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Sports

Ducks look to regroup against Golden Knights in Game 4

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NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Vegas Golden Knights at Anaheim DucksMay 8, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Cole Smith (22) hits Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson (14) while playing for the puck during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Anaheim Ducks were taught big lessons last outing.

Now the Ducks must show how quickly they can put them to good use when they host the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday for Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

The Golden Knights claimed a thorough 6-2 victory on Friday to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The game was an example of a veteran squad showing its savvy and elevating its play against a young squad.

“We’re still learning, still got things like that we’ve got to be better at doing because we know they’re going to respond,” Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe said. “They’re an experienced team. … Win or lose, we have to play our best game the next game.”

Anaheim controlled the tempo of the first two games with its team speed. On Friday, though, the Golden Knights opened the scoring just over a minute into the clash, doubled the lead midway through the opening frame with a short-handed marker and never relinquished control.

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“It wasn’t a great start,” Anaheim forward Alex Killorn said. “They score in the first five minutes and then they get a PK goal. … It’s tough to win a game when you put yourself in spots like that.”

Another issue for the Ducks is their flickering power play. After a 50 percent success rate against Edmonton (8-for-16) in the opening round, the Ducks have been blanked on their 11 chances against Vegas.

That is just part of finding their form.

“They played well, but I don’t think we brought our best,” Killorn said. “They’re a great team, we just have to have a little bit of a better start and effort throughout the game.”

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Coach Joel Quenneville said on Saturday that goalie Lukas Dostal will open in net. Dostal, who has started every game this postseason, was pulled after the first period in Game 3.

The Golden Knights definitely took their game to another level, but they’re well aware how easily momentum could be regained by the Ducks.

The onus will be on Vegas not to be complacent.

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“Not all problems are solved because you win a game,” said Golden Knights coach John Tortorella. “You’ve got to keep on trying to get better. I just thought we entered the series (Friday) playing our game a little bit more than we have, but we’re going to have to keep improving.”

Tortorella had no update on Saturday regarding the status of captain Mark Stone, who left Friday’s game near the end of the first period.

“I’m not going to give you any updates on injuries, so you might as well stop asking that question,” Tortorella said.

Fortunately for Vegas, Mitch Marner delivered his first career playoff hat trick which put him atop the league’s postseason scoring list with 13 points (six goals, seven assists).

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“I try to always be an energizer guy, a guy that goes out there and brings a lot of passion and energy to games,” Marner said. “Obviously, I always want the puck on my tape. I want to try to make the plays.”

With or without Stone, the Golden Knights could still use more contributors. For example, Tomas Hertl has not scored a goal in 29 games. He last lit the lamp on March 4 for his 24th of the year.

“There’s some areas that we still need to be more consistent at,” Tortorella said. “There’s a few players we’re hoping get going also. … We know it’s Game 4, and as the series ratchets up into these later games, the momentum swings, and it’s more desperate hockey. So, we’re just going to get ready to play and try to play the right way.”

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–Field Level Media

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UCLA two-sport star Megan Grant breaks 31-year-old NCAA softball record

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NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-UCLA at TennesseeJun 1, 2025; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; UCLA Bruins utility Megan Grant (43) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run tying the game in the seventh inning against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the NCAA Softball Women’s College World Series at Devon Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images

UCLA senior Megan Grant set the NCAA Division I softball home run record on Saturday with her 38th long ball of the 2026 season.

Grant was also a member of UCLA’s 2026 NCAA basketball championship team.

In the third inning of Saturday’s game against Nebraska, Grant hit a blast to deep left-center field to pass the previous record of 37, set in 1995 by Arizona’s Laura Espinoza. Grant set the record in 55 games, 17 fewer than Espinoza.

“Records are made to be broken,” Mike Candrea, who coached Espinoza at Arizona, told The Athletic. “It’s a pretty phenomenal record to be able to break, so tip my hat off.”

Nebraska defeated UCLA on Saturday, 7-2, to claim the Big Ten title.

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On Friday against Wisconsin, in the semifinals of the Big Ten conference tournament, the Bruins reached 181 homers on the season, eclipsing the previous record of 161 that had stood since 2021.

Grant boosted that number to 182 with her record shot on Saturday.

“When I first came into college, I wanted to put myself in the books as one of the best, and I didn’t really know how to at the time, but throughout my career, just more and more has gone on, and to be able to do that, it’s just, it’s surreal,” Grant told reporters. “I am just so grateful for the opportunity I was blessed with, and just to follow the people that were before me. It’s just honor.”

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Grant tied UCLA’s single-season record holder, Stacey Nuveman, with her 31st homer during a doubleheader against Cal on April 18 and surpassed her on April 24 against Washington.

Grant and Nuveman are the only Bruins to hit at least 80 career homers. Nuveman, whose career ended in 2002, is the program’s all-time leader with 90. Grant has 85.

Grant joins senior teammate Jordan Woolery (33 homers) as the first teammates in NCAA softball history to each hit 30-plus home runs in the same season.

The NCAA Division I Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, when UCLA (47-8) will find out its postseason seeding. The Bruins are seeking their first Women’s College World Series title since 2019 and their 13th in NCAA history.

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Grant, Woolery and Taylor Tinsley all intend to continue their softball careers in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League this summer.

–Field Level Media

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4 Top stars who made their AEW debut at Double or Nothing

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Double or Nothing is one of the most popular pay-per-views on the AEW calendar. Over the years, the show has formed an identity of its own among the fans due to its signature Stadium Stampede matches. It is a big show that has been a part of the All Elite Wrestling programming since the company’s first year. Therefore, it has witnessed some of the major moments in AEW history.

The pay-per-view has been the epicenter of chaos for the Jacksonville-based promotion, which has featured some of the best matches in the company’s tenure. But it has also been the hotspot for massive debuts for All Elite Wrestling. Many top stars in the Jacksonville-based promotion today made their debut as a surprise at this very pay-per-view in the past seven years.

In this article, let’s take a look at four top stars who made their AEW debut at Double or Nothing pay-per-view:

#4. Brian Cage

Brian Cage signed with AEW in early 2020, and fans had high excitement for his debut in the promotion. On May 23, Cage made his debut as the surprise entrant in the Casino Ladder Match for a future AEW World Championship match at Double or Nothing pay-per-view. He debuted alongside Taz and quickly became one of the top heels of the promotion.

What was good about that moment was that Brian Cage won his first AEW match on the day of his debut. The Swolverine went on to dominate the ladder match at Double or Nothing and won the title opportunity for himself. It was an incredible first appearance by Cage that helped him become one of the top stars of the promotion.

Moreover, the 42-year-old faced the AEW World Champion of that time, Jon Moxley, in a singles match for the title at Fight for the Fallen in the later months. But still, Cage’s debut stands out as one of the best first appearances in All Elite Wrestling’s history.

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#3. Athena

Athena has been an incredible signing for All Elite Wrestling in the past few years. She was released by WWE in November 2021 following an incredible run in the company. After working some major independent wrestling matches, Minion Overlord joined AEW in 2022. On May 29 of that year, the former NXT Champion made her debut for All Elite Wrestling at Double or Nothing in Nevada.

Athena quickly made her mark on the promotion by confronting Jade Cargill. She appeared at the end of Cargill’s match to aid Kris Statlander and Anna Jay. It was a major debut for the Jacksonville-based promotion, and the former WWE star had a decent run before she was moved to ROH. In December 2022, Athena captured the ROH Women’s World Title and has been dominating the division since then.

#2. Lio Rush

Lio Rush joined All Elite Wrestling in 2021 following a decent run in the independent wrestling scene and WWE. On May 30, 2021, the former WWE star made his debut for the Jacksonville-based promotion during the Casino Battle Royal at the Double or Nothing show in Florida. Rush entered the bout as Joker and quickly created a buzz among the fans.

His initial appearance looked entertaining, and fans enjoyed his presence in the match. However, following a decent debut, Lio Rush was eliminated by Matt Hardy, ending his extraordinary experience. After that, the former WWE star will become an addition to the undercard of All Elite Wrestling. He has been trying to make an impact in the company since then.

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In 2026, Rush debuted a new eerie gimmick that helped him to regain the buzz among the fans, something that he had not seen since his debut at Double or Nothing pay-per-view in 2021.

#1. Jon Moxley made his debut at AEW Double or Nothing 2019

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In early May 2019, Jon Moxley announced the return of his former gimmick in professional wrestling. Shortly after that, rumors of Moxley’s arrival in AEW swarmed the internet. On May 25, 2019, he went on to make his much-awaited debut for All Elite Wrestling at the inaugural Double or Nothing pay-per-view. He appeared with an all-new persona, which was different than his WWE character.

The former WWE Champion attacked Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega following their main event showdown for the AEW World Championship. He also took down the referee in the ring to showcase his anti-authority and anti-hero persona. That debut made headlines all over the globe and quickly made Moxley one of the most popular stars in the professional wrestling business.

Thereafter, it was announced that The Purveyor of Violence has signed a multi-year deal with the Jacksonville-based promotion. It was the beginning of a legendary run in AEW. Moxley became a multi-time world champion in the company, and he formed his identity as one of the most important stars in the history of All Elite Wrestling.

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