Connect with us

Sports

Jarry drops another game as goaltending remains issue for Oilers

Published

on

ANAHEIM — It can’t get much worse for Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman.

His big free agent signing, Andrew Mangiapane, has been on the block for three months and will require a sweetener to be moved. Trent Frederic, signed by Bowman to an eight-year contract last summer, has three points all season long.

And now the Tristan Jarry deal is looking like the biggest disaster of the general manager’s season.

Jarry lost his team a game Wednesday in Anaheim with an atrocious performance in a 6-5 regulation loss to the Ducks, costing the Oilers two points in a key divisional battle.

Advertisement

Head coach Kris Knoblauch pulled Jarry after he’d allowed three goals in the opening 6:39 of the third period, wasting a 4-2 second intermission lead and leading to a wasteful 6-5 loss.

“Obviously, I wasn’t happy with the goaltending,” Knoblauch said after the game. “The goals that we gave up, especially in the third period. I didn’t like those.”

There were other mistakes there, but you need better goaltending,” Knoblauch said plainly. “Tonight wasn’t one of (Jarrry’s) best games.”

Here’s a stat we stumbled across:

Advertisement

The Oliers have won the expected goals battle in 19 of their past 20 games, and 28 of their past 33. Their record in those two stretches is 9-9-2, and 17-13-3.

So the analytics say they’re creating more scoring chances almost every night than their opponent, but the opponent is scoring more goals nearly half the time. That can be summed up to a poor defensive posture that allows Grade AAA chances, or it could mean the other team has the better goalie on most nights.

It was clearly the latter Wednesday in Anaheim, and truth be told, Lukas Dostal was only average in Anaheim’s net. He was coming back from the Olympics, while Jarry was fresh as a daisy — and still got sorely outplayed.

“If I make an extra save here or there, the game could be different. So I think just being better from that and just keep working,” said Jarry, offering his solution. “If I can maybe find one of those through a screen, or maybe I’m able to handle a rebound here or there… Maybe the puck doesn’t go in the middle, and I’m able to handle that a little bit better.”

Advertisement

With the score 2-0 Edmonton, defenceman Ian Moore — a career two-goal scorer — blasted one over Jarry’s shoulder that simply can’t go in. Then at 1:30 of Period 3, with his team ahead 4-2, Jarry booted a rebound right into the slot.

There, Evan Bouchard lost his check and Leo Carlsson scored on the rebound. Moments later, a soft floater by Olen Zellweger eluded Jarry from distance. Then a Beckett Senecke snapshot went through Jarry, after the Oilers had staked him to yet another lead, and his night was done.

“I thought we had a good start,” Jarry said. “I thought we had some traction. I thought we played pretty well. We were going to the net, and we were doing a lot of good things. We just end up on the wrong side.”

A Darnell Nurse cough-up with just over a minute to play sealed Edmonton’s fate, as Anaheim took their first lead of the game with just 1:14 to play.

Advertisement

You could roll out the old trope that this was simply some loose hockey being played by some tired Olympians and a bunch of guys coming off the beach in the Bahamas. But that wasn’t what happened here.

Edmonton was decent. Pretty good at times.

They earned their goals, for the most part. Matt Savoie (1-2-3) was excellent. So was Jack Roslovic and Mattias Ekholm — it wasn’t just the big boys carrying the mail.

But every time the Oilers built a lead, got a goal away from burying Anaheim, Jarry gave the Ducks life. In a game that could have been 3-0 or 5-1, it was always close, because the goalie simply did not give his team a chance to pull away.

Advertisement

It’s a problem now, the goaltending. And those close to this team are getting fed up with it.

OIL SPILLS — Mattias Janmark played just 2:30 and was not seen after the first period.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Ohio State’s nickel plan could be key to the 2026 defense

Published

on

Ohio State’s secondary conversation naturally starts with replacing Caleb Downs, but one of the most important answers might actually come from a different spot on the field. Earl Little Jr., the Florida State transfer, gives the Buckeyes a veteran defensive back with real production, real versatility, and the kind of experience that can stabilize a room during a transition year.

A former Florida State safety, Little is listed at 6-foot-1, 199 pounds, and started all 12 games in 2025, finishing with 76 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and second-team All-ACC honors. He also led the Seminoles in tackles and interceptions.

Advertisement

What makes Little especially important for Ohio State is not just that he is productive, but also where he can line up. Ohio State’s defensive structure has leaned heavily on the nickel spot in recent years, and that role has become less of a pure corner job and more of a hybrid assignment that has to handle coverage, run support, and post-snap movement.

Advertisement

Ohio State’s 2026 defensive outlook has consistently pointed to Little as a likely nickel option, with the Buckeyes expected to move back toward more true three-safety looks with Jaylen McClain and Terry Moore also in the mix. That matters because the nickel is often the stress point in modern college defenses. It is the position offenses attack with slot receivers, tight ends, quick game, motion, and run fit conflicts. If Ohio State gets high-level play there, it raises the ceiling of the entire unit.

Little’s background fits that job well. He has the ability to play multiple spots in the secondary, along with quick processing, physicality, and the cover skills to handle corner, nickel, or safety responsibilities. That kind of skill set is exactly what Ohio State needs from a nickel defender in a defense that wants disguise and flexibility on the back end. He is not just a body filling a depth chart spot. He is a player who can help Ohio State stay multiple without sacrificing toughness.

Advertisement

The biggest thing Little brings to Ohio State is reliability. Replacing a star like Downs is never about one player doing the same job. It is about distributing value across the secondary and making sure the structure still works. Little helps do that.

If he settles in at nickel the way many expect, Ohio State gets an experienced, productive defender in one of the most demanding positions on the field, and that could end up being one of the most important moves of the Buckeyes offseason.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Conor Benn’s first Zuffa Boxing fight official as Briton is paired with Regis Prograis

Published

on

Conor Benn will fight Regis Prograis on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov, it has been confirmed.

The bout will be Benn’s first under the Zuffa Boxing banner, after he made a shock switch from Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom last week. It was confirmed on Wednesday that Benn’s contract is a one-fight deal, which is reported to be worth $15m.

Although Zuffa’s main broadcast partner is Paramount+, Benn’s upcoming contest will stream live on Netflix, which is especially surprising in light of his one-fight contract.

Benn’s split from Hearn has dominated headlines in the boxing world since it was announced on Friday, with numerous layers making it a captivating development.

Firstly, Matchroom had worked with Benn for the entirety of the Briton’s 10-year professional career, even during a three-year saga in which he could not box on home soil after failing two drug tests. Hearn even said he lent the 29-year-old “hundreds of thousands of pounds” during the episode. Secondly, Zuffa Boxing is headed up by UFC president Dana White, a rival of Hearn. White even launched a scathing tirade at Hearn just a few days before Benn joined Zuffa Boxing.

Advertisement

And Benn’s first fight with Zuffa will take place on 11 April, as he boxes in the co-main event before Fury’s return against Makhmudov.

The event will take place at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Benn fought bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr twice in 2025. Benn lost the first fight on points in April, marking his first pro defeat, but he won the rematch in November.

Those bouts took place at middleweight, but Benn is a natural welterweight, and it’s in that division that he will box Prograis.

Conor Benn (left) floored Chris Eubank Jr in November, en route to avenging a loss against his rival

Advertisement
Conor Benn (left) floored Chris Eubank Jr in November, en route to avenging a loss against his rival (Getty Images)

Prograis, 37, is a former two-time world champion, having previously held the WBA and WBC super-lightweight titles. The American (30-3, 24 knockouts) will therefore move up in weight to face Benn (24-1, 14 KOs).

DAZN logo

Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing

Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.

Buy Now

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Advertisement
DAZN logo

Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing

Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.

Buy Now

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Benn had called out numerous American fighters in recent months, particularly Shakur Stevenson and Ryan Garcia. Now he finds himself paired with a US boxer, though not one of the expected names.

Advertisement

“11 April can’t come soon enough,” Benn said in a press release. “Returning to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium again, where I made history against Eubank Jr, means everything to me. My last fight there showed the world exactly who I am and what I’m about. Fighting on the biggest stages, in the biggest shows, I fear no one! I’m fully locked in and ready to deliver another statement performance.”

Prograis added: “Last time I fought in London, Conor Benn was on my undercard, so this is a full-circle moment for me. But this circle will close with me teaching him a lesson on 11 April. He’s not fighting some weight-drained super-middleweight. I am in shape and will bring home this victory.”

Regis Prograis is a former two-time world champion at super-lightweight

Regis Prograis is a former two-time world champion at super-lightweight (Getty)

Benn’s move to Zuffa Boxing is curious in that he has long expressed a desire to fight for the WBC welterweight title, which Garcia took from Mario Barrios on Saturday, yet Zuffa has said it plans to move away from the traditional belt system.

Advertisement

Zuffa is even introducing its own titles, with Jai Opetaia fighting Brandon Glanton for the inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight belt on 8 March; it is unclear whether Opetaia’s IBF strap will be on the line.

In any case, even since signing with Zuffa, Benn has called for a clash with Garcia, while Stevenson holds the WBO welterweight belt.

The main event on 11 April will see former heavyweight champion Fury end his fifth retirement, as he takes on Russia’s Makhmudov. Although Fury still seems to be contracted to Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, which usually airs its fights on DAZN, the upcoming event will stream live on Netflix.

The event is being organised by Zuffa Boxing’s co-owners Sela and TKO, and Queensberry’s exact involvement is unclear. This week, The Telegraph reported that Warren is claiming $1bn in lost income from TKO and Sela.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

McLaughlin: Is the Oregon-Oregon State Rivalry Dead?

Published

on

Big Ten logo

Pac-12 logoOregon and Oregon State are reportedly not going to play until at least 2028.

Reports indicate the Beavers wanted to play the game less than the Ducks—it’s hard to blame them.

On today’s episode of Locked On Ducks, Spencer McLaughlin discusses Oregon’s 2026 expectations and how high they should be for Duck fans.

Is “natty or bust” the right mindset?

Oregon Ducks LogoSpencer dives into 2026 true freshman Dutch Horisk, who hails from the same school as Matayo Uiagalelei.

Can he find his way into the DL rotation in 2026?

Advertisement

00:00 Oregon vs. Oregon State Value
04:12 Oregon’s Matchup Benefits
06:51 Oregon State-Oregon Rivalry Uncertain
12:16 Oregon: Natty or Bust?
15:49 Dan Lanning: Top Coach Spotlight
26:37 Freshman Path to Oregon’s Trenches

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Vikings Chat with Defender at Scouting Combine

Published

on

Advertisement

Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart (19) reacts after tackling Georgia Bulldogs running back Branson Robinson (not pictured) during the first quarter of the 2024 Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings continued their pre-draft evaluations at the Scouting Combine, reportedly meeting with a defensive prospect who fits a clear roster need in the trenches.

The decision-makers met with Clemson defensive tackle Demonte Capehart, the player announced at the Combine. He’s scheduled to fly off the board on Day 3 of the NFL Draft in a couple of months.

Capehart spent six years at Clemson and appeared in 57 games with the ACC program. In those appearances, he logged 72 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. He can provide strength and power in the middle of the defensive front.

Advertisement

In a recent report, Draft Huddle summarized his skill set, “DeMonte Capehart is a large, experienced interior defensive tackle with strong anchor ability, rotational experience, and a power-driven play style developed within Clemson’s defensive line system. He wins with size, strength, and gap discipline rather than elite explosiveness or pass-rush production. While his limited statistical output and pass-rush ceiling cap his overall upside, his durability, frame, and interior toughness provide a reliable floor as a rotational NFL defensive tackle in a multi-front defensive scheme.”

demonte capehart
Clemson defensive linemen, top to bottom, Cade Denhoff (44), Vic Burley (45) DeMonte Capehart (19), and defensive end Jahiem Lawson (15) play Troy during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, September 6, 2025.

According to PFF, Capehart produced an elite run-stopping rate of 8.6%. His play in the ground game is undoubtedly his best attribute.

And that’s where the Vikings enter the conversation. The defense led by defensive magician Brian Flores lacks some oomph in that area.

Last season, Flores coordinated one of the league’s elite units, but the ground game left some room for improvement. The Vikings ranked 9th in run DVOA and 14th in rush EPA. Sure, that’s not bad by any means, but it didn’t quite match the success against the pass.

Advertisement

There were also a couple of alarming games in which opponents ran over them with little resistance. Contests against the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Green Bay Packers come to mind when backup-caliber runners (Kimani Vidal, Kenneth Gainwell, and Emmanuel Wilson) were unstoppable.

Minnesota’s defensive line room still includes the two expensive veterans the franchise added a year ago. There’s a decent chance that one of Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen won’t be on the team when the Draft kicks off, however. Too enticing are the potential salary-cap savings for a team in the red.

Vikings defenders agains the new York Giants in 2025
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (61) reacts with linebacker Eric Wilson (55) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Scheduled to become an exclusive rights free agent, Jalen Redmond is widely expected to return for another year after his breakout campaign. Behind that top trio, the Vikings employ 2024 and 2025 draftees Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, who have played rotational roles.

Pre-draft meetings at the Combine do not automatically signal strong draft interest, but they are a key part of a team’s evaluation process. Franchises typically use these conversations to gauge football IQ, personality, and scheme fit as much as on-field production. For a veteran college player like Capehart, who has extensive experience in a high-level defensive system at Clemson, those interviews can be especially important.

The Vikings, in particular, have shown a willingness in recent drafts to target interior defenders on Day 3 who can contribute early while developing into more consistent contributors over time.

Advertisement

Adding another Day 3 pick could complete the room, especially if that guy can perform against the run. Capehart fits that profile and could be on Minnesota’s list of intriguing players. He is expected to perform well at the Combine to boost his stock.

Editor’s Note: Information from PFFOver The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.

avatar
Janik Eckardt is a German sports nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings to be his … More about Janik Eckardt

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

IS SHE IN HERE RIGHT NOW?”- Nick Fuentes reacts to Candace Owens claiming she can “astral project

Published

on

Nick Fuentes reacted publicly on X after Candace Owens claimed Charlie Kirk had a “third eye” and said they had discussed astral projection.

Owens made the remarks during a livestream on February 5, 2026, titled An Open Letter to Erika Kirk. In the broadcast, she discussed conversations she said she had with Kirk about supernatural experiences, including what she described as his “third eye,” sleep paralysis, and astral projection.

After clips from the livestream circulated online, Fuentes responded later that month. On February 25, 2026, the fan-run X account Fuentes Updates posted a summary of his reaction. The post stated:

“Once Candace Owens said she can astral project, Nick started getting freaked out 😳 ‘IS SHE IN HERE RIGHT NOW???’”

The quoted remark was presented as Fuentes’ immediate response to Owens’ claim that she could astral project. No additional written explanation was included in the post cited. His reaction focused specifically on her assertion about astral projection rather than the broader set of claims discussed in the livestream.

Candace Owen’s YouTube podcast served as the backdrop to the exchange. During that episode, she described past discussions with Charlie Kirk that she said involved paranormal and metaphysical topics.

Those comments drew attention on social media in the weeks that followed, including the February 25, 2026, post referencing Fuentes’ reaction.

Advertisement

Candace Owens’ claims about a “third eye” and astral projection

In the February 5, 2026, livestream titled An Open Letter to Erika Kirk, Owens detailed conversations she said she had with Kirk regarding what she described as unusual childhood experiences and metaphysical subjects.

She stated:

“Charlie and I spoke a lot about his third eye. That’s why that sentence caught my attention in the article. He spoke about the street lamps that would go off when he would run, about the special school that he had to go to.”

Candace Owens added that they discussed the testing they both underwent during childhood. Owens further said:

“We spoke about the fact that we could both astral project. You know all of this, of course, you have his phone.”

She also referenced sleep paralysis and similar experiences, stating:

Advertisement

“When we learned that not everybody does that naturally. Sleep paralysis, you name it. We had conversations about it.”

Third eye must mean something totally different

In addition to her livestream statements, Candace Owens had previously made similar remarks in an earlier podcast episode published on October 8, 2025. In that episode, she described what she called a vivid dream involving Kirk, stating that he appeared to her and told her he had been betrayed. She said:

“I had a vivid dream this weekend and Charlie came to me and he told me that he was betrayed.”

Candace Ownes further added:

“You don’t have to believe that, but I do believe that… I also felt in the dream that it is soon going to be revealed… that there is nothing and no one that is going to stop the truth from coming out and it is going to have international consequences.”

She concluded that statement by adding:

Advertisement

“Take that to the bank. Quote me on that. Women tend to have a stronger intuition about people, I would say.”

Charlie Kirk’s passing on September 10, 2025, marked a widely noted moment within conservative political media. Since then, public discussion surrounding his life and work has continued, with Candace Owens’ recent claims and the reaction that followed becoming part of that broader conversation.


Stay tuned for more updates.