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Tampa Bay Lightning defensemen Ryan McDonagh became the eighth player in NHL history to hit 2,000 blocked shots on Tuesday night against the New York Islanders.
The milestone comes in the span of a significant few days for the 35-year-old blueliner, having been honored for playing 1,000 NHL regular-season games in Saturday’s 5-3 victory over the Islanders on home ice at Amalie Arena.
He skated in his 1,000th game in an 8-0 win over the Utah Hockey Club in Salt Lake City on March 27.
Also on Tuesday, he joined former Tampa Bay teammate Mikhail Sergachev for the second-most shot blocks in franchise history at 670.
By cresting 2,000, McDonagh joins an illustrious group, headlined by San Jose Sharks defensemen Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who set the all-time NHL record earlier in the 2024-25 season with his 2,165th block. As of Tuesday, Vlasic boasted 2,176 blocked shots.
Former Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken and Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen Marc Giordano previously held the record, blocking 2,164 shots through 1,148 regular season games in a Norris Trophy-winning career, which started in 2006, the year after the NHL began tracking blocked shots in 2005-06.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion, McDonagh has played 1,0002 NHL regular season games through six seasons with the Lightning, in addition to six with the New York Rangers and a single campaign with the Nashville Predators. Through his career, he’s scored 79 goals and 417 points while adding another 12 goals and 65 points in 191 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Heading into their Tuesday matchup with the Islanders, the Lightning sat second in the Atlantic Division on 91 points, tied with their state rival Florida Panthers, while trailing the first-place Maple Leafs, who were on 94 points in 74 games.
With eight games remaining after Tuesday, the Lightning will close their regular-season schedule on April 17 with a visit to the Rangers before looking ahead to the postseason.
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How the Canadiens’ Patience Turned a Rebuild Into a Playoff Push
The Montreal Canadiens aren’t just turning a corner—they’re already halfway down the street. After years of laying the groundwork, they’ve reached a point where a playoff spot isn’t a pipe dream; it’s an expectation. Heading into the 2025–26 season, there’s a new energy around the team. This is no longer a franchise in the patient, quiet phase of a rebuild. They’re entering the competitive stage, ready to challenge the Atlantic Division’s heavyweights. With a core of homegrown talent, shrewd trades, and a few well-timed veteran additions, Montreal has shifted from “up-and-coming” to “a problem for opponents.” Plenty of teams talk about taking the next step. The difference is that the Canadiens have already begun their climb. The Canadiens Are an Example of Patience to Progress The Canadiens’ surprise playoff berth last season came just three years into their rebuild—a much faster turnaround than most predicted. That kind of leap doesn’t happen by luck. It comes from a deliberate plan, executed with discipline, and a willingness to adapt when circumstances change. General manager Kent Hughes has been the architect of this transformation since assuming the role. Every move, whether bold or subtle, has served a purpose. Montreal’s ahead of schedule, and that’s not a coincidence—it’s a testament to a clear, consistent vision. Kent Hughes’ Blueprint: Bold but Calculated When Hughes arrived, he didn’t promise miracles. He promised a proper build—no shortcuts, no “win-now-at-all-costs” gambles. But that didn’t mean moving slowly. Instead, he’s found ways to accelerate the process without undermining long-term stability. His philosophy is simple: build through the draft, but be ready to strike when the right player becomes available. The Noah Dobson trade is the perfect example. Hughes sent two first-round picks to the New York Islanders for a 25-year-old, right-shot defenseman who can quarterback a power play and eat big minutes. That’s not just a win-now gamble—it’s a move for a player who aligns with the team’s age curve and identity. The Logan Mailloux-for-Zachary Bolduc swap fits the same pattern. These weren’t random transactions. They were calculated upgrades made with the belief that Montreal’s young core was ready for meaningful reinforcements. And when the Canadiens went on their late-season surge last year, Hughes made another key decision—he stood pat at the deadline. Instead of flipping expiring contracts for picks, he backed the group he had. That sent a clear message to the locker room: management believes in you. Culture Is More Than a Buzzword in Montreal One of Hughes’ quieter successes has been building a team culture that feels genuine. It’s easy for executives to talk about “values” and “identity,” but the Canadiens have made it real. Players notice when they’re respected, supported, and trusted to play their game. That matters—especially in Montreal, where media pressure and fan expectations can be intense. Creating an environment where players want to stay is a competitive advantage, and it’s starting to show in free agency. In a league with a hard salary cap, where you can’t just buy your way out of mistakes, culture helps bridge the gap. It’s the thing that keeps players invested and committed to the team’s long-term vision. Martin St. Louis’ Modern Hockey Has Reshaped the Canadiens’ Style Behind the bench, head coach Martin St. Louis has reshaped Montreal’s style of play into something fast, skilled, and dangerous. Since taking over in 2022, he’s transformed a raw, developing roster into one of the league’s more exciting teams to watch. Forget dump-and-chase—this is a puck-possession team. St. Louis wants speed through the middle, quick transitions, and creativity in the offensive zone. Mistakes aren’t punished with benchings—they’re treated as learning moments. This approach has allowed players such as Nick Suzuki to flourish. The addition of Ivan Demidov and Bolduc adds even more offensive depth, while Dobson and Lane Hutson give the Canadiens the puck-moving blueliners needed to push the pace from the back end. It’s a style of hockey designed not only to win games, but also to develop skills and confidence over time. And it’s paying off. The most striking part of Montreal’s current rise is the unity between the front office, coaching staff, and players. Hughes is building for sustained success. St. Louis is coaching to win now, without mortgaging the future. And the players are buying in fully. This kind of alignment is rare in pro sports. It means every decision—from a draft pick to a midseason call-up—serves the same overall purpose. That’s how you build something that lasts. What Comes Next for the Canadiens? The Canadiens aren’t a finished product. They’ll need to navigate the tricky balance between developing their young stars and adding the right veterans to support them. The Atlantic Division is loaded, and staying competitive won’t be easy. But for the first time in years, Montreal isn’t just trying to claw its way into the conversation. They’re part of it. And if they can keep building without losing their identity, this group could be a legitimate contender sooner than anyone expected. For fans in Montreal, this is the payoff for the patience shown through the lean years. The journey isn’t over, but the days of hoping for lottery luck are gone. The Canadiens are in the fight again—and this time, they look ready to stay there. [Note: I’d like to thank Brent Bradford (PhD) for his help co-authoring this post. His profile can be found at www.linkedin.com/in/brent-bradford-phd-3a10022a9]
Cubs catcher lost to horrific-looking injury on same day he returns from IL
After working to return to the Chicago Cubs' lineup following an oblique injury, Miguel Amaya suffered a gruesome-looking injury in his first game back with the Cubs on Wednesday night. Running to first base, Amaya just beat out an infield single on a slow dribbler to shortstop when his left foot landed forcefully on the base, causing his leg to buckle and sending Amaya flying down the first base line. Following the injury, Amaya was carted off the field in Toronto with a towel over his face. The emotions shown by Amaya as he was carted off indicated he knew already he would miss more time in a season that has been marred by injuries. After the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed Amaya would be going back on the injured list with what was diagnosed as a left ankle sprain. X-rays, however, were negative. The 26-year-old Amaya had just told reporters after being activated from the 60-day injured list that he was thankful he was healthy. Just three at-bats later, Amaya was once again injured. Amaya's three at-bats against the Blue Jays on Wednesday represented his first game action since May 24, when he recorded just two at-bats against the Cincinnati Reds before leaving the game with an oblique injury. In just 96 at-bats this season, Amaya is slashing .281/.314/.500 with four home runs and 25 RBI. Amaya's injury is another blow for the Cubs, who have seen their lead in the National League Central evaporate as the Milwaukee Brewers have now won 12 consecutive games and are 20-4 since the All-Star break. As has been the case in Amaya's absence, Carson Kelly and Reese McGuire will continue to be the dominant presences behind the plate for the Cubs. Joining with Amaya, the duo has helped the Cubs record a 2.8 Wins Above Average (WAA) at catcher, the highest mark of any MLB team. After Amaya's injury, the Cubs would go on to post a 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Green Bay Packers Add 16-TD Playmaker Amid Preparation For Colts Preseason Game
The Green Bay Packers made an under-the-radar move on Wednesday on offense, as the team announced that it claimed wide receiver Kawaan Baker off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders. From the Packers’ official website: The Green Bay Packers claimed WR Kawaan Baker off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders. The transaction was announced Wednesday by General Manager Brian Gutekunst. Baker turned pro in 2021, when he was taken off the board in the seventh round of that year’s NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints. He signed a four-year deal worth $3.56 million with the Saints, though he spent most of his rookie season on New Orleans’ practice squad. He appeared in only two games in the 2021 NFL season and never saw action in a regular-season or playoff game since. This is also not the first time that Baker got acquainted with the Packers, as Green Bay signed him to its practice squad back in 2022 before moving on to the Philadelphia Eagles and back to the Saints. In 2024, he joined the New England Patriots in the offseason and training camp but was waived before the start of the season. His most recent stop was with the Raiders, who waived him on Monday. Before he entered the NFL, Baker played four college football seasons with the South Alabama Jaguars, during which he scored 16 touchdowns on 126 receptions through 45 games. Baker could see some action this coming Saturday’s preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts. Fans react to Green Bay Packers’ move on Baker The Packers have plenty of hurt bodies on the wide receiver room, and that is not lost on Green Bay fans, who have a lot to say about the Baker signing. “Gute is always working,” said a fan on X. Another one said: “Damn, I thought for sure they were gonna pick up OBJ or Amari Cooper this time” From a commenter: “We got 30 WRs… what’s one more” “Idk but he has return experience,” a social media user posted. Via a different commenter: “Well, when there is one receiver that can catch the ball …” Said another: “Looks like a returner option. He’s been on several practice squads over the years.”
Giants force Jets' Justin Fields into familiar problem at joint practice
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields was a little more accurate on Wednesday than he was in his "alarming" performance during joint practice with the New York Giants on Tuesday. Still, the fifth-year quarterback had a familiar issue pop up. Per Dan Duggan and Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic, Fields took several sacks against a Giants defense that brought the house on a shaky Jets offensive line. Via The Athletic: "On the other field, the Giants defensive front carried over its domination from Tuesday, giving Jets quarterback Justin Fields and his offensive line plenty of problems. Camp stats are subjective, especially when it comes to sacks, but the Giants appeared to get to Fields for four sacks. "Similar to Tuesday, there were moments when it was hard to tell exactly who was causing problems as the Giants sent multiple bodies in the backfield. Fields, who went 7-of-11 on the day, had a few overthrows on plays that likely were sacks." Fields did have a couple of long runs on a Giants defense that struggled against the rush in 2024. While Fields has a unique ability to add to the running game, the Jets need the 2021 first-round pick to push the ball down the field in the passing game. Fields has always had a problem with being indecisive in the pocket, leading to his taking too many sacks since entering the league. He led the league with 55 sacks in 2022 and has taken 151 in his four-year career. The Ohio State product took 16 sacks during his six starts with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. In camp, Fields doesn't have to worry about taking body blows from sacks that lead to injuries. That will happen in the regular season if he plays how he practiced on Wednesday.
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