A terrifying scene briefly interrupted Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final Thursday night, as a player took a shot directly to the face, resulting in hospitalization.

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb skated off the ice, covering his face after being in the direct line of an 87 mph shot.

A slap shot from Carolina’s Nikolaj Ehlers hit McNabb square in the face just past the midway point of the first period. McNabb dropped his stick, went down to the ice and grabbed his nose as he skated immediately off and down the tunnel.

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Vegas Golden Knights’ Brayden McNabb takes a puck to the face during the first period of Game 2 in the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 4, 2026. (Karl DeBlaker/AP Photo)

The ESPN broadcast reported early in the second period that McNabb had left the arena and gone to a local hospital.

McNabb was coming off the first three-assist performance of his NHL career in Game 1. He is one of three original Golden Knights players who have been around for the franchise’s entire nine-year existence and is in the final for a third time.

“You lose a guy like Nabber who logs heavy minutes, such a good teammate, plays the game so hard, it’s tough,” captain Mark Stone said. “They battled as hard as they could.”

Vegas Golden Knights’ Brayden McNabb takes a puck to the face during the first period of Game 2 in the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 4, 2026. (Karl DeBlaker/AP Photo)

SETH JARVIS SCORES OVERTIME GAME-WINNER AS HURRICANES STORM BACK FROM 2-0 DEFICIT TO EVEN STANLEY CUP FINAL

“Any time you see that happen to a teammate, especially to a guy like Nabber who is a huge part of this team, a leader, it’s tough,” fellow D-man Noah Hanifin said. “It’s hard to see that happen to any guy on the ice. We’re just hoping for the best for him.”

Head coach John Tortorella said he did not have an update after the game.

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb reacts after a puck hits his face during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game two of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 4, 2026. (James Guillory/Imagn Images)

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The Golden Knights were up 2-0 in the third period but squandered their lead quickly. After tying it with less than two minutes to go, Carolina Hurricanes‘ Seth Jarvis found the back of the net to tie the series at one before both teams head west.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Shreyas Iyer has emerged as the top contender to replace Suryakumar Yadav as the Indian cricket team T20I captain and if reports are to be believed, then the official announcement should come on Saturday. While there are not many people who will doubt the calibre of a player like Shreyas, it is almost shocking that the last time that he played in a T20I match for India was back in December 2023. Since then, he was snubbed twice for T20 World Cups and did not even find a place in the Asia Cup squad. However, that did not dampen his spirits and in the almost 30 months that he stayed away from the national side, he won the IPL title once, led Punjab Kings to the final next season and is now on the verge of completing a stunning comeback story.

A Tale Of Rejections

Despite guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title, Shreyas did not find a spot in the T20 World Cup squad. It came as a surprise to many experts or fans but there was a feeling that he was still not the middle-order batter who was undroppable by the selectors. For KKR, he scored just 351 runs in 15 matches that season and although he completed a stunning journey after getting dropped from the BCCI central contracts in 2023, his exclusion showed that the selectors were just not convinced.

A move to Punjab Kings followed ahead of IPL 2025 and the price tag of Rs 26.75 crore was probably a good indication of how much he was valued by the franchises. Shreyas did not disappoint as he slammed 604 runs and led by example as his team reached the final before losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Selectors were once again put on high alert but he once again found him in the rejection list when it came to Asia Cup 2025 as well as T20 World Cup 2026. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar hinted that it was not the player’s fault and he was once again overlooked in favour of T20I specialists.

The Winds Of Change

While Shreyas continued to show his good run of form, things were going downhill for Suryakumar Yadav. The explosive batter led India to the World Cup title in 2026 but the murmurs never ceased over his batting form. A poor show in the Asia Cup as well as the World Cup did not soothe the nerves and soon, fans as well as experts started having their doubts.

Cut to IPL 2026 and Suryakumar was once again unsuccessful in impressing everyone with his batting. Just 260 runs in 13 matches for him and with Mumbai Indians finishing ninth in the points table, there was no place to hide for the star batter.

In contrast, Shreyas continued to play big knocks and his batting form was one of the main reasons behind PBKS winning their first six games in IPL 2026. While a dramatic dip in form ultimately resulted in the team not reaching the Playoffs, Shreyas once again finished the tournament with 498 runs at an average of 55.33.

Time For A New Leader?

With the selectors focusing on T20 World Cup 2028 and the LA Olympics, a new leader is being considered to take over the reins of the national team. Suryakumar’s form led to the selectors looking at alternatives and Shreyas has become the biggest talking point with his leadership record as well as a proven option to bat at No. 4. While Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma were also names that made headlines, it is his experience of leadership that handed Shreyas a huge advantage.

While nothing is official as of now, it seems like India are on the verge of a major leadership change and if the transition is indeed completely, Shreyas’ comeback story will be nothing short of a blockbuster movie script.

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Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton says it will be a “strange start” for Andoni Iraola as the new Reds boss, with so many of his players away at the World Cup, but there will still be pressure on him to “hit the ground running”.

“Arne Slot winning the league then finishing fifth and that not being enough has put huge pressure on whoever takes over, because it pressurises you coming in as a new manager to get things right straight away,” Houghton told BBC Radio Merseyside.

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“It will be difficult for him because a lot of players are on World Cup duty. He would love to have his players in as early as possible because he wants to get his mantra and way of playing across to them.

“I think it’s going to be a strange start for the new manager, having to deal with players not being there until August. From the fans’ point of view, there has to be patience. We can only judge him when he’s had time to work with his full squad.

“But he’ll have to hit the ground running and make sure he gets what he wants across to his players very quickly.

“Every Liverpool manager is under pressure to challenge for trophies. You’re at one of the biggest clubs in world football so there should be that pressure.”

Poland’s Maja Chwalinska (AP Photo)

Paris: While Paris buzzes around her, Maja Chwalinska keeps things simple: tea, a show, perhaps a little tennis, and an early night. It is the routine that has carried Roland Garros’ surprise finalist from world No. 114 to No. 21 in the Live Rankings, and she sees no reason to change it now. On Saturday, the Pole will face eighth seed Mirra Andreeva in the biggest match of her life, determined to remain inside the bubble that has served her so well these past weeks.Chwalinska, 24, has the word “free” etched on her left hand. She declined to explain its meaning, but is perhaps related to her struggle against depression, which forced her to step away from the game. “I feel like I’m in a bubble, I don’t know what’s going on,” she said after the semi-finals. “I just try to focus on every single match, give my all and then, after the tournament, there will be time to process it. Breathe in, breathe out.” A year ago, Chwalinska left Roland Garros after losing in qualifying competition. Now the 5 ft 5’ Pole stands one match from becoming the first qualifier in the Open era to win the title. A self-confessed tennis addict, she devours matches whenever she can, using them to study opponents and deepen her understanding of the game. That knowledge is reflected in her own tennis, a left-handed blend of angles, variety and imagination that keeps rivals guessing and has become one of the stories of this tournament.“I’m a tennis freak, I love watching tennis. When I was younger, I watched tennis all day, every day. I feel like it helps me read the game better,” she said, adding that she is grateful that she could watch Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic when growing up. “Sometimes I go back to these old matches and watch them play. It feels like poetry.” The daughter of a retired coal miner and a receptionist, Tomasz and Marcela, Chwalinska was uncertain of how she would pay for her stay in Paris as she progressed through the draw. A sponsor stepped in to help. She still does not have a clothing sponsor, but after the fortnight of her life, it is hard to imagine companies will not be queuing up to back her, whatever the outcome of Saturday’s final.’

Sportsbooks believe the Minnesota Vikings will win 8.5 games in 2026, and if that sounds familiar, it’s because that particular forecast has basically followed Minnesota for eight straight summers. But according to CBS Sports, Vegas is overlooking the Vikings, while overrating the Green Bay Packers.

It’s a rare bit of enthusiasm for Minnesota from a national media outlet.

The Vikings Get Rare Backing from CBS Sports

Jordan Dajani: Pick the Over for Vikings

Dajani of CBS Sports assessed the entirety of the NFC North, speaking highly of the Vikings, who are expected to finish in last place inside the division, according to live betting odds.

“Kyler Murray will have some fantastic weapons to work with, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson and Jauan Jennings. I believe Jennings is one of the most underrated signings of the entire offseason, so don’t get me started on him,” Dajani began.

“He ranked second on the 49ers in receptions and receiving yards over the past two seasons and led the team in red-zone targets (34), fourth-quarter targets (50) and third-down targets (69) during that span. He’s also an elite run blocker and doesn’t drop the football. Thanks for entertaining my rant. Murray now also has the backing of a Brian Flores-led defense, which he didn’t have in Arizona.”

During his time in Arizona — 2019 to 2025 — the Cardinals ranked eighth-worst in the NFL per EPA/Play.

Dajani continued, “The Vikings did lose Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen and Jonathan Greenard on the defensive front, but I like some of the additions they made in the draft, including linebacker Jake Golday, defensive tackle Domonique Orange and safety Jakobe Thomas.”

“The Vikings hit the over on this line last year thanks to a five-game winning streak to end the season. Do we really see Minnesota getting worse? Verdict: Over 8.5 wins.”

Probably a Safe Bet

All of Dajani’s logic checks out; it’s not far-fetched. In short, the Vikings were a nine-win team last year — already beating the 8.5-win forecast with a similar roster, sans Greenard to Philadelphia — and have upgraded the quarterback spot with Murray.

The defense is Minnesota’s calling card for now, as the enterprise changed when Brian Flores arrived in 2023. The unit struggled during Kevin O’Connell’s first year with Ed Donatell calling the shots, but turned it around immediately when Flores walked through the doors in Eagan.

Pairing Murray with a Top 3 defense — Murray is accustomed to average or poor defenses in Arizona — should be the special sauce to top 8.5 wins. In his career, Murray has a better EPA+CPOE than Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence, Daniel Jones, and C.J. Stroud. If you can imagine Mayfield or Lawrence under center for the Vikings, that’s basically what Murray will bring per efficiency.

Kevin O’Connell Due for a Playoff Win

O’Connell took over the Vikings in 2022 and has led the team to the NFL’s fifth-best win percentage in four seasons. Two of his seasons — 2023 and 2025 — were ruined by QB1 injuries, but even during those campaigns, O’Connell stabilized operations enough for Minnesota to find 16 total wins.

Yet, with the fifth-best win percentage, the man has not won a playoff game. Very few NFL head coaches see a fifth year without a postseason triumph; O’Connell snuck through.

Before too long, he must win a playoff game or risk hot-seat whispers. Winning regular season games only goes so far. The Vikings haven’t won a playoff game since 2019 — the day Kirk Cousins and Kyle Rudolph walked off the Saints in overtime down in New Orleans.

Bullish on the Lions

Dajani was also high on the last-place Detroit Lions, noting, “The Lions have plenty going for them. Quarterback Jared Goff has led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns over the past four seasons. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs has scored more touchdowns in his first three seasons than any player in NFL history.”

“Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta provide a great supporting cast. Detroit traded running back David Montgomery to Houston, but I think Isiah Pacheco is going to play a fun role in this offense with his maniacal running style.”

Pound for pound, the talent of the Lions’ depth chart suggests it’s closer to first place in the NFC North than last place.

Dajani added, “Defensively, Aidan Hutchinson is an elite pass rusher, Jack Campbell was one of the best linebackers in football last year and cashed in on a lucrative deal, and Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, DJ Reed and Roger McCreary can handle the weapons in the NFC North if they stay healthy.”

“It’s important to note that the Lions have the sixth-easiest schedule in the NFL this season. I’ll take them to go 11-6.”

The Los Angeles Rams are the runaway frontrunner to win the Super Bowl, especially after trading for EDGE rusher Myles Garrett this week.

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As we count down to the first college football game of the 2026 season, we continue our new series: The records of each top CFB program in the West against all the others in the region.

Some schools have met many times over the years, while others are beginning new rivalries in the wake of recent realignment.

For each opponent in the table below, we provide the total games played, wins, losses, ties, winning percentage, first year played, and most recent contest.

We continue with Arizona State, which has played 727 games vs. regional foes, winning 428, losing 288, and tying 11 for a winning percentage of .596.

The Sun Devils have recorded the most wins (46) and lost the most games (52) against Arizona (with one tie). UA is also ASU’s most-played opponent at 99 games.

Here is a breakdown of Arizona State’s records vs. the region’s teams.

With the presidential election at Real Madrid just days away, current president Florentino Perez has added fresh intrigue by revealing plans to launch a €150 million bid for a leading player currently competing in the UEFA Champions League.

The announcement comes during a heated election period that has seen transfer speculation dominate headlines in Spain, particularly after rival candidate Enrique Riquelme made bold claims regarding several high-profile players.

Perez distances himself from Haaland speculation

Perez made it clear that the mystery target is not Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, or any other player currently plying their trade in the Premier League.

The clarification appears aimed at separating his transfer strategy from the controversy created by Riquelme, who recently claimed that Haaland had a release clause and wanted to join Madrid.

Those remarks were quickly dismissed by Haaland’s representatives, while Manchester City publicly rejected the suggestion and even threatened legal action over the use of the striker’s image and name in an election campaign.

Election campaign turns into transfer battle

The June 7 election has increasingly become a contest of transfer promises.

Riquelme previously stated that both Haaland and Rodri could be brought to Madrid under his presidency. The claims generated widespread attention but also drew criticism after Manchester City strongly denied any possibility of Haaland leaving.

What it means for Manchester City?

For Manchester City, Perez’s comments offer some reassurance. By explicitly ruling out Haaland, Doku and other Premier League players, Perez has effectively ended speculation linking Madrid’s upcoming bid to City’s squad.

The situation surrounding Rodri, however, remains less straightforward. The Ballon d’Or winner’s contract situation has been a subject of discussion in recent months, and reports suggest his long-term future could become clearer after the FIFA World Cup.

While Perez has ruled out Premier League targets for this particular €150 million move, Rodri’s name continues to surface in Madrid-related conversations.

Mystery surrounds Madrid’s €150 million target

Perez has not revealed the identity of the player Madrid intend to pursue, only confirming that the target currently plays for a Champions League club outside the Premier League.

With the election approaching and the summer transfer window around the corner, attention will now shift to Tuesday, when Madrid are expected to make their move and potentially unveil the next major chapter in the club’s transfer plans.  Who could the mystery man be?  With Perez clearing out that the player isn’t Erling Haaland, Harry Kane or any player from the Premier League, it is likely that the player could be seen coming from the Champions League winners PSG, who currently have a brilliant crop of players with themselves.   The reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmanne Dembele is also among the players who is receiving a lot of attention lately and could be Perez’s man this year too.  Dembele does bring some similarity to that of the cituation when Cristiano Ronaldo was brought in the club with both players winning the Champions League and Ballon d’Or’s in the club and then becoming a Galactico the following year.  However, there are other stars that could be on the radar too, with thelikes of PSG forwards Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue playing out an incredible season for the French Champions too.  Doue was awarded the man of the match for the UCl final against Arsenal and is considered as a vital player for Luis Enrique’s side with both his attacking and tracking back exploits coming in handy for the side.