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Deadspin | Reports: Louisville lands top portal targets Flory Bidunga, Jackson Shelstad Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) dunks against the St. John’s Red Storm in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Louisville landed simultaneous commitments from former Kansas center Flory Bidunga and ex-Oregon point guard Jackson Shelstad on Sunday as they concluded weekend visits, according to multiple media reports. ESPN reported that Louisville offered the top portal players, who are represented by the same agency, as a package deal and was “aggressive in laying out a vision for building (a) championship roster.” Bidunga, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year who has been widely considered the best player in this year’s transfer portal class, averaged 13.3 points, a team-high 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 35 games (34 starts) during his second season with the Jayhawks. The 6-foot-10, 235-pound leaper ranked fourth nationally in blocks per game. Shelstad, ranked by ESPN as the No. 9 player in the portal and by On3 as the No. 17 portal player, has played the last three seasons at Oregon. In 2025-26, he averaged a career-high 15.6 points and a team-high 4.9 assists against 1.8 turnovers per game — but did not play after Dec. 28 due to tendon and ligament damage in his right hand. In 2024-25, Shelstad earned third-team all-Big Ten honors for averaging 13.7 points per game and helping the Ducks claim a No. 5 NCAA Tournament seed. The Cardinals made their second NCAA Tournament in as many years under Pat Kelsey this past season. But with a second-round exit after a loss to No. 3 seed Michigan State, Louisville remains in pursuit of its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2015. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Reports #Louisville #lands #top #portal #targets #Flory #Bidunga #Jackson #Shelstad

Deadspin | Reports: Louisville lands top portal targets Flory Bidunga, Jackson Shelstad
Deadspin | Reports: Louisville lands top portal targets Flory Bidunga, Jackson Shelstad Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) dunks against the St. John’s Red Storm in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Louisville landed simultaneous commitments from former Kansas center Flory Bidunga and ex-Oregon point guard Jackson Shelstad on Sunday as they concluded weekend visits, according to multiple media reports. ESPN reported that Louisville offered the top portal players, who are represented by the same agency, as a package deal and was “aggressive in laying out a vision for building (a) championship roster.” Bidunga, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year who has been widely considered the best player in this year’s transfer portal class, averaged 13.3 points, a team-high 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 35 games (34 starts) during his second season with the Jayhawks. The 6-foot-10, 235-pound leaper ranked fourth nationally in blocks per game. Shelstad, ranked by ESPN as the No. 9 player in the portal and by On3 as the No. 17 portal player, has played the last three seasons at Oregon. In 2025-26, he averaged a career-high 15.6 points and a team-high 4.9 assists against 1.8 turnovers per game — but did not play after Dec. 28 due to tendon and ligament damage in his right hand. In 2024-25, Shelstad earned third-team all-Big Ten honors for averaging 13.7 points per game and helping the Ducks claim a No. 5 NCAA Tournament seed. The Cardinals made their second NCAA Tournament in as many years under Pat Kelsey this past season. But with a second-round exit after a loss to No. 3 seed Michigan State, Louisville remains in pursuit of its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2015. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Reports #Louisville #lands #top #portal #targets #Flory #Bidunga #Jackson #ShelstadMar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) dunks against the St. John’s Red Storm in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Louisville landed simultaneous commitments from former Kansas center Flory Bidunga and ex-Oregon point guard Jackson Shelstad on Sunday as they concluded weekend visits, according to multiple media reports.

ESPN reported that Louisville offered the top portal players, who are represented by the same agency, as a package deal and was “aggressive in laying out a vision for building (a) championship roster.”


Bidunga, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year who has been widely considered the best player in this year’s transfer portal class, averaged 13.3 points, a team-high 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 35 games (34 starts) during his second season with the Jayhawks. The 6-foot-10, 235-pound leaper ranked fourth nationally in blocks per game.

Shelstad, ranked by ESPN as the No. 9 player in the portal and by On3 as the No. 17 portal player, has played the last three seasons at Oregon. In 2025-26, he averaged a career-high 15.6 points and a team-high 4.9 assists against 1.8 turnovers per game — but did not play after Dec. 28 due to tendon and ligament damage in his right hand. In 2024-25, Shelstad earned third-team all-Big Ten honors for averaging 13.7 points per game and helping the Ducks claim a No. 5 NCAA Tournament seed.

The Cardinals made their second NCAA Tournament in as many years under Pat Kelsey this past season. But with a second-round exit after a loss to No. 3 seed Michigan State, Louisville remains in pursuit of its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2015.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Reports #Louisville #lands #top #portal #targets #Flory #Bidunga #Jackson #Shelstad

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Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) dunks against the St. John’s Red Storm in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Louisville landed simultaneous commitments from former Kansas center Flory Bidunga and ex-Oregon point guard Jackson Shelstad on Sunday as they concluded weekend visits, according to multiple media reports.

ESPN reported that Louisville offered the top portal players, who are represented by the same agency, as a package deal and was “aggressive in laying out a vision for building (a) championship roster.”

Bidunga, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year who has been widely considered the best player in this year’s transfer portal class, averaged 13.3 points, a team-high 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 35 games (34 starts) during his second season with the Jayhawks. The 6-foot-10, 235-pound leaper ranked fourth nationally in blocks per game.

Shelstad, ranked by ESPN as the No. 9 player in the portal and by On3 as the No. 17 portal player, has played the last three seasons at Oregon. In 2025-26, he averaged a career-high 15.6 points and a team-high 4.9 assists against 1.8 turnovers per game — but did not play after Dec. 28 due to tendon and ligament damage in his right hand. In 2024-25, Shelstad earned third-team all-Big Ten honors for averaging 13.7 points per game and helping the Ducks claim a No. 5 NCAA Tournament seed.

The Cardinals made their second NCAA Tournament in as many years under Pat Kelsey this past season. But with a second-round exit after a loss to No. 3 seed Michigan State, Louisville remains in pursuit of its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2015.

–Field Level Media

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Shubman Gill breaks Kohli’s record, becomes second fastest Indian to score 4000 IPL runs <div id="content-body-70853675" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Shubman Gill became the second fastest Indian to score 4000 runs in IPL during the Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants match at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday.</p><p>Gill reached the milestone in 118th inning, going past Virat Kohli’s record of completing the feat in 128 innings. KL Rahul holds the record of fastest ever to reach 4000 IPL runs — 105 innings.</p><p>Overall, Gill is the fifth fastest with Chris Gayle (112), David Warner (114), and Jos Buttler (116) above him in the list led by Rahul.</p><p>He is also the youngest player to do so at 26 years and 216 days.</p><p><b>Fastest to reach 4000 runs in IPL among Indians:</b></p><p>1) KL Rahul – 105 innings</p><p>2) Shubman Gill – 118 innings</p><p>3) Virat Kohli – 128 innings</p><p>4) Suresh Raina – 140 innings</p><p>5) Gautam Gambhir – 140 innings</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 12, 2026</p></div> #Shubman #Gill #breaks #Kohlis #record #fastest #Indian #score #IPL #runs

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Deadspin | Twins chase Max Scherzer early to win series against Blue Jays Apr 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Twins first baseman Kody Clemens (2) throws his bat after hitting a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Tristan Gray hit a three-run home run Sunday afternoon and the visiting Minnesota Twins defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 8-2 in the rubber match of a three-game series. Kody Clemens added a solo home run and Taj Bradley (3-0) went five innings to pick the win for the Twins, who have won six of their last seven. Daulton Varsho and Ernie Clement each had three hits for the Blue Jays, who finished a 2-4 homestand. The Blue Jays had a 12-8 advantage in hits, but were 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Toronto took a 1-0 lead in the first against Bradley. Clement, elevated to the leadoff spot after George Springer was placed on the injured list with a fractured left big toe, doubled and scored on Varsho’s single. Max Scherzer (1-2) walked Josh Bell and hit Matt Wallner with a pitch to open the second. Gray made him pay with a homer to right that gave Minnesota the lead for good. The Twins added five in the third. Clemens led off with a 417-foot homer to right, which he embellished with a nifty bat flip. Trevor Larnach and Luke Keaschall singled before Bell’s second walk loaded the bases. Wallner poked an RBI single to right and Victor Caratini lined a sacrifice fly to right to end Scherzer’s outing. Joe Mantiply hit Gray with a pitch and Brooks Lee lashed a two-run double to left to make it 7-1. Scherzer allowed eight runs, five hits and two walks and hit a batter while striking out three in 2 1/3 innings. Despite command issues, Bradley made it through five innings in which he allowed one run, five hits and four walks with seven strikeouts. He held Toronto to 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position while throwing a career-high 106 pitches. Andrew Morris made his major league debut when he replaced Bradley in the sixth and allowed a double and struck out two. He gave up two hits and Jesus Sanchez’s sacrifice fly in the seventh and pitched around three singles in the eighth. Toronto recalled Eloy Jimenez from Triple-A Buffalo and he was 2-for-4 with two strikeouts in replacing Springer as DH. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Twins #chase #Max #Scherzer #early #win #series #Blue #JaysApr 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Twins first baseman Kody Clemens (2) throws his bat after hitting a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Tristan Gray hit a three-run home run Sunday afternoon and the visiting Minnesota Twins defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 8-2 in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Kody Clemens added a solo home run and Taj Bradley (3-0) went five innings to pick the win for the Twins, who have won six of their last seven.

Daulton Varsho and Ernie Clement each had three hits for the Blue Jays, who finished a 2-4 homestand. The Blue Jays had a 12-8 advantage in hits, but were 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

Toronto took a 1-0 lead in the first against Bradley. Clement, elevated to the leadoff spot after George Springer was placed on the injured list with a fractured left big toe, doubled and scored on Varsho’s single.

Max Scherzer (1-2) walked Josh Bell and hit Matt Wallner with a pitch to open the second. Gray made him pay with a homer to right that gave Minnesota the lead for good.


The Twins added five in the third. Clemens led off with a 417-foot homer to right, which he embellished with a nifty bat flip. Trevor Larnach and Luke Keaschall singled before Bell’s second walk loaded the bases. Wallner poked an RBI single to right and Victor Caratini lined a sacrifice fly to right to end Scherzer’s outing.

Joe Mantiply hit Gray with a pitch and Brooks Lee lashed a two-run double to left to make it 7-1.

Scherzer allowed eight runs, five hits and two walks and hit a batter while striking out three in 2 1/3 innings.

Despite command issues, Bradley made it through five innings in which he allowed one run, five hits and four walks with seven strikeouts. He held Toronto to 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position while throwing a career-high 106 pitches.

Andrew Morris made his major league debut when he replaced Bradley in the sixth and allowed a double and struck out two. He gave up two hits and Jesus Sanchez’s sacrifice fly in the seventh and pitched around three singles in the eighth.

Toronto recalled Eloy Jimenez from Triple-A Buffalo and he was 2-for-4 with two strikeouts in replacing Springer as DH.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Twins #chase #Max #Scherzer #early #win #series #Blue #Jays">Deadspin | Twins chase Max Scherzer early to win series against Blue Jays Apr 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Twins first baseman Kody Clemens (2) throws his bat after hitting a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Tristan Gray hit a three-run home run Sunday afternoon and the visiting Minnesota Twins defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 8-2 in the rubber match of a three-game series. Kody Clemens added a solo home run and Taj Bradley (3-0) went five innings to pick the win for the Twins, who have won six of their last seven. Daulton Varsho and Ernie Clement each had three hits for the Blue Jays, who finished a 2-4 homestand. The Blue Jays had a 12-8 advantage in hits, but were 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Toronto took a 1-0 lead in the first against Bradley. Clement, elevated to the leadoff spot after George Springer was placed on the injured list with a fractured left big toe, doubled and scored on Varsho’s single. Max Scherzer (1-2) walked Josh Bell and hit Matt Wallner with a pitch to open the second. Gray made him pay with a homer to right that gave Minnesota the lead for good. The Twins added five in the third. Clemens led off with a 417-foot homer to right, which he embellished with a nifty bat flip. Trevor Larnach and Luke Keaschall singled before Bell’s second walk loaded the bases. Wallner poked an RBI single to right and Victor Caratini lined a sacrifice fly to right to end Scherzer’s outing. Joe Mantiply hit Gray with a pitch and Brooks Lee lashed a two-run double to left to make it 7-1. Scherzer allowed eight runs, five hits and two walks and hit a batter while striking out three in 2 1/3 innings. Despite command issues, Bradley made it through five innings in which he allowed one run, five hits and four walks with seven strikeouts. He held Toronto to 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position while throwing a career-high 106 pitches. Andrew Morris made his major league debut when he replaced Bradley in the sixth and allowed a double and struck out two. He gave up two hits and Jesus Sanchez’s sacrifice fly in the seventh and pitched around three singles in the eighth. Toronto recalled Eloy Jimenez from Triple-A Buffalo and he was 2-for-4 with two strikeouts in replacing Springer as DH. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Twins #chase #Max #Scherzer #early #win #series #Blue #Jays

Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries scored twice each as Inter Milan rallied from two goals down to beat Como 4-3 ​away on Sunday and extend its lead at the top of Serie A to ‌nine points.

Inter moved to 75 points with six games remaining, taking ​advantage of second-placed Napoli’s 1-1 draw at Parma earlier in ⁠the day. Como is fifth with 58 points, two points behind Juventus, which occupies the final Champions League spot.

Como was on top before the break and went two goals clear ‌through Alex Valle and Nico Paz, but Thuram pulled one back with the last kick of the first half and struck again ‌in the 49th minute — after a defensive error by Como — to level the ‌match.

Dumfries ⁠completed the comeback in the 58th minute, heading Inter in front ⁠from a Hakan Calhanoglu free kick, before adding his second in the 72nd minute from a Manuel Akanji knockdown.

Lucas Da Cunha converted a late penalty after Paz was fouled, but Inter held ​on to maintain firm control ‌of the title race.

COMO PRESSURE

Inter was sluggish early on without captain Lautaro Martinez, who missed the trip with a calf injury, as surprise package Como dictated much of the opening period.

The host side created a stream of chances ‌while restricting the leader largely to attempts from distance.

Como broke the deadlock ​in the 36th minute when Valle reacted quickest after Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer could only parry Paz’s initial effort.

The host doubled ⁠its advantage on the stroke of half-time, with Paz latching onto a long ball from goalkeeper Jean Butez and sending an angled finish beyond Sommer, who got ‌a touch but was unable to keep it out.

Inter responded immediately, Thuram turning in a Nicolo Barella cross in first-half stoppage time before levelling four minutes after the restart. A defensive mix-up saw Butez stray from his area, allowing the unmarked Thuram to loft the ball into an empty net.

Dumfries then struck twice in the second half to complete the comeback, although Como remained competitive ‌and refused to fade.

Tensions rose late on after Lucas Da Cunha converted a penalty to ​reduce the deficit, prompting a frantic push by the host for an equaliser.

Roared on by a lively home crowd, Como nearly salvaged ⁠a point when Jacobo Ramon deflected a close-range effort onto the crossbar in the ⁠closing stages.

Published on Apr 13, 2026

#Serie #Inter #Milan #extends #lead #fighting #goals #beat #Como">Serie A: Inter Milan extends lead after fighting back from two goals down to beat Como Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries scored twice each as Inter Milan rallied from two goals down to beat Como 4-3 ​away on Sunday and extend its lead at the top of Serie A to ‌nine points.Inter moved to 75 points with six games remaining, taking ​advantage of second-placed Napoli’s 1-1 draw at Parma earlier in ⁠the day. Como is fifth with 58 points, two points behind Juventus, which occupies the final Champions League spot.Como was on top before the break and went two goals clear ‌through Alex Valle and Nico Paz, but Thuram pulled one back with the last kick of the first half and struck again ‌in the 49th minute — after a defensive error by Como — to level the ‌match.Dumfries ⁠completed the comeback in the 58th minute, heading Inter in front ⁠from a Hakan Calhanoglu free kick, before adding his second in the 72nd minute from a Manuel Akanji knockdown.Lucas Da Cunha converted a late penalty after Paz was fouled, but Inter held ​on to maintain firm control ‌of the title race.COMO PRESSUREInter was sluggish early on without captain Lautaro Martinez, who missed the trip with a calf injury, as surprise package Como dictated much of the opening period.The host side created a stream of chances ‌while restricting the leader largely to attempts from distance.Como broke the deadlock ​in the 36th minute when Valle reacted quickest after Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer could only parry Paz’s initial effort.The host doubled ⁠its advantage on the stroke of half-time, with Paz latching onto a long ball from goalkeeper Jean Butez and sending an angled finish beyond Sommer, who got ‌a touch but was unable to keep it out.Inter responded immediately, Thuram turning in a Nicolo Barella cross in first-half stoppage time before levelling four minutes after the restart. A defensive mix-up saw Butez stray from his area, allowing the unmarked Thuram to loft the ball into an empty net.Dumfries then struck twice in the second half to complete the comeback, although Como remained competitive ‌and refused to fade.Tensions rose late on after Lucas Da Cunha converted a penalty to ​reduce the deficit, prompting a frantic push by the host for an equaliser.Roared on by a lively home crowd, Como nearly salvaged ⁠a point when Jacobo Ramon deflected a close-range effort onto the crossbar in the ⁠closing stages.Published on Apr 13, 2026 #Serie #Inter #Milan #extends #lead #fighting #goals #beat #Como

Deadspin | Avalanche, Oilers persisting through litany of injuries Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) celebrates with center Nathan MacKinnon (29) after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images The Colorado Avalanche clinched the Central Division and the NHL’s top overall seed. Now they are having a say in who is the other division winner in the Western Conference. Colorado (52-16-11, 115 points) completes back-to-back games against Pacific Division contenders when it plays at the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night. The Avalanche fell 3-2 in overtime to Vegas on Saturday night, allowing the Golden Knights to leapfrog the Oilers into first place. Edmonton and Vegas are in a battle with Anaheim for the Pacific Division title. The Oilers (40-30-10, 90 points) are limping to the finish of the regular season. Center Leon Draisaitl (lower-body injury) has not played since March 15 and may not be ready for the first round of the playoffs. Center Jason Dickinson is day-to-day after blocking a shot with his leg against San Jose last Wednesday. Winger Zach Hyman (undisclosed) has not played the last four games. In addition, winger Max Jones was helped off the ice in Edmonton’s 1-0 loss at Los Angeles on Saturday, further depleting the roster. The loss to the Kings — the fourth time the Oilers have been blanked this season — was the third in four games. Edmonton had won five in a row before this slide to move atop the division. “We’re playing the right style of hockey and we’re doing the right things,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said after losing to Los Angeles. “But some nights it just doesn’t go your way, you can’t get a goal, and (Saturday) was that night.” The Avalanche are also dealing with injuries, including one to head coach Jared Bednar. He sustained facial fractures and a corneal abrasion after he was struck on the right cheek with a puck early in the third period of the 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights on Saturday night in Denver. Bednar left the bench and didn’t return. He was later taken to a hospital to undergo a CT scan and further evaluation but was conscious and alert. Colorado said Bednar will not make the road trip to Edmonton and Calgary; assistant coaches Dave Hakstol and Nolan Pratt will run the team. “It’s certainly a little unnerving. It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there,” Pratt said after Saturday night’s game. “It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight, so it takes a little second to sort of recalibrate and then get back to it.” Bednar wasn’t the only injury the Avalanche suffered against Vegas. Defenseman Josh Manson left late in the second period with an upper-body injury and didn’t return for the third. There was no update on Manson’s availability for Monday. Colorado has been without star defenseman Cale Makar since March 30 due to an upper-body injury, but he is expected back for the playoffs. The Avalanche can be cautious with the roster after wrapping up the Presidents’ Trophy on Thursday night for the best regular-season record. The goals left are personal. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 52 goals, one more than Montreal’s Cole Caufield, and can join Milan Hejduk as the only Colorado players to win the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. Hejduk captured it in 2002-03 with 50 goals. Martin Necas needs one point to reach 100 for the first time in his career. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Avalanche #Oilers #persisting #litany #injuriesApr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) celebrates with center Nathan MacKinnon (29) after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Colorado Avalanche clinched the Central Division and the NHL’s top overall seed. Now they are having a say in who is the other division winner in the Western Conference.

Colorado (52-16-11, 115 points) completes back-to-back games against Pacific Division contenders when it plays at the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.

The Avalanche fell 3-2 in overtime to Vegas on Saturday night, allowing the Golden Knights to leapfrog the Oilers into first place. Edmonton and Vegas are in a battle with Anaheim for the Pacific Division title.

The Oilers (40-30-10, 90 points) are limping to the finish of the regular season. Center Leon Draisaitl (lower-body injury) has not played since March 15 and may not be ready for the first round of the playoffs. Center Jason Dickinson is day-to-day after blocking a shot with his leg against San Jose last Wednesday. Winger Zach Hyman (undisclosed) has not played the last four games.

In addition, winger Max Jones was helped off the ice in Edmonton’s 1-0 loss at Los Angeles on Saturday, further depleting the roster.

The loss to the Kings — the fourth time the Oilers have been blanked this season — was the third in four games. Edmonton had won five in a row before this slide to move atop the division.

“We’re playing the right style of hockey and we’re doing the right things,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said after losing to Los Angeles. “But some nights it just doesn’t go your way, you can’t get a goal, and (Saturday) was that night.”


The Avalanche are also dealing with injuries, including one to head coach Jared Bednar. He sustained facial fractures and a corneal abrasion after he was struck on the right cheek with a puck early in the third period of the 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights on Saturday night in Denver. Bednar left the bench and didn’t return.

He was later taken to a hospital to undergo a CT scan and further evaluation but was conscious and alert. Colorado said Bednar will not make the road trip to Edmonton and Calgary; assistant coaches Dave Hakstol and Nolan Pratt will run the team.

“It’s certainly a little unnerving. It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there,” Pratt said after Saturday night’s game. “It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight, so it takes a little second to sort of recalibrate and then get back to it.”

Bednar wasn’t the only injury the Avalanche suffered against Vegas. Defenseman Josh Manson left late in the second period with an upper-body injury and didn’t return for the third. There was no update on Manson’s availability for Monday.

Colorado has been without star defenseman Cale Makar since March 30 due to an upper-body injury, but he is expected back for the playoffs. The Avalanche can be cautious with the roster after wrapping up the Presidents’ Trophy on Thursday night for the best regular-season record.

The goals left are personal. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 52 goals, one more than Montreal’s Cole Caufield, and can join Milan Hejduk as the only Colorado players to win the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. Hejduk captured it in 2002-03 with 50 goals.

Martin Necas needs one point to reach 100 for the first time in his career.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Avalanche #Oilers #persisting #litany #injuries">Deadspin | Avalanche, Oilers persisting through litany of injuries Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) celebrates with center Nathan MacKinnon (29) after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images The Colorado Avalanche clinched the Central Division and the NHL’s top overall seed. Now they are having a say in who is the other division winner in the Western Conference. Colorado (52-16-11, 115 points) completes back-to-back games against Pacific Division contenders when it plays at the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night. The Avalanche fell 3-2 in overtime to Vegas on Saturday night, allowing the Golden Knights to leapfrog the Oilers into first place. Edmonton and Vegas are in a battle with Anaheim for the Pacific Division title. The Oilers (40-30-10, 90 points) are limping to the finish of the regular season. Center Leon Draisaitl (lower-body injury) has not played since March 15 and may not be ready for the first round of the playoffs. Center Jason Dickinson is day-to-day after blocking a shot with his leg against San Jose last Wednesday. Winger Zach Hyman (undisclosed) has not played the last four games. In addition, winger Max Jones was helped off the ice in Edmonton’s 1-0 loss at Los Angeles on Saturday, further depleting the roster. The loss to the Kings — the fourth time the Oilers have been blanked this season — was the third in four games. Edmonton had won five in a row before this slide to move atop the division. “We’re playing the right style of hockey and we’re doing the right things,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said after losing to Los Angeles. “But some nights it just doesn’t go your way, you can’t get a goal, and (Saturday) was that night.” The Avalanche are also dealing with injuries, including one to head coach Jared Bednar. He sustained facial fractures and a corneal abrasion after he was struck on the right cheek with a puck early in the third period of the 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights on Saturday night in Denver. Bednar left the bench and didn’t return. He was later taken to a hospital to undergo a CT scan and further evaluation but was conscious and alert. Colorado said Bednar will not make the road trip to Edmonton and Calgary; assistant coaches Dave Hakstol and Nolan Pratt will run the team. “It’s certainly a little unnerving. It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there,” Pratt said after Saturday night’s game. “It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight, so it takes a little second to sort of recalibrate and then get back to it.” Bednar wasn’t the only injury the Avalanche suffered against Vegas. Defenseman Josh Manson left late in the second period with an upper-body injury and didn’t return for the third. There was no update on Manson’s availability for Monday. Colorado has been without star defenseman Cale Makar since March 30 due to an upper-body injury, but he is expected back for the playoffs. The Avalanche can be cautious with the roster after wrapping up the Presidents’ Trophy on Thursday night for the best regular-season record. The goals left are personal. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 52 goals, one more than Montreal’s Cole Caufield, and can join Milan Hejduk as the only Colorado players to win the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. Hejduk captured it in 2002-03 with 50 goals. Martin Necas needs one point to reach 100 for the first time in his career. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Avalanche #Oilers #persisting #litany #injuries

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