(Photo by Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Washington Capitals great Alex Ovechkin made it official on Monday.
The 2026-2027 season will be his last one in the NHL.
Ovechkin first shared the news with the rest of the Capitals in the locker room, telling the team “this is going to be my last year,” and that it was important to him and his family that his Washington teammates knew the news first:
Alex Ovechkin announced to his teammates this morning that this season will be his final in the NHL pic.twitter.com/wnnnkrIl5U
Ovechkin then shared a lengthy statement on social media, noting that he wanted to share the news before Washington’s first home game of the season, which comes on Wednesday night when the Capitals host the Pittsburgh Penguins:
Ovechkin has appeared in both of Washington’s games this season, a win on Friday night over the Carolina Hurricanes and a loss on Saturday to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He notched an assist in Friday night’s win, racking up nearly 13 minutes of ice time, while he played almost 14 minutes in the loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Last season, Ovechkin surpassed the great Wayne Gretzky on the NHL’s all-time goals list, scoring the 895th goal of his career in a game against the New York Islanders in April. He currently has 929 career goals, making him the only player in NHL history to reach the 900-goal mark.
(Photo by Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Washington Capitals great Alex Ovechkin made it official on Monday.
The 2026-2027 season will be his last one in the NHL.
Ovechkin first shared the news with the rest of the Capitals in the locker room, telling the team “this is going to be my last year,” and that it was important to him and his family that his Washington teammates knew the news first:
Alex Ovechkin announced to his teammates this morning that this season will be his final in the NHL pic.twitter.com/wnnnkrIl5U
Ovechkin then shared a lengthy statement on social media, noting that he wanted to share the news before Washington’s first home game of the season, which comes on Wednesday night when the Capitals host the Pittsburgh Penguins:
Ovechkin has appeared in both of Washington’s games this season, a win on Friday night over the Carolina Hurricanes and a loss on Saturday to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He notched an assist in Friday night’s win, racking up nearly 13 minutes of ice time, while he played almost 14 minutes in the loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Last season, Ovechkin surpassed the great Wayne Gretzky on the NHL’s all-time goals list, scoring the 895th goal of his career in a game against the New York Islanders in April. He currently has 929 career goals, making him the only player in NHL history to reach the 900-goal mark.
The 2026-27 preseason kicks off for the Knicks tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers in a preview of their regular season opener. While these games usually serve as an exhibition or warm up, especially for teams that have found their identity like New York, there’s still plenty to watch for.
Here are five things fans should watch out for during the preseason:
What’s returning vs what’s new
The Knicks came together in a cohesive and dominant way this past postseason, so expect them to carry what they learned into this new campaign. It will be interesting to watch what they lean on more compared to what new things they try and implement.
Karl-Anthony Towns should see more of his high post reps as a creator, but will head coach Mike Brown build on that in any way? OG Anunoby was an offensive weapon last postseason, and Brown’s already suggested giving him more pick-and-roll reps to build off it.
Towns’s build and comfort
One would hope any questions surrounding KAT and his contributions to the Knicks have been answered, but he’s coming into this potential repeat season with more questions than anticipated. He has a player option for next year and reportedly isn’t nearing an extension with New York, opening the door to further friction during the season and in the worst case scenario, a trade.
Fans should keep an eye on that, as well as how he looks in his new frame. Towns came into training camp noticeably skinnier and plans to build up during the season, we’ll see how that impacts his game early in the year.
Jalen Brunson’s wrist
It’s easy to forget how banged up Brunson was late in the championship run, given he scored the Finals-sealing 45 points in Game 5 following the masterful Game 4 comeback he led. But he ended up needing surgery to repair a soft-tissue tendon injury in his left hand soon after the chip that kept him out of basketball activities for part of the summer.
If he could score 45 through the injury, there shouldn’t be concern as to how he looks post-rehab. But it’s still something worth monitoring for the Knicks savior.
Feb 1, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Young core development
There’s no better time than preseason to bring out the deep bench and see who’s ready to step up this upcoming year. It’s how the Knicks were convinced of Immanuel Quickley’s ability as a rookie, and Landry Shamet’s impact as a veteran, and could mean an opportunity for one of their young guns this year.
New York buried Tyler Kolek deep in the rotation during the home stretch last year, only tried Kevin McCullar Jr. and Pacome Dadiet on sparse occasions, and didn’t give Mohamed Diawara any postseason burn despite his potential. All of these guys, plus new incomer Tyler Nickel, should get their chances in these upcoming games to prove their worth for the regular season.
Third center position battle
New York is currently slated to enter the season without a third string center, not a viable approach given they had to lean on Ariel Hukporti at times last playoffs with Towns getting into foul trouble. They’ve brought in two veterans to camp — James Wiseman and Drew Eubanks — to battle it out for that spot.
Expect preseason to serve as a sort of extended try out to see who of these two will man that reserve slot. Wiseman was a former second overall pick with gifted athleticism but a long injury history, while Eubanks has been a quiet but steady backup for multiple teams.
Can we have a "Pass of the Year" candidate in the preseason?
Nikola Jokic made the case for one with a cross-court, behind-the-back pass from one corner to the other, landing right in Cameron Johnson's shooting pocket — this is wizardry.
If Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon can largely stay healthy this season — and especially if Johnson can find his groove again — Denver is going to be a problem in the West.
BRONX, NY - JULY 19: Aaron Guiel #46 of the New York Yankees bats against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on July 19, 2006 in the Bronx borough of New York, New York. The Mariners defeated the Yankees 3-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the things we have always loved about baseball is how the players can come in all shapes, sizes, and corners of the map. Aaron Guiel was born north of the United States border in Vancouver, BC, Canada. So far north of the border, his high school did not have a formal team. It took a long and grinding road, but Guiel eventually broke through to the big leagues and finished his big league journey in the Bronx.
Aaron Colin Guiel
Born: October 5, 1972 (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
Yankees Tenure: 2006
Growing up playing as many club ball games as he could, Guiel eventually found himself playing organized baseball at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia, Canada. In June 1992, the California Angels drafted Guiel in the 21st round of the amateur draft. Guiel did not sign until May 1993, a move that added more waiting to a career that would experience its fair share.
Guiel made his professional debut in 1993, playing second base and the outfield for the Boise Hawks in Low-A, and impressed by putting up strong numbers, batting .298 with a .455 on-base percentage across 35 games. This kicked off a three-year streak of him impressing enough to move up a level each season before he finally hit a stalled period. During the 1997 season, the Angels traded Guiel to the San Diego Padres for Angelo Encarnación.
The following season, in 1998, at 25, Guiel finally reached Triple-A. He stayed parked at that level in 1999 and was released by the Padres following the season. Guiel signed and spent a brief amount of time in spring training with the Athletics in 2000. After being cut, it seemed his career might be over, but Guiel found an opportunity playing for the Guerreros de Oaxaca in the Mexican League. South of the border, Guiel batted .365 with 22 home runs in 56 games, which caught the attention of the Kansas City Royals.
The Royals bought his contract, and Guiel found himself back in Triple-A for the rest of the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Guiel returned to Triple-A at the start of the 2002 season, but that would be the year he finally broke through and reached the big leagues. It took almost a decade from when he was drafted and over 900 minor league games, but on June 22, 2002, Guiel finally became a Major Leaguer. Across 70 games at the major league level in 2002, Guiel slashed .233/.296/.338 with four home runs.
Guiel then bounced up and down over the next several seasons. His best season was in 2003 when he slashed .277/.346/.489 with 15 home runs while platooning in right field and getting run batting from the leadoff spot. Following that performance, Guiel’s career momentum was then derailed in 2004 by blurred vision in his left eye that required multiple surgeries, the first coming in May. Guiel battled back and kept shuffling between different levels in the Royals organization in both 2004 and 2005.
In 2006, Guiel was waived by the Royals, and the Yankees claimed him. These Yankees were desperate for outfield help as Hideki Matsui had broken his wrist and Gary Sheffield was also battling his own wrist injury. The Yankees used the lefty-swinging outfielder in a platoon role.
Guiel ended up appearing in 44 games for the Bombers, splitting time between right field and first base. He hit .256 with four home runs and 11 RBI. Guiel played his final Major League game on October 1, 2006, against the Toronto Blue Jays as he was left off the postseason roster, and with that, his MLB story ended for the time being.
Seeking a larger role and hoping to play more, Guiel moved overseas to play in Japan. He played for five more seasons with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Guiel enjoyed a successful few years in Japan, even earning the nickname The Angel from fans, until injuries eventually shut him down in 2011. Following his playing days, Guiel quickly transitioned into coaching and scouting roles back with the Royals.
Oct 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nathan Ray Seebeck/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
ARLINGTON, Va. — Alex Ovechkin said his 22nd season in the NHL will be his last, beginning the farewell tour for the longtime Washington Capitals captain who holds the league’s career goal-scoring record.
Ovechkin addressed teammates to deliver the news before the team posted a message from him on social media.
“It’s sad, but it is what it is,” Ovechkin said in his locker room address. “It’s hard, but let’s enjoy it and let’s do some special things this year.”
Ovechkin signed a one-year contract this past summer and turned 41 on Sept. 17. All signs pointed to this being the end, and he said he and his family decided as much in recent months.
“I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision,” Ovechkin said in a statement released before the Capitals’ home opener.
Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s goals record in April 2025 and entered this season at 929. The front office acquired Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch in trades and signed fellow forward Boone Jenner and defenseman Vincent Desharnais in free agency to add around a young core in the hopes of making another long playoff run and contending for the Stanley Cup.
“We have an unbelievable team this year,” Ovechkin said. “Let’s make the playoffs, let’s have fun and enjoy the moment because times fly.”
Ovechkin has spent his entire career with Washington, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2005-06, the Hart Trophy as MVP three times and leading the NHL in scoring nine times. He was playoff MVP in 2018 when he led the Caps to the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history.
Oct 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nathan Ray Seebeck/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
ARLINGTON, Va. — Alex Ovechkin said his 22nd season in the NHL will be his last, beginning the farewell tour for the longtime Washington Capitals captain who holds the league’s career goal-scoring record.
Ovechkin addressed teammates to deliver the news before the team posted a message from him on social media.
“It’s sad, but it is what it is,” Ovechkin said in his locker room address. “It’s hard, but let’s enjoy it and let’s do some special things this year.”
Ovechkin signed a one-year contract this past summer and turned 41 on Sept. 17. All signs pointed to this being the end, and he said he and his family decided as much in recent months.
“I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision,” Ovechkin said in a statement released before the Capitals’ home opener.
Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s goals record in April 2025 and entered this season at 929. The front office acquired Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch in trades and signed fellow forward Boone Jenner and defenseman Vincent Desharnais in free agency to add around a young core in the hopes of making another long playoff run and contending for the Stanley Cup.
“We have an unbelievable team this year,” Ovechkin said. “Let’s make the playoffs, let’s have fun and enjoy the moment because times fly.”
Ovechkin has spent his entire career with Washington, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2005-06, the Hart Trophy as MVP three times and leading the NHL in scoring nine times. He was playoff MVP in 2018 when he led the Caps to the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history.
Oct 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nathan Ray Seebeck/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
ARLINGTON, Va. — Alex Ovechkin said his 22nd season in the NHL will be his last, beginning the farewell tour for the longtime Washington Capitals captain who holds the league’s career goal-scoring record.
Ovechkin addressed teammates to deliver the news before the team posted a message from him on social media.
“It’s sad, but it is what it is,” Ovechkin said in his locker room address. “It’s hard, but let’s enjoy it and let’s do some special things this year.”
Ovechkin signed a one-year contract this past summer and turned 41 on Sept. 17. All signs pointed to this being the end, and he said he and his family decided as much in recent months.
“I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision,” Ovechkin said in a statement released before the Capitals’ home opener.
Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s goals record in April 2025 and entered this season at 929. The front office acquired Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch in trades and signed fellow forward Boone Jenner and defenseman Vincent Desharnais in free agency to add around a young core in the hopes of making another long playoff run and contending for the Stanley Cup.
“We have an unbelievable team this year,” Ovechkin said. “Let’s make the playoffs, let’s have fun and enjoy the moment because times fly.”
Ovechkin has spent his entire career with Washington, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2005-06, the Hart Trophy as MVP three times and leading the NHL in scoring nine times. He was playoff MVP in 2018 when he led the Caps to the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history.
Elliotte Friedman reported some news on Saturday night that will eventually create a big change in the National Hockey League. According to Friedman, the top insider in the game, Simon Edvinsson prefers to be traded away from the Detroit Red Wings.
Saturday Headlines:
Edvinsson "prefers" trade although DET's desire is to sign him...Barkov...Oilers...coaches warned about interactions with officialshttps://t.co/koTYiu5bCr
This is going to be a tough blow to the Red Wings organization in a long line of them. After a summer filled with drama, mostly surrounding former captain Dylan Larkin (who is still with them), they now have to consider honoring the request of a young player whom they thought would be a core piece of their puzzle.
Detroit doesn’t even have a full-time general manager to deal with these things. Shawn Horcoff is the interim, and it’s on him to be the decision-maker for the time being. He may end up the full-time guy if he works out these issues correctly, so there is pressure on him as an individual as well.
Edvinsson is a young defenseman who hasn’t yet blossomed into a star, which is his potential, but he is already a great young top-four guy. He’s the type of defenseman who is good for any partner because of his ability to defend and transfer the puck up the ice. Whatever the team needs from him, he can provide.
He can’t continue to make progress in his development as a 23-year-old playing the hardest position in the sport without playing games, which is currently happening due to a contract stalemate. The now-fractured relationship plus the turmoil around the team are the key reasons for this trade request.
One team that may be interested in a player like Edvinsson is the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks have a lot of interesting young defensemen, but none of them have grown into a legit number one. They likely wouldn't have traded for Bowen Byram if one of them stood out early in their career.
Now that the Blackhawks do have Byram, there is more room for development lower in the lineup. Edvinsson is someone who is already a proven NHL player with the ceiling of a star. Like most young players at that position, his offense is a bit ahead of his defense, but his defense has been solid too.
Edvinsson has experience playing with a star like Moritz Seider. With that experience, he could play with a proven player like Byram as well. At his age, he would also fit in with a lot of Chicago's budding core, including their many young defenders.
What would a team like the Blackhawks have to give up for Edvinsson? Well, for one, they are not even in the same conference, so there is no "rivalry tax" there. Also, the fact that this report is out in the public eye certainly doesn't raise the price. It's a nightmare situation for Detroit, but it's the fact of the matter.
A mix of draft picks, a good young NHL defender and/or forward, and prospects can be expected in return for a player with a high ceiling like Edvinsson. With the way that the Blackhawks have defended so far this season, taking a chance like this is something to think about if the price is right.
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 on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.
Elliotte Friedman reported some news on Saturday night that will eventually create a big change in the National Hockey League. According to Friedman, the top insider in the game, Simon Edvinsson prefers to be traded away from the Detroit Red Wings.
Saturday Headlines:
Edvinsson "prefers" trade although DET's desire is to sign him...Barkov...Oilers...coaches warned about interactions with officialshttps://t.co/koTYiu5bCr
This is going to be a tough blow to the Red Wings organization in a long line of them. After a summer filled with drama, mostly surrounding former captain Dylan Larkin (who is still with them), they now have to consider honoring the request of a young player whom they thought would be a core piece of their puzzle.
Detroit doesn’t even have a full-time general manager to deal with these things. Shawn Horcoff is the interim, and it’s on him to be the decision-maker for the time being. He may end up the full-time guy if he works out these issues correctly, so there is pressure on him as an individual as well.
Edvinsson is a young defenseman who hasn’t yet blossomed into a star, which is his potential, but he is already a great young top-four guy. He’s the type of defenseman who is good for any partner because of his ability to defend and transfer the puck up the ice. Whatever the team needs from him, he can provide.
He can’t continue to make progress in his development as a 23-year-old playing the hardest position in the sport without playing games, which is currently happening due to a contract stalemate. The now-fractured relationship plus the turmoil around the team are the key reasons for this trade request.
One team that may be interested in a player like Edvinsson is the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks have a lot of interesting young defensemen, but none of them have grown into a legit number one. They likely wouldn't have traded for Bowen Byram if one of them stood out early in their career.
Now that the Blackhawks do have Byram, there is more room for development lower in the lineup. Edvinsson is someone who is already a proven NHL player with the ceiling of a star. Like most young players at that position, his offense is a bit ahead of his defense, but his defense has been solid too.
Edvinsson has experience playing with a star like Moritz Seider. With that experience, he could play with a proven player like Byram as well. At his age, he would also fit in with a lot of Chicago's budding core, including their many young defenders.
What would a team like the Blackhawks have to give up for Edvinsson? Well, for one, they are not even in the same conference, so there is no "rivalry tax" there. Also, the fact that this report is out in the public eye certainly doesn't raise the price. It's a nightmare situation for Detroit, but it's the fact of the matter.
A mix of draft picks, a good young NHL defender and/or forward, and prospects can be expected in return for a player with a high ceiling like Edvinsson. With the way that the Blackhawks have defended so far this season, taking a chance like this is something to think about if the price is right.
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 on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.
Elliotte Friedman reported some news on Saturday night that will eventually create a big change in the National Hockey League. According to Friedman, the top insider in the game, Simon Edvinsson prefers to be traded away from the Detroit Red Wings.
Saturday Headlines:
Edvinsson "prefers" trade although DET's desire is to sign him...Barkov...Oilers...coaches warned about interactions with officialshttps://t.co/koTYiu5bCr
This is going to be a tough blow to the Red Wings organization in a long line of them. After a summer filled with drama, mostly surrounding former captain Dylan Larkin (who is still with them), they now have to consider honoring the request of a young player whom they thought would be a core piece of their puzzle.
Detroit doesn’t even have a full-time general manager to deal with these things. Shawn Horcoff is the interim, and it’s on him to be the decision-maker for the time being. He may end up the full-time guy if he works out these issues correctly, so there is pressure on him as an individual as well.
Edvinsson is a young defenseman who hasn’t yet blossomed into a star, which is his potential, but he is already a great young top-four guy. He’s the type of defenseman who is good for any partner because of his ability to defend and transfer the puck up the ice. Whatever the team needs from him, he can provide.
He can’t continue to make progress in his development as a 23-year-old playing the hardest position in the sport without playing games, which is currently happening due to a contract stalemate. The now-fractured relationship plus the turmoil around the team are the key reasons for this trade request.
One team that may be interested in a player like Edvinsson is the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks have a lot of interesting young defensemen, but none of them have grown into a legit number one. They likely wouldn't have traded for Bowen Byram if one of them stood out early in their career.
Now that the Blackhawks do have Byram, there is more room for development lower in the lineup. Edvinsson is someone who is already a proven NHL player with the ceiling of a star. Like most young players at that position, his offense is a bit ahead of his defense, but his defense has been solid too.
Edvinsson has experience playing with a star like Moritz Seider. With that experience, he could play with a proven player like Byram as well. At his age, he would also fit in with a lot of Chicago's budding core, including their many young defenders.
What would a team like the Blackhawks have to give up for Edvinsson? Well, for one, they are not even in the same conference, so there is no "rivalry tax" there. Also, the fact that this report is out in the public eye certainly doesn't raise the price. It's a nightmare situation for Detroit, but it's the fact of the matter.
A mix of draft picks, a good young NHL defender and/or forward, and prospects can be expected in return for a player with a high ceiling like Edvinsson. With the way that the Blackhawks have defended so far this season, taking a chance like this is something to think about if the price is right.
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 on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 04: Will Smith #16 and Blake Snell #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers talk on the mound during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves in game two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers needed one win to send the Atlanta Braves to the brink of elimination on Sunday. Instead, the Braves lineup forced an early exit from Blake Snell and scored two defining runs against the bullpen in a 3-2 win over the Dodgers, forcing the series back to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4.
It wasn’t the first rocky outing for Snell against Atlanta this season, as he only managed to toss three innings while allowing four runs in his 2026 debut back on May 8 before being placed on the injured list. The southpaw had looked like his usual dominant stretch once he returned in August, but the ultimate test was to see how he would perform against the lone team that roughed him up.
Snell made quick work of Drake Baldwin for the first out, but after allowing a one-out single to Ronald Acuña Jr., he walked both Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies to load the bases. Snell managed to get Michael Harris II to fly out in foul territory for a crucial second out, but Mauricio Dubón tacked on the game’s first run with an infield single. Snell faced seven hitters in the first inning, needing 27 pitches to give the Dodgers a chance to hit.
Snell’s biggest flaw on Sunday was his inability to get quick innings, unlike Tarik Skubal on Saturday. Snell needed four pitches to get two quick outs in the second inning, but allowed a six-pitch walk to Baldwin and needed another eight to strike out Acuña. Snell allowed another two-out baserunner in the third inning, this time a single from Harris, needing 19 pitches after tossing 18 the inning prior.
Snell’s hopes at a clean inning were dashed in the fourth inning, as he walked a pair of hitters and tossed 26 pitches before the plug was pulled on his night. The Dodgers got him off the hook in the bottom of the fourth inning with a Freddie Freeman home run, but the Dodgers employed six relievers out of the bullpen over their final 5 1/3 innings on the mound.
Snell had a postseason to remember last year, as his defining moment came in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, facing the minimum over eight shutout innings. Sunday’s outing was the first time he failed to log four innings in a postseason start since he began the 2022 Wild Card series against the New York Mets back when he was a San Diego Padre. Out of the 90 pitches he tossed against Atlanta, 47 of them went for strikes.
Snell’s final start of the regular season was limited to just one inning after he dealt with left groin inflammation. Dave Roberts was quick to deny any concern over Snell’s groin issue, noting that he was battling himself on the mound.
“No, it wasn’t that. He was fighting himself in his delivery all game. Today, I just think the fastball was really good, the changeup was good at times, but I think, in total, didn’t have fastball command, didn’t have slider command, and the changeup wasn’t there. He was pulling it. I think overall it wasn’t the groin, and he wasn’t sharp tonight.”
Roberts felt optimistic about his chances of Snell on the mound while Atlanta went with their own bullpen game, beginning with left-hander Ray Kerr. The pieces just couldn’t fall into place on Sunday.
“Felt great. Anytime I feel I have Blake Snell lined up against any pitcher felt good. Going to getting Kerr out of the game and then getting [Grant] Holmes out of the game, I felt really good where we were at. I really did. We just couldn’t execute as the game progressed.”
Now the Dodgers will face the only pitcher to shut them out in the regular season, left-hander Chris Sale, in a crucial Game 3 at Truist Park on Tuesday. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound for the first time in the playoffs since his Herculean performance in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series.
Mike and Dan recap the Islanders’ first two games of the season, including an emphatic and historic home opening win over the Devils, as well as bring forth the first Master Leaf Theatre of a new year.
The Islanders went into the season with some bad vibes. The postseason was long and disappointing, even the new guys on the roster felt stale and the GM tried to bullshit the fanbase by talking about how much he “tried” to make meaningful changes. It didn’t feel better after a blah 2-1 loss in Toronto, of all places, in Game 1. But Game 2 was different – with a cascade of goals, solid all around play and the first NHL tally for “The Agent of Chaos” Victor Eklund, who also got a happy birthday singalong, it was a party for everyone in blue-and-orange. Suddenly, the future seems bright again for what feels like the first time in years.
We hope to keep the good times rolling into Week 2, with games against the rising Rangers, beatable Blackhawks and litmus test Lightning on the horizon. These games will give us a true indication of what this team and season will be like for the next… [checks notes]… 82 games?
Of course a game against the Leafs means a new edition of Master Leaf Theatre for the new year. This one needs almost no introduction before it goes off the rails biblically (literally). We also have rookies skipping optional skates with their coach’s blessing, more detail on a goal song than anyone will ever need and a computer masquerading as a man all the way to one of the most powerful seats in the land. It’s an epic kick off to a fan favorite bit that keeps on giving.
Thanks again to everyone who came to either Zofia’s Hideout on Wednesday or the game on Saturday (or both) and stopped by to say hello. We really appreciate the face-to-face meetings and kind words. Our next meetup at Zofia’s will be on Tuesday, Oct. 27. More info to come.
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Please subscribe, download, rate, review or spread the word about Islanders Anxiety, Weird Islanders: The Podcast! and all of our podcasts any way you can. All of it helps to raise the show’s profile and maybe could get us another fancy sponsor to sell out to in the near future. Leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Mike and Dan recap the Islanders’ first two games of the season, including an emphatic and historic home opening win over the Devils, as well as bring forth the first Master Leaf Theatre of a new year.
The Islanders went into the season with some bad vibes. The postseason was long and disappointing, even the new guys on the roster felt stale and the GM tried to bullshit the fanbase by talking about how much he “tried” to make meaningful changes. It didn’t feel better after a blah 2-1 loss in Toronto, of all places, in Game 1. But Game 2 was different – with a cascade of goals, solid all around play and the first NHL tally for “The Agent of Chaos” Victor Eklund, who also got a happy birthday singalong, it was a party for everyone in blue-and-orange. Suddenly, the future seems bright again for what feels like the first time in years.
We hope to keep the good times rolling into Week 2, with games against the rising Rangers, beatable Blackhawks and litmus test Lightning on the horizon. These games will give us a true indication of what this team and season will be like for the next… [checks notes]… 82 games?
Of course a game against the Leafs means a new edition of Master Leaf Theatre for the new year. This one needs almost no introduction before it goes off the rails biblically (literally). We also have rookies skipping optional skates with their coach’s blessing, more detail on a goal song than anyone will ever need and a computer masquerading as a man all the way to one of the most powerful seats in the land. It’s an epic kick off to a fan favorite bit that keeps on giving.
Thanks again to everyone who came to either Zofia’s Hideout on Wednesday or the game on Saturday (or both) and stopped by to say hello. We really appreciate the face-to-face meetings and kind words. Our next meetup at Zofia’s will be on Tuesday, Oct. 27. More info to come.
Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Or follow us for free to get announcements and our weekly release calendar. Try a free 7-Day trial of our Country Club tier to sample what we offer.
The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena.
Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion.
Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN).
Theme song: “Morning Haze” by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Spotify.
Please subscribe, download, rate, review or spread the word about Islanders Anxiety, Weird Islanders: The Podcast! and all of our podcasts any way you can. All of it helps to raise the show’s profile and maybe could get us another fancy sponsor to sell out to in the near future. Leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Mike and Dan recap the Islanders’ first two games of the season, including an emphatic and historic home opening win over the Devils, as well as bring forth the first Master Leaf Theatre of a new year.
The Islanders went into the season with some bad vibes. The postseason was long and disappointing, even the new guys on the roster felt stale and the GM tried to bullshit the fanbase by talking about how much he “tried” to make meaningful changes. It didn’t feel better after a blah 2-1 loss in Toronto, of all places, in Game 1. But Game 2 was different – with a cascade of goals, solid all around play and the first NHL tally for “The Agent of Chaos” Victor Eklund, who also got a happy birthday singalong, it was a party for everyone in blue-and-orange. Suddenly, the future seems bright again for what feels like the first time in years.
We hope to keep the good times rolling into Week 2, with games against the rising Rangers, beatable Blackhawks and litmus test Lightning on the horizon. These games will give us a true indication of what this team and season will be like for the next… [checks notes]… 82 games?
Of course a game against the Leafs means a new edition of Master Leaf Theatre for the new year. This one needs almost no introduction before it goes off the rails biblically (literally). We also have rookies skipping optional skates with their coach’s blessing, more detail on a goal song than anyone will ever need and a computer masquerading as a man all the way to one of the most powerful seats in the land. It’s an epic kick off to a fan favorite bit that keeps on giving.
Thanks again to everyone who came to either Zofia’s Hideout on Wednesday or the game on Saturday (or both) and stopped by to say hello. We really appreciate the face-to-face meetings and kind words. Our next meetup at Zofia’s will be on Tuesday, Oct. 27. More info to come.
Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Or follow us for free to get announcements and our weekly release calendar. Try a free 7-Day trial of our Country Club tier to sample what we offer.
The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena.
Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion.
Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN).
Theme song: “Morning Haze” by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Spotify.
Please subscribe, download, rate, review or spread the word about Islanders Anxiety, Weird Islanders: The Podcast! and all of our podcasts any way you can. All of it helps to raise the show’s profile and maybe could get us another fancy sponsor to sell out to in the near future. Leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
