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Deadspin | Blue Jackets breeze despite 500th goal from Leafs’ John Tavares

Deadspin | Blue Jackets breeze despite 500th goal from Leafs’ John Tavares

Oct 29, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) carries the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

The Columbus Blue Jackets’ third line celebrated a big game on Wednesday in a 6-3 win over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs, who saw John Tavares notch his 500th career goal in the lopsided loss.

Cole Sillinger scored his first two goals of the season and tied his career high with his fifth three-point game as the Blue Jackets earned their third straight victory.

Mathieu Olivier notched the first four-point and three-assist game of his career. Charlie Coyle finished with a career-high four assists, the first of which was the 300th helper in his 14-year career.

Three defensemen also scored for the Blue Jackets. Zach Werenski had a goal and an assist for the second time in as many days, and Ivan Provorov and Dante Fabbro also got in on the barrage. The six goals were the second most Columbus scored in a game this season, and the Blue Jackets did it on only 24 shots, their second fewest this season.

Elvis Merzlikins stopped 33 shots to register his fourth win in five starts this season.

Tavares became the 49th NHL player to reach the 500-goal mark, scoring with 4:15 left in the game.

Sammy Blais, inserted into the Maple Leafs’ lineup as top scorer William Nylander sat out the second of back-to-back games to deal with a lower-body injury, produced a goal and an assist in his first game with Toronto. Nicholas Roberston also had a goal and an assist.

Cayden Primeau made 18 saves for the Maple Leafs, who fell to 0-3-0 on the road.

Columbus capitalized on two turnovers to take a 2-0 lead in the first period. Sillinger started the scoring less than seven minutes into the game, and Werenski followed suit at 11:16 with his third of the season. Coyle and Olivier assisted on both.

Blais, who last played in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues in 2023-24, got a goal for his new team less than three minutes into the second period. However, the Blue Jackets put the game away by scoring the next three in the period, tallies from Provorov, Sillinger and Fabbro.

Olivier scored with 12:10 left in the third to make it 6-1 before the Maple Leafs added a pair late.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Doc Rivers steps down as head coach of Bucks  Mar 31, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers looks on in the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images   Doc Rivers officially stepped down as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday after two-plus seasons.  The Bucks’ finished 32-50 with Sunday’s season-ending 126-106 loss at Philadelphia. It marked their worst record since 2013-14 and the first time they missed the playoffs since 2015-16.  “I have truly loved my time in Milwaukee. Coming back to where I got my start, to a city that has always embraced me, has been a privilege,” said Rivers, 64, who played college basketball in the city at Marquette from 1980-83.  “I am disappointed things did not turn out the way any of us hoped, but I am deeply grateful for this experience, the relationships built, and unwavering support from our fans and the community. Milwaukee will always mean a lot to me, and this chapter will hold a special place in my heart.”  Rivers had one year remaining on his  million contract, and the Bucks reportedly will pay the remainder of that contract. The club and Rivers and discussing a possible move to the front office for 2026-27, per reports.  “It has been an honor to have Doc as our coach and as a leader in our organization and community,” said owners Wes Edens, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, and Jamie Dinan in a statement. “In addition to his impact on the court, we’re thankful for Doc’s class and professionalism during his tenure in Milwaukee.  Milwaukee compiled a record of 97-103 since Rivers replaced Adrian Griffin in January 2024. The Bucks lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of the previous two campaigns under Rivers.   There was strife between the club and star Giannis Antetokounmpo this season. Antetokounmpo only played in 36 games in 2025-26 but insisted he was healthy enough to compete in games down the stretch of the campaign.  Rivers will be inducted as a coach into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in August. He just completed his 27th year on an NBA bench and has a record of 1,194-866. Rivers is sixth in victories on the all-time list and guided the 2007-08 Boston Celtics to an NBA Championship.  The 13-year NBA guard started his coaching career with the Orlando Magic in the 1999-2000 season. He earned NBA Coach of the Year honors in that first season, posting a 41-41 record.  Rivers coached in Orlando until 2004, before jumping to the Celtics in the 2004-05 season. His tenure in Boston was the longest at nine years (2004-13) and was followed by stints with the Los Angeles Clippers (2013-20), Philadelphia 76ers (2020-23) and Bucks (2024-26).  The Chicago native began his NBA career in Atlanta and played for the Hawks from 1983-91. He also competed for the Clippers (1991-92), New York Knicks (1992-94) and San Antonio Spurs (1994-96).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Doc #Rivers #steps #coach #BucksMar 31, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers looks on in the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Doc Rivers officially stepped down as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday after two-plus seasons.

The Bucks’ finished 32-50 with Sunday’s season-ending 126-106 loss at Philadelphia. It marked their worst record since 2013-14 and the first time they missed the playoffs since 2015-16.

“I have truly loved my time in Milwaukee. Coming back to where I got my start, to a city that has always embraced me, has been a privilege,” said Rivers, 64, who played college basketball in the city at Marquette from 1980-83.

“I am disappointed things did not turn out the way any of us hoped, but I am deeply grateful for this experience, the relationships built, and unwavering support from our fans and the community. Milwaukee will always mean a lot to me, and this chapter will hold a special place in my heart.”

Rivers had one year remaining on his $40 million contract, and the Bucks reportedly will pay the remainder of that contract. The club and Rivers and discussing a possible move to the front office for 2026-27, per reports.

“It has been an honor to have Doc as our coach and as a leader in our organization and community,” said owners Wes Edens, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, and Jamie Dinan in a statement. “In addition to his impact on the court, we’re thankful for Doc’s class and professionalism during his tenure in Milwaukee.


Milwaukee compiled a record of 97-103 since Rivers replaced Adrian Griffin in January 2024. The Bucks lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of the previous two campaigns under Rivers.

There was strife between the club and star Giannis Antetokounmpo this season. Antetokounmpo only played in 36 games in 2025-26 but insisted he was healthy enough to compete in games down the stretch of the campaign.

Rivers will be inducted as a coach into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in August. He just completed his 27th year on an NBA bench and has a record of 1,194-866. Rivers is sixth in victories on the all-time list and guided the 2007-08 Boston Celtics to an NBA Championship.

The 13-year NBA guard started his coaching career with the Orlando Magic in the 1999-2000 season. He earned NBA Coach of the Year honors in that first season, posting a 41-41 record.

Rivers coached in Orlando until 2004, before jumping to the Celtics in the 2004-05 season. His tenure in Boston was the longest at nine years (2004-13) and was followed by stints with the Los Angeles Clippers (2013-20), Philadelphia 76ers (2020-23) and Bucks (2024-26).

The Chicago native began his NBA career in Atlanta and played for the Hawks from 1983-91. He also competed for the Clippers (1991-92), New York Knicks (1992-94) and San Antonio Spurs (1994-96).

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Doc #Rivers #steps #coach #Bucks">Deadspin | Doc Rivers steps down as head coach of Bucks  Mar 31, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers looks on in the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images   Doc Rivers officially stepped down as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday after two-plus seasons.  The Bucks’ finished 32-50 with Sunday’s season-ending 126-106 loss at Philadelphia. It marked their worst record since 2013-14 and the first time they missed the playoffs since 2015-16.  “I have truly loved my time in Milwaukee. Coming back to where I got my start, to a city that has always embraced me, has been a privilege,” said Rivers, 64, who played college basketball in the city at Marquette from 1980-83.  “I am disappointed things did not turn out the way any of us hoped, but I am deeply grateful for this experience, the relationships built, and unwavering support from our fans and the community. Milwaukee will always mean a lot to me, and this chapter will hold a special place in my heart.”  Rivers had one year remaining on his  million contract, and the Bucks reportedly will pay the remainder of that contract. The club and Rivers and discussing a possible move to the front office for 2026-27, per reports.  “It has been an honor to have Doc as our coach and as a leader in our organization and community,” said owners Wes Edens, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, and Jamie Dinan in a statement. “In addition to his impact on the court, we’re thankful for Doc’s class and professionalism during his tenure in Milwaukee.  Milwaukee compiled a record of 97-103 since Rivers replaced Adrian Griffin in January 2024. The Bucks lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of the previous two campaigns under Rivers.   There was strife between the club and star Giannis Antetokounmpo this season. Antetokounmpo only played in 36 games in 2025-26 but insisted he was healthy enough to compete in games down the stretch of the campaign.  Rivers will be inducted as a coach into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in August. He just completed his 27th year on an NBA bench and has a record of 1,194-866. Rivers is sixth in victories on the all-time list and guided the 2007-08 Boston Celtics to an NBA Championship.  The 13-year NBA guard started his coaching career with the Orlando Magic in the 1999-2000 season. He earned NBA Coach of the Year honors in that first season, posting a 41-41 record.  Rivers coached in Orlando until 2004, before jumping to the Celtics in the 2004-05 season. His tenure in Boston was the longest at nine years (2004-13) and was followed by stints with the Los Angeles Clippers (2013-20), Philadelphia 76ers (2020-23) and Bucks (2024-26).  The Chicago native began his NBA career in Atlanta and played for the Hawks from 1983-91. He also competed for the Clippers (1991-92), New York Knicks (1992-94) and San Antonio Spurs (1994-96).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Doc #Rivers #steps #coach #Bucks

Two-time Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen ​will delay his return to ‌competition until at least ​July following ⁠Achilles surgery, manager Daniel Wessfeldt said on Monday.

The Norwegian ‌middle-distance runner underwent a procedure in February ‌to address a ‌chronic ⁠tendon issue. While ⁠the 25-year-old has resumed light training, he will skip ​the Diamond ‌League events early in the year to focus on full recovery.

“It depends ‌on how training goes ​through April and May,” Wessfeldt told ⁠Norwegian media. “If he regains fitness quickly, competing in ‌the second half of the season remains the goal.”

The decision follows Ingebrigtsen’s absence for most of the ‌2025 season. After failing to ​reach the 1,500m semifinal and finishing 10th ⁠in the 5,000m at ⁠the Tokyo World Championships in September, he ‌has not raced officially.

Published on Apr 13, 2026

#Ingebrigtsen #targets #lateseason #comeback #injury #setbacks">Ingebrigtsen targets late-season comeback after injury setbacks   Two-time Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen ​will delay his return to ‌competition until at least ​July following ⁠Achilles surgery, manager Daniel Wessfeldt said on Monday.The Norwegian ‌middle-distance runner underwent a procedure in February ‌to address a ‌chronic ⁠tendon issue. While ⁠the 25-year-old has resumed light training, he will skip ​the Diamond ‌League events early in the year to focus on full recovery.“It depends ‌on how training goes ​through April and May,” Wessfeldt told ⁠Norwegian media. “If he regains fitness quickly, competing in ‌the second half of the season remains the goal.”The decision follows Ingebrigtsen’s absence for most of the ‌2025 season. After failing to ​reach the 1,500m semifinal and finishing 10th ⁠in the 5,000m at ⁠the Tokyo World Championships in September, he ‌has not raced officially.Published on Apr 13, 2026  #Ingebrigtsen #targets #lateseason #comeback #injury #setbacks

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