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Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb.

Three stars from Friday's NHL playoff action

The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars, 3-1, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final, taking a 3-2 series lead. Here are three stars from Friday's NHL playoff action.

An optimist's guide to the 2024 Detroit Lions

After finishing just short of reaching the Super Bowl a season ago, the Detroit Lions enter the 2024 campaign among the favorites to win it all. Here are three reasons why they'll meet and perhaps surpass expectations.

Watch: Oilers offense responds after big hit on Corey Perry

Late in the first period, veteran forward Corey Perry left the game briefly after taking a massive hit up high, which woke up the Edmonton Oilers offense in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final.

An epic temper tantrum highlighted Day 6 of the French Open

Day 6 of the French Open had its fair share of action, but the true standout was a John McEnroe-like freak-out from one of the top players in the world.

Caitlin Clark frustrated by physical WNBA play: 'I feel like I'm getting hammered'

Only nine games into her WNBA career, No. 1 pick and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark appears worn down by the uptick in physical play moving from college to the pros.

Three stars from Thursday's NBA playoffs

The Dallas Mavericks downed the Minnesota Timberwolves, 124-103, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals. Here are three stars from the contest.

Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving dominate in Game 5 vs. Timberwolves, send Mavericks to NBA Finals

Doncic and Irving were utterly unstoppable, combining for 72 points.

Watch: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving lead dominant first-half effort for Mavericks in Game 5

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were out of this world in the first half.

Watch: Luka Doncic's red-hot first quarter helps Mavericks jump out to early Game 5 lead

Luka Doncic is on a mission early in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, and it might spell the end for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Pros, cons of Bears being featured on HBO's 'Hard Knocks'

On Thursday, HBO announced that the Chicago Bears will be the featured team on their "Hard Knocks" series, which premieres Aug. 6. The honor is an unnecessary distraction, but it can also be beneficial. As the Bears prepare for the spotlight, here are some pros and cons of appearing on the Emmy Award-winning show.

Watch: Minnesota wins inaugural PWHL Walter Cup

Minnesota made hockey history on Wednesday, winning the inaugural PWHL championship in five games after defeating Boston 3-0 in front of a packed Tsongas Center. 

Watch: Oilers score twice in less than a minute, take two-goal lead over Stars heading into third period

Tied at 2-2 in the second period, the Oilers scored two goals in less than a minute.

Mets outfielder reveals details of team meeting following latest lopsided loss

Things are not going well for the New York Mets. Following Wednesday's lopsided 10-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team had a closed-door meet, and outfielder Brandon Nimmo provided details about what they discussed.

Watch: Oilers respond with two quick goals to tie WCF Game 4 after one period

Two nights after the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers combined for eight goals, the two teams are well on their way to exceeding that number only a period into Game 4 of the Western Conference Final. 

Watch: Stars open scoring less than a minute into WCF Game 4

It took the Stars only 58 seconds to get on the board.

An optimist's guide to the 2024 Chicago Bears

The Bears are coming off their third consecutive losing season, but optimism might be at an all-time high for the franchise.

Why the Wizards made the right hiring with HC Brian Keefe

The Washington Wizards are hoping that Brian Keefe will help the team blossom as head coach.

Panthers HC Paul Maurice hopes to use heartbreaking Game 3 OT loss as motivation

Despite outplaying the Rangers for much of Game 3, the Panthers fell 5-4 and now trail 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Final. 

Watch: Another improbable OT hero lifts Rangers to 2-1 ECF lead

The New York Rangers received a lift from an unlikely source for the second game in a row.

Unlikely hero helps Rangers steal Game 3 over Panthers

The New York Rangers took the Florida Panthers' best shot for the second game in a row and survived, somehow.

Sky rookie Angel Reese shares a surprising reaction to hard foul

After being on the receiving end of a hard foul, which led to the ejection of Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas on Saturday, Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese shared a surprising and defiant reaction.

Stars even series with hard-fought win over Oilers in Game 2

The Dallas Stars won the battle of attrition in Game 2 against the Edmonton Oilers, ultimately coming away with a hard-fought 3-1 victory, evening up the Western Conference Final at one game apiece. 

Why the sky might be the limit for A's closer Mason Miller

The Oakland Athletics don't have much going for them these days, but closer Mason Miller has risen above the void.

Former No. 1 pick: Caitlin Clark's rough WNBA welcome may last

Only six games into her pro career, Caitlin Clark has already been on the receiving end of several "welcome to the WNBA" moments.

Rangers outlast Panthers in Game 2 to even series

The New York Rangers outlasted the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final on Friday, winning in overtime to even up the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.