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NBA Preview: New York Knicks (27-23) at Brooklyn Nets (29-19)

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NBA Preview: New York Knicks (27-23) at Brooklyn Nets (29-19)

The New York Knicks earned what can be considered their best win of the season on Thursday, while the Brooklyn Nets absorbed what can be deemed their worst loss of the season.

Coming off those drastically different outcomes, the two intracity rivals are will get together for the second time this season Saturday night at Brooklyn.

The Knicks have dropped past eight meetings and 13 of the past 16, and they trailed by 16 after the opening quarter of their 112-85 loss at Brooklyn on Nov. 9. That loss was part of a 10-13 start that culminated in a 121-100 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 3.

Since then, New York is 17-10 over its past 27 games, though it has taken an extremely streaky route. Their turnaround began with an eight-game winning streak and also featured seven wins in another eight-game span, but the Knicks also produced losing streaks of five and four games.

On Thursday, the Knicks recorded their second straight victory following the four-game skid when they beat the Celtics 120-117 in overtime in Boston. The Knicks blew a 12-point lead in the final five minutes of regulation. The win occurred two nights after they blew an 11-point fourth-quarter lead and held on for a 105-103 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Julius Randle starred in both wins. He tied a career high with eight 3s and scored 36 points Tuesday and then led the Knicks with 37 on 13-of-25 shooting Thursday. Twelve of his 15 games with at least 30 points have come since Dec. 3.

Randle’s latest big performance keyed another close win, something the Knicks have experienced with mixed results so far. They are 9-7 in games decided by five points or fewer, including a 5-2 mark this month.

Brooklyn is 2-6 over its past eight games after winning 14 of 15 to vault into the top four of the Eastern Conference. The Nets are in their worst slump in over two months while waiting for Kevin Durant to recover from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

Last year, the Nets lost 11 straight and 15 of 21 until Durant returned from the same injury in his left knee.

On Thursday, Durant watched from the bench as the Nets took a 130-122 loss to the Detroit Pistons that marked their third straight home defeat without the star forward. After a 137-133 loss in Philadelphia on Wednesday, the Nets allowed 43 points in the third quarter along with 50.5 percent shooting for the game to the worst team in the Eastern Conference.

Kyrie Irving scored 40 points and is averaging 37.2 points in his past five games. Nic Claxton added a career-high 27 points and 13 rebounds for his sixth double-double in seven games.

The Nets held out Seth Curry because of knee soreness and also lost Ben Simmons and T.J. Warren to knee injuries that could keep them out Saturday.

NBA Preview: Denver Nuggets (34-15) at Philadelphia Sixers (31-16)

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NBA Preview: Denver Nuggets (34-15) at Philadelphia Sixers (31-16)

Joel Embiid will have plenty of reasons for extra motivation when the Philadelphia 76ers host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

After all, Embiid will be going up against Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who has edged him out for the league’s Most Valuable Player award in each of the plast two seasons.

In addition, Embiid surprisingly was not selected as a starter for the upcoming All-Star Game.

In the meantime, all he does is pile up eye-popping statistics for the Sixers, who have six straight victories.

In a 137-133 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, Embiid hit all 13 free throws and had 26 points and 10 rebounds. It was his 18th game this season of at least 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Tyrese Maxey led the way with 27 points and James Harden, who was named as an All-Star reserve along with Embiid, added 23.

As the All-Star break approaches, the Sixers will look to continue surging. They swept a five-game road trip and then kept their positive momentum in a hard-fought battle against the Nets. Expect the crowd to be revved up again.

The Nuggets, who lead the Western Conference, will look to rebound after a 107-99 setback to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

To be fair, the Nuggets played without Jokic – who was named an All-Star starter — and Jamal Murray. Jokic warmed up before the game but ultimately was held out to rest a sore hamstring. Murray (knee maintenance) also sat out as a precaution.

Both players are likely to play against the Sixers.

Jokic will be competing in the All-Star Game for the fifth consecutive season. He leads the league this season with 15 triple-doubles.

Aaron Gordon paced the Nuggets with 26 points and 14 rebounds and Bones Hyland added 15 points. They also played without Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right wrist) and Michael Porter Jr. (personal reasons).

The Nuggets’ depth has been a key to their success all season and it paid dividends even in a loss to the Bucks.

Ish Smith came off the bench and gave them a lift with 10 points and three assists.

Royals announce signing of seven-time All-Star pitcher Aroldis Chapman

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Royals announce signing of seven-time All-Star pitcher Aroldis Chapman

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Royals announced that they have signed left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman to a one-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Chapman, 34, is a seven-time All-Star, 2016 World Series winner with the Chicago Cubs and was named the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year in 2019. He is one of 13 pitchers in Major League history to record at least 1,000 strikeouts as a relief pitcher, and his 315 career saves rank 24th all-time and 3rd among active pitchers.

Chapman’s career K/9 rate of 14.7 (1,045 K in 640.0 IP) is the best in Major League history (min. 500.0 IP). He’s held opponents to a .164 average in his career, which is also the best mark in Major League history (min. 500.0 IP).

He is one of 14 pitchers, since saves became an official statistic in 1969, to record at least eight 30-save seasons. Chapman is the only pitcher in Major League history to record at least four seasons of at least 30 saves and 100 strikeouts, something he did in four consecutive seasons from 2012-15.

Chapman defected from Cuba in 2009 and signed with the Reds in 2010. He is a 13-year Major League veteran with Cincinnati (2010-15), the Chicago Cubs (2016) and the New York Yankees (2016, 2017-22). He was an All-Star as recently as 2021, when he saved 30 games for the Yankees, recorded a 3.36 ERA (21 ER in 56.1 IP) and 97 strikeouts (15.5 K/9). He was limited to just 43 appearances with the Yankees in 2022 and missed a total of eight weeks over two separate stints on the Injured List.

Rays sign Pete Fairbanks to Three-Year extension

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Rays sign Pete Fairbanks to Three-Year extension

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rays have signed right-handed pitcher Pete Fairbanks to a three-year, $12 million contract through the 2025 season, including a club option for the 2026 season. The pact is worth up to $24.6 million if the club option is exercised, performance escalators are reached and award bonuses are triggered.

Fairbanks, 29, is 11-10 with a 2.98 ERA (105.2-IP, 35-ER) and 15 saves in 111 appearances (two starts) since being acquired by the Rays in July 2019. Last season, he went 0-0 with a 1.13 ERA (24-IP, 3-ER) in 24 appearances after opening the season on the 60-day IL with a right lat strain. He made his season debut on July 17 and tied for the team lead with eight saves despite missing over three months. Min. 20 IP, he ranked second in the American League in WHIP (0.67), fourth in ERA and fifth in opponents’ avg. (.159). He struck out 43.7 pct. (38 of 87) of batters faced, second in the majors (min. 20 IP) behind NYM Edwin Díaz (50.2 pct.), and it marked the second-highest for a single season in franchise history behind Nick Anderson (52.6 pct.) in 2019. He ended the season with 22 straight scoreless appearances, the second-longest streak in club history.

Fairbanks is 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA (15-IP, 6-ER) and three saves in 12 career postseason appearances, all with the Rays. In 2020, he became the fifth rookie since saves became an official stat (since 1969) to record three (or more) in the postseason. He was on the mound when the Rays clinched the pennant in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

Fairbanks was acquired by the Rays from the Texas Rangers on July 13, 2019 in exchange for minor league infielder Nick Solak. He was selected by the Rangers in the ninth round of the 2015 Amateur Draft out of the University of Missouri.

Rangers agree to terms with five players on Minor League contracts

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Rangers agree to terms with five players on Minor League contracts

All five players, in addition to 19 within the organization, have received invites to Spring Training camp

Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers today announced that the club has agreed to terms with right-handed pitchers Ian Kennedy and Reyes Moronta, left-handed pitcher Danny Duffy, and outfielders Clint Frazier and Travis Jankowski on minor league contracts with an invitation to Major League Spring Training camp.

Kennedy, 38, had a 4-7 record with 10 saves and a 5.36 ERA (30 ER/50.1 IP) in 57 relief appearances with the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. He begins his second stint with the Rangers after recording 16 saves and a 2.51 ERA (9 ER/32.1 IP) in 32 relief appearances in 2021 before joining the Philadelphia Phillies in a six-player trade deadline deal. The right-handed pitcher owns a 4.30 ERA with 66 saves and 194 strikeouts (9.5 SO per 9.0 innings ratio) in 189 games since moving to the bullpen prior to the 2019 season. In 16 Major League seasons, he owns a 104-113 record with 66 saves, a 4.14 ERA (868 ER/1888.0 IP) and 1,754 strikeouts in 481 games (290 starts) with the New York Yankees (2007-09), Diamondbacks (2010-13, 2022), San Diego Padres (2013-15), Kansas City Royals (2016-20), Rangers (2021) and Phillies (2021). Kennedy, who was selected by the Yankees in the first round (21st overall) of the 2006 MLB Draft out of the University of Southern California, finished fourth in the N.L. Cy Young balloting in 2011 after going 21-4 with a 2.88 ERA (71 ER/222.0 IP) with the Diamondbacks.

Moronta, 30, went 2-2 with two saves, a 4.30 ERA (18 ER/37.2 IP), and 38 strikeouts in 39 relief appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks last season. The right-hander also appeared in 11 minor league contests with Triple-A Oklahoma City, going 1-0 with two saves, a 2.70 ERA (3 ER/10.0 IP), and 17 strikeouts. This offseason, he made seven relief appearances for Gigantes del Cibao of the Dominican Winter League, over which he compiled a 1-0 record, 4.50 ERA (3 ER/6.0 IP), and five strikeouts against seven walks. The Santiago, Dominican Republic native was originally signed by the San Francisco Giants as a non-drafted free agent on June 2, 2011, and has produced a lifetime 10-11 record, three saves, 3.02 ERA (57 ER/170.0 IP), and 10.6 strikeouts per 9.0 innings figure across 175 Major League relief appearances with the Giants (2017-21), Dodgers (2022), and Diamondbacks (2022). Moronta played under current Rangers manager Bruce Bochy in his first three seasons with the Giants (2017-19), combining to go 8-9 with one save and a 2.66 ERA (38 ER/128.1 IP) over 132 relief outings during that span.

Duffy, 34, did not pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season while recovering from left elbow surgery. The lefthander last appeared in 13 games (12 starts) for the Kansas City Royals during the 2021 season, going 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA (17 ER/61.0 IP) and 65 strikeouts before being traded to the Dodgers on July 29, 2021 in exchange for right-handed pitcher Zach Willeman, but he missed the rest of the season with a left flexor strain. The 2015 World Series winner spent 11 seasons with the Royals, posting a 68-68 record with a 3.95 ERA (514 ER/1172.1 IP) and 1,048 strikeouts. Originally drafted in the third round of the 2007 MLB Draft out of Cabrillo High School, Duffy recorded a career-best 12-3 with a 3.51 ERA (70 ER/79.2 IP) and 188 strikeouts in 42 games (26 starts) during the 2016 season.

Frazier, 28, batted .216 with three doubles, one RBI, and one stolen base in 19 games for the Chicago Cubs last season before being designated for assignment on June 10. He spent the rest of the season with Triple-A Iowa, batting .190 with eight doubles, six home runs, and 35 RBI in 66 games. The right-handed hitter owns a .238 batting average with 44 doubles, five triples, 29 home runs, and 98 RBI in 247 career games with the New York Yankees (2017-21) and Cubs (2022). Frazier owns a career .931 OPS and a .270 average with runners in scoring position. Originally selected by Cleveland in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2013 MLB Draft out of Loganville (Ga.) High School, Frazier has predominantly seen time in right field (106 games, 92 starts) and left field (106 games, 88 starts) and owns a .974 fielding percentage (8 E/309 TC) in the outfield.

Jankowski, 31, batted .164 with two RBI and three stolen bases over 44 games between the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners in 2022. The outfielder opened the season with the Mets, was placed on the 10-day Injured List from May 27-July 10 due to a fourth metacarpal fracture in his left hand, and was designated for assignment on July 29. He was claimed off waivers by the Mariners on Aug. 1, released on Aug. 10 after appearing in just one game for the club, and eventually returned to New York as a minor league free agent on Aug. 16. A former first round selection (44th overall) by the San Diego Padres in the 2012 MLB Draft, Jankowski has recorded a .236 batting average, nine home runs, 54 RBI, and 72 stolen bases over 470 games in his Major League career with the Padres (2015-19), Cincinnati Reds (2020), Philadelphia Phillies (2021), Mets (2022), and Mariners (2022).  

19 INTERNAL PLAYERS INVITED TO SPRING TRAINING**:** Texas has also invited 19 players within the organization to the club’s Spring Training camp in Surprise, Ariz. The following players received non-roster invites:

Left-handed pitchers (6): Cody Bradford, Lucas Jacobsen, Antoine Kelly, Jake Latz, Daniel Robert, Avery Weems

Right-handed pitchers (6): Marc Church, Kyle Cody, Chase Lee, Jack Leiter, Fernery Ozuna, Kumar Rocker

Catchers (3): Cody Freeman, David García, Matt Whatley

Infielders (2): Blaine Crim, Justin Foscue

Outfielders (2): Evan Carter, Elier Hernández

With today’s announcement, the Rangers now have 70 players on the club’s Spring Training roster: a full 40-man roster along with 30 non-roster invitees.

NFL Transactions 1-27-23

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NFL Transactions 1-27-23

The following are the NFL transactions for Friday, January 27. Transactions will be published each day after they are circulated to NFL clubs. This public version will include waiver requests, assignments via waivers, terminations, free agent signings, reserve list and practice squad additions and deletions, and trades.

RESERVE LIST ADDITIONS

INDIANAPOLIS
    Fernea, EthanWRUCLA   
         Free Agent Signing
         Reserve/Future

LAS VEGAS
    Butler, AdamDEVanderbilt   
         Free Agent Signing
         Reserve/Future

NFL Conference Championship Games Injury Report — Friday

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NFL Conference Championship Games Injury Report — Friday
CINCINNATI BENGALS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
CINCINNATI BENGALS
 
Status Report
    OUTG Alex Cappa (ankle), T Jonah Williams (knee)
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayG Alex Cappa (ankle), DT D.J. Reader (not injury related – resting player), T Jonah Williams (knee)
 ThursdayG Alex Cappa (ankle), T Jonah Williams (knee)
 FridayG Alex Cappa (ankle), T Jonah Williams (knee)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayLB Joe Bachie (foot), CB Tre Flowers (hamstring), DE Sam Hubbard (not injury related – resting player)
 ThursdayLB Joe Bachie (foot), TE Hayden Hurst (calf)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayC Ted Karras (knee)
 ThursdayCB Tre Flowers (hamstring), DE Sam Hubbard (not injury related – resting player), C Ted Karras (knee), DT D.J. Reader (not injury related – resting player)
 FridayLB Joe Bachie (foot), CB Tre Flowers (hamstring), DE Sam Hubbard (not injury related – resting player), TE Hayden Hurst (calf), C Ted Karras (knee), DT D.J. Reader (not injury related – resting player)
 
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
 
Status Report
    QUESTIONABLEWR Mecole Hardman (pelvis), TE Travis Kelce (back), WR Justin Watson (illness)
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 FridayWR Justin Watson (illness)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayWR Mecole Hardman (pelvis)
 ThursdayWR Mecole Hardman (pelvis)
 FridayLB Nick Bolton (ankle), WR Mecole Hardman (pelvis), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayLB Willie Gay (toe), QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle), RB Jerick McKinnon (ankle)
 ThursdayLB Willie Gay (toe), QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle), RB Jerick McKinnon (ankle)
 FridayLB Willie Gay (toe), TE Travis Kelce (back), QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle), RB Jerick McKinnon (ankle)
 
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
 
Status Report
    OUTQB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot)
 
    QUESTIONABLERB Elijah Mitchell (groin), CB Ambry Thomas (ankle)
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayQB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot), RB Christian McCaffrey (calf), RB Elijah Mitchell (groin), T Trent Williams (not injury related – resting player)
 ThursdayQB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot), RB Christian McCaffrey (calf), RB Elijah Mitchell (groin)
 FridayQB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot), RB Elijah Mitchell (groin)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayDE Charles Omenihu (oblique), WR Deebo Samuel (ankle), CB Ambry Thomas (ankle)
 ThursdayDE Charles Omenihu (oblique), WR Deebo Samuel (ankle), CB Ambry Thomas (ankle)
 FridayCB Ambry Thomas (ankle)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 ThursdayT Trent Williams (not injury related – resting player)
 FridayRB Christian McCaffrey (calf), DE Charles Omenihu (oblique), WR Deebo Samuel (ankle), T Trent Williams (not injury related – resting player)
 
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
 The Eagles did not practice Wednesday. The Wednesday practice report is an estimation.
Status
 FridayNo players listed
Practice Report
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayT Lane Johnson (groin), CB Avonte Maddox (toe)
 ThursdayCB James Bradberry (not injury related – resting player), WR A.J. Brown (not injury related – resting player), DT Fletcher Cox (not injury related – resting player), G Landon Dickerson (not injury related – resting player), DE Brandon Graham (not injury related – resting player), T Lane Johnson (groin, not injury related – resting player), C Jason Kelce (not injury related – resting player), CB Avonte Maddox (toe), DE Robert Quinn (not injury related – resting player), G Isaac Seumalo (not injury related – resting player), CB Darius Slay (not injury related – resting player), DE Josh Sweat (not injury related – resting player)
 FridayLB T.J. Edwards (ankle)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 FridayT Lane Johnson (groin), CB Avonte Maddox (toe)

A’s agree to terms with 1B/DH Jesús Aguilar on one-year contract

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A’s agree to terms with 1B/DH Jesús Aguilar on one-year contract

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A’s agreed to terms with first baseman/designated hitter Jesús Aguilar on a one-year contract for the 2023 season, the club announced today.

Aguilar began the 2022 season with Miami and hit .236 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI in 113 games before he was released at the end of August.  He signed with Baltimore and batted .224 in 16 games with the Orioles for a .235 average, 16 home runs, 51 RBI and a .661 OPS in 129 games overall.  The 32-year-old right-handed hitter started 60 games at first base, 58 at designated hitter and also played in four games at third base.

Aguilar is a .254 career hitter with 109 home runs and 393 RBI in 759 games over nine seasons in the majors with Cleveland (2014-16), Milwaukee (2017-19), Tampa Bay (2019), Miami (2020-22) and Baltimore (2022).  He appeared in just 35 games in his three seasons with the Indians but played in 133 games in his first season with the Brewers.  The native of Venezuela then put together his best season in 2018 when he was named to the National League All-Star team and hit .274 with a career-high 35 home runs and a career-high 108 RBI in 149 games.  Aguilar batted a career-high .277 in 2020 and tallied 22 home runs and 93 RBI in 131 games in 2021.

Blue Jays Spring Training invitees

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Blue Jays Spring Training invitees

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with the following free agents on Minor League contracts with invites to 2023 Major League Spring Training:

  • OF Wynton Bernard
  • RHP Jay Jackson

Bernard, 32, made his Major League debut with the Colorado Rockies last August, batting .286 across 12 games. The 6-2, 195 lb. right-handed hitter spent most of his 2022 season with Triple-A Albuquerque where he hit .333 with 60 extra-base hits and 92 RBI. Bernard was a 35th–round selection out of Niagara University by the San Diego Padres in 2012. Over 10 Minor League campaigns, the native of San Diego has played in 884 games while keeping a .289 batting average and a .774 OPS.

Jackson, 35, made two scoreless appearances for the Atlanta Braves in 2022, having spent the majority of his season with Triple-A Gwinnett. The Greenville, SC, native was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2008 and reached the majors as a member of the San Diego Padres in 2015. The 6-1, 195 lb. reliever has pitched in parts of four different seasons with four Major League teams, combining for a 3-1 record and a 4.21 ERA.

NHL Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets (15-30-3) at Vancouver Canucks (19-26-3)

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NHL Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets (15-30-3) at Vancouver Canucks (19-26-3)

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS NOTES:

Jan. 27, 2023 Game No. 49 (15-30-3, 33 pts.)
at Vancouver Canucks (19-26-3, 41 pts.), Rogers Arena Road Game No. 22 (4-15-2, 10 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: 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 overtime winner… Marchenko scored a goal for 2nd-straight game (2-0-2), tying game at 2-2 with 8:34 remaining… Gaudreau tallied his team-leading 34th assist of the campaign, extending his assists streak to 4-straight games (1-5-6)… Laine registered his 15th assist of the season to extend his assists streak to 4 consecutive contests (2-5-7)… 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.

OhioHEALTH INJURY REPORT
Danforth (torn labrum); Placed on Injured Reserve (Oct. 25); 6 months (42 games)
Voracek (concussion); Placed on Injured Reserve (Nov. 4); out indefinitely (37 games)
Werenski (torn labrum); Placed on Injured Reserve (retro to Nov. 10); rest of regular season (35 games)
Bean (shoulder); Placed on IR (retro to Nov. 15); out indefinitely (33 games)
Chinakhov (ankle); Placed on IR (Dec. 20); 4 weeks (17 games)
Meyer (oblique strain); Placed on IR (Jan. 11); 6-8 weeks (8 games)
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 321

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Jan. 20 Assigned Tarasov to Cleveland (AHL)
Jan. 14 Activated Jenner, Robinson and Tarasov off Injured Reserve and assigned Bjork to Cleveland (AHL)
Jan. 13 Assigned Greaves and Fix-Wolansky to Cleveland (AHL)
Jan. 12 Activated Blankenburg off Injured Reserve, placed Robinson on Injured Reserve retroactive to Jan. 3 and added Greaves to the roster on emergency recall from Cleveland (AHL)
Jan. 11 Placed Meyer on Injured Reserve and added Fix-Wolansky to roster on emergency recall from Cleveland (AHL)
Jan. 11 Assigned Greaves to Cleveland (AHL)
Jan. 10 Placed Tarasov on IR retroactive on Dec. 30 and added Greaves to roster on emergency recall from Cleveland (AHL)

TONIGHT’S GAME BROADCAST INFO
10pm ET | Bally Sports Ohio | 97.1 The Fan

AGAINST THE CANUCKS
2022-23 Series: 1-0-0 (0-0-0 at VAN)
2021-22 Series: 1-1-0 (0-1-0 at VAN)
Last 10 (Overall | Road): 5-4-1 | 5-3-2
All-Time GF/GA: 161/212
All-Time SF/SA: 1,830/1,997
All-Time PP: 43-of-267
All-Time PK: 187-of-241

THE LAST GAME VS. VAN: OCT. 18, 2022 – CBJ 4 vs. VAN 3 (OT)
CBJ Goal Scorers: Danforth (1), Werenski (1), Gaudreau (2), OT – Gavrikov (1)
VAN Goal Scorers: SHG – Horvat (2), Pettersson (3), Horvat (3)
Goalies: CBJ – Merzlikins (32/35; 63:21); VAN – Martin (29/33; 63:21)
CBJ PP: 0/2; PK: 3/3 | Shots: CBJ: 33 / VAN: 35
3 Stars: 1. Gaudreau, CBJ; 2. Gavrikov, CBJ; 3. Horvat, VAN
Noteworthy: CBJ notched their 1st win of the season… CBJ trailed 2-0 after the 1st period and 2-1 after the 2nd… Chinakhov collected his 2nd career multi-assist game and 5th career multi-point effort with his first two assists/points of the season… Gaudreau notched his 1st multi-point game as a Blue Jacket (1-1-2) while extending his points streak to 3-straight games (2-2-4)… Gavrikov scored his 4th career GWG, and 1st in overtime, and added an assist for his 1st point of the season… Voracek also collected a multi-point effort.

SEASON SERIES LEFT: Series is complete.

NOTED (Team Highlights vs. VAN)
CBJ are 5-1-0 in last 6 meetings overall since 3/24/19 and have recorded points in 6 of the last 7 contests at VAN dating back to 3/19/15 (CBJ; 5-1-1)… Winning team has posted 4+ goals in 7 of past 9 games of series… VAN has 6 of the 8 shutouts in the series, but CBJ registered the most recent one on 3/24/19 (Bobrovsky, 21 saves in 5-0 W at VAN)… VAN has posted both hat tricks in the series, while CBJ has been awarded 3 of the 4 penalty shot attempts… Most goals scored at VAN: 6 – 2x, (MR: 3/19/15)… Most goals allowed at VAN: 7 – 3x, (MR: 1/5/10).

NOTED (Player Highlights vs. VAN)
Gaudreau notched his 1st career goal in his NHL debut with CGY on 4/13/14 at VAN… Laine notched his 6th career hat trick on 11/19/18 at VAN… Werenski skated in his 300th NHL career game on 3/8/20 at VAN.

SCORING NOTABLES vs. VAN
• Gaudreau – 14-30-44 in 42 GP, including points in three-straight overall (3-2-5) after picking up 1-1-2 in the first meeting this season.
• Gavrikov – 1-5-6 in 5 career GP, including 1-1-2 in the contest at Nationwide Arena in October.
• Laine – 7-2-9 in 10 career GP, including 5-0-5 in five career games at Vancouver.
• Merzlikins – 3-1-0 with a 2.48 GAA and .930 SV% in 4 career GP, including three games of a SV% of .914 or higher.
• Roslovic – 3-1-4 in 9 career GP with all of his points scored in four of his last five games

BLUE JACKETS NOTES
BUSY JANUARY WEEKS
The Blue Jackets earned points in their third consecutive game with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
The club also earned a win over San Jose last Saturday and a point in an overtime loss at Calgary on Monday. Columbus concluded a
stretch of four games in six days this past Saturday that included games against the Rangers, Predators, Ducks and Sharks. The club
is in the middle of a second consecutive week of four games in six days as it visits the Flames (Monday), Oilers (Wednesday), Canucks
(Friday) and Kraken (Saturday).

LOOKING TO THE WEST
The Blue Jackets kicked off a stretch of seven consecutive contests against the Western Conference on Tuesday. After facing the
Central Division’s Predators last Tuesday, the team plays six-straight against the Pacific Division from January 19-28, including its
annual trip through western Canada (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver). Columbus is 5-1-2 against the Pacific Division in 2022-23.
Earning three out of four points in the first two games of the western Canada swing, the team has a chance to earn at least five points
on a three-game western Canada road trip for the fourth time in franchise history (MR: 2-0-1; 5 pts from Mar. 27-31, 2018).

VANCOUVER CANUCKS NOTES:

CANUCKS vs BLUE JACKETS PREVIEW
TV: Sportsnet Pacific, Bally Sports Ohio
Radio: Sportsnet 650

MATCH-UP INFO
• Tonight marks the second and final meeting between the Canucks and Blue Jackets this season: Oct. 18 (4-3 OTL @ CBJ) and Jan. 27 (home).

• Vancouver is 38-15-2-9 all-time against Columbus, including a 20-6-0-5 record at home.

• The Canucks are 5-4-1 in their last ten meetings against the Blue Jackets (1-3-1 in their last five).

• Among active Canucks skaters, J.T. Miller leads the team in career points against Columbus with 14 (2-12-14 in 24 GP).

• Elias Pettersson has nine points (5-4-9) in seven career games against the Blue Jackets.

• Quinn Hughes has five points (0-5-5) in five career games against the Blue Jackets.

• Bo Horvat has 10 points (7-3-10) in 14 career games against the Blue Jackets.

• Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Luke Schenn lead active Canucks in career games played against Columbus with 26.

• Spencer Martin is 0-0-1 in one career game against the Blue Jackets, posting a 3.79 GAA and .879 SV%.

• Collin Delia has yet to face Columbus in his NHL career.

QUICK NUMBERS
• Elias Pettersson has 22 points (6-16-22) in his last 17 games.
• Bo Horvat has 19 points (9-10-19) in his last 16 games.
• J.T. Miller has 12 points (5-7-12) in his last 12 games.
• Quinn Hughes has 12 points (3-9-12) in his last nine games.
• Andrei Kuzmenko has 11 points (6-5-11) in his last 11 games.

LAST MEETING – OCT. 18/22: VAN 3 at CBJ 4 (OT)
Bo Horvat opened the scoring with a shorthanded marker at 7:51 in the first period, assisted by Elias Pettersson and Oliver EkmanLarsson…Elias Pettersson quickly doubled Vancouver’s lead with his 100th career NHL goal…Vasily Podkolzin and Nils Höglander registered the assists…Bo Horvat restored Vancouver’s lead for his first multigoal game of the season at 7:00 in the third period…Tucker Poolman recorded his first point of the season with the primary assist while Quinn Hughes drew the secondary assist…Bo Horvat led all Canucks in shots (5)…Luke Schenn led the team in hits (3) and Curtis Lazar led in blocks (3)…Spencer Martin faced 33 shots.

2022.23 TEAM RANKS
VAN CBJ
Goals For/Game 3.27 (t-11th) 2.58 (28th)
Goals Against/Game 3.96 (31st) 3.85 (30th)
Power Play % 22.2 (t-15th) 15.8 (31st)
Penalty Kill % 65.9 (32nd) 77.1 (t-18th)
Penalty Min./Game 9:40 (21st) 8:31 (13th)
*Rankings are accurate as of 10:30am PT on January 26, 2023

LAST GAME PLAYED – JAN. 25/23: VAN 1 at SEA 6
Conor Garland scored the Canucks’ lone goal at 19:52 in the second period extending his point streak to three games…Curtis Lazar registered his second assist of the season with the first helper…Dakota Joshua was credited with the second assist to extend his career-high in points to 11…Spencer Martin faced 35 shots…Tyler Myers led the team in shots (5)…Kyle Burroughs led the team in blocked shots (5)…Bo Horvat won 11 out of 19 faceoffs (57.9%).

LAST 5 vs COLUMBUS
• Oct. 18/22: VAN 3 at CBJ 4 (OT)
• Dec. 14/21: VAN 4 vs CBJ 3
• Nov. 26/21: VAN 2 at CBJ 4
• Mar. 8/20: VAN 1 vs CBJ 2
• Mar. 1/20: VAN 3 at CBJ 5

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