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Mammoth, learning about season-ending pressure, brace for Ducks’ visit

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NHL: Utah Mammoth at Vegas Golden KnightsMar 19, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) celebrates after the Mammoth defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-0 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

A potential Stanley Cup playoff preview is on the schedule for Friday when the Anaheim Ducks visit the Utah Mammoth.

The teams will be the meeting for the third time this season and the first time in Salt Lake City. The Ducks won 3-2 in overtime on Nov. 17, and the Mammoth responded with a 7-0 rout on Dec. 3.

Utah (36-27-6, 78 points), sitting in the first Western Conference wild-card spot, should be feeling good heading into the Friday tilt after shutting out the Vegas Golden Knights 4-0 on Thursday in Las Vegas.

Captain Clayton Keller scored twice in the first period and Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka made 28 saves for his second shutout of the season. Barrett Hayton had a goal and an assist for the Mammoth, who have won back-to-back games and are 5-2-2 in the past nine games.

“It’s a learning process sometimes for a lot of guys that haven’t been in that situation or played in those high-pressure situations,” Keller said, according to NHL.com, about his teammates’ status entering the stretch run. “Every game, every point matters. So, it’s good to see our group grow this year, inch by inch, and we’ve been getting better as the year has gone on.”

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Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny added, “We have to keep looking in front of us, stay humble and one game at a time. We’re just helping ourselves right now, but there will be ups and downs ahead and you need to be consistent. … We’ll celebrate tonight, but at midnight, we need to switch the page because there’s another strong opponent (Friday).”

Vejmelka posted his 31st win of the season, the second-best total in the NHL behind the 32 of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, though he had some help. The Golden Knights had four shots hit the post.

The shutout was the eighth of Vejmelka’s career in five NHL seasons.

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Anaheim (37-27-4, 78 points) sits atop the Pacific Division standings, one point ahead of the Edmonton Oilers and two in front of the Golden Knights. However, the Ducks aren’t in top form. They have lost four of their past six games (2-3-1), most recently falling 3-2 in overtime to the visiting Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.

In that contest, the Ducks pulled goaltender Lukas Dostal late in the third period, and Leo Carlsson scored off the rebound of Troy Terry’s shot to make it 2-2 at 18:06 of the third period.

Flyers forward Noah Cates scored at 2:17 of overtime, and the goal originally was reviewed for being offside before eventually being allowed to stand.

“It was a hard-fought game,” Ducks coach Joel Quenneville said. “They were better than us in the first half. We got way more competitive, and it put us in a good spot, but we’re pretty disappointed with the call at the end.”

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Carlsson added, according to NHL.com, “We just didn’t play hard enough, I think. Just weird hockey. Got back to it in the third, but, yeah, too late there.”

–Field Level Media

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England squad: Thomas Tuchel explains squad selection

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England manager Thomas Tuchel explains his decisions for selecting Manchester United players Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo for his upcoming camp.

He also says it was a “tough decision” to not include Trent Alexander-Arnold in the expanded 35-man squad.

The Three Lions continue their World Cup preparations with friendlies at Wembley Stadium against Uruguay on 27 March and Japan on 31 March.

Teams must submit their final World Cup squads by Saturday, 30 May.

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READ MORE: ‘Last opportunity to impress’ – Tuchel names 35-man England squad

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Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England World Cup hopes in doubt, so what now for Real Madrid defender?

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Tuchel, who has made clear his love of the physical nature of English football alongside his want of a solid backline referenced Jarrell Quansah, Djed Spence and Tino Livramento as the players in front of Alexander-Arnold.

And although predominately a centre-back, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa played at right-back in the comfortable win over Wales in October and is an option there too.

“A slightly different profile,” Tuchel said when asked by BBC Sport about what the other players bring.

“It’s not what Trent cannot offer us. I know very well what Trent can offer.

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“I suffered when he played against my teams with Liverpool. I know very well about his strengths and what he can give.”

Livramento played the second-half of Newcastle’s 7-2 defeat by Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League tie on Wednesday, but he has already impressed the England boss.

Tuchel is big on players having “credit” for what they have previously done for him and Livramento played in England’s 5-0 away win against Serbia, arguably the most impressive performance since he took charge.

“It is a sporting decision that we stick with Quansah, Livramento and Spence who all can play in camp in the right full-back position,” added the German.

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“We have evidence with how good we were in September, October and November and the players who are in camp have to push for their ticket. They have to show again that they deserve this spot.”

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IPL 2026: KKR suffer Matheesha Pathirana blow, reveal fresh details | Cricket News

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IPL 2026: KKR suffer Matheesha Pathirana blow, reveal fresh details
Matheesha Pathirana (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

Matheesha Pathirana is set to miss the opening phase of IPL 2026, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Abhishek Nayar confirming in pre-season press conference held on friday that the pacer is likely to be available only from mid-April. Pathirana, who was ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup due to a calf strain, is currently undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of Sri Lanka Cricket. He had featured in just three matches in the tournament before being helped off the field during a game against Australia.

KKR await fitness update

Providing an update on the young fast bowler’s recovery, Nayar said: “The latest update that we know is he’s obviously with the Sri Lankan cricket board and they took out his rehab, and the latest communication that we’ve had is, hopefully, somewhere mid-April is when they feel he’ll be match fit. That’s what we know as of now.”

Sri Lanka Cricket issues NOC update for IPL 2026

Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka, and Kamindu Mendis, who have successfully completed their physical performance tests, have been issued NOCs to participate in the IPL. Nuwan Thushara’s eligibility for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the IPL will be subject to the outcome of his Physical Performance Test.”Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, and Matheesha Pathirana, who have requested NOCs to participate in IPL 2026, are yet to undergo the Physical Performance Test, as they are still undergoing rehabilitation to recover from injuries sustained. The respective players will undergo the tests upon completion of their recovery and rehabilitation programs,” said SLC in a statement on Friday.

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“Firstly, it is a big blow” – Nayar

Nayar admitted that Harshit’s absence comes as a major setback for the KKR:“Firstly, it is a big blow, because Harshit has been an integral part of this team for the last couple of seasons, including the championship season. He’s grown a lot as a cricketer over the years, so it’s not easy to replace him.”He added that the team management is actively exploring replacement options: “Having said that, over the last few days, we’ve looked at a few bowlers. We’re trying to evaluate, with the help of the leadership group, who fits in and who can do that role to the best of their prowess.”“We’re still evaluating that and haven’t made that decision yet, but hopefully we’ll identify someone soon who can make a difference to this squad.”

Bravo backs squad depth despite setbacks

KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo struck a confident tone: “In any tournament with any team, once you lose some of the key bowling options, these are things you plan for, but also things you have to accept, the good thing about Indian cricket, especially at the moment, is that there is a lot of depth.”Bravo pointed to several Indian pacers who could step up: “So there are some guys, as the coach mentioned, that we are definitely looking at to fill the spot – the likes of Umran Malik.”“These guys are also players who have represented the national team at some point in time and have also played in the IPL before. They are young, exciting talents. So, for me personally, I’m happy to work with this group of fast bowlers.” he added.

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Bruno Guimaraes to Man United latest, £69m transfer ultimatum, Casemiro’s crucial role

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Bruno Guimaraes to Man United latest, £69m transfer ultimatum, Casemiro’s crucial role – Manchester Evening News