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Deadspin | Five NHL teams could clinch playoff spots Saturday  Apr 8, 2026; San Jose, California, USA;  Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) is congratulated by the bench after scoring a goal in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images   Some further clarity about the NHL playoff picture could come Saturday.  Nine of the 16 postseason spots have been clinched. As many as five more could be clinched depending on results from the crowded slate of 15 games that kicks off the final weekend of the regular season.  In the Eastern Conference, five of the eight spots have already been locked up. Two more could be clinched Saturday by teams currently in wild-card position.  The Boston Bruins (43-26-10, 96 points) have three different paths to a Saturday clinch of what would likely be a wild-card spot. The simplest path would be a win of any kind against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  They could also clinch with an overtime loss to Tampa Bay if the New Jersey Devils defeat the Detroit Red Wings paired with either an Ottawa Senators defeat of the New York Islanders or a Winnipeg Jets win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Boston can even clinch with a regulation loss if the Devils beat the Red Wings in regulation and either the Senators or Jets win in regulation.  Ottawa (42-27-10, 94 points) enters Saturday in the second wild-card spot and three points clear of the bubble. The Senators have a simpler clinching path, only able to do so with a win over the Islanders paired with a Red Wings loss to New Jersey.   Four spots in the Western Conference have already been locked up, including all three guaranteed spots for the Central Division. Entering Saturday, no Pacific Division teams have officially clinched a playoff spot, but all three teams atop the division will have the chance to lock up their spots on Saturday.  The Edmonton Oilers (40-29-10, 90 points) will clinch if they earn at least one point against the Los Angeles Kings or if the Jets-Flyers game has any outcome besides a regulation win for Winnipeg.  The simplest path for the Vegas Golden Knights (36-26-17, 89 points) to clinch their eighth postseason berth in nine seasons of existence is a win of any kind against Colorado. However, they can also clinch if they take an overtime loss to the Avalanche, the Flyers beat the Jets and the Minnesota Wild beat the Nashville Predators.  Regardless of its own result, Vegas can also clinch if the Flyers and Wild both win in regulation and the Vancouver Canucks beat the San Jose Sharks.  The Anaheim Ducks (42-32-5, 89 points) are one of two teams not playing Saturday but could punch their first playoff ticket since 2017-18 while idle. For that to happen, the Canucks would need to beat the Sharks in any way while the Flyers and Wild would need to win in regulation.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #NHL #teams #clinch #playoff #spots #Saturday

Deadspin | Five NHL teams could clinch playoff spots Saturday
Deadspin | Five NHL teams could clinch playoff spots Saturday  Apr 8, 2026; San Jose, California, USA;  Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) is congratulated by the bench after scoring a goal in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images   Some further clarity about the NHL playoff picture could come Saturday.  Nine of the 16 postseason spots have been clinched. As many as five more could be clinched depending on results from the crowded slate of 15 games that kicks off the final weekend of the regular season.  In the Eastern Conference, five of the eight spots have already been locked up. Two more could be clinched Saturday by teams currently in wild-card position.  The Boston Bruins (43-26-10, 96 points) have three different paths to a Saturday clinch of what would likely be a wild-card spot. The simplest path would be a win of any kind against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  They could also clinch with an overtime loss to Tampa Bay if the New Jersey Devils defeat the Detroit Red Wings paired with either an Ottawa Senators defeat of the New York Islanders or a Winnipeg Jets win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Boston can even clinch with a regulation loss if the Devils beat the Red Wings in regulation and either the Senators or Jets win in regulation.  Ottawa (42-27-10, 94 points) enters Saturday in the second wild-card spot and three points clear of the bubble. The Senators have a simpler clinching path, only able to do so with a win over the Islanders paired with a Red Wings loss to New Jersey.   Four spots in the Western Conference have already been locked up, including all three guaranteed spots for the Central Division. Entering Saturday, no Pacific Division teams have officially clinched a playoff spot, but all three teams atop the division will have the chance to lock up their spots on Saturday.  The Edmonton Oilers (40-29-10, 90 points) will clinch if they earn at least one point against the Los Angeles Kings or if the Jets-Flyers game has any outcome besides a regulation win for Winnipeg.  The simplest path for the Vegas Golden Knights (36-26-17, 89 points) to clinch their eighth postseason berth in nine seasons of existence is a win of any kind against Colorado. However, they can also clinch if they take an overtime loss to the Avalanche, the Flyers beat the Jets and the Minnesota Wild beat the Nashville Predators.  Regardless of its own result, Vegas can also clinch if the Flyers and Wild both win in regulation and the Vancouver Canucks beat the San Jose Sharks.  The Anaheim Ducks (42-32-5, 89 points) are one of two teams not playing Saturday but could punch their first playoff ticket since 2017-18 while idle. For that to happen, the Canucks would need to beat the Sharks in any way while the Flyers and Wild would need to win in regulation.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #NHL #teams #clinch #playoff #spots #SaturdayApr 8, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) is congratulated by the bench after scoring a goal in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Some further clarity about the NHL playoff picture could come Saturday.

Nine of the 16 postseason spots have been clinched. As many as five more could be clinched depending on results from the crowded slate of 15 games that kicks off the final weekend of the regular season.

In the Eastern Conference, five of the eight spots have already been locked up. Two more could be clinched Saturday by teams currently in wild-card position.

The Boston Bruins (43-26-10, 96 points) have three different paths to a Saturday clinch of what would likely be a wild-card spot. The simplest path would be a win of any kind against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

They could also clinch with an overtime loss to Tampa Bay if the New Jersey Devils defeat the Detroit Red Wings paired with either an Ottawa Senators defeat of the New York Islanders or a Winnipeg Jets win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Boston can even clinch with a regulation loss if the Devils beat the Red Wings in regulation and either the Senators or Jets win in regulation.


Ottawa (42-27-10, 94 points) enters Saturday in the second wild-card spot and three points clear of the bubble. The Senators have a simpler clinching path, only able to do so with a win over the Islanders paired with a Red Wings loss to New Jersey.

Four spots in the Western Conference have already been locked up, including all three guaranteed spots for the Central Division. Entering Saturday, no Pacific Division teams have officially clinched a playoff spot, but all three teams atop the division will have the chance to lock up their spots on Saturday.

The Edmonton Oilers (40-29-10, 90 points) will clinch if they earn at least one point against the Los Angeles Kings or if the Jets-Flyers game has any outcome besides a regulation win for Winnipeg.

The simplest path for the Vegas Golden Knights (36-26-17, 89 points) to clinch their eighth postseason berth in nine seasons of existence is a win of any kind against Colorado. However, they can also clinch if they take an overtime loss to the Avalanche, the Flyers beat the Jets and the Minnesota Wild beat the Nashville Predators.

Regardless of its own result, Vegas can also clinch if the Flyers and Wild both win in regulation and the Vancouver Canucks beat the San Jose Sharks.

The Anaheim Ducks (42-32-5, 89 points) are one of two teams not playing Saturday but could punch their first playoff ticket since 2017-18 while idle. For that to happen, the Canucks would need to beat the Sharks in any way while the Flyers and Wild would need to win in regulation.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NHL #teams #clinch #playoff #spots #Saturday

Apr 8, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) is congratulated by the bench after scoring a goal in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Some further clarity about the NHL playoff picture could come Saturday.

Nine of the 16 postseason spots have been clinched. As many as five more could be clinched depending on results from the crowded slate of 15 games that kicks off the final weekend of the regular season.

In the Eastern Conference, five of the eight spots have already been locked up. Two more could be clinched Saturday by teams currently in wild-card position.

The Boston Bruins (43-26-10, 96 points) have three different paths to a Saturday clinch of what would likely be a wild-card spot. The simplest path would be a win of any kind against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

They could also clinch with an overtime loss to Tampa Bay if the New Jersey Devils defeat the Detroit Red Wings paired with either an Ottawa Senators defeat of the New York Islanders or a Winnipeg Jets win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Boston can even clinch with a regulation loss if the Devils beat the Red Wings in regulation and either the Senators or Jets win in regulation.

Ottawa (42-27-10, 94 points) enters Saturday in the second wild-card spot and three points clear of the bubble. The Senators have a simpler clinching path, only able to do so with a win over the Islanders paired with a Red Wings loss to New Jersey.

Four spots in the Western Conference have already been locked up, including all three guaranteed spots for the Central Division. Entering Saturday, no Pacific Division teams have officially clinched a playoff spot, but all three teams atop the division will have the chance to lock up their spots on Saturday.

The Edmonton Oilers (40-29-10, 90 points) will clinch if they earn at least one point against the Los Angeles Kings or if the Jets-Flyers game has any outcome besides a regulation win for Winnipeg.

The simplest path for the Vegas Golden Knights (36-26-17, 89 points) to clinch their eighth postseason berth in nine seasons of existence is a win of any kind against Colorado. However, they can also clinch if they take an overtime loss to the Avalanche, the Flyers beat the Jets and the Minnesota Wild beat the Nashville Predators.

Regardless of its own result, Vegas can also clinch if the Flyers and Wild both win in regulation and the Vancouver Canucks beat the San Jose Sharks.

The Anaheim Ducks (42-32-5, 89 points) are one of two teams not playing Saturday but could punch their first playoff ticket since 2017-18 while idle. For that to happen, the Canucks would need to beat the Sharks in any way while the Flyers and Wild would need to win in regulation.

–Field Level Media

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WTT Contender Taiyuan: Manika Batra exits with Round of 16 loss <div id="content-body-70847262" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Indian paddler Manika Batra exited from the WTT Contender Taiyuan on Friday after losing to Japan’s Miu Hirano in a Round of 16 clash.</p><p>World No. 36 Hirano blanked Manika 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-8) in quick time, wrapping up the win in little over 26 minutes.</p><p>In the previous round, World No. 49 Manika defeated World No. 25 Miyuu Kihara 3-2 (11-8, 10-12, 14-12, 9-11, 11-7) in 43 minutes.</p><p>In that match, Manika led 6-2 in the second game after bagging the opener easily. However, Kihara managed to fight back, saving two game points before levelling the match.</p><p>The Japanese player was on her way to steal the third game as well as she won three points in a row from 8-10 down but this time, the Indian held her nerve to eventually take a 2-1 lead in the fixture.</p><p>Kihara edged out Manika in a closely-fought fourth game, forcing a decider.</p><p>From 3-3 in the fifth game, Manika dictated terms and converted her first match point to secure her maiden win over Kihara in their third meeting.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 10, 2026</p></div> #WTT #Contender #Taiyuan #Manika #Batra #exits #loss

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Deadspin | Kris Bubic tosses gem as Royals blank White Sox  Apr 10, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic (50) pitches during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images   Kris Bubic allowed two hits and struck out a career-high 11 over seven stellar shutout innings, and Carter Jensen clubbed a solo home run, as the Kansas City Royals snapped a three-game skid with Friday night’s 2-0 victory over the visiting Chicago White Sox.  An All-Star last season before his season ended due to a July rotator cuff injury, Bubic (2-1) didn’t yield a hit Friday until Lenyn Sosa led off the fifth inning with a double. The other hit Bubic surrendered came via Derek Hill’s single to open the sixth, as he went on to match a career best with seven complete innings and help the Royals even this four-game set.  The left-hander, whose previous high for strikeouts was nine, also walked just one while dropping his ERA to 2.50 over three 2026 starts. Kansas City relievers Matt Strahm and Lucas Erceg (four saves) retired the side in the eighth and ninth inning, respectively.  Bubic outdueled Davis Martin (2-1), who has recorded both of Chicago’s quality starts on the young season after giving up both runs and seven hits without a walk over seven innings. However, his White Sox teammates couldn’t generate any offense one night after posting their own 2-0 victory to snap a 14-game losing streak at Kansas City.  Chicago has lost 23 of their last 26 games at Kauffman Stadium.   The Royals opened the scoring in the fourth by ending their 15-inning scoreless rut. Maikel Garcia opened the frame with single to right field off Martin, then scored from first base on Bobby Witt Jr.’s double that lined off the top of left-field corner wall.  Witt has hit safely in 23 consecutive games against the White Sox.  Jensen, whose previous three 2026 homers came on the road, doubled the Royals’ lead in the seventh when he sent a one-out drive well over the right-field wall off Martin.  Though Kansas City managed to get back on track, they went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring. The Royals are 0-for-28 in that department over the last four contests.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Kris #Bubic #tosses #gem #Royals #blank #White #SoxApr 10, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic (50) pitches during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

Kris Bubic allowed two hits and struck out a career-high 11 over seven stellar shutout innings, and Carter Jensen clubbed a solo home run, as the Kansas City Royals snapped a three-game skid with Friday night’s 2-0 victory over the visiting Chicago White Sox.

An All-Star last season before his season ended due to a July rotator cuff injury, Bubic (2-1) didn’t yield a hit Friday until Lenyn Sosa led off the fifth inning with a double. The other hit Bubic surrendered came via Derek Hill’s single to open the sixth, as he went on to match a career best with seven complete innings and help the Royals even this four-game set.

The left-hander, whose previous high for strikeouts was nine, also walked just one while dropping his ERA to 2.50 over three 2026 starts. Kansas City relievers Matt Strahm and Lucas Erceg (four saves) retired the side in the eighth and ninth inning, respectively.

Bubic outdueled Davis Martin (2-1), who has recorded both of Chicago’s quality starts on the young season after giving up both runs and seven hits without a walk over seven innings. However, his White Sox teammates couldn’t generate any offense one night after posting their own 2-0 victory to snap a 14-game losing streak at Kansas City.


Chicago has lost 23 of their last 26 games at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals opened the scoring in the fourth by ending their 15-inning scoreless rut. Maikel Garcia opened the frame with single to right field off Martin, then scored from first base on Bobby Witt Jr.’s double that lined off the top of left-field corner wall.

Witt has hit safely in 23 consecutive games against the White Sox.

Jensen, whose previous three 2026 homers came on the road, doubled the Royals’ lead in the seventh when he sent a one-out drive well over the right-field wall off Martin.

Though Kansas City managed to get back on track, they went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring. The Royals are 0-for-28 in that department over the last four contests.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Kris #Bubic #tosses #gem #Royals #blank #White #Sox">Deadspin | Kris Bubic tosses gem as Royals blank White Sox  Apr 10, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic (50) pitches during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images   Kris Bubic allowed two hits and struck out a career-high 11 over seven stellar shutout innings, and Carter Jensen clubbed a solo home run, as the Kansas City Royals snapped a three-game skid with Friday night’s 2-0 victory over the visiting Chicago White Sox.  An All-Star last season before his season ended due to a July rotator cuff injury, Bubic (2-1) didn’t yield a hit Friday until Lenyn Sosa led off the fifth inning with a double. The other hit Bubic surrendered came via Derek Hill’s single to open the sixth, as he went on to match a career best with seven complete innings and help the Royals even this four-game set.  The left-hander, whose previous high for strikeouts was nine, also walked just one while dropping his ERA to 2.50 over three 2026 starts. Kansas City relievers Matt Strahm and Lucas Erceg (four saves) retired the side in the eighth and ninth inning, respectively.  Bubic outdueled Davis Martin (2-1), who has recorded both of Chicago’s quality starts on the young season after giving up both runs and seven hits without a walk over seven innings. However, his White Sox teammates couldn’t generate any offense one night after posting their own 2-0 victory to snap a 14-game losing streak at Kansas City.  Chicago has lost 23 of their last 26 games at Kauffman Stadium.   The Royals opened the scoring in the fourth by ending their 15-inning scoreless rut. Maikel Garcia opened the frame with single to right field off Martin, then scored from first base on Bobby Witt Jr.’s double that lined off the top of left-field corner wall.  Witt has hit safely in 23 consecutive games against the White Sox.  Jensen, whose previous three 2026 homers came on the road, doubled the Royals’ lead in the seventh when he sent a one-out drive well over the right-field wall off Martin.  Though Kansas City managed to get back on track, they went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring. The Royals are 0-for-28 in that department over the last four contests.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Kris #Bubic #tosses #gem #Royals #blank #White #Sox

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James became the ​fourth player in NBA history to ‌record 12,000 career assists ​with his second ⁠helper of the first quarter during Friday night’s home game against ‌the Phoenix Suns.

No. 12,000 came when James ‌collected a rebound on ‌the ⁠defensive end and ⁠threw a long chest pass to the other end. Deandre Ayton caught ​the ball ‌over the smaller Collin Gillespie and put it in the hoop with 7:49 left ‌in the quarter.

Former Utah ​Jazz star John Stockton is the all-time ⁠leader with 15,806 career assists. Recently retired Chris Paul (12,552) is ‌second and Jason Kidd (12,091) stands third.

The 41-year-old James would surely pass Kidd if he returns next season. Chances of catching Paul ‌would depend on his health ​and the number of games he plays.

James was ⁠averaging 7.1 assists per game ⁠entering Friday’s action and the contest marks his ‌59th of the 2025-26 season.

For his career, James ​averages 7.4 assists per game.

(with inputs from Reuters)

Published on Apr 11, 2026

#LeBron #James #closes #record #4th #NBA #player #reach #career #assists">LeBron James closes in on another record, becomes 4th NBA player to reach 12,000 career assists  Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James became the ​fourth player in NBA history to ‌record 12,000 career assists ​with his second ⁠helper of the first quarter during Friday night’s home game against ‌the Phoenix Suns.No. 12,000 came when James ‌collected a rebound on ‌the ⁠defensive end and ⁠threw a long chest pass to the other end. Deandre Ayton caught ​the ball ‌over the smaller Collin Gillespie and put it in the hoop with 7:49 left ‌in the quarter.Former Utah ​Jazz star John Stockton is the all-time ⁠leader with 15,806 career assists. Recently retired Chris Paul (12,552) is ‌second and Jason Kidd (12,091) stands third.The 41-year-old James would surely pass Kidd if he returns next season. Chances of catching Paul ‌would depend on his health ​and the number of games he plays.James was ⁠averaging 7.1 assists per game ⁠entering Friday’s action and the contest marks his ‌59th of the 2025-26 season.For his career, James ​averages 7.4 assists per game.(with inputs from Reuters)Published on Apr 11, 2026  #LeBron #James #closes #record #4th #NBA #player #reach #career #assists

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