×
Deadspin | Vegas looking to clinch playoff spot with two points in Colorado   Apr 4, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella follows the play during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images   The Colorado Avalanche have clinched the Presidents’ Trophy, so their last four games of the regular season are for style points. Vegas, however, has plenty on the line when it plays at Colorado on Saturday night.  The Golden Knights (36-26-17, 89 points) are in a battle with Edmonton and Anaheim for the Pacific Division title and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Vegas can have home ice advantage for two rounds, start the playoffs on the road or, though unlikely, not reach the postseason if it loses the last three games.  The Knights have surged since interim coach John Tortorella took over from Bruce Cassidy, who was fired March 29th. Vegas won its first four games under Tortorella, a streak that ended with an overtime loss at Seattle on Thursday night.  Tortorella wasn’t dwelling on his team blowing a two-goal lead to the Kraken.  “I’m not going to overdissect it. It’s not the time of year to be overdissecting,” he said. “We’ll grab this point and get on the plane and get up to Colorado.”  The Knights can clinch at least a playoff spot with a win over the Avalanche, or if they earn at least one point combined with regulation losses by Nashville and Winnipeg.  The bigger goal is winning the division. Vegas trails the Oilers by a point — with Edmonton holding the tiebreaker — and is tied with the Ducks. The Knights have the tiebreaker over Anaheim, and all three teams have three games remaining.  The Avalanche (52-16-10, 114 points) secured home ice for their duration of the playoffs with a 3-1 win over Calgary on Thursday night. Colorado can use the last week of the regular season to rest players and get healthy.   Defenseman Cale Makar (upper body) has not played since March 30 but could return for one of the final four games. Center Nazem Kadri sustained a finger injury at St. Louis on Tuesday but is also expected to be ready for the playoffs.  Colorado is chasing its fourth title in the past 30 years, and securing the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time since 2020-21 was the first step in that goal.  “We’re not going to celebrate too much. It’s obviously an accomplishment,” captain Gabe Landeskog said. “You’re the top team after 82 games, but at the end of the day, going into the playoffs it doesn’t really mean much. Everybody’s going to start fresh, everybody’s starting 0-0, and get a chance to prove yourselves again.”  The last team to win the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup was the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks.  There are personal milestones left to accomplish. Martin Necas is two points from his first 100-point season and Nathan MacKinnon, with 52 goals, has a chance to win the Rocket Richard Trophy for the top goal scorer.  He leads Montreal’s Cole Caufield, who has 50.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Vegas #clinch #playoff #spot #points #Colorado

Deadspin | Vegas looking to clinch playoff spot with two points in Colorado
Deadspin | Vegas looking to clinch playoff spot with two points in Colorado   Apr 4, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella follows the play during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images   The Colorado Avalanche have clinched the Presidents’ Trophy, so their last four games of the regular season are for style points. Vegas, however, has plenty on the line when it plays at Colorado on Saturday night.  The Golden Knights (36-26-17, 89 points) are in a battle with Edmonton and Anaheim for the Pacific Division title and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Vegas can have home ice advantage for two rounds, start the playoffs on the road or, though unlikely, not reach the postseason if it loses the last three games.  The Knights have surged since interim coach John Tortorella took over from Bruce Cassidy, who was fired March 29th. Vegas won its first four games under Tortorella, a streak that ended with an overtime loss at Seattle on Thursday night.  Tortorella wasn’t dwelling on his team blowing a two-goal lead to the Kraken.  “I’m not going to overdissect it. It’s not the time of year to be overdissecting,” he said. “We’ll grab this point and get on the plane and get up to Colorado.”  The Knights can clinch at least a playoff spot with a win over the Avalanche, or if they earn at least one point combined with regulation losses by Nashville and Winnipeg.  The bigger goal is winning the division. Vegas trails the Oilers by a point — with Edmonton holding the tiebreaker — and is tied with the Ducks. The Knights have the tiebreaker over Anaheim, and all three teams have three games remaining.  The Avalanche (52-16-10, 114 points) secured home ice for their duration of the playoffs with a 3-1 win over Calgary on Thursday night. Colorado can use the last week of the regular season to rest players and get healthy.   Defenseman Cale Makar (upper body) has not played since March 30 but could return for one of the final four games. Center Nazem Kadri sustained a finger injury at St. Louis on Tuesday but is also expected to be ready for the playoffs.  Colorado is chasing its fourth title in the past 30 years, and securing the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time since 2020-21 was the first step in that goal.  “We’re not going to celebrate too much. It’s obviously an accomplishment,” captain Gabe Landeskog said. “You’re the top team after 82 games, but at the end of the day, going into the playoffs it doesn’t really mean much. Everybody’s going to start fresh, everybody’s starting 0-0, and get a chance to prove yourselves again.”  The last team to win the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup was the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks.  There are personal milestones left to accomplish. Martin Necas is two points from his first 100-point season and Nathan MacKinnon, with 52 goals, has a chance to win the Rocket Richard Trophy for the top goal scorer.  He leads Montreal’s Cole Caufield, who has 50.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Vegas #clinch #playoff #spot #points #ColoradoApr 4, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella follows the play during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

The Colorado Avalanche have clinched the Presidents’ Trophy, so their last four games of the regular season are for style points. Vegas, however, has plenty on the line when it plays at Colorado on Saturday night.

The Golden Knights (36-26-17, 89 points) are in a battle with Edmonton and Anaheim for the Pacific Division title and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Vegas can have home ice advantage for two rounds, start the playoffs on the road or, though unlikely, not reach the postseason if it loses the last three games.

The Knights have surged since interim coach John Tortorella took over from Bruce Cassidy, who was fired March 29th. Vegas won its first four games under Tortorella, a streak that ended with an overtime loss at Seattle on Thursday night.

Tortorella wasn’t dwelling on his team blowing a two-goal lead to the Kraken.

“I’m not going to overdissect it. It’s not the time of year to be overdissecting,” he said. “We’ll grab this point and get on the plane and get up to Colorado.”

The Knights can clinch at least a playoff spot with a win over the Avalanche, or if they earn at least one point combined with regulation losses by Nashville and Winnipeg.

The bigger goal is winning the division. Vegas trails the Oilers by a point — with Edmonton holding the tiebreaker — and is tied with the Ducks. The Knights have the tiebreaker over Anaheim, and all three teams have three games remaining.


The Avalanche (52-16-10, 114 points) secured home ice for their duration of the playoffs with a 3-1 win over Calgary on Thursday night. Colorado can use the last week of the regular season to rest players and get healthy.

Defenseman Cale Makar (upper body) has not played since March 30 but could return for one of the final four games. Center Nazem Kadri sustained a finger injury at St. Louis on Tuesday but is also expected to be ready for the playoffs.

Colorado is chasing its fourth title in the past 30 years, and securing the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time since 2020-21 was the first step in that goal.

“We’re not going to celebrate too much. It’s obviously an accomplishment,” captain Gabe Landeskog said. “You’re the top team after 82 games, but at the end of the day, going into the playoffs it doesn’t really mean much. Everybody’s going to start fresh, everybody’s starting 0-0, and get a chance to prove yourselves again.”

The last team to win the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup was the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks.

There are personal milestones left to accomplish. Martin Necas is two points from his first 100-point season and Nathan MacKinnon, with 52 goals, has a chance to win the Rocket Richard Trophy for the top goal scorer.

He leads Montreal’s Cole Caufield, who has 50.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Vegas #clinch #playoff #spot #points #Colorado

Apr 4, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella follows the play during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

The Colorado Avalanche have clinched the Presidents’ Trophy, so their last four games of the regular season are for style points. Vegas, however, has plenty on the line when it plays at Colorado on Saturday night.

The Golden Knights (36-26-17, 89 points) are in a battle with Edmonton and Anaheim for the Pacific Division title and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Vegas can have home ice advantage for two rounds, start the playoffs on the road or, though unlikely, not reach the postseason if it loses the last three games.

The Knights have surged since interim coach John Tortorella took over from Bruce Cassidy, who was fired March 29th. Vegas won its first four games under Tortorella, a streak that ended with an overtime loss at Seattle on Thursday night.

Tortorella wasn’t dwelling on his team blowing a two-goal lead to the Kraken.

“I’m not going to overdissect it. It’s not the time of year to be overdissecting,” he said. “We’ll grab this point and get on the plane and get up to Colorado.”

The Knights can clinch at least a playoff spot with a win over the Avalanche, or if they earn at least one point combined with regulation losses by Nashville and Winnipeg.

The bigger goal is winning the division. Vegas trails the Oilers by a point — with Edmonton holding the tiebreaker — and is tied with the Ducks. The Knights have the tiebreaker over Anaheim, and all three teams have three games remaining.

The Avalanche (52-16-10, 114 points) secured home ice for their duration of the playoffs with a 3-1 win over Calgary on Thursday night. Colorado can use the last week of the regular season to rest players and get healthy.

Defenseman Cale Makar (upper body) has not played since March 30 but could return for one of the final four games. Center Nazem Kadri sustained a finger injury at St. Louis on Tuesday but is also expected to be ready for the playoffs.

Colorado is chasing its fourth title in the past 30 years, and securing the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time since 2020-21 was the first step in that goal.

“We’re not going to celebrate too much. It’s obviously an accomplishment,” captain Gabe Landeskog said. “You’re the top team after 82 games, but at the end of the day, going into the playoffs it doesn’t really mean much. Everybody’s going to start fresh, everybody’s starting 0-0, and get a chance to prove yourselves again.”

The last team to win the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup was the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks.

There are personal milestones left to accomplish. Martin Necas is two points from his first 100-point season and Nathan MacKinnon, with 52 goals, has a chance to win the Rocket Richard Trophy for the top goal scorer.

He leads Montreal’s Cole Caufield, who has 50.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Vegas #clinch #playoff #spot #points #Colorado

It has been a 2026 to remember for Sanju Samson. After initially being dropped from India’s T20 team the 31-year-old returned to the team in memorable fashion, smashing three fifties in three knockout matches as India romped home to its third T20 World Cup title.

He has carried that form forward into his maiden stint with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, smashing two centuries in his first eight outings, and has been the lone bright spark in what has been a tough season for the Chennai Super Kings batting group with 304 runs at an average of 50.66 and strike-rate of 169.83. 

This recent form is the culmination of a recent turnaround for the batter, who has added the element of consistency to his much-vaunted batting style. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHZKfnILQsI[/embed]

It is a change that Sanjay Manjrekar puts down to a technical change. “He has this very beautiful stance, slightly open and nicely balanced, very relaxed. Now, earlier, he had this one movement, a small step forward. And from this position, his whole batting would happen,” Manjrekar explained on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.

“Now, what he has started doing in the same position, he goes right back. Now, the ball is further away from me, so I’m able to pull it and there is more time for me to react to that ball.”

ALSO READ: Sanjay Manjrekar: KL Rahul can bat at any position, provided he doesn’t think his wicket matters 

“The other thing that happens is when you go right back, the bowler sort of becomes a little slower because I’m further away from him. So I get a little more time,” he further explained. 

Manjrekar also noted that Samson had added another shot to his repertoire, the dab to third man. “When there is a good ball that’s bowled very close to him, he’s doing a little tap down to the third man. If he was in the original position, there was no way he would be able to play that.

”“So basically what he’s done is gone back and he’s made all these balls, good balls, scoring deliveries.

“The one ball that can trouble him, if there’s a smart bowler, is if he pitches the ball right up and that troubles him. But he’s also a good front foot player, so if the pitch is not lively, the ball is not moving much, he’s able to drive off the front foot,’ Manjrekar concluded.

Manjrekar also said that Samson’s mentality has contributed to his success, saying, ”Mentally he’s a very interesting character. He’s a very relaxed guy, and it’s not an act, he is genuinely relaxed.”

“In the T20 World Cup, the thing to like about him was the demeanour he has. He played a game and was dropped, but when he came back, he was OK to get out, he didn’t mind getting out. He’s not someone who, because he was out of the team and needs to prove himself, will just pick up the ones and twos, and be the anchor. He’s very selfless. That is the thing to like about him.”

Published on May 01, 2026

#WATCH #Sanjay #Manjrekar #breaks #technical #change #Sanju #Samsons #success">WATCH | Sanjay Manjrekar breaks down the technical change behind Sanju Samson’s recent success  It has been a 2026 to remember for Sanju Samson. After initially being dropped from India’s T20 team the 31-year-old returned to the team in memorable fashion, smashing three fifties in three knockout matches as India romped home to its third T20 World Cup title.He has carried that form forward into his maiden stint with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, smashing two centuries in his first eight outings, and has been the lone bright spark in what has been a tough season for the Chennai Super Kings batting group with 304 runs at an average of 50.66 and strike-rate of 169.83. This recent form is the culmination of a recent turnaround for the batter, who has added the element of consistency to his much-vaunted batting style. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHZKfnILQsI[/embed]It is a change that Sanjay Manjrekar puts down to a technical change. “He has this very beautiful stance, slightly open and nicely balanced, very relaxed. Now, earlier, he had this one movement, a small step forward. And from this position, his whole batting would happen,” Manjrekar explained on Sportstar’s        Insight Edge podcast.“Now, what he has started doing in the same position, he goes right back. Now, the ball is further away from me, so I’m able to pull it and there is more time for me to react to that ball.”ALSO READ: Sanjay Manjrekar: KL Rahul can bat at any position, provided he doesn’t think his wicket matters “The other thing that happens is when you go right back, the bowler sort of becomes a little slower because I’m further away from him. So I get a little more time,” he further explained. Manjrekar also noted that Samson had added another shot to his repertoire, the dab to third man. “When there is a good ball that’s bowled very close to him, he’s doing a little tap down to the third man. If he was in the original position, there was no way he would be able to play that.”“So basically what he’s done is gone back and he’s made all these balls, good balls, scoring deliveries.“The one ball that can trouble him, if there’s a smart bowler, is if he pitches the ball right up and that troubles him. But he’s also a good front foot player, so if the pitch is not lively, the ball is not moving much, he’s able to drive off the front foot,’ Manjrekar concluded.Manjrekar also said that Samson’s mentality has contributed to his success, saying, ”Mentally he’s a very interesting character. He’s a very relaxed guy, and it’s not an act, he is genuinely relaxed.”“In the T20 World Cup, the thing to like about him was the demeanour he has. He played a game and was dropped, but when he came back, he was OK to get out, he didn’t mind getting out. He’s not someone who, because he was out of the team and needs to prove himself, will just pick up the ones and twos, and be the anchor. He’s very selfless. That is the thing to like about him.”Published on May 01, 2026  #WATCH #Sanjay #Manjrekar #breaks #technical #change #Sanju #Samsons #success

Sanjay Manjrekar: KL Rahul can bat at any position, provided he doesn’t think his wicket matters 

“The other thing that happens is when you go right back, the bowler sort of becomes a little slower because I’m further away from him. So I get a little more time,” he further explained. 

Manjrekar also noted that Samson had added another shot to his repertoire, the dab to third man. “When there is a good ball that’s bowled very close to him, he’s doing a little tap down to the third man. If he was in the original position, there was no way he would be able to play that.

”“So basically what he’s done is gone back and he’s made all these balls, good balls, scoring deliveries.

“The one ball that can trouble him, if there’s a smart bowler, is if he pitches the ball right up and that troubles him. But he’s also a good front foot player, so if the pitch is not lively, the ball is not moving much, he’s able to drive off the front foot,’ Manjrekar concluded.

Manjrekar also said that Samson’s mentality has contributed to his success, saying, ”Mentally he’s a very interesting character. He’s a very relaxed guy, and it’s not an act, he is genuinely relaxed.”

“In the T20 World Cup, the thing to like about him was the demeanour he has. He played a game and was dropped, but when he came back, he was OK to get out, he didn’t mind getting out. He’s not someone who, because he was out of the team and needs to prove himself, will just pick up the ones and twos, and be the anchor. He’s very selfless. That is the thing to like about him.”

Published on May 01, 2026

#WATCH #Sanjay #Manjrekar #breaks #technical #change #Sanju #Samsons #success">WATCH | Sanjay Manjrekar breaks down the technical change behind Sanju Samson’s recent success

It has been a 2026 to remember for Sanju Samson. After initially being dropped from India’s T20 team the 31-year-old returned to the team in memorable fashion, smashing three fifties in three knockout matches as India romped home to its third T20 World Cup title.

He has carried that form forward into his maiden stint with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, smashing two centuries in his first eight outings, and has been the lone bright spark in what has been a tough season for the Chennai Super Kings batting group with 304 runs at an average of 50.66 and strike-rate of 169.83. 

This recent form is the culmination of a recent turnaround for the batter, who has added the element of consistency to his much-vaunted batting style. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHZKfnILQsI[/embed]

It is a change that Sanjay Manjrekar puts down to a technical change. “He has this very beautiful stance, slightly open and nicely balanced, very relaxed. Now, earlier, he had this one movement, a small step forward. And from this position, his whole batting would happen,” Manjrekar explained on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.

“Now, what he has started doing in the same position, he goes right back. Now, the ball is further away from me, so I’m able to pull it and there is more time for me to react to that ball.”

ALSO READ: Sanjay Manjrekar: KL Rahul can bat at any position, provided he doesn’t think his wicket matters 

“The other thing that happens is when you go right back, the bowler sort of becomes a little slower because I’m further away from him. So I get a little more time,” he further explained. 

Manjrekar also noted that Samson had added another shot to his repertoire, the dab to third man. “When there is a good ball that’s bowled very close to him, he’s doing a little tap down to the third man. If he was in the original position, there was no way he would be able to play that.

”“So basically what he’s done is gone back and he’s made all these balls, good balls, scoring deliveries.

“The one ball that can trouble him, if there’s a smart bowler, is if he pitches the ball right up and that troubles him. But he’s also a good front foot player, so if the pitch is not lively, the ball is not moving much, he’s able to drive off the front foot,’ Manjrekar concluded.

Manjrekar also said that Samson’s mentality has contributed to his success, saying, ”Mentally he’s a very interesting character. He’s a very relaxed guy, and it’s not an act, he is genuinely relaxed.”

“In the T20 World Cup, the thing to like about him was the demeanour he has. He played a game and was dropped, but when he came back, he was OK to get out, he didn’t mind getting out. He’s not someone who, because he was out of the team and needs to prove himself, will just pick up the ones and twos, and be the anchor. He’s very selfless. That is the thing to like about him.”

Published on May 01, 2026

#WATCH #Sanjay #Manjrekar #breaks #technical #change #Sanju #Samsons #success
Deadspin | Right to Party scratched from Kentucky Derby  2026 Kentucky Derby contender Right To Party works during a morning training session during Kentucky Derby week. The horse is trained by Kenny McPeek. April 29, 2026   Right to Party was scratched from the 152nd Kentucky Derby on Friday, the day before the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.  The decision was made by regulatory veterinarians on hand in Louisville, Ky. The vets diagnosed the horse with right front lameness, an abnormality that could affect its gait and pose danger to the horse and jockey.  Right to Party was a 30-1 longshot on the morning line before the scratch and was set to start in the No. 5 post position, which has been a favorable spot in past races. He was replaced by Robusta, a 50-1 longshot who will start from Gate 23.  This is the third horse to be replaced in advance of the 20-horse race. Silent Tactic, another longshot, was replaced by Great White.    Ocelli took the spot of Fulleffort, who was scratched Thursday. Ocelli carries 50-1 odds and will attempt to become just the fourth horse to gain its first career win at the Kentucky Derby. That last was done in 1933 by Brokers Tip.  Right to Party is trained by Ken McPeek, who won his first Kentucky Derby in 2024 with Mystik Dan involved in a three-horse photo finish. Jockey Christopher Elliott was set to ride Right to Party on Saturday.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Party #scratched #Kentucky #Derby2026 Kentucky Derby contender Right To Party works during a morning training session during Kentucky Derby week. The horse is trained by Kenny McPeek. April 29, 2026

Right to Party was scratched from the 152nd Kentucky Derby on Friday, the day before the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

The decision was made by regulatory veterinarians on hand in Louisville, Ky. The vets diagnosed the horse with right front lameness, an abnormality that could affect its gait and pose danger to the horse and jockey.

Right to Party was a 30-1 longshot on the morning line before the scratch and was set to start in the No. 5 post position, which has been a favorable spot in past races. He was replaced by Robusta, a 50-1 longshot who will start from Gate 23.


This is the third horse to be replaced in advance of the 20-horse race. Silent Tactic, another longshot, was replaced by Great White.

Ocelli took the spot of Fulleffort, who was scratched Thursday. Ocelli carries 50-1 odds and will attempt to become just the fourth horse to gain its first career win at the Kentucky Derby. That last was done in 1933 by Brokers Tip.

Right to Party is trained by Ken McPeek, who won his first Kentucky Derby in 2024 with Mystik Dan involved in a three-horse photo finish. Jockey Christopher Elliott was set to ride Right to Party on Saturday.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Party #scratched #Kentucky #Derby">Deadspin | Right to Party scratched from Kentucky Derby  2026 Kentucky Derby contender Right To Party works during a morning training session during Kentucky Derby week. The horse is trained by Kenny McPeek. April 29, 2026   Right to Party was scratched from the 152nd Kentucky Derby on Friday, the day before the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.  The decision was made by regulatory veterinarians on hand in Louisville, Ky. The vets diagnosed the horse with right front lameness, an abnormality that could affect its gait and pose danger to the horse and jockey.  Right to Party was a 30-1 longshot on the morning line before the scratch and was set to start in the No. 5 post position, which has been a favorable spot in past races. He was replaced by Robusta, a 50-1 longshot who will start from Gate 23.  This is the third horse to be replaced in advance of the 20-horse race. Silent Tactic, another longshot, was replaced by Great White.    Ocelli took the spot of Fulleffort, who was scratched Thursday. Ocelli carries 50-1 odds and will attempt to become just the fourth horse to gain its first career win at the Kentucky Derby. That last was done in 1933 by Brokers Tip.  Right to Party is trained by Ken McPeek, who won his first Kentucky Derby in 2024 with Mystik Dan involved in a three-horse photo finish. Jockey Christopher Elliott was set to ride Right to Party on Saturday.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Party #scratched #Kentucky #Derby

Post Comment