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Coronato Ends Goal Drought, But Flames Fall to Red Wings

The Calgary Flames saw a strong start slip away Monday night, falling 5–2 to the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. A physical opening period and an early Calgary lead were erased by a dominant middle frame from Detroit, which ultimately proved to be the difference.

© Tim Fuller-Imagn Images
© Tim Fuller-Imagn Images

Physical Opening Sets the Tone

The first period featured plenty of intensity as both teams established a physical edge. Early in the frame, Flames prospect Hunter Brzustewicz was driven hard into the boards along the wall, prompting teammate Martin Pospisil to immediately respond. Pospisil dropped the gloves with Dominik Shine who was responsible for the hit, energizing the Flames bench and setting the tone for a chippy contest.

Calgary carried that momentum onto the scoreboard later in the period.

With the Flames pushing in the offensive zone, Matvei Gridin skated into the slot and showed patience with the puck. After a subtle fake to freeze the defence, Gridin slid a crisp pass across to a streaking Morgan Frost, who redirected the puck past John Gibson to give Calgary a 1–0 lead.

© Tim Fuller-Imagn Images
© Tim Fuller-Imagn Images

Red Wings Explode in the Second

The momentum swung quickly in the second period, and the Red Wings took full advantage.

Just 1:03 into the frame, Alex DeBrincat spotted Patrick Kane slipping behind the Calgary defence on a broken play. DeBrincat delivered the puck into Kane’s path, and the veteran forward smoothly controlled the pass between his legs before skating in alone and beating Dustin Wolf to tie the game 1–1.

© Tim Fuller-Imagn Images
© Tim Fuller-Imagn Images

Detroit grabbed the lead a few minutes later. After killing off a Calgary power play, the Red Wings transitioned quickly up ice. Lucas Raymond moved the puck to Albert Johansson, who delivered a one-touch backhand pass across the slot to Emmitt Finnie. Finnie tipped the puck past Wolf at 5:06, giving Detroit a 2–1 advantage.

The Red Wings kept pressing. At 6:37, Kane drove hard to the net and redirected a well-placed feed from DeBrincat past Wolf, extending Detroit’s lead to 3–1.

Coronato Responds for Calgary

The Flames pushed back shortly afterward.

At 7:23 of the period, Matt Coronato carried the puck up ice during an odd-man rush. Attempting to pass across the slot, the puck deflected off the skate of Moritz Seider and slid past Gibson, cutting the deficit to 3–2. The goal ended a 15-game drought for Coronato and gave Calgary a brief spark.

However, Detroit regained control late in the period.

© Tim Fuller-Imagn Images
© Tim Fuller-Imagn Images

With the Red Wings on the power play at 11:45, Seider drifted in from the blue line and waited for traffic to form in front of the net before unleashing a pinpoint wrist shot that found the top corner. The goal restored Detroit’s two-goal lead at 4–2 heading into the third.

Detroit Seals It Late

Calgary pushed in the final frame but couldn’t solve Gibson again. The Red Wings eventually put the game away with an empty-net goal from Shine in the closing minutes, securing the 5–2 victory.

© Tim Fuller-Imagn Images
© Tim Fuller-Imagn Images

Three Takeaways

1. Coronato Finally Breaks Through

Matt Coronato snapped his 15-game goalless stretch with his second-period marker. The winger has been consistently generating chances and staying active around the puck, and this time the effort was rewarded.

2. Second Period Collapse

The middle frame proved decisive. Detroit scored four times in the period, turning a 1–0 Calgary lead into a multi-goal deficit the Flames couldn’t recover from.

3. Young Defence Gets a Look

Flames fans got a glimpse of the future as Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz dressed in the same game. With Yan Kuznetsov out of the lineup, both young defenders saw time on the power-play units.

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The Nets’ plan to turn their tank into something else — and how long it’ll take

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Jordi Fernandez, head coach for the Brooklyn Nets, reacts to a play during an NBA game, Image 2 shows ping pong balls

When the Nets finally committed to tank, it was planned to be a shorter process rather than long. 

That was 2024, and everybody knows the saying about the best-laid plans. 

Multiple league sources told The Post that the idea remains the same: The Nets intend to flip the switch and try to compete as soon as next season. 

Just how aggressive their rebuild is, and exactly what it looks like, is going to be determined by four or five touch points over the next 18 months. 

How the Nets rookies develop, what kind of lottery luck they get, what happens in the upcoming playoffs, if a star becomes available and free agency will all play roles in shaping how Brooklyn’s rebuild goes. 

“Yes, it’s all of the above,” a source told The Post. “There’s going to be like five touch points where you go OK, where’s the team.” 

This draft is loaded, and the Nets will be in the lottery; the 2027 free agent class could be stacked, and they’ll have flexibility. Whether they become aggressive this summer, next summer or the trade deadline in-between remains unclear. 

What’s crystal clear is they expect to compete sooner rather than later. 

Think months, not years. 

Nets coach Jordi Fernandez AP

Now, there is a huge gap between the Nets and, say, the reigning champion Thunder, whom they host Wednesday. The play-in is a viable holistic goal next year, but circumstances will determine when they ante up for a star. 

Like the lyric says, there’s levels to this. And Brooklyn is just trying to climb up from the bottom one next season, rather than wallow in the basement for the better part of a decade, piling up lottery pick after lottery pick. 

Charlotte was in the lottery for nine consecutive years before breaking through. The Pistons are atop the East, but tanked for five straight years — averaging just 18.8 wins from 2019-24 — to accumulate elite talent like Cade Cunningham. 

The Nets don’t plan to tank anywhere near that long. But like we said, mice and men… 

With Brooklyn not having control of its own first-round pick in 2027, they’re no longer incentivized to lose. They’ll try to emulate shorter tanks like OKC — but that’s easier said than done, with no Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to build around. 

“Our wins are not just the ones you see in the standings, and we’ve had that clear from the beginning,” said Jordi Fernández. “I know at times it may sound foreign for other people, but we have a plan. We know what we’re doing, and we’re confident that we’re going to be good for a long time. It’s just [that] it’s a process.” 

The Nets’ lottery luck will play a factor in how fast they rebuild. Anadolu via Getty Images

There are a number of touch points that will steer that process. One highly-placed source suggested five. 

Not in terms of importance but timeline. They could break down as follows: 

Judging the rookie’s growth. From Egor Dëmin’s driving to Ben Saraf’s jumper to Danny Wolf’s finishing, their development must be evaluated. 

“Right now we have this opportunity in front of us. These guys will play,” said Fernández. “We’ll have these different lineups to see what we have with particular players.” 

“[The Nets] have a draft class underneath them,” a source told The Post. “How they develop will determine when [they] press go.” 

So will what kind of lottery luck the Nets get in May. They entered Monday third in the lottery odds; finishing there could see them pick anywhere from first to seventh, with a drop-off after Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cam Boozer. 

Even though the Nets are nowhere near the playoffs, the postseason will shape their offseason. Underachieving can elicit breakups, and make stars available. 

Sources told The Post that Brooklyn was interested in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Donovan Mitchell before entering their tank. If either became available — and the former is largely expected to — could the Nets circle back? 

“They’ll have conversations [about stars],” one league source told The Post. “They already had conversations; they just weren’t quite the right time.” 

Somewhere over the next 18 months should be the right time for Brooklyn. But circumstances will dictate when.

The Nets lost 114-95 to visiting Portland.

Brooklyn (17-51) solidified their hold on third in the lottery odds. They clawed within two games of Indiana and kept pace ½-game behind runnerup Washington. Besides resting Noah Clowney and Michael Porter Jr. missing a third straight game with a sprained ankle, the Nets kept the rest of their regulars on a short leash.

Two-way Chaney Johnson had a team-high 17 points and nine boards, pressed into playing backup center. Tyson Etienne and Ben Saraf each scored 15 points, the latter adding four assists and a career-high four steals.

“We didn’t come out with the kind of decisiveness to start the game,” said Danny Wolf. “And when you do that against a good team, you’re going to (lose). They’re going to open the door pretty quickly.”

Nolan Traore had just four points on 1-of-8 shooting, Jordi Fernandez admitting the point guard has hit the rookie wall.

“He looks exhausted,” Fernandez said.

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Capitals are ushering in a youth movement on the fly as they prepare for life after Alex Ovechkin

NHL: Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres

Mar 12, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) during a stoppage in play against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Alex Ovechkin became the fresh face of the franchise for the Washington Capitals more than two decades ago when they selected the big, skilled Russian winger with the first pick in the 2004 NHL draft.

He’s now 40 and nearing the end of his 21st season with them. He hoisted the Stanley Cup as playoff MVP in 2018 and last year passed Wayne Gretzky as the league’s career goal-scoring leader.

Ovechkin has yet to say whether this is it or if he wants to play again in 2026-27, so the front office is planning for either contingency. While doing so, Washington is ushering in a youth movement on the fly, with the trade of 36-year-old organizational cornerstone John Carlson the latest step in turning the page on a generation of players responsible for not only a championship but 16 playoff appearances in 18 seasons.

Gone are longtime No. 1 center Nicklas Backstrom, do-it-all winger T.J. Oshie, goaltender Braden Holtby and now Carlson, who has been the team’s top defenseman almost from the time he made his debut.

“They’re these guys (who go from) sometimes they don’t even have a shaving kit to getting married and having families and having the careers that they’re having,” assistant general manager Ross Mahoney said in a phone interview. “Things don’t last forever.”

Capitals are building around a new core

The Capitals have done something rare in the NHL since the salary cap era began in 2005: replenish talent while consistently contending. Brian MacLellan, the general manager from 2014-24, and successor Chris Patrick have simultaneously bought and sold at times and made some shrewd offseason trades and free agent signings along the way.

The result is a new core of players in their mid-to-late 20s and early 30s, all signed through at least 2029: goalie Logan Thompson, defensemen Jakob Chychrun, Matt Roy and Martin Fehervary, and forwards Dylan Strome, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson, the latter of whom is likely to succeed Ovechkin as captain.

“That’s a pretty good starting point for a competitive team, a Stanley Cup-winning team,” Patrick said. “We just felt like going into the deadline, if we are going to make moves, we should make moves with that in mind — giving us assets that we can use to try to add impact players to this current group.”

Sending Carlson to Anaheim less than 15 hours before the trade deadline made it a sad day for former teammates. He spent 17 years with the Capitals, so Ovechkin called it probably the toughest day of his career from a personal standpoint.

The first- and third-round picks the Capitals got in the trade were among the best returns any team received for a pending free agent rental player. That deal and trading mid-30s fourth-line center Nic Dowd to Vegas added to a stockpile of draft capital: 13 selections in the first three rounds over the next four years.

Some of those picks will be used and others dealt for immediate help. A fast-rising cap has reduced the pool of high-end free agents available on July 1 because teams have plenty of space to re-sign their best players, so the trade market has become the place to go for talent.

“There’s not as big a bucket to shop from this summer, so I think having assets that are tradeable is good,” Patrick said. “Are those trades going to happen? I don’t know. We hope. There tend to be names that become available for some reason or another.”

Plenty of elite prospects already in Washington’s pipeline

The rare playoff misses and sell-offs have allowed Mahoney and his staff to infuse the organization with prospects from all over the world.

Already in the NHL are Ryan Leonard, the No. 8 pick in 2023, and fellow winger Ivan Miroshnichenko, a first-rounder the previous year. Defenseman Cole Hutson, selected 43rd in ‘24 is joining them this week after signing his entry-level contract Sunday fresh off his college season at Boston University ending. Ilya Protas, a find at No. 75 in that same draft, is leading the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears in scoring at the age of 19 and is close to following his older brother to Washington.

“I’m really happy with where we’re at,” said Mahoney, who been head of amateur scouting since 2000. “My guys have done a fantastic job of trying to kind of stockpile the shelves again.”

Protas, a 6-foot-5 center, might be able to slide into Dowd’s old spot as soon as next season. Hutson is a dynamic, offensively minded right-handed shooter whose impending arrival in part paved the way for Carlson to go to the Ducks, because there’s a succession plan in place.

“We felt a little bit more comfortable saying if we have to let a guy kind of towards the end of his career, in his mid-30s go, and could get good assets in return, hopefully we’re in a good spot,” Patrick said. “We won’t be right away, but within the next couple seasons hopefully we’re in a pretty good spot with where our younger guys have come.”

Mahoney, as he did in the late 2000s when the likes of Ovechkin, Backstrom, Mike Green and Alexander Semin were 20 and 21, would love to “speed up the clock” and fast-forward this next crop of prospects to being NHL ready. He knows that’s not possible, acknowledging, “You’ve got to be patient and let it evolve.”

And yet the expectation still is to win now — and whenever Ovechkin hangs up his skates. The Capitals are confident the players who have studied under him will keep the positive culture going and trust that management will keep making moves to supplement the core already in place.

“No one can replace Alex Ovechkin and what he brings to a team,” Patrick said. “Those guys, they just want to know that we’re going to be a competitive team and when it’s time to push the chips in, we will.”

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Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s 41 points leads Hawks past Magic, 124-112

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 16: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic on March 16, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks were in action on Monday to face the Orlando Magic. No, it wasn’t the illustrious Magic City Monday that was canceled last week, but it was still a highly anticipated matchup between two of the hottest teams in the league.

The Hawks came in on a nine-game winning streak, while the Maguv were on a seven-game winning streak. The Hawks had a 2-0 advantage against the Magic coming into the game, but both teams looked completely different the last time they faced each other.

The Magic came in with a few injuries in this one, while the Hawks were fully healthy, as Jonathan Kuminga was available for this one.

The Hawks came out and were efficient, shooting 6-of-10 from the field, while holding the Magic to just 3-of-11 shooting. Nickeil Alexander-Walker started hot with eight points.

Dyson Daniels got to this loose ball and made a play out of it.

The Hawks had a nine-point lead in the first, but the Magic were able to trim their deficit as the quarter progressed. Jock Landale kept the Hawks afloat with a this three-pointer to extend their lead.

Alexander-Walker extended it to double digits with this three-pointer, plus the foul, to bring his point total to 14 in the first.

The Hawks went into the second leading 34-21.

CJ McCollum started the second quarter with a three-pointer to bring the Hawks’ lead back to double digits.

The Hawks maintained their lead throughout the second, even though the Magic made several attempts at a run. Kuminga made an impact in the second, getting to the rim for this bucket, plus the foul.

Alexander-Walker continued his hot half from the three-point line.

Johnson threw down this nasty dunk coming down the lane full speed.

The Hawks couldn’t be stopped toward the end of the half, and they led 67-50 going into halftme.

They continuedn their strong play to start the third, as Onyeka Okonwgu cleaned up this missed shot at the rim.

Alexander-Walker couldn’t stop making threes, and kept making them rain in the third.

The Hawks turned defense into offense on this play, and Zaccharie Risacher got an easy dunk in transtion. The Hawks led by as much as 29 points in the quarter.

Going into the fourth, the Hawks led 104-83.

The Magic started to make things happen to start the fourth, and a small run helped them get their deficit to under 20 points. The Hawks were able to stay afloat for the most part, but a few mistakes continued to drain their lead as the quarter went on.

If it was one player who could calm down the Hawks, it was Alexander-Walker, and he did so knocking down two three-pointers in a row to bring the Hawks’ lead back to 20.

The Magic waved the white flag early pullun all their starters, but the bench players went on a run to cut down their deficit to 12 points. The Hawks were able to stand tight through their run, and walked away with their 10th straight win.

Alexander-Walker finished with 41 points, Johnson finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists, and Daniels finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

The Hawks will be back in action on Wednesday to face the Dallas Mavericks.

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Kawhi Leonard sidelined with a sprained ankle as Clippers chase a play-in spot

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard is out with a sprained left ankle as the Los Angeles Clippers chase a play-in berth.

He missed Monday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs after getting hurt in the fourth quarter of a 118-109 loss to Sacramento on Saturday.

Leonard is sixth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 28.3 points to go with 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He's shooting 50% from the floor, 38% from 3-point range and 90% from the free throw line in 53 games.

Leonard can’t afford to miss any more than three games to remain in contention for the league's major awards. Players are required to appear in at least 65 of 82 regular-season games to be eligible for MVP, All-NBA and All-Defensive honors.

Coach Tyronn Lue hopes Leonard isn't out more than a few days.

“I really don't know yet,” he said before the game.

John Collins was set to start in Leonard's place against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, who are second in the West.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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Guardians say 3B José Ramírez feeling better and sore shoulder ‘should be just fine in a few days’

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez was feeling much better Monday after the seven-time All-Star left a spring training game the previous day because of a sore shoulder, according to manager Stephen Vogt.

“We’re going to reassess him day by day. He should be just fine in a few days,” Vogt said Monday. “He knows himself really well. ... He came up from the on-deck circle and said, ‘I’m done.’ And that was really all I heard until later in the game.”

After Sunday’s game, Vogt said Ramírez had a sore left shoulder after jamming it while sliding into third for a stolen base. That came in the second inning after his double, and he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the fourth.

The 33-year-old Ramírez has played his entire 13-year career in Cleveland and is a lifetime .279 hitter with 285 home runs and 949 RBIs in 1,609 games. The $175 million, seven-year contract he signed during the offseason is the largest in franchise history.

Ramírez finished third in AL MVP voting last season after batting .283 with 30 homers and 85 RBIs.

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LA Kings Cruise Past Rangers For Bounce-Back Win

The Los Angeles Kings (28-24-15) end their five-game road trip with a bounce-back 4-1 win over the New York Rangers (28-31-8), snapping New York's four-game win streak, after suffering that disappointing loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. 

The opening period began with Drew Doughty snapping an impressive long-range shot through traffic to give LA the early 1-0 lead. The Kings once again played great defense to start, frustrating the Rangers on offense despite New York not drawing a penalty; they still struggled to score and generate shots on goal, holding the Rangers to just six. LA outshot the Rangers 8-6 during the quiet offensive period. 

The second period began with the Kings remaining hot, scoring two goals in a span of 28 seconds in the first four minutes of the second period to hold a commanding 3-0 lead. It all began with Mikey Anderson putting in the rebound after Alex Laferriere was fed by Quinton Byfield in the slot. LA took advantage and cleaned up the shot on the 4-on-2 rush. 

A few seconds later, the Rangers got called on their first power play of the game, and this time Alex Laferriere was able to get the shot up himself and put it through the net to give Los Angeles a 3-0 lead. 

Artemi Panarin also returned to Madison Square Garden for the first time since being traded to the Los Angeles Kings. The fans gave him a standing ovation, a much-deserved honor for the four-time All-Star. 

Panarin finished the game with one assist and one point, while Alex Laferriere finished with one goal, one assist, and two points. Los Angeles also got help from their defenseman Mikey Anderson, who scored one goal, one assist, and two points, while Quinton Byfield had a nice night spreading the wealth with two assists and two points. 

The dominance began in the second period, with the Kings outshooting the Rangers 16-3, once again putting in that defensive effort under D.J. Smith as interim head coach. 

The second period would end with the Kings leading 3-0, in the perfect position to win this game. 

New York did score on a power play goal to cut the deficit to 3-1 two minutes into the final frame, but couldn't generate goals. Despite outshooting the Kings by a big margin, 13-2, the Rangers had one chance to score and cut the deficit to 1, but hit the crossbar and never got back in the game.

With under two minutes remaining in the final period, the Kings sealed the deal with Trevor Moore capitalizing on the empty-netter to close out the Rangers 4-1 in MSG.

 

Overall, it was a great bounce-back win for the Kings in a must-win situation after dropping to sixth over the weekend. Los Angeles is now tied with Seattle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. 

LA ends their five-game road trip with a 3-1-1 record and stays in the Western Conference playoff race.

The Kings will return to Crypto.com Arena on Thursday to host the Philadelphia Flyers at 7:30 PM PT. 

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Malkin Sparks Penguins’ 7–2 Rout Of Avalanche

DENVER — It was a rough night at the office. 

Pittsburgh Penguins received a statement performance from Evgeni Malkin in his return to the lineup, as the veteran tallied two goals and an assist in a commanding 7–2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on Monday night.

Suiting up for the first time after serving a five-game suspension for slashing Rasmus Dahlin in a March 5 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Malkin looked sharp from the opening shift and drove Pittsburgh’s offense throughout the night.

Brock Nelson defended Scott Wedgewood and said the team has to defend better in front of the net.

Erik Karlsson added a goal and two assists, while Bryan Rust, Elmer Söderblom, and Noel Acciari each recorded a goal and an assist. The Penguins (34-18-15) have now won two straight and improved to 2-1-1 through the first four games of their five-game road trip. In net, Artūrs Šilovs made 25 saves.

For Colorado, Nathan MacKinnon and Brent Burns scored, but the Avalanche (44-13-9) dropped their second straight and third in the last four.

It was a difficult night in goal. Scott Wedgewood was pulled after allowing three goals on five shots in the opening 13 minutes. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 12 shots in relief, but Pittsburgh controlled the pace from start to finish.

First Period

The opening frame was chaotic from the outset, filled with early penalties, odd-man rushes, and a quick momentum swing in Pittsburgh’s favor.

Just 48 seconds in, Malkin was whistled for tripping Devon Toews, giving Colorado an early power play that failed to generate anything.

Moments after exiting the box, Malkin made an immediate impact. Rust found him in stride, and he slipped a backhand past Wedgewood at 3:01 to open the scoring.

Colorado answered quickly. Off a clean breakout led by Cale Makar, Martin Nečas carried the puck into the zone before feeding MacKinnon, who wired a shot past Šilovs to tie the game 1–1.

The deadlock lasted just 15 seconds.

Karlsson launched a stretch pass to Anthony Mantha, who broke in alone and restored the lead with a backhand finish.

Colorado’s power play struggled to find rhythm, failing again after a cross-checking penalty to Ville Koivunen.

Midway through the period, Pittsburgh extended the lead. On a 2-on-1, Parker Wotherspoon fed Malkin, who snapped home his second of the night to make it 3–1.

That goal ended Wedgewood’s night, prompting head coach Jared Bednar to turn to Blackwood.

The change didn’t help.

On the first shot he faced, Söderblom buried a rebound off a shot from Connor Dewar to push the lead to 4–1.

Burns responded late in the period, blasting a point shot over Šilovs’ glove with 5:09 remaining to cut the deficit to 4–2.

Despite being outshot 17–7, Pittsburgh capitalized on its chances and carried a two-goal lead into intermission.

Second Period

Colorado had opportunities early but couldn’t solve its power-play issues.

Mantha was called for holding Josh Manson just 3:30 into the period, but the Avalanche came up empty again.

At 10:36, Karlsson fired a shot through traffic that beat Blackwood to make it 5–2. At that point, Pittsburgh had scored five goals on just 10 shots.

A tripping penalty to Šilovs—served by Egor Chinakhov—gave Colorado another chance, but the power play continued to sputter, dropping to 0-for-4.

Moments later, Pittsburgh got its own opportunity when Nic Roy was sent off for hooking Ryan Shea. Colorado killed that penalty but immediately took another for too many men, extending the Penguins’ advantage.

That sequence proved costly.

Rickard Rakell intercepted a pass in the offensive zone and fed Malkin, who quickly sent Rust in alone. He finished the breakaway to make it 6–2, capping a clinical stretch for Pittsburgh.

Third Period

The Avalanche showed some push early in the third, generating pressure and attacking the net.

Nazem Kadri led the charge with a strong zone entry and a spinning shot, but Šilovs turned it aside.

At 9:06, Pittsburgh added one more. Söderblom delivered a spinning pass that deflected off Acciari and into an open net, with Gavin Brindley and Nick Blankenburg unable to clear the puck.

That made it 7–2 and effectively put the game out of reach.

Notables

Bednar said the injured players will be evaluated at the end of the week to see about their availability for the upcoming eight-day road trip. Those players include Gabriel Landeskog (Upper-Body), Artturi Lehkonen (Upper-Body), Ross Colton (Upper-Body), and Logan O'Connor (Upper-Body). 

Next Up

The Avalanche wrap up their homestand Wednesday against the Dallas Stars at 7:30 p.m. MT. The game will air on TNT, HBO Max, and Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM.

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Mets’ Cristian Pache developed his stellar fielding under guidance from Andruw Jones

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Mets center fielder Cristian Pache catching a fly ball, Image 2 shows Andruw Jones

PORT ST. LUCIE — Cristian Pache started in center field against the Nationals on Monday at Clover Park, but his future seems destined for Triple-A Syracuse, where the Mets hope to unlock some tools on offense, as Pache has already proven himself as a stellar defensive outfielder. 

His prowess in center is no surprise, considering his history. 

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Pache, 27, signed with the Braves out of the Dominican Republic in 2015 and went on to wear No. 25 in the majors with Atlanta in 2021. 

The decision to wear that number was easy for Pache — who spent all of last season with Arizona’s Triple-A Reno affiliate. 

“When I was young, my dad was a big fan of Atlanta and used to have me watch a lot of Andruw Jones videos,” Pache said recently through an interpreter. “From a defensive standpoint, I took after him.” 

As far as models go, that was a pretty good choice, as Jones is headed to Cooperstown largely because of how well he played center over a 17-year major league career spent mostly with the Braves. 

After signing with the Braves and coming up through the minor league system, Pache got to work with Jones, who was an instructor with Atlanta following his playing career that ended with the Yankees in 2012.

Cristian Pache has already proven himself as a stellar defensive outfielder.  Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Jones will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer. 

“After I met him, we had a good relationship, so I figured I’d wear his number,” Pache said. 

“In my first spring with the Braves, he was there and gave me advice and told me how to work on skills and tricks to help improve my ability on defense.” 

Andruw Jones is headed to Cooperstown largely because of how well he played center over a 17-year major league career spent mostly with the Braves.  Getty Images

He signed a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp in December and has so far looked good with his new team. 

Pache entered Monday 11-for-25 with three extra-base hits in 11 Grapefruit League games, as the Mets remain hopeful he has the tools to become a player in the majors. 

With Juan Soto in left field, Luis Robert Jr. in center and Carson Benge potentially the future in right, there might not be room for Pache in Queens. 

But he’s still managed to impress. 

“He’s an elite defender,” Carlos Mendoza said. “Offensively, we’ve seen him hit the ball hard up the middle and run the bases. There are a lot of tools there. It’s good to see him getting results.”

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MLB Scores: Astros 8, Mets 2

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 09: Carson Benge (93) of the New York Mets hits a triple to drive in a run in the second inning during a spring training game against the Miami Marlins on March 09, 2026 at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In a see saw game on Monday night at Clover Park, the Mets fell 12-6 to the Nationals thanks to Washington’s six-run eruption in the ninth inning. It was the Mets’ ninth loss of the spring to go along with their 11 wins and one tie. The Mets return to action tomorrow afternoon as they travel to Jupiter to face the Marlins. Sean Manaea will take the ball in that game as he looks to secure his spot in the team’s rotations ahead of Opening Day.

  • David Peterson started for New York and had an uneven outing. He allowed two runs in the first and two runs in the fourth. He was charged with four earned runs on five hits, with two walks and two strikeouts over four innings.
  • The Mets got a pair back in the bottom half of the frame against Zach Penrod. Carson Benge led off with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Francisco Alvarez drove Benge home on a double down the left field line, and then came around to score on a Ronny Mauricio two-out double.
  • Cristian Pache launched a solo home run in the second to give New York their first lead of the night. The Mets extended their lead in the third, as Mauricio singled home Jared Young.
  • Washington’s Riley Adams singled home two runs in the top of the fourth to knot the game up at four apiece.
  • After Peterson’s outing was complete, Devin Williams took the ball and hurled a scoreless fifth inning. The Mets’ closer struck out one and walked one as he lowered his ERA on the spring to 1.80
  • Cristian Scott came in and pitched three-plus innings for New York, allowing three earned runs on five hits. Scott struck out four and did not walk a batter.
  • Washington went ahead in the sixth when CJ Abrams led off with a triple and came around to score on a wild pitch. They added a run in the seventh on a James Woods leadoff home run.
  • The Mets pulled even on a Christian Arroyo two-run home run in the eighth, his first of the spring for the Mets.
  • The wheels came off for New York in the ninth inning, ultimately leading to their demise in this one. Woods doubled off Scott to lead off the inning, which ended the right-hander’s night. Douglas Orellana came in to try and hold the Nationals off the scoreboard, but he immediately allowed a double to Joey Weimer, which brought the pinch runner Luis Arias home. Later in the inning, Orellana threw a wild pitch, which brought home the eighth Washington run. Viandel Pena drove home two runs with a single past the third base bag, and another run came home on a Murphy Stehly run-scoring single.
  • That spelled the end of the night for Orellana, who could not escape the ninth inning. Gregori Louis came in and allowed another run-scoring hit, which made it six runs in the inning for Washington as they batted around. He recovered to retire Luis Arias for the final out of the nightmarish ninth.
  • Benge had another great night, going 2-for-2 with two walks and a run scored. He raised his spring average to .406 and his OPS to .972.
  • Alvarez and Mauricio each had good nights for New York. Alvarez went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored, and a one driven in, while Mauricio had two hits in four at-bats while driving in two of New York’s six runs.
  • Pache also had a two-hit night, with a double to go along with his home run.
  • On the flip side, Mark Vientos had another brutal showing, going 0-for-4 with a strikeout. His average has now fallen to .040 on the spring, which isn’t counting his tough stint with Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic.
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Carson Benge, Francisco Alvarez, Ronny Mauricio spearhead Mets' offense in loss to Nationals

The Mets were defeated by the Washington Nationals 12-6 on Monday night at Clover Park.

Here are some takeaways...

- Carson Benge continues to solidify his case for the Mets' Opening Day RF spot. The youngster reached safely in all four of his plate appearances on the night -- walking in the first, lining an opposite-field double in the second, walking again in the fourth, then lacing a 107.6 mph single in the seventh. 

Benge is riding a six-game hitting streak, helping bring his average to .406 on the spring. 

- It was a good night for two of the regulars in the Mets' starting lineup, as well. Francisco Alvarez reached twice with a first inning RBI double and a five-pitch walk in the third, and Ronny Mauricio laced a pair of opposite-field run scoring knocks, both of which came from the right-side against left-handed pitchers. 

Mauricio is now hitting .313 on the spring, and Alvarez is up to a 1.107 OPS. 

- Cristian Pache also continued his strong spring at the plate, reaching twice including a solo homer. The 27-year-old hasn't found much success to this point in his big-league career, but he'd give the Mets quality depth if he can continue this offensive surge to begin the season in Syracuse. 

Pache, a career .181 hitter, is hitting .464 with a 1.302 OPS on the spring. 

- Mark Vientos, on the other hand, continues to struggle and run into some tough luck offensively. He laced a 106.4 mph lineout right at the left fielder in the bottom of the first, broke his bat and softly lined out to third in the third, flew out to the warning track in the fourth, and struck out with a man on in the seventh. 

The slugger remains hitless since returning from the WBC, and is hitting just .040 in camp. 

- David Peterson endured a bit of an up-and-down outing. Washington made him pay in the first, turning two walks and two hits into a pair of runs, before he settled into a groove. The left-hander retired the next nine hitters he faced before the Nats turned three fourth-inning singles into two more two-out runs. 

Peterson's spring ERA is now 5.63 after allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over four innings. 

- Devin Williams continues to look in mid-season form. The Mets' new closer worked around a leadoff walk and stolen base in the top of the fifth, striking out one, as he put together his fourth consecutive scoreless appearance since allowing a homer on his very first pitch he threw this spring.

Williams has now struck out six and is down to a 1.80 ERA in Grapefruit League play.

- Christian Scott was hit around a bit in his third outing back. The righty gave up a triple to the first batter he faced in the sixth before allowing him to score on a wild pitch. James Wood then jumped him for a homer leading off the seventh. Wood would lace a leadoff double in the ninth to end Scott's night. 

Scott gave up three runs on five hits and struck out five while stretching out to 56 pitches. 

- Infielder Christian Arroyo evened things up with his first homer of the spring in the bottom of the eighth, before Washington regained command with six runs against Douglas Orellana in the top of the ninth.

Highlights

What's next

Sean Manaea gets the St. Patrick's Day start, as the Mets head to Jupiter to take on the Miami Marlins at 1:10 p.m.

 

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Nothing will be easy for the Islanders from here on out

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Bo Horvat of the New York Islanders on the ice during a game against the Los Angeles Kings, Image 2 shows Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with his stick on the ice, facing a Vegas Golden Knights player, Image 3 shows Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) controls the puck as Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) trails the play

TORONTO — It’s been over three months since the Islanders were out of a playoff spot, allowing for the illusion of security.

This Islanders team is, plainly, much better than the last two that made the playoffs and which took until Games 81 and 82 to secure passage into the tournament, respectively, before bowing out quietly in the first round. Nevertheless, it may take this year’s outfit just as much time to clinch a spot.

As they flew north to start a three-game road trip with stops in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal on Monday, the Islanders were mired in a five-team race for four spots — two in the Metropolitan Division and both wild-card spots — with the Penguins, Blue Jackets, Bruins and Red Wings.

With 81 points, the Islanders were one spot below the Penguins, who started the day with just as many points before playing the Avalanche, but guaranteed to stay ahead even with a loss, as they have four more regulation wins. Columbus was two points back and out of a spot; the Bruins and Red Wings were both on 80 points and occupying the two wild-card spots. Montreal, it’s worth noting, could easily fall into this race as well; currently, the Canadiens are in third in the Atlantic Division, but just two points ahead of Boston and Detroit.

The most important teams for the Islanders to watch are the Penguins and Blue Jackets, as whoever finishes first of those three will have home-ice advantage in the first round. In that respect, the Islanders do have a schedule advantage.

Pittsburgh — which has been without the injured Sidney Crosby since the Olympic break, though he is on the Penguins’ current road trip and could return soon — has the hardest remaining strength of schedule out of any team in the league. The Blue Jackets have the third toughest and, just for good measure, the Bruins are in between them.

Bo Horvat #14 of the New York Islanders skates against the Los Angeles Kings. NHLI via Getty Images

It’s not all good news though. The Islanders are right behind that trio with a .595 remaining strength of schedule.

The Red Wings, at .575, have by far the easiest strength of schedule out of the quintet, but they’re also dealing with the toughest injury situation. Their top two centers, captain Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp, both got hurt right after the trade deadline and were expected to miss at least two weeks.

Remaining strength of schedule, though, does omit a key bit of context: once they get back from Canada, the Islanders have just two road games in their last 12 to close out the season. So, yes, they’ll face some tough opposition, but given the frantic pace of their travel schedule since January, the Isles are probably OK with the trade-off. Their remaining games against the Blue Jackets (March 22) and Penguins (March 30) are also both at UBS.

Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Vegas Golden Knights. NHLI via Getty Images

Even going into this road trip, the Islanders had the most remaining home games left in the league, a considerable advantage, if they can just get through their last few road games unscathed.

If the Islanders do close out strong and make the playoffs, the ideal scenario is anything that gets them home ice in the first round. Beyond that, the Blue Jackets might be the opponent they’d most like to face, though there’s certainly no such thing as an easy matchup.

Pittsburgh has played the Islanders tough in two games they’ve split, plus Crosby would be an intimidating first-round opponent, especially with the potential of this being Evgeni Malkin’s last season. Carolina beat the Islanders in 2019, 2023 and 2024 — there’s no way the Islanders want any part of the ’Canes and a raucous Lenovo Center in another first-round series.

Buffalo doesn’t have any playoff experience, a plus for any potential opponent, but the Sabres are red-hot and being on the Atlantic side of the bracket, with Tampa or Montreal looming in the second round, isn’t exactly ideal.

Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) controls the puck as Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) trails. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Isles are 2-1 against Columbus through three games and it’s been six years since the Blue Jackets have been in the playoffs. That wouldn’t be an easy series either, but it’s one the Isles could reasonably expect to get through.

First, though, they have to actually make it.

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Spring Training GAME THREAD: Guardians vs. Cubs

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - MARCH 3: Carter Kieboom #31 of the Cleveland Guardians gloves a bouncing ground ball during the sixth inning of the spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Goodyear Ballpark on March 3, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jose’s shoulder is ok, that’s all that matters. Here’s today’s lineup:

Halpin LF

Martinez CF

Manzardo DH

Hedges C

Kayfus 1B

Jones RF

Brito 2B

Kieboom 3B

Tolentino SS

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A’s Shutout the Angels 3-0

MESA, AZ - MARCH 03: Mark Leiter Jr. #38 of the Athletics pitches during the game between the Team Brazil and the Athletics at Hohokam Stadium on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Tom Wilson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Athletics put forth arguably their best pitching performance yet this spring, shutting out the Los Angeles Angels 3-0. This afternoon marked the first time the team kept its opponent off the scoreboard in this year’s Cactus League.

A’s left-hander Jeffrey Springs put together his best performance and now seems ready for the season to start. He threw 84 pitches over 4 2/3 scoreless innings, only allowing three hits while striking out four. Springs found himself in trouble early as the Angels loaded the bases with two outs in the first inning on two hits and a walk. He escaped that jam by getting Angels’ catcher Logan O’Hoppe to fly out to left. Following that early scare, it was mostly smooth sailing for Springs until he was removed for reliever Nick Anderson after allowing Mike Trout’s fourth double of the spring with two outs in the fifth inning.

Returning to the first inning, buoyed by the Angels leaving the bases loaded, the A’s offense struck first against Los Angeles pitcher George Klassen. Following Nick Kurtz getting hit by a pitch and a Shea Langeliers single, Tyler Soderstrom grounded into a double play, which nearly killed the rally. Fortunately, Brent Rooker hit a two-out RBI single to score Kurtz who had moved to third base on the previous play. Rooker stole second base and then scored on Jacob Wilson’s single to right field.

Klassen and the three Angels relievers did a good job of subduing what was a red-hot A’s offense. The A’s finished the game with only four hits. Their only other run came courtesy of Max Muncy’s fourth Cactus League home run, a solo shot to right field in the fourth inning.

Out of all of the team’s candidates to play third base, Muncy seems to have the most offensive upside and has been getting the most playing time at the position, which suggests he will likely start there Opening Day in Toronto. Muncy has the offensive ability to further strengthen an already stellar lineup, although he will hopefully not make too many crippling defensive errors if given the chance to play third base daily.

With the team up 3-0, it was down to the A’s relievers to protect their team’s slim lead. Right-handers Nick Anderson, Mark Leiter Jr., Michael Kelly and A.J. Causey did their job and more, combining to keep the Angels from inching closer.

Anderson, who curiously was not reassigned alongside fellow non-roster invitees Wander Suero and Nick Hernandez, got the last out of the fifth inning and then worked around allowing a leadoff double the next inning. Free-agent acquisition Leiter Jr. will likely pitch in many high-stress, late-game moments this season for the A’s. This afternoon, he worked his way out of a first-and-third, one-out situation in the seventh inning, striking out Mike Trout for the second out and then getting the next Angels hitter to ground out to end the inning.

Kelly also worked out of trouble the next inning and then Causey, who has a shot to make his MLB debut this year, slammed the door in the ninth, collecting his first save in an A’s uniform.

All spring, the A’s have been winning games by simply outscoring their opponents, so today it was nice to see the team win thanks to strong pitching and defense. Speaking of defense, Zack Gelof caught every ball hit his way in right field. If anyone was at the game, how does he look in the outfield and is it a realistic possibility to see him out there in the regular season? Share in the comment section below.

Here’s how the box score looked today:

The Athletics will try to make it two wins in a row tomorrow as they travel to Glendale, Arizona to play the Chicago White Sox. Luis Morales will start for the A’s, looking to build on his solid performance in his last outing and cement his spot as one of the A’s five starting pitchers in their season-opening rotation. At the moment, the White Sox have yet to list their scheduled starter for that Cactus League matchup between two teams looking to take a step forward this season.

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Dodgers throwing the last pitch, then the first pitch

(Original Caption) 6/6/1964-Philadelphia, PA: King of the Mount Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers knocks off the last of the Phillies' batters during the game here 6/6. In addition to downing the Philadelphia team 3-0, Koufax scored the third no-hitter of his career.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Monday was officially named the opening day starter for the Dodgers, with the right-hander set to take the mound on Thursday, March 26 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.

That puts Yamamoto in rare air, considering he also threw the last pitch for the Dodgers in 2025, getting the final eight outs in Game 7 of the World Series, the day afterthrowing 96 pitches in six innings in Game 6. In case you forgot how that ended, Yamamoto won Game 6 and Game 7, and the Dodgers won a second straight World Series, with the star Japanese right-hander at the center of it all.

Yamamoto next week will join Sandy Koufax as the only Dodgers pitchers to close out a World Series championship, then throw the first pitch of the next season. Koufax beat the New York Yankees in 1963 to win World Series MVP, just like Yamamoto last year.

In 1964 he started the Dodgers’ first game, also at Dodger Stadium, this time a shutout to beat the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the only opening day start of Koufax’s illustrious career.

While Koufax and soon Yamamoto are the only Dodgers to follow the last pitch of a championship and the first pitch of the next season, eight others in modern franchise history threw the Dodgers’ final pitch of one season and the first pitch of the next.

Others in the Fall Classic

Brooklyn lost the best-of-nine World Series five games to two in 1916, their first trip to the Fall Classic. Wheezer Dell pitched a scoreless inning to conclude the Dodgers’ pitching in that series, then started on opening day in 1917 against the Phillies, allowing six runs in five innings in a loss.

Carl Erskine pitched the final two innings of Game 7 of the 1952 World Series in scoreless fashion, in a game the Dodgers lost 4-2 to the rival New York Yankees. Then he started opening day in 1953 against the Pirates at Ebbets Field. That didn’t go as well for Erskine, who allowed four runs in three innings. But Brooklyn rallied for an 8-5 win.

One regular season into another

Right-hander Cy Barger pitched three of his seven major league seasons for Brooklyn, and closed out the 1910 season with a complete-game loss against the Boston Braves. He followed that up with the opening day start in 1911, and lost another one-run game to the Braves, this time on the road.

Dazzy Vance is the other Hall of Famer in this group along with Koufax, and just as Koufax won NL MVP in 1963, so did Vance in 1924 after leading the league in wins (28) and strikeouts (262). Vance on the last day of the 1924 season pitched his 30th complete game of the year in beating the Braves at Ebbets Field. Then in 1925, Vance beat the Philadelphia Phillies on opening day with another complete game.

Jesse Petty ended the 1926 season with a complete-game win over the Chicago Cubs, and started 1927 with an opening-day win in Boston.

Leftt-hander Watson Clarkbeat the Phillies to end the 1928 season, then started on opening day in 1929 in Boston. Clark lasted only three innings and allowed five runs, in a wild game Brooklyn lost 13-12.

Hall of Famer Don Drysdale pitched the final two innings in relief to beat the Cubs at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, closing out the 1960 season. Drysdale struck out two in that game to give him a major-league-leading 246 strikeouts on the season, at the time the fourth-most strikeouts in modern National League history.

Then Drysdale beat the Phillies in the same stadium with seven strong innings to open the 1961 campaign. That was the fourth consecutive opening day start for the then-24-year-old Drysdale, who would start seven opening days in his career.

Nobody knew it at the time, but Ramón Mártinezshutting out the Cincinnati Reds on August 11, 1994 was the Dodgers’ final game of the season. Before this start, Mártinez was briefly back home in Glendale for the birth of his daughter.

“They were saying to me, ‘Have another kid,” Martínez said, laughing, to Maryanne Hudson of the Los Angeles Times.

The players’ strike began the next day, and labor strife escalated enough to cancel the World Series that year as well as lop one-ninth of the 1995 schedule as well. Once an accord between players and owners was finally reached and a shortened-spring training got folks ready, Martínez pitched six strong innings to beat the Florida Marlins in Miami in the Dodgers’ first game.