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The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are tied 1-1 going into the Sunshine State for Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup Final after Brad Marchand scored the double-overtime game-winning goal in Game 2 on Friday night.
The 37-year-old Marchand, acquired from the Boston Bruins at the Trade Deadline, has been a revelation for the Panthers through the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In 19 games, he’s scored seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points, including a two-goal effort in Game 2. By all accounts, Marchand looks rejuvenated and is playing some of the best hockey of his career, and it comes at a perfect time, considering he will become a free agent on July 1.
On Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss the impact of Marchand through the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs and how veterans like him and Corey Perry continue to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
Tyler Yaremchuk: The Florida Panthers, without Brad Marchand, are probably down 2-0 in this Stanley Cup Final.
Frank Seravalli: That’s what this segment is appropriately titled, “The Rat Effect.” It hasn’t come from Matthew Tkachuk or the other significant members of this series. Think about how Game 2 played out: game-winning goal from Brad Marchand, game-tying goal from Corey Perry. Those are the guys that are scurrying around and difficult to kill at age 37 and 40, respectively. There’s a reason they’re so valuable and so relied upon.
If you look at Marchand and his sticktoitiveness. Anyone thinking that this guy was just going to be a decent trade piece that chips in a goal here and there and sail off into the sunset doesn’t know a guy who has a ton of drive.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…
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NCAA Men’s Hockey Power Rankings: Early upsets lead to movement
The 2025-26 NCAA Men’s Hockey season is underway, and we’ve already seen some exciting action. While some teams in the country participated in exhibition play, a couple of marquee matchups provided fans with something to watch this past week. From tight battles to sizeable victories, there were plenty of results that led to some jostling in the first Power Rankings of the season. Check out my Top 15 after Week 1 of action: 1. Western Michigan Record: 0-0-0 Last Week: 1st The Broncos didn’t play in a true game last week, having a relatively easy time against the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 team on Saturday. The Broncos showed off some offensive muscle, with Liam Valente scoring twice, with newcomers William Whitelaw (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Zaccharya Wisdom (Seattle Kraken) also finding the back of the net in a 7-0 win. Western Michigan will get its first authentic taste of action this week against a rebuilding Ferris State side. 2. Michigan State Record: 0-0-0 Last Week: 2nd The Spartans were another team that participated in exhibition action. However, all the big guns found their name on the scoresheet against USPORTS side Windsor on Friday. Porter Martone (Philadelphia Flyers), Ryker Lee (Nashville Predators) and Charlie Stramel (Minnesota Wild) all found the back of the net in a 4-0 win. Martone registered two points as well. Michigan State faces a real opponent for the first time this coming weekend, as New Hampshire heads to East Lansing for a pair of games. 3. Penn State Record: 2-0-0 Last Week: 4th The Gavin McKenna Show is underway. The favorite to be taken first overall in next year’s NHL Draft assisted on the Nittany Lions’ first two goals of the season against Arizona State on Saturday. With the partisan crowd at Mullett Arena howling at him, McKenna scored the game-winner on Saturday, helping Penn State complete the weekend sweep. Matt Dimarsico, Aiden Fink (Predators), and Charlie Cerrato (Carolina Hurricanes) all had big performances against the Sun Devils, with Cerrato putting up five points in a 6-3 win on Friday. The Nittany Lions are home this weekend, taking on Clarkson on Thursday and Friday. 4. Boston University Record: 1-0-0 Last Week: 3rd I was far from impressed with the Terriers this weekend. Against Long Island, BU was outshot in its own barn. Thankfully, two goals from Cole Eiserman (New York Islanders), and two-point performances from Cole Hutson (Washington Capitals), Sacha Boisvert (Chicago Blackhawks) and Owen McLaughlin (Flyers) helped give the Terriers a 4-2 win. Obviously, it’s a little early to be firing off alarms, but it was a less-than-ideal start for BU. The Terriers look to have a better performance at Agganis this weekend against Colgate. 5. Denver Record: 0-0-0 Last Week: 5th The Pioneers ensured they wouldn’t lose to the defending ACHA Men’s D1 champion UNLV this past weekend, winning their exhibition game 6-1. A hat trick from Montreal Canadiens prospect Sam Harris helped the team build some confidence heading into the regular season. There’s a ton of experience on this DU team, making them a threat to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Denver kicks off its regular season on Friday against Air Force before welcoming Bentley to Magness on Saturday. 6. Boston College Record: 0-1-0 Last Week: 6th Had any of the notable teams behind them done anything last weekend, I would’ve knocked the Eagles down a peg or two. However, since they played a very good Quinnipiac team, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. You could see some of the lack of camaraderie, which was expected after losing so many good players at the end of last season. Captain Andre Gasseau (Boston Bruins) and Teddy Stiga (Predators) put their names on the scoresheet in the 4-3 loss on Friday. BC has a tough test this coming weekend, as they prepare to visit Minnesota on Thursday and Friday. 7. Maine Record: 0-0-0 Last Week: 7th While the Black Bears didn’t play a regular-season game last Friday, their preseason tilt against border rival New Hampshire certainly felt like one. The revamped Maine squad had to rally from a 2-0 deficit to salvage a tie against the Wildcats, proving the team still has the bite that led to a Hockey East championship last season. The Black Bears begin their regular season with a pair of home games against Holy Cross this weekend. 8. Minnesota Record: 1-1-0 Last Week: 8th I’m doing my best to take the opening weekend of the season with a grain of salt, but the Golden Gophers just inserted a lot of doubt into my head. Going against an, albeit very competitive, Michigan Tech team, Minnesota took its foot off the gas in an attempt at going for the sweep, losing 5-3 to the CCHA mainstay. With the amount of talent the Gophers have and the expectations brought into the new season, it was a rather lackluster weekend in Minneapolis. Once again, it’s only the first weekend, so I’ll keep my reservations relatively quiet, for now. Things aren’t getting any easier for Minnesota. Though the team is at Mariucci on Thursday and Friday, they only have Boston College coming to town for a pair of games. 9. Providence Record: 0-0-0 Last Week: 9th The Friars partook in a pair of exhibition games this past week. After beating Canadian school Simon Fraser on Friday, they outlasted a Quinnipiac team that was just hours removed from its win over Boston College. It was a couple of positive results for Nate Leaman’s team heading into the regular season, as Providence has hopes to be a contender for the Hockey East Championship. Providence opens things up with an intriguing matchup on home ice against Michigan this weekend. 10. North Dakota Record: 0-0-0 Last Week: 10th North Dakota also met with some Canadian competition in preseason play last weekend, facing off with border foe Manitoba, running away with a 7-0 win. Mac Swanson (Pittsburgh Penguins) had a goal and an assist, as did Jack Kernan. Detroit Red Wings prospect Dylan James also found the back of the net in the exhibition contest. The retooled Fighting Hawks still have some work to do to prove they can be near the top of the polls, but they have the firepower to be a top dog in the NCHC once again. North Dakota gets set for a couple of tough games this weekend, taking on nationally-ranked St. Thomas in a home-and-home. 11. Quinnipiac Record: 1-0-0 Last Week: 12th For those who know what it’s like to be inside BC’s Conte Forum on a Friday night, it’s a tough place to play, even for the best teams in the country. Yet, the Bobcats showed little fear against the talented Eagles. Along with goals from Bruins’ draft pick Chris Pelosi and Vancouver Canucks prospect Matthew Lansing, Quinnipiac hung on for a statement 4-3 win. The Bobcats proved that they have a strong lineup capable of contending for another ECAC title, while also keeping pace with the nation’s best teams. Quinnipiac hits the road this weekend, heading to Arizona State for the Ice Breaker Tournament, taking on Alaska on Friday. 12. Michigan Record: 2-0-0 Last Week: 12th I’m not going to take too much stock in the Wolverines’ opening weekend. Taking on lowly Mercyhurst, the Wolverines hounded the Lakers, sweeping the Atlantic Hockey America foe by a combined score of 18-1. Penguins prospect Will Horcoff had five goals on the weekend, including a hat trick last Friday. Habs draft pick Michael Hage has seven points against Mercyhurst, with Cole McKinney (San Jose Sharks) potting two goals and two assists over the two victories. Michigan faces some real competition, heading up to Rhode Island for a two-game set against Providence. 13. Connecticut Record: 1-1-0 Last Week: 11th Call it the altitude, but the Huskies didn’t really look like themselves in the first game of the season against Colorado College last Friday. I still believe UConn is one of the better teams in Hockey East, but if they want people to believe they can be legitimate contenders, they need to find ways to get the job done on the road. The team salvaged a split with a solid 5-1 victory in game two against the Tigers, but there’s a lot to be desired from the Huskies. UConn has a week off before playing a pair of games at home against Ohio State, including facing off in Hartford on Saturday, Oct. 18. 14. Massachusetts Record: 2-0-0 Last Week: 15th The Minutemen had a solid start to the season on home ice last week. Against a rebuilding Northern Michigan team, UMass brutally outshot the Wildcats this past Saturday, 70-26, leading to a 5-3 win on Saturday. Blackhawks draft pick Vaclav Nestrasil scored his first collegiate goal in the victory, while Jack Musa totaled three goals in the two-game sweep. UMass has just one game this week, taking on Stonehill on Friday night. 15. Arizona State Record: 0-2-0 Last Week: 14th Arizona State had the lights shining on them last weekend. A national TV audience to see McKenna’s debut and a rowdy student section at Mullett Arena. However, it wasn’t enough to slow down Penn State’s offensive attack. The Sun Devils were outscored 10-5 over the two games, demonstrating that the team still needs to improve to prove it has the firepower to keep up with top teams in the NCAA. Like I’ve said before, the season’s still young. The Sun Devils are set to host the Ice Breaker Tournament this weekend, beginning with a matchup against Notre Dame on Friday night. Honorable Mention: Ohio State, Cornell, St. Thomas, Wisconsin
North Carolina reportedly considering nuclear option with Bill Belichick, and that's justified
Packers could see breakout star emerge on defense in weeks ahead
The Green Bay Packers’ secondary got lit up by Dak Prescott in a 40-40 tie against the Dallas Cowboys before heading off to the bye week, but help could be on the way. Through the season’s first five weeks, the Packers rank 11th against the pass, but they allowed 319 passing yards and three touchdowns to Prescott in their final game before the bye week. Help, though, could be on the way. Could Nate Hobbs elevate Packers’ secondary? With a showdown against the likes of wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on Sunday afternoon, a breakout star could be about to emerge. Mike Spofford of the Packers’ official website suggests that cornerback Nate Hobbs getting healthier could be a major asset for coordinator Jeff Hafley and Green Bay’s defense moving forward. “Nate Hobbs,” Spofford writes, when asked the player he’s most looking forward to see the rest of the season. “He’s getting further removed from his knee procedure during training camp, and he’s also back on the practice field after leaving the Dallas game to be evaluated for a concussion. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Hobbs yet in this defense.” Hobbs has appeared in three games for the Packers this season, posting 10 total tackles, one pass breakup and one tackle for loss. Given that the 26-year-old had the added time during the bye week to get further away from the injury he suffered during the summer, he could be a player whose best football this season is still in front of him. That would be huge for a defense looking for consistent playmakers to step up.
Former Yankees, Mariners prospect hospitalized following motorcycle crash
Jesús Montero failed to develop into the baseball star that some thought he might, despite repeatedly appearing on preseason top prospect rankings. The former New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners catcher failed to capitalize on that potential and turn it into a long career. Once viewed as New York's "catcher of the future," Montero played in just 226 games during his five-year MLB career. His last professional appearance came during the 2020-21 Venezuelan Winter League, where he went 0-for-17 at the plate with six strikeouts. Montero, according to Spanish-language reports out of Venezuela, has been hospitalized in his home country following a traffic accident. The now 35-year-old was reportedly riding his motorcycle when a suspected drunk driver hit him. Montero is in critical condition after suffering multiple leg fractures, broken ribs and lung damage. Jesus Montero's Yankees stint lasted 18 games New York originally signed Montero as an international amateur free agent in 2006. The power-hitting prospect, one of the best bats available in the free agent class, was given a $2 million signing bonus. By 2009, Montero was appearing on preseason prospect rankings — landing on Baseball America's Top 100 list in four consecutive seasons. The Yankees called Montero up for his MLB debut when rosters expanded in September 2011. He'd appear in 18 games, hitting .328/.406/.590 with four home runs in 69 PA. Jesus Montero traded to Mariners in January 2012 Montero was traded, along with right-hander Héctor Noesí, to the Mariners the following offseason for right-handers Michael Pineda and Jose Campos. Over parts of four seasons, he batted .247/.285/.383 over 796 PA with 24 home runs. Seattle ultimately sent him down to Triple-A due to his defensive limitations with the hope that he'd learn to play first base. His Seattle tenure was marred by constant rumblings about his physical shape and attitude, including a 2014 incident where he threw an ice cream sandwich at a scout while on a rehab assignment.
Officiating Crew For Steelers-Browns Game Gives 1 Team Clear Advantage
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been dominant against the Cleveland Browns under Head Coach Mike Tomlin. However, an AFC North contest coming off a bye week is never something Steelers fans overlook. With the Browns sitting at 1-4 and the Steelers at 3-1, a victory in this matchup is pivotal for Pittsburgh to start AFC North play on the right foot. The Steelers are looking to carry momentum from a strong start to the season, and continuing their winning ways against a divisional rival would set a positive tone for the months ahead. The Browns will be starting rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who will be making just his second-ever NFL start. The Steelers' defense will look to make life extremely difficult for the rookie on Sunday. One area that is always important in these matchups is the officiating crew. According to NFL Ref Stats, the Steelers appear to have a significant advantage in this contest against the Browns. Historically, Pittsburgh has fared well under certain officiating crews, particularly those with tendencies that favor defensive schemes and physical play at the line of scrimmage. This statistical edge may not guarantee a win, but it certainly provides a subtle advantage that could tip critical calls in Pittsburgh’s favor during a tightly contested game. Beyond the numbers, the Steelers will need to execute clean football on both sides of the ball. Protecting the quarterback, establishing the run, and maintaining discipline on defense will be key to neutralizing Cleveland’s biggest playmakers. While the Browns are struggling this season, divisional games often bring out unexpected performances, making preparation and focus essential. If Pittsburgh can combine their historical dominance, officiating edge, and disciplined execution, they have a strong chance to assert control early in AFC North play and keep their division hopes alive. Ron Torbert will serve as the officiating head for this contest, and the numbers clearly favor the Steelers. In games Torbert has officiated, Pittsburgh has gone an impressive 10-1, showing a consistent trend of success under his oversight. Even more striking, the Steelers are a perfect 8-0 at home in games where Torbert is the head referee, highlighting a significant home-field advantage when he is on the crew. Steelers Should Have Edge In Week 6 Against Browns Expect the officials to focus heavily on offensive penalties, as Torbert has a reputation for calling more infractions on the offense than the defense. According to NFL Ref Stats, he assesses 52.5% of all penalties against the offense, ranking fourth in the league for offensive penalties per game. This suggests that both teams will need to maintain discipline, but it could particularly benefit Pittsburgh, a team built around physical play and disciplined execution. For the Steelers, this officiating angle could be an advantage they can capitalize on, especially early in the game. By staying sharp and minimizing mistakes, Pittsburgh can force Cleveland into difficult situations while maintaining momentum. With Torbert on the field, the historical trends and penalty tendencies both point to a scenario where the Steelers have an extra edge in controlling the pace and flow of this crucial AFC North matchup. The Steelers sit as -200 favorites in this contest and it seems like a lot is on their side.
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