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NHL Preview: Colorado Avalanche (23-17-3) at Vancouver Canucks (18-23-3)

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COLORADO AVALANCHE NOTES:

UPCOMING GAMES
Date Opponent Time (MT) TV Radio
Fri, Jan. 20 at Vancouver 8 p.m. Altitude 950 AM
Sat, Jan. 21 at Seattle 8 p.m. Altitude 92.5 FM
Tue, Jan. 24 WASHINGTON 7 p.m. Altitude 92.5 FM
Thu, Jan. 26 ANAHEIM 7 p.m. Altitude 92.5 FM
Sat, Jan. 28 ST. LOUIS 1 p.m. Hulu / ESPN+ 950 AM

TONIGHT’S GAME
COLORADO @ VANCOUVER
8:08 p.m. MT / 7:08 p.m. PT
Altitude / 950 AM
The Colorado Avalanche continues their three-game road trip tonight in Vancouver against the Canucks … This evening’s contest is the first half of a back-to-back for the Avs, who will play in Seattle tomorrow night to wrap up the road trip…Colorado beat Calgary 4-1 on Wednesday … The Avs have won three straight games, out-scoring the opposition 17-4 ON THE CALL
Altitude: Marc Moser (play-by-play), Mark Rycroft (analyst), Kyle Keefe (reporter)
Radio: Conor McGahey

LAST GAME
Jan. 18 – Colorado 4, Calgary 1 at Scotiabank Saddledome
Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen each scored twice and Alexandar Georgiev made 34 saves in the Avalanche’s 4-1 victory over the Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome …. Rantanen also had an assist, while Nathan MacKinnon, J.T. Compher and Devon Toews all had two helpers apiece.
SF: 30 SA: 35 PP: 1-3 PK: 1-2

The Avalanche have won three straight games, out-scoring the opposition 17-4 Erik Johnson appeared in his 900th career NHL game Rantanen reached the 30-goal mark faster than any player in Avalanche history (43rd game) … He was one game faster than Joe Sakic, who hit the 30-goal plateau in his 44th game of the 1995-96 campaign MacKinnon extended his point streak to six games (4g/9a), which includes four straight multi-assist efforts … That’s one shy of equaling the franchise record for consecutive games with two or more assists set by Peter Stastny from Dec. 2-13, 1981 Toews was +3 after tying his career high with a +4 rating on Monday against Detroit … He is a league-best +95 since joining the Avalanche in 2020-21 (next closest is +74 MacKenzie Weegar) Lehkonen has a three-game goal streak (5g/1a), tying his career high set earlier this year The victory was Colorado’s 500th regular season road win since moving to Denver … Colorado is 500-424-46-83 in 1,053 away contests since relocating from Quebec … Only Boston (508) has more away wins during that time span

CURRENT INJURIES
Bowen Byram – lower body (33 games, Nov. 5 – present)
Darren Helm – lower body (3 games, Jan. 14 – present)
Gabriel Landeskog – lower body (all season, Oct. 12 – present)
Dennis Malgin – upper body (6 games, Jan. 7 – present)
Cale Makar – upper body (1 game, Jan. 18 – present)
Josh Manson – lower body (22 games, Dec. 3 – present)
Total: 252 (3rd in NHL)

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Jan. 16 – Anton Blidh recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL)
Jan. 14 – Denis Malgin placed on Injured Reserve (retroactive to Jan. 5) … Sampo Ranta recalled from the Colorado
Eagles (AHL) … Martin Kaut and Sampo Ranta reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL)

TONIGHT’S OPPONENT – VANCOUVER CANUCKS
The Avalanche and Canucks wrap up the 2022-23 season series with the third and final matchup tonight … The Canucks have won the first two meetings, including a 4-2 victory over Colorado here in Vancouver just two weeks ago

SCHEDULE vs. CANUCKS
Nov. 23 vs. VANCOUVER (L, 3-4)
Jan. 5 @ Vancouver (L, 2-4)
Jan. 20 @ Vancouver

RECORD vs. CANUCKS
THIS SEASON 2021-22 ALL-TIME SINCE 1995-96 PLAYOFFS
Overall: 0-2-0 Overall: 2-1-0 Overall: 78-67-26 Overall: 62-46-18 Series: 2 (2-0)
Home: 0-1-0 Home: 1-1-0 Home: 40-32-13 Home: 31-22-9 W-L Record: 8-2
Road: 0-1-0 Road: 1-0-0 Road: 38-35-13 Road: 31-24-9

VANCOUVER CANUCKS NOTES:

TV: Sportsnet Pacific, TVA Sports, Altitude Sports
Radio: Sportsnet 650

MATCH-UP INFO
• Tonight marks the third and final meeting between the Canucks and Avalanche this season: Nov. 23 (4-3 W @ COL), Jan. 5 (4-2 W vs COL) and Jan. 20 (home).

• The Canucks are 40-31-11-1 against Colorado, including a 24-12-6-0 record at home.

• Vancouver is 6-2-2 in their last 10 games against the Avalanche (3-2-0 in their last five).

• Among active Canucks skaters, Oliver Ekman-Larsson leads the team in both career points with 24 (8-16-24) and games played (42) against Colorado.

• Elias Pettersson has 12 career points (2-10-12) in 10 games played against the Avalanche.

• Brock Boeser has 12 career points (6-6-12) in 12 games played against the Avalanche.

• J.T. Miller has 13 career points (5-8-13) in 16 games played against the Avalanche.

• Spencer Martin is 1-0-0 with a .917 save percentage and a 3.00 goals against average in one career game against Colorado earlier this season.

• Collin Delia is 3-2-0 with a .916 SV% and a 2.81 GAA in five career games against Colorado.

QUICK NUMBERS
• Elias Pettersson has 18 points (5-13-18) in his last 13 games.

• Bo Horvat has 18 points (8-10-18) in his last 12 games and is on a nine-game point streak to tie the season high (joining J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser).

• J.T. Miller has 10 points (4-6-10) in his last eight games.

• Quinn Hughes has nine points (3-6-9) in his last five games.

• Andrei Kuzmenko has 10 points (4-6-10) in his last 11 games.

• Brock Boeser has nine points (4-5-9) in his last 11 games.

LAST MEETING – JAN. 5/23: VAN 4 vs COL 2
Andrei Kuzmenko cut the deficit in half with his 16th of the season at 13:15 of the second period…Ilya Mikheyev and Oliver EkmanLarsson recorded the assists…Kuzmenko tied the game 1:59 later…Elias Pettersson and Ethan Bear picked up the assists…Brock Boeser gave the Canucks their first lead at 15:48 of the second…Mikheyev and Bo Horvat were awarded the assists on Boeser’s seventh of the season…J.T. Miller added an empty-netter with 1:36 remaining…Pettersson and Ekman-Larsson each recorded their second assists of the night…Pettersson led the team with seven shots…William Lockwood led the team with eight hits, a career-high…Collin Delia made 30 saves for his third victory of the season.

2022.23 TEAM RANKS
VAN COL
Goals For/Game 3.36 (9th) 3.07 (t-20th)
Goals Against/Game 3.95 (31st) 2.79 (t-10th)
Power Play % 24.5 (11th) 24.2 (12th)
Penalty Kill % 66.9 (32nd) 75.5 (20th)
Penalty Min./Game 9:36 (22nd) 8:39 (14th)
*Rankings are accurate as of 12:00pm PT on January 19, 2023

LAST GAME PLAYED – JAN. 18/23: VAN 2 vs TBL 5
Andrei Kuzmenko got the Canucks on the board with a power play goal at 6:35 in the third period… Quinn Hughes and J.T. Miller recorded assists on the play…Hughes collected a multi-point night with his own power play goal almost three minutes later…Miller also registered a multi-point night with the first assist and Bo Horvat extended his point streak to nine games with the second helper…Collin Delia made 14 saves after relieving Spencer Martin…Luke Schenn led the team in hits (6)…Elias Pettersson led the team in shots (6).

LAST 5 vs COLORADO
• Jan. 5/23: VAN 4 vs COL 2
• Nov. 23/22: VAN 4 at COL 3
• Mar. 23/22: VAN 3 at COL 1
• Nov. 17/21: VAN 2 vs COL 4
• Nov. 11/21: VAN 1 at COL 7

NHL Preview: Ottawa Senators (20-21-3) at Pittsburgh Penguins (22-15-7)

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OTTAWA SENATORS NOTES:

LAST GAME: Jan. 18, 5-4 OT win vs. Pittsburgh: The Senators registered four power-play goals in one game for the first time since 12/17/05 to emerge with a 5-4 overtime win at Canadian Tire Centre. The home side was paced by Tkachuk who equaled a single game high with three assists while also adding his sixth career overtime game-winning goal to move into a tie for second on the franchise list and registering four points in one game for the first time in his NHL career. DeBrincat, Stützle (with his 20th of the season), Batherson (with his team-high 11th extra attacker goal of the year) and Pinto all found the back of the net on the power-play. Chabot added three assists for the Senators. Zucker, Malkin, Friedman and Rakell scored for Pittsburgh while Crosby recorded three helpers. Talbot earned the win for Ottawa with 15 saves while DeSmith took the loss for Pittsburgh in turning aside 35 of 40 shots. Scratch: Joseph; Injuries: Chartier, Motte, Zaitsev, Zub; Shots: OTT – 40, PIT – 19; PP: OTT – 4-9, PIT – 2-5.

BROADCAST INFORMATION: This evening’s game against Pittsburgh will be broadcast regionally on TSN5 and RDS. On the radio, the game will be available locally via TSN 1200 (English) and 94,5 Unique-FM (French).

WHAT’S NEXT: Ottawa begins a two-game homestand tomorrow against Winnipeg at 7 p.m. The contest will mark the second of two regular-season meetings and the lone matchup at Canadian Tire Centre.

INJURY REPORT: C Chartier, LW Motte, D Zaitsev and D Zub are on IR and will not oppose the Penguins this evening. Total man-games lost: 156.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS: Re-assigned F Lucchini to Belleville (AHL) on Jan. 18.

OTTAWA vs. PITTSBURGH – History:
2022-23 (1-0-0): Jan. 18 @ Ottawa (5-4 OT win), Jan. 20 @ Pittsburgh, March 20 @ Pittsburgh
2021-22 (1-2-0): 11/13/21 @ Ottawa (6-3 win), 1/20/22 @ Pittsburgh (6-4 loss), 2/10/22 @ Ottawa (2-0 loss)
Series record: Overall: 40-52-9-8; Home: 24-21-5-5; Away: 16-31-4-3
Last Ottawa win: @ Ottawa: Jan. 18 (5-4 OT); @ Pittsburgh: 4/13/14 (3-2 SO)
Last Pittsburgh win: @ Ottawa: 2/10/22 (2-0); @ Pittsburgh: 1/20/22 (6-4)
Last OT result: Jan. 18 (5-4 OT win) @ Ottawa
Last shootout: 3/23/17 (2-1 SO win) @ Ottawa
Most goals, game: Scored: 8, (3/24/12, 8-4 win); Allowed: 8, (2x, Last: 12/5/16, 8-5 loss); Both teams: 13, (12/5/16, 8-5 loss)
Last Game: Jan. 18, 5-4 OT win @ Ottawa; OTT Goals: DeBrincat, Stützle, Batherson, Pinto, Tkachuk; PIT Goals: Zucker, Malkin, Friedman, Rakell; OTT Scratch: Joseph; OTT Injuries: Chartier, Motte, Zaitsev, Zub; OTT Goalie: Talbot; PIT Goalie: DeSmith; OTT PP: 4-9; PIT PP: 2-5; Shots: 40-20.
Career vs. Pittsburgh: Giroux leads all players in career games played (62), in goals (21), in assists (44) and in points (65) Hamonic leads in penalty minutes (83) against Pittsburgh.

ROAD SCHOLARS: The Senators have a record of 8-11-2 on the road this season … Alex DeBrincat, Claude Giroux and Brady Tkachuk leads with seven goals on the road this season while Tkachuk ranks first with 14 assists while the Senators serve as visitors … Through 21 road games this season, Tkachuk maintains the club lead with 21 points … The Senators registered an 18-20-3 record over 41 road contests in 2021-22.

BACK-TO-BACK GAMES: Ottawa will play back-to-back games on 12 occasions in 2022-23 and will open their fourth set of the season this evening when the team visits Pittsburgh ahead of welcoming Winnipeg to Canadian Tire Centre tomorrow night … The Senators played 17 back-to-back sets last season and earned a record of 6-9-2 in the first half of contests on consecutive nights (2-1-0 this season) while posting an 8-8-1 record (2-1-0 this season) in the second half of games on consecutive days.

ON THE POWER PLAY: The Senators are 46 for 168 (27.4%) on the power-play in 2022-23 … Drake Batherson leads with 11 powerplay goals while also maintaining the club lead with 21 points while the team enjoys a man advantage … Ottawa has recorded multiple power-play goals 12 times in an individual contest in 2022-23 after having done so 11 times in 2021-22.

ON THE PENALTY KILL: Ottawa has overcome 123 of the 151 occasions the team has been shorthanded in 2022-23 to maintain an efficiency of 81.5% through 44 regular-season games … The team has registered four (Joseph, Motte, Watson x2) shorthanded markers this season after recording nine such goals in 2021-22.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS NOTES:

LAST 2 GAMES
Jan. 18: Ottawa 5, Pittsburgh 4 (OT) – Canadian Tire Centre
PIT Goals: Zucker, Malkin (PP), Friedman, Rakell (PP)
Multiple Points: Malkin (1G-2A), Crosby (3A), Pettersson (2A)
Goalie: DeSmith (35 saves, 40 shots)
Key Stats: Sidney Crosby’s eighth three-point night helped Pittsburgh earn a point.
PP: 2-5
PK: 5-9

Jan. 16: Pittsburgh 4, Anaheim 3 (OT) – PPG Paints Arena
PIT Goals: Zucker, Malkin, Rust, Guentzel
Multiple Points: Rakell (3A), Guentzel (1G-1A), Zucker (1G-1A),
Malkin (1G-1A)
Goalie: DeSmith (26 saves, 29 shots)
Key Stats: Jake Guentzel’s fifth career overtime tally helped Pittsburgh snap a two-game skid.
PP: 0-4
PK: 2-4

INJURIES
Position Player Status Consecutive Games Missed Total Games Missed
D Jeff Petry Upper-Body 16 16
F Josh Archibald Lower-Body 12 14
D Kris Letang Lower-Body 9 15
F Ryan Poehling Upper-Body 8 13
G Tristan Jarry Lower-Body 7 7
D Jan Rutta Upper-Body 2 2
2022-23 Total Regular-Season Man-Games Lost: 101

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Date Transaction
Jan. 17 F Kris Letang removed from non-roster status and placed on injured reserve.
Jan. 15 F Jonathan Gruden recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL).
Jan. 13 D Mark Friedman recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL).
Jan. 12 D Taylor Fedun recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)

Pittsburgh’s All-Time Record vs. Senators: 60-33-16
In Pittsburgh: 34-13-7
In Ottawa: 26-20-9
OT Record vs. Senators: 9-4-12
Shootout Record vs. Senators: 5-3

2022-23 Results: Pittsburgh is 0-0-1.
Penguins All-Time Point Leaders vs. SENATORS:
Jaromir Jagr – 36GP, 57 PTS (29G-28A)
Evgeni Malkin – 42GP, 53 PTS (25G-28A)
Sidney Crosby – 44GP, 53 PTS (18G-35A)

TONIGHT’S GAME

  • The Penguins return home to play the second half of a home-and-home series against the Ottawa Senators at PPG Paints Arena (TV: AT&T SportsNet; Radio: 105.9 The X).
  • Pittsburgh enters tonight’s game with points in 11 of its last 13 games versus Ottawa (8-2-3) dating back to March 23, 2017.
  • Going back further, the Penguins have points in 23 of their last 27 games against the Senators (18-4-5) dating back to January 27, 2013.
  • Here at home, Pittsburgh has won 10-consecutive games against the Senators and have points in 13 straight versus them (12-0-1) dating back to Feb. 13, 2013.

STREAKIN’ VERSUS THE SENS
The Penguins enter tonight’s game with an active 10-game home winning streak (10-0-0) against the Ottawa Senators dating back to Dec. 6, 2014. In those nine games, Pittsburgh has outscored Ottawa by a 52-27 margin and have scored four or more goals in eight-consecutive home games against them. Pittsburgh’s 10-game home winning streak is currently tied for the second-longest active home winning streak by one team versus another team in the league:

Team Opponent Streak
Pittsburgh Columbus 12
Pittsburgh Ottawa 10
Minnesota Tampa Bay 10
Washington Winnipeg 10
NY Islanders Buffalo 10

During this streak, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have dominated play. In nine home games, Crosby has seven goals and 17 points (7G-10A) and has been held without a point in just one of those games. Malkin also has dressed for nine games during this streak where he’s accumulated 19 points (8G-11A), picking up a point in each of the games. In total, Malkin has been held pointless just three times in 23 career home games against Ottawa (17G-18A).

NHL Morning Skate – Jan. 20, 2023

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* After a 13-day voting period, fans added 12 players to the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend rosters including Auston MatthewsIlya Sorokin and Leon Draisaitl, who each had noteworthy performances Thursday.

Patrice Bergeron scored the game-winning goal to help Boston earn a victory at Madison Square Garden and surpassed a Bruins legend on the franchise’s all-time list in the process.

Kirill Kaprizov hit the 100-goal milestone Thursday and became just the third active player to do so in 180 games or fewer.


FANS VOTE 12 ADDITIONAL PLAYERS TO NHL ALL-STAR ROSTERS

After a 13-day voting period, fans added 12 players to the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend rosters through the 2023 NHL All-Star Fan Vote presented by Guaranteed Rate. In all, fans cast more than 26.5 million votes, more than double the votes generated in All-Star voting last year.


 
Among the decorated players added are winners of:

2 Hart Trophies: Leon DraisaitlAuston Matthews

1 Art Ross Trophy: Draisaitl

2 Ted Lindsay Awards: Draisaitl, Matthews

3 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies: Matthews (2x), David Pastrnak

2 Vezina Trophies: Connor HellebuyckAndrei Vasilevskiy

1 James Norris Memorial Trophy: Adam Fox

1 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Nathan MacKinnon

3 Calder Memorial Trophies: Matthews, MacKinnon, Artemi Panarin

4 Stanley Cup wins: Vasilevskiy (2x), MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen

1 Conn Smythe Trophy: Vasilevskiy

* Fans also voted Oilers rookie goaltender Stuart Skinner to represent the Pacific Division, where he will team up with Golden Knights rookie Logan Thompson. This will mark the first time in NHL history that two rookie goaltenders participate in the same All-Star Game.

* The 12 All-Stars named today will join the 32 players previously selected by the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department from Feb. 2-5 when the world’s top skaters gather in South Florida for the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend at FLA Live Arena.



TRIO OF ALL-STAR ADDITIONS SHINE THURSDAY
A number of players who were added to the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend rosters had noteworthy performances Thursday, including Auston MatthewsIlya Sorokin and Leon Draisaitl:

* Matthews recorded the 56th multi-goal outing of his career, including scoring eight seconds into the second frame to mark the fastest tally to start a period by a Maple Leafs player in over three years, and moved within five of tying Mats Sundin (61) for third place on the franchise’s all-time multi-goal games list. Since making his NHL debut in 2016-17, Matthews trails only Alex Ovechkin (57) for the most among all players over that span. He will join teammate Mitchell Marner, who extended his home point streak to 20 contests Thursday, as a member of the Atlantic Division roster.




*Draisaitl(1-1— 2) factored on two of his team’s five goals as the Oilers (26-18-3, 55 points) defeated the Lightning to gain ground on the Kings (25-16-6, 56 points) in the Pacific Division standings. Draisaitl, who has two-plus points in four consecutive games dating to Jan. 13 (4-5—9), recorded his 21st multi-point performance of 2022-23 – the only player in the League with more this season is his teammate and fellow 2023 NHL All-Star Connor McDavid (24), who also posted 1-1—2 on Thursday.

* Sorokin(42 saves) made at least 40 saves in a game for the fifth time this season – the second most among all goaltenders behind John Gibson and Stuart Skinner (both w/ 6 GP), with the Oilers netminder also set to join Sorokin in South Florida. Sorokin is 7-0-2 in his career when making 40 or more saves in a game for the Islanders (regular season & playoffs).

* ICYMI: The NHL and adidas unveiled the jerseys 44 of the world’s top players will wear in the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Game at FLA Live Arena in South Florida on Saturday, Feb. 4 (3 p.m. ET, ABC, ESPN+, CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS).



BERGERON HELPS BRUINS BEST RANGERS AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
Patrice Bergeron scored the winning goal while Jeremy Swayman made 31 saves to help the Bruins (15-4-1, 31 points) reach 15 road wins in 20 games or fewer for the second time in franchise history  Boston hit the mark in 19 road contests in 1929-30 (15-3-1, 31 points).

* The Bruins extended their road point streak to nine outings (8-0-1), their longest since they posted a 13-game run from Dec. 13, 2017 to Feb. 11, 2018 (11-0-2).



DUCKS DOWN BLUE JACKETS VIA THREE-GOAL COMEBACK WIN

Trevor Zegras recorded the game winner and John Gibson made 18 saves after entering the net in relief as the Ducks completed their sixth three-goal comeback win in regulation. It marked the second straight day the NHL featured a team overcome a three-goal deficit to claim a regulation victory, after another California-based team did so Wednesday (SJS).

* Anaheim recorded its fifth multi-goal comeback win of 2022-23, tied with Chicago, Vancouver and New Jersey for the most among all teams.

* Gibson recorded his 174th career victory, surpassing Guy Hebert for sole possession of second most in Ducks history. The only goaltender with more: Jean-Sebastien Giguere (206).



MAN-ADVANTAGE BOLSTERS PANTHERS OFFENSE PAST CANADIENS
Matthew Tkachuk (2-0—2) scored two of Florida’s four power-play goals in the second period as the Panthers (22-20-5, 49 points) moved within two points of the idle Penguins (22-15-7, 51 points) for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. In the process, Florida matched a franchise record for most power-play goals in a single period (4 in P1, Dec. 9, 1998).




KAPRIZOV HITS 100-GOAL MILESTONE IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
Kirill Kaprizov earned a spotlight in the Thursday edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates after reaching the 100-goal milestone in just his 180th NHL game. Since Kaprizov made his League debut in 2020-21, only four players have more goals: Auston Matthews (125), Connor McDavid (116), Leon Draisaitl (113) and Alex Ovechkin (104).


 

QUICK CLICKS

Hockey Day in Canada evokes game’s history in Owen Sound
Ryan Miller has No. 30 retired by Sabres, inducted into their Hall of Fame
Sun Devils gift Capitals signed gold stick before game at Mullett Arena
Zach Benson big on ‘little things’ to help excel ahead of 2023 NHL Draft
*Roman Josi strives to make an impact within the Nashville community


FRIDAY NIGHT HOCKEY ACTION

A two-game Friday will feature the Penguins (22-15-7, 51 points) looking to even their home-and-home series with the Senators (20-21-3, 43 points) as the clubs shift to Pittsburgh after Ottawa secured a win in overtime Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Avalanche (23-17-3, 49 points) will aim to secure their fourth straight victory when they visit the Canucks (18-23-3, 39 points).

NBA Preview: Brooklyn Nets (27-17) at Utah Jazz (24-24)

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Nets skid into matchup with rising Jazz

The Brooklyn Nets hope a late, though unsuccessful, comeback attempt on Thursday at Phoenix will give them some momentum entering a Friday game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

After falling behind the Suns by 24 points in the third quarter, the Nets rallied behind the hot hand of Kyrie Irving to pull within two in the final seconds.

Though the Nets wound up losing 117-112 to fall to 0-4 since Kevin Durant was lost to a knee injury, Brooklyn coach Jacque Vaughn hopes his team learned a lesson.

They did come out strong at the end, though. Irving scored 21 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter as the Nets outscored the Suns 38-23.

Irving sliced the Nets’ deficit to 113-110 by sinking a 3-pointer with 11.1 seconds remaining. One Phoenix free throw preceded a dunk by Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton (20 points, 11 rebounds) with 8.1 seconds left, but Claxton subsequently missed two foul shots and the Suns sealed the victory at the line.

Vaughn wants to see that type of effort from the tip as the struggling Nets head into the third leg of their four-game road trip.

The Friday game will present a challenge for Brooklyn. Around the same time the Nets started struggling following Durant’s injury — after a stretch in which they won 18 of 20 games — the Jazz began improving their results.

Utah has won four of its past five games, including a Monday road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves and a Wednesday home triumph vs. the Los Angeles Clippers. The Jazz took it to the short-handed Clippers, picking up a 126-103 victory in a game they never trailed.

Lauri Markkanen had a huge game against Los Angeles after missing two games due to a bruised hip. He scored 34 points — with six 3-pointers and a highlight-reel dunk — and grabbed 12 rebounds.

It was the 11th time this season that Markkanen reached the 30-point mark. He got off to a great start, scoring the first seven points, and kept rolling from there.

The most impressive sequence for Markkanen came in the third quarter as he helped the Jazz re-establish a double-digit lead for good, first destroying the rim while dunking over center Ivica Zubac and then splashing in a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession.

NBA Preview: Golden State Warriors (22-3) at Cleveland Cavaliers (28-18)

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Two teams with serious lineup uncertainties go head to head Friday night when the Golden State Warriors visit the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Warriors are coming off a 121-118 overtime loss at Boston on Thursday night and now must endure the second half of a back-to-back at the end of an eight-day, five-game trip.

Golden State, one of the NBA’s losingest teams on the road at 5-18, recorded a 127-118 win at Washington on the second day of a back-to-back on Monday, but they did so by playing all of their regulars except Klay Thompson.

In the second game of five previous road back-to-backs this season, games they lost by a total of 104 points while resting Thompson, the Warriors twice also held out Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins, once held out just Curry and Wiggins, and once held out only Wiggins.

Giving any or all of them Friday off would mean two days of rest before Golden State opens a tough three-game homestand on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr certainly went all out in an effort to complete a season series sweep of the Celtics, burning Curry and Jordan Poole for 43 minutes each, Wiggins for 40, Green for 37 and Thompson for 36.

Golden State likewise will be attempting to sweep the Cavaliers, having already pulled out a 106-101 win in San Francisco in November. Curry had 15 of his 40 points during a fourth-quarter rally in that one.

While the Warriors might go for the sweep without several starters, Kerr indicated reinforcements could be on the way as Jonathan Kuminga (sprained right foot) and JaMychal Green (right leg infection) scrimmaged on Wednesday’s day off and stamped themselves close to returning from long layoffs.

Donovan Mitchell is Cleveland’s big question mark. He had 29 points in the loss at Golden State, but he’s questionable for the rematch due to a strained left groin.

The injury occurred Monday in the Cavaliers’ 113-103 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans, forcing him to miss Cleveland’s 115-114 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

The Cavaliers used a balanced attack to give themselves a chance against the Grizzlies, with all five starters scoring at least 14 points. Darius Garland led the way with 24 points, and he added 14 assists.

Cleveland also got seven points, four rebounds and three assists from Ricky Rubio in just 12 minutes. It was his fourth game following nearly a 13-month absence due to knee surgery.

One player who has taken advantage of Mitchell’s two most recent absences — the star guard was rested on Jan. 6 at Denver — was Caris LeVert, who had just 11 points on 4-for-11 shooting with Mitchell in the lineup in the earlier game at Golden State.

LeVert went for 22 points against the Nuggets, then had 23 on Wednesday against the Grizzlies, making 17 of 32 shots in the two games. He also found time for a combined eight rebounds and nine assists.

NBA Preview: Los Angeles Clippers (23-24) at San Antonio Spurs (14-31)

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The Los Angeles Clippers look to get back on the winning track and hope to have their top two scorers back in the lineup Friday when they face the Spurs in San Antonio.

The Clippers play the second game of four-game road trip that began Wednesday with a 126-103 walloping at Utah. Los Angeles has lost two straight games and nine of its past 11. Norman Powell led the short-handed Clippers with 30 points while Ivica Zubac chipped in 15 points and 12 boards in the loss.

Reggie Jackson added 11 off the bench, Nicolas Batum also scored 11 and Marcus Morris Sr. hit for 10 for Los Angeles, which never led in Wednesday’s loss and shot just 40.2 percent from the floor.

The Clippers were on the second game of a home-road back-to-back and played without Paul George (rest), Kawhi Leonard (rest), John Wall (abdominal injury) and Luke Kennard (sore calf). George recently returned from a hamstring injury.

Los Angeles plays nine of its next 10 contests as the road team, with one of those against the Lakers.

The Spurs look to wrap up a four-game homestand with successive victories after beating the short-handed Brooklyn Nets 106-98 on Tuesday. Keldon Johnson scored a career-high 36 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win, which snapped a five-game slide for San Antonio.

In a reversal of a stretch in which they lost eight of nine games, the Spurs produced a dominating third quarter and held on. Tuesday’s game was tied at halftime before San Antonio surged to the front to take a 76-68 advantage into the final period.

Brooklyn closed to within four points twice in the fourth quarter but the Spurs made the plays down the stretch, with Johnson scoring five points and Tre Jones sinking a pair of free throws to cement the win.

Johnson said his career-best scoring game came from just being aggressive.

Jeremy Sochan scored 16 points, all in the first half, for San Antonio while Jones added 13 and Jakob Poeltl hit for 12 in the win.

The Clippers won the first two games between the teams this season, winning in November by seven points on the road and by 22 at home. The teams will play again Thursday in Los Angeles.

NBA Preview: Indiana Pacers (23-23) at Denver Nuggets (32-13)

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The Indiana Pacers were rolling two weeks ago but have stumbled since, losing five straight while missing their top scorer Tyrese Haliburton.

Halliburton is expected to miss at least another week with a sprained left knee as the Pacers run into one of the NBA’s hottest teams in the Denver Nuggets, who are riding a 15-game home winning streak.

Denver will go for No. 16 — and its ninth win in a row overall — when it hosts Indiana on Friday night.

The Pacers had reached a season-best five games above .500 before their recent slide, which includes the first two games on a four-game road trip.

In Haliburton’s absence, T.J. McConnell has stepped up his offense. After scoring in double figures only five times in the first two-plus months of the season, McConnell has scored in double figures in each of the past five games (averaging 15.8), including a career-high 29 in Indiana’s loss at Milwaukee on Monday.

He had his career high by halftime when he scored 23 points and didn’t miss any of his nine field-goal attempts.

Indiana will need Myles Turner to bounce back from scoring just seven points at Oklahoma City on Wednesday night for the Pacers to have a chance to end the Nuggets’ winning streak. The loss to the Thunder was Turner’s second game in the lineup after he missed three with back spasms; he scored 30 points in 36 minutes in his return on Saturday.

Denver hopes to have head coach Michael Malone back Friday night. Malone entered a health and safety protocol before Tuesday’s win against Portland. He also missed the 122-118 win over Minnesota on Wednesday night.

Assistant David Adelman served as acting head coach and kept the winning streak alive.

The Nuggets haven’t lost at home since Dec. 6 against Dallas. They have had a couple of narrow escapes, needing fourth-quarter rallies to beat Orlando on Sunday and the Timberwolves on Wednesday as they set a franchise record for best start after 45 games: 32-13.

A big reason for the record is the play of Nikola Jokic, who had back-to-back 30-point triple-doubles against the Trail Blazers and Minnesota. He now has 14 triple-doubles this season and 90 in his career, the most by a center. He also set the Nuggets’ career assist mark Wednesday night.

Jamal Murray scored 28 points against the Timberwolves, including seven in the last three minutes to help the Nuggets erase a four-point deficit.

NBA Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder (22-23) at Sacramento Kings (25-18)

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Two Western Conference squads enjoying winning streaks square off Friday night when the Sacramento Kings host the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Kings have won five straight games, their second-best stretch behind a seven-game streak in November. They are a surprising third in the Western Conference race.

The Thunder have matched a season-long four-game winning streak, with the victories coming by an average of 15.8 points. Oklahoma City is in the mix for a playoff spot during a season in which it was predicted to be one of the worst teams in the conference.

The Thunder’s rise has occurred despite losing No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren to a season-ending foot injury during the summer. But they sit just one game under .500 after winning seven of their past nine games.

The victories include a 150-117 whipping of the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics, a 133-114 rout of the host Philadelphia 76ers and a 112-102 road win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Oklahoma City had many contributors in the win over Indiana, its lone home contest during a seven-game stretch.

Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points and so did reserve Isaiah Joe, who matched his career highs for points and 3-point baskets (seven). Lu Dort recorded 22 points and a career-best 11 rebounds, and Kenrich Williams had 12 points and a career-high 10 assists.

Sacramento has beaten the Thunder three straight times and six of the past seven.

The Kings produced a 116-111 win over the host Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday and did so without star center Domantas Sabonis.

Sabonis missed the contest with a non-COVID illness and also sat out Thursday’s practice. He could be in danger of missing a second straight game.

Prior to the victory over the Lakers, Sacramento topped 130 points in five straight games.

Against Los Angeles, De’Aaron Fox led the way with 31 points on 13-of-23 shooting and Harrison Barnes added 20.

Kings coach Mike Brown was glad to see such a complete effort without Sabonis on the floor.

Kevin Huerter chipped in 18 points and Richaun Holmes made up for Sabonis’ absence with season bests of 16 points and 11 rebounds.

NFL announces designated teams for 2023 International Games

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Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans to play at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Jacksonville Jaguars to play at Wembley Stadium as part of multi-year commitment to UK

Two games in Germany confirmed for 2023, with Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots making their debut
Jan. 19, 2023. The National Football League (NFL) today announced the five teams set to play in the 2023 International Games. The Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots will each play international games during the 2023 regular season. 

London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – the only purpose-built NFL stadium outside of the US – will once again host two international games, with the Bills and Titans heading to the capital. The Jaguars will return to their home away from home, Wembley Stadium, as part of their multi-year commitment to playing in the UK.

The 2023 season will also see the Chiefs and Patriots both play regular season games in Germany, with destination cities to be announced later this year. The NFL previously confirmed that Munich and Frankfurt will stage games in Germany over the next four years. The Chiefs and Patriots are part of the NFL’s International Home Marketing Area (IHMA) program, which sees teams secure international marketing rights in countries beyond the US, with both sides having been awarded rights in Germany.

Details of the dates, matchups and kickoff times will be confirmed later in the year when the full 2023 schedule is announced. Fans can register their interest in purchasing tickets by visiting here.

This will be the second trip to London for both Buffalo and Tennessee, with the Bills having played there in 2015 and the Titans in 2018. The Jacksonville Jaguars, also an NFL IHMA side with marketing rights in the UK, will play their landmark 10th game in London this year. The Chiefs and the Patriots will make their debuts in Germany, following the inaugural international game there in Munich in 2022. 

The 2022 International Games saw record-breaking attendances and viewership as ticket demand and fandom continue to grow for the League across the world.

“Growing the league and our sport internationally is a major strategic priority for the NFL, and we are excited to again be playing five games outside of the United States in 2023,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business, Major Events & International. “We know how important live regular season games are to our passionate global fans and we thank our clubs for their strong, long-term commitment to this important initiative. Interest in our game globally is at an all-time high, and we look forward to returning to the UK and Germany in 2023 with some of the most iconic clubs and stars in the NFL.”

There will be no international game in Mexico in 2023 due to renovations taking place in Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. O’Reilly added: “Mexico plays a critical role in the NFL’s international growth strategy, with its passionate and growing fan base. We remain committed to year-round engagement with our amazing Mexican fans and look forward to future games in Mexico.”

“We are proud to be selected to participate in our league’s international games in 2023 and continue to help grow our sport globally,” said Buffalo Bills EVP/Chief Operating Officer Ron Raccuia. “The NFL has done an incredible job with this initiative. We’re excited for Bills Mafia to experience Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, one of the primary design inspirations for our new stadium scheduled to open in 2026.”

“It’s an honor to be one of the teams representing the NFL abroad in 2023 and play a role in continuing the incredible growth our sport has seen in the UK,” said Titans President and CEO Burke Nihill. “The atmosphere in London leading up to and at our game in 2018 was absolutely electric. Since then, we’ve remained in touch with our UK-based Titans fans and they’ve grown into one of our most enthusiastic fan bases. We can’t wait to see them again this upcoming season at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and know many of our fans here in Tennessee will be excited to make the trip as well.” 

“We could not be more excited to participate in a Germany game and introduce more of the world to Chiefs Kingdom this fall,” said Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt. “Our team and our fans have had incredible experiences in London and Mexico City as part of the International Series in the past, and we look forward to helping the NFL in its effort to continue growing the game in Germany.”

“We are thrilled to be selected to play in Germany this year,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “We are undefeated in our three previous international games, thanks in part to the outstanding support from our fans. We know that some of our most passionate fans reside in Germany, and we look forward to finally playing a game there. We know the fans will create an amazing atmosphere. We are sure it will be a memorable experience and one of the highlights of the 2023 season.”

“The Jaguars and Wembley Stadium made International Games history in the capital in 2022, boasting the highest attendance of any NFL game in London ever and we are committed to Wembley for at least two more annual home games, with the aim of making each one bigger and better than the last. Our commitment to London and the United Kingdom goes much deeper than just one home game each year, however. We have a loyal and continually growing fan base which we very much appreciate, our JagTag programme reaches almost 90,000 young people spanning the breadth of the country, and the Union Jax Foundation ensures we are able to provide support to a cross section of society’s vulnerable young people. The Jaguars plan to always be part of NFL landscape in London and we are all looking forward to being back in 2023,” said Mark Lamping, Jacksonville Jaguars President.

With the expansion of the NFL schedule in 2021, up to four of the teams from the conference whose teams are eligible for a ninth regular-season home game are now designated to play a neutral-site international game each year.

Designated teams for 2023 International Games:

Buffalo Bills
Location: UK, London
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Tennessee Titans
Location: UK, London
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Kansas City Chiefs
Location: Germany

New England Patriots
Location: Germany

Regular season home game in UK for 2023:

Jacksonville Jaguars
Location: United Kingdom (London)
Venue: Wembley Stadium

NFL Divisional Playoffs Injury Report — Thursday

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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS on Saturday
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
 
Status Report
    QUESTIONABLEWR Jamal Agnew (shoulder), C Luke Fortner (back), QB Trevor Lawrence (toe), LS Ross Matiscik (back), WR Kendric Pryor (shoulder), G Brandon Scherff (abdomen)
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 TuesdayLS Ross Matiscik (back), G Brandon Scherff (abdomen)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 TuesdayWR Jamal Agnew (shoulder), C Luke Fortner (back), QB Trevor Lawrence (toe), WR Kendric Pryor (shoulder)
 WednesdayWR Jamal Agnew (shoulder), C Luke Fortner (back), QB Trevor Lawrence (toe), LS Ross Matiscik (back), WR Kendric Pryor (shoulder), G Brandon Scherff (abdomen)
 ThursdayWR Jamal Agnew (shoulder), C Luke Fortner (back), QB Trevor Lawrence (toe), LS Ross Matiscik (back), WR Kendric Pryor (shoulder), G Brandon Scherff (abdomen)
 
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
 
Status Report
    OUTWR Mecole Hardman (pelvis)
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 TuesdayWR Mecole Hardman (pelvis)
 WednesdayWR Mecole Hardman (pelvis)
 ThursdayWR Mecole Hardman (pelvis)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 TuesdayDE Frank Clark (groin)
 WednesdayDE Frank Clark (groin)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 TuesdayWR Skyy Moore (hand), CB L’Jarius Sneed (hip)
 WednesdayWR Skyy Moore (hand), CB L’Jarius Sneed (hip)
 ThursdayDE Frank Clark (groin), WR Skyy Moore (hand), CB L’Jarius Sneed (hip)
 
NEW YORK GIANTS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES on Saturday night
NEW YORK GIANTS
 The Giants did not practice Tuesday. The Tuesday practice report is an estimation.
Status Report
    QUESTIONABLELB Azeez Ojulari (quadricep)
Practice Report
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 TuesdayLB Landon Collins (ankle), WR Isaiah Hodgins (ankle), CB Adoree’ Jackson (back), S Julian Love (hamstring), CB Fabian Moreau (hip), LB Azeez Ojulari (quadricep)
 WednesdayLB Landon Collins (ankle), WR Isaiah Hodgins (ankle), S Julian Love (hamstring), CB Fabian Moreau (hip), LB Azeez Ojulari (quadricep)
 ThursdayLB Landon Collins (ankle), WR Isaiah Hodgins (ankle), S Julian Love (hamstring), CB Fabian Moreau (hip), LB Azeez Ojulari (quadricep)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 TuesdayS Jason Pinnock (abdomen)
 WednesdayCB Adoree’ Jackson (back), S Jason Pinnock (abdomen)
 ThursdayCB Adoree’ Jackson (back), S Jason Pinnock (abdomen)
 
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
 The Eagles did not practice Tuesday. The Tuesday practice report is an estimation.
Status Report
    OUTCB Avonte Maddox (toe)
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 TuesdayCB Avonte Maddox (toe)
 WednesdayDE Brandon Graham (illness, not injury related – resting player), CB Avonte Maddox (toe)
 ThursdayCB Avonte Maddox (toe)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 TuesdayT Lane Johnson (groin), DT Linval Joseph (calf), DE Robert Quinn (back)
 WednesdayCB 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), T Lane Johnson (groin, not injury related – resting player), C Jason Kelce (not injury related – resting player), DE Robert Quinn (back, 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)
 ThursdayDE Brandon Graham (illness)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayDT Linval Joseph (calf)
 ThursdayT Lane Johnson (groin), DT Linval Joseph (calf), DE Robert Quinn (back)
 
CINCINNATI BENGALS at BUFFALO BILLS on Sunday
CINCINNATI BENGALS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayG Alex Cappa (ankle), CB Tre Flowers (hamstring), DT D.J. Reader (not injury related – resting player), T Jonah Williams (knee)
 ThursdayG Alex Cappa (ankle), CB Tre Flowers (hamstring), T Jonah Williams (knee)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayCB Eli Apple (neck), DE Joseph Ossai (shoulder), S Michael Thomas (hamstring)
 ThursdayCB Eli Apple (neck), DE Joseph Ossai (not injury related – resting player), DT D.J. Reader (not injury related – resting player), S Michael Thomas (hamstring)
 
BUFFALO BILLS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 ThursdayS Jordan Poyer (knee, not injury related – resting player)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayCB Dane Jackson (knee), DT DaQuan Jones (calf), DE Jordan Phillips (shoulder), S Jordan Poyer (knee)
 ThursdayDT DaQuan Jones (calf), DE Jordan Phillips (shoulder)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayQB Josh Allen (right elbow), CB Cameron Lewis (forearm), WR Isaiah McKenzie (hamstring)
 ThursdayQB Josh Allen (right elbow), CB Dane Jackson (knee), CB Cameron Lewis (forearm), WR Isaiah McKenzie (hamstring)
 
DALLAS COWBOYS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS on Sunday night
DALLAS COWBOYS
 The Cowboys did not practice Wednesday. The Wednesday practice report is an estimation.
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayT Jason Peters (hip)
 ThursdayT Jason Peters (hip)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayS Jayron Kearse (knee), DE Demarcus Lawrence (foot)
 ThursdayS Jayron Kearse (knee), DE Demarcus Lawrence (foot)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayS Israel Mukuamu (hamstring), CB Trayvon Mullen (illness), T Tyron Smith (knee)
 ThursdayDT Quinton Bohanna (knee), S Israel Mukuamu (hamstring), CB Trayvon Mullen (illness), T Tyron Smith (knee)
 
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayQB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot), CB Ambry Thomas (ankle), T Trent Williams (not injury related – resting player)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayDE Samson Ebukam (ankle), WR Jauan Jennings (ankle), DT Javon Kinlaw (knee)
Practice
 ThursdayPractice Not Complete