v Page 870 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Lamar Jackson tries to outrun playoff demons as Ravens face Steelers
Lamar Jackson has won the same number of playoff games as NFL MVP trophies: two.,The dearth of postseason victories have been an issue and the Ravens star quarterback looks to change the narrative when third-seeded Baltimore hosts the sixth-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC wild-card round on Sa...

C.J. Stroud, Texans face tough test vs. Chargers' defense
Three wins in the final six regular-season games led the Houston Texans to a home playoff game nonetheless.,As they prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC wild-card round on Saturday, the fourth-seeded Texans realize the urgency ramps up in January and beyond. That especially rings true...

After rare road win, resurgent Blue Jackets welcome Kraken
The Columbus Blue Jackets begin the second half of their season in position to make the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in five seasons.,The Blue Jackets their enter Thursday game against the visiting Seattle Kraken with 42 points and occupying the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Confer...

Heat look to build momentum during visit to Utah
While the Utah Jazz fell victim to a buzzer-beating half-court shot on Tuesday, the Miami Heat were earning a much-needed road win the same night.,The Heat next visit the Jazz in Salt Lake City on Thursday with hopes of building on the momentum they picked up in a 114-98 win over the Golden State Wa...

Petr Mrazek, Connor Bedard boost Blackhawks over Avs
Connor Bedard had a goal and an assist to back a 35-save effort from Petr Mrazek and lift the host Chicago Blackhawks to a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. ,Ilya Mikheyev and Frank Nazar also scored for Chicago, which ended an eight-game point streak for Colorado (7-0-1).,Avalanche ...

Trae Young, Hawks try to keep sinking Suns down
It will be hard for Trae Young and Atlanta to top Tuesday's win at Salt Lake City, but the Hawks will nonetheless look to finish their six-game road trip in style against the slumping Phoenix Suns on Thursday.,Young drained a half-court buzzer-beater to lift the Hawks over the Jazz 124-121 in the Ha...

With wildfires as backdrop, Lakers set to host Hornets
Entering a stretch of nine consecutive games in their home state, with seven of those in their own building, the Los Angeles Lakers are scheduled to play host to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday intent on fine tuning their new look amid trying conditions.,Devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles ar...

Vegas hope return home means more wins, starting with Islanders
The Vegas Golden Knights have parlayed a 22-3-2 mark against Western Conference competition and a 17-4-0 home record into the top spot in the NHL standings with 59 points.,But one of the few blemishes for Bruce Cassidy's squad at the halfway mark of the season has been a so-so 6-6-1 record against E...

Surprising upstarts Rockets, Grizzlies to face off in Memphis
Jaren Jackson Jr. is growing accustomed to his role.,Jackson has seen an increased scoring responsibility while the Memphis Grizzlies contend with a rash of injuries, from star guard Ja Morant to key reserves Marcus Smart and Santi Aldama. Morant is closer to returning from his latest malady, a Grad...

Balanced Providence attack overpowers struggling Butler
Jayden Pierre and Bensley Joseph each scored 18 points to help Providence snap a four-game losing streak with an 84-65 win over visiting Butler on Wednesday night.,Joseph netted 13 of his points in the second half to help the Friars (8-8, 2-3 Big East) in a complete effort, which included 48.6 perce...

Mrazek, Bedard boost Blackhawks to win over Avalanche
Connor Bedard had a goal and an assist to back a 35-save effort from Petr Mrazek and lift the host Chicago Blackhawks to a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. ,Ilya Mikheyev and Frank Nazar also scored for Chicago, which ended an eight-game point streak for Colorado (7-0-1).,Avalanche ...

Ducks, Blues out to shore up special teams ahead of clash
The St. Louis Blues will have to reestablish their home-ice advantage to stay in the Western Conference playoff race.,They bring an 8-9-1 home record into their game against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night. This game starts a stretch of 13 of 17 games on their ice for the Blues, who have just fo...

Hideki Matsuyama seeks Hawaii sweep at Sony Open
Hideki Matsuyama opened the PGA Tour season in record-breaking style last weekend at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii.,The Japanese star will ride a wave of birdies to Honolulu this week as he tries to make it a two-week sweep at the Sony Open in Hawaii, beginning Thursday at Waialae Country...

Cavaliers take down Thunder in battle of NBA's best
Jarrett Allen collected 25 points and 12 rebounds to lift the host Cleveland Cavaliers to a 129-122 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday in a battle of the top two teams in the NBA.,Evan Mobley contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Cavaliers, who have won 11 in ...

Villanova withstands second-half comeback, topples No. 9 UConn
Eric Dixon scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half to propel host Villanova to a 68-66 upset of No. 9 UConn Wednesday night.,In a raucous atmosphere in Villanova's on-campus gym, Wooga Poplar added 18 points as the Wildcats (11-5, 4-1 Big East) snapped the Huskies' eight-game winning streak.,...

Maple Leafs hope to keep rolling against inconsistent Hurricanes
The Toronto Maple Leafs believe they can play even better than they already are.,That could mean trouble for the Carolina Hurricanes when the teams meet Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C.,The Maple Leafs head to Carolina on a five-game winning streak after Tuesday's 3-2 victory at Philadelphia. They'll...

Magic hope to have Paolo Banchero for clash vs. Wolves
Orlando Magic superstar Paolo Banchero caused a bit of a stir on social media Tuesday by saying that "the wait is almost over," presumably referring to his impending return from a torn right oblique.,The wait could finally end Thursday, when the Magic begin a three-game homestand against the Minneso...

System tweak has Sabres thriving ahead of clash vs. Senators
It's been a roller coaster of a season for the Buffalo Sabres.,It started with three straight losses before an 11-6-1 run, including a 7-2-0 stretch from Nov. 5-23. Then they lost 13 straight, going 0-10-3. Since snapping that skid Dec. 23, they are 4-2-1.,The Sabres will look to continue that solid...

Oilers visit Pens with teams on opposite paths
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a tough task ahead of them as they try to snap a four-game losing streak, welcoming an Edmonton Oilers squad that enters Thursday's contest winners of four straight.,Pittsburgh lost 4-3 in a shootout Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team's third straight ga...

Devils try to continue dominance of slumping Rangers
Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils dominated the first two meetings with the New York Rangers last month as part of their ascent in the Metropolitan Division.,This time, the Devils enter Thursday's visit to the struggling Rangers amid a rough patch.,New Jersey outscored New York 10-1 in two meeti...