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Former winger Chris Ashton believes England will see Sam Prendergast's inexperience as an "opportunity" in Saturday's Six Nations opener.
The 21-year-old Leinster fly-half will be making his championship debut having won his three previous caps in November.
After the retirement of Johnny Sexton following the 2023 World Cup, Munster's Jack Crowley wore the number 10 jersey for every minute of last year's Six Nations.
The 25-year-old started against the All Blacks and Argentina in the autumn but has since had to make do with a role as a replacement.
"The inexperience of Sam might be an opportunity," said Ashton on BBC's Rugby Union Weekly.
"You're so used to having someone there for Ireland who is so experienced.
"We're going back 20 years, [Ronan] O'Gara, Sexton, you're so used to having someone there who is experienced and can lead a team.
"Sam is 21-years-old, so if you're looking for a chink somewhere, a target for your team, you're going to go for the fly-half, aren't you?"
While predicting Ireland's fly-half debate will be a "close contest for years to come", Ashton likens Prendergast's style to that of Sexton, who has been in the side's camp in a mentoring role.
"The way he looks, the way he plays, is so similar to Johnny Sexton," he added.
"The way he operates, those wraparound passes, there's so many similarities there."
Scotland have not won the title in the 25 years of the Six Nations era and have failed to even mount a serious challenge since they won the last Five Nations Championship in 1999.
Many believe the current squad to be the best since Jim Telfer's champion side, although that has been considered the case for a number for years now, and Russell says the team must find a way to block out the noise coming from outside the camp.
"I think the last few years we've come in with some expectations and with the group that we've got, I think it's quite right to have those expectations," said the 32-year-old, who will co-captain the Scotland side alongside Rory Darge following Sione Tuipulotu's injury.
"I think we've come in with a really good mindset this tournament, which in my opinion has been different to the last few or any of the ones I've been involved in, which is great to see.
"But I think we've got to focus on now just getting Saturday right and depending on the outcome, we'll get back on Monday and we'll reassess where we are and go again.
"That's been a point we've been trying to drive this week, of not looking at winning the tournament just yet - that's obviously the goal for every team in it, but there's a long way to go before you get that title obviously.
"And we need to get the training right, then we need to get each game right as it comes and if we're to win on Saturday, the media starts talking Scotland up, the expectations go up a little bit.
"We can't let that affect us, we've just got to control what we can and make sure that all the outside noise doesn't get into the camp and we just focus on our job and stay grounded and stay true to what we're trying to achieve here."
SPEEDWAY, Ind. The 44th season of Avanti Windows & Doors USAC Western States Midget will feature 12 race dates at six different dirt ovals throughout California.
The season opens and closes at the southern California seaside oval of Ventura. The slate kicks off on March 8 at Ventura Raceway and closes out the series season at the same fifth-mile dirt venue on Oct. 25. Sandwiched between the bookmarks are another pair of Ventura events on June 14 and July 12.
Thereafter, Placerville Speedway hosts a duo of series rounds on April 5 and again on July 5 at the northern California quarter-mile dirt oval.
Two dates await the series at Nipomo, Californias Santa Maria Speedway as competitors return to the third-mile clay oval on both May 17 and Aug. 9.
Visalia, Californias Plaza Park Raceway is back on the slate for the first time since the series 2013 trip to the Central Valley fifth-mile dirt track. The Plaza Park return will take place on April 26 for its one and only series date of the year.
The newly-rechristened Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvicks Kern Raceway welcomes the series on June 13. Also making single appearances on the tour in the coming year are the fairgrounds of Merced Speedway on Sept. 13 while Antioch Speedway hosts the series on Oct. 11.
Cade Lewis enters 2025 as the reigning USAC Western States Midget champion, a series which also boasts as its champions such as Jeff Heywood, Sleepy Tripp, Robby Flock, Billy Boat, Jay Drake, Wally Pankratz, Cory Kruseman, Ronnie Gardner and Michael Faccinto.
2025 AVANTI WINDOWS & DOORS USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SCHEDULE
March 8 Ventura Raceway | Ventura, California
April 5 Placerville Speedway | Placerville, California
April 26 Plaza Park Raceway | Visalia, California
May 17 Santa Maria Speedway | Nipomo, California
June 13 Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvicks Kern Raceway | Bakersfield, California
June 14 Ventura Raceway | Ventura, California
July 5 Placerville Speedway | Placerville, California
July 12 Ventura Raceway | Ventura, California
Aug. 9 Santa Maria Speedway | Nipomo, California
Sept. 13 Merced Speedway | Merced, California
Oct. 11 Antioch Speedway | Antioch, California
Oct. 25 Ventura Raceway | Ventura, California
MUNDELEIN, Ill. Turn 3 Motorsport is pleased to announce that Tyke Durst will return to the championship-winning team for the 2025 USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tire.
Building on the foundation laid during his rookie campaign in 2024, Durst is eager to make further strides in his sophomore season with the team.
In his debut season, the 21-year-old showcased steady growth, achieving a season-high race result of 10th place at Road America and earning his best qualifying position of 10th during the season finale in Portland.
The upcoming year offers Durst the opportunity to capitalize on his experience, further develop his skills, and aim for consistent top-ten finishes in the highly competitive series.
Returning home to Turn 3 Motorsport for a second year in USF Pro 2000 means a lot to me, said Durst. I am grateful for all the support shown by everyone on this team. From the mechanics who keep us running to the Dempseys who orchestrate this family and everyone in between, this team has been nothing but great.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Turner Racing Honda presented by Mission Foods has announced a two-rider AFT Singles presented by KICKER lineup featuring Trevor Brunner and Walker Porter, along with continued support of Trent Lowe in the Mission AFT SuperTwins class for the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track season.
Brunner returns to the squad where he kicked off his professional career and earned his maiden Progressive AFT season following a Rookie of the Year campaign that saw him earn 11 top 10s in premier-class duty.
The Indiana native returns to AFT Singles competition aboard a Honda CRF450R with championship aspirations and for good reason. Hes one of the most decorated riders in class history, boasting nine-career race wins, four top-five championship finishes, and the distinction of being one of just four racers to ever secure a Grand Slam of victories (Mile, Half-Mile, TT, and Short Track) in AFT Singles competition.
Mike Turner reached out after the season was over and asked me to come back and partner up for the upcoming season, Brunner said. I had a lot of success in my first two pro seasons with the team and Mike really wanted to get the band back together. Im excited to be back on the Hondas and my goal and the teams goal is the championship.
Rookie phenom Porter joins Turner Racing the same way Brunner did in 2020 as the reigning Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award recipient. The youngster from Alabama will now look to make the same seamless transition as Brunner and similarly back up his sterling amateur career with a Rookie-of-the-Year professional debut season aboard a Turner Racing Honda CRF450R.
As a kid I always wanted to race for Turner Racing, and now my dream has come true, Porter stated. I started racing Hondas last year for the Turner Racing Amateur team, and I really liked them. My goal last year was to win the Horizon Award and then start competing against the pros at all our races to get ready for this season. I dont get to race my first race until I turn 16 in May. Until then Im training with my teammates and racing the pro classes at all the non-AFT races. After that, I will join the series and go after the rookie-of-the-year title.
The team will also partner with Big Red SuperTwins to field Trent Lowe in Mission AFT SuperTwins aboard a Honda Transalp 750. Lowe graduates from the AFT Singles class following a six-year run in the category, the last two of which saw him claim two victories and eight podiums while competing for Turner Racing Honda.
The team will be managed by Kenny Coolbeth and Nick Henderson with mechanics Mack McCormick and Michael Preston along with suspension by Steve Beattie with TwentySix Suspension.
With the Rolex 24 and Chili Bowl Nationals in the books and Florida Speedweeks off to a fast start, its time for the return of the Friday Morning Heat Race. Lets get started with our weekly tour around the racing world.
Hot Laps: Dig A Little Deeper
We wonder with the Roto-Rooters sponsorship of High Limit Racings Midweek Series, if there is bonus money for rooting a competitor out of the way on the final lap of a race?
Qualifying: Wild Racing
If you like entertaining auto racing of all types and you havent watched the Mazda MX-5 Cup races, you are missing out. Both races last week at Daytona Intl Speedway were thrillers, and Octobers oval debut for the spec sports car series at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway was also an interesting watch.
First Heat: Blast From The Past
Anyone who read about Maranelo, the new Texas-based luxury auto garage company many have come across a familiar name. Michael Holigan is the companys CEO. Holigan sponsored NASCAR teams, including Hendrick Motorsports and also dabbled in team ownership both in NASCAR and Supercross competition.
Second Heat: Numbers
Last year, 16 drivers ran the full High Limit Racing sprint car schedule, while 11 drivers and 12 teams participated in all of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series events.
Less than two weeks from the kickoff of this season, it appears 13 drivers will follow the High Limit Trail with 14 committed to the World of Outlaws. Should Bill Rose return from injury, that number would jump to 15.
Third Heat: Turning Back The Clock
It seems ironic that NASCAR national series action returned to a pair of historic North Carolina race tracks during the same week.
While all focus was on the Cup Series visiting Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem for the first time since 1971 for Sunday nights Clash, NASCAR Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series competitors tested at Rockingham Speedway (formerly North Carolina Motor Speedway) in preparation for the return of the two series to the one-mile track April 18-19.
Rockingham has been repaved and appears smooth and fast.
Fourth Heat: New Tradition
Its starting to be a tradition that at least one of the Rolex 24 At Daytona class winners is penalized or disqualified several days after the conclusion of the race for an infraction the public doesnt understand.
Apparent LMP2 class winners Tower Motorsports with drivers John Farano, Sebastian Alvarez, JobVan Uitert and Sebstien Bourdais was disqualified on Wednesday because the car was found to have exceeded the maximum allowable wear to the regulated area of the skid block on the underside of the car.
Say what?
In 2023, the overall winners, Meyer Shank Racing, were penalized more than a month after the race, but kept the victory.
Dash: Florida Car Counts
Florida Speedweek got underway in earnest on Thursday night. The ASCS National Tour had a stout 53-car field at Volusia Speedway Park, while 65 UMP modifieds were also on hand for night one of the 54th annual DIRTcar Nationals at the half-mile dirt track.
Elsewhere, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series drew 45 cars for its first of three nights at All-Tech Raceway in Lake City.
B Main: Two Sides Of The Family
We found it interesting that long-time late model stock car driver Cody Coughlin is getting into the drag racing business. While not surprising given his familys longtime participation in the sport, and specifically the Pro Stock class, it wasnt surprising that Coughlin would go the Pro Stock route.
What was surprising to learn is that hes making his Pro Stock debut with KB Titan Racing, which is co-owned by NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series champion Greg Anderson, and not Elite Motorsports, which fields Pro Stocks for Coughlins uncle Jeg Coughlin Jr. and his cousin, Troy Coughlin Jr.
That could provide an interesting moment or two.
Feature: Wisdom & Honesty
Donny Schatz doesnt sugarcoat anything. He has no need. Starting his 29th season on the World of Outlaws circuit with more than 300 victories and 10 series championships, hes the elder statesman of the series. Hes been there and done that, and he knows it.
Schatz met the media recently to preview the upcoming season and discussed changes in his team, his life, rules and much more. He was honest, and quotable as hell.
Talking about team leadership in the wake of numerous crew changes, he said in part: We all have to pull the rope in the same direction, and Ill be honest, sometimes you have to take the rope and give someone a swat on the ass with it.
In regard to the competition between the World of Outlaws and High Limit Racing, Schatz pulled no punches.
I find it ironic that we can live in a time when everyone was always wanting to win an outlaw championship and now they are trying to act like it isnt worth a damn thing because so and so is not there, he said. Weve all built brands there. We have all built our life there, so for someone to come along and say, It aint worth it anymore or it aint this, well, sorry, I have invested a lot of time and a lot of my life in it.
I am going to continue to invest my life in it.
For more from Schatz, read our feature on him coming Sunday on SPEEDSPORT.com.
OCALA, Fla. Multi-time Top Fuel national event winner and team owner Josh Hart announced the extension of his primary sponsorship with R+L Carriers, one of the nations leaders in the freight-shipping industry.
The partnership will focus on the dynamic business-to-business relationships and marketing opportunities for R+L Carriers. The marketing relationship will showcase the wide variety of business opportunities R+L Carriers provides their customers.
R+L Carriers has been with our team throughout my professional career, said Hart. We hosted hundreds of guests and gave them an amazing experience at the track and we want to get them into the winners circle this season. We are excited about our off-season changes, and we will be back in 2025 better than ever. The great thing about having a partner like R+L Carriers is it is a relationship as much as a business agreement.
Throughout Harts career the business owner and entrepreneur has focused on winning and customer service. With two Top Fuel national event wins and the 2023 Pep Boys All-Star Callout victory to his credit Hart is focused on making the 2025 NHRA season his best yet.
Hart has established himself as a rising star in the NHRA and a championship contender for the 2025 Top Fuel world title with the addition of crew chief Jason McCulloch and several crew changes.
Coming from the fast-paced trucking industry, we are thrilled to partner with a team who puts family and service first, said Greg Bronner, R+L Carriers Vice President of Marketing and Business Critical Sales. Josh Hart exhibits the highest level of integrity and a welcoming spirit at every event. His racing team embraces each fan with the same enthusiasm we approach every customer interaction at R+L Carriers. Were looking forward to this upcoming season of top fuel competition.
When the USA faces Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off on Feb. 15, it will be the long-awaited first NHL clash between a generation of stars representing their nations.
Connor McDavid vs. Auston Matthews. Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon vs. Jack and Quinn Hughes. It's an incredible moment for hockey -- and it's going to look incredible, too.
The jerseys for the 4 Nations Face-Off were officially released on Friday, giving fans their best look at the sweaters yet. That included the blue USA jerseys and the red Canadians sweaters that will fill the Bell Centre with vibrant colors for their highly anticipated "best-on-best" showdown.
"We wanted to make sure that for a 10-day tournament, the machinations of the colors would work against each other because we were only going to do one set of uniforms for each nation," said Brian Jennings, NHL chief branding officer and senior executive vice president.
The 4 Nations Face-Off jerseys, which went on sale to the public on Friday, are a collaboration between the NHL, NHLPA and Fanatics, the official outfitter of the NHL's on-ice uniforms.
"The guys had the opportunity to see some prototypes before we went to mass production. The feedback that we've received after they've had a chance to put them on for various marketing promotional activities has been extraordinarily positive," said Rob Zepp, NHLPA senior director for international strategy & growth. "Obviously they're excited to put these jerseys on, some of them for the first time on this grand of a stage."
The 4 Nations Face-Off is a round-robin tournament scheduled for Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston. It's the first "best-on-best" tournament for NHL players since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and a tune-up for their return to the men's Winter Olympic tournament in 2026.
Here's a look at some of the details and inspirations for the U.S., Canada, Finland and Sweden.
Team USA
The primary color is navy blue, with red and white striping on the sleeves and the base of the jersey. Rather than harken back to the past for a crest, the designers went with a modern "USA" block wordmark.
"What we wanted to do is really create this elegant aesthetic that was celebrating the American flag," said Dom Fillion, creative director for Fanatics.
But there is a bit of hockey nostalgia on the jersey: Each shoulder features a single white star patch, a nod to the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team that won America's last Olympic men's hockey gold.
Embossed on the sleeves of the jersey are the words "E Pluribus Unum," which appear on the Great Seal of the United States.
"We thought [it] was such a powerful statement when we talk about sports and a nation and people coming together as one," Fillion said.
Team Canada
Quite a history moment here for a Team Canada jersey: Someone finally found a way to incorporate maple into the design. "White maple," to be exact, which is used for colored accents around the sweater.
"It started with the maple leaf on the front. We wanted to build a narrative around the jersey, around the maple leaf, and then maple became the focus," Fillion said. "We talked about the maple water running through Canadians' veins, that kind of idea. Ultimately, [it] became a color narrative."
The front crest is a 13-point maple leaf with an arced "Canada" wordmark inside of it that's a reference to their gold medal team from 1924. The sleeves feature debossed maple leaf vines.
"Some historic nods to the past, but always done in this more modern progressive look," Fillion said.
Team Finland
The Finns are wearing white for the 4 Nations Face-Off, which Fillion said is meant to evoke "the vast winter landscape" of the country. The front crest features a contemporary take on the national coat of arms with its iconic crowned lion set against the backdrop of the Finnish sky. It also features the wordmark that reads "Suomi," the Finnish word for Finland.
Embossed on the sleeves are Convallaria Majalis, commonly known as lily-of-the-valley, the country's national flower.
"It's tough to land a white jersey in a powerful way and make a statement, but I think we really did that with Finland," Fillion said.
Team Sweden
The starting point for every Sweden jersey is the "Tre Kronor," or three crowns, and the nation's yellow and blue color scheme. There's not too much tinkering to be done here. "Sweden always have this really minimal approach and it fits within the design aesthetic of the country and their overall kind of design aesthetic," Fillion said.
But there is one big change for Sweden on these sweaters: Opting for a navy blue than the lighter blue the team has worn in the past. "Using that deeper blue was a big shift," Fillion said.
An even bigger shift: the Swedish flag being featured on the sleeve of the jersey, one of the most memorable Easter eggs among the four jerseys.
"To be able to put the Swedish flag on the forefront like this as a design element within the jersey is something that's pretty progressive and frankly something I haven't seen or done in the past," Fillion said.
NHL Power Rankings: Capitals hold No. 1 spot, plus January trends for all 32 teams
Friday marks the final night of games for the month of January in the 2024-25 NHL season. In addition to our latest updated Power Rankings, let's check in on how all 32 teams performed this month.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Jan. 24. Points percentages, paces and January stats are through Thursday's games.
1. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 72.55%
Alex Ovechkin or no Alex Ovechkin, this team just keeps winning, and January was no different; the Caps racked up 22 points in 14 games, extending their lead atop the Metropolitan Division.
Next eight days: vs. WPG (Feb. 1), vs. FLA (Feb. 4), @ PHI (Feb. 6)
2. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 70.75%
No, this isn't the dominant team that was setting records in the season's first weeks. But they'll take an 9-3-2 record any month, given the sizable lead they built in October and November.
Next eight days: @ WSH (Feb. 1), vs. CAR (Feb. 4)
3. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 66.67%
Some teams that lose in the Stanley Cup Final swoon in the following season. That hasn't been the case for Edmonton, and a 10-3-1 January has them atop the Pacific Division.
Next eight days: vs. TOR (Feb. 1), @ STL (Feb. 4), @ CHI (Feb. 5)
4. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 65.38%
Carolina's point percentage was the fifth highest in the league in January -- and most of those games were played without Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall. Are those two additions enough to finally get the Canes back to the Stanley Cup Final?
Next eight days: vs. LA (Feb. 1), @ WPG (Feb. 4), @ MIN (Feb. 6)
5. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 65.38%
Just as some other teams quietly crept up the standings in the month of January, the Knights stumbled a bit (at least in a relative sense); a 6-6-3 record isn't in line with what we've come to expect out of one of the NHL's elite contenders.
Next eight days: @ NYR (Feb. 2), @ NYI (Feb. 4), @ NJ (Feb. 6)
6. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 65.00%
An injury this week to Miro Heiskanen puts his participation in the 4 Nations Face-Off in jeopardy. What's not in jeopardy is the Stars' playoff positioning, particularly as they have gone 10-4-0 in January.
Next eight days: vs. VAN (Jan. 31), vs. CBJ (Feb. 2), @ ANA (Feb. 4)
7. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 60.58%
The Panthers started strong this season, which was good because January wasn't their best month ever: the Cats had a 7-6-1 record, despite a plus-6 goal differential.
Next eight days: vs. CHI (Feb. 1), vs. NYI (Feb. 2), @ WSH (Feb. 4), @ STL (Feb. 6)
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 60.78%
If the Maple Leafs are playing the long game, dropping to second in the Atlantic might make sense -- they'll likely avoid the Bruins in the first round of the playoffs. In that regard, a 7-6-0 January gets a thumbs-up?
Next eight days: @ EDM (Feb. 1), @ CGY (Feb. 4), @ SEA (Feb. 6)
9. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 63.46%
Given their negative goal differential in January, the Wild are lucky to escape with a record north of .500. And thanks to their early success, there remains a gap between Minnesota and the teams behind it.
Next eight days: @ OTT (Feb. 1), @ BOS (Feb. 4), vs. CAR (Feb. 6)
10. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 60.38%
Some nights, the Devils look as strong as any team in the league; other nights, not so much. (Just look at the two different results against the Flyers this week.) Accordingly, they'll finish January with a 5-5-3 record.
Next eight days: @ BUF (Feb. 2), @ PIT (Feb. 4), vs. VGK (Feb. 6)
11. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 59.18%
The Kings are looking up at the Oilers and Golden Knights in the Pacific Division, as those two clubs appear to be on another tier at this point. A 5-7-1 January didn't help the cause, and they are teetering close to being caught from behind (though they have games in hand on all the teams chasing them).
Next eight days: @ CAR (Feb. 1), vs. MTL (Feb. 5)
12. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 57.69%
The Avalanche remain in the driver's seat for a wild-card spot (if not a higher position in the Central Division), although their January results leave a bit to be desired, with a 6-6-2 record.
Next eight days: vs. STL (Jan. 31), vs. PHI (Feb. 2), @ VAN (Feb. 4), @ CGY (Feb. 6)
13. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 56.86%
Is this the season the Senators make it back to the playoffs? An 8-5-2 January -- despite a minus-10 goal differential -- has kept them right in the mix.
Next eight days: vs. MIN (Feb. 1), @ NSH (Feb. 3), @ TB (Feb. 4), @ TB (Feb. 6)
14. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 57.00%
The good news for the Lightning: Racking up a bunch of points earlier this season meant they had some wiggle room. The bad news: a month of 46.90 points percentage hockey has reduced that space to the smallest of wiggles.
Next eight days: vs. NYI (Feb. 1), vs. OTT (Feb. 4), vs. OTT (Feb. 6)
15. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 57.00%
The Flames have more or less held serve in January, with a 7-6-0 record. Thanks in large part to rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf, they remain on the wild-card bubble.
Next eight days: vs. DET (Feb. 1), @ SEA (Feb. 2), vs. TOR (Feb. 4), vs. COL (Feb. 6)
16. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 57.00%
It's unquestionable that the Blue Jackets are the best "story" of the 2024-25 season, and their quest for a playoff return was greatly aided in January: a record of 9-3-1 generated the sixth-best points percentage for the month.
Next eight days: @ UTA (Jan. 31), @ DAL (Feb. 2), @ BUF (Feb. 4), vs. UTA (Feb. 6)
17. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 56.00%
The well-reported locker room strife between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller was confirmed by general manager Jim Rutherford this week, lending more credence to the idea that one of the two stars will be traded. Hopefully that will spur the team to earn more wins, as a month of .500 hockey isn't a great sign looking ahead.
Next eight days: @ DAL (Jan. 31), vs. DET (Feb. 2), vs. COL (Feb. 4), @ SJ (Feb. 6)
18. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 52.83%
The Bruins have gone 5-7-2 this month and appear more in need of the 4 Nations Face-Off break than many other teams. Is there a trade in the works to shake things up?
Next eight days: vs. NYR (Feb. 1), vs. MIN (Feb. 4), @ NYR (Feb. 5)
19. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 52.00%
As the Rangers collapsed earlier this season, there was no shortage of fan frustration along with takes on how to properly fix them. Quietly, they've charged back up the standings, due in part to an 8-3-3 January.
Next eight days: @ BOS (Feb. 1), vs. VGK (Feb. 2), vs. BOS (Feb. 5)
20. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 53.92%
Detroit's 2024-25 season has been a bit of a roller coaster, including the dismissal of coach Derek Lalonde and hiring of Todd McLellan. This month has been a high point, with a 10-3-1 record that has the Red Wings back on the wild-card bubble.
Next eight days: @ CGY (Feb. 1), @ VAN (Feb. 2), @ SEA (Feb. 4)
21. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 51.96%
The fact that the Canadiens remain on the fringes of the playoff race into February is remarkable, and their 7-5-2 record in January is a big part of that. Does the front office add to the roster before the trade deadline, or keep the slow build process going?
Next eight days: @ ANA (Feb. 2), @ SJ (Feb. 4), @ LA (Feb. 5)
22. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 53.00%
Are we all sleeping on the Islanders? Patrick Roy has his team pointed back in the right direction after a rough start, going 9-3-0 in January.
Next eight days: @ TB (Feb. 1), @ FLA (Feb. 2), vs. VGK (Feb. 4)
23. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 49.06%
The Flyers' build back into a contender continues apace, though their minus-8 goal differential for the month would surely be helped if they had better goaltending on a consistent basis.
Next eight days: @ COL (Feb. 2), @ UTA (Feb. 4), vs. WSH (Feb. 6)
24. Utah Hockey Club
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 50.00%
The Hockey Club remains mathematically alive for a playoff berth but will have to reverse trends from a month in which it had fewer standings points (12) than games played (13).
Next eight days: vs. CBJ (Jan. 31), vs. STL (Feb. 2), vs. PHI (Feb. 4), @ CBJ (Feb. 6)
25. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 49.02%
Does this week's Brandon Saad contract termination mean that an addition is on the way? Something must be done if the Blues are going to make a move back into the playoff mix during a 5-7-0 January.
Next eight days: @ COL (Jan. 31), @ UTA (Feb. 2), vs. EDM (Feb. 4), vs. FLA (Feb. 6)
26. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 47.17%
How much of the Penguins' current roster will be on the team after March 7? The club's 4-7-3 record in January was better than only the "fun bad" Sharks; Pittsburgh's results seem way less fun, and simply bad.
Next eight days: vs. NSH (Feb. 1), vs. NJ (Feb. 4)
27. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 43.88%
The Predators are no strangers to wild turnarounds within the same season -- they pulled one off last season. It's not entirely out of the realm of mathematical possibility that they make the playoffs, and a 7-4-0 mark since the calendar turned to 2025 is a strong start.
Next eight days: @ BUF (Jan. 31), @ PIT (Feb. 1), vs. OTT (Feb. 3)
28. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 47.06%
Although it hasn't made a huge dent in the overall standings, the Ducks have been a middle-of-the-flock team in January -- with a 6-7-2 record despite a minus-8 goal differential. In which direction will they fly from here?
Next eight days: vs. MTL (Feb. 2), vs. DAL (Feb. 4)
29. Seattle Kraken
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 46.23%
Goaltender Philipp Grubauer -- one of the Kraken's early, big free agent signings -- was put on waivers recently, and it wouldn't be shocking if the club made additional moves ahead of the trade deadline. A 6-8-1 January record has kept them well below expectations.
Next eight days: vs. CGY (Feb. 2), vs. DET (Feb. 4), vs. TOR (Feb. 6)
30. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 43.00%
A 45.83 points percentage in January has actually raised the Sabres' seasonlong mark, but it's still not good enough to get them out of the Atlantic Division basement.
Next eight days: vs. NSH (Jan. 31), vs. NJ (Feb. 2), vs. CBJ (Feb. 4)
31. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 36.27%
This hasn't been the best season in Blackhawks history. But at least for the month of January, they haven't been dead last. (Chicago's points percentage is 29th for the month.)
Next eight days: @ FLA (Feb. 1), vs. EDM (Feb. 5)
32. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 33.33%
The Sharks began the month among the NHL's basement dwellers in the standings, and that trend will continue into February.
Next eight days: vs. MTL (Feb. 4), vs. VAN (Feb. 6)
Chloe Kelly has accused Manchester City of character assassination and briefing journalists against her as she sought a move away from the club in the January transfer window.
The statement comes a day after the England international made an emotional appeal on Instagram for City to acquiesce her request to leave the club in search of first-team football ahead of Euro 2025.
Sources told ESPN that the club had blocked her move to neighbours Manchester United but late on deadline day, they allowed the forward to join Arsenal on loan until the end of the season.
Following her City exit on Thursday, Kelly wrote: "So disappointed to find out tonight that people at the club are briefing journalists against me if I am to sign at a club before the window shuts.
"They've called reporters to assassinate my character and tried to plant negative stories about me in the football media. Of which is false accusations. Women should look after each other, and build each other up ... not shoot them down to protect their employers. To those responsible, I am disappointed in this.
"As said in my previous statement I just want to find happiness again."
ESPN have reached out to Manchester City for comment.
Along with happiness, the move to north London gives Kelly a chance at proper game-time. The 26-year-old had fallen down the pecking order at City, making just six appearances in the Women's Super League (WSL) this season.
City boss Gareth Taylor has said he hadn't seen Kelly's recent Instagram activity and added that he wishes her the best at Arsenal.
"We're in a selection based business where difficult decisions have to be made for the betterment of the team. And sometimes people and players can fall on the sharp end of that," he told a news conference on Friday.
"But what I would say is that when you take yourself out of the situation and look at the move that's been achieved ... it's a rival and they made the best offer. So we've certainly not stood in the way of a player being able to go and make the move that they want to make."
Incidentally, the two sides faceoff against each other in the WSL on Sunday. City go into the fixture a point and a place ahead of fourth-place Arsenal. However, Kelly will be ineligible to play her parent-club at the Joie Stadium on Sunday.
The 27-year-old came through the Arsenal academy and made 19 appearances for the senior-team before leaving for Everton in 2018.
She was the second deadline day arrival at Arsenal, following the signing of United States international Jenna Nighswonger from NWSL side Gotham.
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