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Deadspin | Avalanche, Oilers persisting through litany of injuries  Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) celebrates with center Nathan MacKinnon (29) after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   The Colorado Avalanche clinched the Central Division and the NHL’s top overall seed. Now they are having a say in who is the other division winner in the Western Conference.  Colorado (52-16-11, 115 points) completes back-to-back games against Pacific Division contenders when it plays at the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.  The Avalanche fell 3-2 in overtime to Vegas on Saturday night, allowing the Golden Knights to leapfrog the Oilers into first place. Edmonton and Vegas are in a battle with Anaheim for the Pacific Division title.  The Oilers (40-30-10, 90 points) are limping to the finish of the regular season. Center Leon Draisaitl (lower-body injury) has not played since March 15 and may not be ready for the first round of the playoffs. Center Jason Dickinson is day-to-day after blocking a shot with his leg against San Jose last Wednesday. Winger Zach Hyman (undisclosed) has not played the last four games.  In addition, winger Max Jones was helped off the ice in Edmonton’s 1-0 loss at Los Angeles on Saturday, further depleting the roster.  The loss to the Kings — the fourth time the Oilers have been blanked this season — was the third in four games. Edmonton had won five in a row before this slide to move atop the division.  “We’re playing the right style of hockey and we’re doing the right things,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said after losing to Los Angeles. “But some nights it just doesn’t go your way, you can’t get a goal, and (Saturday) was that night.”  The Avalanche are also dealing with injuries, including one to head coach Jared Bednar. He sustained facial fractures and a corneal abrasion after he was struck on the right cheek with a puck early in the third period of the 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights on Saturday night in Denver. Bednar left the bench and didn’t return.   He was later taken to a hospital to undergo a CT scan and further evaluation but was conscious and alert. Colorado said Bednar will not make the road trip to Edmonton and Calgary; assistant coaches Dave Hakstol and Nolan Pratt will run the team.  “It’s certainly a little unnerving. It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there,” Pratt said after Saturday night’s game. “It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight, so it takes a little second to sort of recalibrate and then get back to it.”  Bednar wasn’t the only injury the Avalanche suffered against Vegas. Defenseman Josh Manson left late in the second period with an upper-body injury and didn’t return for the third. There was no update on Manson’s availability for Monday.  Colorado has been without star defenseman Cale Makar since March 30 due to an upper-body injury, but he is expected back for the playoffs. The Avalanche can be cautious with the roster after wrapping up the Presidents’ Trophy on Thursday night for the best regular-season record.  The goals left are personal. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 52 goals, one more than Montreal’s Cole Caufield, and can join Milan Hejduk as the only Colorado players to win the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. Hejduk captured it in 2002-03 with 50 goals.  Martin Necas needs one point to reach 100 for the first time in his career.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Avalanche #Oilers #persisting #litany #injuries

Deadspin | Avalanche, Oilers persisting through litany of injuries
Deadspin | Avalanche, Oilers persisting through litany of injuries  Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) celebrates with center Nathan MacKinnon (29) after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   The Colorado Avalanche clinched the Central Division and the NHL’s top overall seed. Now they are having a say in who is the other division winner in the Western Conference.  Colorado (52-16-11, 115 points) completes back-to-back games against Pacific Division contenders when it plays at the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.  The Avalanche fell 3-2 in overtime to Vegas on Saturday night, allowing the Golden Knights to leapfrog the Oilers into first place. Edmonton and Vegas are in a battle with Anaheim for the Pacific Division title.  The Oilers (40-30-10, 90 points) are limping to the finish of the regular season. Center Leon Draisaitl (lower-body injury) has not played since March 15 and may not be ready for the first round of the playoffs. Center Jason Dickinson is day-to-day after blocking a shot with his leg against San Jose last Wednesday. Winger Zach Hyman (undisclosed) has not played the last four games.  In addition, winger Max Jones was helped off the ice in Edmonton’s 1-0 loss at Los Angeles on Saturday, further depleting the roster.  The loss to the Kings — the fourth time the Oilers have been blanked this season — was the third in four games. Edmonton had won five in a row before this slide to move atop the division.  “We’re playing the right style of hockey and we’re doing the right things,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said after losing to Los Angeles. “But some nights it just doesn’t go your way, you can’t get a goal, and (Saturday) was that night.”  The Avalanche are also dealing with injuries, including one to head coach Jared Bednar. He sustained facial fractures and a corneal abrasion after he was struck on the right cheek with a puck early in the third period of the 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights on Saturday night in Denver. Bednar left the bench and didn’t return.   He was later taken to a hospital to undergo a CT scan and further evaluation but was conscious and alert. Colorado said Bednar will not make the road trip to Edmonton and Calgary; assistant coaches Dave Hakstol and Nolan Pratt will run the team.  “It’s certainly a little unnerving. It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there,” Pratt said after Saturday night’s game. “It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight, so it takes a little second to sort of recalibrate and then get back to it.”  Bednar wasn’t the only injury the Avalanche suffered against Vegas. Defenseman Josh Manson left late in the second period with an upper-body injury and didn’t return for the third. There was no update on Manson’s availability for Monday.  Colorado has been without star defenseman Cale Makar since March 30 due to an upper-body injury, but he is expected back for the playoffs. The Avalanche can be cautious with the roster after wrapping up the Presidents’ Trophy on Thursday night for the best regular-season record.  The goals left are personal. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 52 goals, one more than Montreal’s Cole Caufield, and can join Milan Hejduk as the only Colorado players to win the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. Hejduk captured it in 2002-03 with 50 goals.  Martin Necas needs one point to reach 100 for the first time in his career.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Avalanche #Oilers #persisting #litany #injuriesApr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) celebrates with center Nathan MacKinnon (29) after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Colorado Avalanche clinched the Central Division and the NHL’s top overall seed. Now they are having a say in who is the other division winner in the Western Conference.

Colorado (52-16-11, 115 points) completes back-to-back games against Pacific Division contenders when it plays at the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.

The Avalanche fell 3-2 in overtime to Vegas on Saturday night, allowing the Golden Knights to leapfrog the Oilers into first place. Edmonton and Vegas are in a battle with Anaheim for the Pacific Division title.

The Oilers (40-30-10, 90 points) are limping to the finish of the regular season. Center Leon Draisaitl (lower-body injury) has not played since March 15 and may not be ready for the first round of the playoffs. Center Jason Dickinson is day-to-day after blocking a shot with his leg against San Jose last Wednesday. Winger Zach Hyman (undisclosed) has not played the last four games.

In addition, winger Max Jones was helped off the ice in Edmonton’s 1-0 loss at Los Angeles on Saturday, further depleting the roster.

The loss to the Kings — the fourth time the Oilers have been blanked this season — was the third in four games. Edmonton had won five in a row before this slide to move atop the division.

“We’re playing the right style of hockey and we’re doing the right things,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said after losing to Los Angeles. “But some nights it just doesn’t go your way, you can’t get a goal, and (Saturday) was that night.”


The Avalanche are also dealing with injuries, including one to head coach Jared Bednar. He sustained facial fractures and a corneal abrasion after he was struck on the right cheek with a puck early in the third period of the 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights on Saturday night in Denver. Bednar left the bench and didn’t return.

He was later taken to a hospital to undergo a CT scan and further evaluation but was conscious and alert. Colorado said Bednar will not make the road trip to Edmonton and Calgary; assistant coaches Dave Hakstol and Nolan Pratt will run the team.

“It’s certainly a little unnerving. It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there,” Pratt said after Saturday night’s game. “It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight, so it takes a little second to sort of recalibrate and then get back to it.”

Bednar wasn’t the only injury the Avalanche suffered against Vegas. Defenseman Josh Manson left late in the second period with an upper-body injury and didn’t return for the third. There was no update on Manson’s availability for Monday.

Colorado has been without star defenseman Cale Makar since March 30 due to an upper-body injury, but he is expected back for the playoffs. The Avalanche can be cautious with the roster after wrapping up the Presidents’ Trophy on Thursday night for the best regular-season record.

The goals left are personal. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 52 goals, one more than Montreal’s Cole Caufield, and can join Milan Hejduk as the only Colorado players to win the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. Hejduk captured it in 2002-03 with 50 goals.

Martin Necas needs one point to reach 100 for the first time in his career.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Avalanche #Oilers #persisting #litany #injuries

Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) celebrates with center Nathan MacKinnon (29) after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Colorado Avalanche clinched the Central Division and the NHL’s top overall seed. Now they are having a say in who is the other division winner in the Western Conference.

Colorado (52-16-11, 115 points) completes back-to-back games against Pacific Division contenders when it plays at the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.

The Avalanche fell 3-2 in overtime to Vegas on Saturday night, allowing the Golden Knights to leapfrog the Oilers into first place. Edmonton and Vegas are in a battle with Anaheim for the Pacific Division title.

The Oilers (40-30-10, 90 points) are limping to the finish of the regular season. Center Leon Draisaitl (lower-body injury) has not played since March 15 and may not be ready for the first round of the playoffs. Center Jason Dickinson is day-to-day after blocking a shot with his leg against San Jose last Wednesday. Winger Zach Hyman (undisclosed) has not played the last four games.

In addition, winger Max Jones was helped off the ice in Edmonton’s 1-0 loss at Los Angeles on Saturday, further depleting the roster.

The loss to the Kings — the fourth time the Oilers have been blanked this season — was the third in four games. Edmonton had won five in a row before this slide to move atop the division.

“We’re playing the right style of hockey and we’re doing the right things,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said after losing to Los Angeles. “But some nights it just doesn’t go your way, you can’t get a goal, and (Saturday) was that night.”

The Avalanche are also dealing with injuries, including one to head coach Jared Bednar. He sustained facial fractures and a corneal abrasion after he was struck on the right cheek with a puck early in the third period of the 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights on Saturday night in Denver. Bednar left the bench and didn’t return.

He was later taken to a hospital to undergo a CT scan and further evaluation but was conscious and alert. Colorado said Bednar will not make the road trip to Edmonton and Calgary; assistant coaches Dave Hakstol and Nolan Pratt will run the team.

“It’s certainly a little unnerving. It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there,” Pratt said after Saturday night’s game. “It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight, so it takes a little second to sort of recalibrate and then get back to it.”

Bednar wasn’t the only injury the Avalanche suffered against Vegas. Defenseman Josh Manson left late in the second period with an upper-body injury and didn’t return for the third. There was no update on Manson’s availability for Monday.

Colorado has been without star defenseman Cale Makar since March 30 due to an upper-body injury, but he is expected back for the playoffs. The Avalanche can be cautious with the roster after wrapping up the Presidents’ Trophy on Thursday night for the best regular-season record.

The goals left are personal. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 52 goals, one more than Montreal’s Cole Caufield, and can join Milan Hejduk as the only Colorado players to win the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. Hejduk captured it in 2002-03 with 50 goals.

Martin Necas needs one point to reach 100 for the first time in his career.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Avalanche #Oilers #persisting #litany #injuries

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Rory McIlroy wins consecutive Masters titles, joins Tiger Woods for unique record <div id="content-body-70856122" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Rory McIlroy overcame early stumbles and a late scare to win the Masters on Sunday, capturing his sixth major title to become only the fourth back-to-back champion at Augusta National.</p><p>The World No. 2 from Northern Ireland made a double bogey at the fourth and a bogey at the sixth, but responded with four birdies in the next seven holes and hung on after woeful late tee shots to win a second green jacket and a record top prize of $4.5 million.</p><p>McIlroy became the first consecutive Masters champion since Tiger Woods, firing a final round one-under-par 71 to finish on 12-under-par 276 and defeat top-ranked Scottie Scheffler by one stroke.</p><p>A year after winning his first Masters to complete a career Grand Slam and snap a 10-year major win drought, McIlroy pulled off a wire-to-wire triumph.</p><p>“I just can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket and you know I get two in a row. It’s just sort of the way,” McIlroy said.</p><p>“I think all of my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off.”</p><p>Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley placed the green jacket on McIlroy, a role usually reserved for the prior year’s Masters winner.</p><p>McIlroy seized a 36-hole Masters record six-stroke lead only to play the weekend at level par.</p><p>“It was a tough weekend. I did the bulk of my work on Thursday and Friday,” McIlroy said. “But just so, so happy to hang in there and get the job done.”</p><p>McIlroy, third-from last in driving accuracy for the week, saved par at 15 from trees but sent his tee shot at the 18th over right trees to a spot near the adjacent 10th fairway.</p><p>With a victory at risk, McIlroy curled a dramatic approach around the pines and into a greenside bunker, then blasted onto the green to 12 feet and two-putted for bogey to secure the triumph.</p><p>“It’s nice to have that two-shot cushion instead of the one like I had last year,” said McIlroy, who needed a playoff to win in 2025.</p><p>McIlroy, 36, yelled with joy and lifted his arms into the air after the triumph and hugged daughter Poppy and wife Erica after walking off the 18th green where she embraced his parents.</p><p>Scheffler, a four-time major winner seeking his third Masters victory in five seasons, was on 277 after shooting a 68 to complete a bogey-free weekend.</p><p>“Over the weekend I put up a good fight, did a lot of good stuff in order to give myself a chance and ultimately came up a couple shots short,” Scheffler said.</p><p>England’s Tyrrell Hatton and 45-year-old Justin Rose and Americans Russell Henley and Cameron Young shared third on 278.</p><p>Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, settled for another near miss after three runner-up Masters finishes.</p><p>“I felt like there was an opportunity to do better, so obviously that’s frustrating for sure,” Rose said.</p><p>Rose birdied four of the last five holes on the front nine and led on 12-under but bogeys at 11 and 12 moved McIlroy into the lead to stay.</p><p>McIlroy sank a seven-foot birdie putt at the par-three 12th after an impressive tee shot, then added an 11-foot birdie putt at the par-five 13th to seize a three-stroke lead.</p><p>“I think the tee shot on 12 and then the tee shot on 13, just to give me the option to go for the green in two,” were the day’s key shots.</p><p>“I made a really good committed swing off the 13th tee, and that enabled me to go for the green in two and to make a birdie there, following the birdie on 12. That was massive,” he said.</p><p>Four pars and the closing bogey followed to produce the victory.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 13, 2026</p></div> #Rory #McIlroy #wins #consecutive #Masters #titles #joins #Tiger #Woods #unique #record

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The FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026 is heading towards its business end, and India’s R Vaishali is on course to clinch the title.

Vaishali is also inching closer towards breaking an all-time record after having secured seven points at the end of Round 11.

Here’s the best individual score in Women’s Candidates:

The record for the most points scored in the history of the Women’s Candidates under the current double round-robin structure is held by Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina, who scored 9.5 points in the 2019 edition.

Vaishali has to score three points in the next three rounds to break the record and 2.5 points to go level with Goryachkina.

A tournament win will secure Vaishali’s qualification for the World Championship Final.

Published on Apr 13, 2026

#FIDE #Womens #Candidates #Vaishali #break #alltime #points #record #single #edition">FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026: Can Vaishali break all-time points record for a single edition?  The FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026 is heading towards its business end, and India’s R Vaishali is on course to clinch the title.Vaishali is also inching closer towards breaking an all-time record after having secured seven points at the end of Round 11.Here’s the best individual score in Women’s Candidates:The record for the most points scored in the history of the Women’s Candidates under the current double round-robin structure is held by Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina, who scored 9.5 points in the 2019 edition.Vaishali has to score three points in the next three rounds to break the record and 2.5 points to go level with Goryachkina.A tournament win will secure Vaishali’s qualification for the World Championship Final.Published on Apr 13, 2026  #FIDE #Womens #Candidates #Vaishali #break #alltime #points #record #single #edition

Deadspin | Bruins defeat Blue Jackets in James Hagens’s debut  Apr 12, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) takes the puck away from Boston Bruins center Mark Kastelic (47) during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images   Sean Kuraly scored and set up two others, leading the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 win over the host Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night.  Boston (44-27-10, 98 points) clinched an Eastern Conference wild-card berth on Saturday. The first wild-card seed is still within reach with the Bruins battling the Senators for seeding.  Henri Jokiharju and Mark Kastelic added a goal and a helper each for Boston, which swept the three-game season series against Columbus and snapped a five-game skid overall (0-3-2).  Joonas Korpisalo made 35 saves in the win.  Mason Marchment and Adam Fantilli responded for the Blue Jackets (40-29-12, 92 points). With the loss, Columbus’ chances at the third seed in the Metropolitan Division took a substantial blow.  Jet Greaves stopped 19 shots.  Kastelic scored the eventual game-winner at 10:22 of the third, putting his shot from a bad angle far-side past Greaves for his 10th of the season.  Fantilli tied it 2-2, on a breakaway, snapping a shot glove side past Korpisalo for his 24th at 1:27 of the third.   Boston took a 2-1 lead with just 19 seconds remaining in the middle frame as Jokiharju snapped a Kuraly feed short-side past a screened Greaves for his second of the season.  With the secondary assist, James Hagens (19 years, 160 days) scored a point in his NHL debut.  Marchment opened the scoring at 3:59, redirecting a Dante Fabbro point shot at the side of the net past Korpisalo for his 19th of the season.  Boston responded at 10:31 on their first shot of the game as Mark Kastelic’s tip of Henri Jokiharju’s point shot went off the skate of Kuraly and in for his sixth of the season.  Sunday was the third and final meeting of the season between the Blue Jackets and Bruins.  Boston doubled up Columbus 4-2 on Feb. 26 before squeezing out a 4-3 shootout victory on March 29.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Bruins #defeat #Blue #Jackets #James #Hagenss #debutApr 12, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) takes the puck away from Boston Bruins center Mark Kastelic (47) during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

Sean Kuraly scored and set up two others, leading the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 win over the host Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night.

Boston (44-27-10, 98 points) clinched an Eastern Conference wild-card berth on Saturday. The first wild-card seed is still within reach with the Bruins battling the Senators for seeding.

Henri Jokiharju and Mark Kastelic added a goal and a helper each for Boston, which swept the three-game season series against Columbus and snapped a five-game skid overall (0-3-2).

Joonas Korpisalo made 35 saves in the win.

Mason Marchment and Adam Fantilli responded for the Blue Jackets (40-29-12, 92 points). With the loss, Columbus’ chances at the third seed in the Metropolitan Division took a substantial blow.

Jet Greaves stopped 19 shots.

Kastelic scored the eventual game-winner at 10:22 of the third, putting his shot from a bad angle far-side past Greaves for his 10th of the season.


Fantilli tied it 2-2, on a breakaway, snapping a shot glove side past Korpisalo for his 24th at 1:27 of the third.

Boston took a 2-1 lead with just 19 seconds remaining in the middle frame as Jokiharju snapped a Kuraly feed short-side past a screened Greaves for his second of the season.

With the secondary assist, James Hagens (19 years, 160 days) scored a point in his NHL debut.

Marchment opened the scoring at 3:59, redirecting a Dante Fabbro point shot at the side of the net past Korpisalo for his 19th of the season.

Boston responded at 10:31 on their first shot of the game as Mark Kastelic’s tip of Henri Jokiharju’s point shot went off the skate of Kuraly and in for his sixth of the season.

Sunday was the third and final meeting of the season between the Blue Jackets and Bruins.

Boston doubled up Columbus 4-2 on Feb. 26 before squeezing out a 4-3 shootout victory on March 29.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Bruins #defeat #Blue #Jackets #James #Hagenss #debut">Deadspin | Bruins defeat Blue Jackets in James Hagens’s debut  Apr 12, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) takes the puck away from Boston Bruins center Mark Kastelic (47) during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images   Sean Kuraly scored and set up two others, leading the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 win over the host Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night.  Boston (44-27-10, 98 points) clinched an Eastern Conference wild-card berth on Saturday. The first wild-card seed is still within reach with the Bruins battling the Senators for seeding.  Henri Jokiharju and Mark Kastelic added a goal and a helper each for Boston, which swept the three-game season series against Columbus and snapped a five-game skid overall (0-3-2).  Joonas Korpisalo made 35 saves in the win.  Mason Marchment and Adam Fantilli responded for the Blue Jackets (40-29-12, 92 points). With the loss, Columbus’ chances at the third seed in the Metropolitan Division took a substantial blow.  Jet Greaves stopped 19 shots.  Kastelic scored the eventual game-winner at 10:22 of the third, putting his shot from a bad angle far-side past Greaves for his 10th of the season.  Fantilli tied it 2-2, on a breakaway, snapping a shot glove side past Korpisalo for his 24th at 1:27 of the third.   Boston took a 2-1 lead with just 19 seconds remaining in the middle frame as Jokiharju snapped a Kuraly feed short-side past a screened Greaves for his second of the season.  With the secondary assist, James Hagens (19 years, 160 days) scored a point in his NHL debut.  Marchment opened the scoring at 3:59, redirecting a Dante Fabbro point shot at the side of the net past Korpisalo for his 19th of the season.  Boston responded at 10:31 on their first shot of the game as Mark Kastelic’s tip of Henri Jokiharju’s point shot went off the skate of Kuraly and in for his sixth of the season.  Sunday was the third and final meeting of the season between the Blue Jackets and Bruins.  Boston doubled up Columbus 4-2 on Feb. 26 before squeezing out a 4-3 shootout victory on March 29.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Bruins #defeat #Blue #Jackets #James #Hagenss #debut

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