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Sanchez won't start Tuesday but Phillies encouraged

Sanchez won't start Tuesday but Phillies encouraged originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

CHICAGO — Cristopher Sanchez will not take his turn in the Phillies’ rotation on Tuesday, but the news on his forearm has been promising.

At least one bit of good news during a five-game losing streak.

Sanchez played catch from up to 90 feet on Friday at Wrigley Field, three days after pitching just two innings and leaving a start against the Mets with left forearm tightness. He gave a thumbs-up as he walked back into the clubhouse pregame, signaling that it went well, and will throw a bullpen session on Sunday afternoon.

“Good, very good,” manager Rob Thomson said of Sanchez’ day. “… Hopefully we dodged a bullet here.”

Zack Wheeler will start on Tuesday in the spot that would have been Sanchez’. The Phillies were off Thursday and are again Monday, so Wheeler will actually be pitching on one extra day of rest despite moving ahead of Sanchez in the order. He doesn’t like pitching on one extra day, much less two.

The Phillies’ rotation beyond Tuesday is TBD. The off-days would allow them to start Taijuan Walker, Jesus Luzardo and Aaron Nola on normal rest Wednesday through Friday before re-slotting Sanchez back in on Saturday.

Ranger Suarez is also nearing a return to the rotation. He will throw approximately 80 pitches on Sunday at Triple A in his fourth rehab start. He may make a fifth to get to the 95-pitch range, Thomson said Friday morning.

Marsh progressing

Outfielder Brandon Marsh began a rehab assignment of his own Thursday with Lehigh Valley. He was scheduled to play seven innings in center field on Friday then DH on Saturday.

Marsh is on the injured list (backdated to April 17) with a mild right hamstring strain. He is first eligible to return on Sunday.

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Evan Mobley earns pay bump with DPOY award, but that could cost Cavaliers a rotation player

Evan Mobley deserved to win Defensive Player of the Year, and his timing could not have been any better. Mobley signed a max extension to his rookie contract, which kicks in next season, but with the DPOY award comes Rose Rule money — he was set to make 25% of the salary cap (five years at an estimated $224 million, starting at $38.7 million next season). Now that can jump to $30% of the cap, an estimated $45 million more over the course of the contract, and it would start at about $46.4 million next season.

The Cavaliers will gladly pay their star, but this salary bump would put them into the second luxury tax apron next season, meaning the Cavaliers will likely lose a rotation player to keep costs down. ESPN's Brian Windhorst talked about it on the Hoop Collective Podcast (hat tip Real GM).

"There's people in their organization who have said to me 'We absolutely want... we're so excited that we gave Evan this contract. And he's going to be an All-NBA player and a Defensive Player of the Year, but this bonus could cost us a player.'"

The Cavaliers have one rotation player entering free agency, Ty Jerome, who finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting. He is earning $2.6 million this season and is an unrestricted free agent, likely to receive around full mid-level exception money, around $14 million per season. If the Cavaliers want to keep him, they need to find a trade that essentially dumps the salary of someone like Max Strus or Isaac Okoro (or, they can find a trade for De'Andre Hunter). One way or another, it probably costs the Cavaliers a rotation player.

This is not a case of an owner not wanting to spend, it's the reality of the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), where the second apron — $17.5 million above the luxury tax line — serves as a virtual hard cap due to the team-building restrictions that come with it. No team is willing to stay above it for long, and the Cavaliers are no exception. When you have a deep team of stars, the kind of players who can be named All-NBA and win awards like Defensive Player of the Year, it's much harder to keep a quality roster of role players around them. It's the new reality of the NBA.

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NHL Fines Senators And Cousins For Warmup Conduct Toward Maple Leafs: Coaches Didn't Seem Bothered

Nick Cousins (Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images)

The NHL fined the Ottawa Senators $25,000 and center Nick Cousins $2,083.33 for unsportsmanlike conduct tied to an incident in warmups before Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The NHL investigated an incident that occurred during the warmup ahead of Game 3, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. In it, Senators players, including left winger Nick Cousins, shot pucks at Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz.

The Senators' fine goes to the NHL Foundation, while Cousins' fine, which was the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement, goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Earlier on Friday, Senators coach Travis Green and Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube weighed in on the investigation between the two teams.   

"It's an active investigation. I don't know if I should be commenting on that now," Green said, getting a few laughs from the media in attendance. He said he was kidding.

“I saw the video,” Green said. “Nick Cousins and Stolarz have played together, he’s probably trying to laugh at him or make a joke or get him off his game. It is what it is.”

Cousins and Stolarz were teammates when playing for the Florida Panthers and won the Stanley Cup together last season. They were also teammates in the early stages of their careers with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2016-17.

Berube had less to say on the incident.

“I don’t think it’s anything,” he said.

Berube even recalled warming up before a game for the Flyers in 1992 when his teammate, Keith Acton, fired pucks at the New York Rangers’ net throughout the warmup to wind them up. Whatever happened with the Sens and Leafs on Thursday, it didn’t end like the brouhaha between the Flyers and Rangers.

The investigation doesn’t seem to concern either side of the Battle of Ontario, and it’s seen as a joke or light-hearted teasing if anything.

If Cousins was looking to get Stolarz off his game, it didn’t really work, as the Leafs goaltender stopped 18 of 20 shots the Senators threw at him. It was Stolarz’s 11th straight win dating back to the end of the regular season. In that stretch, Stolarz has recorded a.944 save percentage, 1.53 goals-against average and three shutouts.

Game 4 of this series will take place on Saturday. Toronto has a 3-0 series lead over Ottawa.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Losing streak reaches 5 for the .500 Phillies, who can't buy a big hit

Losing streak reaches 5 for the .500 Phillies, who can't buy a big hit originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

CHICAGO — The losing streak reached five games and the Phillies are .500 for the first time all season after dropping their first of three at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon.

The start of the game was delayed by 2 hours and 10 minutes by rain on a chilly, windy morning but the sun made its way out just before first pitch. The Phillies’ offense did not follow in a 4-0 loss.

They fell behind once again and continue to produce an alarmingly low number of extra-base hits. They had none on Wednesday, two on Friday and have five in their last four games. The Cubs had six in this game alone.

The last time the Phillies ended a full inning with a lead was the seventh on Sunday. They’ve played 40 since. The pitchers have had no wiggle room and the hitters haven’t been able to take a deep breath for nearly a week.

“We’re in a little bit of a rut here,” manager Rob Thomson said. “Runners in scoring position, I know we talk about it all the time, but one of these days we’re gonna come through. Really, the threat was in the seventh inning when we got two guys on. The other innings, I don’t think we got a runner into scoring position until there were two outs so you’ve got one shot at it. But you’ve got first and second with nobody out, you feel like that’s the time you need to score.”

The Phillies remain confident this is just a blip on the radar for an experienced group, but the run of mediocrity extends much farther back than the 13-13 start. They’re 46-47 since last All-Star break, 47-50 if you include the NLDS. It’s true that this is a new year, but it’s not so new a team. The Phillies returned most of the same roster and are experiencing the same issues that led to their demise last fall — too much of the lineup going cold at the same time and not enough reliability in the bullpen.

They’ve been shut out three times through 26 games. It took 90 games last season.

“We’re stringing things together and it’s just avoiding us right now,” Kyle Schwarber said. “It can be frustrating, mind-boggling, but overall, if we keep getting guys on base and into scoring position, things are going to start going our way.”

Sometimes, an offense slumps because the ball isn’t traveling over the wall. Sometimes, it’s the elusiveness of the big hit. Sometimes, it’s bad luck. Right now, the Phillies are experiencing all three problems.

They’re 26 games into the season and have only four players with more than one home run: Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott and Nick Castellanos.

Schwarber hit five homers through 10 games but wasn’t going to hit 81. The Phils need to find alternative ways to score when he’s going through a power drought or Harper isn’t locked in. This Cubs team entered the day leading the National League in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, stolen bases and, naturally, runs scored. They’ve been a three-dimensional offense. The Phillies have not.

Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto, Max Kepler and Alec Bohm are all hitting below .250 with three combined home runs in 396 plate appearances. It’s just not enough.

On top of it all, there’s been misfortune. Harper crushed a ball in the third inning that, according to Statcast, would have been a game-tying home run in calm conditions. But the wind was blowing in 10 to 15 mph from left field and it was a flyout instead. Bohm laced the first pitch he saw in the top of the fourth with two outs and men on second and third but hit it directly at left fielder Ian Happ to end the inning. Realmuto hit a ball on a line with two on and two out in the eighth and Pete Crow-Armstrong needed to glide only a few feet to catch it.

“J.T. hits a bullet, Bohm hits a bullet,” Thomson recalled, shaking his head. “But we’ve got to create some runs, we’ve got to swing the bats better.”

Taijuan Walker (1-2, 2.78 ERA) lasted only three innings because he threw 86 pitches. He again limited the damage and his opponents have hit .179 this season with men on base. The bullpen did its job by allowing two runs over five innings.

But the Phillies couldn’t capitalize on the Cubs’ inability to break the game open, which was also one of the stories of their three-game series at Citi Field. The Cubs were 4-for-22 with runners in scoring position and all of that execution from the pitching staff didn’t matter.

These vets pride themselves on their ability to persevere. Less than a month into the season, it’s already being tested.

“It’s such a long season. You’re gonna go through a long stretch like this where things aren’t going your way,” Walker said. “It really just depends when it happens, you know? We’d rather do it now than late in the season. If we get it out of the way now, can get on a streak and play some good baseball, which I know we can do.”

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'I Know Where It Comes From': Senators' David Perron Sees Similarities Between Blues' 2019 Cup-Winning Team And Maple Leafs

Nov 3, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube looks on during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images

At points during the series between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs, David Perron sees a game he's far too familiar with.

In 2019, Perron joined the St. Louis Blues on a four-year, $16 million contract. Little did he know that several months later, after a mid-season coaching change, he'd be winning the Stanley Cup.

Six years later, Perron is back in the playoffs with the Senators, battling against a familiar face: Craig Berube, who guided the Blues to their first-ever Stanley Cup in 2019.

Berube has constructed Toronto as a defensively sound team that is closing lanes, blocking shots, and physical at both ends of the rink. The Maple Leafs also have more playoff experience than Ottawa, which has made it difficult for the Senators to generate success.

Perron, though, has seen this blueprint before. He sees many similarities between this Maple Leafs team and the 2019 Blues.

"At times, they have a shooting lane, and they just keep driving the puck a little deeper, they delay, they hang onto it," Perron said Friday.

"We have our fair share of o-zone time and they do as well. It's not like they are killing us on that part, I don't think. But yeah, I do see some stuff that pops in my head and I know where it comes from."

'I Don't Score A Lot Of Goals': Leafs Take 3-0 Series Lead As Simon Benoit's Heroics Put Senators on the Ropes'I Don't Score A Lot Of Goals': Leafs Take 3-0 Series Lead As Simon Benoit's Heroics Put Senators on the RopesKANATA, Ont. — After scoring the Toronto Maple Leafs' game-winning overtime goal against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Simon Benoit took the news conference podium and was asked if it was the biggest goal of his life?

When asked point-blank whether Berube's coaching style is built for playoff hockey, the veteran forward said, "Yeah, I do," without missing a beat.

Toronto has had the upper hand over Ottawa in many categories throughout the three-game series. Their goaltending has been better, their power play is more successful, and their top players — Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares, specifically — are acting like their top players.

'When You Give Him That, He's Never Missing': Auston Matthews Breaks Out Of Goal Rut In Maple Leafs' Series-Shifting Win Over Senators'When You Give Him That, He's Never Missing': Auston Matthews Breaks Out Of Goal Rut In Maple Leafs' Series-Shifting Win Over SenatorsThirty-two seconds into the third period of Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators, Mitch Marner showed why he was Mitch Marner.

But now comes the toughest part for the Maple Leafs: closing out the series. In recent memory, Toronto has lacked a killer instinct. In their last eight playoff appearances, they've only eliminated one team, the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023.

If anything could change under Berube, it's how the Maple Leafs approach a game where their destiny lies in their hands. In the past, their play has been out of kilter in big games.

'I Don't Think This Is Anything': No Stranger To Pregame Shenanigans, Maple Leafs' Craig Berube Recalls Getting Into One As A Player 'I Don't Think This Is Anything': No Stranger To Pregame Shenanigans, Maple Leafs' Craig Berube Recalls Getting Into One As A Player KANATA, Ont. — The Toronto Maple Leafs will keep their focus on trying to sweep the Ottawa Senators when the teams face off in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday. But Toronto head coach Craig Berube couldn't help but crack a smile as he was asked about the NHL investigating a pre-game incident allegedly involving Senators forward Nick Cousins firing a puck at Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in warmup.

Let's see if that changes in Game 4 on Saturday, where Toronto can end the Battle of Ontario with a win in the nation's capital.

"I think as a group, it’s always a work in progress. I think that last game is always the most difficult, and we expect it to be the most competitive," Morgan Rielly said Friday.

"So for us, we’re not getting carried away with anything, we’re just focusing on building our game and growing and playing within structure and becoming more comfortable, increasing the execution."

Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

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NFL Draft: Matthew Golden could be the fantasy wide receiver we've been waiting for on the Packers

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft brought a ripple of surprise — and excitement — when the Green Bay Packers finally broke their age-old first-round WR drought by selecting Matthew Golden. But among fantasy football obsessives, the buzz didn’t stop with the pick. In the latest crossover episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast and Football 301, Matt Harmon, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald broke down exactly why Golden could be the game-changer both the Packers and your fantasy roster need.

Green Bay finally breaks out of character — for good reason

For two decades, the Packers have famously resisted taking receivers in Round 1, and they tend to prioritize big-bodied, outside targets. Golden bucks both trends: he’s a bit lighter than their historic athletic thresholds, and he brings a different flavor to the table than their current WR corps. As Nate Tice put it, this was surprising given Green Bay’s “usual weight thresholds,” but the move immediately made sense once you examined the room around Golden: “The positive is, the rest of the room is so big and can handle all these things. You can drop in a quote-unquote, maybe slightly undersized guy in there.”

The Packers have their big, physical outside presences — think Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson (when healthy) — and Jaden Reed thriving in the slot. This means Golden can be used as a chess piece, opening up combinations Green Bay hasn’t had in years.

Matt Harmon is as bullish as anyone on Golden’s outlook, and he zeroed in on two critical factors for fantasy success:

1) Role and Routes: Golden’s two best routes by frequency and success rate, per Harmon’s Reception Perception, are posts and digs — in other words, big in-breakers. This fits Green Bay’s offense (especially with Jordan Love) to a tee. Harmon stated: “This offense, especially with Jordan Love under center, they want to … drop, use play action or drop back and rip big in-breakers ... Matthew Golden, his route running and separation is best expressed at the breakpoint of those routes in particular.”

2) Defense Dictation: One myth Harmon wanted to bust: the Packers don’t “need a No. 1” so much as they need someone who forces defenses to pay attention and stretch the field. Golden’s speed and route nuance do that — whether he’s flying by safeties or opening the middle for Reed and Doubs. Harmon stated: “Without Christian Watson … you don't have anybody that really stretches out the defense … Golden's going to allow you to do that.”

The Packers are a run-heavy team, yes, but that’s not the whole story. With their spread of talent, defenses can’t double everyone. Harmon notes that Golden can thrive even if he’s not the “WR1” by label. Golden’s skills translate into open targets, and Harmon believes his “toughness at the catch point” has been underrated. With Reed (in the slot), Doubs (as the physical X) and a healthy tight end group, Golden’s Z-receiver skill set will put him in single coverage — a formula for rookie WR breakouts.

Going back to Christian Watson, his constant injuries mean Golden could immediately inherit deep and intermediate work — something previous Packer receivers have turned into fantasy gold. “You're basically replacing Watson. It just comes in a different package," Harmon said.

Every draft class brings “surprise” first-round receivers. But when you zoom in on Matthew Golden’s landing spot, you see the pieces falling into place for a fantasy-relevant rookie campaign:

  • Perfect scheme fit for his strengths (big posts and digs).

  • Opportunity for targets in a well-constructed, but not top-heavy, WR corps.

  • Ability to stretch the field and command defensive attention in ways that unlock the whole Packers offense.

If you’re chasing rookie WR upside in fantasy — and want a player whose skills align perfectly with what his team needs — Matthew Golden is the name to circle. The Packers and your fantasy lineup could both be long overdue for a breakout.

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Bochy reflects on Giants memories with Posey, Crawford in return

Bochy reflects on Giants memories with Posey, Crawford in return originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — As he returned to face the Giants in San Francisco on Friday, Bruce Bochy was in a tie for first place in the American League West, but he had a lot on his mind. 

The Texas Rangers have underperformed at the plate, led by familiar face Joc Pederson, who somehow has zero RBI through 21 appearances. On Thursday, they got walked off in Sacramento by the Athletics, and a day after that gut punch, Bochy began his media session by giving a lengthy update on promising young starter Kumar Rocker, who just went on the IL with a shoulder injury. 

The Rangers have a lot to sort out, but Bochy is thrilled he’s doing it in San Francisco this weekend. He said this spring that he was excited to be visiting on a weekend when the organization would honor his longtime shortstop, Brandon Crawford, and on Saturday, Bochy will watch that ceremony. On his first day in town, he had a long chat with Buster Posey behind the plate during batting practice. 

As he settled into San Francisco for the second time as Rangers manager, Bochy discussed Crawford, Posey and more with local reporters: 

On Crawford’s big weekend

“It’s well deserved. This man did so much for us in helping us win championships. He was a tremendous player, a gifted defender obviously, but also a clutch hitter. A lot of great memories will go through my head when I see him out there tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it because of the great memories that we all got to share together. He was such a big part of it.”

Does any play stand out?

“He was so creative with how he could come up with plays. There wasn’t a play that he didn’t think he could make and that’s what you love about him, and there were times he came up with a way to make the play. The one that always will stand out is the double play in the World Series with what was at stake, he and [Joe] Panik, what a beautiful chemistry those two had.”

On Posey’s influence on the 2025 Giants

“I’d say as much as anything they’re playing loose and playing the game right. You know, BoMel [Bob Melvin] does such a great job here, and I’m sure Buster has helped relax things with how approachable he is and how well he communicates. But it’s hard for me to say, because I haven’t seen a lot of [the Giants].”

Could he have imagined Posey being a president of baseball operations?

“I can’t say I should be surprised. I talk about [the] leadership he provided for us and helped us get some World Series rings. He’s a leader and I’m not surprised to see him leading an organization. I’m sure it’s done a lot for the fans, the players, the front office, to have their guy that’s leading the way now.”

On being back for a second time

“I think as time goes, yeah, you still have those memories and the first time there’s emotions and things, but with more time away, you’ve gotten kind of used to it. I came in here knowing I would see some friends here. The first time was a really crazy time, but this time has been a lot quieter.”

On his impression of Jung Hoo Lee

“A really, really nice player. He’s a really good hitter, a gifted center fielder, a good thrower. He’s a really nice all-around baseball player and I know he’s done a great job.”

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Emery engineering has Rashford and Aston Villa on the rise for FA Cup

Manager’s changeable lineups have pushed striker to usurp Ollie Watkins and likely lead the attack at Wembley

Unai Emery keeps his Aston Villa players on their toes. Sometimes he tells his squad the lineup the day before a game, on other occasions half an hour before they depart the team hotel for the stadium on a match day. Training tends to offer some clues but of late there have been surprises. Emery, a hugely emotional character, has been known to make impulsive, snap calls. Morgan Rogers, a rare mainstay and one of Villa’s trio of undroppables, recently described how his manager’s decision‑making can feel like flip‑of-the-coin stuff.

When the teamsheets are released an hour before kick-off at Wembley on Saturday, the eyeballs will jump towards the most intriguing selection dilemma: will Emery favour Marcus Rashford or Ollie Watkins?

Continue reading...
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NFL Draft: 3 favorite, 3 least favorite picks of Round 1

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

Here’s a recap of the favorite and least favorite Round 1 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft from the latest "Yahoo Fantasy Forecast / Football 301" podcast, based on what Charles McDonald, Nate Tice and Matt Harmon discussed:

McDonald:Mason Graham, DT, Cleveland Browns  

Loved how the Browns traded down, acquired extra draft capital from Jacksonville, and addressed a genuine roster need. There's a lot to like about the fit alongside Myles Garrett and Graham could bring significant pass rush ability.

Harmon:Armand Membou, OT, New York Jets

There's reason to be high on Membou’s aggressive play and tone-setting style. He can be a finishing piece for a Jets offensive line that’s been in rebuilding mode. There's potential for Membou and Olu Fashanu to be dynamic, young bookends and keys to a run-first Jets identity.

Tice:Mykel Williams, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers 

The pairing of Williams with Nick Bosa was perfect — Bosa as the finesse rusher, Williams bringing power and run defense. It's an ideal selection for the Niners’ defensive needs and style.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 02: Jaxson Dart #2 of the Mississippi Rebels throws a pass during the first half of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against the Duke Blue Devils at EverBank Stadium on January 02, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Jaxson Dart was QB2 of this NFL Draft after the Giants selected him. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
James Gilbert via Getty Images

Tice: Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants

None of the QBs in this draft class other than Cam Ward were first-round material. The Giants are in “win now or develop” limbo — stuck with veterans and now asking Dart to step into a questionable situation behind a shaky line.

McDonald:Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers  

Hampton is a fine player, but there's reason to question the value here for the Chargers, who still have glaring needs, especially on the interior offensive line. The Chargers aren’t good enough to justify using a premium pick on a running back and the move doesn’t make their offense materially better.

Harmon: Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts 

A first-round TE is a luxury pick for a team that has needs elsewhere and a questionable QB situation. Warren isn’t an urgent upgrade given the Colts’ receivers weren’t being maximized anyway, and his skills overlap with what the Colts already have on the roster.

To hear more NFL discussions, tune into "Football 301" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

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Carolina Hurricanes Have Golden Opportunity In Game 3

Carolina Hurricanes (© James Guillory-Imagn Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes have had a great start to their first-round series against the New Jersey Devils. After defeating the Devils 4-1 in Game 1, the Hurricanes followed that up with a 3-1 win in Game 2. With this, the Canes sport a notable 2-0 series lead over the Devils.

The Hurricanes will be looking to take advantage of the golden opportunity in front of them in Game 3. If the Hurricanes can defeat the Devils on the road, they would have a commanding 3-0 series lead and only be another step closer to moving on to the second round.

It is incredibly rare for NHL teams to come back from 3-0 deficits in the post-season, so it would be massive if the Hurricanes defeated the Devils in Game 3. Only four teams in NHL history have successfully overcome a 3-0 deficit: the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, the 1975 New York Islanders, the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers, and the 2014 Los Angeles Kings.

If the Hurricanes do not win Game 3, they would at least still have a 2-1 series lead. However, this would open the door for the Devils to potentially tie the series up at home in Game 4, so Game 3 carries great value for Carolina.

It will be very interesting to see if the Hurricanes can pick up a victory in Game 3 from here. If they take advantage of their massive opportunity and pick up a win, they would put a real stranglehold on the series. 

Recent Hurricanes News 

Hurricanes' Taylor Hall Continues To Be Great AdditionHurricanes' Taylor Hall Continues To Be Great AdditionThe Carolina Hurricanes acquired Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks back in late January. The 33-year-old forward had been the subject of trade rumors during the season because of his pending unrestricted free agent status and the Blackhawks being out of the playoff race early. Thus, the Hurricanes brought him in, and it's a move that continues to benefit them.  Former Hurricanes Forward Has Big Game With New TeamFormer Hurricanes Forward Has Big Game With New TeamFormer Carolina Hurricanes forward Warren Foegele signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings this past off-season. This was after the 29-year-old winger posted 20 goals and 41 points in 82 games with the Edmonton Oilers in 2023-24. Carolina Hurricanes 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs HubCarolina Hurricanes 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs HubThe Carolina Hurricanes have made a seventh consecutive playoff berth and will be taking on the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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Tatum returns from wrist injury for Game 3 vs. Magic; Holiday out

Tatum returns from wrist injury for Game 3 vs. Magic; Holiday out originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Jayson Tatum missed the first playoff game of his eight-year NBA career on Wednesday. He wasn’t about to miss his second.

The Celtics star is officially active for Friday’s Game 3 against the Orlando Magic after sitting out Game 2 due to a bone bruise in his right wrist. Jaylen Brown (right knee) is active as well despite being listed as questionable, while Jrue Holiday (right hamstring strain) has been ruled out.

Tatum’s return is a bit of a surprise, as he was listed as doubtful to play in Game 3 as of Friday morning. Tatum was upgraded to questionable Friday afternoon and was seen going through his normal warmup routine before Friday’s game.

Tatum suffered his wrist injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Game 1 when he landed on his right wrist after a hard foul by Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Tatum remained in the game, then received an MRI on his wrist immediately after the 103-86 win.

While Tatum said his wrist felt “all right” following Game 1, he was listed as doubtful to play in Wednesday’s Game 2 and was downgraded to out just before tip-off. The Celtics won anyway, 109-100, thanks to Jaylen Brown’s 36-point effort.

According to head coach Joe Mazzulla, Tatum did “everything he could possibly do up until the last moment” to try to play in Game 2. Mazzulla sounded optimistic that Tatum would return to action soon, telling 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand on Thursday that “there will definitely be a chance” Tatum plays in Game 3.

Boston has gone 9-2 with a +10.5 scoring differential without Tatum this season, but the Celtics will definitely benefit from his return to the lineup versus a Magic team that boasts the NBA’s No. 1 scoring defense and allowed just 103.5 points per game at home this season, easily the lowest in the league.

Holiday has been excellent on both ends of the floor in this series, so fellow guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard will have to step up in his absence.

Tip-off at Kia Center in Orlando is set for 7 p.m. ET on Friday, with NBC Sports Boston’s coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET with Celtics Pregame Live.

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Skinner Scratched For Edmonton In Pivotal Game 3

Former Sabre Jeff Skinner will likely be a healthy scratch for Game 3 of Edmonton - Los Angeles 

The Edmonton Oilers face the prospect of going down 3-0 after allowing 12 goals in losses to the Los Angeles Kings, but for a pivotal Game 3 on Friday at home, head coach Kris Knoblauch’s only lineup change will be between the pipes, as backup Calvin Pickard will make the start in place of Stuart Skinner.

Knoblauch is shaking up his line combinations and defensive pairings, such as moving Leon Draisaitl to the wing to play alongside Connor McDavid, but is not subbing in any different forwards or blueliners, which means that former Buffalo Sabre Jeff Skinner will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game. Skinner went -2 in Game 1 and had an assist in the 6-5 loss, but was taken out of the lineup in place of another ex-Sabre Evander Kane. The 32-year-old signed to a one-year, $3 million deal with Edmonton after the Sabres bought him out last June and scored 16 goals this season.

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Here is how some former Sabres did in the playoffs on Thursday:

Sam Reinhart (FLA) 0G, 1A, +2, 22:45 TOI, 1 SOG

Dmitri Kulikov (FLA) 17:00 TOI, 4 Hits

Evan Rodrigues (FLA) 11:26 TOI, 2 SOG

Zemgus Girgensons (TB) 9:42 TOI, 1 SOG

Florida takes a 2-0 lead with a 2-0 shutout in Tampa in Game 2. The game was highlighted by former Sabres draft pick Brandon Hagel getting a major and game misconduct for a hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. Hagel will have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Barkov's status for Game 3 is undetermined. 

Dylan Cozens (OTT) +1, 15:44 TOI, 3 SOG

Jake McCabe (TOR), 21:48 TOI, 1 SOG

The Maple Leafs took a commanding 3-0 lead over Ottawa in the Battle of Ontario with a 3-2 OT victory in Ottawa on Thursday when Simon Benoit's shot beat former Sabre Linus Ullmark. 

Marcus Foligno (MIN) 1G, +1, 13:34 TOI, 4 SOG

Marcus Johansson (MIN) -1, 11:09 TOI

Zach Bogosian (MIN) 1 A, +1, 11:57 TOI

Jack Eichel (VGK) -2, 24:44 TOI, 3 SOG

Victor Olofsson (VGK) 10:37 TOI

Brayden McNabb (VGK) -1, 17:05 TOI

Minnesota takes a 2-1 lead in their series with Vegas with a 5-2 win, as Kirill Kaprizov scores a pair and Buffalo native Marcus Foligno scores his second goal of the playoffs. 

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Buchnevich Enters Blues Playoff Record Book

St. Louis Blues forwards Pavel Buchnevich (89) and Robert Thomas (18) watch as the hats come down at Enterprise Center Thursday after Buchnevich scored three times in a 7-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets. (Jeff Curry-Imagn Images)

ST. LOUIS -- Brett Hull is known as the greatest goal scorer in St. Louis Blues history.

But even 'The Golden Brett' was never able to accomplish a feat that Pavel Buchnevich pulled off for the Blues on Thursday in a 7-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round.

Hull had 27 hat tricks in his Blues career, but shockingly, none of them came in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Buchnevich became the first Blue since Vladimir Tarasenko on May 5, 2022 in a 5-2 win against the Minnesota Wild to record a hat trick. 

It was the franchise's 18th all-time.

Buchnevich, who had only one playoff goal for the Blues in 22 previous playoff games, scored his first two goals in the first 3:11 of the game, then completed the hat trick to give the Blues a 4-1 lead in the third period, helping them get back into the series, which Winnipeg leads 2-1.

When Buchnevich curled in a backhand into am empty cage, the hats reigned down.

"I didn’t really look at it," Buchnevich said. "'Tommer' kind of tried to calm me down and we just stand and watch and be ready for the next shift. I don’t really pay attention."

It was the first Blues home hat trick since Jaden Schwartz did it, also against the Jets in a 3-2 win in Game 6 of the first round on April 20, 2019.

"It’s amazing. 'Buchy' is a heart-and-soul guy," Blues defenseman Cam Fowler said. "He’s a huge part of our team, a huge part of our locker room, a huge part of why we were able to get a win tonight. A special night for him. It’s not something that comes around very often to get the chance to score three goals in a playoff game. I know he’ll tell you the team getting the win means more to him as well and that’s the mindset that we have to have, but it was a special night for him and he should enjoy it."

Blues center Robert Thomas, who assisted on the hat trick goal, said, "We had to step up. Their top players were contributing, and they were a big reason for us going down 2-0 and 'Buchy' stepped up right away, came out flying, and made some great plays and got us off to a great start. So he deserves a lot of credit.

"He provides a lot for our team, and he was the spark tonight that really got us going. So he was awesome all night.

"We were frustrated with the way we played the first two games, and wanted to respond and he did a great job."

Prior to Game 3, Buchnevich had just one shot on goal through the first two games and Blues fans were quick to jump out and complain about his lack of offensive production. 

"I thought 'Buchy' has been good in the first two games, especially defensively," Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. "But offensively, I thought there was more in his game, and I thought he brought that tonight."

When the Blues talked about getting more opportunities at the net front, Buchnevich was front and center.

"I don’t really know how to describe it," Buchnevich said. "Just a crazy, emotional start. We throw the puck at the net, we got the rebound and when you score the first goal, the game opens up and we got the second one right away. It’s a little bit easier to play with the lead, so we’ve got to score first and it’ll be easier to play."

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L.A.’s Plan Is Working — And It’s Breaking the Oilers

© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Kings aren’t just competing with the Edmonton Oilers. They’re beating them, outplaying them, and out-grinding a team that’s been handed Western Conference heavyweight treatment for years. 

And they’re doing it with the swagger of a team that’s sick of being the little brother. 

This dominance is evident in the last two games at home, where the Kings have a 2-0 lead over the Edmonton Oilers in the 2025 NHL Playoffs — and they're doing so with swagger, grit, and no fear. Here's why L.A. seems destined to flip the script.

Let’s explore the biggest takeaways on how the Kings have looked so good to start their playoff series against the team that many thought was superior to them. 

Big-Time Performances from Its Supporting Cast

Veterans like Anze Kopitar, Phillip Danault, and their young stars, Adrian Kempe, Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kuzmenko, and Quinton Byfield, have all played clutch and done their roles to win. 

Kempe was a monster in Game 2 with two goals, two assists, and eight shots on goal, with 4 points. He also leads the playoffs thus far with the most points scored with seven. 

The clutchest player for the Kings, you could argue, has been Danault, who was huge in Game 1 with his two goals, including the game-winning goal with just under 44 seconds left to stop the Oilers' late comeback after trailing 4-0 and tying the game at 5. 

Even though game 1 was almost a choke job by the Kings, they remained focused and committed to closing out the game, which is precisely what they did, showing no fear or worry. 

Almost everyone who is supposed to show up and play big has done so in this series, but it seems in these last two games, it’s been someone different who’s stepped up big to help the Kings win. 

As I mentioned earlier, Kopitar is one of the primary reasons why the Kings are currently leading 2-0. At the age of 37, he is still playing at a high level and is one of the biggest reasons why the Kings have looked so good. Kopitar is also one of the top point leaders in the playoffs, tied for second, two points behind Kempe with five points. 

It’s gotten so bad that the Oilers' goaltender, Stuart Skinner, an excellent goaltender, may be benched in favor of Calvin Pickard in Game 3 to improve their defense and make an adjustment to stay alive. 

Mind Games: L.A. is in Edmonton's Head

When Adrian Kempe provides two goals and two assists in a statement win, he doesn't even crack a smile, because this isn't an upset. 

This is business as usual. The Kings went into the series not just hoping to hang in there, but to take command — and they've done precisely that.

From the opening shift, Los Angeles has dictated the pace. They're not reacting to McDavid's bursts of speed — they're taking away lanes, forcing him wide, and finishing every check. 

Whenever Edmonton tries to create a momentum-swinging highlight-reel rush, the Kings counter with a grinding forecheck, clever stick work, and a crushing hit in the corners.

It's not just physical — it's psychological. The Kings are provoking Edmonton into rage, causing them to take revenge penalties and sloppy giveaways. Evander Kane and Darnell Nurse were visibly frustrated in Game 2, jawing at officials, throwing late hits, and overcommitting on the transition game. That's not the Oilers playing optimally — that's the Kings getting them out of sync and into a street brawl they're not built to fight.

Body language behind the Oilers' bench: McDavid's head in hands, Draisaitl pacing back and forth, players at attention, tongues hanging, with stunned silence. There is bafflement. Desperation. A sense that this is not headed anywhere anyone in Edmonton had thought.

The Los Angeles team seems loose instead. Focused. Calm. They recognize this playbook, but have finally arrived at the correct conclusion.

Home Ice, Real Loud: Crypto Is a Fortress

It’s the first time the Kings have home-ice advantage since 2016, and it’s paying off in the most significant way. 

If there's one advantage that's tipping this series, it's not necessarily tactics or execution — it's geography. The Kings have turned Crypto.com Arena into a postseason pressure cooker, and Edmonton is catching every hit.

L.A. went an NHL-record 31-6-4 at home throughout the regular season, and all that confidence obviously carried over into the playoffs. Not only is the building loud, but it's also relentless. The energy has been dynamite from the opening face-off to the final whistle, and the Kings are surfing this tidal wave.

This isn't about noise — it's about confidence. The Kings feel at home, playing faster, cleaner, and more physical in front of their crowd. They're winning battles, tilting the ice, and keeping Edmonton on its heels. It's no accident that the Kings' best special teams work and scoring depth have come alive in Los Angeles.