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There are Saturdays when the true playoff contenders emerge with such ferocity and dominance they cannot be ignored.

There are Saturdays when the whole system feels rigged, and upsets knock one team after another from the ranks of the elite.

And then there are Saturdays like Week 4, where the goal is simply survival.

In Winston-Salem, upstart Wake Forest decimated Clemson‘s battered secondary to such a degree that, after the game, Dabo Swinney suggested he was one drive away from playing cornerback himself.

On the Palouse, Washington State delivered body blows to Oregon in a quest to upend the Pac-12’s power structure.

In the Big House, Maryland refused to go away, frustrating Michigan again and again.

Out west, Lincoln Riley’s offense finally met its match in Oregon State, which tormented QB Caleb Williams until the Trojans’ final drive.

In each case, however, the favorite survived.

It was the same story up and down the top 25. Georgia struggled to put away Kent State, allowing more than twice as many points Saturday as the Bulldogs had all season. Baylor had two takeaways, held Iowa State to just 66 yards on the ground, and still had to hold its breath on a final onside kick try. Ole Miss barely scraped by Tulsa. Kentucky went to halftime tied with Northern Illinois. Tennessee dominated Florida, then nearly let the Gators come back in a frenetic final few minutes, saved, in part, by Billy Napier’s inexplicable decision to go for two with 4:49 to play, trailing by 11.

Saturday was like one long thriller, the main character narrowly escaping one harrowing scenario after another, emerging battered, bloodied and bruised … but alive.

The same could not be said for everyone.

Texas saw a 14-point second-half lead disappear as Texas Tech roared back to take a 34-31 lead with 21 seconds remaining. Still, the Longhorns fought back, sending the game to overtime, only to witness Bijan Robinson fumble on the first play of extra time. It was the Longhorns’ seventh loss by a touchdown or less in their past 11 games.

Arkansas went to Dallas and appeared poised to trounce Texas A&M, but a KJ Jefferson fumble as he leaped for the end zone turned into a 97-yard touchdown for the Aggies, and the entire script was flipped. Jimbo Fisher dove deep into his Cheesecake Factory menu — wait, no, we’re being told those are his play sheets — and finally found a spark for the Aggies’ offense, knocking off the Razorbacks 23-21. It was a shocking outcome, given that Jerry Jones usually has to wait until the NFL playoffs to witness his team incomprehensibly fall apart.

Oklahoma became the latest victim of the curse of Scott Frost. Northwestern beat Nebraska in Week 0, and it hasn’t won since. Georgia Southern stunned the Cornhuskers in Week 2, then lost the following week to UAB. Oklahoma delivered a rout of Nebraska last week, then could not stop former Huskers QB Adrian Martinez on Saturday, as Kansas State knocked the Sooners from the ranks of the unbeaten, 41-34. Nebraska is like the VHS tape in “The Ring.” All who come into contact with it are doomed to perish within seven days.

It might be easy to find fault with Clemson, which needed overtime to vanquish Sam Hartman and Wake’s downfield passing attack, but the Tigers still won and remain in the playoff hunt. Perhaps that’s all the narrative that matters. Plus, Swinney got to scold reporters for criticizing his QB.

Did Georgia sleepwalk through what it reasonably expected to be an easy win? Probably. But it’s OK for 21 guys to sleepwalk, so long as Brock Bowers is occasionally running.

Did J.J. McCarthy look mortal against Maryland? Perhaps. But after playing three of the worst teams in the country to open the season, Michigan was bound to find tougher sledding in Big Ten play.

Riley could’ve added transfers from 2019 LSU, 2013 Florida State and several members of the 2001 St. Louis Rams, and it might not have been enough to answer the terrific defensive performance from Oregon State. But Williams, who completed fewer than half his passes, completed the necessary throws.

See, winning is hard, and for a few potential contenders the job proved too big Saturday.

For the rest, they’ll survive a bit longer. But as with all horror films, there will be sequels, and what ultimately determines who’s ready for a real playoff push and who’ll simply get a cameo in the next movie might come down to what lessons they learned from a brutal Week 4.


Kansas is actually good

It is written in the Book of Revelations (or maybe it’s in “Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey”) that in the end times all mountains and valleys will be leveled to the plains and, we assume, from those Great Plains a Jayhawk will rise from the ashes.

Well, the apocalypse is upon us. Thanks a lot, Lance Leipold.

Yes, Kansas is 4-0. And it’s not just a schedule-aided, paper-thin 4-0. The Jayhawks upended undefeated Duke on Saturday, throwing for 324 yards, rushing for 204 and looking like one of the most dynamic offenses in the country. This comes on the heels of an overtime win against West Virginia and a surprising upset of Houston.

Kansas, dare we say, is for real.

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0:47

Daniel Hishaw Jr. breaks tackles left and right as he goes 73 yards for the Kansas touchdown.

To understand just how wild that sounds, remember that the last time Kansas won four games in an entire season, “Avatar” was in theaters. (OK, we’re being told “Avatar” is somehow in theaters again now. Is this Kansas season all just CGI from James Cameron?)

The Jayhawks went to the Orange Bowl in 2007, won eight games in 2008, then stumbled to a 5-7 finish in 2009. What followed was the most prolific comedic run since Bob Hope. Now what will we laugh at? Will it even still be funny the next time Kansas beats Texas?

Kansas spent a decade trying past-their-prime quick fixes such as Charlie Weis and Les Miles and up-and-coming coaches such as Turner Gill and David Beatty. We’re fairly certain at one point the Jayhawks resorted to a shaman and a wax statue of Bear Bryant. None of it helped. Then Leipold arrived and it was as if the program awakened from a long sleep.

Think of the litany of players who’ve come through Lawrence in the past 15 years. Seriously, think of them because, frankly, we can’t remember any. For a generation of college football fans in Kansas, the closest thing they had to a celebrity was Baby Mangino, and he’s now a retired sanitation worker living outside Sarasota, Florida, and collecting social security (again, we assume).

But now, there are stars. Jalon Daniels threw for 324 yards Saturday, ran for 83 more and accounted for five touchdowns. Jayhawks boosters might as well start chipping in for a statue of the guy now. Four different Kansas receivers caught a touchdown against Duke. In 2020, four different Kansas receivers caught a touchdown all season! Kansas has a cornerback named Cobee Bryant. Sure, it’s spelled differently from the better-known Kobe, but “C” is a more versatile letter than “K” and the extra “E” is for “eventually we’re gonna be ranked.”

And no, it probably doesn’t signify the end is near. Had Kent State pulled the upset over Georgia or Central Michigan stayed with Penn State or Wake Forest finished off a win over Clemson, then maybe it’d be time to head for the underground bunker.

But these are strange times. The Jayhawks aren’t just relevant, they’re actually good.

Perhaps there’s a lesson in here for all of us — something about persevering through adversity and knowing that someday hard work will be rewarded. Or, perhaps, it’s that you should never give Charlie Weis a long-term contract. Both options are good advice.

The remaining schedule will be tougher with Iowa State, undefeated TCU and then three straight ranked foes. Perhaps this is the Jayhawks high-water mark for 2022. If so, that’s OK. Because we’ve seen a new horizon for a team that spent the past 15 years steadily walking into a brick wall like a video game character after your cat sits on the controller. But now, Kansas is something more — a program with a pulse, a team moving in the right direction, a fan base that isn’t simply counting down the days until basketball season.


We’re 4-0, too

Kansas may have finally earned some respect with its win Saturday to move to 4-0, but the Jayhawks aren’t the only remaining undefeated teams still hoping to attract a few poll voters.

P.J. Fleck likes to tell his team to “row the boat,” but at this point, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are sailing a yacht confiscated from a Russian oligarch. The Gophers dominated Michigan State on Saturday, and Tanner Morgan & Co. continue to impress. But the really interesting thing about Minnesota is the defense. The Gophers have held 16 straight opponents to fewer than 30 points — the longest active streak in the country.

Florida State demolished Boston College 44-14 on Saturday to get to 4-0. Jordan Travis returned to action and threw for a career-best 321 yards. In Travis’ past 13 starts, Florida State is 10-3.

UCLA narrowly escaped against some lesser opposition earlier this season, but Saturday, Chip Kelly’s crew delivered a dominant win over woeful Colorado 45-17. Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns, which is impressive for a guy who has to be in his mid-50s by this point.

Syracuse survived Virginia on Friday to move to 4-0, and the Orange appear on a path to emerge as a 12-seed to face Kansas in the Elite Eight.

After Tulane fell to Southern Miss on Saturday, Coastal Carolina is the last remaining team outside the Power 5 with a 4-0 record. Of course, with QB Grayson McCall leaving this week’s win over Georgia State with an injury, the Chanticleers’ hopes could be dashed.

Perhaps it’s still too early to fully endorse any of them, but it seems well past time for each to get some attention from voters and a little love in the top-25 poll.


Punt-a-palooza on the Plains

Saturday might’ve been the day it all ended for Bryan Harsin at Auburn, with Missouri — the SEC’s version of the kid in “Old Yeller” — putting him out of his misery.

The college football gods wouldn’t let him off so easily.

Instead Harsin — and the rest of us — were forced to endure as unfortunate a pillow fight as the season is likely to offer (though Iowa certainly will try to match it).

A quick review of the drive chart from the second half, with the score tied at 14: punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, turnover on downs, missed field goal.

(To answer your question, yes, Kevin Warren has extended an offer for both teams to join the Big Ten.)

That final drive was the most insulting. Auburn had mustered nothing on offense and was down to its fourth-string quarterback. Missouri drove to the 3-yard line to set up a first-and-goal with 45 seconds left. Then, the Tigers — the, um, Missouri ones — took a knee twice to set up a game-winning field goal on third down.

And, of course, the kicker missed.

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1:19

Missouri RB Nathaniel Peat fumbles at the goal line in overtime for a touchback, giving Auburn the win.

Auburn won it in overtime 17-14 after kicking a field goal following a drive in which it ran three plays and lost 2 yards. But to be fair, Mizzou really lost the game after fumbling the ball in the end zone when it had its chance to win in OT.

So it was with great pain that Harsin had to cancel his tee time next Saturday, so he can coach this team again. Hasn’t the man suffered enough?


Stroud leads Buckeyes in rout

While a number of the country’s top teams stumbled through the Saturday action, Ohio State looked every bit the part of a potential national champion, annihilating Wisconsin 52-21.

C.J. Stroud threw five touchdown passes. The Buckeyes had two 100-yard backs. The defense held Wisconsin to just 296 yards and 11 first downs.

The 52 points was the most scored against a Wisconsin defense since 2014, when the eventual national champion Buckeyes beat the Badgers 59-0 in the Big Ten title game.

And all of Saturday’s dominance came in a game in which Jaxon Smith-Njigba shut things down early, and the Buckeyes played without a couple of starting defensive backs.

If the sluggish start against Notre Dame in Week 1 offered any opening for doubt, Ohio State has clearly delivered an emphatic rebuke. The remaining schedule appears to offer few serious challenges — a road trip to Penn State on Oct. 29 and the season finale against Michigan excepted — and Stroud’s Heisman push is in full stride.

The biggest threat for Ohio State for the next month might simply be boredom. Or Iowa. They’re kind of the same thing.


JMU ends the mountain magic

It had been a magical start to the season for Appalachian State. In the second half Saturday, however, the Mountaineers’ only trick was making their New Year’s Six hopes disappear.

After jumping out to a 28-3 lead, App State’s second half included four punts, two turnovers on downs and a backbreaking interception that set up a go-ahead touchdown for JMU. Not since the Federalist papers has James Madison delivered such an emphatic defeat to the interests of America’s majority.

So perhaps America’s Cinderella story wasn’t meant to be App State after all. How about the Dukes?

JMU is 3-0 in its first season as an FBS team, and quarterback Todd Centeio has thrown 11 touchdowns without an interception. JMU now has as many wins as an FBS program in three games as UMass has over the past four seasons.


The most college football thing to happen Saturday

Middle Tennessee delivered a dagger to Miami to open the fourth quarter, when quarterback Chase Cunningham connected with DJ England-Chisolm, who corralled the pass behind the defense and sprinted into the end zone for a 98-yard touchdown.

Ah, but Miami had an answer. On the ensuing kickoff, Key’Shawn Smith burst up the middle and ran 91 yards to pay dirt, too.

So, to recap: It took 22 seconds and one offensive play for the two teams to rack up 189 all-purpose yards and 14 points.

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1:14

After a 98-yard Middle Tennessee State touchdown, Miami answers right back with a 91-yard touchdown of its own.

It might’ve been an exciting exchange for the upwards of nine fans in attendance to enjoy, but unfortunately, Miami offered little else to cheer for. MTSU stunned the Hurricanes with a 45-31 win. But take heart, Canes fans. Nick Saban lost to Louisiana-Monroe in his first season at Alabama, so Mario Cristobal is still right on track to win a half-dozen national titles in the coming years.


The most college football thing to happen this week (FCS edition)

Stephen F. Austin had a chance to hang 100 on Warner (which Google tells us is a private Christian school in Florida with an enrollment of 815 students). Rather than hit the century mark, however, the Lumberjacks took a knee on a 2-point try.

Somehow, this feels even more insulting.


Heisman Five

We have officially eliminated Tyler Van Dyke from Heisman consideration. Anthony Richardson narrowly stays in the mix by throwing his first touchdown of the season.

1. Alabama QB Bryce Young

Saturday marked the best day of the season for Alabama’s passing game, with 11 players hauling in a grab and Young throwing for 385 yards and four TDs. More importantly, the game offered a check-in on Clark Lea’s preseason prediction that Vanderbilt would eventually become the best team in the country. Perhaps no opponent offers a better measuring stick than Alabama, but the Tide rolled 55-3. It should be noted that the last time these two teams played was 2017, and Alabama won 59-0. So, Vandy is heading in the right direction, and if this trend continues, Lea could be proven correct by 2043.

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Bryce Young throws for 385 yards and four touchdowns as the Crimson Tide roll past the Commodores with a 55-3 victory.

2. Georgia QB Stetson Bennett

In the Bulldogs’ win over Kent State, Bennett threw for a mere 272 yards and no TDs, while also tossing a pick. A blemish on the Heisman resume, you ask? Ha! Bennett is next level, guys. He handed over the offense to Brock Bowers in a brilliant move to boost team chemistry. The rest of the world is playing checkers and Bennett is playing — what’s even better than chess? Backgammon? Hungry Hungry Hippos?

3. Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud

Stroud threw his first interception of the season. What a bum! Oh, the other throws? Let us check on that and … ah, 235 yards and five TDs.

4. Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim

Tanner Morgan tossed three touchdowns and had just three incompletions in a win over Michigan State, which meant a little less work than normal for Ibrahim. Still, he kept his 100-yard game streak intact, racking up 103 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown. He’s now hit the century mark in 13 straight games dating back to 2020, matching Nick Chubb and D’Onta Foreman as the second-longest stretches of the playoff era. The only player with a longer streak is Ezekiel Elliott, who went for 100 in 15 straight games from 2014-2015.

5. Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker

Hooker is the first quarterback with 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards and a TD both ways in an SEC game since 2018. Since his first start in Week 3 last year, Hooker has played in 15 games, averaging 10 yards per pass, accounting for 45 touchdowns and throwing just two interceptions. He’s been incredible.


Bowers pounds the rock

Brock Bowers is a tight end. He’s an incredibly talented tight end, of course, but a tight end, nevertheless.

And yet, Georgia has seen fit to use Bowers as a runner on three occasions this season. Those three runs resulted in a 5-yard touchdown, a 75-yard touchdown and a 2-yard touchdown.

To recap for those who are not great at math, that’s three rushes and three rushing touchdowns.

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0:49

Brock Bowers takes the handoff and scores to put the Bulldogs up 7-0.

How impressive is that? Well, Massachusetts is an entire football team. Bowers is one guy. UMass has 201 rushing attempts this year. Bowers has three. UMass has two rushing TDs. Bowers has three.

We can’t help but wonder, if Mike Bobo had Bowers in his backfield instead of just Todd Gurley and Sony Michel and Nick Chubb and Keith Marshall, how much heartache could’ve been saved among Georgia Twitter users?


Under-the-radar game of the week

You’re forgiven if you didn’t have Fordham at Ohio circled on the TV schedule Saturday, but the Rams and Bobcats put on one heck of a show.

Both teams had more than 600 yards of offense. Both had more than 500 passing yards. Both had more than 100 penalty yards.

Final score: Ohio 59, Fordham 52.

But the score was hardly the best part of the action. The highlight was Fordham receiver Fotis Kokosioulis, who finished with an astounding 320 yards receiving on 13 catches, four of which went for TDs. And he did all that despite lugging around all those letters on the back of his jersey. Amazing.

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1:42

Fordham’s Fotis Kokosioulis has 13 receptions for 320 yards and four touchdowns vs. Ohio.


Under-the-radar play of the week

We’ve seen far too few big-guy touchdowns so far this season, but thankfully Lehigh‘s Dean Colton gave the viewing public what we most crave.

The 285-pound defensive lineman caught a batted ball and returned it 52 yards for the score against Princeton.


Big bets and bad beats

DJ Uiagalelei managed to rescue Clemson from the precipice of defeat against Wake Forest on Saturday, but he didn’t salvage a hefty contingent of bettors. Clemson closed as a 7.5-point favorite at Caesars Sportsbook, with 82% of tickets and 87% of money on the Tigers. When the two teams made it to a second overtime, things set up nicely for Clemson to muster a shocking cover. The Tigers scored first and then, by rule, had to go for 2. Uiagalelei’s pass fell incomplete, however, and Clemson won 51-45.


After trailing for the bulk of the game, Oregon roared back in the second half and looked poised to cover a 6-point spread. But the betting gods intervened. Washington State backers had to watch their team fall apart in the final quarter, but the Cougars got the ball with 1:01 to play, drove 75 yards and scored with one second remaining. Final score, 44-41 Oregon and a very lucky cover for Washington State.


Middle Tennessee was Week 4’s upset special. The Blue Raiders closed at +25.5, and +1550 on the money line, against Miami. They never trailed in the game and won by 14. It was a tough day if you bet the Miami money line, which failed to pay out at -4500.

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NHL Power Rankings: A new No. 1, plus an early look at each team’s key offseason decision

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NHL Power Rankings: A new No. 1, plus an early look at each team's key offseason decision

Another week closer to the end of the regular season — and start of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs — and we have another new team sitting atop the throne of the NHL Power Rankings.

But in addition to a new order to our list, this week we took a break from the playoff (and draft lottery) race to look at a critical offseason decision that each club will have to make, whether it’s pending free agents, a coach (or GM) hire or a possible trade.

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list here.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published March 22. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 69.86%

This offseason will include (another) decision to make on pending RFA Kaapo Kakko. The 23-year-old’s expiring two-year deal had a “prove it” undertone for leverage leading into another negotiation. What GM Chris Drury comes to the table with should indicate how highly the Rangers value Kakko into the future.

Next seven days: @ ARI (March 30), vs. PIT (Apr. 1), vs. NJ (Apr. 3)


Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 68.24%

Who’s going to round out the bottom two defensive pairs? Jani Hakanpaa and Chris Tanev are both free agents; Nils Lundkvist and Thomas Harley are up-and-coming RFAs. The Stars have had their issues getting it right on the blue line. Targeting the right personnel there moving forward is crucial.

Next seven days: @ SEA (March 30), vs. EDM (Apr. 3)


Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 66.89%

Boston is already talking an extension with pending RFA Jeremy Swayman — and his deal will have a ripple effect on Linus Ullmark‘s future. Swayman already went through one fraught negotiation with Boston last summer; will this year’s conversation be smoother? And can GM Don Sweeney work out a long-term pact to appease all parties?

Next seven days: @ WSH (March 30), @ NSH (Apr. 2), @ CAR (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 67.12%

Colorado has a fascinating incoming contract negotiation with pending RFA Casey Mittelstadt. Buffalo swapped Mittelstadt (for defenseman Bowen Byram) in part because of the forward’s expiring deal — and the team’s projected inability to match his needs. Can Colorado find a satisfactory middle ground with the rising star this summer?

Next seven days: vs. NSH (March 30), @ CBJ (Apr. 1), @ MIN (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 66.44%

Sam Reinhart takes priority among Florida’s pending free agents. The first-time 50-goal scorer’s career year has not only propelled the Panthers to greater heights this season but exemplified his worth well into the future. This summer will reveal how much is Florida willing — or able — to pay for Reinhart’s continued service.

Next seven days: vs. DET (March 30), @ TOR (Apr. 1), @ MTL (Apr. 2), @ OTT (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 67.12%

Vancouver will be reengineering its blue line in the summer — one way or another. The Canucks have Quinn Hughes and Carson Soucy signed long term on the back end, and can either keep familiar faces or go in search of reinforcements elsewhere. Given how well this season has gone, though, Vancouver might not want to wander far from what has worked.

Next seven days: vs. ANA (March 31), @ VGK (Apr. 2), @ ARI (Apr. 3)


Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 66.89%

Carolina must address its defense sooner than later. The Hurricanes have three NHL regulars signed through just one more season; the rest are all UFAs in July. One of Carolina’s perennial strengths is its back end, and it’ll be a priority for GM Don Waddell to maintain that status quo — through internal or external moves.

Next seven days: @ MTL (March 30), vs. BOS (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 64.79%

Edmonton could have a markedly different forward group after this summer. There’s a handful of upcoming UFAs, with the looming prospect of inking Leon Draisaitl‘s extension in a year’s time, too. Holland must be cognizant of a potential framework for Draisaitl’s deal as he handles the Oilers’ business this summer.

Next seven days: vs. ANA (March 30), @ STL (Apr. 1), @ DAL (Apr. 3)


Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 64.38%

Could there be another coaching conundrum this offseason? There’s a third-year option for Rick Bowness that the Jets can choose to exercise before July 1. Bowness has undoubtedly done well this season, but he also has faced health challenges that could factor into a mutual decision about whether he stays for another year.

Next seven days: vs. OTT (March 30), vs. LA (Apr. 1), vs. CGY (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 63.19%

Toronto has two equally pressing priorities: defense and goaltending. Joseph Woll is its only netminder under contract for next season as starter Ilya Samsonov is set to hit free agency. Then there’s the back end that never benefited from signing John Klingberg (a UFA) and could see multiple veterans walk away in the offseason. The Leafs have work to do filling those holes.

Next seven days: @ BUF (March 30), vs. FLA (Apr. 1), vs. TB (Apr. 3)


Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 61.64%

The Preds’ “deadline addition” on defense was keeping Alexandre Carrier. He’s a pending UFA though, as is Tyson Barrie, leaving the Predators with gaps to fill on the blue line. Nashville’s back end has a few aging vets on big deals; will GM Barry Trotz target an infusion of youth to help them out?

Next seven days: @ COL (March 30), vs. BOS (Apr. 2), vs. STL (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 60.42%

Tampa Bay has a delicate contract situation percolating with captain Steven Stamkos. The Lightning’s leader is a pending UFA, and the team has ongoing salary cap constraints. Will the 34-year-old take a hometown discount to stay in the fold? And would even that concession be enough for Tampa to get a solid deal done, especially with several other key players hitting free agency in due time?

Next seven days: vs. NYI (March 30), vs. DET (Apr. 1), @ TOR (Apr. 3), @ MTL (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 60.42%

Los Angeles does not have a goalie under contract for next season. So, fixing that is priority one this summer. The Kings’ other task is assessing whether to keep interim coach Jim Hiller behind the bench, or launch a larger search for his replacement.

Next seven days: @ CGY (March 30), @ WPG (Apr. 1), vs. SEA (Apr. 3), @ SJ (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 60.27%

Vegas is staring down some hard decisions — namely, whom to re-sign among pending UFAs like Chandler Stephenson, Jonathan Marchessault, Alec Martinez and more. The Golden Knights are (in)famous for getting creative with the salary cap, but the logjam of contracts coming up at once will put them to the test.

Next seven days: @ MIN (March 30), vs. VAN (Apr. 2)


Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 55.41%

The Flyers can expand on their surprisingly successful 2023-24 by bolstering their goaltending in the summer. Samuel Ersson would benefit from a capable veteran backup for the present, and Philadelphia should also be looking to stabilize that position for the long term (with a key draft prospect, perhaps?).

Next seven days: vs. CHI (March 30), vs. NYI (Apr. 1)


Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 56.25%

The major questions are in goal for the Caps. There’s veteran Darcy Kuemper signed at $5.25 million per season through 2026-27, and Charlie Lindgren inked through next season at $1.1 million. Should the Capitals attempt to move one of them in the offseason? Kuemper has a no-trade clause that could complicate matters, but it’s likely GM Brian MacLellan will explore the market to see what interest is out there — and identify a favorable return for the Capitals.

Next seven days: vs. BOS (March 30), @ BUF (Apr. 2), vs. PIT (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 54.11%

GM Steve Yzerman believes in the Red Wings’ prospect pool. Now it’s time to see why. This offseason should be about identifying who’s ready to make the jump — and parting ways with players in the lineup (or pending free agents) taking up space Yzerman thinks should be going to the next wave of Red Wings.

Next seven days: @ FLA (March 30), @ TB (Apr. 1)


Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 54.86%

Minnesota was buried under defensive injuries this season, which could inspire GM Bill Guerin to recalibrate the team’s back end. That would go hand in hand with addressing the Wild’s goaltending. Marc-Andre Fleury is a pending UFA who, at age 39, will be contemplating retirement. Who replaces Fleury alongside Filip Gustavsson?

Next seven days: vs. VGK (March 30), vs. OTT (Apr. 2), vs. COL (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 56.16%

St. Louis has the interim tag on head coach Drew Bannister. That leaves the Blues with options going into the offseason. Does a strong finish mean the Blues retain Bannister behind the bench? Or do they wait to see who else might become available around the league before handing out the long-term gig?

Next seven days: vs. SJ (March 30), vs. EDM (Apr. 1), @ NSH (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 52.06%

New Jersey needs a stable starting goaltender. The Devils got their stopgap grabbing Jake Allen and Kaapo Kahkonen at the deadline, but that tandem is hardly a long-term solution, especially with Kahkonen hitting free agency. New Jersey is fortunate to have a core of high-level young talent, and it would be tragic to waste any of their years searching for consistent goaltending.

Next seven days: @ BUF (March 29), vs. PIT (Apr. 2), @ NYR (Apr. 3)


Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 53.47%

If the Islanders miss the playoffs, it’s on GM Lou Lamoriello to identify — and fix — what went wrong down the stretch. New York notably stood pat at the deadline and its old problem of not scoring goals has resurfaced. It’s a familiar refrain the Islanders can’t afford to repeat again next season.

Next seven days: @ TB (March 30), @ PHI (Apr. 1), vs. CHI (Apr. 2), @ CBJ (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 50.00%

Buffalo didn’t get a third-line center at the deadline. And the Sabres need one — badly. Filling that slot and going into next season with stronger depth down the middle should keep GM Kevyn Adams plenty busy in another achingly long offseason for the Sabres.

Next seven days: vs. NJ (March 29), vs. TOR (March 30), vs. WSH (Apr. 2)


Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 51.39%

Are the Penguins on the precipice of monumental change? Does this disastrous season force GM Kyle Dubas to dismantle the Penguins’ aging core? Is it the end of the road for head coach Mike Sullivan? How can Pittsburgh get younger and faster, with or without a full-on rebuild? It’s unfathomable (right?) that Pittsburgh heads into next season without a notable shift in direction.

Next seven days: @ CBJ (March 30), @ NYR (Apr. 1), @ NJ (Apr. 2), @ WSH (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 49.31%

Calgary let things linger with Jacob Markstrom to the point he wasn’t traded at the deadline and was not happy about it. That puts the Flames in an interesting spot. Granted, Markstrom has two years left on his deal, but Calgary can (and likely should) revisit moving him this summer — perhaps within the context of a wider roster overhaul to put the Flames back in future playoff contention.

Next seven days: vs. LA (March 30), vs. ANA (Apr. 2), @ WPG (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 50.69%

New contracts for RFAs Matty Beniers and Eeli Tolvanen are the top priority. Getting those over the finish line satisfactorily is imperative for the Kraken’s present and future. After not doing much at the deadline — and seeing their postseason chances dwindle — it would behoove GM Ron Francis to be active in the summer to set Seattle up for better success.

Next seven days: vs. DAL (March 30), @ SJ (Apr. 1), @ LA (Apr. 3)


Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 45.89%

Arizona will need a defenseman (or six) under contract before next season to actually put a lineup together. Currently the Coyotes have a slew of pending free agents on the back end, and pondering the possibilities — inside and outside the organization — will occupy GM Bill Armstrong well past the spring. Oh, and finding a new place to play in the long term is up there on the priority list, too.

Next seven days: vs. NYR (March 30), vs. VAN (Apr. 3)


Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 47.22%

There were some good moments this season, but Montreal is veering toward “identity crisis.” This offseason could be where it steers out of the skid. The Canadiens have a core of players approaching their prime years and they’ll need the right support to reach the next tier of competitiveness. GM Kent Hughes must be strategic this summer in how he helps advance the Canadiens — and avoids holding them in a rebuild for too much longer.

Next seven days: vs. CAR (March 30), vs. FLA (Apr. 2), vs. TB (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 47.22%

Ottawa needs its next solution behind the bench. We’re talking long-term, here-to-stay, taking-us-back-to-the-playoffs coach. The Senators retooled the entire front office, and it’ll be on those executives to pick the right person to guide Ottawa out of the (ideally) final phase of this prolonged downturn.

Next seven days: @ WPG (March 30), @ MIN (Apr. 2), vs. FLA (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 39.73%

Half of Columbus’ roster needs new contracts, and that includes most of the young core. Prioritizing those extensions should be atop the Blue Jackets’ offseason to-do list. Butt who will do the wheeling and dealing? Columbus needs a new general manager (John Davidson has been the interim there since Jarmo Kekalainen’s firing), and installing that person first before making too many future decisions would be smart business.

Next seven days: vs. PIT (March 30), vs. COL (Apr. 1), vs. NYI (Apr. 4)


Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 35.62%

Anaheim has a long summer ahead to explore moving Trevor Zegras. The Ducks are deep into a rebuilding phase and Zegras’ best value might lie in what Anaheim could land in a trade that sets it up with players for the future — and allows Zegras to join a roster closer to win-now mode.

Next seven days: @ EDM (March 30), @ VAN (March 31), @ CGY (Apr. 2)


Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 32.19%

There’s a handful of RFAs to look at this offseason, and GM Kyle Davidson will certainly get to that. But the bigger task for the Blackhawks might just be to stay patient and continue focusing on building their culture. It’s easier said than done, particularly with talent like Connor Bedard in your midst — yet slow and steady should remain the approach.

Next seven days: @ PHI (March 30), @ NYI (Apr. 2)


Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 27.78%

It’s all about the draft lottery results. Because where the Sharks pick in this upcoming draft — and signing whom they select — will be their most important offseason decision. After that, GM Mike Grier can reel through a landslide of pending UFAs and figure out whom he wants to keep beyond this season, knowing only a small group of regulars are signed beyond 2024-25.

Next seven days: @ STL (March 30), vs. SEA (Apr. 1), vs. LA (Apr. 4)

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NHL playoff watch: Devils-Sabres is Friday’s key game to monitor

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NHL playoff watch: Devils-Sabres is Friday's key game to monitor

There have been fantastic nights on the NHL schedule recently, some might argue maybe even too much action for hockey fans to track in a given evening.

Friday is not one of those nights.

There is just one game on the schedule, as the New Jersey Devils visit the Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. ET, NHL Network). This is a game that looked to have considerably more at stake when the schedule came out in the summer, but there are some notable implications for the outcome.

The Devils are five points behind the Washington Capitals for the East’s second wild-card spot, and six points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the No. 3 seed in the Metro Division. Notably, New Jersey has more regulation wins than both clubs, so pulling even in the standings is all that’s required to get into the playoffs.

Buffalo’s playoff hopes rest on eclipsing a batch of teams and getting the wild card, as the No. 3-seeded Atlantic club, the Toronto Maple Leafs, are 18 points ahead.

Of course, this matchup also impacts the draft lottery standings, with the Sabres currently 10th and the Devils 12th in that register. The NHL’s four worst teams don’t appear to be in range for either club, but getting as high as the No. 5 position (currently held by the Arizona Coyotes) is in play mathematically.

As we traverse the final stretch of the regular season, it’s time to check in on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2024 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Friday’s schedule
Thursday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning
A2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1 New York Rangers vs. WC2 Washington Capitals
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers

Western Conference

C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Los Angeles Kings
C2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg Jets
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights


Friday’s game

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available via NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (local blackout restrictions apply).

New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. (NHLN)


Thursday’s scoreboard

Toronto Maple Leafs 5, Washington Capitals 1
Montreal Canadiens 4, Philadelphia Flyers 1
Ottawa Senators 2, Chicago Blackhawks 0
New York Islanders 3, Florida Panthers 2
Pittsburgh Penguins 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Detroit Red Wings 0
St. Louis Blues 5, Calgary Flames 3
Minnesota Wild 3, San Jose Sharks 1
Vegas Golden Knights 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
New York Rangers 3, Colorado Avalanche 2 (SO)
Edmonton Oilers 4, Los Angeles Kings 1
Dallas Stars 3, Vancouver Canucks 1
Arizona Coyotes 8, Nashville Predators 4
Seattle Kraken 4, Anaheim Ducks 2


Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 109
Next game: vs. DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 10
Points pace: 104
Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 99
Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 89
Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 24.5%
Tragic number: 16

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 82
Next game: vs. NJ (Friday)
Playoff chances: 1.4%
Tragic number: 10

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 77
Next game: @ WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 7

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 77
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 7


Metropolitan Division

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 115
Next game: @ ARI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 8
Points pace: 91
Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 86.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 65.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 88
Next game: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 10.8%
Tragic number: 16

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 85
Next game: @ BUF (Friday)
Playoff chances: 11.7%
Tragic number: 13

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 84
Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 1.2%
Tragic number: 13

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 65
Next game: vs. PIT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Central Division

Points: 101
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 112
Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 110
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 106
Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 101
Next game: @ COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 4.3%
Tragic number: 14

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 90
Next game: vs. VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2%
Tragic number: 13

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 75
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 53
Next game: @ PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Pacific Division

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 110
Next game: vs. ANA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 106
Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 99
Next game: @ MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 94.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 99
Next game: @ CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 83
Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 7

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 81
Next game: vs. LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 7

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 58
Next game: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 40
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 46
Next game: @ STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

p — clinched Presidents’ Trophy
y — clinched division
x — clinched playoff berth
e — 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 draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston University.

Points: 40
Regulation wins: 12

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 15

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 18

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 18

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 27

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 29

* The Penguins’ first-round pick was traded to the Sharks as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. However, it is top-10 protected.

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MacKinnon’s home points streak ends in SO loss

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MacKinnon's home points streak ends in SO loss

DENVER — Nathan MacKinnon‘s 35-game home points streak ended Thursday in a 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Rangers at Ball Arena.

MacKinnon, who has 29 goals and 77 points at home this season, finished with the second-longest home points streak in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky, who set the mark at 40 games during the 1988-89 season. Also ending was MacKinnon’s 19-game points streak, which was his second such streak of the season. It was also the first time in NHL history that one player had two 19-game point streaks in a season.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said after the game that the team would look at providing evidence to the NHL that MacKinnon should have been credited with an assist that tied the score at 2-2 with 7:13 left in regulation.

The Avalanche were in the Rangers’ zone when MacKinnon delivered a pass to Devon Toews for a one-timer from the point. It initially appeared that Toews’ shot was stopped by Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin with Jonathan Drouin collecting the rebound and scoring the game-tying goal.

The goal was deemed an own goal that was credited to Toews, with another angle of the goal revealing Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren appeared to have been the last person who touched the puck before it went in the net.

“There is a process,” Bednar said. “You can look at it if you have video proof that there’s an assist, and he would get one.”

When asked if the team would go through that process, Bednar said, “Yeah, we can look at it.”

Avs defenseman Cale Makar said he was surprised to learn MacKinnon was not credited with an assist on the game-tying goal.

“It’s one game,” Makar said. “I think it’s not like he took the night off. I feel like he was finding ways to generate and stuff like that. Just sometimes, those bounces don’t go your way.”

MacKinnon, who did not meet with the media after the game, finished with five shots while logging 27:53 in ice time over 30 shifts.

Four of MacKinnon’s shifts came in overtime. While it has become common for MacKinnon to be used in overtime, Bednar was asked if there was some motivation to get MacKinnon extra ice time to extend the shift.

“I don’t think about the streak while we’re playing,” Bednar said. “But certainly, we’ve been trying to keep it going. As a group, I think everyone’s excited for it. In overtime, usually with Nate, he’s going until he tells me he needs a breather or if I’m reading it, he needs a breather. … He’s our most dangerous guy, right? Out of the forward group especially. I like to move him around with a couple different guys.”

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