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Deadspin | MLB roundup: Cards score 4 runs in ninth to stun Pirates  Apr 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher George Soriano (65) is congratulated by catcher Pedro Pages (43) after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images   Jose Fermin’s two-run double with one out in the ninth inning capped a four-run rally as the St. Louis Cardinals overcame a near-shutout and beat the host Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Monday.  St. Louis, which had lost four straight and five of six, was hitless through 6 2/3 innings and scoreless through 8 1/3 before breaking through against Dennis Santana, who came into the contest with two saves and a 0.69 ERA with only one earned run allowed in 13 appearances.  Those numbers took a hit right away as Pedro Pages, St. Louis’ backup catcher, and rookie JJ Wetherholt hit back-to-back home runs off Santana (2-2) to even the game.  It was Pages’ third home run of the season, and second in his last two games, while Wetherholt went deep for the third straight game and sixth time this season.  Ryan O’Hearn and Jake Mangum drove in runs for Pittsburgh, which dropped its second straight game.  Yankees 4, Rangers 2  Max Fried pitched six scoreless innings and was backed by three homers as New York prevailed in Arlington, Texas.  Ben Rice, Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered as the Yankees won for the ninth time in 10 games. Fried (4-1) allowed four hits and produced his fourth scoreless start this season. David Bednar gave up a run in the ninth but got his eighth save.  Rangers starter Jack Leiter (1-2) yielded four runs on eight hits in six innings. Joc Pederson delivered a solo homer.  Rays 3, Guardians 2  Ryan Vilade singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Steven Matz worked a season-high seven innings to lead visiting Tampa Bay over Cleveland.   Vilade had two RBI singles in a three-inning span as the Rays scored three unanswered runs to erase a 2-0 deficit. Vilade went 3-for-4 and Jonathan Aranda added a home run for the Rays. Matz (4-1) gave up two runs on four hits.  Cleveland took a 2-0 lead in the fifth on Daniel Schneemann’s two-run homer to left off Matz. Chase DeLauter went 2-for-4 with a double. Parker Messick tied his career high with nine strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits.  Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 0  Ranger Suarez pitched eight innings of one-hit ball as visiting Boston blanked Toronto.   Suarez (2-2) struck out 10 one in the opener of a three-game series. Carlos Narvaez hit a solo homer for the Red Sox and Marcelo Mayer and Wilyer Abreu each had two hits, a walk and an RBI.  Dylan Cease (1-1) allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Toronto had only a walk before Jesus Sanchez led off the home sixth with a double past third base, breaking up a no-hit bid. Dalton Varsho had the Jays’ other hit, a double in the ninth inning.  Twins 11, Mariners 4  Kody Clemens went 2-for-5 with a homer and five RBIs, and Minnesota cruised to a win over Seattle in Minneapolis.  Byron Buxton hit a two-run homer and Trevor Larnach went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI for Minnesota, which snapped a five-game losing streak. Ryan Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.  Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer for Seattle, whose four-game winning streak ended.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Cards #score #runs #ninth #stun #Pirates

Deadspin | MLB roundup: Cards score 4 runs in ninth to stun Pirates
Deadspin | MLB roundup: Cards score 4 runs in ninth to stun Pirates  Apr 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher George Soriano (65) is congratulated by catcher Pedro Pages (43) after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images   Jose Fermin’s two-run double with one out in the ninth inning capped a four-run rally as the St. Louis Cardinals overcame a near-shutout and beat the host Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Monday.  St. Louis, which had lost four straight and five of six, was hitless through 6 2/3 innings and scoreless through 8 1/3 before breaking through against Dennis Santana, who came into the contest with two saves and a 0.69 ERA with only one earned run allowed in 13 appearances.  Those numbers took a hit right away as Pedro Pages, St. Louis’ backup catcher, and rookie JJ Wetherholt hit back-to-back home runs off Santana (2-2) to even the game.  It was Pages’ third home run of the season, and second in his last two games, while Wetherholt went deep for the third straight game and sixth time this season.  Ryan O’Hearn and Jake Mangum drove in runs for Pittsburgh, which dropped its second straight game.  Yankees 4, Rangers 2  Max Fried pitched six scoreless innings and was backed by three homers as New York prevailed in Arlington, Texas.  Ben Rice, Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered as the Yankees won for the ninth time in 10 games. Fried (4-1) allowed four hits and produced his fourth scoreless start this season. David Bednar gave up a run in the ninth but got his eighth save.  Rangers starter Jack Leiter (1-2) yielded four runs on eight hits in six innings. Joc Pederson delivered a solo homer.  Rays 3, Guardians 2  Ryan Vilade singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Steven Matz worked a season-high seven innings to lead visiting Tampa Bay over Cleveland.   Vilade had two RBI singles in a three-inning span as the Rays scored three unanswered runs to erase a 2-0 deficit. Vilade went 3-for-4 and Jonathan Aranda added a home run for the Rays. Matz (4-1) gave up two runs on four hits.  Cleveland took a 2-0 lead in the fifth on Daniel Schneemann’s two-run homer to left off Matz. Chase DeLauter went 2-for-4 with a double. Parker Messick tied his career high with nine strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits.  Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 0  Ranger Suarez pitched eight innings of one-hit ball as visiting Boston blanked Toronto.   Suarez (2-2) struck out 10 one in the opener of a three-game series. Carlos Narvaez hit a solo homer for the Red Sox and Marcelo Mayer and Wilyer Abreu each had two hits, a walk and an RBI.  Dylan Cease (1-1) allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Toronto had only a walk before Jesus Sanchez led off the home sixth with a double past third base, breaking up a no-hit bid. Dalton Varsho had the Jays’ other hit, a double in the ninth inning.  Twins 11, Mariners 4  Kody Clemens went 2-for-5 with a homer and five RBIs, and Minnesota cruised to a win over Seattle in Minneapolis.  Byron Buxton hit a two-run homer and Trevor Larnach went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI for Minnesota, which snapped a five-game losing streak. Ryan Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.  Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer for Seattle, whose four-game winning streak ended.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Cards #score #runs #ninth #stun #PiratesApr 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher George Soriano (65) is congratulated by catcher Pedro Pages (43) after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images

Jose Fermin’s two-run double with one out in the ninth inning capped a four-run rally as the St. Louis Cardinals overcame a near-shutout and beat the host Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Monday.

St. Louis, which had lost four straight and five of six, was hitless through 6 2/3 innings and scoreless through 8 1/3 before breaking through against Dennis Santana, who came into the contest with two saves and a 0.69 ERA with only one earned run allowed in 13 appearances.

Those numbers took a hit right away as Pedro Pages, St. Louis’ backup catcher, and rookie JJ Wetherholt hit back-to-back home runs off Santana (2-2) to even the game.

It was Pages’ third home run of the season, and second in his last two games, while Wetherholt went deep for the third straight game and sixth time this season.

Ryan O’Hearn and Jake Mangum drove in runs for Pittsburgh, which dropped its second straight game.

Yankees 4, Rangers 2

Max Fried pitched six scoreless innings and was backed by three homers as New York prevailed in Arlington, Texas.

Ben Rice, Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered as the Yankees won for the ninth time in 10 games. Fried (4-1) allowed four hits and produced his fourth scoreless start this season. David Bednar gave up a run in the ninth but got his eighth save.

Rangers starter Jack Leiter (1-2) yielded four runs on eight hits in six innings. Joc Pederson delivered a solo homer.

Rays 3, Guardians 2


Ryan Vilade singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Steven Matz worked a season-high seven innings to lead visiting Tampa Bay over Cleveland.

Vilade had two RBI singles in a three-inning span as the Rays scored three unanswered runs to erase a 2-0 deficit. Vilade went 3-for-4 and Jonathan Aranda added a home run for the Rays. Matz (4-1) gave up two runs on four hits.

Cleveland took a 2-0 lead in the fifth on Daniel Schneemann’s two-run homer to left off Matz. Chase DeLauter went 2-for-4 with a double. Parker Messick tied his career high with nine strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits.

Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 0

Ranger Suarez pitched eight innings of one-hit ball as visiting Boston blanked Toronto.

Suarez (2-2) struck out 10 one in the opener of a three-game series. Carlos Narvaez hit a solo homer for the Red Sox and Marcelo Mayer and Wilyer Abreu each had two hits, a walk and an RBI.

Dylan Cease (1-1) allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Toronto had only a walk before Jesus Sanchez led off the home sixth with a double past third base, breaking up a no-hit bid. Dalton Varsho had the Jays’ other hit, a double in the ninth inning.

Twins 11, Mariners 4

Kody Clemens went 2-for-5 with a homer and five RBIs, and Minnesota cruised to a win over Seattle in Minneapolis.

Byron Buxton hit a two-run homer and Trevor Larnach went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI for Minnesota, which snapped a five-game losing streak. Ryan Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.

Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer for Seattle, whose four-game winning streak ended.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Cards #score #runs #ninth #stun #Pirates

Apr 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher George Soriano (65) is congratulated by catcher Pedro Pages (43) after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images

Jose Fermin’s two-run double with one out in the ninth inning capped a four-run rally as the St. Louis Cardinals overcame a near-shutout and beat the host Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Monday.

St. Louis, which had lost four straight and five of six, was hitless through 6 2/3 innings and scoreless through 8 1/3 before breaking through against Dennis Santana, who came into the contest with two saves and a 0.69 ERA with only one earned run allowed in 13 appearances.

Those numbers took a hit right away as Pedro Pages, St. Louis’ backup catcher, and rookie JJ Wetherholt hit back-to-back home runs off Santana (2-2) to even the game.

It was Pages’ third home run of the season, and second in his last two games, while Wetherholt went deep for the third straight game and sixth time this season.

Ryan O’Hearn and Jake Mangum drove in runs for Pittsburgh, which dropped its second straight game.

Yankees 4, Rangers 2

Max Fried pitched six scoreless innings and was backed by three homers as New York prevailed in Arlington, Texas.

Ben Rice, Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered as the Yankees won for the ninth time in 10 games. Fried (4-1) allowed four hits and produced his fourth scoreless start this season. David Bednar gave up a run in the ninth but got his eighth save.

Rangers starter Jack Leiter (1-2) yielded four runs on eight hits in six innings. Joc Pederson delivered a solo homer.

Rays 3, Guardians 2

Ryan Vilade singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Steven Matz worked a season-high seven innings to lead visiting Tampa Bay over Cleveland.

Vilade had two RBI singles in a three-inning span as the Rays scored three unanswered runs to erase a 2-0 deficit. Vilade went 3-for-4 and Jonathan Aranda added a home run for the Rays. Matz (4-1) gave up two runs on four hits.

Cleveland took a 2-0 lead in the fifth on Daniel Schneemann’s two-run homer to left off Matz. Chase DeLauter went 2-for-4 with a double. Parker Messick tied his career high with nine strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits.

Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 0

Ranger Suarez pitched eight innings of one-hit ball as visiting Boston blanked Toronto.

Suarez (2-2) struck out 10 one in the opener of a three-game series. Carlos Narvaez hit a solo homer for the Red Sox and Marcelo Mayer and Wilyer Abreu each had two hits, a walk and an RBI.

Dylan Cease (1-1) allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Toronto had only a walk before Jesus Sanchez led off the home sixth with a double past third base, breaking up a no-hit bid. Dalton Varsho had the Jays’ other hit, a double in the ninth inning.

Twins 11, Mariners 4

Kody Clemens went 2-for-5 with a homer and five RBIs, and Minnesota cruised to a win over Seattle in Minneapolis.

Byron Buxton hit a two-run homer and Trevor Larnach went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI for Minnesota, which snapped a five-game losing streak. Ryan Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.

Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer for Seattle, whose four-game winning streak ended.

–Field Level Media

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Maguire lauds Carrick for turnaround at Manchester United as Champions League return looms <div id="content-body-70914864" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Manchester United defender Harry Maguire praised coach ​Michael Carrick for the turnaround in the club’s fortunes after ‌a 2-1 Premier League win over Brentford that ​leaves it close to a return to ⁠the Champions League after finishing 15th last season.</p><p>United sacked previous coach Ruben Amorim in January after a turbulent 14-month ‌spell at the helm that saw the players struggle to get to grips with ‌his tactics, and Maguire credited his successor Carrick ‌with ⁠restoring the team’s confidence and getting it back ⁠to winning ways.</p><p>“We had two tough fixtures when Michael first came in, and I think everyone was probably looking at them thinking ‘oh ​no’, with Arsenal and ‌Man City, and we managed to get the six points,” Maguire told Sky Sports after setting up Casemiro for the first goal against Brentford.</p><p>“Everyone’s believed in ‌it, and we’ve gathered together. We’ve got the ​confidence. We know that we can score goals from anywhere.”</p><p>Third-placed United looked comfortable as it cruised to a win that moved it to 61 points in the standings, 11 ahead of sixth-placed Brighton & ‌Hove Albion with four games left to play and five teams qualifying for next season’s Champions League.</p><p>United has won nine of its 13 games under Carrick, paving the way for a return to Europe’s biggest club competition.</p><p>“The results speak for themselves – since the manager ‌has come in, and the formation has changed, we just seem ​to pick up results. I think that the games previous, when Ruben was here, the ⁠games were fifty-fifty, but we always ended up on the ⁠back of a defeat,” Maguire explained.</p><p>“Now it seems like it’s the other way around, where ‌we’re a lot better in both boxes. We defend our box a lot better, and we’re managing ​to be clinical in the other box.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 28, 2026</p></div> #Maguire #lauds #Carrick #turnaround #Manchester #United #Champions #League #return #looms

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Uber Cup Finals: India loses 0-5 to China to end campaign <div id="content-body-70914923" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu squandered a strong position as India failed to capitalise on chances, going down 0-5 to China to end its campaign at the Uber Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark.</p><p>The Indian women’s team had opened with a 2-3 loss to host Denmark before bouncing back with a 4-1 win over Ukraine.</p><p>China, the most successful team in Uber Cup history with 16 titles, was always going to be a formidable opponent, with India having lost to it three times in its last three major ties.</p><p>While Sindhu remained the leader of the group, Isharani Baruah and Devika Sihag were drafted in place of Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma for the other two singles.</p><p>Sindhu raised hopes as she looked set for a statement win before letting slip an 18-12 lead in the decider to go down 16-21, 21-19, 19-21 to world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi in the opening singles, handing China a 1-0 lead in the must-win Group A tie on Monday.</p><p>It would have taken a miracle to upset the defending champion thereafter, and though the young Indian shuttlers showed fight, they lacked the finishing touch and faltered at crucial moments.</p><p>Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra were no match for world No. 1 pair Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, losing 11-21, 8-21 in the first doubles.</p><p>Tasked with keeping the tie alive, Isharani produced a fast-paced display to trouble Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yufei but left too many shuttles and committed errors at the net.</p><p>The world No. 38 Indian missed a sitter at 20-19 in the opening game as the world No. 4 Chinese eventually sealed a 22-20, 21-13 win in 44 minutes to give China an unassailable 3-0 lead.</p><p>The pair of Treesa Jolly and Kavipriya Selvam also had their moments before going down 10-21, 21-12, 19-21 in a 59-minute clash against Luo Xu Min and Zhang Shu Xian.</p><p>World No. 43 Devika, who had won her maiden Super 300 title in Thailand this year, also made a strong start but failed to sustain the momentum, losing 21-19, 17-21, 10-21 to world No. 97 Xu Wen Jing in the third singles.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Sindhu vs Wang</h4><p>Sindhu recovered from an early 4-7 deficit in the first game, drawing level at 9-9 before reeling off five straight points to take an 11-9 lead at the interval. She maintained control with sharp net play and attacking smashes to move to 14-10, but Wang raised her intensity late, using deception and precise placement to claw back.</p><p>From 16-16, the Chinese edged ahead and closed out the game with a series of winners.</p><p>The Indian responded aggressively in the second game, opening up a 9-4 lead with a barrage of smashes. Wang fought back with her trademark angles and deception to level at 10-10, but Sindhu held her nerve in the closing stages.</p><p>Leading 18-16, she earned two game points and converted on the second with a powerful smash to force a decider.</p><p>Sindhu carried the momentum into the third game, racing to a 9-3 lead and extending it to 11-6 at the break. She continued to dictate play, stretching the advantage to 18-12 with relentless attacking strokes.</p><p>However, the momentum swung dramatically thereafter. Wang mounted a remarkable comeback, stringing together six consecutive points to level at 18-18. The Chinese then edged ahead 19-18 before Sindhu drew level once again.</p><p>Wang earned match point with a steep smash and sealed the contest when Sindhu found the net, completing a stunning turnaround.</p><p>All eyes will be on the men’s team to avenge the loss when it takes on China on Wednesday in the Thomas Cup.</p><p>India, the 2022 champion, sealed a place in the Thomas Cup Finals quarterfinals with a commanding 5-0 victory over Australia in a Group A tie on Monday.</p><p>India and China now occupy the top spots in the group. The 2022 champion had opened with a 4-1 win over Canada, while China blanked Australia 5-0 and beat Canada 4-1 earlier in the day.</p><p>The two sides will clash in their final group tie on Wednesday to decide the group topper.</p><p>China boasts a formidable line-up, featuring world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi, world No. 7 Li Shi Feng and world No. 15 Weng Hong Yang in singles, while world No. 6 pair Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, along with He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu, lead its doubles strength.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 28, 2026</p></div> #Uber #Cup #Finals #India #loses #China #campaign

Deadspin | Mets add RHP Daniel Duarte, move A.J. Minter to 60-day IL  Feb 18, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA;  New York Mets pitcher Daniel Duarte (54) throws a pitch during spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images   The New York Mets selected the contract of right-hander Daniel Duarte on Monday after right-hander Joey Gerber was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.  To free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Duarte, left-hander A.J. Minter was moved to the 60-day injured list. Minter continues to recover from a left lat strain and left hip discomfort.  Duarte, 29, has 36 career major league relief appearances, compiling a 3.99 ERA from 2022-24 with the Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins. He was 0-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 12 appearances (four starts) at Syracuse after making two appearances with Mexico at this spring’s World Baseball Classic.   Gerber, 29, pitched two scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 13 in his only major league appearance this season. He was recalled on Friday but did not pitch over the weekend against the New York Yankees.  Minter, 32, had lat surgery in 2025 and experienced hip discomfort at spring training that landed him on the injured list to start the season. He has a 3.12 ERA in nine minor league rehab outings for three separate clubs.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Mets #add #RHP #Daniel #Duarte #move #A.J #Minter #60dayFeb 18, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Daniel Duarte (54) throws a pitch during spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

The New York Mets selected the contract of right-hander Daniel Duarte on Monday after right-hander Joey Gerber was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

To free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Duarte, left-hander A.J. Minter was moved to the 60-day injured list. Minter continues to recover from a left lat strain and left hip discomfort.


Duarte, 29, has 36 career major league relief appearances, compiling a 3.99 ERA from 2022-24 with the Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins. He was 0-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 12 appearances (four starts) at Syracuse after making two appearances with Mexico at this spring’s World Baseball Classic.

Gerber, 29, pitched two scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 13 in his only major league appearance this season. He was recalled on Friday but did not pitch over the weekend against the New York Yankees.

Minter, 32, had lat surgery in 2025 and experienced hip discomfort at spring training that landed him on the injured list to start the season. He has a 3.12 ERA in nine minor league rehab outings for three separate clubs.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Mets #add #RHP #Daniel #Duarte #move #A.J #Minter #60day">Deadspin | Mets add RHP Daniel Duarte, move A.J. Minter to 60-day IL  Feb 18, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA;  New York Mets pitcher Daniel Duarte (54) throws a pitch during spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images   The New York Mets selected the contract of right-hander Daniel Duarte on Monday after right-hander Joey Gerber was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.  To free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Duarte, left-hander A.J. Minter was moved to the 60-day injured list. Minter continues to recover from a left lat strain and left hip discomfort.  Duarte, 29, has 36 career major league relief appearances, compiling a 3.99 ERA from 2022-24 with the Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins. He was 0-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 12 appearances (four starts) at Syracuse after making two appearances with Mexico at this spring’s World Baseball Classic.   Gerber, 29, pitched two scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 13 in his only major league appearance this season. He was recalled on Friday but did not pitch over the weekend against the New York Yankees.  Minter, 32, had lat surgery in 2025 and experienced hip discomfort at spring training that landed him on the injured list to start the season. He has a 3.12 ERA in nine minor league rehab outings for three separate clubs.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Mets #add #RHP #Daniel #Duarte #move #A.J #Minter #60day

The winner of that Game 7 will have two days of rest before beginning the Eastern Conference Finals — the Hurricanes will have had 12.

A bizarre, problematic twist to the NHL Playoff schedule has led to the greatest rest disparity in the history of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nobody has had 12 games of rest before, and it happened because of the bracket’s construction. The NHL has long operated on the idea that nobody should be able to easily sweep a series, let along two back-to-back. What the Canes are doing hasn’t been seen since the 1980s, and it just so happens at the time where the other side of the Eastern conference draw has been a total crapshoot. It took seven games for the Canadiens to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Sabres needed six to beat the Bruins in the opening round — now they have gone to seven against each other in this series. Meanwhile the Hurricanes wen 4-0 against the Senators, then 4-0 against the Flyers to reach this spot.

The result is that Carolina has played nearly half less games as anyone left in the East, and the fewest in the playoffs. It’s a blessing in terms of getting healthy, being rested, and entering the Eastern Conference Finals at 100-percent, but it remains to be seen if the rest could come back to bite the team by interrupting their rhythm. That’s a significant worry, and as dominant as the Canes have seemed, there are also some very real worries.

Thus far the team hasn’t seen a lot of production out of its top line. Svechnikov/Aho/Jarvis have been solid, but once again seem to be falling into that all-too-common Carolina trope of stars disappearing in the playoffs. The Hurricanes’ power play has been atrocious as well, 5-for-27 these playoffs after being 24.9% on the season. They’re won on the back of speed, power, and their forecheck — but have yet to be tested in a multi-goal deficit, and still have significant questions in net with Freddie Andersen playing phenomentally well, but being far from a safe bet after a down season in Raleigh.

That makes this upcoming Eastern Conference Final an each way bet, and a litmus test on the NHL’s scheduling. There’s no good result to what will happen next. If Carolina comes out and dominates then opposing fans will cry foul of the amount of rest the Canes got in the lead up to this series, if Carolina gets bodied early in the series it will be an indictment on them having too much rest to stay hot in the playoffs. Sprinkle in the drama of this destined to be another Southern hockey vs. legacy cold-weather city matchup and there will be plenty of angst in the ECF.

Embrace chaos, because it’s coming on Thursday night.

#Carolina #Hurricanes #coming #historic #rest #NHL #Eastern #Conference #Finals">Carolina Hurricanes coming off historic rest for NHL Eastern Conference Finals  It’s been a long time since the Carolina Hurricanes played hockey, and they have to wait even longer. The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres play in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference Semi-Finals on Monday night, with Carolina waiting for the winner to kick off the next series on Thursday.The winner of that Game 7 will have two days of rest before beginning the Eastern Conference Finals — the Hurricanes will have had 12.A bizarre, problematic twist to the NHL Playoff schedule has led to the greatest rest disparity in the history of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nobody has had 12 games of rest before, and it happened because of the bracket’s construction. The NHL has long operated on the idea that nobody should be able to easily sweep a series, let along two back-to-back. What the Canes are doing hasn’t been seen since the 1980s, and it just so happens at the time where the other side of the Eastern conference draw has been a total crapshoot. It took seven games for the Canadiens to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Sabres needed six to beat the Bruins in the opening round — now they have gone to seven against each other in this series. Meanwhile the Hurricanes wen 4-0 against the Senators, then 4-0 against the Flyers to reach this spot.The result is that Carolina has played nearly half less games as anyone left in the East, and the fewest in the playoffs. It’s a blessing in terms of getting healthy, being rested, and entering the Eastern Conference Finals at 100-percent, but it remains to be seen if the rest could come back to bite the team by interrupting their rhythm. That’s a significant worry, and as dominant as the Canes have seemed, there are also some very real worries.Thus far the team hasn’t seen a lot of production out of its top line. Svechnikov/Aho/Jarvis have been solid, but once again seem to be falling into that all-too-common Carolina trope of stars disappearing in the playoffs. The Hurricanes’ power play has been atrocious as well, 5-for-27 these playoffs after being 24.9% on the season. They’re won on the back of speed, power, and their forecheck — but have yet to be tested in a multi-goal deficit, and still have significant questions in net with Freddie Andersen playing phenomentally well, but being far from a safe bet after a down season in Raleigh.That makes this upcoming Eastern Conference Final an each way bet, and a litmus test on the NHL’s scheduling. There’s no good result to what will happen next. If Carolina comes out and dominates then opposing fans will cry foul of the amount of rest the Canes got in the lead up to this series, if Carolina gets bodied early in the series it will be an indictment on them having too much rest to stay hot in the playoffs. Sprinkle in the drama of this destined to be another Southern hockey vs. legacy cold-weather city matchup and there will be plenty of angst in the ECF.Embrace chaos, because it’s coming on Thursday night.  #Carolina #Hurricanes #coming #historic #rest #NHL #Eastern #Conference #Finals

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