Eetu Luostarinen notched the first two-goal game of his career, leading the host Florida Panthers to a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night in Sunrise, Fla. It was Florida's sixth straight win over Montreal and the Panthers' fourth consecutive victory overall. Both of Luostarinen's goals came on the power play against Montreal, which ranked 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage entering Saturday. Sam Bennett also scored and had an assist for the Panthers. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Aaron Ekblad each provided two assists. Carter Verhaeghe sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Cole Caufield scored a power-play goal for Montreal. Both goalies got their first action in 12 days. Florida's Anthony Stolarz made 18 saves to snap his two-game w…
data-mm-id=”_ua8d6cmy6″>Buddy Hield is one of the sweetest-shooting guards in the NBA. He played a big part in Sacramento's resurgence from perennial bottom-feeders to average NBA team last season, spacing the floor by shooting nearly eight threes per game and sinking them at a 42 percent clip. He's up for an extension this season, and the Kings have already made an offer of $90 million over four years. Hield, safe to say, wasn't a fan, telling reporters after last night's preseason game he viewed the offer as an insult. From Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee: ““I see it like an insult,” Hield said. “I feel like I’m worth more than that. If you say I’m your guy and you want to build around me, I just need you to show it. Actions speak louder than words.…
data-mm-id=”_jf3u7v6z1″>Mookie Betts might be moved this offseason, as the Boston Red Sox attempt to cut payroll. They also have discussed trading the superstar to get something in return for him before he hits free agency in 2021. Betts has slashed .319/.413/.578 with 61 home runs, 160 RBIs, 264 runs and 46 stolen bases over the past two seasons. He's an elite corner outfield target. He's in his final year of arbitration and could make as much as $30 million next year. Obviously there's a lot of interest in the 27-year-old former American League MVP, but the asking price will be high. Still, the Red Sox are already getting bites. The latest updates are below.Dodgers have opened trade talksThe Dodgers have been focused on adding Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lind…
data-mm-id=”_ou2ryryrj”>The Houston Texans opened up free agency by trading DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals. It was a shocking blockbuster deal that had many shaking their heads. Cardinals get: WR DeAndre Hopkins and a 4th-round pick.Texans get: RB David Johnson, a second-round pick and a 2021 fourth-round pick.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020Here's a look at the winners and losers from that massive trade. WinnersKyler MurrayHoo boy, this is going to be fun. The one thing Murray didn't have as a rookie was an elite, go-to No. 1 receiver. Now he's got one of the best in the NFL. Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk will form a really nice trio, giving Murray an excellent group of targets. Murray was the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Y…
data-mm-id=”_e2nq4cude”>Clayton Kershaw exorcised a lot of demons in Game 1 of this year's World Series, but if he truly wants to rewrite the narrative about him being a postseason failure, tonight is his last chance to do so. Five days after striking out eight batters and giving up only two hits and one run in six innings of work to help the Dodgers start off the World Series with an 8-3 win over the Rays, Kershaw takes the mound for the second and likely last time in this World Series with his team now tied 2-2. He could have been pitching to close out the series if the Dodgers didn't blow a ninth-inning lead in Game 4, but as things stand, Kershaw is pitching the most important game in this season, and his career, with the winner one win away from hoisting the Commissioner…
data-mm-id=”_q1ehzgbwp”>The Major League Baseball Players Association has agreed to the league's request that its members report to training camps by July 1. The 2020 season will consist of 60 games and the two sides are currently finalizing the health and safety protocols. But the bottom line is that baseball is back and will be played this season. The Major League Baseball Players Association has agreed to report to training camps by July 1 and play a 60-game season, sources tell ESPN, but deal is not finalized yet. One last health-and-safety hurdle to get over and Major League Baseball will be back a week from tomorrow.— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 23, 2020This has been a long time coming. The two sides have been negotiating a decision on the season for weeks to no avail, …
data-mm-id=”_v5oaineat”>Marcus Smart needs to be stopped. NBA referees need to stop falling for him falling. Smart is a menace to polite society and the league has to do something. They have two choices, tell officials to stop rewarding him for throwing himself on the ground or ban him for life. In case you missed it, here's what Smart and the officials teamed up to do during game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Down 1 with 22 seconds remaining the Celtics were inbounding the basketball. Kemba Walker ran towards a pick set by Smart and pushed Miami's Derrick Jones into Smart who happily dove to the floor while the officials called a foul giving the Celtics a free throw to tie it and the ball for the final shot. Kemba pushes Derrick Jones into the foul lol pic.twitter.com…
data-mm-id=”_o9c6p4e5x”>For about two blessed months, we were free of hearing about how Antonio Brown was supposedly connected to every other team in the league before nothing happened and he stayed unemployed. This blissful period is now ending. Brown's league-mandated suspension for violations of the personal conduct policy is ending after Week 8. Adam Schefter started the fireworks early. He tweeted that the Seattle Seahawks are interested, and unnamed other teams are in the running. With Antonio Brown’s suspension eligible to end after week 8, the Seattle Seahawks are now positioned to make a push to sign him, though they’re not alone, league sources tell ESPN. Other teams also are interested. pic.twitter.com/ykn1NJ6LUm— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2020It r…
data-mm-id=”_trlqbvu5n”>The New York Knicks lost their championship game last night against the suddenly-hated Brooklyn Nets. ESPN's resident homer got as worked up over the contest as Julius Randle, only his adrenaline manifested in a more humorous way. Here Stephen A. Smith is, going way over-the-top in a mildly believable dramatic performance of a new character he's been workshopping in recent weeks: Guy Who Is Convinced the Knicks Are Back. I'm getting so emotional about my @Knicks right now. I’m just so proud. Hard to put into words ? pic.twitter.com/QYEFnj0bRe— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) March 16, 2021Quite a performance. A shining example of why Smith is the highest-paid person at the network and is constantly being reimagined to create more content. He&…
data-mm-id=”_hngc9e1zb”>March is approaching which means it is almost time for everyone's favorite tournament, March Mammal Madness. Named after, but having no affiliation to, the NCAA basketball tournament, March Mammal Madness was started in 2013 at Arizona State by professor Katie Hinde. While many people make brackets of random things this time of year, March Mammal Madness has stood the test of time and gained quite a following with 15,000 followers on Facebook and nearly 30,000 followers on Twitter. More improtantly, the annual event is used by a ton of eductators. The #2022MMM materials were requested by 7000+ Educators to use March Mammal Madness with their 600,000+ students! Thank you for your patience with our technical difficulties on launch #2023MMM will be better! pic…