Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) reacts after a defensive stop during fourth-quarter action against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 25, 2025 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Cashman celebrated as the crowd roared late in the divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Every offseason, the Minnesota Vikings extend at least one player’s contract earlier than expected. For example, Minnesota handed outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel an extra $23 million in 2025. That will happen again in 2026. The following is a list of candidates.
Vikings extension talks could heat up quickly, because a few core starters already sit at the intersection of timing and roster need.
Free agency will get underway in three weeks, so between now and the end of May, expect these four men to be in line for possible extensions.
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Early Extension Candidates for the Vikings in 2026
Who’s due for more years and money a bit early? These are the candidates in alphabetical order.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) reacts following a snap on Dec 22, 2024, at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, during a fourth-quarter sequence against the Seahawks. Cashman turns toward the sideline as the play finishes, emotion visible in a tight late-game moment. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.
1. Blake Cashman (LB)
If Cashman hadn’t missed four games due to injury in 2025, his 11.07 tackles per game pace would’ve translated to 188 in a full season, which would be the eighth-most in a season in NFL history. Somehow, Cashman’s 2025 campaign flew under the radar, even for the most ardent Vikings fans.
Now, he has one year left on his contract. The Eden Prairie just feels like a guy who will spend the rest of his career in Minnesota, and the fantastic production does little to refute that theory.
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Cashman earns $7.5 million per season. Before too long, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski will probably extend his contract by two years and $20 million or so.
2. Jonathan Greenard (OLB)
The Vikings signed Greenard to a four-year contract during the 2024 offseason, which is wonderful — but his guaranteed money ran out last season. Seeking to restructure some players’ contracts to ease the salary cap pain, Minnesota will probably extend Greenard, pay him fair market value, and let him continue his run in Minnesota.
Some have floated Greenard in fancy trade theories to Cincinnati for Joe Burrow, but in reality, Burrow probably isn’t for sale, and the Vikings value Greenard. It’s not wise to get rid of EDGE rushers when a team is plotting a path back to the postseason.
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Greenard was the butt of “almost sack” jokes in 2025 because so many of his pressures failed to bring down the quarterback; he’ll seek a bounce-back campaign in 2026, at least for the sack numbers. All the rest of the stats for Greenard were top-notch.
Look for Minnesota to add $23 million to $25 million to Greenard’s deal, likely spreading the money out over future years.
Star Tribune‘sBen Goessling wrote about Greenard’s contract this week, “Greenard is coming off shoulder surgery, and given how important he’s been to the Vikings’ defense, it seems unlikely the team would release him when he’s still only 28.”
“They’d save $12.25 million if they released him before a $4 million base salary guarantee on March 13. Given the fact he’s got two void years on his deal, it’s possible the Vikings would convert part of his $18.39 million base salary into a signing bonus to lower his cap hit for 2026. Doing so would save them up to $12.96 million.”
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3. Brian O’Neill (RT)
O’Neill will probably encounter a similar fate to Greenard.
Minnesota may restructure his contract and add $20 million per year in guaranteed money. Considering performance and durability, O’Neill is the Vikings’ single-most effective lineman and has arguably held that title for seven seasons.
He’s 31, so he’s not bursting with youth. But the league’s best offensive tackles can play well into their 30s, and fans should expect that for O’Neill.
Minnesota will almost assuredly re-do O’Neill’s deal; adding more money only seems fair, as O’Neill is tentatively slated to test free agency in 2027.
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4. Jay Ward (S)
Ward balled out when afforded the opportunity last year. He was a rookie in 2023, meaning the upcoming season will be the final year of his deal. He’s done enough to merit a modest extension. He hits hard and represents youthful pop that Minnesota needs.
Our Kyle Joudry recently noted on Ward, “Lining up directly across from a shifty, explosive receiver isn’t for the faint of heart. Making a mistake is incredibly easy to see, even for an untrained eye. Ward’s capacity to get over the top of a receiver’s toes before then traveling with the receiver down the field is to be valued even if he’s not a shutdown option out there.”
“Consider, as well, being the deep safety. Being tall and having long arms helps — game of inches, right? — since there’s a greater chance of swatting deep passes away. Again, though, there’s the blatantly-obvious possibility of losing the rep. Any deep safety who gets beat deep is bound to get an earful from a coach (or two) alongside the scorn from onlookers.”
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Minnesota Vikings safety Jay Ward aligns near the sideline on Sep 14, 2023, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the defense prepares for the snap in a primetime contest. Ward tracks the formation and settles into coverage responsibilities against the Eagles’ motion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
Too, down the stretch of 2025, defensive coordinator Brian Flores seemed to prefer Ward in the lineup over fellow safety Theo Jackson.
Joudry added, “Seeing Ward prove capable of doing both — being a corner and a safety — is encouraging, especially within a Brian Flores defense that’s predicated on disguise, chaos, and being unpredictable.”
Ward will turn 26 this summer. Now’s the time to explore his second contract. He won’t break the bank.
McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 5 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and
Canberra Raiders. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Canberra Raiders heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Newcastle Knights vs.
Canberra Raiders
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Following a high-scoring encounter last week, this side will look to tighten its defence while maintaining attacking fluency. Their ability to create opportunities is clear, but consistency across both halves will be crucial. Their opponents will aim to exploit any defensive vulnerabilities. Expect an entertaining contest, with momentum likely to shift throughout. Execution under pressure and defensive discipline will be key factors in determining the outcome.
Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders Teams
Knights team: 1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Wilson De Courcey 20. Cody Hopwood 21. Francis Manuleleua 22. James Schiller
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Matthew Timoko 20. Owen Pattie 21. Jed Stuart 22. Daine Laurie
She’d been asked for her thoughts after finishing as the only player to go bogey free through two rounds at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur — but her response could’ve also worked for a couple other questions. Her play overall at Champions Retreat, where she topped the leaderboard? Pretty cool. Her mindset heading into Saturday’s final round at the tournament’s namesake? Pretty cool.
And all that’s, well, pretty cool.
Below is a look at the leaderboard, a record set, surprising players who missed the cut, highlights, quotes and schedule for Friday and Saturday.
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Augusta National Women’s Amateur Round 2 leaderboard (and a record set)
Talley, after shooting a six-under 66 during Wednesday’s first round, fired a 67 during Thursday’s second round, and she leads by one shot over Meja Ortengren and Maria Jose Marin.
Talley, a 17-year-old who’s committed to Stanford University, birdied her first three holes, parred the next 10, birdied 14 and 15 and parred out from there. Combining her play on Wednesday and at last year’s ANWA — where she finished runner-up — Talley has gone bogey free for a tournament-record 48 straight holes.
3 surprising players who missed the cut at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur
–Megha Ganne: Last year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur winner shot rounds of 77 and 74.
–Eila Galitsky: The world’s eighth-ranked amateur shot 74 and 70.
–Rianne Malixi: The 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur winner shot rounds of 73 and 71.
Highlights of the day
Below are a few, courtesy of the ANWA X feed:
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A new record!
Make it 48 consecutive bogey-free holes for Asterisk Talley at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur as she finishes her second round at -11.#ANWAgolfpic.twitter.com/fPSiYIWNDb
— Augusta National Women’s Amateur (@anwagolf) April 2, 2026
Quotes of the day
“That’s pretty cool.”
–Talley, when asked about going without a bogey over the first two rounds
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“No fights, no fights.”
–Ortengren, when asked if she got into any when she revealed she’s also played hockey
“It has been my best friend, which I don’t say usually.”
–Marin, on her putter
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Quote from Bailey Shoemaker
Below, Bailey Shoemaker talks with GOLF’s Claire Rogers after her pre-shot routine on Wednesday went viral.
Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder clash in a heavyweight showdown at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, with DAZN offering multiple ways to watch including a subscription that includes the PPV at no extra cost
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This weekend, boxing titans Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder will face off in London. The heavyweight clash is set for Saturday (April 4) at the O2 Arena in the capital, and fans can order the fight here.
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The bout will be the 50th professional fight for both ‘Del Boy’ and ‘The Bronze Bomber’, and it could potentially be the last, as rumours suggest Chisora may retire post-fight. The London-born boxer has had a distinguished career, having faced off against big names such as Tyson Fury, David Haye, and Vitali Klitschko.
Chisora enters the ring on the back of three consecutive victories and boasts a record of 36-13 (23 KOs), while Wilder stands at 44-4-1 (43 KOs). The former WBC champion has lost four of his last six bouts, including two stoppage defeats to Fury in Las Vegas.
Ahead of the showdown, Chisora stated that he will remain friends with Wilder regardless of the outcome on Saturday. Speaking to The Ring, he said: “It’s all love, but when that bell goes off, I need to get to him.
“If I give him space, it’ll be a long night for me. I have to get to him and smash him up.”.
Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, with live coverage commencing at 7pm. The main event’s ringwalks are expected to begin at around 10.25pm.
How to watch Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder for free
The Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder fight is being broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN, which offers several ways to watch the bout. Firstly, the PPV is included at no extra cost for fans who subscribe to DAZN’s Ultimate Tier.
This £24.99 subscription includes a minimum of 12 PPV fights per year – such as Wardley vs Dubois (May 9) and Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23) – along with an additional 185 fight nights. Subscribers can choose to pay monthly or annually, with DAZN stating that the subscription could potentially save customers £320 per year compared to purchasing 12 individual PPV fights.
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Secondly, DAZN is offering a discounted bundle for the Wilder vs Chisora and Wardley vs Dubois PPVs at a price of £39.99. Lastly, the Wilder vs Chisora fight can also be purchased as a standard PPV for a one-off price of £24.99.
All quarterfinal matches will be contested on Day 5 (Friday, April 3) of the Copa Colsanitas Colsubsidio 2026 in Bogota. A new champion will be crowned following the loss of two-time defending champion Camila Osorio in the second round.
Only two seeded players have made the quarterfinals, top seed Marie Bouzkova and eighth seed Panna Udvardy. With some interesting matches set in store, here’s a look at the predictions for all the singles matches lined up on Day 5 of the Copa Colsanitas Colsubsidio:
Thanks for the submission!
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#1. Varvara Lepchenko vs Emiliana Arango
Lepchenko scored three-set wins over Lia Karatancheva and second seed Jessica Bouzas Maneiro to make the quarterfinals of the Copa Colsanitas Colsubsidio. She hadn’t won a main draw at the WTA level since October 2024 prior to her wins this week. She’s also through to her first quarterfinal since September 2018.
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Arango beat Maria Lourdes Carle and Guiomar de Reales to reach the last eight here. She now has a 3-8 record this year. This will be her first meeting against Lepchenko. The latter managed to score her biggest win in years by beating Bouzas Maneiro. However, stringing together three wins in a row, a feat she hasn’t accomplished in nearly a decade, could prove to be a tall order for her.
Winner: Emiliana Arango
#2. Jazmin Ortenzi vs Julia Riera
Julia Riera at the French Open 2025. (Source: Getty)
Qualifier Ortenzi took down two-time defending champion Camila Osorio to reach the Copa Colsanitas Colsubsidio quarterfinals, her first at the WTA level. Riera upset sixth seed Anna Blinkova in the previous round to book her spot in the last eight.
While this will be the first meeting between them on the WTA Tour, Riera won both of their previous matches, also on clay, at the ITF and Challenger levels. She will be favored to triumph once again based on her record in this rivalry.
Winner: Julia Riera
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#3. Marie Bouzkova vs Darja Semenistaja
Bouzkova won her second-round match in Bogota after her opponent, Hanne Vandewinkel, retired after losing the first set. She’s through to her first quarterfinal of the season. Semenistaja hadn’t even won a main draw match prior to this week, and she has now reached the first WTA quarterfinal of her career.
This will be the first career meeting between them. Bouzkova has a 7-8 record this season, and Semenistaja hasn’t even won that many main draw matches in her career at the WTA level thus far. The Czech player will be favored to win this duel.
Winner: Marie Bouzkova
#4. Panna Udvardy vs Katarzyna Kawa
Panna Udvardy at the US Open 2025. (Source: Getty)
Udvardy needed three sets to dispatch Maria Torres and Julieta Pareja to make the Copa Colsanitas Colsubsidio quarterfinals. She improved her record for the season to 3-3 with her run here. Competing in the main draw of a tournament for the first time this year, Kawa beat Carole Monnet and fourth seed Tatjana Maria to make the last eight here, that too without losing a set.
While they’ve never crossed paths on the main tour prior to this, Kawa won all three of their previous matches at the ITF and Challenger levels. Two of those wins were on clay as well. As such, the Pole will fancy her chances of scoring yet another win.
LOS ANGELES — The Nashville Predators defeated the Los Angeles Kings in a shootout, 5-4, on April 2, 2026 at Crpto.com Arena and The Sporting Tribune’s Jordan Teller was there to capture the following TST Images.
Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings on the ice during warm ups before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
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Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings on the ice during warm ups before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
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Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings is greeted by his family before being honored by the team before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings is greeted by his family before being honored by the team before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings is honored for his twenty years with the franchise before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings is honored for his twenty years with the franchise before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
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Former Los Angeles Kings player Luc Robitaille gives Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings a golden stick before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
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Former Los Angeles Kings player Luc Robitaille gives Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings a golden stick before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
1,308 foam pucks are dropped on the ice to honor Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
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1,308 foam pucks are dropped on the ice to honor Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Darcy Kuemper #35 of the Los Angeles Kings dives on the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
Darcy Kuemper #35 of the Los Angeles Kings dives on the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings handles the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
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Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings handles the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Zachary L’Heureux #68 of the Nashville Predators scores a goal during an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
Zachary L’Heureux #68 of the Nashville Predators scores a goal during an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
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Zachary L’Heureux #68 of the Nashville Predators celebrates after scoring a goal during an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
Zachary L’Heureux #68 of the Nashville Predators celebrates after scoring a goal during an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Alex Laferriere #14 of the Los Angeles Kings and Erik Haula #56 of the Nashville Predators line up for a face off during an NHL hockey game, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
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Alex Laferriere #14 of the Los Angeles Kings and Erik Haula #56 of the Nashville Predators line up for a face off during an NHL hockey game, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Matthew Wood #71 of the Nashville Predators and Scott Laughton #21 of the Los Angeles Kings get chippy during an NHL hockey game, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
Matthew Wood #71 of the Nashville Predators and Scott Laughton #21 of the Los Angeles Kings get chippy during an NHL hockey game, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Steven Stamkos #91, Ryan O’Reilly #90, and Zachary L’Heureux #68 of the Nashville Predators celebrate a goal during an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
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Steven Stamkos #91, Ryan O’Reilly #90, and Zachary L’Heureux #68 of the Nashville Predators celebrate a goal during an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Darcy Kuemper #35 of the Los Angeles Kings on the ice after giving up a goal during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
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Darcy Kuemper #35 of the Los Angeles Kings on the ice after giving up a goal during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
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Reid Schaefer #49 of the Nashville Predators takes a fist to the face from Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings during an NHL hockey game, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
Reid Schaefer #49 of the Nashville Predators takes a fist to the face from Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings during an NHL hockey game, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Los Angeles Kings celebrate a goal during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
The Los Angeles Kings celebrate a goal during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
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Los Angeles Kings mascot Bailey throws popcorn on fans during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
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Los Angeles Kings mascot Bailey throws popcorn on fans during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Joel Armia #40 of the Los Angeles Kings ties the game in the third period during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
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Joel Armia #40 of the Los Angeles Kings ties the game in the third period during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Los Angeles Kings celebrate the game-tying goal during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
The Los Angeles Kings celebrate the game-tying goal during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
A young Los Angeles Kings fan looks on during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
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A young Los Angeles Kings fan looks on during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators makes a save in the shootout against Artemi Panarin #10 of the Los Angeles Kings during an NHL hockey game, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators makes a save in the shootout against Artemi Panarin #10 of the Los Angeles Kings during an NHL hockey game, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
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Luke Evangelista #77 of the Nashville Predators scores the game-winning goal in the shootout during an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
Luke Evangelista #77 of the Nashville Predators scores the game-winning goal in the shootout during an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Nashville Predators celebrate a shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings during an NHL hockey game, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Teller – The Sporting Tribune
The Nashville Predators celebrate a shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings during an NHL hockey game, Thursday April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Three in the net, three tacos you get.
The game wasn’t 22 minutes old when SAP Center’s 15,000-plus burst into a thunderous roar.
Not only had the plucky home team built a 3-0 lead, but San Jose’s shooters had already met Taco Bell’s promotional quota for everyone who paid to watch the up-and-coming Sharks outskate the downtrodden Maple Leafs to redeem their ticket for a savoury snack.
Yes, on the night Toronto’s nine-year playoff streak was officially crunched, it was raining tacos in Northern California.
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What happened in The Tank Thursday night was also good for the tank in Toronto.
“They come out hot. They were buzzing. They got two goals right off the bat,” Simon Benoit said, following a 4-1 loss the wild-card-hunting Sharks.
“They have momentum. They’re fighting for that spot. So, everything is urgency for them — and for us. You know, everybody’s playing for something, even though… I think we’re eliminated, right?”
Anyone in Toronto who stayed up late for a 10:08 p.m. ET puck drop saw two franchises passing each other in the natural competitive cycle that is the NHL’s salary cap era.
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The Sharks bottomed out not so long ago and were rewarded with saviour Macklin Celebrini, not unlike the Maple Leafs pulling the plug in 2016 to scoop Auston Matthews. They’ve missed the playoffs six straight times, watching attendance and interest and talent drain away.
But today, they’ve won four in a row straight. They’re playing fast and free and find themselves playing house-money hockey with two weeks left on the calendar.
Amazing what the hope of youth can do to energize a building, to say nothing of free fast food.
“It’s a great building,” Leafs coach Craig Berube said. “Back in the day, coming in here was a tough place to play. First period was like, ‘Woah.’ I mean, you gotta get out of the first period. But they’re definitely getting that attitude back here with their team.”
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The Maple Leafs mustered merely six shots in the first period and five in the second. They were so hesitant to advance the puck and to rip it on net.
The Sharks, who’d just won an emotional comeback game here less than 24 hours prior, attacked the night with abandon.
Berube noted how San Jose’s young legs blow the zone as soon as they gain possession, looking to spring breakaways and odd-man rushes. Goalie Anthony Stolarz mentioned the challenge of blind behind-the-net passes to the F3 barrelling into the slot.
Their recoveries are speedy, their O-zone attacks dynamic and energetic.
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“No doubt, they’ve been building. They got a lot of speed, a lot of skill up front. They use the width of the ice and the length very well,” John Tavares said.
“And when you when you get a player like 71 — one of the best in the game as a teenager — it’s pretty amazing how things can turn for a franchise.”
The mood around the ’26 Sharks is not so different than the vibes that percolated around the ’16 Leafs. Heck, the way things are trending, we might be saying this about the ’36 Leafs, too.
“They’re quick,” Berube said. “They got some good skill over there, and they try to extend the rink quickly.”
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The veteran Maple Leafs have struggled this season when facing opponents that lean into a high-pace attack.
“They have their routes, and they’re kind of committed to it. Every time they would dump it in, there’s always a guy waiting for it,” Stolarz said. “As soon as their D touch the puck in the defensive zone, their wingers are flying.
“They have a lot of skill, a lot of speed, a lot of youth on that team. And it’s extremely impressive how they’ve meshed and how they can find one another.”
Funny, not funny: the losing room used to say similar things about the Maple Leafs’ emerging stars.
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Unburdened, yet, by outside expectations or complicated by contract demands.
“I mean, they’ve drafted well. And they’ve progressed in that sense of they rebuilt — but it didn’t take them 10 years. They took a couple years, and then it’s been working out for them.”
• As the Maple Leafs and Sharks were asleep, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake rocked the Bay Area. No one was harmed. Some didn’t even notice.
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“I guess I’m an earthquake survivor again,” smiled ex-Shark Steven Lorentz, who has endured seven of them. “A little bit scary.”
“I’m rattled,” Jake McCabe added. “I woke up to the alert on my phone, and I was pissed that I didn’t wake up (in the middle of it). I’ve always been wanting to feel one.”
• What is the most unique thing about Celebrini?
“A kid of that age and what he’s doing, it’s right here,” Berube replied, pointing to his head. “He’s smart. He’s a very intelligent player. He goes to the Olympics to play with a guy like (Connor) McDavid and (Nathan) MacKinnon and stuff, and the coach keeps putting him out there with those guys and using him — and they want to play with him. You have to have intelligence.”
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You see that hockey sense watching the kid anticipate plays with and without the puck from up high. Go see him if he comes to your town.
As impactful as San Jose’s MVP candidate was in this one, he did not register a point, marking just the second time all season the Sharks have won without their phenom splashing the scoresheet. They improved to 2-16-3 on the season when Celebrini gets shut out.
“We did a decent job on him today,” Tavares said.
• Celebrini rightly hogs headlines for painting this town teal, but the breakout of sophomore Collin Graf is intriguing.
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The undrafted Quinnipiac University product quadrupled his rookie goal total Thursday, sniping his 20th on the season. It stood as the winner.
No, Graf won’t always convert on 18 per cent of his shots, but doing so in his first contract year is smart timing.
• Easton Cowan says he missed George Springer and Ernie Clement’s mic’d-up moment last week, as the two Blue Jays gushed over the Leafs rookie when attending a game at Scotiabank Arena. They met up in the Leafs’ room as well.
“Easton Cowan, that’s my guy,” Clement tells Springer in the clip. “He’s a grinder.”
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“Clement’s my favourite player, too, so that was pretty cool,” Cowan says. “We had a good talk and just hearing some stories from Springer too, it was awesome.”
Cowan says he appreciates Clement’s versatility and attitude.
“Can play wherever, brings good vibes, and he was really good in the post-season,” Cowan says. “Definitely super cool.”
• Meanwhile, in the OHL playoffs…
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Maple Leafs prospect Sam McCue scored a beautiful Michigan goal in Game 4 of Ottawa’s first-round series versus Kingston. McCue, 20, was a seventh-round pick by Toronto in 2024.
Around 40% of clubs in England’s top four divisions of men’s football have changed their manager this season, and one in four of those teams have made more than one change.
With those stats still so high, I am sure people outside the game must be wondering about the process of appointing a manager.
In my day, I never once put on a presentation in front of a chairman or board of directors as part of any interview process.
Usually it was your management record, and your relative success with the respective budgets you’d been given, that would seal the deal.
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Today, that has all changed. Many managers and coaches, I’m told, pay to have these presentations professionally prepared for them.
Before you get to that stage, however, club owners and chairmen will rely on their sporting director and chief executive to compile a list of names.
As I’ve mentioned in previous columns about the lack of opportunities now for British managers, with so many foreign owners in our game, there are lots of foreign sporting directors too, so it is not surprising they appoint managers and coaches they know.
Also, the agents who have assisted the owners when they purchased the club, will often have a big say on who the sporting director is too.
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Players will also flow into some clubs in a similar fashion, I’m sure, and I’m afraid all of this impinges on managers and coaches from this country, who are not part of that network.
Academy coaches from the top clubs are finding a way through the system, as I am sure their contacts with clubs’ young players is part of their appeal.
It is definitely a route into management that is worth following but I am sure any ex-professionals who have followed it will have quickly been exposed to the key difference between managing at academy level and being in charge of a club’s first team.
Unlike academy football, which is about development, first-team football is about winning.
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Every week you will be judged on your result and, no matter what philosophy you employ, the fanbase and the people above you will react accordingly.
On Wednesday at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, Bailey Shoemaker went viral. The ANWA’s Golf Channel broadcast showed the USC junior as she stood over her approach shot at the 8th hole at Champions Retreat and struggled to pull the trigger, starting her backswing several times but balking pre-impact.
The video played into a specific type of frustration that golfers — and golf-watchers — feel about the sport. Here, in one 75-second clip, was a perfect encapsulation of the way young golfers play slow and disrespect the game — and the way tournaments fail to rein it in. This is nothing new; recreational golf is plagued by slow play, tournament golf even more so, and pros who take a long time over the ball continually catch viewers’ ire.
Shoemaker didn’t dispute what the video showed. But she also knows there’s more to the story.
Speaking to GOLF’s Claire Rogers on site, Shoemaker explained that her struggle to take the club away traces back to an arm injury she dealt with last year that required playing through pain and numbness before she elected to have surgery. She has struggled to align communication between her brain and body since returning to competitive play.
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“I’ve been battling injury for over a year now, and so, I mean, I’ve got some things bugging me. But, I mean, when you have nerve surgery, you aren’t in control,” Shoemaker said. “Like, it doesn’t matter what my brain says or does — you think I want to do it intentionally? Of course not.”
“It was better today. And, I mean, that was the worst one yesterday, of course it went viral,” she said. “And I mean, you clearly don’t see the rest of the round. You don’t see me at home working out five hours a day, going to rehab, waking up before practice to go to rehab. You don’t see what’s behind the scenes.”
Shoemaker’s bid to make the cut fell short after a second consecutive 73; her two-round total of 146 was three shots too many. Shoemaker finished runner-up at this event in 2024 and will be disappointed not to play a competitive final round at Augusta National, although she will play there Friday during the event’s in-between day. In the meantime, she’s hoping to keep her focus on the big picture.
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“I put a lot of faith in USC and my coaches and trainers and whatnot, and I mean, they got me to here, where I am today,” she said. “I know I keep saying it, and I sound like a broken record, but like a year ago, I didn’t know if I’d be playing golf anymore. This was like, a pretty substantial injury, given it was my nerve. And I’m happy to have motor function over my hand.
“I thought I was going to like, lose my hand, basically, y’know? So that’s pretty scary to think about. So, I mean, to have control over my body is nice, for once. And just being out here playing is good.”
Rogers also asked whether Shoemaker had been affected by the attention after her first round. Of course she had — how could anyone not be? — but did her best to channel that into determination.
“If anything it was fuel. I mean, my dad has trained me right, to use that as fuel to ignite me a little bit. But I didn’t play too much mind to it. I mean, I’m happy where I am, and I’m making leaps and bounds in my health, and that’s all I really care about.”
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Shoemaker found a clear silver lining — “I’m playing Augusta National tomorrow” — even if it was a trying week.
MCG will play host to Monday’s
Round 4 AFL game between Hawthorn Hawks and
Geelong Cats. The game kicks off at 3:15 pm with Hawthorn Hawks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Hawthorn Hawks vs.
Geelong Cats
game and give you our free tips and bets.
All eyes will be on the Hawks as they return from a strong showing and look to maintain their upward trajectory. Their attacking flair and willingness to take the game on have been key features, but consistency remains the next step. Their opponents will look to disrupt ball movement and apply pressure, setting up a compelling contest. Expect moments of high intensity, with transitions and execution inside 50 likely to prove decisive. For Hawthorn, it’s another chance to validate their progress and continue building belief.
Mohamed Salah’s long goodbye to Liverpool begins on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup, the competition which represents his best chance of a trophy in his final year at Anfield.
The Egypt winger announced last week that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after nine years at a club where he has broken scoring records and established himself as one of the world’s best players.
Salah potentially has 15 games left in the famous red shirt: Seven in the Premier League as well as three in the FA Cup and five in the Champions League, should Liverpool reach the final in both of those competitions.
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That won’t be easy.
In the Champions League, defending champion Paris Saint-Germain is up next in the two-leg quarterfinals and it’s pretty much as tough in the FA Cup, with Liverpool handed an away match at Manchester City.
Salah, who has 255 goals in 435 appearances for Liverpool, missed the Reds’ last game before the international break – a 2-1 loss at Brighton in the league – with a muscle injury but has told manager Arne Slot he should be healthy enough to return this weekend.
“He just does so much for his body for such a long time that he recovers so fast,” Slot said on Wednesday. “So, he will train with the team again tomorrow and if everything works well then he’s available to be with us at City.”
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The 33-year-old Salah was left out of the Liverpool team for four straight games at the end of 2025 in what appeared to be a breakdown in his relationship with Slot and the club.
Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah virtually has been an ever-present in the lineup, seemingly winning the Dutch coach round.
“That hunger never drops,” Slot said of Salah. “It’s the thing I find most special about him. So many good players around the world – he’s definitely one of them in the last 10 years – and to show that hunger every three days, that professionalism, that commitment to the club and to the team, wanting to score again, always wanting to play …
“When you take him out three minutes before the end, he’s like, Ah, maybe I could have scored one extra.’”
City, meanwhile, is seeking a domestic cup double after beating Arsenal in the English League Cup final on March 22. Pep Guardiola’s team is also chasing Arsenal in the Premier League, which takes a break this weekend to give the FA Cup its own space in the calendar.
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Key matchups
The other FA Cup quarterfinals take place across Saturday and Sunday.
After City-Liverpool in the early kickoff on Saturday, Chelsea hosts third-tier Port Vale – the lowest-ranked team left in the competition – before Arsenal visits second-tier Southampton.
On Sunday, West Ham hosts Leeds in an all-Premier League matchup.
Players to watch
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has less than two months to persuade England coach Thomas Thomas he is worthy of a place in the World Cup squad.
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Foden started both of England’s recent friendly games – a draw with Uruguay and a loss to Japan – but failed to impress either in the No. 10 role or as a “false nine,” prompting Tuchel to say it’s ” not a guarantee ” that Foden will be at the World Cup.
Foden was English soccer’s player of the year in the 2023-24 season but has not maintained his top form and has rarely started for City in recent months.
Out of action
Arsenal’s team sheet for the Southampton game will be heavily scrutinized, given 10 players missed games for their national team over the international break because of various issues.
Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard already had injuries that caused them to miss the League Cup final, before Piero Hincapie, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Leandro Trossard all pulled out of international duty.
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England’s Noni Madueke and Spain’s Martin Zubimendi missed the second games for their respective countries after reporting injuries.
Off the fieldThere might be growing disharmony at Chelsea, going off recent comments by two of the team’s best players.
Enzo Fernandez said after elimination in the Champions League that he couldn’t guarantee being at Chelsea next season, while Marc Cucurella told The Athletic during this international break that the team was “more stable” under coach Enzo Maresca, who was fired in January, and, “If you asked me, I would not have made this decision.”
Liam Rosenior, the current Chelsea coach, is under big pressure after four straight defeats.
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