As is tradition, Saturday is absolutely loaded with NHL games. Hope you got a good night's sleep!

With 13 games on the schedule, it's best to go game-by-game to preview what's at stake for each team -- some in the playoff races, some who are jockeying for draft lottery position.

New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils
12:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)

The Hudson River rivalry is always a must-watch for hockey fans, and the intensity ramps up when both teams are in the postseason mix. The Devils have the upper hand now -- they're eight points ahead of the Rangers at opening puck drop -- and these two points are crucial for the visiting Blueshirts, who are trying to catch the Canadiens for the second wild card.

Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators
2 p.m. (ESPN+)

In one possible future world, this will be a first-round matchup if the Panthers make it to the first position in the Atlantic. In another, it's a series in the second round if the order stays as is and these clubs win. For now, it's the final regular-season meeting between the division rivals. Unfortunately, fans won't get to enjoy any Tkachuk-on-Tkachuk battling, as Matthew remains out with a lower-body injury.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Dallas Stars
3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)

The Penguins remain mathematically alive for a playoff spot, although those hopes are fading quickly. They'll need to string together many wins -- and hope that all the teams above them start losing a lot more. The Stars have already punched their ticket to the playoffs, but can improve their seeding: As play begins Saturday, Dallas is four points behind Winnipeg for the No. 1 seed in the Central.

Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks
4 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Ducks are freshly eliminated from postseason contention and sit in the top 10 of the draft lottery order as play begins. The Canucks aren't entirely out of the playoff race, but their chances have decreased rapidly in recent weeks.

Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings
4 p.m. (ESPN+)

In the past three postseasons, these two clubs have met in the first round -- with the Oilers winning each series. Will they meet again in two weeks? And can the Kings finally win a round against their Albertan rivals? This game could include some message sending.

Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Carolina clinched another spot in the postseason this week, and in all likelihood will be the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division (barring an epic collapse by the Capitals to boost them to first, or by themselves to drop to third). Meanwhile, the Bruins are likely going to miss the postseason, which would be the first time since 2015-16. On the bright side, they're currently fourth in the draft lottery order, a point ahead of the Kraken and Sabres and two up on the Flyers.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Buffalo Sabres
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Lightning have been one of the NHL's top teams since the March 7 trade deadline, charging into second place in the Atlantic. They enter Saturday night three points back of the Maple Leafs for first and one point ahead of the Panthers. As for Buffalo, it's (likely) another spring without the playoffs in western New York, and they currently sit sixth in the draft lottery order, one point ahead of the Flyers and two ahead of the Penguins.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Toronto Maple Leafs
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

One of a handful of teams that still has a legitimate shot at the second Eastern wild card, the Blue Jackets do need all the points they can get in the remaining schedule. Their 77 points are four behind the Canadiens as Saturday's slate begins. As for the Leafs, they hold a three-point lead over Tampa Bay; if they hold on to the top spot, it'll likely yield a first-round matchup against the Senators in a renewal of the Battle of Ontario.

Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Based on how these two teams finished last season, it would not have been surprising to learn that one of them held a wild-card spot at this juncture in 2024-25. But instead of the Flyers -- who stayed in the race until the end in 2023-24 -- it's the Canadiens, who finished with the fifth-fewest points last season. Jumping back to current events, Montreal holds the wild-card spot by two points over the Rangers and four over the Blue Jackets. Philadelphia is in the No. 7 spot in the draft lottery order, in the middle of a group of six teams within five points.

Colorado Avalanche at St. Louis Blues
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

These two won't meet in the first round of the postseason, but could meet sometime down the road, given how hot both clubs have been as of late. St. Louis has jumped ahead of Minnesota for the first wild-card spot in the West, while Colorado appears pretty well ensconced as the No. 3 seed in the Central.

Winnipeg Jets at Utah Hockey Club
7 p.m. (NHLN)

The fact that the Hockey Club is playing meaningful games this late into the season -- given where the previous version of the franchise was (geographically and emotionally) at this time last season -- is a win. And if they get on a heater and the Wild or Blues go into the dumpster, a playoff berth could be possible. As for the Jets, they are neck and neck with the Capitals to win the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top team this regular season -- and don't count out the Stars overtaking them.

Vegas Golden Knights at Calgary Flames
10 p.m. (ESPN+)

A large lead atop the Pacific Division has diminished to three points for the Golden Knights, as those pesky Kings just keep winning games. However, if it comes down to the regulation wins tiebreaker, Vegas is up by four, with just seven games remaining for both. With 84 points, Calgary begins play Saturday five points back of Minnesota for the final wild-card spot (and likely a first-round matchup with the Jets).

Seattle Kraken at San Jose Sharks
10 p.m. (ESPN+)

Many of Saturday's games have major playoff implications. This one is a critical one for the draft lottery standings. San Jose is first, with 50 points and 14 regulation wins, but they are just two ahead of the idle Chicago Blackhawks, who have 52 and 18. The Kraken begin play in the No. 5 spot (70 points, 26 RW), right in that mass of six teams within five points. A win here by either team can impact the table.

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

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 Rangers at New Jersey Devils, 12:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators, 2 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Dallas Stars, 3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks, 4 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings, 4 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Utah Hockey Club, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Vegas Golden Knights at Calgary Flames, 10 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at San Jose Sharks, 10 p.m.

Friday's scoreboard

Detroit Red Wings 5, Carolina Hurricanes 3
Washington Capitals 5, Chicago Blackhawks 3
New York Islanders 3, Minnesota Wild 1

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

x - Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 105.0
Next game: vs. CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 101.7
Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Florida Panthers

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 7
Points pace: 100.6
Next game: @ OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Ottawa Senators

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 94.0
Next game: vs. FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 88.6
Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 61.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 84.2
Next game: vs. FLA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 2.4%
Tragic number: 11

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 77.6
Next game: vs. TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 6

Boston Bruins

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 74.5
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 1

Metro Division

x - Washington Capitals

Points: 107
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 115.5
Next game: @ NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 105.0
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

New Jersey Devils

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 6
Points pace: 93.9
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.7%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Rangers

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 86.4
Next game: @ NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 24.1%
Tragic number: 13

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 85.3
Next game: @ TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 10.5%
Tragic number: 13

New York Islanders

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 83.1
Next game: vs. WSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 2.7%
Tragic number: 10

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 77.7
Next game: @ DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 4

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 76.6
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 3

Central Division

x - Winnipeg Jets

Points: 108
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 116.5
Next game: @ UTA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Dallas Stars

Points: 104
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 113.7
Next game: vs. PIT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Colorado Avalanche

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 5
Points pace: 104.4
Next game: @ STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 96.9
Next game: vs. COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 97.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 94.8
Next game: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 92.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Utah Hockey Club

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 86.3
Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 4

e - Nashville Predators

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 66.9
Next game: vs. MTL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 56.1
Next game: vs. PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

x - Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 107.2
Next game: @ CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 95
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 7
Points pace: 103.9
Next game: vs. EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 101.7
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 91.8
Next game: vs. VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 9.7%
Tragic number: 10

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 88.6
Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.7%
Tragic number: 7

e - Anaheim Ducks

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 80.9
Next game: @ ANA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Seattle Kraken

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 75.5
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - San Jose Sharks

Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 54.7
Next game: vs. SEA (Saturday)
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: 50
Regulation wins: 14

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18

3. Nashville Predators

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23

4. Boston Bruins

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23

5. Seattle Kraken

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 26

6. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 26

7. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 20

9. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 23

10. New York Islanders

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 26

11. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27

12. Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 24

13. New York Rangers

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 32

14. Utah Hockey Club

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 26

15. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26

16. Calgary Flames

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 27

AC Milan also had to fight back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home to Fiorentina.

The Rossoneri got off to a dreadful start as they found themselves 2-0 down inside 10 minutes. Milan defender Malick Thiaw bundled the ball into his own net in the seventh minute and Moise Kean volleyed in Fiorentina's second three minutes later.

United States international Yunus Musah was at fault for both goals and he was hauled off in the 23rd, moments after his compatriot Christian Pulisic combined with Tammy Abraham for the latter to pull one back for Milan.

Musah appeared distraught and was consoled by coach Sérgio Conceição.

His replacement, Luka Jović, scored the equalizer - against his old club - in the 64th.

Milan remained ninth, four points below eighth-placed Fiorentina, which was level on points with the two clubs immediately above it.

Barcelona spurned the chance to extend their lead at the top of the LaLiga standings when they were held at home 1-1 by Real Betis on Saturday, with visiting defender Natan cancelling out Gavi's early opener.

The draw moves Hansi Flick's Barça on to 67 points, four ahead of rivals Real Madrid who slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home by Valencia earlier on Saturday, while Betis climbed to fifth on 48 points.

The hosts had been given further motivation by Real's shocking loss and had a great start when Gavi opened the scoring from close range, brilliantly assisted by Ferran Torres seven minutes after kickoff.

However, Natan headed the equaliser from a corner in the 17th minute and though they dominated, Barca could not find a way past 38-year-old goalkeeper Adrian.

Paris Saint-Germain beat Angers 1-0 and won a record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title without losing a game and with six matches to spare on Saturday.

PSG needed only a draw but forward Désiré Doué got the only goal at a festive Parc des Princes bathed in sunshine to make it 23 wins in 28 games so far.

It was PSG's 11th French championship since Qatari backers QSI took over the club in 2011, with the other two coming in 1986 and '94.

Coach Luis Enrique was mobbed by his staff members at the final whistle and thrown in the air as the players danced together in the center circle.

"The fans are so proud of us and we gave them this title," Luis Enrique said. "The club has so many achievements. The objectives are to play attractive soccer and to go and win trophies."

They then went on a lap of honor and celebrated in front of their fans behind the Auteuil section of the stadium.

"Throughout the season, this team has shown something," Luis Enrique said. "The fact that other soccer fans, who are not PSG fans, like our style of play is a huge honor for us."

PSG can also secure a second straight domestic double under Spanish coach Luis Enrique by beating Reims in the French Cup final on May 24.

Later Saturday, second-placed Monaco visits Brest and Lyon hosts Lille with both sides involved in a tight race to qualify for next season's Champions League.

PSG laboured against an Angers side battling relegation that has lost their past five games without scoring.

Midfielder Vitinha had a long-distance shot brilliantly saved by Angers goalkeeper Yahia Fofana late in the first half.

But otherwise PSG failed to trouble the visitor until the 55th minute, when Doué adroitly volleyed in Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's pinpoint cross to the back post.

Ligue 1 top scorer Ousmane Dembélé came on in the second half but failed to add to his league-leading 21 goals.

PSG's dominant season was made easier by the lack of a consistent rival, with Marseille and Monaco failing to sustain a challenge.

This side will ultimately be judged in the Champions League, a trophy PSG have never won.

Next up is Aston Villa in the quarterfinals, with the first leg in Paris on Wednesday.

It's that time again: The USWNT big board is back!

U.S. women's national team head coach Emma Hayes succinctly summarized the concept of our USWNT big board in her most recent news conference: She must work with who is available right now.

"The position I'm in is: I can only coach what's in front of me, and I can only coach the players that are available," Hayes said last week. "And we have been without five of some of the best players in the world, probably top 25 players in the world."

She was referring to a group that includes forward Trinity Rodman, who returns to the USWNT fold for the first time since the Olympic gold-medal game, but the absences are aplenty.

If the 2027 Women's World Cup started today, Hayes would need to navigate the tournament without several injured or otherwise unavailable players, including center backs Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson, midfielder Rose Lavelle, and forwards Sophia Wilson (formerly Smith), Mallory Swanson and Lynn Biyendolo (formerly Williams).

Hayes is lucky that the World Cup does not start today, but those absences illustrate the purpose of this exercise: There are almost always important players missing at a major tournament. Swanson and Becky Sauerbrunn, two key starters, missed the 2023 World Cup due to injuries on short notice.

How the USWNT big board works

If you've followed ESPN's previous editions of the USWNT big board before, you know that the list represents how things stand right now, as if the World Cup started today. It's a difficult proposition considering how much uncertainty and experimentation surrounds the team.

Since the start of the year, Hayes has already called up 68 players combined between the senior team and the U23 (also previously called "Futures") camps. All those players (who are healthy) are represented below, in addition to recent key U20 players, NWSL standouts and other players who were in the picture last year.

Here's how we define our categories:

• Tier 1: Locks. Clear first-choice players who are contending for a starting role.

• Tier 2: In the squad. Not necessarily starters, but substitutes and players on the bench available to go into games.

• Tier 3: Looking to break through. Young or less experienced players who have received call-ups and shown promise, or veterans yet to really establish their international careers.

• Tier 4: Outside looking in. Players who were previously part of the picture but now appear to be out of favor, or young players who are less proven at the senior level but are on Hayes' radar.

Goalkeepers

• Locks: None

• In the squad: Jane Campbell, Mandy McGlynn, Casey Murphy

• Looking to break through: Phallon Tullis-Joyce

• Outside looking in: Angelina Anderson, Izzy Lee, Nona Reason, Stephanie Sparkowski, Jordan Brown, Mia Justus, Neeku Purcell, Teagan Wy

If this doesn't spell out the state of the USWNT's goalkeeper position, nothing will: There are no locks, and nobody has claimed the No. 1 spot yet. Compare that with the program that was in the sure hands of Briana Scurry, Hope Solo and Alyssa Naeher for the past three decades.

Hayes reiterated recently that she likely won't decide on a starter until the summer. From the outside, it's a confusing time to decipher who might be the favorite for that position.

Murphy was the backup to Naeher for the past few years and briefly looked like she might challenge Naeher to be the starting spot at World Cup qualifying in 2022. Murphy was last with the USWNT in January camp (when there were no games), and it's unclear whether her repeated absence is truly just Hayes testing out other goalkeepers, or an indication that the coach is going in a different direction.

Campbell is the de facto No. 1 for the second straight camp. McGlynn is a strong shot-stopper who also tallied an assist in Week 1 of the NWSL but has equally had some struggles playing in possession out of the back, including a Week 2 turnover on a goal kick that directly led to a goal for her opponent.

Tullis-Joyce is back in camp, and Hayes explicitly wants to see the "introverted" Manchester United goalkeeper build relationships with players around her.

If the World Cup started today, it would likely be Campbell, McGlynn and Murphy on the roster -- and it would be a field day of questions about who should be the starter. Lest we forget, Naeher was questioned relentlessly heading into the 2019 World Cup and helped deliver a fourth star.

Fullbacks

• Locks: Emily Fox, Crystal Dunn

• In the squad: Jenna Nighswonger

• Looking to break through: Avery Patterson, Gisele Thompson, Alyssa Malonson

• Outside looking in: Casey Krueger, Ryan Williams, Emily Mason, Lilly Reale, Amelia Van Zanten, Evelyn Shores, Heather Gilchrist

Upon naming her latest roster, Hayes said "the fullback spaces" -- semantics that could suggest she will play with formations -- will be "quite experimental."

She was referencing a first call-up for Patterson -- who looks much improved in her second pro season on a Houston Dash team that might finally have an identity -- and the call-up of Gisele Thompson, who has recently oscillated between the senior team and U23s but looks to have locked down a starting role with Angel City.

Fox and Dunn are the clear starters right now, as they were at the 2024 Olympics and the 2023 World Cup.

Nighswonger is a wild card, having appeared to be favored as a starter ahead of the Olympics only to play a more limited role there. She has played sparingly for Arsenal since a surprising offseason transfer away from Gotham, and she was not named to the most recent roster.

Of all the field positions, fullback arguably offers the most direct path to a roster spot right now as Hayes searches for depth.

Center Backs

• Locks: Emily Sonnett, Emily Sams

• In the squad: Tara McKeown

• Looking to break through: Alana Cook, Jordyn Bugg

• Outside looking in: Savy King, Zara Chavoshi, Eva Gaetino, Abby Dahlkemper

Naomi Girma might be the world's best center back, but she hasn't been available to the USWNT this calendar year due to a recurring calf injury. Now, Tierna Davidson is out for the foreseeable future due to a torn ACL. If the World Cup started today, the USWNT would be in trouble defensively.

Girma's absence opened the door for Sams, who was part of the Olympic gold medal team, and McKeown to earn minutes at the SheBelieves Cup. They are battling with Sonnett -- the team's defensive Swiss Army knife -- for a starting role.

Cook is back in form with the Kansas City Current (under former USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski), earning her first USWNT recall in over a year. She might be thrown immediately back into the mix with Girma and Davidson both missing.

Bugg, 18, and King, 20, are the young names to watch over the next year. They have each taken on more responsibility with their respective NWSL teams, but the 2027 World Cup might come too soon for them to fully develop.

Midfielders

• Locks: Lindsey Heaps, Sam Coffey, Jaedyn Shaw

• In the squad: Korbin Albert, Lily Yohannes

• Looking to break through: Claire Hutton

• Outside looking in: Olivia Moultrie, Hannah Bebar, Meg Boade, Abi Brighton, Taylor Huff, Riley Jackson, Sally Menti, Ainsley McCammon, Yuna McCormack, Lexi Missimo, Ally Lemos, Kennedy Fuller

The midfield, which endured some relatively difficult stretches at the 2024 Olympics, is in its own awkward moment of uncertainty. There are teenagers who clearly look like stars of the future, but they haven't yet had a shot to really take hold of their positions.

Yohannes, the 17-year-old who rebuffed interest from the Dutch national team, and 19-year-old Hutton each showed composure and technical mastery in the opportunities they had at the SheBelieves Cup. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Shaw is integral to the entire team setup but still doesn't have a clear, fixed spot on the field.

Heaps (nee Horan) is the captain and has played in more advanced roles recently, and Coffey is the incumbent defensive midfielder who can switch play from deep areas. Hayes has turned to Albert to fill any of the three midfield roles needed depending on the game state.

Washington Spirit midfield duo Croix Bethune and Hal Hershfelt, who were on the 2024 Olympic roster, are still sidelined by injuries.

Among the group of young, rising players, Huff looked exceptional in her first few games as a rookie with Bay FC both in open play and on set pieces. Versatile 19-year-old Moultrie has not been called up for the senior or U-23 team since October.

Forwards

• Locks: Trinity Rodman, Catarina Macario

• In the squad: Ally Sentnor, Yazmeen Ryan, Alyssa Thompson

• Looking to break through: Michelle Cooper, Ashley Hatch, Emma Sears, Mia Fishel

• Outside looking in: Ella Stevens, Maddie Dahlien, Emeri Adames, Caiya Hanks, Jameese Joseph, Quincy McMahon, Makenna Morris, Sarah Schupansky, Reilyn Turner, Jordynn Dudley, Kate Faasse, Pietra Tordin

Rodman is healthy again, and her return to the USWNT gives it a dynamic focal point it has needed with the entire self-proclaimed "Triple Espresso" of Rodman, Swanson and Wilson sitting out since the Olympics. If Rodman is healthy enough to play any minutes, she'll be on the plane to Brazil (host of the 2027 World Cup).

Macario is clearly the first option at striker among available players, but she also plays the role as more of a false nine, which is a very different look from the USWNT that stretched opponents' lines last year and comes with some compromises.

Hatch is back in the picture to provide a true No. 9 option, and Fishel (a training player in this camp) will challenge for that role as well once fully fit again.

Sentnor is in fine form for club and country and has a chance to shake up the depth chart. If she can take ownership of the striker position, it would allow Macario to shift into a No. 10 role without the team having to sacrifice a vertical presence. But Sentnor is better suited as a winger who has the freedom to drift inside.

"It's clear that Sophia Smith is the most prolific No. 9 in the U.S, but she's unavailable to us," Hayes said last week, adding that Macario and Sentnor will be tasked with filling the role.

Watch out for Cooper. She can get overlooked on a Kansas City team loaded with league MVP-level talent, but she is in extraordinary form.

USWNT squad if the World Cup started today

Goalkeepers: Jane Campbell, Mandy McGlynn, Casey Murphy

Defenders: Emily Fox, Crystal Dunn, Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Sonnett, Emily Sams, Tara McKeown, Alana Cook, Casey Krueger

Midfielders: Lindsey Heaps, Sam Coffey, Jaedyn Shaw, Korbin Albert, Lily Yohannes, Claire Hutton

Forwards: Trinity Rodman, Catarina Macario, Ally Sentnor, Yazmeen Ryan, Alyssa Thompson, Michelle Cooper

The three bubble players added from Tier 3 are:

• Cook and Krueger -- a wild card here, who Hayes said last week "could play in a World Cup tomorrow" -- for defensive stability and a veteran presence that is suddenly desperately needed without Girma and Davidson.

• Hutton as another talented, albeit young and inexperienced holding midfielder if Coffey gets into card accumulation trouble.

• Cooper, based on form, to add forward depth -- even though Hayes would be taking a slight risk by not taking an out-and-out No. 9 striker.

TAMPA, Fla. -- No coach has won more NCAA basketball titles than UConn's Geno Auriemma, who has 11. But his most recent was in 2016, and he has had some painful losses in the women's Final Four since.

Yet headed into his 13th NCAA championship game at his 24th Final Four, Auriemma said the tough defeats themselves don't bother him as much as some of the choices he made in those games. He hopes to push all the right buttons when facing South Carolina on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ABC).

"I've lost more Final Fours for my team than they have, because coaches make decisions about what to do with their team," Auriemma said Saturday. "And if you make the right decision, you win."

The Huskies won four consecutive NCAA titles behind star Breanna Stewart from 2013 to 2016. In 2017 and 2018, UConn lost by two points in overtime in the national semifinals to buzzer-beating shots by Mississippi State's Morgan William and Notre Dame's Arike Ogunbowale, respectively.

"I don't look at those two as heartbreaking frustrations," Auriemma said. "I would have if I didn't make two decisions in both of those games that I think have more to do with us losing than those two buzzer-beaters.

"So that's the frustration that I take away from that: 'Why do you keep screwing it up for these guys?'"

Auriemma didn't specify the decisions he made. But he acknowledged coaches often can't be completely sure if the decision was right or wrong until they see the outcome.

In 2019, the Huskies lost again to Notre Dame in the national semifinals, that time by five points. A 10-point loss to underdog Arizona in the 2021 national semis was one of UConn's biggest surprise defeats.

In 2022, the Huskies faced South Carolina in the title game; UConn was a slight underdog going in, and the Huskies' injuries and illness made that even more the case. South Carolina dominated 64-49.

UConn star guard Paige Bueckers suffered a knee injury in the summer of 2022 and didn't play in the 2023 NCAA tournament, when the Huskies' streak of making 14 consecutive Final Fours was broken.

Last year, a late moving screen call against UConn senior Aaliyah Edwards helped doom UConn to yet another two-point national semifinal loss, this one to Iowa.

Now, UConn again is knocking on the door of a championship. And after dealing with multiple season-changing injuries to players such as Bueckers and Azzi Fudd in recent years, Auriemma said what he is feeling best about with this Final Four team is that the players are healthy.

"The fact that we sort of have a chance to be able to manipulate the game a little bit better than we had before, that's rewarding," Auriemma said. "That makes up for all the heartache and all the trauma and tribulations that we have had to go through."

BOSTON -- Kristian Campbell had just finished his news conference Saturday afternoon when he was getting ready to join a group photo with his parents and Boston Red Sox ownership.

He was standing between his mom and dad when his mother, Tonya, reached forward and adjusted the 22-year-old rookie's sport jacket before the group looked at the photographer.

His bigger life-altering moment came earlier this week.

On Wednesday, he agreed to a $60 million, eight-year contract, less than a week after his major league debut.

"It was a life-changing opportunity for me and my family," Campbell said before the team's scheduled game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park on Saturday. "It was something I couldn't pass up."

It was Boston's second Fenway news conference on a signing in as many days, after the club held one for Garrett Crochet, who agreed to a $170 million, six-year contract. They acquired him in an offseason trade from the Chicago White Sox.

"We'll keep doing this every day as long as people want to keep extending," team CEO and president Sam Kennedy said.

"The word to describe your son around camp, from where I sit anyway, is humility," Kennedy said, looking at Campbell's mother and father, Kenneth, seated in the front row to his right. "That's probably life's greatest achievement, so congratulations."

An infielder and outfielder, Campbell made his big league debut March 27 as Boston's youngest Opening Day starter at second since Reggie Smith. He's slated to start in center on Saturday, and was taking caroms off the Green Monster two hours before game time.

"Here we are today, sharing what I would call a massively significant moment for this organization because Kristian was not drafted in the first round, he was not a top prospect entering the organization," chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said. "What he was is a good player who made himself a great player because of his work ethic."

Entering Saturday, Campbell was hitting .423 with two homers and five RBIs in eight games.

So, why did the club come to the decision to sign him to an extension so quickly?

"From a baseball sense, teams are getting better and better of forecasting what players are able to accomplish," Breslow said.

For a player who was drafted in the fourth round two years ago from Georgia Tech, it was a rapid rise to the majors.

"They made the process really easy for me," Campbell said. "They developed me from Day 1. As soon as I got drafted, made me who I am today."

Duke's Cooper Flagg is the winner of the 2025 Wooden Award, becoming just the fourth freshman in the award's history to earn the award.

The Wooden Award, given annually to the best college basketball in the country, was announced Saturday on ESPN's College GameDay. Flagg edged out Auburn's Johni Broome, while Florida's Walter Clayton Jr., Alabama's Mark Sears and Purdue's Braden Smith were the other finalists.

Flagg has been considered the favorite for the award during the second half of the season, when he emerged as the most consistently dominant player in the sport in leading Duke to the ACC regular-season and conference tournament championships and the program's first Final Four appearance since Mike Krzyzewski retired. He won both ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year and is the clear-cut leader to be selected No. 1 in June's NBA draft.

He's averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists heading into Saturday's national semifinal showdown against Houston.

Flagg's statement performance came against Notre Dame in January, when he set the ACC freshman record for points in a game after going for 42 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in a win over the Fighting Irish. That outing highlighted one of the best statistical months we've seen in recent years, as Flagg averaged 25.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists in the month of January, while shooting 57.9% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range.

@DukeMBB freshman Cooper Flagg has been named the 2025 John R. Wooden Award winner, presented by @Principal

The live "John R. Wooden Awards Show presented by Principal" will stream on ESPN+ on Friday, April 11 at 8 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. PDT.@Cooper_Flagg pic.twitter.com/XjRFY0EEgZ

John R. Wooden Award (@WoodenAward) April 5, 2025

After suffering an ankle injury in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament, Flagg missed the semifinal and championship games -- but has regained his top form in the NCAA tournament. He had a terrific performance against Arizona in the Sweet 16, finishing with 30 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in a win over the Wildcats.

Flagg is the first freshman to win the Wooden Award since Duke's Zion Williamson in 2019. The other freshmen to win the award are Kentucky's Anthony Davis in 2012 and Texas' Kevin Durant in 2007.

The men's John R. Wooden Award has been given out every year since 1977, starting with UCLA star Marques Johnson. Purdue's Zach Edey won it in each of the past two years, becoming only the second men's player to win the award twice, joining Ralph Sampson, who won it in 1982 and 1983.

Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard are going into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, not once but twice. LeBron James and Chris Paul are part of the group that's headed to the Hall as well, even before their playing careers end.

Anthony and Howard were announced Saturday as members of the Class of 2025, as was the 2008 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team they played on -- dubbed the "Redeem Team" -- that captured gold at the Beijing Games and started a run of five consecutive Olympic titles and counting for USA Basketball's men's program.

Also selected for enshrinement: WNBA greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles; Chicago Bulls coach and two-time NCAA champion Billy Donovan; Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford.

"I made it to the real basketball heaven," Howard said. "It's crazy."

Enshrinement weekend is Sept. 5-6 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

"When the call comes and, in my case, I saw Springfield on the phone," Anthony said on the televised announcement, "You know what time it is [when] Springfield is on the phone. You know who it is. You get the phone call, and you hear, 'You're in.' And I think for me, it was a burden off of my shoulders."

Donovan won back-to-back titles as a college coach with Florida. Arison oversaw Miami's path to NBA titles in 2006, 2012 and 2013. Crawford worked NBA games for 32 seasons and was picked to work the NBA Finals in 23 of those years.

"For some, this is an individual honor," Arison said. "But for me, this speaks to what our entire Heat family -- players, coaches, staff and fans -- have built together."

Combined, the five players selected as individuals -- Bird, Moore, Fowles, Howard and Anthony -- were part of 11 WNBA or NBA championship teams, won 15 Olympic gold medals, made 37 All-NBA or All-WNBA appearances and were named as All-Stars 45 times in their careers.

"Surreal," Bird said of her selection. "I don't think there's any way to really wrap your head around it."

Fowles added: "I don't think [any] one of us go into this thinking that we're going to be Hall of Famers. You just do your job ... and when it's all said and done, the job is complete and here we are."

The Redeem Team's selection means that Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant -- already enshrined as Hall of Famers -- essentially now go in for a second time. James and Paul, who are obviously both locks to get into the Hall after they retire, also played for that Olympic team, as did Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Tayshaun Prince.

That team's managing director was Jerry Colangelo, who now chairs the Hall of Fame.

"We developed a set of standards where all the guys lived by those standards," said former Duke coach and 2001 Hall of Fame inductee Mike Krzyzewski, who coached that 2008 Olympic team. "They were the best group of guys. I wish like crazy that Kobe was here. He was really the key guy, I think. As many great players as we had at that point, he was the greatest and everyone looked up to him."

Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a 2020 helicopter crash. Bryant was enshrined posthumously into the Hall later that year.

The Redeem Team had that moniker because it was the team tasked with restoring USA Basketball's place atop the world stage, after the 2004 Olympic team only managed a bronze medal at the Athens Games. The Redeem Team went 8-0 in Beijing, winning those games by an average of 27.9 points.

"USA Basketball is thrilled to see the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Team elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame," USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said. "The Redeem Team's celebrated run in Beijing marks a pivotal moment in U.S. men's Olympic basketball history and has propelled us to five straight gold medals.

"Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard, members of that team and individual inductees, are two of the many legends in this Class who have contributed to our organization's success over the last 20-plus years, including Sue Bird, Billy Donovan, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles," Tooley added.

UConn's women's program already had coach Geno Auriemma, Swin Cash (enshrined as a player) and Rebecca Lobo (enshrined as a contributor) in the Hall of Fame, and Bird and Moore going in together will obviously add to what is always a huge weekend in New England.

"They're Hall of Famers for me, they're Hall of Famers for their family, they're Hall of Famers for everybody -- they're even Hall of Famers for UConn haters," Auriemma said. "That's one thing they can all agree on."

PITTSBURGH -- Paul Skenes isn't exactly sure what the Pittsburgh Pirates' record is, only that it's not good.

Pittsburgh's young ace and reigning National League Rookie of the Year understands the frustrations that resulted in boos and chants of "sell the team" directed at increasingly popular targets manager Derek Shelton and owner Bob Nutting during a 9-4 loss to the New York Yankees on Friday.

Skenes believes the angst should be directed elsewhere.

"Mr. Nutting and Shelty aren't the ones playing," Skenes said on Saturday. "We're the ones playing. If we were 8-0 through however many games we've played right now, the fans aren't booing. We've got to play better."

With the Pirates at 2-6, the 22-year-old Skenes has been one of the few bright spots during a dismal opening 10 days ago. The right-hander has been brilliant during his two starts, allowing two earned runs on six hits with 13 strikeouts in 12 innings.

But it's telling of how things have gone that Pittsburgh dropped its opener when the bullpen imploded after his exit and needed a late dash of offense -- a rarity so far -- to shake free of Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

On Friday, the typically celebratory atmosphere of Pittsburgh's home opener was tinged with audible and visible signs of fan unrest. A plane circled PNC Park towing a banner urging Nutting to put the club up for sale. Shelton, now in his sixth season, was booed when he was introduced. And chants of "sell the team" popped up a handful of times as the Yankees quickly pulled away.

Everyone in the organization, from Nutting to Shelton to Skenes, has stressed it's time for the Pirates to contend. They haven't looked the part so far, though it's important to note they've played 5% of their 162-game schedule.

Most teams go through a rocky stretch at some point. Skenes is optimistic Pittsburgh's just happened to come in April.

"It's a long season," he said. "I want to believe that it all evens out. But we aren't getting these games back. We will go on a stretch where we will go ... 7-2 or wherever we are right now in an opposite way."

Shelton, in Friday's postgame media availability, was asked about the fans and their reactions during the game, and he acknowledged their feelings, adding that "their frustration is that they want to win. I want to win, and our players want to win. We have to keep focusing on that."

Pittsburgh has been flushed with mistakes, particularly on the basepaths and in the outfield, where it's often been an adventure for centerfielder Oneil Cruz and whoever ends up flanking him.

"I think pretty much everything has room to improve," Skenes said. "We can play a lot better."

Skenes added he sees the work that goes on behind closed doors, so he's not going to panic. Asked to elaborate on what that work might entail, he smiled and said, "There are reasons it's behind closed doors sometimes. We've got to keep doing things right."

The rotation order prevented Skenes from facing Aaron Judge and the torpedo-bat-wielding Yankees this weekend. He's not that concerned, pointing out he'll likely get a start against Judge later in the season.

"We're going to get our chances to face off," Skenes said, before casually adding that he will "probably see him in the All-Star Game this year again. It is what it is. We're going to be around for a little bit."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.