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Deadspin | Mammoth return home with season on line vs. resilient Golden Knights  Apr 29, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) skates around Vegas Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) during the first overtime period of game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images   After their second consecutive 5-4 overtime loss on Wednesday, you might expect the Utah Mammoth to be a little demoralized heading into Game 6 of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights.  But the mood around the Mammoth was surprisingly upbeat heading back to Salt Lake City for their must-win matchup with the Pacific Division champions.  “We’re a confident group,” Utah captain Clayton Keller said. “We believe in one another and in our team, and I think these are the most fun games to be a part of. Down 3-2, we get to go home, play in front of our fans. If you’re not fired up for that, then you’ve got something wrong with you.”  The Mammoth lost on a Shea Theodore overtime goal in their last game on home ice on Monday, blowing a 4-3 third-period lead in the process.  As painful as that was, Wednesday’s 5-4 double-overtime loss had to be even more of a gut punch. The Golden Knights tied it with a 6-on-5 goal from Pavel Dorofeyev with 52.7 seconds left, then won it on Brett Howden’s short-handed goal 5:28 into the second overtime.  “We’re right there,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “We knew it would be a fight. It is what it is. We want to go back to Salt Lake for Game 6 in front of our fans, and we’ll give it our all and we’ll work from there. But I think we’re really confident in what we can achieve out there.  “I like the fight in our guys. I like our execution. Now it comes down to one game.”  “Go win one at home. I think that’s our focus,” Mammoth forward Lawson Crouse added. “… We have to win. We’ve got to step up and do it on our home ice. We’ve got incredible fans back home, and we’re excited to get going again.”   It won’t be easy. Vegas has a strong veteran group that won the 2023 Stanley Cup and has excelled at finding ways to win games when trailing late in contests.  The Golden Knights led the NHL in the regular season with 108 goals in the third period, and they’ve rallied in the third period in each of their three wins in the series.  “It’s something that we’ve prided ourselves on all season,” center Jack Eichel said. “So much credit to guys in the locker room. There’s a calmness and a confidence within our group.”  There have been 29 teams in NHL history that have trailed in the third period of each of the first five games of a playoff series. This year’s Golden Knights are the first such team to lead the series through five games, per Opta.  “You need to have that come from within the room,” Vegas coach John Tortorella added. “We’ve seen it through five games. You can tell they never feel like they’re out of it.”  History would appear to be on the Golden Knights’ side after Wednesday’s dramatic come-from-behind win. In its nine-year history, Vegas has won all eight of its series where it won Game 5.  Game 7, if needed, is scheduled for Sunday in Las Vegas.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Mammoth #return #home #season #line #resilient #Golden #Knights

Deadspin | Mammoth return home with season on line vs. resilient Golden Knights
Deadspin | Mammoth return home with season on line vs. resilient Golden Knights  Apr 29, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) skates around Vegas Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) during the first overtime period of game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images   After their second consecutive 5-4 overtime loss on Wednesday, you might expect the Utah Mammoth to be a little demoralized heading into Game 6 of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights.  But the mood around the Mammoth was surprisingly upbeat heading back to Salt Lake City for their must-win matchup with the Pacific Division champions.  “We’re a confident group,” Utah captain Clayton Keller said. “We believe in one another and in our team, and I think these are the most fun games to be a part of. Down 3-2, we get to go home, play in front of our fans. If you’re not fired up for that, then you’ve got something wrong with you.”  The Mammoth lost on a Shea Theodore overtime goal in their last game on home ice on Monday, blowing a 4-3 third-period lead in the process.  As painful as that was, Wednesday’s 5-4 double-overtime loss had to be even more of a gut punch. The Golden Knights tied it with a 6-on-5 goal from Pavel Dorofeyev with 52.7 seconds left, then won it on Brett Howden’s short-handed goal 5:28 into the second overtime.  “We’re right there,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “We knew it would be a fight. It is what it is. We want to go back to Salt Lake for Game 6 in front of our fans, and we’ll give it our all and we’ll work from there. But I think we’re really confident in what we can achieve out there.  “I like the fight in our guys. I like our execution. Now it comes down to one game.”  “Go win one at home. I think that’s our focus,” Mammoth forward Lawson Crouse added. “… We have to win. We’ve got to step up and do it on our home ice. We’ve got incredible fans back home, and we’re excited to get going again.”   It won’t be easy. Vegas has a strong veteran group that won the 2023 Stanley Cup and has excelled at finding ways to win games when trailing late in contests.  The Golden Knights led the NHL in the regular season with 108 goals in the third period, and they’ve rallied in the third period in each of their three wins in the series.  “It’s something that we’ve prided ourselves on all season,” center Jack Eichel said. “So much credit to guys in the locker room. There’s a calmness and a confidence within our group.”  There have been 29 teams in NHL history that have trailed in the third period of each of the first five games of a playoff series. This year’s Golden Knights are the first such team to lead the series through five games, per Opta.  “You need to have that come from within the room,” Vegas coach John Tortorella added. “We’ve seen it through five games. You can tell they never feel like they’re out of it.”  History would appear to be on the Golden Knights’ side after Wednesday’s dramatic come-from-behind win. In its nine-year history, Vegas has won all eight of its series where it won Game 5.  Game 7, if needed, is scheduled for Sunday in Las Vegas.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Mammoth #return #home #season #line #resilient #Golden #KnightsApr 29, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) skates around Vegas Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) during the first overtime period of game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

After their second consecutive 5-4 overtime loss on Wednesday, you might expect the Utah Mammoth to be a little demoralized heading into Game 6 of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights.

But the mood around the Mammoth was surprisingly upbeat heading back to Salt Lake City for their must-win matchup with the Pacific Division champions.

“We’re a confident group,” Utah captain Clayton Keller said. “We believe in one another and in our team, and I think these are the most fun games to be a part of. Down 3-2, we get to go home, play in front of our fans. If you’re not fired up for that, then you’ve got something wrong with you.”

The Mammoth lost on a Shea Theodore overtime goal in their last game on home ice on Monday, blowing a 4-3 third-period lead in the process.

As painful as that was, Wednesday’s 5-4 double-overtime loss had to be even more of a gut punch. The Golden Knights tied it with a 6-on-5 goal from Pavel Dorofeyev with 52.7 seconds left, then won it on Brett Howden’s short-handed goal 5:28 into the second overtime.

“We’re right there,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “We knew it would be a fight. It is what it is. We want to go back to Salt Lake for Game 6 in front of our fans, and we’ll give it our all and we’ll work from there. But I think we’re really confident in what we can achieve out there.

“I like the fight in our guys. I like our execution. Now it comes down to one game.”


“Go win one at home. I think that’s our focus,” Mammoth forward Lawson Crouse added. “… We have to win. We’ve got to step up and do it on our home ice. We’ve got incredible fans back home, and we’re excited to get going again.”

It won’t be easy. Vegas has a strong veteran group that won the 2023 Stanley Cup and has excelled at finding ways to win games when trailing late in contests.

The Golden Knights led the NHL in the regular season with 108 goals in the third period, and they’ve rallied in the third period in each of their three wins in the series.

“It’s something that we’ve prided ourselves on all season,” center Jack Eichel said. “So much credit to guys in the locker room. There’s a calmness and a confidence within our group.”

There have been 29 teams in NHL history that have trailed in the third period of each of the first five games of a playoff series. This year’s Golden Knights are the first such team to lead the series through five games, per Opta.

“You need to have that come from within the room,” Vegas coach John Tortorella added. “We’ve seen it through five games. You can tell they never feel like they’re out of it.”

History would appear to be on the Golden Knights’ side after Wednesday’s dramatic come-from-behind win. In its nine-year history, Vegas has won all eight of its series where it won Game 5.

Game 7, if needed, is scheduled for Sunday in Las Vegas.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Mammoth #return #home #season #line #resilient #Golden #Knights

Apr 29, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) skates around Vegas Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) during the first overtime period of game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

After their second consecutive 5-4 overtime loss on Wednesday, you might expect the Utah Mammoth to be a little demoralized heading into Game 6 of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights.

But the mood around the Mammoth was surprisingly upbeat heading back to Salt Lake City for their must-win matchup with the Pacific Division champions.

“We’re a confident group,” Utah captain Clayton Keller said. “We believe in one another and in our team, and I think these are the most fun games to be a part of. Down 3-2, we get to go home, play in front of our fans. If you’re not fired up for that, then you’ve got something wrong with you.”

The Mammoth lost on a Shea Theodore overtime goal in their last game on home ice on Monday, blowing a 4-3 third-period lead in the process.

As painful as that was, Wednesday’s 5-4 double-overtime loss had to be even more of a gut punch. The Golden Knights tied it with a 6-on-5 goal from Pavel Dorofeyev with 52.7 seconds left, then won it on Brett Howden’s short-handed goal 5:28 into the second overtime.

“We’re right there,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “We knew it would be a fight. It is what it is. We want to go back to Salt Lake for Game 6 in front of our fans, and we’ll give it our all and we’ll work from there. But I think we’re really confident in what we can achieve out there.

“I like the fight in our guys. I like our execution. Now it comes down to one game.”

“Go win one at home. I think that’s our focus,” Mammoth forward Lawson Crouse added. “… We have to win. We’ve got to step up and do it on our home ice. We’ve got incredible fans back home, and we’re excited to get going again.”

It won’t be easy. Vegas has a strong veteran group that won the 2023 Stanley Cup and has excelled at finding ways to win games when trailing late in contests.

The Golden Knights led the NHL in the regular season with 108 goals in the third period, and they’ve rallied in the third period in each of their three wins in the series.

“It’s something that we’ve prided ourselves on all season,” center Jack Eichel said. “So much credit to guys in the locker room. There’s a calmness and a confidence within our group.”

There have been 29 teams in NHL history that have trailed in the third period of each of the first five games of a playoff series. This year’s Golden Knights are the first such team to lead the series through five games, per Opta.

“You need to have that come from within the room,” Vegas coach John Tortorella added. “We’ve seen it through five games. You can tell they never feel like they’re out of it.”

History would appear to be on the Golden Knights’ side after Wednesday’s dramatic come-from-behind win. In its nine-year history, Vegas has won all eight of its series where it won Game 5.

Game 7, if needed, is scheduled for Sunday in Las Vegas.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Mammoth #return #home #season #line #resilient #Golden #Knights

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick celebrated the return of winger Raphinha from injury on Friday as the Catalans close in on the La Liga 2025-26 title.

Flick’s team is 11 points clear of second-place Real Madrid and can win a second successive league title this weekend if it beats Osasuna on Saturday and Los Blancos drop points at out-of-form Espanyol the following day.

Raphinha suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Brazil in March, which left him sidelined as Barcelona was knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals.

Barca faces Real Madrid on May 10 in a Clasico which could seal its title defence if it does not clinch it this weekend, and is still in with a chance of matching the all-time record of 100 points in a Spanish league campaign.

“Rapha is a player who always gives us 100 percent, when he’s on the pitch or in training,” Flick told reporters.

“His mentality, his attitude, is always 100 percent and that helps us a lot. This season, he has had to suffer (from injury), so for us it’s important to have him back. He will also travel with us, and we’ll see what happens tomorrow… I think also for the team it’s great to have him back, because he’s one of our captains, he’s positive and can give us these things that we need,” he added.

ALSO READ | Salah ‘deserves big send-off’, says Liverpool boss Slot

Barca is without injured teenage star Lamine Yamal, with Flick saying the 18-year-old is recovering well from the hamstring problem, which will keep him out until the end of the season.

“He’s doing good, so the evolution is good. I think we will see him in the World Cup. He has time, more time, to recover, to come back. And this is what he wants,” said Flick.

If Barca wins its remaining five league matches, it will reach the 100-point record first set by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in 2012 and then matched by Tito Vilanova’s Barcelona side in 2013.

“We are only focused on the next match, (but) of course we want to win every game between now and the end of the season,” said Flick.

“For me, it would be perfect when we can win every game, but also have tough opponents. Our job is, in every match, to play on our best level, to learn from the game for the next game and for our training. So this is our philosophy, our attitude, our mentality,” he added.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Hansi #Flick #happy #Raphinha #Barcelona #Liga #title #sight">Hansi Flick happy Raphinha is back for Barcelona with La Liga 2025-26 title in sight  Barcelona coach Hansi Flick celebrated the return of winger Raphinha from injury on Friday as the Catalans close in on the La Liga 2025-26 title.Flick’s team is 11 points clear of second-place Real Madrid and can win a second successive league title this weekend if it beats Osasuna on Saturday and Los Blancos drop points at out-of-form Espanyol the following day.Raphinha suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Brazil in March, which left him sidelined as Barcelona was knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals.Barca faces Real Madrid on May 10 in a Clasico which could seal its title defence if it does not clinch it this weekend, and is still in with a chance of matching the all-time record of 100 points in a Spanish league campaign.“Rapha is a player who always gives us 100 percent, when he’s on the pitch or in training,” Flick told reporters.“His mentality, his attitude, is always 100 percent and that helps us a lot. This season, he has had to suffer (from injury), so for us it’s important to have him back. He will also travel with us, and we’ll see what happens tomorrow… I think also for the team it’s great to have him back, because he’s one of our captains, he’s positive and can give us these things that we need,” he added.ALSO READ | Salah ‘deserves big send-off’, says Liverpool boss SlotBarca is without injured teenage star Lamine Yamal, with Flick saying the 18-year-old is recovering well from the hamstring problem, which will keep him out until the end of the season.“He’s doing good, so the evolution is good. I think we will see him in the World Cup. He has time, more time, to recover, to come back. And this is what he wants,” said Flick.If Barca wins its remaining five league matches, it will reach the 100-point record first set by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in 2012 and then matched by Tito Vilanova’s Barcelona side in 2013.“We are only focused on the next match, (but) of course we want to win every game between now and the end of the season,” said Flick.“For me, it would be perfect when we can win every game, but also have tough opponents. Our job is, in every match, to play on our best level, to learn from the game for the next game and for our training. So this is our philosophy, our attitude, our mentality,” he added.Published on May 01, 2026  #Hansi #Flick #happy #Raphinha #Barcelona #Liga #title #sight

Salah ‘deserves big send-off’, says Liverpool boss Slot

Barca is without injured teenage star Lamine Yamal, with Flick saying the 18-year-old is recovering well from the hamstring problem, which will keep him out until the end of the season.

“He’s doing good, so the evolution is good. I think we will see him in the World Cup. He has time, more time, to recover, to come back. And this is what he wants,” said Flick.

If Barca wins its remaining five league matches, it will reach the 100-point record first set by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in 2012 and then matched by Tito Vilanova’s Barcelona side in 2013.

“We are only focused on the next match, (but) of course we want to win every game between now and the end of the season,” said Flick.

“For me, it would be perfect when we can win every game, but also have tough opponents. Our job is, in every match, to play on our best level, to learn from the game for the next game and for our training. So this is our philosophy, our attitude, our mentality,” he added.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Hansi #Flick #happy #Raphinha #Barcelona #Liga #title #sight">Hansi Flick happy Raphinha is back for Barcelona with La Liga 2025-26 title in sight

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick celebrated the return of winger Raphinha from injury on Friday as the Catalans close in on the La Liga 2025-26 title.

Flick’s team is 11 points clear of second-place Real Madrid and can win a second successive league title this weekend if it beats Osasuna on Saturday and Los Blancos drop points at out-of-form Espanyol the following day.

Raphinha suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Brazil in March, which left him sidelined as Barcelona was knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals.

Barca faces Real Madrid on May 10 in a Clasico which could seal its title defence if it does not clinch it this weekend, and is still in with a chance of matching the all-time record of 100 points in a Spanish league campaign.

“Rapha is a player who always gives us 100 percent, when he’s on the pitch or in training,” Flick told reporters.

“His mentality, his attitude, is always 100 percent and that helps us a lot. This season, he has had to suffer (from injury), so for us it’s important to have him back. He will also travel with us, and we’ll see what happens tomorrow… I think also for the team it’s great to have him back, because he’s one of our captains, he’s positive and can give us these things that we need,” he added.

ALSO READ | Salah ‘deserves big send-off’, says Liverpool boss Slot

Barca is without injured teenage star Lamine Yamal, with Flick saying the 18-year-old is recovering well from the hamstring problem, which will keep him out until the end of the season.

“He’s doing good, so the evolution is good. I think we will see him in the World Cup. He has time, more time, to recover, to come back. And this is what he wants,” said Flick.

If Barca wins its remaining five league matches, it will reach the 100-point record first set by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in 2012 and then matched by Tito Vilanova’s Barcelona side in 2013.

“We are only focused on the next match, (but) of course we want to win every game between now and the end of the season,” said Flick.

“For me, it would be perfect when we can win every game, but also have tough opponents. Our job is, in every match, to play on our best level, to learn from the game for the next game and for our training. So this is our philosophy, our attitude, our mentality,” he added.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Hansi #Flick #happy #Raphinha #Barcelona #Liga #title #sight

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