Sports
Through all of the injuries, how do the Bucs and Baker Mayfield continue to churn out wins?
TAMPA, Fla. — Quarterback Baker Mayfield may have looked like he was trying to carry the hopes of a very depleted Tampa Bay Buccaneers ball club when making his epic 15-yard scramble on third-and-14 in Week 6 in their 30-19 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
Just moments before that play, it was announced that rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka — his top target this season — was doubtful to return with a hamstring injury, leaving him now without the team’s top four receivers — with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan all out because of injury.
But when asked in his postgame news conference if he felt like he was shouldering more of the load in that moment, he said, “No,” and instead used it as a chance to build up the guys who stepped up — such as rookie receiver Tez Johnson and second-year receiver Kameron Johnson, who both caught their first career touchdowns in that game.
“I truly, genuinely trust the guys that are in there,” Mayfield said. “They’re ready. Guys are on the same page and that’s real. I trust these guys, even though some of them might not have played a whole lot of ball.”
One look in Mayfield’s eyes, and you can tell he’s sincere in his belief. And then there’s a guy such as Sterling Shepard — Mayfield’s former teammate at Oklahoma, who thought his career was over last year before Mayfield lured him from “daddy drop-off duty” to becoming one of Mayfield’s most dependable weapons this season. He showed that when he caught the game-tying touchdown in a Week 5 last-minute win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Now, the Bucs (5-1) hit the road to take on the Detroit Lions (4-2) on “Monday Night Football” (7 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN), where Mayfield will once again try to help lead an injury-ravaged team. In short, they will be without Godwin (fibula) and McMillan (neck), and they also will be without standout second-year running back Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot).
There is some reason for optimism though, with Evans likely to play, while Egbuka “has a real chance” to be on the field, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“Our team, I believe in it,” Mayfield said. “I said it from training camp — I like the young guys that we have, I like the people that we have. Obviously, it is never ideal when you are having to move people around all the time, do not get me wrong, but nobody cares. Nobody feels bad for you, so you have to find a way to make it work.”
When Mayfield first arrived in Tampa Bay in the wake of Tom Brady’s retirement in 2023, he was on a one-year deal with a base salary of $4 million — where he had to prove himself.
The move was about being surrounded with a talented supporting cast, where he wouldn’t have to be the hero. But he has led his team to the postseason and smashed personal-best records in each of the past two years — including throwing 41 touchdowns last season. He earned a new three-year, $100 million contract extension in 2024 and was rewarded with an additional $30 million guaranteed for 2026 in July.
Now, for a third straight year, Mayfield has found a way to once again elevate his game. And if anything, that scramble in Week 6 showed a key point of emphasis he has tried to drive home to his squad: “You don’t have to have the perfect play when all your guys are fighting for each other and are on the same page.”
“I mean, everybody knows that Baker’s playing at an unbelievable level right now,” Kameron Johnson said. “So, I mean, it don’t matter who’s out there. Any given Sunday, whenever Baker Mayfield is out there, there’s a chance to win. And he’s playing at an unbelievable MVP level right now.”
When training camp first started, Tez Johnson, a seventh-round draft pick out of Oregon, said he felt like “bullets were flying.” The competition was intense, and the group was quite easily the deepest position group out on the field.
Mayfield pulled him aside and said, “Just settle down. It’ll come to you,” Johnson recalled.
Mayfield then invited him to watch film together at 5 a.m.
“He was already here at 4:30,” Johnson said. “He just gave me advice on how the league works and how I should think on certain routes and that allowed me to know, ‘All right, he believes in me, so I’m going to do my best of my ability to go out there and perform for him.'”
Two plays after Mayfield’s scramble, Johnson was supposed to go across the field on second-and-11 from the San Francisco 45-yard line, but when he saw a void in the defense, he instead waved his arm to get Mayfield’s attention and turned it into a go route.
Mayfield saw it and heaved it deep while Johnson raced to the end zone — where he punctuated the score with a tumbling celebration.
“A good adjustment on his part,” Mayfield said. “Safety’s waiting on the other side for him, so he just takes it up the middle. It’s not necessarily a busted coverage, they had it covered well if you run the drawings on the paper, but Tez making an adjustment on the fly — that’s huge for a rookie to be able to do, and do it confidently in the midst of the game like that, especially in that moment.”
Mayfield said that’s part of what leadership means to him.
“You’ve got to know your job, and do it well, but also empowering the guys to feel like they can go above and beyond,” Mayfield said. “And that’s a huge thing of leadership, instilling confidence. And it’s not a false confidence though. It’s making sure they really have it down, and then at that point, they realize it and then they take it on their own. So those guys have done a good job and now we just trust them.”
Kameron Johnson was a 2024 undrafted free agent and missed significant practice time this summer because of injuries, but he found his way onto the roster after showing something as a punt and kick returner in his lone preseason game.
When his number was called, he turned his first target of the season into a 34-yard touchdown.
“I’m this wide-open? I was just in shock,” said Johnson, who had four catches for 64 yards. “I saw the safety press down on [tight end Cade Otton]. I thought he was going to bump off then. Lo and behold, he never bumped off, and I was just running and I was like, ‘Oh Lord, let me see if Baker just makes eye contact with me.’ It was just wide-open. It was a walk-in, easy touchdown.”
Wide receivers coach Bryan McLendon said regardless of whom Mayfield is targeting, their success is a function of him holding everyone to the same standard he holds himself to.
“That is what has been a really good thing right now — that shows the person that he is, the player that he is, the leader that he is, the franchise guy that he is, I could go on-and-on-and-on with what he means to us,” McLendon said. “The biggest thing is just the confidence that he shows, and everybody out there on the field with him [are like], ‘Hey, you do your job, I am going to do mine and let’s go out there and see what happens.'”
Mohamed Salah is considering a return to Roma when he leaves Liverpool in the summer, while Manchester United are on alert as midfielder Adam Wharton expects to leave Crystal Palace when the window opens. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah is considering a return to Roma when he moves on in the summer, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport. Salah scored 34 goals in 83 games during a two-year stint but it will be difficult to complete a deal now as the 33-year-old earns a net €12 million-per-season, while Roma have set their cap at a net €4 million, but he could look to spend a year back in the Italian capital before deciding where to go next. Meanwhile, sources told ESPN that Al Ittihad have resumed work on a deal for the Egypt international and Al Qadsiah is the only other Saudi Pro League club capable of competing with them.
– Adam Wharton expects to leave Crystal Palace this summer amid interest from Manchester United, according to The Sun. The 22-year-old midfielder feels he is ready to make the next step in his career and wants to join a club playing in the Champions League. The Red Devils have also tracked Nottingham Forest‘s Elliot Anderson, Newcastle United‘s Sandro Tonali, Brighton & Hove Albion‘s Carlos Baleba and AFC Bournemouth‘s Alex Scott. In another report from The Sun, it is suggested that Brighton are softening their stance regarding Baleba after demanding £100 million for the 22-year-old’s transfer last summer.
– Liverpool want to bring in Bayern Munich‘s Michael Olise to replace Salah, amid interest from Real Madrid, reports Christian Falk. However, Bayern aren’t willing to let the 24-year-old leave even if an offer worth €200 million comes in, and he doesn’t have a release clause. The Bundesliga leaders also want to offer the France international a new contract even though his current deal runs until 2029.
– Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is doing everything possible to join Barcelona when his contract expires in the summer, as reported by Sport. Barcelona have previously tried to sign the Portugal international during various transfer windows, but they now have doubts about the 31-year-old’s age and whether they need someone in the positions he operates best in. Barcelona sporting director Deco has asked for more time to make his decision, while Silva and his agent Jorge Mendes have indicated that they will be patient.
– Juventus are ready to make a move for Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport. Juve have made enquiries to the 37-year-old’s entourage in recent weeks, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, and they travelled to Warsaw this week to watch Lewandowski score Poland‘s equalizer as his side came from behind to beat Albania 2-1. Juventus are evaluating him while also discussing a deal to extend Dusan Vlahovic‘s contract and try to sign Randal Kolo Muani, who is currently on loan at Tottenham Hotspur from Paris Saint-Germain.
EXPERT TAKE
1:42
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OTHER RUMORS
– Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is likely to join Manchester United if Michael Carrick stays on as manager. (Football Insider)
– Liverpool could table an offer worth around €80 million to sign Nottingham Forest center back Murillo. (TEAMtalk)
– Manchester United are intrigued by the opportunity to sign Barcelona forward Ferran Torres. (TEAMtalk)
– Marcus Rashford is fully committed to making his loan from Manchester United to Barcelona permanent despite interest from Saudi Arabia and Aston Villa. (TEAMtalk)
– Manchester United have asked for updated information on Atalanta midfielder Ederson, although they haven’t taken any concrete steps towards a deal yet. (Rudy Galetti)
– Barcelona, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs tracking Roma center back Evan Ndicka. (Caught Offside)
– AC Milan want Genk attacking midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas, who has also received interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. (Tuttosport)
– AC Milan want to sign Fiorentina striker Moise Kean but will try to negotiate a formula for the deal rather than paying his €62 million release clause at one time. (Calciomercato)
– Having failed to sign Al Ittihad winger Moussa Diaby in January, Internazionale could find a deal easier to complete in the summer if the Saudi Pro League club signs Salah from Liverpool. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– A decision on the future of Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been postponed, with a discussion expected to take place after the Bavarians have faced Real Madrid in the Champions League. (Christian Falk)
– Romelu Lukaku seems ready to leave Napoli after the World Cup. The striker has been approached by Saudi and Turkish clubs, while Anderlecht are also looking at a return. (Nicolo Schira)
– Internazionale’s search for a center back has resulted in them looking at Udinese’s Oumar Solet, Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic and River Plate’s Lautaro Rivero. (Corriere dello Sport)
– Inter could offload Luis Henrique to free up the space and resources for them to sign Atalanta wing back Marco Palestra, who is currently on loan at Cagliari. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– Real Betis are strong contenders to sign Dani Ceballos after the midfielder decided that he will leave Real Madrid. (Marca)
– Real Madrid and backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin don’t plan to part ways, despite plenty of offers to sign him being expected in the summer. (AS)
There are just three weeks until the start of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. As chaotic as the standings have been the past few weeks, it’s only going to get wilder now that the pressure is ramped up.
NHL fans are in for a treat on what’s been dubbed Showdown Saturday, with 15 games throughout the course of the day.
And instead of the usual “eight games starting at 7 p.m. ET” trick, the start times have been staggered earlier in the day, too!
So without any further preamble, let’s dive right into the storylines ahead of each contest in regards to playoff positioning, the draft lottery and more:
Ottawa Senators at Tampa Bay Lightning
1 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
The Senators were in a playoff spot earlier this week, and are pushing to get there again. They enter play a point behind the Islanders and two behind the Bruins for the wild-card spots; importantly, Ottawa holds the regulation-wins tiebreaker over both of those clubs. On the other side, the Lightning still have designs on an Atlantic Division title; they are two points and two regulation wins behind the Sabres, with two games in hand.
Florida Panthers at New York Islanders
1 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Well, we knew the Panthers might be a little out of sorts this season after two straight Cups (and a Cup Final appearance the year before that), and their playoff hopes are closing in on zero. However, they are in line for a top-10 draft pick, currently sitting No. 8 in the lottery standings. The Islanders are hanging on to a playoff spot by a thread; getting wins in games like this one against a non-playoff team are crucial.
Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers
3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
If you’d told a hockey fan prior to the season that this game would pit a team with a five-point Pacific Division lead against one battling it out for the No. 2 or 3 seed, they’d likely have replied, “Wow, good for the Ducks to eke their way in!” Instead, it’s Connor McDavid and friends whose playoff lives are in a bit more peril. A win here by Anaheim would put it seven points ahead of Edmonton, while a decision the other way would drop the Ducks’ lead to three.
Minnesota Wild at Boston Bruins
5 p.m. ET (NHL Network)
This will be the final meeting of the season between U.S. Olympic teammates Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman (Bruins) with Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber (Wild) — unless they meet again in the Cup Final. The Wild are on the cusp of clinching a spot, with a magic number of two; the Bruins have quite a bit more work to do, with the Senators and Red Wings nipping at their heels. Also of note: the B’s are just two points back of the Canadiens for the No. 3 spot in the Atlantic.
Dallas Stars at Pittsburgh Penguins
5 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Another green vs. yellow matchup! The Stars have clinched a postseason spot and are likely to be paired up with the Wild in Round 1, as they enter Saturday nine points back of the Avalanche for first in the Central. Pittsburgh has been swapping spots with the Blue Jackets and Islanders recently. As it stands heading into this one, the Penguins are the Metro’s No. 2 seed, one point and two regulation wins ahead of both Columbus and New York.
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes
5 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
The Hurricanes appear destined to win another Metro crown, with an eight-point lead over the Penguins. What remains to be won is the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed; Carolina enters the day tied in the standings with Buffalo, but ahead on the games played tiebreaker. Of note, they have five fewer regulation wins than the Sabres. As for the Devils, a late-season surge has been encouraging for 2026-27, but a playoff spot would require an extraordinary amount of help from opponents of the teams ahead of them. New Jersey sits No. 12 in the draft lottery standings.
San Jose Sharks at Columbus Blue Jackets
5 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Last season, the Blue Jackets remained in the playoff race until the final week of the season, ultimately just missing the cut by two points. This season, the Hockey Gods appear to be on their side, as they hold the Metro’s No. 3 spot heading into Saturday. They are a point behind the Penguins for second, and a tiebreaker ahead of the Islanders. San Jose finished 44 points out of a playoff spot in 2024-25, so the fact that they have any chance at all at this stage is a vast improvement. But if they are going to make it, they’ll need to start earning points more regularly; the Predators hold the second Western wild card six points ahead of the Sharks, and the Golden Knights are eight points ahead in the battle for third in the Pacific.
Seattle Kraken at Buffalo Sabres
5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
The Kraken are even closer to the playoff mix than the Sharks — three points behind Nashville, five behind Vegas — but face an even more challenging opponent Saturday. The Sabres are on an epic run; as a result, they hold a two-point lead in the Atlantic Division, and are a tiebreaker behind Carolina for first overall in the East.
Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Louis Blues
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
This is the first matchup of the slate featuring two lottery-bound teams; unfortunately for the Leafs, their pick belongs to Boston unless it falls in the top five. As of now, Toronto is 10th in the lotto standings, in the middle of a cluster of eight teams between 71 and 76 points. One of the teams at the end of that cluster is the St. Louis Blues, who hold the No. 5 position with 71 points.
Montreal Canadiens at Nashville Predators
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Is it a bigger surprise that the Canadiens are on pace for 104 points, or that the Predators are in line to earn a playoff spot after how dreadful last season (and the start of this one) went? Montreal is four points (and seven regulation wins) back of Tampa Bay for second in the Atlantic, and has a two-point edge on Boston to retain their No. 3 position. Nashville is just a point ahead of Los Angeles for the second Western wild card, and three points behind Utah for the first.
Winnipeg Jets at Colorado Avalanche
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
The NHL awards the Presidents’ Trophy to the team with the best regular-season record. In 2024-25, that team was the Jets. In 2025-26, that team will likely be the Avalanche. Sadly for the wonderful fans of Winnipeg, the Jets’ success last season didn’t carry over into this one, and they enter Saturday five points back of Nashville for the wild card. Maybe the club will have some lottery luck, and it enters the day in seventh in the draft standings.
Philadelphia Flyers at Detroit Red Wings
8 p.m. ET (ABC)
Time is running out for both of these teams to vault into a playoff spot. As play begins Saturday, the Red Wings are one point back of the second wild card, two back of the first, and four back of Montreal for the Atlantic’s No. 3 seed. The Flyers have four additional points to make up — although their pathway in the Metro is slightly easier, with the Blue Jackets five points ahead in the No. 3 spot and the Penguins six ahead for second.
Utah Mammoth at Los Angeles Kings
9 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
As the end of Anze Kopitar‘s career comes into sight, the Kings remain alive for a playoff berth, but must surpass the Predators for a wild card (they are one point back), the Golden Knights for No. 3 in the Pacific (they are three points behind) … or the Mammoth themselves, who are four points ahead. One wrinkle: Los Angeles will almost certainly need to get ahead of teams on standings points, as they are well behind everyone else in the regulation wins column.
Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames
10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Here’s our other draft lottery positioning game of the day — although it’s exceedingly unlikely that any team “catches” the Canucks, who are 15 points clear of anyone else in the No. 1 position in the draft lottery standings. Calgary enters the day in fourth in the lottery standings, one point behind the Blackhawks and three behind the Rangers.
Washington Capitals at Vegas Golden Knights
10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Will this be Alex Ovechkin‘s final visit to Las Vegas as a member of the Capitals? If so, his team could really use the points as it looks to chase down even a wild-card spot. As the slate begins, the Caps are six points back of the Isles and Blue Jackets, although if they do get back in the mix, their regulation-wins total (currently 31) might well beat out anyone if it comes down to tiebreakers. As for the hosts, the Golden Knights appear much more likely to return to the playoffs — largely because of the relative weakness of the Pacific Division — but could certainly use any additional points they can get to bolster their chances.
Every team has around 10 games remaining before the regular season concludes April 16, and we’ll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch every day. As we traverse the final stretch, we’ll provide details on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
Last night’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Boston Bruins
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 New York Islanders
M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 Columbus Blue Jackets
Western Conference
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Nashville Predators
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights
Saturday’s games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
Ottawa Senators at Tampa Bay Lightning, 1 p.m.
Florida Panthers at New York Islanders, 1 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers, 3:30 p.m.
Minnesota Wild at Boston Bruins, 5 p.m. (NHLN)
Dallas Stars at Pittsburgh Penguins, 5 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes, 5 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Columbus Blue Jackets, 5 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Buffalo Sabres, 5:30 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens at Nashville Predators, 7 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Colorado Avalanche, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at Detroit Red Wings, 8 p.m. (ABC)
Utah Mammoth at Los Angeles Kings, 9 p.m.
Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames, 10 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Vegas Golden Knights, 10:30 p.m.
Friday night’s scoreboard
Detroit Red Wings 5, Buffalo Sabres 2
New York Rangers 6, Chicago Blackhawks 1
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 107.8
Next game: vs. SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Magic number: 10
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 108.6
Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Magic number: 12
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 103.9
Next game: @ NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 93.8%
Magic number: 16
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 100.2
Next game: vs. MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 65%
Magic number: 18
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 97.9
Next game: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 74.5%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 19
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 97.9
Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 32.1%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 19
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 84.3
Next game: @ STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 6
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 84.3
Next game: @ NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 8
Metro Division
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 110.9
Next game: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Magic number: 10
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 100.2
Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 90.1%
Magic number: 18
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 10
Points pace: 99.1
Next game: vs. SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 82.1%
Magic number: 19
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 97.7
Next game: vs. FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 49.1%
Magic number: 19
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 94.7
Next game: @ DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 10.8%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 17
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 91.0
Next game: @ VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2.3%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 12
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 87.8
Next game: @ CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.3%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 11
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 75.3
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: OUT
Central Division
Points: 106
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 122.4
Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Magic number: IN
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 97
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 110.5
Next game: @ PIT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Magic number: IN
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 105.6
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Magic number: 2
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 89.9
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 96.4%
Magic number: 16
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 87.7
Next game: vs. MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 34.9%
Magic number: 19
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: @ COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2.3%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 15
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 5.2%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 16
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 75.3
Next game: @ NJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 8
Pacific Division
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 97.9
Next game: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Magic number: 10
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 91.0
Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 94%
Magic number: 15
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 88.7
Next game: vs. WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 97.7%
Magic number: 17
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 86.6
Next game: vs. UTA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 38.2%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 19
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 85.5
Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 5.9%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 19
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 83.2
Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 25.5%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 18
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 77.4
Next game: vs. VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: 11
Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 57.8
Next game: @ CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Magic number: N/A
Tragic number: OUT
Note: An “x” with a team’s name means the club has clinched a playoff spot. An “e” means that the club has been mathematically eliminated.
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Atop draft boards for this summer is Gavin McKenna, a forward for Penn State.
Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 19
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 31
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 32
*Note: The Maple Leafs’ pick belongs to the Bruins, unless it lands in the top five.
Opener Yasir Khan scored a quick 83-run knock as RawalPindiz set a 215-run target against Peshawar Zalmi in the third match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Opting to bat first, RawalPindiz posted 214-4 in their 20 overs, after getting off to a flying start. Khan and captain Mohammad Rizwan set the tone, punishing anything loose and keeping the boundaries flowing.
The duo compiled a 50-run partnership, attacking from the outset as they aimed to take their team to a massive total in their PSL debut.
Khan led from the front, keeping the scoreboard ticking and raising his bat for his third PSL fifty. Rizwan was equally aggressive, striking consecutive boundaries to help the pair reach a 100-run opening stand.
However, Zalmi’s Ali Raza broke the partnership, dismissing Rizwan for 41 off 32 balls, featuring five fours and a six, on the first delivery of the 13th over, ending the 125-run stand.
Khan continued his assault, looking poised for a maiden PSL century, but he too fell to Raza in the 15th over, finishing at 83 off 46 deliveries, with seven fours and six sixes, leaving the team at 144-2.
In the final overs, Kamran Ghulam and Daryl Mitchell combined to accelerate the scoring, taking RawalPindiz past the 150-run mark.
However, their 41-run partnership was broken when Aaron Hardie struck, claiming his first wicket of the tournament by dismissing Ghulam for a 20-ball 37, which included two fours and three sixes.
In the first ball of the final over, Aamir Jamal struck, dismissing Mitchell, who scored 23 off 13 balls, including two sixes.
Sam Billings played a crucial cameo in the final over, scoring an unbeaten 18 off eight balls, including one four and two sixes, as Aamir conceded 17 runs. Abdullah Fazal also contributed five runs.
Raza was the standout bowler for Zalmi despite being expensive, finishing with figures of 2/42 in three overs, while Hardie and Jamal claimed one wicket each.
Playing XIs
Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Kusal Mendis, Aaron Hardie, Farhan Yousuf, Michael Bracewell, Abdul Samad, Aamir Jamal, Sufiyan Muqeem, Shoriful Islam and Ali Raza.
RawalPindiz: Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Yasir Khan, Abdullah Fazal, Kamran Ghulam, Sam Billings, Daryl Mitchell, Amad Butt, Rishad Hossain, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir and Asif Afridi.
This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.
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