The World of Sports

New on Sports Illustrated: Struggling Sharks return to action at home against Blues

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300619">
The San Jose Sharks will return from their brief pandemic pause to host the St. Louis Blues Saturday night.
The NHL postponed the Sharks' game against the Vegas Golden Knights Thursday after San Jose forward Tomas Hertl landed on the league's COVID-19 protocol list.
No other Sharks player had a positive test, though, so the team returned to work Friday to prepare for the Blues.
The Sharks have lost four of their last six games (2-3-1), but they got three points in St. Louis last week with a 5-4 victory and a 3-2 overtime loss. They are 2-1-1 against the Blues this season.
San Jose will play without Hertl, who is the team's third-leading scorer (11 points) and the No. 2 forward in ice time (over 19 minutes per game).
The Sharks are coming off a 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild Monday night.
"We weren't good enough offensively," center Logan Couture said. "We had spurts, but I didn't think there was much sustained pressure. ... There's goals out there for us to score, there's opportunities. ... We have to work a little bit harder to find those goals."
Sharks goaltender Martin Jones allowed four goals in that game before getting replaced. He has allowed three or more goals in 10 of his 12 starts this season.
The Sharks will catch the Blues short-handed. St. Louis recently added forward Ivan Barbashev (cracked ankle) and defenseman Carl Gunnarsson (season-ending knee surgery) to injured reserve.
The Blues were already missing defenseman Colton Parayko (back injury) and forwards Vladimir Tarasenko (offseason shoulder surgery), Jaden Schwartz (lower-body injury), Tyler Bozak (upper-body injury) and Robert Thomas (broken thumb).
Tarasenko resumed practicing at full speed Friday. Defenseman Marco Scandella also practiced after leaving Wednesday's game with a facial injury.
The casualties have caught up to them. The Blues have lost three consecutive games and four of their last five. They suffered two shutouts during that span.
St. Louis is just 3-6-1 in its last 10 games.
"There's a lot of frustration in there, you can see it, you can feel it on guys," Blues captain Ryan O'Reilly said after the Blues lost to the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 Wednesday night. "You could tell we get down a couple of goals, we're tight. You look at (the Kings), they get up and they're kind of loose, pucks are bouncing their way.
"The mental part of the game is obviously a huge thing and when you just kind of try to play a little safe and don't trust yourself, it's not going to go well and that's kind of going through the room."
On the plus side, goaltender Jordan Binnington has played well for the Blues. He has a 2.49 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.
"We have guys playing great hockey and defending well and (Binnington's) playing outstanding," O'Reilly said. "It just comes down to putting the puck in the net and trusting our game plan is going to work."
On the negative side, the Blues have struggled with their special teams all season. Their power-play conversion rate, 12.9 percent, is the fourth-worst in the NHL entering Friday. They have killed off 73.9 percent of their penalties, which is the league's sixth-worst rate.
--Field Level Media
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Struggling Sharks return to action at home against Blues

The San Jose Sharks will return from their brief pandemic pause to host the St. Louis Blues Saturday night. The NHL postponed the Sharks...

New on Sports Illustrated: Avalanche face Coyotes again, seeking similar success

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300317">
Friday night was the opening act of a seven-games-in-11-days stretch for the Colorado Avalanche, and it worked out well on multiple fronts.
The Avalanche came away with a hard-fought, 3-2 win over the host Arizona Coyotes, and the two teams will meet again Saturday in Glendale, Ariz.
Colorado ended a two-game skid thanks to a strong third period, scoring twice to break out of an offensive funk. The Avalanche succeeded in the last 20 minutes without having to rely on Nathan MacKinnon, the team leader with 19 points who collected his 15th assist in the second period Friday night.
This time, Nazem Kadri was the offensive star, producing a goal and two assists on the night.
"For the most part, we were in control of that game," Kadri said.
Mikko Rantanen added a goal and an assist for the Avalanche, and Andre Burakovsky also scored.
Just as big for Colorado was that No. 1 goaltender Philipp Grubauer got a night off while Hunter Miska had a quiet game -- until the final 96 seconds -- in earning his first NHL win. He made 16 saves, though he did allow two goals in the late going.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar knew he needed to sit Grubauer in one of the two back-to-back games, and he chose a good one for him to rest ahead of a busy schedule.
"I think it is just time to give him some rest, and this is the best way to do it," Bednar said of Grubauer after the team's Friday morning skate. "Give him a few days off here and then he'll be ready for us the rest of the trip."
The Avalanche are relatively whole again after injuries ravaged the lineup. Backup goaltender Pavel Francouz is out for an extended time with a lower-body injury and defenseman Erik Johnson is on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, but over the past week, Colorado has seen three forwards and three defensemen return from injury and illness.
Brandon Saad was back Friday after missing the Avalanche's loss to the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday so he could be with his wife for the birth of the couple's second child.
The Coyotes had their two-game winning streak stopped Friday night. Each win was by a 4-3 count over the Anaheim Ducks, with both requiring a rally from three goals down. The first was accomplished in regulation on Monday while the second came in a shootout on Wednesday.
Those wins have helped Arizona, a team that wasn't projected to be in the top four of the West Division, stay within reach of the upper half.
"It's one of those things where you never stop believing, but we can't have a steady dose of this," Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said after Wednesday's win.
Arizona ran out of comebacks on Friday, although it made some noise late to spoil a shutout. Phil Kessel scored with 1:36 remaining in the game, and after they Coyotes pulled the goaltender, Drake Caggiula scored with 53 seconds left.
The near-comeback may give the Coyotes momentum for Saturday, but it might be tougher going against Colorado's top goaltender. Grubauer owns a 2.01 goals-against average that was inflated when he gave up five goals against Minnesota in a 6-2 loss on Wednesday. He has a .923 save percentage.
--Field Level Media
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Avalanche face Coyotes again, seeking similar success

Friday night was the opening act of a seven-games-in-11-days stretch for the Colorado Avalanche, and it worked out well on multiple fronts....

New on Sports Illustrated: Rory McIlroy Among Golfers to Wear Red Shirt, Black Pants in Honor of Tiger Woods on Sunday

<a href="https://www.si.com/golf/2021/02/28/rory-mcllroy-golfers-red-shirt-black-pants-tiger-woods">
Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed and Collin Morikawa said they would wear red shirt and black pants to honor Woods.
Rory Mcllroy and other golfers are planning to honor Tiger Woods,
</a><a href="https://www.si.com/golf/2021/02/23/tiger-woods-car-accident-los-angeles">who was injured in a single-vehicle car accident on Tuesday</a>, by wearing his signature red shirt and black pants during the final round of the WGC-Workday Championship in Florida on Sunday. 
Patrick Reed also said he is "definitely" going to wear the combination of clothes on Sunday, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/ToddLewisGC/status/1365798656528515072?s=20">Golf Channel's Todd Lewis</a>. In addition, Collin Morikawa will also join and honor Woods. Morikawa idolized the 45-year-old icon while growing up in Southern California and is currently leading the pack in the 54-hole event. 
<a href="https://twitter.com/maxhoma23/status/1365806464321937414?s=20">Max Homa tweeted</a> that he wouldn't be participating with the other golfers to honor Woods because he didn't pack a red shirt or black pants to the event as he didn't learn of the accident until he arrived, but still showed support for the gesture. 
"Hope to see a lot of red and black out there," Homa said in a tweet.
The final round starts at 8 a.m. EST.

New on Sports Illustrated: Rory McIlroy Among Golfers to Wear Red Shirt, Black Pants in Honor of Tiger Woods on Sunday

Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed and Collin Morikawa said they would wear red shirt and black pants to honor Woods. Rory Mcllroy and other golfe...

New on Sports Illustrated: Streaking Wild aim to complete sweep of Kings

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300259">
The Minnesota Wild will try to run their winning streak to six games when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night in Minneapolis.
The Wild beat the Kings 3-1 on Friday night behind 27 saves from Cam Talbot and first-period goals from Kirill Kaprizov, Nick Bjugstad and Joel Eriksson Ek.
Minnesota has scored 23 goals during its five-game winning streak.
"It's a lot more fun when you're creating offense and everyone is feeling it," said Bjugstad, who scored the 100th goal of his NHL career in the Friday victory. "This is a good Los Angeles team, so it's hard to put up goals against them."
The Kings will try to rebound after their six-game win streak was snapped Friday.
Los Angeles had opened its six-game road trip with two-game sweeps against the Arizona Coyotes and St. Louis Blues.
"Our details in St. Louis weren't real good, and it carried over in (Friday's) game," Kings coach Todd McLellan said. "When do we get them back, how quick do we get them back? To the point where they become real important again, that's what we'll be looking for (Saturday)."
Calvin Petersen will start in goal for Los Angeles on Saturday after Jonathan Quick stopped 27 of 30 shots on Friday night.
Petersen has allowed two goals or fewer in each of his past three starts to lower his goals-against average to 2.28 on the season. He stopped 32 of 33 shots in a 2-1 win against the Wild on Jan. 26.
Petersen most recently made 35 saves in a 2-1 win against the Blues on Wednesday.
Minnesota is expected to start Kaapo Kahkonen in goal.
Kahkonen has surrendered two goals or fewer in each of his past four outings. He has made three starts against the Kings this season, going 1-2-0 with a 2.74 GAA.
He will hope for more offensive support from Kaprizov, who continues to be a menace to the Kings.
Kaprizov scored his first NHL goal in overtime to beat Los Angeles in the season opener on Jan. 14, after he notched two assists in regulation. He scored the first goal Friday on a dazzling wraparound, giving him three goals and three assists in six games against Los Angeles this season.
"Honestly, the first practice I saw him skate I knew he was something special," Bjugstad said of Kaprizov.
McLellan has been equally impressed with the 23-year rookie from Russia.
"If he isn't the top rookie in the league, he's got to be one of the top two or three," McLellan said. "This is what, Game 6 or 7 against them already, and every night he's gotten better.
"He's a factor. His line is very good right now. ... I see him along the boards and in piles, he's not the biggest man, but he always seems to roll off and come out. He's a very slippery player."
Bjugstad said another big key to the Wild's recent success has been the arrival of Mats Zuccarello, who missed the first 11 games after undergoing offseason arm surgery.
Zuccarello has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) during the five-game winning streak.
"He brought his swagger, and we've all kind of followed," Bjugstad said of Zuccarello.
--Field Level Media
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Streaking Wild aim to complete sweep of Kings

The Minnesota Wild will try to run their winning streak to six games when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night in Minneapolis....

New on Sports Illustrated: Blackhawks look to maintain mastery of Red Wings

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300142">
The Chicago Blackhawks will shoot for their third win in a row when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night in the first game of a back-to-back set.
Chicago is coming off a pair of road wins against the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier in the week. The Blackhawks posted a 6-5 shootout victory on Tuesday, then added a 2-0 win on Thursday.
Strong goaltending has been a key to the Blackhawks' success this season. Rookie Kevin Lankinen has produced an 8-3-3 record to go along with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage, and Malcolm Subban has shined as a backup by going 3-1-1 with a 2.13 GAA and a .930 save percentage.
Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton praised both players after the latest win, in which Subban stopped all 26 shots he faced to record the second shutout of his career.
"We've got to say we're pleasantly surprised," Colliton said. "They've both been very good. They've given us a chance to win every night. That's what you hope for when you give young guys opportunity: You hope they're going to seize it and take advantage of it, and that's what they're doing."
Chicago's top players on offense are much less of a surprise. Patrick Kane leads the way with 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists), while Alex DeBrincat ranks second with 20 points (nine, 11) and Dominik Kubalik is third with 16 points (six, 10).
As for the Red Wings, they are looking to post back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Detroit won only four of its first 19 games but has recorded two victories in its past three contests.
In its most recent game, Detroit pulled away for a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Thursday. Sam Gagner notched a hat trick in the victory while Luke Glendening and Adam Erne had one goal apiece.
Jonathan Bernier stopped 37 of 39 shots to earn the victory.
"We see where we are in the standings, which is frustrating, but a win like this can help the confidence and get us moving forward, hopefully," Glendening said. "We played OK last game, our special teams wasn't up to snuff. We let one in early on the (penalty kill on Thursday) but battled back.
"That's what this team has to continue to do, show up and work hard and keep battling every night."
Bobby Ryan will look to stay involved after assisting on Gagner's first two goals on Thursday. The veteran has five goals and six assists in 21 games during his first season with Detroit.
"I think Bobby has been around it, he's been creating a lot," Gagner said.
The Saturday matchup will be the fifth of the season between the teams. Chicago owns a perfect 4-0-0 record in the season series, including two wins at home and two on the road.
In the most recent matchups earlier this month, both in Detroit, Chicago earned a 3-2 overtime victory on Feb. 15 and a 2-0 win on Feb. 17. Lankinen stopped all 29 shots he faced to earn the shutout.
--Field Level Media
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Blackhawks look to maintain mastery of Red Wings

The Chicago Blackhawks will shoot for their third win in a row when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night in the first game of ...

New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: Manchester United-Chelsea Preview

<a href="https://www.si.com/soccer/game/2258027">
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still trying to strike a balance between defence and attack in the biggest matches as Manchester United head to Chelsea.
United have been much improved this season to enter the title race, albeit now sitting 10 points off the pace.
While there have been costly home defeats, the chief issue for Solskjaer's side has been the struggles against their 'big six' rivals, too often failing to turn draws into wins.
United's defence has let them down at times, too, and Solskjaer is keen to see them turn the corner to maintain their outside title hopes.
"We know we've scored quite a few goals; of course, we need to be a better team defensively," he said.
"We've conceded too many goals, so we need to improve on that, definitely.
"And win tighter games: we've had many games against, you know, City, Chelsea, nil-nil, Liverpool nil-nil, so get the goals in those games.
"We just have to focus and tick one game off at a time. The (next) three games are massive.
"We've got Chelsea just behind us, City a way in front of us, and we can't let them run further away if we have ambitions of catching them and we can't give Chelsea too much hope of catching us, either."
Solskjaer described facing Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea as "a great challenge."
The Blues boss, also appreciating the importance of this game, said: "If we get a win out of this game, it will be huge for us.
"If they can get a win, it will be huge for them to put a difference between us, to increase the difference."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chelsea - Mason Mount
Mount will hope to finally get up and running at Stamford Bridge this season on Sunday. He has scored two goals in his past three Premier League games, as many as in his previous 21 in the competition. However, all four of his league goals this season have come away from home.
Manchester United - David de Gea
Pressure is building on De Gea. After going without an error leading to a shot all season up to the start of February, he has had two this month - including an error leading to a goal in the draw with Everton. Last year, a poor display against Chelsea ended United's FA Cup run and the goalkeeper will aim to make amends.
KEY OPTA FACTS
- Chelsea were beaten 2-0 at Stamford Bridge by United last season in the Premier League; they have not lost consecutive home games against the Red Devils since October 1995.
- In all competitions, Manchester United have won their past three away games against Chelsea, winning in the FA Cup in February 2019, EFL Cup in October 2019 and Premier League in February 2020. They have never won four in a row away against Chelsea.
- Chelsea have failed to score in three consecutive Premier League games against United, attempting 41 shots without success across these games. The last time they failed to score in four consecutive top-flight matches against an opponent was in April 1960 against Bolton Wanderers.
- United are unbeaten in 19 Premier League away games (W13 D6), a run that began with a 2-0 win at Chelsea in February 2020. This is the Red Devils' longest unbeaten away run in their top-flight history; their previous longest of 17 between December 1998 and September 1999 ended with a 5-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge (Oct 1999).
- The away team has won all four of the previous managerial matches between Chelsea boss Tuchel and United's Solskjaer, all between the Red Devils and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Solskjaer could become only the second manager to win three away games against Tuchel in all competitions, after Jurgen Klopp (four).
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Manchester United-Chelsea Preview

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still trying to strike a balance between defence and attack in the biggest matches as Manchester United head to Che...

New on Sports Illustrated: Fulham-Crystal Palace Preview

<a href="https://www.si.com/soccer/game/2258026">
Roy Hodgson has praised the work of Scott Parker and is expecting a completely different test on Sunday compared to the last time Crystal Palace faced Fulham.
Palace were deserved 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage in October - a result that left Fulham bottom of the division with one point from six matches.
Parker's side took time to get going following promotion from the Championship but eight points from their last four matches has given them hope of dodging the drop.
Fulham are three points adrift of safety heading into this weekend's clash at Selhurst Park and Hodgson acknowledged Palace, still without star man Wilfried Zaha, are in for a tough contest against their London rivals.
"The coaching staff and the manager have obviously done a really good job in improving the side from the team that we met at the start of the season," Hodgson said. "I'd go as far as to say there is little comparison from that side.
"If you look at the form table over the last couple of months I would think they would be right up at the top rather than at the bottom, but of course they're playing catch-up. We're looking forward to another very difficult game."
Palace were 2-1 smash-and-grab winners away at Brighton and Hove Albion last time out, while Fulham saw off bottom side Sheffield United 1-0 in their most recent match.
The visitors are unbeaten in their last six Premier League away games, albeit five of those finishing all square, and Parker simply wants to maintain the pressure on the likes of Newcastle United, Brighton and Burnley.
"We've come out of a busy schedule last week where we got some points on the board and did very, very well, and that's the main aim going forward," Parker said. "With 13 games left, I know if we win games, we'll stay up. That's the main focus, otherwise it's a rollercoaster of emotions every weekend.
"I want us to worry about us, and that's what we've done this year very, very well, and we'll continue to do that."
KEY PLAYERS
Crystal Palace - Christian Benteke
Palace had three shots against Brighton compared to 25 for their opponents, yet they still came away from the Amex Stadium with all three points thanks to Benteke's late strike.
That was the Belgium international's fourth Premier League goal of the campaign, which is already more than he managed in his previous two seasons in the competition combined (three).
Fulham - Ivan Cavaleiro
Josh Maja has made a huge difference for Fulham since arriving in the January window, while Ademola Lookman has also proved a good signing, but Fulham now need others - such as Cavaleiro - to step up.
Cavaleiro has scored three Premier League goals in all this campaign, each of those away from home, making him Fulham's top scorer in away matches. Those three goals have either been the winner (once) or the equaliser (twice).
KEY OPTA STATS
- Palace have won each of their last three Premier League games against Fulham; only versus Burnley (January 2018 to November 2019), Leicester City (December 2017 to February 2019) and Stoke City (March 2015 to September 2016) have they ever won four consecutive meetings in the competition.
- Fulham have never previously lost four consecutive league meetings with Palace; they last avoided defeat to the Eagles in the Premier League in May 2014 (1-1), and last beat them in the competition in October 2013 (4-1).
- Only against Wimbledon have Palace ever won four or more consecutive top-flight London derby meetings, beating them five times in a row from September 1989 to August 1991 under Steve Coppell.
- No team has conceded more goals from outside the box than Palace in the Premier League this season (nine). Indeed, it is more than double the amount they shipped from outside the box last term (four), with only four sides conceding fewer such goals in 2019-20.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta became the 12th different player to score for Palace in the Premier League this season against Brighton last time out. The Eagles last had more different goalscorers in a single campaign in 2015-16 (14).
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Fulham-Crystal Palace Preview

Roy Hodgson has praised the work of Scott Parker and is expecting a completely different test on Sunday compared to the last time Crystal P...

New on Sports Illustrated: Arsenal-Leicester City Preview

<a href="https://www.si.com/soccer/game/2258029">
Brendan Rodgers is hoping for a reaction from Leicester City against Arsenal on Sunday following on the back of his side's disappointing Europa League last-32 exit.
Leicester were beaten 2-0 by Slavia Prague on home soil on Thursday and have less than three days to pick themselves up before hosting Arsenal in the Premier League.
However, City have been in fine form domestically, losing just one of their last 15 top flight and FA Cup matches, and Rodgers does not expect a hangover of any sort from the shock Slavia setback.
"It's the environment we've created here. One of the key attributes of this group is how we respond," Rodgers said. "We don't dwell on disappointment.
"That's shown in our results. We have to get ready for the next game. We'll be focused."
Leicester faded away last season to finish fifth in the Premier League but they are third after 25 games this season, 15 points better off than an Arsenal side languishing in the bottom half.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, whose side are at risk of missing out on the top six for the first time since 1994-95, is not surprised to see the Foxes challenging at the top end of the division.
"I think they totally deserve the position they are in at the moment," Arteta said. "They've been really consistent in the league. I think they've done a lot of good things, there's not any luck or anything like that in how they've developed as a team.
"Obviously they have a really good manager, a great coaching staff and they have made a lot of good decisions in the last few seasons."
Arsenal have collected only four points from the last 15 on offer, though they progressed through to the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday with a dramatic late win against Benfica.
"The win keeps our season going in a much better way," Arteta said. "The Europa League is going to help us in the Premier League, for sure. It will help keep everyone together and give us something extra to play for."
KEY PLAYERS
Leicester - Harvey Barnes
James Maddison missed the defeat to Slavia through injury, while Barnes was surprisingly named among the subs with an eye on this game against Arsenal.England international Barnes will almost certainly return to the starting line-up on Sunday as he aims to build on a return of nine Premier League goals, making this his best season in front of goal in the top flight.
Arsenal - Bukayo Saka
Young talent Saka delivered yet again when Arsenal needed him most against Benfica by setting up both of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's goals in Athens.He now has 18 assists for the club since the start of last season - more than any other Arsenal player - and will again be their go-to man at the King Power Stadium.
KEY OPTA FACTS
- Leicester have won four of their last six Premier League matches against Arsenal (D1 L1), which is one more than in their previous 36 top-flight league games against the Gunners (D10 L23).
- Arsenal have lost their last three away Premier League matches against Leicester, receiving more red cards (two) than goals scored (one) in these three games.
- The Gunners have won just 14.3 per cent of their Premier League matches at the King Power Stadium (1/7) - among stadiums at which they have played at least five games, only at Hillsborough (12.5 per cent) and Old Trafford (13.8 per cent) do they have a lower win ratio in the competition.
- Three different teams have already done the Premier League double over Arsenal this season (Aston Villa, Manchester City, Wolves) - the most in a single campaign against the Gunners since 1994-95 (four - Leeds United, Liverpool, Newcastle United and QPR).
- Leicester City have won six of their seven Premier League games immediately following a European fixture this season (L1), while Arsenal have lost six of their seven such games (W1).
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Arsenal-Leicester City Preview

Brendan Rodgers is hoping for a reaction from Leicester City against Arsenal on Sunday following on the back of his side's disappointin...

New on Sports Illustrated: Burnley-Tottenham Hotspur Preview

<a href="https://www.si.com/soccer/game/2258033">
Jose Mourinho is not overly concerned by Tottenham's difficult run in the Premier League as the continues to relish the pressure ahead of hosting Burnley.
Spurs are down in ninth heading into the weekend, nine points outside the top four after losing five of their past six matches.
Progress in the Europa League, with the EFL Cup final still to play, has given Mourinho some respite, but the Tottenham coach insists he has no issue with scrutiny.
"The problem is if you don't have pressure," he said. "I felt in trouble when I was at home and did not have pressure for a few months. That's the problem.
"It comes like oxygen, it is our life; I don't think there is any coach in the world without objectives or any kind of pressure.
"You just get used to it and also used to the way the press is at the time. You just have to adapt to it."
Mourinho certainly has the support of Sean Dyche, the Burnley manager and his opposite number this week.
"Jose Mourinho is someone I have the maximum respect for after what he's done and what he's won," Dyche said.
"There have been a few questions, but at Tottenham there always are if things aren't going exactly how you want.
"They're still a top outfit, a top manager, top players, a top club."
The respect is mutual, as Mourinho added of Dyche: "He is doing amazing.
"He knows the profile of football he wants to play, the profile of team he wants to have.
"He knows how to get the number if points that season after season after season they keep them always far from the dangerous position."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tottenham - Dele Alli
Alli still has not started in the league since the opening day of the season and may be unlikely to come back in on Sunday after playing 81 minutes in midweek against Wolfsberger. But the midfielder will expect to have a role to play off the bench, having scored and assisted in the same game for the first time since December 2018, a stunning overhead kick evidence of his return to form.
Burnley - Matej Vydra
No team has failed to score in more different Premier League games than Burnley this season (13), including in an awful goalless draw against 10-man West Brom last time out. The failure of Vydra to score in 15 appearances this term has not helped. The Clarets need him to step up.
KEY OPTA FACTS
- Spurs have won five of their six home Premier League games against Burnley (D1), netting 16 goals and conceding just three in those games.
- Tottenham have lost five of their past six Premier League games (W1), more than they had in their previous 28 in the competition (W14 D10 L4).
- Tottenham's 10 Premier League victories this season have come against opponents with an average position of 15th in the table on the day of the game. Only West Brom (17th) and Crystal Palace (16th) have beaten lower placed teams on average this term.
- Burnley have won four of their past six Premier League games in London (L2), more than they had in their previous 35 in the top flight (W3 D4 L28). The Clarets have won at Arsenal and Crystal Palace so far this season; only in two top-flight campaigns have they won more in the capital (four in 1960-61, three in 1974-75).
- Since beating Arsenal 2-0 in December, Spurs have taken just 12 points from 13 Premier League games (W3 D3 L7). Only Newcastle United, Sheffield United and West Brom have taken fewer in that time.
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Burnley-Tottenham Hotspur Preview

Jose Mourinho is not overly concerned by Tottenham's difficult run in the Premier League as the continues to relish the pressure ahead ...

New on Sports Illustrated: Liverpool-Sheffield United Preview

<a href="https://www.si.com/soccer/game/2258036">
Jurgen Klopp acknowledges Liverpool already face a "big challenge" simply to qualify for the Champions League with their Premier League title defence in tatters.
The Reds play Sheffield United on Sunday and enter the weekend sixth, 19 points behind leaders Manchester City and also five shy of fourth-placed West Ham.
Injuries have proved a huge hindrance to the champions this term, but they will continue to battle for a top-four finish.
"It is a big challenge, big challenge, of course," Klopp said. "That's how it is.
"You only have to look at the points; it's not too far off but already it's a distance. So that's all clear.
"We don't have to talk too much about that, the only thing we have to do is to try to win as many games as possible.
"That's what we do - and then we will see at the end of the season. But, of course, it's a challenge."
A trip to basement side Sheffield United might be deemed a kinder fixture, but Klopp is prepared for another test.
"They will fight with all they have, we will fight with all we have," he said.
"It's not important if it's dangerous or difficult or the best moment, it's the only game we have this weekend and that's the way we want to go into it."
The Blades are facing relegation, but Chris Wilder said: "Whatever season, whatever division, a big end to the season is better than a not so big.
"There's always something to play for, an obligation to everybody. They're professional footballers."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sheffield United - Billy Sharp
Sharp, 35, (three) and David McGoldrick, 33, (five) have accounted for over half of Sheffield United's division-low 15 league goals this season. But two of Sharp's strikes have come from the penalty spot and Liverpool have conceded eight spot-kicks in the top flight this term, their joint-most in a single Premier League campaign (also eight in 2010-11).
Liverpool - Ozan Kabak
Jordan Henderson's injury has further turned up the heat on new man Kabak. Now a certainty to start at centre-back, he has already made an error leading to a goal three games into his Liverpool career having gone without one in his two years in Germany. The Reds' season rests on Kabak regaining his composure.
KEY OPTA FACTS
- Sheffield United lost 1-0 to Liverpool at Bramall Lane last season, last losing consecutive home top-flight meetings with the Reds back in September 1921.
- Liverpool have won their past four Premier League games against Sheffield United, although those wins have been spread over the 2006-07, 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
- Sheffield United have lost 20 of their 25 Premier League games this season (W3 D2), the fewest number of games a team has taken to reach 20 defeats in a single campaign in English top-flight history.
- Liverpool have lost six of their past nine Premier League games (W2 D1), as many as they had in their previous 100 in the competition (W75 D19). The Reds have lost four consecutive Premier League games, last losing five in a row in the top flight in August and September 1953.
- Liverpool have conceded 34 goals in their 25 Premier League games this season, one more than they did in the whole of their 2019-20 title winning season.
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Liverpool-Sheffield United Preview

Jurgen Klopp acknowledges Liverpool already face a "big challenge" simply to qualify for the Champions League with their Premier ...

New on Sports Illustrated: Avalanche hold on in final seconds for 3-2 win over Coyotes

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2312809">
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Colorado goalie Hunter Miska looked like he was cruising to his first NHL victory and shutout until the final two minutes on Friday night.
That's when things got way more interesting than Miska - or the Avalanche - were expecting.
But the 25-year-old Miska refocused, turned away a final Arizona offensive flurry and the Avalanche held on for a 3-2 victory over the Coyotes to snap a two-game losing streak.
''That last 52 seconds was super nerve-wracking,'' Miska said. ''But the team was playing super well in front of me and I just had to stop the puck.''
Miska was playing in just his fourth NHL game and was nearly flawless until the Coyotes scored two goals in the final two minutes. Arizona had a sleepy offensive performance before Phil Kessel scored with 1:36 left and Drake Caggiula added another one with 53 seconds left.
That led to a tense exchange in the final seconds before the Avalanche fended off a final Coyotes offensive push. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Miska played great until getting jittery in the final minutes.
''I thought he looked really good for the bulk of the game and then he got caught out of the net a couple times at the end,'' Bednar said. ''It looked like he got nervous, he was getting ready to get a big win and then got a little ahead of himself.''
''He made it a little more interesting than it needed to be.''
Colorado's Nazem Kadri had a goal and two assists to lead the team's offense.
The Avalanche jumped ahead 1-0 early in the second period on a power play when Mikko Rantanen scored from close range at the far post after a quick crossing pass from Kadri. It was Rantenen's eighth goal of the season.
Colorado pushed ahead 2-0 early in the third when Andre Burakovsky beat Hill with a hard shot to the top right corner. It was his fourth goal of the season. The Avalanche added another goal later in the third when Kadri slipped his sixth goal of the season past Hill into the bottom left corner of the net.
The Coyotes came into the game on a roll, becoming just the eighth NHL team to win consecutive games after trailing by at least three goals. They nearly pulled it off again in shocking fashion, but waited too late to get the offense started.
Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said his team had too many players who didn't contribute.
''They are a talented big team and they're a better team than us,'' Tocchet said. ''So for us to compete you can't have passengers. You guys can write your own narrative, but we had too many guys that had zeros tonight. Against this team, you can't have five or six guys with just zeros. We had some guys competing, but we had some guys that didn't compete.''
Arizona goalie Adin Hill made his first start of the season in place of the injured Darcy Kuemper, who was out with a lower body injury that happened during the team's win on Wednesday. Hill stopped 14 shots in the come-from-behind victory after replacing Kuemper.
Hill played well again in a scoreless first period, stopping 11 shots, including a handful at close range. Things got chippy late in the first period when Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog slammed Arizona's Conor Garland to the ice. Both were assessed a minor roughing penalty.
Kessel's goal was his eighth of the season. Hill stopped 25 of 28 shots.
OUCH
Linesman Brad Kovachik took a puck to the side of the head midway through the first period and had to leave the ice. The game went on with two referees and one linesman until he returned in the second period.
UP NEXT
The teams meet again in Arizona on Saturday night.
---
Follow David Brandt at www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP
---
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Avalanche hold on in final seconds for 3-2 win over Coyotes

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Colorado goalie Hunter Miska looked like he was cruising to his first NHL victory and shutout until the final two minu...

New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: Hurricanes hope to turn tide vs. Panthers

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300062">
Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour doesn't feel like his team is playing poorly, even though the cold, hard facts reveal a three-game losing streak.
"We were pretty much in every game," Brind'Amour said after getting outscored 10-3 in their last three contests this week against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the last two on the road. "Obviously, there are areas we can shore up and get better."
The Hurricanes will hope to make progress in that regard on Saturday night when they visit the Florida Panthers, who lead the Central Division with 28 points. Carolina trails Florida by three points in a tightly packed top half of the division.
Florida is coming off a 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.
That win for the Panthers created a sense of relief since Florida was less than seven minutes away from what would've been two consecutive shutout losses over a roughly 24-hour span against Dallas.
But that's when the Panthers came to life, scoring three times in less than three minutes, with goals by Aleksander Barkov, Anton Stralman and Frank Vatrano.
Barkov, who got a tap-in goal on a puck that had come to a stop behind the Stars netminder but was not in, said the Panthers' offense was due to ignite.
"The last 10 minutes, we were all over them," Barkov said. "It was just a matter of time. We finally got a lucky bounce."
The Panthers also got a good game from Sergei Bobrovsky, who improved to 6-2-1 with a 3.05 goals-against average. Bobrovsky, who has split time with backup Chris Driedger (7-2-1, 2.18 GAA) this season, stopped 37 of 39 shots for a .949 save percentage. It was the most saves by a Panthers goalie this season.
"I'd call that a goalie win," Panthers coach Joel Quenneville said of Bobrovsky. "He was excellent."
The Panthers beat the Hurricanes in their only meeting so far this year, prevailing 4-3 on Jonathan Huberdeau's overtime goal.
Similar to the Dallas game on Thursday, the Panthers trailed 2-0 against the Hurricanes before charging back for the victory. Driedger made 32 saves to earn that win.
"It was a big response by us," Huberdeau said after that game. "We didn't panic."
Florida beat backup goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, who made 33 saves.
"The way we finished the game was disappointing," Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal said. "We were in control, but we let them back in the game with sloppy play."
Huberdeau leads Florida in assists (16) and points (23) this season. Barkov and Patric Hornqvist are tied for team's goals lead with eight each.
Sebastian Aho leads Carolina in assists (11) and points (17). Former Panthers All-Star Vincent Trocheck is tied for Carolina's team lead in goals, as he and Nino Niederreiter have nine each.
Another former Panthers player, James Reimer, leads Carolina in wins (8-3-0, 2.99 GAA).
Two more factors to watch Saturday are the Hurricanes' power play and Florida's defense.
Carolina entered Thursday's Lightning game ranked seventh in the league in power-play percentage. But the Hurricanes were 0-for-5 with the man advantage.
"The power play cost us the game," Aho said. "Scoring goals on the power play is our game."
Florida, meanwhile, played Thursday's game without veteran defenseman Radko Gudas (upper-body injury). In his place, Kevin Connauton made his Panthers debut and was impressive -- 20:26 time on ice and a plus-two rating.
"The guys stepped up," Bobrovsky said. "I have tremendous belief in this team."
--Field Level Media
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Hurricanes hope to turn tide vs. Panthers

Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour doesn't feel like his team is playing poorly, even though the cold, hard facts reveal a t...

New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: UNC's Roy Williams Reaches 900 Wins With Upset Over No. 11 FSU

<a href="https://www.si.com/college/2021/02/28/roy-williams-reaches-900-wins-unc-upsets-fsu">
Roy Williams became the fastest men's basketball coach in D-1 history to reach his 900th win after UNC upset No. 11 Florida State, 78-70.
Roy Williams became the fastest men's basketball coach in Division I history to reach 900 wins after North Carolina upset No. 11 Florida State, 78-70, on Saturday. 
The 70-year-old reached the milestone in the span of 1,161 games, and he's now two wins shy of tying Bobby Knight for third place all-time in career wins,
</a><a href="https://twitter.com/InsideCarolina/status/1365805857527664641?s=20">according to Inside Carolina</a>. 
"I was focused on one thing and that's to bounce back," Williams <a href="https://twitter.com/Quierra_Luck/status/1365812378068275203?s=20">said about the win</a>. "It's neat for 900 wins, but I wanted to get in the locker room and act like a fool with my guys."
Senior Garrison Brooks had the honor of handing Williams the framed 900-win jersey at center court with the team circled around him, all holding or wearing T-shirts to commemorate the moment.
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/accnetwork/status/1365808894052868098"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski won his 900th in 1,183 games, and Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim took 1,251 competitions. Knight, who is the former head coach of Indiana, reached his 900th win in 1,269 games. 
But even as he reached a monumental moment in his career, Williams opened his post-game press conference about how FSU head coach Leonard Hamilton deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
"He lost major players to the NBA but he came back and played hard," <a href="https://twitter.com/Quierra_Luck/status/1365809359662575619?s=20">Williams said</a>. "He is a Hall of Fame coach, and I hope the voting works out for him. He deserves it"

New on Sports Illustrated: UNC's Roy Williams Reaches 900 Wins With Upset Over No. 11 FSU

Roy Williams became the fastest men's basketball coach in D-1 history to reach his 900th win after UNC upset No. 11 Florida State, 78-7...

New on Sports Illustrated: Emmanuel Acho to Fill in as Host of 'The Bachelor'

<a href="https://www.si.com/college/2021/02/28/emmanuel-acho-host-the-bachelor-chris-harrison">
Acho, 30, will host the "After the Final Rose" episode for this season of "The Bachelor" after regular host Chris Harrison's absence following his controversial comments.
Bachelor Nation, rejoice: Your show has found a new captain, at least for the immediate future.
Amid usual host Chris Harrison's absence from the show, football analyst Emmanuel Acho will step in to host the upcoming "After the Final Rose" episode for this season of The Bachelor. Acho announced the move via Twitter Saturday afternoon.
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"></blockquote>
</div>
</a>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Harrison has stepped away from his hosting duties after his controversial comments defending the behavior of current contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who came under criticism after Instagram photos surfaced of her attending an Antebellum-themed sorority party in 2018.
Appearing in an interview with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay, Harrison defended Kirkconnell's actions, asserting that while the theme of the party was not acceptable through the lens of 2021, it was more acceptable in 2018.
Acho, 30, was a standout linebacker at Texas from 2008 to 2011. He was a first-team All-Big 12 selection as a senior, recording 114 tackles and three sacks. Acho was a sixth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2012, and last appeared on an NFL team in 2015.
He began his media career in 2016, first with the Longhorn Network before moving to ESPN in 2018. He currently hosts the Fox Sports 1 show Speak for Yourself.

New on Sports Illustrated: Emmanuel Acho to Fill in as Host of 'The Bachelor'

Acho, 30, will host the "After the Final Rose" episode for this season of "The Bachelor" after regular host Chris Harri...

New on Sports Illustrated: Mayor of New Orleans Recruits Russell Wilson and Ciara to the Saints

<a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/02/27/new-orleans-mayor-recruits-russell-wilson-ciara-sign-saints">
Wilson has listed the Saints as one of four teams he'd consider being traded to.
Nobody can ever say that the mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, isn't a woman of the people. 
Despite the fact that
</a><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/02/25/russell-wilson-trade-rumors-camp-talk-trade-destinations">Seahawks quarterback hasn't officially requested a trade</a>, Cantrell posted a video on Twitter not only recruiting Wilson to the Saints but also his wife, pop singer Ciara. 
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/mayorcantrell/status/1365784852579164160"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
With Ciara's song "Level Up" playing in the background, Cantrell made her case for why Wilson should make his way to the Big Easy.
"I've heard the rumors now, and I want to make sure that you understand that the city of New Orleans is a place for you and your beautiful family," Cantrell said. "I know, Mr. Wilson, that you will be a great addition to the New Orleans Saints, and more importantly, I can see us in that number winning that Super Bowl championship once again." 
Cantrell also said she could see Ciara on the main stage of the annual Essence Festival that is held in New Orleans. 
After rumors of Wilson demanding a trade from the Seahawks began to swirl earlier this week, Wilson's agent <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30963438/qb-russell-wilson-demanded-trade-seattle-seahawks-agent-says">Mark Rogers told ESPN</a> that Wilson informed the team he wants to remain in Seattle. However, if the team did entertain trading him, he'd only consider the Saints, Cowboys, Raiders and Bears.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees is still on the roster.

New on Sports Illustrated: Mayor of New Orleans Recruits Russell Wilson and Ciara to the Saints

Wilson has listed the Saints as one of four teams he'd consider being traded to. Nobody can ever say that the mayor of New Orleans, La...

New on Sports Illustrated: Brighton & Hove Albion-West Brom Preview

<a href="https://www.si.com/soccer/game/2258041">
Sam Allardyce is aiming to expose Brighton and Hove Albion's weak points in order to keep West Brom's slim Premier League survival hopes alive.
It was a familiar story for Brighton last time out as they outshot rivals Crystal Palace 25-3 yet lost 2-1 to a last-gasp strike from Christian Benteke.
Brighton's failure to stick away more of their chances has cost them on countless occasions this season and they enter Saturday's clash just four points above the relegation zone.
West Brom are 11 points from safety, meanwhile, but Allardyce is hoping to close that gap with victory at The Hawthorns this weekend.
"The only reason Brighton are not in the top eight is because they haven't got a goalscorer," Allardyce said. "They create more chances for where they are in the league than any of us in that bottom 10. People were saying how did Crystal Palace win with just two shots on target, but it showed some of Brighton's frailties, what you could do on counter-attacking to a very attacking side.
"The failure to win that game for Brighton must have been very disappointing, particularly on that performance, but what it shows us where those weaknesses may be."
Brighton have defeated Liverpool and Tottenham in recent weeks, but a failure to beat Burnley, Aston Villa and Palace in their last three games has left them in the relegation mix.
"We are where we are in the table, we know the situation," head coach Graham Potter said. "We've got 13 matches to play which gives us 39 points to play for. We've been in a relegation battle for months - that's the narrative of the Premier League when you're there in the table, that's what you can't get away from.
"We know the situation we're in, we know we haven't got the points we need. We need more and that's what we're going to try and get."
KEY PLAYERS
West Brom - Matheus Pereira
Allardyce's side squandered some good opportunities in last week's stalemate with Burnley, the best of which fell to Pereira.
The 24-year-old has a credible five goals and three assists in his first Premier League campaign to date, but he has not been directly involved in a goal in his last four games.
Brighton - Neal Maupay
After scoring four goals in his first four Premier League appearances this season, Maupay has since netted just three times in his subsequent 19 top-flight outings.
That includes another blank in last week's loss to Palace, though 71 per cent of the striker's league goals in 2020-21 have come away from home (5/7).
KEY OPTA FACTS
- West Brom have never lost in 10 previous home league meetings with Brighton (W6 D4) - the most times they have faced an opponent at home in the Football League without ever suffering defeat.
- Allardyce's side are winless in their last seven Premier League games (D3 L4), and also their last seven Premier League home games (D2 L5). The Baggies have conceded a league-high 55 Premier League goals so far this season.
- All four of Brighton's games against teams starting the day in the relegation zone this season have ended in a draw, with three of those finishing goalless.
- Brighton's first eight away league games this season saw 24 goals scored, at an average of three per game (F11 A13). The Seagulls' last four on the road have seen just five goals scored, just over one per game (F3 A2).
- Against no side has West Brom manager Sam Allardyce faced more often without losing in English league football than he has Brighton (9 - W6 D3). The Seagulls are also one of just two sides Allardyce has beaten in each of the top four tiers of English football, along with Cardiff City.
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Brighton & Hove Albion-West Brom Preview

Sam Allardyce is aiming to expose Brighton and Hove Albion's weak points in order to keep West Brom's slim Premier League survival ...

New on Sports Illustrated: Aston Villa-Leeds United Preview

<a href="https://www.si.com/soccer/game/2258024">
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa insists he would rather be playing a full-strength Aston Villa than one devoid of their key attacking talent in Jack Grealish.
England international Grealish, who has six goals and 10 assists in 22 Premier League appearances this term, has been ruled out of Saturday's clash with a leg injury.
Villa struggled in the midfielder's absence last week as they suffered a 2-1 loss to Leicester City, but Bielsa wanted to see Grealish back involved at Elland Road this weekend.
"I always prefer that opponents have their best players available because even if that fortifies a team and makes them more scary to face, it's also a stimulus for us to face such players and to try to neutralise them," Bielsa said.
Bielsa has injury concerns of his own as Rodrigo and Kalvin Phillips have been ruled out, while Mateusz Klich is a big doubt and Robin Koch is also not expected to play any part.
Leeds returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Southampton in midweek to move into the top half and within a point of Villa, albeit having played two games more, and Villans boss Dean Smith admires what Bielsa has achieved.
"Leeds have hit the ground running and found that it's a real tough league and you can be inconsistent," Smith said. "They've done fantastically well and there are similarities between how both teams play. They're a team that I love to watch play. They've come into the Premier League and lit it up in terms of how they've played.
"I have an awful lot of respect for the work that Marcelo has done. I'm not sure another manager could have gone into a club like Leeds and made the impact that he's had on them."
KEY PLAYERS
Leeds United - Raphinha
Brazilian attacker Raphinha has enjoyed an impressive first campaign in English football since arriving from Rennes and was the star of the show in the win over Southampton.
He has now been directly involved in six goals in his last seven Premier League outings and will possibly hold the key to unlocking Villa's tight defensive unit.
Aston Villa - Ollie Watkins
Ten goals in 23 Premier League appearances is a good return for Watkins, but he has gone back-to-back matches without netting and does not tend to fare well against Leeds.
Indeed, the striker has faced Leeds more often than any other opponent without scoring in his English league career, drawing a blank in all seven appearances against them.
KEY OPTA FACTS
- Leeds are looking to complete their first league double over Villa since the 1975-76 campaign, following their 3-0 win at Villa Park earlier this season.
- Villa have won just two of their last 17 away league games against Leeds (D9 L6), with those victories coming in January and December 2000.
- Leeds have lost five of their eight Premier League games played on Saturdays this season (W2 D1), while Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last six Saturday league games (W5 D1), keeping a clean sheet each time.
- All three of Villa's Premier League games against promoted sides this season have finished 3-0, with the Villans beating Fulham and West Brom and losing to Leeds. Smith's side are looking to win away against all three promoted teams in a single Premier League season for the first time.
- Leeds striker Patrick Bamford has scored five goals in his three starts in all competitions against Villa, including the first Premier League hat-trick of his career in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Aston Villa-Leeds United Preview

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa insists he would rather be playing a full-strength Aston Villa than one devoid of their key attacking tale...

New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: Islanders score 5 in 3rd, beat first-place Bruins 7-2

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2299842">
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) Anthony Beauvillier scored the tiebreaking goal in New York's five-goal third period and the Islanders beat the first-place Boston Bruins 7-2 on Thursday night.
Mathew Barzal had a goal and an assist, and Adam Pelech, Jordan Eberle, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Anders Lee and Oliver Wahlstrom also scored to help the Islanders get their second straight win and improve to 6-0-1 at home. Semyon Varlamov stopped 34 shots.
New York, which got its highest scoring output of the season, beat Boston for the third time in three meetings - three of the Bruins' four regulation losses this season - to move one point behind Boston and Washington in the East.
''We understand how tough our division is top to bottom,'' Lee said. ''Boston's done a phenomenal job getting off to a good start and we're chasing them down. Any time you can close the gap a little bit, it's always a good evening.''
Nick Ritchie and Craig Smith also scored for Boston, which lost for the third time in four games. Jaroslav Halak had 30 saves in his first game against the Islanders since leaving after the 2017-18 season.
Beauvillier put the Islanders ahead at 5:41 of the third. Halak stopped Beauvillier's initial shot, then swooped in and took the puck away from Trent Frederic in front and backhanded it past Halak.
''Tie game going into the third period against arguably the best team in the league, that's a good test for us,'' Barzal said. ''I thought we rose to the forefront today.''
Eberle made it 4-2 with 9:15 left, taking a pass from Barzal, going to his forehand to get Halak to go down before lifting the puck into the net.
Pageau scored on a short-handed breakaway with 7:36 remaining to give the Islanders a three-goal lead. Lee made it 6-2 with 5:16 left for his ninth, and Wahlstrom got his second with 3:27 to go.
''It's a big win because we want to stay in the pack,'' New York coach Barry Trotz said. ''It's just a big mess of teams that are very equal in terms of talent and in terms of the standings. It's going to be a battle right to the end.''
Halak, who allowed the five goals on 18 shots in the third, had not given up a goal in the third period in six starts this season.
''Tonight was hopefully a one-off,'' Ritchie said. ''We just fell apart and kind of stopped playing, and that's what happens in this league. There's a lot of good teams.''
Varlamov made a nice save on a backhand try by Jake DeBrusk on a breakaway 7:21 into the second to preserve New York's 2-1 lead.
However, Smith tied it with 8:24 left in the second. On a Bruins rush, Smith sent the puck toward the net from the outside edge of the left circle with teammate Jack Studnicka charging toward the goal, but the it was deflected by the Islanders' Matt Martin up in the air and past Varlamov.
The Islanders were outshot 15-10 in the penalty-free opening period, but led 2-1 after 20 minutes.
Ritchie put the Bruins on the scoreboard 1:02 into the game, deflecting a pass by rookie defenseman Jakub Zboril past Varlamov for his seventh of the season.
Pelech tied it at 3:16, putting the puck in from the left side on a rebound for his first.
Barzal put the Islanders ahead with 7:21 left in the first period on a 2-on-1 with defenseman Nick Leddy for his seventh. Barzal had been held without a point the last four games after a career-high nine-game point streak. Leddy got his sixth assist in eight games, and Varlamov had his eighth career assist on the play.
INJURIES
Zboril returned to the lineup after missing the last two games due to an injury. Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said D Matt Grzelcyk skated in the morning but sat out against the Islanders. D Jeremy Lauzon is out four-to-six weeks with a broken hand. The Bruins were also without C David Krejci and D Kevan Miller.
Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck did not play after the first period due to an undisclosed injury. Clutterbuck saw only 3:07 of ice time in the opening period. Trotz didn't have an update on Clutterbuck after the game, but said he wasn't `too concerned' about his status.
MILESTONES
Bruins RW David Pastrnak played in his 400th career regular season game.
Cizikas' assist on Pelech's first-period goal was the 100th of his career.
GETTING READY FOR FANS
The Islanders plan to begin allowing fans at the Nassau Coliseum starting March 18 against Philadelphia. Fans will be limited to 10% of full capacity, which is 13,917. The Islanders will have about 1,000 healthcare workers in attendance for the previous game, on March 11 against New Jersey.
UP NEXT
Bruins: At New York Rangers on Friday night to open a two-game series.
Islanders: Host Pittsburgh on Saturday night to open a back-to-back two-game series.
---
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Islanders score 5 in 3rd, beat first-place Bruins 7-2

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) Anthony Beauvillier scored the tiebreaking goal in New York's five-goal third period and the Islanders beat the fi...

New on Sports Illustrated: Colin White scores twice, Senators beat Flames 6-1

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300455">
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) Colin White scored twice, Matt Murray made 29 saves and the Ottawa Senators routed the Calgary Flames 6-1 on Thursday night for their third straight victory.
Drake Batherson, Erik Gudbranson, Connor Brown and Erik Brannstrom also scored for Ottawa, with Batherson running his goals streak to four games. The Senators improved to 7-14-1.
''I think we're starting to build, I think we're recognizing what it takes to win on any given night and how difficult it really is,'' Murray said. ''I think we're starting to do the little things right the majority of the time and that's huge in this league.
''If we start getting into a run-and-gun style game then we're probably not going to have as good a chance to win. I think tonight was a good example of what it takes to win on any given night and now difficult it is. I love the direction we're headed.''
Milan Lucic scored for Calgary in the first of three straight games between the teams. Calgary dropped to 9-10-2, falling for fifth time in six games.
''It's on us. It's on the players,'' Lucic said. ''We've got to be better.''
The teams will meet again Saturday and Monday night.
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Colin White scores twice, Senators beat Flames 6-1

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) Colin White scored twice, Matt Murray made 29 saves and the Ottawa Senators routed the Calgary Flames 6-1 on Thursday ...

New on Sports Illustrated: Wilson scores winner on power play, Capitals beat Penguins

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2299949">
WASHINGTON (AP) Tom Wilson scored the go-ahead goal on a power play with 7:20 left and the Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Thursday night for their second victory in six games this season between the rivals.
Nicklas Backstrom scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season, and T.J. Oshie had one for the highlight reel in the third period when he dived one-handed to poke the puck past Tristan Jarry.
Wilson's tap-in on the power play helped Washington respond after blowing a 2-0 lead with back-to-back goals against 3 minutes apart.
''We felt good about our game, and when they scored those two goals, we didn't want to change anything,'' Wilson said. ''We just wanted to bounce back, and good teams find a way through adversity. The response was good.''
Wilson was at the center of everything with and without the puck. The Capitals' bench got fired up when Evgeni Malkin knocked the puck out of Wilson's hands and kicked it away on a Pittsburgh power play; Wilson delivered a late hit on Mark Jankowski that earned him an interference penalty; and he exchanged words with a few Penguins players throughout the night.
That included calling Malkin a clown from the penalty box while defending his hit. Wilson said Malkin ''just came over to have a chat. When it's that quiet in there, you can have those conversations.''
''I thought it was a great hit, but I haven't watched it at all in live time,'' Wilson said. ''He batted it out of the air and I finished him through the body right after. I think that's a great hockey play, and I'll watch the replay.''
Scoring his seventh goal of the season only made him more unpopular with the Penguins and their fans. Jankowski returned for the second period after a brief absence, and his teammates and coach Mike Sullivan wouldn't take the bait on questions about Wilson.
''Obviously, we saw the play develop and what happened, and the refs thought it was a penalty and they made the call,'' forward Brandon Tanev said. ''It's not in our control, it's up to the refs and their judgement and what they want to do in the situation. So we just got to continue to play the game and play the game the right way.''
Carl Hagelin and Lars Eller each scored an empty-netter, and Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek made 26 saves in his 16th start of the season. Tanev scored on him short-handed and Jake Guentzel tied it at even strength before Vanecek made four more saves the rest of the way.
''My mind was quiet,'' Vanecek said. ''I just keep working hard and get ready for another shot. But the guys work hard and we score in the power play.''
Jarry allowed three goals on 33 shots. Pittsburgh's power play went 0 for 4 with just four shots on goal.
''I just think we passed up opportunities to shoot the puck,'' Sullivan said. ''We had a significant amount of zone time, and it didn't translate into as many plays at the net that I think we could have, and usually when we put more pucks in play, we create off of it.''
The Capitals are 4-1-1 in their past six games and are tied with Boston with 24 points.
''We are playing better hockey,'' Vanecek said. ''It's great to (be) watching them before me, how they're playing.''
SEE YOU WAY LATER
These two teams aren't scheduled to face off again until April 29 in Washington. They've completed all four of their games in Pitsburgh.
PENGUINS INJURIES
Sullivan said winger Jason Zucker will be out ''longer term'' with a lower-body injury. Zucker was injured Tuesday night when his right skate slid into Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen's right skate, and he had to be helped off the ice.
Asked after the game if he expected Zucker to be back before the end of the regular season, Sullivan paused and eventually said the team is ''hopeful'' of that and reluctant to put a time frame on the recovery process.
Forward Jared McCann missed his seventh consecutive game with a lower-body injury. McCann has been cleared for contact and is expected to return soon.
UP NEXT
Penguins: Visit the New York Islanders on Saturday night for the first of two consecutive games on Long Island.
Capitals: Play the first of two in a row at New Jersey on Saturday. Washington is 1-3-2 in day games this season, with that one victory coming at home against the Devils.
---
Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno
---
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Wilson scores winner on power play, Capitals beat Penguins

WASHINGTON (AP) Tom Wilson scored the go-ahead goal on a power play with 7:20 left and the Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins...

New on Sports Illustrated: Rangers fans set to return for matchup with Bruins

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2299881">
The New York Rangers are excited to play their first home game in front of fans. The limited crowd would be thrilled if it sees the Rangers start to solve their issues in one-goal games.
Approximately 2,000 fans will watch the Rangers in person for the first time in nearly a year Friday night when they host the Boston Bruins in the opener of a two-game series.
"Being from New York, it's always special to play at (Madison Square) Garden with fans, and for the guys to have even some family there I'm sure is special," said New York defenseman Adam Fox, a Long Island native. "It's been a long time. We miss the fans at the Garden. I'm definitely excited to have them there."
The Rangers will play a home game in front of fans for the first time since a 6-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils on March 7 -- two days after Mika Zibanejad scored five times against the Washington Capitals.
Last year's Rangers team was making a run toward a postseason spot before the COVID-19 pandemic paused the season for more than four months, then got swept by the Carolina Hurricanes in a best-of-five playoff qualifier series. This year's New York team has yet to get over the .500 mark.
"It'll be exciting," Rangers coach David Quinn said after practice Thursday. "It's been strange because we've actually been getting used to playing in front of nobody, so I don't care if there's 15 or 1,500 people in the building, it's going to be nice to have people there cheering you on. I know our guys are excited about it."
Among the reasons the Rangers are off to a middling start is their 2-5-3 record in one-goal games. Three of those losses are during a 2-4-1 slide since Feb. 8. The latest occurred Wednesday, a 4-3 setback at Philadelphia, where New York wasted a hat trick by Chris Kreider.
Kreider has a team-leading eight goals while Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome are tied for second with five apiece. Panarin will miss his second straight game after taking a leave of absence for personal reasons, and the Rangers likely will be without defenseman K'Andre Miller and forward Kaapo Kakko because of COVID protocols.
Boston handed the Rangers a pair of one-goal home losses two weeks ago, getting a 3-2 overtime win on Feb. 10 and a 1-0 win two nights later. The Bruins are 7-2-2 in one-goal games but 1-3-0 overall since their past visit to Madison Square Garden.
Boston will be looking to rebound from its worst showing of the season, a 7-2 road loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday.
Nick Ritchie and Craig Smith scored, but the Bruins allowed five goals in a span of nearly 11 minutes during the third period.
"(Thursday) was hopefully a one-off," Ritchie said. "We just fell apart and kind of stopped playing, and that's what happens in this league. There's a lot of good teams."
The Bruins have allowed 17 goals in their past four games following a 9-0-1 run from Jan. 21-Feb. 12 when they won six one-goal games. During the past four games, Boston has allowed eight goals in the third period.
"There wasn't any (urgency)," Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said after the Thursday defeat. "That's a problem because I don't usually see that with our club."
While the Bruins are 0-2-0 on Long Island this season, they have done well at Madison Square Garden recently, going 5-0-1 in their past six visits.
--Field Level Media
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Rangers fans set to return for matchup with Bruins

The New York Rangers are excited to play their first home game in front of fans. The limited crowd would be thrilled if it sees the Rangers...

New on Sports Illustrated: Gagner's hat trick leads Red Wings past Predators 5-2

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300117">
DETROIT (AP) Sam Gagner scored three goals, ending a 17-game drought that lasted nearly a year, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Nashville Predators 5-2 on Thursday night.
''It certainly felt good,'' Gagner said. ''We've been pushing as a group to find something to feel good about. It's obviously nice to get a win and hopefully we can keep building on it.''
Luke Glendening and Adam Erne also scored for Detroit, which set a season high for goals. Jonathan Bernier made 37 saves, improving to 11-5-0 in 18 career games against Nashville.
''At the end of the night, we've got to be a team that competes extraordinarily hard every night,'' Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. ''I think we did a good job of that today. Structurally, I think our structure was good again. We did have some breakdowns at times and when we did Bernie was real good.''
Mikael Granlund and Erik Haula scored for the Predators.
''We were a little bit loose on our line rush against, gave up some chances that way and they got momentum on it,'' Predators coach John Hynes said.
Gagner snapped a 2-all tie at 9:58 of the third period. He spun into the right circle and fired the puck, which banked off goaltender Pekka Rinne's right skate and into the net.
Gagner's first goal, a bad-angle shot from the right corner, came at 8:38 of the second. His third was an empty-netter at 16:56 of the third.
Bobby Ryan assisted on the first two goals by Gagner.
''I think Bobby has been around it, he's been creating a lot,'' Gagner said. ''You look at the first one, he does a great job of hunting the puck down, getting it to me, and we get a bit of a fortunate bounce. Even on the second one, he does a really good job of recognizing I have a lane and kind of leaving it for me and I got another bounce.''
Rinne, who shut out the Red Wings on Tuesday night, had 28 saves.
Detroit has won two of its last three and prevented Nashville from recording its first three-game win streak of the season.
''Especially in the second, I thought we turned over too many pucks,'' Predators captain Roman Josi said. ''They're a pretty fast team and had a lot of counter chances, a lot of odd-man rushes, so I thought we got away from it a bit.''
Glendening gave Detroit a 1-0 lead at 4:55 of the first when he backhanded a rebound past Rinne. Both of Glendening's goals this season have come against Nashville.
''We see where we are in the standings, which is frustrating, but a win like this can help the confidence and get us moving forward hopefully,'' Glendening said. ''We played OK last game, our special teams wasn't up to snuff. We let one in early on the PK today but battled back. That's what this team has to continue to do, show up and work hard and keep battling every night.''
The Predators tied it at 14:15 when Granlund went to the net and backhanded the rebound of Josi's shot past Bernier.
Haula tied it again when he backhanded a rebound past Bernier at 2:55 of the third.
''We've been playing better as a group, more consistent, and had a couple wins there,'' Haula said. ''I thought we were trending toward the right direction, so this one hurts.''
BEEN A WHILE
Gagner hadn't scored since Feb. 29, 2020, at Ottawa. It was his third career hat trick and first since November 2013 with the Edmonton Oilers. . Haula's goal was his first since Feb. 8, 2020, at Vegas, snapping a 30-game drought.
HELPFUL
Josi has 12 assists in his last 12 games against Detroit.
ON THE MOVE
The Red Wings recalled forward Mathias Brome and defenseman Danny DeKeyser from the taxi squad and assigned forward Frans Nielsen to the taxi squad. . The Predators recalled forward Eeli Tolvanen and defenseman Ben Harpur from the taxi squad.
UP NEXT
Predators: Return home to host the Columbus Blue Jackets in back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday.
Red Wings: Travel to Chicago for back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday.
---
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Gagner's hat trick leads Red Wings past Predators 5-2

DETROIT (AP) Sam Gagner scored three goals, ending a 17-game drought that lasted nearly a year, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Nashvill...

New on Sports Illustrated: McElhinney leads Lightning to 3-1 win over Hurricanes

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300032">
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Curtis McElhinney stopped 31 shots and picked up an assist to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.
Mikhail Sergachev, Yanni Gourde and Barclay Goodrow all scored for Tampa Bay, which won three of the four consecutive meetings between the teams.
''When you get into a series where you are playing a team four straight, you get pretty familiar with yourself,'' said McElhinney, who made his third start of the season. ''There wasn't much room out there. I have to really hand it to our guys, I thought we really hung in there. That's a huge two points for everybody in that dressing room.''
Brett Pesce scored the lone goal for Carolina, which has lost three straight games in regulation for the first time since Dec. 21-27, 2019. James Reimer finished with 19 saves.
''It's deflating, no question. We were the better team tonight,'' Carolina head coach Rod Brind'Amour said. ''This might've been our best game overall against them. We got a lot of grade-As and didn't give up much hardly. I was really, really happy.
''But unfortunately that's hockey. You get some bad bounces and things don't go your way.''
After lamenting their starts in the previous two games, the Hurricanes started the game strong Thursday and registered six of the seven opening shots of the game. Carolina was rewarded with the first goal on a 2-on-1 with Jesper Fast feeding the pass across to Pesce, who jumped up on the rush, for a 1-0 lead at 14:23 of the first period.
After the teams kept trading - and failing to convert - on power-play chances, Tampa Bay tied the game at even strength. Off an offensive zone faceoff, Brayden Point won the draw clean back to Sergachev, who slipped a forehand under the arm of Reimer for his first goal of the season at 12:39 of the second period.
''I've been waiting 18 games now, so it's nice,'' Sergachev said. ''And it came at the right time - we needed a goal and that one went in.''
Tampa Bay took the lead for the first time early in the third as Victor Hedman hit Gourde with a stretch pass just outside the Carolina blue line. Gourde skated to the top of the right circle before ripping a slap shot to the far post for his fifth of the season at 6:22.
McElhinney picked up the secondary assist on the play for his fifth career NHL point, and first with the Lightning.
''Let's be honest, the game wasn't pretty and our game was subpar and not what we are used to,'' Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. ''However, our gamesmanship was outstanding and there is something to be said for that. And when things aren't going right, you have to find ways to game things out - and that's what we did.''
Goodrow, as he did Wednesday, sealed the victory with an empty-net goal after intercepting Jaccob Slavin's pass attempt just outside the Carolina blue line. The goal, his fifth of the season, came with 1:16 left.
''That's a great team. There's a reason why they are defending champions,'' Carolina forward Sebastien Aho said. ''The games are hard, but that's how it should be. Tough games and two teams out there competing. We didn't get the results we wanted, but those games are helpful games.''
CERNAK INJURED
Tampa Bay D Erik Cernak did not play the final 12:13 of the second period after blocking a shot on the penalty kill and did not return for the start of the third period. The team announced Cernak would miss the remainder of the game after suffering an undisclosed lower body injury.
GARDINER ABSENT
Carolina D Jake Gardiner, who played in Wednesday's game, was a scratch for the third time in four games. Gardiner has no goals, seven assists and is a plus-3 in 16 games.
UP NEXT
Hurricanes: At Florida on Saturday.
Lightning: Host Dallas on Saturday.
---
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: McElhinney leads Lightning to 3-1 win over Hurricanes

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Curtis McElhinney stopped 31 shots and picked up an assist to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-1 victory over the Carol...

New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: Kane's 399th goal pushes Blackhawks past Blue Jackets 2-0

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300089">
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Patrick Kane broke a scoreless tie in the third period for his 399th career goal, Malcolm Subban got his first shutout of the season and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-0 on Thursday night to sweep a two-game series.
After combining for 11 goals in the Blackhawks' shootout win Tuesday night, the teams grinded through scoreless hockey before Kane grabbed a loose puck in the neutral zone and beat Joonas Korpisalo with a wrist shot from the right circle at 8:45 of the third.
''It was a big goal for the team, so I think more important than anything it gave us the lead and gave us the chance to get two points,'' Kane said. ''It was obviously a pretty tight game, both teams were grinding it out, trying to play tight. It was nice to get a break and be able to capitalize on it.''
Carl Soderberg added an empty-net goal with 50 seconds left in the game.
''It shows we can win in different ways,'' Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton said. ''Obviously, you love to score goals, but sometimes you can't control that. This game can be random, but how we defend and our commitment to the details and the work ethic away from the puck, that we can control.''
Subban had 26 saves to record his second shutout in 71 NHL games and his first as a member of the Blackhawks. His only other one came on March 21, 2019, when he played for Vegas. He improved to 3-1-1 this season.
''Subban was solid, stable, good with the puck, too,'' Colliton said. ''He made good puck plays and made some good saves. Good trip, good finish to the trip.''
Korpisalo made 25 saves for Columbus.
Blue Jacket coach John Tortorella's analysis was succinct.
''We play a good first period, they play a good second period, and it comes down to the third period - they score a goal and we don't,'' he said.
Chicago has won five of the last six, and seven of the last none.
JACKETS TAKE IT HARD
The Blue Jackets played much better offensively and defensively than two nights ago, so the loss was especially hard to swallow. They've lost five of the last six.
''In a game like today where it's just a grind, you got find a way, dig a little deeper to get that next one, and we just couldn't come up with it,'' captain Nick Foligno said.
''This is where we find ourselves right now,'' he said. ''I think everyone's tired of the rhetoric and just saying things.''
KANE WATCH
Kane will get a chance to score his 400th goal in Chicago with five straight home games. The Blackhawks star got two in two games against Columbus and stands one away from becoming the fourth player in franchise history to score 400 with the team, joining Hall of Famers Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita and longtime star Steve Larmer. The 32-year-old is among the NHL's scoring leaders with 10 goals and 21 assists.
ICE CHIPS
Blackhawks: Subban started for the first time since Feb. 15. Kevin Lankinen started in net the previous three games. ... F Dylan Strome, who is in concussion protocol, was out.
Blue Jackets: Moved F Emil Bemstrom up from the taxi squad Thursday and brought up Fs Zac Dalpe and Ryan MacInnis from the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League to the taxi squad. ... Ds Zach Werenski and Michael Del Zotto returned to the lineup after missing Tuesday's game with injuries.
UP NEXT
Blackhawks: Return home for a back-to-back against Detroit on Saturday and Sunday.
Blue Jackets: Opens a back-to-back at Nashville on Saturday.
---
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
---
Follow Mitch Stacy at http://twitter.com/mitchstacy
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Kane's 399th goal pushes Blackhawks past Blue Jackets 2-0

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Patrick Kane broke a scoreless tie in the third period for his 399th career goal, Malcolm Subban got his first shutout ...

New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: Panthers stun Stars 3-2 with late rally

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300061">
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Frank Vatrano scored the go-ahead goal with 3:10 remaining and the Florida Panthers stunned the Dallas Stars 3-2 with a late comeback Thursday night.
Aleksander Barkov and Anton Stralman also scored in the final 6 1/2 minutes as the Panthers overcame a 2-0 deficit. Sergei Bobrovsky made 37 saves.
''You get one quick one, you get another one and luckily our line got that game-winner there at the end,'' Vatrano said.
Joe Pavelski and Jamie Benn had the goals for Dallas. Rookie netminder Jake Oettinger stopped 32 shots.
Florida scored three times in 3:11 after a nine-minute delay to repair a section of the boards.
Barkov poked in a loose puck that bounced behind Oettinger and sat in the paint near the goal line with 6:21 left. Stralman tied the score on a drive from the right circle. Vatrano put the Panthers ahead with a shot from the slot.
''It was just a matter of time before we scored and we got the lucky bounce,'' Barkov said. ''We just needed one to get going and we opened up after that.''
Bobrovsky was able to keep the Stars off the scoreboard in the third period.
''The guys stepped up and it's a great win for us,'' he said. ''Down 2-0 and find a way to win the game. A big boost in the locker room, and puts the points in the bank.''
Pavelski scored the game's first goal 2:10 into the second period on a power play when he swept in the puck from the left side of the crease. Pavelski leads the Stars with 10 goals in 15 games.
John Klingberg's shot from the high slot was redirected by Benn into the net to make it 2-0 with 2:11 left in the second.
Dallas appeared to be coasting toward a victory until the delay.
''We had them in a good spot and were playing good hockey and we let them back,'' Pavelski said. ''As we sat back and the game went on they found their momentum and we didn't answer. A tough loss.''
Stars coach Rick Bowness admitted the delay helped the Panthers but also blamed his defense.
''We just stopped defending. Simple as that,'' Bowness said. ''We just sat back. That's why they're in first place and we're battling to get back in it.''
The Panthers, who lost 3-0 to Dallas on Wednesday, are 6-0-0 following a loss.
IRONMAN STREAK
Florida defenseman Keith Yandle played in his 885th consecutive regular-season game dating to March 26, 2009, passing Steve Larmer (1982-93) for sole possession of the third-longest streak in NHL history.
ROSTER MOVES
Panthers D Radko Gudas was scratched with an upper-body injury. ... Florida recalled forward Mason Marchment and defenseman Kevin Connauton from the taxi squad. D Markus Nutivaara has been placed on injured reserve.
ATTENDANCE
A crowd of 3,844 was on hand. The Panthers cap attendance at 5,000.
---
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Panthers stun Stars 3-2 with late rally

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Frank Vatrano scored the go-ahead goal with 3:10 remaining and the Florida Panthers stunned the Dallas Stars 3-2 with a ...

New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: Zacha scores 1:17 into OT in Devils' 4-3 win win over Sabres

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2312904">
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Pavel Zacha converted Jesper Bratt's drop pass to score 1:17 into overtime and the New Jersey Devils rallied from a pair of one-goal deficits to beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on Thursday night.
The Devils snapped a three-game skid by beating an injury-depleted Sabres opponent.
Buffalo opened minus captain Jack Eichel, who was scratched after testing a lower-body injury during the pregame skate. And the Sabres then lost starting goalie Linus Ullmark, who was sidelined with a lower-body injury after stopping all 15 shots he faced in the first period.
Bratt, Miles Wood and Nico Hischier also scored for the Devils, and Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 29 shots. Zacha had two assists to extend his points streak to eight games in which he has three goals and seven assists.
The Devils bounced back following a 4-1 loss at home to the Sabres on Tuesday.
Buffalo's Sam Reinhart forced overtime by tipping in Taylor Hall's centering pass for a power-play goal with 4:30 remaining.
''This was a very important game for us to win. I think we outworked them today,'' Zacha said. ''We knew we had to get two guys to the net. It was what we didn't do in the game before and it was just easy shots for their goalie. We got better at that.''
Casey Mittlestadt and Riley Sheahan also scored for the Sabres, who dropped to 2-5-1 in their past eight, with both wins coming against New Jersey. Carter Hutton stopped 25 shots in relief of Ullmark.
Without being specific, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said Eichel's injury developed during the warmup and was not related to him missing the morning skate earlier in the day. ''It definitely caught us all by surprise. The first diagnosis on it is day to day,'' Krueger said.
As for Ullmark, the coach said more tests are required to determine the severity of the injury.
Ullmark was shaken up during an intense Devils' scramble in front, which ended with the goalie reaching out to glove Hischier's snap shot from the high slot six minutes in. Ullmark was slow to get up and eventually tended to by Buffalo's medical staff before being cleared to continue playing.
The decisive goal came with Bratt gaining the Sabres zone and dropping a pass back to Zacha, who was trailing. Zacha then leaned into a snapshot from the right circle to beat Hutton inside the far post.
With Buffalo up 2-1, the game's complexion turned 2:58 into the third period when Hall was penalized for high-sticking Wood while battling for the puck in the Devils corner.
Wood tied it 1:27 later by sweeping in a loose puck at the right post, and after Nikta Gusev's pass through the middle was blocked.
Hischier scored the go-ahead goal 20 seconds after Hall's second penalty expired courtesy of another fortunate bounce. Zacha's centering pass deflected off the skate of Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour and directly to Hischier at the right post, where he swept the puck in under a pile of bodies.
''We knew we needed a momentum change. We knew that we needed at least one goal. We were talking about trying to get two, but to get the one by Woody was a big goal,'' Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. ''It put the momentum in the right place.''
Krueger wasn't too down on the Sabres' performance given their depleted roster, which is also missing three key defensemen, including Rasmus Ristolainen, who has resumed skating after a two-week bout with COVID-19.
''I think under all the circumstances I'm really proud of the group being able to get us into overtime,'' Krueger said. ''I am proud of the effort and the work that was put into the game although we did have some breakdowns that we need to address.''
Eric Staal set up Mittelstadt's goal to pick up his 1,029th career point to move one ahead of former New York Rangers defenseman Brian Leetch into 81st on the NHL list.
SKINNER STILL SCRATCHED
Don't tell Krueger high-priced forward Jeff Skinner is in the doghouse after being scratched for third consecutive game.
''Number one, I don't have a doghouse, I don't know really what that is,'' Krueger said following a pre-game skate in which Skinner worked with the team's taxi squad.
Krueger then declined to go into detail the reason behind his decision regarding Skinner, who hasn't score in 18 consecutive games dating to last season, and in the second year of an eight-year, $72 million contract.
''I'd love to share everything at all times with everybody ... but there are certain things that evolve in the development of a team or an organization or a group behind the scenes,'' Krueger said. ''Every decision is made for the whole, for the group.''
Krueger later said, ''No'' when asked if Skinner was being benched for disciplinary reasons.
UP NEXT
Devils: Return home for two-game series against the Washington Capitals starting on Saturday.
Sabres: Host the Philadelphia Flyers for two-game series starting on Saturday.
---
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Zacha scores 1:17 into OT in Devils' 4-3 win win over Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Pavel Zacha converted Jesper Bratt's drop pass to score 1:17 into overtime and the New Jersey Devils rallied from a ...

New on Sports Illustrated: Mike Smith makes 32 saves, Oilers beat Canucks 3-0

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300570">
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Mike Smith made 32 saves for his second shutout of the season and 41st overall as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 on Thursday night.
''Shutouts are hard to get, especially now with how many power plays there are,'' Smith said. ''But it's not just a credit to the goalie, it's a credit to the team in front of him and what they do.''
Alex Chiasson and Jesse Puljujarvi had power-play goals to help the Oilers win their fifth straight and improve to 14-8-0. Connor McDavid padded his lead atop the NHL's scoring race with an empty-netter.
''I'm real proud of the group, how we're finding ways to win games, different ways. And those are all experiences that are going to be valuable down the stretch,'' Smith said. ''Another big two points.''
Vancouver goalie Thatcher Demko also stopped 32 shots. The Canucks have dropped four in a row to fall to 8-14-2.
''It's obviously hard. It's kind of the same thing that we've been talking about, playing a pretty good game and not being able to find the back of the net,'' Demko said.
''I thought we created really good chances and it's just kind of the way the game went.''
Edmonton's penalty kill stopped Vancouver from capitalizing on four power plays. At the other end of the ice, the Oilers scored twice with the man advantage.
''Special teams were the difference in the game. Our PK did an excellent job,'' Oilers coach Dave Tippett said. ''(Smith) made some excellent saves for us, but our PK was doing whatever it took to keep it out of our net. Our PP got a couple of big goals, a couple of hard-scoring goals in front of the net, which was good to see.''
Edmonton won 4-3 on Tuesday night in the series opener.
AROUND THE RINK
Ethan Bear returned to the Edmonton lineup after missing nearly a month with a head injury. ... Travis Hamonic was back in Vancouver's lineup after missing 18 games with a head injury. . The Oilers placed William Lagesson on injured reserve. The defenseman sustained an upper-body injury in a 6-5 loss to Winnipeg on Feb. 15. . Jayce Hawryluk played his first game for the Canucks. The 25-year-old forward signed with Vancouver as a free agent in October.
UP NEXT
Oilers: Host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday nights.
Canucks: At the Winnipeg Jets on Monday and Tuesday nights.
---
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Mike Smith makes 32 saves, Oilers beat Canucks 3-0

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Mike Smith made 32 saves for his second shutout of the season and 41st overall as the Edmonton Oilers beat...

New on Sports Illustrated: Jets spoil Dominique Ducharme’s debut as Montreal’s coach

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300484">
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Kyle Connor scored twice and the Winnipeg Jets spoiled Dominique Ducharme's debut as Montreal's coach, rallying to beat the Canadiens 6-3 on Thursday night to open a two-game series.
The Jets rallied after Montreal took a 2-0 lead into the second period.
''I think there's no panic in this room if we're down two. We've got the type of talent that can score in bunches and when we play the right way, it's fun to watch and it's fun to be a part of,'' Connor said. ''I think this is one of the best groups we've had in a while. It's pretty exciting on this team.''
Nate Thompson scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, Blake Wheeler had a goal and two assists, and Pierre-Luc Dubois and Mark Scheifele each had a goal and an assist. Connor Hellebuyck made 18 saves.
''I don't think we want to make a habit of it, but it's nice to know that we're confident in having that kind of deficit during a game and be able to claw our way back and know that we can score some goals and come back and win the game,'' Thompson said.
The Jets have won three in a row to improve to 12-6-1.
Joel Armia scored twice in the first period for the Canadiens, and Tomas Tatar added a goal.
Montreal fired coach Claude Julien and associate coach Kirk Muller on Wednesday, promoting Ducharme to interim head coach.
''I think I saw the guys playing better in the first half of the game, and then we cracked,'' said Ducharme said, who joined the team's staff in 2018 after 10 seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. ''So, we've got to be playing the same way as we started.''
The Canadiens have lost four straight to fall to 9-6-4.
''It's shocking obviously,'' Montreal goalie Carey Price said. ''We've got some changes to make that we'll address here coming up. It's a work in progress.''
The teams will meet again Saturday night.
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Jets spoil Dominique Ducharme’s debut as Montreal’s coach

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Kyle Connor scored twice and the Winnipeg Jets spoiled Dominique Ducharme's debut as Montreal's coach, rall...

New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: Cubs' Javier Báez: 'I Don't Want to Play for Another Team'

<a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/2021/02/27/cubs-shortstop-javier-baez-mlb-free-agency">
Baez, 28, is entering his final year before becoming eligible for free agency, and said he's open to discussing a contract extension with Chicago's front office.
Speaking to the media days before his team's first game of spring training, Cubs shortstop Javier Báez touched on his future with the club. The 28-year-old is entering his final season before free agency, and said his preference is to remain with the team.
"Obviously, I want to stay here...I don't want to play for another team," Báez said. He added that he has had conversations about signing an extension in the past and is interested in continuing those conversations with president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer,
</a><a href="https://twitter.com/maddie_m_lee/status/1365379923028955136">according to Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago</a>.
Báez became an everyday player for the Cubs during their championship season in 2016. He broke out in 2018, finishing second in National League MVP voting and making his first career All-Star team. He was an All-Star again in 2019, hitting .281/.316/.531 with 29 home runs in 138 games.
Báez struggled in 2020, though, posting his worst OPS (.599) and strikeout rate (31.9%) since his rookie season in 2014.
Báez also detailed how superstardom got to his head following the Cubs' World Series title. He cited his interests off the field as distractions to putting in the work on his game, and believes he has regained his focus.
“I wasn’t into baseball,” Báez said, <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1365419229357498368">per MLB.com's Jordan Bastian</a>. “I wasn’t trying to get better every day. I was playing with just my talent. These past three years, which last year was bad for me, I was into it. I was into baseball and that’s why it was so frustrating. But now that I’m into it again …I’ve got more confidence in me. I’m letting the game teach me what I can do.”

New on Sports Illustrated: Cubs' Javier Báez: 'I Don't Want to Play for Another Team'

Baez, 28, is entering his final year before becoming eligible for free agency, and said he's open to discussing a contract extension wi...

New on Sports Illustrated: Kane, Blackhawks look to sweep two-game set at Blue Jackets

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2300089">
Veteran Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane just keeps rolling.
After tallying a goal and three assists Tuesday to help lift the Blackhawks to a 6-5 shootout victory over the host Columbus Blue Jackets, Kane has collected seven points in his past two games. That makes 30 points for Kane in 20 games entering Thursday's rematch at Columbus as the teams close a two-game series.
Kane ultimately earned league MVP honors when he last accomplished that 30-in-20 feat to open the 2015-16 season. Might similar accolades be in the cards in 2021?
"Yeah," Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. "Look at what the expectations were for our team and where everyone had us finishing, and yet we're right there. We're in the battle. Obviously, he's a big part of that.
"His production is better than ever, but to me it's all about his work ethic away from the puck. ... That type of team-first mentality, that's what we're trying to build here. ... Not only is he doing it, but he's encouraging other guys to do it. I think everyone as a group sees when you do selfless things -- when you're unselfish -- it comes around. When he's driving that, it sure is powerful."
Chicago's leader in points (30) and assists (21) and its co-leader with nine goals, Kane appreciates the focus on his production -- especially as he sits two goals shy of 400 for his career. Still, he makes clear his top concern is keeping the young Blackhawks in the playoff hunt.
An inability to close Tuesday's game allowed the Blue Jackets to pick up a point by extending the game to overtime.
"(We) just feel like we're giving up these leads late in the third, and they're big points, obviously," Kane said. "We did it one of the games in Chicago and did it tonight. You're up 5-3, you want to finish off the game. They just kept coming, had some chances and ended up tying it up. Nice to get two points but would've been nice to give them nothing."
The Blackhawks won for the fourth time in five games as they welcomed defenseman Connor Murphy back to the lineup following a six-game absence with a right hip injury.
The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, have lost four of five.
"Any points is better than no points," said Cam Atkinson, who had a goal and an assist. "We fought our way to crawl back into it."
Patrik Laine scored a pair of power-play goals while adding an assist. Laine has six goals in 10 games with the Blue Jackets since joining them from the Winnipeg Jets via trade.
Oliver Bjorkstrand also had two goals, striking twice in the third period for his first tallies since Feb. 4.
"I thought we started making some plays. I thought there was a little bit more flow to our game," Columbus coach John Tortorella said. "I'm happy for them to get a point. We need to win some of these games -- had some opportunities, one of our better 3-on-3 periods.
"So, there's a lot of things to point at to try to get better. We have a lot of work to do still, but at least we can point to some things that we took some steps in the right direction and try to do better."
--Field Level Media
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Kane, Blackhawks look to sweep two-game set at Blue Jackets

Veteran Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane just keeps rolling. After tallying a goal and three assists Tuesday to help lift the Black...

New on Sports Illustrated: Bruins aim to harness momentum vs. Islanders

<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/game/2299842">
On Sunday night, the Boston Bruins won a game in perhaps the neatest environment in which an NHL game has ever been played. On Thursday, the Bruins will return to a decidedly more rustic environment -- one that has been less than friendly to them lately.
The Bruins will look to snap their recent losing streak at Nassau Coliseum when they are scheduled to face the New York Islanders in Uniondale, N.Y.
It will be the first game for the Bruins since Sunday's 7-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe event. The Islanders last played Monday, when they ended a two-game losing streak by edging the visiting Buffalo Sabres 3-2.
The win Sunday snapped the first pointless streak of the season for the Bruins, who fell to the Islanders and New Jersey Devils in regulation in their two games before the trip to Lake Tahoe.
Playing against a backdrop consisting of the sun setting behind snow-covered mountains, the Bruins spotted the Flyers a 2-1 lead in the first period before taking control with four unanswered second-period goals. David Pastrnak scored in the opening minute of the first and second periods before capping the victory -- and his 11th career hat trick -- by scoring well after sunset with 2:56 left.
"Personally, that we played in both conditions with the sun and the dark, I think that was really great," Pastrnak said. "The dark is beautiful, too. You get to play outside. Overall, it was an unbelievable experience."
The experience Thursday will be a little more familiar for the Bruins against the Islanders, who have called the cramped confines of Nassau Coliseum home for most of their 48 seasons but are planning to move into a new hockey-only building for the start of the 2021-22 campaign.
The Bruins suffered their first two regulation losses of the season at the Coliseum, where they fell 1-0 on Jan. 18 and 4-2 on Feb. 13. The Coliseum is the only facility Boston's played in this season in which it has not won.
The Islanders earned the two wins in versatile fashion. The 1-0 victory was the Islanders' first over the Bruins since Dec. 19, 2019, while the win on Feb. 13 marked just the fourth time this season New York has scored more than three goals.
"You've got to play a hard game, you've got to play a north game (against the Bruins)," Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said Wednesday. "They go north, they put pucks in play and they execute, and they go up and down the ice pretty hard. We've beat them a couple ways, but the number one way for us has been we've got to try to match their north-south game every night."
The Bruins will take the ice Thursday -- and for the foreseeable future -- without rookie defenseman Jeremy Lauzon, who suffered a broken left hand in the first period Sunday. The Bruins said Wednesday that Lauzon will be reevaluated in a month.
--Field Level Media
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Bruins aim to harness momentum vs. Islanders

On Sunday night, the Boston Bruins won a game in perhaps the neatest environment in which an NHL game has ever been played. On Thursday, th...