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Chevy Dominates Bristol Qualifying With Bowman On Top

Published in Racing
Saturday, 12 April 2025 13:30

BRISTOL, Tenn. Alex Bowman claimed his second pole of the NASCAR Cup Series season during qualifying for Sundays Food City 500 Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Bowman, who has two poles and four top-10 starts this season, earned the seventh pole of his career with a lap of 14.912 seconds (128.675 mph) in the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

It was also his second pole at the .533-mile concrete race track.

Honestly, it really wasnt the best lap for me. I kind of over-slowed entry to (turn) three, I thought, Bowman explained. So, yeah, just probably going out early. Typically, this place trends that the later cars are faster. But, you know, obviously todays scenario with tires are vastly different than what the racetrack is doing. So, yeah, hard to say.

Certainly was watching the clouds there at the end there were some big clouds coming. The 24 and the 11, guys that tagged the wall at the very end, I knew they were going to be good. So, yeah, happy that it held on.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. qualified second in the Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet for his first top-10 start of the season.

Bowmans teammate, Kyle Larson, qualified third and completed a sweep of the top three for Chevrolet.

A winner of two consecutive races, Denny Hamlin qualified fourth for Joe Gibbs Racing, while Ryan Blaney starts fifth in his Team Penske Ford.

Jesse Love qualified 19th in his first Cup Series qualifying effort for Richard Childress Racing, while Cup Series champions Kyle Busch and Joey Logano each crashed on their qualifying runs.

I was just having to push it hard trying to make a fast lap, Logano said. It turned pretty good and I got a little bit down on that apron there and it kind of shoved me up. I kind of got free and then I got into the looser stuff and hit the wall. The last few times weve qualified here in the Next Gen car its been kind of sketchy to say the least.

Kirkwood Storms To Pole For 50th Long Beach Street Race

Published in Racing
Saturday, 12 April 2025 13:32

LONG BEACH, Calif. The last time Kyle Kirkwood won the pole at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach was 2023. He also won the race.

The driver from Jupiter, Fla., hopes to repeat that in Sundays 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach by winning the pole on Saturday.

That would be massive, Kirkwood said. Winning any IndyCar race is impressive, but winning the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach would be historic.

It was Hertas second Verizon P1 Award at Long Beach and the third IndyCar pole of his career.

Kirkwoods fast lap was 1:06.1921 around the 1.968-mile street course in the No. 27 Honda for Andretti Global. That was a speed of 107.034 mph.

Teammate Colton Herta was second fastest at 1:06.4232 (106.662 mph) in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda for Andretti Global.

Kyle Kirkwood (Steve Himelstein photo)

When you are in an Andretti Global car at Long Beach, you know you are going to be quick and we were today, Kirkwood said. A front row lockout by Andretti Global with Colton Herta, you have to be happy with that.

Hertas second-place qualification effort ensured an All-Andretti Global front row.

It sucks, but you cant be made at Andretti Global sweeping the front row, Herta said. Im glad Andretti Global lets us race and me and Kyle have always raced each other well. I think we understand if there is an opportunity to pass, we will pass each other, but without taking any unnecessary risks.

Chip Ganassi Racing star Alex Palou has won the first two IndyCar Series races of the season. He attempts to make it three-in-a-row Sunday as he starts from the third position after qualifying at 1:06.6254 (106.338 mph) in the No. 28 DHL Honda.

Its good, Palou said. Tight qualifying as always. We thought it would be closer, but that lap by Kyle was pretty good. It was awesome.

Great starting position in third. Well see if we can go three-for-three.

Felix Rosenqvist, Marcus Ericsson and Scott McLaughlin rounded out the Fast Six.

For the second race in a row, neither Josef Newgarden nor Will Power of Team Penske advanced out of the first round. At the Thermal Club on March 22, none of the three Team Penske drivers including McLaughlin made it to the second round of qualifications.

After Fridays practice session, Newgarden was confident this weekend would not be a repeat of what happened at Thermal.

That prediction did not come true, however.

This is a very tight series where inches and tenths of a second make a difference, Newgarden said. Its hard when youre on your fast lap and get held up in Turn 10.

Youve already used up your alternates and that exit off the hairpin is crucial to the following lap. We know there is speed in the No. 2 Astemo Chevrolet. Unfortunately, we are behind a bit following qualifying, but we will rally tomorrow.

The cars too good.

At the checkered flag of that group, Herta bounced off the wall and the checkered flag and appeared to break the tow-link on the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda.

Christian Lundgaard of Arrow McLaren was the fastest of that group in the No. 7 Chevrolet at 1:07.2092, followed by Herta, Felix Rosenqvist, Pato OWard, Marcus Armstrong and David Malukas.

McLaughlin saved the day for Team Penske by qualifying third in the second group of the first round. Defending Long Beach winner Scott Dixon was the big name that didnt advance out of the first round as he was seventh.

The lap I was on was on target for quick time, but I should have done the lap earlier, Dixon said. The car in front of me aborted so I had to do the same thing.

Kirkwood was the fastest in that group at 1:06.9367 in the No. 27 Honda for Andretti Global. Palou was second followed by McLaughlin, Nolan Siegel, Marcus Ericsson and Alexander Rossi.

McLaughlin also advanced out of the second round when he was sixth at the time. That session ended when Christian Lundgaard, who was fifth fastest at the time, stuffed the No. 7 Chevrolet into the tire barrier in Turn 9 just seconds before the checkered flag ended the session. Because of that, the Arrow McLaren driver lost his two fastest laps and will start 12th in Sundays race.

Advancing into the Fast Six were Kirkwood (1:06.4219) followed by Herta, Palou, Ericsson, McLaughlin and Rosenqvist.

No Arrow McLaren driver made it into the Fast Six after the team swept the front row in the previous IndyCar race at The Thermal Club.

I believe we had enough to transfer into the Fast Six, but bummer for me, bummer for Christian and bummer for Nolan, Pato OWard said. This hasnt been our best place in the past, but well see what happens in the race.

Wyttenbach wins inaugural USHL Gaudreau Award

Published in Hockey
Saturday, 12 April 2025 10:20

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The United States Hockey League on Saturday named Ethan Wyttenbach of the Sioux Falls Stampede the inaugural winner of The Gaudreau Award in honor of the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.

The league established the award to pay tribute to the brothers who died last summer when they were struck by a car while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey.

"This award was created to honor their legacy and to serve as a shining example of excellence, character, and heart both on and off the ice," said USHL president and commissioner Glenn Hefferan, who is also a New Jersey native. "Johnny and Matthew left an immeasurable impact on the communities where they lived and played. They were not only exceptional players and teammates but, most importantly, extraordinary people. Their love for the game was only surpassed by their love for their families."

Wyttenbach was Sioux Falls' top scorer this season despite missing time with an injury. Before getting hurt, he also led the team in community service hours. The league said he spent time filling food bags at Feeding South Dakota, served dinners at the St. Francis House and rung bells for The Salvation Army, along with school visits and youth hockey practices.

Panthers' Ekblad: Must 'move forward' after ban

Published in Hockey
Saturday, 12 April 2025 11:20

It's been a long month for Aaron Ekblad. The worst is almost over.

The Florida Panthers defenseman spoke out for the first time Saturday since being suspended 20 games without pay for violating the NHL and NHL Players' Association's policy on performance-enhancing drugs last month, something he said was an inadvertent mistake.

He is back on the ice with the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers for workouts but can't play until Game 3 of Florida's first-round playoff series.

"There's so many ways you look at it," Ekblad said, when asked what the suspension has been like. "Respect and integrity and character, family, name, my teammates, fans. Every single which way you look at it -- the money that I lose on top of all that, not that I care about it in a sense. I'd give it all back to play and take it all back again. So a lot of regret, but it is what it is and I have to find a way to move forward."

Ekblad, in a statement through the NHLPA, said in March the news that he had failed a random drug test shocked him: "Ultimately, I made a mistake by taking something to help me recover from recent injuries without first checking with proper medical and team personnel. I have let my teammates, the Panthers organization and our great fans down. For that, I am truly sorry."

His absence has been part of a long list of Florida players missing from the lineup in recent weeks.

The Panthers lost Matthew Tkachuk in February and hope to have him back for Game 1 of the playoffs. Brad Marchand missed his first few weeks with Florida after being acquired from Boston. Aleksander Barkov has missed a few games down the stretch, defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and forward Sam Bennett might be back Monday, and the Panthers are giving some other regulars a bit of rest as well.

Seeing Ekblad back on the ice, even just for practice, was enough to make Panthers coach Paul Maurice smile. Ekblad wasn't able to be around the team for weeks as part of the suspension; he can now do everything other than play games.

"It lets him go in and buy a lot of dinners for the guys, right? His credit card will take a beating and have a little bit of fun," Maurice said. "But he steps on the ice and it's another 6-4 or 6-5 guy on your blue line, and now all the guys in red look big. It adds a little something."

Ekblad has been on the ice -- just not with teammates. He had some friends skate with him at times, like former Florida defenseman Keith Yandle, but they couldn't be in the team facility when the Panthers were there.

"I was still able to skate and work out and draw up my own on-ice programs as best I could," Ekblad said. "I'd watch the games, I'd see something [Gustav Forsling] would do and I'd try to mimic it and practice the next day, so it was a good lesson in being my own coach for a little bit. ... A lot of hours skating and working out alone, but it was good. It was fun to put myself to work in a way that I hadn't before."

Maroon set for last game in Hawks home finale

Published in Hockey
Saturday, 12 April 2025 16:25

CHICAGO -- Pat Maroon played his first and his last NHL game at the United Center.

In between, it was quite a ride.

Maroon closed his 14th and final season when the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night. While Chicago has two road games left, Maroon is skating in the home finale in front of a group of family and friends before beginning his retirement.

"Every career comes to an end," Maroon said. "It doesn't last forever. I let that kind of soak in a little bit. I'm happy (with) where I'm at in my career, where I ended."

Maroon, a St. Louis native who turns 37 on April 23, signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with Chicago in free agency last summer. The rugged forward announced last month that he planned to retire after this season, but he waited until Saturday to reveal that the home finale would be his last game.

"He's been awesome. Such an enjoyable person to be around," Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard said. "Obviously, his experience in the league ... he can teach us a lot of things. But I think just the laughs he brings and energy he brings to the room, he's just a guy that everyone wants to be around."

Maroon was selected by Philadelphia in the sixth round of the 2007 draft. He was traded to Anaheim in 2010 and made his NHL debut in the Ducks' shootout loss at Chicago on Oct. 25, 2011.

Maroon helped his hometown Blues win the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history in 2019. He also won back-to-back championships with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and '21.

He became the fourth player in NHL history and first since 1964 to win the Cup three years in a row with two teams. He entered the matchup with the Jets with 126 goals and 197 assists in 847 regular-season games, also playing for Edmonton, New Jersey, Minnesota and Boston.

"I've been fortunate to do what I love for a living for a long time," Maroon said. "As I look back on my career when this is all done, I'm going to look back on the bad times that I went through in Philly to where it got me to where I'm at today."

Maroon left open the possibility of working in hockey down the road, but he wasn't ready to think about that just yet.

"As of right now, my focus is family," he said. "My wife's due any day now. So we're going to focus on that, focus on getting back to Tampa, getting settled in and kind of digesting everything and what our next step is."

The NHL has reached Showdown Saturday, with less than a week to go in the season -- and exactly one week before the start of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs!

The identity of 12 of the 16 playoff clubs is known, but final seeding remains up for grabs, along with the race for the Presidents' Trophy as the No. 1 overall seed and positioning in the draft lottery order.

There are 11 games on the schedule throughout the day. Here's what is at stake in each matchup:

New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers
12:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Islanders are close to being eliminated and the Flyers have been out of the mix for some time now, but there are draft lottery implications here. The Flyers begin the day in the No. 5 spot -- tied in points with the Boston Bruins, one ahead of the Kraken -- while the Isles are 10th, two ahead of the Detroit Red Wings and one behind the Anaheim Ducks.

Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets
12:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)

Alex Ovechkin's goal-record chase is complete, but watching him down the stretch will be fun as he looks to bolster that record even further. The Caps begin the day having clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but three points behind the Jets for the Presidents' Trophy. The Blue Jackets are six points behind the Canadiens in the race for the final wild-card spot and 13th in the draft lottery order.

New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes
3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)

Speaking of the Presidents' Trophy, last season's winners are on their last leg of the playoff hunt and are six points behind the Canadiens for wild card No. 2 in the East. They will need to win out (and get A LOT of help) to qualify for the playoffs. On the other side, the Hurricanes are locked in at the No. 2 spot in the Metro Division and will host their first-round series against the New Jersey Devils.

Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings
4 p.m. (ESPN+)

It's impossible for the Avalanche to win their division, and they'll most likely finish third in the Central. The Kings still have a shot at the Pacific Division title, but it's more likely they'll stick in the No. 2 slot. What do both teams have in common? Both are finishing strong, and will make for tough outs this postseason. This game could be a preview of the Western Conference finals.

Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers
6 p.m. (ESPN+)

It's going to be another spring outside of the playoffs for the Sabres, although a recent 8-2-0 run does inspire some hope for the future. They sit in the No. 7 spot in the draft lottery order as play begins Saturday. The Panthers remain in the hunt for the Atlantic Division title, two points behind the Lightning and four behind the Maple Leafs.

Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Playoff hockey is (very likely) returning to la belle province! The Canadiens are six points ahead of the Blue Jackets, Red Wings and Rangers, with a magic number of three. As for their rivals from Toronto, the Leafs are fending off the hard-charging Lightning and Panthers to retain the No. 1 seed in the Atlantic Division. Toronto enters this game with a two-point cushion over Tampa Bay, and four over Florida.

Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks
7 p.m. (NHL Network)

Two teams at different ends of the standings table square off here. The Jets hold a three-point lead over the Capitals for the NHL's No. 1 overall seed heading into the playoffs -- and a six-point lead over the Stars for the Central's No. 1 seed (yes, they still haven't clinched the division). A win here clinches the division and bolsters their hold on the Presidents' Trophy.

The Blackhawks will finish no worse than No. 2 in the draft lottery order, as they can finish with no more than 62 points, and the Predators already have 66. Will they reach No. 1? The Sharks are five ahead (at 51), with four games remaining. This could come down to the wire.

Utah Hockey Club at Dallas Stars
8 p.m. (ESPN+)

The first season of hockey in Utah resulted in the Hockey Club sticking around in the playoff race until the penultimate week, which is better than what a team called the Arizona Coyotes did with a very similar group of players last season. The UHC is No. 14 in the draft lotto order, four points back of the Blue Jackets and Rangers. As noted above, the Stars can still catch the Jets for the Central's No. 1 seed, although they'd need to win out and have the Jets lose the rest of their games.

Minnesota Wild at Vancouver Canucks
10 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Wild looked wobbly for a stretch there in March, but the return of Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek has them back on track. They begin play on Saturday as the West's No. 1 wild card, with a three-point edge on the Flames. Vancouver went from Pacific Division champs in 2023-24 to out of the playoffs entirely in 2024-25, and currently they sit 15th in the draft lotto order, two points behind the UHC.

Nashville Predators at Vegas Golden Knights
10 p.m. (ESPN+)

One of the original Golden Misfits, Jonathan Marchessault won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP the year the Knights won the Stanley Cup. This will be his first game back in Vegas wearing a different team's uniform, so while this game won't have much of an impact on the standings, it's notable for that reunion!

The Preds are locked in at the No. 3 spot in the draft lottery order, while the Knights lock up a division title with a regulation win.

St. Louis Blues at Seattle Kraken
10 p.m. (ESPN+)

A recent two-game skid for the Blues might have increased the amount of hope in Calgary, but Jordan Binnington & Co. hold a three-point advantage over the Flames for the final Western wild card heading into this one. Seattle begins play sixth in the draft lottery order, a point back of Philly and Boston.

With the regular season ending April 17, we'll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Clinching scenarios
Today's schedule
Yesterday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers


Clinching scenarios

The Montreal Canadiens will clinch a playoff berth if:

  • They defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs in regulation

  • They defeat the Maple Leafs in any fashion, and there's any result other than a Columbus Blue Jackets regulation win against the Washington Capitals

  • They lose in overtime/shootout to the Maple Leafs and the Blue Jackets lose to the Capitals in any fashion

The Minnesota Wild will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Vancouver Canucks in any fashion, AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Seattle Kraken in regulation.

The Winnipeg Jets will clinch the Central Division title and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference if:

The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch the Pacific Division title if:

  • They defeat the Nashville Predators in regulation

  • They defeat the Preds in OT/SO, AND there is any result in the Los Angeles Kings-Colorado Avalanche game other than a Kings win in regulation

  • They lose in OT/SO, AND the Kings lose to the Avs in any fashion

  • The Kings lose to the Avs in regulation


Saturday's games

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).

New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers, 12:30 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets, 12:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes, 3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings, 4 p.m.
Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers, 6 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks, 7 p.m. (NHL Network)
Utah Hockey Club at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m.
Minnesota Wild at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.


Friday's scoreboard

Ottawa Senators 5, Montreal Canadiens 2
Detroit Red Wings 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3 (OT)
Pittsburgh Penguins 4, New Jersey Devils 2
Edmonton Oilers 4, San Jose Sharks 2
Calgary Flames 4, Minnesota Wild 2


Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

x - Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 105.1
Next game: vs. MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 101.7
Next game: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Florida Panthers

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 99.7
Next game: vs. BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Ottawa Senators

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 95.5
Next game: vs. PHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 90.3
Next game: @ TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: vs. DAL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0.4%
Tragic number: 1

e - Buffalo Sabres

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 79.9
Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Boston Bruins

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 74.8
Next game: @ PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Metro Division

z - Washington Capitals

Points: 109
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 114.6
Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 102.0
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - New Jersey Devils

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 92.4
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 85.2
Next game: vs. WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.4%
Tragic number: 3

New York Rangers

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: @ CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 1

New York Islanders

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 83.1
Next game: @ PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.9%
Tragic number: 1

e - Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 80.0
Next game: vs. BOS (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 76.7
Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Central Division

x - Winnipeg Jets

Points: 112
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 116.3
Next game: @ CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Dallas Stars

Points: 106
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 110.0
Next game: vs. UTA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Colorado Avalanche

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 2
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 95.3
Next game: @ VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 97.9%
Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 95.3
Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 94.7%
Tragic number: N/A

e - Utah Hockey Club

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 88.2
Next game: @ DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Nashville Predators

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 68.5
Next game: @ VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 58.1
Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Pacific Division

x - Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 105
Regulation wins: 44
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 109.0
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Los Angeles Kings

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 4
Points pace: 104.1
Next game: vs. COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 100.7
Next game: @ WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 93.4
Next game: vs. SJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 7.5%
Tragic number: 3

e - Vancouver Canucks

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 90.3
Next game: vs. MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Anaheim Ducks

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 81.0
Next game: vs. COL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Seattle Kraken

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 75.9
Next game: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - San Jose Sharks

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 52.9
Next game: @ CGY (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Note: A "z" means that the team has clinched the top record in the conference. A "y" means that the team has clinched the division title. An "x" means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An "e" means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.


Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. More details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL's Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.

1. San Jose Sharks

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 20

3. Nashville Predators

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23

4. Boston Bruins

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25

5. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21

6. Seattle Kraken

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 28

7. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23

9. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24

10. New York Islanders

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27

11. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29

12. New York Rangers

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33

13. Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26

14. Utah Hockey Club

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28

15. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 28

16. Calgary Flames

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 29

Ronaldo nets stunning volley to hand Al Nassr win

Published in Soccer
Saturday, 12 April 2025 16:39

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, including a stunning volleyed effort, to give Al Nassr a come-from-behind win over the visiting Al Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday.

After Faïz Selemani had given Al Riyadh the lead in first-half stoppage time, Ronaldo struck twice in eight minutes in the second half to grab the three points for his side.

His first goal arrived in the 56th minute, with the Portugal forward finishing into an open net from close range after a well-worked free-kick routine allowed Sadio Mané to find him wide open in the 6-yard box.

It was the 40-year-old's second goal that really caught the eye, however. After a cross was cleared to the edge of the box, Ronaldo met the ball with a first-time unstoppable volley into the top corner of the goal.

Ronaldo now has four goals in his last two games, following his double against Al Hilal last week, after what was his sixth multigoal game of the season.

Ronaldo, who has scored in five successive matches, almost turned provider for Jhon Duran in stoppage time, squaring the ball for the Colombian striker, but his shot flew over the crossbar.

The miss almost proved costly as Al-Riyadh substitute Enes Sali rattled the post with a curling effort moments later, but Al Nassr held on for their 17th win of the league season.

Al Nassr are third on the table, one point behind second-placed Al Hilal and eight behind leaders Al Ittihad.

Information from Reuters was used in this report.

Bayern held by Dortmund to keep title race alive

Published in Soccer
Saturday, 12 April 2025 16:39

Borussia Dortmund prevented Bayern Munich from going eight points clear in the Bundesliga on Saturday by fighting back for a 2-2 draw in "der Klassiker."

Bayern were on course to start thinking of title celebrations as substitutes Serge Gnabry and Raphaël Guerreiro both scored within four minutes of each other to cancel out Maximilian Beier's opener for Dortmund after the break.

But Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton equalised on a rebound in the 75th after Jonas Urbig saved Serhou Guirassy's acrobatic effort.

Harry Kane missed a big chance for Bayern, though he wasn't the only one as Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel had a busy match.

"A game of missed opportunities," said Thomas Müller after making a rare start for Bayern.

The 35-year-old Müller captained the side and was pushed onto the field by teammates before the match to receive fans' applause after the club announced last week that his contract won't be renewed at the end of the season.

The draw stopped Bayern from capitalising on defending champions Bayer Leverkusen's 0-0 draw with Union Berlin earlier, as the Bavarian powerhouse stayed six points clear at the top with five rounds remaining.

"Until the first goal ... we created chances and the game was more or less positive for us," Bayern coach Vincent Kompany told a news conference.

"After the first goal it became a cup game. I would buy a ticket to watch a game like this but as a coach you want a little bit more control.

"But we wanted to be six points ahead of Leverkusen at the end of the weekend and we have that."

It's just a little bump for Bayern, who next need to come from a goal behind at Inter Milan in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday. Munich is hosting the final in May.

Dortmund, who host Barcelona next week in their Champions League quarterfinal second leg after a 4-0 loss on Wednesday, are in eighth place on 42 points, six points off the top four.

"We have a tough game on Tuesday," said Dortmund coach Niko Kovac. "We know the situation. We want to win that game.

"[In the Bundesliga] I hope to continue this run [with two wins and a draw from the last three matches]," he said. "We still have points to earn."

Information from The Associated Press and Reuters was used in this report.

Martínez tackle 'like a goal' as Barça close on title

Published in Soccer
Saturday, 12 April 2025 16:39

Hansi Flick celebrated Iñigo Martínez's incredible stoppage-time tackle as if it was a goal as Barcelona took another step towards the LaLiga title with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Leganés on Saturday.

Martínez's challenge on the edge of the box prevented Munir El Haddadi from equalising in the 92nd minute after Jorge Sáenz's own goal had earlier given Barça the lead at Butarque.

The win extended Barça's unbeaten run to 24 games in all competitions and temporarily moved the LaLiga leaders seven points clear of Real Madrid, who play Alavés on Sunday.

"For me, the best situation [was] not only the goal, but the last save from Iñigo was unbelievable," Barça coach Flick said in the post-game news conference.

"I celebrated it like a goal. Everyone celebrated it as a goal. It's part of the game and, again, another clean sheet. It's the perfect match here.

"Three points are three points. It's fantastic. I am really happy and very proud of my team."

Barça were far from their best against Leganés, who nearly took the lead early on when Adrià Altimira drew a smart save from Wojciech Szczęsny.

The only goal of the game came early in the second half, when Sáenz turned home Raphinha's cross.

Leganés pushed for an equaliser late on, but Barça dug in and Flick was especially pleased with how his team battled in what was their sixth game in 16 days since the international break.

"Today, how we fight for 94, 95 minutes, it was unbelievable," the German added.

"When you see the load the players have in the last couple of weeks, after the international break ... what they did [in those games], the performances, it's unbelievable."

The win was tempered by losing left-back Alejandro Balde to injury in the first half.

Flick said the Spain defender would undergo tests on Sunday to determine the severity of the knock.

Barça return to action on Tuesday in the Champions League away at Borussia Dortmund. They travel to Germany with a 4-0 lead from the first leg of the quarterfinal tie.

The Blaugrana then have back-to-back home games in LaLiga against Celta Vigo and Mallorca, before a showdown with Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey on April 26 in Seville.

"Now, we focus on recovery," Flick said. "I think the word I use most is recovery, recovery, recovery.

"We will arrive back in the night in Barcelona, then [on Sunday] we recover and train with the other guys who didn't have so many minutes.

"And on Monday we fly to Dortmund. It's like that. We have no excuses. We focus on our job. The team is fantastic again, absolutely fantastic."

Martinelli: Nørgaard 'could have broken my leg'

Published in Soccer
Saturday, 12 April 2025 16:39

LONDON -- Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has said Christian Nørgaard "could have broken my leg" and should have been sent off for a late tackle in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brentford.

The incident occurred in the 28th minute at Emirates Stadium, when Nørgaard scythed down Martinelli to stop the Gunners launching a counter-attack.

Thomas Partey later opened the scoring on 61 minutes before Yoann Wissa earned a point with a clever turn and finish 13 minutes later but the game was overshadowed by the Nørgaard tackle, which provoked an angry reaction from Martinelli.

A source told ESPN that Nørgaard attempted to apologise in the tunnel at half-time but Martinelli waved away the midfielder.

Speaking about the tackle to Sky Sports, Martinelli said: "I didn't see that again but in my opinion, in the moment if my foot was on the floor, he could break my leg.

"He said he didn't mean it. I believe him but still, you know? He could have broken my leg. For me, it was red. I need to see it again to be sure but for me it was nasty."

Brentford boss Thomas Frank said in response: "That is his opinion. I thought it was a strong yellow but it was a yellow."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta protested furiously on the touchline at the time and later said, "I think my reaction tells everything."

Arteta also cast doubt over the availability of Ben White and Partey for Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal showdown against Real Madrid.

The Gunners travel to Spain aiming to back up a stunning 3-0 first-leg win on Wednesday as they bid to reach the semifinal stage for the first time since 2009.

White missed Saturday's game after picking up a knock in training on Friday while Partey was substituted late on.

Arteta refused to specify the problem but said of Partey: "He felt something so we didn't want to take any risks.

"We don't know [if he will be fit for Wednesday], I haven't spoken to the doctors yet. So they will check him now and see how he is."

Pushed again on White, Arteta said: "Again, we don't know. So he could not be in condition to be in the squad today and be selected. So we have a few days but we'll have to wait and see."

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