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Bruins-Sabres Round 1 PREVIEW: Atlantic Antagonism

Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images | Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Just the Facts

  • The Times
    • Game 1: @ Buffalo, 7:30pm. EST April 19
    • Game 2: @ Buffalo, 7:30pm. EST April 21
    • Game 3: @ Boston, 7pm EST April 23
    • Game 4: @ Boston, 2pm EST April 26
    • Game 5: @ Buffalo, TBD on April 28th
    • Game 6: @ Boston, TBD on May 1st
    • Game 7: @ Buffalo, TBD on May 3rd
      • *Games 5-7 will have times added if necessary
  • The Places
    • TD Garden, Boston, MA
    • KeyBank Arena, Buffalo, NY
  • Places to Watch:
    • All games of the 1st Round will be on NESN and Madison Square Garden Network – Buffalo, respectively.
    • Other Networks:
      • Games 1 and 2: ESPN
      • Games 3 and 4: HBO MAX, TNT, TRUTV

Final regular season results for both teams

Boston Bruins

  • Record: 45-27-10
  • Points: 100
  • Goals-For: 272
  • Goals-Against: 250
  • Leading Goalscorer: Morgan Geekie, 39 in 81 games
  • Leading Points-getter: David Pastrnak, 100 in 77 games
  • Leading Goaltender by performance: Jeremy Swayman, .908 SV%
  • Corsi – Shot Attempts.
    • Corsi-For %: 48.92 (19th in the NHL)
    • Corsi-For per 60: 57.32 (16th in the NHL)
  • Fenwick – Unblocked Shot Attempts
    • Fenwick-For %: 49.15 (19th in the NHL)
    • Fenwick-For per 60: 41.29 (17th in the NHL)
  • Expected Goals – Shot Attempts weighted for their position on the ice. AKA “Shot Quality” AKA “Expected by you, dummy.”
    • Expected Goals-For %: 46.66 (28th in the NHL)
    • Expected Goals per 60: 2.56 (22nd in the NHL)
  • High Danger
    • High Danger Corsi For per 60: 10.87 (24th in the NHL)
    • High Danger Goals For per 60: 1.33 (13th in the NHL)

Buffalo Sabres

  • Record: 50-23-9
  • Points: 109
  • Goals-For: 288
  • Goals-Against: 241
  • Leading Goalscorer: Tage Thompson, 40 in 81 games
  • Leading Points-getter: Also Tage Thompson, 81 in 81 games
  • Leading Goaltender by performance: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, .910%
  • Corsi
    • Corsi-For %: 49.28 (16th in the NHL)
    • Corsi-For per 60: 56.41 (19th in the NHL)
  • Fenwick
    • Fenwick-For %: 49.83 (15th in the NHL)
    • Fenwick-For per 60: 42.18 (10th in the NHL)
  • Expected Goals
    • Expected Goals-For %: 49.95 (17th in the NHL)
    • Expected Goals per 60: 2.71 (14th in the NHL)
  • High Danger
    • High Danger Corsi For per 60: 11.6 (15th in the NHL)
    • High Danger Goals For per 60: 1.47 (4th in the NHL)

Series Preview

Man. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen these two teams against one another in the playoffs.

Ever since 2010, the Sabres have embarked on an over decade long wander in the desert to become the NHL’s punching bag when it wasn’t Arizona or Ottawa, and have returned a much more determined and battle-hardened team than even I thought they would be at the beginning of the season. At long last, the Sabres are not just watchable…but successful. Somehow, the Sabres found themselves out of hell.

Meanwhile, Boston has found an extra step they can take on the road to retooling that has had them making one of the most dramatic turnarounds in franchise history in terms of final regular season point totals. Marco Sturm found a way to get the Boston Bruins into a place where they could once again compete for Lord Stanley. The work of David Pastrnak, Pavel Zacha, Victor Arvidsson, and Morgan Geekie, combined with resurgent performances from Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman, combined with a Bruins power play that was, and get ready for this…good…gave them a leg up on their contemporaries to get to another 100 point season.

Don’t go looking for anything that could help you from the 2010 playoffs; The Sabres are another animal altogether from where they were in 2009. Neither Boston nor even this Sabres team know what they are for the 2026 playoffs; both teams are lightyears away from where they’d been since that time. The game has changed so much in such a short amount of time.

What we have now, is two teams with a lot to prove.

X-Factors for Round 1

How will injury impact the series?

If there is a major up the B’s have over the Sabres, it’s in health. Their lineup is arguably as healthy as it’s ever been, with the only recent absences to the team being because two players became fathers, leaving them their full compliment and roster of players including Jimmy Hagens hot off of signing his ELC and playing in his first couple of NHL games. This will give them a necessary flexibility in playing the Sabres game-to-game that Buffalo just does not have right now.

Compared to the Bruins, the Sabres are beaten pretty badly: two players on injured reserve, and a grand total of four players that are considered day-to-day; Noah Ostlund, Alex Lyon, Sam Carrick, and Colton Ellis. Naturally if asked all four of these men would say they would be ready to go, but players at less than 100% can become liabilities if their injuries are severe enough. Carrick at less than 100% is also a major blow to the Sabres as he was one of their better performers down the stretch.

Meanwhile, Boston has been…just kinda fine? They’ve had some man games lost like all teams, but they were in the middle of the season and now they have the full compliment. That does mean however…that certain players may not be at 100%, and could theoretically re-aggravate if things

Congrats to Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt, by the way! Dad strength before the playoffs is also a major X-Factor!

Can the Bruins’ Depth keep up?

One of the big surprises of the year was Morgan Geekie and Pavel Zacha becoming trigger men for the Bruins after years of David Pastrnak holding that position down. Pasta himself has diversified his game far more into being a playmaker this year, but he too still had a scorer’s touch when asked for it. This has of course filtered throughout the lineup with a bunch of pleasant surprises like Marat Khusnutdinov and Fraser Minten having excellent years, the return to form for Victor Arvidsson, who finished the year the highest goal total he’s had since 2022-23; in 25.

The Sabres are right there with Boston; obviously the big names of Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch stand out but they’ve gotten some excellent work out of Josh Doan, Jason Zucker, and Jack Quinn, just to name a few. Both teams have over 10 players in double digit goals and it contributed majorly to their respective ascents back to the postseason and respectability. Some more in one category than another.

The big question of course, is if the pleasant surprises can keep up going into the playoffs.

One of the great strengths of Sabres hockey this year is the manic puppy energy that pervades their play; Sabres do not care if the game becomes a goalscoring race, because just about everybody of note in their lineup, including their defense, can score goals if it comes down to it. It’s what gives their “River Hockey” style so much danger; even if it’s not exactly tight, it can develop shooting lanes from just about anywhere. Boston meanwhile has still largely allowed their principal names alongside Arvidsson to do the lion’s share of the scoring, even if they’re getting good efforts from guys like Mark Kastelic and Casey Mittelstadt.

The Bruins depth needs to be able to match that energy with not just physicality, but in scoring mentality. The Sabres cannot get into the thought process that there will be shifts they can just dominate at will.

Can Boston’s Defense hold the line?

This is the lynchpin for Boston’s success in this series. At least in my opinion.

As we discussed previously, Boston’s defensive core has sort of formed through McAvoy, Lindholm, and yes, Nikita Zadorov as the movers and shakers…but the drop off from Lindholm to McAvoy to Zadorov are some steep cliffs overlooking a very deep ravine. Guys like Aspirot have been okay if a little frustrating, Jordan Harris was a tantalizing player who got some playing time but was waylaid by injury…but we know what Andrew Peeke and Mason Lohrei are at this point. We know that they are going to be the millstones around this team’s neck and that Marco Sturm will simply continue to play them. They have no other options.

We also know that just about every defender on this team, when given too much time with the puck, can start to exhibit some strange behavior.

Like it or not, this net-front defense may be contributed to by every player in Black and Gold but it’s the blueliner’s problem 90% of the time. It has to change in order for this to be a win.

While the Sabres defense can look particularly shambolic, with some of their better talents being prone to some spectacular blown plays, but they can keep their net-front clear. That’s something that Boston has struggled consistently with.

If the Bruins want to get anywhere against them, especially knowing that they’re gonna have to show a little more than just muscle to put Tage Thompson down for the count, they need to effectively break a bunch of their worst habits before Game 1. That includes the players that are already doing well; they need to be more. Puck possession needs to be used well, zone exits need to be crisp and if it can’t be done by a forward then by the puck carrier, keep-ins need to be done with intention, and bad passes to nowhere needs to end.

Further…we need the return of Playoff Lohrei. The reason Lohrei has even survived this long, in spite of all of his many issues as a player, is because of his playoff performance; He wasn’t looking great coming out of his first taste of regular season hockey, but absolutely came alive when the playoffs started. All of his problems melted into strengths, all his concerns becoming afterthoughts as he became one of the brightest spots on the back-end throughout that playoff run.

They need another performance like that. Whatever that was for him, it needs to come back. One defenseman who isn’t all that great can be workable. Any more than that is absolutely not an option.

Game 1 is on Sunday night.

Whatever you are in the light of a Best-of-7 Series is one that your fate in the regular season brought you to. All of your strengths and weaknesses.

This team has given us so many wonderful surprises. So many things to look forward to in their future.

So let’s see if they can give us one more fun surprise over the next couple of weeks.

Let’s go really stick it to a team in Blue this April.

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The Crucible holds tribute to former player and commentator John Virgo

  • World Championship venue has a minute’s applause

  • Zhao Xintong starts title defence with edgy victory

A minute’s applause was paid in tribute to John Virgo, who died in February aged 79, as the World Snooker Championship got under way at the Crucible in Sheffield.

Virgo, who won the UK Championship in 1979, enjoyed a successful playing career but was best known for his broadcasting. During his 18 years as a professional, he reached the World Championship semi-finals in 1979. He went on to work for the BBC in 1994 and his voice became a distinctive feature of the national broadcaster’s snooker coverage for three decades.

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Stunning NBA first-round upsets we still can't believe happened

The 2026 NBA playoffs are set. All first-round matchups are locked in after a dramatic Play-In Tournament, and, now, the hunt for the Larry O’Brien Trophy ramps up off Saturday, April 18 with four series-opening games.

The Play-In Tournament delivered plenty of excitemetn before a single first-round playoff game was played. The Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers locked up the No. 7 seeds in the West and East, respectively, earlier in the week before a doubleheader on Friday, April 17 determined the final two playoff berths in each conference.

The Orlando Magic knocked out the Charlotte Hornets early Friday night, building a 31-point halftime lead on their Southeast division rivals before cruising to a 121-90 victory. The Magic land the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round.

The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors seemed headed for a tight battle for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference, but the Suns pulled away down the stretch for a 111-96 win to send Steph Curry and the Warroirs packing. The Suns' prize for winning? A date with the No. 1 seed, defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

With the bracket now finalized, its' time to ask: could the Magic and Suns shock the world and knock out the No. 1 seeds? Here is a look at some of the biggest first-round upsets in NBA playoff history, a reminder that anything can happen in the postseason.

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NBA playoffs best first round upsets

1994: Denver Nuggets (8) def. Seattle SuperSonics (1)

The first time a No. 8 seed eliminated a No. 1 seed in NBA playoff history. The SuperSonics had an impressive 63-19 regular-season record, but the Nuggets overcame a 2-0 series deficit to complete the stunning five-game upset.

1999: New York Knicks (8) def. Miami Heat (1)

The Knicks became the first No. 8 seed to reach the NBA Finals. After upsetting the top-seeded Heat in the first round in Game 5, New York rolled through the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers before falling to the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the Finals.

2007: Golden State Warriors (8) def. Dallas Mavericks (1)

The Warriors faced a Mavericks squad that had won a league-best 67 games during the regular season, which tied for the seventh-best regular-season record of all time. The Warriors sent the Mavericks packing in six games, with three of Golden State’s four wins coming by double digits.

2011: Memphis Grizzlies (8) def. San Antonio Spurs (1)

The Grizzlies claimed their first playoff series win in franchise history by upsetting the 61-win Spurs, with five of the six games decided by single digits. The Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference semifinals but ultimately lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 4-3.

2012: Philadelphia 76ers (8) def. Chicago Bulls (1)

Back in 2012, the Bulls secured the top seed after tying for the league's best record, and it seemed like they were destined for a deep run. However, everything shifted dramatically in the final minute of Game 1 when star guard Derrick Rose tore his ACL, giving the Sixers a huge boost. Philadelphia went on to take the series in six games, but its playoff run came to an end in the second round against the Boston Celtics.

2023: Miami Heat (8) def. Milwaukee Bucks (1)

The Heat, a Play-In Tournament team that entered as the No. 8 seed, dismantled the 58-win Bucks in five games behind one of the greatest individual series performances in playoff history from Jimmy Butler. The Heat also became the first play-in team ever to win a first-round series, and went on to reach the NBA Finals before falling to the Denver Nuggets.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA playoffs first-round upsets no one saw coming

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Who'll advance in NHL playoff bracket? Picks, predictions for first round

The NHL playoffs will have a different look this season.

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are out after an injury-plagued season and the Buffalo Sabres surged after a general manager change to end their 14-season playoff drought.

All told, six 2026 playoff teams had missed the postseason last year. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, playing in the first round, have been out for a combined eight seasons.

So who will advance to the second round? USA TODAY's Mike Brehm, Jace Evans and Kevin Skiver offer their predictions and analysis on the eight first-round series of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Eastern Conference

Carolina Hurricanes vs Ottawa Senators predictions

Mike Brehm:Hurricanes in 5. Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour has never lost in the first round and the Senators aren't deep enough to end that run. Carolina goalie Brandon Bussi gave up some bad goals down the stretch, and he'll have to stop that if the Hurricanes are going to go far.

Jace Evans:Hurricanes in 5. It's kind of the same old story for Carolina. The 'Canes are deep. They possess the puck better than anyone in the NHL. And anything short of another conference finals appearance will be a big disappointment.

Kevin Skiver:Hurricanes in 5. Full credit to Ottawa for turning its season around, particularly after some wretched goalie play. But the Hurricanes have managed to fly under the radar as one of hockey's best teams. Now, however, there's nowhere to hide. Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis lead Carolina to a win over Ottawa, which goes into the offseason with a spring in its step for surviving the Eastern gauntlet.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers predictions

Mike Brehm:Penguins in 7. Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby said in 2012 that he didn't "like any guy" on the Flyers. That intensity might not be as evident this year, but it's good to see these rivals back in the playoffs. Crosby is still at the top of his game, and he'll make the difference against an upstart Flyers team.

Jace Evans:Penguins in 6. Keeping it simple on this one: One team has Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and the other doesn't.

Kevin Skiver:Penguins in 7. What a blessing of a first-round series this is. A Pennsylvania Civil War between the veteran Penguins and the upstart Flyers? With newcomer Porter Martone leading the charge for Philly? Sidney Crosby in the playoffs for the first time in four seasons? It doesn't get better. Ultimately, this is going to be an absolute bar fight for seven games. But Pittsburgh manages to eke through.

Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins predictions

Mike Brehm: Sabres in 6. The Sabres' longtime core might not have playoff experience, but Alex Tuch, Luke Schenn and coach Lindy Ruff do. And Tage Thompson thrived at the Olympics, which dials up more pressure than the NHL playoffs. The Sabres also have more talent than the Bruins and will prevail.

Jace Evans: Sabres in 5. Boston's bounceback has been a nice story, but Buffalo is a cut above the Bruins. The Sabres being better than the Bruins feels impossible for anyone who has lived through the past 15 years, but it's true!

Kevin Skiver: Bruins in 6. Buffalo gets a brutal first-round draw after snapping its playoff drought, taking on a Bruins team with one of hockey's most experienced playoff goalies in Jeremy Swayman and Charlie McAvoy alongside David Pastrnak. While Buffalo took the Atlantic this year, Boston went 3-1 against the Sabres this season. That may not always translate to a seven-game series, but we'll see if Buffalo can shrug the bear off its back in the postseason.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens predictions

Mike Brehm: Lightning in 6. I have the Lightning reaching the final, though they could easily lose this series. But Montreal isn't the Florida Panthers, who knocked Tampa Bay out the past two years. Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy will be able to get out of the first round for the first time since 2022.

Jace Evans:Canadiens in 7. Few teams were hotter down the stretch than the Habs, who closed with an 11-3 flourish. They also play in the most raucous building in the NHL, which will give them an advantage in Games 3, 4 and 6. But the real reason they get the nod here is the questions about Vasilevskiy. The Lightning goaltender has been the most responsible for his team bowing out of the postseason in the first round the past three years. Now 31 years old, it's hard to trust he'll find his old form.

Kevin Skiver: Lightning in 6. In a series where one team is literally called the Lightning, the Canadiens are bringing the flash. With one of hockey's youngest teams and brightest futures, Montreal finds itself against a team that stonewalls opponents, sometimes almost literally, by way of Vasilevsky. Although Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield are strikingly good, Kucherov is the player to beat here. Indeed, even overtime will look different for Montreal in the postseason.

Western Conference

Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings predictions

Mike Brehm: Avalanche in 5. The Kings will pull off one win to extend the career of retiring captain Anze Kopitar. But the Avalanche are far too deep for Los Angeles to do any more than that.

Jace Evans: Avalanche in 4. The Kings managed to make the playoffs, and credit to them for that. But, unfortunately, they stink. Only one team in the NHL had fewer regulation wins than them: the woebegone Vancouver Canucks. The Avalanche finished on the literal other side of the standings from the Canucks. Tough sledding for LA!

Kevin Skiver: Avalanche in 4. It's nice the Kings made it back for Kopitar's farewell tour, but the President's Cup-winning Avs are a staunch opponent. Los Angeles just doesn't have the firepower to match up with Colorado, which outstrips it at nearly every turn. For the Avalanche, there's a playoff bugaboo to shake off, having lost in the first round two of the past three seasons. This is a big first step.

Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild predictions

Mike Brehm:Stars in 7. This could be the best series of the playoffs and it's a shame it has to happen so early. Adding Quinn Hughes to high-scoring forwards Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy makes the Wild a tough out. But Dallas' Mikko Rantanen is built for the playoffs as he showed last season.

Jace Evans:Stars in 6. Can Minnesota really lose a 10th consecutive playoff series? Yes! Dallas has been on the doorstep of the Stanley Cup Final three consecutive seasons and its playoff experience will prove to be the difference.

Kevin Skiver:Stars in 7. Another downright dogfight of a first-round matchup, in a different playoff format this could easily be a Western Conference final matchup. The Stars and Wild split the season series this year and will likely take seven games to decide it here. This series is a coin flip, but the Stars barely come out on top.

Vegas Golden Knights vs Utah Mammoth predictions

Mike Brehm:Golden Knights in 7. John Tortorella has the Golden Knights playing the right way, and that and home-ice advantage should be enough to get Vegas past the Mammoth. It remains to be seen if they can go farther.

Jace Evans: Golden Knights in 7. Say what you will about John Tortorella, but the decision to fire one Stanley Cup winner (Bruce Cassidy) and replace him with another (Tortorella) seems to be working out. VGK has yet to lose in regulation with Torts behind the bench (7-0-1).

Kevin Skiver:Mammoth in 6. Utah is a grindy, difficult team that isn't going to make itself easy to get out. While John Tortorella has managed to turn things around for Vegas down the stretch and has it looking scorching hot coming into the postseason, Utah is able to hold it off as some of the fire dies in the playoffs.

Edmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks predictions

Mike Brehm: Oilers in 5. The Ducks' core is young. The Oilers' core went to the Stanley Cup Final the past two years. Experience will win out.

Jace Evans: Oilers in 5. The Ducks stumbled into the playoffs and now have to face the best player in the NHL. I wish them a lot of luck!

Kevin Skiver: Oilers in 5. Talent wins out in the playoffs, and the Oilers are dripping in talent. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are obviously the headliners, and while the Ducks play a fast, fun game, there needs to be more physicality before they can be trusted as a playoff team. Edmonton has been here before, and though the road to return has been bumpy, it knows what to do now that it's back.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL playoff bracket picks, predictions for every first round series

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Yankees prospects: Gerrit Cole makes first rehab start, Somerset walks off

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders:L, 3-5 at Syracuse Mets

DH Jasson Domínguez 2-5, RBI, 2 K
SS Oswaldo Cabrera 1-4, HR, BB, RBI, 2 K — second dinger of 2026 for Waldo
CF Max Schuemann 0-4, K
LF Spencer Jones 1-2, HR, BB, RBI, HBP — and no. 4 for Jones, 419 feet
RF Yanquiel Fernández 0-3, BB
1B Seth Brown 0-3, BB, SB
3B Paul DeJong 0-4, 3 K
2B Braden Shewmake 2-4, 2B, K
C Payton Henry 1-4

Carlos Lagrange 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, HR, HBP (loss) — still finding way at Triple-A
Danny Watson 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HR
Kervin Castro 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Jake Bird 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

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Double-A Somerset Patriots:W, 9-8 (10) vs. Reading Fightin Phils — won in walk-off fashion

3B-SS George Lombard Jr. 1-4, BB, K, SB — nice play behind Cole at third
SS Anthony Volpe 1-2, BB, SB — his second hit of the rehab assignment, and first steal
3B Tyler Hardman 0-2, K
RF Garrett Martin 2-5, K
LF Jace Avina 1-3, RBI, 2 K, SF — one of four sac flies that Somerset got
2B Marco Luciano 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, SF, GIDP
PR Owen Cobb 0-0 — scored game-tying run
1B Coby Morales 2-5, 2B, RBI, K — knotted game up in the 10th with his RBI double
DH DJ Gladney 1-3, 3 RBI, 2 K, SF — ended the night with a sac fly to plate Morales after a wild pitch
CF Kenedy Corona 2-3, RBI, K, SF, SB
C Manuel Palencia 1-4, K

Gerrit Cole 4.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, HR — threw 44 pitches in first rehab start, see below for his always-appreciated thoughts
Andrew Landry 2.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R (4 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
Chris Kean 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 K
Kelly Austin 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (win)

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High-A Hudson Valley Renegades:L, 1-6 at Frederick Keys — held to five hits and shut out until the penultimate batter

SS Kaeden Kent 1-4, 2 K
2B Core Jackson 0-2, 2 BB, K, SB
1B Kyle West 0-4, 3 K
C Eric Genther 2-3, K, HBP, throwing error
3B Roderick Arias 0-3, BB, 2 K
RF Tyler Wilson 0-4, K
CF Camden Troyer 2-4, 2B, 2 K — doubled with two down in the ninth to get ’Gades on the board
DH Josue Gonzalez 0-4, K
LF Connor McGinnis 0-3, K, HBP

Rory Fox 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, HR, throwing error (loss)
Baron Stuart 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, HR, HBP, WP
Hansel Rincon 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Low-A Tampa Tarpons:L, 0-7 vs. Bradenton Marauders — a quiet two-hit shutout, no-hit into the eighth with 2025 sixth-overall pick Seth Hernandez striking out eight in his five innings of the effort

DH Jackson Lovich 0-3, BB, 2 K
RF Brando Mayea 0-4, K
3B Enmanuel Tejeda 1-4, K — got Tampa’s second hit in the ninth
LF Logan Maxwell 0-4
CF JoJo Jackson 0-4, 2 K
SS Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, 0-2, BB, K
C Edgleen Perez 0-2, BB, 2 K
2B Hans Montero 1-3, 2 K — broke up no-no with a ground-ball single one out into the eighth
1B Austin Green 0-3

Justin West 4.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 6 K (loss)
Pedro Rodriguez 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Thomas Balboni Jr. 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, HR
Jordarlin Mendoza 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Brian Arias 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K

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Braves News: Shutout in Philadelphia, Spencer Strider rehabbing, and more

The Atlanta Braves opened the road trip on a high note and defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 9-0. Martín Pérez got the start and threw a sharp six innings, where he allowed just four hits. He issued two walks and struck out four. José Suarez took over in the seventh and completed the shutout.

Things went well offensively, too, as Austin Riley launched two home runs and the lineup tallied 12 hits on the night. The Braves improve to 13-7 and now have a four-game lead in the NL East.

More Braves News:

Spencer Strider took the mound in High-A Rome on Thursday. He threw 3.1 scoreless innings. More in the minor league recap.

In the latest Braves Biweekly, we take a look at how hitters and pitchers are performing. 

MLB News:

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Richard Fitts underwent season-ending surgery to address a lat strain. 

Chicago Cubs righty Cade Horton underwent Tommy John surgery and will require at least a 15 month recovery period. 

The Chicago Cubs placed righty Daniel Palencia on the 15-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. The move is retroactive to April 14. 

From the Feed:

Former Brave Garret Anderson passed away at 53. Our condolences to the family.

Based on what you’ve seen so far this season, let’s hear your hottest Braves take.

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Hampshire v Somerset, Warwickshire v Essex, and more: county cricket – as it happened

Hampshire were frustrated by Somerset’s wagging tail, while Ethan Bamber and Keith Barker kept Warwickshire in the hunt at Edgbaston

At Southampton, Kyle Abbott is hustling with admirable vigour. Baker still running in from the other end, elbows horizontally churning. Rew (85) and Abell (41) have now put on a hundred for the fourth wicket. Somerset 175-3, 63 behind.

And three for Jimmy Anderson, two in an over, old teammate Will Williams lbw and Henry Brookes caught. Gloucestershire all out 136, and I predict a couple of days of toil in the field.

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Today on Pinstripe Alley – 4/18/26

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 17: An exterior view of Yankee Stadium before the game between the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals on April 17, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I can always appreciate when someone picks themselves off the schneid and comes up big in a timely moment. It’s how Aaron Boone himself hit that walk-off homer against the 2003 Red Sox after doing basically nothing all postseason. I also think about how lefty relievers Graeme Lloyd and Damaso Marte had poor reputations among the Yankees fanbase prior to the 1996 and 2009 postseasons respectively; now, they’ll always get a nice hand in the Bronx. Going back even further, Don Larsen was awful against the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 2 of the 1956 World Series and didn’t expect Casey Stengel to ask him to start another game. But the Ol’ Perfesser gave him Game 5 and the rest is history.

In short: Hell yeah, Ryan McMahon. A game-winning home run in April against a team that is a confirmed long shot for October is not at the level of what all those other guys did. But you have to start somewhere! And his teammates’ reactions were very wholesome.

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Today on the site, John will pay tribute to a fallen rival, as we salute the late Garret Anderson, a Yankee Killer who is gone too soon. Later, Matt will be on the Rivalry Roundup, Kento will celebrate the 67th birthday of the unlikely Dennis Rasmussen, and Sam will take the opportunity of recent extension news for young players around MLB to ponder pros and cons of a possible long-term deal for a particular Yankee.

Today’s Matchup

New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals

Time: 1:35 p.m. EST

Video: YES Network, Royals.TV

Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

Questions/Prompts:

1. Would you stick to the plan and have McMahon back on the bench today? Or would you start him even with the lefty Noah Cameron on the bump for KC?

2. Do you have any thoughts on the Padres being on the verge of reportedly selling for a record $3.9 billion?

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"Difficult End To The Season": Dylan Larkin Reflects On Missed Chances For Red Wings

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There isn’t a player on the Detroit Red Wings who has been with the organization longer, or borne more of its setbacks, than team captain Dylan Larkin, the lone remaining player from the club’s last Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance in 2016.

Despite setting a career high with 34 goals this season, Dylan Larkin suffered an injury at a critical point. Although he eventually gutted it out and played through it, he was unable to carry his team over the finish line.

The Red Wings now hold the unfortunate distinction of owning the NHL’s longest active postseason drought, after the Buffalo Sabres, who hadn’t qualified since 2011, finally ended theirs.

"It's been hard, not great. I think it's been a very difficult end to the season," Larkin said on Friday morning. "Never a fun time when you miss the playoffs, but especially in this fashion, and kind of being here again. So today is not a pleasant day around the rink, that's for sure."

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During Detroit’s stretch run in March, they often found themselves trailing by multiple goals against opponents they were directly competing with in the standings.

Head coach Todd McLellan repeatedly called for a higher level of compete from his players, while questions also arose about “outside noise” potentially creeping into the locker room.

“I mean, that's a fair question, and I think, like I said, part of the tightness was kind of dipping your toe into a game, and when you're anxious for a game, there are tendencies as a player to go out there and see what it's going to be like,” Larkin said about Detroit's slow starts down the stretch. “Is it going to be a hard night or an easy night? Again, I don't think that was the story every night."

“It’s Their Right to Do So”: Moritz Seider Accepts Frustrated Red Wings Fans Reaction “It’s Their Right to Do So”: Moritz Seider Accepts Frustrated Red Wings Fans Reaction During locker room clean-out day, Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider addressed the frustrated reaction of fans during the team’s final home game this past Saturday evening, a loss that confirmed Detroit’s fate of missing the playoffs.

As the team captain, a position he's held since the beginning of the 2021-22 campaign, Larkin accepted responsibility for not, as he put it, driving the play more. 

"But especially at home, down the stretch, you have to know going into a game that you're going to go out there, and part of that is on me as captain of the team, a forward that plays a driving game," he said. 

“I should probably have been out there more, driving the play early in the games to set the tone early for our team, and that's a mindset that would go through the entire lineup.”

As a Metro Detroit native who grew up watching the Red Wings’ glory years, Larkin understands the weight of the moment better than others. He carries the burden of the captaincy once held by franchise legends such as Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Henrik Zetterberg.

Larkin signed an eight-year extension in 2023 to remain with the Red Wings and is committed to seeing the process through.

"I wanted to be here, and I want to be here to help this team in any way I can to win the Stanley Cup," he said. 

"We need to get the Detroit Red Wings back in the playoffs," he concluded. "Not just me." 

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What is the ideal role for Boston’s bench players against the 76ers?

Mar 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) defends Philadelphia 76ers forward Trendon Watford (12) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images | Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Of the last 20 games of Boston’s regular season, 13 featured a starting lineup of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta. 

Despite Tatum’s late entry into the lineup, that 5-man combo is third in total minutes together this year, sporting a +7 net scoring advantage (per 100 possessions). It’s a lineup that figures to transition over into Boston’s first round series with the Philadelphia 76ers, which tips off Sunday afternoon and is the fourth postseason meeting between the two in the Jays era. 

We have a good read on who’s starting these games, but figuring out the overall rotation is a different story. All season, we’ve seen experimentation that’s led to a good problem: the Celtics have an abnormal amount of playoff-caliber talent waiting in the wings. 

In last year’s 11 postseason games, the Celtics had nine players average more than 10 minutes. The year prior, the title run featured the same: nine players. It was one player less in the 2022-23 postseason, with Grant Williams having the lowest of the eight rotation guys with 17.7 minutes per game. 

With the margin of error so thin, there’s no time to waste when it comes to playoff minutes. If struggles extend beyond a game, the hook is coming, and the chance to check back in may not be there waiting for you. 

In this regular season, Boston had 16 players average minutes in double figures. Three of those guys are no longer Celtics and another (Dalano Banton) had a four-game sample size, but when you take a step back, you see that the Celtics, really, have 12 players on this roster that are capable of leaving a positive impact in a postseason series, however big or small that impact ultimately is. 

I guess it’s fortunate that we don’t have to make the decision of who gets those bench opportunities or who rides the pine, but let’s assume each of their primary bench players had that opportunity. What would they do with it? What role or objective allows them to impact the game the greatest against the 76ers? Let’s take a crack at it, and find out. 

For the sake of time and grounded rotational possibilities, we’ll leave the deep bench guys (Amari Williams, Max Shulga, John Tonje, Delano Banton) out of this exercise. If you have to resort to playing one of three second round rookies or a guy just signed to a contract right before the end of the season, chances are the season’s probably going down sooner rather than later. 

Payton Pritchard  

A glorified starter and a shoe-in for major usage, there’s not much mystery of the role Payton Pritchard will have against Philly, and beyond. 

Since his move back to the Sixth Man spot, Pritchard has averaged roughly the same amount of minutes, shot attempts, points per game and assists as his overall season averages, finishing with 17 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds in 29 games that began as the first player off the bench. 

In four games against Philly, PP actually struggled in the scoring department. He was a combined 13-of-31 in the first two games in October, getting the last two looks in their close season-opening loss, and 2-of-13 in their last two games. From three, he shot just 12% for the series. 

Not exactly numbers you’d expect from Pritchard, and strangely enough, this is a matchup that particularly favors his scoring style. The 76ers boast a middle of the road defense (16th in defensive rating) and lineups that often feature two traditional guards. All four of their most-used 5-man lineups feature both Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. 

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For Pritchard, that means opportunities in the mid-range. 

At 42% in the mid-range and 56% in the non-restricted area this year, Pritchard has been one of the league’s finest shot-creators inside and around the free throw line, utilizing his powerful build to initiate contact in order to create space. 

According to data from Basketball Index, he’s in the 100th percentile in mid-range openness rating, the 98th percentile in stable short mid-range field goal efficiency, and the 97th percentile in mid-range pull up shot-making efficiency. 

Boston will be searching for plenty of 2-on-1 advantages to set up rotations and open looks from deep, but Pritchard could really use this series to pack a serious punch in the heart of Philadelphia’s defense. 

Nikola Vučević 

Vooch or the Garzilla? That is the question on everybody’s minds.  

With Vučević sidelined mere moments after sharing the court with Jayson Tatum, his return has been the subject of scrutiny. Particularly in his first two games back in the lineup, Vooch just looked like a player out of sync with his new teammates. Understandable, considering he’s played just 16 games with the Celtics, but with limited time to find a groove before the playoffs, it’s impossible not to look at the constant energy and spark that Garza consistently provides. 

This is probably the toughest decision Joe Mazzulla has to make rotation-wise, and with a likely Embiid-less Philly now locked in as the matchup, the answer could really go either way.

By route of Vučević, I believe it comes down to matchups. The smaller Adem Bona makes more sense for Garza, and the rebound-engulfing Andre Drummond makes more sense for Vooch. 

With Drummond, Vooch can not only match up better on the defensive glass, but his passing and shooting from above the break would effectively pull Drummond out of the paint, or risk leaving open a shooter with an eye for finding cutters. 

Perhaps it’s a worthwhile gamble with Vooch shooting 31% from three in his four games back. He also ended 5-of-9 in his last two games though. The Sixers would likely be willing to take that gamble, if at least for a game or two. 

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While Garza has made massive strides as a shooter, Vooch remains the closest thing Boston has to the pick-and-pop threat that breaks down zones and crushes soft switches. If he can find consistency in his outside game, it opens up a similar offensive wrinkle left behind by the departures of Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. 

A huge question will be how Boston can help, or even hide, Vooch when it comes to defending the pick-and-roll. Vooch plays one of the deepest drops in the league, and with someone like Maxey getting downhill, that doesn’t bode well for Boston. There’s a lot at play for the backup big minutes when Queta’s off the floor. 

Ready or not, Vooch will more than likely get the first shot behind Queta, and flashes of his rebounding, pick-and-pop shooting, and ball movement will go a long way in cementing him as an every game contributor this postseason. 

Luka Garza

While we’re on the topic of the backup big, Boston couldn’t have lucked out more with the signing of Luka Garza last summer. He’s been a consummate professional, an outstanding offensive rebounder and screener (98th percentile in offensive rebounding talent, 99th percentile in screening talent), and an efficient 3-point shooter (43%) on respectable volume. 

I don’t think there’s any doubt that if Garza stepped foot on the floor in a playoff setting, he’d find a way to add extra possessions and open things up for others. Similar to Vooch, the problem lies in how he holds up defensively. While a fine mobile big that moves well in space, Garza does not scare drivers attacking the basket in the way someone like Queta, or even Tatum might. Mismatch hunting is all the rage in a Best-of-7 series, and like Vooch, I’d expect the Sixers to actively seek out Garza as much as possible. 

With the Bona matchup, you’re pitting two mobile bigs against each other, but Garza has the leg up as a rebounder and as a scorer, with his 3-point shot legit enough to force Bona in space. If there’s anything we can take away from either Vooch or Garza, it’s that both have the ability to shoot away from the basket or open up sets with a handoff. 

While Vooch would be better equipped to be surrounded by cutters and screen-navigators like Derrick White, Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh to make use of his hub playmaking and drop coverage defensive style, I like the idea of Garza working with the stars, particularly Tatum. With JT, Boston’s better equipped to defend the paint, while giving him and Brown that patented flair screen, floor-switching ability that Queta and Garza have both thrived in thanks to their elite screen-setting. 

Different contexts create different reasons to go with either big man off the bench. With Philly, there’s a good chance both will see an opportunity. 

Jordan Walsh 

I wrote about it back in November, and I’m sure you’ll see more of it this weekend, but to be succinct: Jordan Walsh has the makings of a Maxey stopper. 

Walsh probably would have found a role in the rotation even with Orlando “winning” the 7-seed (hey, Walsh has locked up Paolo Banchero too!) but this matchup between All-Star and breakout role player feels destined. 

To be clear, Walsh can do more for this team than stay glued to their best scorer. He’d get minutes because he’s a good shooter despite a fluctuating role (38%, 1.8 attempts per game), and a fantastic rebounder and putback threat. 

But for this series in particular, having someone off the bench that held Philly’s top scorer to 1-of-10 shooting between two games and 7:10 matchup minutes is a luxury I fully expect Mazzulla to utilize. Walsh has the length to disrupt around screens and the recovery speed to stay in front, while being a menacing contest threat thanks to his 7’3” wingspan. 

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There’s a clear path to significant minutes for Walsh, and a lot of it has to do with making life hell for Philly’s best scorer.

Baylor Scheierman 

After a 3-minute appearance in the Halloween victory over the 76ers, Baylor Scheierman didn’t play Philly again until their very last meeting, one that started with a thumbs up and ended in a Celtics victory. 

Scheierman has firmly cemented himself as a key rotation player this year, turning the corner after some tough shooting in the Summer League and preseason to end Year 2 with splits of 45/40/90. 

What’s keeping Scheierman on the floor is more than his shooting though. He’s been a true jack of all trades, defending and rebounding at a high level while adding a connective tissue to the offense thanks to his ability to create off the dribble and open up the drive-and-kick game. 

As far as the ideal lineups featuring Scheierman, it’s likely the one we’re most familiar with. 

Among all 5-man lineup combos featuring Scheierman, the one that more than doubles every other combination in minutes on the floor includes White, Brown, Hauser and Queta. That lineup, which started seven games, was a +10.8 in scoring, featuring a balanced attack of top-option JB surrounded by three shooting options, two of which like to create off the dribble, and a rim-running big. 

For the non-Tatum minutes, this appears to be one of the better options to maintain a balanced offense. Adding in a wrinkle like Pritchard for White would also be an option that maintains scoring balance and ample ball movement (that lineup with Pritchard in for White played just 34 minutes together, but was a +40.3 in that time). 

Because Scheierman can do so many things well, it makes him a one-size-fits-all type of rotation piece that can work in a variety of different settings. 

Hugo González

With their wing depth as strong as it is, a path to minutes appears murky for the sensational Spaniard, but Hugo Gonzalez wouldn’t need all that much time to make a difference. 

Similar to Scheierman and Walsh, Hugo’s ability to contribute as a rebounder, cutter and defender makes him the rare 20-year-old that’s built for the bigger moments. Compound that with respectable 3-point shooting and you’d feel confident that, if left open, he can at least threaten to punish the Sixers for the lack of respect. 

I think the ideal scenario for Hugo to see time is in the moments where the momentum needs to shift. 

Offense bogged down by contested misses and turnovers? Defense struggling to stop the pick-and-roll? Momentum timeouts aren’t stopping the bleeding? 

May I suggest the controlled chaos that is Hugo Gonzalez? 

Even if for just a few minutes, I think Gonzalez injects the right level of high-effort defense to rally around and throw out there for short spurts. That way, Philly doesn’t get as much of an opportunity to dare the rookie to beat them as a shooter in the same way you’d see if he played a more substantial game-to-game role. 

There’s going to be a time very soon where Hugo will be very high on the playoff pecking order, but that time shouldn’t have to be today. Although if we’re being honest, he’s much closer than I think anyone could have expected on draft day. 

Ron Harper Jr. 

While it’s unlikely Ron Harper Jr. sees the floor this postseason, I’d honestly feel confident in his abilities if he did. 

And a lot of that has to do with his first impression: a debut start focused heavily on defending Kevin Durant. RHJ showcased his strength as a defender, his instincts as a rebounder, and his catch-and-shoot ability (I feel like I’ve been saying that with every wing, but it remains true all the same). 

If there were to be an opportunity for Harper, I’d consider it a look focused on the 3&D mold of his game. The threes would largely come off the catch, adding additional spacing while guys like Brown or Tatum ignite the drive-and-kick, while the D would be spent on another tough assignment: Paul George.

Is that a gamble? Or too much for Harper in his first playoff appearance? Possibly. But then again, wasn’t that also the case with KD in his debut?

It’s not like we’re dealing with the Paul George of old, though he’s certainly had a quietly solid season as he transitions into life as an overpaid, high-end role player. 

If that’s the path to opportunity, I don’t think we’d be hearing any complaints from Ron.

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Yankees news: Judge and Stanton, dinger duo

BRONX, NY - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees and Giancarlo Stanton #27 in the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels on April 13, 2025 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

MLB.com | Sarah Langs: While it was overshadowed by Mike Trout’s homer spree, Judge and Stanton both homered in Thursday’s 11-4 loss against the Angels, marking the 61st time that they homered in the same game as teammates. With that, they are now tied for sixth place on the all-time list, sharing a spot with the Braves’ Joneses (Andruw and Chipper) and Harmon Killebrew and Bob Allison for the Twins and Senators. Depending on how well Judge and Stanton time their homers, they have a good shot at moving into fifth place by the end of this year, surpassing the Cubs duo of Billy Williams and Ron Santo (64 games). Unsurprisingly, the names get even more impressive at the top of the list; the all-time leading duo is Henry Aaron and Eddie Mathews of the Braves with 76, followed by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig with 75. Let’s see how high our beefy boys can rise through the ranks.

SNY | Phillip Martinez: Ryan McMahon’s struggles have been no secret, as the third baseman entered play yesterday hitting .119/.260/.119 with a 25 wRC+ and zero extra-base hits. Manager Aaron Boone elected to sit McMahon in favor of Amed Rosario for Friday night’s series opener against the Royals, even though there was a righty on the mound and McMahon’s a lefty. Boone told reporters that McMahon’s working on some batting tweaks behind the scenes and since they are likely facing four lefties during this series and the next one, there’s a good chance that McMahon might stay out of the lineup for a little bit. Now, this was all said before his surprising game-winning homer on Friday night—one that he said was preceded by “about a hundred” extra swings once he knew he wasn’t starting—after entering as a defensive replacement. But it’s still likely safe to say that Rosario will get a modest chunk of starts.

New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: Last year, NJ.com reported on the near-nonstop noise at Yankee Stadium, which has frustrated fans but is apparenty in accordance with the Yankees and their players’ wishes. Phillips provided a follow-up on that piece, and the Yankees themselves remain insistent that they like it, desiring a Madison Square Garden NBA-esque feel. The Yankees apparently don’t hear it as loudly down on the field; it all seems like it could be resolved at some point with some repositioning of the many speakers in the stadium. In the meantime, folks of all ages let Phillips know of their irritation — even the younger fans who this is ostensibly directed toward. There is a fine line between an authentically loud stadium full of fan noise and an artificially loud stadium full of sound bites.

MLB.com | Max Ralph: As with Gerrit Cole, Anthony Volpe has also recently started his rehab assignment in Double-A Somerset, and Thursday marked an important step for him as he picked up his first hit of the year. All in all, he was 1-for-3 with a groundout and a strikeout at the plate, and in the field, he handled his only chance cleanly—a pop fly to short—before being substituted in the sixth. According to Brian Cashman, the plan is to have Volpe amass 55 or so plate appearances in the minors before he rejoins the big league squad. Volpe played with a partially torn labrum for most of 2025, which was the likely culprit of a down year on both sides of the ball. We know he can pick it when healthy. Can he hit? The jury’s still out on that one.

The Athletic | Brendan Kuty ($): Speaking of possible reinforcements for the left side of the infield, George Lombard Jr. is having quite the start to his 2026 campaign. In 11 games so far with Double-A Somerset, he’s slashing .400/.471/.667 with two homers and six doubles. His glove was never the issue—Double-A manager James Cooper saw him as a major league-caliber defender already last year—so it’s more than encouraging that the bat has looked this good, even though (again) it’s only 11 games. Interestingly, Lombard Jr. has made three starts at third base so far, despite being primarily deployed as a shortstop over his minor league career. With McMahon struggling—Friday night notwithstanding—could the Yankees be eyeing an aggressive call-up for Lombard Jr. in the coming months? I think that would be pretty unlikely, but if he continues to torch minor-league pitching like he has, all bets are off.

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Philadelphia visits Pittsburgh to start the NHL Playoffs

Philadelphia Flyers (43-27-12, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (41-25-16, in the Metropolitan Division)

Pittsburgh; Saturday, 8 p.m. EDT

LINE: Penguins -147, Flyers +123; over/under is 6

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Penguins host series opener

BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Philadelphia Flyers in game one of the Eastern Conference first round. The teams meet Saturday for the fifth time this season. The teams tied the regular season series 2-2. In their last regular season meeting on March 7, the Flyers won 4-3 in a shootout.

Pittsburgh has a 41-25-16 record overall and a 13-4-9 record in Metropolitan Division play. The Penguins have a 41-8-9 record when scoring three or more goals.

Philadelphia is 43-27-12 overall with a 12-9-5 record against the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers rank ninth in league play serving 9.6 penalty minutes per game.

TOP PERFORMERS: Sidney Crosby has scored 29 goals with 45 assists for the Penguins. Erik Karlsson has three goals and six assists over the past 10 games.

Trevor Zegras has 26 goals and 41 assists for the Flyers. Matvei Michkov has four goals and eight assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 5-5-0, averaging 4.6 goals, 7.7 assists, 3.3 penalties and 7.8 penalty minutes while giving up 3.4 goals per game.

Flyers: 7-3-0, averaging 3.5 goals, 5.5 assists, 3.2 penalties and 6.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.

INJURIES: Penguins: Filip Hallander: out (leg), Caleb Jones: out for season (shoulder).

Flyers: Rodrigo Abols: out (ankle), Nikita Grebenkin: out (upper body).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Colorado and Los Angeles face off to begin the NHL Playoffs

Los Angeles Kings (35-27-20, in the Pacific Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (55-16-11, in the Central Division)

Denver; Sunday, 3 p.m. EDT

LINE: Avalanche -264, Kings +214; over/under is 5.5

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Avalanche host series opener

BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche host the Los Angeles Kings to begin the Western Conference first round. The teams meet Monday for the fourth time this season. The Avalanche went 3-0 against the Kings during the regular season. In their last regular season meeting on March 2, the Avalanche won 4-2.

Colorado is 55-16-11 overall and 26-9-6 in home games. The Avalanche have an 18-2-6 record when scoring a power-play goal.

Los Angeles has a 35-27-20 record overall and a 20-10-11 record on the road. The Kings are 26-4-11 in games they score at least three goals.

TOP PERFORMERS: Martin Necas has 38 goals and 61 assists for the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon has five goals and five assists over the last 10 games.

Artemi Panarin has 28 goals and 56 assists for the Kings. Adrian Kempe has scored 10 goals with three assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Avalanche: 7-2-1, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.7 assists, 2.8 penalties and 5.6 penalty minutes while giving up 1.9 goals per game.

Kings: 6-2-2, averaging 3.1 goals, 4.5 assists, 3.1 penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.

INJURIES: Avalanche: Nazem Kadri: day to day (finger), Josh Manson: day to day (upper body).

Kings: Kevin Fiala: out for season (leg), Alex Turcotte: day to day (undisclosed), Jeff Malott: day to day (undisclosed), Andrei Kuzmenko: day to day (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Utah visits Vegas to start the NHL Playoffs

Utah Mammoth (43-33-6, in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (39-26-17, in the Pacific Division)

Paradise, Nevada; Sunday, 10 p.m. EDT

LINE: Golden Knights -153, Mammoth +127; over/under is 6

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Golden Knights host series opener

BOTTOM LINE: The Vegas Golden Knights host the Utah Mammoth to open the Western Conference first round. The teams meet Thursday for the fourth time this season. The Mammoth went 2-1 against the Golden Knights during the regular season. In their last regular season meeting on March 19, the Mammoth won 4-0.

Vegas has a 39-26-17 record overall and a 20-12-9 record in home games. The Golden Knights have allowed 242 goals while scoring 264 for a +22 scoring differential.

Utah has a 43-33-6 record overall and a 21-17-3 record on the road. The Mammoth are 10th in league play serving 9.5 penalty minutes per game.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jack Eichel has 27 goals and 63 assists for the Golden Knights. Mark Stone has seven goals and four assists over the past 10 games.

Clayton Keller has 26 goals and 62 assists for the Mammoth. Logan Cooley has scored seven goals and added six assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Knights: 7-0-3, averaging four goals, 6.4 assists, 3.2 penalties and seven penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game.

Mammoth: 6-4-0, averaging 4.3 goals, 7.5 assists, four penalties and 11.3 penalty minutes while giving up 3.4 goals per game.

INJURIES: Golden Knights: William Karlsson: out (lower body).

Mammoth: Barrett Hayton: out (upper-body), Sean Durzi: day to day (upper-body), Jack McBain: out (lower-body), Dylan Guenther: day to day (undisclosed).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Buffalo hosts Boston to open the NHL Playoffs

Boston Bruins (45-27-10, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Buffalo Sabres (50-23-9, in the Atlantic Division)

Buffalo, New York; Sunday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Sabres -158, Bruins +133; over/under is 6

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Sabres host series opener

BOTTOM LINE: The Buffalo Sabres host the Boston Bruins to start the Eastern Conference first round. The teams meet Wednesday for the fifth time this season. The Bruins went 3-1 against the Sabres during the regular season. In their last regular season matchup on March 25, the Bruins won 4-3 in overtime. Mark Kastelic led the Bruins with two goals.

Buffalo has a 16-6-4 record in Atlantic Division games and a 50-23-9 record overall. The Sabres rank fifth in league play with 283 total goals (averaging 3.4 per game).

Boston is 11-12-3 against the Atlantic Division and 45-27-10 overall. The Bruins serve 11.9 penalty minutes per game to rank second in the league.

TOP PERFORMERS: Josh Doan has scored 26 goals with 26 assists for the Sabres. Alex Tuch has four goals and three assists over the last 10 games.

Morgan Geekie has 39 goals and 29 assists for the Bruins. Pavel Zacha has six goals and five assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Sabres: 6-3-1, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.6 assists, 4.5 penalties and 11.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game.

Bruins: 5-3-2, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.5 assists, 3.1 penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.

INJURIES: Sabres: Jiri Kulich: out for season (ear), Sam Carrick: out (arm), Alex Lyon: day to day (lower body), Justin Danforth: day to day (lower body), Noah Ostlund: day to day (upper-body).

Bruins: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.