Apr 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Dalibor Dvorsky (54) helps goaltender Joel Hofer (30) defend the goal against Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn (17) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Robert Thomas scored once in a three-point game and Dylan Holloway tallied twice to lead visiting St. Louis to a 6-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, keeping the Blues’ slim playoff hopes alive.
Pius Suter and Colton Parayko both scored once and added an assist for the Blues (32-31-12, 76 points), who are three points outside of a playoff spot with seven games remaining.
St. Louis’ Jonatan Berggren also scored, Jake Neighbours and Philip Broberg both collected a pair of assists, and goaltender Joel Hofer made 25 saves.
Ryan Poehling collected one goal and one assist and Jeffrey Viel tallied once for the Ducks (41-30-5, 87 points), who lost their hold on the top spot in the Pacific Division. The Edmonton Oilers also have 87 points, but they hold the tiebreaker edge.
Goalie Lukas Dostal stopped 23 shots for Anaheim, which is winless in four games (0-3-1).
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Berggren’s goal late in the first period sent the Blues off to victory. With the score tied 2-2, Berggren set up in the slot after a glaring turnover and buried the chance with 76 seconds remaining in the back-and-forth opening frame.
Suter made it a 4-2 game with a tap-in tally set up by Neighbours and Tyler Tucker at 3:08 of the second period.
Parayko extended the Blues’ lead at 16:50 of the middle frame by converting a wrist shot from the top of the right circle for his second goal of the season.
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Holloway added a power-play goal, ripping home a one-timer from the right circle set up by Thomas’ pass 82 seconds into the third period for his second of the game to make it a 6-2 score.
Before that, the clubs were in a see-saw affair. The Ducks received a sought-after quick start when Poehling opened the scoring at 1:51 by redirecting Mason MacTavish’s long shot.
Thomas responded to tie the clash at 5:24, chipping a shot from in tight upon being sprung on a breakaway by Broberg. With his assist, Broberg extended his point streak to a career-best seven games.
Holloway put the Blues ahead just past the midway point of the opening frame, finding the mark from the top of the right circle for the power-play goal.
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Then it was Anaheim’s turn to erase a deficit, tying the clash when Viel redirected Poehling’s cross-ice pass at 16:01 of the frame.
The Curragh hosts two days of racing this weekend, with the Tattersalls 2000 and 1000 Guineas the feature races on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Breeders’ Cup winner Gstaad will be the headline act at flat racing’s HQ on Saturday afternoon as the runner-up to Bow Echo in the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket bids to win the first Irish classic of the 2026 season.
O’Brien bids for 13th win
The mount of Ryan Moore, the son of Starspangledbanner, will bid to give champion trainer Aidan O’Brien a 13th success in the colts’ classic, with the Ballydoyle handler also saddling Neolithic, a son of Sioux Nation, who will be the mount of Wayne Lordan.
Speaking earlier this week about Gstaad, Aidan O’Brien said after the colt’s final workout:
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“He worked well earlier too and we’re happy with him. He seems to have come out of Newmarket well so we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
Three English Challengers
There is a three-pronged British-trained challenge. Godolphin’s trainer, Charlie Appleby, will be represented by Distant Storm – who was eight lengths third to Gstaad at Newmarket – and Pacific Avenue. The former will be ridden by Billy Loughnane, who will be bidding for a first Irish classic success, while Jamie Spencer will partner Pacific Avenue, as trainer Charlie Appleby bids to add to his 2022 victory in this race with Native Trail.
Alparslan, winner of the Tattersalls Sales race at The Curragh last September, comes from the Karl Burke yard, a trainer who has had much success in Ireland in recent years.
Fozzy Stack’s Thesecretadversary, more than nine lengths in arrears of Gstaad at Newmarket, Gowran Park maiden winner Go Just Do It from the Joseph O’Brien stable, along with Bamako Beach (Michael O’Callaghan), Power Blue (Robson Aguiar) and Take Charge Star (Johnny Murtagh) complete the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas field.
Caitlin Clark is set to be back in action Friday night in the Indiana Fever’s game against the Golden State Valkyries after missing one game with an injury, the team announced.
Clark, 24, was a late scratch and missed the Fever’s game Wednesday against the Portland Fire. The Fever disclosed Clark’s injury just two hours before tipoff, and she was not listed on the team’s injury report a day earlier when she didn’t practice.
The WNBA warned the Fever for failing to report Clark’s injury status before she was a late scratch.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark warms up on the court before a WNBA game against the Seattle Storm on May 17, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.(Doug McSchooler/Special to IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The league requires teams to list players who are injured on a report by 5 p.m. the night before the game is played. If a player’s status changes overnight or early in the day, the team is expected to update the injury report. The mishap sparked the warning, the league told The Associated Press.
Despite not having Clark in the lineup Wednesday, the Fever still beat the Fire 90-73. Aliyah Boston (24 points) and Kelsey Mitchell (21 points) led the Fever in the win.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark looks on during the second half against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 13, 2026.(Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
Clark, now in her third season with the Fever, has gotten off to a torrid start. In four games this season, Clark is averaging 24.3 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds per game.
The former Iowa star hopes her back issue is not lingering, as she aims to be on the floor much more than last season. Clark was limited to just 13 games last season as she dealt with a litany of injuries.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark plays during the first half of a WNBA game against the Seattle Storm at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 17, 2026.(Doug McSchooler/Special to IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The Fever (3-2) will tip off against the Valkyries (3-1) at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Rajat Patidar (ANI Photo)
Rajat Patidar added another major milestone to his growing IPL reputation after surpassing former Royal Challengers Bengaluru icon Chris Gayle in the list of fastest batters to complete 100 IPL sixes. The RCB captain reached the landmark in just 933 deliveries, going past Gayle’s tally of 943 balls and moving into third place on the all-time list. Only Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran have reached the milestone quicker in IPL history.
Fewest balls to reach 100 sixes in IPL
Player
Balls
Andre Russell
657
Nicholas Pooran
884
Rajat Patidar
933*
Chris Gayle
943
Sunil Narine
950
Shivam Dube
992
Patidar achieved the feat during a pressure-filled chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad after RCB were set a daunting 256-run target. Hyderabad’s explosive batting lineup had completely dominated earlier in the evening as Abhishek Sharma blasted 56 off 22 balls, Ishan Kishan hammered 79 off 44 deliveries and Heinrich Klaasen smashed a destructive 51 off just 24 balls to take SRH to 255 for 4. RCB’s hopes of chasing down the mammoth total faded early despite a brisk cameo from Venkatesh Iyer. With qualification scenarios becoming clearer, Patidar shifted focus towards ensuring Bengaluru crossed the crucial qualification mark needed to secure a top-two finish. The RCB skipper produced a composed 56 off 39 balls and stitched together a crucial 84-run stand with Krunal Pandya. During that innings, Patidar reached his 100th IPL six and broke Gayle’s long-standing record. One of his towering hits off Pat Cummins also helped RCB officially seal a top-two finish despite the heavy defeat. Patidar’s rise as a six-hitter has been one of the standout stories of IPL 2026. His fearless approach against both spin and pace, combined with his ability to absorb pressure, has transformed him into one of the league’s most dangerous middle-order batters. Breaking a record once held by Gayle, arguably the greatest power-hitter in IPL history, further underlines how influential Patidar has become for RCB.
Gael MONFILS of France during the 4th qualifying day of the Roland-Garros 2026 at Roland Garros on May 21, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Emilian Baldow/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Gaël Monfils was celebrated during an emotional “Gaël & Friends” event ahead of what is expected to be his final Roland Garros appearance before retiring at the end of the 2026 season.
Monfils has been one of tennis’ most entertaining players for more than 20 years. The French star turned professional in 2004, reached a career-high ranking of world No. 6, won 13 ATP titles, and became known for his athleticism, trick shots and connection with fans.
The tribute event in Paris featured stars like Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 21: Gael Monfils of France and wife Elina Svitolina of Ukraine during the Gael & Friends exhibition prior to the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros on May 21, 2026 in Paris, France (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
One of the most emotional moments at the event came from Monfils’ wife, Elina Svitolina, who was seen in tears during the celebration. Svitolina is also one of the biggest names in women’s tennis, currently ranked world No. 7 after winning the Rome title earlier this month.
The couple met in 2018, got married in 2021 and welcomed their daughter Skaï in 2022. Both players have continued competing at the top level while raising their child together.
Svitolina also wrote an emotional tribute describing Monfils as a “magician” because of the joy and energy he brought to tennis throughout his career.
The night ended with Monfils and Svitolina winning a mixed doubles exhibition match together in front of a packed Roland Garros crowd.
Oleksandr Usyk has cleaned up at both cruiserweight and heavyweight. Now, one of just two other men to have ruled in both divisions, David Haye, has shared how he thinks the Ukrainian would have fared against heavyweight icons.
It is his current heavyweight run that made Usyk a global superstar, twice defeating each of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
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As a result, the undefeated 39-year-old has established himself as the standout heavyweight of this generation, and when asked whether Usyk could have performed similarly in a stronger era, such as the 1990s, Haye told BoxingScene that he believes the Ukrainian ‘would have found a way’.
“Usyk, putting them in there with [Evander] Holyfield, [Mike] Tyson, Lennox [Lewis], he would have hung with the best of them,”
“He would have found a way. He’s shown consistently that he’s beat every man in and around his era that. It’s hard not to be a fan of someone who’s done that.
“It’d be the equivalent of me beating Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko and anyone else.”
Cale Makar remaining out for Game 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights had many NHL fans wondering what it could mean for the rest of the Western Conference Final.
The Colorado Avalanche defenseman was ruled out Friday morning after coach Jared Bednar confirmed Makar would miss a second straight game with an upper-body injury.
After the update was shared by Elliotte Friedman on X, fans quickly reacted.
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“This changes the series. Not that one player should. But their best defenseman, a point producer, quarterbacks the powerplay, great plus-minus player. If Vegas can snag Game 2 before going home, they’re in a great spot,” one user wrote.
Another fan pointed to Makar’s overall impact on Colorado’s game.
“That’s a massive blow for Colorado because Makar changes the entire pace structure and confidence of the team whenever he’s on the ice. In playoff hockey losing a player who can control games from the blue line affects every matchup immediately.”
Others questioned how the Avalanche planned to handle Vegas without him.
“Do they honestly think that they don’t need him against Vegas?” one user commented.
Another compared Colorado’s situation to playing short-handed in chess.
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“Avalanche without Cale Makar is like trying to win a chess match without your queen. Technically possible, but nobody serious is betting on it.”
Others wondered what Makar’s condition might actually be.
“I wonder how bad his injury must be for him not to play when you hear players playing through MCL sprains, torn MCL, and fractured ribs,” one fan wrote.
Makar is still listed as day-to-day and has continued skating despite missing games. He took part in drills before Game 1 and returned for more work at the team facility ahead of Game 2, going through skating, passing, shooting and positioning exercises before joining Colorado’s optional morning skate.
Cale Makar’s Game 2 absence raises more questions for Colorado
Paul Bissonnette had already raised concerns about Colorado’s chances if Cale Makar could not return in the Vegas series. With the Avalanche defenseman now missing Game 2 as well, that question is still hanging over Colorado.
“If there’s no Makar this series they’re done… Vegas has all things clicking and obviously the superstars are being superstars, so I think if there’s no Makar, this series could end in 6 games,” Bissonnette said on Spittin’ Chiclets.
Colorado saw some of those concerns show up in Game 1. After the Avalanche’s 4-2 loss, coach Jared Bednar said there was “a trickle-down effect” from playing without Makar, though he added that the team still had to find a way through it.
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Bednar had to lean heavily on the rest of his defensemen in the opener. Devon Toews, Brett Kulak, Sam Malinski, Josh Manson and Brent Burns all took on bigger roles. Four of those five defensemen logged more than 19 minutes, while Jack Ahcan saw less than eight minutes of ice time.
Before the Western Conference Final began, Cale Makar had four goals and one assist in nine playoff games and had played 29 shifts in Colorado’s comeback win over Minnesota that closed out the previous round.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, waves to the crowd after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at Etihad Stadium on May 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Manchester City F.C. have officially announced that the newly expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium will now be called “The Pep Guardiola Stand” in honour of Pep Guardiola.
The stand will fully open for the first time during Guardiola’s final home game as Manchester City manager against Aston Villa F.C. this weekend.
City owner Sheikh Mansour approved the tribute to recognise Guardiola’s incredible impact during his 10 years at the club.
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During his time at City, Guardiola transformed the club into one of the most dominant teams in world football, winning multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups and the Champions League while changing the way the team played.
A statue of Guardiola will also be built outside the stadium near the new stand.
“Sheikh Mansour’s permanent marking of Pep’s incredible legacy will give City fans the opportunity to acknowledge Pep’s legend every single time they visit our stadium,” CEO Ferran Soriano said.
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The newly expanded stand adds more than 7,000 seats to the Etihad Stadium, increasing the stadium’s capacity to over 61,000.
Roland Garros begins this weekend, as the world’s best players arrive in Paris for the 130th edition of the French Open. In the men’s draw, world number one Jannik Sinner returns after last year’s epic final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz. In the women’s competition, Aryna Sabalenka arrives as the top-ranked player, while attention will also focus on Iga Swiatek — the Queen of Clay — and defending champion Coco Gauff.
To discuss the tournament, FRANCE 24’s Gavin Lee is joined by renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou, best known for coaching Serena Williams during one of the most successful partnerships in modern tennis, as well as helping guide Coco Gauff’s rise from a young age.
Produced by Gavin Lee, Alessandro Xenos, Antonia Cimini and Guillaume Gougeon
May 12, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) hits a single against the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story will likely miss several weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia on Thursday in Philadelphia.
The Red Sox confirmed the procedure on Friday but didn’t present a timeline for Story’s return. The 33-year-old Story told reporters last Saturday, “… the basic prognosis is six to 10 weeks, give or take.”
Story began feeling discomfort during spring training and attempted to play through the pain. The team initially listed Story with a groin injury before further testing pinpointed a hernia.
Story is batting just .206 with three homers, 19 RBIs and 57 strikeouts in 41 games. His slugging percentage is just .303, well below his career mark of .483.
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While addressing the situation Saturday, Story said of the dip in his stats this season, “I hate to (make excuses). I’m not going to be blaming it all on that, but it plays a part, for sure. I think the main thing is getting it right, and I’m not so much worried about what has happened, and I’m more worried about problem-solving it and moving forward with the next steps, whatever that may be.”
Story is hitting .262 with 207 homers and 655 RBIs in 1,106 career games over 11 seasons with the Colorado Rockies (2016-21) and Red Sox. He was a National League All-Star for the Rockies in 2018 and 2019.
Boston manager Chad Tracy told reporters Friday that the plan is to have second baseman Marcelo Mayer move to shortstop on Sunday and then remain at the position while Story is sidelined. Nick Sogard is starting at shortstop on Friday against the Minnesota Twins.
The singer who performed a bilingual version of “O Canada” in North Carolina ahead of the Hurricanes-Canadiens NHL playoff game on Thursday says he’s surprised and honoured by the praise he’s getting.
Mason Greer chose to sing Canada’s national anthem in both official languages, instead of the English-only version that’s usually heard everywhere outside of Montreal and Ottawa games.
Greer told The Canadian Press that his name has been trending on social media and he’s received a flood of positive comments for his choice to sing in French.
He says some of the messages are in French, and he answers with a thank you because he can’t speak the language.
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The 24-year-old student has been singing “O Canada” at the Hurricanes’ home games since 2018, and has got into the habit of performing a bilingual version when the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens come to play.
Greer has more than 10 years of experience singing national anthems in sports stadiums but says he’s never experienced an atmosphere like one at the start of Thursday’s game in Raleigh.
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