Worldwide Sports News

April 15, 2026

Reds closer Emilio Pagán appears to be injured on final pitch

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagán appeared to injure himself on his final pitch in a night’s 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants.

Pagán recorded his fifth save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He appeared to wince following his pitch to Giants pinch hitter Daniel Susac, who flew to the warning track for the final out.

“We got to get him checked out,” Reds manager Terry Francona said following the game. “His hammy grabbed a little bit so we need to check him out. He’s getting looked at right now.”

Pagán extended his scoreless streak to six games and six innings.

April 15, 2026

Blackhawks Hoping For Strong Finish In Final Game Of 2025-26

The Chicago Blackhawks have lost four straight games in regulation and are 1-8-1 in their last 10 games. No team in the NHL is having a worse finish than them. Going out with a whimper was not a part of their plan, but they have one final chance to go out on a high note.

At the end of Monday night’s game, a 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, the home fans made their frustration known. The Blackhawks were booed off the ice, and it was heard.

"I don't know if it's unwarranted, but it's not fun," Wyatt Kaiser said of the booing. Ryan Donato had a similar sentiment.

“Nobody wants to experience that,” Donato said. “It leaves that bitter taste in your mouth. We have to give them a reason to cheer for us.”

On Wednesday night, the Blackhawks will host the San Jose Sharks at the United Center. Although the Sharks were in it until the very end and largely had the season the Blackhawks wanted, they came up just short of making the postseason.

Having one strong game won’t erase what the post-Olympic break was for the Blackhawks, but it could be a positive heading into an important summer.

This is the youngest team in the NHL by average age, so there will be mistakes and developmental curves, but a good showing against a team like the Sharks would go a long way.

"Taking steps forward," Ryan Donato said when asked what he's looking for in the final game. "We're playing against a good team, a team that's been fighting for the playoffs all year. We want to be one of those teams. We have to show it every night. Over a long season, it can get grueling on the body, but you have to be mentally tough, power through it, and just know that it's a long season. At the end of the day, these teams are going on to the playoffs and have a lot more to go through. We want to be that team. We have a good test coming up."

Running out of gas is not an excuse in the NHL. They play 82 games ahead of the postseason for a reason. Ryan Donato, who has been on some good teams in the past, understands that.

The young guys in the locker room must learn how to grind through a season without letting that slip away at the end. They can't take back how this season ended, but they can follow Donato's mentality in the final game and move forward.

"We've talked about how important each game is; Wednesday is no different," head coach Jeff Blashill said of having a good game against the Sharks to end the year. "It would be nice to have a better taste in your mouth than what we had walking out of the building the last three games. There's zero doubt about that."

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April 15, 2026

Five most important Knicks in the opening round

Jalen Brunson

It goes without saying, but this team, especially in the postseason, needs Jalen Brunson to be at his best. New York has had games, especially in the first round of the last couple of playoffs, where they have won, even when Brunson has had off nights. But they’ll need him to be great if they want to eliminate the Hawks. Whether it’s his scoring, playmaking, or late-game heroics, Brunson will be relied on heavily as he has been throughout his entire Knicks tenure. With a lot of pundits and Hawks fans doubting the point guard, Brunson will have the opportunity to make a lot of people eat their own words yet again. Expect a big series from the captain, who averaged 29.3 PPG and 7.7 APG against the Hawks during the regular season.

Karl-Anthony Towns

If Brunson dictates the Knicks’ floor, Karl-Anthony Towns very well may dictate their ceiling. While Brunson is unequivocally the best player on the team, and unquestionably the leader, and face of the franchise, Towns is just as, if not more, important. There is a very clear difference in just how good the Knicks can be when Towns is on his game and when he isn’t. In the games where the big man is mentally engaged defensively, aggressive offensively, and locked in on the boards, this team is capable of beating anyone. With how small the Hawks are, Towns can, and should, dominate the series. Atlanta will be throwing defensive stand out Dyson Daniels at Brunson, so Towns may be in for a very big series, especially since the Hawks were the team Towns averaged the most points per game against this season.

Mitchell Robinson

There’s a rather strong case for Mitchell Robinson being the most impactful bench player in the league. He’s one of the best offensive rebounders in the league, and it is something the Knicks have learned to build their offense around. And his ability to be both a rim protector, and one of the few centers who can actually hold his own on the perimeter makes him a unique player. With the aforementioned lack of centers on the Hawks, Robinson could team up with Towns to be the biggest difference makers. Fun fact: in two games against the Hawks this regular season, Robinson averaged 10.5 RPG and had an impressive offensive rating of 177, as well as a solid defensive rating of 97.

Deuce McBride

If Robinson isn’t the most impactful bench player in the league, Deuce McBride has a strong argument to swoop in and take that honor. The backup guard has become one of the most pivotal pieces to the Knicks, thanks in large part to his now deadly outside shot, point-of-attack defense, and willingness to make the connective plays. Regardless of what his counting stats say, McBride is often among the team leaders in plus-minus, spearheading big runs, and closing the game. His shot has looked somewhat inconsistent since returning from his two-month absence, but if he can get close to where he was pre-injury, the Knicks’ bench gets a massive boost.

Josh Hart

I had a tough one deciding between Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges. Before writing this, my gut feeling was to go with Bridges. Then once I sat down, I started to lean towards Hart. But prior to making my final decision, I decided to look at the two players’ splits this season, and something interesting came up. Bridges, despite everyone asking him to be more aggressive, has actually averaged less points per game and has a lower usage rate in their wins than he does in their losses. Now, that doesn’t tell the whole story, and it does not make me want to get off of the “I wish Bridges shot more” bus. But maybe his aggression, or lack thereof, doesn’t have as much of a correlation to how the Knicks play as we all thought.

With Hart, though, it’s pretty clear that it does. The guard averages three more points per game, one more rebound per game, and half an assist more per game in their wins. He also has a higher usage rate and is shooting much better from both the field and three in those games. If the Knicks want to not only win, but make light work of a Hawks team they should definitely beat, Hart, being a willing shooter, and an active player on offense, will go a long way.

April 15, 2026

Warriors vs Clippers Props & Best Bets for Tonight

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The Golden State Warriors have the same interest in the NBA Play-In Tournament as my wife does in my plans to rewatch the “John Wick” movies.

They’re both on a minutes restriction.

Golden State is taking it easy when it faces the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night, with head coach Steve Kerr stating his stars will be limited.

That keeps oddsmakers on their toes, especially when it comes to player prop markets. And where there’s uncertainty, there's value.

Here are my best NBA picks and prop predictions for Warriors vs. Clippers on April 15.

Best Warriors vs Clippers props

Player	Pick
Draymond Green	Over 5.5 rebounds	-110
Kristaps Porzingis	Under 18.5 points	-105
Darius Garland	Over 2.5 3-pointers	-145

Prop #1: Draymond Green Over 5.5 rebounds

-110 at bet365

Could tonight be Draymond Green’s curtain call? If so, expect Steve Kerr to let Draymond go out on his shield.

The Golden State Warriors’ veteran forward has voiced mixed emotions about the team’s standing and its Play-In positioning but told reporters he’s always going to compete. That’s been true for the “16-Gamer”, who raises his play when the stakes are high.

Green has career average of 8.6 rebounds in the postseason – versus 6.8 in the regular season – and enters tonight well rested after sitting out the finale (against the L.A. Clippers).

Draymond will be called upon to guard Kawhi Leonard but also get run at center, given the injuries to the Clippers frontcourt. Los Angeles is down to one healthy(ish) center in Brook Lopez and has struggled when going small.

Draymond’s projections range from 5.01 to 7.1 rebounds but considering the matchups and minutes restrictions for the Dubs' centers Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, Green will have plenty of chances to clean the glass.

Prop #2: Kristaps Porzingis Under 18.5 points

-105 at bet365

Kristaps Porzingis has only played 15 games in a Warriors jersey since being acquired at the trade deadline. With so many pieces in and out of the Golden State rotation, he admitted it’s been tough to find his spot in the offense.

He finished the regular season averaging just over 16 points as a Warrior, but his usage nosedived when Stephen Curry returned. Porzingis led the team with a 28.8% usage rate in March (18.2 ppg) with that metric sliding to 22.6% in April (12.0 ppg).

It also helped that the Warriors took on some horrible defenses during Porzingis’ uptick in scoring. The 7-footer lit up the likes of Chicago, Washington (twice), Dallas, and Brooklyn – all of which sit bottom 10 in defensive rating since the All-Star break.

Porzingis has yet to play 30 or more minutes for the Dubs and likely won’t breach that bar in the Play-In, given Kerr said he would be on a minutes restriction tonight. Couple that with postseason intensity from the L.A. defense and Porzingis’ point total is a stretch.

Forecasts sit between 16.5 and 17.7 points for “The Unicorn”, who has scored 19 or more points in just five of his 15 games for the Warriors – all coming before Curry returned.

His point markets for Wednesday ranges from 19.5 (Under -126) to 17.5 (Over -125), so shop around for the best of the number but going Under anything 18.5 or higher looks good.

Prop #3: Darius Garland Over 2.5 3-pointers

-145 at bet365

Clippers guard Darius Garland is expected to go toe-to-toe with Curry in the Play-In, which means also countering his output from beyond the arc.

Garland is Los Angeles’ most active outside threat, firing up almost eight shots from distance for 3.3 makes per game since coming to the team at the trade deadline.

His output from outside dwindled down the stretch as Garland saw his minutes shrink after an ankle injury and a lingering toe ailment. That also slimmed his 3-point prop totals, dropping those numbers from highs of 3.5 O/U.

While he averaged just 1.6 makes from distance in April, he finished March knocking down almost four triples per outing and hitting at least three in 11 of his first 13 games for the Clips.

Golden State has the fifth worst 3-point defense since the break (37.6%) and most player projections lean toward three hits from long range for Garland, sitting between 2.5 and 3.0 3-pointers.

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April 15, 2026

Tigers phenom Kevin McGonigle signs $150 million contract extension after 17 MLB games

Yet another young player has agreed to a long-term extension just days into his major league career. And Kevin McGonigle might be the best bet of the bunch.

McGonigle punctuated his loud debut with the Detroit Tigers by signing an eight-year, $150 million extension Wednesday, April 15, the club announced. The extension begins next year and runs through 2034.

Assuming McGonigle is not demoted to the minor leagues, the deal buys out his first three years of free agency. It includes a $14 million signing bonus, the club announced, and will peak with $23 million salaries in 2032, 2033 and 2034; performance escalators can boost the value of those final three years by up to $10 million.

It's a virtually risk-free bet for the Tigers, who will pay McGonigle, 21, an average of $18.75 million in that span. The early returns suggest the infielder will outperform the terms of his new deal: McGonigle debuted with a four-hit game, is batting .311 with a .417 on-base percentage and .908 OPS and ranks fourth among among AL position players with 1.1 WAR through 17 games.

Apr 14, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) celebrates after he dives in safe at home in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

His underlying statistics are perhaps even more encouraging. McGonigle ranks in the 98th percentile in baserunning value and the 95th percentile with an 11.1% strikeout rate. While his average exit velocity (88.1 mph) and bat speed (71.4 mph) are in the 34th and 39th percentiles, respectively, both metrics should improve as McGonigle - who turns 22 in August - adds strength to his 5-9, 187-pound frame.

McGonigle could have become a free agent at age 27, still the relative prime for a position player, and should he remain on this arc, likely could have exceeded his average annual value in his final two years of arbitration. As a comparison, Bo Bichette, 28, received a $42 million annual salary from the New York Mets on a three-year guarantee this past winter.

Kevin McGonigle contract is latest MLB extension

Yet McGonigle receives significant financial security and the knowledge he's firmly established as the Tigers' franchise cornerstone. He joins the Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin (nine years, $140 million) as well as two players who have yet to make their major league debuts - Seattle's Colt Emerson (eight years, $95 million) and Milwaukee's Cooper Pratt (eight years, $50.75 million) as rookies signing long-term deals just after or before their careers begin.

The Tigers are well-versed in this market: They signed infielder Colt Keith to a six-year, $31.64 million deal that also includes three club options before Keith's 2024 debut. He's been a useful player in his first three seasons, and at $4.3 million this season, hardly busts their budget.

McGonigle will follow a similar path - yet the Tigers are quite confident they'll get significant bang for their guaranteed bucks.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kevin McGonigle contract extension: Tigers sign rookie for $150 million

April 15, 2026

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz returns — with a broken jaw — a day after being hit by a foul ball

BALTIMORE — With a big bruise on the right side of his face and several fractures, Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was back at the ballpark a day after being hit by a foul ball in the dugout.

“I can’t blow my nose for six weeks, because one of the fractures is kind of like where my orbital bone is,” he said before a 4-3 loss to Arizona. “If I blow my nose, it’s going to go up into my eye.”

Albernaz said he has more than a half-dozen fractures in his cheek area and a broken jaw, but he was relieved to avoid surgery and said he doesn’t need his jaw wired. Albernaz joked that he might grab a Ravens helmet from his desk to wear in the dugout.

Albernaz, in his first season as Baltimore’s manager, was in the part of the dugout closest to the on-deck circle when Jeremiah Jackson’s foul ball struck him in the fifth inning Monday night. He returned to the dugout an inning later when Jackson hit a grand slam, but he ultimately ended up listening to the game on the radio en route to a hospital, where he says he remained until about midnight.

“I was trying to get back out there after my concussion protocol was fine, but they wanted me to get a CT scan,” Albernaz said. “I was trying to get it after the game, but obviously the medical team has better judgment than I do.”

He was back in the dugout Tuesday, but the healing process could take time.

“Six weeks of soft foods,” Albernaz said. “Can’t do anything strenuous.”

Including argue with umpires?

“Medically speaking, yeah I probably shouldn’t,” he said. “I think everything gets thrown out the window when that first pitch happens.”

The Orioles also announced that infielder Jackson Holliday was recalled from his rehab assignment because of mild right wrist soreness. The team said that’s not uncommon following hamate surgery. He will be shut down for a few days.

Albernaz has been loath to give timelines on players returning from injury so as not to create added pressure.

“I said I don’t believe in timelines, and this is a perfect example of that. It all depends on the player,” he said. “It’s great to see Jackson being communicative and open at every turn.”

April 15, 2026

Penguins Netminder Makes Best NHL Goalie Prospects List

The Pittsburgh Penguins are hoping that goaltender Sergei Murashov will be a big part of their roster in the future. It is understandable, as the 22-year-old has plenty of potential.

Murashov has certainly shown off his upside this season in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, as he has a 23-8-4 record, a .918 save percentage, a 2.24 goals-against average, and three shutouts in 36 games.

In his first five career regular-season games with Pittsburgh this season, Murashov had a 1-1-2 record, an .897 save percentage, and a 2.56 goals-against average. He also had a 21-save shutout against the Nashville Predators on Nov. 16.

With how well Murashov has been continuing to develop his game, he has earned some big praise. The 2022 fourth-round pick was given the No. 10 ranking on Scott Wheeler's top 20 NHL-drafted prospect goalie rankings for The Athletic.

When looking at Murashov's play at the AHL level, it is entirely understandable that he is being considered one of the best goalie prospects in the league. He has the skill to be a good goaltender for Pittsburgh, and it is going to be very fascinating to see how he continues to grow his game from here.

April 15, 2026

2026 Stanley Cup Guide: NHL Odds, Schedule, History & More

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The NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs are considered the most grueling postseason in all professional sports, and that intensity really gets ramped up for the Stanley Cup Final.

Discover the latest NHL odds as well as all the key resources you need to navigate the 2026 NHL Playoffs with our helpful links and information below.

2026 Stanley Cup odds

Stanley Cup odds are a form of NHL futures. These are long-running odds markets that release before the start of the regular season and take action over the course of the schedule, adjusting to results, betting handle, and injuries.

📅 2026 NHL Playoffs schedule

Event	Date
First Round	April 18-May 3
Second Round begins	May 6
Conference Finals begin	May 22
Stanley Cup Finals	June 3-21

🏒 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy Odds

The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded to the most valuable player during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sportsbooks begin offering Conn Smythe odds at the start of the playoffs, updating them as the rounds go on and teams are eliminated.

Player
Nathan MacKinnon	+650
Nikita Kucherov	+1100
Cale Makar	+1200
Connor McDavid	+1500
Andrei Vasilevskiy	+1800
Seth Jarvis	+2000
Martin Necas	+2000
Sebastian Aho	+2200
Jack Eichel	+2800
Andrei Svechnikov	+3000

Odds as of April 15 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Conn Smythe Trophy Odds

Stanley Cup format

In the NHL's best-of-seven postseason, the first team to win four games advances to the next round, while the loser is eliminated. To ensure fairness, the league utilizes a 2-2-1-1-1 home-ice format, which allocates hosting duties based on regular-season performance.

This structure guarantees that the team with the superior regular-season record enjoys home-ice advantage, meaning they host the series opener and, most crucially, the decisive seventh game.

📺 How to watch the Stanley Cup

In Canada, fans can catch Stanley Cup Final games on Sportsnet and CBC, while fans in the United States can find Stanley Cup Final action exclusively on ABC. Cord cutters can stream the games on ESPN+.

Where to bet on the Stanley Cup

Hockey betting is on the rise in North America. The NHL’s popularity provides fun and unique ways to wager on hockey action all season long. Where you bet on hockey is just as important as what you bet, and Covers has reviewed the best betting sites available in your region.

Best Betting Sites

💵 How to bet on hockey

Hockey is one of the most exciting sports to bet on due to the fast-paced action and swings in momentum. And the Stanley Cup playoffs dial up the drama, with plenty of unpredictable outcomes and thrilling underdog stories. Learn how to bet on hockey and make smarter NHL bets with Covers.

How to bet on hockey

Learn to win NHL Over/Under bets

Tips to win NHL moneyline bets

📜 Stanley Cup history

The Stanley Cup Final is one of the longest-running championship events in North American sports with a rich history of memorable competition and outstanding players

Origins

The Stanley Cup is named after Lord Frederick Stanley, the 16th Earl of Derby, who donated the trophy to honor the best amateur hockey team in Canada.

The Stanley Cup was first awarded to the winner of the Canadian Challenge Cup (1893-1914) and later used as the top prize in a championship series between the winner of the National Hockey Association and the winner of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (1915-1926).

It wasn’t until 1927 that the National Hockey League adopted the Stanley Cup as its championship trophy.

The first Stanley Cup

The first winner of the Stanley Cup was the Montreal Hockey Club, which won the Challenge Cup in 1893. The first NHA vs. PCHA winner was the Vancouver Millionaires in 1915. The first NHL champion to hoist Lord Stanley was the Ottawa Senators in 1927.

🏆 NHL Stanley Cup Winners

Year	Team
2025	Florida Panthers
2024	Florida Panthers
2023	Vegas Golden Knights
2022	Colorado Avalanche
2021	Tampa Bay Lightning
2020	Tampa Bay Lightning
2019	St. Louis Blues
2018	Washington Capitals
2017	Pittsburgh Penguins
2016	Pittsburgh Penguins
2015	Chicago Blackhawks
2014	Los Angeles Kings
2013	Chicago Blackhawks
2012	Los Angeles Kings
2011	Boston Bruins
2010	Chicago Blackhawks
2009	Pittsburgh Penguins
2008	Detroit Red Wings
2007	Anaheim Ducks
2006	Carolina Hurricanes
2005	Season canceled due to NHL lockout
2004	Tampa Bay Lightning
2003	New Jersey Devils
2002	Detroit Red Wings
2001	Colorado Avalanche
2000	New Jersey Devils
1999	Dallas Stars
1998	Detroit Red Wings
1997	Detroit Red Wings
1996	Colorado Avalanche
1995	New Jersey Devils
1994	New York Rangers
1993	Montreal Canadiens
1992	Pittsburgh Penguins
1991	Pittsburgh Penguins
1990	Edmonton Oilers
1989	Calgary Flames
1988	Edmonton Oilers
1987	Edmonton Oilers
1986	Montreal Canadiens
1985	Edmonton Oilers
1984	Edmonton Oilers
1983	New York Islanders
1982	New York Islanders
1981	New York Islanders
1980	New York Islanders
1979	Montreal Canadiens
1978	Montreal Canadiens
1977	Montreal Canadiens
1976	Montreal Canadiens
1975	Philadelphia Flyers
1974	Philadelphia Flyers
1973	Montreal Canadiens
1972	Boston Bruins
1971	Montreal Canadiens
1970	Boston Bruins
1969	Montreal Canadiens
1968	Montreal Canadiens
1967	Toronto Maple Leafs
1966	Montreal Canadiens
1965	Montreal Canadiens
1964	Toronto Maple Leafs
1963	Toronto Maple Leafs
1962	Toronto Maple Leafs
1961	Chicago Blackhawks
1960	Montreal Canadiens
1959	Montreal Canadiens
1958	Montreal Canadiens
1957	Montreal Canadiens
1956	Montreal Canadiens
1955	Detroit Red Wings
1954	Detroit Red Wings
1953	Montreal Canadiens
1952	Detroit Red Wings
1951	Toronto Maple Leafs
1950	Detroit Red Wings
1949	Toronto Maple Leafs
1948	Toronto Maple Leafs
1947	Detroit Red Wings
1946	Montreal Canadiens
1945	Toronto Maple Leafs
1944	Montreal Canadiens
1943	Detroit Red Wings
1942	Toronto Maple Leafs
1941	Boston Bruins
1940	New York Rangers
1939	Boston Bruins
1938	Chicago Blackhawks
1937	Detroit Red Wings
1936	Detroit Red Wings
1935	Montreal Maroons
1934	Chicago Blackhawks
1933	New York Rangers
1932	Toronto Maple Leafs
1931	Montreal Canadiens
1930	Montreal Canadiens
1929	Boston Bruins
1928	New York Rangers
1927	Ottawa Senators

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April 15, 2026

Kevin McGonigle and the Tigers agree to eight-year contract extension

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 12: Kevin McGonigle #7 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting his first major league home run in the 5th inning of the game against the Miami Marlins at Comerica Park on April 12, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Marlins 8-2. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Detroit Tigers announced on Wednesday that infielder Kevin McGonigle has agreed to a long-term deal set to run from 2027-2034. The deal guarantees the rookie phenon $150 million over that eight-year term, with escalators that could make the total worth $160 million. The 21-year-old will be a Tiger until he’s 30 years old under this contract.

One of the tricky parts of working out an extension was the fact that the Tigers are very close to the luxury tax threshold, which comes will a host of penalties that would affect their draft standing in 2027. The McGonigle extension is timed to avoid this, starting in 2027 and covering his last five years of team control, as well as what would have been his first three years of free agency.

McGonigle will make $1 million in 2027, $7 million in 2028, $16 million in 2029, $21 million in 2030, $22 million in 2031, and then $23 million per year from 2032-2034. The deal also includes a $14 million signing bonus, and $5 million in bonus money if McGonigle is traded to another club over the course of the contract. The escalators on the deal could add another $10 million total spread out over the final three years of the deal.

Kevin McGonigle was selected by the Tigers with the 37th overall pick in the 2023 draft. He played his high school ball for Monsignor Bonnor HS in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia. His rapid rise in the farm system made him the consensus second ranked prospect nationally entering the season to the Pirates’ Konnor Griffin. However, his base $150 million deal exceeds Griffin’s $140 million contract extension, making it the biggest contract ever given out to a player still under prospect status.

Across 17 major league games in his rookie season, McGonigle is slashing .311/.417/.492 with one home run, six doubles, a triple, and one stolen base. He has struck out just 11.1 percent of the time, and has walked in 15.3 percent of his plate appearances. He currently ranks 23rd best in the major leagues with a 162 wRC+ mark.

This is great news for the Detroit Tigers and the fanbase.

Homegrown and here to stay ✍️

We have agreed to terms with Kevin McGonigle on an eight-year contract extension covering the 2027-2034 seasons! pic.twitter.com/YoVwwEGQ4a
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 15, 2026

April 15, 2026

Playoff party time in Philadelphia! Flyers, fans rejoice at long-awaited return to postseason

PHILADELPHIA — Flyers fans could have been excused for thinking they entered some kind of time warp as they grabbed their “Let’s Go Flyers” rally towels on their way into the arena.

The Grateful Dead cover band Splintered Sunlight jammed out to hits from the 1970s and graybeards old enough to remember the Flyers’ Stanley Cup victories swayed in their tie-dyed T-shirts. Just down the concourse, Flyers Hall of Famer Joe Watson signed copies of his autobiography and all-time great Bobby Clarke was all smiles as he filled his cup — soda, not Stanley — at the press box fountain station.

The good old days.

The Flyers remained tethered for decades to the glory days like a dog on a leash because, well, what was there to really celebrate?

At last, plenty — and an unbridled optimism that even better seasons were ahead.

The youth moment skated at full blast on the ice in a 4-2 win over Montreal a day after the Flyers clinched their first playoff berth since 2020 and their first home playoff series since 2018.

Philadelphia’s first goal was scored by 19-year-old sensation Porter Martone, who just weeks ago starred at Michigan State and now could be a dangerous weapon in the first-round series against Pittsburgh. Martone deflected a point shot from Matvei Michkov, the 21-year-old Russian who navigated an uneven first half of the season only to heat up as the games heightened in importance down the stretch.

Michkov scored the Flyers’ third goal unassisted (20th overall) as one fan raised a “We Want More!” sign.

Architects of the lengthy rebuild, general manager Danny Briere and team president Keith Jones, could bask in the credit tossed their way from social media to talk radio to even the written word for never wavering from their plan to build a playoff team through the draft and shrewd acquisitions for 20-somethings over making moves for quick-fix veterans with no long-term fit.

Take a look at the clincher against Carolina: 2020 first-round pick Tyson Foerster, still just 24, scored the shootout winner that ignited pandemonium on the ice and in the stands.

Just how young are the Flyers?

Their last home playoff series came in the Year 2018 BG.

Before Gritty.

Gritty, the wild-haired, googly-eyed, fuzzy faced mascot, got his playoff reps in when he hurled a cake into the face of an unsuspecting (ahem) fan dressed in Penguins gear.

Gritty smashed dessert. Dan Vladar, the goalie who won the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the team’s most valuable player, spilled the tea.

Briere, who sparked the Flyers to their last Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2010, publicly had downplayed playoff possibilities all season.

He had a more upbeat message inside the Flyers’ locker room.

“He told us at the beginning of the year, I hope he’s not going to get mad at me, but he said the goal is to make the playoffs,” Vladar said. “There was always a belief in this room. Obviously, we knew that, even if it was the media or outsiders who didn’t really believe in us, we always had the belief here since Day 1.”

Flyers captain Sean Couturier was once a key cog in rebuilding — back when he was the eighth overall pick in the 2011 draft. Couturier made his debut that season and largely has remained a steady presence in the lineup — save for injuries that cost him the 2022-2023 season — and is the only Flyer still here from their last home playoff series victory against, yes, the Penguins in 2012.

“You want things to turn around,” Couturier said. “I think that the management, the organization has done a great job of being patient and building assets and putting us in a great spot here for now and the future.”

The now actually seemed dire before the Olympic break when the Flyers lost 11 of their last 14 games before the shutdown and dropped one more once play resumed.

Whatever defensive adjustments coach Rick Tocchet made during the layoff worked.

The Flyers’ season caught fire when they won three straight road games against the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks and they ended the season on an 18-6-1 tear that propelled them to 98 points and into third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Who knows, maybe it was the suburban Philadelphia family that gifted Pope Leo XIV his own customized Flyers jersey that truly the blessed the team.

The regular-season finale served more as a joyous pep rally than a game with any real consequences. The fans dancing to the Dead cover band cheered as the singer paused during “Jack Straw” after he hit the lyric “sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky” in appreciation of the NFL team across the street.

The rest of the night belonged to the orange and black.

Gritty once issued a warning to the Penguins: “Sleep with one eye open tonight, bird.”

Led by one of the youngest teams in the NHL, the Flyers are going into the playoffs with eyes wide open and ready to prove to their fans, don’t you worry any more.

April 15, 2026

Lakers vs. Rockets first-round series to be drawn out over two weeks

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows LeBron James points to the sky after scoring against the Houston Rockets, Image 2 shows An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets smiles during the game against the Utah Jazz, Image 3 shows Basketball player Luka Doncic in a purple Lakers jersey with number 77, smiling on court

The Los Angeles Lakers got good news late Tuesday night.

Following Portland’s thrilling victory over the Suns in the NBA Play-In Tournament, the NBA announced the rest of the schedule for the NBA playoffs — and Laker Nation should be celebrating.

Lakers forward LeBron James reacts to his basket against the Houston Rockets in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

In a shocking revelation — or not so shocking, if you believe media pundits and conspiracy theorists — the first-round series between the Lakers and Rockets is one of the most drawn out of the opening round.

Game 1 is set for Saturday, April 18, which was known. But the real juicy part came in the remainder of the schedule.

Game 2 is set for Tuesday, April 21 in Los Angeles, before the series moves to Houston for Games 3 and 4 on April 24 and 26, respectively. That gives the Lakers two full days off between Games 1 and 2 and 2 and 3, almost unheard of in an NBA playoff situation.

However, that wasn’t the most shocking revelation.

Should the series get to a Game 5 back in Los Angeles, that will be played on Wednesday, April 29, 11 days after Game 1.

Games 6 and 7 are set for May 1 and May 3, respectively.

LA’s LeBron James is defended by Rockets’ Kevin Durant on March 16 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NBAE via Getty Images

This is huge news for the Lakers as they enter the postseason one of the most snake-bitten teams in the NBA.

Luka Dončić (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique strain) both suffered regular season-ending injuries during the Lakers’ April 2 road loss to the Thunder.

When asked on Tuesday about their availability for Game 1, head coach JJ Redick was blunt in his response.

“They’re out indefinitely,” Redick said. “I’m not going to have an update for you this week. They’re out indefinitely.”

Dončić was having an MVP-caliber season before suffering the injury with five games remaining in the regular season. He led the league in scoring (33.5 points), was third in assists (8.3) and sixth in steals (1.6).

While not as heralded as Dončić and LeBron James, the Lakers looked like a true title contender when Reaves returned from injury. With him in the lineup, Los Angeles went 15–2 in March and surged.

Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves during the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 12 at Crypto.Com Arena in LA. NBAE via Getty Images

Reaves was at the Lakers’ practice facility on Tuesday and was seen shooting on the court during the portion of practice that was open to media members.

While wearing slides, Reaves participated in a free throw shooting contest at the end of practice, missing a trio of free throws to the delight of his teammates. He made a corner 3-pointer before walking off the court.

It’s expected that both injuries take around 4–6 weeks to heal.

Dončić is attempting to speed up that process by traveling to Spain to receive special treatment (he’s scheduled to return to stateside on Friday), while Reaves’ situation is more about pain management.

With the way the first round schedule has been set, Dončić and Reaves could potentially return for Game 5, which would be four weeks since they both suffered the initial injury.

Any bit of a hope is reason for celebration if you’re Los Angeles.

First Round Schedule (if necessary)

Game 1: Saturday, April 18 (Los Angeles) — 5:30 p.m. (ABC)

Game 2: Tuesday, April 21 (Los Angeles) — 7:30 p.m. (NBC)

Game 3: Friday, April 24 (Houston) — 5 p.m. (Prime)

Game 4: Sunday, April 26 (Houston) — 6:30 p.m. (NBC)

Game 5: Wednesday, April 29 (Los Angeles) — TBD (TBD)

Game 6: Friday, May 1 (Houston) — TBD (TBD)

Game 7: Wednesday, May 3 (Los Angeles) — TBD (TBD)

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April 15, 2026

Sir Craig Reedie obituary

Olympic administrator who helped secure the Games for London in 2012 and stood up to Russia over doping

Sir Craig Reedie, who has died aged 84, was a key figure in London’s successful bid to stage the 2012 Olympics. As a member of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games from 2005 to 2013, he formed a brilliantly effective campaign partnership with Sebastian Coe, the bid leader, doing much crucial work behind the scenes, first by helping to win the support of British politicians and then by marshalling the all-important votes of Olympic delegates who would determine where the Games would go.

Coe, to whom Reedie was a long-time mentor, was under no illusion that without the older man’s diplomatic skills and influential presence within the Olympic and Paralympic movement, which he had developed earlier as chair of the British Olympic Association (BOA), London might never have won the right to host the 2012 Games.

April 15, 2026

Mets looking lost at the plate again in 7th straight loss

LOS ANGELES — The New York Mets’ bats have all but gone silent during a seven-game losing streak. With their best hitter Juan Soto sidelined, the rest of the lineup is pressing to generate offense.

The latest setback was a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. They’ve been outscored 36-10 during their skid and are mired in the NL East cellar at 7-11.

Soto is nursing a calf injury and isn’t expected back for another two to three weeks.

Francisco Lindor raised his batting average 18 points to .194 with a leadoff home run — his first RBI of the season — against World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto. It snapped the team’s streak of 20 scoreless innings and helped the Mets avoid three consecutive shutouts for the first time since 1992.

But Yamamoto promptly set down the next 20 batters in a row.

New York’s only other hits were a double by Bo Bichette in the seventh and singles by Carson Benge and Lindor in the eighth.

Trailing by a run in the ninth, the Mets got overly aggressive at the plate and Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia struck out the side to end the game.

“We chase and it’s hard to score in situations like that,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “You really have to force those guys to come in the strike zone and right now we’re not doing that, especially at the end of the game.”

The Mets are hitting .178 during the skid, including .083 with runners in scoring position (2 for 24). They are averaging 1.43 runs per game with just eight extra-base hits.

“You’re down one run and you’re basically trying to hit one out of the ballpark and that’s when the chase comes,” Mendoza said. “If you continue to swing at pitches out of the strike zone, they’re going to continue to do that, so we have to make adjustments.”

The Mets struck out 11 times, their fourth straight game with double-digit strikeouts. Jorge Polanco, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos had two strikeouts each.

“It’s easy to put too much pressure on yourself,” Mendoza said. “You got to go back to your fundamentals, you got to go back to what got you to this level, understanding that you are a great hitter.”

If not, he said, the offensive struggles can spiral.

“I know it’s tough right now, but the last thing you could do is just panic and try to do too much,” Mendoza said.

The lone bright spot for the Mets was rookie Nolan McLean. The 24-year-old right-hander gave up one run and two hits in seven innings with eight strikeouts and two walks.

“He pretty much dominated one of the best lineups,” Mendoza said. “It sucks losing when you get that type of outing.”

McLean has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 11 of his first 12 major league games.

“It was fun to watch McLean pitch,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Man, he’s special.”

April 15, 2026

Season Over For Alexander Zharovsky

The Montreal Canadiens’ second-round pick at the last draft, Alexander Zharovsky, saw his KHL season come to an end yesterday when the Ufa Salavat Yulaev crashed out of the playoffs. The underdogs were swept in four games by Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, which featured former Hab Alexander Radulov.

In the fourth and final game of the duel yesterday, Lokomotiv won 4-0, with Radulov scoring a goal and recording two assists. As for Zharovsky, he spent just over 16 minutes on the ice across 19 shifts, had two shots and two blocked shots.

In 10 playoff games, the 19-year-old only put up a pair of assists. That’s nothing to write home about, but it’s important to remember that he’s still very young and playing against seasoned players in Russia’s top league. Just like in the NHL, the level of play goes up in the postseason.

The right wing put up 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 points in his first complete season in the KHL. The 6-foot-2 and 176-pound player still needs to fill up before he’s ready to face North American professional hockey.

Speaking on BPM Sports earlier this week, former NHL coach Bob Hartley, who’s now at the helm of Lokomotiv, was asked about the Canadiens’ prospect. He explained:

We know the playoffs are a different animal; they beat their first-round rival in six games, and we shut them out in our first two games at home. There’s not much room on the ice against us. We have an experienced defence corps that’s robust as well, and we’ve kept a close eye on him. [..] The kid is only 19, and he’s coming to terms with the reality of the playoffs, but he’s always dangerous, he works very hard, and he’s an excellent skater. He sees the game well, he’ll keep on improving, and the Canadiens definitely have a jewel there. He’s an excellent hockey player, and from what I hear, he’s a hard worker with an A1 attitude and a kid who, off the ice, is a great deal like [Ivan] Demidov.

- Bob Hartley on Zharovsky

That sounds very promising, and it looks like Zharovsky, just like Demidov, will be worth the wait. Martin St-Louis has shown time and time again what he can do with young players who have a knack for reading the game. The end of next season could be very interesting for Canadiens’ fans when both Zharovsky and Michael Hage turn pro.

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April 15, 2026

Panthers To Dress Extremely Young Defensive Corps, Matthew Tkachuk Returns For Season Finalé Against Detroit

The Florida Panthers are about to cross the finish line of frustrating, injury-filled season.

Despite coming into the year as the NHL’s defending, back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions, the Panthers couldn’t stay healthy and constantly found themselves behind the proverbial eight ball.

Now, with their playoff hopes long gone and the focus shifting to the future, Florida is looking to the upcoming offseason with a potential major bargaining chip in their back pocket.

That’s because the Panthers’ 2026 first-round pick, which was previously included in the 2025 Trade Deadline deal that brought Seth Jones to Florida from the Chicago Blackhawks, was top-10 protected.

Entering play Wednesday, Florida holds the eighth-worst record in the NHL. A finish anywhere in the bottom eight will guarantee they keep their pick, regardless of what happens at the NHL Draft Lottery.

There are two draws at the Draft Lottery, one for the first overall pick and one for the second overall pick, meaning there is a chance that two teams could move up and bump Florida backwards.

A loss to Detroit in any fashion will guarantee the Panthers a bottom-eight finish.

If the Panthers collect two points, they would need the San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues to each pick up at least one more point (San Jose has two games remaining, St. Louis has one) in order to guarantee the bottom-eight finish.

The Panthers are expected to welcome forward Matthew Tkachuk back into the lineup for the finale.

Tkachuk has missed Florida’s past four games to be with his wife Ellie for the birth of their first child, a baby girl named Camille.

He told media members after the Panthers’ morning skate that he would be playing on Wednesday night.

In addition to the bevy of injured players who are already out of the lineup, Florida will be without Tomas Nosek, who broke his leg on Monday, and Gus Forsling, due to several ailments he’s been nursing.

Needless to say, Florida’s defensive corps will be on the younger side when they suit up to battle the Red Wings.

The average age of the six blueliners dressing for the Cats will be 23.5 years old.

Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Wednesday’s season finale against Detroit:

Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Mackie Samoskevich – Eetu Luostarinen – A.J. Greer

Nolan Foote – Noah Gregor – Jesper Boqvist

Cole Reinhardt – Luke Kunin – Vinnie Hinostroza

Tobias Bjornfot – Mike Benning

Donovan Sebrango – Marek Alscher

Mikulas Hovorka – Ludvig Jansson

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Photo caption: Oct 15, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes the save on Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) in the second period at Little Caesars Arena. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)