Despite months of negotiations, USC and Notre Dame officials have failed to reach an agreement on playing what would be the 97th game in the series next year.
Bulls beat Hawks 152-150 in highest scoring game in NBA this season (and they didn't need overtime).
Defense? Who needs it?
Not the Chicago Bulls or Atlanta Hawks, who combined to score 302 points in regulation on Monday, a 152-150 win — just the eighth time in NBA history teams scored more than 300 points in regulation.
BULLS SURVIVE IN THE HIGHEST-SCORING GAME OF THE SEASON SO FAR
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2025
302 COMBINED POINTS! pic.twitter.com/ycnkbY27R9
Trae Young scored 35 points and nine assists to lead the Hawks in the loss. Jalen Johnson added 36 points with 11 rebounds and nine assists.
"It's kind of tough winning games when you give up 80 points in the first half," Johnson told the Associated Press. "It's kind of embarrassing in a sense. …. Hopefully we cut down on some of the things we're doing."
The last time a team scored 150 points in a game was November of 2023 — and it was Atlanta then, too.
Chicago was led by Matas Buzelis, who scored 28 points, but it was a balanced attack with nine Chicago players in double figures. Josh Giddey had 19 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds, one short of a triple-double.
What Red Sox' Willson Contreras trade could mean for Triston Casas
What Red Sox' Willson Contreras trade could mean for Triston Casas originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Red Sox filled a glaring void at the first base position Sunday, acquiring veteran Willson Contreras in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals.
That void existed because Triston Casas’ future with the club is uncertain. The soon-to-be 26-year-old played in only 29 games last season before suffering a ruptured patellar tendon in May. Injuries also plagued him throughout the 2024 season, limiting him to only 63 games.
So, does the Contreras addition leave Casas without a role for 2026? Not necessarily.
With Contreras expected to begin next season as the Red Sox’ primary first baseman, Casas will have time to shake off the rust in Triple-A. The former top prospect still has minor-league options remaining.
If and when he returns to the big-league club, the left-handed-hitting Casas could split first base and designated hitter duties with the right-handed Contereras. Since Contreras is the superior defender, Casas in the DH spot would make sense if he can regain his 2023 form.
Casas’ path to an MLB return should become clearer in spring training when other question marks on the roster are addressed. For instance, Masataka Yoshida remains in the mix as a DH option, and the surplus of outfielders further complicates matters. Jarren Duran has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, but he’s another candidate to spend time at DH if he isn’t moved.
Craig Breslow and Co. could look to trade Casas, but given his injuries and lack of production over the last two years, his value couldn’t be much lower. Allowing the 2018 first-rounder to play his way back into an MLB role is the most reasonable solution, and the well-rounded Contreras provides the Red Sox with that flexibility.
Contreras, 33, will bring much-needed right-handed pop to Boston’s lineup. Excluding the shortened 2020 campaign, he has hit at least 20 homers in six of nine seasons. The former catcher notched career highs in doubles (31) and RBI (80) last season while posting a .791 OPS in 135 games.
Contreras is a solid addition, but the Red Sox should still aggressively pursue at least one more big bat this winter. They can still re-sign third baseman Alex Bregman, although their odds of doing so seem to only be getting worse. Free-agent infielder Bo Bichette is another intriguing option, and they have also been linked to Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, free-agent slugger Eugenio Suarez, and Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes.
How to watch Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: TV/live stream info, preview for tonight's game
Head to Peacock tonight for an exciting NBA doubleheader. The action starts at 7:00 PM ET with a Charlotte Hornets vs Cleveland Cavaliers showdown. Then, at 9:30 PM, it's the Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder. See below for additional information on how to watch both games and follow all of the NBA action on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
Click here to sign up for Peacock!
Christmas Week is always somewhat awkward in fantasy basketball because of the unusual schedule.
Raphielle JohnsonMemphis Grizzlies:
The Grizzlies are coming off a 130-122 loss to the Washington Wizards on Saturday. Santi Aldama led the way for Memphis with a career-high 37 points and 10 rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 22 points and 8 rebounds, while Cam Spencer added 19 points and 11 assists.
Memphis has been hampered by injuries this season, with Zach Edey and Ty Jerome expected to miss several more weeks.
Oklahoma City Thunder:
The Thunder fell 112-107 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, picking up their third loss of the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 35 points, finishing with 7 assists and 5 rebounds in the loss. Jalen Williams added 17 points and 7 boards, while Chet Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell each added 14.
Despite the loss, the Thunder are off to the best 28-game start that the league has seen since the 2015-16 Warriors (27-1), who won an NBA-record 73 regular-season games.
How to watch Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder:
- When: Tonight, Monday, December 22
- Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
- Time: 9:30 PM ET
- Live Stream:Peacock
There are five marquee matchups featuring four of the past six league champions.
What other NBA games are on tonight?
Charlotte Hornets vs Cleveland Cavaliers - 7:00 PM ET on Peacock
How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
What devices does Peacock support?
You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.
Sidney Crosby breaks Penguins scoring record previously held by Mario Lemieux
Dec 21, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck in a shootout against the Montréal Canadien at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Charles LeClaire/Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
PITTSBURGH — As far as Sidney Crosby is concerned, Mario Lemieux still is No. 1 in his book.
But now, Lemieux officially is No. 2.
Crosby broke Lemieux’s franchise scoring record with a goal and an assist in the first period of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 4-3 shootout win against the Montreal Canadiens.
“I don’t think you can put a stat line or a number on what he means to this team and to hockey, so yeah, in my mind, he’s still No. 1,” Crosby said.
Crosby, who began the night one point behind Lemieux, now has 645 goals and 1,079 assists for 1,724 points in 1,387 games. It also moved him past Lemieux for the eighth-most points in NHL history.
Crosby tipped Erik Karlsson’s point shot at 7:58 of the first period for a goal to tie the record. He then broke the mark with 7:20 left in the period when his shot on a power play hit Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell tapped the rebound behind Jakub Dobes.
Crosby, Rust and Rakell embraced behind the net after the goal and the Penguins spilled over the bench to congratulate their captain. Later in the period, a 30-second video message recorded by Lemieux congratulating Crosby on the accomplishment was played.
“I knew when we played together in 2005 that you were going to be a very special player and accomplish a lot of great things in your career,” Lemieux said in the message. “Here we are 20 years later, you’re now one of the best to ever play the game.”
A hush fell over the arena as fans intently listened to Lemieux’s message.
“Seeing the crowd go quiet when Mario’s message come on, that was pretty special,” Crosby said. “If you don’t understand the impact he’s had here and you were here tonight, I think you understand it a little bit better given how quiet it got.”
Lemieux, the Hall of Famer, who also owned the franchise following his second retirement, became the Penguins’ all-time points leader, surpassing then-assistant coach Rick Kehoe on Jan. 20, 1989, when Crosby was 17 months old. Lemieux, who was in the lineup when Crosby recorded his first NHL point, finished his career with 1,723 points in 915 games.
“I have so much appreciation for having the opportunity to play with him, live with him and learn from him,” said Crosby, who lived with Lemieux and his family early in his career. “You grow up watching him, you never expect you’re going to make it to the NHL let alone play with him. He was a big part of helping me out and a huge influence on me.”
Crosby, the No. 1 overall pick in 2005, is the seventh outright all-time points leader in 58 years of the franchise’s history and the ninth active player to lead a franchise in points. Crosby previously broke Lemieux’s record for most assists in franchise history last Dec. 29 against the New York Islanders. Crosby is 45 goals behind Lemieux’s franchise record of 690.
Crosby now is third on the NHL’s all-time points list with a single franchise, behind only Steve Yzerman (1,755) and Gordie Howe (1,809), both with Detroit.
Crosby also passed Phil Esposito (449) for sole possession of the ninth-most even-strength goals in NHL history. He also tied Adam Oates for the eighth-most assists in NHL history in the first period. Crosby, who has 20 goals this season, achieved his 18th 20-goal season. Only six players in NHL history have more.
The biggest number was Lemieux’ franchise scoring record.
“Having an opportunity to play on the same line and connect on a few goals … those are things that I’ll always remember,” Crosby said. “The impact he’s had on me, this team and hockey in general is pretty amazing.”
How to watch Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: TV/live stream info, preview for tonight's game
Tonight's Peacock NBA Monday doubleheader tips off at 7:00 PM ET when the Charlotte Hornets head to Rocket Arena to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Then, at 9:30 PM, the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Memphis Grizzlies. See below for additional information on how to watch both games and follow all of the NBA action on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
Click here to sign up for Peacock!
Christmas Week is always somewhat awkward in fantasy basketball because of the unusual schedule.
Charlotte Hornets:
The Hornets are looking to bounce back after falling 112-86 to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. Miles Bridges and Kon Knueppel each scored 19 points in the loss. Knueppel, who was drafted fourth overall by the Hornets in 2025, is currently second on the team in scoring and leads all rookies with 19.4 points per game.
The Hornets (9-19) are 12th in the Eastern Conference and look to avoid their ninth losing season.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
The Cavaliers have lost their last three straight games, most recently falling to the Chicago Bulls in back-to-back contests last Wednesday (127-111) and Friday (136-125). Cleveland has had to adjust for much of the season while dealing with injuries to several key players. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarett Allen have only played together in 4 of 29 possible games this season.
Mitchell, who leads the Cavaliers with an average of 30.7 points per game, missed Friday's game with an illness and will be a game-time decision tonight.
How to watch Charlotte Hornets vs Cleveland Cavaliers:
- When: Tonight, Monday, December 22
- Where: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Live Stream:Peacock
There are five marquee matchups featuring four of the past six league champions.
What other NBA games are on tonight?
Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder - 9:30 PM ET on Peacock
How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
What devices does Peacock support?
You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.
How to watch Seton Hall vs. Villanova: TV, live stream info, storylines for Tuesday’s game
The Pirates will welcome the visiting Wildcats, who are opening their Big East schedule.
How velocity bump put Adrian Houser in much better position this offseason
How velocity bump put Adrian Houser in much better position this offseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — For a second straight year, Adrian Houser signed a contract with a new organization as the holidays approached, but the circumstances this time around couldn’t be any different.
Houser agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers last offseason, one that would give him the chance to come to spring training and try to win a job. This time around, the only question is where he’ll slot into a big league rotation at the end of March.
The Giants and Houser agreed to a two-year deal last week, and on a Zoom call with beat reporters on Monday, he said the organization’s early interest made a difference as he looked for a new home.
“It was just coming down to knowing the talent was here, and then also the front office and Buster (Posey), they were pretty adamant and pretty consistent so far up to this point throughout the offseason, keeping in constant contact,” Houser said. “I could just tell they really wanted me and after sitting down and talking through it and everything, we felt like it was going to be a really good fit.”
For the Giants, the strong interest goes back to July, when Houser loomed as an appealing option to fill a hole in the rotation in the second half. Posey ended up going into sell mode, but the rotation still needs those innings, and the hope is that Houser is on an upward trajectory. The 32-year-old is coming off his best stint in the big leagues, and he said that success goes back to last offseason, when he couldn’t find a big league job.
Houser worked with specialists in Oklahoma to make mechanical changes. He got more into his backside and changed the way he drives down a mound. He also got his hands further away from his body.
“I just felt freed up,” he said. “It was coming out a lot easier.”
The success wasn’t immediate. Houser began the season in Triple-A and got released in May, but he found a new home in Chicago, posting a 2.10 ERA and 3.34 FIP in 11 starts for the White Sox. That led to a midseason trade to Tampa Bay, and while his ERA jumped to 4.79 after the deadline, he continued to show an uptick in stuff.
Houser’s sinker averaged 95 mph in September, his highest mark in a month in six years. The pitch was up two ticks from 2024, and his entire repertoire saw similar jumps. His slider went from 83 mph to 88 mph after a grip change.
While players hit free agency and want to be rewarded for what they’ve done, teams are looking ahead and trying to find a player whose best days are ahead of him. The Giants believe that’s the case with Houser, and they certainly need to be right. To this point, he is the only addition to a rotation that finished 2025 with a big talent deficit.
Houser currently slots in as either the third or fourth starter, although that could change with another free agent addition or trade. Regardless, he’s locked into a rotation this winter, and he said he’s doing many of the same things to prepare. A year ago, he embraced the carnivore diet and occasional 72-hour fasts to get his body ready for an important spring, and that has continued, along with the work on his mechanics.
“I plan to go out there and make every start and go as deep as possible as I can in every game and try to come off the field every time with the team ahead and with a chance to win the game,” he said.
Rugby brain injury case suffers huge blow after judge rejects court appeal
Up to 80% of league and 20% of union claims face strike-out
Appeal over medical record disclosure denied on all grounds
Two appeals launched by the legal firm representing former players in rugby league and rugby union have both been denied in a significant blow to the ongoing legal action about brain damage caused by the sport. It means that after five years of legal arguments a large number of the claimants in both codes face the risk of having their cases struck out before they come to trial.
The appeal judge, Mr Justice Dexter Dias, ruled that the judge presiding over the management of the case, Senior Master Jeremy Cook, had been right to find that the claimants firm, Rylands Garth, had failed to fulfil its obligations to disclose necessary medical material to the defendants, World Rugby, the Wales Rugby Union, and the Rugby Football Union in one case, and the Rugby Football League in the other.
Continue reading...Yankees sign former Mets INF Zack Short to minor league deal
The Yankees are bringing in INF Zack Short on a minor league deal.
Short spent time with the Mets two seasons ago after being claimed off waivers from the Tigers.
The New York native was able to crack the team coming out of camp, but ended up being DFA'd after just 10 appearances.
He was traded to the Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations, but was only in Boston briefly before he was again let go and shipped off to the Atlanta Braves.
Short appeared in a combined 32 games between the two teams the rest of the year.
He elected to hit free agency at season's end, and received a minor league deal with the Astros.
The 30-year-old spent most of the year in Triple-A, logging just 22 appearances in the majors.
Now in the Bronx, he is facing a bit of an uphill battle for a roster spot, but he'll look to provide the Yankees with a versatile glove off the bench.
Short has just a career .567 OPS, but he's logged appearances at second, third, and shortstop.
Is Samuel Girard On the Brink of a Trade?
The Colorado Avalanche have established themselves as one of the NHL’s top teams.
They are riding a five-game winning streak and boast a league-best 26-2-7 record through 35 games. But even with that success on the ice, the season is reaching a point where practical considerations start to matter more—when strong results are weighed against the careful, and sometimes difficult, business decisions teams have to make.
While the Avalanche have been undeniably dominant, some analysts have pointed out a potential vulnerability on the blue line in what has been dubbed “The Two Sams.” The third-pairing defensive duo of Samuel Girard and Sam Malinski does not bring the kind of physical presence or bone-crushing hits typically seen in postseason play. While penalties are called more frequently during the regular season, officiating tends to be somewhat more lenient in the playoffs. As the stakes rise, shots become harder, hits more punishing, and success often depends on defensemen who can not only absorb that physicality but respond in kind when necessary.
Solovyov Steps Up
Ilya Solovyov, claimed off waivers from the Calgary Flames in October, was sent to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles for a conditioning assignment on December 12 and was recalled ahead of Sunday’s game in Minnesota, where the Avalanche defeated the Wild 5-1 at Grand Casino Arena.
Unlike Girard, Solovyov stands 6'3" and weighs approximately 208 pounds, compared with Girard, who is 5'10" and around 170 pounds. During the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup run, Girard missed most of the postseason after being wrecked into the boards by then–St. Louis Blues forward Ivan Barbashev, which left him with a broken sternum and forced him to sit out the remainder of the playoffs.
The Avalanche will likely need the added strength on the back end. While Girard has been an impactful defenseman for Colorado for years, he has also been mentioned in trade discussions repeatedly. Sending Solovyov on a conditioning assignment suggests the team has a clear plan for him. The extra work he has put in at both the AHL level and with Avalanche skills coach Mark Popovic behind the scenes further indicates that Colorado is preparing him to take on a larger role.
The Colorado Avalanche have ended Ilya Solovyov's conditional loan after three games. He had no points but was +1 and and had 4 SOG while playing mostly top pair minutes. #Avs#GoAvsGopic.twitter.com/ehETqm29CZ
— Hockey Mountain High (@HockeyMtnHighCO) December 21, 2025
Will the Avs Trade Girard?
It’s no secret that Jared Bednar is looking for a third-line center. Based on what we’re seeing with the defense, it seems the Avalanche want a multi-dimensional player in that role—not just someone with a quick shot, but also a significant physical presence. Colorado is clearly aiming to step things up.
After what happened in the first round last year against Dallas, and the team’s struggles to respond to the slew of penalties handed out, the Avalanche know they need players who can levy serious punishment when necessary.
Detroit’s Michael Rasmussen is a true behemoth. At 6'6" and 222 pounds, the 26-year-old former ninth overall pick from the 2017 NHL Draft would be a solid addition for Colorado. Last year, he ranked third on the Red Wings with 141 hits, and through 32 games this season, Rasmussen boasts a faceoff win percentage of 58.3—a career-high by a wide margin. He finished the 2022–23 season with a 51 percent success rate.
Acquiring Rasmussen, who carries a $3.2 million cap hit through the 2027-28 season, would give the Avalanche the third-line center they’ve been seeking. With Detroit in the market for a left-handed, puck-moving defenseman, 27-year-old Girard would be an ideal fit for the Red Wings’ system—assuming he approves the trade.
Girard is in the sixth year of his seven-year, $35 million deal. He carries a nine-team no-trade list, which isn’t public, so the Red Wings may or may not be on it. If they aren’t, the move would be a win-win for both teams.
With the arrival of Brent Burns, Girard’s ice time has decreased this season, but in Detroit, he would slot in as a top-four defenseman and help solidify the blue line. He’s a shutdown defender who can also contribute offensively from the backend. This season, he has one goal and six assists for seven points in 20 games, recording his first goal of the year on December 16 when the Avalanche defeated the Seattle Kraken 5-3.
Great finish from Sam Girard! #GoAvsGo
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) December 17, 2025
pic.twitter.com/nkozUPPmuU
While Rasmussen has been dominant in the faceoff circle, he could benefit from a change of scenery. If the Avalanche are smart, they might also include a mid-round pick to sweeten the deal.
Here’s a proposed trade scenario:
Red Wings acquire:
Samuel Girard
Avalanche acquire:
Michael Rasmussen
2026 third-round pick
What Happens Next
This trade would allow several things to fall into place. First and foremost, the Avalanche would secure their third-line center in Rasmussen. Ilya Solovyov could step into Girard’s spot, and unlike Girard, Malinski would likely remain in place. He’s been such a vital part of Colorado’s depth this season that he’s almost untouchable. The truth is, Colorado needs Malinski more than they need Girard.
In all honesty, the Avalanche have been looking to move on from Girard for some time, but nothing has really worked out. For example, Colorado attempted to get Ryan Lindgren to agree to an extension in the days leading up to July 1, but he ultimately signed with the Seattle Kraken.
This move would also allow Jack Drury to stay in the fourth-line center role and let Ross Colton return to the wing, where he’s most effective.
It’s always fun to dig through ideas like this, but Chris MacFarland is the genius behind these deals. Let’s let him work his magic.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Warriors' Draymond Green shades Wizards while recalling courtside trash talk
Warriors' Draymond Green shades Wizards while recalling courtside trash talk originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Draymond Green will never back down from a little trash talk.
In his latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” Green responded to some fan mailbag questions. One asked: “What’s the best back and forth you’ve had with a fan courtside?”
He pointed to one game at the Washington Wizards.
“I think one of the best had to be in DC a few years back. I was sleepwalking, and them guys got me going,” Green said. “I finished the game with 24 or something like that. We went on to win.”
Green said it was after the Warriors beat the Celtics in the Finals, so that would point to Golden State’s 127-118 win over Washington on Jan. 16, 2023. Green finished with 18 points.
Although his point estimate was a bit off, Green did turn it on in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of the Warriors’ 34 points in the final frame.
He made sure the Wizards’ fans who were talking to him knew he was grateful for the motivation in an arena that wasn’t giving him much in the first place.
“They were like, ‘Draymond, you’re a bum, you’re this, you’re that.’ Like, oh really? Thank you for getting me going in this dead ass gym – that is the Washington Wizards’ home arena,” Green explained. “Thank you, I’m about to bust y’all’s ass now, and I politely did, and they shut the hell up and they did not want to talk anymore.”
“And it was absolutely incredible. I mean every play – offensively and defensively.”
Even Warriors owner Joe Lacob chimed in on the trash talk.
“That was right after we beat Boston in the Finals. And then Joe Lacob was like, ‘Alright, guys, we’re going to Boston next, I’m [going to] put you on a plane to Boston, let’s go,’” Green recalled.
The Wizards had an eight-point lead with 9:30 remaining in the game, but the fans’ trash talk might have doomed their team by waking up Green and company.
Columbus Blue Jackets (34 pts) vs. Los Angeles Kings (39 pts) Game Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are at Crypto.com Arena to take on the LA Kings at 10 PM.
Los Angeles Kings - 15-10-9 - 42 Points - 4-4-2 in the last 10 - 4th in the Atlantic
Columbus Blue Jackets - 14-15-6 - 34 Points - 3-6-1 in the last 10 - 8th in the Metro
Blue Jackets Stats
- Power Play - 18.8% - 18th in the NHL
- Penalty Kill - 72.9% - 30th in the NHL
- Goals For - 101 - 20th in the NHL
- Goals Against - 123 - 31st in the NHL
Kings Stats
- Power Play - 14.6% - 30th in the NHL
- Penalty Kill - 79.8% - 20th in the NHL
- Goals For - 87 - 31st in the NHL
- Goals Against - 85 - 2nd in the NHL
Series History vs. The Kings
- Columbus is 28-33-1-7 all-time, and 10-22-1-2 on the road vs. L.A.
- The home team is 6-0-2 in the last 8 games of the series.
- The CBJ went 1-1 vs. the Kings last season.
- Columbus has killed off 20 of the last 23 Kings man advantages.
Who To Watch For TheKings
- Adrian Kempe leads the Kings in goals(13), assists(17), and points(30).
- Darcy Kuemper is 10-6-6 with a SV% of .917. His last start was on December 15th.
- Former Blue Jackets Goalie Anton Forsberg is 5-4-3 with a SV% of .901. His last start was on December 18th.
CBJ Player Notes vs.Kings
- Zach Werenski has 7 points in 14 career games vs. the Kings.
- Boone Jenner has 6 points in his last 17 games against LA.
- Charlie Coyle has 16 points in 31 games.
Injuries
- Erik Gudbranson - Upper Body - Missed 27 Games - IR - No timeline for a return
- Mathieu Olivier - Upper Body - Missed 12 Games - IR- No timeline for a return - He is skating
- Miles Wood - Unknown - Missed 1 Game
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 70
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FANDUEL SPORTS NETWORK. Bob Wischusen will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 THE FAN, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
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Athletics acquire veteran second baseman Jeff McNeil in trade with Mets
Athletics acquire veteran second baseman Jeff McNeil in trade with Mets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Athletics added a veteran presence to their young, homegrown infield.
The A’s acquired veteran second baseman Jeff McNeil for right-handed pitcher Yordan Rodriguez in a trade with the New York Mets, the team announced Monday afternoon after ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the news.
Passan also reported, citing sources, that the A’s will acquire McNeil and $5.75 million from New York in the deal.
To make room for McNeil on the 40-man roster, the A’s designed left-handed pitcher Ken Waldichuk for assignment.
The 33-year-old McNeil, in eight seasons with the Mets, batted .284/.351/.428 with 80 home runs and 367 RBI in 923 career games.
In 2025, McNeil batted .243/.335/.411 with 12 homers and 54 RBI in 462 plate appearances.
Selected by New York in the 12th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, McNeil was a two-time All-Star (2019, 2022) and won a Silver Slugger Award (2022) during his time with the Mets.
He now joins a young A’s infield headlined by first baseman and 2025 American League Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson and catcher Shea Langeliers.
Canadiens: Crosby Makes History And The Penguins Finally Win One
The Montreal Canadiens didn’t hold a morning skate or a media availability on Sunday. However, they still made the headlines when the Communications department confirmed that Samuel Montembeault wouldn’t be joining the team in Pittsburgh as initially planned. With the Becancour native staying behind and Jacob Fowler having played on Saturday night, Jakub Dobes was on duty Sunday night.
While the Canadiens managed to stave off the inevitable on Saturday night when they shutout the Pittsburgh Penguins and therefore kept Sidney Crosby off the scoresheet, they couldn’t repeat the feat on Sunday night. It took less than eight minutes for the Pens’ captain to find the back of the net and tie Mario Lemieux’s point total atop the franchise history, and less than five minutes later, he took sole possession of the title of top scorer in the team’s history.
Canadiens Soaring Rookie Has Been Big Surprise
Canadiens: Montembeault Stays With The Rocket
Canadiens: Fowler In Fantastic Company
Jekyll and Hyde
Martin St-Louis has often said over the last few seasons that the biggest challenge with such a young team is to find consistency, and in the first frame, we got a prime example of that struggle.
The Habs took the lead on a fantastic passing play at even strength. Arber Xhekaj prevented the puck from leaving the zone by poking it to Ivan Demidov, who immediately fed Juraj Slafkovsky with a cross-zone pass before he, in turn, sent it across the zone to Oliver Kapanen, who one-timed it in.
TIC-TAC-TOE#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/OBT3booGPt
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 22, 2025
It was as near perfect as a passing play could be. Still, on the very next shift, with the top line and the top pairing on the ice, the Habs skated like headless chickens in their own zone, turning the puck over to the Penguins and faster than a toddler goes from a broad smile to a full-blown temper tantrum, the Canadiens had conceded the equalizer.
It’s puzzling to see the effect scoring a goal can have on this young squad at times. Instead of giving them confidence, it makes them panic and all too often, they concede the equalizer right away.
Everything That Goes Up…
Trailing by one after 20 minutes and down 14-8 shots-wise, the Canadiens stormed back at the start of the second frame. They played a smart game, didn’t take any unnecessary risks, but were ready when an opportunity presented itself. Less than four minutes into the middle stanza, it was once again the kids’ line that struck gold. Slafkovsky first fed Kapanen, who was denied, but the big Slovak sent the rebound to the Russian rookie, who one-timed it in.
Combien de buts pour ce trio avant d'appeler ça une tradition?
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 22, 2025
Be merry and enjoy this goal from Ivan Demidov#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/udvFSX664O
Once again, Slafkovsky’s pass was perfect. It makes a world of difference when he takes the time to check where his pass is going. Earlier this season, he would often try no-look backhand passes and lose the puck that way, no more. He’s playing smart and safe, and he’s being rewarded for it.
That proved to be another high, and by 9:36, the Canadiens had 15 shots on net and had caught up to the Pens in that department. From then on, it was all Pittsburgh, all the time for the rest of the period. The Habs' next shot came over seven minutes later, and by that point, Pittsburgh had 25 shots.
Granted, Dobes wasn’t great on Acciari’s goal, but the netminder faced 14 shots in each of the first two frames. A team that looked lifeless for large stretches of time in Montreal on Saturday night had the energy of a cup contender in the second game of this back-to-back.
Montreal finished the second down by a goal, and while it was able to tie up the score in the third frame, it couldn’t seal the deal.
Going To Extra Time Is Playing Russian Roulette
While I’ll agree that Dobes didn’t look great in the shootout, the truth of the matter is that the Canadiens wouldn’t have needed a good effort in the shootout had they been consistent all game long. When you can’t seal the deal in regulation, you’re basically leaving the result up to luck. One wrong move and it’s over. Or luck can be on your side, and your opponent absolutely dominates overtime but hits a couple of posts, which is what happened to Montreal tonight. The Penguins win their first game in nine outings on Crosby’s big night, a real Hollywood ending if there ever was one.
Despite the loss, it’s worth mentioning that the Habs were poetry in motion on the ice in overtime. Long gone are the days of the Canadiens’ big, heavy defenseman who could punish the opposition by hitting them, but couldn’t skate. Having Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson on the same team opens a world of possibilities for St-Louis.
The Canadiens will have a day off on Monday before playing their last game before the Christmas break when they take on the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. Phillip Danault, who has now arrived in Montreal, should join them there and be in the lineup, especially if the news isn’t good for Joe Veleno, who looked very shaken up after a hard collision late in the game.
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