NEW YORK – Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven has been fined $4,166.67, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for cross-checking Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann during NHL Game No. 1000 in Seattle on Saturday, March 7, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.
The incident occurred at 16:35 of the third period. Kleven was assessed a major penalty for cross-checking and game misconduct.
The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
* Nikita Kucherov became the League’s third 100-point scorer of the season as the Lightning skated to victory. The only other campaigns over the past 30 years to feature as many players reach the mark through this stage of a season (999 GP): 1995-96 (11) and 2023-24 (3).
* Matthew Schaefer set the NHL mark for the most overtime points by a teenage defenseman as the Islanders moved into second place in the Metropolitan Division standings.
* Ten out of 11 games Saturday saw the winning goal come in the third period or later, which brings this season’s total to 555 – the third most through this stage of a campaign (999 GP) behind only 2005-06 (566) and 2016-17 (558).
* A double dose of doubleheaders on ESPN and TNT will make up more than half of Sunday’s seven-game slate that also coincides with International Women’s Day and the final day of Hockey Week Across America.
LIGHTNING, SABRES STAY ATOP THE ATLANTIC DIVISION AHEAD OF CRUCIAL CLASH. . .
The Lightning (39-18-4, 82 points) and Sabres (38-19-6, 82 points) continue to jostle for top spot in the Atlantic Division after each club collected two crucial points in wins on Saturday. Tampa Bay and Buffalo – who go head-to-head on Sunday at KeyBank Center – look to become the first teams other than Toronto, Florida or Boston to win the Atlantic Division since the Lightning did so in 2018-19.
* Nikita Kucherov (0-4—4) factored on four of his team’s five goals, including three in the first period alone, to become the League’s third 100-point scorer of the season as the Lightning earned their 20th road victory of 2025-26. Tampa Bay matched its third-fewest games in franchise history to reach the mark (32 GP in 2021-22) behind only 2018-19 (28 GP) and 2019-20 (31 GP).
* Kucherov (32-68—100 in 57 GP) recorded his sixth career 100-point season – tied for the seventh most in NHL history – and fourth consecutive, which is tied with Leon Draisaitl (4 from 2021-22 to 2024-25) for the third most among players born and trained outside of North America behind only Peter Stastny (6 from 1980-81 to 1985-86) and Jari Kurri (5 from 1982-83 to 1986-87). Kucherov, whose three four-assist road games in 2025-26 trail only Wayne Gretzky (4) for the most in a single season, also became the second-fastest active player to record 100 points in a campaign behind Connor McDavid (53 GP in 2020-21 & 56 GP in 2022-23).
* TageThompson scored the first of his team’s three straight goals to extend his point streak to 10 games and lift Buffalo to its sixth straight win and 15th comeback victory of the season. The Sabres, who also strung together 10 straight wins from Dec. 9-31, 2025, have posted multiple winning streaks of six or more games in a single season for the first time since 2005-06 – a campaign that finished with a berth in the Conference Finals after falling to the eventual Stanley Cup-champion Hurricanes in Game 7.
* Thompson, who recorded the NHL’s 20th double-digit point streak of 2025-26, became the seventh Sabres player in the past 30 years to register a 10-game point streak. The others: Jack Eichel (2x; longest: 17 GP in 2019-20), Tim Connolly (16 GP in 2009-10), Derek Roy (12 GP in 2007-08), Sam Reinhart (11 GP in 2018-19), Jason Pominville (10 GP in 2007-08) and Daniel Briere (10 GP in 2006-07).
…WHILE OTHER ATLANTIC CLUBS BOLSTER POSITION IN EAST PLAYOFF PICTURE
The Canadiens (34-18-10, 78 points), Bruins (35-22-5, 76 points) and Senators (31-22-9, 71 points) each picked up crucial wins in an already tight Eastern Conference playoff picture.
* Juraj Slafkovský (2-1—3) and captain NickSuzuki (1-2—3) scored 49 seconds apart in the third period as Montreal overcame a 3-2 deficit in the final frame to leapfrog idle Detroit (35-21-7, 77 points) for third place in the Atlantic – the Canadiens own one game in hand. Slafkovský (23-29—52 in 2025-26), who became the first player in franchise history with three career 50-point seasons at age 21 or younger, also boosted his career totals to 65-98—163 (262 GP) and tied HenriRichard (163) for the most career points by a player before age 22 in Canadiens history.
* David Pastrnak (0-2—2) climbed into a tie for the eighth-most multi-assist games in Bruins history and Charlie McAvoy (0-1—1) collected an assist in his 50th game to help the Bruins earn their 12th straight win at TD Garden. McAvoy has nearly doubled his point output from the entire 2024-25 campaign (7-16—23 in 50 GP) after improving to 6-38—44 (50 GP) on Saturday. The last Bruins defenseman to record as many points through 50 games in a season was Ray Bourque (54 in 1995-96).
* The Senators scored at least seven goals in a game for the fifth time this season and tied the Ducks for the most among all teams. Ottawa had seven different goal scorers in a contest for the second time in 2025-26 (8 on Jan. 14). The only other seasons they achieved that feat multiple times were 2022-23 (2x), 2005-06 (2x) and 2003-04 (2x). Tim Stützle was one of those seven skaters when he extended his point streak to 12 games with his 30th goal of the season and became just the eighth player in franchise history with multiple 30-goal campaigns.
SCHAEFER HELPS ISLANDERS TO OVERTIME VICTORY, SECOND PLACE IN METROPOLITAN
After Macklin Celebrini (1-0—1) scored to pull the Sharks even, fellow No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer (0-1—1) set up Bo Horvat (1-0—1) in the extra frame to lift the Islanders (36-23-5, 77 points) to victory and into second place in the Metropolitan Division standings. New York became the second team in NHL history to win each of its first nine or more games decided in overtime to start a season, joining Vegas (9-0 in 2020-21).
* Schaefer boosted his career totals to 20-26—46 (64 GP) and surpassed Scott Stevens (13-32—45 in 1983-84) for the seventh-most points in a season by a teenage defenseman – a list topped by Phil Housley (27-39—66 in 1983-84 & 19-47—66 in 1982-83). Four of Schaefer’s 46 career points have come in overtime, which is tied with Sidney Crosby, Connor Bedard, Ilya Kovalchuk, Connor McDavid and Lucas Raymond for the third most by a teenager behind onlyCelebrini (9) and Andrei Svechnikov (5).
MORE FROM SATURDAY’S SLATE IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
Saturday’s #NHLStats: Live Updates was packed with notes from the 22 teams in action with plenty of impressive feats across the 11-game slate. Some highlights include:
* Josh Morrissey lifted Winnipeg to victory with his fifth career overtime goal and tied Marc Savard as well as Blake Wheeler for the seventh most in Jets/Thrashers history. The winner also marked Morrissey’s 417th career point, which put him past Dustin Byfuglien (416) for the most by a defenseman in franchise history.
* Karel Vejmelka became the first goaltender with 30 wins this season as he backstopped Utah (34-25-4, 72 points) to an overtime victory and helped his club create a five-point cushion over Seattle for the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. The only other Czech-born netminder to be the League’s first 30-win goaltender in a season: Dominik Hasek (2001-02 & 1996-97).
* Carolina’s Alexander Nikishin (98.49 mph) and Seattle’s Brandon Montour (97.80 mph) scored the second- and third-hardest shots resulting in a goal this season. Only Tampa Bay’s Taylor Raddysh (100.13 mph on Nov. 28) clocked a faster goal in 2025-26.
* Macklin Celebrini scored to boost his 2025-26 totals to 32-57—89 (61 GP) and tied Steve Yzerman (30-59—89 in 1984-85) for the ninth-most points in a season by a teenager in NHL history. His 32 goals are the most by a Sharks player in a campaign since Timo Meier (35) in 2021-22
International Women’s Day and the final day of Hockey Week Across America will include doubleheaders on both TNT and ESPN, starting with one on TNT that will pit the Avalanche (42-10-9, 93 points) against the Wild (37-16-10, 84 points) before the Penguins (31-17-14, 76 points) welcome the Bruins (35-22-5, 75 points). ESPN’s doubleheader later in the evening will feature the Devils (32-29-2, 66 points) welcoming the Red Wings (35-21-7, 77 points) ahead of the Oilers (30-25-8, 68 points) visiting the Golden Knights (29-20-14, 72 points).
* On TNT, Wild blueliner Quinn Hughes and Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar will go head-to-head for the 16th time in their careers and for the final time during the 2025-26 regular season – the duo could meet during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with Minnesota currently occupying third in the Central Division while the Avalanche sit atop. Hughes (65-406—471 in 490 GP) enters the final day of Hockey Week Across America with the fourth-most points among active U.S.-born defensemen (min. 1 GP in 2025-26) – the three players above him have all skated in over 1,000 games. Hughes also enters Sunday one point back of tying Cam Fowler (407) for the second-most assists by an active American blueliner.
* ESPN’s doubleheader will conclude with a Pacific Division showdown that will pit Jack Eichel’s Golden Knights, second in the division, against Connor McDavid’s Oilers, who sit third. The contest will mark the 18th regular-season head-to-head meeting between the top two selections in the 2015 NHL Draft. Eichel (21-49—70 in 55 GP) can record his third season with 20 goals and 50 assists. Since making his NHL debut in 2015-16, the only American player with more campaigns reaching those totals is Patrick Kane (5x).
The Albert and Henry Dominguez Memorial Stakes is a stakes race restricted to New Mexico-bred horses aged 4 years and older, run at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt with a purse of $80,000. This event honors the legacy of Albert and Henry Dominguez and often features top local talent, serving as a highlight for NM-bred routers. The field was originally set at 7 but reduced to 6 after the scratch of Corrina Corrina. Expect a competitive pace with speed horses like Mojica likely to dictate terms on a track that has favored front-runners this meet.
Venue Location: Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, 1200 Futurity Drive, Sunland Park, New Mexico 88063, USA. Located near the Texas and Mexico borders, this track is known for its expansive dirt oval and vibrant casino atmosphere.
Starting Date: March 8, 2026
Scheduled Post Time: 3:58 PM MDT
Expected Weather Conditions: Clear skies with mostly sunny conditions. High temperature around 68°F (20°C), low around 44°F (7°C) overnight. Winds from the east at 5-10 mph, with low humidity (around 20-30%) and no precipitation. These mild, dry conditions should yield a fast dirt surface.
Track Conditions: Dirt rated as fast. No significant bias noted this meet, but the dry weather and firm going may advantage speed horses saving ground on the inside. Rail at 0 feet; average winning time for 1 1/16-mile races around 1:42-1:44.
All horses carry 124 lbs. Morning line odds suggest Mojica as the clear favorite in a compact field.
3rd (Alw, SUN, 1m Dirt, 2/15/26); 1st (Albert and Henry Dominguez Memorial S., SUN, 1 1/16m Dirt, 3/9/25); 2nd (Alw, SUN, 1m Dirt, 2/10/25)
*Notes: All horses are New Mexico-bred; equipment includes Lasix (L) for Short Round Bound and I Think I’m Here. Recent finishes focus on dirt routes where applicable, with fast track conditions in priors. Corrina Corrina scratched (veterinarian).
Detailed Analysis
Post 1: Holy Hank (NM) – ML 6/1 This 4-year-old gelding by Holy Lute has been a model of consistency, hitting the board in all 16 career starts. He captured the Corralito Steak House Stakes at Sunland in January 2026 with a strong closing effort (speed figure: 95), following a solid second in a December allowance. His juvenile win in the NM Classic Juvenile Stakes shows early class. The rail post allows for a ground-saving trip, and the dry conditions suit his stalking style.
Jockey: L A Valenzuela – Experienced rider with a 20% win rate at Sunland this meet, excelling on closers (25% in routes). Valenzuela knows Buechler’s barn well, winning 22% together.
Trainer: S J Buechler – Strong with NM-breds (18% win rate), often peaking horses in stakes. Holy Hank’s recent works (5F in :59.2 on 3/4/26) indicate sharpness. Strengths: Consistency, loves Sunland (4-for-6). Weaknesses: May need pace help to close. Outlook: Live for exotics; could upset if leaders duel.
Post 2: Short Round Bound (NM) – ML 15/1 Sired by an unnamed stallion, this 4-year-old gelding is stepping up in class after mixed results in lower levels. He faded to fourth in a February allowance at Sunland, but showed promise with a third in his prior maiden breaker. His November effort at Zia was off the board in a tough spot. Expect him to press early, but the stretch-out tests stamina.
Jockey: L Negron – Solid 17% win rate on dirt routes; good at rating longshots for Lambert (20% combo).
Trainer: C T Lambert – Volume trainer with 15% success in NM-bred stakes. Short Round Bound’s drills (4F in :48.0 on 3/2/26) are steady but unflashy. Strengths: Early speed in a field without burners. Weaknesses: Class hike, outer pace pressure. Outlook: Longshot; best for underneath in supers.
Post 3: Marking Canyon (NM) – ML 8/1 A 5-year-old gelding by Marking, he rallied for second in a February allowance at this distance (speed figure: 92), building on a claiming win in December. His November fourth at Zia was against tougher; he’s versatile and handles fast dirt well. Middle post suits a mid-pack run.
Jockey: A Arboleda – Reliable with 16% wins at Sunland; strong on Fincher trainees (24%).
Trainer: L A Fincher – Top NM conditioner (21% win rate), excels with routers. Marking Canyon’s work (6F in 1:12.4 on 2/28/26) suggests improvement. Strengths: Distance affinity, closing kick. Weaknesses: Inconsistent vs. stakes foes. Outlook: Value exotic play.
Post 4: Antonios Mark (NM) – ML 10/1 This 6-year-old gelding by Marking kicked off 2026 with a win in the Casey Darnell Stakes at Sunland (speed figure: 94), wiring the field. He placed third in a December sprint and second in an October claimer at Zia. Proven at the track, but two turns may stretch him.
Jockey: A J Juarez, Jr. – Veteran with 19% wins on speed horses; pairs well with Gonzalez (23%).
Trainer: J R Gonzalez, Jr. – Solid 17% in stakes; targets NM-breds. Antonios Mark’s bullet (5F in :58.8 on 3/3/26) signals readiness. Strengths: Gate speed, track record (5-for-12 at Sunland). Weaknesses: Fades late in routes. Outlook: Pace factor; could steal if uncontested.
Post 5: Mojica (NM) – ML 8/5 Homebred by Marking, this 4-year-old gelding is on a roll, winning three straight including the Jamison Memorial gate-to-wire in February (speed figure: 102) and the Red Hedeman Mile in January. His November NM Classic Derby score at Zia stamped him as top class. Firm dirt and warm weather play to his speed.
Jockey: J M Vazquez – Hot rider with 25% wins this meet; perfect on frontrunners (30% with Quiroz).
Trainer: F Quiroz – Emerging star (22% win rate); develops speedsters well. Mojica’s works (5F in :58.4 on 3/1/26) are elite. Strengths: Unbeaten streak, high figures. Weaknesses: Short price in competitive field. Outlook: The one to beat; likely wires them.
Post 6: I Think I’m Here (NM) – ML 5/1 A 7-year-old gelding by Marking, he’s the defending champion, winning this race in 2025 with a stalking trip (speed figure: 98). Recent third in a February allowance was flat, but prior second shows form. Distance suits, and he’s 2-for-4 at Sunland over 1 1/16m.
Jockey: A Sigala – Capable with 18% wins; excels in stakes for Silva (26%).
Trainer: L N Silva – Proven with veterans (20% routes); won this last year. I Think I’m Here’s drill (4F in :47.2 on 3/5/26) indicates bounce-back. Strengths: Stakes experience, tactical versatility. Weaknesses: Age, recent dullness. Outlook: Strong contender; value if overlooked.
The Grade III Santa Ysabel Stakes is a key Kentucky Oaks prep race for 3-year-old fillies, run at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt with a purse of $100,000. Points are awarded on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale toward the Kentucky Oaks, making this a crucial stepping stone for Triple Crown hopefuls. The field features a mix of proven stakes performers, including a Breeders’ Cup winner, and emerging talents from top barns. With two Bob Baffert trainees and a standout from John Sadler, expect a competitive pace scenario on a fast dirt track.
Venue Location: Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California 91007, USA. This iconic venue, set against the San Gabriel Mountains, is renowned for its expansive dirt oval and favorable conditions for speed horses in dry weather.
Scheduled Post Time: 4:39 PM PDT
Expected Weather Conditions: Mostly clear with hot, sunny skies. High temperature of 87°F (31°C), low around 55°F (13°C) overnight. Winds from the west at 7-12 mph, with very low humidity (11%) and no precipitation. These arid, warm conditions will likely result in a fast dirt surface, benefiting front-runners and horses with tactical speed.
Track Conditions: Dirt rated as fast. The main track has been playing true this meet, with no significant bias, though the dry weather could favor inside paths early. Rail at 0 feet; average winning time for 1 1/16-mile races around 1:43-1:45.
The field of 7 fillies includes weights of 120-124 lbs, with penalties for prior stakes winners. Morning line odds indicate a heavy favorite in the Breeders’ Cup champ.
Entries Table
Post Position
Horse Name
Age/Sex
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Breeder
Morning Line Odds
Recent Finishes (Last 3 Starts)
1
Cee Drew (CA)
3/F
Armando Ayuso
Dan Blacker
My Way Racing LLC
My Way Racing LLC
5/1
1st (Cal Cup Oaks-RS, SA, 1m Turf, 1/17/26); 8th (Jimmy Durante-G3, DMR, 1m Turf, 11/29/25); 1st (MSW, SA, 6F Turf, 10/5/25)
2
Bank Shot (KY)
3/F
Assael Escobedo
Ryan Hanson
WSS Racing
Buck Pond Farm & John Wilmot
12/1
3rd (Las Virgenes-LS, SA, 1m Dirt, 2/8/26); 1st (MSW, SA, 1m Dirt, 1/2/26); 2nd (MSW, DMR, 1m Dirt, 11/14/25)
3
French Blue (KY)
3/F
Florent Geroux
Bob Baffert
Three Chimneys Farm
Unknown
9/2
2nd (Alw, SA, 1m Dirt, 1/25/26); 1st (MSW, SA, 6.5F Dirt, 12/28/25); 3rd (MSW, DMR, 6F Dirt, 11/15/25)
4
Piney Woods (KY)
3/F
Ricardo Gonzalez
Michael McCarthy
Mike Rutherford
Unknown
15/1
4th (Alw, SA, 1m Dirt, 2/15/26); 2nd (MSW, SA, 6.5F Dirt, 1/10/26); 5th (MSW, DMR, 6F Dirt, 11/20/25)
5
Forced Entry (KY)
3/F
Juan Hernandez
Bob Baffert
Pegram, Watson & Weitman
Stoneriggs Farm
4/1
1st (MSW, SA, 1m Dirt, 2/1/26); 10th (MSW, SA, 6F Turf, 1/11/26)
6
Super Corredora (KY)
3/F
Hector Berrios
John W. Sadler
Spartan Equine Racing LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds et al.
Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC
1/1
4th (Las Virgenes-LS, SA, 1m Dirt, 2/8/26); 1st (Breeders’ Cup Juv Fillies-G1, DMR, 1 1/16m Dirt, 10/31/25); 1st (MSW, SA, 1m Dirt, 10/11/25)
7
My Love Caroline (CA)
3/F
Mario Demuro
Jorge Periban
Tricar Stables Inc.
Terry C. Lovingier
10/1
1st (AOC, SA, 6F Dirt, 1/23/26); 4th (CTBA-RS, DMR, 5F Dirt, 8/3/25); 1st (MSW, SA, 5F Dirt, 6/14/25)
*Notes: All horses equipped with standard gear (Lasix noted where applicable); no major changes. Recent finishes focus on dirt where possible, with speed figures omitted if unavailable. Track conditions in priors were fast dirt or firm turf, aligning with today’s expectations.
Detailed Analysis
Post 1: Cee Drew (CA) – ML 5/1 This California-bred filly by Cistron has excelled on turf but faces a surface switch to dirt in this stakes debut. She dominated the California Cup Oaks at Santa Anita in January 2026, closing strongly for a clear win (speed figure: 94), but faltered in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante at Del Mar prior. Her maiden breaker was a sharp turf sprint. The inside post aids ground-saving, but she’ll need to adapt to dirt stretch-out.
Jockey: Armando Ayuso – A reliable rider with a 18% win rate at Santa Anita, strong on closers. Ayuso knows Blacker’s barn well, hitting 25% together.
Trainer: Dan Blacker – Focuses on Cal-breds with a 20% win rate in routes. Blacker’s fillies often improve second off turf success; Cee Drew’s recent works (5F in :59.2 on 3/2/26) show sharpness. Strengths: Proven stamina, rail draw. Weaknesses: Untested on dirt in stakes. Outlook: Exotic player if pace collapses.
Post 2: Bank Shot (KY) – ML 12/1 Sired by Game Winner, this filly has steadily improved on dirt, placing third in the Las Virgenes at Santa Anita last month (speed figure: 95) behind stronger. Her maiden win in January was dominant (103), and she showed promise in prior seconds. Suited to the distance, she could stalk early from this post.
Jockey: Assael Escobedo – Up-and-coming with 15% wins on dirt routes; excels in underdog spots for Hanson (22% combo).
Trainer: Ryan Hanson – Emerging trainer with 17% win rate for owners WSS; targets fillies well. Bank Shot’s bullet work (4F in :47.0 on 3/4/26) indicates peak form. Strengths: Consistent dirt form, value odds. Weaknesses: Lacks top-class speed. Outlook: Longshot for minors.
Post 3: French Blue (KY) – ML 9/2 With limited public form, this Baffert trainee has shown flashes in allowance and maiden company, winning her debut impressively before a solid second in January. Bred for dirt stamina, she could press the pace in her stakes bow. The hot weather suits her forward style.
Jockey: Florent Geroux – Elite rider with 24% wins at Santa Anita; masterful on Baffert speed (30% together).
Trainer: Bob Baffert – Hall of Famer with 28% stakes win rate for 3YOs; multiple Santa Ysabel winner. French Blue’s works (6F in 1:11.4 on 2/28/26) scream readiness. Strengths: Barn power, tactical speed. Weaknesses: Unproven at distance. Outlook: Contender if loose early.
Post 4: Piney Woods (KY) – ML 15/1 This lightly raced filly has yet to break through but showed improvement with a closing fourth in a February allowance at Santa Anita. Her maiden efforts were respectable, hinting at route potential. Outer post may force a wide trip.
Jockey: Ricardo Gonzalez – Veteran with 16% wins on dirt; good at rating McCarthy horses (20% pair).
Trainer: Michael McCarthy – Solid 19% with young fillies; patient developer. Piney Woods’ steady drills (5F in 1:00.0 on 3/1/26) suggest upside. Strengths: Potential improver. Weaknesses: Class test, slow starts. Outlook: Underneath filler at big price.
Post 5: Forced Entry (KY) – ML 4/1 By Charlatan, she exploded in her dirt debut win at Santa Anita in February (speed figure: 118), drawing off by daylight after a turf flop. Bred for classic distances, she’s a live threat stretching out for Baffert.
Jockey: Juan Hernandez – Meet leader with 29% wins; perfect on speed types (35% with Baffert).
Trainer: Bob Baffert – See above; excels with fast-developing fillies. Forced Entry’s bullet (4F in :46.8 on 3/3/26) is best of tab. Strengths: Raw talent, high figure. Weaknesses: Inexperience at two turns. Outlook: Major player; could wire if unchallenged.
Post 6: Super Corredora (KY) – ML 1/1 Gun Runner filly is the class: Won the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar (103) at this distance, then a forgiveable fourth in the Las Virgenes after traffic. Her October maiden romp (105) was eye-catching. Firm favorite in hot conditions.
Jockey: Hector Berrios – Strong 21% on routes; pairs well with Sadler (25%).
Trainer: John W. Sadler – 23% with stakes fillies; BC winner specialist. Super Corredora’s works (5F in :58.4 on 3/5/26) confirm edge. Strengths: Proven graded winner, distance affinity. Weaknesses: Short price, post may widen trip. Outlook: The one to beat.
Post 7: My Love Caroline (CA) – ML 10/1 Stay Thirsty filly is sprint-bred but won a January allowance at Santa Anita (90). Her stakes try last summer was flat; recent form shows speed but may tire late.
Jockey: Mario Demuro – Experienced with 17% wins; handles Cal-breds for Periban (19%).
Trainer: Jorge Periban – 16% overall; sneaky in spots. Works solid (4F in :48.2 on 3/2/26). Strengths: Early foot. Weaknesses: Distance question. Outlook: Pace factor, exotic possible.
The China Doll Stakes is a Listed stakes race for 3-year-old fillies, contested at 1 mile on the turf with a purse of $100,000. This event serves as a key prep for emerging turf fillies, often highlighting talent bound for longer graded stakes later in the season. The race attracts a compact but competitive field of promising young runners, many with recent strong performances on grass.
Venue Location: Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California 91007, USA. Nestled at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, this historic track is known for its picturesque setting and fast turf course.
Starting Date: March 8, 2026
Scheduled Post Time: 1:33 PM PDT
Expected Weather Conditions: Clear skies with sunny conditions throughout the afternoon. High temperature around 87°F (30°C), low around 53°F (12°C) overnight. Light winds from the west at 5-10 mph, with low humidity (around 10-15%) and no chance of precipitation. These dry, warm conditions should favor a firm turf surface, promoting speed and tactical positioning.
Track Conditions: Turf rated as firm. Rail set at 10 feet, which may slightly advantage inside draws by preserving the inner path but could lead to traffic issues in a small field. The Santa Anita turf has been playing fair this meet, with average winning times for 1-mile races around 1:35-1:37 depending on pace.
The field consists of 5 fillies, each carrying 120 lbs (non-winners of a major stakes allowed minor allowances, but none apply here). Morning line odds reflect a wide-open affair, with no clear standout.
Entries Table
Post Position
Horse Name
Age/Sex
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Breeder
Morning Line Odds
Recent Finishes (Last 3 Starts)
1
Yours Sincerely (IRE)
3/F
Florent Geroux
Philip D’Amato
Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Madaket Stables LLC, McLean Racing
1st (Alw, SA, 1m Turf, 2/15/26); 1st (MSW, SA, 6F Turf, 1/10/26); 3rd (MSW, DMR, 1m Turf, 11/1/25)
4
Peanutbutterbombe (KY)
3/F
Antonio Fresu
Philip D’Amato
LNJ Foxwoods
Little Red Feather Racing & William Strauss
3/1
3rd (G1 Del Mar Oaks, DMR, 1 1/8m Turf, 8/15/25); 1st (Alw, SA, 1m Turf, 6/20/25); 1st (MSW, SA, 6.5F Turf, 5/5/25)
5
Zimmermann (KY)
3/F
Hector Berrios
Doug O’Neill
Reddam Racing LLC
Unknown
12/1
2nd (Alw, SA, 1m Turf, 2/20/26); 4th (MSW, SA, 6F Dirt, 1/15/26); 6th (MSW, DMR, 5.5F Turf, 11/20/25)
*Notes: All horses are equipped with standard gear; no equipment changes noted. Recent finishes are based on available form, focusing on turf performances where applicable. Track conditions in prior races were generally firm, similar to expected today.
Detailed Analysis
Post 1: Yours Sincerely (IRE) – ML 8/5 This Irish-bred filly by Cable Bay has shown rapid improvement since arriving in the U.S. She broke her maiden impressively at Santa Anita in January 2026 over this distance on turf, drawing off by 3 lengths with a strong closing kick (speed figure: 95). Her prior second at Del Mar demonstrated grit in a paceless race, and her debut on dirt was forgivable as she’s clearly turf-oriented. She’s versatile in running style—can stalk or close—and the inside post should allow her to save ground early.
Jockey: Florent Geroux – A top turf rider with a 25% win rate at Santa Anita this meet. Geroux excels in stakes races, known for patient rides that maximize late speed. He’s 3-for-5 with D’Amato in similar spots.
Trainer: Philip D’Amato – One of California’s premier turf specialists, boasting a 22% win rate with 3YOs on grass. D’Amato’s horses often peak second off the layoff, and Yours Sincerely’s workouts (bullet 5F in :58.2 on 3/1/26) suggest she’s sharp. He’s won this race twice in the last five years. Strengths: Tactical speed, proven at the track/distance. Weaknesses: Short odds may not offer value if the pace melts down. Outlook: Top contender; likely to be prominent throughout.
Post 2: Counterbalance (KY) – ML 7/2 Sired by Caravaggio out of a Kitten’s Joy mare, this filly has strong turf pedigree and broke through with a maiden win at Santa Anita in late January 2026, rallying wide for a 2-length score (speed figure: 92). Her near-miss second at Del Mar in November showed she handles shorter sprints, but she faded late in a 1-mile try earlier, suggesting she needs a patient ride. Recent form indicates she’s maturing, and the firm turf suits her closing style.
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura – Rising star with a 20% win rate on turf routes. Kimura is aggressive from mid-pack and has a good rapport with McCarthy trainees, winning 28% together.
Trainer: Michael McCarthy – Solid with young fillies (18% win rate), often improving them second time on turf. Counterbalance’s recent drills (6F in 1:12 flat on 2/28/26) point to fitness. McCarthy targets stakes like this for Eclipse ownership. Strengths: Late kick, loves Santa Anita turf. Weaknesses: May need pace help; post 2 could box her in early. Outlook: Live at the price; could upset if the leaders tire.
Post 3: Himika (KY) – ML 5/2 A daughter of Curlin, Himika has been flawless in her last two starts, wiring allowance fields at Santa Anita in February and January 2026 with front-running tactics (speed figures: 98 and 96). Her third in a tough Del Mar maiden last fall was against stronger, and she’s since added Lasix, boosting her speed. Expect her to gun for the lead from this middle post, setting a controlled pace.
Jockey: Juan Hernandez – Meet-leading rider with a 28% win rate overall and 32% on turf. “JJ” is masterful on speed horses, timing fractions perfectly. He’s 4-for-6 with Baffert in stakes this year.
Trainer: Bob Baffert – Hall of Famer with endless success in California stakes (25% win rate with 3YO fillies). Baffert’s horses are always ready, and Himika’s sharp 4F bullet (:47.1 on 3/4/26) screams readiness. He’s won the China Doll three times. Strengths: Speed bias on firm turf; unbeaten streak. Weaknesses: Unproven in stakes; could fold if pressured early. Outlook: Pace setter and likely favorite; hard to pass if loose on the lead.
Post 4: Peanutbutterbombe (KY) – ML 3/1 This Collected filly has class, finishing a close third in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks last August (speed figure: 102), beaten only by top older rivals. She dominated an allowance at Santa Anita in June 2025 and her maiden prior, showing both speed and stamina. After a layoff, she’s back with targeted works, signaling a big effort.
Jockey: Antonio Fresu – Italian import with a 22% win rate on turf; excels in route races. Fresu pairs well with D’Amato (30% together), often rating horses perfectly.
Trainer: Philip D’Amato – See above; he’s saddling two here, but Peanutbutterbombe is his A-game runner. Her 5F work in :59.4 (3/2/26) was best of 50 that day. D’Amato loves stretching out layoff horses in stakes. Strengths: Graded experience, versatile. Weaknesses: Long layoff; outer post may force wide trip. Outlook: Class of the field; value play if overlooked.
Post 5: Zimmermann (KY) – ML 12/1 A longer shot by Poet’s Voice, Zimmermann ran a solid second in a Santa Anita allowance last month, closing well despite traffic (speed figure: 88). Her prior efforts were mixed, including a flat fourth on dirt, but she’s shown turf affinity. This is a class test, but she could hit the board at big odds.
Jockey: Hector Berrios – Veteran with 15% win rate; strong on closers. Berrios and O’Neill click at 20% in routes.
Trainer: Doug O’Neill – Volume trainer (18% win rate); good with Reddam-owned horses. Zimmermann’s steady works (5F in 1:00.2 on 3/3/26) suggest upside. Strengths: Upset potential in exotics. Weaknesses: Lacks class; outer draw hurts. Outlook: Longshot for underneath in tris/supers.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Omaha Supernovas, the world’s leading professional volleyball franchise, received the fourth double-double of the season from outside hitter Sarah Parsons, but her showing wasn’t enough as Omaha (7-9) dropped a four-set contest, 25-17, 27-29, 25-22, 25-14, to the Grand Rapids Rise (5-9) on Saturday night at Van Andel Arena in front of 3,708.
Parsons tallied a match-high 15 kills and played a key role defensively for Omaha with a season-high 19 digs. Fellow outside hitter Reagan Cooper added 14 points on 12 kills and two blocks that came up clutch in the Supernovas’ thrilling second-set win. Opposite Emily Londot recorded nine kills on the night with seven digs and the team’s lone ace. Brooke Nuneviller added a pair of kills in limited action, while Merritt Beason posted one kill, one dig and one assist as part of the double sub.
Middle blocker Kiara Reinhardt terminated on six of her 21 swings while adding three digs, one block and one assist. Toyosi Onabanjo matched her teammate with six kills of her own while digging two balls.
Setter Brooke Mosher made her first career professional start, finishing the night with 34 assists and four digs while adding three kills. Sydney Hilley handed out 12 assists and notched seven digs as part of the double sub with Beason. Elena Oglivie played like the best libero on Saturday, earning a team-high 21 digs while passing over 60% positive rate.
The Supernovas hit .158 in the match with three blocks, one ace, 52 assists, 56 kills and 77 digs.
Grand Rapids was led by a quartet of double-figure point scorers, including a team-high 17 from the outside hitter duo of Carli Snyder and former Supernova Paige Briggs-Romine. Snyder hit .310 with 13 kills, 14 digs, two blocks and two aces. Briggs-Romine eclipsed her teammate with 14 kills and three blocks while collecting 11 digs. Opposite Elizabet Inneh compiled 14 kills (.355) and 16 digs. The Rise delivered a .301 team hitting percentage along with three aces, 15 blocks, 57 kills, 54 assists and 79 digs.
The Supernovas wrap up their three-game road stretch by visiting the last-place Columbus Fury (3-11) on Tuesday night. First serve is set for 6 p.m. CDT on the Roku Sports Channel and the Supernovas Radio Network.
Key Notes
Elena Oglivie’s 21-dig performance marked a new season high for the Stanford graduate.
Brooke Mosher made her first career start on Saturday, marking the first time in franchise history a rookie setter started for Omaha.
Reagan Cooper’s 12 kills marked her ninth double-digit kill performance of the season.
Saturday marked the first time since May 12, 2024, that the Rise defeated the Supernovas, ending Omaha’s six-match win streak.
Omaha’s three blocks tied the franchise low for a match, which was set earlier this season in the Supernovas’ 3-1 win at Dallas on Feb. 5.
Set 1: The Grand Rapids block got going early against the Omaha attack, rejecting a pair of swings as part of a 5-2 run to open the set, forcing a Supernovas timeout. Leah Meyer extended the lead to four with another block, but Londot secured a key sideout with a line-shot kill. Innet and Meyer added back-to-back kills, pushing the Grand Rapids lead to 8-3 at the first media timeout. Meyer tallied another block for the Rise, but Omaha responded with consecutive points from Onabanjo and Londot. Meyer and Nuneviller traded kills before Grand Rapids mounted a 4-0 run behind kills from Jensen and Briggs-Romine, as well as two Supernovas hitting errors. Beason ended the run with a kill on a double sub. Innet’s next attack sailed wide, but the Rise responded with a Carli Snyder block and a Beason hitting error to build a 16-8 lead at the second media timeout. Omaha came out of the stoppage firing with kills from Hilley and Parsons, but a Mosher service error and another Meyer block resulted in another Supernovas timeout with the Rise leading 18-10. After Briggs-Romine put down another kill, Reinhardt answered with a kill from the middle before Londot followed with a kill to make it 19-13. Meyer added two more points with a kill and a block, as Londot and Onabanjo also registered points in between. Parsons landed a kill in the final stretch of the set, but a few Supernovas errors and a Briggs-Romine kill secured a 25-17 opening-set win for the Rise.
The Omaha offense couldn’t find a groove, hitting .022 as Londot led with five kills. Grand Rapids hit .229 with a staggering seven blocks. Leah Meyer logged seven points in the set with four kills (.667) and three blocks.
Set 2: Innet got the action going with a kill, but a Rise service error followed. Reinhardt recorded the first Omaha block of the night, but Briggs-Romine answered with her own to tie the set. Omaha capitalized off a pair of Rise errors, but Briggs-Romine and Meyer kept the pace with a pair of points. The Supernovas sparked a run off back-to-back Grand Rapids miscues and a Londot kill for a 3-0 run and a 7-4 lead. A Nuneviller service error snapped the run, but a Mosher left-handed kill put Omaha ahead 8-5 at the first media timeout. A Parsons tip found the floor to make it 9-5, but the Rise responded with a 6-1 run, including three Innet points, to force a Supernovas timeout trailing 11-10. Reinhardt sided out with a kill before Cooper made her presence known with a kill on her first swing of the match. Cooper added another, but a pair of Snyder points put Grand Rapids ahead 16-15 at the second media timeout. Snyder came out of the break with the first ace of the night, but Reinhardt replied with three of the next Omaha kills to keep the set tied at 18. After another exchange of points, the Rise took advantage of back-to-back Supernovas errors to build a 21-19 lead and force Omaha’s second timeout of the set. A Cooper attack into the net extended the run to three, but Onabanjo used a good pass for a middle kill. Another Camryn Turner net violation led to a Cooper block, tying the set at 22 and forcing a Rise timeout. Cooper tallied her second straight block to give Omaha the lead, but Snyder sided out. Onabanjo gave the Supernovas set point at 24-23, but an Innet roll shot forced extra points. A Snyder block gave the Rise set point, but Parsons put down a kill to tie the set at 25. Omaha would be on the ropes two more times, but it was Parsons who played the role of hero, tallying two key kills to keep the Supernovas in it. A net violation by Grand Rapids set up a Nuneviller high-hands kill to deliver the Supernovas a thrilling 29-27 set-two win.
The Supernovas hit .226 in the set with three blocks as Reinhardt and Parsons each tied the team high with four kills apiece. Grand Rapids recorded a .176 team clip with two blocks and one ace. Innet caught fire with seven of the Rise’s 15 kills in the set.
Set 3: Snyder opened the action out of the intermission with her second ace of the night, but Reinhardt and Londot quickly responded with a pair of kills. The Rise took a short-lived lead off an Innet point, but Cooper and Londot kept the set tied. Onabanjo ripped a kill off the slide before Parsons’ shot found the back line for a 6-5 Supernovas edge. Snyder replied with consecutive points before Mosher’s kill snuck in between the block. Innet’s kill gave the Rise an 8-7 lead going into the media timeout, but Parsons quickly sided out with a kill. Innet posted another kill on a tip before Briggs-Romine rejected a Londot swing. A back-row attack violation pushed the Rise run to 3-0 and forced a Supernovas timeout at 11-8 Grand Rapids. The run was extended with another Omaha hitting error, but a Rise serving mistake ended the momentum. A string of miscues followed from each team before Briggs-Romine powered her attack through the block for a 14-10 Rise lead. Cooper tallied back-to-back cut shots for kills, but Snyder answered with her own to give Grand Rapids a 16-12 advantage at the second media timeout. Parsons tallied two more kills, but the Rise continued to side out and back-to-back Briggs-Romine kills forced a Supernovas timeout at 21-16. After a Grand Rapids hitting error, Londot found the sideline for an ace. Cooper and Mosher each recorded a kill to keep the deficit at three, but Snyder gave the Rise set point at 24-20. Parsons continued to excel in the red zone, putting down consecutive kills, but a Mosher serve sailed long to hand the Rise a 25-22 set win and a 2-1 match lead.
The Supernovas were still able to hit .333 as a team with Londot’s lone ace. Parsons registered a team-high six kills on a .500 clip. However, the Rise exploded for a .484 efficiency with two blocks and an ace. Snyder equaled Parsons with six kills.
Set 4: Briggs-Romine and Meyer tallied two points apiece to lead a Grand Rapids surge to begin the set, climbing to a 4-1 lead over Omaha. Cooper sided out and a Rise error cut the deficit to one, but Innet’s attack flew off Parsons for a kill and two more blocks put Grand Rapids ahead 8-5 at the first media timeout. The Rise run didn’t stop coming out of the timeout, mounting a 5-1 run to force a Supernovas timeout at 12-6. Briggs-Romine won a joust, but Parsons responded by siding out. The Rise continued to pour on the offense with a Jensen middle attack and two more kills from Innet. Parsons tooled the block, but Grand Rapids grew its lead to eight with a comfortable 16-8 advantage at the second media timeout. Briggs-Romine copied Parsons by tooling the block before an Innet serve caught Cooper’s foot for an ace and an 18-8 lead. Meyer and Snyder built the lead to 12 with two more points, but Cooper came alive for Omaha with four of the Supernovas’ last six points. Snyder officially closed things out with a kill to give the Rise a 25-14 set victory and a 3-1 match win.
Omaha hit a lowly .071 in the set with Cooper tallying six of the team’s 10 kills. Grand Rapids teed off for a .389 clip with four blocks and an ace. Briggs-Romine led the charge with five kills.
NEW YORK – Dallas Mavericks forward Khris Middleton has been fined $25,000 for throwing his mouthpiece in the direction of the spectator stands, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
The incident, for which Middleton was assessed a technical foul, occurred with 6:55 remaining in the third quarter of the Mavericks’ 115-114 loss to the Orlando Magic on March 5 at Kia Center.
The Los Angeles Clippers (30-32) head to Memphis to face the struggling Grizzlies (23-38) in a Western Conference matchup. The Clippers are fighting for a play-in spot, sitting ninth in the West, while the Grizzlies are mired in 11th place and dealing with a depleted roster. This game could be a bounce-back opportunity for LA after a mixed recent stretch, but Memphis has surprisingly dominated the season series so far despite their overall woes.
Venue: FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Tip-Off Time: 5:00 PM PST (8:00 PM ET)
Broadcast: League Pass, FanDuel Sports Network (FDSSC for Clippers, FDSSE for Grizzlies), Radio: ESPN 92.9FM/680AM (Grizzlies), AM 570 KLAC/KWKW (Clippers)
Recent Team Forms
Both teams have been inconsistent, but the Clippers have shown signs of life with a three-game win streak snapped recently. The Grizzlies are in a tailspin, losing six of their last seven. Here’s a breakdown of their last 10 games:
Team
Last 10 Record
Streak
Avg. Points Scored
Avg. Points Allowed
Key Wins/Losses
Clippers
5-5
L1
112.7
108.9
Wins: vs. Pacers (130-107), @ Warriors (114-101), vs. Pelicans (137-117) Losses: @ Spurs (112-116), vs. Magic (109-111)
Grizzlies
3-7
L2
117.1
119.2
Wins: @ Pacers (125-106), vs. Trail Blazers (earlier win, but recent L 114-122) Losses: vs. Trail Blazers (114-122), @ Timberwolves (110-117), multiple blowouts
The Clippers rank 26th in offense (112.1 PPG) but 7th in FG% (47.9%), relying on efficient shooting. The Grizzlies are middling offensively (115.6 PPG) but struggle defensively (22nd, allowing 117.8 PPG).
Injury Report
Injuries heavily favor the Clippers, as Memphis is ravaged by absences, missing their star point guard and several key bigs. This could turn the game into a mismatch.
Clippers Injuries:
Darius Garland (PG): Out (toe injury management) – Misses a key playmaker.
John Collins (PF): Out (neck strain/arm) – Impacts frontcourt depth.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser (C): Out for season (Lisfranc foot injury) – Long-term loss.
Sean Pedulla (PG): Out (hamstring) – Backup guard unavailable.
Grizzlies Injuries:
Ja Morant (PG): Out (left elbow discomfort) – Reevaluated in two weeks; massive blow to offense.
Zach Edey (C): Out for season (left ankle stress reaction/bone issue) – Rookie big man sidelined.
Santi Aldama (PF): Out (right knee) – Hurts forward rotation.
Taj Gibson (PF): Out (reconditioning) – Veteran not ready.
Brandon Clarke (PF): Out (right calf strain) – Key bench energy missing.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG): Out (right finger surgery) – Defensive wing gone for season.
With so many Grizzlies out, expect heavy minutes for Jaren Jackson Jr. (if available; some reports note ankle concerns but not confirmed out) and GG Jackson.
Key Player Matchups
This game hinges on the Clippers exploiting Memphis’ injury-depleted lineup. LA’s stars should dominate, but watch for these battles:
Kawhi Leonard (Clippers SF) vs. GG Jackson (Grizzlies SF/PF): Leonard (27.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.7 APG) is LA’s two-way force, coming off 29 points vs. Pacers. Jackson (10.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG) is a young spark but undersized against Kawhi’s mid-range mastery and defense. Edge: Clippers – Leonard could feast for 25+ points.
Bennedict Mathurin (Clippers SG) vs. Desmond Bane (Grizzlies SG): Mathurin (recent 23-point game) brings scoring punch off the bench. Bane (assuming healthy; no injury noted) averages 20+ PPG and could exploit LA’s perimeter D (15th in opponent 3P%). Edge: Grizzlies – Bane’s shooting might keep Memphis competitive.
Brook Lopez (Clippers C) vs. Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies PF/C): Lopez (recent 26 points) provides spacing with his 3-point shooting. JJJ (if playing; 24 PPG in recent wins) is a rim protector but Memphis’ thin frontcourt (no Edey/Clarke) leaves him vulnerable. Edge: Clippers – Lopez could pull JJJ out, opening drives.
Guard Battle: Kris Dunn (Clippers PG) vs. Taylor Hendricks/Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies backups): With Morant and Rose out, Memphis relies on lesser-knowns. Dunn (solid defender) could disrupt. Edge: Clippers – LA’s depth overwhelms.
Overall, the Clippers’ healthier roster gives them control, especially in the paint (Clippers 7th in blocks allowed).
Series History
All-Time: Clippers lead 60-54 in 114 regular-season games.
Recent: Grizzlies have won the last three meetings this season (121-103 on Dec. 15, 107-98 on Dec. 5, 112-107 on Nov. 28), covering the spread each time. However, those were before Memphis’ injury pile-up worsened.
At FedExForum: Grizzlies are 6-3 SU in their last 9 home games vs. Clippers, but LA is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games overall.
Playoffs: Grizzlies lead 7-6 all-time, but no recent postseason clashes.
Betting Trends
Spread: LA is 34-28 ATS overall (16-13 away), but 2-4 ATS in last 6 vs. Southwest Division. Grizzlies are 29-31-1 ATS (11-19 at home), 3-7 ATS in last 10.
Over/Under: Under has hit in 4 of Clippers’ last 5 road games and 5 of Grizzlies’ last 7 home games. Total has gone under in 4 of last 5 head-to-head.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Clippers – 7.5
Memphis Grizzlies 227.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, March 6, 2026
The Montréal Canadiens (33-18-10) take on the Los Angeles Kings (25-22-14) in a cross-conference clash. The Canadiens are pushing for a strong playoff position in the Atlantic Division, boasting a potent offense but inconsistent defense. The Kings, meanwhile, are battling for a wild-card spot in the Pacific, relying on home-ice advantage and veteran leadership amid injury challenges. This matchup could hinge on goaltending and special teams execution.
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST (4:00 PM PST local time)
The Canadiens have been solid but slipped in recent road games, while the Kings are showing signs of recovery at home after a rough stretch.
Team
Last 10 Record
Key Recent Results
Montréal Canadiens
5-3-2
L 5-6 SO @ ANA (Mar 6), L 5-7 @ SJS (Mar 3), W 6-2 vs. WSH (Feb 28), W 3-1 vs. ARI (Feb 26), W 5-1 @ WPG (Feb 4). The Canadiens rank top-5 in goals for (3.54 G/G) but 24th in goals against (3.30 G/G); they’ve gone Over in 7 of last 10 road games.
Los Angeles Kings
3-7-0
W 5-3 vs. NYI (Mar 5), L 2-4 vs. COL (Mar 2), W 2-0 vs. CGY (Feb 28), L 1-8 vs. EDM (Feb 26), L 4-6 vs. VGK (Feb 24). The Kings are 3-2-0 in their last 5 at home, with strong PK (76.3%, 27th) but struggling offense (2.56 G/G, 30th); Under has hit in 6 of last 10 overall.
The Canadiens are 3-4-1 in their last 8 road games, while the Kings have won 2 of their last 3 at Crypto.com Arena.
Injury Report
Injuries are hitting the Kings harder, particularly up front, while the Canadiens are missing key scoring depth. Here’s the latest as of March 7, 2026 morning:
Team
Player
Position
Injury
Status
Expected Return
Montréal Canadiens
Patrik Laine
RW
Lower Body
Out/IR
Mid-March 2026 (week-to-week)
Montréal Canadiens
Joe Veleno
C
Undisclosed
Out
Mid-March 2026 (did not play Mar 3)
Los Angeles Kings
Joel Armia
RW
Upper Body
IR/Out
Late March 2026 (3-4 weeks)
Los Angeles Kings
Quinton Byfield
RW
Upper Body
Day-to-Day/Questionable
March 7, 2026 (possible for game)
Los Angeles Kings
Kevin Fiala
LW
Leg
IR/Out
Mid-March 2026
Los Angeles Kings
Andrei Kuzmenko
LW
Knee (Torn Meniscus)
IR/Out (Post-Surgery)
Late March 2026 (week-to-week)
Drew Doughty (lower body) is expected back for the Kings after missing time but played in the Mar 5 win.
The Canadiens will lean on Sam Montembeault (.897 SV%) in goal, while Darcy Kuemper (.913 SV%) starts for LA.
Key Player Matchups
This game pits Montréal’s high-scoring forwards against LA’s veteran core and goaltending. Watch these battles:
Nick Suzuki (MTL) vs. Anze Kopitar (LAK): Suzuki leads the Canadiens with 52 points (22G-30A) and excels on the power play (8 PPG). Kopitar, with 45 points (15G-30A), is a shutdown center averaging 21:45 TOI/G and winning 50.9% of face-offs. This matchup could decide possession in the neutral zone.
Cole Caufield (MTL) vs. Darcy Kuemper (LAK): Caufield has 38 points (24G-14A) and is on a hot streak (6 goals in last 10 games). His quick release tests Kuemper (.913 SV% overall, .920 at home), who has allowed just 2.53 GAA in his career.
Kirby Dach (MTL) vs. Drew Doughty (LAK): Dach contributes 35 points (12G-23A) with speed on the wing. Doughty (14 points, 22:48 TOI/G) returns from injury and will aim to neutralize Dach’s rushes with physical play.
Adrian Kempe (LAK) vs. Canadiens Defense: Kempe tops the Kings with 42 points (18G-24A) and 6 PPG. Montréal’s blue line (allowing 3.30 GA/G) is vulnerable, especially without Laine’s support; Mike Matheson (28 points) must contain Kempe’s speed.
Other players to watch: Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL, 15G) for secondary scoring; Phillip Danault (LAK, strong two-way play) against his former team.
Series History
All-Time: Canadiens lead 97-44-20-1 (162 games total, including playoffs).
This Season: Kings lead 2-0 (W 5-1 @ MTL on Nov 11; W 6-3 vs. MTL on Feb 5).
At Crypto.com Arena: Canadiens are 44-26-9-1 all-time on LA’s home ice, but Kings have won 9 of the last 10 overall meetings (including 5 straight at home).
The Kings have outscored the Canadiens 11-4 this season.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: MTL is 28-32 ATS overall; LA is 15-16 ATS at home.
Over/Under: Over has hit in 32 of MTL’s 61 games (high-scoring offense); Under in 7 of LA’s last 10 (defensive home stands).
Trends: Kings are 9-1 in last 10 vs. MTL; Canadiens are 9-8 as +110 or longer underdogs. Public betting: 62% on Kings ML, 55% on Over.
Game Odds
Montréal Canadiens 5.5
Los Angeles Kings – 125
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, March 6, 2026
