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Deadspin | ‘Patient’ Mariners chase elusive win vs. Rangers Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson looks on during the game between the Rangers and the Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson is preaching patience. Which is exactly what long-suffering fans of the Seattle Mariners — a franchise celebrating its 50th anniversary season while still seeking its first World Series appearance — don’t want to hear. The host Mariners were shut out this season for the fourth time in 21 games, tied for the most in the major leagues, by the American League West-leading Texas Rangers 5-0 on Friday night. It was Seattle’s fourth consecutive defeat and dropped them to 0-4 against the Rangers this season. The series will continue Saturday in Seattle. “We keep talking about it. We keep looking at things and talking about things and trying things,” Wilson said of the Mariners’ offense, which ranks 28th of 30 MLB teams with a .209 batting average. “But sometimes you look at things and at some point you got to get a break here or there to get things rolling. And just, it doesn’t seem like it’s been there for us right yet. “This is the time of year where you have to be patient. There’s a long season ahead of us.” Mariners third baseman and leadoff hitter Brendan Donovan, one of the offense’s few bright spots, had to leave after three innings Friday due to a left hip issue. Wilson said Donovan would be re-evaluated Saturday. Six Rangers pitchers combined on a six-hitter in the series opener as Jacob deGrom needed 88 pitches to get through four innings and didn’t last the requisite five frames to qualify for the decision. That gave rookie right-hander Gavin Collyer an opportunity for his first MLB victory, and he took advantage of it. “Yeah, Jacob, the pitch count just in the first inning, it drove up and just couldn’t really recover. He still gave us four shutout innings, but we had to cover a lot of innings in the bullpen,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “Jacob was grinding through it. I mean, he didn’t feel great the whole night, and then for the bullpen to come in and do what they did against a really tough team was really impressive. “And Collyer to get his first one. Pretty cool, be a good moment. It was just fun to see him go out there and execute like he did.” Wyatt Langford, Jake Burger and Josh Jung all contributed three hits to the Rangers’ 15-hit attack, and Brandon Nimmo provided the only run Texas needed when he hit a leadoff homer in the first inning. Saturday’s game is scheduled to feature a pair of right-handers in the Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 5.40 ERA) and the Mariners’ George Kirby (2-2, 3.25). Eovaldi has won his past two starts, including 3-2 against the visiting Mariners on April 7 when he went six innings and allowed two runs on six hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He then pitched seven scoreless innings in an 8-1 victory against the Athletics on Monday in West Sacramento, Calif. Eovaldi is 3-4 with a 5.27 ERA in 14 career starts against Seattle. Kirby snapped a two-start losing streak with a 6-2 victory against visiting Houston on Monday, when he allowed two runs over 7 2/3 innings. Kirby took the loss against the Rangers and Eovaldi on April 7 despite giving up three runs over eight innings. Kirby is 8-1 with a 1.31 ERA in 11 previous starts vs. the Rangers. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Patient #Mariners #chase #elusive #win #Rangers

Deadspin | ‘Patient’ Mariners chase elusive win vs. Rangers
Deadspin | ‘Patient’ Mariners chase elusive win vs. Rangers Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson looks on during the game between the Rangers and the Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson is preaching patience. Which is exactly what long-suffering fans of the Seattle Mariners — a franchise celebrating its 50th anniversary season while still seeking its first World Series appearance — don’t want to hear. The host Mariners were shut out this season for the fourth time in 21 games, tied for the most in the major leagues, by the American League West-leading Texas Rangers 5-0 on Friday night. It was Seattle’s fourth consecutive defeat and dropped them to 0-4 against the Rangers this season. The series will continue Saturday in Seattle. “We keep talking about it. We keep looking at things and talking about things and trying things,” Wilson said of the Mariners’ offense, which ranks 28th of 30 MLB teams with a .209 batting average. “But sometimes you look at things and at some point you got to get a break here or there to get things rolling. And just, it doesn’t seem like it’s been there for us right yet. “This is the time of year where you have to be patient. There’s a long season ahead of us.” Mariners third baseman and leadoff hitter Brendan Donovan, one of the offense’s few bright spots, had to leave after three innings Friday due to a left hip issue. Wilson said Donovan would be re-evaluated Saturday. Six Rangers pitchers combined on a six-hitter in the series opener as Jacob deGrom needed 88 pitches to get through four innings and didn’t last the requisite five frames to qualify for the decision. That gave rookie right-hander Gavin Collyer an opportunity for his first MLB victory, and he took advantage of it. “Yeah, Jacob, the pitch count just in the first inning, it drove up and just couldn’t really recover. He still gave us four shutout innings, but we had to cover a lot of innings in the bullpen,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “Jacob was grinding through it. I mean, he didn’t feel great the whole night, and then for the bullpen to come in and do what they did against a really tough team was really impressive. “And Collyer to get his first one. Pretty cool, be a good moment. It was just fun to see him go out there and execute like he did.” Wyatt Langford, Jake Burger and Josh Jung all contributed three hits to the Rangers’ 15-hit attack, and Brandon Nimmo provided the only run Texas needed when he hit a leadoff homer in the first inning. Saturday’s game is scheduled to feature a pair of right-handers in the Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 5.40 ERA) and the Mariners’ George Kirby (2-2, 3.25). Eovaldi has won his past two starts, including 3-2 against the visiting Mariners on April 7 when he went six innings and allowed two runs on six hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He then pitched seven scoreless innings in an 8-1 victory against the Athletics on Monday in West Sacramento, Calif. Eovaldi is 3-4 with a 5.27 ERA in 14 career starts against Seattle. Kirby snapped a two-start losing streak with a 6-2 victory against visiting Houston on Monday, when he allowed two runs over 7 2/3 innings. Kirby took the loss against the Rangers and Eovaldi on April 7 despite giving up three runs over eight innings. Kirby is 8-1 with a 1.31 ERA in 11 previous starts vs. the Rangers. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Patient #Mariners #chase #elusive #win #RangersApr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson looks on during the game between the Rangers and the Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson is preaching patience.

Which is exactly what long-suffering fans of the Seattle Mariners — a franchise celebrating its 50th anniversary season while still seeking its first World Series appearance — don’t want to hear.

The host Mariners were shut out this season for the fourth time in 21 games, tied for the most in the major leagues, by the American League West-leading Texas Rangers 5-0 on Friday night.

It was Seattle’s fourth consecutive defeat and dropped them to 0-4 against the Rangers this season. The series will continue Saturday in Seattle.

“We keep talking about it. We keep looking at things and talking about things and trying things,” Wilson said of the Mariners’ offense, which ranks 28th of 30 MLB teams with a .209 batting average. “But sometimes you look at things and at some point you got to get a break here or there to get things rolling. And just, it doesn’t seem like it’s been there for us right yet.

“This is the time of year where you have to be patient. There’s a long season ahead of us.”

Mariners third baseman and leadoff hitter Brendan Donovan, one of the offense’s few bright spots, had to leave after three innings Friday due to a left hip issue. Wilson said Donovan would be re-evaluated Saturday.

Six Rangers pitchers combined on a six-hitter in the series opener as Jacob deGrom needed 88 pitches to get through four innings and didn’t last the requisite five frames to qualify for the decision. That gave rookie right-hander Gavin Collyer an opportunity for his first MLB victory, and he took advantage of it.


“Yeah, Jacob, the pitch count just in the first inning, it drove up and just couldn’t really recover. He still gave us four shutout innings, but we had to cover a lot of innings in the bullpen,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “Jacob was grinding through it. I mean, he didn’t feel great the whole night, and then for the bullpen to come in and do what they did against a really tough team was really impressive.

“And Collyer to get his first one. Pretty cool, be a good moment. It was just fun to see him go out there and execute like he did.”

Wyatt Langford, Jake Burger and Josh Jung all contributed three hits to the Rangers’ 15-hit attack, and Brandon Nimmo provided the only run Texas needed when he hit a leadoff homer in the first inning.

Saturday’s game is scheduled to feature a pair of right-handers in the Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 5.40 ERA) and the Mariners’ George Kirby (2-2, 3.25).

Eovaldi has won his past two starts, including 3-2 against the visiting Mariners on April 7 when he went six innings and allowed two runs on six hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He then pitched seven scoreless innings in an 8-1 victory against the Athletics on Monday in West Sacramento, Calif.

Eovaldi is 3-4 with a 5.27 ERA in 14 career starts against Seattle.

Kirby snapped a two-start losing streak with a 6-2 victory against visiting Houston on Monday, when he allowed two runs over 7 2/3 innings. Kirby took the loss against the Rangers and Eovaldi on April 7 despite giving up three runs over eight innings.

Kirby is 8-1 with a 1.31 ERA in 11 previous starts vs. the Rangers.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Patient #Mariners #chase #elusive #win #Rangers

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Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson looks on during the game between the Rangers and the Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson is preaching patience.

Which is exactly what long-suffering fans of the Seattle Mariners — a franchise celebrating its 50th anniversary season while still seeking its first World Series appearance — don’t want to hear.

The host Mariners were shut out this season for the fourth time in 21 games, tied for the most in the major leagues, by the American League West-leading Texas Rangers 5-0 on Friday night.

It was Seattle’s fourth consecutive defeat and dropped them to 0-4 against the Rangers this season. The series will continue Saturday in Seattle.

“We keep talking about it. We keep looking at things and talking about things and trying things,” Wilson said of the Mariners’ offense, which ranks 28th of 30 MLB teams with a .209 batting average. “But sometimes you look at things and at some point you got to get a break here or there to get things rolling. And just, it doesn’t seem like it’s been there for us right yet.

“This is the time of year where you have to be patient. There’s a long season ahead of us.”

Mariners third baseman and leadoff hitter Brendan Donovan, one of the offense’s few bright spots, had to leave after three innings Friday due to a left hip issue. Wilson said Donovan would be re-evaluated Saturday.

Six Rangers pitchers combined on a six-hitter in the series opener as Jacob deGrom needed 88 pitches to get through four innings and didn’t last the requisite five frames to qualify for the decision. That gave rookie right-hander Gavin Collyer an opportunity for his first MLB victory, and he took advantage of it.

“Yeah, Jacob, the pitch count just in the first inning, it drove up and just couldn’t really recover. He still gave us four shutout innings, but we had to cover a lot of innings in the bullpen,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “Jacob was grinding through it. I mean, he didn’t feel great the whole night, and then for the bullpen to come in and do what they did against a really tough team was really impressive.

“And Collyer to get his first one. Pretty cool, be a good moment. It was just fun to see him go out there and execute like he did.”

Wyatt Langford, Jake Burger and Josh Jung all contributed three hits to the Rangers’ 15-hit attack, and Brandon Nimmo provided the only run Texas needed when he hit a leadoff homer in the first inning.

Saturday’s game is scheduled to feature a pair of right-handers in the Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 5.40 ERA) and the Mariners’ George Kirby (2-2, 3.25).

Eovaldi has won his past two starts, including 3-2 against the visiting Mariners on April 7 when he went six innings and allowed two runs on six hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He then pitched seven scoreless innings in an 8-1 victory against the Athletics on Monday in West Sacramento, Calif.

Eovaldi is 3-4 with a 5.27 ERA in 14 career starts against Seattle.

Kirby snapped a two-start losing streak with a 6-2 victory against visiting Houston on Monday, when he allowed two runs over 7 2/3 innings. Kirby took the loss against the Rangers and Eovaldi on April 7 despite giving up three runs over eight innings.

Kirby is 8-1 with a 1.31 ERA in 11 previous starts vs. the Rangers.

–Field Level Media

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Dortmund all but out of Bundesliga title race after Hoffenheim loss <div id="content-body-70878647" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric scored two penalties, including one ​deep in second-half stoppage time, to ‌give the host a 2-1 ​win over Borussia Dortmund ⁠on Saturday and gift Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich the chance to wrap up ‌the title with a win or a draw over ‌VfB Stuttgart on Sunday.</p><p>Dortmund is on ⁠64 points with four ⁠matches left, while Bayern is 12 points clear at the top and will win its second ‌successive league crown with a win or draw on Sunday.</p><p>Dortmund was on the back foot throughout the ‌encounter with Kramaric converting a ​42nd-minute penalty to give Hoffenheim a fully deserved lead.</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/bundesliga/marie-louise-eta-union-berlin-first-match-loss-wolfsburg-bundesliga-football-latest-news/article70878541.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Union Berlin loses on Marie-Louise Eta debut as Wolfsburg secures 2-1 win</a></b></p><p>The ⁠visitor showed no signs of a comeback in the second half ‌with Hoffenheim again in full control of the game, until Serhou Guirassy got the ball at the edge of the box and unleashed an unstoppable low ‌drive to level.</p><p>But Kramaric scored from the ​spot again in stoppage time, after a hand ball, to ⁠give the host the three points.</p><p>Hoffenheim ⁠moved up to fifth place on 54, two behind ‌fourth place, the last spot for a Champions League ticket ​next season.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 18, 2026</p></div> #Dortmund #Bundesliga #title #race #Hoffenheim #loss

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18 साल की दुल्हन और 13 साल का दूल्हा, प्रशासन ने रुकवाई शादी, इंदौर में बाल विवाह का अजीब मामला

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Deadspin | Lionel Messi’s brace helps Inter Miami slay Rapids in front of huge crowd Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks and scores a penalty kick in the first half against the Colorado Rapids at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Lionel Messi recorded a brace and German Berterame added a tally on a header as Inter Miami earned a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in Denver. Messi scored the go ahead goal in the 79th minute. He started a run just inside midfield and went unchallenged until the box where he blasted a shot into the upper part of the left corner for a 3-2 lead. Rafael Navarro and Darren Yapi each scored a goal for Colorado (4-4-0, 12 points) in a contest played in front of 75,824, the second-largest crowd in MLS history. Miami (4-1-3, 15 points) took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute after Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen’s pass was intercepted by Yannick Bright. Josh Atencio offered a hard challenge and drew a yellow card after video review. Messi took the resulting penalty kick and rolled a shot straight down the middle as Miami took a 1-0 lead. Colorado had a solid look at the goal when midfielder Wayne Frederick attempted a one-touch lob shot. Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair sprinted well beyond the penalty arc to head away a loose ball, but Frederick’s attempt sailed over the open net. In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Miami extended its lead to 2-0 as it connected on a series of passes deep in their attacking third. Messi got the run of play started with a tight touch pass to Rodrigo De Paul. De Paul sent Mateo Silvetti on a run to the boundary line. His inward-spinning cross floated to the front of the goal where Berterame rose above the Colorado defense and tucked a header under the cross bar. Navarro’s goal cut the Miami lead to 2-1. He started a run at midfield and used a step-over move to get an open shot a few steps into the box that tucked inside the left post past a diving St. Clair in the 58th minute. In the 62nd minute, second-half substitute Yapi settled on a direct pass from Lucas Herrington and sizzled a shot past St. Clair for the equalizer. Miami closed the win playing a man down as Bright was sent off with a red card in the 87th minute. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lionel #Messis #brace #helps #Inter #Miami #slay #Rapids #front #huge #crowdApr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks and scores a penalty kick in the first half against the Colorado Rapids at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Lionel Messi recorded a brace and German Berterame added a tally on a header as Inter Miami earned a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in Denver.

Messi scored the go ahead goal in the 79th minute. He started a run just inside midfield and went unchallenged until the box where he blasted a shot into the upper part of the left corner for a 3-2 lead.

Rafael Navarro and Darren Yapi each scored a goal for Colorado (4-4-0, 12 points) in a contest played in front of 75,824, the second-largest crowd in MLS history.

Miami (4-1-3, 15 points) took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute after Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen’s pass was intercepted by Yannick Bright. Josh Atencio offered a hard challenge and drew a yellow card after video review.

Messi took the resulting penalty kick and rolled a shot straight down the middle as Miami took a 1-0 lead.


Colorado had a solid look at the goal when midfielder Wayne Frederick attempted a one-touch lob shot. Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair sprinted well beyond the penalty arc to head away a loose ball, but Frederick’s attempt sailed over the open net.

In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Miami extended its lead to 2-0 as it connected on a series of passes deep in their attacking third. Messi got the run of play started with a tight touch pass to Rodrigo De Paul.

De Paul sent Mateo Silvetti on a run to the boundary line. His inward-spinning cross floated to the front of the goal where Berterame rose above the Colorado defense and tucked a header under the cross bar.

Navarro’s goal cut the Miami lead to 2-1. He started a run at midfield and used a step-over move to get an open shot a few steps into the box that tucked inside the left post past a diving St. Clair in the 58th minute.

In the 62nd minute, second-half substitute Yapi settled on a direct pass from Lucas Herrington and sizzled a shot past St. Clair for the equalizer.

Miami closed the win playing a man down as Bright was sent off with a red card in the 87th minute.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Lionel #Messis #brace #helps #Inter #Miami #slay #Rapids #front #huge #crowd">Deadspin | Lionel Messi’s brace helps Inter Miami slay Rapids in front of huge crowd Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks and scores a penalty kick in the first half against the Colorado Rapids at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Lionel Messi recorded a brace and German Berterame added a tally on a header as Inter Miami earned a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in Denver. Messi scored the go ahead goal in the 79th minute. He started a run just inside midfield and went unchallenged until the box where he blasted a shot into the upper part of the left corner for a 3-2 lead. Rafael Navarro and Darren Yapi each scored a goal for Colorado (4-4-0, 12 points) in a contest played in front of 75,824, the second-largest crowd in MLS history. Miami (4-1-3, 15 points) took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute after Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen’s pass was intercepted by Yannick Bright. Josh Atencio offered a hard challenge and drew a yellow card after video review. Messi took the resulting penalty kick and rolled a shot straight down the middle as Miami took a 1-0 lead. Colorado had a solid look at the goal when midfielder Wayne Frederick attempted a one-touch lob shot. Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair sprinted well beyond the penalty arc to head away a loose ball, but Frederick’s attempt sailed over the open net. In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Miami extended its lead to 2-0 as it connected on a series of passes deep in their attacking third. Messi got the run of play started with a tight touch pass to Rodrigo De Paul. De Paul sent Mateo Silvetti on a run to the boundary line. His inward-spinning cross floated to the front of the goal where Berterame rose above the Colorado defense and tucked a header under the cross bar. Navarro’s goal cut the Miami lead to 2-1. He started a run at midfield and used a step-over move to get an open shot a few steps into the box that tucked inside the left post past a diving St. Clair in the 58th minute. In the 62nd minute, second-half substitute Yapi settled on a direct pass from Lucas Herrington and sizzled a shot past St. Clair for the equalizer. Miami closed the win playing a man down as Bright was sent off with a red card in the 87th minute. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lionel #Messis #brace #helps #Inter #Miami #slay #Rapids #front #huge #crowd

Deadspin | Sabres’ first postseason since 2011 starts with confident Bruins Oct 11, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) dumps Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) battling for the puck during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images The Boston Bruins have won 11 Stanley Cup playoff rounds since the last time the Buffalo Sabres made the postseason. That experience seems to have Boston coach Marco Sturm oozing with confidence heading into Game 1 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Buffalo. “We know how we have to play, we’re going to be ready to go,” Sturm said Friday. “We’re excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical. We just have to be smart, but we’re going to go after them.” Buffalo forward Josh Doan said on Saturday that those comments have been seen and heard by the Sabres, who will play their first postseason game since April 26, 2011. “At the end of the day, I think our group trusts what we’re doing here and we’ll just let that play out throughout the series,” he said. “We’re going to stick to our game plan. So, it’s one of those things that you see, but at the end of the day there’s no real response from us in this room.” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff didn’t fire back either when asked about Sturm’s comments. “That’s his take on his team,” Ruff said. “I have a lot of respect for what our team has done and how we play and the speed we play the game. They’ve got a good team. I mean, they know who they are and we know who we are.” Boston won three out of four meetings with Buffalo this season, most recently a 4-3 overtime win on March 25 that moved the Bruins into a tie for third in the Atlantic Division at the time. Boston ultimately finished fourth in the Atlantic, six points behind the third-place Montreal Canadiens. That dropped the Bruins into the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot. The Bruins are just happy to get back into the postseason after missing out last season for the first time in nine years. “I think if you don’t enjoy (the Stanley Cup playoffs), you’re in the wrong sport or wrong place,” Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov said. “That’s playoff hockey. That’s pressure, that’s atmosphere, intensity, physicality, blood, sweat — you name it.” Leading the way for the Bruins will be 29-year-old forward David Pastrnak, who finished the regular season with exactly 100 points (29 goals, 71 assists) — the fourth straight year he has hit triple digits. After Pastrnak, however, the Bruins have a significant drop-off in point totals with Morgan Geekie next at 68 points (39 goals, 29 assists). Sturm said he doesn’t expect Ruff to try to match up line for line. “In the past, Lindy wasn’t really a big matchup guy,” Sturm said. “He did his thing, so we’ll see where it goes. Maybe he does it differently in the playoffs, but we don’t really care.” The Sabres not only ended the NHL’s longest active playoff drought at 14 years, they won the Atlantic Division by three points over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Buffalo doesn’t have a 100-point scorer, but Tage Thompson remains one of the top centers in the league. He followed up last year’s 44-goal output with 40 goals and 41 assists this year. The Sabres also boast one of the top offensive defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin, who finished second on the team with 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists). That ranked sixth among all NHL defensemen. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sabres #postseason #starts #confident #BruinsOct 11, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) dumps Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) battling for the puck during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

The Boston Bruins have won 11 Stanley Cup playoff rounds since the last time the Buffalo Sabres made the postseason.

That experience seems to have Boston coach Marco Sturm oozing with confidence heading into Game 1 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Buffalo.

“We know how we have to play, we’re going to be ready to go,” Sturm said Friday. “We’re excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical. We just have to be smart, but we’re going to go after them.”

Buffalo forward Josh Doan said on Saturday that those comments have been seen and heard by the Sabres, who will play their first postseason game since April 26, 2011.

“At the end of the day, I think our group trusts what we’re doing here and we’ll just let that play out throughout the series,” he said. “We’re going to stick to our game plan. So, it’s one of those things that you see, but at the end of the day there’s no real response from us in this room.”

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff didn’t fire back either when asked about Sturm’s comments.

“That’s his take on his team,” Ruff said. “I have a lot of respect for what our team has done and how we play and the speed we play the game. They’ve got a good team. I mean, they know who they are and we know who we are.”

Boston won three out of four meetings with Buffalo this season, most recently a 4-3 overtime win on March 25 that moved the Bruins into a tie for third in the Atlantic Division at the time.

Boston ultimately finished fourth in the Atlantic, six points behind the third-place Montreal Canadiens. That dropped the Bruins into the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot.


The Bruins are just happy to get back into the postseason after missing out last season for the first time in nine years.

“I think if you don’t enjoy (the Stanley Cup playoffs), you’re in the wrong sport or wrong place,” Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov said. “That’s playoff hockey. That’s pressure, that’s atmosphere, intensity, physicality, blood, sweat — you name it.”

Leading the way for the Bruins will be 29-year-old forward David Pastrnak, who finished the regular season with exactly 100 points (29 goals, 71 assists) — the fourth straight year he has hit triple digits.

After Pastrnak, however, the Bruins have a significant drop-off in point totals with Morgan Geekie next at 68 points (39 goals, 29 assists).

Sturm said he doesn’t expect Ruff to try to match up line for line.

“In the past, Lindy wasn’t really a big matchup guy,” Sturm said. “He did his thing, so we’ll see where it goes. Maybe he does it differently in the playoffs, but we don’t really care.”

The Sabres not only ended the NHL’s longest active playoff drought at 14 years, they won the Atlantic Division by three points over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Buffalo doesn’t have a 100-point scorer, but Tage Thompson remains one of the top centers in the league. He followed up last year’s 44-goal output with 40 goals and 41 assists this year.

The Sabres also boast one of the top offensive defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin, who finished second on the team with 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists). That ranked sixth among all NHL defensemen.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sabres #postseason #starts #confident #Bruins">Deadspin | Sabres’ first postseason since 2011 starts with confident Bruins Oct 11, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) dumps Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) battling for the puck during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images The Boston Bruins have won 11 Stanley Cup playoff rounds since the last time the Buffalo Sabres made the postseason. That experience seems to have Boston coach Marco Sturm oozing with confidence heading into Game 1 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Buffalo. “We know how we have to play, we’re going to be ready to go,” Sturm said Friday. “We’re excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical. We just have to be smart, but we’re going to go after them.” Buffalo forward Josh Doan said on Saturday that those comments have been seen and heard by the Sabres, who will play their first postseason game since April 26, 2011. “At the end of the day, I think our group trusts what we’re doing here and we’ll just let that play out throughout the series,” he said. “We’re going to stick to our game plan. So, it’s one of those things that you see, but at the end of the day there’s no real response from us in this room.” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff didn’t fire back either when asked about Sturm’s comments. “That’s his take on his team,” Ruff said. “I have a lot of respect for what our team has done and how we play and the speed we play the game. They’ve got a good team. I mean, they know who they are and we know who we are.” Boston won three out of four meetings with Buffalo this season, most recently a 4-3 overtime win on March 25 that moved the Bruins into a tie for third in the Atlantic Division at the time. Boston ultimately finished fourth in the Atlantic, six points behind the third-place Montreal Canadiens. That dropped the Bruins into the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot. The Bruins are just happy to get back into the postseason after missing out last season for the first time in nine years. “I think if you don’t enjoy (the Stanley Cup playoffs), you’re in the wrong sport or wrong place,” Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov said. “That’s playoff hockey. That’s pressure, that’s atmosphere, intensity, physicality, blood, sweat — you name it.” Leading the way for the Bruins will be 29-year-old forward David Pastrnak, who finished the regular season with exactly 100 points (29 goals, 71 assists) — the fourth straight year he has hit triple digits. After Pastrnak, however, the Bruins have a significant drop-off in point totals with Morgan Geekie next at 68 points (39 goals, 29 assists). Sturm said he doesn’t expect Ruff to try to match up line for line. “In the past, Lindy wasn’t really a big matchup guy,” Sturm said. “He did his thing, so we’ll see where it goes. Maybe he does it differently in the playoffs, but we don’t really care.” The Sabres not only ended the NHL’s longest active playoff drought at 14 years, they won the Atlantic Division by three points over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Buffalo doesn’t have a 100-point scorer, but Tage Thompson remains one of the top centers in the league. He followed up last year’s 44-goal output with 40 goals and 41 assists this year. The Sabres also boast one of the top offensive defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin, who finished second on the team with 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists). That ranked sixth among all NHL defensemen. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sabres #postseason #starts #confident #Bruins

The 2026 NFL Draft is not for a few more days.

But a seismic trade has just shaken up the first round.

The New York Giants have agreed to trade defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the tenth-overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. After Lawrence and the Giants reached an impasse in contract negotiations, the standout defender asked for a trade, and New York has decided to move him to the Bengals, getting the tenth-overall pick in return.

Now the Giants have two picks inside the top ten next week (No. 5 and No. 10) while the Bengals have another big addition to their defensive front.

Let’s hand out some grades.

New York Giants grade for Dexter Lawrence trade

When negotiations between the Giants and Lawrence stalled, it was believed that the standout defensive lineman would fetch a late first-round selection in a trade.

Instead, Joe Schoen and the Giants have received the tenth-overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and now the Giants have a pair of picks inside the top ten to work with. The Giants will be on the clock at No. 5, and again at No. 10.

This gives Schoen and the Giants a ton of flexibility next week. They can still add a premium defender inside the top ten — as many believed the Giants were going to do ahead of the Lawrence deal — and they can also address their offensive line, or add a weapon for Jaxson Dart in the passing game, with a pick inside the top ten.

As noted by Peter Schrager, the Giants’ brass spent the past few days in Arizona meeting with Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson ahead of the private workout he held with NFL teams:

New York could use that tenth pick on Tyson now.

Either way, this move not only sees the Giants get a big return for a player that wanted out, but now they have two picks inside the top ten … and a lot of flexibility.

Cincinnati Bengals grade for Dexter Lawrence trade

Sitting at No. 10 in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals were in position to add a potential premium defender next week.

By using that trade on Lawrence, they guaranteed themselves a premium defender.

This is an aggressive move by the Bengals, but it fits with the team’s “win-now” mentality and also fits with other offseason acquisitions. Cincinnati already added Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook to their defense this offseason, By adding Lawrence as well, the Bengals have vastly improved that side of the ball, at least on paper.

So yes, now the Bengals cannot add a top-flight rookie defender in this spot. But they get a proven, elite defender in Lawrence and continue the improvements on that side of the ball.

The player they could have drafted at No. 10 may turn out to be elite.

#Dexter #Lawrence #trade #grades #BengalsGiants #NFL #blockbuster">Dexter Lawrence trade grades after Bengals-Giants NFL blockbuster The 2026 NFL Draft is not for a few more days.But a seismic trade has just shaken up the first round.The New York Giants have agreed to trade defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the tenth-overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. After Lawrence and the Giants reached an impasse in contract negotiations, the standout defender asked for a trade, and New York has decided to move him to the Bengals, getting the tenth-overall pick in return.Now the Giants have two picks inside the top ten next week (No. 5 and No. 10) while the Bengals have another big addition to their defensive front.Let’s hand out some grades.New York Giants grade for Dexter Lawrence tradeWhen negotiations between the Giants and Lawrence stalled, it was believed that the standout defensive lineman would fetch a late first-round selection in a trade.Instead, Joe Schoen and the Giants have received the tenth-overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and now the Giants have a pair of picks inside the top ten to work with. The Giants will be on the clock at No. 5, and again at No. 10.This gives Schoen and the Giants a ton of flexibility next week. They can still add a premium defender inside the top ten — as many believed the Giants were going to do ahead of the Lawrence deal — and they can also address their offensive line, or add a weapon for Jaxson Dart in the passing game, with a pick inside the top ten.As noted by Peter Schrager, the Giants’ brass spent the past few days in Arizona meeting with Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson ahead of the private workout he held with NFL teams:New York could use that tenth pick on Tyson now.Either way, this move not only sees the Giants get a big return for a player that wanted out, but now they have two picks inside the top ten … and a lot of flexibility.Cincinnati Bengals grade for Dexter Lawrence tradeSitting at No. 10 in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals were in position to add a potential premium defender next week.By using that trade on Lawrence, they guaranteed themselves a premium defender.This is an aggressive move by the Bengals, but it fits with the team’s “win-now” mentality and also fits with other offseason acquisitions. Cincinnati already added Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook to their defense this offseason, By adding Lawrence as well, the Bengals have vastly improved that side of the ball, at least on paper.So yes, now the Bengals cannot add a top-flight rookie defender in this spot. But they get a proven, elite defender in Lawrence and continue the improvements on that side of the ball.The player they could have drafted at No. 10 may turn out to be elite. #Dexter #Lawrence #trade #grades #BengalsGiants #NFL #blockbuster

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