Tim Kavanagh is a senior NHL editor for ESPN. He’s a native of upstate New York.
The NHL schedule Tuesday night includes a special volumetric broadcast of the Washington Capitals–New York Rangers game, where the action on the ice will be transformed into the world of “Big City Greens.” That broadcast will be available on the Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney+ and ESPN+, with the traditional version available on ESPN and ESPN+.
But beyond the innovation on display in that game, there are 11 other games on the docket, including a battle of two playoff-bound teams as the Winnipeg Jets visit the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes are neck-and-neck with the New Jersey Devils atop the Metropolitan Division. But where will the Jets finish in a crowded Central Division?
The Jets have been playing leapfrog with the Colorado Avalanche for the Central’s No. 3 slot on a game-by-game basis for the past several days. After Monday night’s action, the Jets are in the West’s second wild-card spot, with 79 points and 29 regulation wins through 67 games. The Central crown is not out of the realm of mathematical possibility, as the Minnesota Wild are at 84 points and 27 regulation wins while the Dallas Stars are at 87 points and 31 regulation wins. Moneypuck gives the Jets a 2.4% chance to win the division title, a 14.3% chance of the Central’s No. 2 seed, and a 30.6% chance of their division’s No. 3 spot; the chances of the two wild-card slots are 18.0% and 19.8%, respectively.
After the game Tuesday, Winnipeg has five games against teams currently in playoff position, including a season-closing two-game road stint at the Wild and Avalanche.
As we enter 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 2023 NHL draft lottery.
Note: All times Eastern. All games not on ESPN, TNT or NHL Network are available via NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (local blackout restrictions apply).
Points: 80 Regulation wins: 34 Playoff position: WC1 Games left: 15 Points pace: 98 Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday) Playoff chances: 95% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 73 Regulation wins: 24 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 15 Points pace: 89 Next game: @ ARI (Tuesday) Playoff chances: 17% Tragic number: 24
Points: 61 Regulation wins: 17 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 17 Points pace: 77 Next game: vs. DAL (Tuesday) Playoff chances: <1% Tragic number: 16
Points: 54 Regulation wins: 12 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 15 Points pace: 66 Next game: vs. NYI (Wednesday) Playoff chances: <1% Tragic number: 5
Points: 50 Regulation wins: 14 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 15 Points pace: 61 Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday) Playoff chances: <1% Tragic number: 1
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team might 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 Connor Bedard, who has been lauded as a generational talent.
NEW YORK — Dan Iassogna will be the umpire crew chief and work the plate during Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Atlanta’s Truist Park.
His crew will include Marvin Hudson at first, Chris Segal at second, Jansen Visconti at third, Jeremie Rehak in left and Erich Bacchus in right, Major League Baseball said Thursday.
Iassogna, 56, will work his second All-Star Game. He was at third base for the 2011 game at Arizona.
He worked his first big league game in 1999, was hired to the major league staff in 2004 and appointed a crew chief ahead of the 2020 season. Iassogna umpired the World Series in 2012, ’17 and ’22 along with eight League Championship Series and seven Division Series.
Segal, Visconti, Rehak and Bacchus will work their first All-Star Games and Hudson his second after being in left field in 2004 at Houston.
Tony Randazzo will be the replay umpire in New York.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Athletics slugger Brent Rooker is adding his name to the list of Home Run Derby participants.
Rooker announced Thursday that he’s participating in the event, which takes place Monday in Atlanta. He will become the first Athletics player in the Home Run Derby since Matt Olson in 2021.
“Competing in the Home Run Derby has always been a dream of mine,” Rooker said in an Instagram post. “Can’t wait to make it happen next week in Atlanta! See ya there!”
Rooker, 30, entered Thursday with a .270 batting average, 19 homers and 50 RBIs, putting him on pace for a third straight season of at least 30 homers. He went deep 30 times in 2023 and had 39 homers in 2024.
His 58 homers since the start of the 2024 season rank him third among all American League players.
The only A’s to win the Derby were Mark McGwire in 1992 and Yoenis Céspedes in 2013 and 2014.
The brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr., Luisangel Acuña went 13-for-45 (.286) for Syracuse after the Mets optioned him in late June.
Capable of playing second base, shortstop or the outfield, Acuna had batted .241 in 65 games before going to the minors.
“He was a big part of this team the first couple of months,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters. “We got to a point where we felt like, ‘Hey, let’s get him some everyday playing time. ‘And now it’s time for him to be back up here, continuing to help us win baseball games.”
In a corresponding move, the Mets designated outfielder Travis Jankowski for assignment.
Acuna was on the bench for New York’s first game of the doubleheader.