Paul Boutilier, a defenseman who played five seasons with the 1980s Islanders and helped the team win a Stanley Cup, has died, the NHL Alumni Association confirmed Thursday.
Boutilier was 63 years old. No cause of death was announced.
“We send our deepest condolences to Paul’s family, friends, and former teammates during this incredibly difficult time,” the NHL Alumni Association said in a statement.
Islanders defenseman Paul Boutilier with the puck during a March 1984 game. Getty Images
Boutilier’s career in the NHL spanned parts of nine seasons, playing for the Islanders organization from 1981-86. He would make stops with the Bruins, North Stars, Rangers and Jets.
He played a small role with the Islanders during their final championship of the dynasty era, appearing in 29 regular-season games in the 1982-83 season and playing in two postseason contests, which earned him the right to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.
Boutilier played junior hockey in the QMJHL with the Sherbrooke Castors in 1980 and was taken by the Islanders in the first round of the 1981 NHL Draft.
He made his NHL debut on Halloween 1981 and scored his first NHL a little more than a year later on Nov. 18, 1982, at Nassau Coliseum against the Bruins.
Boutilier split time between the QMJHL and the NHL during the 1982-83 season and then played for the Islanders and the CHL’s Indianapolis Checkers during the 1983-84 campaign.
He played 213 regular-season games with the Islanders during his career, along with another 36 appearances in the playoffs for the Isles.
Islanders defenseman Paul Boutilier (right) defends the Rangers’ Ron Greschner (center) who tries to sneak the puck past goalie Kelly Hrudey during a November 1985 game. Getty Images
During the 1986-87 season, Boutilier played for the Bruins, North Stars and the Rangers, lacing up his skates in four games with the Blueshirts.
Boutilier represented Canada on a number of occasions and won gold during the 1982 World Junior Championship.
After he finished his playing career, Boutilier moved into coaching, where he served as an assistant coach for Saint Mary’s University in Canada.
He served in the role from 1991-93 and then was promoted to head coach, remaining in that position until 1997.
Pat Cummins has rubbished reports he is among a group of Australian cricketers considering quitting the Big Bash to play in South Africa’s T20 competition unless they get higher pay offers.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 9: Zack Gelof #20 of the Athletics bats against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 9, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Bill Streicher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After an especially tough loss — such as when you are quite literally a strike away from winning and lose — everything feels more bleak. Just as after an exhilarating win the team might feel invincible. As always the truth is somewhere in between.
As I write following a disappointing loss, I see more positives than negatives but that optimism is also measured. This A’s team, as currently constituted, is very talented and very flawed, so it feels about right that the team sits around the .500 mark, now 1 game over at 22-21.
The A’s have come by their record losing some games they should have won and winning some games should have lost. But they have ultimately achieved what had to be the overarching goal for April-May: stay with the Mariners, stay in contact with the .500 mark, hang in there while hopefully the roster gets some key fortification, e.g., perhaps Gage Jump sooner and even Leo De Vries later.
Now the way the A’s have kept pace with and even stayed ahead of, the Mariners has to do largely with Seattle playing surprisingly poorly the first 7 weeks. Projected by analysts to win more like 96 games than 80, nonetheless the Mariners have sputtered out of the gate and that has kept the A’s in good stead.
But here’s the reason for my “leaning towards optimism”. It’s not just that the A’s have gotten where they are with two key pieces, Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom, greatly underperforming, though this does offer some hope that “the best is yet to come” for this team. That’s not it, because as Butler and Soderstrom progress, surely Shea Langeliers and Carlos Cortes will not continue to masquerade as a batting leader and one who would lead even Langeliers if he had enough PAs to qualify. Though they are welcome to, of course.
The reason even today’s game was not as bad as it feels is that the A’s may have solved 2 positions that were very iffy going into the season.
Zack Gelof’s play at 3B combined with his work at the plate have been true revelations, to where it feels quite reasonably like the A’s may have found their 3Bman for the long haul. In the field, despite the limitations of his arm strength Gelof has looked smooth and effective, using the Mark Ellis great footwork/positioning and quick release, with accurate throws, to offset the weak arm.
At the plate, Gelof is not swinging and missing nearly as much and his contact is back to being more lethal. For the season now Gelof is up to .270/.316/.527, which is noteworthy when you put it next to his 2023 rookie half season that generated so much excitement: .267/.337/.504.
For the A’s to have found, in the most roundabout way, a quality every day 3Bman who contributes on both sides of the ball, is huge for the last 119 games.
Meanwhile, Henry Bolte’s debut was exciting enough but in some ways today’s game was even better. Bolte consistently hit balls hard, even though he wound up with only one single to show for it: EVs of 100, 104.4, 109.4 on the 3 balls he hit. He has also opened his big league career striking out in just 1 of his 8 plate appearances.
There is/was understandable concern around whether Bolte’s tantalizing skills would translate to the big leagues, and even if they did whether they would anytime soon. Just 22, Bolte has elite raw skills — speed, power, bat speed — but has come with some important red flags, e.g., high K rates, high whiff rates.
If Bolte is, in fact, at the level of “a legit starting CFer,” that’s also huge for a team that has crossed its fingers that Denzel Clarke can hit over the Mendoza line and has settled for throwing Butler out in CF even though neither his bat nor his glove have been adequate.
If today moved the needle on anything, it only solidified the notion that the A’s may have found a quality 3Bman and a quality CFer to carry them going forward. That depth also enhances a currently weak bench, allowing for players such as Butler, Cortes, and Max Muncy to potentially offer luxuries as utility players or part-time starters.
None of this analysis has really touched on the pitching, other than a passing mention of Jump. The A’s may go only as far as their rotation can provide some stability and more length than it has offered to date. The bullpen has been volatile and still has few relievers that allow fans to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
But here the A’s are, over .500, ahead of the Mariners in the standings, and having possibly identified quality players at two of their weakest positions going into the season. As Al Pacino would say, “22-21, 1 game up on Seattle……and I’m just getting warmed up!” Hoo-ah.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the media during a press conference after Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Austin Reaves taking a leap this season was not new to his career. He’s made a habit of steady improvement throughout his career.
What was different about this season was that it came in a contract year. On the brink of his next big payday, Reaves played at an All-Star level. An untimely injury kept him out of the mid-February exhibition game, but it did not change his level of production.
For the fifth straight season, Reaves saw his scoring increase, this year jumping up to 23.3 points per game. And as a result, he’s set to rake in a whole lot of cash this summer. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the expectation around the league is that Reaves will get a contract around $40 million per year.
While team and league sources believe that the Lakers and Reaves will eventually land on a contract that makes sense, the door for Reaves to walk is open should he get a big offer elsewhere. Rival executives predicted Reaves could command $40 million a season due to a combination of his play, his age and, perhaps most importantly, a free-agent class completely devoid of players as productive as him in their prime.
While that number seems high, in the new NBA, it’s going to become far more standard to see deals this big. On the flip side, a number that big is going to limit the teams that could even offer him that in free agency. Woike also detailed the teams that could target Reaves.
At present, the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, who both have needs at the guard position, are the only teams with the sort of salary-cap space available to meet that sort of financial mark. Other teams that are known to have some interest in Reaves — like Utah and Atlanta, per league sources — would need to make roster moves to find the necessary space. League sources say winning will be a significant factor in Reaves’ thinking.
Having said all that, there have been no indications that Reaves is going to leave for another team. Luka Dončić has campaigned for him, Austin has made it clear he wants to return and the Lakers want him back.
The other good news is that his big deal won’t stop LA from making deals this summer. His cap hold will be about half of that expected $40 million salary. As our own Bryan Toporek previously wrote, his low cap hold will be the key to the team’s free agency plans.
Since Reaves is an undrafted free agent rather than a first-round pick, he’ll have a relatively modest free-agent cap hold. As long as his 2025-26 salary ($13.9 million) is above the league’s average salary, his cap hold will be only 150% of his previous salary, or $20.9 million…The salary cap is projected to be north of $170 million in 2026-27, so Reaves would be eligible for a maximum starting salary of $42.5 million as a free agent.
Fortunately for the Lakers and Reaves, they should be able to have their cake and eat it, too. They can make free agent moves and then give Reaves the payday he has earned.
DETROIT, MI - MAY 13: Dean Wade #32, Jarrett Allen #31 help up Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to advance out of the second round for the first time since 2018. We’ll see if they have what it takes against a Detroit Pistons team that’s used to having their backs against the wall.
“I’ve been in this position before, and have lost this next Game 6, then that puts a lot of pressure on you in Game 7, especially if you have to go on the road,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said immediately after Wednesday’s win. “It’s a must-win game for us in terms of if we want to move forward.”
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Jonah Tong was knocked around as he took the ball for Syracuse on Thursday night.
The Mets' right-handed pitching prospect lasted just 1.2 innings, giving up seven runs (six of which were earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out two.
He served up a pair of homers and threw three wild pitches.
Tong found himself in immediate danger, as an error and single put the first two Scranton runners on. An Oswaldo Cabrera single to right brought in the first run of the game, then another darted home on a wild pitch.
A walk then put runners on the corners, but Tong scampered out of danger.
He didn’t fare much better opening up the top of the second, though, as Jonathan Ornelas ripped just the third pitch he saw to deep center for a leadoff triple.
After a walk, a force out brought home the third run of the game.
Tong almost danced out of it without further damage, but he gave up a long two-out three-run homer to Marco Luciano and then a two-run shot to Seth Brown to bring his night to an end.
The 22-year-old starter had pitched to a strong 1.64 ERA over his first two May starts (11.0 IP), but that number has clearly been inflated after his rough night at the park.
Tong is now up to an ugly 5.68 ERA through nine outings.
With fellow Syracuse starter Jack Wenninger dealing to start the Triple-A season, you have to figure he’s jumped Tong on the depth chart if a need were to arise in the big-league rotation.
That's enough for the NHL to put out potential starting dates for the conference finals, before the Montreal Canadiens beat the Buffalo Sabres on May 14. Game 6 will be on Saturday in Montreal.
Regardless of the results of that series, led 3-2 by Montreal, the Western Conference finals will start on May 20 at Denver's Ball Arena against the Golden Knights.
If the Canadiens wrap up their series in six games, the Eastern Conference finals will start on May 19. If the teams go to seven games, it will start on May 21. The Hurricanes will host the first two games at Lenovo Center.
Here are the scenarios for the conference finals:
Western Conference final
All times p.m. ET. x-if necessary
May 20: Vegas at Colorado, 8, ESPN
May 22: Vegas at Colorado, 8, ESPN
May 24: Colorado at Vegas, 8, ESPN
May 26: Colorado at Vegas, TBD, ESPN
x-May 28: Vegas at Colorado, 8, ESPN
x-May 30: Colorado at Vegas, 8, ABC
x-June 1: Vegas at Colorado, 8, ESPN
Eastern Conference final
Times TBD
If Buffalo-Montreal series ends in six games
May 19: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
May 21: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
May 23: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
May 25: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
x-May 27: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
x-May 29: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
x-May 31: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
If Buffalo-Montreal series ends in seven games
May 21: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
May 23: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
May 25: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
May 27: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
x-May 29: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
x-May 31: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
x-June 2: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Yankees play a three-game Subway Series at Citi Field starting on Friday night at 7:15 p.m.
Bichette's first (and potentially only) season with the Mets has been a series of fits and starts, with him showing signs of breaking out and then regressing.
He did have a late, game-tying hit in New York's comeback win over the Tigers on Wednesday night, but Bichette enters play on Friday with a .552 OPS -- 288 points lower than it was last season with the Blue Jays and 241 points under his career mark.
When will he come out of it?
"That’s kind of the question we’re asking ourselves, too," manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters Thursday about when Bichette will come out of it. "You know at some point it’s going to come. I think that that break that he’s looking for – maybe that blooper yesterday.
"He hits balls hard, they’re making plays on him. Then he goes two, three at-bats, a couple of games where it’s soft contact. But I think it’s just a matter of time for him. He’s too good of a hitter. Hopefully, a blooper like last night gets him going here."
In addition to not being locked in yet, Bichette has also been pretty unlucky on balls in play. His average exit velocity, hard-hit percentage, and squared-up percentage are all above average. Meanwhile, his expected batting average is .285, while his actual mark is .224.
Bichette getting hot would be enormous for a Mets team that is without four of its regulars on offense, and is likely not getting any of them back in the near future.
Mets' pitching has been carrying them
The Mets enter play Friday having allowed 178 runs this season.
Only three teams in the National League (the Braves, Brewers, and Dodgers) have allowed fewer runs, and all three of those clubs are in playoff position.
While lots of attention has been on the success of starters Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, and Freddy Peralta, and the recent re-emergence of Christian Scott, New York's bullpen has been terrific lately.
Devin Williams is unscored upon in his last seven appearances, Luke Weaver has held the opposition scoreless in nine of his last 10 outings, Brooks Raley has a 1.06 ERA and 0.94 WHIP, and Huascar Brazoban has a 2.14 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.
That Soto spurned the Yankees to head crosstown to the Mets will never stop being something that sticks in their fans' craw.
Soto was booed mercilessly at Yankee Stadium last season during the first three Subway Series games, going 1-for-10 (though he did draw four walks).
Things changed when Round 2 took place at Citi Field.
Apr 22, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Juan Soto (22) follows through on a single against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Citi Field. / Brad Penner - Imagn Images
In those three games, Soto reached base 5 times in 13 plate appearances as he went 4-for-11 with a homer, double, three RBI, three runs scored, and a walk.
Holy Schlitt
The hard-throwing Cam Schlittler is becoming a legitimate ace in his second season in the majors.
In 53.1 innings over nine starts, Schlittler has allowed just 34 hits while leading the American League in ERA (1.35) and WHIP (0.80).
Schlittler is tops in the majors in FIP (1.64) and has an absurd 312 ERA+.
He gets the ball against Holmes on Friday in the series-opener.
The Yankees' top-heavy offense
The Bombers are the highest-scoring team in the American League, so their offense is more than formidable.
But they're being carried by three specific players -- perennial MVP favorite Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, and Cody Bellinger.
Beyond that, there hasn't been a ton of impact.
Trent Grisham, Ryan McMahon, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Austin Wells all have an OPS under .700, and rookie Spencer Jones has struggled to get going since being called up for his big league debut.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Bo Bichette
Bichette has a history of rising up in big moments.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Freddy Peralta
Peralta has been tremendous over his last four starts, lowering his ERA to 3.10.
Which Yankees player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Aaron Judge
It's nearly impossible to keep Judge down unless you walk him every time.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 12: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves react during the first quarter in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Spurs have outscored the Timberwolves by 67 total points this series. Do you think that if the Wembanyama ejection hadn’t happened, the series would be over?
Marilyn Dubinski: It’s certainly possible. It’s also possible it would be over if either Wemby or De’Aaron Fox showed up offensively in Game 1, but neither is a sure thing. That being said, as long as this doesn’t stretch to Game 7 and/or fatigue doesn’t become a factor in the Western Conference Finals (*mandatory “assuming they get there” to avoid any jinxes), I’m actually not upset with this series going as it has (as long as it’s over tomorrow). It has been quite the learning experience for the young Spurs, both mentally and physically, and while you can’t claim a defending champion who went to Game 7 in the Finals is not battle tested, you can tell the Thunder have been coasting through the first two rounds against possibly the easiest schedule ever (at least in the West), winning but not dominating. Is it possible the Spurs will be the more-ready team thanks to this match-up? Time will tell.
Mark Barrington: Probably, but I feel like if the Night of the Flying Elbow was a turning point, not just for the series, but for the future of the franchise, as they learned that playing superior basketball on the court wasn’t enough to make a serious run at a championship, but they also had to sharpen their mental and emotional skills to overcome teams already hardened in the pressure of playoff basketball. Every team at this level is talented, and teams will do anything to get even the smallest mental edge, and the Spurs found out how to deal with that and react the right way. Getting that experience was much more valuable than a routine win, which was the likely outcome if Wemby kept his cool. Wembanyama took his game to another level in Game 5, and we’ll see if that’s sustainable in Game 6 and in the Conference Championship round, if they advance.
Devon Birdsong: It’s hard to say due to the degree of physicality that was being allowed in that game, and I think it would have been a very close game due to that, but I’m leaning toward a ‘no’ because I think the Wolves would have come out firing in Game 6, and (whether you were in favor of it or not) the attention that Wemby’s elbow and ejection brought to the officiating of the series might have continued unabated. Even before the series, I told myself it would be 6-7 games if Edwards was healthy enough to play well, and for the most part, he has been.
Jeje Gomez: It feels very likely. When nothing strange has happened after shaking off the cobwebs on Game 1, the Spurs have looked like the better team against a Timberwolves squad that can’t rely on Anthony Edwards as much as it normally would. But there’s nothing wrong with going to six or seven games with a veteran contender that has been to the Conference Finals twice in a row, and could have pulled off the win even with Wembanyama on the floor.
Who or what has been the X Factor for either team so far, and do you expect it to be a major factor in Game 6?
Dubinski: There are several X factors for the Wolves (Edwards’ knees, Julius “The Wild Card” Randle), but I’ll go with a more subtle one who isn’t there: Donte DiVincenzo. Without him, they have almost no outside shooting beyond Edwards, and that has been huge in allowing the Spurs to outscore them so badly in this series. To that extent, three-point shooting could also be considered an X factor for the Spurs. Interestingly, while neither team is shooting great, with both sitting at about 33% for the series, the Spurs – and especially Julian Champagnie – have been vastly superior in their wins vs. losses. This series doesn’t necessarily hinge on three-point shooting, but it has certainly been a factor that has helped the Spurs.
Barrington: The Timberwolves live or die by how well Anthony Edwards plays. He’s been slowed by injuries in this series, but he’s still been playing great, especially when Wembanyama is out of the game and he can drive without worrying about the big guy’s rim presence. Ant seemed oddly passive in Game 5, and if that passivity continues in Game 6, Minnesota’s season is over. To extend their playoffs, he has to have another 30+ point game and bring his teammates with him. Julius Randle isn’t having a good series, but he could bust out at any time. Hopefully it won’t be Saturday.
Birdsong: The Spurs hitting their threes has been the difference between blowouts and close games/losses, but if we’re going with a player, I’d have to go with Keldon. Every time he’s had a good game (offensively or defensively) the Spurs have crushed it. If he’s off, things get a little tighter. The same is true of Harper, but he’s a little more consistent on the scoring end, and he pretty much runs the offense for the second unit even if he’s off. Getting 10+ points from Keldon in conjunction with solid defense usually gives the team separation. 15+ points, even if everyone else is having an average game, pretty much clinches it for them most of the time. He was a very deserving 6th man because against good teams he is very often the difference.
Gomez: Double-teaming and trapping Anthony Edwards is not necessarily a new strategy, as many have tried it in the past, but the Spurs have been using it well, and it has limited what the superstar guard and the Timberwolves’ offense can do. Not only has San Antonio made Ant have to play off the ball more than he’d preferred, but it has put pressure on others to make plays, and few have been able to answer the call. Whether the Wolves can find that secondary scorer to carry the offense for a while and whether the shooters connect on some of the open looks the strategy inevitably concedes could determine whether the series ends or goes to a Game 7.
Do you think the Spurs will close it out in Minnesota in Game 6, or are we heading for a Game 7?
Dubinski: Without any drastic occurrences (another unexpected ejection, injury, someone besides Edwards going supernova, etc.), I think the Spurs know what it takes to beat this team and will close things out. The scenario I foresee is the Wolves come out hot, giving it all they have early and take a decent but not insurmountable lead. Then, the Spurs inevitably regain their composure, be it in the second quarter or at halftime, surge back, and that’s that, since the Wolves have nothing left in the tank and no new wrinkles to throw out there. Or it could be a wire-to-wire Spurs win. Or it could be a loss and we’re back here on Sunday. Who knows with this series.
Barrington: The Spurs will close it out in Game 6, unless Ant has a 50-piece and drags at least one teammate with him. I’m expecting a huge effort from Edwards in a close loss as Rudy Gobert gets played off the court due to his inability to get a hoop or even catch a pass, which frees up the paint for Wembanyama to punish the Wolves relentlessly. Julius Randle will contribute his usual dozen points or so, and Naz Reid will make an impact off the bench, but it won’t be enough as they go fishin’ before the weekend starts.
Birdsong: Barring officiating shenanigans or a team-wide shooting drought, I think they know they have Minnesota’s number. They looked incredibly confident by the 4th quarter of the last game, to the point that they let up just a little for a minute or two. They’ll need to approach Minnesota like a wounded/cornered animal in Game 6, but as long as they do that, I think they have it. Talk to me again once I see the officiating assignments for Friday, though, because I’m not 100% sure that the shenanigans are over.
Gomez: I think the Spurs will be eager to close it out and should be able to, as long as they keep Edwards under control and no one else from the Wolves has a career game. As mentioned, they have looked like the better team in general. Wembanyama has dominated inside, the guards have provided scoring, and the perimeter defense has been tenacious. The Timberwolves are a tough opponent and no one would be shocked if they force a Game 7 and end up winning the series, but I think the most likely scenario is a Game 6 win for San Antonio.
You can't keep a good man -- or in this case, a good pitcher -- down.
It got hairy early for surging Mets right-hander Nolan McLean during Thursday afternoon's series finale with the Detroit Tigers. With two outs in the top of the first inning, tall lefty Gage Workman launched a McLean sweeper over the left-center fence for a three-run homer.
McLean wasn't fazed. In his words, he "just had to find what was working."
Throughout the next six innings, the 24-year-old righty reminded everyone why he's considered one of the most promising young pitchers in the game. Even factoring in the early mistake, McLean's final stats were impressive. Seven full innings, seven strikeouts, six hits, and three walks across 93 pitches is the type of efficient line aces record and bullpens greatly appreciate.
By the time McLean left the mound in the middle of the seventh inning, the game was already out of reach with the Mets leading 7-3. Juan Soto led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo shot to deep center to punctuate that fact.
As McLean carved up the Tigers' lineup, the Mets' batting order burst into life. Carson Benge, Marcus Semien, A.J. Ewing, and the aforementioned Soto all stepped up with two hits apiece for a combined 4 RBI to help secure the three-game sweep over the Tigers, 9-4 the final score.
Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza only needed to call on his bullpen twice today, opening the eighth inning with Tobias Myers and handing the ball to Craig Kimbrel to handle the ninth. Excluding a home run hit by Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler off of Myers, the two relievers didn't allow a baserunner.
McLean attributed his mid-game bounce back to a conscious decision to "get creative."
Breaking down his performance today, one aspect which certainly stands out is McLean decided to "mix in the cutters in counts [he] normally wouldn't throw them a ton."
That cutter (8 percent usage) is the least-used in McLean's six-pitch arsenal, behind his sinker (36 percent), four-seam fastball (18 percent), sweeper (16 percent), curveball (12 percent), and changeup (9 percent). Today, 16 of McLean's 93 pitches were cutters, more than double his usual rate.
That uptick supplanted the usage of his sweeper and changeup, which were both down during his outing.
With the team looking to extend their three-game win streak against the cross-town rival Yankees, McLean remarked that the Mets "know how good [their] clubhouse is, and that's all that matters... [they're] not worried about anybody else."
His next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, the second game of a four-game road series against a familiar NL East foe, the Washington Nationals.
CHICAGO (AP) — Roman Kantserov is joining the Chicago Blackhawks after a record-breaking season in the Kontinental Hockey League.
The Blackhawks announced on Thursday that they had agreed to a three-year contract with the 21-year-old Russian winger, a second-round pick in the 2023 draft. The entry-level deal carries a $1,075,000 salary cap hit.
Kantserov, listed at 5-foot-9 and 176 pounds, led the KHL with 36 goals in 63 games this season with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He also had four goals and four assists in 15 postseason games.
Kantserov's 36 goals and 64 points were the highest single-season totals for a player under the age of 22 in KHL history.
The addition of Kantserov is a significant move for a franchise looking to climb out of a lengthy rebuilding project. Chicago also has the No. 4 pick in the upcoming NHL draft.
The Blackhawks went 29-39-14 this year, an 11-point improvement on the previous season and still nowhere near playoff contention. They have finished No. 31 in the NHL each of the last three years.
The franchise has made just one postseason appearance since 2017, and that was the expanded playoff format after the 2019-20 season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jasprit Bumrah made a winning start to his Mumbai Indians captaincy stint on Thursday, as Tilak Varma hit 75 not out off 33 balls helped beat Punjab Kings by six wickets in the IPL.
Matthew Schaefer is not just a boon to the Islanders, but to the NHL as a whole.
The 18-year-old defenseman, unanimously named the Calder Trophy recipient Wednesday, has already been featured in some of the league’s marketing, making a video with Matt Martin’s twin girls to explain how the draft lottery works. If he continues on the path he set in his rookie season, it stands to reason Schaefer will soon be one of the faces of the league.
And, certainly, he’ll be one of the faces of the 2027 All-Star Game at UBS Arena.
“When you look at Matt Schaefer, you can look at what he’s accomplished on the ice, which is a record for an 18-year-old defenseman,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told The Post at the UJA-Federation of New York’s Sports Annual Luncheon on Thursday. “And you look at his maturity, his personality, the way he interacts with people. It’s hard to believe he’s still only 18.”
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) shoots during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at UBS Arena, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Bettman was honored with the David J. Stern Leadership Award at the luncheon, named after the former NBA commissioner who worked with Bettman for over 12 years when both were rising through the ranks at the NBA.
The 73-year-old Bettman was mum about the details of the All-Star Game, which will be the first the NHL has held since 2024 and which is expected to have a new, as-yet-unannounced format.
After two years of replacing All-Star competition with best-on-best, international play — first at the 4 Nations Face-Off, then at the Olympics — going back to an All-Star Game in which players aren’t trying particularly hard may feel like something of a disappointment.
Matthew Schaefer, left, stands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being drafted by the New York Islanders during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. AP
In part because best-on-best takes so much out of players, the league has settled on a system of rotating between an All-Star Game and best-on-best competition — an Olympics every four years and a league-run World Cup of Hockey every four years — for the foreseeable future.
UBS Arena, which hosts its first tentpole event since opening in 2021 next season, feels like a bit of a loser in the process. It was originally slated to host the 2026 All-Star Game, but upon the league’s decision to play at the Olympics, that was downgraded to an unspecified sendoff event, meant to be something like a media day, which was eventually canceled.
“You’ll have to hold judgment in the answer to that question [about the format] until we make an announcement one way or the other,” Bettman said. “Everything [gets considered]. And if you have a good idea, we’ll listen to it.”
It looked like a foul at the end of regulation: Ausar Thompson stripped Donovan Mitchell before Mitchell could get a shot off, leading to a loose ball, and in the scramble to get it, 30 feet from the basket, Jarrett Allen collides with Thompson. It looks like a foul on Allen. Crew Chief Tony Brothers is standing feet away and chooses not to blow his whistle.
Ausar Thompson with the game-saving block on Donovan Mitchell, and then he gets tripped by Jarrett Allen, but no foul call (with replays).
The NBA backed up Brothers in its Last Two Minute report, saying he made a "correct no call." From the report:
Allen (CLE) and Thompson (DET) legally step to the same spot while pursuing the loose ball [before either player has possession], and both lose their balance from the marginal contact.
That echoes what Brother's said after the game.
"During live play, both players were going for the ball and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball," Brothers told a pool reporter.
That's not how Pistons' coach J.B. Bickerstaff saw it.
"He fouled Ausar. Clear. He trips him when he's going for a loose ball. In any game situation, that's tough," Bickerstaff said.
Cleveland had come from nine points down in the final three minutes and, after that play, the game went to overtime, where the Cavaliers prevailed 117-113. Cleveland leads the series 3-2 and can close it out on their home floor Friday night.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 17: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Steve Kerr summed up the Golden State Warriors’ current state in two sentences.
“What we had is gone, but we’re trying to hang on to it,” Kerr told ESPN’s Wright Thompson. “I don’t know if anybody really knows if it exists anymore.”
That’s where the Warriors are in an uncertain 2026 offseason. Steph Curry and Draymond Green are still around, but in older, slower, more injury-prone versions of themselves. The team can’t stop trying to compete while they still have the greatest player in franchise history, and Kerr himself worries he “can’t walk away.”
Kerr resigned with the team on a two-year contract that may well align him with the last years of Curry, if not also Green. The deal came nearly a month after the Warriors’ season ended with a play-in game loss, a sign of Kerr’s deep ambivalence about returning to what he called a “fading dynasty,” though he insists there’s “beauty in the struggle” of “trying to fight until the last breath.”
It’s an interesting intellectual approach for a team that’s clearly a level below the best teams in the Western Conference. They’re raging against the dying of the light with the odds and the actuarial tables against them. It’s kind of like when Curry would read critical tweets about him during halftime, only this time the primary hater is Father Time.
The marketing department asked Kerr to stop talking about this concept while they were trying to push season-ticket renewals, because apparently “dying” is not a word that gets fans excited to spend money.
“Dying Dynasty” isn’t quite as compelling as “The Last Dance,” the name for the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls, who had Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, coach Phil Jackson, and a guy named Steve Kerr all on expiring deals. That team was united to win a final championship and also stick it to the team and its management that seemed insistent on breaking them up. (R.I.P. Jerry “Crumbs” Krause)
However, it seems to be the way everyone is going forward, at least for the next two seasons. Owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy seem excited about the plan, and still believe that as long as they have Curry, they can beat anyone. Maybe not for four straight series, or even a full seven-game series — the Warriors would have rested Curry, Green, and Al Horford for the first game of the playoffs had they gotten past the Phoenix Suns — but they can still be competitive.
That seems to be what’s keeping Kerr going. Realistically, it’s not about winning a fourth title. It’s about remaining competitive and having nights like the play-in win against the Los Angeles Clippers. And it seems to be about coaching Steph Curry for as long as he can and probably Draymond, too.
Given his comments about wanting to give the franchise a “clean start” after Curry is done, it sounds like Kerr is committed to being there for the messy ending. The dynasty might be dying, but Kerr is there to go down with the ship.
