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NHL Preview: Winnipeg Jets (38-28-3) at Nashville Predators (34-25-7)

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NHL Preview: Winnipeg Jets (38-28-3) at Nashville Predators (34-25-7)

WINNIPEG JETS NOTES:

Scene Setter
The Winnipeg Jets play back-to-back in Nashville and St. Louis this weekend as part of eight of 10 games on the road. Winnipeg lost 3-0 at home to the Boston Bruins on Thursday night for their second consecutive loss. After this weekend, the Jets entertain the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday before visiting the three California teams during a three-game road trip.

Tale of the Tape
WPG Stat NSH
69 GP 66
38 W 34
28 L 25
3 OT 7
79 PTS 75
212 GF 189
197 GA 192
21.0% PP 18.5%
83.2% PK 81.7%

Next Five Games
Date Opp TV Radio
Mar. 18 At NSH TSN CJOB/Power 97
Mar. 19 At STL TSN CJOB/Power 97
Mar. 21 ARI TSN CJOB/Power 97
Mar. 23 At ANA TSN CJOB/Power 97
Mar. 25 At LAK TSN CJOB/Power 97

Recent Five Games
Date Opp SC Res Streak
Mar. 8 MIN 4-2 L 2L
Mar. 11 At FLA 5-4 OTW 1W
Mar. 12 At TBL 3-2 W 2W
Mar. 14 At CAR 5-3 L 1L
Mar. 16 BOS 3-0 L 2L

Broadcast Information
TV: TSN
Play-By-Play: Dan Robertson
Analyst: Kevin Sawyer
Radio: 680 CJOB/Power 97
Play-By-Play: Paul Edmonds
Analyst: Jamie Thomas
Host: Kelly Moore

Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, March 18
Jets at Nashville Predators 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 19
Jets at St. Louis Blues 6:00 p.m.
Monday, March 20
Day Off – No Media Availability
All Times Local

Last Game
Boston Bruins 3
Winnipeg Jets 0
Jets Scorers: None
Bruins Scorers: Frederic (15), Zacha (18), Nosek (6)
Jets Goaltender: Connor Hellebuyck (21 sv, 2 ga)
Bruins Goaltender: Jeremy Swayman (36 sv, 0 ga)
Jets PP: 0-for-5
Jets PK: 3-for-3
Recap: The Jets outshot the Bruins 36-24 on Thursday, but were shut out 3-0 on Thursday night. Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele each paced the Jets with six shots, while David Gustafsson won all five of his faceoffs. Josh Morrissey and Dylan Samberg each had a tri o of blocked shots.

Back-2-Back
The Jets are playing their 12th of 13 back-to-back sets on their schedule this season, having gone 15-7-0 so far… Winnipeg’s .682 points percentage in back-to-back games this season is sixth in the NHL, while the Jets are fourth in the second game with a .727 points percentage…At 8-3-0, it is the best record the Jets have had on no days rest in a season since relocation… The best record in franchise history is 10-3-3 during the 2009-10 season… The Jets were 7-4-2 in the first game of a back-to-back last season and 5-5-2 in the second game for an overall record of 11-9-4.

Afternoon Affair
The Jets are 3-1-0 in afternoon games this season… The Jets play six matinee games this season, including the first four at home… The Jets
were 5-4-2 in afternoon games last season.

Central Rivals
The Jets are 14-6-0 against their Central Division counterparts this season… Winnipeg has won nine of their past 13 games against Central Division teams… Winnipeg went 14-6-6 against their Central Division rivals last season and have a winning record in each of the past five seasons in which the Jets have been in the Central Division… Josh Morrissey (6G, 18A) leads the Jets in scoring against their divisional foes this season with 24 points in 20 games, while Blake Wheeler (9G, 13A) has 22 points in 19 games… Seven members of the Jets have at least 10 points against the Central Division this season, while Mason Appleton has seven points (2G, 5A) in eight games.

Backend Production
Jets defencemen have combined for 164 points (41G, 123A) this season, which is fourth in the NHL… A defenceman has been in on 16 of Winnipeg’s past 23 goals… Josh Morrissey (67), Neal Pionk (26), Dylan DeMelo (21), and Brenden Dillon (20) have all reached the 20-point mark, while Nate Schmidt has 16 points… The Jets join the Arizona Coyotes, Washington Capitals, and Carolina Hurricanes as the only teams in the NHL this year to have four defencemen hit the 20-point mark.

Road Record
The Jets are 17-16-1 on the road this season… Winnipeg is 8-12-0 in their past 20 road games after starting the season 9-4-1 away from home… Kyle Connor (12G, 20A) leads the Jets in scoring on the road with 32 points in 34 games… Mark Scheifele has a team leading 19 goals, which is tied for sixth in the NHL… Nikolaj Ehlers has 17 points (6G, 11A) in 17 road games this season and has a point in 11 of the 17 games.

PK Prowess
Winnipeg is third in the NHL with a penalty kill successful 83.2% of the time… Winnipeg has been perfect on the penalty kill in five of its past six games (13-for-16, 81.3%)… The last time the Jets had a penalty kill better than 82% was in 2013-14 when they finished the season at 83.2%… The franchise record for penalty kill percentage in a season is 85.2%, which occurred in Atlanta during the 2003-04 season.

Jets vs. NSH Records
Overall Record
GP W L OT
52 23 23 6

Home Record
GP W L OT
26 14 8 4

Away Record
GP W L OT
26 9 15 2

Jets vs. NSH Notes
Season Series
The Jets and Predators square off four times this season… The Jets took the first game 2-1 on Dec. 15, while dropping a 2-1 decision on Jan. 24 in Nashville. Winnipeg hosts the Predators on Apr. 8 in the final meeting of the season.

Recent History
Winnipeg is 8-4-1 in its past 13 games against Nashville, including winning two of three meetings last season… The Jets were 6-for-16 (37.5%) on the power play in the three games against the Predators last season.

In Nashville
The Jets have won three of the past five games in Nashville… Winnipeg is 26-for-27 (96.3%) on the penalty kill in the past seven trips to Nashville.

Player Notes
Blake Wheeler leads the Jets in career scoring against the Predators with 32 points (16G, 16A) in 38 games… Four of Wheeler’s goals are game-winning goals… Kyle Connor is averaging a point per game against the Predators with 20 points (10G, 10A) in 20 games… Four of Connor’s goals are power play markers… Connor Hellebuyck has gone 12-8-2 during his career against Nashville, with a 2.58 goals-against average and .924 save percentage.

Jets vs. NSH Past 10 Games
Date Opp Res G GA S PPO PPG PIM SA PPOA PPGA PIMA
03/01/2019 Nsh W 5 3 32 4 1 6 38 3 1 8
03/23/2019 Nsh W 5 0 43 2 0 0 33 0 0 4
11/19/2019 @Nsh W 2 1 25 2 0 8 39 2 0 8
01/12/2020 Nsh L 0 1 28 2 0 2 32 1 0 4
02/04/2020 Nsh OTL 1 2 34 3 0 4 36 2 0 6
10/23/2021 Nsh W 6 4 29 3 2 13 30 4 2 11
01/20/2022 @Nsh L 2 5 38 5 1 13 23 3 0 17
02/12/2022 @Nsh W 5 2 43 8 3 18 36 3 1 45
12/15/2022 Nsh W 2 1 41 4 0 15 26 3 0 17
01/24/2023 @Nsh L 1 2 33 3 0 11 41 2 0 13

NASHVILLE PREDATORS NOTES:

ALL-TIME vs. WINNIPEG
− The Predators are 28-28-(1)-5 all-time against the Jets franchise, including a 17-9-(0)-0 record at Bridgestone Arena.

− This is the third of four matchups between Nashville and Winnipeg in 2022-23; it is the second and final at home.

− Nashville is 1-0-1 against Winnipeg this season, earning a 2-1 win at home on Jan. 24. The Predators picked up a point in the first meeting, a 2-1 overtime loss in Manitoba on Dec. 15.

− The Predators are 2-2-1 in their last five games against the Jets; they are 4-5-1 in their last 10; and 2-3-0 in their last five at home.

NOTABLES vs. WINNIPEG
− Roman Josi tied the Preds franchise record for assists and points in a game with five on Feb. 27, 2018 at Winnipeg. He has 25 points (4g-21a) in 33 career games vs. the Jets.

− Ryan Johansen is averaging nearly a point per game in his career against Winnipeg, tallying 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 31 games. His nine points (3g-6a) in Nashville’s 2018 Second Round series vs. Winnipeg were the second-most in a single series in team history.

− Filip Forsberg recorded a five-game point streak (5a) vs. Winnipeg from March 13, 2018-March 1, 2019. He has picked up at least one point in 11 of his last 19 contests against the Jets and has posted 20 points (4g-16a) in 32 career games vs. Winnipeg.

− Colton Sissons made his NHL debut on Jan. 28, 2014 at Winnipeg.

− Tommy Novak notched his first career three-point game on Oct. 23, 2021 at Winnipeg (3a).

− Cody Glass is a Winnipeg native; Predators Assistant Coach Dan Lambert is a native of St. Malo, Man.

− Advisor and Future General Manager Barry Trotz hails from Dauphin, Man.

− The Predators acquired a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft from Winnipeg for forward Nino Niederreiter on Feb. 25. Niederreiter tallied 28 points (18g-10a) in 56 games for Nashville to begin the 2022-23 season.

− Jets goaltender David Rittich played in 17 games for Nashville in 2021-22, going 6-3-1.

LAST TIME OUT
− Chicago Blackhawks 2, Nashville Predators 1 – March 16 (Bridgestone Arena)
− NSH goals: Josi (18)
− CHI goals: Reichel (3), Anderson – GWG (5)
− Goaltenders: NSH – Saros (L, 19/21); CHI – Stalock (W, 35/36)
− Power plays: NSH 0-2; CHI 0-1
− Notes: Nashville moved to 17-12-3 at home in 2022-23… The Predators closed out their three-game regular-season series against the Blackhawks with a 2-1-0 record… The loss snapped Nashville’s 16-game point streak vs. Chicago (13-0-3), tied for the longest in franchise history (Columbus from 2006-08)… The Predators outshot the Blackhawks 36-21, including by a 15-5 margin in the third period… Roman Josi scored his 18th goal of the season to make it a 2-1 game with 25 seconds remaining in the third period… Tommy Novak (16) and Philip Tomasino (7) assisted on Josi’s goal… Matt Duchene took Nashville’s first penalty shot of the season at 13:40 of the second period; it was unsuccessful… Kiefer Sherwood led all skaters in hits with seven.

OVERALL (52 GP) 28-28-(1)-5
HOME (26 GP) 17-9-(0)-0
ROAD (26 GP) 11-9-(1)-5
LAST MEETING Jan. 24, 2023 at NSH (W, 2-1)
PLAYOFFS (0-1) 2018 WCS (L, 4-3)

INJURY REPORT
Player Designation Dates Missed Games Missed
Mark Borowiecki Upper body – IR Oct. 27-March 16 59
Filip Forsberg Upper body – day-to-day Feb. 13-March 16 16
Ryan Johansen Right leg surgery Feb. 23-March 16 11
Juuso Parssinen Upper body – day-to-day Feb. 26-March 16 10
Alexandre Carrier Upper body – 4-6 weeks March 4-16 7
Ryan McDonagh Upper body – day-to-day March 14-16 2
Total man-games lost: 172
Individual man-games lost: Borowiecki – 60; Carrier – 21; McCarron – 20; Forsberg – 16; Johansen – 11; Parssinen – 10; McDonagh – 9; Smith – 6; Trenin – 5; Glass – 3; Jankowski – 3; Lauzon – 3; Asplund – 1; Duchene – 1; Evangelista – 1; Lankinen – 1; Tomasino – 1

NHL Preview: Boston Bruins (51-11-5) at Minnesota Wild (39-21-8)

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NHL Preview: Boston Bruins (51-11-5) at Minnesota Wild (39-21-8)

BOSTON BRUINS NOTES:

TODAY’S GAME

  • The Bruins visit the Wild today in the 2nd and final game between these teams this season and the Bruins’ lone visit to Xcel Energy Center.
  • They are 51-11-5 overall this season and they are 24-8-2 on the road … The Bruins are 23-4-2 vs Western Conference opponents.
  • This is the 12th 50-win season in Bruins history … It is their second straight 50-win campaign and the most since 4 straight from 1970-71—1973-74 … The total at the 64-game mark were the fastest 50 wins in NHL history.
  • The Bruins play today their 12th of 16 matinees this season (local start time 4:00 pm or earlier) … They have a 8-2-1 record in afternoon games so far.
  • The Bruins play this weekend their 11th of 14 sets of back-to-back games this season … They are currently 8-0-2 in the 1st game of those sets and are 7-3-0 in the 2nd games so far.
  • The Bruins play game 4 today in Winnipeg of a 5-game road trip (1-2-0), concluding the trip in Buffalo on 3/19 … They will next return home to host Ottawa on 3/21, Montreal on 3/23 and Tampa Bay on 3/25.

RECENT GAMES:

  • The Bruins are 2-3-0 in their last 5 games, with a 3-2 loss vs. Edmonton on 3/9, a 3-2 win vs. Detroit on 3/11, 5-3 loss in Detroit on 3/12, 6-3 setback in Chicago and 3-0 win in Winnipeg on 3/16 … That followed a 10-game win from 2/14-3/4 which was tied for the 5th-longest win streak in team history.
  • The Bruins are 8-2-0 in their last 10 road games and are 17-4-2 in their last 23 road games, also including a 9-0-1 road point streak from 12/11-1/24 and 7-game win streak from 2/1-28.
  • The Bruins are 8-2-0 in their last 10 home games.
  • Boston 3 at Detroit 5 … The Bruins fell into a 4-0 deficit and Matt Grzelcyk (1-1=2 totals), Jake DeBrusk, and David Pastrnak (1-1=2 totals) attempted the comeback before falling short … Pavel Zacha had 2A … Jeremy Swayman had the loss in net … SOG: Bos 33, Det 26 … PP: 0/3 … PK: 2/3
  • Boston 3 at Chicago 6 … The Bruins suffered consecutive regulation losses for the 1st time this season … Hampus Lindholm (1-1=2 totals), Trent Frederic and Pavel Zacha gave Boston a 3-2 lead, but fell to 4 unanswered … Linus Ullmark had his 8-game win streak halted … SOG: Bos 42, Chi 29 … PP: 0/2 … PK: 0/3
  • Boston 3 at Winnipeg 0 … Trent Frederic (GW), Pavel Zacha and Tomas Nosek (EN) scored goals and Jeremy Swayman earned his 3rd shutout of the season in the win … SOG: Bos 24, Wpg 36 … PP: 0/3 … PK: 0/5

INJURIES (Total man-games lost in 2022-23: 94)

  • Taylor Hall: Lower body (LTIR)
  • Nick Foligno: Lower body (IR)

BOSTON vs MINNESOTA, LIFETIME SERIES

  • The Bruins and Wild are meeting for the 30th time in their histories with the Bruins having a 13-15-0-1 record and Minnesota having a 75-70 scoring advantage in those games.
  • The Bruins are 7-6-0-1 lifetime in Minnesota with a 33-31 scoring edge in those 14 contests.

FUN FACTS

  • The Bruins currently have 25 players on their roster (1 IR, 1 LTIR) … 12 were drafted by the team, 7 were acquired in trade and 6 were signed as free agents.
  • The Bruins play 16 matinees this season (local start time 4:00 pm or earlier) … They have a 8-2-1 record in afternoon games so far.
  • The Bruins play 14 sets of back-to-back games this season … They are currently 8-0-2 in the 1st game of those sets and are 7-3-0 in the 2nd games so far.
  • The Bruins are playing game 8 of their 15-game March schedule tonight (9 hm/6 rd, 4-3-0) … They will play 7 in April (3 hm/4 rd) … They went 8-1-0 in October, 11- 2-0 in November, 9-1-4 in December, 10-3-1 in January and 9-1-0 in February.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Mar. 11: Jakub Lauko recalled from Providence/AHL on an emergency basis and returned to Providence/AHL.
Mar. 13: Jakub Lauko recalled from Providence/AHL on an emergency basis.

MINNESOTA WILD NOTES:

SERIES NOTES
GAME BROADCASTS
BOSTON BRUINS
All-Time Wild Record: 16-8-5 (7-4-3 at Xcel Energy Center, 9-4-2 at Boston)

2022-23: The Wild lost in overtime, 4-3, to the Bruins in the series-opening game (10/22) in Boston…D Jared Spurgeon (1-1=2) and RW Mats Zuccarello (0-2=2) led Minnesota with two points each…LW Matt Boldy (1-0=1) and RW Brandon Duhaime (1-0=1) also scored goals…G Marc-Andre Fleury saved 39 of 43 shots faced for the Wild…LW Taylor Hall paced Boston with three points (1-2=3)…C David Krejci (0-2=2) and RW David Pastrnak (1-1=2) also recorded multi-point games…G Linus Ullmark stopped 24 of 27 shots faced for the Bruins.

WILD LEADERS: LW Marcus Johansson leads the Wild with 17 points (7-10=17) in 29 games against Boston…LW Gustav Nyquist has 16 points (9-7=16) in 30 games…Zuccarello owns 15 points (3-12=15) in 21 games…LW Marcus Foligno (2-8=10) has 10 points in 28 games.

WILD GOALIES: Fleury is 12-9-7 with a 2.52 GAA, a .918 SV% and two shutouts in 29 games (28 starts) against the Bruins…G Filip Gustavsson has not faced Boston.

BRUINS LEADERS: Hall leads the Bruins with 21 points (8-13=21) in 27 games against the Wild…C Patrice Bergeron owns 19 points (4-15=19) in 21 contests against the Wild…LW Brad Marchand has 15 points (8-7=15) in 16 contests…D Hampus Lindholm owns 12 points (3-9=12) in 25 games…LW Nick Foligno has 12 points (6-6=12) in 23 games.

BRUINS GOALIES: Ullmark is 4-1-0 with a 2.73 GAA and a .916 SV% in five starts vs. Minnesota…G Jeremy Swayman is 0-2-0 with a 3.06 GAA and a .905 SV% in two starts.

FAST FACTS: Minnesota swept the season series in 2021-22 for the first time since 2016-17…Eight of the 14 all-time games played in Saint Paul have been decided by one goal.

INJURIES
Jonas Brodin: lower body
Brandon Duhaime: upper body
Marcus Foligno: lower body
Kirill Kaprizov: lower body
Gustav Nyquist: upper body

FINDING THEIR GROOVE
• Minnesota is first in the NHL with 28 points and a .824 point percentage since Feb. 11 (12-1-4) and is tied for first in wins.

• The Wild’s current 14-game point streak (10-0-3) is the third-longest in the NHL this season and longest in franchise history.

• Since Feb. 11, the Wild leads the NHL with a .940 team save percentage and has allowed a league-low 1.82 goals against per game.

HOME SWEET HOME
• Dating back to Nov. 19th, Minnesota is 19-5-2 at home for a .769 point percentage, the second-most wins and tied for the second-best point percentage in the NHL during that span.

• The Wild holds an active six-game point streak (5-0-1) at Xcel Energy Center.

• The team recorded a seven-game home win streak from Nov. 27 – Dec. 18, the fourth-longest home win streak in the NHL this season.

• In home games since Nov. 19, the Wild has allowed 2.04 goals per game and recorded a .928 save percentage (SV%), ranking second in the NHL in each category.

• Minnesota is tied for sixth in the NHL with 21 home victories this season and ranks sixth with a .662 home point percentage.

ON THE POWER PLAY
• The Wild has converted 27.2 percent (28 of 103) of power-play opportunities at home this season, fifth-best in the NHL.

• Since Jan. 19, Minnesota ranks tied for fifth in the NHL with 17 powerplay goals.

PENALTY KILLERS
• Recorded a streak of 27 consecutive successful penalty kills across 14 total games snapped from 2/6 to 3/2. Did not allow a power-play goal in 12 consecutive games from 2/8 – 2/28, the longest streak in the NHL this season, tied for the longest streak in franchise history and tied for the 13th-longest streak in the NHL’s Expansion Era (since 1967-68 season).

• Since Nov. 8, Minnesota is tied for eighth in the NHL with a 82.3 penalty-kill percentage (149 for 182).

LOCK-DOWN DEFENSE
• Minnesota has conceded less than two goals in 24 games this season, second-most the NHL. The Wild holds a 21-1-2 record when allowing less than two goals.

• In 42 games since Dec. 10, the Wild has posted a 2.29 GA/Gm average, the second-best mark in the NHL during that span.

NHL Preview: Colorado Avalanche (39-22-6) at Detroit Red Wings (30-28-9)

NHL Editor
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NHL Preview: Colorado Avalanche (39-22-6) at Detroit Red Wings (30-28-9)

COLORADO AVALANCHE NOTES:

UPCOMING GAMES
Date Opponent Time (MT) TV Radio
Sat, Mar. 18 at Detroit 11 a.m. Altitude, NHLN 92.5 FM
Mon, Mar. 20 CHICAGO 7 p.m. Altitude 92.5 FM
Wed, Mar. 22 PITTSBURGH 6 p.m. TNT 92.5 FM
Fri, Mar. 25 ARIZONA 7 p.m. Altitude 92.5 FM

TODAY’S GAME
COLORADO AVALANCHE (39-22-6, 84 PTS) at DETROIT RED WINGS (30-28-9, 69 PTS)
11:08 a.m. MT / 1:08 p.m. ET – Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Altitude, NHL Network / Altitude Radio (92.5 FM)
The Colorado Avalanche wraps up their four-game road trip with a Saturday afternoon matchup against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena … The Avs are 3-0-0 so far on this road swing and have won four straight games overall … Colorado is 11-3-1 in its last 15 contests and 19-5-3 (.759) in its last 27 games … The Avs are 10-2-1 in their last 13 road games … Colorado is in a busy stretch of 15 contests in 26 days from March 4-29.

ON THE CALL
Altitude: Marc Moser (play-by-play), Mark Rycroft (analyst), Katie Gaus (reporter)
Altitude Radio: Conor McGahey

LAST GAME
March 16 – Colorado 5, Ottawa 4
Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists and Nathan MacKinnon added three helpers to lead the Avalanche to a 5-4 victory over the Ottawa Senators … Cale Makar chipped in with a goal and one assist, Valeri Nichushkin had a power-play tally and Lars Eller notched the game winner … Evan Rodrigues also lit the lamp and Jonas Johansson made 32 saves in his first start of the season.
SF: 30 SA: 36 PP: 1-3 PK: 3-5

The Avalanche are 3-0 so far on road trip, have won four straight games overall and are 11-3-1 in their last 15 games…The Avs are 19-5-3 (.759) in their last 27 contests Colorado is 10-2-1 in its last 13 road contests Devon Toews appeared in his 300th career NHL game MacKinnon (5g/7a) and Makar (3g/10a) each extended their respective point streaks to seven games Rantanen scored a goal for the third straight game and extended his point streak to six contests (4g/6a) Rantanen’s three points gives him 490 career points, passing Alex Tanguay (488) for ninth place on the franchise alltime scoring list The Avalanche’s power-play unit has converted in six straight games, going 8-for-22 (36.4%) Colorado swept its back-to-back against Toronto/Ottawa and has now swept five of its last seven sets of back-toback games … The Avs are 7-2-1 on the second night of a back-to-back this season

CURRENT INJURIES
Pavel Francouz – lower body (Feb. 14 – present)
Darren Helm – lower body (Jan. 14 – present)
Erik Johnson – ankle (Feb. 14 – present)
Gabriel Landeskog – knee (Oct. 12 – present)
Artturi Lehkonen – finger (March 15 – present)
Kurtis MacDermid – lower body (March 9 – present)
Josh Manson – lower body (March 4 – present)
Total Man-Game Lost: 381

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Mar. 14 – Alex Galchenyk recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL)
Mar. 6 – Jonas Johansson recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL)
Mar. 5 – Keith Kinkaid reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL)

TODAY’S OPPONENT – DETROIT RED WINGS
The Avalanche and Red Wings close out the season series with the second and final meeting of 2022-23 … Both matchups this season are afternoon tilts, as Colorado won the first game 6-3 in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee at Ball Arena on Jan. 16 …. Colorado has won its last nine meetings against Detroit, the longest win streak by either team in this series… This current 9-0 run is also the Avalanche’s longest active win streak against any opponent … In fact, if the Avs can stretch that streak to 10 games today, it would match their longest winning streak against an opponent in franchise history … Colorado won 10 consecutive games against Buffalo from March 7, 2007 – Jan. 20, 2016, won 10 in a row against Columbus from Oct. 14, 2000 – Jan. 23, 2003 and the Nordiques won 10 straight against Pittsburgh from Oct. 21, 1982 – Oct. 19, 1985 … Colorado is 4-0-0 here at Little Caesars Arena since it opened in 2017-18.

SCHEDULE vs. RED WINGS
Jan. 16 vs. DETROIT (W, 6-3)
Mar. 18 @ DETROIT

RECORD vs. RED WINGS
THIS SEASON 2021-22 ALL-TIME SINCE 1995-96 ALL-TIME PLAYOFFS
Overall: 1-0-0 Overall: 2-0-0 Overall: 59-61-10 Overall: 38-41-6 Series: 6 (3-3)
Home: 1-0-0 Home: 1-0-0 Home: 31-27-8 Home: 19-19-5 W-L: 17-17
Road: — Road: 1-0-0 Road: 28-34-2 Road: 19-22-1 Last: 2008 CSF (L, 0-4)

2022-23 SEASON NOTES
DAYDREAM BELIEVER
Colorado is 6-1-0 in day games this year, 4-0-0 at home and 2-1-0 on the road … The Avs are 11-2-0 in afternoon dates over the past two seasons and 19-4-1 (.813) since 2019-20 … Only Carolina (21-3-3, .833) has a better record in afternoon contests over the last four seasons …. The Avs are 20-3-2 in home afternoon contests since 2017-18 … The Avalanche will play a total of nine afternoon dates this year … The schedule originally called for 10 daytime contests but the Nov 25th game in Nashville was postponed due to a water main break at Bridgestone Arena … The Avs finished 5-1-0 in day games last year, 3-0-0 at home.

EAST SIDE STORY
The Avalanche are 17-10-3 against Eastern Conference teams this year … Colorado finished 22-8-2 against the East last year, its most wins and tied for its most points (46) ever against the other conference… Since Jared Bednar was hired in 2016-17, the Avs are 107-64-18 (.614) against the Eastern Conference, which includes a 60-24-9 (.694) mark since 2019-20, the best of any Western Conference team over the last four seasons.

BACK-TO-BACK
The Avalanche just swept a back-to-back in Toronto and Ottawa this week … Colorado has swept five of its last seven sets of back-to-back games … The Avs are 13-5-2 overall in back-to-back contests this season, going 6-3-1 in the first game and 7-2-1 in the second …. The Avalanche had a stretch of three consecutive sets of back-to-back games from Feb. 14-25, with the club earning 11 of a possible 12 points during that span … All three back-to-backs required travel in between (either home/road or road/home) and all three opponents on the second half of the back-to-back were waiting for the Avs, with Colorado sweeping all three games … The Avalanche posted a 15-5-2 (.727) record in back-to-back games last season, the second-best mark behind Minnesota (.732, 19-6-3) … The Avs were 7-3-1 in the first game and 8-2-1 in the second.

DETROIT RED WINGS NOTES:

LAST GAME
RED WINGS 1 at NASHVILLE 2 (3/14/23)
1ST PERIOD: No scoring
2ND PERIOD: NSH Sherwood (Tomasino, Sissons) 10:58-EV
3RD PERIOD: NSH Novak (Foote, Sherwood) 2:22-EV; DET Chiasson (Copp, Raymond) 17:44-PP
SHOTS: DET 29 (10-11-8) / NSH 16 (5-8-3)
GOALIES: DET Husso (L, 14-16) / NSH Saros (W, 28-29)
PP: DET 1-4 / NSH 0-5

MAN GAMES LOST (games missed / out since)
Robby Fabbri – lower body (38 / March 8)
Michael Rasmussen – lower body (11 / Feb. 25)
Total Man Games Lost: 249
Individual Man Games Lost: Filip Zadina (37), Jakub Vrána (33), Matt Luff (32), Tyler Bertuzzi (31), Robert Hägg (15), Elmer Söderblom (13), Gustav Lindström (11), Lucas Raymond (8), Oskar Sundqvist (7), Olli Määttä (4), Ville Husso (3), Jake Walman (3), Jordan Oesterle (2), Dylan Larkin (1)

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
3/17 – Recalled forward Austin Czarnik and defenseman Simon Edvinsson from Grand Rapids under emergency conditions
3/15 – Assigned forwards Austin Czarnik and Matt Luff to Grand Rapids
3/13 – Recalled forward Matt Luff from Grand Rapids under emergency conditions
3/12 – Reassigned goaltender John Lethemon to Grand Rapids from Toledo (ECHL)

TODAY’S GAME
RED WINGS vs. AVALANCHE / 1:00 P.M. EDT / LITTLE CAESARS ARENA / TV: NHLN, BSD / RADIO: WXYT 97.1 FM
TODAY: 131st all-time meeting, 65th in Detroit … Second of two games this season, only game at Little Caesars Arena
ALL-TIME vs. COL: 66-49-5-10 / HOME: 35-20-1-8 / LAST 10: 1-7-2 / IN 2021-22: 0-2-0 / THIS SEASON: 0-1-0
DET top scorers vs. COL: David Perron (21-21-42 in 50 GP), Dylan Larkin (2-9-11 in 13 GP), Moritz Seider (0-4-4 in 3 GP), Filip Zadina (2-2-4 in 4 GP)
COL top scorers vs. DET: Nathan MacKinnon (12-9-21 in 16 GP), Alex Galchenyuk (6-13-19 in 27 GP), Mikko Rantanen (1-11-12 in 10 GP), Cale Makar (3-6-9 in 4 GP), Evan Rodrigues (4-4-8 in 14 GP), Devon Toews (0-7-7 in 7 GP), Valeri Nichushkin (2-3-5 in 10 GP), Alex Newhook (0-3-3 in 3 GP), Logan O’Connor (1-1-2 in 4 GP)

UPCOMING GAMES (ALL TIMES EDT)
Mon., March 20: RED WINGS vs. PANTHERS / 7:00 p.m. / LITTLE CAESARS ARENA / TV: NHLN, BSD / RADIO: WXYT 97.1 FM
Tue., March 21: RED WINGS at BLUES / 8:00 p.m. / Enterprise Center / TV: BSD / RADIO: WXYT 97.1 FM
Thu., March 23: RED WINGS vs. BLUES / 7:00 p.m. / LITTLE CAESARS ARENA / TV: BSD / RADIO: WXYT 97.1 FM

LAST TIME OUT
March 14 at Nashville – 2-1 L
Detroit fell 2-1 at Nashville to move to 30-28-9 overall and 13-16-5 on the road … The Red Wings are 21-4-0 this season when allowing two-or-fewer goals … Detroit is 14-7-6 this season against Western Conference opponents … The Red Wings are 10-7-9 in one-goal games this season, and 25-8-19 since the beginning of the 2021-22 campaign … Alex Chiasson put Detroit on the board with his third power play goal in as many games … Chiasson recorded his first three-game goal streak since Dec. 13-16, 2018 as a member of the Edmonton Oilers … Chiasson also extended his point streak to four-straight games (3-2-5 in 4 GP) … Chiasson scored Detroit’s first 6-on-4 power play goal since Anthony Mantha did so on Feb. 21, 2020 at the New York Islanders … Andrew Copp picked up an assist in his 550th career NHL game … Copp is one assist shy of 150 for his NHL career … Copp improved his point streak to five-straight games (2-3-5 in 5 GP), and has nine points (3-6-9) in 11 games since Feb. 23 against the New York Rangers … Lucas Raymond also recorded an assist on Chiasson’s power play goal … Raymond has three assists in his last two games, and 14 points (6-8-14) in 21 contests dating back to Jan. 10 vs. Winnipeg … Ville Husso stopped 14-of-16 shots … Husso has allowed two goals or fewer in 23 starts this season … Detroit has scored a power play goal in each of its last four contests … The Red Wings are 5-for-12 (41.7%) on the man advantage since March 8 vs. Chicago … In all, Detroit is 22-10-5 this season when scoring a power play goal … Additionally, Detroit is 16-for-18 (88.9%) on the penalty kill since March 5 at Philadelphia … Detroit allowed a season-low 16 shots on goal … The Red Wings outshot the Predators by a 22-9 margin at even strength … Detroit is 13-10-4 this season when outshooting its opponent, and 5-2-2 when doing so on the road.

NBA Preview: Golden State Warriors (36-35) at Memphis Grizzlies (42-27)

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NBA Preview: Golden State Warriors (36-35) at Memphis Grizzlies (42-27)

When the Golden State Warriors, who struggle on the road, play the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, the atmosphere is likely to be tense.

When the Grizzlies defeated the Warriors 131-110 on March 9, the two teams just had a difficult encounter in Memphis. It was Memphis’ first victory in three games this season against Golden State.

Draymond Green of Golden State and Dillon Brooks of Memphis have frequently spoken negatively of one another, which was made worse by the Warriors’ six-game victory in the Western Conference semifinals last season. The most recent matchup was marred by post-match criticism as well as in-game animosity.

Despite star point guard Ja Morant serving a suspension for disruptive behavior, the Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings share the second-best Western Conference record (42-27) and have avoided falling behind. As the eighth and final game of Morant’s punishment approaches, Memphis is 4-3.

The Grizzlies likewise figure to be rich in the wake of establishing an establishment standard by recuperating from a 29-point, second from last quarter shortfall on Friday to post a 126-120 extra time triumph over the meeting San Antonio Prods.

The Warriors (35-35), who have lost five of their last seven games, are fighting for a playoff spot in the West’s top six. After the Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, Golden State is now in the first play-in spot.

Additionally, the Warriors have a dismal 7-28 road record, and their loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, 127-119, was their 10th consecutive game away from home.

Steve Kerr, the coach of Golden State, still anticipates a turnaround.

Green received an automatic one-game suspension for his 16th technical foul on Wednesday in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, which meant that he was unable to play in the game on Friday.

Stephen Curry scored 31 focuses on 12-of-27 shooting against the Falcons. He had scored 50 points against the Clippers two nights prior, converting 20 of 28 attempts.

The Warriors are playing the third of five road games against the Grizzlies. Forward Kevon Looney said the club needs to zero in on how it’s playing rather than where.

In the interim, Memphis played an unfortunate first half before the noteworthy meeting against the Prods. Grizzlies mentor Taylor Jenkins said he didn’t have anything to share with his players at halftime.

Tyus Jones has stood out as Morant’s replacement and recorded his first career triple-double on Friday with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. In four of the seven games Morant has missed, Jones has had at least two assists.

NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (42-27) at Washington Wizards (32-38)

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NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (42-27) at Washington Wizards (32-38)

When the Sacramento Kings play the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, they will want to keep climbing.

The Kings (42-27) have won 10 of their beyond 12 games in general and 12 of their beyond 16 headed for secure their most memorable winning season starting around 2005-06. Because it was the last time Sacramento made the playoffs, that season is still significant.

His group’s achievement regardless, De’Aaron Fox said he’d prefer look forward than behind.

Thursday marked Domantas Sabonis’ fourth appearance at the 20-20 mark this season with 24 points and 21 rebounds. Sabonis also had four blocks and five assists against Brooklyn.

On December 23, Sabonis had 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Kings’ 125-111 defeat of the Wizards. Fox scored 26 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

However, Sacramento may be without starting shooting guard Kevin Huerter, who is day-to-day following an MRI that revealed a mild popliteus muscle strain in his right leg. If Huerter is out on Saturday, Kessler Edwards and Terence Davis could get more playing time.

In Friday’s 117-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bradley Beal added 22 points to his 24 in the first game against the Kings. Beal has scored 20 points in 32 games this season, including seven of the Wizards’ last eight games (32-38).

Washington fell for the sixth time in eight games on Friday, despite Kristaps Porzingis scoring 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds. This season, Porzingis has scored at least 20 points in 41 games, including 22 of his last 30.

After missing one game with soreness in his right knee, Kyle Kuzma returned and scored seven points while in foul trouble. In their previous meeting, he scored 32 points on 14 of 23 shooting from the floor.

NBA Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves (35-36) at Toronto Raptors (34-36)

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NBA Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves (35-36) at Toronto Raptors (34-36)

When the Toronto Raptors take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, they will look to win for the seventh time in a row at home and their third in a row.

After defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder by a score of 128-111 on Thursday, the Toronto Raptors will try to win all three of their home games to complete a sweep.

The Timberwolves fell 139-131 in twofold extra time to the host Chicago Bulls on Friday. Due to a sprained right ankle, Minnesota lost Anthony Edwards in the first quarter and he did not return. He had eight points and eight minutes of action.

Edwards will be reevaluated on Saturday, Timberwolves mentor Chris Finch said post-game.

This was Minnesota’s fourth defeat in their last five games.

In the Raptors’ victory over the Thunder, Pascal Siakam scored 25 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and provided eight assists, while Jakob Poeltl scored 16 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.

Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, O.G. Anunoby, and all five Toronto starters scored at least 20 points. O.G. Anunoby added 17 points. 23 were added by Gary Trent Jr. from the bench.

Despite shooting 9-for-19 from the field on Thursday, Siakam had been in a bit of a slump recently, scoring just 12 points in each of his previous two games.

Precious Achiuwa did not participate in the game on Thursday because Christian Koloko played 12 minutes off the bench. However, Koloko was listed as questionable for Saturday after suffering a broken nose during the match.

Friday marked the beginning of a three-game road trip for the Timberwolves, who lost a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter before Chicago won the marathon game.

Mike Conley scored 28 points and was 8-for-12 from three-point range to lead Minnesota. 25 rebounds came from Jaden McDaniels.

When Edwards landed awkwardly after jumping while passing the ball late in the first quarter, he sustained an injury.

Finch was not aware of Edwards’ absence.

Rudy Gobert, a Minnesota center, scored 21 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, and blocked five shots before fouling out in the first overtime.

NBA Preview: Philadelphia Sixers (47-22) at Indiana Pacers (32-38)

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NBA Preview: Philadelphia Sixers (47-22) at Indiana Pacers (32-38)

The Indiana Pacers will try to carry that momentum into a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, which is arguably their best win of the season.

On Thursday, Indiana (32-38) defeated the host Milwaukee Bucks 139-123 to win for the fourth time in six games.

Philadelphia (47-22), a power in the Eastern Conference who has won seven straight games, is now the focus of the Pacers’ attention.

On Thursday, the Pacers, led by rookie Andrew Nembhard, scored a season-high 84 second-half points to snap a 10-game losing streak against the Bucks. In the victory, Nembhard scored a team-high 24 points.

With 12 games remaining, Indiana is half a game out of 10th place in the Eastern Conference heading into Saturday’s game. The play-in tournament will be won by teams seven through ten.

The fact that Indiana was without All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton and rookie Bennedict Mathurin because of right ankle sprains made the victory over Milwaukee even more surprising. On Saturday, both will be absent once more.

Nembhard scored the second most points of his career on Friday while Haliburton was out.

The first three meetings this season were among Indiana’s five losses against Philadelphia. On March 6, the Sixers, led by star Joel Embiid, defeated the Pacers 147-143. Embiid scored 42 points.

In a span of eight games, Philadelphia is currently playing seven games on the road. The Sixers will play a back-to-back set on Saturday, but because they beat the host Charlotte Hornets 121-82 on Friday, they were able to limit the minutes played by the starters. James Harden led the team with 31 points.

In just 29 minutes, Embiid scored 38 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. He has scored at least 30 points in eight games in a row.

Harden recorded his fifth triple-double of the season, recording 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. 18 more were scored by Tobias Harris.

Due to a right hip contusion, Philadelphia forward Jalen McDaniels has missed the last two games and is listed as day-to-day.

The Sixers lead the No. 1 team by four games and are third in the Eastern Conference. Fourteen games remain for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Indiana, which defeated Milwaukee without overreacting, will continue the Sixers’ final stretch against them.

NHL Morning Skate – March 18, 2023

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NHL Morning Skate – March 18, 2023

* The Flyers had “the luck of the Irish” on St. Patrick’s Day as Owen Tippett recorded his first NHL hat trick and Carter Hart became the fourth-youngest active goaltender at the time of their 80th career win (min. 1 GP in 2022-23) behind Andrei Vasilevskiy, Marc-Andre Fleury and John Gibson.

* The Maple Leafs tied their franchise mark for second-fewest games to 90 points in a season (also 68 GP in 1950-51) while skating in St. Pats uniforms.

* Down to the final four Saturdays in the 2022-23 regular season – it’s a 13-game slate which will feature 18 teams in a playoff position or within four points of one, while only 15 spots in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs remain.

LUCK OF THE IRISH: ST. HAT TRICK’S DAY FOR TIPPETT, 90-POINT MARK FOR ST. PATS
Owen Tippett and Carter Hart led the Flyers to victory with notable St. Patrick’s Day feats as Mitchell Marner helped the Maple Leafs become the fifth team to reach the 90-point mark this season while skating in their St. Pats uniforms.

* Hart (24 years, 216 days) became the fourth active goaltender (min 1. GP in 2022-23) with at least three wins on St. Patrick’s Day as well as the youngest netminder in Flyers history to record 80 victories with the club – Ron Hextall (24 years, 229 days) previously held the distinction.

* Tippett scored his first career hat trick and became the second player in Flyers history to record a three-goal performance on St. Patrick’s Day after John LeClair did so in 1996.


* Marner scored against the Hurricanes on St. Patrick’s Day for the second straight year to help Toronto improve to 41-18-9 (91 points) and build a three-point lead over Tampa Bay (41-22-6, 88 points) for second place in the Atlantic Division. The Maple Leafs eclipsed the 90-point mark in 68 contests – one game shy of the franchise’s best pace, achieved last season (67 GP in 2021-22).



BUCHNEVICH EXTENDS POINT STREAK TO 11 GAMES ON #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES

Pavel Buchnevich (0-1—1) extended his point streak to 11 games (7-12—19) to match Seattle’s Vince Dunn for the longest active run in the NHL on Friday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates.


QUICK CLICKS


* District E to host EA SPORTS NHL 23 North American Championship

* St. Patrick’s Day has always been eventful in NHL

* Nick Suzuki fined $2,500 for actions in Canadiens game

* NHL GMs say early deals before NHL Trade Deadline could be trend

* Alex Tuch in leading role to help hometown Sabres end 11-year playoff drought

ESPN+ DOUBLEHEADER HEADLINES 13-GAME SATURDAY

With only four Saturdays remaining in the 2022-23 regular season, this one features a showdown between the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes (44-15-8, 96 points) and Flyers (25-32-11, 61 points) on HULU and ESPN+ as well as a second game of back-to-back meetings between the Penguins (34-24-10, 78 points) and Rangers (39-19-10, 88 points) on ABC and ESPN+.

* Captain Sidney Crosby (29-54—83 in 68 GP) has multiple points in every game against the Rangers this season and enters Saturday one goal shy of his 11th career 30-goal campaign (all w/ PIT). Should he do so, Crosby would become the 10th player in NHL history with 11 or more 30-goal seasons with a single franchise; Alex Ovechkin (17 w/ WSH), Gordie Howe (14 w/ DET) and Bobby Hull are the only skaters with more than 11.

* Igor Shesterkin (31-11-7, 2.63 GAA, .910 SV% & 1 SO) is one of four netminders with 30 wins in 2022-23 and will compete in his 150th career game should he get the start for the Rangers on Saturday. He owns a 93-40-14 mark through his first 149 career appearances and can become the seventh goaltender in NHL history with 94-plus victories through his first 150 NHL games.



CRUCIAL CLASH IN PACIFIC PITS KRAKEN AGAINST OILERS
The third-seeded Oilers (38-23-8, 84 points) travel to Climate Pledge Arena to battle with the fourth-seeded Kraken (38-23-7, 83 points) as the two clubs continue to jockey for positioning in the Pacific Division. The winner Saturday will conclude the weekend in third place.

* Leon Draisaitl (298-419—717 in 625 GP) has three goals through his past three games and has his sights set on his 300th career tally when he takes to the ice. A seventh multi-goal contest in 2022-23 would make Draisaitl just the fifth active player to reach the milestone prior to his 700th career game joining Alex Ovechkin (473 GP), Steven Stamkos (550 GP), Sidney Crosby (622 GP) and Evgeni Malkin (653 GP).

* The Kraken continue to rebound from their inaugural campaign after concluding the 2021-22 season with 27 wins and 60 points. A victory against Edmonton would make Seattle the fourth team in NHL history to produce a 25-point improvement from their first-ever season to their second; the Islanders (26; 30 in 1972-73 & 56 in 1973-74), Bruins (26; 12 in 1924-25 & 38 in 1925-26) and Maroons (25; 20 in 1924-25 & 45 in 1925-26) all did so.

CLUBS LOOK TO CONTINUE RECENT STREAKING SUCCESS

The Wild (39-21-8, 86 points), with an active 14-game point streak (11-0-3) and Kings (40-20-9, 89 points), who are 8-0-1 in their past nine home games, look to continue their climbs up the standings when the puck drops for the Saturday slate.

* Minnesota has already established the longest point streak in franchise history and has the opportunity to overtake Dallas (37-19-13, 87 points), also in action, for top spot in the Central Division – a position they have yet to hold in 2022-23. The Wild can join the Hurricanes (17 GP from Nov. 25 – Jan. 1, 2023) and Maple Leafs (15 GP from Nov. 12 – Dec. 13, 2022) as the third team with a 15-game point streak in this season.



* The Kings have an opportunity to overtake the idle Golden Knights (42-21-6, 90 points) for first place in the Pacific Division – a position they’ve only held on Jan. 27. Los Angeles can register a double-digit home point streak for the sixth time in franchise history and first since an 11-game run from March 4 to April 14, 2002 (9-0-2).

MLS Preview: San Jose Earthquakes (2-1-0) at St. Louis City SC (3-0-0)

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MLS Preview: San Jose Earthquakes (2-1-0) at St. Louis City SC (3-0-0)

San Jose Earthquakes are unbeaten against expansion teams since 2019 (W3 D1), one of four teams in that time without a loss (excluding St. Louis City SC), joining Columbus Crew SC, Los Angeles Football Club, and the Seattle Sounders FC. The Earthquakes, however, have just two wins in their first away match against an MLS expansion team (D5 L7, including a breakaway shootout loss).

St. Louis City SC earned a 2-1 win against the Portland Timbers despite conceding in the third minute of the match. St. Louis City SC is the first MLS team to record three straight come-from-behind wins since the Los Angeles Galaxy in August 2015 and the first team ever to do so in the first three matches of a season.

Since the beginning of last season, San Jose has won just one win in 20 road matches in all competitions (D6 L13). That is tied with the Colorado Rapids for fewest road wins (all competitions) by an MLS team in that time. For comparison, St. Louis City SC has won both its road games as an MLS franchise.

Eduard Lowen and Joao Klauss each have at least one goal contribution (goal or assist) in all three of St. Louis City SC’s games. Klauss and Lowen join Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi as the only pair of teammates this century to each have a goal contribution in their first three MLS games while doing so in the same game.

Cristian Espinoza’s goal was the difference in San Jose’s 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids as Espinoza now has a run-of-play outside-the-box goal in the last four seasons. That is the longest active streak of such goals among all MLS players.

NBA Preview: Orlando Magic (28-42) at Los Angeles Clippers (37-33)

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NBA Preview: Orlando Magic (28-42) at Los Angeles Clippers (37-33)

In a Saturday matinee, the visiting Orlando Magic, who are playing the third game of a four-game road trip, welcome the Los Angeles Clippers, who are riding a four-game winning streak.

With a 134-126 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, the Clippers (37-33) moved up to 4-0 on a five-game homestand. Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points, Paul George had 24 points and seven assists, and Ivica Zubac had 19 points and 16 rebounds as Los Angeles successfully countered Stephen Curry’s 50-point effort for the Warriors.

In the victory, Russell Westbrook had 15 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, close to a triple-double.

In a Western Conference that is highly competitive, Los Angeles moved up to fifth place. Through games played Thursday, only 3 1/2 games isolated the Trimmers in the No. 5 spot from Utah and New Orleans, the last two groups out in the race for the four play-in competition offers.

In contrast, Orlando (28-42), which has lost five of six games since losing to Phoenix on Thursday by a score of 116-113, is losing ground in the race for the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. The Magic fell to 0-2 midway through a Western Conference road trip that began on Tuesday with a 132-114 defeat at San Antonio.

Despite Thursday’s loss in Phoenix, Markelle Fultz’s continued strong performance was a positive. He had 25 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds after shooting 11 of 17 from the field.

Fultz missed the initial 21 rounds of the time with a broke toe, however has been in the setup each game since Nov. 30. His third game with 20 or more points in March came on Thursday.

After Wendell Carter Jr.’s 15.3, Franz Wagner’s 18.7, and presumptive Rookie of the Year frontrunner Paolo Banchero’s 20.1 points per game, Fultz’s 13.8 points per game ranks fourth on the Magic.

When the teams last played on Dec. 7, Banchero led the Magic to a 116-111 overtime victory over the Clippers. The rookie scored 23 points, while Leonard and George’s Los Angeles team only managed 25 points.

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