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NEW YORK — No team in the NHL this season has lost in overtime or the shootout more than the New York Islanders. But all of those losses add up to the Islanders remaining in control of their playoff fate after their 3-2 shootout loss to the rival New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

“We can’t be disappointed with it. Every point matters here down the stretch. It’s obviously very tight within the division and within the wild card, so it’s a big point today on the road against a great hockey team,” Islanders captain Anders Lee said. “The extra point could have gone either way in a shootout or overtime.”

It was the 16th time the Islanders lost after regulation, one more than the Boston Bruins (15) have this season. The point they earned for a regulation tie against the Rangers gave the Islanders 90 points in 80 games, good for third in the Metropolitan Division. They have games at the New Jersey Devils (April 15) and at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins (April 17) still on the schedule.

The Islanders are now five points ahead of the Washington Capitals (3 games remaining), Detroit Red Wings (3 games remaining) and Philadelphia Flyers (2 games remaining), the three teams currently outside the Eastern Conference wild card spots.

The Capitals host the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Red Wings are in Toronto and the Flyers host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. The Islanders can clinch a playoff spot if the Red Wings and Capitals both lose in regulation.

The Islanders have a four-point lead over the Penguins, who host the Bruins on Saturday night while holding down the final wild card spot with 86 points. Pittsburgh hosts Nashville on April 15 before finishing the season at the Islanders, in a game that could still determine everything from seeding in the Metropolitan Division to whether the Penguins or Isles are even in the postseason.

The Rangers, who set a franchise record with their 54th win of the season, moved three points ahead of Carolina for first place in the Metro. The Rangers only have one game remaining vs. Ottawa on April 15, while Carolina finishes with games at Chicago (April 14) and Columbus (April 16).

The Rangers rallied to beat the Islanders on Saturday, as Artemi Panarin scored a game-tying goal at 15:43 of the third period and Vincent Trocheck had the definitive goal in the shootout. Igor Shesterkin made 33 saves, including a brilliant one on Islanders star Mathew Barzal late in overtime.

But the Islanders picked up a point, and that could make all the difference in the final standings.

“It’s a big point for us, but in the same way, we would have loved to have those two points, don’t get me wrong,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. “But at the same time, like I said, it was a hard-fought game. Both teams had their chances.”

The Islanders took three of four points against the Rangers in their past two meetings, playing well against the team with the NHL’s best record. But players such as Brock Nelson didn’t want to get ahead of themselves in looking ahead to a possible playoff meeting with the Rangers, whom the Islanders haven’t faced in a playoff series since the 1993-94 season.

“That’s probably a little too far ahead I guess for us. We’re happy at the point now,” Nelson said. “I think we’re watching some other games to kind of see what happens, but for us, we’re just trying to fight for the next game and kind of control our own destiny.”

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Utes’ Whittingham reenergized after ’24 free fall

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Utes' Whittingham reenergized after '24 free fall

FRISCO, Texas — A dynamic new quarterback, a new offensive system and two projected first-round picks up front have Utah coach Kyle Whittingham feeling enthusiastic about the Utes’ chances of bouncing back from a disastrous debut season in the Big 12.

Utah was voted No. 1 in the Big 12 preseason poll last year after joining from the Pac-12, but a brutal run of injuries and inconsistency resulted in a seven-game conference losing streak and a 5-7 finish — the program’s first losing season since 2013.

After weeks of contemplation about his future and what was best for the program, Whittingham, the third-longest-tenured head coach in FBS, decided in December to return for his 21st season with the Utes.

“The bottom line and the final analysis was I couldn’t step away on that note,” Whittingham told ESPN at Big 12 media days Wednesday. “It was too frustrating, too disappointing. As much as college football has changed with all the other factors that might pull you away, that was the overriding reason: That’s not us, that’s not who we are. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not want to miss the opportunity to try to get that taste out.”

“The bottom line and the final analysis was I couldn’t step away on that note. It was too frustrating, too disappointing. … That’s not us. That’s not who we are. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not want to miss the opportunity to try to get that taste out.”

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham on going 5-7 in 2024

Whittingham and Utes defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley conducted a national search for a new offensive coordinator and quickly zeroed in on New Mexico‘s Jason Beck. Then they managed to land Devon Dampier, Beck’s first-team All-Mountain West quarterback, via the transfer portal.

After finishing 11th nationally in total offense with 3,934 yards and 31 total touchdowns and putting up the fourth-most rushing yards (1,166) among all FBS starters, Dampier followed his coach to Salt Lake City and immediately asserted himself as a difference-maker for a program that had to start four different QBs in 2024.

“He’s a terrific athlete,” Whittingham said. “He’s a guy that, if spring is any indication, he’s an exciting player, and we can’t wait to watch him this season. … He’s got that ‘it’ factor. He’s a leader. Needless to say, very excited to see what he does for us.”

They’ve surrounded Dampier with 21 more newcomers via the transfer portal and will protect him with two returning starters at tackle in Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, who are projected first-round NFL draft picks by ESPN’s Matt Miller.

“We feel they’re the best tandem in the country,” Whittingham said. “The offensive line in general, I feel, it’s the best since I’ve been there. And that’s quite a statement. We’ve had some really good offensive lines. We’ve got two first-rounders and three seniors inside that have played a lot of good football for us. That better be a strength of ours, and that’s what we’re counting on.”

Whittingham has previously said he did not want to coach past the age of 65. Now that he’s 65, he acknowledges that he might’ve arrived at a different decision about his future had the Utes ended up winning the Big 12 in 2024. He is reenergized about getting them back into contention, but he’s not ready to say whether this season might be his last.

“The best answer I can give you is, right now, I’m excited and passionate about going to work every single day,” Whittingham said. “As soon as that changes, I’ll know it’s time. I’m just counting on knowing when the time is right. I can’t tell you exactly what the circumstances will be other than losing the fire in the belly.”

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MLB to utilize ABS challenge system during ASG

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MLB to utilize ABS challenge system during ASG

The automated ball-strike system is coming to the All-Star Game next week in Atlanta.

MLB officials added the feature to the annual exhibition game knowing it could be a precursor to becoming a permanent part of the major leagues as soon as next year.

The same process used this past spring training will be used for the Midsummer Classic: Each team will be given two challenges with the ability to retain them if successful. Only a pitcher, catcher or hitter can ask for a challenge and it has to happen almost immediately after the pitch. The player will tap his hat or helmet indicating to the umpire he wants to challenge while any help from the dugout or other players on the field is not allowed.

MLB officials say 72% of fans who were polled during spring training said the impact of ABS on their experience at the game was a “positive” one. Sixty-nine percent said they’d like it part of the game moving forward. Just 10% expressed negativity toward it.

MLB’s competition committee will meet later this summer to determine if ABS will be instituted next season after the league tested the robotic system throughout the minor leagues and spring training in recent years. Like almost any rule change, there were mixed reviews from players about using ABS but nearly all parties agree on one point: They prefer a challenge system as opposed to the technology calling every pitch.

As was the case in spring training, once a review is initiated, an animated replay of the pitch will be shown on the scoreboard and the home plate umpire will either uphold the call or overturn it. ABS uses Hawk-Eye system technology which tracks the pitch trajectory and location in relation to the strike zone, providing an instant assessment which can be relayed to the home plate umpire.

The All-Star Game will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday.

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Royals sign former Cy Young winner Keuchel

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Royals sign former Cy Young winner Keuchel

The Kansas City Royals have signed former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract, the team announced Wednesday.

The 37-year-old left-hander will start at Triple-A Omaha and will earn a prorated $2 million salary if he reaches the big leagues, sources tell ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Keuchel has not pitched in the majors for nearly a full calendar year. He elected to become a free agent on July 18, 2024, after being designated for assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers.

In four starts with the Brewers last season, Keuchel had a 5.40 ERA in 16 2/3 innings without a decision. In 13 major league seasons, the 2015 American League Cy Young winner with the Houston Astros is 103-92 with a 4.04 ERA in 282 appearances (267 starts).

After pitching his first seven seasons with the Astros, Keuchel has made appearances for six different teams since 2019. He won a World Series with Houston in 2017 and is a two-time All-Star selection and five-time Gold Glove winner.

Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.

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