Sports

Maple Leafs’ Matthews hits 60 goals for 2nd time

Published

1 year ago

April 2, 2024

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ESPN News Services

Mar 30, 2024, 10:10 PM ET

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Toronto Maple Leafs fans travel so well, Auston Matthews became accustomed hearing the chants “We want 60!” whether at home or on the road over the past week.

In Buffalo on Saturday, playing in the same building the Maple Leafs drafted him with the No. 1 pick in 2016, and an arena brimming with fans wearing blue and white jerseys, Matthews delivered.

Sweeping a loose puck into the open left side of the Sabres net with 5:37 left in regulation to cap Toronto’s 3-0 victory, Matthews sparked a electric celebration by becoming the NHL’s first two-time 60-goal scorer in 30 years.

Bending to one knee and punching the air, Matthews was mobbed by his teammates at the boards, while chants of “MVP!” rained from the thousands of Maple Leaf fans who made the 90-minute cross-border trek from Toronto.

“It means a lot, obviously,” Matthews said. “It’s always a fun atmosphere here with all the blue and white in the stands. Definitely pretty cool.”

Matthews matched the franchise record he set when he led the NHL in goals two seasons ago. The 26-year-old joins a group of eight NHL players to have multiple 60-goal seasons, and first since Pavel Bure had back-to-back 60-goal campaigns with the Vancouver Canucks in 1992-93 and 1993-94.

Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy lead the list with five 60-goal seasons.

Matthews, from Scottsdale, Arizona, was the first U.S.-born player to score 60 — and he’s now done it twice.

“I don’t know. It’s hard to think about stuff like that. Honestly, it’s special, obviously,” Matthews said, when asked to put his feat into historical context. “I’ve been fortunate to play with some really great players and a supportive team behind us. I just try to go out every day and compete.”

Matthews became just the sixth player to reach 60 goals in the 2000s. Of those players, he trails only Edmonton captain Connor McDavid, who scored 64 last season, and Washington captain Alex Ovechkin, who had 65 in 2007-08.

By scoring, Matthews extended his point streak to seven games, in which he has five goals and eight assist. Of his 60 goals, an NHL-leading 45 have come in even-strength situations.

And Matthews has been on a tear since December. After being limited to 13 goals in his first 21 games, Matthews has combined for 47 in his past 51 — a stretch in which he’s not gone more than two games without scoring.

“He’s had an incredible season, scored in different ways,” coach Sheldon Keefe said. “He does so much for our team. It’s more than just the goals. But for him to get that is great and if you’re not going to get it at home, this is probably second-best. That was great and I loved the way that the fans acknowledged him, too.”

Matthews and the Leafs didn’t have to look far to feel at home.

Right behind the Sabres bench were eight fans wearing white shirts spelling out his name, “M-A-T-T-H-E-W-S.” In celebrating Matthews’ goal, they raised two gold air balloons of a 6 and 0.

The goal was a hustle play by Matthews in which he chased down Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, who broke his stick while attempting to play the puck in Buffalo’s zone. After his first attempt was stopped by Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen, Matthews sent the puck back to the point. Lukkonenen stopped Conor Timmins‘ shot, with Matthews converting the rebound.

“I don’t think he really sets limits on himself. I think he just wants to continue to get better and work on his game adn go out there each and every night and be consistent and impact it,” said Maple Leafs captain John Tavares, who opened the scoring while playing in his 1,100th career game.

Certainly he wants to continue to be one of the best in the world and drive our team, and obviously make an impact with the way he can play the game,” Tavares added. “Obviously, he’s able to score a lot of goals, but his play in all three zones away from the puck with the puck is just exceptional. He’s just the total package.”

Matthews shifted his focus on the win, which inched the Maple Leafs within three points of clinching a playoff spot, and the importance of the final two-plus weeks of the season.

“Obviously, you want to be heading into April trying to feel confident and play your best hockey,” Matthews said. “An important week for us coming up here. It’ll be nice to enjoy this one and come get the focus on what’s to come.”

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Sports

2025 Kentucky Derby: Date, time, horses, odds, format, purse

Published

4 hours ago

April 30, 2025

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2025 Kentucky Derby: Date, time, horses, odds, format, purse

Keith Jenkins

Apr 29, 2025, 08:15 PM ET

The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby is set to deliver yet another exhilarating race to the finish. From the field to the favorite, here is everything to know about the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

When is the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

The 2025 Kentucky Derby will take place Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

What time does the 2025 Kentucky Derby begin?

The post time for the 2025 Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. ET.

How can fans watch?

Coverage of the 2025 Kentucky Derby begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Peacock will stream early coverage beginning at noon ET.

How many horses run in the Kentucky Derby?

Twenty horses have the chance to compete in the Kentucky Derby.

How do horses qualify for the Kentucky Derby?

To earn a spot in the starting gate of the Kentucky Derby, a horse must compete in a series of designated races from September through mid-April. Points are awarded to the top five finishers in each race. The 20 horses with the most points, or the horses who win their international series, earn a spot in the starting gate in Louisville on the first Saturday in May.

Who is the favorite in the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, opened as the 3-1 favorite.

What are the post positions for the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

Post 1: Citizen Bull (20-1 morning line odds)

Post 2: Neoequos (30-1)

Post 3: Final Gambit (30-1)

Post 4: Rodriguez (12-1)

Post 5: American Promise (30-1)

Post 6: Admire Daytona (30-1)

Post 7: Luxor Cafe (15-1)

Post 8: Journalism (3-1)

Post 9: Burnham Square (12-1)

Post 10: Grande (20-1)

Post 11: Flying Mohawk (30-1)

Post 12: East Avenue (20-1)

Post 13: Publisher (20-1)

Post 14: Tiztastic (20-1)

Post 15: Render Judgment (30-1)

Post 16: Coal Battle (30-1)

Post 17: Sandman (6-1)

Post 18: Sovereignty (5-1)

Post 19: Chunk of Gold (30-1)

Post 20: Owen Almighty (30-1)

Alternate: Baeza

Which post has produced the most Kentucky Derby winners?

Post 5 has produced the most winners, with 10.

What three races make up horse racing’s Triple Crown?

The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes are the three races needed to accomplish the Triple Crown.

Who won the 2024 Kentucky Derby?

Mystik Dan, trained by Kenny McPeek, won last year’s Kentucky Derby at 18-1 odds.

What is the purse for the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

Since 2024, $5 million in prize money has been guaranteed for the Kentucky Derby.

Check out the ESPN horse racing hub page for the latest news and notes ahead of the big race.

Sports

Panthers’ Ekblad suspended 2 games for Hagel hit

Published

6 hours ago

April 30, 2025

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Panthers' Ekblad suspended 2 games for Hagel hit

Associated Press

Apr 29, 2025, 07:28 PM ET

NEW YORK — Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended for two games for elbowing Lightning forward Brandon Hagel in the head midway through Game 4 of Florida’s first-round series against Tampa Bay.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced its ruling after a phone hearing with Ekblad earlier Tuesday. He will be out for Game 5 and either Game 6 of this series or the Panthers’ first game in the next round.

No penalty was called when Ekblad hit Hagel in the chin with his right elbow and forearm with just under nine minutes left in the second period on Monday night. Hagel left the ice and did not return, and Ekblad scored the first of two goals in 11 seconds late in the third to give the defending Stanley Cup champions a comeback victory and a 3-1 series lead.

Coach Jon Cooper said Hagel would not play in Game 5. Hagel was suspended for Game 3 for his late hit that knocked Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov out of Game 2.

Ekblad missed the first two games of the playoffs and the final 18 of the regular season after being suspended for violating the league and NHLPA’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Florida got accustomed to playing without Ekblad.

“If it’s the first time it happens, there’s even questions from the coaching staff about what’s the right adjustment to make in your lineup and how will that play out — there’s a lot of unknown,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “Because we’ve been through it so much when Aaron’s out, we know what the D-pairs are — let’s assume — if he’s out of the lineup.”

Another Florida defenseman, Niko Mikkola, was fined $5,000 for boarding Tampa Bay’s Zemgus Girgensons. Mikkola was given a five-minute major and ejected for the play early in the third period of Game 4.

Sports

Tocchet quits; Canucks 8th team seeking a coach

Published

6 hours ago

April 30, 2025

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Tocchet quits; Canucks 8th team seeking a coach

Ryan S. ClarkApr 29, 2025, 05:05 PM ET
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Add Rick Tocchet to the list of available coaching options on the open market with the Vancouver Canucks announcing Tuesday that Tocchet left the team.

There had been a belief that Tocchet’s time with the Canucks could be coming to an end. Last week saw the discussion of Tocchet’s future with the franchise come under greater focus, with Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford saying they weren’t exercising their option on Tocchet’s contract before adding that they offered him a new, more lucrative deal to remain in Vancouver.

But now? Tocchet joins the list of sought-after coaching candidates and the Canucks become the eighth NHL team that will use this offseason to go through a coaching search.

“After a very long and thorough process, unfortunately Rick has decided to leave the Vancouver Canucks,” Rutherford said in a statement. “This is very disappointing news, but we respect Rick’s decision to move to a new chapter in his hockey career. We did everything in our power to keep him but at the end of the day, Rick felt he needed a change.”

In the same news conference in which Rutherford said the team offered Tocchet a new deal, he also said that Tocchet “may have his mind somewhere else” before adding that he felt Tocchet and his staff did “a good job coaching this team this year” as they did in their first full campaign.

Tocchet was a midseason hire during the 2022-23 season. His first full year in charge saw the Canucks win 50 games, finish with 109 points and win the Pacific Division. He led the Canucks to their first postseason appearance since the 2019-20 season and was a win away from advancing to the Western Conference finals.

Entering this season, the Canucks had most of their players from their playoff team. They started strong with a 15-8-5 record but encountered numerous on-ice and off-ice problems that would prove too large.

Among them was the friction between star forwards J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson. The tension between Miller and Pettersson reached a stage in which Canucks captain Quinn Hughes publicly acknowledged there was an issue with Miller and Pettersson denying such issues.

Miller would be traded to the New York Rangers before the trade deadline, and the Canucks struggled to find someone who could replace his production. They would finish six points behind the St. Louis Blues for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.

Still, Tocchet had the support of Hughes, along with others within the organization who wanted him to stay.

As for what it all means going forward for both parties? Tocchet is among those who will join Mike Sullivan, who parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday after winning two Stanley Cups in 10 seasons, as one of the most attractive names for teams seeking a new bench boss.

Then there are the teams that need a coach. It’s a list that includes the Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Seattle Kraken, plus the Penguins and now the Canucks.

“I’m choosing to move on from the Vancouver Canucks,” Tocchet said. “Family is a priority, and with my contract lapsing, this becomes an opportune time. While I don’t know where I’m headed, or exactly how this will play out for me over the near term, I feel like this is the right time for me to explore other opportunities around hockey.”