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NBA Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves (31-31) at Golden State Warriors (30-30)

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NBA Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves (31-31) at Golden State Warriors (30-30)

When the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors meet in San Francisco on Sunday afternoon, they will face off against two teams that are both below.500 and badly in need of a winning streak.

Following their split earlier this season at Minnesota, the Western Conference playoff contenders will play one more time in Golden State.

The most recent of those encounters took place earlier this month. In overtime, the Timberwolves stepped up their defense and prevented the Warriors from making a single 3-point shot on five attempts, allowing them to win 119-114 with just four points in total.

In a 116-101 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday night at home, Golden State turned up the offensive pressure from long range with a season-high 26 3-pointers, one shy of the NBA record.

Without Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, or Draymond Green, the Warriors’ Klay Thompson delivered in just his second consecutive game of the season. In 17 attempts, Thompson made 12 3-pointers to set a new NBA record for made 3-pointers. He missed by only two.

In November, the Warriors defeated Minnesota 137-114, and Thompson scored 21 points while shooting 5-for-8 from three-point range. Curry, Wiggins, and Green scored 61 points each for Golden State in that game.

Green may be with Thompson this time around because the veteran took Friday off to rest a bruised knee. However, Curry’s knee injury will keep him out for at least another week, and Wiggins’ return to the team is unknown due to personal reasons.

The Timberwolves missed an opportunity when they suffered consecutive home losses to the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets at home on each end of the All-Star break, while the Warriors attempt to build on Friday’s victory with four more games at home in the next six days.

In the Timberwolves’ 121-113 defeat to the Hornets on Friday, Mike Conley scored 15 points, his most in four games for the team. The seasoned point guard became more familiar with his new teammates, which may have been more significant than anything else.

Following their stop in San Francisco, the Timberwolves will play four Western Conference contenders in California, including the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles teams. However, they do so without Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been sidelined for 41 of the team’s previous games due to a calf injury.

Chris Finch, the head coach of Minnesota, believes that Towns is close to returning, but that may not happen until the Timberwolves play the Philadelphia 76ers at home on March 7. As a result, on March 26, the Warriors would face him in their final matchup.

NHL Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets (19-35-5) at Minnesota Wild (32-21-6)

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NHL Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets (19-35-5) at Minnesota Wild (32-21-6)

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS NOTES:

Feb. 26, 2023 Game No. 60 (19-35-5, 43 pts.) at Minnesota Wild (32-21-6, 70 pts.), Xcel Energy Center Road Game No. 27 (6-17-3, 15 pts.) The Blue Jackets Press Box website, which includes game notes, stats, releases and video/audio clips as well as the 2022-23 Media Guide can be accessed at bluejackets.com/pressbox. Follow @BlueJacketsPR on Twitter for comprehensive information and updates on the team.

THE LAST GAME: FEB. 25, 2023 – CBJ 6 vs. EDM 5
CBJ Goal Scorers: Marchenko (15), PP – Jenner (18), Marchenko (16), Laine (17), Roslovic (5), Roslovic (6)
EDM Goal Scorers: Foegele (11), PP – Draisaitl (36), SHG – McDavid (47), McDavid (48), Hyman (28)
Goalies: CBJ – Korpisalo (42/47; 59:33); EDM – Campbell (10/14; 25:56), Skinner (10/12, 32:12)
CBJ PP: 1/4; PK: 3/4 | Shots: CBJ: 26 / EDM: 47
3 Stars: 1. Roslovic, CBJ; 2. McDavid, EDM; 3. Jenner, CBJ
Noteworthy: CBJ tied season-high in goals (3rd time)… CBJ led 4-0 with 5:56 into the 2nd period, but EDM scored 4-straight goals to tie game heading into the 3rd… CBJ scored 2 goals in the 3rd to win… CBJ swept EDM in season series for 3rd time in franchise history (2014-15 and 2016-17)… Roslovic notched his 2nd 4-point game of the season (2-2-4)… Gaudreau tallied his 10th multi-assist/14th multipoint game of the campaign (0-2-2)… Marchenko notched his 3rd career multi-goal game (2-0-2)… Laine registered his 4th 3-point effort of the season (1-2-3)… Jenner recorded his 8th multi-point game of the season (1-1-2), also notching his 318th career point (goal) to surpass Vyborny (317) for 4th-most points in CBJ history.

OhioHEALTH INJURY REPORT
Danforth (torn labrum); Placed on Injured Reserve (Oct. 25); 6 months (53 games)
Voracek (concussion); Placed on Injured Reserve (Nov. 4); out indefinitely (48 games)
Werenski (torn labrum); Placed on Injured Reserve (retro to Nov. 10); rest of regular season (46 games)
Bean (shoulder); Placed on IR (retro to Nov. 15); out indefinitely (44 games)
Chinakhov (ankle); Placed on IR (Dec. 20); 4 weeks (28 games)
Meyer (oblique strain); Placed on IR (Jan. 11); 6-8 weeks (19 games)
Nyquist (shoulder); Placed on IR (Jan. 28); out indefinitely (11 games)
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 406

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Feb. 25 Recalled Sweezey from Cleveland (AHL)
Feb. 9 Recalled Berni from Cleveland (AHL)
Feb. 1 Assigned Berni and Bjork to Cleveland (AHL)

TODAY’S GAME BROADCAST INFO
2:00pm ET | Bally Sports Ohio | 105.7 FM

AGAINST THE WILD
2022-23 Series: 0-1-0 (0-0-0 at MIN)
2021-22 Series: 1-0-1 (0-0-1 at MIN)
All-Time Series: 31-26-1-5 (12-16-0-4 at MIN)
Last 10 (Overall | Road): 4-4-2 | 5-4-1
All-Time GF/GA: 148/154
All-Time SF/SA: 1,756/1,809
All-Time PP: 36-of-219
All-Time PK: 220-of-261
THE LAST GAME VS. MIN: FEB. 23, 2023 – CBJ 0 vs. MIN 2
CBJ Goal Scorers:
MIN Goal Scorers: Duhaime (6), Kaprizov (34)
Goalies: CBJ – Korpisalo (23/25; 57:01); MIN – Fleury (30/30; 60:00)
CBJ PP: 0/1; PK: 1/1 | Shots: CBJ: 30 / MIN: 25
3 Stars: 1. Kaprizov, MIN; 2. Fleury, MIN; 3. Korpisalo, CBJ
Noteworthy: CBJ failed to score a goal for 6th time this season… MIN scored goals 3:01 and 8:48 into the game in the win… Jenner led the club in shots with 6… Peeke led the team in TOI (23:50) and hits with 4 (11 total as team)… Boqvist had his career-best 4-game points streak (2-3-5) snapped.

SEASON SERIES LEFT: Series is complete.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Media Notes

NOTED (Team Highlights vs. MIN)
CBJ and MIN both debuted in 2000-01… CBJ have picked up points in 12 of the last 18 meetings dating back to Apr. 13, 2013 (10-6- 2)… Home team has registered points in 8 of the last 10 meetings since Mar. 2, 2017 (6-2-2)… 7 of the last 10 games in the series have been decided by a single goal… CBJ owns 7 of the 11 shutouts in the series… Most goals scored at MIN: 5 – 2x (MR: 10/14/17)… Most goals allowed at MIN: 5 – 4x (MR: 2/25/20).

NOTED (Player Highlights vs. MIN)
Nyquist made his NHL debut on 11/1/11 vs. MIN.
SCORING NOTABLES vs. MIN
• Gaudreau – 4-16-20 in 21 career GP, including points in all but seven of his career contests and multiple points in each of his last three games at Minnesota (1-5-6)
• Laine – 10-5-15 in 20 career GP, including 2-1-3 in his last three contests at Minnesota.
• Merzlikins – 1-0-1 record with a 2.40 GAA and .934 SV% in 2 career GP, including stopping 35-plus shots in both contests of the series in 2021-22

MINNESOTA WILD NOTES:

SERIES NOTES
GAME BROADCASTS
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
All-Time Wild Record: 31-22-10 (20-7-5 at Xcel Energy Center, 11-15-5 at Columbus)
2022-23: Minnesota is 1-0-0 against Columbus this season…The Wild won the series-opening game, 2-0, at Nationwide Arena…RW Brandon Duhaime (1-0=1) and LW Kirill Kaprizov (1-0=1) both scored goals for the Wild…C Freddy Gaudreau (0-1=1) and C Ryan Hartman (0-1=1) each recorded an assist…G Marc-Andre Fleury stopped all 30 shots he faced for Minnesota, recording his first career shutout against Columbus…G Joonas Korpisalo stopped 23-of-25 shots faced for the Blue Jackets.

WILD LEADERS: RW Mats Zuccarello leads Minnesota with 15 points (7-8=15) in 28 games vs. Columbus…D Jared Spurgeon owns 12 points (1-11=12) in 24 matches…D Alex Goligoski owns 11 points (4-7=11) in 27 contests…C Ryan Hartman (1-7=8) has eight points in 12 games.

WILD GOALIES: Fleury is 13-7-2 with a 2.31 GAA, a .923 SV% and one shutout in 24 career games (22 starts) vs. the Blue Jackets…G Filip Gustavsson is 1-0-0 with a 0.92 GAA and a .971 SV% in one start (4/22/22).

BLUE JACKETS LEADERS: LW Johnny Gaudreau has tallied 20 points (4-16=20) in 21 games vs. Minnesota…RW Jakub Voracek owns 20 points (4-16=20) in 26 contests…LW Gustav Nyquist has 17 points (6-11=17) in 19 matches…LW Patrik Laine owns 15 points (10- 5=15) in 20 games.

BLUE JACKETS GOALIES: Korpisalo is 0-2-0 with a 4.02 GAA and a .850 SV% in two career starts against the Wild…G Elvis Merzlikins is 1-0-1 with
a 2.40 GAA and a .934 SV% in two starts.

FAST FACTS: Minnesota has earned points in 14 of its last 20 meetings against Columbus (10-6-4), including a 6-1-2 record in the last eight contests…The Wild is 7-5-2 in its last 14 games at Nationwide Arena and 10-4-4 in the last 18 games at Xcel Energy Center.

HOME SWEET HOME
• Dating back to Nov. 19th, Minnesota is 17-5-1 at home for a .761 point percentage, the fifth-best rate in the NHL during that span.

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

• Minnesota is sixth in the NHL with 19 home victories this season and a .645 point percentage.

• In home games since Nov. 19, the Wild is recording a 2.17 goals against average (GAA) and .922 save percentage (SV%). in that span, Minnesota ranks second in the NHL in home GAA and home SV%.

ON THE POWER PLAY
• The Wild has converted 28.4 percent (27 of 95) of power-play opportunities at home this season, fourth-best in the NHL.

• Since Jan. 19, Minnesota ranks second in the NHL with 12 power-play goals. Minnesota is 12-for-48 (25.0%) with the man advantage during that span, scoring a power-play goal in 11 of 16 contests.

PENALTY KILLERS
• The Wild has killed 24 consecutive shorthanded situations across 11 total games. Minnesota has not allowed a power-play goal in 10 consecutive games, the longest streak in the NHL this season and third-longest streak in franchise history.

• For the season, the Wild is tied for sixth in the NHL with a 82.1 penalty-kill percentage (156 for 190).

• Since Nov. 8, Minnesota is third in the NHL with a 84.0 penalty-kill percentage (131 for 156).

• Minnesota is tied for fourth in the NHL with a 82.6 penalty-kill percentage (81 of 98) on the road this season.

NHL Preview: Washington Capitals (29-26-6) at Buffalo Sabres (30-23-4)

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NHL Preview: Washington Capitals (29-26-6) at Buffalo Sabres (30-23-4)

WASHINGTON CAPITALS NOTES:

LAST GAME
Washington 6, New York Rangers 3
February 25, 2023 * Capital One Arena * Washington, D.C.
Shots: WSH: 27; NYR: 26
Power Plays: WSH: 1/2; NYR: 1/5
Three Stars: 1. Oshie (WSH), 2. Kuznetsov (WSH), 3. Kuemper (WSH)

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Recalled forward Aliaksei Protas from AHL Hershey, 2/24
Acquired a 1st-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, a 2nd-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, a 3rd-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and
forward Craig Smith from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Dmitry Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway, 2/23
Loaned forward Aliaksei Protas to AHL Hershey, 2/21
Recalled defenseman Dylan McIlrath from AHL Hershey, 2/19
Loaned forward Joe Snively to AHL Hershey, 2/19
Loaned defenseman Dylan McIlrath to AHL Hershey, 2/18

INJURIES/ILLNESSES
Carl Hagelin: 10/12/22-2/25/23 (61 games)
Connor Brown: 10/20/22-2/25/23 (57 games)
John Carlson: 10/31/22-11/9/22, 12/27/22-2/25/23 (31 games)
Anthony Mantha: 2/12/23, 2/23/23-2/25/23 (3 games)
Marcus Johansson: 2/25/23 (1 game)
Tom Wilson: 10/12/22-1/6/23, 1/26/23-2/16/23 (49 games)
Nicklas Backstrom: 10/12/22-1/6/23, 1/24/22 (43 games)
Alex Ovechkin: 12/21/22 (1 game)
Washington Capitals: Media Notes
Dmitry Orlov: 11/7/22-12/9/22 (16 games)
Erik Gustafsson: 12/11/22 (1 game)
Lars Eller: 12/13/22 (1 game)
Sonny Milano: 12/15/22 (1 game)
Darcy Kuemper: 12/5/22-12/17/22 (7 games)
Hunter Shepard: 12/17/22 (1 game)
Alex Alexeyev: 12/11/22-12/19/22 (5 games)
Beck Malenstyn: 11/3/22-12/27/22 (26 games)
Martin Fehervary: 12/5/22-12/29/22 (12 games)
T.J. Oshie: 10/31/22-11/19/22, 12/19/22-12/31/22 (17 games)
Nic Dowd: 12/17/22, 1/17/23-2/18/23 (13 games)
Man Games Lost: 346

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
March 1, 10 p.m. ET at Anaheim (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
March 4, 6 p.m. ET at San Jose (NBCSW+, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
March 6, 10:30 p.m. ET vs. Los Angeles (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
March 9, 7 p.m. ET vs. New Jersey (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
March 11, 7:30 p.m. ET at New York Islanders (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)

TONIGHT’S GAME
The Capitals visit the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday at KeyBank Center for the second of three meetings between the teams this season. The Capitals and Sabres will conclude their season series on March 15 at Capital One Arena. Washington is 67-85-15-8 all-time versus Buffalo and 12-2-3 in their last 17 games against the Sabres dating back to the 2018-19 season. In addition, the Capitals have won six-straight games at KeyBank Center and have a record of 8-2-1 in their last 11 games in Buffalo.

AWAY vs. BUFFALO SABRES
Record Goals For Goals Against Streak
32-46-6-3 229 310 6 WSH wins (1/14/21-3/25/22)

CAPITALS vs. SABRES ALL-TIME (Career Totals)
Games Goals Assists Points
Ovechkin (60) Ovechkin (39) Backstrom (26) Ovechkin (63)
Backstrom/Eller (51) Backstrom/Smith (13) Ovechkin (24) Backstrom (39)
Carlson (40) Johansson (12) Kuznetsov (17) Oshie/Kuznetsov/Smith (21)

BUFFALO SABRES NOTES:

LAST GAME
Friday, Feb. 24
Buffalo 3 at Florida 1
Goals: Skinner (2), Tuch
Goalies: Anderson (49 saves/50 shots)
PP: 1/2; PK: 3/3; Shots: Florida 50 – Buffalo 33

CURRENT INJURIES – (Man Games Lost: 103)
Player (injury, first game missed) – total games missed
N/A

TRANSACTIONS IN PAST SEVEN DAYS
N/A

UPCOMING GAMES
Tuesday, Feb. 28: Columbus at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 2: Buffalo at Boston, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 4: Tampa Bay at Buffalo, 12:30 p.m.
Monday, March 6: Edmonton at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 7: Buffalo at NY Islanders, 7:30 p.m.

TODAY’S GAME
CAPITALS AT SABRES
• This is the second of three meetings between the Sabres and Capitals this season.
• Last meeting: Buffalo defeated Washington 5-4 (OT) in Washington on Jan. 3.
• Next meeting: Saturday, March 15 in Washington
• The Sabres are 3-4-3 in their last 10 games against the Capitals; 3-5-2 at home.
• This is the 175th game all-time between Buffalo and Washington; Buffalo has a 93-58-24 series record.
• The Sabres are 49-27-11 at home against the Capitals all-time.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
• Buffalo has earned at least one point in four of its last five games against Washington.
• Each of the last three meetings between the two clubs have been decided in overtime or a shootout.
• Rasmus Dahlin has recorded 45 points (7+38) in his last 42 games, including 14 points (1+13) in his last 14 games.
• Tage Thompson has recorded 27 points (12+15) in his last 22 games, including nine points (4+5) in his last five games.
• A point in today’s game would give Thompson a six-game point streak, which would mark the fourth time this season, and the fifth time in his career, he has notched a point streak of six or more games.
• Jack Quinn has recorded four points (2+2) in his last five games.
• In his last 36 games, Jeff Skinner has notched 44 points (19+25).
• With a point today, Skinner will have recorded his third point streak of six or more games this season.
• In his last seven games, Casey Mittelstadt has tallied seven points (2+5).
• Alex Tuch has notched 17 points (8+9) in his last 16 games, including seven points (4+3) in his last five games.
• Dylan Cozens needs one point to reach 100 for his career.

THAT’S CAP
• Buffalo has held Washington without a power-play goal in six of the last seven meetings between the two teams, going 13-for14 (92.9 percent) on the penalty kill during that span.
• Jeff Skinner has notched three points (2+1) in his last two games against the Capitals and a point in today’s game would give him a three-game point streak against Washington.
• Casey Mittelstadt is riding a four-game point streak (2+2) against Washington and has recorded four points (2+2) in that span.
• Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has posted a save percentage of .919 and a goals-against average of 2.81 in two career games against the Capitals.

NBA Preview: Toronto Raptors (30-31) at Cleveland Cavaliers (38-25)

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NBA Preview: Toronto Raptors (30-31) at Cleveland Cavaliers (38-25)

The Cleveland Cavaliers, who aim to cut their losing streak to three consecutive games, will face the visiting Toronto Raptors on Sunday night in an effort to extend their season-best winning streak to five games.

In a 95-91 road victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday afternoon, the Raptors recorded their first four-game winning streak of the season.

As they try to make the playoffs, the Raptors have won seven of their last eight games, but the one in Detroit was the first of seven road games.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers were defeated once more by the Atlanta Hawks, 136-119, on Friday night. It came after their first game back from the All-Star break against the Denver Nuggets, which they lost 115-109 at home on Thursday.

At Atlanta, the Cavaliers were led by Darius Garland, who scored 33 points. Jarrett Allen added 14 points and nine rebounds.

The losing streak comes after a seven-game winning streak.

This season, the Raptors have prevailed in all three meetings with the Cavaliers.

On Saturday, Toronto played without Fred VanVleet due to personal reasons for the second game in a row.

Against the Pistons, Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 29 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocked shots.

The Raptors’ shooting was subpar. They shot 37.5% (33 of 88) from the field, including 26.9% (seven of 26) from three-point range. In addition, they made 64.7 percent of their free throws (22 of 34). With a victory in Cleveland, the Raptors will be able to reach.500 for the first time since they were 13-13 on December 9.

NHL Morning Skate – Feb. 26, 2023

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NHL Morning Skate – Feb. 26, 2023

* Days without a goalie goal – 0. Linus Ullmark picked up his 30th win of 2022-23 in style by becoming the 13th different goaltender in NHL history to score a regular-season goal.

* The Devils benefited from an offensive outburst and posted seven goals in a shutout victory to gain ground on the top-seeded Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division.

* Connor McDavid potted four points to help the Oilers erase a four-goal deficit, but Jack Roslovic recorded four points of his own to propel the Blue Jackets to victory.

* John Gibson stifled the Hurricanes with his third 50-save performance of the season – all of which coming in February – en route to joining rare company in the process.
 


ULLMARK DID WHAT?

The NHL-leading Bruins (45-8-5, 95 points) were clinging to a one-goal lead in the final minute of regulation before Linus Ullmark (26 saves, 1-0—1) sealed his 30th win of 2022-23 by becoming the 13th different goaltender in NHL history – and ninth since 2000 – to score a regular-season goal. Martin Brodeur is the only netminder to do so multiple times.


* Ullmark (37 GP), who backstopped the Bruins to their fourth win streak of at least six games in 2022-23, required the second-fewest contests by a goaltender in NHL history to reach 30 victories in a single season behind only Tiny Thompson (35 GP w/ BOS in 1929-30).


MERCER EXTENDS GOAL STREAK, DEVILS SCORE SEVEN IN SHUTOUT VICTORY

Dawson Mercer (1-0—1) scored in his sixth straight game and Jack Hughes (1-1—2) secured his 26th multi-point outing of the season after recording a highlight-reel, spin-o-rama assist as the Devils (39-15-5, 83 points) moved within three points of the Hurricanes (39-11-8, 86 points) for top spot in the Metropolitan Division. It marked the fourth time in franchise history the club scored seven-plus goals in a shutout.
 

* Hughes tied the second-most multi-point games in a single season by a Devils/Rockies/Scouts player and now sits one back of Taylor Hall (27 GP in 2017-18). Hughes is operating at a 0.65 goals-per-game average – only one player in franchise history has concluded a campaign with a pace as high (min. 2 GP): Paul Gardner in 1977-78 (0.65 w/ CLR). 
 

* Mercer (21 years, 121 days) became the youngest player in Devils/Scouts/Rockies history to record a goal streak of six contests, surpassing Paul Gardner (6 GP in 1977-78) at the age of 21 years and 245 days. After the game, Scott Gomez passed Mercer a puck for officially breaking his record for most consecutive games played from the start of their career with the franchise as the latter skated in his 141st NHL contest.

COLUMBUS CANNON FIRES SIX TIMES AS BLUE JACKETS FEND OFF MCDAVID, OILERS

The cannon blasted six times in Columbus on Saturday as the Blue Jackets matched a season high with six goals and held off a 2-2—4 performance by Edmonton’s No. 97, thanks in part to an equal outing by their own No. 96. The Blue Jackets pulled ahead 4-0 in the second period but Connor McDavid (2-2—4) helped the Oilers tie the game in a span of 8:46 before Jack Roslovic (2-2—4) put Columbus ahead for good with two goals in the third period.

* The Blue Jackets emerged with the win after a 42-save showing by Joonas Korpisalo, who finished the day with a 22-save third period.

* The Oilers became the seventh team in NHL history to tie a game within nine minutes of falling behind by four or more goals, with the last instance before them achieved by Ottawa on March 5, 2022 (they turned a 4-0 deficit into a 4-4 tie within a span of 8:21 vs. ARI). The fastest such rally in NHL history was achieved by Edmonton on Nov. 21, 1982 – they fell behind 6-2 against the Nordiques but tied the score at 6-6 just 4:48 later (and eventually lost 9-7).

* McDavid (48-65—113 in 60 GP) sits two goals shy of his first career 50-goal season and now owns a 25-point advantage in the Art Ross Trophy race, ahead of Leon Draisaitl (36-52—88 in 58 GP) who matched McDavid and Kirill Kaprizov for the longest goal streak in the NHL this season (7 GP). McDavid’s 113 points are the most by a player through 60 games in a season since 1995-96 when Mario Lemieux had 57-79—136 at that stage.

 


DALLAS DOWNS VEGAS IN CLASH OF WEST’S TOP CLUBS
Nineteen-year-old Wyatt Johnston (1-0—1) scored his 14th career goal and Roope Hintz (1-0—1) netted the game-tying tally with 38 seconds remaining in regulation as the Stars (31-16-12, 74 points) edged the Golden Knights (35-18-6, 76 points) in a battle of the top two teams in the Western Conference.

* Johnston (14-11—25 in 59 GP) sits tied in fourth for goals among rookies this season behind Matty Beniers (19 in 56 GP), Kirill Marchenko (16 in 36 GP) and Shane Pinto (15 in 58 GP). Additionally, his 14 career goals moved the forward into a tie with Valeri Nichushkin (14 from 2013-14 – 2014-15) for the most by a teenager in Stars team history.



ANOTHER 50-SAVE PERFORMANCE FROM GIBSON HEADLINES #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
The latest edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates features John Gibson (51 saves), who made at least 40 saves for the third time in as many games to backstop the Ducks (19-34-7, 45 points) past the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes (39-11-8, 86 points).

* Saturday marked Gibson’s third outing with 50 or more saves this season – all of which coming in the month of February (53 on Feb. 10 vs. PIT & 51 on Feb. 20 at FLA). He owns six of nine 50-save performances by a Ducks goaltender in the regular season.


* Nino Niederreiter was traded to the Jets by the Predators on Saturday for a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft ahead of the 2022-23 NHL Trade Deadline presented by OFX, which is 3 p.m. ET on Friday, March 3. Click here for the official #NHLStats Pack.
 

QUICK CLICKS

*Patrick Marleau becomes first Sharks player to have his number retired by the franchise
* Devils growth impressing 2003 championship team
*Nazem Kadri receives standing ovation in emotional return to Colorado

*Patrick Kane held out of Blackhawks lineup with Trade Deadline approaching

* Sidney Crosby’s mark on the hockey world has extended far beyond the ice through his charity work


SADDLE UP FOR A SUNDAY BURSTING WITH HOCKEY ACTION

Sunday’s seven-game slate will feature five teams on the tail end of a back-to-back, including the Lightning (37-17-4, 78 points) who are on game three of six straight in which they will face a team in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Tampa Bay is set to visit Pittsburgh (28-21-9, 65 points), which has won each of the past two games against the Lightning.

NBA Preview: Houston Rockets (13-46) at Portland Trail Blazers (28-31)

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NBA Preview: Houston Rockets (13-46) at Portland Trail Blazers (28-31)

Just as the schedule gets harder, the Portland Trail Blazers are failing to handle business.

Portland, which has lost five of its last seven games, will host the pathetic Houston Rockets on Sunday to try to get back on track.

The Trail Blazers will play seven of their next eight games on the road, including games against the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers, following their matchup with Houston.

When it comes to securing one of the four play-in berths available in the Western Conference, Portland is outside the running. The Trail Blazers were also hammered 126-101 by the visiting Washington Wizards in their final game before the All-Star break, and the host Sacramento Kings outclassed them 133-116 in their first game after the break.

Against the Kings, the Trail Blazers were without four starters. Due to a surprise winter snowstorm that blanketed Portland, two of them — guard Damian Lillard and forward Jerami Grant — were held out after an exhausting travel experience.

Before the flight was canceled, the Trail Blazers reportedly spent seven hours in Portland on Wednesday afternoon and evening. They returned to the airport on Thursday morning, endured a further four-hour delay before being permitted to travel, and made it to Sacramento just a few hours before kickoff.

Jusuf Nurkic, a center, and guard Anfernee Simons, a guard, both suffered injuries to their ankles and missed the game. Sunday’s match will be missed by both players.

Portland’s primary offensive weapons against the Kings were Nassir Little, who scored a season-high 26 points, and Cam Reddish, who scored 24 points.

This season, Portland defeated Houston twice by double digits, with Lillard missing one due to a calf injury and putting up 25 points and 10 assists in the other.

The Rockets have lost 28 of their last 32 games, including eight in a row.

In their first game since the All-Star break, Houston fell to the host Golden State Warriors on Friday, falling 116-101.

In point of fact, Warriors star Klay Thompson (12) earned more money on his own than Houston did as a group.

In the second quarter, Golden State outscored Houston 40-23 to take a 17-point lead at halftime and stay in control the rest of the way.

Martin scored 22 points to lead the Rockets and was one of five players to score 20 or more points.

Houston is also shorthanded, but it is close to signing back guards Jalen Green (groin) and Kevin Porter Jr. (foot).

NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (34-25) at Oklahoma City Thunder (28-31)

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NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (34-25) at Oklahoma City Thunder (28-31)

Two days after playing in the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, the Sacramento Kings return to action to face the host Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

The Kings probably need more than one day off after outlasting the Los Angeles Clippers 176-175 in double overtime on Friday. Malik Monk scored a career-high 45 points off the bench to lead Sacramento, while De’Aaron Fox added 42.

The teams combined for 44 3-pointers, tied for the most in a game in NBA history.

The Kings were down by 14 late in the fourth quarter and trailed in both overtime periods before rallying for the win.

“We could have cashed it in on numerous occasions, but the way they fought and their belief in what we were trying to do was big time,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “I felt it from those guys and I wanted them to see my appreciation for what they did on the floor tonight.”

Fox has scored 30 or more in six consecutive games for Sacramento, which is a season-best nine games over .500 with 23 games remaining in the regular season.

The Kings have won their first two games out of the All-Star break as they look to end the longest playoff drought in NBA history after 16 straight losing seasons.

Just 1 1/2 games behind second-place Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference entering Saturday, Sacramento may point to the dramatic win over the Clippers as a turning point.

“Our guys just kept fighting,” Brown said. “I’m really, really proud of them because this is the type of stuff that I’m looking to see if we have. Now, let’s sustain it.”

Sacramento now turns its attention toward consecutive road games against Oklahoma City, which could be without All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the second straight contest.

Gilgeous-Alexander sat out Friday’s 124-115 loss to the Phoenix Suns due to right ankle soreness and a left hip flexor strain.

With Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined, Isaiah Joe scored a career-high 28 points in the loss to Phoenix. The third-year guard shot 11 of 17, including 6 of 12 from 3-point range.

“Teammates were finding me, I was in the right position, knocking down shots,” Joe said.

Joe has been a pleasant surprise for Oklahoma City, averaging 12.2 points while shooting 50 percent from the field and 47.5 percent from 3-point range in nine games this month.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said Joe has also provided a spark on the defensive end.

“The points are loud, the 3-point shots are loud, but he is invested in the invisible things that help your team win,” Daigneault said. “That’s what is so encouraging about him as a player to me. There’s a reason he’s in the NBA, it’s that (shooting) skill, but when a guy’s committed to the invisible stuff like that, that’s when you know he’s got a real shot.”

Oklahoma City’s impressive young roster also includes second-year guard Josh Giddey, who is averaging 16.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

The Thunder are looking to avenge a 118-113 loss to Sacramento on Jan. 20, when Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 37 points.

Oklahoma City has played well against the Kings at home, winning 19 of the last 24 meetings.

NBA Preview: Los Angeles Lakers (28-32) at Dallas Mavericks (32-29)

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NBA Preview: Los Angeles Lakers (28-32) at Dallas Mavericks (32-29)

The Los Angeles Lakers will visit the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday afternoon, and the two teams are excited for the road ahead.

This month, the Mavericks traded Kyrie Irving to the Lakers, and the Lakers added Malik Beasley, D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Mo Bamba to their rosters.

The Mavericks’ stars Irving and Luka Doncic did not immediately complement one another. When Doncic was out with an injury, Irving made his Mavericks debut, and the team won consecutive games. But Dallas lost two games before the All-Star break when they combined their skills.

During the Mavs’ 142-116 home victory against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday in the team’s return from the break, Doncic and Irving finally made their breakthrough together. Irving scored 23 points and had six assists, while Doncic scored 28 points and had 10 assists.

Together, the tag team shot 55.2% from the field on 16 of 29 attempts and made 4 of 10 attempts from three-point range.

This season, Dallas has scored the most points, shot the fourth-best field goal percentage (56.1 percent) and shot the best from three-point range (52.4 percent). After being acquired through a buyout from the Houston Rockets, Justin Holiday made his Dallas debut and scored 15 points.

On Thursday, the Mavs defeated the Western Conference’s 14th-ranked team; on Sunday, they play a team just one spot higher in the standings. However, the Lakers appear to have addressed roster issues, and LeBron James and Anthony Davis are the ultimate team leaders.

The objective is to get everyone on the roster on the same page, but the real priority will be to keep James and Davis healthy until the end. Since both have been hindered by persistent injuries this season, it is not a given.

During their 124-111 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday at home, the Los Angeles Lakers showed off their style of returning from the All-Star break with a team effort. In just his fourth game with the team, Beasley led Los Angeles with 25 points.

James and Davis scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, in 26 minutes each, so they didn’t have to carry the load against Golden State. However, James attempted to have an impact on the game, making just five of 20 attempts from the field.

Thursday, Russell injured his right ankle in the first quarter and was out for the rest of the game. He is not sure about Sunday.

NBA Preview: Washington Wizards (28-31) at Chicago Bulls (27-33)

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NBA Preview: Washington Wizards (28-31) at Chicago Bulls (27-33)

The Chicago Bulls will try to keep the momentum going when they play the Washington Wizards on Sunday after recognizing and taking advantage of the urgency in their first game back after the All-Star break.

Chicago’s 131-87 home victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday ended a six-game losing streak and gave them their second lead of 50 points in the NBA this season.

The Bulls moved within one and a half games of Washington for the final spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament going into play on Saturday in conjunction with the Wizards’ defeat to the New York Knicks earlier on Friday.

The Bulls were led by Zach LaVine, who scored 32 points, and DeRozan, who scored 17, as the starters rested for much of the fourth quarter.

In his Bulls debut, Chicago native Patrick Beverley scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds, and had four assists. He was signed during the All-Star break following a contract buyout with Orlando. The veteran’s enthusiasm and defensive communication, on the other hand, were equally appreciated by the team.

On Friday, Washington got off to a fast start when Kristaps Porzingis scored 19 points in the first quarter and hit all five of his 3-point attempts.

The host Wizards eventually extended their lead over the Knicks to 19 points, but they were unable to maintain it, snapping their two-game winning streak.

This season, Washington has lost ten leads of double digits.

That has “been our trend all year,” according to Wizards coach Monte Morris, who cited the team’s tendency to reduce their defensive intensity when they gain a lead.

The goal for Washington is to win the season series against Chicago. To do so, the rivals would need to win on the road for the first time this season. Both of the Wizards’ victories over Chicago were at home, with the Bulls getting a home win in between.

Nine points have separated the teams’ three previous games.

In the last ten meetings, Chicago has won seven times.

NBA Preview: Brooklyn Nets (34-25) at Atlanta Hawks (30-30)

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NBA Preview: Brooklyn Nets (34-25) at Atlanta Hawks (30-30)

When they returned from the All-Star break, the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks produced distinct outcomes. When the teams meet for the third time this season on Sunday at Atlanta, how they respond could set the tone for the rest of the season.

After defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday by a score of 136-119, Atlanta coach Nate McMillan was let go during the break. That kept the Hawks at No. 1 and ended their two-game losing streak. Eighth in the East Conference.

In its 131-87 defeat to the Chicago Bulls on Friday, Brooklyn, which acquired two well-known players before the deadline for trades, struggled greatly. No, the Nets. 5 in the East, but have failed to win their last six games.

The Nets have used the starting five of newcomers Spencer Dinwiddie, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Dorian Finney-Smith, along with holdover Nic Claxton, in each of the last four games since trading Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant at the deadline.

Bridges has scored 22.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game since joining the team, while Dinwiddie has scored 14.6 points per game, Johnson has scored 13.5 points per game, and Finney-Smith has scored 5.4 points per game.

Coming off the bench, Joe Harris has been crucial to the new Nets’ success. The veteran has scored 10.6 points per game over the past five contests and is shooting 16-for-30 (53 percent) from three-point range. He has scored 8.5 points per game this season.

Trae Young of Atlanta stated that his team benefited from a break.

Atlanta defeated the Cavaliers by scoring 49 points in the second quarter. In the franchise’s history, it was the third-highest scoring quarter. At halftime, the Hawks had scored a season-high 81 points.

The longest such streak in NBA history occurred when the Hawks scored at least 100 points in 35 games. Cleveland led the league in points allowed at 100.6 going into the game.

According to published reports, Atlanta is close to hiring Quin Snyder, the former coach of the Utah Jazz, to take McMillan’s place. Lead assistant Joe Prunty, who led the team to victory on Friday, will serve as the team’s coach until then.

The first meeting has been won by Brooklyn, 108-107 on December 28 in Atlanta. On March 31, Brooklyn will host the final match.

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