Jan 23, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Carson Soucy (24) and San Jose Sharks left wing William Eklund (72) fight for control of the puck during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
New York Rangers defenseman Carson Soucy will be held out of the team’s lineup Monday against the Boston Bruins ahead of a trade with the New York Islanders, as first reported by Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic.
Soucy, a 31-year-old, 6-foot-5 left-shot defenseman, is in the final year of a three-year, $3.25 AAV contract. He was initially acquired by the Rangers from the Vancouver Canucks last March in exchange for a third-round draft pick.
The return for Soucy from the Islanders has not yet been confirmed, nor has the deal been finalized as of Monday afternoon.
The trade will mark Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury’s first major move since he sent out a letter to fans on Jan. 16 indicating the club’s intention to re-tool.
The Rangers currently sit in last place in the Eastern Conference with 48 points, seven points back of the second-to-last Ottawa Senators and 14 points below the playoff threshold. The Islanders, meanwhile, are third in the Metropolitan Division entering Monday night’s clash with the Philadelphia Flyers.
In 46 games played for the Blueshirts this season, Soucy has managed three goals and eight points.
The Islanders are in dire need of depth on their blue line after injuries have short-handed their unit. Alex Romanov is out for the remainder of the regular season, and Ryan Pulock was labeled “day-to-day” by head coach Patrick Roy prior to Saturday’s loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
It has left general manager Mathieu Darche with an inconsistent rotation of fringe veterans and minor-league options, whether that be Adam Boqvist, Cole McWard, or Isaiah George, who made his 2025-26 debut on Saturday.
Soucy will at least bolster the left side of the Islanders’ third defensive pairing. Who he will line up alongside remains the bigger question. If Pulock does not miss too much time, veteran Scott Mayfield can flex down to that bottom pairing. If he is out for a considerable stretch, though, George could either pay on his off-side, or Boqvist will slot in next to Soucy.
A trade between the Rangers and Islanders is as rare as they come when it comes to NHL swaps. The local rivals have completed only three trades together since the Islanders entered the league in 1972. This would be the first since 2010 when the Rangers acquired Jyri Niemi for a sixth-round draft pick. The first two came in 1972.
For more on the Rangers, Islanders, and Carson Soucy, visit AMNY.com
Students are drilled for tests instead of inspired to learn. This isn’t education — it’s demoralization.
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Demoralized
I’m the parent of two recent Houston ISD graduates who lived through the state takeover of the district. I hoped it would bring positive change. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Under Superintendent Mike Miles, Houston children are drilled for tests instead of inspired to learn. Students deliberately answer questions wrong to avoid “team centers,” where success means more worksheets. This isn’t education — it’s demoralization.
I urge Fort Worth ISD to fight the state takeover. Protect your schools, your teachers and your students’ futures.
– Heather Golden,Houston
Priced out
When I was a kid, it was possible to return enough soda bottles or mow enough lawns to pay for a ticket to see the Rangers play. Now that I’m retired, I’ll never enjoy another game because of the high ticket and concession prices. Had I known the cost of going to the State Fair this year, I would have stayed longer last year.
It’s sad that so many normal folks can’t afford to enjoy what used to be the little things in life.
– Ray Flenniken,Fort Worth
Clean it up
Guest commentary author Matthew Kandrach is wrong: Coal isn’t the answer to lowering energy costs, period. (Oct. 31, “Electric bills are rising fast. Here’s how coal plants can help”) Coal power is more expensive than ever because of the high cost of maintaining aging plants, rising fuel prices and environmental cleanup requirements.
Renewable energy such as wind and solar is now the cheapest source of new electricity. Once generation is built and connected to the electrical grid and battery storage facilities, renewables have no fuel costs and protect consumers from global price spikes, while also creating local jobs and, most important, not contributing further environmental damage. If we want affordable, reliable energy for the future, we should invest in clean, renewable power — not return to outdated, costly, dirty coal.
– Andrea Christgau,Keller
Wrong choice
I always read the Star-Telegram Editorial Board’s endorsements for elections, and I generally trust and agree with the information you provide. However, your choice of John Huffman for the Texas Senate was surprising. (Oct. 19, C6, “Star-Telegram endorsement: Tarrant election to fill state Senate seat”)
Perhaps the intent was to draw a distinction between two Republicans, Huffman and Leigh Wambsganss, but you could instead endorse the Democrat, Taylor Rehmet. He is an up-and-coming leader, who is enthusiastically trying to represent unions and working people.
Huffman’s campaign literature says he will defend schools against extreme “woke” indoctrination, ban so-called “critical race theory” and protect women and girls by keeping men out of their sports. I think it’s way past time for the Star-Telegram to call out these candidates who have nothing to offer except this kind of inflammatory nonsense.
– Penny Baxter,North Richland Hills
Power grabs
We have a constitutional amendment election Tuesday. This Texas Legislature doesn’t need another victory for its power grabs and poor spending decisions. Vote against all 17 amendments. That would send a strong message that we are sick of Gov. Greg Abbott and his cronies.
– Robert Adams,Fort Worth
Our fault
For the last 80 years, Congress has steadily ceded its constitutional powers to the presidency. If an autocracy is pending, we have done this to ourselves. I do not care if our next senators and representatives from Texas are Democrats, Republicans or independents. I want to elect candidates who will claw back from the executive those powers that rightfully belong to Congress and make it again a co-equal branch of government.
Thomson will be entering the final year of his contract, making 2026 a true make-or-break season for both Thomson and the Phillies.
Philadelphia Heartbreak
It’s been five days since the Phillies lost Game 4 of the NLDS in the most heartbreaking fashion you could imagine. The first series in MLB history to end on an error. Of course, it would happen to the Phillies.
It took me all day Friday to go through the stages of grief following the loss. I was not angry at Kerkering for a miscue throw to—the. In fact, I completely understand the mental state when you first bobble a ball. Even if you knew where you were supposed to go with the ball, the second you bobble it, panic sets in, and that’s exactly what happened. I know Kerkering can be a good reliever, and I hope he bounces back next year with us.
Different Year, Same Result
While my sympathy was with Kerkering, my anger was directed towards Rob Thomson, the entire lineup aside from JT Realmuto, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos. The big three of Turner, Schwarber, and Harper went 1-14 in the Game 4 elimination game. The third season in a row, the big guns disappeared when it mattered most. That part of it is on the players, and while Rob Thomson makes the lineup, he can’t control what pitches these guys are swinging at.
Rob Thomson controls the bullpen and who comes in certain situations. This is part of his job; Rob Thomson has been horrible at it in the postseason. In 2023, he brought Craig Kimbrel in against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which eventually led to the Phillies blowing the lead and the series. Since that series, Rob Thomson has poorly managed the bullpen when it matters the most. It’s led to the Phillies blowing leads in multiple playoff games over the last few years, including in this year’s series. Going to Kerkering with runners on was a terrible idea from the start. 8/13 inherited runners have scored on Kerkering since August. Having him in the game in that moment was a terrible decision by Rob Thomson. Even leading up to that, one might question why we walked Ohtani in the 7th inning to load the bases? Duran would walk in a run, tying the game 1-1 after Mookie Betts worked a walk. Thomson made a few questionable decisions, but it’s not solely on him to blame.
What Went Wrong?
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
I touched on the lack of production from Turner, Schwarber, and Harper before, but it’s important to know how flat-out bad these three were in this series. Aside from the Game 3 outburst, these three underperformed when the lights were the brightest. While I still want the Phillies to re-sign Kyle Schwarber, you have to wonder if he decreased his price tag following his poor October showing. Harper and Turner need to figure out a way to make their $300 million price tags worth it come October. Harper had an incredible postseason in 2023 and 2024, but his last two postseason showings have been lackluster. You aren’t gonna win many baseball games when the highest-paid players don’t show up.
Harrison Bader was injured with a groin injury, which also hurt the Phillies in terms of their lineup. Bader was such a spark for this team down the stretch, and his absence should not go unnoticed. I’m hoping the Phillies could bring him back, but the question is for how much and where he would play. If Bader did play his last game in a Phillies uniform, he was an incredible addition to this team, and it’s a shame he got injured when he did.
I tip my cap to Alec Bohm and JT Realmuto, who had really strong showings at the plate in the division series. I would love to have JT back behind the plate next year, as he is set to hit free agency. If JT walks, I expect the Phillies to possibly pursue a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for catcher Adley Rutschman. Rutschman would be a nice replacement for the Phillies if Realmuto isn’t on the team next year. With that being said, I do hope JT works out a deal and hopefully ends his career as a Phillie.
Pitching Excellence
The starting pitching once again showed up when it mattered most, despite not having Zack Wheeler. Christopher Sanchez pitched two great games and further solidified himself as a true ace during this series. Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Suarez all pitched great throughout the series as well. The starting pitching was dominant all year, and they performed well above expectations in this series.
Ranger Suarez is the only starting arm that is a free agent this upcoming winter. The big question is, do you pay Ranger Suarez knowing you have a replacement in Andrew Painter coming up? Suarez has been one of the best lefties in the game over the last two years, so although it would hurt to lose him, the Phillies might not be able to afford to keep him. It’s going to be very interesting to see where Suarez lands this upcoming offseason.
Season Conclusion
That’s officially a wrap on the Phillies’ 2025 season, as well as my first season covering the team. It was a pleasure to bring you weekly storylines and my thoughts on this ball club throughout the year. The season ended like no one could have expected, with a game-losing error. One of the main things I love about baseball is that you can shake off whatever happened in the game before and get right back at it within a day or two. But in this scenario, having to sit with this feeling all offseason is certainly going to sting.
While some fans (including myself) are still angry with this team and the result, I can already feel the excitement and optimism of opening day 2026 when the Texas Rangers come to town. Only 163 days until The Bank is packed for Opening Day on March 26, 2026!
One Last Weekly Prediction: The Seattle Mariners are going to be your 2025 World Series Champions.
This blog contains links from which we may earn a commission.Credit: SportsLogos.net
The Flyers are ready for the trials and tribulations that will come with a new season.
Roster Construction Points to Competitive Intent
Philadelphia sent five prospects to Lehigh Valley in late September. Emil Andrae, Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, Alexis Gendron, and Devin Kaplan all went to the AHL. John Tortorella stated these players lacked pro-level readiness. He wanted consistent two-way play. Barkey showed offensive skill but needed time to adjust to professional speed. Andrae came close to making the NHL roster. Management wanted more physicality from him first.
Credit: SportsLogos.net
The Flyers kept Matvei Michkov on the NHL roster. He impressed during preseason with power play creativity. Tyson Foerster earned praise from Rocky Thompson for his defensive improvements. Sean Couturier returns as the shutdown center. Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, and Travis Sanheim remain core pieces.
Trevor Zegras arrived from Anaheim in a trade completed in June. Daniel Briere explained that the move addressed their weak power play. The general manager told reporters Zegras was brought in to elevate the team’s offensive production. Briere specified that this acquisition was about competing now, not rebuilding.
Goaltending Tandem and Defensive Pairings
Ivan Fedotov left Philadelphia on September 14 for a draft pick. Samuel Ersson becomes the starting goaltender. Daniel Vladar joins as backup. This tandem replaces last year’s rotation.
Nick Seeler and Dennis Gilbert made the defensive roster at ages 32 and younger, respectively. Egor Zamula earned a spot. Jamie Drysdale also secured his position. The coaching staff balanced veterans with younger players on defense.
Helge Grans went on waivers on September 29. Management preferred he play regular minutes in the AHL rather than sit as a spare defenseman. Carson Bjarnason and Olie Lycksell were sent down earlier for similar reasons.
Wagering Angles for Flyers Playoff Push
Philadelphia’s roster changes create specific betting opportunities throughout the season. Zegras and Michkov’s offensive skills make player prop bets on assists and power play points worth tracking. Some operators offer early playoff odds with promotional incentives like this bet365 bonus code for new accounts. – others, including DraftKings and FanDuel, post division winner futures and point total markets.
The Flyers’ improved power play unit affects game total betting lines. Their transition from rebuild to competitive mode means oddsmakers will need time to adjust their models. Early-season games against Metropolitan Division rivals present value opportunities before bookmakers catch up to Philadelphia’s actual performance level. Monitoring line movements and shopping across multiple sportsbooks becomes essential for finding the best numbers on Flyers-related wagers.
Power Play Configuration Shows Promise
Michkov and Zegras logged heavy power-play minutes in exhibition games. The coaching staff described their new unit as more creative than previous versions. Charlie O’Connor reported a first unit featuring Zegras, Michkov, Tippett, Konecny, and York. This group received positive feedback during closed practices.
The penalty kill relies on Couturier and Hathaway. Coaches praised their structure and communication during camp scrimmages. Special teams improvement becomes critical for playoff positioning.
Line Chemistry and System Adjustments
Zegras and Tippett generated scoring chances together in preseason games. Reporters noted faster breakouts and more transition offense. Tortorella emphasized these elements throughout camp interviews.
The team plays with increased pace compared to previous seasons. Quick puck movement replaces the slower, grinding style of past years. This tactical change suits the skillsets of new additions.
Organizational Messaging Targets Playoffs
Brent Flahr stated the team has moved past rebuilding. He expects playoff contention. The assistant GM pointed to Zegras and Michkov as evidence of this commitment.
Contract extensions for Cates and Foerster demonstrate faith in the current group. Management actions align with their stated competitive goals. The front office believes this roster can secure a playoff spot.
Metropolitan Division Competition
The division remains tough. Rangers, Devils, and Hurricanes possess strong rosters. Washington and Pittsburgh face aging concerns but maintain veteran talent. Columbus and the Islanders are a tier above Philadelphia.
The Flyers need consistency against divisional opponents. Head-to-head records determine tiebreakers. Four-point games in March and April will decide playoff positioning.
Health and Development Factors
No major injuries occurred during training camp. Minor injuries received precautionary treatment according to the team medical staff. The absence of long-term health concerns helps Philadelphia’s chances.
Young players need continued growth. Foerster’s defensive improvements represent the type of progress required. Michkov must adapt to NHL physicality over 82 games. Drysdale and Zamula face similar developmental curves on defense.
Leadership Structure Supports Youth
Sean Couturier expressed belief in the current group. His comments to the media emphasized results over rebuilding rhetoric. Konecny provides secondary leadership alongside Couturier.
Zegras integrated smoothly, according to coaches and reporters. Veterans accepted him quickly. This chemistry matters for maintaining consistency through difficult stretches.
Analytical Projections
Philadelphia improved its forward depth substantially. Adding Zegras addresses the center ice weakness. Michkov provides the offensive talent missing in recent seasons.
The defense remains average. Sanheim anchors the group adequately. Questions persist about second and third pairing reliability. Goaltending with Ersson as the starter presents uncertainty.
Most projection models place Philadelphia between 85 and 92 points. This range straddles the playoff cutline. Small margins will determine their fate. Performance against direct competition for wild-card spots becomes essential.
The Flyers control their destiny through divisional play. Their upgraded offense should produce more goals. Special teams improvement adds wins to the standings. Avoiding extended losing streaks keeps them in contention.
Philadelphia enters 2025-26 with legitimate playoff aspirations.
Management assembled a roster capable of competing. Execution determines outcomes over 82 games.
The Florida Panthers pose with the Prince of Wales Trophy after defeating the New York Rangers in Game 6 to win the Eastern Conference finals of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Saturday, June 1, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — The Prince of Wales Trophy was carried onto the ice when time expired, as an arena filled with Florida Panthers fans roared in delight and dozens of players and staffers rushed over to pose with the prize.
Last year, the Panthers defied tradition and touched the trophy.
This year, they didn’t. The message was clear. The Stanley Cup is the only one they want.
For the second straight year, they have a chance at hockey’s greatest prize. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 23 shots, Sam Bennett and Vladimir Tarasenko scored, and the Florida Panthers are headed to the Stanley Cup Final once again after beating the New York Rangers 2-1 on Saturday night.
“We touched it last year and it didn’t work for us,” Bennett said of ignoring the trophy, the one presented to the Eastern Conference champions. “So, we thought we’d try something different this year.”
The Panthers — who lost the Cup final to Vegas last year — won the East title series in six games. Florida will face either Edmonton or Dallas for the Cup, that series set to start on June 8.
Artemi Panarin scored with 1:40 left and Igor Shesterkin stopped 32 shots for the Rangers, who had a 2-1 lead in the series — then lost three straight, costing them their season. It was New York’s longest losing streak since mid-January and means that, for the 11th consecutive year, the team that finishes with the NHL’s best regular season record won’t go on to win the Stanley Cup.
“Listen, our guys fought this year,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “They bought in right from the start. It’s disappointing; when you start something like this you don’t do it to get three wins in the playoffs or five wins in the playoffs. You do it to go the whole way.”
If Edmonton — which leads the West final 3-2 — advances, Game 1 of the title round will be on Florida’s ice. If Dallas wins the West, the Stars will have home-ice advantage for the title series. The Oilers can clinch that series on Sunday night.
Florida will play for the Stanley Cup for the third time. The Panthers were swept by Colorado in 1996 and lost 4-1 to Vegas last season. It’s also the third time in the final for Panthers coach Paul Maurice, who lost with Carolina in 2002 and then with Florida last year.
Maybe the third time is the charm for them both.
“My enjoyment of the game — and this is new for me — comes from my understanding that I’m really not that important here,” said Maurice, who, at 57, is bidding to be the second-oldest coach to ever win his first Stanley Cup; Bruce Cassidy was 58 when Vegas gave him his first title last year. “And I mean that. There’s a great line, ‘Don’t be so humble, you’re not that good.’ It’s the players. And when they’re going, they don’t need me.”
Florida’s win meant it has now been five consecutive seasons that a team from the Sunshine State won the Eastern Conference; Tampa Bay won the Prince of Wales Trophy in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and now Florida has gone back-to-back. The Panthers also are now the 15th active NHL franchise to make the Stanley Cup Final in consecutive seasons.
The Panthers also ousted the regular season’s best team — the Presidents’ Trophy winner — for the second consecutive year. Last season, Florida stunned Boston in Round 1, winning Game 7 on the road. This time, it was the Rangers who fell to Florida, which became the first franchise to eliminate the No. 1 overall seed in consecutive years since Pittsburgh did it to Washington in 2016 and 2017.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Rangers center Mika Zibanejad said. “I thought we tried to throw everything we had. It just wasn’t enough today.”
And for Bobrovsky, taking down No. 1 is evidently his thing.
He was in net to beat the top overall seed for the third time in six years — the Rangers this year, the Bruins last year and Tampa Bay when he was in Columbus in 2019.
“We were right there,” Rangers captain Jacob Trouba said. “We just came up short.”
Bennett opened the scoring in the final minute of the first period, sending the puck to Evan Rodrigues, getting it back and one-timing a shot over Shesterkin’s glove into the upper right corner of the net. It was the third straight game with a goal for Bennett, matching his longest streak of the season and marking the first time he’s had such a run in a postseason.
Bennett had a takeaway near the blue line with about five minutes left in the second period that created a great chance, one that had Matthew Tkachuk skating down the slot with only Shesterkin in front of him. Shesterkin made a toe save, though Tkachuk didn’t get much on the shot since Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller swung from behind and hit him in the wrist with his stick just before the shot got off.
Tarasenko was alone on the side of the net midway through the third for an easy one, making it 2-0 and the countdown was on.
The Rangers didn’t go quietly. Shesterkin went to the bench with 2:24 left and Panarin scored 44 seconds later, cutting the Florida lead in half. But Florida killed off the rest of the clock, and with that, it was time to celebrate — without carrying the trophy away this time.
“We expected to be back here,” Tkachuk said. “Obviously, nothing’s guaranteed. But we expected this.”
The Carolina Hurricanes will not win the Metropolitan Division for a third straight season and will not capture the Presidents’ Trophy.
What the Hurricanes will do is face the New York Islanders in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second straight season.
Game 1 likely will be played either Saturday or Sunday at PNC Arena as the Canes host the first two games of the best-of-7 playoff series. The league will release the complete playoff schedule later in the week.
The New York Rangers clinched the Metro on Monday by winning their final regular-season game, shutting out the Ottawa Senators 4-0 to finish with 114 points. The Rangers (55-23-4) also won the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL team finishing the regular season with the most points.
The Hurricanes, who close out the regular season Tuesday at Columbus, have 111 points and will finish second in the Metro, setting up the first-round playoff series against the third-place Islanders.
While the Tampa Bay Lightning, with 96 points, have clinched the first wild-card spot in the East, the fight continues for the second spot. The Washington Capitals, with 89 points, maintained their slim grip on the second wild card Monday with a 2-0 win over the Boston Bruins.
In the Atlantic Division, the Bruins have a one-point lead over the Florida Panthers, each with one game left. The Bruins (109 points) host the Senators and the Panthers are at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
The Hurricanes won the opening-round series against the Islanders a year ago. They won the first two games at PNC Arena, split the next two games on the road, then closed out the series with a 2-1 overtime win in Game 6 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
The Canes and Isles also faced off in 2019 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Carolina, coming off a double-overtime road win in Game 7 against the Washington Capitals in the first round, swept the Islanders in four straight games, winning the first two on the road, when the Isles home games were played at Barclays Center.
The Canes were 2-1-1 against the Islanders this season.
Something to consider heading into the 2024 playoffs: no Presidents’ Trophy winner has gone on to win the Stanley Cup the same season since the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013.
This story was originally published April 15, 2024, 10:33 PM.
In more than 40 years at The N&O, Chip Alexander has covered the N.C. State, UNC, Duke and East Carolina beats, and now is in his 15th season on the Carolina Hurricanes beat. Alexander, who has won numerous writing awards at the state and national level, covered the Hurricanes’ move to North Carolina in 1997 and was a part of The N&O’s coverage of the Canes’ 2006 Stanley Cup run.
New York Rangers’ Chris Kreider (20) celebrates with Jimmy Vesey (26) and Artemi Panarin (10) after scoring an empty-net goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in New York. The Rangers won 4-1. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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The wheeling and dealing of the 2024 NHL trade deadline permeated into the New York metropolitan area — two-thirds of it, at least.
As sellers, the New Jersey Devils began taking away parts of a team that has been one of the NHL’s most disappointing sides this year after finishing second in the Metropolitan Division last season.
Across the Hudson, the Rangers made a few tweaks to areas of need in hopes of cementing a push for a deep playoff run. A little further out east, the Islanders decided to stand pat amidst a hot streak that has resurrected their playoff hopes.
Here is how we graded the moves of each local team:
New Jersey Devils: C-
The Devils needed legitimate goaltending all season but waited until it was much too late to pull off a pair of moves — acquiring Jake Allen and Kaapo Kahkonen. They already fired head coach Lindy Ruff and traded Tyler Toffoli to Winnipeg on deadline day as a result of being in sixth place out of eight teams in the Metropolitan Division.
New York Rangers: B-
They addressed one of their biggest needs on the third line by acquiring Alex Wennberg from the Seattle Kraken to fill the void left by the season-ending injury of Filip Chytil. Jack Roslovic will also provide some forward depth amongst the bottom six.
With Jacob Trouba out for two to three weeks, general manager Chris Drury did well to get another blueliner in veteran Chad Ruhwedel. But the Rangers could have used another top-line wing option to line up alongside Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. They were linked to the likes of Jake Guentzel, who was shipped from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Carolina Hurricanes, but the prices were apparently too high — as there was a clear unwillingness to part with the likes of Kaapo Kakko or their top prospects.
New York Islanders: C+
New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee, top left, is congratulated by left wing Pierre Engvall, top right, center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) and defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, March 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
The Islanders stood pat at the trade deadline, which became more and more understandable with every win they stacked on top of each other.
After a five-game win streak, they’re two points out of a wild-card spot with two games at hand on the Tampa Bay Lightning. They are also four points out of third place in the Metropolitan Division.
This feels like the last go for major portions of the team’s foundation if they don’t see this turnaround through, which is why Lou Lamoriello likely didn’t dip into his very slim pool of draft capital and prospects to try and get a little more scoring depth or another defenseman with Scott Mayfield on LTIR.
For more on the NHL trade deadline, visit AMNY.com
CHICAGO — Mika Zibanejad scored 2:36 into overtime, and the New York Rangers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 on Friday night for their fourth consecutive victory.
Chris Kreider, Alexis Lafreniere and Jonny Brodzinski scored for New York, which carried a 3-1 lead into the third period. Kreider also set up Zibanejad’s winning goal for his 24th assist on the season.
Igor Shesterkin made 28 saves for New York in his first start since Jan. 26. The All-Star goaltender went 4-5-1 with an .863 save percentage in his previous 10 games.
The Rangers went 0 for 3 with the man advantage, running their streak of empty power plays to 14 in a row over their last six games. But Zibanejad’s 16th goal of the season, beating Petr Mrazek on the glove side, closed out the win for New York.
Nick Foligno, Jason Dickinson and Alex Vlasic scored for Chicago in its sixth consecutive loss. Mrazek made 31 stops.
Foligno started the third-period rally when he stuffed in a rebound at 13:37, and Dickinson tied it at 3 when he tipped home Seth Jones’ shot with 1:02 remaining. It was No. 11 for Foligno and a team-high 16th goal for Dickinson.
The Blackhawks outshot the Rangers 12-4 in the third period.
Chicago opened the scoring when Vlasic beat a screened Shesterkin from beyond the left circle 2:39 into the first. But Lafreniere responded for New York at 4:49, knocking home a slick setup by K’Andre Miller.
Lafreniere has three goals in his last four games and 14 on the season. The 22-year-old forward scored 16 goals in 81 games last year.
The Rangers then turned a bad break for the Blackhawks into a tiebreaking score.
Chicago forward Boris Katchouk lost a skate when he blocked a shot and was pushed to the bench by defenseman Isaak Phillips. That turned into a 2-on-1 rush for New York, and Kreider redirected Adam Fox’s pass into the goal at 6:16 for his 24th on the season.
New York opened a 3-1 lead 9:02 into the second. Brodzinski jumped on a loose puck in front for his third goal in four games and No. 4 on the season.
UP NEXT
Rangers: Host the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
Blackhawks: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Merrill Kelly pitched three-hit ball over seven innings, Ketel Marte extended his postseason hitting streak to a record 18 games and the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the Texas Rangers 9-1 on Saturday night to tie the World Series at one game apiece.
Gabriel Moreno hit a go-ahead homer in a two-run fourth against Jordan Montgomery, and Tommy Pham went 4 for 4 with a pair of doubles.
Marte added a two-run single in a three-run eighth, breaking a tie for the longest postseason hitting streak with Derek Jeter, Manny Ramírez and Hank Bauer. Marte has a hit in every postseason game he’s ever played.
A night after wasting a two-run, ninth-inning lead in a 6-5, 11-inning loss, the Diamondbacks outhit Texas 16-4 and never trailed.
Emmanuel Rivera also had a two-run single, and rookie Corbin Carroll had a pair of RBI singles. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and 38-year-old Evan Longoria each singled in a run for Arizona, which got its first World Series road win after four losses dating to 2001.
The Series, just the third between wild-card teams, shifts to Arizona for Game 3 on Monday in the first Series game at Phoenix since 2001.
Kelly, a 35-year-old right-hander, had an unusual career path. After six seasons in the minors he detoured to South Korea from 2015-18 before making his major league debut with Arizona in 2019. He went 12-8 with a 3.29 ERA in 30 starts this season and is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four postseason starts.
Kelly struck out nine, walked none and went to just one three-ball count, allowing his only run on Mitch Garver’s leadoff homer in the fifth.
Pham, a trade-deadline acquisition from the New York Mets, entered in a 3-for-29 skid that included a Game 1 homer. He singled in the second, hit opposite-field doubles to right in the fourth and sixth, and singled in the eighth. He also was picked off second base by Montgomery.
Montgomery entered 3-0 in the postseason and was coming off a win in relief in Monday’s Game 7 victory at Houston that won the AL pennant, only the second time he pitched out of the bullpen in his big league career. His velocity was down about 1.5 mph from his season average, and Diamondbacks batters failed to make contact on just two of the 37 pitches they swung at.
Moreno put Arizona ahead when Montgomery left a full-count curveball over the middle of the plate. Moreno lined the ball into Arizona’s bullpen in left-center, giving him four postseason homers and 10 RBIs in 14 games. Pham sliced a two-out double into the right-field corner and scored on Gurriel’s single for a 2-0 lead.
Arizona added a cushion in the sixth when Alek Thomas doubled to the right-center gap leading off and scored as Longoria, in his first World Series since 2008, hit a hard grounder that got past rookie third baseman Josh Jung and down the line for an RBI single.
Marte and Caroll singled in the eighth off Martín Pérez.
WEB GEMS
Jung dove into foul territory to snag Christian Walker’s fourth-inning grounder, then popped to his feet to throw out Walker at first. … Walker leaped to make a barehand grab of Jonah Heim’s fifth-inning grounder that hit first base and flipped to Kelly covering for the out.
UP NEXT
Texas RHP Max Scherzer, who is 0-1 with a 9.45 ERA in a pair of postseason starts this year, appears for his third different World Series team in Game 3 after pitching for Detroit and Washington. Rookie RHP Brandon Pfaadt has a 2.70 ERA without a decision in four postseason games for Arizona.
Adolis García hit an opposite-field homer in the 11th inning, after Corey Seager’s tying two-run shot in the ninth, and the Texas Rangers opened this surprise World Series of wild-card teams with a 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.
The Cuban slugger known as El Bombi hit a 3-1 pitch from Miguel Castro into the right-field seats beyond the glove of a leaping Corbin Carroll. It was García’s second RBI of the game, setting a record for most in one postseason with 22nd.
García has homered in five consecutive games, tied for the second-longest streak in postseason history, and he delivered the first walk-off homer in a World Series game since Max Muncy connected leading off the 18th inning for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 against Boston and Nathan Eovaldi, who started for the Rangers in this one.
Texas became the first team to win a World Series game when trailing by multiple runs in the ninth inning since the Kansas City Royals in their title-clinching Game 5 over the New York Mets in 2015.
Game 2 is Saturday night in Texas.
Seager tied the game in the ninth when he drove closer Paul Sewald’s 94 mph fastball 419 feet deep into the right-field seats for a two-run shot.
PHILADELPHIA — Corbin Carroll went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, and the Arizona Diamondbacks advanced to the World Series for the first time in 22 years Tuesday night by stunning the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series.
Arizona plays the Texas Rangers in the World Series, with Game 1 set for Friday night at Globe Life Field.
In their only other World Series, the Diamondbacks beat the New York Yankees in a seven-game thriller in 2001.
The young Diamondbacks, who at 84-78 squeezed into the playoffs as the final National League wild card, completed their comeback from an 0-2 hole in the NLCS by taking early leads in Games 6 and 7 to win the final two in Philadelphia.
Brandon Pfaadt struck out seven in four innings and five relievers combined to pitch their way out of late-inning jams for the surprising NL champs.
Bryce Harper and the rest of the Phillies are forced to ponder this offseason how they let a second straight trip to the World Series slip away. Philadelphia returned home one win from a pennant but couldn’t close it out.
HOUSTON — Adolis García homered twice and drove in five runs as the Texas Rangers reached the World Series with an 11-4 blowout of the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series on Monday night.
García went deep for the fourth straight game and set a record for RBIs in a postseason series with 15. Corey Seager got things started for the Rangers with a long home run in the first inning, and Nathaniel Lowe also went deep to give Texas — one of six major league teams without a World Series title — its first berth in the Fall Classic since consecutive trips in 2010 and 2011.
After winning their Lone Star State showdown with Houston, the wild-card Rangers open the World Series at home Friday night against Arizona or Philadelphia, who play the decisive Game 7 of their NLCS on Tuesday night.
Bruce Bochy, who came out of retirement this season to manage the Rangers, became the first skipper to win a League Championship Series with three different teams, after previously leading San Diego and San Francisco to NL pennants.
Jose Altuve hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning and the Houston Astros, after getting into another bench-clearing scuffle with the Texas Rangers, rallied for a 5-4 victory in a wild and testy Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Friday.
After winning all three games at rival Texas, the defending champion Astros head home to Houston needing one win to reach a third consecutive World Series. They lead 3-2 in the best-of-seven playoff going into Game 6 on Sunday night.
Adolis García punctuated his towering three-run homer in the sixth with a slow trot and an empathic spike of his bat after watching the ball clear the wall to give Texas a 4-2 lead.
When the slugger came to bat again with a runner on first in the eighth, Bryan Abreu hit García on the left arm with a pitch. An angry García immediately turned to get in the face of catcher Martín Maldonado — the two also jawed nose-to-nose when García touched home plate after his grand slam in Houston on July 26.
Both benches and bullpens cleared, and once things settled down, García, Abreu and Astros manager Dusty Baker had been ejected.
Vincent Trocheck scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period and Igor Shesterkin stopped a penalty shot with under five minutes remaining as the New York Rangers beat the Arizona Coyotes 2-1 on Monday night to win their home opener.
Chris Kreider also scored for the Rangers, who won for the second time in three games this season.
Trocheck’s deflection at 8:26 on the power play snapped a 1-all tie and came after Coyotes goalie Connor Ingram made a sensational pad save on Mika Zibanejad’s shot. Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin assisted on Trocheck’s first goal of the season.
Shesterkin finished with 26 saves. He denied Jason Zucker on a penalty shot at 15:12 of the third to preserve the one-goal lead.
Clayton Keller scored for Arizona.
The Coyotes had a 5-on-3 advantage for two minutes after Ryan Lindgren and Alexei Lafreniere were both penalized at 18:41 of the second, but the Rangers were able to hold off Arizona.
The Coyotes were trying to start 2-0-0 for the first time since 2015-16.
Ingram made 26 saves for the Coyotes, who open the season with a four-game trip that continues Tuesday against the New York Islanders.
The Rangers have at least one point in 16 of their last 17 games against the Coyotes. They are 14-1-2 versus Arizona since March 24, 2014, and 12-0-2 at home against the Coyotes since the 2008-09 season.
Kreider opened the scoring at 14:11 of the first with his fourth goal in three games. Zibanejad and Kappo Kakko assisted. Kreider leads the Rangers with five points.
New York defensemen have eight points in three games.
Keller tied the score on a power play at the five-minute mark of the second with assists to rookie Logan Cooley and Nick Schmaltz. The 19-year-old Cooley has three assists in two games.
Keller ripped a shot that went in off Shesterkin’s glove. The goal was the first this season for Keller, who had two assists in Arizona’s 4-3 shootout win at New Jersey last Friday. Keller has points in all six career games he’s played at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers split their first two games on the road, winning 5-1 at Buffalo and losing 5-3 at Columbus.
MILESTONES
Kreider needs three goals to tie Andy Bathgate at 272 for fourth place on the Rangers’ career list. The top three are Rod Gilbert (406), Jean Ratelle (336) and Adam Graves (280).
NOTES: The Rangers are 41-39-14-3 in home openers and 3-1-1 in their last five at Madison Square Garden. … Coyotes defenseman Matt Dumba played his 600th NHL game. … The teams meet again March 30 in Arizona. … The Coyotes scratched defenseman Josh Brown and forward Michael Carcone. … The Rangers scratched forward Jimmy Vesey and defenseman Zac Jones.
UP NEXT
Coyotes: At the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
Rangers: Host the Nashville Predators on Thursday.
Jordan Montgomery shut down the Houston Astros and Leody Taveras homered as the Texas Rangers did just enough against Justin Verlander to get a 2-0 win in the opener of the AL Championship Series on Sunday night.
Montgomery pitched five-hit ball over 6 1/3 innings and Taveras provided a two-run lead with his solo homer in the fifth. Evan Carter, a 21-year-old rookie, doubled and scored in the second and made two nifty defensive plays in left field.
“We just found a way to get a couple of runs across the board,” Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. “That was the difference in the game, obviously. But our guy was really good, Monty, terrific job he did. And he got in a couple of jams there and found a way to get out of it.”
In the ALCS for the first time since back-to-back appearances in 2010-11, the Rangers improved to 6-0 this postseason after sweeping the Rays in the Wild Card Series and the Orioles in the Division Series. The winning streak followed losses in their previous six playoff games against Toronto in the ALDS in 2015 and 2016.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Monday in Houston.
The defending champion Astros, in the ALCS for a seventh straight year, had a tough time getting anything going against Montgomery. The top four batters in Houston’s lineup were 2 for 12 with five strikeouts against the left-hander. Slugger Yordan Alvarez struck out against him three times.
Houston’s offensive woes came after it hit 16 homers and outscored the Rangers 39-10 in a three-game sweep in September. Things were much different in the first postseason meeting between these in-state rivals as they managed just five singles.
“Sometime you’ve got to say: ‘Hey, the guy threw a great game tonight against us, excellent game,’” manager Dusty Baker said. “And they say good pitching beats good hitting, but when you don’t hit, everybody wants to know what’s wrong. There’s not a whole bunch to say. He threw a real good game against us.”
Montgomery has been great in the last month, allowing just two earned runs over 27 innings in his last four starts of regular season, and posting a 2.08 ERA in three postseason starts.
Verlander allowed two runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings to mark the first time this postseason where both starters pitched into the seventh. It was the 36th postseason start for Verlander and the MLB-record 14th time he’s started a playoff series opener.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner threw 47 fastballs, getting 27 swings without a single swing and miss.
Josh Sborz walked Jose Altuve starting the eighth and was replaced by Aroldis Chapman. The Rangers turned a double play when Carter made a great grab on the track on a ball hit by Alex Bregman and Altuve was called out for not retouching second base when he retreated to first after Carter’s catch.
Altuve initially called safe, but the Rangers challenged the play, and it was overturned in a video review. Alvarez following with an inning-ending groundout.
Carter was asked about his ability to stay calm in his first playoff run.
“Oh, my gosh. This is so much fun,” he said. “That’s just all I think about. Where else would I want to be. This is awesome. I’m just trying to keep my feet grounded and just keep rolling with this team . It’s been a lot of fun.”
Jose Leclerc struck out one in a perfect ninth for the save and the Rangers’ second shutout of the playoff.
Texas’ bullpen has a 1.86 ERA in the playoffs after ranking 24th at 4.77 during the regular season.
Carter got things going for Texas with a hustle double on a grounder with one out in the second before scoring on a single by Jonah Heim. John Jung singled with two outs, Taveras walked to load the bases and Verlander limited the damage by retiring Marcus Semien on a fly ball.
Verlander had retired eight in a row when Taveras drove a hanging slider 398 feet into the seats in right field with one out in the fifth.
The Astros had chances to score in the third and fourth innings. Martín Maldonado walked with one out in the third before a two-out single by Bregman. But they were both stranded when Alvarez struck out.
Three straight singles by Chas McCormick, Mauricio Dubón and Jeremy Peña loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth. Montgomery wriggled out of the jam again when he struck out Maldonado to end the inning.
Heim walked to open the seventh and a two-out single by Taveras chased Verlander. Hector Neris took over and retired the next two batters.
Carter robbed Bregman of a hit with one out in the first. He sprinted before leaping to make the catch and crashing into the scoreboard wall in left field and knocking out one of squares.
UP NEXT
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (0-1, 10.38 ERA) opposes RHP Nathan Eovaldi (2-0, 1.32) in Game 2. Eovaldi grew up in suburban Houston and attended Alvin High School, which is also the alma mater of Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan.
“It’s awesome,” Eovaldi said. “I’m going to have a lot of friends and family here for the game. Anytime we’re in this stage in this moment right here, being this close to the World Series, it’s a big deal. Doesn’t matter where we’re playing at, it’s a big honor for us to be here.”
“David Fielding” was only paid $150 to play Zordon in 1993’s Power Rangers. He shared that he only showed up to work one day at the Power Rangers recording set, and he was never called back, Zordon was in every episode of Power Rangers in 1993.
New York Islanders’ Anders Lee (27) celebrates with Mathew Barzal, Noah Dobson (8), Oliver Wahlstrom … [+] (26) and Alexander Romanov (28) after scoring the game winning goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in New York. The Islanders won 4-3. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
In recent times, the Rangers and Islanders never see their playoff schedules intersect where they play each other to decide who advances. Neither do the Knicks and Nets but occasionally the regular season schedule unfolds in a way where both rivalries play out on consecutive nights such as this week.
The Rangers and Islanders last played a playoff series in 1994, the first and easiest four of the 16 the Rangers needed to stop hearing chants of 1940 which ultimately happened on June 14, 1994.
The same year the Knicks dispatched the Nets in four games in a best-of-five before going the distance to eliminate the Bulls in the only full season of Michael Jordan’s hiatus and the Pacers, who would prove to be as much of a nemesis as the Jordan Bulls.
By the time the teams played each other again in the playoffs it was 10 years later with the Nets as a top seed against the Knicks, who got in by winning 37 games, prompting then team president Isiah Thomas to say, “Welcome to the Playoffs.”
Since 2004, the Nets and Knicks have seldom been good at the same time. In 2013, they were separated by six games with the Knicks winning the division and the Nets getting the fourth seed, It took eight more seasons for the teams to finish over .500 at the same time again when the Knicks stunningly made a late run for the fourth seed and the Nets finished second.
It is unknown if the rivalries in two different sports unfold in a playoff series next spring. First, the teams actually have to get there and in the early going the four teams might be providing some early clues about where their respective seasons may be headed.
Starting with hockey after two wins over the Rangers, the Islanders are on impressive 7-1-0 run in their past eight games. It started with a matter of fact 3-0 win on Hempstead Turnpike right near the Queens county line on Oct. 26 – three days after the Astros eliminated the Yankees and officially shifting the weeknight focus of area sports fans to the winter sports and baseball trade rumors.
It also featured three wins of overcoming multi-goal deficits, including one over the defending champion Colorado Avalanche AVAX . The other two came in a span of 24 hours, first when the Islanders rallied from a two-goal deficit for a 4-3 win over Calgary and then Tuesday in an impressive third period where their scoring opportunities resulted in goals — a blast by Adam Pelech, another blast by Brock Nelson and a backhander by Anders Lee in front of the net.
“We’ll take that sometimes. Not all the time,” Lee said after noting how previous experience does not faze the Islanders when trailing by multiple goals.
The final goal came after Oliver Wahlstrom may have tripped Kakko Kappo, but not on the second Tuesday of November. Still the missing whistle was apparent to Rangers coach Gerard Gallant, who avoided a fine when he merely said: “You guys saw it?” in response to an inquiry about his reaction.
“We lost a tough hockey game, tough to swallow,” Gallant said. “We played well. We deserved the game tonight. The Islanders are the best team in the league in the third period.”
New York Islanders’ Brock Nelson (29) smiles after scoring a goal during the third period of an NHL … [+] hockey game as New York Rangers’ Filip Chytil (72) reacts Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in New York. The Islanders won 4-3. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
The non-call going against the Rangers was part of a rough patch for a team, whose season lasted through June 11 with a run to Game 6 of the conference finals, which usually get done around Memorial Day. The tough third period was a better showing than Sunday when the Rangers switched up their lines but still sent them to a seventh loss in 10 games (3-4-3) and it’s a stretch that has created some of the urgent comments you tend to hear when a team slides.
“I don’t think it’s lost on anybody, the start we’ve had,’’ Rangers captain Jacob Trouba said. “Time is a-ticking. We don’t have all the time in the world. We’ve got to find a way to play a better game.’’
A night later the Knicks and Nets got together in Brooklyn. By about 10 pm, both sported five wins with different paths on how they got there.
New York Knicks’ Julius Randle (30) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against … [+] the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, in New York. The Nets won 112-85. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
In their third season under Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks are a typical hovering around .500 team, winning games they are supposed to, losing to teams you would expect and occasionally beating a good team missing a key contributor.
As for the Nets, their path to reaching 5-7 with their impressive 112-85 win on Wednesday is well unique to say the least.
They entered the fourth season of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving after both their stars appeared to be seeking an exit and Durant went so far to request Steve Nash and Sean Marks be replaced before eventually dropping his desire.
Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the … [+] New York Knicks Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Then they began with five losses in six games, got a win in their seventh game and then parted ways with Steve Nash on Nov. 1 and four days after Kyrie Irving posted a link to an antisemitic movie then grew defensive in an embarrassing press conference on Oct. 29 after lack of effort resulted in the Nets allowing 23 3-pointers.
Nash’s replacement was Jacque Vaughn and for a week it seemed like he was a placeholder, similar to the 14 games spread out over five-plus months in 2020 after Kenny Atkinson got the parted ways treatment. It seemed he was a temporary because of the questionable reported pursuit of Ime Udoka, who would be coaching the Celtics if not for his allegations of inappropriate conduct.
By Wednesday afternoon, the Nets decided to remove the interim tag after seeing the defense allow 96 points in their first four games under him. Considering the move came a day after election day, it prompted a quip from Vaughn.
“I guess I was the write-in candidate in the minds of elections right now, but I’m ok with that. I said to my wife, I might not have been her first choice and we’ve been together 20 years, so it can all work out. So, off we go.”
A few hours after his wisecrack, he was beaming as the Nets did things like hand out 30 assists, get 55 rebounds and lead by double-digits for 42-plus minutes.
It left the Knicks lamenting a night when they constantly hoisted bad looking 3-pointers (12 for 43), made defense seem optional and lost their eighth straight to the Nets, whose effort continued to increase.
“It’s not OK,” Knicks guard Jalen Brunson said.
Just like it wasn’t an OK result for the other MSG tenant a night earlier against the team who has owned them of late on the ice.
