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‘Perfect storm’: Canucks’ Jake DeBrusk unhappy with five-on-five production

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VANCOUVER — The only road runner Jake DeBrusk knew when he was little was Wile E. Coyote’s cartoon nemesis. So it was for most hockey players born outside of Quebec in the 1990s.

Yvan “The Roadrunner” Cournoyer, the dynamo who won 10 Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1960s and ’70s, was a name foreign to DeBrusk until the Vancouver Canuck recently saw the Hall-of-Famer on Sportsnet’s list of single-season goal-scorers with an historic percentage of power-play goals.

Among players who have scored at least 15 goals during a National Hockey League season, only Cournoyer, with 16 of his 18 goals on the power play during his sophomore campaign 50 years ago, has had a more lopsided share of PPGs than DeBrusk has this season.

The 29-year-old winger’s 19th goal of the season, scored on deflection during the Canucks’ 7-4 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Saturday, was his 16th on the power play. 

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DeBrusk’s 84.2-per-cent share of power-play goals trails only Cournoyer’s 88.9 in NHL history.

“I looked him up; he actually had a really good career,” DeBrusk, who grew up in Edmonton, said after Monday’s Canuck practice. “But when I first heard about him, it didn’t ring a bell. People in Montreal, don’t hate me. I was there for Guy Lafleur’s standing ovation (before he passed away in 2022) and that was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in a game.”

Before signing a seven-year, $38.5-million contract to join the Canucks two summers ago, DeBrusk spent his first seven NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins so, he said, has great respect for the Canadiens organization.

But with just three even-strength goals during a season-gone-wrong in Vancouver, DeBrusk would rather not be on this list with Cournoyer.

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“Would you?” he asked. “If I pump two more in at five on five, my percentage (of power-play goals) goes down, so it would make it a little better. But it’s been that type of a year. I mean, it doesn’t make any sense. I’ve played over 600 games and I’ve been a five-on-five scorer my entire career. Except this is the year where it’s gone history-making — backhanded history, I guess.”

Since entering the NHL in 2017-18, DeBrusk was 77th in the league with 166 goals through last season. His 44 power-play goals ranked 70th, so his scoring was in perfect balance.

Excluding the pandemic-shortened season in 2021, DeBrusk had averaged 23 goals per season and never had fewer than 11 at five on five. This year, three. His five-on-five shooting percentage of 2.75 looks like a misprint, missing a one before the two. His career five-on-five scoring rate is 11.5 per cent.

But he has 16 goals on the power play, tied for fourth in the NHL, and can hit the 20-goal mark for the season when the Vegas Golden Knights visit Rogers Arena on Tuesday.

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Special teams frequently decide games, so it’s not like power-play goals are empty calories. But they’re not as fulfilling as even-strength ones.

Why hasn’t DeBrusk’s play on the power play, where he has scored the great majority of his goals from around the crease, translated to five-on-five scoring?

“I’m trying to figure that out, too,” he said. “I think the biggest thing, if this answers your question, is pucks are arriving (at the net on the power play). Pucks are getting there; that’s the biggest difference. I’m actually in the right positions when the pucks are coming versus five-on-five.

“Maybe I haven’t been in that position enough, or when I am, the pucks aren’t arriving. It’s been both. Shots aren’t coming. Usually, I’m the one shooting at five on five, funny enough. It’s always one of those things as a net front player, you can go to the net 10 times and nothing arrives. But then you don’t go the 11th time, and that’s when the puck is sitting there waiting for you. So you have to keep going to the well. But when you’re the only one on the line shooting, whether that’s just by position or how it goes, some nights are like that. But, you know, I need shots there because that’s where I have success. That’s where we have success. Worst-case scenario, I go to the net and I’m there for the screen and someone else scores. That’s not a bad worst-case scenario.”

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With just 22 wins in 76 games, including eight in 39 games at Rogers Arena, the Canucks have experienced a lot of worst-case scenarios this season.

Notoriously hard on himself, DeBrusk said teammates haven’t been chirping him about his disparity in goal types.

“Actually, if anything, whenever we get a power play, guys are like: ‘It’s your time, here we go,’” he said. “I don’t think a lot of guys really have much to stand on in terms of five-on-five goals. I get chirped for a lot of other things. But if someone says you can’t score five-on-five or I read about that, I just laugh. 

“Look at my record. What am I shooting (at five on five), under three per cent? I think that’s rare. My track record, it’s been mostly five-on-five scoring. I think it’s been a perfect storm of events for this to happen. I think I’ve done it enough to know I can. It just hasn’t happened this year. Like, there’s no method to the madness.”

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ICE CHIPS — Losers in regulation in eight of their last nine games, the Canucks practised Monday without goalie Kevin Lankinen (out day to day with an upper-body injury, according to coach Adam Foote) and winger Evander Kane, who has been managing an undisclosed injury. Defenceman Filip Hronek had another in a series of maintenance days. . . Injured centre Filip Chytil (facial fractures) went on the ice in full gear at the end of practice, but Foote said the plan is to try to incorporate him in a couple of full team practices, not games, before the Canucks’ season ends next week.

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4 early observations from the ground at Augusta National

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Connor scores twice, Scheifele hits milestone as Jets roll past Kraken

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WINNIPEG — Kyle Connor scored twice while Jonathan Toews and Gabriel Vilardi had a goal and an assist each to lead the Winnipeg Jets to a 6-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Monday night.

Brad Lambert and Vladislav Namestnikov, into an empty net, also scored for the Jets (34-31-12), who have collected points in seven of their last nine games (6-2-1).

Mark Scheifele registered three assists, while Josh Morrissey provided a pair.

Connor Hellebuyck made 22 saves for the win at Canada Life Centre.

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Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann replied for the Kraken (32-33-11), who extended their losing streak to five games and have lost nine of their last 10 (1-7-2).

Seattle starting goaltender Philipp Grubauer left the game with an undisclosed injury in the second period after allowing three goals on 15 shots. Joey Daccord entered in relief and made 10 saves.

The Kraken opened the scoring at 9:17 of the first period when Eberle netted his team-leading 25th of the season, marking the fourth consecutive game Winnipeg has surrendered the opening goal.

The Jets responded on the man advantage at 12:39 when Toews, who was moved back to the top power-play unit in Sunday’s practice, put in his 10th of the campaign to tie the game.

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Winnipeg took control in the second period with a pair of power-play markers. Vilardi gave the Jets their first lead at 9:55, followed by Connor’s team-leading 37th goal of the season at 12:09.

Seattle cut the deficit to 3-2 at 2:28 of the third period on a goal by McCann. The assist went to Kaapo Kakko, extending his point streak to three games.

Lambert restored the two-goal cushion at 5:59 of the final frame to seal the win, with Connor and Namestikov adding insurance markers.

Jets: Winnipeg’s special teams dominated the matchup, as the club scored three times on the power play for the first time all season.

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Kraken: The loss dealt a devastating blow to Seattle’s bid for a playoff spot, costing the club an opportunity to close the gap in the highly competitive Western Conference wild-card race.

With Seattle seizing momentum after cutting the lead to one early in the third period, Lambert fired home his third goal of the season to make it 4-2. Lambert celebrated the insurance marker right in front of the Kraken bench and his uncle, Seattle head coach Lane Lambert.

Scheifele registered his 900th career NHL point with his secondary assist on Connor’s second-period goal.

Jets: Visit the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

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Kraken: Visit the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.

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The Masters: McKibbin enjoying ‘surreal’ start to his first Masters week

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Although delighted to be part of the field, McKibbin is eager to make his mark and acknowledges the famous course is challenging.

Long fairways and “pristine” greens are what he will encounter but he wants to leave on Sunday happy with his week’s work.

Whether that means playing through the weekend or making a charge at the leaderboard remains to be seen, but making the most of this opportunity is his primary motivation.

“Some of the holes are very long, especially around 10 and 11, you’re hitting a lot of long irons into the greens which look pretty small from there, but the golf course is just incredible,” he noted.

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“I’ve played it a few times now and it’s everything you could imagine, so to play more over the week is pretty cool.

“The greens are absolutely perfect, so pristine, quick and once you get out onto the course, there are some pretty crazy slopes on them you can really play around with.

“The golf course changes so much over the week, I don’t know what to expect, but I would just like to have a nice week, play well and see where that is. Your first one there aren’t a lot of expectations, but I want to have a good week.”

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Ryan Garcia names the most ‘horribly overrated’ fighter in boxing

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WBC welterweight world champion Ryan Garcia has named the man whom he believes to be the most overrated fighter in the sport, saying that the hype is ‘premature’.

Despite knocking out Luke Campbell for the WBC Interim lightweight title back in January 2021, it took over five years for Garcia to finally claim world honours, with some fans thinking along the way that the ‘overrated’ label suited his own campaign.

That long-awaited victory came in February, as ‘King Ry’ dominated proceedings against Mario Barrios to properly announce his return to the big time and receive the plaudits that his skills merit.

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Now, Garcia sits as one of the biggest names in the sport and the Californian is being linked to a mammoth rematch with rival and reigning WBO welterweight champion, Devin Haney.

Despite criticising Haney in the past, on the Creators Think Podcast when quizzed to name the most ‘horribly overrated’ active boxer, Garcia opted not to select his fierce foe. Instead, he looked upwards toward the super-welterweight division, playing down the abilities of Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

“Horribly overrated? Today, I would say ‘Boots’ Ennis. I know that I have said that before on a stream and got some hate but, at this point where they are hyping up like he is the next everything, I think it’s a little premature and [that he is] overrated.”

Ennis held the unified IBF and WBA welterweight world titles but moved up to 154lbs late last year, knocking out Uisma Lima upon his debut in the division.

At the end of June, the ‘Boots’ will challenge for the unified WBA and WBO super-welterweight titles against the youngest unified champion in boxing, Puerto Rico’s Xander Zayas.

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There is a possibility that Garcia, still just 27, will move up to 154lbs in the future. If he does so, Ennis may want to answer the above comments inside the ropes.

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Fabregas Reacts As Okoye Shines In Udinese Draw

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Maduka Okoye delivered an outstanding performance, but Cesc Fabregas admitted he was not fully satisfied with his team after Como’s goalless draw with Udinese on Monday night.

Fabregas said the game was tight and very tactical, with both sides struggling to find space and control the tempo.

“Both teams had difficulties finding spaces, it was a very tactical game and nobody really took the initiative,” he said.

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Despite his side creating two good chances, Fabregas was not impressed with how Como handled the ball, noting that several players did not perform at their best.

“In general, I didn’t like the way the team played in possession, there were many players who were below par today,” he added.

The Como boss also pointed out that Udinese offered little attacking threat, but stressed the importance of staying solid at the back.

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“At the same time, Udinese created very little danger and we kept our 15th clean sheet.”

Fabregas admitted he expected more from his team but accepted the result, especially given recent challenges.

“When you are in these situations, it is important not to lose and not to concede, even if I am the first to admit that I expected more.”

Okoye was the key figure in the match, making several important saves to deny Como and secure a clean sheet for Udinese.

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Callum Smith vs David Morrell fight off after injury suffered in Smith training camp

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The upcoming battle between Callum Smith and David Morrell will no longer be happening.

Smith last fought in February 2025 when he was involved in a fight of the year contender against Joshua Buatsi, claiming the unanimous decision win in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to secure the WBO interim light heavyweight title.

Over 12 months on from that bout, he was set to make his long-awaited return against Morrell in his hometown of Liverpool on April 18, but with less than two weeks to go until the showdown, disaster has unfortunately struck.

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According to journalist Mike Coppinger, the Liverpudlian has been forced to pull out of the bout after sustaining an injury whilst training.

“Callum Smith suffered an injury in training camp and is withdrawing from his light heavyweight fight vs. David Morrell on April 18 in Liverpool, sources tell Ring Magazine.”

Smith was hoping to move one step closer to becoming a two-weight world champion, having previously reigned as WBC super-middleweight champion thanks to a win over George Groves in 2018 before he lost that belt to Canelo Alvarez in 2020.

That prompted the move to 175lbs, and despite a defeat to Artur Beterbiev in January 2024, Smith remained one of the key fighters in the light heavyweight division.

The bout against former WBA Regular champion Morrell was set to serve as a tough test for Smith, with Morrell only having lost to David Benavidez in his career so far, but now it is unknown whether or not the clash between the two men will be rescheduled.

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Hurt Coco Gauff pens emotional message after facing brutal social media abuse over new photoshoot

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Coco Gauff recently penned an emotional message after facing brutal social media abuse over her new photoshoot. The American stated that the constant criticism reminded her why she shouldn’t be active on certain platforms.

Gauff is one of the WTA’s biggest women’s singles stars and the 22-year- old draws an immense amount of attention for her actions on and off the tennis court. Earlier this month, the two-time Grand Slam champion posed for fashion brand Miu Miu, but her look for the photoshoot gained immense scrutiny, with many expressing their disappointment about her natural hair.

Reacting to the hate, Coco Gauff wrote on X,

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“Deleted twitter for a month, came back today, and got instantly reminded why I should not be on here lol :/.”

At the Miami Open earlier this year, Gauff had admitted that she was taking a break from X to avoid the online toxicity.

Coco Gauff weighs in on social media negativity, demands accountability from platforms

Gauff speaks to the media at the 2026 Miami Open (Image Source: Getty)Gauff speaks to the media at the 2026 Miami Open (Image Source: Getty)
Gauff speaks to the media at the 2026 Miami Open (Image Source: Getty)

At the 2025 German Open, Coco Gauff discussed at length the negativity on social media surrounding players. In a conversation with the media, she shared that tennis stars often receive death threats and that online users frequently message family members as well, saying,

“It’s the worst you can get. Death threats, to your family, to yourself. I’ve had people DM [direct message] my boyfriend and friends about it. Racist comments, like all you can imagine. Nudity, things like that. It’s a gross kind of thing that we have going on in tennis.”

She went on to demand accountability from platforms, asking them to ‘step in’ in order to foster a more healthy environment for everyone,

“It’s something that we have to keep bringing awareness to. I would love for some of the social media platforms to get involved, not only when it comes to tennis players. Influencers, other athletes, they all get these comments, so it’s something that can be addressed. I know the WTA is doing what they can to make us feel protected, but I definitely think that a lot of these platforms can step in as well.”

On the tennis end of things, Coco Gauff was last seen in action at the Miami Open. The Florida-native reached the finals on home ground, before going down against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.