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After a four-day break following the conclusion of the Western Conference final, the Vegas Golden Knights began the 2023 Stanley Cup Final with a 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers, taking a 1-0 series lead.

It was an even game until the third period, when many Vegas shots found the back of the net while many Florida shots struck iron.

What else did we learn about these two teams in Game 1, and how will it impact the rest of the series? ESPN’s Ryan S. Clark, Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski check in:


The start of something big for Theodore?

Is it the fact that Shea Theodore scored in Game 1? Or is it more about how he scored in Game 1 that should be the area of focus? It’s possible Theodore’s first goal of the playoffs could offer more insight into how he could score a few more in the coming games.

Theodore had just received possession when he walked it out to the blue line, skating laterally with Anthony Duclair in front of him. Theodore then did a spin in one direction before stopping, cutting and going in another direction. It created separation that left Duclair in his wake, giving Theodore the space to get into the slot before launching the shot that gave the Golden Knights a 2-1 second-period lead. Golden Knights captain Mark Stone said he was surprised to learn that was Theodore’s first postseason goal because of how much offense he creates for his teammates.

“When you have a little bit of space, that’s your time to be creative,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Whether they go back down the wall or into the middle. Shea has the ability to move laterally as good as any defenseman I’ve ever seen.”

The coach also inferred that this could be a turning point for the 27-year-old blueliner.

“It looks like it was pretty good coverage at first. But, again, he found his soft spot and then [Brett Howden‘s] at the net,” Cassidy said. “I don’t know who got the assist on the goal but at the end of the day, he’s going to take away [Sergei] Bobrovsky’s eyes and we’ve talked about that a lot. Really good play by him and you’re starting to see his game come around.” — Clark

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Shea Theodore puts the Golden Knights ahead in the 2nd

Shea Theodore shows off great patience and zips it in for the score as the Golden Knights take a 2-1 lead in the second period.

The “original six” continue to step up

This is still the Golden Misfits team. The first year of existence for the franchise was all about the players with a chip on their shoulder — because their previous teams didn’t want them. It was an “us against the world” mentality.

Then it became the world against Vegas, as the team aggressively traded for and acquired veteran players, including other teams captains.

But the six original Golden Misfits still on the roster — Theodore, Jonathan Marchessault, Reilly Smith, William Karlsson, William Carrier and Brayden McNabb — have played a huge role for Vegas. They scored three of the five goals in Game 1, after accounting for four of the six goals in the clinching game of the Western Conference final. — Kaplan

Get them a nickname!

Every so often, a fourth line becomes the most dependable line for a Stanley Cup winner. Like the Crash Line for the 1995 Devils or the Grind Line for multiple Detroit Red Wings champions or the Merlot Line for the 2011 Boston Bruins. The Vegas Golden Knights’ line of Carrier, Nicolas Roy and Keegan Kolesar may not have a well-known nickname yet, but they’ve clearly earned the trust of head coach Bruce Cassidy in key situations, as evidenced by Game 1.

This trio of forwards saw the most ice time against the Panthers’ explosive line of Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and Nick Cousins. For just the second time in their entire playoff run, Florida didn’t get an even-strength point from any of the three. The play of the Knights’ fourth line was a big reason for that: Bending but not breaking, checking hard and mixing it up with the Panthers but not crossing the line. Beyond that matchup, the Knights’ fourth line kept the energy up shift after shift early in the game.

“We just read off each other pretty well,” Roy said. “It’s not really complicated the way we play, right? Three big guys. Be hard on the forecheck. Be hard to play against. When we have the puck, we protect it well. But we’re also really good defensively.” — Wyshynski

The legend of Adin Hill grows

Adin Hill is going to get paid this summer. It’s hard to believe the goalie was only acquired for a fourth-round pick, and technically was Vegas’ fourth-stringer.

The 27 year old — a pending unrestricted free agent — has showed up consistently ever since taking over the net. And his stretching paddle save on Nick Cousins early in the second period to keep the score tied 1-1 was the highlight of the night.

As Zach Whitecloud told me after the game: “That right there literally is who Adin Hill has been for us since he came to us. … You love playing for a guy like that because no matter the situation, he shows up.” — Kaplan

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Adin Hill makes phenomenal stick save for the Golden Knights

Adin Hill makes a phenomenal stick save as the Golden Knights keep it even in the second period.

Rough stuff gets going early

A tug of the sweater followed by a quick jab attempt or two to the face. Usually, an exchange such as that could lead to a reaction. This is what Matthew Tkachuk was trying to elicit from Alex Pietrangelo late in the second period, only to have the Golden Knights alternate captain hold firm.

That particular exchange with Pietrangelo and Tkachuk was one of many between the Golden Knights and Panthers. It’s also possible that it could serve as a prelude in a series that could be decided by what team can master what it means to play the game within the game. If so, then it leaves both teams trying to toe the line that allows them to be physical while not being reckless.

Here’s something to keep in mind. The Golden Knights went from averaging 7.18 penalty minutes per game in the regular season to 14.8 penalty minutes in the playoffs. As for the Panthers? They are averaging 14.65 penalty minutes per game in the playoffs after averaging 12.17 per game in the regular season.

“We’ve done it all year. We’ll stick up for one another but it’s also the maturity of this group, just being able to kind of hang back a bit,” Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill said, after he was part of a first-period scrum that saw him jab the Panthers’ Nick Cousins. “It’s like when they do that stuff, they’re going to try and instigate us. We don’t need to react. We need to stay focused on the game plan.” — Clark

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Braves’ Profar gets 80-game ban for PED violation

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Braves' Profar gets 80-game ban for PED violation

LOS ANGELES — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar tested positive for a banned substance and will begin an 80-game suspension Monday, for the start of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Profar tested positive for chorionic gonadotropin, a performance-enhancing drug, according to Major League Baseball.

Profar will be eligible to return to the Braves on June 29 against Philadelphia but will be ineligible for the 2025 postseason as part of his suspension.

Profar, 32, signed a $1 million contract with the San Diego Padres in February 2024 and put together the best offensive season of his career last season, slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 homers and 85 RBIs in 158 games. The Braves signed him to a three-year, $42 million deal in January to make him their everyday left fielder.

In a statement sent by the MLB Players’ Association, Profar called Monday “the most difficult day of my baseball career” and said he was “devastated” by the news. Profar added that he was tested eight times for PEDs in 2024 and “never tested positive.”

“This is especially painful for me because anyone who knows me and has seen me play knows I am deeply passionate about the game,” Profar wrote as part of his statement. “There is nothing I love more than competing with my teammates and being a fan favorite. I want to apologize to the entire Braves organization, my teammates, and the fans. It is because of my deep love and respect for this game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it.”

The Braves posted a statement on X, saying, “we were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn that Jurickson Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program. We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Jurickson will learn from this experience.”

The substance hCG is a hormone that helps in the production of testosterone, according to the Cleveland Clinic, as cited by The Associated Press.

Profar’s suspension, which is without pay, comes after a brutal opening weekend for the Braves, who were swept in a four-game series by the Padres while scoring a combined seven runs — including zero over the last 22 innings.

Profar’s absence hurts the short-handed Braves. Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is not expected back from the injured list for another month. Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz have been platooning in right field in Acuna’s absence. With Profar gone, the Braves can also turn as a down-the-road option to Alex Verdugo, who was signed to a $1.5 million deal March 20 and optioned to the minor leagues to get at-bats.

For now however, the Braves acquired outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Cincinnati Reds for cash considerations earlier Monday and added him to the 40-man roster. He’s expected to join them on Tuesday. The Braves will go one player short against the Dodgers Monday night.

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Mets trade OF Canario, 24, to Pirates for cash

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Mets trade OF Canario, 24, to Pirates for cash

The New York Mets have traded outfielder Alexander Canario to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations, the Pirates announced on Monday.

Canario was designated for assignment Thursday hours before the Mets’ season opener. He had traveled with the club from spring training in Florida to Houston last week to participate in the Mets’ workout Wednesday, but the team’s outfield glut rendered him a long shot to make the roster.

New York’s Opening Day roster included six outfielders: Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo, Tyrone Taylor, Jose Siri, Starling Marte and Jesse Winker. Despite a strong camp, there just wasn’t room for Canario, who was out of minor-league options.

Jose Azocar, another outfielder, was also designated for assignment by the Mets on Thursday. The 28-year-old Azocar, however, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse.

Canario’s combination of youth — he’s 24 years old — and tools made him attractive to other teams. The right-handed hitter, who was traded from the San Francisco Giants to the Chicago Cubs in July 2021 as part of a trade for Kris Bryant, made his major-league debut with the Cubs in 2023. He appeared in 21 games for the team over the last two seasons, batting .286 with two home runs and two doubles in 45 plate appearances.

The Cubs designated Canario for assignment in late February to make room on their 40-man roster for Justin Turner. The Mets acquired him for cash days later. Canario reported straight to Port St. Lucie for spring training where he slashed .306/.419/.611 with three home runs in 17 games. He’ll now be with his third organization in just over a month.

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Ohtani leads jersey sales; 6 Dodgers in top 20

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Ohtani leads jersey sales; 6 Dodgers in top 20

Shohei Ohtani has another win to add to his stockpile.

After winning the World Series and his third league MVP award, the Los Angeles Dodgers star now has the world’s most popular Major League Baseball jersey.

The league says the rankings are based on sales of Nike jerseys from the Fanatics network of sites, including MLBShop.com, since the culmination of the World Series.

Ohtani leads six Dodgers in the top 20. Others are Freddie Freeman at No. 2, Mookie Betts at No. 4, Yoshinobu Yamamoto at No. 10, Clayton Kershaw at No. 11 and Kiké Hernández at No. 16. With Ohtani’s jersey at No. 1 and Yamamoto’s at No. 10, it is only the second time two Japanese players have ranked in the top 10. Ichiro Suzuki and Yu Darvish did it in 2012.

Non-Dodgers in the top five are Juan Soto of the New York Mets at No. 3 and reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees at No. 5. They are followed in order by Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets, Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies, Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros, Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves and Yamamoto.

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