Deadspin | Flyers, Devils both focused on reaching playoffs in crowded Metro Apr 2, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) celebrates his goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images The Philadelphia Flyers have picked the right time to get hot. With five games remaining, they sit in a playoff spot and start a three-game road trip Tuesday against the rival New Jersey Devils in Newark, N.J. The Flyers (39-26-12, 90 points) find themselves in third place in the Metropolitan Division after Sunday’s 2-1 overtime win against the visiting Boston Bruins. Coach Rick Tocchet’s team has won two straight and eight out of 11. Since play resumed after the Olympic break, the Flyers are 14-6-1, and Tocchet said his team cannot become transfixed on how its fortunes have changed. “When you’re chasing somebody, it’s still hard, but when you’re getting hunted, it’s harder,” he said after Sunday’s win. “We’re going to have to learn that. We can only worry about tomorrow’s practice … and then we worry about the Devils. That’s the only way you can do it. We can’t worry about it.” Sunday was a breakout game for Porter Martone. The sixth overall pick in last year’s draft joined the club last Tuesday. He assisted on the Flyers’ first goal by Christian Dvorak, then scored the overtime winner, which also happened to be his first NHL goal. Tocchet said that Martone has impressed him in his first week as a pro, noting how he’s talked to his veteran teammates about positioning on power plays. “I like that. A young kid like that doing that?” Tocchet added. “You can just tell he’s been around. He’s just a hockey player. Love the kid.” New Jersey (40-34-3, 83 points) is one of the teams chasing the Flyers in the playoff race, but the Devils are seventh in the Metropolitan and would need a lot to fall their way over the final two weeks to sneak in. Coach Sheldon Keefe’s squad has alternated wins and losses over its last six games (3-2-1). On Sunday, the Devils scored a 3-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens, another team trying to crash the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Keefe said players told one another after the win that they are not out of the playoff race. “That’s what you like to see,” he said. “It’s shown up in different ways in the last few weeks, with how we played overall. The vibes and the energy, the team’s been really good and healthy. … But (against Montreal) it goes to another level in all regards.” Jack Hughes set up two of New Jersey’s goals in the win at Montreal, continuing a hot streak he’s been on since play resumed in late February. The center — the top overall draft pick in 2019 — has 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in the 20 games since the Olympic break. He’s been held without a point in just four games in that span. Despite missing 21 games this season, Hughes, 24, leads the team in points with 72. He’s second behind Nico Hischier (26) with 25 goals and one behind Jesper Bratt’s team-best 48 assists. On Monday, Hughes earned the NHL’s Second Star of the Week honor, after scoring three times and posting six assists in four games. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Flyers #Devils #focused #reaching #playoffs #crowded #Metro

Deadspin | Flyers, Devils both focused on reaching playoffs in crowded Metro
Apr 2, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) celebrates his goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Flyers have picked the right time to get hot. With five games remaining, they sit in a playoff spot and start a three-game road trip Tuesday against the rival New Jersey Devils in Newark, N.J.

The Flyers (39-26-12, 90 points) find themselves in third place in the Metropolitan Division after Sunday’s 2-1 overtime win against the visiting Boston Bruins. Coach Rick Tocchet’s team has won two straight and eight out of 11.

Since play resumed after the Olympic break, the Flyers are 14-6-1, and Tocchet said his team cannot become transfixed on how its fortunes have changed.

“When you’re chasing somebody, it’s still hard, but when you’re getting hunted, it’s harder,” he said after Sunday’s win. “We’re going to have to learn that. We can only worry about tomorrow’s practice … and then we worry about the Devils. That’s the only way you can do it. We can’t worry about it.”

Sunday was a breakout game for Porter Martone. The sixth overall pick in last year’s draft joined the club last Tuesday. He assisted on the Flyers’ first goal by Christian Dvorak, then scored the overtime winner, which also happened to be his first NHL goal.

Tocchet said that Martone has impressed him in his first week as a pro, noting how he’s talked to his veteran teammates about positioning on power plays.

“I like that. A young kid like that doing that?” Tocchet added. “You can just tell he’s been around. He’s just a hockey player. Love the kid.”

New Jersey (40-34-3, 83 points) is one of the teams chasing the Flyers in the playoff race, but the Devils are seventh in the Metropolitan and would need a lot to fall their way over the final two weeks to sneak in.

Coach Sheldon Keefe’s squad has alternated wins and losses over its last six games (3-2-1). On Sunday, the Devils scored a 3-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens, another team trying to crash the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

Keefe said players told one another after the win that they are not out of the playoff race.

“That’s what you like to see,” he said. “It’s shown up in different ways in the last few weeks, with how we played overall. The vibes and the energy, the team’s been really good and healthy. … But (against Montreal) it goes to another level in all regards.”

Jack Hughes set up two of New Jersey’s goals in the win at Montreal, continuing a hot streak he’s been on since play resumed in late February. The center — the top overall draft pick in 2019 — has 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in the 20 games since the Olympic break. He’s been held without a point in just four games in that span.

Despite missing 21 games this season, Hughes, 24, leads the team in points with 72. He’s second behind Nico Hischier (26) with 25 goals and one behind Jesper Bratt’s team-best 48 assists.

On Monday, Hughes earned the NHL’s Second Star of the Week honor, after scoring three times and posting six assists in four games.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Flyers #Devils #focused #reaching #playoffs #crowded #Metro

Sports news April 7, 2026

Apr 2, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) celebrates his goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Flyers have picked the right time to get hot. With five games remaining, they sit in a playoff spot and start a three-game road trip Tuesday against the rival New Jersey Devils in Newark, N.J.

The Flyers (39-26-12, 90 points) find themselves in third place in the Metropolitan Division after Sunday’s 2-1 overtime win against the visiting Boston Bruins. Coach Rick Tocchet’s team has won two straight and eight out of 11.

Since play resumed after the Olympic break, the Flyers are 14-6-1, and Tocchet said his team cannot become transfixed on how its fortunes have changed.

“When you’re chasing somebody, it’s still hard, but when you’re getting hunted, it’s harder,” he said after Sunday’s win. “We’re going to have to learn that. We can only worry about tomorrow’s practice … and then we worry about the Devils. That’s the only way you can do it. We can’t worry about it.”

Sunday was a breakout game for Porter Martone. The sixth overall pick in last year’s draft joined the club last Tuesday. He assisted on the Flyers’ first goal by Christian Dvorak, then scored the overtime winner, which also happened to be his first NHL goal.

Tocchet said that Martone has impressed him in his first week as a pro, noting how he’s talked to his veteran teammates about positioning on power plays.

“I like that. A young kid like that doing that?” Tocchet added. “You can just tell he’s been around. He’s just a hockey player. Love the kid.”

New Jersey (40-34-3, 83 points) is one of the teams chasing the Flyers in the playoff race, but the Devils are seventh in the Metropolitan and would need a lot to fall their way over the final two weeks to sneak in.

Coach Sheldon Keefe’s squad has alternated wins and losses over its last six games (3-2-1). On Sunday, the Devils scored a 3-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens, another team trying to crash the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

Keefe said players told one another after the win that they are not out of the playoff race.

“That’s what you like to see,” he said. “It’s shown up in different ways in the last few weeks, with how we played overall. The vibes and the energy, the team’s been really good and healthy. … But (against Montreal) it goes to another level in all regards.”

Jack Hughes set up two of New Jersey’s goals in the win at Montreal, continuing a hot streak he’s been on since play resumed in late February. The center — the top overall draft pick in 2019 — has 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in the 20 games since the Olympic break. He’s been held without a point in just four games in that span.

Despite missing 21 games this season, Hughes, 24, leads the team in points with 72. He’s second behind Nico Hischier (26) with 25 goals and one behind Jesper Bratt’s team-best 48 assists.

On Monday, Hughes earned the NHL’s Second Star of the Week honor, after scoring three times and posting six assists in four games.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Flyers #Devils #focused #reaching #playoffs #crowded #Metro

Former World Anti-Doping Agency chief Craig Reedie dies aged 84 <div id="content-body-70832805" itemprop="articleBody">Craig Reedie, the former World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president whose position on the Russian doping scandal a decade ago brought him into conflict with the IOC where he was a vice president, has died. He was 84.The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed his death on Monday without stating the cause.Reedie played key roles in London’s unexpected win in bidding to host the 2012 Olympics and in getting his own sport badminton on to the Olympic program for the 1992 Barcelona Games.“Craig was my mentor, wise counsel, passionate advisor, and great friend,” said Sebastian Coe, who worked alongside Reedie in bidding for and organizing the London Summer Games.“He was the distinguished elder statesman with a reservoir of Olympic knowledge and experience which he shared willingly and to great effect,” Coe wrote in a social media post on Monday.Reedie’s standing in Olympic politics helped to elevate him to lead the global anti-doping watchdog in 2013, when the presidential nomination was effectively the turn of the IOC to decide.Three years later, the lead-in to the Rio de Janeiro Summer Games was dominated by the scandal of learning the scale of Russia’s state-backed doping program at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.The push by Reedie’s WADA to remove the entire Russian team from Rio was fiercely resisted by the IOC and its president Thomas Bach. Both men sat on the IOC’s 15-member executive board that ultimately decided to let governing bodies of Olympic sports decide their entry policy for Russian athletes.The public pressure put on Reedie by influential Olympic figures continued for months until he and Bach met to clear the air. Since Rio, no Russian team has competed at an Olympics with its own country name, flag and anthem.Current IOC president Kirsty Coventry said on Monday that Reedie’s contribution “to the Olympic Games, to clean sport and to the development of athletes worldwide will endure for generations to come.” “He was a steadfast guardian of integrity, guiding the global sporting community through some of its most challenging moments with dignity and resolve,” Coventry added in an IOC statement.Coe described Reedie, a Scotsman who was knighted in 2006, as the “epitome of a gentleman.” “He was equal parts opinionated, wise, canny, and, most of all, loyal to those who legitimately wanted to serve sport,” the World Athletics president said. “He certainly did not suffer fools gladly, was authentic, and would speak his mind.” Reedie was elected as an IOC member in 1994 and became an honorary member in 2021.The IOC said its flag would fly at half-staff for three days at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.Published on Apr 07, 2026</div> #World #AntiDoping #Agency #chief #Craig #Reedie #dies #aged

Deadspin | Patrick Reed: ‘Traditional way of golf’ key in PGA Tour return Apr 13, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Patrick Reed plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images AUGUSTA, Ga. — For someone who has long backed up his goal of being known as a worldwide player, including a three-plus-year stint with LIV Golf, it took standing on a practice range in Dubai for Patrick Reed to feel the draw back to tradition. Reed held a four-stroke lead entering the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic, but had to withstand an early birdie binge from playing parter and fellow LIV player David Puig before going on to claim his first stroke play victory since a win on the Asia Tour 2024. Despite having a contract offer to re-sign with LIV, Reed announced three days later that he would be returning to the PGA Tour. “I definitely happened quickly,” Reed acknowledged of the decision. “I really just kind of was sitting back and realizing that I wanted to get back and not only join — have an opportunity back on the PGA Tour, but to get back to the traditional way of golf and playing. “When I stood there in Dubai, that Saturday the entire range is full, and then guys just start disappearing, and you’re the last man on that tee box. Then you’re walking to the tee, you’re the last name announced, and you’ve lost the lead because someone is 5-under through 8 (holes). All those rushes and those scenarios — kind of going back into playing golf that way, where you’re going out there and you’re having the battles between not just yourself, but the other guys on the leaderboard. “For me, I wanted that back, I wanted that adrenaline back, and those feelings.” Reed made it clear that he holds no ill will towards LIV Golf, and that he had a great experience with the Saudi-backed league. But after competing in 27 countries since 2022 alone, it was the pull back to the PGA Tour and to a more traditional golf schedule that proved the deciding factor for the 35-year-old. Reed and his wife, Justine, have an 11-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son at home in Woodlands, Texas. He mentioned multiple times that he enjoys being a dad to his “kiddos,” and is coming off a month-long break since his most recent event on the DP World Tour in South Africa. That said, Reed acknowledged that 2026 will “be an exception.” Since he is ineligible to compete on the PGA Tour until Aug. 25, Reed will compete full-time on the DP World Tour this season. He has already banked a pair of victories and currently leads the Race to Dubai standings. That affords Reed more flexibility in planning his trips overseas while still maintaining a cushion toward regaining full PGA Tour membership for next season. It also allowed him an extended break before heading to Augusta, where Reed won the Masters Tournament in 2018. This will be Reed’s 13th Masters, and he views Augusta National as a place where he needs to stay patient while being creative with his shots and getting “out of being that robot.” By that, he meant using every club in his bag, various shot shapes and relying on his well-regarded short game. “There’s just something so special about this place,” he said. “I feel like it’s the best test of golf we play all year round. For a guy that’s played just about everywhere in the world, it’s one of those places that I say hands down it’s the best test of golf and best golf course I’ve ever played.” Reed has four top-10 finishes at Augusta since that 2018 victory, including solo third place last year. In a tournament considered to be fairly wide open in 2026, might this be Reed’s year to claim a second Masters? “That one jacket is getting a little lonely,” he said with a laugh. “Might need one more.” –Derek Harper, Field Level Media #Deadspin #Patrick #Reed #Traditional #golf #key #PGA #Tour #return

#Deadspin #Patrick #Reed #Traditional #golf #key #PGA #Tour #return">

mwasimuddin125 0

Apr 13, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Patrick Reed plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

AUGUSTA, Ga. — For someone who has long backed up his goal of being known as a worldwide player, including a three-plus-year stint with LIV Golf, it took standing on a practice range in Dubai for Patrick Reed to feel the draw back to tradition.

Reed held a four-stroke lead entering the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic, but had to withstand an early birdie binge from playing parter and fellow LIV player David Puig before going on to claim his first stroke play victory since a win on the Asia Tour 2024.

Despite having a contract offer to re-sign with LIV, Reed announced three days later that he would be returning to the PGA Tour.

“I definitely happened quickly,” Reed acknowledged of the decision. “I really just kind of was sitting back and realizing that I wanted to get back and not only join — have an opportunity back on the PGA Tour, but to get back to the traditional way of golf and playing.

“When I stood there in Dubai, that Saturday the entire range is full, and then guys just start disappearing, and you’re the last man on that tee box. Then you’re walking to the tee, you’re the last name announced, and you’ve lost the lead because someone is 5-under through 8 (holes). All those rushes and those scenarios — kind of going back into playing golf that way, where you’re going out there and you’re having the battles between not just yourself, but the other guys on the leaderboard.

“For me, I wanted that back, I wanted that adrenaline back, and those feelings.”

Reed made it clear that he holds no ill will towards LIV Golf, and that he had a great experience with the Saudi-backed league. But after competing in 27 countries since 2022 alone, it was the pull back to the PGA Tour and to a more traditional golf schedule that proved the deciding factor for the 35-year-old.

Reed and his wife, Justine, have an 11-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son at home in Woodlands, Texas. He mentioned multiple times that he enjoys being a dad to his “kiddos,” and is coming off a month-long break since his most recent event on the DP World Tour in South Africa.

That said, Reed acknowledged that 2026 will “be an exception.” Since he is ineligible to compete on the PGA Tour until Aug. 25, Reed will compete full-time on the DP World Tour this season. He has already banked a pair of victories and currently leads the Race to Dubai standings.

That affords Reed more flexibility in planning his trips overseas while still maintaining a cushion toward regaining full PGA Tour membership for next season. It also allowed him an extended break before heading to Augusta, where Reed won the Masters Tournament in 2018.

This will be Reed’s 13th Masters, and he views Augusta National as a place where he needs to stay patient while being creative with his shots and getting “out of being that robot.” By that, he meant using every club in his bag, various shot shapes and relying on his well-regarded short game.

“There’s just something so special about this place,” he said. “I feel like it’s the best test of golf we play all year round. For a guy that’s played just about everywhere in the world, it’s one of those places that I say hands down it’s the best test of golf and best golf course I’ve ever played.”

Reed has four top-10 finishes at Augusta since that 2018 victory, including solo third place last year. In a tournament considered to be fairly wide open in 2026, might this be Reed’s year to claim a second Masters?

“That one jacket is getting a little lonely,” he said with a laugh. “Might need one more.”

–Derek Harper, Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Patrick #Reed #Traditional #golf #key #PGA #Tour #return">Deadspin | Patrick Reed: ‘Traditional way of golf’ key in PGA Tour return

Apr 13, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Patrick Reed plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

AUGUSTA, Ga. — For someone who has long backed up his goal of being known as a worldwide player, including a three-plus-year stint with LIV Golf, it took standing on a practice range in Dubai for Patrick Reed to feel the draw back to tradition.

Reed held a four-stroke lead entering the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic, but had to withstand an early birdie binge from playing parter and fellow LIV player David Puig before going on to claim his first stroke play victory since a win on the Asia Tour 2024.

Despite having a contract offer to re-sign with LIV, Reed announced three days later that he would be returning to the PGA Tour.

“I definitely happened quickly,” Reed acknowledged of the decision. “I really just kind of was sitting back and realizing that I wanted to get back and not only join — have an opportunity back on the PGA Tour, but to get back to the traditional way of golf and playing.

“When I stood there in Dubai, that Saturday the entire range is full, and then guys just start disappearing, and you’re the last man on that tee box. Then you’re walking to the tee, you’re the last name announced, and you’ve lost the lead because someone is 5-under through 8 (holes). All those rushes and those scenarios — kind of going back into playing golf that way, where you’re going out there and you’re having the battles between not just yourself, but the other guys on the leaderboard.

“For me, I wanted that back, I wanted that adrenaline back, and those feelings.”

Reed made it clear that he holds no ill will towards LIV Golf, and that he had a great experience with the Saudi-backed league. But after competing in 27 countries since 2022 alone, it was the pull back to the PGA Tour and to a more traditional golf schedule that proved the deciding factor for the 35-year-old.

Reed and his wife, Justine, have an 11-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son at home in Woodlands, Texas. He mentioned multiple times that he enjoys being a dad to his “kiddos,” and is coming off a month-long break since his most recent event on the DP World Tour in South Africa.

That said, Reed acknowledged that 2026 will “be an exception.” Since he is ineligible to compete on the PGA Tour until Aug. 25, Reed will compete full-time on the DP World Tour this season. He has already banked a pair of victories and currently leads the Race to Dubai standings.

That affords Reed more flexibility in planning his trips overseas while still maintaining a cushion toward regaining full PGA Tour membership for next season. It also allowed him an extended break before heading to Augusta, where Reed won the Masters Tournament in 2018.

This will be Reed’s 13th Masters, and he views Augusta National as a place where he needs to stay patient while being creative with his shots and getting “out of being that robot.” By that, he meant using every club in his bag, various shot shapes and relying on his well-regarded short game.

“There’s just something so special about this place,” he said. “I feel like it’s the best test of golf we play all year round. For a guy that’s played just about everywhere in the world, it’s one of those places that I say hands down it’s the best test of golf and best golf course I’ve ever played.”

Reed has four top-10 finishes at Augusta since that 2018 victory, including solo third place last year. In a tournament considered to be fairly wide open in 2026, might this be Reed’s year to claim a second Masters?

“That one jacket is getting a little lonely,” he said with a laugh. “Might need one more.”

–Derek Harper, Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Patrick #Reed #Traditional #golf #key #PGA #Tour #return

The Indian senior women’s hockey team is set to tour Argentina for a four-match series at the CeNARD in Buenos Aires between April 13-17. The matches are all scheduled to start at 11 AM local time (6:30 PM IST).

India and Argentina have enjoyed competitive encounters in recent years, including a thrilling 2-2 draw decided by shootout in the FIH Pro League 2024–25 last June.

This upcoming tour will offer valuable match practice against quality international opposition. That may help the national team build momentum ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands and the Asian Games later this year.

“We are travelling to Argentina with a squad of 24 players, and that is a very deliberate choice. This tour is about giving more players the chance to perform at the highest level. Argentina is one of the best teams in the world, and that environment will tell us a lot about where each player stands. We want to see who steps up when it matters,” chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said.

“To earn a place in this team, you need to show everyone that you are a team player first. Individual quality is important, but if you cannot connect with the group and work for each other, it will be very difficult to make this squad”, he added.

Published on Apr 07, 2026

#Indian #womens #hockey #team #set #tour #Argentina #fourmatch #series">

Indian women’s hockey team set to tour Argentina for four-match series The Indian senior women’s hockey team is set to tour Argentina for a four-match series at the CeNARD in Buenos Aires between April 13-17. The matches are all scheduled to start at 11 AM local time (6:30 PM IST).India and Argentina have enjoyed competitive encounters in recent years, including a thrilling 2-2 draw decided by shootout in the FIH Pro League 2024–25 last June.This upcoming tour will offer valuable match practice against quality international opposition. That may help the national team build momentum ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands and the Asian Games later this year.“We are travelling to Argentina with a squad of 24 players, and that is a very deliberate choice. This tour is about giving more players the chance to perform at the highest level. Argentina is one of the best teams in the world, and that environment will tell us a lot about where each player stands. We want to see who steps up when it matters,” chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said.“To earn a place in this team, you need to show everyone that you are a team player first. Individual quality is important, but if you cannot connect with the group and work for each other, it will be very difficult to make this squad”, he added.Published on Apr 07, 2026 #Indian #womens #hockey #team #set #tour #Argentina #fourmatch #series

mwasimuddin125 0

The Indian senior women’s hockey team is set to tour Argentina for a four-match series at the CeNARD in Buenos Aires between April 13-17. The matches are all scheduled to start at 11 AM local time (6:30 PM IST).
India and Argentina have enjoyed competitive encounters in recent years, including a thrilling 2-2 draw decided by shootout in the FIH Pro League 2024–25 last June.
This upcoming tour will offer valuable match practice against quality international opposition. That may help the national team build momentum ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands and the Asian Games later this year.
“We are travelling to Argentina with a squad of 24 players, and that is a very deliberate choice. This tour is about giving more players the chance to perform at the highest level. Argentina is one of the best teams in the world, and that environment will tell us a lot about where each player stands. We want to see who steps up when it matters,” chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said.
“To earn a place in this team, you need to show everyone that you are a team player first. Individual quality is important, but if you cannot connect with the group and work for each other, it will be very difficult to make this squad”, he added.
Published on Apr 07, 2026

#Indian #womens #hockey #team #set #tour #Argentina #fourmatch #series">Indian women’s hockey team set to tour Argentina for four-match series

India and Argentina have enjoyed competitive encounters in recent years, including a thrilling 2-2 draw decided by shootout in the FIH Pro League 2024–25 last June.

Published on Apr 07, 2026

#Indian #womens #hockey #team #set #tour #Argentina #fourmatch #series

Deadspin | Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl might not be ready for playoff opener Mar 10, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Out with a lower-body injury since March 15, Edmonton Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl might miss the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs, coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters on Monday. “Leon is going to be on the ice this week and I don’t anticipate him playing any games in the regular season, and in the playoffs, sometime in the first round if things go well,” Knoblauch said. “I’m not ruling that out (first game of the playoffs), but I would just anticipate sometime in the first (round). There’s a period of time we anticipated his return and we said it was going to be right around the end of the regular season, at the start of playoffs.” Despite missing the last nine games, Draisaitl entered Monday as the NHL’s fifth-leading scorer this season, posting 97 points (35 goals, 62 assists) in 65 games. With five games left in the regular season, the Oilers (39-29-9, 87 points) are tied atop the Pacific Division with the Anaheim Ducks entering the week, and begin a three-game road trip Tuesday in Utah against the Mammoth. Edmonton closes the regular season on April 16, two days before the start of the postseason. A three-time All-Star, Draisaitl has been a beast in the past two postseasons, helping Edmonton advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, losing to the Florida Panthers both times. In the 2025 playoffs, he compiled 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists), following a 31-point postseason (10 goals, 21 assists) the previous spring. Fellow Oilers forward Zach Hyman, who is out with an undisclosed injury, will likely miss the road trip, which includes games at the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings. The 33-year-old has 51 points (31 goals, 20 assists) in 57 games this season. “Hyman, I would think he’s going to play one if not two games before the end of this season,” Knoblauch said. “So, this week he’s out and not playing.” Last season, Draisaitl missed the final seven games with an undisclosed injury, but returned for the opener of the postseason to help lead Edmonton back to the Cup Final. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Oilers #Leon #Draisaitl #ready #playoff #opener

#Deadspin #Oilers #Leon #Draisaitl #ready #playoff #opener">

mwasimuddin125 0

Mar 10, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Out with a lower-body injury since March 15, Edmonton Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl might miss the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs, coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters on Monday.

“Leon is going to be on the ice this week and I don’t anticipate him playing any games in the regular season, and in the playoffs, sometime in the first round if things go well,” Knoblauch said. “I’m not ruling that out (first game of the playoffs), but I would just anticipate sometime in the first (round). There’s a period of time we anticipated his return and we said it was going to be right around the end of the regular season, at the start of playoffs.”

Despite missing the last nine games, Draisaitl entered Monday as the NHL’s fifth-leading scorer this season, posting 97 points (35 goals, 62 assists) in 65 games.

With five games left in the regular season, the Oilers (39-29-9, 87 points) are tied atop the Pacific Division with the Anaheim Ducks entering the week, and begin a three-game road trip Tuesday in Utah against the Mammoth. Edmonton closes the regular season on April 16, two days before the start of the postseason.

A three-time All-Star, Draisaitl has been a beast in the past two postseasons, helping Edmonton advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, losing to the Florida Panthers both times. In the 2025 playoffs, he compiled 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists), following a 31-point postseason (10 goals, 21 assists) the previous spring.

Fellow Oilers forward Zach Hyman, who is out with an undisclosed injury, will likely miss the road trip, which includes games at the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings. The 33-year-old has 51 points (31 goals, 20 assists) in 57 games this season.

“Hyman, I would think he’s going to play one if not two games before the end of this season,” Knoblauch said. “So, this week he’s out and not playing.”

Last season, Draisaitl missed the final seven games with an undisclosed injury, but returned for the opener of the postseason to help lead Edmonton back to the Cup Final.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Oilers #Leon #Draisaitl #ready #playoff #opener">Deadspin | Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl might not be ready for playoff opener

Mar 10, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Out with a lower-body injury since March 15, Edmonton Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl might miss the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs, coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters on Monday.

“Leon is going to be on the ice this week and I don’t anticipate him playing any games in the regular season, and in the playoffs, sometime in the first round if things go well,” Knoblauch said. “I’m not ruling that out (first game of the playoffs), but I would just anticipate sometime in the first (round). There’s a period of time we anticipated his return and we said it was going to be right around the end of the regular season, at the start of playoffs.”

Despite missing the last nine games, Draisaitl entered Monday as the NHL’s fifth-leading scorer this season, posting 97 points (35 goals, 62 assists) in 65 games.

With five games left in the regular season, the Oilers (39-29-9, 87 points) are tied atop the Pacific Division with the Anaheim Ducks entering the week, and begin a three-game road trip Tuesday in Utah against the Mammoth. Edmonton closes the regular season on April 16, two days before the start of the postseason.

A three-time All-Star, Draisaitl has been a beast in the past two postseasons, helping Edmonton advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, losing to the Florida Panthers both times. In the 2025 playoffs, he compiled 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists), following a 31-point postseason (10 goals, 21 assists) the previous spring.

Fellow Oilers forward Zach Hyman, who is out with an undisclosed injury, will likely miss the road trip, which includes games at the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings. The 33-year-old has 51 points (31 goals, 20 assists) in 57 games this season.

“Hyman, I would think he’s going to play one if not two games before the end of this season,” Knoblauch said. “So, this week he’s out and not playing.”

Last season, Draisaitl missed the final seven games with an undisclosed injury, but returned for the opener of the postseason to help lead Edmonton back to the Cup Final.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Oilers #Leon #Draisaitl #ready #playoff #opener

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