Deadspin | Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers bid to halt slide in clash vs. Pirates Apr 19, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) throws against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images The Milwaukee Brewers will turn to hard-throwing Jacob Misiorowski as they look to snap a three-game skid when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night. Misiorowski (1-2, 3.04 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander Mitch Keller (2-1, 2.79). Paul Skenes and two relievers combined on a one-hitter to pace the Pirates to a 6-0 victory in the series opener Friday. Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, took a perfect game into seventh inning before allowing a two-out single to Jake Bauers. Konnor Griffin celebrated his 20th birthday with his first career homer, two singles and three RBIs as Pittsburgh snapped an eight-game losing streak to Milwaukee. Misiorowski struck out nine in five innings his last time out but took the loss in a 5-3 defeat at Miami on Sunday. He allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits with three walks. Misiorowski has 42 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings this season, and opponents are batting just .177 against him. He is 2-0 with an 0.75 ERA in two career starts against the Pirates, allowing just one run in 12 innings with 16 strikeouts. The Brewers, missing much of their power with Jackson Chourio, Andrew Vaughn and Christian Yelich all injured, have just one homer in their last nine games. Milwaukee lost 5-4 on Thursday at Detroit, which started Tarik Skubal before the Brewers faced a Cy Young winner, Skenes, in consecutive games. “The two guys were really, really top notch, especially when you’ve got a decimated lineup,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Friday. “We’ve got three of our top hitters out. You take three hitters out of any lineup and face those guys, it’ll be tough.” Milwaukee is playing an NL Central rival for the first time this season. Each team in the division is above .500. Pittsburgh has not lost back-to-back games since falling in the first two games of the season. “The division is strong,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said after Friday’s win. “Teams are playing really well, and again, we have to continue to do what we do. Come show up every day and compete like that regardless of what happens. We’ll enjoy this one for a little bit tonight, but we’ve got to get ready for tomorrow.” Keller is coming off a solid outing, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings of a 6-3 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday. He has allowed nine runs in 29 innings in his five starts this season, but five runs came in a four-inning outing in a 5-4 loss to Washington on April 14. Keller has struggled against the Brewers over his career, going 1-7 with a 5.31 ERA in 12 starts against them. He was 0-2 with a 4.96 ERA last season in three starts vs. Milwaukee, allowing nine runs on 20 hits in 16 1/3 innings. Pittsburgh’s Nick Gonzales had an RBI single Friday to extend his hitting streak to five games, batting .421 (8-for-19) over that span. Teammate Spencer Horwitz also had an RBI single in the series opener. In 16 career games vs. Milwaukee, he is hitting .311 with five doubles, a homer and seven RBIs. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jacob #Misiorowski #Brewers #bid #halt #slide #clash #Pirates

Deadspin | Dan Vladar good to go for Flyers in Game 4; Penguins turn to Arturs Silovs Apr 20, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) makes a save as Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Anthony Mantha (39) looks for a rebound during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The Philadelphia Flyers are soaring through their first-round playoff series thanks to Dan Vladar, who has been confirmed to start Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Philadelphia leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 after notching a pair of wins in Pittsburgh followed by a 5-2 home victory Wednesday. Vladar made 27 saves in Game 3, but injured his right arm during a chaotic sequence in front of the net in the third period. While Vladar, 28, finished Game 3 without further incident, he did not practice on Thursday and the team had Friday off before he participated in Saturday’s morning skate. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed on Saturday morning that Vladar will start Game 4. After a strong regular season, Vladar has a .946 save percentage in this series that includes a 27-save shutout in Game 2. If Vladar had been unable to play on Saturday, then fourth-year veteran Samuel Ersson was set to make his postseason debut. “I feel like I’m in a good spot with my game,” said Ersson, who has not played since April 14. Of course, it will help if the Flyers continue to receive scoring production from up and down their lineup. The team had five goal-scorers in Game 3, including four who registered their first career playoff tally. Trevor Zegras and Noah Cates each had a goal and an assist for Philadelphia, which has won six straight games dating back to the regular season. The Flyers will try to ride the momentum of their home crowd to their first series victory since 2020. “That was the craziest building I’ve ever played in,” defenseman Nick Seeler said of the Game 3 atmosphere. “The fans were fantastic.” Part of the chaotic atmosphere was a product of a penalty-filled second period in which the teams combined for 17 penalties. Penguins coach Dan Muse was not happy about how the officials handled the physicality in that period, but his squad doesn’t have time to dwell on their recent losses. “We have to win a hockey game,” Muse said. “So, we’ll have a practice (Friday) and get ready for that game and then go into that game and we need to win a game. That’s entirely where the focus is right now.” Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Erik Karlsson scored in Game 3 for Pittsburgh, which has dropped six straight contests going back to the regular season. Malkin has two goals in this series, which equals the rest of his teammates combined. “Now we’re going to see what we’re really made of,” Karlsson said. “Now it’s do-or-die. The toughest game to win is that fourth one, so hopefully we can start by winning one.” Only four teams in NHL history have come back from a 3-0 series deficit to win the final four games. It hasn’t happened in more than a decade — the Los Angeles Kings turned the trick against the San Jose Sharks in 2014 — and the Penguins have never accomplished it. “There’s not much room for error when you’re in this position. That’s reality,” Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said. “But the fact is, we’ve got to win a game. That’s got to be our focus. You can’t grab three on Saturday. You’ve got to win one.” The Penguins are making a goaltending change, with Arturs Silovs getting the nod over Stuart Skinner. “Both guys have played very well for us all year,” Muse said of Silovs and Skinner. “You go through the entire regular season, both guys have won big games. We have a lot of confidence in both guys. Decision isn’t based on Stu’s play; I thought Stu’s played really well this series. “We lost three games and so (we) decided that we made some changes there in the lineup.” Skinner, who started the first three games, has a 3.08 goals-against average and .873 save percentage in the series. Silovs, 25, posted a 19-12-8 record with two shutouts and a 3.07 GAA and .888 save percentage in 39 games (38 starts) this season. Two seasons ago with the Vancouver Canucks, Silovs went 5-5 in 10 playoff starts with a 2.91 GAA and .898 save percentage. “I think you’ve seen in his day to day, just his preparation, he’s a competitor, whether it’s in practice or in games,” Muse said. “You can say that obviously with both guys, but I think it’s a good thing and it’s a benefit to us, is you’ve got both guys that have been in a lot of big games, with Arty just going back to playoffs, Olympics, World Championships. He’s a young guy, but he has had a lot of big moments that he’s been in, and he’s attacked those big moments.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Dan #Vladar #good #Flyers #Game #Penguins #turn #Arturs #Silovs

#Deadspin #Dan #Vladar #good #Flyers #Game #Penguins #turn #Arturs #Silovs">

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Apr 20, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) makes a save as Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Anthony Mantha (39) looks for a rebound during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Flyers are soaring through their first-round playoff series thanks to Dan Vladar, who has been confirmed to start Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

Philadelphia leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 after notching a pair of wins in Pittsburgh followed by a 5-2 home victory Wednesday. Vladar made 27 saves in Game 3, but injured his right arm during a chaotic sequence in front of the net in the third period.

While Vladar, 28, finished Game 3 without further incident, he did not practice on Thursday and the team had Friday off before he participated in Saturday’s morning skate. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed on Saturday morning that Vladar will start Game 4.

After a strong regular season, Vladar has a .946 save percentage in this series that includes a 27-save shutout in Game 2. If Vladar had been unable to play on Saturday, then fourth-year veteran Samuel Ersson was set to make his postseason debut.

“I feel like I’m in a good spot with my game,” said Ersson, who has not played since April 14.

Of course, it will help if the Flyers continue to receive scoring production from up and down their lineup. The team had five goal-scorers in Game 3, including four who registered their first career playoff tally.

Trevor Zegras and Noah Cates each had a goal and an assist for Philadelphia, which has won six straight games dating back to the regular season. The Flyers will try to ride the momentum of their home crowd to their first series victory since 2020.

“That was the craziest building I’ve ever played in,” defenseman Nick Seeler said of the Game 3 atmosphere. “The fans were fantastic.”

Part of the chaotic atmosphere was a product of a penalty-filled second period in which the teams combined for 17 penalties. Penguins coach Dan Muse was not happy about how the officials handled the physicality in that period, but his squad doesn’t have time to dwell on their recent losses.

“We have to win a hockey game,” Muse said. “So, we’ll have a practice (Friday) and get ready for that game and then go into that game and we need to win a game. That’s entirely where the focus is right now.”

Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Erik Karlsson scored in Game 3 for Pittsburgh, which has dropped six straight contests going back to the regular season. Malkin has two goals in this series, which equals the rest of his teammates combined.

“Now we’re going to see what we’re really made of,” Karlsson said. “Now it’s do-or-die. The toughest game to win is that fourth one, so hopefully we can start by winning one.”

Only four teams in NHL history have come back from a 3-0 series deficit to win the final four games. It hasn’t happened in more than a decade — the Los Angeles Kings turned the trick against the San Jose Sharks in 2014 — and the Penguins have never accomplished it.

“There’s not much room for error when you’re in this position. That’s reality,” Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said. “But the fact is, we’ve got to win a game. That’s got to be our focus. You can’t grab three on Saturday. You’ve got to win one.”

The Penguins are making a goaltending change, with Arturs Silovs getting the nod over Stuart Skinner.

“Both guys have played very well for us all year,” Muse said of Silovs and Skinner. “You go through the entire regular season, both guys have won big games. We have a lot of confidence in both guys. Decision isn’t based on Stu’s play; I thought Stu’s played really well this series.

“We lost three games and so (we) decided that we made some changes there in the lineup.”

Skinner, who started the first three games, has a 3.08 goals-against average and .873 save percentage in the series.

Silovs, 25, posted a 19-12-8 record with two shutouts and a 3.07 GAA and .888 save percentage in 39 games (38 starts) this season. Two seasons ago with the Vancouver Canucks, Silovs went 5-5 in 10 playoff starts with a 2.91 GAA and .898 save percentage.

“I think you’ve seen in his day to day, just his preparation, he’s a competitor, whether it’s in practice or in games,” Muse said. “You can say that obviously with both guys, but I think it’s a good thing and it’s a benefit to us, is you’ve got both guys that have been in a lot of big games, with Arty just going back to playoffs, Olympics, World Championships. He’s a young guy, but he has had a lot of big moments that he’s been in, and he’s attacked those big moments.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Dan #Vladar #good #Flyers #Game #Penguins #turn #Arturs #Silovs">Deadspin | Dan Vladar good to go for Flyers in Game 4; Penguins turn to Arturs Silovs

Apr 20, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) makes a save as Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Anthony Mantha (39) looks for a rebound during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Flyers are soaring through their first-round playoff series thanks to Dan Vladar, who has been confirmed to start Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

Philadelphia leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 after notching a pair of wins in Pittsburgh followed by a 5-2 home victory Wednesday. Vladar made 27 saves in Game 3, but injured his right arm during a chaotic sequence in front of the net in the third period.

While Vladar, 28, finished Game 3 without further incident, he did not practice on Thursday and the team had Friday off before he participated in Saturday’s morning skate. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed on Saturday morning that Vladar will start Game 4.

After a strong regular season, Vladar has a .946 save percentage in this series that includes a 27-save shutout in Game 2. If Vladar had been unable to play on Saturday, then fourth-year veteran Samuel Ersson was set to make his postseason debut.

“I feel like I’m in a good spot with my game,” said Ersson, who has not played since April 14.

Of course, it will help if the Flyers continue to receive scoring production from up and down their lineup. The team had five goal-scorers in Game 3, including four who registered their first career playoff tally.

Trevor Zegras and Noah Cates each had a goal and an assist for Philadelphia, which has won six straight games dating back to the regular season. The Flyers will try to ride the momentum of their home crowd to their first series victory since 2020.

“That was the craziest building I’ve ever played in,” defenseman Nick Seeler said of the Game 3 atmosphere. “The fans were fantastic.”

Part of the chaotic atmosphere was a product of a penalty-filled second period in which the teams combined for 17 penalties. Penguins coach Dan Muse was not happy about how the officials handled the physicality in that period, but his squad doesn’t have time to dwell on their recent losses.

“We have to win a hockey game,” Muse said. “So, we’ll have a practice (Friday) and get ready for that game and then go into that game and we need to win a game. That’s entirely where the focus is right now.”

Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Erik Karlsson scored in Game 3 for Pittsburgh, which has dropped six straight contests going back to the regular season. Malkin has two goals in this series, which equals the rest of his teammates combined.

“Now we’re going to see what we’re really made of,” Karlsson said. “Now it’s do-or-die. The toughest game to win is that fourth one, so hopefully we can start by winning one.”

Only four teams in NHL history have come back from a 3-0 series deficit to win the final four games. It hasn’t happened in more than a decade — the Los Angeles Kings turned the trick against the San Jose Sharks in 2014 — and the Penguins have never accomplished it.

“There’s not much room for error when you’re in this position. That’s reality,” Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said. “But the fact is, we’ve got to win a game. That’s got to be our focus. You can’t grab three on Saturday. You’ve got to win one.”

The Penguins are making a goaltending change, with Arturs Silovs getting the nod over Stuart Skinner.

“Both guys have played very well for us all year,” Muse said of Silovs and Skinner. “You go through the entire regular season, both guys have won big games. We have a lot of confidence in both guys. Decision isn’t based on Stu’s play; I thought Stu’s played really well this series.

“We lost three games and so (we) decided that we made some changes there in the lineup.”

Skinner, who started the first three games, has a 3.08 goals-against average and .873 save percentage in the series.

Silovs, 25, posted a 19-12-8 record with two shutouts and a 3.07 GAA and .888 save percentage in 39 games (38 starts) this season. Two seasons ago with the Vancouver Canucks, Silovs went 5-5 in 10 playoff starts with a 2.91 GAA and .898 save percentage.

“I think you’ve seen in his day to day, just his preparation, he’s a competitor, whether it’s in practice or in games,” Muse said. “You can say that obviously with both guys, but I think it’s a good thing and it’s a benefit to us, is you’ve got both guys that have been in a lot of big games, with Arty just going back to playoffs, Olympics, World Championships. He’s a young guy, but he has had a lot of big moments that he’s been in, and he’s attacked those big moments.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Dan #Vladar #good #Flyers #Game #Penguins #turn #Arturs #Silovs

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