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NHL roundup: Oilers win 4th straight over Kings to close series
Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Darnell Nurse and Trent Frederic all collected one goal and one assist for the Oilers, who closed out the Kings in the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series.

Adam Henrique also scored and goaltender Calvin Pickard made 23 saves for the Oilers, who will face the Pacific Division-champion Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference semifinals.

Edmonton, which won four straight games to claim the series, eliminated Los Angeles in the opening round of the postseason for the fourth consecutive year.

Quinton Byfield, Brandt Clarke, Jordan Spence and Anze Kopitar tallied for the Kings, who opened the series with a pair of home-ice victories but could not maintain the momentum. Los Angeles goalie Darcy Kuemper stopped 23 shots and Kevin Fiala and Alex Laferriere each posted two assists.

Golden Knights 3, Wild 2

Jack Eichel was one of three Vegas players to tally a goal and an assist, and the Golden Knights held on to beat Minnesota in Saint Paul, Minn., and clinch the Western Conference first-round series.

Shea Theodore and Mark Stone also finished with a goal and an assist for Vegas, which won the best-of-seven series in six games. Brayden McNabb collected a pair of assists. Adin Hill stopped 29 of 31 shots as the Golden Knights advanced to the semifinals for the second time in three seasons.

Ryan Hartman scored both goals for Minnesota, which hasn't won a playoff series since the 2014-15 season. Filip Gustavsson made 20 saves on 23 shots.

Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2

Max Pacioretty's goal with 5:39 left lifted Toronto to a series-clinching victory over host Ottawa in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup.

The 36-year-old forward, who missed the last two months of the regular season and first two games of the postseason with an undisclosed injury, helped the Maple Leafs overcome giving away a 2-0 advantage with his game-winning goal and an assist. Toronto's William Nylander celebrated his 29th birthday with two goals and an assist, and Auston Matthews also scored for the Maple Leafs, who advance to face the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in the next round.

Brady Tkachuk and David Perron scored for Ottawa, with Thomas Chabot assisting on both. Linus Ullmark finished with 19 saves.

Avalanche 7, Stars 4

Nathan MacKinnon broke a tie midway through the third period when Dallas scored an own goal, and Colorado won in Denver to force Game 7 in their Western Conference quarterfinal series.

Valeri Nichushkin had two goals while MacKinnon and Cale Makar had a goal and two assists each for Colorado. Martin Necas logged a goal and an assist, and Artturi Lehkonen and Josh Manson also scored. Mackenzie Blackwood had 22 saves for the Avalanche, who will play Game 7 at Dallas on Saturday.

Jake Oettinger finished with 41 saves for the Stars. Roope Hintz had two goals and two assists, Mikko Rantanen had a goal and three assists and Mikael Granlund also scored.

This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

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Penguins Predicted to Trade Rickard Rakell to East Rival
NHL

Penguins Predicted to Trade Rickard Rakell to East Rival

As the Pittsburgh Penguins look around the NHL for trade options regarding a few veteran players, it seems that a deal could come sooner rather than later. One player that has drawn all sorts of interest is veteran Rickard Rakell. With Pittsburgh wanting to get younger, Rakell has been put on the trade block. The Penguins have been talking with a few teams, and Rakell could net this team some strong future assets. NHL writer Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report listed a few landing spots for the Penguins star, with the Carolina Hurricanes being one of them. Carolina has put together a strong offseason so far, but adding Rakell to the mix could be the cherry on top. "The Carolina Hurricanes have already had a bold offseason by signing forward Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency and trading for defenseman K'Andre Miller. Both moves are significant and add to an already strong team. "But why stop there? Especially when they are still swimming in salary-cap space due to how many team-friendly contracts they have on their roster," Gretz wrote. With the Hurricanes looking to finally get over the hump in the Eastern Conference, this could be one way to help. Rakell remains a strong scoring option on the ice, and he could make this team even more formidable. Last season with Pittsburgh, Rakell put up 35 goals and 35 assists. The veteran proved that he could still be a valuable piece to a winning puzzle, and the Hurricanes could use his skill set. Adding a player like Rakell this late in the offseason could be a steal for the Hurricanes, and this could bolster the depth across the roster. Carolina is all-in on going after a Stanley Cup title next season, and Rakell could be the missing piece.

Green Bay Packers Avoid Major Injury With 2 Key Offensive Playmakers
NFL

Green Bay Packers Avoid Major Injury With 2 Key Offensive Playmakers

Training camp and preseason are all about staying healthy for the start of the season. For the Green Bay Packers, Tuesday’s practice on August 12, 2025, served as a reminder of how fickle luck can be. Tight end Luke Musgrave and wide receiver Romeo Doubs both sent shockwaves through training camp when they went down with injuries during practice. Thankfully, the latest updates have fans breathing a collective sigh of relief as both players appear to have avoided serious setbacks. With both Musgrave and Doubs set to play pivotal roles in the Packers’ offense this season, their health becomes a top priority as the team inches closer to the regular season. Here’s everything you need to know about their injury scares, subsequent updates, and what it all means for Green Bay’s 2025 outlook. Green Bay Packers Injury Scares Luke Musgrave’s Ankle Jolt Luke Musgrave, the Packers’ promising tight end drafted in 2023, sent tension rippling through the camp after hurting his ankle during an otherwise celebratory moment. Shortly after making a touchdown grab, Musgrave appeared to tweak his ankle and was visibly uncomfortable. With each cautious step, anxiety loomed heavy over the coaching staff, the fans, and the young tight end hoping to lock in his position as one of Jordan Love’s go-to weapons. Romeo Doubs’ Back Collision Minutes later, another scare followed—this time involving Romeo Doubs, one of the key cogs in Green Bay’s wide receiver corps. Doubs collided with safety Evan Williams on an incomplete deep ball, the impact leaving him slow to rise and clutching his lower back. He was taken to the Hutson Center for further evaluation, leaving a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the practice field. Positive Updates Highlight Potential Return Despite Tuesday’s ominous moments, Wednesday brought welcome news for Green Bay. Both Musgrave and Doubs appear to have avoided long-term injuries, with reporters noting that neither player is dealing with anything serious enough to threaten their availability for the season opener. “Seems both Romeo Doubs and Luke Musgrave are OK after injury scares yesterday,” noted Packers insider Zach Kruse. This promising update means that both players could return to action soon, ensuring the Packers’ offense remains intact as the team continues preparation for Week 1. What Their Health Means for the Packers’ Offense The Packers’ offense operates with one goal in mind this season—establishing rhythm and continuity under quarterback Jordan Love, who is entering his inaugural campaign as the definitive starter. Doubs and Musgrave are central to that plan, and their health will play a critical role in Green Bay’s potential success. Luke Musgrave’s Role at Tight End Musgrave, with his 6-foot-6 frame and elite athleticism, is expected to be a dynamic option in the red zone and over the middle of the field. His ability to stretch defenses with his straight-line speed gives Jordan Love a pivotal mismatch to exploit. With Packers coach Matt LaFleur known for creative schemes involving tight ends, Musgrave is poised to surpass his rookie-year contributions and become one of the team’s top offensive weapons. An extended absence would leave Green Bay thin at tight end, forcing them to lean too heavily on backups like Tucker Kraft. Musgrave dodging serious injury is a huge sigh of relief for the coaching staff looking to build around their versatile second-year player. Romeo Doubs’ Importance to the Receiver Room Romeo Doubs enters the 2025 season with a chance to take another step forward as a reliable and potentially explosive wide receiver. With Christian Watson and Jayden Reed entering their third and fourth year, respectively, Doubs slots as a complementary target with the ability to move the chains and create chunk plays. The injury scare highlighted just how fragile the team’s depth at wide receiver can be. Any significant time missed by Doubs would leave the Packers scrambling between lesser-proven options like Dontayvion Wicks and rookie pass-catchers to fill the void. Thankfully, Green Bay won’t need to shuffle the depth chart just yet—a massive win for maintaining offensive stability down the stretch of camp. The Packers’ Injury Landscape Musgrave and Doubs’ recoveries come as part of a broader injury narrative for the Packers this preseason. With quarterback Jordan Love nursing a thumb injury and other depth players sidelined, the team has been walking a fine line between preparation and preservation. Coach Matt LaFleur has stressed a cautious approach to managing workloads in camp, aiming to ensure all 53 regular-season contributors are healthy and ready when the games matter most. With Musgrave and Doubs added to the list of “narrow escapes,” it’s clear the Packers have dodged a significant bullet in maintaining the offensive cohesion their new-look roster needs to gel. Final Thoughts The injury updates on Luke Musgrave and Romeo Doubs may not seem headline-worthy given they avoided serious setbacks, but their importance to Green Bay’s offense cannot be overstated. Both players represent key building blocks in an evolving attack centered on unlocking the full potential of Jordan Love. For now, Packers fans and coaches alike can breathe easy knowing their $12-million offensive duo is still on track for a healthy and impactful 2025 campaign. But as camp rolls on and preseason games begin, the emphasis for Green Bay will remain clear—avoid losses on the injury report at all costs.

Insider Rips Yankees for Aaron Boone Decision
MLB

Insider Rips Yankees for Aaron Boone Decision

The New York Yankees have had manager Aaron Boone at the helm of the club since 2018. The Pinstripes made their first World Series appearance since 2009 last year with Boone, but should they have ditched him this offseason for a different name? One big-name MLB analyst seems to think so. On a recent episode of the New York Post's podcast, "The Show", MLB insider Chris Russo ripped the Yankees for choosing to keep Boone as manager instead of pursing two-time World Series winning manager Terry Francona, who came out of retirement this season to manage the Cincinnati Reds. "These are the New York Yankees. ... I know they didn't want to hire (Bruce) Bochy because then they have to listen to front office and all that nonsense. Francona gets a job again. You are telling me Boone is a better manager than Terry Francona? Are you freaking crazy?" Russo said. "How did Francona end up with the Reds? Did the Yankees put a call in to Francona?" As it stands now, Francona's Reds are a bit behind the Yankees, with a 63-58 record just barely keeping them out of the National League wild card standings. Francona would have been an interesting get for the Yankees, as he managed the 2004 Boston Red Sox team that managed to unseat New York in the AL Championship game and go on to win Boston's first World Series since 1918. Russo went on to support Boone as a manager, but insist that the Yankees' World Series drought with Boone at the helm has gone on too long. "Listen, everybody loves Boone," he said. "He's not a bad manager, but he has been there a long time (without a) World Series win. In my opinion, there are seven managers in the sport better than Boone. And yet, here he is." This season, Boone has faced a barrage of criticism for his managerial choices, particularly pertaining to short stop Anthony Volpe and closer Devin Williams. Despite fans' insistence and both players' frequently poor performance, Boone has stood by both Volpe (who leads the league in fielding errors) and Williams (who can't seem to stop blowing saves). It's entirely possible that a Yankees lineup assembled by a different manager would have a better record. For better or for worse, though, Boone is steering the ship for now, regardless of what Yankees fans and insiders have to say about it. Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more! Yankees Outfielders Open Up About Free Agency Potential Phillies Sign Former Yankees Pitcher Yankees See Big Changes in Latest Prospect Rankings Yankees Earn Disheartening Playoff Tier Mets Send Former Yankees Starter to Bullpen

Steelers Offensive Line Coach Pat Meyer Reveals Root Of Zach Frazier's Concerning Issues
NFL

Steelers Offensive Line Coach Pat Meyer Reveals Root Of Zach Frazier's Concerning Issues

The Pittsburgh Steelers went into training camp expecting growth from all of their players, no matter how well they did in the previous year. However, concerns grew quickly about second-year center Zach Frazier, as his ability to snap the ball became inconsistent. Luckily, he seems to have fixed those problems as they have not flared up for about a week and a half. Pittsburgh can't afford to have its star center forget the basics and go into a deep sophomore slump. He needs to be on top of his game for the offense to thrive. While having a conversation with Tim Benz of TribLive, Offensive Line Coach Pat Meyer explained why Frazier was unable to properly snap the ball and what they did to fix it. "That’s early camp stuff that we don’t want," Meyer said. "Especially when you played all those games he had that were early on. It was always the first play of the first team period. Whether that’s him thinking too much, trying to add things to his technique in terms like throwing hands and doing some things had him maybe a little bit off kilter." It sounds like the excitement just got the best of Frazier during those rough practices, so he had to be told to slow things down and focus on getting the snap right first. You can't rush a play like that and risk giving the ball away on something so simple and mundane. Just get the ball to the quarterback, but not too hard of course, and then focus on your blocking assignment. Frazier had that problem early in the 2024 season, but managed to clean it up eventually. That won't be tolerated in his second year in the league. Frazier was actually already benched in training camp briefly, and it could happen again, especially with a very demanding quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. Even though those issues have not happened again in several days, Meyer still seems annoyed about them happening in the first place. He explained his frustrating conversations with Frazier after plays kept getting botched. "We had a conversation about it, and that’s done. It’s over with," Meyer said. "We’re not having any more. We’re not doing it anymore. He’s obviously diligent about it, so he doesn’t make any of those mistakes. And we can’t have those mistakes. He’s been solid the last two weeks now." Working with Rodgers can be both exciting and scary, but Frazier just needs to settle down and treat him like he's any other quarterback. It doesn't matter what voice is calling out the cadences; he just needs to know the play and get the ball to him 100% of the time like he would with anyone else standing behind him. He will probably be hiking the football to a new signal-caller in 2026 as Rodgers has made it known this could be his final season in the NFL, so Frazier better learn to deal with the early-season jitters. Steelers' Offensive Line Will Be Key To Success Rodgers has recently had a lot of struggles when pressured, as he has become one of the worst passers in the NFL against the blitz. Meyer's unit needs to gel together and develop quickly as one if they want to keep their passer upright in the pocket, especially with the pass rush from the outside. That is the key to success for 2025. Of course, it all begins with a perfect quarterback/center exchange on every single play.