Feb 3, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) battles for position on a foul shot with Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The NBA season has reached its most boring part of the season, the All-Star break. With the falling popularity of the Dunk Contest, All-Star weekend has become more of an opportunity for players to rest than anything else.
However, the actual basketball being played this season has been wildly exciting. Many hate CJ McCollum for changing the CBA, making it harder for teams to retain their full rosters, but it has done its job in making the NBA as competitively balanced as it’s ever been.
Unlike years past when we were just waiting for the Cavs and Warriors to rematch in the Finals, this season has us asking a few questions before we finish the second half. Here are my two biggest questions that still need to be answered.
Are the Pistons the Real Deal?
After losing a tightly contested first-round series with the Knicks last year, many were hoping for a small jump out of the Pistons. Well, they’ve skipped that step entirely and have the best winning percentage in the NBA, and have the third-best odds to win the Eastern Conference.
At the start of the year, I highly doubted that the Pistons were real, but I’m done doubting them. When JB Bickerstaff took over as head coach, I looked at him as more of a floor raiser than a ceiling raiser, but he’s instilled a culture in Detroit that is one of the best in the league.
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Cade Cunningham is playing at a first-team All-NBA level, and everyone around them has upped their game. Outside of that, it’s been the smaller moves that have been huge for Detroit. Daniss Jenkins has gone from an unused two-way player to a sharp-shooting rotation piece.
Duncan Robinson looked like he might be a bit of an overpay for Detroit, but he has become the exact floor spacer Cade needed. Then, of course, Jalen Duren turning into a walking double-double, and a perfect rim-running partner for Cade, can’t go unnoticed.
The Pistons didn’t look afraid of the moment last year, so I’m interested to see how they will look as heavy first-round favorites as we make it to April.
Could the Thunder be Vulnerable this Year?
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Jan 21, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
If Shai Gilgeous Alexander’s injury has any long-term impacts, who’s going to lead the Thunder? Chet Holmgren is having a career year in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage. He’s doing this while also having the second-best odds to win the defensive player of the year.
He’s been great, but he’s not a guy I trust as a number one option, and hopefully he doesn’t have to be. On the other hand, Jalen Williams has had a bit of a down year. Besides Williams having the worst shooting splits of his career, OKC has simply been better when he’s been off the court.
There’s no doubt he’s still incredibly valuable, but I’m not sold on him being used properly. I think he would be better suited in a lower usage role, as he’s been a bit of a ball stopper for the Thunder.
Because of these concerns, I think there are some real threats to the Thunder’s crown—specifically, two threats in the Spurs and Nuggets. I also want to believe in the Rockets, but their lack of a true point guard and spacing concerns feel like too much of an uphill battle.
Victor Wembanyama is obviously great, but more than just that, he’s done a miraculous job at giving the Thunder fits. The Thunder rely on getting downhill, and that’s just not going to happen against Wemby. But they’re more than Wemby at this point.
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De’Aron Fox has returned from injury and is back to playing like an All-Star. Not only that, but getting top three picks in back-to-back drafts and nailing those selections with Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, most certainly helps.
Then with the Nuggets, they have Nikola Jokic, but more than having the best player on the planet, this might be the best team they’ve ever put around him. Jamal Murray is playing the best basketball of his career, and they’ve paired that with role players who work perfectly with Jokic.
Also, the firing of long-term coach Mike Malone was heavily scrutinized, but Adelman might have found the perfect offensive fit for Jokic. They slowed the game down significantly, going from 9th in possessions per game last year to 23rd this season. This change of pace has allowed them to work the ball through Jokic more and have him kick it back out to their perimeter shooters.
Both of these teams are much better suited to compete with the Thunder this year, but if OKC is at full strength, they’re still easily the team to beat this season.
Nov 25, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
Free agency’s top dogs found new teams this week — most of them, anyway — and more of the process’s waves await. In the meantime, a handful of famous Minnesota Vikings players await their 2026 fate.
A few recognizable former Vikings still have nowhere to go in mid-March.
This happens every year — it’s the nature of the beast — so let’s take a peek at this offseason’s edition.
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Four Familiar Minnesota Names Remain Stuck in Free Agency
These are big-name ex-Vikings still looking for work.
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) celebrates on the field after New England defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card Round at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on January 11, 2026, as the Patriots advanced in the postseason behind a late-game surge. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images.
1. Stefon Diggs (WR)
Diggs represented the New England Patriots‘ top receiving threat during their Super Bowl runner-up season, and now Mike Vrabel and Co. want nothing to do with him, even if he banked over 1,000 yards. Perhaps the strangulation charges have sullied his name.
The former Vikings miracle-maker won’t be unemployed for long, assuming his legal affairs get sorted out. Diggs proved in 2025 that he’s still productive. He’ll turn 33 in November. He’s not ancient.
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Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf said this week about a reunion with Diggs, “We’re always open to trying to improve the team any way we can. If we see something out there that we think can help us out, we’ll look into it.”
NESN’s Dakota Randall on Diggs’s newfound free agency: “Diggs likely will point toward his strong stats, which were undeniably impressive for a 32-year-old coming off a torn ACL, as evidence of his considerable ‘ability.’ And that’s fair. However, it’s also true that Diggs was limited against better defenses, especially during the playoffs, and struggled to gain separation against high-end defensive backs.”
“He remains an above-average receiver, but there’s no denying his declining ability, which the Patriots surely factored in when deciding to release him. Nevertheless, the Patriots replaced Diggs with former Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs, who could be an upgrade. They also reportedly remain interested in pursuing a trade for Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown.”
Diggs is the perfect WR2 for a weapon-needy team.
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2. Kirk Cousins (QB)
Cousins was supposed to factor into the 2026 offseason quarterback carousel, but that dream has resulted in a whimper. Almost all quarterback-needy teams have filled their rosters with other people. Cousins, freshly released and still handsomely paid by the Atlanta Falcons, can sign anywhere in the NFL.
The Las Vegas Raiders could sign him for bridge quarterback duty if they’re not comfortable with Fernando Mendoza in Week 1. The Pittsburgh Steelers could call Cousins if Rodgers retires. Cousins would also wait until the summer or autumn when some team’s QB1 inevitably gets hurt for the season. He’d play the savior role.
Sportsnaut‘s Matt Johnson noted on the notion of Cousins becoming a Raider: “One of the most common NFL comparisons for quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who will be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is Kirk Cousins,” Johnson wrote. “While that might not sound that enticing, let’s remember that Cousins boasts a career 96.8 passer rating and he’ll likely reach 45,000 career passing yards with 300 passing touchdowns in 2026.”
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“He also fits what Las Vegas is looking for. The Raiders want an experienced quarterback who can mentor Mendoza during his rookie season and temporarily serve as the starting quarterback. Cousins can start the first few games, while Mendoza gains a better feel for Klint Kubiak’s playbook and adjusts to playing under center, and then take over in October.”
3. Cam Robinson (OT)
Minnesota traded for Robinson in the middle of the 2024 campaign when Christian Darrisaw tore his ACL. Thereafter, he’s bounced around from the Vikings, the Houston Texans, and the Cleveland Browns to the open market as a free agent.
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) lines up during NFC Wild Card action against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on January 13, 2025, as Minnesota’s offensive line battles in the postseason matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Last year, he produced a dreadful 48.2 Pro Football Focus mark, which is about as bad as it gets for a starting left tackle. And it’s not like Robinson played just a tiny bit. He saw the field on over 700 offensive snaps for the Browns.
Henceforth, he’s probably slated for LT2 duty with his next team. Not for nothing, the Vikings could use one of those.
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4. D.J. Wonnum (EDGE)
Wonnum appeared in 16 games last year, tabulating 42 tackles, 3 sacks, 29 pressures, 1 quarterback hit, and an interception. The problem? He started 15 games. Those are numbers for a backup outside linebacker.
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) reacts alongside cornerback Chau Smith-Wade (26) during first-quarter action at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 8, 2025, as Carolina’s defense celebrates a play during the preseason matchup. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.
Sadly, Wonnum proved in 2025 that he’s not quite cut out for starting EDGE duty, a factoid Vikings fans have known for about six years. He’s a textbook depth pass rusher.
Manchester United face two of their top-four rivals in the next five Premier League matches as the battle to secure a place in the Champions League intensifies
Manchester United strengthened their hopes of securing a Champions League return after sweeping aside top-four rivals Aston Villa 3-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Casemiro gave the Reds the lead just after half-time but Villa responded to equalise through Ross Barkley. However, Michael Carrick’s side showed character to go back in front as Matheus Cunha found the net before Benjamin Sesko gave United a two-goal advantage late on to seal a crucial three points.
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The result has kept United in third, three points above fourth-place Aston Villa and Liverpool in fifth, and six points ahead of Chelsea in sixth. As England are expected to have an additional spot in the Champions League for next season, United need a maximum of 18 points from their remaining eight matches to secure a top five finish.
And a win against Bournemouth on Friday would give them a nine-point buffer above sixth place heading into the rest of next weekend’s Premier League fixtures. And with that in mind, the Manchester Evening News has taken a look at United’s next five top-flight matches compared to their rivals in the race for the Champions League…
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Iranian media said on Sunday that the captain of the women’s soccer team had rescinded her asylum application in Australia and would return to her home country.
Zahra Ghanbari will head from Australia to Malaysia and from there fly back to Iran, Tehran’s official IRNA news agency said.
IRNA said Ghanbari, who is also Iran’s all-time top female goal scorer, would now return “to the warm embrace of the homeland.”
But activists in Australia have voiced concern that the women and their families could face political persecution back in Iran after a recent government crackdown and amid an ongoing war.
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5 Iranian team members rescind decision
Seven members members of the women’s soccer delegation had initially claimed asylum after they were eliminated 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup hosted in Australia.
The players had been in the spotlight after declining to sing Iran’s national anthem at their first match — a move which led them to be branded as “wartime traitors” by some conservative commentators at home.
At their next two games, the team saluted during the national anthem, leading to speculation that they had been pressured into doing so.
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The Iranian women’s soccer team did not sing the Iranian national anthem at their first match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in AustraliaImage: Izhar Khan/AFP/Getty Images
Amid increasing public attention and media speculation about the women’s welfare under the watch of their minders, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke personally granted humanitarian visas to six players and one members of the team’s staff.
Last week, one player announced she had changed her mind, followed by two other players and the technical staff member, who also left on Saturday.
Ghanbari is reportedly the fifth member of the group to change her mind, leaving just two who are set to remain in Australia.
It was not clear why each individual changed their mind.
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke personally granted asylum visas to seven members of the Iranian delegationImage: Australia Ministry of Home Affairs/AP Photo/picture alliance
Australia did ‘everything we could’
Australia’s home affairs minister confirmed the initial news that some of the group had changed their minds and would return to Iran.
“The Australian government has done everything we could to make sure these women were provided with the chance for a safe future in Australia,” Burke said.
“Australians should be proud that it was in our country that these women experienced a nation presenting them with genuine choices and interacted with authorities seeking to help them.”
Most of the team departed Australia for Malaysia, where they await onward travel to IranImage: Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty Images
Meanwhile, Iran’s governing football body accused Australia of kidnapping the players and forcing them to defect from their home country. The Iranian Sports Ministry accused Australia of “playing in Trump’s field.”
Mexican boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera has revealed his top five pound-for-pound fighters, making it clear who he believes sits firmly at number one.
It is generally accepted that two-division undisputed champions Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue are the crème de la crème, given their utter dominance across multiple weight classes.
Usyk, in particular, has claimed a series of monumental victories against the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, establishing himself as the greatest heavyweight of this era.
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Inoue, too, has removed any doubt over his supremacy at 122lbs, where he will defend his undisputed crown against Junto Nakatani on May 2.
But while there is little debate to be had about Usyk and Inoue’s placement on any pound-for-pound list, the remaining spots are of course far more subjective.
According to Barrera, though, Usyk takes top spot ahead of Inoue with Dmitry Bivol, Jesse Rodriguez and Canelo Alvarez filling the other spaces.
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“Number one Usyk.
Number two Inoue; number three Bivol; number four ‘Bam’ Rodriguez; number five, I think, [is] Canelo Alvarez.”
Bivol became the undisputed light-heavyweight king in February 2025, exacting his revenge over Artur Beterbiev by scoring a career-defining majority decision victory.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, has taken the lower divisions by storm in recent years, perhaps most notably defeating Sunny Edwards and Juan Francisco Estrada in 2024.
As for Canelo, it has become harder to justify his place in the top five since the Mexican lost to Terence Crawford, who moved up two weight divisions and secured a unanimous decision victory in September.
Mar 14, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Seattle Kraken forward Bobby McMann (74) battles with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek (17) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Seattle Kraken coach Lane Lambert tried to temper expectations before Bobby McMann’s long-awaited debut.
“Obviously he’s a good player. But he’s not coming in to be the savior,” Lambert said before Saturday’s game in Vancouver. “We have to all step up to the plate.”
McMann, acquired at the March 6 NHL trade deadline from Toronto, scored two goals and added an assist in a 5-2 victory that snapped Seattle’s four-game losing streak. The win kept the Kraken a point behind San Jose in the chase for the Western Conference’s second and final wild-card playoff spot.
McCann is set to make his home debut Sunday when the Kraken play the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
Visa issues forced McMann to miss three games since his trade to Seattle. His paperwork finally was completed Friday.
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“It’s really hard coming to a new team. You want to make a impact right away and then with the whole visa thing it was just playing the waiting game,” McMann told the Kraken Hockey Network in a postgame interview Saturday. “The guys were giving it to me a little bit. I tried to be ready whenever it came and luckily it was a good one tonight for us.”
Lambert was familiar with McMann after having served as an assistant with the Maple Leafs last season.
He inserted McMann on the left wing on the Kraken’s top line, alongside Matty Beniers and captain Jordan Eberle, and moved Jared McCann, the franchise’s career scoring leader, down to the second line.
The move paid off in multiple ways.
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McCann opened the scoring, snapping a 10-game goalless drought.
After the Canucks tied it, McMann scored on the power play at 19:10 of the first period to put Seattle in front for good.
McMann’s second, a tip-in at 4:14 of the third off a pass from Eberle, was his 21st goal of the season, surpassing his career high set in 2024-25.
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Beniers scored and set up two goals and Eberle added three assists, giving the top line a combined nine points.
“There’s sometimes no rhyme or reason to it. Sometimes you just need a little reset,” Beniers said. “And I think that kind of refreshes the whole team, too.”
The injury-riddled Panthers are 11 points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 17 games remaining in the regular season and need to pass five teams to make the postseason.
The Panthers have won three in a row, the last a 2-1 overtime decision against visiting Columbus on Thursday as Sam Reinhart scored the winner and had an assist.
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“This is not what we expect. It’s certainly tough to be this far out at this time of the year,” Reinhart said. “But it says a lot about us that we’re able to hang in there and rattle off a few.”
Defenseman Mike Benning, making his NHL debut, got an assist on Reinhart’s winner. Benning’s father, Brian, played on the Panthers in 1993-94 and traveled from his home in Edmonton to be in attendance for his son’s inaugural game.
Oct 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Fans look on during the first half of the game between Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings had a mountain to climb before the start of the new league year earlier this week. After an offseason of lavish spending, Rob Brzezinski needed to clear nearly $50 million in cap space, and that led to some tough decisions.
Obviously, the Vikings cap czar got the job done, but there’s been very little movement since. The Kyler Murray splash is exciting, but the bill is just $1.3 million. James Pierre was the only other free agent Minnesota has brought in, and they sit in the doldrums when it comes to spending money for 2026.
Minnesota’s Quiet Free-Agency Approach Raises a Bigger Question
It’s not as though Minnesota is flush with cap space. At this point, Spotrac has them sitting with just over $13 million in current room. They could further increase that spending power, and they are still engaged in discussions to trade for Jonathan Greenard. Moving him would open up a sizable chunk, but also immediately lean into Dallas Turner’s readiness to start.
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) reaches to make a touchdown catch ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) in the second quarter of the NFL Week 3 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. The Bengals led 14-7 at halftime.
Ultimately, though, things have gotten too quiet at the TCO Performance Center. Pierre and Murray are nice, but they clearly aren’t enough. The Vikings said goodbye to both of their starting interior defensive lineman. They could use another linebacker; they need a center, a punter, and a safety, all while depth on the roster is virtually non-existent.
It’s worth noting that Kevin O’Connell and company have nine draft picks to work with. They didn’t utilize those well while Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was in charge, but there’s an opportunity for impact. Four of the picks fall within the first 100 selections. Each of those could be a day-one starter.
We saw last year that spending significantly doesn’t guarantee anything. Adofo-Mensah went that route, and the team finished just 9-8 while missing the playoffs. The Wilfs probably would like to recoup some of their losses from that spree a year ago, but they need to continue doing right by the current state of this roster.
Oct 13, 2025; Eagan, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell speaks with reporters while addressing team injuries and post-bye week plans during a media availability at team headquarters. O’Connell outlined recovery timelines for several key players and emphasized preparation for the upcoming stretch of games following the break. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
The Vikings had to pivot at quarterback because they are constructed to win now. Justin Jefferson wasted a year watching poor quarterback play cost him an opportunity last year. It’s beyond believable that adding Murray fills a substantial gap, but he can’t be where things end.
This roster has the firepower to make things work in the NFC North. A competent quarterback is always scary in the playoffs. None of it will matter if there aren’t more free agent acquisitions coming, and the Vikings have really waited for the market to shake out.
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Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler
Bryson DeChambeau bounced back from an embarrassing moment in the sand trap and a tense playoff hole to win LIV Singapore on Sunday – the fourth title in the Saudi-backed series of his career.
DeChambeau suffered the mistake in the third round. He was on hole No. 5 when he hit his ball from the rough, tripped and fell into the bunker all with giant insects flying around him. Unfortunately, his shot landed in a separate bunker on the other side of the course.
Bryson DeChambeau reacts on the 18th green after the final round of Aramco LIV Golf Singapore on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Sentosa, Singapore.(Mateo Villalba/LIV Golf via AP)
He managed to record a bogey at the hole on his way to a third round 72.
DeChambeau bounced back in the fourth round, shooting a 66 and narrowly defeating Richard T. Lee in a playoff for the win. Lee missed a two-foot putt on his fifth shot that would have sent the tournament into a second playoff round.
It’s the first title for DeChambeau this season. He last won at LIV Golf Korea in May, defeating Charles Howell III by two strokes. He also has wins at LIV Golf Chicago and LIV Golf Greenbrier. It’s also his first victory in a 72-hole tournament since he won the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024.
Captain Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC reacts after his chip onto the fourth green during the final round of Aramco LIV Golf Singapore on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Sentosa, Singapore.(Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via AP)
Lee was attempting to be the first wild card golfer, one who is not affiliated with a team, to win the singles competition. But his putt went left and spun around the cup.
“It was a short putt and I wanted to just hit it hard, and I hit it a little too hard,” Lee said. “I think the adrenaline was pumping a little bit.”
DeChambeau said it reminded him of John Daly narrowly missing out on defeating Tiger Woods at the World Golf Championships playoff in 2005.
“To actually see that happen in front of you, for you to be the positive receiving side of it, it’s just a weird feeling,” DeChambeau said. “But it’s a win and something I’ll appreciate for the rest of my life. Even if I lost today, I was still looking pretty good at my game. I was excited the way I was striking it coming in the last couple days.”
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First place individual champion, Captain Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC, holds the trophy after the final round of Aramco LIV Golf Singapore on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Sentosa, Singapore.(Mateo Villalba/LIV Golf via AP)
Casemiro scored Manchester United’s opening goal in the 3-1 win against Aston Villa on Sunday and produced a cryptic celebration in the process
Casemiro pointed straight at the Manchester United badge when celebrating scoring his side’s opening goal in the 3-1 win against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
The Brazilian, who is set to leave Old Trafford at the end of his contract in June, has been one of United’s outstanding performers this season and he impressed once again as the Reds beat Villa. Indeed, Casemiro, 34, was solid throughout and broke the deadlock for the Reds just after half-time.
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In the 53rd minute, Bruno Fernandes’ floated corner was headed on by Casemiro and the ball bounced off the inside of the post and nested into the back of the net.
And as the five-time Champions League winner ran off to celebrate into North West corner, he pointed at the United badge on a number of occasions before pulling his finger to the side of his head and then in the direction of the jubilant supporters in the Stretford End.
Speaking after Casemiro’s goal, ex-United defender Gary Neville said on co-commentary for Sky Sports: “I said in the first half while they might replace him positionally in midfield, it’s going to be very difficult to replace him in both boxes because he is sensational at getting first contact on headers.
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“And the badge is presented to the Stretford End by the Brazilian. He just gets up so early, it’s a brilliant, brilliant header. It’s a really good glance into that far corner, it couldn’t be any better in-off the post.”
Casemiro confirmed in January that he will leave United when his contract expires at the end of the season. He signed for the Reds in a £70million deal from Real Madrid in August 2022, and following a mixed first two years in Manchester, his form has improved tenfold across the last 18 months.
This season, Casemiro has stood out and his seven goals in 27 appearances is his joint-most prolific one to date in his professional club career. He is a threat in both boxes and showed that again for United against Villa.
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But while United fans have just eight league matches left to see Casemiro in action for the Reds, there has been some talk that he could produce a U-Turn and sign a new contract.
And with Casemiro pointing straight at the United badge in his celebration could be a hint that he might still remain at the Reds following the 2025/26 season – something many Reds fans would be delighted about.
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Mar 14, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild defensemen Quinn Hughes (43) leaves the ice as the New York Rangers celebrate their victory at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
Some changes could be on the way for the Minnesota Wild.
The past week has included only one victory in four games (1-1-2) for Minnesota. The team will try to get back on track Sunday evening when the Wild face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Saint Paul, Minn.
Wild coach John Hynes hinted that he would challenge the status quo after his team lost 4-2 against the New York Rangers on Saturday night. That loss followed a 3-2 setback in the shootout round against the Philadelphia Flyers two nights earlier.
“I think it’s on me,” Hynes said. “We’ve had some routines that we felt have been working, but obviously the last two games … I think I’m going to look in the mirror, I think the team needs to look in the mirror. A little bit of, maybe we’re going to switch some routines, because it’s certainly not good enough.”
Could the changed routines affect practices, morning skates or optional skates?
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“All of those things,” Hynes said. “Practices, skates, optional skates, meetings, mindsets. I think it’s in tandem.
“I felt like we have a good chemistry with how we go about our business and do things, but when I look at how we start the last two games, then I think you have to look internally and say, ‘OK, this was a routine that was working and we started games on time, but now it’s different.’”
Meanwhile, Toronto is looking to bounce back from a 3-2 loss in a shootout against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.
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Max Domi and Dakota Joshua scored one goal apiece for Toronto, which is trying to regroup after losing top goal-scorer Auston Matthews to a knee injury for the rest of the season.
Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said veteran forward William Nylander could help offset the loss of Matthews. Berube elevated Nylander to assistant captain after Matthews went down.
“We are going to lean on him, among other guys (with Matthews out),” Berube said. “I put the ‘A’ on Willy quite a few times over the past two years when one of our captains is out. He has been a good player for us, and he leads with his play.”
Minnesota likely will turn to Jesper Wallstedt in net one night after Filip Gustavsson made the start against the Rangers.
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Wallstedt, 23, is 14-6-6 with a 2.77 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage in 27 games this season. He has yet to face the Maple Leafs in his brief career.
Toronto likely will counter with Anthony Stolarz in net one night after Joseph Wall started against the Sabres.
Stolarz is 7-9-3 with a 3.40 GAA and an .890 save percentage on the season. He is 1-3-1 with a 3.58 GAA and a .903 save percentage in five career games against the Wild.
This is the second and final meeting of the regular season between the teams.
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In the first matchup, Minnesota pulled away for a 6-3 win on Jan. 19 in Toronto. Marcus Foligno recorded a hat trick and Vladimir Tarasenko finished with two goals and one assist for the Wild.
Unbeaten Gloucester-Hartpury came from behind to snatch a dramatic win over Saracens and return to the top of the Premiership Women’s Rugby table.
Alex Matthews grabbed a hat-trick, with the number eight’s third try in the closing stages clinching a bonus point for the defending champions at the Stone X Stadium.
Saracens were a player down for the last seven minutes after Marlie Packer was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on.
With four matches of their league campaign remaining, Gloucester’s victory put them four points clear of second-placed Saracens – who have played a game more – and secured home advantage in the semi-finals at the end of the season.
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The hosts led 14-12 at the break following tries from Liv Apps and Emma Hardy, but could only add a Zoe Harrison penalty after the break despite playing with a strong breeze at their backs.
Apps raced in under the posts early on, but the scrum-half was substituted in the first half following a cut to the head.
Hardy finished off a superb Sarries move that started in their own half to put them ahead again, after Matthews had picked up off a scrum for the first of her treble.
Her second try was a repeat of her first, but her side trailed after Lleucu George missed her drop-kick conversion attempt, the ball having been blown off the kicking tee with the shot clock winding down.
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Hannah Dallavalle’s try near the corner after 64 minutes put Gloucester ahead for the first time, before a Zoe Harrison penalty levelled the game at 17-17.
But Packer’s error, which she immediately acknowledged, put Saracens under mounting pressure and Matthews barged over from a ruck at close range for the try that secured a bonus point for the three-time champions.
Saracens were not done, though, and were threatening the try-line when Gloucester-Hartpury stole their throw in their own 22 with 80 minutes up on the clock.
