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Deadspin | Jalen Duren, Pistons cruise past Bucks  Apr 08, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Caris LeVert (8) defends Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (12) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images   Jalen Duren scored 21 points with nine rebounds to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 137-111 win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.  Detroit (58-22), already the owner of the top seed in the Eastern Conference, bounced back from a loss against Orlando on Monday and won its fourth game in its last five contests.  Duncan Robinson added 20 points for Detroit while its superstar Cade Cunningham made his return from an 11-game absence for a collapsed lung. He contributed 13 points with 10 assists.  The Bucks (31-49) fell for the second game in a row and eighth time in their last 10 games. Michigan native Ryan Rollins led Milwaukee with 23 points while Jericho Sims put up a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.  Milwaukee appeared competitive early on with AJ Green and Ousmane Dieng combining for 19 points and the Pistons holding just a six-point edge after the first quarter despite shooting 60.9% (14 of 23).   Detroit then grew a lead as large as 16 in the second quarter, though a 14-2 Milwaukee run got the Bucks back within four points.  The momentum of that run quickly dissipated as the Pistons bounced back and went into halftime with their largest lead to that point of 18, 75-57. Robinson led the charge for Detroit with 15 points in the half while Rollins came out firing for Milwaukee with 14.  The Bucks continued to make shots from deep in the second half, though the Pistons shot much more efficiently. Detroit continued to shoot around 60% from the floor throughout much of the game and went 5 of 8 from deep in the third quarter.  Detroit won the season series 3-1, marking the first time the Pistons outright won the season set against the Bucks since the 2015-16 campaign. That also was the last season Milwaukee missed the playoffs prior to this year.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Jalen #Duren #Pistons #cruise #Bucks

Deadspin | Jalen Duren, Pistons cruise past Bucks
Deadspin | Jalen Duren, Pistons cruise past Bucks  Apr 08, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Caris LeVert (8) defends Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (12) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images   Jalen Duren scored 21 points with nine rebounds to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 137-111 win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.  Detroit (58-22), already the owner of the top seed in the Eastern Conference, bounced back from a loss against Orlando on Monday and won its fourth game in its last five contests.  Duncan Robinson added 20 points for Detroit while its superstar Cade Cunningham made his return from an 11-game absence for a collapsed lung. He contributed 13 points with 10 assists.  The Bucks (31-49) fell for the second game in a row and eighth time in their last 10 games. Michigan native Ryan Rollins led Milwaukee with 23 points while Jericho Sims put up a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.  Milwaukee appeared competitive early on with AJ Green and Ousmane Dieng combining for 19 points and the Pistons holding just a six-point edge after the first quarter despite shooting 60.9% (14 of 23).   Detroit then grew a lead as large as 16 in the second quarter, though a 14-2 Milwaukee run got the Bucks back within four points.  The momentum of that run quickly dissipated as the Pistons bounced back and went into halftime with their largest lead to that point of 18, 75-57. Robinson led the charge for Detroit with 15 points in the half while Rollins came out firing for Milwaukee with 14.  The Bucks continued to make shots from deep in the second half, though the Pistons shot much more efficiently. Detroit continued to shoot around 60% from the floor throughout much of the game and went 5 of 8 from deep in the third quarter.  Detroit won the season series 3-1, marking the first time the Pistons outright won the season set against the Bucks since the 2015-16 campaign. That also was the last season Milwaukee missed the playoffs prior to this year.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Jalen #Duren #Pistons #cruise #BucksApr 08, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Caris LeVert (8) defends Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (12) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Jalen Duren scored 21 points with nine rebounds to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 137-111 win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

Detroit (58-22), already the owner of the top seed in the Eastern Conference, bounced back from a loss against Orlando on Monday and won its fourth game in its last five contests.

Duncan Robinson added 20 points for Detroit while its superstar Cade Cunningham made his return from an 11-game absence for a collapsed lung. He contributed 13 points with 10 assists.

The Bucks (31-49) fell for the second game in a row and eighth time in their last 10 games. Michigan native Ryan Rollins led Milwaukee with 23 points while Jericho Sims put up a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.


Milwaukee appeared competitive early on with AJ Green and Ousmane Dieng combining for 19 points and the Pistons holding just a six-point edge after the first quarter despite shooting 60.9% (14 of 23).

Detroit then grew a lead as large as 16 in the second quarter, though a 14-2 Milwaukee run got the Bucks back within four points.

The momentum of that run quickly dissipated as the Pistons bounced back and went into halftime with their largest lead to that point of 18, 75-57. Robinson led the charge for Detroit with 15 points in the half while Rollins came out firing for Milwaukee with 14.

The Bucks continued to make shots from deep in the second half, though the Pistons shot much more efficiently. Detroit continued to shoot around 60% from the floor throughout much of the game and went 5 of 8 from deep in the third quarter.

Detroit won the season series 3-1, marking the first time the Pistons outright won the season set against the Bucks since the 2015-16 campaign. That also was the last season Milwaukee missed the playoffs prior to this year.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Jalen #Duren #Pistons #cruise #Bucks

Apr 08, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Caris LeVert (8) defends Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (12) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Jalen Duren scored 21 points with nine rebounds to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 137-111 win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

Detroit (58-22), already the owner of the top seed in the Eastern Conference, bounced back from a loss against Orlando on Monday and won its fourth game in its last five contests.

Duncan Robinson added 20 points for Detroit while its superstar Cade Cunningham made his return from an 11-game absence for a collapsed lung. He contributed 13 points with 10 assists.

The Bucks (31-49) fell for the second game in a row and eighth time in their last 10 games. Michigan native Ryan Rollins led Milwaukee with 23 points while Jericho Sims put up a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

Milwaukee appeared competitive early on with AJ Green and Ousmane Dieng combining for 19 points and the Pistons holding just a six-point edge after the first quarter despite shooting 60.9% (14 of 23).

Detroit then grew a lead as large as 16 in the second quarter, though a 14-2 Milwaukee run got the Bucks back within four points.

The momentum of that run quickly dissipated as the Pistons bounced back and went into halftime with their largest lead to that point of 18, 75-57. Robinson led the charge for Detroit with 15 points in the half while Rollins came out firing for Milwaukee with 14.

The Bucks continued to make shots from deep in the second half, though the Pistons shot much more efficiently. Detroit continued to shoot around 60% from the floor throughout much of the game and went 5 of 8 from deep in the third quarter.

Detroit won the season series 3-1, marking the first time the Pistons outright won the season set against the Bucks since the 2015-16 campaign. That also was the last season Milwaukee missed the playoffs prior to this year.

–Field Level Media

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Tyson Fury to face bear-wrestling Arslanbek Makhmudov in latest comeback <div id="content-body-70842885" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Tyson Fury’s latest comeback has revived the prospect of a long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua.</p><p>First, though, the self-described “Gypsy King” needs to deal with a Russian-born heavyweight who wrestled a bear for fun. Arslanbek Makhmudov is Fury’s opponent in their 12-round fight on Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.</p><p>Fury, the former two-time heavyweight champion, came out of retirement for the fifth time because he wants to “punch men in the face and get paid for it.”</p><p>The 37-year-old Fury had called it quits shortly after losing to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024 for a second time — his only two professional defeats.</p><p>Usyk holds the WBC, WBA and IBF titles and at age 39 has indicated he only has a few fights left in him. The Ukrainian’s next bout, though, has taken everyone by surprise — he’s set to face kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in May at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.</p><p>Also in May, WBO title holder Fabio Wardley faces Daniel Dubois in Manchester.</p><p>Usyk told The Associated Press in a recent interview he foresees a trilogy bout with the charismatic Englishman: “In my head, Tyson Fury, it’s the last dance.”</p><p>In their first meeting, Fury had lost his WBC title to Usyk via split decision in May 2024. The rematch was a unanimous decision for Usyk.</p><p>Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs), if he can take care of business Saturday, has his sights set on Joshua, telling DAZN: “That’s the fight we’re looking to make next.”</p><p>The 36-year-old Joshua had called out Fury after breaking Jake Paul’s jaw in a stoppage victory in December. Days later, though, Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria. He was a passenger in the vehicle and two of his close friends were killed.</p><p>Fury has said the tragedy is part of what motivated him to come out of retirement.</p><p>Joshua appears set to resume fighting. Last weekend, he attended the Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora bout in London and had a brief exchange with Wilder after the American beat Chisora.</p><p><b>ALSO READ: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/boxing/india-women-asian-boxing-championships-four-gold-medals-tally/article70842565.ece" target="_self">Asian Boxing Championships 2026: Indian women top charts, win four gold medals</a></b></p><p>The 36-year-old Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) has created some buzz by posting a video that showed him wrestling a bear. He explained in a February 21 social media post that “the goal was to overcome the threshold of fear and learn to control yourself in critical situations.”</p><p>Makhmudov hails from the Russian southern republic of Dagestan but lives in Canada. His most recent fight was a 12-round unanimous decision over Dave Allen in October.</p><p>Makhmudov’s left eye was swollen shut in a loss to Guido Vianello in 2024. He was felled by Agit Kabayel’s body shots in a fourth-round stoppage in 2023.</p><p>Conor Benn (24-1, 14 KOs) returns to Tottenham after two middleweight slugfests there against Chris Eubank Jr. in 2025. He lost the first one but dominated the rematch in November.</p><p>In the highlight of Saturday’s undercard, the Briton faces Regis Prograis in a bout at a catchweight of 150 lbs. The 37-year-old Prograis (30-3, 24 KOs) is a former two-time world champion at super lightweight (140 lbs).</p><p>Both men are hoping for a title shot later this year. The 29-year-old Benn has traded verbal jabs with WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia.</p><p>The event begins at 7:00PM GMT (11:30PM IST) and is available on <i>Netflix</i>.</p><p>Fury’s ring walk is expected at 10:30PM GMT (3:00AM IST), about one hour after Benn vs. Prograis.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 09, 2026</p></div> #Tyson #Fury #face #bearwrestling #Arslanbek #Makhmudov #latest #comeback

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Monte Carlo Masters 2026: Fonseca eases into quarterfinals, to meet Zverev <div id="content-body-70842965" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Nineteen-year-old Joao Fonseca reached the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event for the first time when he strode to a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Matteo Berrettini in Monte Carlo on Thursday.</p><p>The Brazilian’s last-eight opponent will be world No. 3 Alexander Zverev who dispatched Zizou Bergs 6-2, 7-5.</p><p>Fonseca, who is making his first appearance in Monte Carlo, produced some superb tennis to see off an opponent who had thrashed Daniil Medvedev 6-0, 6-0 in the second round.</p><p>The teenager is the youngest man to reach this stage in Monte Carlo since Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet in 2005 and is the first Brazilian to reach a Masters 1000 quarterfinal since Thomaz Bellucci in Madrid in 2011. He is the second man born in 2006 to reach the quarterfinals at a 1000-level event, after Spaniard Martin Landaluce, who reached the last eight in Miami in March.</p><p>“It is super special. I was looking for this result for a long time,” Fonseca said on court.</p><p>“Of course I want more. I am very confident and focused. I was very happy with the way I fought today. From the beginning, putting a lot of pressure. Playing huge return games and very good serve games. I was putting a lot of pressure and that helps you stay more calm during the match.”</p><p>The world number 40, who is up five places in the live rankings, took just 73 minutes in the Monaco sun to book his place in the last eight, stamping his ticket with a winning smash on his first match point.</p><p>After despatching Bergs, Zverev praised Fonseca.</p><div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/k9jlc0/article70843023.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-04-09T110924Z_976434848_UP1EM490UZLKO_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-MONTECARLO.JPG" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/k9jlc0/article70843023.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-04-09T110924Z_976434848_UP1EM490UZLKO_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-MONTECARLO.JPG" alt="Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once." title="Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once. | Photo Credit: REUTERS </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once. | Photo Credit: REUTERS </p></div><p>“I think clay is his best surface,” Zverev said of the Brazilian. “I am excited to play him for the first time. He is a young upcoming talent and I think we will play each other a lot more in the next couple of years.”</p><p>Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.</p><p>Bergs found his serve in the second set but Zverev managed to break at 3-3.</p><p>The German lost his rhythm when he was serving for the match at 5-4. Bergs swinging freely broke to love after committing four unforced errors.</p><p>Zverev responded immediately by breaking back. He closed out the match in his next service game with an ace on his second match point to win in 1 hour 51 minutes.</p><p>“[It was] a better match from my side,” Zverev said when asked how it compared to his opening-round win on Wednesday in Monte-Carlo, where he rallied from 2-5 in the deciding set to defeat Cristian Garin.</p><p>“It was still not perfect. Still far from the level I played in the US, but this is my first clay tournament… I am happy with the level today. We move forward.”</p><p>The No. 3 player in the ATP rankings Zverev is chasing his eighth Masters 1000 crown and will now meet Fonseca for the first time. Last month, Fonseca faced Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for the first time in Miami and Indian Wells pushing both in narrow defeats.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 09, 2026</p></div> #Monte #Carlo #Masters #Fonseca #eases #quarterfinals #meet #Zverev

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa said Thursday he will retire from the national team after the World Cup and that the tournament could also mark the end of his playing career.

Ochoa, who will turn 41 during the World Cup, has appeared in the previous five editions and is expected to be called for a sixth, although his place on the roster has not been officially confirmed.

The goalkeeper, who plays for AEL Limassol in Cyprus, said in an interview with TUDN that his departure from the national team is a certainty and that his full retirement “could also be on the cards.”

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre announced a partial roster with two goalkeepers from Liga MX and left a spot open for a third who plays abroad. Although he didn’t name him, Ochoa is the only one who has been called up for recent matches.

“Retiring is undoubtedly difficult, but in my case it won’t be so hard because I’ve enjoyed it for so many years, for so long,” Ochoa told the network. “There comes a point when your mind and body say, ‘You’ve given it your all,’ and you leave peacefully, and that’s going to be my case.”

Ochoa is currently one of four Mexicans to have appeared in five World Cups, along with Antonio Carbajal, Rafael Márquez, and Andrés Guardado.

Ochoa could join Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in appearing in a sixth World Cup.

Ochoa was the starter at the past three World Cups. For now, he seems to be considered as Raúl “Tala” Rangel’s backup.

Mexico is co-hosting the tournament with the United States and Canada.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Mexican #goalkeeping #legend #Guillermo #Ochoa #retire #FIFA #World #Cup">Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026  Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa said Thursday he will retire from the national team after the World Cup and that the tournament could also mark the end of his playing career.Ochoa, who will turn 41 during the World Cup, has appeared in the previous five editions and is expected to be called for a sixth, although his place on the roster has not been officially confirmed.The goalkeeper, who plays for AEL Limassol in Cyprus, said in an interview with TUDN that his departure from the national team is a certainty and that his full retirement “could also be on the cards.”Mexico coach Javier Aguirre announced a partial roster with two goalkeepers from Liga MX and left a spot open for a third who plays abroad. Although he didn’t name him, Ochoa is the only one who has been called up for recent matches.“Retiring is undoubtedly difficult, but in my case it won’t be so hard because I’ve enjoyed it for so many years, for so long,” Ochoa told the network. “There comes a point when your mind and body say, ‘You’ve given it your all,’ and you leave peacefully, and that’s going to be my case.”Ochoa is currently one of four Mexicans to have appeared in five World Cups, along with Antonio Carbajal, Rafael Márquez, and Andrés Guardado.Ochoa could join Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in appearing in a sixth World Cup.Ochoa was the starter at the past three World Cups. For now, he seems to be considered as Raúl “Tala” Rangel’s backup.Mexico is co-hosting the tournament with the United States and Canada.Published on May 01, 2026  #Mexican #goalkeeping #legend #Guillermo #Ochoa #retire #FIFA #World #Cup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


–Field Level Media

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

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