Barcelona and Marcus Rashford continue to be a match made in heaven with the England international playing a huge role in their Copa del Rey win over Albacete
Marcus Rashford continued his fine form for Barcelona on Tuesday evening as he played a part in two goals against Albacete in the Copa del Rey.
Since moving to Barcelona, Rashford has rediscovered his love for football and on Tuesday he showed exactly why Hansi Flick is such a big fan. The Catalan club took on second division side Albacete in the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey, and Rashford was key in the win.
After winning the ball back inside the home team’s half, he took two defenders out of the game before playing the ball to Frenkie de Jong, who set up Lamine Yamal to open the scoring.
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In the second half, Rashford then turned provider for Ronald Araujo from a corner. But it was Rashford’s influence on the first goal that earned him plaudits from his teammates.
After managing to pass the ball to De Jong despite being tackled, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandoswki, De Jong and Gerard Martin all ran straight to the 28-year-old to celebrate the goal. Yamal, who scored the goal, ran off to the corner to celebrate on his own.
Rashford’s performance on Tuesday comes just days after various reports suggested progress in his permanent move to Spain. Marca claimed that Barcelona are now willing to trigger their permanent clause, while The Mirror have reported that Rashford wants to stay at the club.
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Despite leaving the club in the summer, Rashford’s former teammates have been supportive in his endeavours in Spain. Last month, when Barcelona won the Supercopa da Espana, a number of United players turned to social media to congratulate the forward.
Alongside six images of him celebrating the success, Rashford said in a caption: “SUPER CUP CHAMPIONS [raised hands emoji and trophy emoji]. What a way to start the year!! [blue circle emoji and red circle emoji].”
Several of Rashford’s United teammates sent a message to him in the comments section. Harry Maguire was one, with the Reds defender posting: “Love it mate [clapping hands emoji].”
Bruno Fernandes was another, with the United captain saying: “Congratulations my brother [red love heart emoji].” Joshua Zirkzee, meanwhile, put: “Congratulations brother [red love heart emoji]”, while 15-year-old sensation JJ Gabriel, who has trained with the club’s first-team, posted a fire emoji.
1 min read Last Updated : Mar 18 2026 | 4:22 PM IST
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has criticized the “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision” to strip its team of the Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to host nation Morocco two months after they contested the final.
The Confederation of African Football’s appeals board on Tuesday ruled Senegal “forfeited the final” by walking off the field and turned its 1-0 win in extra time into a 3-0 default win for Morocco.
The FSF said the decision “discredits African football,” and that it will appeal “as soon as possible” to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, a process that would typically take a year to deliver a verdict.
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“The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will keep the public informed of developments in this matter,” the federation said in a statement.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Global apparel brand UNIQLO has announced Indian cricket star Jasprit Bumrah as its new brand ambassador in India, marking a strategic collaboration that aligns sport with everyday lifestyle fashion.
The partnership kicks off with a fresh campaign that reflects UNIQLO’s signature LifeWear philosophy, focused on delivering simple, high-quality clothing designed to improve daily life through comfort, functionality, and timeless style.
A partnership rooted in simplicity
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The association highlights a shared approach between the brand and the cricketer, one built on consistency, authenticity, and effortless performance. Bumrah, known for his calm demeanor and precision on the field, embodies the understated confidence that UNIQLO aims to represent through its clothing line.
Campaign focus: AIRism collection
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At the heart of the campaign is UNIQLO’s AIRism collection, introduced through a 30-second film featuring Bumrah in relaxed, off-field moments. The visual narrative offers a glimpse into his everyday routine, emphasizing comfort and simplicity beyond cricket. The spotlight is on the AIRism Oversized T-shirt, known for its breathable fabric, relaxed silhouette, and versatility across different settings.
The campaign subtly draws parallels between Bumrah’s evolution as a fast bowler and the idea of everyday essentials becoming indispensable over time. Just as discipline and instinct define his game, the campaign suggests that comfort-driven clothing naturally integrates into one’s lifestyle.
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Bumrah on the collaboration
Speaking about the partnership, Bumrah said, “In my day-to-day life, I prefer clothing that feels comfortable and effortless, especially when I’m spending time off the field. That’s why I’m happy to be partnering with UNIQLO, the brand’s approach to everyday clothing feels like a natural extension to my personal style.”
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Brand Perspective and Rollout
Nidhi Rastogi, Marketing Director at UNIQLO India, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are proud to partner with cricket world champion Jasprit Bumrah and welcome him to the UNIQLO family. His focus on excellence, authenticity and quiet confidence reflects the essence of UNIQLO’s LifeWear philosophy.”
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The campaign has been launched across multiple platforms, including digital media, social channels, outdoor advertising, and in-store displays, aiming to connect with a wide audience while reinforcing the brand’s commitment to everyday comfort and style.
Barcelona are reported to be in no rush to finalise a deal for Marcus Rashford to complete a permanent move to Catalonia from Manchester United
After the final obstacle preventing Marcus Rashford from completing a permanent move to Barcelona was cleared on Sunday, new details have emerged about how the club intend to pay Manchester United the transfer fee. The Spanish giants have the option to make Rashford’s move permanent for €30million (£26m) at the end of the season, when his loan spell concludes.
Joan Laporta has been re-elected president for another five-year term, meaning changes at the Nou Camp will be minimal. Sporting director Deco retains Laporta’s backing, and the president’s intention is to keep Rashford at the club.
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However, Barcelona’s ongoing financial issues are well documented, and Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that the club plan to pay the fee in three €10m instalments. A three-year contract on a fixed salary is also said to have already been agreed with Rashford.
With that said, the report notes that there is ‘no rush’ from the Spanish giants to finalise a deal, as they want to assess how the England international performs between now and the end of the campaign.
It’s claimed that if he fails to find consistent form before the end of May, his ‘chances will decrease,’ with the Champions League clash against Newcastle United described as a fresh opportunity for him to showcase his best.
Despite scoring 10 goals and providing 13 assists in 38 games, his last goal came on January 31 against Elche in La Liga.
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Since then, he has featured against Mallorca, Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao in the league, Newcastle in the Champions League, and Albacete and Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey – all without finding the net.
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A number of Barca supporters have already voiced their opinions on the possibility of signing the winger.
One said: “You don’t want to spend €30m on Rashford. You want to sign a left-footed centre-back, a centre-forward and a full-back. How much would you invest in those three?”
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Another added: “Rashford’s salary, even if reduced from what he earned in Manchester, will still be one of the highest. Plus, we have to invest €30m in the transfer, and so far he’s only shown inconsistency.”
A third pointed out: “He started very well, but his performance has dropped. If he returns to his early-season form, he’s a necessary option to rotate with Raphinha.”
Another supporter suggested: “Seems expensive for what he can contribute,” whilst a fifth concluded: “He has the talent, but in my opinion he lacks a competitive mindset. In elite football, being good and fast isn’t enough.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
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Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
Sanju Samson is set to begin a new phase in his Indian Premier League journey after playing a key role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph. The wicketkeeper-batter has joined Chennai Super Kings, marking a significant shift after leading Rajasthan Royals in recent seasons. At CSK, he enters a different dynamic under captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, with MS Dhoni still part of the setup — a factor that could influence Samson’s chances behind the stumps.
The move presents both opportunity and expectation. Joining one of the IPL’s most successful franchises places Samson in a high-pressure environment, but also gives him a broader platform to elevate his game. Adjusting to conditions at Chepauk will be a fresh challenge, while the strong CSK fan base could further amplify his profile in the coming season.
Speaking on JioStar, Former India captain Anil Kumble believes Samson’s arrival reflects a wider transition in Indian cricket leadership, while also strengthening CSK’s squad. He pointed to Samson’s recent form and confidence as key positives heading into the IPL.
“Icons from one generation to another, the baton has passed on in Indian cricket, from Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin, then to Virat, with MS Dhoni also part of that era. You had the likes of Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly before the shift to MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who still carry that aura and continue to perform. In that sense, Sanju coming in is a great move for CSK. The icing on the cake is his fantastic form leading into the IPL and winning the World Cup for India with three back-to-back knocks,” Kumble said on CSK’s decision.
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Kumble also underlined that Samson’s value goes beyond his performances. His background and familiarity with the region could strengthen the franchise’s connection with its supporters, while his role as a wicketkeeper-batter adds balance to the squad.
“I’m sure that will certainly contribute to the franchise’s fan following. From a Chennai perspective, he fits their need, being Kerala-born, speaks Tamil, so there’s a connect, a wicketkeeper-batter, so in a similar mould to MS, and his experience will be valuable for CSK,” he said.
CSK’s leadership structure has seen frequent changes in recent years, with Dhoni stepping back into the captaincy role during injury setbacks or transitional phases. Kumble feels Samson is well-suited to provide stability in such situations, given his leadership experience with Rajasthan Royals.
“I think that’s the perfect role for Sanju, handling those responsibilities almost like a vice-captain. He has captained Rajasthan for a long period of time, so that leadership role comes naturally to him, and that’s something CSK will be looking for. Last year, when Ruturaj was injured, MS had to take over, and previously, when Ravindra Jadeja was also captain, MS Dhoni came back in as captain midway through the season. So there have been some challenges in identifying who the next captain would be for MS.”
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“Ruturaj was identified, and it is good that he continues as captain despite Sanju coming into the scheme of things. I wouldn’t be surprised if MS Dhoni gives Sanju the keeping role at some point during the season. He will be part of the leadership group, and in case if Ruturaj is unavailable due to injury or otherwise, Sanju would probably take over rather than MS,” Kumble said.
The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket was revealed on Sunday and the first weekend of March Madness is typically all about matchups. If you love to see teams that let it fly, No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 South Florida could be one of the best matchups of March Madness 2026. Both teams were top 25 in the country in 3-point attempts per game and the expectation is certainly for a high-scoring battle between two teams that love playing with pace.
Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr. missed the ACC Tournament with a back injury and his status for the first round is up in the air, so might South Florida be a double-digit seed worth backing in your 2026 NCAA Tournament picks? Before making any 2026 March Madness bracket predictions, be sure to check out the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket picks from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
Their proven projection model has simulated every game in the tournament 10,000 times. It has absolutely crushed its March Madness picks recently, beating over 91 percent of all CBS Sports brackets in four of the past seven tournaments. It was all over UConn’s championship run two years ago and nailed 12 teams in the Sweet 16 last year. It also correctly predicted all four Final Four teams in 2025.
It knows how to spot an upset as well. The same model has produced brackets that have nailed 25 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds since its inception in 2016.
One of the 2026 March Madness matchups to keep an eye on: No. 8 seed Villanova vs. No. 9 seed Utah State in the West Region. Kevin Willard has brought Villanova back to March Madness in his first year as the program’s head coach, following three straight years of it missing the NCAA Tournament. Before these last three seasons, Villanova had been an NCAA Tournament staple, making 16 of 17 Big Dances and winning two national titles. The Wildcats enter 24-8 ahead of a matchup against Utah State, which is 28-6 and coming off a Mountain West Tournament title. The Aggies are playing in their fourth straight March Madness, but they have won only one game in the prior three trips.
Also in the West Region, Miami vs. Missouri figures to be a pivotal 7 vs. 10 matchup. Jai Lucas and Dennis Gates both played in the NCAA Tournament as players, with Lucas making the Big Dance at both Florida and Texas while Gates earned a bid in 2002 with Cal. Now Lucas will make his March Madness debut as a head coach with Miami and Gates is making his third appearance as a head coach with Missouri after making it once with Cleveland State. Miami went 25-8 this season and went 13-5 in the ACC while Missouri went 20-12 and was 10-8 in the SEC. Tipoff for this matchup is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET on Friday.
The third matchup to watch in the West Region features No. 4 seed Arkansas vs. No. 13 seed Hawaii. Both programs are coming off conference tournament championships, with Arkansas defeating Vanderbilt on Sunday to win the SEC and Hawaii besting UC Irvine on Saturday to win the Big West. The Razorbacks are led by superstar freshmen Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas while Hawaii’s top four scorers this season were all seniors. They’ll tip off at 4:25 p.m. ET in Portland at the Moda Center on Thursday. You can see how far all these teams go over at SportsLine.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches from the sideline during the NFL International Series matchup on Sep. 28, 2025, at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, monitoring player performance and roster depth as Minnesota competes abroad while balancing executive evaluation duties in a rare overseas regular-season setting. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
In 2022, the Minnesota Vikings moved on from the previous regime by firing head coach Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman. Two first-timers, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell, were hired to take their spots. A few months in, the duo faced its first significant task on the job when the draft rolled around. The results were a disaster.
Let’s fast forward nearly four years. On Tuesday, running back Ty Chandler, a 2022 fifth-rounder, agreed to terms with the New Orleans Saints, confirming a reality many had been expecting for a couple of years. Not a single Vikings draft pick from 2022 received a second contract with the franchise.
Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine jogs across the turf during pregame warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium, preparing for action as Minnesota hosted San Francisco on Aug. 20, 2022. Cine went through positional drills and light sprints as teammates filtered onto the field ahead of kickoff, part of the Vikings’ preseason routine in Minneapolis. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
The Vikings entered that draft with the 12th overall pick; surely, that would help find a new franchise player. Well, Adofo-Mensah shipped that pick to Detroit for pick 32 and used that to acquire safety Lewis Cine. In theory, adding more picks makes sense, but it only works if their own picks work out. Cine did not.
He played in ten games and was cut after his third preseason. A nasty injury in his rookie year, combined with a coordinator and scheme change, didn’t help, but it can’t be ruled out that he just didn’t have what it takes.
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What makes matters worse is that picks 12 through 14 have all had a pretty good career and Adofo-Mensah had the option to draft one of them: Jameson Williams, Jordan Davis, or Kyle Hamilton. He also passed on first-rounders Trent McDuffie, Tyler Smith, and Tyler Linderbaum.
Unfortunately, the draft didn’t even trend up after Cine’s selection. Entering the second round with pick 34, Adofo-Menash traded that to Green Bay. That trade was a massive win on the trade charts, as he received a couple of second-rounders. He ultimately traded up once for Andrew Booth and also picked Ed Ingram in the process.
Cornerback Booth struggled with injuries in his Vikings tenure and was traded in the summer of 2024 to Dallas in exchange for Nahshon Wright. He also encountered the problem of being drafted into one scheme and suddenly having to work in another. However, he also hasn’t particularly thrived elsewhere and is in the UFL now.
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Houston Texans offensive tackle Blake Fisher and guard Ed Ingram move toward the line of scrimmage as the offense prepares to run a play at NRG Stadium, Aug 16, 2025, during preseason action against the Carolina Panthers, with the interior linemen setting protection and communicating assignments before the snap. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Ingram started 41 games through three seasons, but was one of the worst guards in the NFL. Last offseason, the Vikings traded him to Houston for a late-rounder, where he had his best season and received a sweet contract extension. It’s fair to wonder whether the coaching could have been the issue in his case.
The Vikings had a third pick on Day 2, selecting linebacker Brian Asamoah early in the third round. The linebacker showed flashes as a rotational player in his rookie season, but new coordinator Brian Flores didn’t use him on defense. Asamoah was waived last summer and has bounced around since.
The Vikings added another six players on draft Saturday.
Cornerback Akayleb Evans was a rotational player in 2022 and a full-time starter in 2023. He was surprisingly waived during his third season with the club and has been with the Panthers since. Defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo was another player Flores didn’t like, as he was cut entering his second season. He’s still in the league, mostly as a rotational defensive lineman.
Chandler has been a depth running back and is one of only two players who fulfilled their entire four-year contract. He has never truly established himself on offense, but has been a useful backup and special-teams player.
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Offensive tackle Vederian Lowe was traded after one season for a sixth-rounder, which was his original draft slot. The pick was a wash, but he was a solid backup tackle for the New England Patriots and just signed a lucrative deal with the 49ers.
Jalen Nailor secured a contested touchdown as Minnesota extended its momentum in the second half against Dallas, finishing the play through contact at AT&T Stadium. The Vikings capitalized on coverage breakdowns and timing routes during a critical stretch on Dec. 14, 2025, with Nailor’s score providing separation in a game that demanded precision and poise. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Wideout Jalen Nailor is undoubtedly the best pick on the list, carving out a nice role as the team’s WR3. He just received a paycheck from the Las Vegas Raiders. And finally, reserve tight end Nick Muse, who appeared in 16 games with the Vikings and departed after the 2024 season when he joined the Eagles on the Super Bowl run.
It’s been a disastrous group. Adofo-Mensah worked with the scouting department from the previous regime, then traded down just to trade, picked the wrong players, and didn’t get much help from the coaching staff in developing players. The change from Ed Donatell to Brian Flores certainly helped the defensive success and the operation, but the players selected for Donatell’s scheme were in trouble.
At the end of the day, the draft will go down as one of the worst in recent memory, with some role players and many more players that didn’t work out at all. What was supposed to kickstart the new era of Vikings football turned out to be a huge stinker.
Next month, the decision-makers want to do a better job at finding the next generation of Minnesota Vikings.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi was left frustrated after the cancellation of the Finalissima, seeing the match as a key opportunity to prepare for the upcoming World Cup, according to ESPN.
The Inter Miami star had approached the game with ambition, viewing it as a serious final, but he was not involved in the decision-making that led to its cancellation.
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Clash Between Continental Champions
The match was set to feature Argentina, winners of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America, against Spain, the 2024 UEFA EURO champions. Originally scheduled for March 27 in Qatar, the fixture was called off due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, preventing the organizers from safely staging the event.
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UEFA released a statement explaining the decision: “After much discussion between UEFA and the organizing authorities in Qatar, it is announced today that due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima cannot be played as hoped in Qatar. UEFA explored other feasible alternatives but each ultimately proved unacceptable to the Argentinian Football Association.”
Alternative Dates Explored
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CONMEBOL confirmed that other venues and dates were considered, but UEFA rejected those options. The Argentine Football Association reportedly suggested March 31 as an alternative, stating it had no objection to the venue, but UEFA deemed even this date impossible.
The Finalissima was ultimately cancelled, leaving Argentina without a high-profile warm-up before the World Cup.
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Messi eyes 49th team title
A source close to the squad revealed that Messi regarded the game as a chance to secure the 49th team title of his illustrious career. Despite missing the Finalissima, Messi remains football’s most decorated player, having recently lifted the MLS Cup with Inter Miami in December.
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The Argentine captain’s focus now shifts entirely to the World Cup, where his availability and form will be crucial for Argentina’s chances.
Preparing for the World Cup
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While the cancellation was disappointing, Messi and Argentina’s coaching staff must now find alternative ways to test the squad ahead of the global tournament.
The loss of a competitive match against a European champion means the team will need to adapt their preparation strategy to ensure peak performance when the World Cup kicks off.
VANCOUVER — Elias Pettersson scored his first goals in 21 games, Marco Rossi and Brock Boeser had three-point nights, and 10 Canucks made it onto the scoresheet as Vancouver beat the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 5-2 on St. Patrick’s Day.
For the Canucks, this season, Tuesday’s win is about as fun as it has been at Rogers Arena, where the home team has won just eight times but led wire-to-wire (almost) against the depleted Panthers.
“It was nice to get off to a good start and play with the lead,” winger Drew O’Connor said. “We haven’t had that for a while, so it’s fun. You see Marco’s line going and Petey had a couple of goals, so it was a big night for a lot of guys.”
“It’s different when you’re not chasing and you can kind of control the play,” centre Aatu Raty said after ending his own goal drought at 24 games. “And obviously, winning is fun. I really liked the way the building was going today. I think our bench has been great for, like, the last five games. We’re having some fun.”
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Since the stifling tension and uncertainty surrounding the team and its players was eased by the March 6 passing of the National Hockey League trade deadline, the last-overall Canucks are 3-2-1 and been noticeably more competitive. They’ve allowed 24 or fewer shots in four of the six games and are getting goalie Kevin Lankinen’s best form this season.
How they finish this disaster of a campaign can help them start building a more stable foundation for next year.
“I think it’s really important,” Boeser said. “We’ve talked about holding each other accountable and setting kind of new culture with the new guys and the young guys, and making sure everyone’s putting in the work. And that starts now, and kind of setting the example so they know. . . what you have to do over the summer and how we need to be when we come back.”
Pettersson opened the scoring with his first of two power-play goals just 3:49 into the first period, and Vancouver led for all but two of the final 56 minutes as Lankinen stopped 21 of 23 Florida shots and outplayed Panther goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
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Seeing the way Pettersson one-timed the puck Tuesday like it was 2023, it’s almost inconceivable that the Canucks’ $92.8-million enigma could go 20 games without scoring. His previous goal was Jan. 13, more than two months ago.
His vintage blast from the right-wing circle on the Canucks’ first power play ended the longest goal slump of Pettersson’s career, and the centre made it two goals in 10 minutes when his double-doink off Panther defenders made it 2-1 at 13:40 of the opening period.
Here’s a thought: maybe he should shoot more often.
During his 20-game sabbatical from scoring, Pettersson put only 24 shots on target and in seven of those games did not test the opposition goalie. During his 39-goal, 102-point season three years ago, Pettersson led the Canucks with 257 shots – 3.2 per game.
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“I’ve been trying to simplify and shoot more,” Pettersson told reporters. “I’m glad two went in tonight.”
Boeser said he saw “a confident Petey.”
So far, the Canucks have kept their bets on Pettersson, doubling down a couple of times when they could have tried trading him, in the belief that the 27-year-old can become elite again. He demonstrated Tuesday that his shot, at least, is still world class. When he uses it.
Of course, O’Connor had to score on St. Paddy’s Day. O’Connor scored the only goal of the third period on a nice pass from Linus Karlsson, who found his linemate alone in front of Bobrovsky. It was the winger’s 16th goal of the season, tying him with Boeser for the lead among Canucks — but still one goal behind Kiefer Sherwood, who was traded by Vancouver in January.
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“I’m like 75 per cent Irish,” O’Connor, who is from Chatham, N.J., told Sportsnet. “My mom’s half Italian, but my dad’s full Irish. I mean, my dad’s got five brothers and a sister so they’re a true Irish family.
“It’s a special day. I got some texts today like, you know, hopefully luck’s on my side tonight. I had a green sweater on today. I had to represent.”
After collecting just two goals and five points in his first 15 games for the Canucks after his December trade from Minnesota, centre Marco Rossi suddenly has three goals and seven points in three games while playing with wingers Boeser and Liam Ohgren, who was also part of the blockbuster that sent Quinn Hughes to the Wild.
“I think he’s just getting more comfortable with our systems,” Boeser said. “I think kind of sticking with the same linemates, I think that’s helping. I thought our first few games together — me, him and Liam — weren’t great. And then the last few, I thought we’ve been a lot better and creating chances and reading off each other. So I think the chemistry is coming.”
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So has Rossi’s health. He injured his foot blocking a shot for Minnesota on Nov. 11, and was still hurt when he was traded a month later and, initially, tried to play for the Canucks. After taking a month off, plus the Olympic break, Rossi said he was finally fit when the NHL resumed on Feb. 25. He has nine points in 10 games since.
32 Thoughts: The Podcast
Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.
When a veteran-heavy team that has been as dominant as the Panthers has a season like this one, there is a breezy tendency to declare that their championship days may be over. That would be a mistake with these Florida men.
After three straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final, and two epic series wins against the Edmonton Oilers, injuries to the Panthers reached a critical mass earlier this season. With seven players currently hurt, they’ve lost 11 of their last 16 games to fall so far down the Eastern Conference standings that they’re even behind the Toronto Maple Leafs.
But while the Panthers’ fuel talk may be empty now, their motor and chassis are still formidable.
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Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Aaron Ekblad and Carter Verhaeghe are still just 30 years old, and Sam Bennett, Gustav Forsling and Niko Mikkola are 29. Matthew Tkachuk is only 28, Anton Lundell 24, and Paul Maurice is still their coach. Sure, they’ve accumulated some hard mileage, but there’s still lots there for the Panthers.
Re-signing 37-year-old Brad Marchand may have been a sentimental mistake, and Florida will have to find a goalie to replace Bobrovsky. But we’re predicting the Panthers will be back challenging for the Stanley Cup next season.
In the meantime — and because this is the NHL — they’ll probably win the draft lottery.
Mar 17, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket past Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the first step in their title defense and saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander extend his historic streak on Tuesday.
After becoming the first team to secure a playoff berth this season, the Thunder will attempt to earn their 10th straight victory and widen their lead atop the Western Conference when they face the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday in New York.
The Thunder clinched their third straight playoff spot by earning a 113-108 victory over the host Orlando Magic after taking an 18-point lead midway through the second quarter. It was Oklahoma City’s seventh win by single digits during its second-longest winning streak of the season.
“We’re proud of that,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “It’s not easy. We won the championship last year, and I think that can warp the way that you look at other things like clinching a playoff spot or division titles — things that obviously are not as significant as a championship but that are very difficult to do nonetheless. So we’re proud of the accomplishment, and it’s something we don’t take for granted.”
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points for the sixth time this season and had 19 points in the third quarter. The star guard extended his NBA-record streak to 129 games with at least 20 points and did so in a game when the Thunder thrived in other areas.
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Oklahoma City held an opponent under 50% for the ninth straight game, limiting Orlando to 39.8% accuracy. It was the second-lowest opposing field-goal percentage during the winning streak, and the Thunder withstood allowing 17 3-pointers by holding a 54-32 scoring advantage in the paint and a 53-41 rebounding edge.
“It’s a point of emphasis for us,” Gilgeous-Alexander, speaking about the rebounding, said in his on-court postgame interview with FanDuel Sports. “Every night the game is going to have a different task, a different challenge, and it’s our job. We get paid to execute the game plan and play at a high level and with utmost energy. We did that enough tonight to get a W. That’s what stacking W’s is about.”
The Nets are on a four-game losing streak and 2-14 in the past 16 games. The most recent two games saw Brooklyn fall behind big in the first half and attempt a comeback in the fourth quarter.
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After nearly escaping a 28-point hole in a seven-point loss at Philadelphia on Saturday, Brooklyn gave up the first 10 points of its 114-95 home defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday. The Nets trailed by as many as 31 in the third quarter but briefly cut the gap to 15 before falling short.
Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn’s leading scorer, missed his third straight game due to a sprained right ankle and is listed as questionable for Wednesday. If he does play, he may wind up sitting in the fourth quarter, which is something the Nets did with Nic Claxton and Noah Clowney in recent games.
On Monday, rookie Danny Wolf was the only starter to appear in the fourth quarter as the Nets gave extensive playing time to rookies Ben Saraf, Chaney Johnson and Malachi Smith along with E.J. Liddell, Tyson Etienne and Ochai Agbaji.
Johnson led the Nets with a career-best 17 points in his fifth NBA game, while Saraf scored 10 of his career-high 15 points in the fourth quarter.
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“He plays bigger than what he is,” Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez said of Johnson, who is 6-foot-7. “His length, you know, he may get overlooked, but he can guard almost everybody. He is super active, super athletic. He can shoot the three, like, he does everything well, and he doesn’t try to do too much, and I think that always helps.”
Eugenio Suarez, the man who hit the game-winning RBI double to lift Venezuela over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final, tapped into his faith during his post-game interview.
“I mean, what can I say about this? It’s amazing. God is good, all the glory is for the Lord Jesus. He was with us the whole time,” Suarez told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal after being asked his emotions following the 3-2 win over the U.S.
“We have to glorify, put his name in front of everything. Nobody believed in Venezuela, but now we [won] the championship today. This is a celebration for all [of Venezuela].”
Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela reacts after hitting an RBI double against Team United States during the ninth inning at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida.(Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Suárez shared his faith on Monday night after Venezuela came from behind to defeat Italy, when he hit a solo home run. But he knew the job wasn’t finished with one more game left on the schedule before he and his teammates — whom he called a family — returned to their MLB clubs.
It was a dominant performance by Venezuela at loanDepot park on Tuesday night, a surprising showing in which Team USA was held to just two hits and four total baserunners when Bryce Harper came to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
However, the game turned on its head, as Harper hammered an Andres Machado fastball over the center-field wall to tie the game at two runs apiece. The momentum shift was palpable, but Suarez found himself in a great position to bring it back to the Venezuelan dugout.
Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against Team Italy in the fourth inning at loanDepot park on March 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida.(Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
As Javier Sanoja stole second base, Suárez didn’t miss a 3-2 changeup in the heart of the plate from Garrett Whitlock, driving it to left-center field for the game-winning hit.
He stood on second base and immediately looked to the sky, which Rosenthal asked about – what exactly did he say?
“I just prayed at the time,” Suarez said. “I pointed to my family out there – they were happy for me. God is good, man. God is good.”
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Venezuela’s upset over Team USA, one of the most stacked lineups the Stars and Stripes have fielded in this tournament, marked the country’s first-ever WBC victory. It’s why everyone, from players to coaches, was emotional in celebration on the field after the game.
Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela reacts after hitting an RBI double against Team United States during the ninth inning at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida.(Al Bello/Getty Images)
“The union – we are together the whole time. We’re not just teammates, we’re all family,” Suarez added. “This team is awesome – we are family here. That’s why we play with passion, with love because we feel that on our jersey. We feel our country on the front of us. That’s why this is a lot for us as players, as people, as human beings and as a Venezuelan. Now, we are the champions.”
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