review Page 586 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Jets start 8-game homestand with rematch vs. Ducks
Good teams are quickly finding out they can't take their foot off the gas against the Anaheim Ducks.,The Jets learned the hard way two weeks ago in Anaheim, so they likely won't get caught looking past the Ducks when the teams meet on Thursday as Winnipeg opens an eight-game homestand.,The latest to...

Senators visit Stars, hoping for old results in new year
The Ottawa Senators hope their stellar play to end 2024 carries over into the new year, while the Dallas Stars are looking for an elusive run of consistent success.,The surging Senators look to keep the host Stars from a third straight victory on Thursday night.,Ottawa finds itself holding the final...

Maple Leafs continue without Auston Matthews at Islanders
The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to wait a little longer before welcoming back Auston Matthews to a team that has Stanley Cup aspirations.,The New York Islanders can't afford to wait much longer to begin winning and stave off a potential breakup of the core that reached consecutive NHL semifinals i...

Thunder, facing Clippers, seek longest win streak of OKC era
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has racked up plenty of big games and hot streaks during the last few seasons.,However, entering the Thunder's Thursday game against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander may be at the hottest point of his seven-year NBA career. And ...

Maple Leafs continue without Auston Matthews in visiting Islanders
The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to wait a little longer before welcoming back Auston Matthews to a team that has Stanley Cup aspirations.,The New York Islanders can't afford to wait much longer to begin winning and stave off a potential breakup of the core that reached consecutive NHL semifinals i...

Red Wings carry momentum into road matchup with Blue Jackets
The coaching change to Todd McLellan is working nicely for the Detroit Red Wings as they head into Thursday night's road game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.,The Red Wings have won two of three and two in a row since McLellan replaced Derek Lalonde behind the Detroit bench on Dec. 26. The Red Win...

Wild, league's best road team, visit strong-at-home Capitals
The Washington Capitals have a tall task in their bid for their fifth consecutive home victory when they entertain the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.,Washington, which plays four of its next five games at Capital One Arena, sports a sterling 12-4-2 record at home this season.,The Wild, in turn, boast t...

Rangers trying to solve problems as Bruins come to town
A myriad of issues in recent weeks have sent the New York Rangers tumbling down in the NHL standings, and the latest concern involves the health of goaltender Igor Shesterkin.,The Rangers will attempt to find a way out of their deep funk without Shesterkin for at least three games starting with Thur...

Celtics hit road, expect tough battle vs. Timberwolves
The Boston Celtics might need to provide extra ice packs for their upcoming road trip, and guard Jrue Holiday is perfectly OK with that.,"Teams are challenging us," Holiday said. "I think the game is becoming more physical, which is good. I think that's a benefit for us where we can do the same.",Bo...

Northwestern, Penn State meet up after strong starts
After ending the calendar year on positive notes, Northwestern and Penn State hope to begin January with a victory when the Big Ten foes square off Thursday in University Park, Pa., ,The Wildcats (10-3, 1-1 Big Ten) concluded 2024 by winning their final four games -- a tight overtime win over No. 19...

Hurricanes' road woes in focus heading to game against Panthers
The Carolina Hurricanes have been without desired results for most of the past couple of weeks.,They'll have a big challenge to get back on track Thursday night when they meet the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla.,One way the Hurricanes have identified to find their groove again would be better outi...

No. 9 Oregon faces stout test vs. No. 22 Illinois
No. 9 Oregon prepares for a big early season test in the Big Ten Conference on Thursday night when 22nd-ranked Illinois makes the trip to Eugene.,And to hear guard Jackson Shelstad tell it, the Ducks (12-1, 1-1 Big Ten) have a considerable distance to go to reach their ceiling.,"We feel like we have...

No. 20 Purdue eyes first road win at Minnesota
No. 20 Purdue is about to dive into Big Ten Conference play for the rest of the regular season. Is it ready? ,According to Purdue coach Matt Painter, the answer is a definite maybe., ,"We are if we win our next game," Painter said. "A lot of times, coaches talk about it, but they're talking in theor...

No. 21 Memphis opens league play at FAU
In the aftermath of a 13-point home loss just before Christmas, Memphis coach Penny Hardaway made a decision to return to "old-school practices" every day.,That meant sprints on Christmas night. Some "choice words all week for a lot of guys," Hardaway said. Seven days later, Memphis blew out then-No...

Golf Glance: PGA Tour tees off 2025 schedule in Kapalua
Field Level Media's Golf Glance provides weekly news and storylines from each of the major North American golf tours.,PGA TOUR,LAST TOURNAMENT: Hero World Challenge (Scottie Scheffler),THIS WEEK: The Sentry, Kapalua, Maui, HI,Course: The Plantation Course (Par 73, 7,596 Yards),Purse: $20M (Winner: $...

Elite field opens season at The Sentry, with a notable absence
Will Scottie Scheffler continue his extended run of excellence into 2025?,The answer to that question will have to be put on hold.,The 2025 PGA Tour season begins Thursday at the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii, as 60 players tee off at The Sentry. The field is reserved for the top 50 players f...

Bowl-streaking Minnesota meets Virginia Tech in Charlotte
History suggests that Minnesota takes bowl games more seriously than many other teams.,The Golden Gophers will put that theory to the test when they kick off against Virginia Tech on Friday night in the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.,Minnesota (7-5) closed the regular season with five wins in s...

Texas State, North Texas face off in First Responder Bowl
There will be a Lone Star State flair on display when North Texas battles Texas State on Friday afternoon in the First Responder Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas.,It will be the 15th rendition of the bowl and the second consecutive appearance in the game for Texas State, which beat Rice 45-2...

Raptors lug 11-game skid into meeting with new-look Nets
The Brooklyn Nets will have a different look when they visit the Toronto Raptors for the second time in two weeks on Wednesday night.,The Nets traded Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, just before their 102-101 road loss to the Orlando Magic.,In return, the Net...

Anze Kopitar, Kings on rise entering matchup with Devils
Los Angeles Kings coach Jim Hiller has learned there is no need to panic when the ice seems to be tilted the wrong way.,The Kings have shown they can turn things around in a hurry, something to keep in mind when they host the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.,Los Angeles rallied from third-period defi...