Deadspin | Game vs. Flames chance for Avs to clinch President’s Trophy  Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns (84) controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   The Colorado Avalanche secured the top seed in the Western Conference, so the only goal left for them in the regular season is capturing the President’s Trophy and home ice throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs.  They can accomplish that with two more points in their final five games. The first chance comes Thursday night when Colorado hosts the Calgary Flames.  Colorado (51-16-10, 112 points) beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 on Tuesday night to clinch the Central Division and the Western Conference. The Avalanche have been alone atop the NHL standings since Dec. 1, and their only competition for the overall top seed is Carolina, which has 106 points with four games left.  Colorado went 1-0-1 against Carolina this season.  “We set our goals at the start of the year, and we wanted to be on top,” captain Gabe Landeskog said after the win in St. Louis. “That’s a big step. We know it doesn’t mean anything come playoff time, other than we get an extra game at home every series.”  The win over the Blues was costly. Nazem Kadri suffered a finger injury when he blocked a shot on his final shift of the second period. Head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday morning on Altitude Radio that Kadri will miss some time but didn’t specify how long.  Kadri, who still leads Calgary in scoring after being traded from the Flames on March 6, has 50 points this season (16 goals, 34 assists). He has four goals and five assists in 16 games with the Avalanche.  Colorado has already been without defenseman Cale Makar, who suffered an upper-body injury against Calgary on March 30, but he is expected back before the end of the regular season.   Kadri had surgery on his thumb during the second round of the 2022 playoffs but returned to play the last three games of the Stanley Cup Finals.  Calgary (32-36-9, 73 points) was eliminated from the playoffs when Nashville won Monday night. The Flames didn’t show any letdown when they traveled to Dallas on Tuesday night and nearly beat the Stars before falling 4-3 in overtime.  Calgary led 3-1 early in the third period before the Stars rallied to win it in overtime.  “I liked our game,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said. “There was a lot of our game where I thought we played hard. We did a good job away from the pucks, thought we had some lengthy shifts in the offensive zone. … At the end of the night, again, you’re taking penalties against a very good power play. That’s tough.”  Like the Avalanche, Calgary had a player suffer an injury Tuesday night. Defenseman Kevin Bahl played just two shifts before leaving with a lower-body injury. There was no update on his condition.  Thursday night is the second of three matchups in a span of nine games. The teams didn’t play this season until March 30, and they finish up their regular-season series Tuesday in Calgary.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Game #Flames #chance #Avs #clinch #Presidents #Trophy

Deadspin | Game vs. Flames chance for Avs to clinch President’s Trophy
Deadspin | Game vs. Flames chance for Avs to clinch President’s Trophy  Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns (84) controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   The Colorado Avalanche secured the top seed in the Western Conference, so the only goal left for them in the regular season is capturing the President’s Trophy and home ice throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs.  They can accomplish that with two more points in their final five games. The first chance comes Thursday night when Colorado hosts the Calgary Flames.  Colorado (51-16-10, 112 points) beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 on Tuesday night to clinch the Central Division and the Western Conference. The Avalanche have been alone atop the NHL standings since Dec. 1, and their only competition for the overall top seed is Carolina, which has 106 points with four games left.  Colorado went 1-0-1 against Carolina this season.  “We set our goals at the start of the year, and we wanted to be on top,” captain Gabe Landeskog said after the win in St. Louis. “That’s a big step. We know it doesn’t mean anything come playoff time, other than we get an extra game at home every series.”  The win over the Blues was costly. Nazem Kadri suffered a finger injury when he blocked a shot on his final shift of the second period. Head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday morning on Altitude Radio that Kadri will miss some time but didn’t specify how long.  Kadri, who still leads Calgary in scoring after being traded from the Flames on March 6, has 50 points this season (16 goals, 34 assists). He has four goals and five assists in 16 games with the Avalanche.  Colorado has already been without defenseman Cale Makar, who suffered an upper-body injury against Calgary on March 30, but he is expected back before the end of the regular season.   Kadri had surgery on his thumb during the second round of the 2022 playoffs but returned to play the last three games of the Stanley Cup Finals.  Calgary (32-36-9, 73 points) was eliminated from the playoffs when Nashville won Monday night. The Flames didn’t show any letdown when they traveled to Dallas on Tuesday night and nearly beat the Stars before falling 4-3 in overtime.  Calgary led 3-1 early in the third period before the Stars rallied to win it in overtime.  “I liked our game,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said. “There was a lot of our game where I thought we played hard. We did a good job away from the pucks, thought we had some lengthy shifts in the offensive zone. … At the end of the night, again, you’re taking penalties against a very good power play. That’s tough.”  Like the Avalanche, Calgary had a player suffer an injury Tuesday night. Defenseman Kevin Bahl played just two shifts before leaving with a lower-body injury. There was no update on his condition.  Thursday night is the second of three matchups in a span of nine games. The teams didn’t play this season until March 30, and they finish up their regular-season series Tuesday in Calgary.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Game #Flames #chance #Avs #clinch #Presidents #TrophyApr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns (84) controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Colorado Avalanche secured the top seed in the Western Conference, so the only goal left for them in the regular season is capturing the President’s Trophy and home ice throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs.

They can accomplish that with two more points in their final five games. The first chance comes Thursday night when Colorado hosts the Calgary Flames.

Colorado (51-16-10, 112 points) beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 on Tuesday night to clinch the Central Division and the Western Conference. The Avalanche have been alone atop the NHL standings since Dec. 1, and their only competition for the overall top seed is Carolina, which has 106 points with four games left.

Colorado went 1-0-1 against Carolina this season.

“We set our goals at the start of the year, and we wanted to be on top,” captain Gabe Landeskog said after the win in St. Louis. “That’s a big step. We know it doesn’t mean anything come playoff time, other than we get an extra game at home every series.”

The win over the Blues was costly. Nazem Kadri suffered a finger injury when he blocked a shot on his final shift of the second period. Head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday morning on Altitude Radio that Kadri will miss some time but didn’t specify how long.

Kadri, who still leads Calgary in scoring after being traded from the Flames on March 6, has 50 points this season (16 goals, 34 assists). He has four goals and five assists in 16 games with the Avalanche.


Colorado has already been without defenseman Cale Makar, who suffered an upper-body injury against Calgary on March 30, but he is expected back before the end of the regular season.

Kadri had surgery on his thumb during the second round of the 2022 playoffs but returned to play the last three games of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Calgary (32-36-9, 73 points) was eliminated from the playoffs when Nashville won Monday night. The Flames didn’t show any letdown when they traveled to Dallas on Tuesday night and nearly beat the Stars before falling 4-3 in overtime.

Calgary led 3-1 early in the third period before the Stars rallied to win it in overtime.

“I liked our game,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said. “There was a lot of our game where I thought we played hard. We did a good job away from the pucks, thought we had some lengthy shifts in the offensive zone. … At the end of the night, again, you’re taking penalties against a very good power play. That’s tough.”

Like the Avalanche, Calgary had a player suffer an injury Tuesday night. Defenseman Kevin Bahl played just two shifts before leaving with a lower-body injury. There was no update on his condition.

Thursday night is the second of three matchups in a span of nine games. The teams didn’t play this season until March 30, and they finish up their regular-season series Tuesday in Calgary.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Game #Flames #chance #Avs #clinch #Presidents #Trophy

Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns (84) controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Colorado Avalanche secured the top seed in the Western Conference, so the only goal left for them in the regular season is capturing the President’s Trophy and home ice throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs.

They can accomplish that with two more points in their final five games. The first chance comes Thursday night when Colorado hosts the Calgary Flames.

Colorado (51-16-10, 112 points) beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 on Tuesday night to clinch the Central Division and the Western Conference. The Avalanche have been alone atop the NHL standings since Dec. 1, and their only competition for the overall top seed is Carolina, which has 106 points with four games left.

Colorado went 1-0-1 against Carolina this season.

“We set our goals at the start of the year, and we wanted to be on top,” captain Gabe Landeskog said after the win in St. Louis. “That’s a big step. We know it doesn’t mean anything come playoff time, other than we get an extra game at home every series.”

The win over the Blues was costly. Nazem Kadri suffered a finger injury when he blocked a shot on his final shift of the second period. Head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday morning on Altitude Radio that Kadri will miss some time but didn’t specify how long.

Kadri, who still leads Calgary in scoring after being traded from the Flames on March 6, has 50 points this season (16 goals, 34 assists). He has four goals and five assists in 16 games with the Avalanche.

Colorado has already been without defenseman Cale Makar, who suffered an upper-body injury against Calgary on March 30, but he is expected back before the end of the regular season.

Kadri had surgery on his thumb during the second round of the 2022 playoffs but returned to play the last three games of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Calgary (32-36-9, 73 points) was eliminated from the playoffs when Nashville won Monday night. The Flames didn’t show any letdown when they traveled to Dallas on Tuesday night and nearly beat the Stars before falling 4-3 in overtime.

Calgary led 3-1 early in the third period before the Stars rallied to win it in overtime.

“I liked our game,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said. “There was a lot of our game where I thought we played hard. We did a good job away from the pucks, thought we had some lengthy shifts in the offensive zone. … At the end of the night, again, you’re taking penalties against a very good power play. That’s tough.”

Like the Avalanche, Calgary had a player suffer an injury Tuesday night. Defenseman Kevin Bahl played just two shifts before leaving with a lower-body injury. There was no update on his condition.

Thursday night is the second of three matchups in a span of nine games. The teams didn’t play this season until March 30, and they finish up their regular-season series Tuesday in Calgary.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Game #Flames #chance #Avs #clinch #Presidents #Trophy

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Rory McIlroy has great chance to repeat as Masters Champion <div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The first round of the Masters is in the books and its defending champion currently trails no one.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Rory McIlroy is off to a great start at Augusta National, although Sam Burns has equaled his efforts as the two share the lead following Thursday’s round. Sam has <a href="https://x.com/rjochoa/status/2042309862193762510?s=20">seemingly</a> been in Masters mode for a while, by the way.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">With all due respect to Mr. Burns the fact that Rory is tied for the lead, even if it is after only the first round, is a fairly big deal and the story of the Tournament to date. McIlroy has spoken a lot about his overall thoughts on the Masters and the strategy involved in winning it since he did so a year ago, and he has shared that he always felt like getting off to a hot start was critical to success.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">McIlroy won the Masters last year, but he didn’t exactly cruise to victory or get off to the hot start that he believes is vital.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Do you know where Rory finished after the first round when he went on to win the green jacket?</p></div><div><p><h4 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Rory McIlroy at the 2025 Masters</h4></p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">McIlroy was even par after 18 holes last year so the fact that he is currently 5-under and in front of all but one player suggests that he has a very strong chance of repeating as winner. Much easier said than done, clearly.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">While Rory’s bookend rounds in 2025 were hardly impressive his Thursday round this year closely mirrored what he did on Friday and Saturday last year. There may wind up being some regression to the mean here, but ultimately Rory is quite literally sitting in pole position.</p></div> #Rory #McIlroy #great #chance #repeat #Masters #Champion

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Brazil pacer Laura Cardoso becomes first player to pick nine wickets in T20Is <div id="content-body-70842695" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Brazilian pacer Laura Cardoso scripted history on Thursday as she became the first player, man or woman, to take nine wickets in a T20I innings.</p><p>The 21-year-old all-rounder ripped through Lesotho’s batting line-up at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 2, Gaborone, ending with a brilliant spell of 9/4 (3) which included two maiden overs.</p><p>This has bettered R. Rohmalia’s (Indonesia) spell of seven wickets for no runs against Mongolia in 2024 in the women’s game, and Sonam Yeshey’s (Bhutan) 8/7 spell against Myanmar in 2025 in the men’s game.</p><p>Earlier in the match, Brazil posted a commanding total of 202, powered by impressive knocks from Roberta Avery (48 off 35) and Monnike Machado (69 not out off 41).</p><p>Cardoso’s incredible spell began in the second over when the pacer picked up a hat-trick. She followed it up with four more wickets in the fourth over to take her tally to seven.</p><p>Two additional wickets in the sixth over saw her reach an unprecedented nine wickets in an innings.</p><p>The final wicket was claimed by Marianne Artur, as Lesotho were bowled out for just 13 in 6.2 overs, handing Brazil a massive 189-run victory.</p><p>Cardoso has played 48 T20Is for Brazil and picked up 55 wickets. She made her debut for the Brazilian national team in 2021 against USA.</p><p><i>(With PTI inputs)</i></p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 09, 2026</p></div> #Brazil #pacer #Laura #Cardoso #player #pick #wickets #T20Is

Deadspin | NWSL delays plan to alter schedule until at least 2031  May 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images   The NWSL will continue to operate with a spring-to-fall schedule through at least the 2030 season, the league announced on Wednesday.  The announcement came one day after the NWSL Board of Governors made the decision in Portland, Ore. Representatives from the 18 league franchises assembled in person along with commissioner Jessica Berman as they considered a switch to a fall-to-spring schedule to align with other top soccer leagues — including MLS.  “The National Women’s Soccer League will continue to operate under its current spring-to-fall schedule through 2028, 2029, and 2030,” a statement from the league read.  “Following extensive evaluation and close collaboration with key stakeholders, we have made the deliberate decision to maintain our existing competition calendar for this period. This decision reflects our confidence in the strong momentum and growth the league has achieved under its current structure, and our commitment to providing stability for everyone invested in the NWSL’s success.”  Currently, the NWSL season runs from March to November. Top circuits in Europe start in late summer or early fall and end in late spring. MLS is making the transition to that format next season.   The NWSL board previously voted against a calendar shift in 2024, according to ESPN.  “We remain thoughtful about the long-term evaluation of our calendar — and will continue to assess future opportunities with the same rigor and broad stakeholder alignment that guided this decision,” the statement from the NWSL continued.  “Any change of that magnitude would be communicated with ample notice.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #NWSL #delays #plan #alter #scheduleMay 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

The NWSL will continue to operate with a spring-to-fall schedule through at least the 2030 season, the league announced on Wednesday.

The announcement came one day after the NWSL Board of Governors made the decision in Portland, Ore. Representatives from the 18 league franchises assembled in person along with commissioner Jessica Berman as they considered a switch to a fall-to-spring schedule to align with other top soccer leagues — including MLS.

“The National Women’s Soccer League will continue to operate under its current spring-to-fall schedule through 2028, 2029, and 2030,” a statement from the league read.

“Following extensive evaluation and close collaboration with key stakeholders, we have made the deliberate decision to maintain our existing competition calendar for this period. This decision reflects our confidence in the strong momentum and growth the league has achieved under its current structure, and our commitment to providing stability for everyone invested in the NWSL’s success.”


Currently, the NWSL season runs from March to November. Top circuits in Europe start in late summer or early fall and end in late spring. MLS is making the transition to that format next season.

The NWSL board previously voted against a calendar shift in 2024, according to ESPN.

“We remain thoughtful about the long-term evaluation of our calendar — and will continue to assess future opportunities with the same rigor and broad stakeholder alignment that guided this decision,” the statement from the NWSL continued.

“Any change of that magnitude would be communicated with ample notice.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NWSL #delays #plan #alter #schedule">Deadspin | NWSL delays plan to alter schedule until at least 2031  May 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images   The NWSL will continue to operate with a spring-to-fall schedule through at least the 2030 season, the league announced on Wednesday.  The announcement came one day after the NWSL Board of Governors made the decision in Portland, Ore. Representatives from the 18 league franchises assembled in person along with commissioner Jessica Berman as they considered a switch to a fall-to-spring schedule to align with other top soccer leagues — including MLS.  “The National Women’s Soccer League will continue to operate under its current spring-to-fall schedule through 2028, 2029, and 2030,” a statement from the league read.  “Following extensive evaluation and close collaboration with key stakeholders, we have made the deliberate decision to maintain our existing competition calendar for this period. This decision reflects our confidence in the strong momentum and growth the league has achieved under its current structure, and our commitment to providing stability for everyone invested in the NWSL’s success.”  Currently, the NWSL season runs from March to November. Top circuits in Europe start in late summer or early fall and end in late spring. MLS is making the transition to that format next season.   The NWSL board previously voted against a calendar shift in 2024, according to ESPN.  “We remain thoughtful about the long-term evaluation of our calendar — and will continue to assess future opportunities with the same rigor and broad stakeholder alignment that guided this decision,” the statement from the NWSL continued.  “Any change of that magnitude would be communicated with ample notice.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #NWSL #delays #plan #alter #schedule

Deadspin | Yankees DFA veteran OF Randal Grichuk  Mar 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Randal Grichuk (34) before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images   The New York Yankees designated veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk for assignment on Wednesday.  The 34-year-old journeyman signed as a free agent during training camp, with the Yankees becoming his seventh MLB team.  In a corresponding move, the Yankees brought up right-hander Elmer Rodriguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Rodriguez, 22, will start and make his MLB debut against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday afternoon.   At Triple-A, Rodriguez had a 1-2 record and 1.27 ERA in four starts.  In limited action this season, Grichuk batted .194 with two RBIs. He is a career .250 hitter with 212 homers and 631 RBIs in 1,376 games since making his MLB debut in 2014 with the St. Louis Cardinals.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Yankees #DFA #veteran #Randal #GrichukMar 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Randal Grichuk (34) before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The New York Yankees designated veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk for assignment on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old journeyman signed as a free agent during training camp, with the Yankees becoming his seventh MLB team.


In a corresponding move, the Yankees brought up right-hander Elmer Rodriguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Rodriguez, 22, will start and make his MLB debut against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday afternoon.

At Triple-A, Rodriguez had a 1-2 record and 1.27 ERA in four starts.

In limited action this season, Grichuk batted .194 with two RBIs. He is a career .250 hitter with 212 homers and 631 RBIs in 1,376 games since making his MLB debut in 2014 with the St. Louis Cardinals.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Yankees #DFA #veteran #Randal #Grichuk">Deadspin | Yankees DFA veteran OF Randal Grichuk  Mar 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Randal Grichuk (34) before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images   The New York Yankees designated veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk for assignment on Wednesday.  The 34-year-old journeyman signed as a free agent during training camp, with the Yankees becoming his seventh MLB team.  In a corresponding move, the Yankees brought up right-hander Elmer Rodriguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Rodriguez, 22, will start and make his MLB debut against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday afternoon.   At Triple-A, Rodriguez had a 1-2 record and 1.27 ERA in four starts.  In limited action this season, Grichuk batted .194 with two RBIs. He is a career .250 hitter with 212 homers and 631 RBIs in 1,376 games since making his MLB debut in 2014 with the St. Louis Cardinals.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Yankees #DFA #veteran #Randal #Grichuk

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