NEW YORK -- With the clock winding down in regulation in a tie game, the Islanders appeared to get the go-ahead goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, it was immediately waved off by officials, and New York ended up losing 4-3 in a shootout.

Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri redirected a shot from Alexander Romanov past Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins with about 9 seconds remaining. After officials waved it off for goaltender interference, the situation room in Toronto reviewed the play and confirmed the no-goal call on the ice.

"If Toronto is afraid to overturn calls made by their referee, we don't need Toronto," Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. "That's all I want to say."

Shortly before the deflection, Palmieri skated in front of the crease and Merzlikins came forward and bumped into him.

According to the league's explanation, "Palmieri impaired Merzlikins' ability to play his position in the crease prior to the goal."

Palmieri didn't like the call.

"He said there was contact initiated in the crease," Palmieri said of a conversation with the referee. "And I guess the goalie needs five minutes to get reset and ready for the shot, and it looked like he couldn't wait to wave it off."

With one point earned for the shootout loss, the Islanders pulled into a tie with the New York Rangers and one point behind Montreal for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Columbus is another point back.

The Washington Capitals have officially punched their ticket to the postseason dance already, and the Winnipeg Jets are well on their way to doing so as well (a win over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday would have done it, but that was not in the cards apparently).

Those two teams meet on Tuesday night (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+), and could meet again if they make the Stanley Cup Final. As of now, each is poised to face the second wild-card team in their respective conference -- might they prefer one of the bubble teams over the others?

In Winnipeg's case, the team currently in the second wild-card spot is the St. Louis Blues. The Jets have gone 2-1 against the Blues this season, with one of the wins coming via shootout, and they'll face off again on Apr. 7. If the Calgary Flames slide into that spot for an old-school Smythe Division showdown, the Jets also went 2-1 against them this season (though the last game was back on Jan. 26).

The Utah Hockey Club could make a push into that spot, and -- you guessed it -- the Jets have gone 2-1 against the NHL's newest team. The final team with a legit shot at the West's last spot is the Vancouver Canucks, against whom the Jets have gone 1-1, with their final matchup this Saturday.

The Caps' first-round opponent of the moment is the Montreal Canadiens; Washington won two of three against Montreal, with the loss coming in OT. If the New York Rangers slide in as the opponent, the Caps will hope to avenge their sweep in last year's playoffs, and appear likely to do so based on regular-season results; they won each of the three matchups against the Blueshirts. Washington won its only matchup against the New York Islanders this season, with two games remaining.

The Capitals have also had success against the Columbus Blue Jackets (two wins in two games thus far, with two remaining in April) and Detroit Red Wings (two wins this month after a loss on Dec. 29).

So although the path will get more difficult as the playoff tournament wears on, it appears that both the Caps and Jets are in good shape -- on paper, at least -- heading into the opening round.

There is less than a month left until April 17, the final day of the regular season, and 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
Today's schedule
Yesterday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
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

Tuesday's games

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

Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.
New York Rangers at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.

Monday's scoreboard

Vancouver Canucks 4, New Jersey Devils 3 (SO)
Columbus Blue Jackets 4, New York Islanders 3 (SO)
Dallas Stars 3, Minnesota Wild 0
Detroit Red Wings 5, Utah Hockey Club 1

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Florida Panthers

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: vs. UTA (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: vs. PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 99.6
Next game: vs. PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Ottawa Senators

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 93.9
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 98.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 89.1
Next game: @ STL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 48.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 84.3
Next game: @ COL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 3.0%
Tragic number: 22

Boston Bruins

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 78.6
Next game: @ ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 15

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 73.7
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 14

Metro Division

x - Washington Capitals

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 119.5
Next game: @ WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 105.4
Next game: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

New Jersey Devils

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 10
Points pace: 92.3
Next game: @ CHI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 94.6%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Islanders

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 86.7
Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 28.0%
Tragic number: 24

New York Rangers

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 85.5
Next game: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 17.9%
Tragic number: 22

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 85.5
Next game: vs. VAN (Friday)
Playoff chances: 9.4%
Tragic number: 23

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 78.6
Next game: @ TB (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 15

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 74.0
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 11

Central Division

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 115.5
Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Dallas Stars

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 110.1
Next game: @ EDM (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 98.2
Next game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 96.8%
Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 92.3
Next game: vs. MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 71.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Utah Hockey Club

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 86.6
Next game: @ TB (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 13.3%
Tragic number: 17

Nashville Predators

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 70.3
Next game: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4

e - Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 58.9
Next game: vs. NJ (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 107.8
Next game: @ MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 13
Points pace: 103.4
Next game: vs. NYR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: vs. DAL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 90.1
Next game: @ NYI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 8.9%
Tragic number: 20

Calgary Flames

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 91.5
Next game: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 10.6%
Tragic number: 23

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 79.7
Next game: vs. BOS (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 12

Seattle Kraken

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 75.1
Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 7

e - San Jose Sharks

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 55.1
Next game: vs. TOR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Note: 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. Full 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: 47
Regulation wins: 14

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18

3. Nashville Predators

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 22

4. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 22

5. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17

6. Seattle Kraken

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24

7. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20

9. Boston Bruins

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23

10. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25

11. Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23

12. New York Rangers

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31

13. New York Islanders

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25

14. Utah Hockey Club

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24

15. Calgary Flames

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26

16. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and France great Michel Platini were both cleared of corruption charges by a Swiss court on Tuesday, 2 years after they were first acquitted of the offences.

The pair, once among the most powerful figures in global football, were cleared of fraud at the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court in the town of Muttenz, near Basel.

The hearing came about after Swiss federal prosecutors appealed against their 2022 acquittal at a lower court. Both men had denied the charge.

"After two acquittals, even the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland must realise that these criminal proceedings have definitively failed. Michel Platini must finally be left in peace in criminal matters," Platini's lawyer Dominic Nellen said in a statement.

The case related to a 2 million Swiss franc ($2.26 million) payment Blatter authorised for Platini, a former captain and manager of the French national team, in 2011.

The payment was a consultancy fee paid to Platini for work carried out between 1998 and 2002, which the Frenchman said had been partly deferred because FIFA lacked the funds to pay him in full immediately.

The scandal, which emerged in 2015 when Platini was president of European football's ruling body, UEFA, ended his hopes of succeeding Blatter, who was forced out of FIFA over the affair.

"The criminal proceedings have had not only legal but also massive personal and professional consequences for Michel Platini -- although no incriminating evidence was ever presented. Among other things, the criminal proceedings prevented his election as FIFA president in 2016," Nellen said.

England manager Thomas Tuchel said he has never had any doubts about the quality of Reece James after the right-back marked his first international start in two years by scoring the opener in Monday's 3-0 win over Latvia.

The 25-year-old set England on their way to a comfortable World Cup qualifying win at Wembley with a sublime first-half free-kick as Tuchel picked up his second win in as many matches since taking charge.

James made his England debut in 2022 but has been limited to 17 caps due to a succession of injuries. An injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold opened the door for James to return to the line-up under Tuchel, who coached James at Chelsea from 2021-2022.

"There cannot be any doubt about Reece's quality, it's the highest level," Tuchel told reporters. "We were in close contact in the last weeks.

"We were clear he'd trained without pause and if he didn't play it was the choice of the club, protecting him. We knew he was in a good space mentally.

"If you play a dominant match like today he can be, like in the last 20 [minutes], a hybrid midfielder and help to create an overload because he has the quality on the ball."

James has played just 14 matches in all competitions for Chelsea this season, with the club managing his minutes given his injury problems.

"I know the quality he has in that foot -- it's amazing. He has every right to be happy and proud of his performance. He's in excellent shape," Tuchel said.

"When we called him up he hadn't had many games but it wasn't due to injury, they were just taking care and managing him. He looks sharp and in shape."

Cristiano Ronaldo has said had no doubt that Portugal would progress to the UEFA Nations League semifinals even after missing a penalty on Sunday.

The Portugal captain saw his early spot-kick saved by Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, but his side still managed to claim a 5-2 win after extra-time in Lisbon.

The outcome saw Portugal progress 5-3 on aggregate to set up a semifinal clash with Germany.

"I felt that even after missing the penalty -- [it happens] only to those who try -- we would progress in the tie," Ronaldo told reporters.

"That's what happened. It was a spectacular night, Portugal played very well; scoring five goals against Denmark is not easy at all. We all deserve congratulations: the players, those who were at the stadium, all the Portuguese. We are all in the same boat and it was very important to progress to the final four."

Ronaldo, who is the men's all-time leading scorer in international football with 136 goals and holds the world record for most appearances at 219, made amends for his penalty miss on Sunday by scoring his team's second.

The Al Nassr star had been very critical of Portugal's performance in last Thursday's 1-0 loss to Denmark in the opening leg in Copenhagen but was quick to rally his teammates.

"There are games like that, there are bad days," Ronaldo, 40, said after that defeat. "I didn't play at all, the team didn't play at all, but it's part of life. I want to leave the [Lisbon's] Alvalade Stadium with my head held high."

Portugal left with their heads held high on Sunday with Francisco Trincão scoring a brace and Gonçalo Ramos hitting the back of the net in extra time.

Portugal, who lifted the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, have won 20 and lost just four of their 28 games under coach Roberto Martinez.

Last week, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was asked in a postmatch interview about criticism he had been receiving in the media. Fernandes gave an eloquent response, acknowledging that such criticism was referring to former Old Trafford skipper Roy Keane's questioning of his leadership, by saying: "Obviously it's not nice to hear those things about you, but at the same time it motivates you and obviously, people think there's a lot of things you need to improve."

It's a fine example of the position that the Premier League's top players such as Fernandes are in these days. There is so much being said about them by so many people, all the time, all over the world. They can do their best to shut it out or not let it bother them if they do hear it. But if something in the media gains enough traction, then it can still end with them being asked for their response, live on TV, whether they like it or not.

Now, everyone has a right to their opinion, not least the most successful captain in United's history. Someone of his stature has a big platform: the football community comes together to listen to what people like him think. What Keane says can't be wrong, because it's Keane saying it.

But in reality, it's the opinion of the manager who selected Fernandes as his captain that matters. It's the respect that the teammates who walk out behind him for every match that is important. On a day-to-day basis, they're the ones that see what he's like in terms of how he tries to lead the football club.

To a point, it is easier for a player to say they're not reading anything about themselves, they're not paying attention, they don't care. And that may be true, although players will always try to project strength and say everything is OK even when criticism from media, fans or within the game might be affecting them. But the people in their orbit, the family and friends closest to them who support them through their career, are truly helpless because they can't do anything to change what happens on the pitch and how people react to it.

As a former player who now works in the media myself, I know that when it comes to anything I say, if I can't say it directly to the person, then there's no point in me saying it because that person doesn't have the ability to reply immediately. So by the time the story is out there and people are talking, the player's response is irrelevant.

Of course, players do have their own platforms now for getting their message out there, rather than just waiting to be asked about something on live TV. But you can't simply speak out on social media every time someone says something you don't like, and that allows certain narratives to be built around particular players. Those narratives may have some basis in fact, but that then becomes the set way that a player is perceived even when that is no longer the case.

For example, Kai Havertz has been very much criticized in his role as a striker for Arsenal, but then he's also been praised and selected by Mikel Arteta, his manager. He was being criticized in the first half of last season. Then when he went on a scoring streak there was some talk of how well he had responded to his critics and how important he is for Arsenal, but that praise wasn't promoted to the same degree. Then, fast-forward to this season, and the moment he misses some more chances we're back to "well, you see, he's just not a striker, he's just not good enough to play that position."

So sometimes people fall silent as opposed to changing their position, because they're waiting to see something which confirms what they think in the first place.

Let's be realistic: how often does anyone say that they have changed their opinion about something, or that they had it wrong in the first place? It's not really a thing. People tend not to walk back on criticism. What they tend to do sometimes is stop saying something if a change occurs, only to start saying it again if things go back the other way.

The Premier League is very tough, but the teams and players that are in it are there for a reason. Even the sides who look like they will lose the battle against relegation -- Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Southampton -- didn't just randomly win a lottery. They've earned the right to be there and their squads are full of good players, but very often they and half the league are spoken about as if they're unable to tie their boots and kick a ball. But we know that's definitely not the case.

I was one of more than a dozen players who arrived at Queens Park Rangers during the 2011-12 season. Things were fine when we stayed up that term, but the following year we were relegated to the Championship and there was a lot of discontent among the supporters. All of those new players were then branded as mercenaries who didn't care about the club, even the ones who stayed. Even if that was possibly the case for some, it certainly wasn't for me.

There was a lot of hostility toward the players who hadn't been there when the club got promoted, both in the crowd and the local media. Fans were telling players, in no uncertain terms, to get out of their club. If I had friends and family at a game, it was impossible for them to avoid it. As a player, I could take it, but for my loved ones in the stands having to listen to abuse being hurled at someone they care about was tough ... for them and for me.

From a player's perspective, those who get singled out at national level can never really prove anyone wrong. You just hope that the manager maintains their faith in you, which is what really counts. If you weren't good enough, you probably wouldn't be playing on a week-to-week basis.

A player doesn't watch a review show after a game; a player doesn't really check in on social media to see what people think about them, especially as they become more experienced. They don't make any difference. But those same players will be asked, "What do you think about this?" Whether it's from a journalist in a news conference, or whether it's somebody online asking them to look at what somebody's saying about them. Think about how tough that can be: people are delivering bad news to you with enthusiasm, because they might think the same thing or are hoping that you'll take the bait.

Back when I began playing in the Premier League, if a player was asked about their response to some criticism in the media, then it was easy for them to just say that they didn't read the newspapers. Which might have been true, although all the newspapers would be at the training ground every day. People would be reading them, not necessarily the back pages, but they were always available. That was just part of life back then. By the time I retired, though, we were well into the era of podcasts, YouTube channels, livestreamers and constant discussion on social media. I think it is much harder for young players now.

People might say 'just don't be on social media,' but why should it be part of your job that you shouldn't partake in such a big part of modern life? Footballers are young people, they want to be able to go on Instagram and enjoy some of the humor on there, follow their own interests and so on. But unfortunately, when you are part of that world and have that profile, you are leaving yourself open to seeing what people are saying about you, or people will send you things, and you could find out you are the butt of a joke.

Look at the way that someone like Phil Jones was discussed for years during his playing career at Manchester United. This is a player who won trophies, represented his country and always gave his all, but was the subject of unfair ridicule for years. After he was forced to retire through injury, he came out and said that he has actually suffered because of the abuse, and then all of a sudden people are apologetic. They forget that he's a real person with a family and friends who are hearing and seeing this stuff too.

There are times when you probably need help from your colleagues when you are struggling a little bit, or you need to find something within yourself. When there's a narrative against you, it's a tough position to be in. You just hope that the people that matter most to you in your life don't buy into that and help you to keep it all in perspective.

ESPN analyst Nedum Onuoha was speaking to Tony Mabert.

STORRS, Conn. -- With 3:38 left in the fourth quarter of UConn's second-round NCAA tournament win over South Dakota State, Huskies star Paige Bueckers checked out of the game for the final time at Gampel Pavilion to a standing ovation from 10,000-plus fans.

The three-time All-American and presumptive No. 1 overall pick in next month's WNBA draft had made her final game on UConn's campus one to remember.

Bueckers lifted the Huskies to a 91-57 win over the 10-seed Jackrabbits, finishing with 34 points to tie her career high and marking a career best for the NCAA tournament. She joined Maya Moore as the only players in UConn history to tally multiple 30-point games in the NCAA tournament, and the effort helped ensure UConn's spot in its 31st consecutive Sweet 16, extending the program's NCAA record.

It was a fitting Storrs finale for Bueckers, who started her college career during the 2020-21 season and didn't get to experience a packed Gampel because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Monday was a 180 from those lackluster days, an "amazing atmosphere," Bueckers described, that even made it hard, at times, for the Huskies to hear timeouts and whistles. After she subbed out toward the end of the third quarter with the game comfortably in hand, coach Geno Auriemma made sure she received one final curtain call, putting her back in for a few minutes in the fourth so she could get a proper send-off.

Bueckers took a moment to address the crowd postgame and thank the fans before running into the tunnel and waving as she left the court.

"I've had the time of my life here," Bueckers said. "It's been the five years I've dreamt of as a kid."

Said Auriemma: "Paige was Paige and it's a great way to finish your career at home. There's no better way than with a game like that, a performance like that."

It wasn't simply Bueckers' scoring output that stood out. It was her understanding of when her team needed her to take over. The Huskies struggled early on offense, trailing 10-6 with about three minutes left in the first quarter.

Bueckers put an end to it. She scored 12 straight points for UConn to close the quarter, including a step-back 3-pointer at the buzzer that prompted her to pound her chest as she made her way back to the UConn bench.

The onslaught didn't stop there. Bueckers ultimately made eight straight shots across the end of the first and beginning of the second quarter, her 21 first-half points helping the Huskies take an 18-point advantage into the break.

"It's incredible to watch, but you almost feel sorry for the other team because you know when Paige is locked in, there's nothing you can do to stop her," teammate Azzi Fudd said. "We have all the trust in the world in her so just got to sit back and enjoy the Paige show."

"[We wanted to] just give her the ball and move out of the way," freshman Sarah Strong said.

The 2021 national player of the year made 14 of her 21 shots, converting 7 of 8 from the midrange and 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. She also reached the 50-40-90 threshold for the season (50% shooting from the field, 40% shooting from 3, 90% shooting from the free throw line) as she sank all three of her free throws in the game.

"Everything that you all have said about her, that everybody's written about her, it's all true," Auriemma said. "Every part of it. I wouldn't be able to sit here and add anything to that. Her game and what she does speaks for itself and it's a testament to her, to her work, to her love of basketball, love of being in the gym. She's being rewarded and that in itself is just fulfilling. It is for me and I hope it is for her."

It wasn't just Bueckers who impressed. Spurred by sophomore reserve KK Arnold, the Huskies' collective defensive effort gave the Jackrabbits fits, helping force 14 turnovers in the first half that led to 25 points. South Dakota State finished with 25 turnovers in the game and shot 41% from the field to UConn's 57%.

The No. 2 seed Huskies will face No. 3 seed Oklahoma in the Sweet 16 on Saturday, in hopes of getting one step closer to their 16th Final Four appearance in 17 years and 12th national title.

Emma Raducanu is through to her first WTA 1,000 quarter-final after a blistering straight-set win over 17th seed Amanda Anisimova in Miami.

The Briton was in brilliant form from the off against her American opponent and needed just 24 minutes to secure the first set on her way to a 6-1 6-3 victory.

It is the first time since her US Open triumph in 2021 that Raducanu has won four WTA main-draw matches in a row, and she was dominant in sweeping Anisimova aside.

Prior to this tournament, Raducanu had lost five of six matches since the Australian Open - and last week ended her partnership with coach Vladimir Platenik after just two weeks.

"I've come a long way in the last week since Indian Wells, I wasn't necessarily feeling great about my tennis, about everything," the 22-year-old told Sky Sports.

"This week I have some really good people around me who I trust and who I have fun with off the court as well. That's extremely important.

"When I play my best I am definitely authentic, true to myself and creative. I feel when I am boxed into a regimented way then I am not able to express myself in the same way. So I'm happy with how I realised that this week."

Raducanu broke in the opening game of the match and raced through the opening set without losing a point on her own serve.

It was her returning that most impressed, though, as she continually put pressure on the Anisimova serve.

The American grew increasingly angry as the first set went on and appeared to be struggling with a right wrist issue.

Following a medical timeout between sets, she was much improved but could still not prevent Raducanu breaking to go 3-1 up in the second.

Anisimova broke straight back but Raducanu once again demonstrated the resilience she has shown this week, breaking again before confidently serving out for the match.

"I just knew I had to dig every ball that I could and make it as physical as possible because I backed myself in that regard," the British number two added.

"I was happy with how I moved, how I extended the rallies from the first game, the first points and kind of just got in my opponent's head."

Raducanu will play world number four Jessica Pegula in the last eight after the American beat Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-3.