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After Thursday night’s 15-game festival, 1,310 games have been played in the 2022-23 NHL regular season. But two more remain on Friday: one to determine the Central Division title and one to finalize the draft lottery position of two non-playoff teams.

Let’s dive into the implications of each of tonight’s games:

Buffalo Sabres at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7:30 p.m. (NHL Power Play on ESPN+): An overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday brought the Blue Jackets out of the NHL’s basement, which means they no longer have the best draft lottery odds. Currently, they are a regulation-wins tiebreaker behind the Chicago Blackhawks in the standings, meaning they have the second-highest odds, behind the Anaheim Ducks. Moreover, they are one standings point behind the San Jose Sharks. A regulation win would drop them to fourth in the lottery standings, an overtime or shootout loss would put them third, and a regulation loss would keep them second. As for the Sabres, they are locked in to the No. 13 slot in the lottery, as they will remain below the Penguins in the standings no matter the result, due to the regulation-wins tiebreaker (and thus they’ll stay above the Pens in the lottery standings).

Colorado Avalanche at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. (NHL Power Play on ESPN+): It’s a simple scenario for the Avs: A win of any kind earns them the Central Division’s No. 1 seed and a first-round matchup against the Seattle Kraken. Any other result keeps them in the No. 2 spot, earning them a series against the Minnesota Wild. The Dallas Stars are currently a point ahead and will occupy whichever spot the Avs don’t take. For Nashville, a regulation win gives them the most points among non-playoff teams, which means they’ll have the No. 16 slot in the draft lottery. Any other result keeps them 15th in the lottery standings, with the Calgary Flames remaining 16th.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
Last night’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC2 Florida Panthers
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 New York Islanders
M2 New Jersey Devils vs. M3 New York Rangers

Western Conference

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


Friday’s games

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).

Buffalo Sabres at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7:30 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.


Thursday’s scoreboard

Watch “In the Crease” on ESPN+ for highlights from every game.

Boston Bruins 5, Montreal Canadiens 4
New Jersey Devils 5, Washington Capitals 4 (OT)
Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 2 (OT)
Toronto Maple Leafs 3, New York Rangers 2
Buffalo Sabres 4, Ottawa Senators 3 (OT)
Carolina Hurricanes 6, Florida Panthers 4
Tampa Bay Lightning 5, Detroit Red Wings 0
Colorado Avalanche 4, Winnipeg Jets 2
Dallas Stars 1, St. Louis Blues 0
Nashville Predators 4, Minnesota Wild 3 (OT)
Philadelphia Flyers 5, Chicago Blackhawks 4 (OT)
Edmonton Oilers 5, San Jose Sharks 2
Los Angeles Kings 5, Anaheim Ducks 3
Vancouver Canucks 5, Arizona Coyotes 4 (OT)
Vegas Golden Knights 3, Seattle Kraken 1


Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 135
Regulation wins: 54
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 0
Points pace: 135
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 111
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 0
Points pace: 111
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 0
Points pace: 98
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 0
Points pace: 92
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 1
Points pace: 90
Next game: @ CBJ (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 86
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 80
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 68
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Metropolitan Division

Points: 113
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 0
Points pace: 113
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 112
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 0
Points pace: 112
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 107
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 0
Points pace: 107
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 0
Points pace: 93
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 91
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 80
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 75
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 1
Points pace: 60
Next game: vs. BUF (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Central Division

Points: 108
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 0
Points pace: 108
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 107
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 1
Points pace: 108
Next game: @ NSH (Friday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 103
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 0
Points pace: 103
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 95
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 0
Points pace: 95
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 1
Points pace: 93
Next game: vs. COL (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 81
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 70
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 59
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Pacific Division

Points: 111
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 0
Points pace: 111
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 109
Regulation wins: 45
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 0
Points pace: 109
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 104
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 0
Points pace: 104
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 0
Points pace: 100
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 93
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 83
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 60
Next game: None
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 0
Points pace: 58
Next game: None
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 Connor Bedard, who has been lauded as a generational talent.

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 13

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 15

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 18

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 16

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 27

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 31

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 31

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 31

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‘Reason he’s here’: Crochet delivers for Red Sox

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'Reason he's here': Crochet delivers for Red Sox

BALTIMORE — Garrett Crochet gave the Boston Red Sox an immediate return on their investment.

In his first start since agreeing to a $170 million, six-year contract, the left-hander pitched a career-best eight innings as the Red Sox shut out the Baltimore Orioles 3-0 on Wednesday night. Crochet also threw 102 pitches, one shy of his career high.

“My first start in college I went eight, and I haven’t sniffed it since,” Crochet said.

Crochet (1-0) gave up four hits and a walk while striking out eight in his first victory since the offseason trade that sent him from the Chicago White Sox to Boston.

“That’s the reason he’s here,” manager Alex Cora said after the game. “That’s the reason we committed to him.”

Crochet went 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA last season, a bright spot on a Chicago team that lost 121 games. He threw 146 innings, which was double his previous career total since his debut in 2020.

Then Crochet was dealt to the Red Sox, and they made their long-term commitment to the 25-year-old earlier this week.

“Going back to when the trade went through, we knew Boston was a place where we would love to be long term,” Crochet said. “Credit to the front office for staying diligent, and my agency as well.”

Now the question is less about where he’ll pitch and more about how well. He’s off to a nice start in that regard.

“I can’t think of the last time I played baseball for pride. In college, you’re playing to get drafted, and once you’re in the big leagues, you’re playing to stay in the big leagues,” Crochet said. “So to have this security and feel like I’m playing to truly just win ballgames, it takes a lot of the riff-raff out of it.”

The news all around was good for Boston on Wednesday.

It reached a $60 million, eight-year deal with young infielder Kristian Campbell, and he went out and doubled twice against the Orioles.

And Rafael Devers ended a 21-at-bat hitless streak to start the season with an RBI double in the fifth inning. He finished with two hits and no strikeouts.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Ohtani’s walk-off pushes Dodgers to historic 8-0

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Ohtani's walk-off pushes Dodgers to historic 8-0

LOS ANGELES — Aside from his ability to pitch and hit and stretch the boundaries of imagination, Shohei Ohtani has displayed another singular trait in his time in the major leagues: an ability to meet the moment. Or, perhaps, for the moment to meet him.

And so on Wednesday night, with his Los Angeles Dodgers looking to stay unbeaten, the score tied in the bottom of the ninth, and more than 50,000 fans standing and clenching the Ohtani bobbleheads they lined up hours in advance for, Ohtani approached the batter’s box — and his teammates expected greatness.

“He’s going to end this right here,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said he thought to himself.

“We knew,” starting pitcher Blake Snell said. “It’s just what he does.”

Validation came instantly. Ohtani stayed back on a first-pitch changeup from Raisel Iglesias near the outside corner and shot it toward straightaway center field, 399 feet away, for a walk-off home run, sending the Dodgers to a 6-5, come-from-behind victory over the reeling Atlanta Braves.

“I don’t think anybody didn’t expect him to hit a walk-off home run there,” Dodgers utility man Tommy Edman said. “It’s just a question of where he’d hit it.”

The Dodgers are now 8-0, topping the 1933 New York Yankees of Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth for the longest winning streak to begin a season for a reigning champion. The Braves, meanwhile, are 0-7, the type of record no team has ever recovered from to make the playoffs. And Ohtani, with three home runs and a 1.126 OPS this season, just keeps meeting moments.

“He’s pretty good, huh?” Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez said. “It’s Shohei. He’s going to do that. He’s going to do things better than that.”

On Aug. 23 last year, Ohtani reached the 40/40 club with a walk-off grand slam. Five days later, the Dodgers staged a second giveaway of his bobblehead — one that saw his now-famous dog, Decoy, handle the ceremonial first pitch — and Ohtani led off with a home run. On Sept. 19, Ohtani clinched his first postseason berth and ascended into the unprecedented 50/50 club with one of the greatest single-game performances in baseball history — six hits, three homers, two steals and 10 RBIs. Barely two weeks later, he homered in his first playoff game.

When Ohtani came up on Wednesday, he had what he described as a simple approach.

“I was looking for a really good pitch to hit,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “If I didn’t get a good pitch to hit, I was willing to walk.”

Of course, though, he got a good pitch.

And, of course, he sent it out.

“You just feel that he’s going to do something special,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And I just like the way he’s not pressing. He’s in the strike zone, and when he does that, there’s just no one better.”

The Dodgers began their much-anticipated season with a couple of breezy wins over the Chicago Cubs from Japan, even though Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman did not play in them. They returned home, brought iconic rapper Ice Cube out to present the World Series trophy on one afternoon, received their rings on another and swept a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers. Then came the Braves, and the Dodgers swept them, too — even though Freeman, nursing an ankle injury caused from slipping in the shower, didn’t participate.

The Dodgers already have two walk-offs and six comeback wins this season.

Wednesday’s effort left Roberts “a little dumbfounded.”

A nightmarish start defensively, highlighted by two errant throws from Muncy, spoiled Snell’s start and put them behind 5-0 after the first inning and a half. But the Dodgers kept inching closer. They trailed by just two in the eighth and put runners on second and third with two out. Muncy came to bat with his batting average at just .083. He had used the ballyhooed “Torpedo” bat for his first three plate appearances, didn’t like how it altered his swing plane, grabbed his usual bat for a showdown against Iglesias and laced a game-tying double into the right-center-field gap.

An inning later, Ohtani ended it.

“Overall, not just tonight, there is a really good vibe within the team,” Ohtani said after recording his fourth career walk-off hit. “I just think that’s allowing us to come back in these games to win.”

The Dodgers’ 8-0 start has allowed them to stay just ahead of the 7-0 San Diego Padres and the 5-1 San Francisco Giants in the National League West. Tack on the Arizona Diamondbacks (4-2) and the Colorado Rockies (1-4), and this marks the first time in the divisional era that an entire division has combined for at least 25 wins and no more than seven losses, according to ESPN Research. The Dodgers’ and Padres’ starts mark just the fifth season in major league history with multiple teams starting 7-0 or better, and the first time since 2003.

The Dodgers famously overcame a 2-1 series deficit to vanquish the Padres in the NL Division Series last year, then rode that fight to their first full-season championship since 1988.

That fight hasn’t let up.

“It feels like this clubhouse is carrying a little bit of the attitude we had last year that we’re never out of a game and we’re resilient, and we’ve been carrying it into this season,” Muncy said. “It’s been fun to watch. The guys don’t give up. Bad things have happened, and no one’s really been down or out on themselves. Everyone’s just, ‘All right, here we go, next inning, let’s get after it.’ The whole team, top to bottom, has been doing that. It’s been making it really, really fun to play.”

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Death of Gardner’s son pinned to carbon monoxide

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Death of Gardner's son pinned to carbon monoxide

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death of the teenage son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, authorities in Costa Rica said Wednesday night.

Randall Zúñiga, director of the Judicial Investigation Agency, said 14-year-old Miller Gardner was tested for carboxyhemoglobin, a compound generated when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood.

When carboxyhemoglobin saturation exceeds 50%, it is considered lethal. In Gardner’s case, the test showed a saturation of 64%.

“It’s important to note that adjacent to this room is a dedicated machine room, where it’s believed there may be some type of contamination toward these rooms,” Zúñiga said.

The head of the Costa Rican judicial police added that, during the autopsy, a “layer” was detected on the boy’s organs, which forms when there is a high presence of the poisonous gas.

Gardner died March 21 while staying with his family at a hotel on the Manuel Antonio beach in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific.

Asphyxiation was initially thought to have caused his death. After an autopsy was performed by the Forensic Pathology Section, that theory was ruled out.

Another line of investigation centered around whether the family had suffered food poisoning. Family members had reported feeling ill after dining at a nearby restaurant on the night of March 20 and received treatment from the hotel doctor.

Brett Gardner, 41, was drafted by the Yankees in 2005 and spent his entire major league career with the organization. The speedy outfielder batted .256 with 139 homers, 578 RBIs, 274 steals and 73 triples in 14 seasons from 2008 to 2021.

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