For the second straight year, the Ottawa Charge earned their ticket to the playoffs at the last possible moment, but despite their post-season presence coming right down to the wire, they cannot be considered underdogs in this one.
Sure, the seeding tilts in favour of their opponents, the Boston Fleet, who clinched a playoff berth faster than any other team in PWHL history. But the Charge have two things going for them to help tip the scales: Experience and momentum. More specifically: Ottawa fought all the way to Game 4 of the Finals last season, plus they’re coming off a four-game win streak.
In short, the 18-point regular-season gap between these squads doesn’t do the matchup justice. None of their four contests this year were decided in regulation, and the Charge owned their season series.
With the Fleet and Charge so closely matched, expect high-pressure moments and extra time in this series.
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Game 1 goes Thursday at 7:00 p.m. ET in the Tsongas Center.
Fleet X-Factor: Aerin Frankel
Aerin Frankel is the driver behind the Fleet’s dominance this season. With a record eight shutouts and an impressive .953 save percentage (just .002 behind league-leading Montreal Victoire keeper Ann-Renée Desbiens), she has anchored the Fleet to 19 regular-season wins. The 26-year-old Northeastern University alum will be the biggest difference-maker in the Fleet’s post-season run. If she can keep up the stellar stat sheet, it will be difficult for the Charge to snag an advantage.
Charge X-Factor: Experience
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Ottawa knows the heightened environment of the Walter Cup Playoffs well after competing in the Final last year. Plus, they have a critical player who met that stage with an MVP-worthy performance in netminder Gwyneth Philips. Meanwhile, the Fleet missed the playoffs entirely last season. While there are plenty of lessons to be taken from the Minnesota Frost’s two-peat and the fact that the higher-seeded team has never won a playoff round, two of the most fundamental are clear: experience trumps regular-season success, and anything can happen when the Cup is on the line.
With USA’s clutch Olympic goal-scorer and all-around defensive superstar Megan Keller and rookie of the year candidate and young sensation Haley Winn lining up together on the blueline, there’s no doubt defence is what makes Boston such a threat. Combined, these two boast 41 points on the season, better than any other pair of defenders from any other PWHL team. On both sides of the sheet, these two are an unparalleled force.
The Fleet have been one of the most consistent forces in the PWHL since puck drop in November. After a five-game win streak to start the season, they remained at the top in a battle with Montreal for the No. 1 seed that went to the very end.
The playoffs always add an extra level of compete and toughness, but after close games all season —16 of their 20 were decided by a single goal, half of which finished in their favour— the Fleet are comfortable under such pressure-filled circumstances.
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Shootouts won’t be around to save the Fleet in the playoffs.
All four of their regular-season meetings with Ottawa were decided in extra time, with three going to shootouts, as was the case for many of Boston’s games this season. The Fleet are exceptional at holding on to force extra time and finish in a situation where they could put the game on the back of their best player: Frankel.
The importance of defence shouldn’t be discounted here — in fact, the Fleet’s excellence on the blueline is a big reason they are still playing this spring — but at some point, the game comes down to who can score. Holding on until shootouts simply won’t be a strategy they can use in the playoffs.
Getting hot at the right time
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The Charge had a tough first half of the season, after expansion ruffled the lineup that took them to the Final last year. Since the slow start, however, players like Brianne Jenner have recovered and excelled. Jenner has scored at least a point in each of her last four games — all of which the Charge won — and a total of seven in that span.
Ottawa has been playing important games for a few weeks now and is used to the must-win pressure that shrouds the playoffs. Added stakes have not been an issue for them.
They win-eth with Gwyneth
As we saw last season, netminder Philips was created for the playoffs. After Charge starter Emerance Maschmeyer was injured late in the season and ruled out for the 2025 playoffs, Ottawa had to take a chance on Philips and it paid off: she didn’t lose a game in regulation in last year’s post-season and made history as the first rookie and first player of the losing squad to win playoff MVP honours
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Since then, she’s assumed the full-time starting role in Canada’s capital and filled the crease for a whopping 28 of 30 regular-season contests. Philips has the most game experience in the league after making a record 786 saves and facing 844 shots this season. Just two years out of college, she’s the third-best goaltender in the world, but if she shows up like she did in 2025, she has the potential to contend with, and even top, the performance Frankel gives on the other end of the ice.
The return of Carla MacLeod
Head coach Carla MacLeod shared her breast cancer diagnosis with the hockey world in November. Since then, she has spent some time away from the bench, including most recently missing the last five games of the season.
However, last year’s Head Coach of the Year finalist is set to make a return for the playoffs.
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Despite the difficult journey MacLeod, and her club, have navigated this season, the changes behind the bench haven’t caused instability to creep into the on-ice product. Ultimately, it seems the Charge have even more to play for — something that is sure to continue motivating players into the playoffs.
This ranking is based on the Gators returning six of the top seven scorers — specifically Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, Reuben Chinyelu, Urban Klavsar and Isaiah Brown — from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Kentucky transfer Denzel Aberdeen and 7-foot center Jones Lay.
This ranking is based on the Blue Devils returning four of the top six scorers — specifically Patrick Ngongba II, Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr — from a team that finished 35-3 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell, Belmont transfer Drew Scharnowski and five-star prospects Cameron Williams, Deron Rippey Jr. and Bryson Howard.
This ranking is based on the Wolverines returning two of the top five scorers — specifically Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney — from a team that finished 37-3 and won the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Tennessee transfer J.P. Estrella, Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam, LSU transfer Jalen Reed, five-star prospect Brandon McCoy Jr., and four-star prospects Lincoln Cosby, Quinn Costello and Joseph Hartman.
This ranking is based on the Illini returning six of the top nine scorers — specifically Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovich, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis and Brandon Lee — from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the 2026 Final Four. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks, four-star prospects Quintin Coleman and Lucas Morillo and three-star prospects Ethan Brown and Landon Davis.
This ranking is based on the Huskies returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Braylon Mullins, Silas Demary and Jayden Ross — from a team that finished 34-6 and advanced to the championship game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Duke transfer Nikolas Khamenia, Seton Hall transfer Najai Hines, Stanford transfer Oskar Giltay, Wofford transfer Nils Machowski and four-star prospects Colben Landrew and Junior County.
This ranking is based on the Spartans returning five of the top eight scorers — specifically Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Kur Teng, Jordan Scott and Cam Ward — from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Charlotte transfer Anton Bonke and four-star prospects Ethan Taylor, Carlos Medlock Jr., Julius Avent and Jasiah Jervis.
This ranking is based on the Razorbacks returning two of the top four scorers — specifically Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond III — from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Jordan Smith Jr., JJ Andrews and Miikka Muurinen, Furman transfer Cooper Bowser, Georgia transfer Jeremiah Wilkinson and four-star prospect Abdou Toure.
This ranking is based on the Zags returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Braden Huff, Davis Fogle and Mario Saint-Supery — from a team that finished 31-4 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Houston transfer Isiah Harwell, Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop and four-star prospects Luca Foster, Sam Funches and Jack Kayil.
This ranking is based on the Longhorns returning one of the top two scorers — specifically Matas Vokietaitis — from a team that finished 21-15 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by TCU transfer David Punch, Colorado transfer Isaiah Johnson, Tennessee transfer Amari Evans, Auburn transfer Elyjah Freeman, Saint Mary’s transfer Mikey Lewis and four-star prospects Austin Goosby, Bo Ogden and Joe Sterling.
This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning two of the top five scorers — specifically Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov — from a team that finished 36-3 and advanced to the 2026 Final Four. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon, Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit, five-star prospect Caleb Holt and four-star prospect Cameron Holmes.
This ranking is based on the Cavaliers returning five of the top 10 scorers — specifically Thijs De Ridder, Sam Lewis, Chance Mallory, Johann Gunloh and Elijah Gertrude — from a team that finished 30-6 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by UC Irvine transfer Jurian Dixon.
This ranking is based on the Cyclones returning three of the top six scorers — specifically Killyan Toure, Blake Buchanan and Jamarion Bateman — from a team that finished 29-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Robert Morris transfer Ryan Prather Jr., Northwestern transfer Tre Singleton, Bradley transfer JaQuan Johnson, Kansas State transfer Taj Manning, Northern Iowa transfer Leon Bond III, four-star prospects Dorian Rinaldo-Komian, Jackson Kiss and Christian Wiggins and three-star prospect Yusef Gray Jr.
This ranking is based on the Cougars returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Joseph Tugler, Mercy Miller and Chase McCarty — from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by LSU transfer Dedan Thomas Jr., Kent State transfer Delrecco Gillespie and four-star prospects Arafan Diane and Ikenna Alozie and
This ranking is based on the Trojans returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas and Jacob Cofie — from a team that finished 18-14 and missed the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Christian Collins, four-star prospects Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff, Georgetown transfer KJ Lewis, UConn transfer Eric Reibe and Colgate transfer Jalen Cox.
This ranking is based on the Cardinals returning the fifth-leading scorer — specifically Adrian Wooley — from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga, Oregon transfer Jackson Shelstad, Arkansas transfer Karter Knox, Iowa transfer Alvaro Folgueiras, Dayton transfer De’Shayne Montgomery, USC transfer Gabe Dynes and former G League player London Johnson.
This ranking is based on the Red Storm returning two of the top eight scorers — specifically Ian Jackson and Ruben Prey — from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman, Columbia transfer Avery Brown and international prospects Quinn Ellis, Djordije Jovanovic and Lazar Stojkovic.
This ranking is based on the Vols returning two of the top 10 scorers — specifically Dewayne Brown II and Ethan Burg — from a team that finished 25-12 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Notre Dame transfer Jalen Haralson, Cal transfer Dai Dai Ames, Belmont transfer Tyler Lundblade, VCU transfer Terrence Hill Jr., Loyola Chicago transfer Miles Rubin, Kennesaw State transfer Braedan Lue, four-star prospects Christopher Washington Jr., Ralph Scott and Manny Green, and three-star prospect Marquis Clark.
This ranking is based on the Crimson Tide returning four of the top 10 scorers — specifically Aden Holloway, Amari Allen, London Jemison and Keitenn Bristow — from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Boise State transfer Drew Fielder, Kentucky transfer Brandon Garrison, NC State transfer Cole Cloer, Mississippi State transfer Jamarion Davis-Fleming and four-star prospects Qayden Samuels, Jaxon Richardson and Tarris Bouie.
This ranking is based on the Boilermakers returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically C.J. Cox, Daniel Jacobsen, Omer Mayer, Gicarri Harris and Jack Benter — from a team that finished 30-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year Caden Pierce, and four-star prospects Luke Ertel, Jacob Webber and Sinan Huan.
This ranking is based on the Hoosiers returning one of the top eight scorers — specifically Trent Sisley — from a team that finished 18-14 and missed the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Notre Dame transfer Markus Burton, Villanova transfer Bryce Lindsay, Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell, SMU transfer Samet Yigitoglu, Duke transfer Darren Harris, Georgia Tech transfer Jaeden Mustaf and four-star prospects Vaugn Karvala, Prince-Alexander Moody and Trevor Manhertz.
This ranking is based on the Hurricanes returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Shelton Henderson, Dante Allen and Marcus Allen — from a team that finished 26-9 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis, Robert Morris transfer DeSean Goode, Georgia transfer Somto Cyril and four-star prospect Caleb Gaskins.
This ranking is based on the Cougars returning two of the top eight scorers — specifically Robert Wright III and Khadim Mboup — from a team that finished 23-12 and advanced to the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Bruce Branch III, four-star prospect Dean Rueckert, Kentucky transfer Collin Chandler, Clemson transfer Jake Wahlin, Syracuse transfer Tyler Betsey and UC Riverside transfer Nate Pickens, the last of whom committed to BYU last May but missed the season with an ankle injury.
This ranking is based on the Tar Heels returning three of the top 11 scorers — specifically Jarin Stevenson, Isaiah Denis and Jaydon Young — from a team that finished 24-9 and advanced to the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas, Utah transfer Terrence Brown, international prospect Sayon Keita and four-star prospect Maximo Adams.
This ranking is based on the Commodores returning two of the top nine scorers — specifically Tyler Tanner and Chandler Bing — from a team that finished 27-9 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Nebraska transfer Berke Buyuktuncel, Washington State transfer Ace Glass, Auburn transfer Sebastian Williams-Adams, Colorado transfer Bangot Dak, Missouri transfer T.O. Barrett and four-star prospects Ethan Mgbako, Anthony Brown and Jackson Sheffield.
This ranking is based on the Jayhawks returning one of the top seven scorers — specifically Kohl Rosario — from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Tyran Stokes and Taylen Kinney, four-star prospects Davion Adkins, Trent Perry and Luke Barnett, Charleston transfer Christian Reeves, Toledo transfer Leroy Blyden Jr. and Utah transfer Keanu Dawes.
This ranking is based on the Cornhuskers returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager, Ugnius Jarusevicius, Connor Essegian and Cale Jacobsen — from a team that finished 28-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Belmont transfer Sam Orme and four-star prospects Colin Rice and Jacob Lanier.
After years of fleeing, fighting, advocating and training, Afghanistan’s women have won the right to compete for football’s biggest prizes as their country’s official national team.
An unprecedented decision made by world football’s governing body, FIFA, in Toronto on Tuesday paves the way for the current squad to try to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 and then future World Cups and Asian Cups.
It is another huge step for a team who have had to fight for their right to play, with the Taliban-run football association refusing to sanction an Afghanistan national women’s team.
“It’s something really huge for us, to show the world that Afghan women and girls are capable of doing amazing things,” national team goalkeeper Elaha Safdari told DW. “It’s a hard slap to the face of the Taliban and those people who were against us.
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Football and freedom: Afghan women against the world
“We are just showing that we are capable of doing amazing things through sports. And of course, we are still raising our voice for all the voiceless who are back home.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the amendment made at the organization’s Council was “momentous.” He said it meant FIFA can now “approve the registration of a national or representative team under exceptional circumstances where a Member Association is unable to do so.”
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“This is a powerful and unprecedented step in world sport,” he added. “FIFA has listened to these players as part of its responsibility to protect the right of every girl and woman to play football and to represent who they are.”
Infantino also pointed to his organization’s ‘Strategy for Action for Afghan Women’s Football, approved in 2025, as a key driver of the change.
Goalkeeper Elaha Safdari now lives in Engand and plays club football for Rotherham UnitedImage: Francois Nel – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Andrea Florence, the Executive Director of the Sport and Rights Alliance advocacy group, pointed out that the precedent set by this amendment “demonstrates that governing bodies can adapt their rules to protect human rights when extraordinary circumstances demand it.”
This will likely open the door for other national teams, often women’s ones, who are denied the opportunity to play by their federations.
Big moment in Afghanistan and in exile
Khalida Popal, the former Afghanistan captain, who has become a figurehead for the new generation, sat next to Infantino when the news was announced as the current squad watched together online elsewhere.
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“It means so much. The whole situation that Afghanistan women have is very emotional,” she said. “This is our moment, this is our time and football is our voice and our platform.”
Afghanistan won one of their three games at the FIFA Unites Women’s Series 2025 and forged team spiritImage: Ann Odong/FIFA
For Safdari and her teammates, this is a chance to look ahead and build on the momentum and team spirit forged at the tournament in Morocco, in which the Afghans were not recognized as a full national team.
“Our situation is quite different from other teams but I feel like that’s a big strength for us,” Safdari said. “We’ve been training hard, we’ve been aiming for this, and it’s a new hope for us. It shows our resilience and it just shows that if we work hard, we can definitely achieve [our goals].”
Fight not over until Taliban are out
But with the brutal repression of women continuing back home, Safdari and the other players know that their fight is not fully won while the Taliban remain in power. Nevertheless, Safdari and the rest of the squad enjoy a rare platform as Afghan women international athletes. Now that their stage is even greater, they remain determined to shout from it for those back home.
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“First of all I [thought of] my parents, who are still back home. They’ve already heard the news and are just proud of how far that I came personally. It’s really something for me to play for my country and make my people, my family and my parents proud.
Dreams in the dust – The divided rise of Afghan cricket
“Of course, I’ve heard so many good things from friends and the people who are still back home. And we’ve seen how they were supporting us through this news on social media.”
The squad, who are funded and supported by FIFA during international breaks, are set to get together in New Zealand for their first matches since the games in Morocco last October. They will play a match against the Cook Islands as part of an eight-day training camp before Olympic qualifiers are set to start, likely later this year. That will be followed, eventually, by World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers and all sorts of other opportunities afforded to them by their new status.
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“It sounds really great [to hear Afghanistan can compete in those tournaments] and I still cannot believe it that we are finally official and we can play qualifiers,” Safdari said.
With the team having barely been in the same country, let alone played together in recent years, there is plenty of work to do to catch up. But for players like Safdari who have had to forge new lives in foreign lands at a young age while fighting for their right to play football, that is not a daunting proposition.
On a day of Grade 1 firsts, With NoLimit (14/1) gave amateur rider Josh Halford his first success at the highest level.
Riding the Gordon Elliott-handled runner, Halford and With Nolimit ran out one-and-three-quarter length winners of the Grade 1 Race & Stay at Punchestown Champion Bumper.
With Nolimit lands the @raceandstay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race from Cheltenham hero The Mourne Rambler under a delighted Josh Halford pic.twitter.com/mhRo8tryRe
The Mourne Rambler (11/8), the winner of the Champion Bumper at last month’s Cheltenham Festival and the race favourite this afternoon, took second under Declan Lavery.
Boycetown (5/1), representing Gavin Cromwell and Derek O’Connor, was third, three-quarters-of-a-length behind the runner-up.
“I can’t believe it.”
Josh Halford didn’t know he was riding With Nolimit until a few hours ago.
WWE hosted the biggest event of the year in Las Vegas, and the company is now focused on introducing new stars on all three brands. Recently, EVIL made his debut for the company and broke his silence on X.
There have been times when superstars hone their craft on the independent circuit or train for years in Japan before signing with the Stamford-based promotion. From AJ Styles to Talla Tonga, notable names have had runs in the Land of the Rising Sun before joining WWE. On the recent edition of WWE NXT, EVIL made his debut for the company.
Thanks for the submission!
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The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion interrupted Tony D’Angelo with a warning and left the ring. Later, the champion was attacked by Tavion Heights and Will Kroos. Later, the 39-year-old star broke silence on social media when he retweeted his debut with a message.
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“I’ve Arrived. #WWENXT,” EVIL’s tweet on X.
During the show, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion wasn’t addressed mysteriously, but without a proper in-ring name. The company has a trademark filed, which could be for the 39-year-old star, but only time will tell.
Why is EVIL on WWE NXT?
In the past, superstars have joined the developmental brand and had a run under Triple H’s creative leadership before they moved to the main roster. Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, and more have had prior experience in wrestling, but started from the black and yellow brand.
There have been exceptions to this rule when AJ Styles debuted for the company at the Royal Rumble in 2016. Over the past few years, top names from Japan have joined the company under the new regime and made it to the main roster without a run on the developmental brand.
Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, JC Mateo, and Talla Tonga joined Friday Night SmackDown. According to Bodyslam, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, EVIL, wanted to start from the developmental brand instead of starting on the main roster.
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The 39-year-old star wants to get accustomed to the wrestling scene in the United States, which is why he’s starting with NXT. As for his name, a new report suggests the management is still trying to figure it out. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next for EVIL in the Stamford-based promotion.
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TAMPA, Fla. — Sage advice from Martin St. Louis was offered two days after Juraj Slafkovsky took the hit from Max Crozier that the Tampa Bay Lightning believed altered their fate in a come-from-behind win in Game 4 and in this series:
“If you let that moment define the series, you’re putting yourself in a bad spot,” St. Louis said. “Don’t let moments like that define it. Rewrite it.”
What’s the best way to do that for his Montreal Canadiens? Hit back harder where it hurts most — on the scoreboard.
That’s where Slafkovsky, who threw the first haymaker of this series with a Game 1 hat trick, can flip the script.
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Yes, he’s a big, bruising power forward capable of inflicting the type of pain he’s been on the receiving end of from Game 2 through Game 4.
But Slafkovsky’s greatest revenge in Game 5 would be sparking the Canadiens’ top six to produce at five-on-five, which is something it hasn’t done since the start of this series.
A little more than half of his 73 points this season came at five-on-five. Nick Suzuki produced 55 of his 101 points at five-on-five. And Cole Caufield scored 41 of his 51 goals at five-on-five.
All three of them — along with Ivan Demidov — are Montreal’s best forwards, and you have to think they hold the keys to the Canadiens returning to Montreal with a chance to close out this series.
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St. Louis is expecting a big game out of them.
“I mean, if you just take the players alone and look at what they’ve done in their career and stuff, that should be enough for me (to believe),” the coach said Wednesday morning. “But to me, what enables to elevate any individual, I think, is the collective game around them. This isn’t a one-on-one hockey game. There’s one-on-one moments—I’ve said it—and they’ve shown that when they get those moments, they’re elite. But to create more of those moments, you need a better collective game. And I think, at times, it’s been good in this series. But we need more of that collective game to create those moments for those elite players.”
St. Louis wouldn’t confirm Brendan Gallagher would play his first game of this series Wednesday, but only the expected scratches skated at Benchmark International Arena while the Canadiens were holding their media availability at their hotel, and Gallagher wasn’t among them.
Oliver Kapanen, who had 22 goals this season but hasn’t scored yet in these playoffs, was. As were Joe Veleno, Patrik Laine, Adam Engstrom and Jacob Fowler, who’ve all watched the first four games of this series just like Gallagher.
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The veteran of 76 playoff games — more than anyone else on the Canadiens — has been around the group and giving his teammates lots of advice, according to No. 76, Zachary Bolduc.
“He’s been talking a lot with us, the younger guys, and telling us what he sees,” Bolduc said. “He’s been great.”
What you’d expect of Gallagher, if he plays, is to be at his best and somehow bring more intensity than he ever has.
We’re talking about one of the fiercest competitors in the NHL, a guy who’s never short on intensity, a guy who’s proven time and time again he’s willing to bleed for the cause. You expect that not being able to play in these games has probably stoked the fire in him to five-alarm levels.
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“There’s no doubt if he plays, he’s going to give you everything he has,” said St. Louis. “I think he does that every game.”
What Gallagher’s insertion means for the rest of the lineup
St. Louis wouldn’t even confirm Gallagher was in for Game 5, so he certainly wasn’t going to get into where he might play.
But the obvious choice would be to put him with Phillip Danault and Josh Anderson.
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That doesn’t guarantee St. Louis will do that. But if he does, it opens up the possibility of moving Jake Evans away from Danault and placing him in Kapanen’s place with Alex Newhook and Demidov.
Evans won 56 per cent of his faceoffs this season, and he’s won 60 per cent of them in the playoffs so far. So, if he does play with Newhook and Demidov, that’ll help the line have the puck more.
But even more important is for Demidov to have it more in the offensive zone, where he, Newhook and Kapanen have been lacking some of the balance St. Louis says facilitates the collective game he’s always referring to.
Evans is a specialist in facilitating that game with his direct, simple, heady play.
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“I’d like to think I can impact it with my speed and a good forecheck,” Evans said on Tuesday. “I like to think I can do a good job sustaining offensive pressure by throwing it to the right guy and getting into open space.”
If Gallagher joins Danault and Anderson, look for Evans to do that for Montreal’s second line.
It’s entirely possible both players play elsewhere in the Canadiens’ lineup, though, so we’ll see what warmup brings.
Depth scoring still heavily favours Canadiens, while five-on-five play relatively even
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While the Lightning’s top six have combined for 12 even-strength points in this series, the Canadiens’ bottom six have equalled that.
And though it feels as though the Lightning have an edge because of who’s scoring their goals, St. Louis doesn’t feel they have one.
“It’s tight at five-on-five at both ends,” he said. “I think it’s 11-11 in goals. On the power play, it’s what? 5-5? That means it’s 6-6 (at five-on-five). But they scored one at four-on-four, so we have one more goal than they do at five-on-five. We’re calculated, patient, trying to play the game that’s in front of us, and we’re trying to get better with every game.”
• Lightning coach Jon Cooper told reporters at Benchmark International Arena Wednesday morning that Victor Hedman remains doubtful to participate in this series. He also said that Charle-Edouard D’Astous, who hasn’t played since taking a huge hit from Anderson in Game 1, is a game-time decision for Game 5.
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• Noah Dobson has been ramping up his return-to-play protocol since suffering an injury to his left hand two weeks ago. He started doing some light shooting Tuesday before the Canadiens left for Tampa, but it’s not anticipated he’ll return for Game 5. The team had no further update on his status.
• On staying even-keel, St. Louis said, “It’s something we’ve done well this year. We’ve showed a lot of maturity, and it enabled us to become consistent.”
Evidence: The Canadiens lost consecutive games only nine times this season.
Oct 29, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) reacts after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Former Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons is announcing his retirement Wednesday after nine seasons.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection played for Denver from 2016-23 and spent 2024 with the Atlanta Falcons before sitting out the 2025 season.
The Broncos planned a press conference with Simmons, 32, at noon local time Wednesday in Englewood, Colo.
Simmons recorded 32 interceptions — at least two picks in every season — with 71 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 4.5 sacks and 666 tackles in 134 games (124 starts).
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He shared the NFL lead with a career-high six interceptions in 2022 and returned an interception for a 65-yard touchdown in Denver’s Week 13 game at Miami in 2017. He is tied for seventh in Broncos history with 30 career interceptions.
Cantwell won an Irish women’s record 86 caps during an illustrious international career that yielded a Grand Slam success in 2013.
Now, in her role as head of women’s strategy in the IRFU, she believes it is key that the team strive to be “financially independent and not rely on the men’s game”.
“One of the big roles, this may sound black and white, but is how do we commercialise the game and how do we go on a journey that we are able to get revenue and put it back into the pathways and grassroots?
“At the moment, the women’s game, this is in women’s sport full stop, largely relies on the men’s game to be able to fund it.
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“Historically, what sport will generate revenue from is tickets, broadcast and sponsorship. We are really young on that journey and what you are trying to do is get people to see that vision, understand it and buy into it.
Cantwell also added that the IRFU can learn a lot from what has been done by other female sporting organisations throughout the world, such as the Women’s Super League [WSL] in England.
“It is a big piece of work and all women’s sport is on that journey and rugby isn’t breaking through there quite yet.
“The closest is the RFU [Rugby Football Union] and they are trying to make a return in investment by 2031/33. Otherwise, the people we looked at was basketball over in America or the WSL.
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“They are big sisters that you are looking at how they do it, but there are big pieces of work.”
A major hurdle has been revealed that could scupper plans for a potential bout between David Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol.
Having already ruled at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight, reigning WBC 175lb world champion Benavidez sets about his toughest test to date when he makes the monumental 25lb leap up to cruiserweight for a showdown with unified champion Gilberto Ramirez on Saturday night.
However, even if successful against Ramirez, ‘The Mexican Monster’ has promised that he will be returning back to light-heavyweight, in pursuit of a shot at the undisputed crown against WBA, WBO and IBF titleholder Bivol.
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Although, whilst that fight is in hot demand, Eddie Hearn told FightHype that Bivol has a ‘loose obligation’ to partake in a trilogy clash with Artur Beterbiev.
“I think that Benavidez-Bivol is a great fight, but we have got this kind of loose obligation with the Beterbiev III fight which, if it is called upon, we have to take it.
“But, if it is not, Benavidez is absolutely the fight. I think that’s a brilliant fight, it’s two pound-for-pound guys.
“I do think that Benavidez will beat Ramirez and if that is the case, should Dmitry come through on May 30, which we expect him to do, why not make the Benavidez fight?”
Anthony Joshua’s two-fight 2026 deal has been announced, with Deontay Wilder once again not part of the Briton’s plans, despite a resurgence.
Wilder’s team have now reacted to the news that Joshua will instead face Kristian Prenga before a fight with Tyson Fury at the end of the year.
‘AJ’ was called out by Fury following the latter’s triumph over Arslanbek Makhmudov two weeks ago, but he refused to publicly agree to the long-awaited showdown without a warm-up fight or fully negotiated deal.
In an interview with Sky Sports Boxing, Shelly Finkel, who manages ‘The Bronze Bomber’ revealed that he is neither disappointed or surprised by Joshua’s opponent, simply summing up the situation as the ‘same old story’.
“Can’t be disappointed about something that never was. Eddie never reached out to us and Joshua obviously had no intention of fighting Deontay Wilder. Same old story, just a new date.”
As for Joshua, he will take on Prenga on Saturday, July 25, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, looking to tee up one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.
Mudryk was charged by the Football Association in June last year, having been provisionally suspended since December 2024.
A statement from CAS read: “CAS confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA.
“The parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled.”
The CAS statement did not mention what sanction Mudryk was appealing against, but it has been widely reported that a four-year ban has been imposed.
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Under Regulation 77 of the FA’s anti-doping policy, a four-year ban would result if the violation related to a non-specified substance, unless the player or his camp could establish that the violation was not intentional.
Where the violation relates to a specified substance and the FA can establish the violation was intentional, a four-year ban would also apply.
The FA and Chelsea declined to comment when contacted by the Press Association on Wednesday.
In a statement issued at the time of his suspension, Mudryk said the positive sample had come as “a complete shock” and he had “not done anything wrong,” with Chelsea adding the player had “never knowingly used any banned substances”.
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The result was returned shortly after he had been away on international duty with Ukraine in November 2024.
Mudryk last played for the club in a 2-0 win away to Heidenheim in the Conference League on November 28, 2024. He was then an unused substitute for the 3-0 Premier League win against Aston Villa three days later.
Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in an £88million move.
He has scored just 10 goals in 73 appearances in all competitions and has rarely held down a regular place in the team.
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