Deadspin | Amid tough stretch, Flames face Avalanche Apr 12, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Abram Wiebe (52) skates during the warmup period against the Utah Mammoth at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images The Calgary Flames have been eliminated from playoff contention, but that reality hasn’t stopped them from making a difference in the postseason race. The Flames (33-38-9, 75 points) beat Utah 4-1 on Sunday and will try to defeat another playoff-bound team when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. In between, Calgary will host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night in a game that will have no impact on the playoff race. Colorado (53-16-11, 117 points) clinched the top overall seed with a win over Calgary on Thursday and will play its last two games of the regular season with nothing at stake but health. The Avalanche are coming off a 2-1 victory in a shootout at Edmonton on Monday night. The Flames are trying to gain momentum heading into the offseason and gain experience for young players. The latest to make his NHL debut was defenseman Abram Wiebe at Seattle on Saturday. Wiebe signed with Calgary right after his North Dakota State team was eliminated by Wisconsin in the Frozen Four on Thursday. The 22-year-old Wiebe played 11:19 in a loss to the Kraken and another 7:44 a night later against the Mammoth. “It’s been pretty crazy, going down to Vegas for the Frozen Four, getting upset by Wisconsin (Thursday), and then having to flip the page to sign my first contract and play my first NHL game,” Wiebe told Sportsnet 960 The Fan following a 4-1 loss to Seattle. Even with the disappointing season, three Flames have a chance to play in all 82 games — Mikael Backlund, Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. The trio has a long way to go to match the steadiness of Colorado defenseman Brent Burns. Burns played in his 1,005th straight game Monday night, an ironman streak second only to Phil Kessel, who played in 1,064 consecutive games from 2009-23. Burns is unlikely to sit the last two games of the season, but the Avalanche have rested players with the top overall seed clinched. Artturi Lehkonen, who missed three weeks in March to an injury, didn’t play Monday night. Cale Makar (upper body), Josh Manson (upper body) and Nazem Kadri (finger) were out of the lineup. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar did not accompany the team on the road trip after suffering facial fractures and a corneal abrasion when he was hit by a puck during Saturday’s loss to Vegas. While Colorado’s postseason seeding is set, milestones are still available. Martin Necas is one point from reaching 100 for the first time in his career, and Nathan MacKinnon has a chance to win the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s top goal scorer. MacKinnon has a career-high 52, one more than Montreal’s Cole Caufield, and can become the first Avalanche player to finish with the most goals since Milan Hejduk in 2002-03. Colorado is two points behind the franchise record of 119 set in 2021-22. “Preparation for the playoffs,” said goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who had 30 saves against Edmonton on Monday. “Proud of our guys to be able to step up. Not that there’s not anything to play for, there are details and tendencies, but you can get a little lazy with how the standings are.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #tough #stretch #Flames #face #Avalanche

Deadspin | Amid tough stretch, Flames face Avalanche
Deadspin | Amid tough stretch, Flames face Avalanche Apr 12, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Abram Wiebe (52) skates during the warmup period against the Utah Mammoth at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images The Calgary Flames have been eliminated from playoff contention, but that reality hasn’t stopped them from making a difference in the postseason race. The Flames (33-38-9, 75 points) beat Utah 4-1 on Sunday and will try to defeat another playoff-bound team when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. In between, Calgary will host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night in a game that will have no impact on the playoff race. Colorado (53-16-11, 117 points) clinched the top overall seed with a win over Calgary on Thursday and will play its last two games of the regular season with nothing at stake but health. The Avalanche are coming off a 2-1 victory in a shootout at Edmonton on Monday night. The Flames are trying to gain momentum heading into the offseason and gain experience for young players. The latest to make his NHL debut was defenseman Abram Wiebe at Seattle on Saturday. Wiebe signed with Calgary right after his North Dakota State team was eliminated by Wisconsin in the Frozen Four on Thursday. The 22-year-old Wiebe played 11:19 in a loss to the Kraken and another 7:44 a night later against the Mammoth. “It’s been pretty crazy, going down to Vegas for the Frozen Four, getting upset by Wisconsin (Thursday), and then having to flip the page to sign my first contract and play my first NHL game,” Wiebe told Sportsnet 960 The Fan following a 4-1 loss to Seattle. Even with the disappointing season, three Flames have a chance to play in all 82 games — Mikael Backlund, Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. The trio has a long way to go to match the steadiness of Colorado defenseman Brent Burns. Burns played in his 1,005th straight game Monday night, an ironman streak second only to Phil Kessel, who played in 1,064 consecutive games from 2009-23. Burns is unlikely to sit the last two games of the season, but the Avalanche have rested players with the top overall seed clinched. Artturi Lehkonen, who missed three weeks in March to an injury, didn’t play Monday night. Cale Makar (upper body), Josh Manson (upper body) and Nazem Kadri (finger) were out of the lineup. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar did not accompany the team on the road trip after suffering facial fractures and a corneal abrasion when he was hit by a puck during Saturday’s loss to Vegas. While Colorado’s postseason seeding is set, milestones are still available. Martin Necas is one point from reaching 100 for the first time in his career, and Nathan MacKinnon has a chance to win the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s top goal scorer. MacKinnon has a career-high 52, one more than Montreal’s Cole Caufield, and can become the first Avalanche player to finish with the most goals since Milan Hejduk in 2002-03. Colorado is two points behind the franchise record of 119 set in 2021-22. “Preparation for the playoffs,” said goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who had 30 saves against Edmonton on Monday. “Proud of our guys to be able to step up. Not that there’s not anything to play for, there are details and tendencies, but you can get a little lazy with how the standings are.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #tough #stretch #Flames #face #AvalancheApr 12, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Abram Wiebe (52) skates during the warmup period against the Utah Mammoth at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The Calgary Flames have been eliminated from playoff contention, but that reality hasn’t stopped them from making a difference in the postseason race.

The Flames (33-38-9, 75 points) beat Utah 4-1 on Sunday and will try to defeat another playoff-bound team when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.

In between, Calgary will host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night in a game that will have no impact on the playoff race.

Colorado (53-16-11, 117 points) clinched the top overall seed with a win over Calgary on Thursday and will play its last two games of the regular season with nothing at stake but health. The Avalanche are coming off a 2-1 victory in a shootout at Edmonton on Monday night.

The Flames are trying to gain momentum heading into the offseason and gain experience for young players. The latest to make his NHL debut was defenseman Abram Wiebe at Seattle on Saturday.

Wiebe signed with Calgary right after his North Dakota State team was eliminated by Wisconsin in the Frozen Four on Thursday.

The 22-year-old Wiebe played 11:19 in a loss to the Kraken and another 7:44 a night later against the Mammoth.

“It’s been pretty crazy, going down to Vegas for the Frozen Four, getting upset by Wisconsin (Thursday), and then having to flip the page to sign my first contract and play my first NHL game,” Wiebe told Sportsnet 960 The Fan following a 4-1 loss to Seattle.


Even with the disappointing season, three Flames have a chance to play in all 82 games — Mikael Backlund, Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. The trio has a long way to go to match the steadiness of Colorado defenseman Brent Burns.

Burns played in his 1,005th straight game Monday night, an ironman streak second only to Phil Kessel, who played in 1,064 consecutive games from 2009-23. Burns is unlikely to sit the last two games of the season, but the Avalanche have rested players with the top overall seed clinched.

Artturi Lehkonen, who missed three weeks in March to an injury, didn’t play Monday night. Cale Makar (upper body), Josh Manson (upper body) and Nazem Kadri (finger) were out of the lineup.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar did not accompany the team on the road trip after suffering facial fractures and a corneal abrasion when he was hit by a puck during Saturday’s loss to Vegas.

While Colorado’s postseason seeding is set, milestones are still available. Martin Necas is one point from reaching 100 for the first time in his career, and Nathan MacKinnon has a chance to win the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s top goal scorer.

MacKinnon has a career-high 52, one more than Montreal’s Cole Caufield, and can become the first Avalanche player to finish with the most goals since Milan Hejduk in 2002-03.

Colorado is two points behind the franchise record of 119 set in 2021-22.

“Preparation for the playoffs,” said goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who had 30 saves against Edmonton on Monday. “Proud of our guys to be able to step up. Not that there’s not anything to play for, there are details and tendencies, but you can get a little lazy with how the standings are.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #tough #stretch #Flames #face #Avalanche

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Apr 12, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Abram Wiebe (52) skates during the warmup period against the Utah Mammoth at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The Calgary Flames have been eliminated from playoff contention, but that reality hasn’t stopped them from making a difference in the postseason race.

The Flames (33-38-9, 75 points) beat Utah 4-1 on Sunday and will try to defeat another playoff-bound team when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.

In between, Calgary will host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night in a game that will have no impact on the playoff race.

Colorado (53-16-11, 117 points) clinched the top overall seed with a win over Calgary on Thursday and will play its last two games of the regular season with nothing at stake but health. The Avalanche are coming off a 2-1 victory in a shootout at Edmonton on Monday night.

The Flames are trying to gain momentum heading into the offseason and gain experience for young players. The latest to make his NHL debut was defenseman Abram Wiebe at Seattle on Saturday.

Wiebe signed with Calgary right after his North Dakota State team was eliminated by Wisconsin in the Frozen Four on Thursday.

The 22-year-old Wiebe played 11:19 in a loss to the Kraken and another 7:44 a night later against the Mammoth.

“It’s been pretty crazy, going down to Vegas for the Frozen Four, getting upset by Wisconsin (Thursday), and then having to flip the page to sign my first contract and play my first NHL game,” Wiebe told Sportsnet 960 The Fan following a 4-1 loss to Seattle.

Even with the disappointing season, three Flames have a chance to play in all 82 games — Mikael Backlund, Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. The trio has a long way to go to match the steadiness of Colorado defenseman Brent Burns.

Burns played in his 1,005th straight game Monday night, an ironman streak second only to Phil Kessel, who played in 1,064 consecutive games from 2009-23. Burns is unlikely to sit the last two games of the season, but the Avalanche have rested players with the top overall seed clinched.

Artturi Lehkonen, who missed three weeks in March to an injury, didn’t play Monday night. Cale Makar (upper body), Josh Manson (upper body) and Nazem Kadri (finger) were out of the lineup.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar did not accompany the team on the road trip after suffering facial fractures and a corneal abrasion when he was hit by a puck during Saturday’s loss to Vegas.

While Colorado’s postseason seeding is set, milestones are still available. Martin Necas is one point from reaching 100 for the first time in his career, and Nathan MacKinnon has a chance to win the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s top goal scorer.

MacKinnon has a career-high 52, one more than Montreal’s Cole Caufield, and can become the first Avalanche player to finish with the most goals since Milan Hejduk in 2002-03.

Colorado is two points behind the franchise record of 119 set in 2021-22.

“Preparation for the playoffs,” said goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who had 30 saves against Edmonton on Monday. “Proud of our guys to be able to step up. Not that there’s not anything to play for, there are details and tendencies, but you can get a little lazy with how the standings are.”

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | High scorer Liv McGill transferring from Florida to Oklahoma State Florida guard Liv McGill (23) shoots past Mississippi forward Christeen Iwuala (12) during the first half of an NCAA women’s basketball game at Steven C. O’Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, February 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] Former Florida guard Liv McGill, one of the most highly-touted players in the women’s college basketball transfer portal, committed to Oklahoma State on Tuesday. McGill put up 22.5 points, 6.3 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game in 31 starts for the Gators in her sophomore season. She played an SEC-best 37.2 minutes per game, also averaging 5.3 turnovers. McGill was a first-team All-SEC selection. In 68 career games (all starts) over two seasons, she has put up 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. CBS Sports rated McGill the No. 2 overall player in the portal, behind only Iowa State star Audi Crooks. ESPN rated McGill No. 4. “Liv is arguably the most exciting player to watch in all of college basketball,” Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt said in a statement. “She has elite quickness and an unbelievable finishing package around the rim. Liv can score at all three levels, but she is so much more. She has great court vision and can deliver a pass on a dime. Her speed and athleticism allow her to jump passing lanes on the other end of the floor. “… She is a leader and I believe she has the talent and heart to take our program to heights it has not reached before.” Oklahoma State went 24-10 last season and lost to eventual champion UCLA in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. Florida, 18-15 a year ago, did not make the NCAA Tournament in McGill’s two seasons. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #High #scorer #Liv #McGill #transferring #Florida #Oklahoma #StateFlorida guard Liv McGill (23) shoots past Mississippi forward Christeen Iwuala (12) during the first half of an NCAA women’s basketball game at Steven C. O’Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, February 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

Former Florida guard Liv McGill, one of the most highly-touted players in the women’s college basketball transfer portal, committed to Oklahoma State on Tuesday.

McGill put up 22.5 points, 6.3 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game in 31 starts for the Gators in her sophomore season. She played an SEC-best 37.2 minutes per game, also averaging 5.3 turnovers.

McGill was a first-team All-SEC selection. In 68 career games (all starts) over two seasons, she has put up 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.


CBS Sports rated McGill the No. 2 overall player in the portal, behind only Iowa State star Audi Crooks. ESPN rated McGill No. 4.

“Liv is arguably the most exciting player to watch in all of college basketball,” Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt said in a statement. “She has elite quickness and an unbelievable finishing package around the rim. Liv can score at all three levels, but she is so much more. She has great court vision and can deliver a pass on a dime. Her speed and athleticism allow her to jump passing lanes on the other end of the floor.

“… She is a leader and I believe she has the talent and heart to take our program to heights it has not reached before.”

Oklahoma State went 24-10 last season and lost to eventual champion UCLA in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. Florida, 18-15 a year ago, did not make the NCAA Tournament in McGill’s two seasons.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #High #scorer #Liv #McGill #transferring #Florida #Oklahoma #State">Deadspin | High scorer Liv McGill transferring from Florida to Oklahoma State Florida guard Liv McGill (23) shoots past Mississippi forward Christeen Iwuala (12) during the first half of an NCAA women’s basketball game at Steven C. O’Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, February 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] Former Florida guard Liv McGill, one of the most highly-touted players in the women’s college basketball transfer portal, committed to Oklahoma State on Tuesday. McGill put up 22.5 points, 6.3 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game in 31 starts for the Gators in her sophomore season. She played an SEC-best 37.2 minutes per game, also averaging 5.3 turnovers. McGill was a first-team All-SEC selection. In 68 career games (all starts) over two seasons, she has put up 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. CBS Sports rated McGill the No. 2 overall player in the portal, behind only Iowa State star Audi Crooks. ESPN rated McGill No. 4. “Liv is arguably the most exciting player to watch in all of college basketball,” Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt said in a statement. “She has elite quickness and an unbelievable finishing package around the rim. Liv can score at all three levels, but she is so much more. She has great court vision and can deliver a pass on a dime. Her speed and athleticism allow her to jump passing lanes on the other end of the floor. “… She is a leader and I believe she has the talent and heart to take our program to heights it has not reached before.” Oklahoma State went 24-10 last season and lost to eventual champion UCLA in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. Florida, 18-15 a year ago, did not make the NCAA Tournament in McGill’s two seasons. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #High #scorer #Liv #McGill #transferring #Florida #Oklahoma #State

Declan Rice left Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with another injury worry on the eve of its Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Sporting Lisbon after missing the club’s open training session Tuesday.

Rice withdrew from England’s recent international against Japan but returned for Arsenal’s match against Sporting in Lisbon last week. He was also the stand-in captain for the table-topping Gunners’ shock defeat by Bournemouth in the Premier League last weekend.

ALSO READ: UEFA rejects Barcelona handball complaint ahead of Champions League second leg quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid

But the 27-year-old midfielder was not involved at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground on Tuesday, with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, also missing the session.

Saka has been sidelined from Arsenal’s last three matches, while captain Odegaard, in and out of the team through injury this season, was not fit enough for Arsenal’s loss against Bournemouth last weekend.

Timber, one of Arsenal’s best players this season, last featured in a 2-0 win against Everton a month ago.

Arsenal heads into Wednesday’s fixture at the Emirates with a slender 1-0 lead from last week’s opening leg against Sporting secured by Kai Havertz’s late goal.

It will be aiming to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth which allowed Manchester City to cut its advantage at the top of the table to six points. Arsenal travels to the Etihad to face Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#UEFA #Champions #League #Rice #misses #training #add #Arsenal #injury #concerns #ahead #Sporting #clash">UEFA Champions League 2025-26: Rice misses training to add to Arsenal injury concerns ahead of Sporting clash Declan Rice left Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with another injury worry on the eve of its Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Sporting Lisbon after missing the club’s open training session Tuesday.Rice withdrew from England’s recent international against Japan but returned for Arsenal’s match against Sporting in Lisbon last week. He was also the stand-in captain for the table-topping Gunners’ shock defeat by Bournemouth in the Premier League last weekend.ALSO READ: UEFA rejects Barcelona handball complaint ahead of Champions League second leg quarterfinal against Atletico MadridBut the 27-year-old midfielder was not involved at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground on Tuesday, with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, also missing the session.Saka has been sidelined from Arsenal’s last three matches, while captain Odegaard, in and out of the team through injury this season, was not fit enough for Arsenal’s loss against Bournemouth last weekend.Timber, one of Arsenal’s best players this season, last featured in a 2-0 win against Everton a month ago.Arsenal heads into Wednesday’s fixture at the Emirates with a slender 1-0 lead from last week’s opening leg against Sporting secured by Kai Havertz’s late goal.It will be aiming to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth which allowed Manchester City to cut its advantage at the top of the table to six points. Arsenal travels to the Etihad to face Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday.Published on Apr 14, 2026 #UEFA #Champions #League #Rice #misses #training #add #Arsenal #injury #concerns #ahead #Sporting #clash

UEFA rejects Barcelona handball complaint ahead of Champions League second leg quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid

But the 27-year-old midfielder was not involved at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground on Tuesday, with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, also missing the session.

Saka has been sidelined from Arsenal’s last three matches, while captain Odegaard, in and out of the team through injury this season, was not fit enough for Arsenal’s loss against Bournemouth last weekend.

Timber, one of Arsenal’s best players this season, last featured in a 2-0 win against Everton a month ago.

Arsenal heads into Wednesday’s fixture at the Emirates with a slender 1-0 lead from last week’s opening leg against Sporting secured by Kai Havertz’s late goal.

It will be aiming to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth which allowed Manchester City to cut its advantage at the top of the table to six points. Arsenal travels to the Etihad to face Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#UEFA #Champions #League #Rice #misses #training #add #Arsenal #injury #concerns #ahead #Sporting #clash">UEFA Champions League 2025-26: Rice misses training to add to Arsenal injury concerns ahead of Sporting clash

Declan Rice left Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with another injury worry on the eve of its Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Sporting Lisbon after missing the club’s open training session Tuesday.

Rice withdrew from England’s recent international against Japan but returned for Arsenal’s match against Sporting in Lisbon last week. He was also the stand-in captain for the table-topping Gunners’ shock defeat by Bournemouth in the Premier League last weekend.

ALSO READ: UEFA rejects Barcelona handball complaint ahead of Champions League second leg quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid

But the 27-year-old midfielder was not involved at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground on Tuesday, with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, also missing the session.

Saka has been sidelined from Arsenal’s last three matches, while captain Odegaard, in and out of the team through injury this season, was not fit enough for Arsenal’s loss against Bournemouth last weekend.

Timber, one of Arsenal’s best players this season, last featured in a 2-0 win against Everton a month ago.

Arsenal heads into Wednesday’s fixture at the Emirates with a slender 1-0 lead from last week’s opening leg against Sporting secured by Kai Havertz’s late goal.

It will be aiming to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth which allowed Manchester City to cut its advantage at the top of the table to six points. Arsenal travels to the Etihad to face Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#UEFA #Champions #League #Rice #misses #training #add #Arsenal #injury #concerns #ahead #Sporting #clash
Deadspin | Hurricanes complete playoff prep against Islanders Apr 13, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) in action against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images For most of the past several months, the regular-season finale between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders looked as if it would be a potential playoff preview. However, while the Hurricanes will be in tune-up mode on Tuesday, the Islanders will be wondering where a previously successful season went wrong as they prepare for an uncertain spring and summer. The Hurricanes and Islanders will close out their regular-season schedules on Tuesday when Carolina faces New York in a battle of Metropolitan Division rivals in Elmont, N.Y. The Hurricanes will be completing a back-to-back road set after falling to the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in the shootout Monday night. The Islanders were off Monday after their costly late-season skid continued Sunday, when they were eliminated from playoff contention with a 4-1 loss to the visiting Montreal Canadiens. The Islanders (43-33-5, 91 points) needed to win their final two games and have the Flyers lose their final two to have any chance of getting the third and final playoff berth from the division. However, getting eliminated on the ice served as a stark reminder of the scope of the collapse for the Islanders, who were in third place in the Metropolitan for most of the previous four months before going 4-9-0 since March 19. First-year general manager Mathieu Darche fired head coach Patrick Roy on April 5. The Islanders beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 in Peter DeBoer’s debut on Thursday, but New York then fell 3-0 to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday before being blanked into the third period on Sunday. “I feel for them,” DeBoer said Sunday night. “They put in 81 games here and seven months. So that’s a lot of blood, sweat and work that went into that. And when the lights go out on a season, it’s never easy after you put in that kind of time.” The hard part may be coming for Darche and the Islanders, who found a franchise cornerstone in rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer (23 goals and 59 points). But New York has four defenseman 30 or older, and Darche needs to decide the fate of captain Anders Lee, who is 35 and headed for free agency. The short-term focus is much different for the Hurricanes (52-22-7, 111 points), who won the Metropolitan Division and clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference by collecting a point for the shootout loss on Monday. Carolina will oppose the second wild card — either the Boston Bruins or the Senators — in the first round of the postseason this weekend. “That’s a huge accomplishment,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “It says you had a real good year and you came to play every night. You can’t luck into that.” Carolina is in the playoffs for the eighth straight season, breaking the franchise record set by the then-Hartford Whalers from 1986 through 1992. But the Hurricanes have yet to appear in the Stanley Cup Final during their current run, They reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2019, losing to the Bruins, and fell in the East to the Florida Panthers in both 2023 and 2025. With the playoffs on the horizon, the Hurricanes scratched Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis — their first-, second- and fourth-leading scorers — on Monday along with captain Jordan Staal and top defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere and Jaccob Slavin. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Hurricanes #complete #playoff #prep #IslandersApr 13, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) in action against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

For most of the past several months, the regular-season finale between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders looked as if it would be a potential playoff preview.

However, while the Hurricanes will be in tune-up mode on Tuesday, the Islanders will be wondering where a previously successful season went wrong as they prepare for an uncertain spring and summer.

The Hurricanes and Islanders will close out their regular-season schedules on Tuesday when Carolina faces New York in a battle of Metropolitan Division rivals in Elmont, N.Y.

The Hurricanes will be completing a back-to-back road set after falling to the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in the shootout Monday night. The Islanders were off Monday after their costly late-season skid continued Sunday, when they were eliminated from playoff contention with a 4-1 loss to the visiting Montreal Canadiens.

The Islanders (43-33-5, 91 points) needed to win their final two games and have the Flyers lose their final two to have any chance of getting the third and final playoff berth from the division.

However, getting eliminated on the ice served as a stark reminder of the scope of the collapse for the Islanders, who were in third place in the Metropolitan for most of the previous four months before going 4-9-0 since March 19.

First-year general manager Mathieu Darche fired head coach Patrick Roy on April 5. The Islanders beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 in Peter DeBoer’s debut on Thursday, but New York then fell 3-0 to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday before being blanked into the third period on Sunday.


“I feel for them,” DeBoer said Sunday night. “They put in 81 games here and seven months. So that’s a lot of blood, sweat and work that went into that. And when the lights go out on a season, it’s never easy after you put in that kind of time.”

The hard part may be coming for Darche and the Islanders, who found a franchise cornerstone in rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer (23 goals and 59 points). But New York has four defenseman 30 or older, and Darche needs to decide the fate of captain Anders Lee, who is 35 and headed for free agency.

The short-term focus is much different for the Hurricanes (52-22-7, 111 points), who won the Metropolitan Division and clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference by collecting a point for the shootout loss on Monday.

Carolina will oppose the second wild card — either the Boston Bruins or the Senators — in the first round of the postseason this weekend.

“That’s a huge accomplishment,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “It says you had a real good year and you came to play every night. You can’t luck into that.”

Carolina is in the playoffs for the eighth straight season, breaking the franchise record set by the then-Hartford Whalers from 1986 through 1992. But the Hurricanes have yet to appear in the Stanley Cup Final during their current run, They reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2019, losing to the Bruins, and fell in the East to the Florida Panthers in both 2023 and 2025.

With the playoffs on the horizon, the Hurricanes scratched Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis — their first-, second- and fourth-leading scorers — on Monday along with captain Jordan Staal and top defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere and Jaccob Slavin.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Hurricanes #complete #playoff #prep #Islanders">Deadspin | Hurricanes complete playoff prep against Islanders Apr 13, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) in action against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images For most of the past several months, the regular-season finale between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders looked as if it would be a potential playoff preview. However, while the Hurricanes will be in tune-up mode on Tuesday, the Islanders will be wondering where a previously successful season went wrong as they prepare for an uncertain spring and summer. The Hurricanes and Islanders will close out their regular-season schedules on Tuesday when Carolina faces New York in a battle of Metropolitan Division rivals in Elmont, N.Y. The Hurricanes will be completing a back-to-back road set after falling to the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in the shootout Monday night. The Islanders were off Monday after their costly late-season skid continued Sunday, when they were eliminated from playoff contention with a 4-1 loss to the visiting Montreal Canadiens. The Islanders (43-33-5, 91 points) needed to win their final two games and have the Flyers lose their final two to have any chance of getting the third and final playoff berth from the division. However, getting eliminated on the ice served as a stark reminder of the scope of the collapse for the Islanders, who were in third place in the Metropolitan for most of the previous four months before going 4-9-0 since March 19. First-year general manager Mathieu Darche fired head coach Patrick Roy on April 5. The Islanders beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 in Peter DeBoer’s debut on Thursday, but New York then fell 3-0 to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday before being blanked into the third period on Sunday. “I feel for them,” DeBoer said Sunday night. “They put in 81 games here and seven months. So that’s a lot of blood, sweat and work that went into that. And when the lights go out on a season, it’s never easy after you put in that kind of time.” The hard part may be coming for Darche and the Islanders, who found a franchise cornerstone in rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer (23 goals and 59 points). But New York has four defenseman 30 or older, and Darche needs to decide the fate of captain Anders Lee, who is 35 and headed for free agency. The short-term focus is much different for the Hurricanes (52-22-7, 111 points), who won the Metropolitan Division and clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference by collecting a point for the shootout loss on Monday. Carolina will oppose the second wild card — either the Boston Bruins or the Senators — in the first round of the postseason this weekend. “That’s a huge accomplishment,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “It says you had a real good year and you came to play every night. You can’t luck into that.” Carolina is in the playoffs for the eighth straight season, breaking the franchise record set by the then-Hartford Whalers from 1986 through 1992. But the Hurricanes have yet to appear in the Stanley Cup Final during their current run, They reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2019, losing to the Bruins, and fell in the East to the Florida Panthers in both 2023 and 2025. With the playoffs on the horizon, the Hurricanes scratched Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis — their first-, second- and fourth-leading scorers — on Monday along with captain Jordan Staal and top defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere and Jaccob Slavin. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Hurricanes #complete #playoff #prep #Islanders

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