WINNIPEG, MB., – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the following transactions:
Added to roster from suspended list:
American receiver/returner Janarion Grant
Blue Bombers transactions
MLB Preview: Milwaukee Brewers (29-26) at Toronto Blue Jays (29-27)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:
NL Central Standings
Team Record
Milwaukee ……………………………….29-26
Pittsburgh ………………………..28-27 (-1.0)
Cincinnati ……………………….. 26-29 (-3.0)
St. Louis …………………………..25-32 (-5.0)
Chicago …………………………… 24-31 (-5.0)
A Series Situation
The Brewers went 5-1 over their first 6 series this season and have since gone 3-8 in series play…..the team is looking for a series win this afternoon.
Road Work Ahead
The Brewers are looking to win their first road series since they swept 3 games in Seattle from April 17-19….. the team is 4-10 on the road since then, losing 4 straight series.
A Whole Lotta Nothing
Brewers pitchers did not register a walk or a strikeout last night, marking the seventh time in franchise history that this has happened and first time since 1992…..are 6-1 in these games.
Date/Opponent Result
5/1/77 vs. Cleveland …………………W, 7-3
4/5/79 at New York-AL ………….. W, 5-1
6/4/79 at Chicago-AL …………….W, 6-0
6/15/79 vs. Kansas City ………….L, 14-11
8/21/79 vs. Chicago-AL …………. W, 3-2
7/11/92 vs. Kansas City …………… W, 5-1
5/31/23 at Toronto ………………..W, 4-2
Can’t Spell “Toronto” Without Toro
Abraham Toro last night made his first start with the Brewers (3B) and hit a 2-run HR in his first at-bat…..the native of Longueuil, Quebec, Canada now has 3 HR in 7 career games in his home country (2 HR with Seattle).
A Slice of Devin
Devin Williams has gone 9-for-9 in save opportunities…..he is unscored upon in 16 of his 17 outings, posting a 0.51 ERA…..he has held opponents to a .133 AVG (8-for-60, 1hr) and has a 0.85 WHIP with 22 K in 17.2 innings.
The Brice Is Right
Rookie infielder Brice Turang has yet to commit a Major League error in 182 total chances (165 at 2B/17 at SS).
Better Off Red
Since joining the Brewers in 2018, Christian Yelich has played 75 games against Cincinnati and has hit .302 (83-for-275) with 17 HR and 49 RBI, including three cycles.
Most HR vs. Cincinnati – Since 2018
Player HR
Ian Happ, CHC ………………………………….. 19
Christian Yelich, MIL …………………….. 17
Paul Goldschmidt, STL …………………….17
Most RBI vs. Cincinnati – Since 2018
Player RBI
Ian Happ, CHC ………………………………….. 51
Christian Yelich, MIL ……………………. 49
Paul Goldschmidt, STL ………………….. 46
TODAY’S GAME: Is game 3 (1-1) of a 7-game road trip to Toronto (1-1) and Cincinnati (4g)…..following this trip, the Brewers return to American Family Field for a 6-game homestand against Baltimore (3g) and Oakland (3g).
IN THE TRAINER’S ROOM: SS Willy Adames (concussion), RHP Jason Alexander (right rotator cuff), LHP Aaron Ashby (left labrum), RHP JB Bukauskas (neck), RHP Matt Bush (right rotator cuff), LHP Eric Lauer (right shoulder), LHP Wade Miley (left lat), OF Garrett Mitchell (left shoulder), INF Luis Urías (left hamstring), LHP Justin Wilson (left elbow), OF Jesse Winker (neck) and RHP Brandon Woodruff (right shoulder) are on the injured list…..Alexander, Ashby, Mitchell, Urías, Wilson and Woodruff are on the 60-day IL.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Brewers are 8-9-0 in series play.
Game 1: 7-11, Game 2: 11-7, Game 3: 9-8, Game 4: 2-0
Sweep Wins (3): vs. NYM (3g, 4/3-4/5), at SEA (3g, 4/17-4/19), vs. KC (3g, 5/12-5/14)
Sweep Losses (1): at COL (3g, 5/2-5/4)
AT HOME: The Brewers are 16-12 at home, going 5-4-0 in series play…..the team went 46-35 at home last season, going 15-8-4 in series play.
ON THE ROAD: The Brewers are 13-14 on the road, going 3-5-0 in series play…..are 4-10 over their last 14 games and have dropped their last 4 series…..the team went 40-41 on the road last season, going 9-12-5 in series play.
LET’S GO TO THE VIDEO TAPE: The Brewers have made 10 replay challenges this season, going 5-5…..their last challenge (lost) came on May 25 vs. San Francisco as a foul tip (Joey Wiemer) stood.
TODAY’S STARTER: #51 – RHP FREDDY PERALTA (10gs, 5-4, 4.64)
PERALTA AT A GLANCE: Freddy Peralta, 26, will be making his 11th start of the season…..Peralta last started last Friday vs. San Francisco and took a 15-1 loss as he allowed a career-high 10 runs (2.1ip, 8h, 10r, 4er, 1bb, 4k, 2hr, 78 pitches)…..the team is 5-5 in his starts…..he has 6 quality starts…..opponents are batting .254 (54-for-213, 8hr)….. Peralta was acquired from Seattle, along with RHP Carlos Herrera and RHP Daniel Missaki, in exchange for 1B Adam Lind on 12/9/15…..on 2/28/20, he signed a 5-year contract through the 2024 season with club options for 2025 and 2026.
LAST SEASON: Peralta went 4-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 games/17 starts…..he held opponents to a .190 batting average with 86 strikeouts in 78.0 innings…..the team went 8-9 in his starts…..he produced 4 quality starts…..he was on the injured list twice last season: 5/23-8/2 (right posterior shoulder strain) and 9/9-9/24 (right shoulder inflammation).
CAREER: Is 35-21 with a 3.91 ERA in 126 games/77 starts (469.1ip, 204er)…..is in his sixth Major League season, all with the Brewers (2018-23)…..is 27-19 with a 3.92 ERA as a starter (385.1ip, 168er) and 8-2 with a 3.86 ERA in relief (84ip, 36er)…..was an All-Star in 2021.
CAREER AT AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD: Is 22-12 with a 3.34 ERA in 68 games/40 starts (255.2ip, 95er)…..is 4-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 6 starts this season (32ip, 12er).
CAREER ON THE ROAD: Is 13-9 with a 4.59 ERA in 58 games/37 starts (213.2ip, 109er)…..is 1-2 with a 6.45 ERA in 4 starts this season (22.1ip, 16er).
CAREER vs. BLUE JAYS: Peralta has never faced the Toronto, Ontario, Canada Blue Jays
TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays were dealt a 4-2 loss by the Brewers last night…Finished the month of May with an 11-17 record. Toronto has won four of its last eight games but is 5-11 across its last 16 contests…Can move to 11-7-0 in series play with a win today (6-2-0 at home)…Have gone 3-2 in rubber games so far.
AN UNTRUE OUTCOME: Toronto batters did not strike out, draw a walk, or connect for a home run during last night’s game… Marked the 3rd time in team history for that to occur, also doing so on July 24, 1978 (G2) vs. SEA and May 11, 1979 vs. TEX…Has only happened two other times in MLB this century: Colorado on May 17, 2008 at DET and Oakland on July 1, 2014 at MIN.
DOUBLE THE FUN: Matt Chapman doubled down the left-field line in the both the 2nd and 7th innings last night, his AL-best 20th and 21st doubles of the season (2nd in MLB: Freddie Freeman – 23)…Went 2-for-4 on the night, for his 16th multi-hit effort of the year…His six games with multiple extra-base hits are tied with Aaron Judge for the most in the junior circuit. The third baseman is now tied for the AL lead at 28 extra-base hits along with Judge and Luis Robert Jr… Sits T-7th with 60 hits…Ranks 2nd among MLB hitters with a 61.1 hard-hit percentage (1st: Judge – 64.0) while ranking 3rd in barrel rate (13.2%), T-4th in hardhit balls (91), and 6th in average exit velocity (94.3 MPH).
PLAYING THE HITS: Bo Bichette singled in his 1st at-bat last night and finished 1-for-4…Has hits in nine of his last 10 games, going 18-for-45 (.400) with a double, a triple, two home runs, and eight RBI over that span (1.013 OPS). The 25-year-old leads all MLB hitters with 80 hits (2nd: Freddie Freeman – 79)…Also leads the AL with 126 total bases, trailing only Freeman (134) for the most in MLB…His .333 batting average ranks 1st in the AL (2nd: Masataka Yoshida – .317) while he ranks 6th in OPS (.895), 7th in SLG (.525), and 9th in OBP (.370)…Now has 96 hard-hit (95+ MPH) balls this season, tied with teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the AL lead.
AT THE CENTER OF IT: Kevin Kiermaier got Toronto on the board last night with an RBI triple in the 5th…Marked his 4th triple of the year, tied with six others for the most in the Majors…His 41 hits while batting 9th are the most in the Majors (2nd: Ezequiel Tovar – 31). The center fielder finished May at 26-for-71 with six doubles, two triples, three homers, and eight RBI…His .366 batting average for the month of May was 2nd best among qualified AL hitters (Leody Tavares – .368) while he ranked 3rd in OPS (1.044) and T-5th in SLG (.634).
CAVAN MORE FUN: Cavan Biggio went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI last night…Over his last seven contests, has gone 7-for-18 (.389) with five runs scored, a double, two home runs, and four RBI (1.228 OPS).
GAUS FOR EXCITEMENT: Kevin Gausman enters today with 89 strikeouts, one back of Shohei Ohtani (90) for the AL lead…The 89 punchouts are the most ever by a Blue Jay in his first 11 games of a season (2nd: Robbie Ray – 82 in 2021)…Is currently T-8th in the AL in innings pitched
(68.1) and 12th in ERA (3.03).
A DASH AT THE DOME: The Blue Jays are on a brief three-game homestand against the Brewers…Have gone 14-10 this season at Rogers Centre…The .583 win% at home is 5th best in the AL…After this series, will head out on an equally brief road trip to Citi Field to visit the Mets (29-27) for three contests over the weekend. Toronto batters rank 4th in the AL in home AVG (.263), while also 4th in home OBP (.333), 9th in home OPS (.727), and 10th in home SLG (.394)…The pitching staff ranks 1st among AL teams with a 3.19 home ERA and a .203 home opponents’ average, and sit 2nd with a 1.15 home WHIP (1st: SEA – 1.12).
INTERTAINMENT: Toronto is playing its 5th interleague series of the year…Has gone 8-5 vs. NL clubs so far…The .615 win% is 5th best among AL teams…Led the AL with 13 interleague wins last season, which was one off the franchise’s all-time single-season record (14 in 2021)…Since the beginning of the 2021 campaign, Toronto’s .660 win% in Interleague Play (35-18) is 2nd best among all MLB clubs (1st: TB – .672). The Blue Jays have hit 655 home runs all-time in Interleague Play, the most among all 30 teams (2nd: NYY – 625).
DONUT-FREE DIET: The Blue Jays have notched 520 hits this season, 3rd most in MLB (TB – 524; TEX – 522)…Are currently 3rd in the AL in team AVG (.265), 4th in OBP (.332), 5th in OPS (.752), T-5th in extra-base hits (172), and 7th in SLG (.420). The Blue Jays are one of two MLB teams to have scored in every game this season (also: ARI)…Have now gone 74 straight games without being shut out, the longest active streak in the Majors (2nd: ARI – 57G).
TOUGH SCHEDDING: The Blue Jays are in the midst of playing 30 games over the course of 31 days…All opponents during this stretch are currently over .500…Are 8-11 so far.
VS. THE BREWERS: All-Time: 123-166
2023: 1-1 Home: 66-80
Home: 1-1 Rogers Centre: 32-34
The Blue Jays went 1-2 against the Brewers during their only series last season, a three-gamer last June in Wisconsin…Last met the Brew Crew here for a series at Rogers Centre in 2017, dropping both contests…The gap of 2,239 days without a home game vs. MIL was Toronto’s 3rd-longest active streak vs. any opponent (COL – 3,632; LAD – 2,578). Brandon Belt picked up four hits in his four games against the Brewers last season (4-for-13), including a homer and three RBI…Leads all current Blue Jays with 55 career games vs. MIL, now batting .282 (49-for-174 with eight doubles, nine homers, and 28 RBI along the way (.867 OPS). Alejandro Kirk is now 9-for-18 (.500) with two home runs, five RBI, two walks, and four runs scored in the five games he has played vs. Milwaukee. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. now has hits in four of his five career contests vs. MIL, going 7-for-20 (.350) with a double, two RBIs, and two walks.
STARTING PITCHER – Kevin Gausman, RHP #34
TODAY’S GAME:
Making his 12th start of the season and his 5th at Rogers Centre… Improved to 3-3 his last time out, on 5/26 at MIN, throwing 5.1 innings of one-run ball with 4 hits, a season-high 5 walks, and 8 strikeouts. His 89 strikeouts are the most ever by a Blue Jay in their first 11 outings of a season (2nd: Robbie Ray – 82 in 2021), and are the 2nd most in the AL in 2023 (1st: Shohei Ohtani – 90K). Owns a 2.77 FIP since the start of the 2020 season, the 2nd-best mark among qualified hurlers (Corbin Burnes – 2.72).
2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
Took a no-decision on 5/21 vs. BAL, tossing 8.0 frames of two-run ball on a season-high 115 pitches (6H, 2BB, 4K)…Matched his longest outing of the year (8.0IP on 4/12 vs. DET). Gave up 3R/2ER runs on 5/16 vs. NYY, surrendering 5 hits and 2 walks over 7.0 innings with 10 strikeouts on 102 pitches (63 strikes)…Marked his 7th quality start of the year, and his 4th with double-digit punchouts. Tossed 6.0 shutout innings on 5/10 at PHI, giving up 3 hits with no walks and 9 strikeouts…Was his 6th quality start of the year, and his 5th outing with no earned runs. Tossed 7.0 shutout innings on 4/29 vs. SEA, giving up 5 hits with a walk and a career-high 13 strikeouts…Threw a season-high 108 pitches (74 strikes) while inducing a career-high 28 swing-and-misses…Got 20 whiffs on his splitter alone, the most on a single pitch in the Majors this season, and the most on a splitter in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008). Earned his 2nd win of the year on 4/23 at NYY, hurling 7.0 shutout frames with 3 hits, no walks, and a season-high-tying 11 strikeouts. Took a no-decision on 4/12 vs. DET, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits over a season-high 8.0 innings with no walks and 11 strikeouts, his most as a Blue Jay…Surrendered a solo home run to Nick Maton with one out in the 4th inning, ending his streak of 15.1 innings without allowing an earned run, the longest stretch to begin a season in franchise history (2nd: Matt Shoemaker – 14.0 IP in 2019). Picked up his 1st win of the year on 4/6 at KC, throwing 6.0 shutout frames with 4 hits, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts…Didn’t allowed an earned run for a 2nd straight outing to begin the season. Took the loss in his season debut on 4/1 at STL, giving up 3 runs (all unearned) on 8 hits and a walk over 6.0 innings with 7 strikeouts.
NBA Finals Game 1 Preview: Miami Heat (0-0) at Denver Nuggets (0-0)
While “Dynamic Duos” and “Big 3s” have defined recent champions, the 2023 NBA Finals are set up not only to be a crowning achievement for one team but also to be a showdown between two of the best players who participated in the playoffs individually.
The Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat will meet in Game 1 on Thursday at Denver upheld by a couple of stars with achieved vocations and playing in their prime.
After winning the NBA MVP award in each of the previous two seasons, Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic did not take home the trophy this season. Instead, a statistically dominant postseason run could land him the ultimate team honor.
Although Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat has never been named MVP, he has shown throughout his career that he possesses the kind of unwavering determination that can carry a team through the most difficult periods.
Jokic and Butler’s individual accomplishments will be the focus, but they will be crucial for both teams to win a championship.
The answer will be no. Nuggets take on the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Heat, Eastern Conference’s No. 8 seed. Miami ranks second only to After the New York Knicks in 1999, the 8 seed reached the NBA Finals.
Jokic’s presence makes it possible for Denver, who seems sufficiently motivated after losing the MVP award to Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers. In 15 playoff games, Jokic has averaged a triple-double: 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, 10.3 assists.
Jamal Murray (27.7 points per game), Michael Porter Jr. (averaging 14.6 points and 8.0 rebounds), and Aaron Gordon (13.0 points per game) will be of sufficient assistance to him.
Butler has tracked down an alternate stuff in this run, with an ideal mix of messy work and style play that has prompted midpoints of 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists the end of the season games. This is an increase from the averages of 22.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.3 assists during the regular season.
In the playoffs, Bam Adebayo has averaged 16.8 points and 9.2 rebounds. Seven undrafted players make up the Heat’s roster, led by Caleb Martin (14.1 points per game in the playoffs) and Gabe Vincent (13.1 points), who scored 29 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals victory over the Boston Celtics.
Tyler Herro, an injured Miami guard who led the team in scoring with 20.1 points per game during the regular season, could be the wild card for the series. The 23-year-old sharpshooter has been out since experiencing a messed up right hand in the initial round of the Heat’s first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
On Wednesday, Spoelstra precluded Herro for Game 1 however added that he is nearer to returning.
Since losing in the ABA Finals in 1976, the Nuggets are making their first appearance in the NBA Finals and the first time they have won a championship.
Since losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, this is the first time the Heat have reached the Finals. In those playoffs, Butler put up a similar performance that helped Miami reach their sixth Finals in their history. LeBron James’ Heat have won three championships, the most recent in 2013.
Boxing Preview: Erik Bazinyan (29-0, 21 KOs) vs Jose de Jesus Macias (28-11-4, 14 KOs)
Undefeated super middleweight contender Erik Bazinyan returns in a 10-round main event against Mexico’s Jose de Jesus Macias this Thursday, June 1 at Casino de Montreal in Montreal, Canada.
Bazinyan (29-0, 21 KOs) is a 28-year-old native of Yerevan, Armenia who moved to Canada when he was 16. Following an amateur career of more than 100 fights, he debuted as a pro in 2013, four months after his 18th birthday. Bazinyan rose the rankings by defeating a host of seasoned veterans, including Alan Campa, Saul Roman, Scott Sigmon, and Marcelo Esteban Coceres. Bazinyan returns to the ring after defeating Alantez Fox in February and plans to turn his attention toward the top dogs of the division if successful on Thursday. Macias (28-11-4, 14 KOs) is a 12-year veteran who holds a win over Bazinyan’s stablemate and two-time title challenger Steven Butler. The 31-year-old heads into this clash following a decision loss to Pavel Silyagin last July.
In other streaming action from Montreal:
Canada native Steve Claggett (34-7-2, 24 KOs) will face Puerto Rican former world champion Alberto Machado (23-3, 19 KOs) in a 10-round junior welterweight battle. Claggett has scored five consecutive knockout wins since losing to Mathieu Germain in 2021. In his last fight, he beat Rafael Guzman Lugo via seventh-round TKO in March. Machado is coming off an eighth-round stoppage win against Jose Angulo last December.
In an eight-round junior lightweight bout, Avery Martin Duval (9-0-1, 5 KOs) takes on Mexico’s Andres Sanchez Ramirez (6-6-3, 2 KOs). Duval looks to extend his winning streak to six, while Ramirez returns after two wins in his native land.
Southpaw prospect Thomas Chabot (8-0, 7 KOs) makes his 2023 debut in a six-rounder against Luis Bolanos Lopez (4-2-1).
Middleweight standout Alexandre Gaumont (7-0, 5 KOs) looks to earn his fourth straight knockout in a six-round fight against Poland’s Piotr Bis (6-2-1, 2 KOs).
NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 1, 2023
* The culmination of the 2022-23 season will start in just two days with Game 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. The Golden Knights, who finished with the fifth-best record during the regular season, will welcome the Panthers, the postseason’s lowest-seeded team, to T-Mobile Arena as both franchises continue their chase for their first-ever championship.
* Matthew Tkachuk and Mark Stone are two of a few star players ready to participate in a Stanley Cup Final for the first time in their careers when the puck drops on the NHL’s championship series on TNT, TBS, truTV, Sportsnet, CBC and TVAS Sports.
* Alex Pietrangelo and Carter Verhaeghe are two of several players set to make their return to the Stanley Cup Final after having won the championship previously.
STAR PLAYERS READY FOR FIRST TRIP TO THE FINAL
Two days remain until the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, which pits Mark Stone and Jack Eichel against Matthew Tkachuk, Sergei Bobrovsky and Aleksander Barkov as a collection of NHL stars continue their championship chase and embark on their first-ever Final appearance.
* Stone, who recovered from a back injury to help the Golden Knights during their run to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, has also helped the franchise bounce back from a 2021-22 campaign that saw the club miss the postseason for the first time in its six-year history. Vegas now has its sights set on becoming the sixth team in the NHL’s expansion era to win the Cup after failing to make the postseason the previous year – St. Louis (2019), Carolina (2006), NY Rangers (1994), Pittsburgh (1991) and Montreal (1971) all did so.
* Stone (6-9—15 in 17 GP) leads the Golden Knights, who own the highest winning percentage in the postseason in NHL history, into the Stanley Cup Final after missing each of the club’s final 39 regular-season games of 2022-23. His postseason production with Vegas includes a 24-28—52 (0.83 P/GP in 63 GP) total, a points-per-game average that paces all skaters in franchise history (min. 40 GP) and is ahead of the original “Golden Misfits” Jonathan Marchessault (30-33—63 in 83 GP; 0.76 P/GP) and Reilly Smith (16-47—63 in 83 GP; 0.76 P/GP).
* The Golden Knights captain is set to appear in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time after three failed attempts in the penultimate round of the postseason (4-3 L vs. PIT in 2017, 4-1 L vs. DAL in 2020 & 4-2 L vs. MTL in 2021). Stone, with 3-4—7 in 24 career games in the round before the Final, will become the fifth player in the past 42 years to appear in his first championship series after competing in at least 24 career contests in the penultimate round of the playoffs. The others: Denis Savard (30 GP; first Final: 1993), Dave Andreychuk (26 GP; first Final: 2004), Steve Thomas (25 GP; first Final: 2003) and Steve Larmer (25 GP; first Final: 1992).
* Eichel (6-12—18 in 17 GP) leads his team in scoring during his debut postseason and has factored on 29% of all Golden Knights goals during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs; only Tkachuk (42%) and Carter Verhaeghe (30%) have a higher contribution among all Vegas and Florida skaters. After entering the 2023 postseason as one of eight players in NHL history to make their Stanley Cup Playoffs debut after collecting 400+ career regular-season points (also Marcel Dionne, Mario Lemieux, Dennis Maruk, Joe Sakic, Marc Savard, Olli Jokinen & Taylor Hall), Eichel is the first of the group to compete in the Final during that same postseason.
* Tkachuk has scored four game-winning goals in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, three of which came during the Eastern Conference Final alone. Should he net another, Tkachuk can become the 13th player in NHL history to record five or more game-winning tallies in a single postseason – Nazem Kadri (5 in 2020 w/ COL) and Jake Guentzel (5 in 2017 w/ PIT) are the only active players to do so.
* In addition to his game-winning goals, Tkachuk has played a critical role in Florida’s five-game winning streak – factoring on the decisive tally in each of its past four contests dating to Game 1 against Carolina (3-1—4). He can become the 15th different player in NHL history to factor on a game-winning goal in five or more consecutive team wins in a single postseason – Max Pacioretty (5 GP in 2021 w/ VGK), Logan Couture (5 GP in 2016 w/ SJS), Brad Richards (5 GP in 2004 w/ TBL) and Mike Leclerc (5 GP in 2003 w/ ANA) are the only players to do so in the past 20 years.
* Bobrovsky enters the Stanley Cup Final with an 11-2 record this postseason (2.21 GAA, .935 SV%, 1 SO), including seven straight road victories. He can become the 10th goaltender in the expansion era (since 1967-68) to win at least two Vezina trophies and one Stanley Cup, following Tim Thomas, Dominik Hasek, Ed Belfour, Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Michel Larocque, Bernie Parent, Ken Dryden and Tony Esposito.
* Barkov, who owns the Panthers record for most playoff assists and points, holds the third-most points on the team in the 2023 postseason. Barkov (Tampere, Finland) can become the first Finnish-born player in League history to captain a Stanley Cup winner and just the fifth skater born and trained outside of North America to do so, following Gabriel Landeskog (Stockholm, Sweden; 2022 COL), Alex Ovechkin (Moscow, Russia; 2018 WSH), Zdeno Chara (Trencin, Slovakia; 2011 BOS) and Nicklas Lidstrom (Vasteras, Sweden; 2008 DET).
THEY’RE BACK AGAIN: FAMILIAR FACES EMBRACE ANOTHER FINAL APPEARANCE
Plenty of players set to compete in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final will make their return to the NHL’s championship series after coming out victorious on previous occasions:
* Alec Martinez (2OT of Game 5 in 2014) and Alex Pietrangelo (Game 7 in 2019) each have a Stanley Cup-clinching goal, with Pietrangelo’s coming against current Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy (then w/ BOS). Vegas is one of four clubs with multiple players with a Cup-clinching goal (also COL, PIT & TBL).
* Among players to appear in at least one game during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Pietrangelo (2019 STL), Ivan Barbashev (2019 STL), Chandler Stephenson (2018 WSH), Martinez (2012 LAK) and Eric Staal (2006 CAR) can help a second franchise win its first Stanley Cup. The last players to achieve that feat were Dustin Penner (2007 ANA & 2012 LAK) and Justin Williams (2006 CAR & 2012 LAK), teammates of Jonathan Quick – yet to play in 2023 with Vegas – and Martinez at the time.
* Carter Verhaeghe (2020 TBL) can become the eighth player in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup with multiple teams based in the same state or province. Only two players have done so in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68): Greg Gilbert (1982 NYI, 1983 NYI & 1994 NYR) and Dustin Penner (2007 ANA & 2012 LAK).
* In addition to Verhaeghe, Staal (9‑19—28 in 2006 w/ CAR) has also won a Stanley Cup. At 21 years old, Staal became the second-youngest leading playoff scorer in the League’s modern era (since 1943‑44), behind only Gordie Howe in 1949 (w/ DET). He can become the first player in NHL history to go 17 or more years between Stanley Cup wins (currently 16 years by Chris Chelios: 1986 w/ MTL to 2002 w/ DET).
QUICK CLICKS
* Jack Eichel has Stanley Cup on mind in 1st playoff run with Golden Knights
* Brad Treliving hired as general manager of Maple Leafs
* Ron Francis signs to remain Kraken GM through 2026-27
*Andrew Brunette hired as coach of Predators, replaces John Hynes
* Panthers center Eric Staal talks Stanley Cup Final on ‘NHL @TheRink’ podcast
WNBA Preview: Connecticut Sun (4-1) at Minnesota Lynx (0-5)
Subsequent to watching the Minnesota Lynx allow 90, 94 and 94 points, separately, in their last three games, things need to change for the team.
That is reflected in Minnesota’s WNBA-worst record of 0-5, and they will probably finish 0-6 unless they tighten up against the Connecticut Sun, one of the best WNBA teams, on Thursday night in Minneapolis.
After overcoming an early 22-8 deficit and scoring 52 first-half points, the Lynx suffered a 94-89 defeat in Dallas on Tuesday night. Minnesota shot better from the field, but it hurt itself by making 15 mistakes and only forcing 9 of them.
Some good individual performances, like Jessica Shepard’s excellent effort and Kayla McBride’s team-high 18 points, were wasted. She played the full 40 minutes, scoring 15 focuses, getting 10 bounce back and doling out five helps.
While the Lynx continue losing, Connecticut (4-1) continues to win. Tuesday night’s 81-78 triumph over Indiana permitted it to return from its most memorable loss of the time in New York on Saturday. The Sun defeated the Indiana Fever with a 45-37 rebounding advantage and four players in double figures, despite shooting 40.3% from the field.
For Connecticut, Tiffany Hayes had a game-high 22 points and a pair of double-doubles. Alyssa Thomas dominated the stat sheet with 13 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists, while Brionna Jones added 19 points and 11 rebounds.
After the Sun’s loss in New York, where they had only 13 assists on 22 made buckets, their ball movement improved significantly. They scored 29 field goals against Indiana and had 22 assists.
Over the past two years, this series has been one-sided. The Sun have defeated the Lynx five times in a row, including the season finale.
NFL Transactions 5-31-23
The following are the NFL transactions for Wednesday, May 31. Transactions will be published each day after they are circulated to NFL clubs. This public version will include waiver requests, assignments via waivers, terminations, free agent signings, reserve list and practice squad additions and deletions, and trades.
| WAIVER SYSTEM TRANSACTIONS | |||
WAIVER REQUESTS (All are NO RECALL) | |||
DENVER | |||
| McAllister, Tyreik | RB | Charleston, W. Va. | |
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | |||
| Lloyd, Damon | LB | Indiana, Pa. | |
NEW ORLEANS | |||
| Quevedo, Alex | K | Central Oklahoma | |
CLAIMING DEADLINE: 4:00 p.m., N.Y. Time, Thursday, 6/1/23 | |||
TERMINATION VIA WAIVER SYSTEM | |||
WASHINGTON | |||
| Dantzler, Cameron | DB | Mississippi State | |
ACTIVE LIST ADDITIONS | |||
FREE AGENT SIGNINGS | |||
BALTIMORE | |||
| Swann, Jordan | DB | James Madison | |
DENVER | |||
| Fry, Elliott | K | South Carolina | |
NEW ORLEANS | |||
| Bargas, Jake | RB | North Carolina | |
| James, Jesse | TE | Penn State | |
MLS Preview: Houston Dynamo FC (5-5-3) at Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4-5-5)
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC have never lost at home against the Houston Dynamo FC (W8 D3, including a draw in Sandy, UT, in 2021). The road team has won only one of the 21 all-time meetings between the sides, a 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC win in 2018.
Since the Vancouver Whitecaps FC returned to playing their home games in Canada in August 2021, the team has won 21 of their 33 regular-season home matches (D6 L6). Only the Los Angeles Football Club (22) has more home wins in that span while only the Philadelphia Union (16) have kept more home clean sheets than the Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s 13.
The Houston Dynamo FC have not allowed multiple goals in any of its last eight league matches, losing just twice in that stretch (W3 D3). It is the Houston Dynamo FC’s longest streak of allowing fewer than two goals in MLS play since a nine-game streak in July-August in 2016.
Julian Gressel delivered the assist on a Brian White header in the Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s 3-1 loss to St. Louis City SC, Gressel’s fifth assist of the season. It was his third time this season Gressel had the primary assist on a headed goal, tying him for most such assists in MLS play in 2023.
Ivan Franco notched the game-winning goal in the 87th minute of the Houston Dynamo FC’s 2-1comeback win over Austin FC over the weekend. At 86:52, it was the latest game-winning goal by a Houston Dynamo FC player since Memo Rodriguez scored a 90th-minute winner against the Los Angeles Galaxy in May 2018.
MLS Preview: San Jose Earthquakes (5-5-4) at Seattle Sounders FC (8-5-2)
The San Jose Earthquakes have lost only one of its last four MLS matches against the Seattle Sounders FC (W2 D1), including going unbeaten in both meetings last season (W1 D1). San Jose Earthquakes have six regular season wins at the Seattle Sounders FC, tied with Sporting Kansas City for the most road wins against the Seattle Sounders FC in the club’s MLS history.
The Seattle Sounders FC’s 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday took them to 26 points through 15 matches this season (W8 D2 L5). This is the seventh time the Seattle Sounders FC have collected 25 or more points through its first 15 matches of a season, more than any other team since the Seattle Sounders FC joined MLS in 2009.
The San Jose Earthquakes are winless in 14 straight MLS away matches (D4 L10), the second-longest active run in MLS (Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 15 straight). The San Jose Earthquakes have one longer road winless run in the club’s MLS history, going 20 straight without winning a road game in 2008-2009.
All six of Leo Chu’s MLS assists this season have set up goals for Jordan Morris, including five primary assists. The five primary assists by one player to another is one shy of the most in a single season in Seattle Sounders FC history, Mauro Rosales to Eddie Johnson (2012) and Obafemi Martins to Clint Dempsey (2014).
The San Jose Earthquakes conceded a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time in its 1-1 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday, its sixth goal allowed in the 90th minute or later this season, all result changing, costing the San Jose Earthquakes eight points (2 wins to draws, 4 draws to losses), twice as many as any other team this season.
MLS Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy (2-9-3) at Real Salt Lake (4-6-4)
Real Salt Lake has lost only two of its 15 home matches against the Los Angeles Galaxy (W8 D5) in all competitions dating back to June 2013, including winning each of the last two meetings at America First Field. Real Salt Lake has never won three home matches against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Real Salt Lake has won only two if its first seven home MLS matches this season (D2 L3), including going winless and goalless in its last three at home (D2 L1). Real Salt Lake has never gone four straight home games in a single season without scoring, only doing so in its last three at home in 2016 and first in 2017.
Los Angeles Galaxy has lost eight of its last 10 matches (W2) and has a league-low nine point after 14 games this season. Only nine teams in MLS history have failed to reach 10 points in their first 15 matches of a season, most recently D. C. United in 2013.
Jefferson Savarino scored Real Salt Lake’s lone goal in its 1-1 draw with Minnesota United FC on Saturday, his 20th goal contribution since returning to the club last May (11 goals, 9 assists). No other Real Salt Lake player has been involved in more than eight goals since Savarino’s first match back last May.
The Los Angeles Galaxy have attempted 15.9 shots per match this season, second-most in MLS behind only cross-town rivals Los Angeles Football Club (16.4) but have the joint-fewest goals in the league (10) for a conversion rate of 4.5 percent. Since 2010, no MLS team has played a full season converting less than 5.0% of its attempts.
