomas Hickey to lament at the post-horn cut to break, simply: “It’s a shame.” A shame that basically 10 minutes of brain farts wasted the opportunity, made worse and harder-to-overcome with an equally shameful brainfart following the blown icing non-call.

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

Adding to the fun: Tony DeAngelo was lost after the first period, status undeclared, but it looks like it’s not just a game. This comes after Ryan Pulock was out again, with enough concern there for the Isles to call up Isaiah George as an extra before the game.

Figure George to be needed next game, as will Adam Boqvist, who handled himself pretty well in 17:57.

Overall, there weren’t a lot of individual goats throughout the game; once the hole was dug, they did the right things to try to get themselves back in the game (including, of course, running Matthew Schaefer out there again and again, for a total of 31:59 of TOI and 14 attempted shots, 7 of which reached goal).

But the hole was too big, there wasn’t enough home karma and fortune to bail them out, and damn not only what a shame, but what a waste.

Up Next

This was the one they needed to bank. They’ve got a game every other night the rest of the week with the Stars, Panthers and Penguins, who are the first opponent in a back-to-back that concludes in Buffalo.

The Penguins (86 points) and Bruins (86) each lost tonight in regulation, and at least Ottawa (85) knocked off Detroit (85) in regulation, so that’s a few potential extra points taken out of the system. And Montreal climbed to 88 with a regulation win over Carolina. If the Isles fall short, we’re going to look back at tonight as one of the critical unforced errors that did them in.

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Islanders hurt playoff hopes with ugly loss to woeful Blackhawks

A dejected Adam Pelech looks on after the Islanders allowed a goal to Frank Nazar during the second period of their 4-3 loss to the Blackhawks on March 24, 2026 at UBS Arena.
A dejected Adam Pelech looks on after the Islanders allowed a goal to Frank Nazar during the second period of their 4-3 loss to the Blackhawks on March 24, 2026 at UBS Arena.

What, you thought this would be easy? Well, it seems the Islanders did too.

Is there another reason for their inexcusable mess of a performance on home ice Tuesday night? For why, in the late stages of a playoff race in which every game is a must-win, Mathew Barzal — benched earlier this season over a failure to back-check — stopped skating to watch as Tyler Bertuzzi and Frank Nazar went up the ice on a two-on-none? For the way the Islanders came undone from there?

Surely not.

The game ended 4-3 to the Blackhawks, whose urgency and intensity outstripped that of the Islanders until the last period, when a frantic attempt at a comeback came up a hair short. If the Isles’ loss in Ottawa was a bad night, and their loss in Montreal felt like a shock to the system, then this was something far worse.

This one should make them angry, and it should make their fans angry. If the Islanders go on to miss the playoffs — and they are below the cut-line again after the results rolled in Tuesday — this one will stick out like a sore thumb.

“We had some turnovers that ended up in our net and then you get a shot that goes off a body behind the goalie and it’s 3-1. Other than mistakes, it has nothing to do with our intensity or will to win,” captain Anders Lee said, understandably shielding his teammates. “We just messed up. That’s gonna happen. You saw that will the rest of the way tonight.”

Indeed, it was there over the last 20 minutes. Before that, though, the Islanders defended casually, and let momentum spiral against them.

After taking a lead inside a minute and dominating the first 10, Barzal turned the puck over and then failed to back-check, allowing Nick Lardis to follow a two-on-none rush and tie the game after Bertuzzi’s initial shot missed the net.

A dejected Adam Pelech looks on after the Islanders allowed a goal to Frank Nazar during the second period of their 4-3 loss to the Blackhawks on March 24, 2026 at UBS Arena. AP

“I feel like we play as a team, we win as a team,” coach Patrick Roy said, later adding he didn’t consider benching Barzal. “There’s mistakes in the game. It’s part of the game. The back-checking, for us, is important.”

Making matters even worse, Tony DeAngelo was hurt while back-checking on the same play, leaving the Islanders with five defenseman and without their top two right-handed defensemen, as Ryan Pulock missed a second straight game with a lower-body injury.

DeAngelo did not return, with the club citing a lower-body injury and Roy saying he would be evaluated Wednesday.

It took the Islanders until the third period, when goals from Simon Holmstrom and Cal Ritchie, along with an urgency level that finally looked appropriate, brought them within one and made for a close ending.

Indeed, the Islanders so nearly got away with it, getting a six-on-four power play with 27 seconds to go and coming within a starring, 44-save Arvid Soderblom performance of tying the game.

Not one bit, however, does that excuse everything that came before.

Simon Holmstrom celebrates after scoring a third period goal in the Islanders’ loss to the Blackhawks at UBS Arena. NHLI via Getty Images

The Blackhawks had scored two more times before the end of the first, chasing David Rittich, then added a fourth goal against Ilya Sorokin 6:02 into the second.

The missed icing call that preceded the eventual game-winning-goal from Nazar was as bad as it gets — so bad that Roy said the officials admitted to him they’d made a mistake — but the Islanders also needed to play to the whistle that never came.

With the noted exception of Matthew Schaefer, who recorded his 30th assist on Lee’s goal 49 seconds into the match and had a ridiculous 31:59 of ice, the defense corps served up a dog’s breakfast during the consequential stretch that spanned from 10 minutes into the first through the end of the second.

\Carson Soucy was on the ice for three goals against, Scott Mayfield for two while Adam Pelech committed a pair of penalties.

Adam Boqvist, for good measure, allowed Bertuzzi to beat him to a loose puck in the crease to make it 3-1 after Rittich — who stopped nine of 12 shots before being pulled after just one period — could not secure Alex Vlasic’s point shot.

“It’s fine that we were making mistakes, but I feel like we should have recovered from it,” Roy said. “We should have back-checked and tried to protect the netfront on that first goal. … I thought we were playing a really solid game, controlling the game, playing really well. A couple turnovers made the difference.”

Matthew Schaefer takes a hit and so did the Islanders’ playoff hopes after their loss to the Blackhawks at UBS Arena. Robert Sabo for New York Post

This is a playoff race in which no one seems to be beating themselves. If the Islanders end up being first to do so, they will be at the bottom of the pile, and they will deserve it.

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Rockies Reacts Survey: Grade Rockies spring training

Colorado Rockies bench coach Jeff Pickler works with players on fielding during spring training in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Colorado Rockies bench coach Jeff Pickler works with players on fielding during spring training in Scottsdale, Arizona. | Kyle Cooper | Colorado Rockies

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockies fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

We did it, everyone! Spring training is complete and the Rockies are on their way to Miami in preparation to face the Marlins on Opening Day.

I hope you followed along with our in-depth spring training coverage, and now I want to ask you this:

Let us know your thoughts!

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

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Terms of Pete Crow-Armstrong’s huge Cubs contract extension revealed

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of Team United States celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against Team Italy in the ninth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park on March 10, 2026 in Houston, Texas, Image 2 shows Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong against the New York Yankees during spring training at Sloan Park
PCA Cubs

Pete Crow-Armstrong is staying in the Windy City for the foreseeable future.

And with a much heavier wallet.

After it was revealed this week that the Cubs center fielder agreed to an extension, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed Tuesday evening that the deal is worth $115 million over six years.

Pete Crow-Armstrong celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the United States’ win over Italy in the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park on March 10, 2026 in Houston. Getty Images

The extension starts in 2027 and will run through 2032, allowing him to hit free agency before he turns 31 years old.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the terms of the contract, which does not include any club options.

The Cubs acquired Crow-Armstrong at the 2021 trade deadline in a swap with the Mets for Javier Baez and Trevor Williams, and four years later, Chicago finally started really reaping the rewards of the move.

Crow-Armstrong after a cup of coffee in 2023 an up-and-down full rookie season in 2024, came into his own in ’25 with a .247/.287/.481 slash line, mashing 31 homers with 95 RBIs as the Cubs reached the National League Division Series. The speedster also stole a career-best 35 bases and ranked in the 100th percentile in Outs Above Average, according to Baseball Savant.

The son of actors Ashley Crow (of “Little Big League” fame) and Matthew John Armstrong became an All-Star for the first time and won a Gold Glove in center field, cementing his place as a key cornerstone in the Cubs’ future.

He did, however, have stark season splits — an .847 OPS in the first half versus a .698 mark in the second.

Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong against the New York Yankees during spring training at Sloan Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Crow-Armstrong represented Team USA in the World Baseball Classic this year, and hit two home runs with six RBIs across six games.

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer spoke highly of the 23-year-old outfielder after last season ended.

“It may be gradual. It may come all at once. But I have no question that he’ll continue to get better,” Hoyer said, according to The Athletic. The one thing with Pete that I always focus on is, when he’s not hitting or struggling offensively, he’s a great player. And when he’s hitting, he’s a superstar.”

The Cubs and Crow-Armstrong open their season on Thursday afternoon against the Nationals.

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Islanders unable to erase poor first period in 4-3 loss to Blackhawks

Anton Frondell had an assist in his NHL debut, Nick Lardis and Frank Nazar each had a goal and an assist and the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the New York Islanders 4-3 on Tuesday night.

Ilya Mikheyev and Tyler Bertuzzi also had goals for the Blackhawks, who scored four straight goals and snapped a two-game skid. Arvid Soderblom made 44 saves.

Anders Lee, Simon Holmstrom and Calum Ritchie scored for the Islanders, who lost for the third time in four games. David Rittich allowed three goals on 12 shots before being replaced by Ilya Sorokin, who made 11 saves.

Lee opened the scoring in the first minute of play, deflecting Mathew Schaefer’s shot past Soderblom. But the Blackhawks responded with four goals, including three in the first period.

Nazar and Bertuzzi failed to convert on a two-on-none breakaway, but Nazar quickly grabbed the loose puck and found a darting Lardis to even the score at 1.

Frondell, the third overall selection in the 2025 NHL draft, set up Mikheyev at 18:06 of the first period to give Chicago a 2-1 lead.

Bertuzzi deposited a rebound in the final minute of the opening period to extend the Blackhawks’ lead to 3-1.

Holmstrom and Ritchie each scored in the third to trim the Islanders’ deficit to one goal, but New York was unable to tie it despite getting 23 shots in the final period.

Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo left with an upper-body injury in the second period and did not return. Ryan Pulock did not play for New York for the second straight game.

Up next

Blackhawks: Visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.

Islanders: Host the Dallas Stars on Thursday.

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Penguins/Avalanche Recap: Colorado leaves Pens in dust in 6-2 rout

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 24: Martin Necas #88 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates after scoring a goal past Arturs Silovs #37 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second period during the game at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 24, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Pregame

No Evgeni Malkin tonight due to an undisclosed upper body injury, Ville Koivunen back in the lineup like he never left (though he did for a few days). Arturs Silovs in net.

The visiting Colorado Avalanche bring this lineup to the table tonight.

First period

Colorado gets on the board first, 4:57 into the game. Nathan MacKinnon pressures Parker Wotherspoon, gets the better of him and then is off to the races. Not going to catch that guy. MacKinnon gives Silovs a shoulder shake to throw the goalie off balance then snaps a perfectly placed high shot to finish the individual effort.

The Penguins find a tying goal, who else but Egor Chinakhov? His latest sets a career-high with 17 goals on a long-range shot. 1-1.

Sam Malinski gets two shots, the second goes off the post and in. Traffic in front for Silovs was too much with all the puck movement. 2-1 COL back in front.

Noel Acciari trips a player 200 feet away from his net, it gets called. It only takes the Avalanche five seconds to strike off the opening faceoff. Cale Makar feeds Martin Necas who hammers it home. 3-1 game.

The tough period continues, a quick pass from behind the net hits Parker Kelly in front for a quick shot. Silovs is off his angle and gets beat to the far side. 4-1.

The Avs weren’t messing around that period. They smelled blood and ruthlessly converted. Sometimes it was players like MacKinnon or Makar showing why they’re among the league’s best, sometimes it was just situational. Either way a tough go early for the Penguins.

Second period

It appears the Penguins claw back a little on a great effort by Justin Brazeau to fully extend and use all his reach to swing a puck into the net. Colorado challenges for goalie interference and, well, another call against the Pens in this department. There’s the slightest contact at the beginning of the sequence but nothing that seems to prevent the goalie from playing his position and then further contact outside of the crease. Who knows anymore.

Pittsburgh gets a four minute power play when Nazem Kadri high sticks Tommy Novak but it’s not going their way tonight, passes without scoring and the Avs even have a rush the other way.

Late in the period, Colorado sends another dagger. Devon Toews bombs a shot in off an offensive zone draw, Silovs lets the rebound thud off the middle of his pad and Necas gets to it first. 5-1.

Deflating period for the Pens to not get yet another GI call go their way. Even then the score would have been 4-2 and still in a major hole but without it the game is elementary at this point.

Third period

By league rule a third period must be played, game sputters along. Colorado gets a long power play and some 5v3 time for a chance for MacKinnon to pad stats and get back in the scoring race but he and they can’t score.

The Pens’ first line gets on the board to at least get Sidney Crosby a point. Bryan Rust’s forechecking effort ends up having the clearing attempt flutter right to Crosby in front of the net. Crosby uses his skate to settle the puck, kicks it to his stick and bumps a pass over for Rickard Rakell to finish off from in tight. 5-2 game.

It’s into ‘pull the goalie cuz who cares’ territory, Colorado doesn’t waste much time to hit the open open. 6-2.

Some thoughts

  • The first Pittsburgh goal had a lot going on, Kris Letang (finally) recorded his 800th career point after sitting on 799 since March 1st. Sam Girard notched his 200th career assist. And Chinakhov set his new career-high for goals in a season with 17.
  • Noel Acciari’s penalty with the catalyst to spiral this game out of control. The broadcast didn’t like the call against Pittsburgh (shocker) and it was unfortunate that was the only penalty of the period, considering it didn’t create or deny a scoring chance or even alter possession too drastically. It’s a play sometimes the refs don’t always call, but it’s an obvious trip in the offensive zone by a player reaching. That’s more on Acciari for putting himself in the position than the refs to ring him up for it.
  • The other really big swing was the reversed goal in the second. This summer during the offseason, I swear I’m going to find a bunch of clips that the league reviewed (Pittsburgh goals and around the NHL) and then leave it up to the reader to decide if it was deemed a good goal or no goal. At this point, you might as well flip a coin. The process is subjective and by nature never going to be perfect but the discrepancy from night to night on what’s permitted and what’s not has had zero consistency.
  • An old hockey saying goes ‘you can’t give a good player a bad pass’ and let’s just say Ben Kindel gave Ville Koivunen a bad pass on a 2-on-1 in the second period. Kindel did have to lift the puck off the ice to get it over a stick to get there but it didn’t look like a knee-high grenade when it got to Koivunen. Tough play if the puck bobbled a little as it got to him but in this league that’s one a player has to handle (especially when the recipient is known for making skilled plays with his hands).
  • One player where there’s no doubt about quality is Chinakhov. For a player whose reputation was one of inconsistency coming into the team, it’s funny but that’s actually been a very positive element for him. He shows up every game, and more often than not he’s finding the scoreboard via a goal or assist more often than not.
  • In the big picture, the Penguins get two points out of four from Colorado this season, a team that looks like they are on their way to winning the Presidents Trophy. You can do worse than that. It was also somewhat of a ‘no harm, no foul’ kind of night, since three of Pittsburgh’s biggest rivals at the moment for playoff spots (NYI, BOS, DET) also lost in regulation and all lost to teams out of the playoffs, no less. Definitely were worse outcomes on the night, though it could have been better since Columbus defeated Philadelphia and CBJ passes the Pens for second place in the division. That’s largely ceremonial aside from home ice, seeing Chicago upset the Islanders and the Bruins drop a game to Toronto are welcome sights at this point.
  • More damaging than the loss itself could be the underlying problems displayed. The broadcast was harping on fatigue but every team is playing a lot this season. The Penguins have now surrendered 48 goals in the last 11 games (4.36 GA per game). That’s not fatigue as an over-arching factor, that’s a goal suppression problem via team defense and goaltending woes. It’s a glaring issue at the moment.

The immediate path ahead doesn’t get easier, the Pens have to head to Ottawa to face a hot Senators team that always seems to give them troubles anyways.

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Aerin Frankel records another shutout as the Boston Fleet beat the Vancouver Goldeneyes 2-0

LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — Laura Kluge scored her first PWHL goal midway through the second period, Aerin Frankel tied a season high with 35 saves in her sixth shutout of the season and the Boston Fleet beat the Vancouver Goldeneyes 2-0 on Tuesday night.

Boston (11-5-2-4), which moved into sole possession of first place, remained undefeated at the Tsongas Center this season (4-1-0-0) to set a team points record with 45.

Kluge, in her 33rd career game, tipped a Megan Keller shot past goaltender Kristen Campbell to open the scoring. The Fleet have scored first in 18 of 22 games this season.

Susanna Tapani added an empty netter with 21.8 seconds left for her fourth goal in five games since the Olympic break.

Frankel made 29 saves in the second and third periods to help secure her 15th win of the season. The Fleet tied New York for the most regular-season shutouts in league history with nine all-time.

Vancouver (6-1-4-11) has been held to just 13 goals in away games this season, the fewest by any PWHL team.

Up next

Boston plays at Toronto on Friday.

Vancouver continues its five-game road trip at Toronto on Sunday. The trip ends with the Goldeneyes playing Boston in a Takeover Tour game in Edmonton on Apr. 7.

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AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey