Observers can understand why they divide the NBA season into two distinct halves: before and after the All-Star break.
However, the New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans, who are both in the thick of jumbled conferences, are aware of the urgency needed for the stretch after the All-Star break, which puts everyone much closer to the finish line than the starting line.
In the first matchup of the season between the Knicks and Pelicans, New York will play host to New Orleans on Saturday night, and both teams will be looking to improve their playoff positions.
After returning from their break on Friday and overcoming a 19-point first-half deficit to defeat the Washington Wizards, the Knicks will be playing a back-to-back set.
On Thursday, the Pelicans were defeated 115-110 by the Toronto Raptors as they resumed play and continued their four-game road trip.
New York won its ninth game in a row and fourth in a row overall.
Before Julius Randle scored 16 points in a 30-7 run that bridged the first and second halves, the Knicks were trailing the Wizards by 57-38 just past the halfway point of the second quarter.
Six lead changes and three tie-ups occurred in the fourth quarter before Jalen Brunson scored a layup with 42.1 seconds remaining to kick off the Knicks’ game-winning 6-0 run.
On Friday, only New York prevailed over the quartet of East teams that were spread out between fourth and seventh place.
The Knicks are currently in sixth place, which is the last spot that is guaranteed to make the playoffs. They are one and a half games ahead of the seventh-place Miami Heat and within three games of the fourth-place Cleveland Cavaliers.
On Thursday, Pelicans coach Willie Green appeared to act with the calendar in mind when he benched Trey Murphy III in favor of Josh Richardson, who had started 46 of the first 59 games this season. This was Richardson’s third game since he was acquired from the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 9.
New Orleans saw no immediate benefits from the move. Even though Richardson played well for 28 minutes (11 points, 3 steals), the Pelicans were behind for more than 38 minutes on Thursday. In the fourth quarter, they were down 15 points by two points in the final minute.
The Pelicans’ playoff prospects were further muddled by the loss, as they are currently in a three-way tie for seventh place in the Western Conference with the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Sacramento Kings following Friday night’s victories. The Dallas Mavericks, who are in sixth place, are one and a half games ahead of the trio, as are the Los Angeles Clippers, who are in fifth place.
Friday night marked the return to action of the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets following the All-Star break.
By defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 121-113 in Minneapolis, the Hornets won a rare prize and extended their winning streak to a season-best three games.
On the other hand, the Heat will be hoping for a quick recovery against the Hornets on Saturday night in Charlotte and will not want any part of an encore of their first game back.
After losing to the Milwaukee Bucks on the road by a score of 128-99, Miami is on a three-game losing streak.
The Hornets want to put on a performance similar to the one they put together last Friday.
LaMelo Ball has led Charlotte in scoring for three games in a row. At Minnesota, he scored 32 points, one point shy of his season-high, and he also had 10 rebounds and 8 assists. However, he played a team-high 40 minutes in the first half of back-to-back games.
Gordon Hayward set season highs with 27 points and 13 rebounds, so Ball wasn’t doing it alone.
The return of guard Kelly Oubre Jr., who had surgery on his hand, was another positive sign for the Hornets, who are beginning a four-game homestand with Miami. For the first time since Dec. 29, he played on Friday night, scoring eight points in 23 minutes off the bench.
Even though he was doubtful to play due to a sprained hand, the Hornets kept Terry Rozier on the court for 33 minutes.
In five of its last six games, Miami’s offense has failed to score 110 points. Jimmy Butler scored 23 points for the Heat on Friday, shooting 8-for-10 from the field. The remaining Miami players made just 28 of 82 attempts, or 34.1 percent.
The Heat may have benefited from their reserves receiving a significant amount of playing time, ensuring that the core players were not overworked.
After signing with the team on Monday, backup center Cody Zeller appeared in his first regular-season game and scored 10 points in 16 minutes. The game on Saturday will be his return to Charlotte, where he spent his first eight NBA seasons.
It is unlikely that Miami’s 22.5 percent 3-point shooting percentage of 9-for-40 will suffice.
On January 29, Charlotte won 122-117 at home against the Heat. When the Hornets came to Miami for back-to-back games on Nov. 10 and Nov. 12, the team won twice at home.
LAST GAME Detroit Red Wings 4, New York Rangers 1 – February 23, 2023 – Little Caesars Arena NYR Goals: V. Trocheck (17) DET Goals: A. Copp (6), F. Zadina (2), M. Rasmussen (10), F. Hronek (9) NYR Goalie: J. Halak (L – 19/23) DET Goalie: V. Husso (W – 30/31) NYR Shots: 31 DET Shots: 23 NYR PP: 0/2 NYR PK: 3/4
RECAP/NOTES: The Blueshirts dropped this first game of the road trip, in Detroit. Vincent Trocheck scored the team’s lone goal, unassisted as the club’s 10 game point streak on the road came to an end.
RANGERS RUNDOWN
The New York Rangers continue their two-game road swing with a matinee against the Washington Capitals in DC (1:00 PM ET – TV: ABC, ESPN Plus – Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM).
The Blueshirts have earned a point in 10 of their last 12 games (8-2-2) and 28 of their 35 contests (23-7-5) contests.
On the road, the Blueshirts have points in 10 of their last 11 contests (6-0-4). New York will play six of its next eight games away from MSG.
The Blueshirts will play their fourth “afternoon” game of the season today (note: any game starting before 5 p.m. local is considered an “afternoon” or “matinee” game). Thus far, the team is 1-1-1 in these games. Last year, the club went 7-2-0 in matinee contests.
New York has won two of its last three games against Washington.
The Rangers defensemen group has collected 141 points and 112 assists, tied for the third most in the NHL.
New York’s 73 third period goals are tied for the fifth most in the league and plus-20 third period goal differential ranks tied for third in the NHL.
The Blueshirts’ 16 comeback wins are tied for the third most in the NHL and their seven third-period comeback wins are tied for the fourth most.
When scoring first this year, the Blueshirts are 22-4-4 and 17-2-3 when leading after the second period.
LAST FIVE GAMES DATE OPPONENT RESULT Feb. 23 at Detroit L, 4-1 Feb. 20 Winnipeg L, 4-1 Feb. 18 at Calgary OTL, 3-2 Feb. 17 at Edmonton SOW, 5-4 Feb. 15 at Vancouver W, 6-4
RECENT TRANSACTIONS February 19 – Tyler Motte acquired from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Julien Gauthier and a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
ALL-TIME RECORD 105-103-18-11 (239 PTS) 2022-23 0-1-0 2021-22 2-1-0 NYR HOME 59-47-9-5 (132 PTS) NYR AWAY 46-56-9-6 (107 PTS) LAST FIVE MEETINGS 2-3-0 LEADING SCORER(S) – CURRENT RANGERS IN CAREER G: Zibanejad (15) – A: Panarin (16) – Pts: Zibanejad (27) LEADING SCORER(S) – ALL-TIME IN GAMES W/NYR G: Graves (23) – A: Leetch (58) – Pts: Leetch (71)
WASHINGTON CAPITALS NOTES:
LAST GAME Washington 2, Anaheim Ducks 4 February 23, 2023 * Capital One Arena * Washington, D.C. Shots: WSH: 43; ANA: 21 Power Plays: WSH: 1/3; ANA: 0/3 Three Stars: 1. Gibson (ANA), 2. Fowler (ANA), 3. Oshie (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: 10/12/22-2/23/23 (60 games) Connor Brown: 10/20/22-2/23/23 (56 games) John Carlson: 10/31/22-11/9/22, 12/27/22-2/23/23 (30 games) Anthony Mantha: 2/12/23, 2/23/23 (2 games) 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) Dmitry Orlov: 11/7/22-12/9/22 (16 games) Washington Capitals: Media Notes 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: 341
UPCOMING SCHEDULE Feb. 26, 1 p.m. ET at Buffalo (NBCSW, NHLN, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7) 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)
TONIGHT’S GAME The Capitals host the New York Rangers on Saturday at Capital One Arena for the second of four meetings between the teams this season. It marks the Rangers’ first visit to Capital One Arena since the 2021-22 season opener on Oct. 13, 2021, a game Washington won 5-1. Including Saturday’s game, the Capitals will face the Rangers three times in a 37-day span. Washington is 114-97-18-8 all-time vs. New York and 14-7-2 in their last 23 games against the Rangers dating back to the 2017-18 season. In addition, the Capitals have a record of 8-2-0 in their last 10 home games versus the Rangers.
HOME vs. NEW YORK RANGERS Record Goals For Goals Against Streak 62-42-9-4 408 359 2 WSH wins (3/28/21-10/13/21)
ALL-TIME RECORDS vs. COLOMBUS GP RECORD HOME (32) AWAY (32) GF GA OILERS ALL-TIME vs. COLUMBUS 64 37-16-3-8 23-6-0-3 14-10-3-5 227 167 OILERS vs. COLUMBUS – 2022-23 1 0-0-1 0-0-1 0-0-0 2 3
QUICK FACTS Saturday’s game will mark Edmonton’s second of two games against the Blue Jackets this season and the lone game in Columbus.
The last time these teams met was on January 25th in Edmonton, with the Blue Jackets winning 3-2 in overtime.
Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins lead the team with 24 career points against Columbus and Nugent-Hopkins and Ceci have played a team leading 21 games against the Blue Jackets.
TEAM EFFORT On Feb. 23 at PIT the Oilers had 11 different players record a point, while having six different goal scorers in the game.
LAST 10 GAMES vs. COLUMBUS Record: 6-3-1 GF: 36 GA: 25 2022-23 1/25/23 @ EDM 3-2 L (OT) 2021-22 4/24/22 @ CBJ 5-2 L 2021-22 12/16/21 @ EDM 5-2 W 2019-20 3/7/20 @ EDM 4-1 W 2019-20 10/30/19 @ CBJ 4-1 W 2018-19 3/21/19 @ EDM 4-1 W 2018-19 3/2/19 @ CBJ 4-0 W 2017-18 3/27/18 @ EDM 3-7 L 2017-18 12/12/17 @ CBJ 7-2 W 2016-17 1/3/17 @ CBJ 1-3 L
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS NOTES:
Feb. 25, 2023 Game No. 59 (18-35-5, 41 pts.) vs. Edmonton Oilers (32-19-8, 72 pts.), Nationwide Arena Home Game No. 33 (12-18-2, 26 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. 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 the 6th time this season… MIN scored GWG 3:01 into the game… MIN scored 2nd goal 8:48 into the 1st… 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.
OhioHEALTH INJURY REPORT Danforth (torn labrum); Placed on Injured Reserve (Oct. 25); 6 months (52 games) Voracek (concussion); Placed on Injured Reserve (Nov. 4); out indefinitely (47 games) Werenski (torn labrum); Placed on Injured Reserve (retro to Nov. 10); rest of regular season (45 games) Bean (shoulder); Placed on IR (retro to Nov. 15); out indefinitely (43 games) Chinakhov (ankle); Placed on IR (Dec. 20); 4 weeks (27 games) Meyer (oblique strain); Placed on IR (Jan. 11); 6-8 weeks (18 games) Nyquist (shoulder); Placed on IR (Jan. 28); out indefinitely (10 games) Sillinger (illness); day-to-day (1 game) TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 399
RECENT TRANSACTIONS Feb. 9 Recalled Berni from Cleveland (AHL) Feb. 1 Assigned Berni and Bjork to Cleveland (AHL)
TONIGHT’S GAME BROADCAST INFO 12:30pm ET | Bally Sports Ohio | 97.1 The Fan AGAINST THE OILERS 2022-23 Series: 1-0-0 (0-0-0 vs. EDM) 2021-22 Series: 1-1-0 (1-0-0 vs. EDM) All-Time Series: 24-34-3-3 (15-13-3-1 vs. EDM) Last 10 (Overall | Home): 4-6-0 | 6-4-0 All-Time GF/GA: 161/226 All-Time SF/SA: 1,853/1,867 All-Time PP: 38-of-247 All-Time PK: 188-of-244
THE LAST GAME VS. EDM: JAN. 25, 2023 – CBJ 3 at EDM 2 (OT) CBJ Goal Scorers: Jenner (14), Marchenko (11), OT – Johnson (9) EDM Goal Scorers: Ryan (7), PP – Hyman (25) Goalies: CBJ – Korpisalo (34/36; 62:29); EDM – Skinner (24/27; 62:29) CBJ PP: 0/2; PK: 0/1 | Shots: CBJ: 27 / EDM: 36 3 Stars: 1. Korpisalo, EDM; 2. Ryan, EDM; 3. Johnson, CBJ Noteworthy: CBJ earned point for 3rd-straight game (2-0-1), snapping EDM’s 6-game winning streak… Jenner scored 1st goal of game to extend goal-streak to 3 consecutive games (3-0-3)… Johnson recorded his 4th multi-point game of the season (1-1-2), including scoring his 1st career NHL OT goal… Marchenko scored a goal for 2nd-straight game (2-0-2), tying game at 2-2 with 8:34 remaining… Boqvist notched his 1st multi-assist/point game of the campaign (0-2-2), giving him helpers in 2-straight games (0-3-3)… Nyquist skated in his 700th career NHL game and 200th CBJ game.
SEASON SERIES LEFT: Series is complete.
NOTED (Team Highlights vs. EDM) CBJ is 6-3-0 in the last 9 games against EDM at home, but the Oilers have won 3 of the last 4… Winning team has scored 3 or more goals in past 32-straight contests (including SO goals), including 4-plus in 8 of the last 9 meetings… EDM has recorded 6-of-8 shutouts in series while CBJ have 3-of-4 hat tricks… Most goals scored vs. EDM: 6 (3/4/16)… Most goals allowed vs. EDM: 7 – 2x (MR: 12/12/17).
NOTED (Player Highlights vs. EDM) Blankenburg notched his 1st career goal (GWG) and multi-point effort with 1-1-2 on 4/24/22 vs. EDM… Gaudreau notched his 300th career NHL assist on 2/6/21 vs. EDM.. Jenner collected 1st NHL assist on 11/29/13 vs. EDM… Korpisalo played in 100th NHL game on 10/30/19 vs. EDM… Nyquist skated in his 700th career NHL game on 1/25/23 at EDM.
PLAYER NOTABLES vs. EDM • Boqvist – 1-4-5 in 3 career GP with points in all 3 contests, including two assists in the Jan. 25 game earlier this season
• Gaudreau – 16-21-37 in 42 career GP, including points in each of his last 4 games (1-8-9) and 7 of his past 8 overall (3-10-13) as well as points in 4-straight home contests (3-7-10) and 10 of his last 11 outings at home (5-13-18)
• Johnson – 1-1-2 in 2 career GP, including notching the OT GWG in the most previous meeting against Edmonton earlier this season
• Laine – 4-3-7 in 12 career GP, including points in his 5 of his past 7 against the club (2-3-5) after notching an assist in the game on Jan. 25 earlier this year
• Marchenko – 1-0-1 in 1 career GP, including recording the 3rd period tying goal at Edmonton last month
• Merzlikins – 1-1-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .928 SV% in 3 career GP, including stopping 33-of-35 shots in a win in his most recent contest against the club on Apr. 24, 2022
• Sillinger – 1-2-3 in 3 career GP, including 1-1-2 in his lone home game against the club on Apr. 24, 2022
* The race to the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs continues to build as the Sabres moved into a playoff spot for the first time since Nov. 5 – which was 12 contests into their 2022-23 campaign – and are now in a playoff position this late in the season for the first time since 2012.
* Antti Raanta extended his point streak at PNC Arena to 10 games to join an exclusive Hurricanes/Whalers list as Carolina built a five-point lead atop the Metropolitan Division with its fifth straight win.
* The NHL is set for an 11-game Saturday, which will feature Patrick Marleau having hisNo. 12 raised to the rafters and Nazem Kadri making his first return to Colorado since hoisting the Stanley Cup with the club.
* With the 2022-23 NHL Trade Deadline presented by OFX officially under one week away, the official #NHLStats pack has been released.
2023 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS RACE INTENSIFIES
The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs race is far from over as the Sabres and Kings moved up in the standings, while the Avalanche (32-19-5, 69 point) closed the gap for third in the Central Division. Buffalo’s move highlighted the night as the club is now in a playoff seed for the first time since Nov. 5, 2022 – Buffalo is in a playoff position this late in the season (57 GP or later) for the first time since March 29, 2012.
* Alex Tuch (1-0—1) became the third New York-born player to record 100 points with the Sabres and Tage Thompson (0-3—3) posted his second three-point outing in as many nights as Buffalo (30-23-4, 64 points) jumped past three teams to move into the final Wild Card spot. Thompson became the second Sabres player in the past 25 years to record three-plus points in consecutive days, joining Thomas Vanek (Feb. 20-21, 2008) – his 11 three-point outings this season are the second most in the NHL behind only Connor McDavid (15).
* The Kings (33-19-8, 74 points) got out to a 3-0 lead and withstood an Islanders comeback attempt to improve to 5-1-1 in their past seven games and surpass the idle Oilers (32-19-8, 72 points) for second place in the Pacific Division, one point back of the Golden Knights (35-18-5, 75 points). Jonathan Quick earned his 370th career victory to surpass Pekka Rinne and Tom Barrasso for sole possession of 19th place on the League’s all-time wins list.
* Nathan MacKinnon reached the 20-goal mark for the eighth time in his career after opening the scoring just 19 seconds into the contest as the Avalanche (32-19-5, 69 points) – who occupy the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference – moved within one of the Wild (32-21-6, 70 points) for third in the Central Division, with Colorado holding three games in hand over Minnesota.
RAANTA’S HOME STREAK SHINES IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES The Friday edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates included notes on all six games, including a nod to Carolina netminder Antti Raanta, who stopped all 32 shots he faced to extend his point streak at PNC Arena to 10 games (9-0-1) as the Hurricanes (39-10-8, 86 points) opened a five-point lead ahead of the Devils (38-15-5, 81 points) for top spot in the Metropolitan Division.
* Raanta became the third goaltender in Hurricanes/Whalers history to post a double-digit home point streak, joining Martin Gerber (13 GP in 2005-06) and Cam Ward (12 GP in 2008-09).
KADRI’S RETURN TO COLORADO HIGHLIGHTS HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA SLATE
The Flames (27-20-12, 66 points) travel to Ball Arena to clash with the Avalanche (32-19-5, 69 points) in what will be Nazem Kadri’s first return to Colorado since capturing the Stanley Cup with the club last season. Kadri collected a career-high 87 points during the regular season as well as 7-8—15 (16 GP) during the postseason – a stretch that included a hat trick in Game 4 of the 2022 Second Round and marked one of the NHL’s eight three-goal performances that playoff year.
METROPOLITAN DIVISION PLAYOFF RACE HEATS UP IN ABC, ESPN+ DOUBLEHEADER A full Saturday of hockey features a national broadcast doubleheader on ABC and ESPN+ with three Metropolitan Division clubs aiming to improve their playoff positioning. The third-seeded Rangers (33-16-9, 75 points) head to Washington to take on the Capitals (28-26-6, 62 points) – who sit two points out of a Wild Card position – while the Penguins (27-21-9, 63 points) similarly look to hunt down the idle Sabres (30-23-4, 64 points) for the final playoff spot.
* Artemi Panarin looks to continue his hot play since the NHL All-Star break, heading into Saturday with 6-9—15 (9 GP) since teams returned to play on Feb. 6. Only two skaters have more points over that span: Connor McDavid (5-12—17 in 9 GP) and Elias Pettersson (7-10—17 in 9 GP).
* Alex Ovechkin enters play with 42 goals in 69 career games against the Rangers – one of just four skaters with at least 40 goals versus New York since the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) and one back of Mike Bossy (43 in 60 GP) for the second most. New York is one of eight franchises the Capitals captain has 40-plus goals against (also ATL/WPG: 53, TBL: 50, CAR: 47, PHI: 47, FLA: 43, NYI: 42 & TOR: 41).
* The Penguins head to Enterprise Center with four straight wins against the Blues dating to Dec. 4, 2019; Pittsburgh owns just two longer active winning streaks versus a single opponent (10 GP vs. ARI & 7 GP vs. CBJ). Sidney Crosby (25-44—69 in 57 GP) can record his 13th season with at least 70 points and become the 13th player in NHL history with as many campaigns – Gordie Howe paces the list with 18.
MARLEAU’S No. 12 TO BE RETIRED AT SAP CENTER IN SAN JOSE
Patrick Marleau, who captained the Sharks for parts of 2003-04 and full time from 2005-06 to 2008-09, will be honored by the franchise when San Jose lifts his iconic No. 12 to the rafters ahead of its contest against Chicago. The NHL veteran of 23 seasons will be the first player to have his number retired by the Sharks.
* Marleau – who played 1,607 of his 1,779 career outings with the Sharks – competed in 196 games in the 1990s, 716 games in the 2000s, 782 games in the 2010s and 85 games in the 2020s. The only player in NHL history to skate in more decades than Marleau is Gordie Howe (5).
* In addition to being the Sharks’ all-time leader in games played, Marleau also holds franchise records for goals (522, playoffs: 68), points (1,111, playoffs: 120), power-play goals (163, playoffs: 23), shorthanded goals (17, playoffs: 4) and game-winning goals (101, playoffs: 16).
ON THIS DATE IN 1996: DETROIT SECURES EARLIEST PLAYOFF CLINCH UNDER 82-GAME SCHEDULE
Twenty-seven years ago today, Feb. 25, 1996, the Red Wings clinched a berth in the 1996 Stanley Cup Playoffs by virtue of the Islanders claiming a 2-0 victory against the Oilers, which ensured that Detroit would outrank all but seven clubs in the Western Conference standings.
* Led by a contingent of four 50-point players at the time – including current Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman who had 29-38—67 at the time (59 GP) – Detroit secured a playoff berth by posting a record of 44-11-4 (92 points) through its first 59 games. They did so en route to setting an NHL record for wins in a season (62).
* Detroit’s achievement (59 GP) represents the fewest games required by any team to clinch a playoff spot during an 82-game schedule, which was used for the first time in 1995-96. The Red Wings also are the only club in that span to clinch a playoff spot before the second week of March.
* Overall, 17 teams have clinched a playoff spot in fewer than 70 games since 1995-96 (under an 82-game schedule). That includes six teams that secured a postseason berth in 67 games or less: the 2009-10 Capitals (67 GP), 2001-02 Red Wings (66 GP), 1998-99 Stars (63 GP), 1997-98 Stars (66 GP), 1996-97 Avalanche (67 GP) and 1995-96 Red Wings (59 GP).
* Flash forward to Feb. 25, 2023, with the Bruins entering their game in Vancouver with a record of 44-8-5 (93 points) through 57 contests. While they are not yet in position to clinch a playoff berth, Boston is on pace for 63 wins in 2022-23, which would break the single-season record first set by Detroit in 1995-96 and matched by Tampa Bay in 2018-19.
GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on 2023 contracts with the following 20 players:
Pitchers (11): A.J. Alexy, Nick Avila, Tanner Banks, Garrett Crochet, Matt Foster, Frank German, Jimmy Lambert, Davis Martin, Nick Padilla, Gregory Santos and Jonathan Stiever
Catchers (2): Carlos Pérez and Seby Zavala
Infielders (6): Jake Burger, Romy Gonzalez, Bryan Ramos, José Rodríguez, Lenyn Sosa and Andrew Vaughn
Outfielders (1): Gavin Sheets
With the signings, all players on the White Sox 40-man roster have agreed to terms for the 2023 season.
As the NBA resumed play on Thursday night following the All-Star Weekend break, the Utah Jazz rallied past the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 120-119 victory with a wide range of memorable plays in the fourth quarter and overtime.
However, one play during the Jazz’s first possession against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night in Salt Lake City was a hot topic in postgame interviews.
Will Hardy, the Jazz coach, made the decision to devise a play to attempt to give Walker Kessler his first actual NBA 3-pointer after witnessing the rookie hit a corner 3-pointer during the Skills Challenge, which he won with Jazz teammates Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton. Kessler’s first NBA 3-pointer was a win.
It paid off. With 18 rebounds and seven points, Utah’s center rewarded his coach later in the game by making the defensive play of the game.
The young big man only attempted one 3-pointer, so monster mode hasn’t quite been activated. At least from the outside on offense. By preventing Isaiah Joe from attempting a reverse layup in the final seconds of regulation, Kessler prevented the Thunder from winning Thursday and forced overtime.
That occurred shortly after Kessler made an offensive putback that tied the game.
Kessler made it one of seven times.
Aside from that, the Jazz were led by Lauri Markkanen for most of the fourth quarter, when he scored 18 points and made three free throws in overtime to win the game.
Despite missing three of 12 3-point attempts, the All-Star scored 43 points.
In a crushing 142-116 defeat at Dallas, the Spurs’ return from their midseason break was not nearly as enjoyable.
San Antonio lost its 15th game in a row, scoring 23 points from Malaki Branham and adding 22 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists from Keldon Johnson. Zach Collins scored 13 points while also grabbing 12 rebounds.
The Spurs’ annual rodeo tour, which has taken them on the road for seven of their previous outings, will come to an end with San Antonio’s extended stay in Utah in the near future. But first, the Spurs and Jazz will play two games on Saturday and Tuesday in Salt Lake City.
Joel Embiid demonstrated that he can have a significant impact on a game even when he is not 100% healthy.
In a stirring 110-105 come-from-behind victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, Embiid once again demonstrated why he is a legitimate Most Valuable Player candidate, despite missing the morning shootaround with a non-COVID illness and left foot soreness.
When the Sixers take on the Boston Celtics on Saturday night, they will now turn to Embiid to lead them to their sixth win in a row.
On Thursday, Embiid had 27 points, 19 rebounds, six assists, and six blocked shots despite shooting 7 of 25 from the field.
The Sixers overcame a 17-point deficit against one of the best teams in the league with 31 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists from James Harden.
With 39.1 seconds remaining, the Sixers took a 106-105 lead thanks to Tobias Harris’s 3-pointer.
As the schedule continues to be challenging, the Sixers will require last-minute shots from their star players.
When the Celtics take on the Sixers, they will be aiming for their third victory in a row.
In overtime on Thursday, Boston prevailed 142-138 over the host Indiana Pacers.
Jayson Tatum had 31 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists for the Celtics, while Jaylen Brown had 30 points and 11 rebounds.
Brown wore a new mask while he played to protect the fracture to his face that he suffered on February 8 when he accidentally hit Tatum during Boston’s 106-99 victory over the visiting 76ers.
In their first game since the All-Star break, the Celtics’ victory was somewhat stressful. Brown and Tatum had to play for longer periods of time.
Boston defeated his former team, and Malcolm Brogdon came off the bench to score 24 points for the Celtics, who went on to win the league by a record of 43-17.
When the Memphis Grizzlies, the second-place team in the West, come to Denver on Saturday, the Denver Nuggets, who lead the Western Conference, will be looking for their fifth win in a row.
On Thursday, Denver resumed play after the All-Star break by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-109. The Nuggets came back in the fourth quarter and held the Cavaliers to just 18 points in the final period.
Michael Porter Jr. led the Nuggets with 25 points, including 6-of-10 shooting from 3-point range, and all five starters scored in double figures. Porter made at least five attempts from beyond the arc in three games in a row on Thursday.
Coban Porter, Porter’s brother and a basketball player for the University of Denver, was arrested last month on vehicular homicide and reckless driving charges.
With 24 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists, Nikola Jokic, the two-time defending Most Valuable Player, notched his 22nd triple-double of the season and third in the last four games. He will become the sixth player to reach 100 points with just two triple-doubles.
In Denver’s previous meeting with Memphis, Jokic recorded one of his triple-doubles in the Nuggets’ 105-91 home victory on December 20. That game featured 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists from Jokic.
The Grizzlies’ defeat in Denver occurred shortly before an 11-game winning streak that began on December 29 and ended on January 18. However, Memphis has only gone 4-10 since that stretch, having lost its first game since the All-Star break.
Thursday in Philadelphia, the Grizzlies lost 110-105 after giving up a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter and being outscored 10-1 in the final 1:24 of the game. Ja Morant attempted a dunk with 1:12 remaining to give Memphis a 104-103 lead, but Joel Embiid came from behind to stop the Grizzlies’ 27.1-point per game scorer.
Since suffering an injury on Jan. 22 against the Phoenix Suns, starting center Steven Adams has been sidelined with a PCL sprain, which has coincided with Memphis’ recent slide. Adams is the leader of the Grizzlies in rebounding with 11.5 per game, nearly five more than Memphis’s next-leading rebounder, Jaren Jackson Jr., who has 6.7 per game. Adams is also second in blocked shots to Jackson, who has 3.3 per game.
Aaron Gordon, a forward for Denver, will miss his fifth consecutive game due to a rib injury. Gordon is scoring 17.3 points and grabbing 6.9 rebounds per game on average.
On Saturday, the Orlando Magic take on the Indiana Pacers, two up-and-coming teams that are competing for a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.
Since going 5-20, Orlando has gone 20-15 and is 13th in the East, while Indiana is 26-35 overall, half a game ahead.
The Orlando Magic, who won their first game after the All-Star break on Thursday by a score of 108-106 over the Detroit Pistons, are led by Paolo Banchero, who is favored to be the rookie of the year.
This season, Orlando has struggled to win close games, but it was able to beat Detroit when Wendell Carter Jr. tipped in a missed layup by Banchero at the buzzer.
In the victory, Carter, who is in his sixth season, had 14 points and 14 rebounds and continues to impress. In eight games this month, the 6-foot-10 center is averaging 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds.
In his rookie season, Banchero has started every game and is averaging a team-high 19.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
Mosley wants his team to concentrate on the task at hand, even though the young core of the team is eager to participate in the play-in tournament.
After losing two of their first three meetings, Orlando wants to level the season series with Indiana.
On Thursday, the Indiana Pacers were defeated by the Boston Celtics in overtime 142-138, but they came up short. Rick Carlisle, Indiana’s coach, was encouraged by his team’s effort despite its 17th loss in its last 20 games.
In the defeat, Myles Turner scored 40 points, tying his career high of eight 3-pointers. Jayson Tatum, a star player for Boston, was impressed by the Pacers’ comeback from a 10-point halftime deficit.
The Magic’s lack of size may have an impact on Indiana. Turner is the only Pacers starter who is taller than 6 feet, while Carter, Banchero, and 6 foot, 10 inch Franz Wagner make up Orlando’s formidable front line.
On January 25, Orlando defeated the Pacers 126-120, and Banchero led the way with 23 points. The Magic, who never trailed in the game, were led by Carter, who scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
