preview Page 191 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Battle-tested BYU seeks rare Sweet 16 spot, faces Wisconsin
DENVER -- Egor Demin heard the chant from the BYU fans minutes after the Cougars beat VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.,"One more year! One more year!",Demin smiled at the crowd, but the freshman has more immediate plans before making a decision on his future with the progra...

No time for Red Wings to relax with trip starting at Vegas
The Detroit Red Wings seemed to have the perfect schedule, with a three-day break between games on their current four-game road trip before Saturday night's visit to the Vegas Golden Knights.,Who couldn't use a few days off in sunny Las Vegas during the middle of March Madness?,But a 4-1 loss at Was...

Maple Leafs ride momentum into clash with Predators
The Toronto Maple Leafs lay their three-game win streak on the line when they ride into town to face the Nashville Predators on Saturday.,While the Maple Leafs (42-24-3, 87 points) are flying high, the down-and-out Predators (25-35-8, 58 points) have a four-game losing skid to their name.,The Maple ...

Senators try to get off the schneid vs. struggling Devils
The Ottawa Senators will bid to avoid a third straight loss when they open a three-game road trip against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night in Newark, N.J.,Ottawa (36-27-5, 77 points) has dropped back-to-back games after having its eight-game point streak snapped in Tuesday's road loss to the ...

Avalanche, Canadiens put hot streaks on the line
The Colorado Avalanche and the Montreal Canadiens have inserted their names in the playoff discussion due in large part to their scintillating play of late.,The Avalanche carry a 9-1-1 record over their last 11 games into the finale of their three-game road trip on Saturday against the Canadiens. Mo...

Precocious coaches get together as Texas Tech faces Drake
Grant McCasland is trying to steer Texas Tech to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in the past seven NCAA Tournaments and the first time in his two seasons at the school.,Standing in his way is his best friend, Drake coach Ben McCollum.,Rest assured that the friendship will be on pause for a few hour...

Lightning continue key road stretch against Utah
The Tampa Bay Lightning continue their quest for an Atlantic Division title when they play their first-ever game in Salt Lake City on Saturday afternoon against the Utah Hockey Club.,It's the second game of a three-game Western road trip for Tampa Bay (40-23-5, 85 points), which is two points behind...

Two of NHL's hottest teams face off as Canes visit Kings
The hottest team in the NHL will try to cool off another team that's beginning to boil when the Carolina Hurricanes visit the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon.,The Hurricanes (42-22-4, 88 points) have won eight in a row for the second time this season and surrendered two goals or fewer in eve...

Flames, Islanders desperate to keep playoff pushes going
Rare is the nonconference game that pits two teams who have as much at stake as the New York Islanders and Calgary Flames when the teams meet Saturday afternoon in Elmont, N.Y.,The Islanders and Flames were both off Friday after continuing their timely surges Thursday night. New York opened a four-g...

Wolves look to snap out of 2-game slump in Pelicans rematch
Something seems to be off with the Minnesota Timberwolves. That's the bad news.,The good news, veteran forward Julius Randle said, is that the Timberwolves still have time to snap back into shape as the regular season winds down.,"We've just got to get our energy back, man -- our swag," Randle said....

Trail Blazers look to continue uphill climb against Nuggets
The Portland Trail Blazers remain in an uphill climb when it comes to nabbing a Western Conference play-in spot.,But the gap has narrowed, and Portland looks to take another step forward when it hosts the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.,The Trail Blazers (31-39) are 3-1 on a seven-game homestand and...

Timberwolves look to snap out of 2-game slump in Pelicans rematch
Something seems to be off with the Minnesota Timberwolves. That's the bad news.,The good news, veteran forward Julius Randle said, is that the Timberwolves still have time to snap back into shape as the regular season winds down.,"We've just got to get our energy back, man -- our swag," Randle said....

Surging Pistons set to face injury-plagued Mavericks
These are heady times for the Detroit Pistons, who moved a season-high eight games above .500 with a last-second victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday.,The Pistons (39-31) have their sights set on larger goals as they prepare to visit the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.,While the injury-plagued Maver...

Rockets are hot, Heat are not as opposites attract
The contrast is stark.,When the Miami Heat plays host to the Houston Rockets on Friday night, it will be a battle between two teams who have been headed in different directions over recent weeks.,Houston (45-25) is on a season-best eight-game win streak.,Miami (29-40) is on a nine-game losing streak...

Magic keeping long-range faith with visit to Wizards ahead
The fading Orlando Magic will look for better shooting and a better result when they visit the Washington Wizards on Friday.,The Magic (32-38) currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference, one of four play-in tournament spots. But they are not there because of their long-distance shooting.,Orlando...

Kings aim to avert season sweep at hands of Blackhawks
As the see-saw journey that is the Los Angeles Kings' stretch run continues, the good news is this: The Kings maintain a firm hold on a playoff spot.,Entering Thursday's visit to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Kings (36-21-9, 81 points) have a six-point lead for the No. 3 slot in the Pacific Division a...

Stars to put home win streak to test against Lightning
Streaks are set to clash as the Tampa Bay Lightning eye a third consecutive victory Thursday night against the Dallas Stars, who will look for a ninth straight home win. ,Tampa Bay (39-23-5, 83 points) is vying for home-ice advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with an oppo...

Amid three-game skid, Predators out for revenge on Ducks
The last 15 games of a lost NHL season can seem like a lifetime, but the Nashville Predators still hope they can generate some momentum heading into a long offseason.,The Predators will get their next chance to end their latest skid when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.,Nashville (25-3...

Canucks' critical road trip begins against defensive-minded Blues
The Vancouver Canucks' postseason hopes hang in the balance as they head out for a pivotal six-game road trip.,The Canucks (32-25-11, 75 points) will start that journey Thursday night in St. Louis to play the Blues (34-28-7, 75 points).,Vancouver has gone 6-7-0 since the break for the 4 Nations Face...

Cruising Capitals host offensively-challenged Flyers
The Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals will play host to the floundering Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.,The Capitals (45-15-8, 98 points) have won seven of their past eight contests, with their latest win coming on Tuesday when they took down the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on the road.,Loga...