NHL players usually arrive to their games in a suit.
But the Stadium Series is no ordinary game. And the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers sported no ordinary fits. Behold the dueling tracksuits!
Taking inspiration from their home states, the Flyers and Devils rocked signature swag on their way into MetLife Stadium on Saturday. Philadelphia’s skaters were outfitted in grey “Rocky”-esque attire while the Devils tapped into “Sopranos” vibes with their Fila suits.
Tyler Toffoli said the tracksuits were one of a few options that New Jersey’s players put to a vote. Another option: dressing like Bruce Springsteen from the cover of “Born In The U.S.A.” with a red hat sticking out of the back pocket of their jeans. But Toffoli was happy with the team’s final call.
“It has some good reviews,” he said. “I think it looked a lot better than what we imagined. We had fun with it and now it’s time to get to business.”
There were also some pregame espresso shots that could have served the dual purpose of both fuel and added warmth against the evening’s harsh wintry chill.
Devils’ winger Timo Meier said that the decision to hold cups was made this morning. Meier admitted he’d had two espressos upon arriving at the stadium, one on the way to the locker room and another courtesy of a refill from teammate Jesper Bratt.
New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff stuck with his usual garb on Saturday, but might not have opposed donning something different.
“I think that’s a special thing for the players,” Ruff said of the tracksuits. “But if asked, I probably would have [worn one].”
It’s a well-worn tradition now for NHLers to not just coordinate their arrival outfits for outdoor games but make them memorable, too. No doubt the Devils and Flyers have made their own mark with these selections.
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year contract for next season, worth $2.75 million for the 35-year-old veteran.
General manager Eric Tulsky announced the deal Saturday, a little over 48 hours before his team starts the second round of the playoffs against the Washington Capitals.
Andersen could earn up to $750,000 in incentives for games played and his participation in a potential run to the Eastern Conference finals next season. He would get $250,000 for playing 35 or more games, another $250,000 for getting to 40 and $250,000 if the Hurricanes reach the East finals and he plays in at least half of the playoff games.
“Frederik has played extremely well for us and ranks in the top 10 all-time for winning percentage by an NHL goalie,” Tulsky said. “We’re excited that he will be staying with the team for next season.”
Andersen and the Hurricanes, the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division, advanced past the New Jersey Devils in Round 1 last week. They will meet the Capitals, who won the division crown, for the right to make the NHL’s final four.
Extending Andersen could give the team a goaltending tandem with Pyotr Kochetkov for less than $6 million combined.
Anderson, a Denmark native who previously played for the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs, has become coach Rod Brind’Amour’s most trusted option in net. He is expected to return to the starting role for Game 1 of the Capitals series after getting injured in the first round against New Jersey.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby in the slop on Saturday.
Trainer Bill Mott won his first Derby in 2019, also run on a sloppy track, when Country House was elevated to first after Maximum Security crossed the finish line first and was disqualified after a 22-minute delay.
This time, he knew right away.
Sovereignty won by 1½ lengths and snapped an 0-for-13 Derby skid for owner Godolphin, the racing stable of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
It was quite a weekend for the sheikh. His filly, Good Cheer, won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and earlier Saturday, Ruling Court won the 2,000 Guineas in Britain.
Sovereignty covered 1¼ miles in 2:02.31 and paid $17.96 to win at 7-1 odds.
Journalism found trouble in the first turn and jockey Umberto Rispoli moved him to the outside. He and Sovereignty hooked up at the eighth pole before Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado pulled away.
Baeza was third, Final Gambit was fourth and Owen Almighty finished fifth.
Rain made for a soggy day, with the Churchill Downs dirt strip listed as sloppy and horse racing fans protecting their fancy hats and clothing with clear plastic ponchos.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Connor Zilisch, the 18-year-old driver already with two NASCAR Xfinity Series race wins, will miss Saturday’s race at Texas because of lower back injuries sustained in a last-lap wreck at Talladega.
Trackhouse Racing said Wednesday that its development driver will return as soon as possible to the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. The team didn’t provide any additional details about Zilisch’s injuries.
Cup Series regular Kyle Larson will drive the No. 88 in Texas. After that, the Xfinity Series has a two-week break before racing again May 24 at Charlotte.
Zilisch, sixth in points through the first 11 races, was driving for the win at Talladega Superspeedway when contact on the backstretch sent his car spinning, and head-on into inside wall.
Zilisch won in his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen last Sept. 14. He added another win this year at Austin, the same weekend that he made his Cup Series debut. He has six top-10 finishes in his 15 Xfinity races.