Boone to Soto: Don’t defer to Yankees veterans
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David Schoenfield, ESPN Senior Writer
On the eve of the New York Yankees‘ season opener at Minute Maid Park against the Houston Astros, manager Aaron Boone had a simple directive for his new slugger: It’s your team, too.
Asked how Juan Soto will fit into a team with Aaron Judge as the acknowledged superstar and Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton entrenched as veteran leaders, Boone said on a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday, “My message to him is: It’s his clubhouse, too, and we want to learn and grow from you and want you to feel empowered to say and do whatever you feel like you need to do.”
Acquired from the San Diego Padres in a blockbuster offseason trade, Soto brings his powerful bat, elite on-base ability and Soto Shuffle to a lineup that struggled to score runs in 2023. With the Padres, there were reports during the season as the team’s playoff hopes slowly disintegrated that some of the egos in the San Diego clubhouse — Soto, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. — had clashed, although Soto denied it late in the season.
“Look, anytime you’re a player coming over to a team for the first time, I’m sure you’re toeing the water a little bit, getting a feel for everything,” Boone said. “I do feel like the team from a bonding standpoint has come together really well this spring in short order. I would include Juan in that. He seems very comfortable, he seems happy. I think our leaders do a great job of making guys feel at home. From a leadership and what kind of vocal role he takes, that probably still remains to be seen.”
After a hot start to spring training, with three home runs in his first four games, Soto scuffled a bit toward the end. During the team’s trip to Mexico to wrap up spring training, Soto stayed behind in Tampa, Florida, at the team’s training facility to work on his swing.
“He didn’t get a ton of results here the last couple of weeks, which I often think with a hitter of his caliber isn’t such a bad thing from a timing standpoint,” Boone said. “Every hitter goes through little lulls at different points in the season, so hoping he got that out of the way here, but I think he’s ready to roll. He’s in a great mental state and I can’t wait to watch him go out and tear up the Bronx.”
The Yankees missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2016, putting Boone, the team’s skipper since 2018, squarely on the hot seat as the manager most likely to be fired first, according to oddsmakers.
“I’m here to try to win the World Series. All of my energy and all of my focus is on trying to help us be the best possible team we can be and our goal is to be a world champion,” Boone said. “I don’t look at like, ‘This has to happen for me to save my job.’ I’m in competition mode.'”
The season kicks off a series with a tough seven-game road trip to Houston and Arizona — and without the injured Gerrit Cole and DJ LeMahieu. In LeMahieu’s absence, Boone said Gleyber Torres will hit leadoff on Opening Day with Soto and Judge hitting second and third.
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Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter
DENVER — With a five-goal third-period barrage that saw a different player score each goal Friday night, the Colorado Avalanche showed the version of the team they believe can make up for last year’s first-round exit a year after winning the Stanley Cup.
The Avs cruised to a 6-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets to take a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference quarterfinals.
“Last year, we had no goals outside of our top three forwards and defensemen,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “This year, I don’t know, you’d have to total it up, but it’s huge contributions. We’re a deeper team. There’s no question about it.”
A lack of secondary and tertiary scoring last season contributed to the Avs scoring 19 goals in the first round before they were eliminated in seven games by the Seattle Kraken.
They already have 17 goals through three first-round games this year, with 10 of them coming from beyond their first line and their top defensive pairing.
Veteran winger Zach Parise, who signed with the Avs in February to win his first Stanley Cup, staked the team to a 1-0 lead before the Jets used the second period to take a 2-1 lead through Tyler Toffoli and Josh Morrissey.
Penalties, however, played a role in grounding the Jets in the third period.
“Since I’ve been here, I thought the third was the best period we’ve played,” said Avalanche center Casey Mittelstadt, the team’s trade deadline acquisition who finished with three assists.
A power-play goal from Nathan MacKinnon tied the score a little more than two minutes into the third. The Avs took the lead through another power-play goal from Valeri Nichushkin almost two minutes later.
Goals from Artturi Lehkonen and Ross Colton extended the lead to 5-2 before Devon Toews’ empty-net goal made it 6-2 with 3:35 remaining in the game.
“I think for us, being down one in the third there, we didn’t sit back on our heels,” Colton said. “I think we just kind of took it to them. When we play with that speed and that energy, we’re a good team. Obviously, we had some power plays, but we drew them with hard work and getting in on the forecheck and putting them under pressure. It all starts with that.”
At the end of the game, there was an on-ice scrum between the Avs and Jets that saw Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon emerge with a bloodied, lacerated left hand. Dillon immediately left the ice and entered the Jets’ dressing room.
Jets coach Rick Bowness said there was no immediate update available on Dillon’s condition.
“Obviously, a scary situation there,” Morrissey said. “I don’t really have anything to say, but we’re all really concerned for him and just hoping everything is OK.”
The 2024 NHL draft lottery will take place on May 7, the league announced Friday.
The San Jose Sharks own the best odds to land the No. 1 pick with an 18.5% chance.
The Sharks fired head coach David Quinn earlier this week after finishing an NHL-worst 19-54-9.
Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini, the Hobey Baker Award winner, is the projected No. 1 pick.
The lottery will be held at NHL Network’s studio in Secaucus, New Jersey.
2024 NHL draft lottery, odds of landing No. 1 pick:
San Jose Sharks, 18.5%
Chicago Blackhawks, 13.5%
Anaheim Ducks, 11.5%
Columbus Blue Jackets, 9.5%
Montreal Canadiens, 8.5%
Utah, 7.5%
Ottawa Senators, 6.5%
Seattle Kraken, 6%
Calgary Flames, 5%
New Jersey Devils, 3.5%
Buffalo Sabres, 3%
Philadelphia Flyers, 2.5%
Minnesota Wild, 2.0%
Pittsburgh Penguins, 1.5%
Detroit Red Wings, 0.5%
St. Louis Blues, 0.5%
The 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs are here! The NHL’s 32 teams are down to just 16 in the postseason, with the first round well underway.
Will the New York Rangers parlay their success in winning the Presidents’ Trophy to a championship — thus breaking the “curse” of that award?
Can the Vegas Golden Knights repeat, despite starting the postseason as the underdog in their initial series?
Read on for the full playoff coverage from every first-round series all the way through the Stanley Cup Final.
More: Playoff schedule
Megapreview
Lapsed fan’s guide
Wyshynski’s bracket
Top 50 players
Cup contender comps
First round
Atlantic Division
Regular-season records:
Panthers: 52-24-6, 110 points
Lightning: 45-29-8, 98 points
Leading scorers:
Panthers: Sam Reinhart, 94 points (57 G, 37 A)
Lightning: Nikita Kucherov, 144 points (44 G, 100 A)
Consensus pick: Panthers
Schedule: (FLA leads 3-0)
0:16
Matthew Tkachuk’s 2nd goal secures Panthers win
Matthew Tkachuk scores into an empty net to seal a 5-3 win for the Panthers.
Game 1: FLA 3, TB 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 2: FLA 3, TB 2 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 3: FLA 5, TB 3 | Recap
Game 4: FLA @ TB | April 27, 5 p.m. (TBS) | Preview
Game 5: TB @ FLA | April 29, 7 p.m. (ESPN)* | Preview
Game 6: FLA @ TB | May 1* | Preview
Game 7: TB @ FLA | May 4* | Preview
Regular-season records:
Bruins: 47-20-15, 109 points
Maple Leafs: 46-26-10, 102 points
Leading scorers:
Bruins: David Pastrnak, 110 points (47 G, 63 A)
Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews, 107 points (69 G, 38 A)
Consensus pick: Bruins
Schedule: (BOS leads 2-1)
0:27
Brad Marchand immediately reclaims the lead for Boston
Brad Marchand gives the Bruins a 3-2 lead late in the third period after the Maple Leafs tied it up.
Game 1: BOS 5, TOR 1 | Recap
Game 2: TOR 3, BOS 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 3: BOS 4, TOR 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 4: BOS @ TOR | April 27, 8 p.m. (TBS) | Preview
Game 5: TOR @ BOS | April 30, 7 p.m. (ESPN) | Preview
Game 6: BOS @ TOR | May 2* | Preview
Game 7: TOR @ BOS | May 4* | Preview
Metropolitan Division
Regular-season records:
Rangers: 55-23-4, 114 points
Capitals: 40-31-11, 91 points
Leading scorers:
Rangers: Artemi Panarin, 120 points (49 G, 71 A)
Capitals: Dylan Strome, 67 points (27 G, 40 A)
Consensus pick: Rangers
Schedule: (NYR leads 2-0)
0:46
K’Andre Miller gives Rangers’ 4-2 lead with shorty
K’Andre Miller rips a shot into the goal and puts the Rangers ahead by two goals after a shorthand score against the Capitals.
Game 1: NYR 4, WSH 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 2: NYR 4, WSH 3 | Recap | Replay
Game 3: NYR @ WSH | April 26, 7 p.m. (TNT) | Preview
Game 4: NYR @ WSH | April 28, 8 p.m. (TBS) | Preview
Game 5: WSH @ NYR | May 1* | Preview
Game 6: NYR @ WSH | May 3* | Preview
Game 7: WSH @ NYR | May 5* | Preview
Regular-season records:
Hurricanes: 52-23-7, 111 points
Islanders: 39-27-16, 94 points
Leading scorers:
Hurricanes: Sebastian Aho, 89 points (36 G, 53 A)
Islanders: Mathew Barzal, 80 points (23 G, 57 A)
Consensus pick: Canes
Schedule: (CAR leads 3-0)
0:25
Sebastian Aho restores 2-goal lead for Hurricanes
Sebastian Aho scores to restore the Hurricanes’ two-goal lead vs. the Islanders.
Game 1: CAR 3, NYI 1 | Recap
Game 2: CAR 5, NYI 3 | Recap | Replay
Game 3: CAR 3, NYI 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 4: CAR @ NYI | April 27, 2 p.m. (TBS) | Preview
Game 5: NYI @ CAR | April 30, 7:30 p.m. (TBS)* | Preview
Game 6: CAR @ NYI | May 2* | Preview
Game 7: NYI @ CAR | May 4* | Preview
Central Division
Regular-season records:
Stars: 52-21-9, 113 points
Golden Knights: 45-29-8, 98 points
Leading scorers:
Stars: Jason Robertson, 80 points (29 G, 51 A)
Golden Knights: Jonathan Marchessault, 69 points (42 G, 27 A)
Consensus pick: Stars
Schedule: (VGK leads 2-0)
0:30
Noah Hanifin puts Knights on top before third period
Noah Hanifin scoops the puck and makes a nice shot to give the Knights a 2-1 lead heading into the third period versus the Stars.
Game 1: VGK 4, DAL 3 | Recap | Replay
Game 2: VGK 3, DAL 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 3: DAL @ VGK | April 27, 10:30 p.m. (TBS) | Preview
Game 4: DAL @ VGK | April 29 (ESPN) | Preview
Game 5: VGK @ DAL | May 1* | Preview
Game 6: DAL @ VGK | May 3* | Preview
Game 7: VGK @ DAL | May 5* | Preview
Regular-season records:
Jets: 52-24-6, 110 points
Avalanche: 50-25-7, 107 points
Leading scorers:
Jets: Mark Scheifele, 72 points (25 G, 47 A)
Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon, 140 points (51 G, 89 A)
Consensus pick: Avs
Schedule: (Series tied 1-1)
0:43
Josh Manson scores goal vs. Jets
Josh Manson scores goal vs. Jets
Game 1: WPG 7, COL 6 | Recap | Replay
Game 2: COL 5, WPG 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 3: WPG @ COL | April 26, 10 p.m. (TNT) | Preview
Game 4: WPG @ COL | April 28, 2:30 p.m. (TNT) | Preview
Game 5: COL @ WPG | April 30 | Preview
Game 6: WPG @ COL | May 2* | Preview
Game 7: COL @ WPG | May 4* | Preview
Pacific Division
Regular-season records:
Canucks: 50-23-9, 109 points
Predators: 47-30-5, 99 points
Leading scorers:
Canucks: J.T. Miller, 103 points (37 G, 66 A)
Predators: Filip Forsberg, 94 points (48 G, 46 A)
Consensus pick: Canucks
Schedule: (Series tied 1-1)
0:34
Colton Sissons finishes the rebound for Predators’ 3rd goal
Nashville extends their lead to 3-0 over the Canucks thanks to this Colton Sissons goal.
Game 1: VAN 4, NSH 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 2: NSH 4, VAN 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 3: VAN @ NSH | April 26, 7:30 p.m. (TBS) | Preview
Game 4: VAN @ NSH | April 28, 5 p.m. (TBS) | Preview
Game 5: NSH @ VAN | April 30, 10 p.m. | Preview
Game 6: VAN @ NSH | May 3* | Preview
Game 7: NSH @ VAN | May 5* | Preview
Regular-season records:
Oilers: 49-27-6, 104 points
Kings: 44-27-11, 99 points
Leading scorers:
Oilers: Connor McDavid, 132 points (32 G, 100 A)
Kings: Adrian Kempe, 75 points (28 G, 47 A)
Consensus pick: Oilers
Schedule: (Series tied 1-1)
1:05
Kopitar’s OT winner helps Kings even series
Anze Kopitar finds the back of the net early in overtime to lift the Kings to a Game 2 win over the Oilers.
Game 1: EDM 7, LA 4 | Recap | Replay
Game 2: LA 5, EDM 4 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: EDM @ LA | April 26, 10:30 p.m. (TBS) | Preview
Game 4: EDM @ LA | April 28, 10:30 p.m. (TBS) | Preview
Game 5: LA @ EDM | May 1 | Preview
Game 6: EDM @ LA | May 3* | Preview
Game 7: LA @ EDM | May 5* | Preview
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