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NEW YORK — The New York Rangers had the NHL’s best record last season. Now, 27 games in, they are mired in the middle of the pack with eight losses in their past 10 games.

Three days after trading captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks, the Rangers lost for the second straight day — 2-1 at home to the league-worst Chicago Blackhawks. This time, the underperforming squad heard boos multiple times from the crowd at Madison Square Garden, where New York has lost eight of 15 games this season.

“We’re not feeling great about that — for sure,” said Artemi Panarin, New York’s leading scorer, who was held without a point by his former team Monday. “We’ve got to play better so we don’t hear that anymore.”

The Blackhawks — who hadn’t won a game away from home in more than five weeks — played a solid road game featuring crisp execution, stout defense and minimal mistakes. The Rangers took 30 shots and managed just a short-handed goal by Will Cuylle against backup goalie Arvid Soderblom, who came in 1-6-1.

It was the second straight game in which New York was beaten by a second-string goaltender following Sunday’s 7-5 loss to Seattle’s Philipp Grubauer in a game in which they squandered a 3-1 lead.

“The execution was off all night. Could be fatigue. Could be mental. Could be anything,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said after the Blackhawks skated off with just their ninth victory in 28 games. “Regardless, it’s unacceptable. We’ve got to be better than that. You’re not going to win hockey games if you can’t execute.”

The Rangers started 12-4-1 but are 2-8-0 since winning 4-3 at Vancouver on Nov. 19. Trouba and his $8 million annual salary were sent away, creating cap space but leaving them without a true physical force on defense.

New York’s star goaltender Igor Shesterkin — whose eight-year, $92 million contract extension was announced Saturday — is 9-10-1 with six losses in his past seven decisions.

Laviolette emphasized that his team’s leadership group — now minus Trouba — will have to step up for the Rangers to rise in the standings.

“The only answers are going to come from that room,” Laviolette said. “We’ve got to be better than we were tonight.”

For 33-year-old forward Chris Kreider, the most senior Ranger, a potential answer exists in bringing the right mindset and producing sustained effort. New York visits Buffalo on Wednesday before returning home to face the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

“We have get back to work and show we can play the right way,” he said. “And we have to do that for 60 minutes.”

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D-backs star Marte’s home robbed during break

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D-backs star Marte's home robbed during break

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A home belonging to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was burglarized during the Major League Baseball All-Star break, according to police.

Scottsdale, Arizona, police confirmed that the department is investigating a “high-dollar residential burglary” that is believed to have happened on Tuesday night, which is when Marte was playing for the National League in its All-Star game win in Atlanta.

Numerous personal items and jewelry were stolen. No one was at home when the burglary occurred.

Police said the home is “reportedly” owned by Marte. Maricopa County Assessor’s Office records show Marte owns a home on the block near the investigation.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

Marte hit a two-run double in the first inning of the NL’s win, which was secured after a home run contest at the end of the game after the score was tied after nine innings.

The burglary is the latest in a series of thefts from the homes of high-profile athletes across the country this year. Players have been targeted because of the high-end products believed to be in their homes and sometimes the thefts occur when they are away with their teams for road games.

The FBI has warned sports leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to athletes.

A Seattle man was charged last month in connection with a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent active and retired professional athletes in the area.

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Cubs icon Sandberg ‘continuing to fight’ cancer

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Cubs icon Sandberg 'continuing to fight' cancer

Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg said Wednesday he is “continuing to fight” cancer and is prioritizing time with those closest to him.

He posted a letter addressed to his fans and extended baseball family on Instagram.

“I wanted to share an update regarding my health,” wrote Sandberg, 65. “It’s been a challenging few months as I have been going through treatment on a regular basis.

“While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.

“I haven’t been to Wrigley Field as much as I hoped in the first half but I’m watching every game and am excited for the second half.”

He threw out the first pitch, surrounded by fellow Cubs greats, before the home opener on April 4.

In January 2024, Sandberg announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, then last August announced he was cancer-free. In December, he said the cancer had recurred and spread. He vowed to “continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this.”

Sandberg spent 15 of his 16 major league seasons with the Cubs, along with 13 games at the start of his career for the Philadelphia Phillies (1981).

Sandberg was the 1984 National League MVP, when he batted a career-high .314 with a major-league-leading 19 triples and 114 runs scored as well as 19 home runs, 84 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.

The second baseman also earned the second of his nine career Gold Glove awards that year. He was a 10-time All-Star selection and a seven-time Silver Slugger honoree, batting .285 with 282 home runs and 1,061 RBIs in his 2,164-game career.

Sandberg, who was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, also spent parts of three seasons (2013-15) as the Phillies’ manager.

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Rangers give All-Star bonus to snubbed Eovaldi

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Rangers give All-Star bonus to snubbed Eovaldi

Despite an excellent first half to the season, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t selected as an All-Star this year, but the team made sure that he’ll be paid like one.

Despite the snub, Eovaldi was given the $100,000 All-Star bonus in his contract by the Rangers after he posted a 1.58 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 91 innings. Teammate Jacob deGrom, who was selected as an All-Star, also received a $100,000 bonus.

Eovaldi, in his 15th major league season, would lead the majors in ERA, but after missing a month due to a triceps injury, he fell six innings short of the necessary 97 innings to qualify among leaders for individual statistical categories.

Eovaldi, a two-time All-Star, won his third straight game on Sunday to improve to 7-3, giving up five hits and a run with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings against the Houston Astros.

The right-hander ranks second only to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal among MLB starting pitchers in WHIP (0.85) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.71). Opposing batters are hitting a paltry .194 with a .237 on-base percentage, .286 slugging percentage and .523 OPS against Eovaldi.

Eovaldi is scheduled to make his first start of the second half at home on Sunday against Skubal and the Tigers at Globe Life Field.

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