I Dig Sports
'Ireland won't rely on retirement emotion against France'
Paul O'Connell says Ireland will not need to use the emotion of upcoming retirements as motivation when they face Six Nations title rivals France next weekend.
The highly anticipated Aviva Stadium encounter will double as a top-two showdown and Dublin farewell for Ireland greats Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy, who will retire from Test rugby at the end of the tournament.
But victory over Les Bleus on 8 March (14:15 GMT) will put Ireland in the driving seat with one game left and O'Connell says the squad can be trusted to focus on the job at hand.
"Boys don't rely on emotion massively," said the forwards coach, who played with the trio for Ireland as well as O'Mahony and Murray at Munster.
"It's the icing on the cake rather than the whole cake these days. I don't think we'll be using it for emotion or to help us win the game. It's more about marking their contribution.
"It hasn't always been easy for them. They've had to keep coming back and keep fighting for their place. Pete has been in and out in the last few years, same with Conor Murray, Cian has had to reinvent himself and figure out a way to stay part of the group."
O'Connell, who won the 2014 and 2015 Six Nations titles alongside the retiring trio, added: "As I said, how much they enjoy it adds to the whole enjoyment for all the players and coaches.
"They've had to work really hard so it's about marking their contribution rather than using it as any motivation for us.
"I just don't think we need it for this weekend, we're good when we know how important it is and how serious the occasion is, but we're good when we're nice and clear as well and calm under pressure."
Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll was also unimpressed.
"I just don't get it, I don't know why there isn't a cohesion," he told ITV Sport., external
"It is stodgy, it is kick tennis, it is quite negative and it is fine to eke out one-point victories, but when those games go against you - which they will at times - you are going to get huge negative feedback."
Scotland were ahead of England in a raft of attacking stats, such as metres made and line breaks, while France, who also lost by a point at Allianz Stadium in the previous round, butchered several try-scoring chances.
However, Genge insists England should be judged by results that leave them in touch with the top of the table with two games to play.
"It's like you're damned if you do, damned if you don't," he added.
"In the last 18 months, every time we've lost by a point we've been slandered, and on the weekend we win by a point and it's the same old story.
"Do you want to be part of a team that wins every single game by one point?
"Or would you rather be part of a team that loses every single week, 40 points to 39?
"I know what type of team I want to be."
England take on Italy next on Sunday, 9 March. They have beaten the Azzurri in all 31 of the teams' previous meetings, but the visitors were only three points better in Rome last year.
Genge says he and his team-mates are preparing for another tough encounter, despite Italy conceding 11 tries in a 73-24 defeat by France last time out.
"They beat Wales in Wales, they took a few scalps, so I don't think they're a team that people think is a guaranteed win anymore," said the Bristol prop.
AUSTIN, Texas The NASCAR Cup Series race at the Circuit of The Americas brings a new day on a new track.
For Trackhouse Racing driver Shane van Gisbergen, it brings a new and welcome opportunity.
After less than satisfying finishes in drafting track races at Daytona and Atlanta (33rd and 23rd, respectively), the road course ace from New Zealand comes to COTA as the betting favorite for Sundays EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.
The Cup Series will race on a shorter National circuit this season, with the section from Turn 7 through the Turn 11 hairpin eliminated. That reduces the course from 3.41 miles to 2.40 miles.
Accordingly, the race will feature 95 laps instead of 68, meaning more trips past the main grandstand and more adventures in treacherous Turn 1.
Van Gisbergen surprised most of the other Cup competitors when he triumphed in his series debut in the 2023 Chicago Street Race. Now the three-time Australian Supercars champion is a known quantity.
I miss thatgoing there and no one knows who I am; I could kind of fly under the radar and do my own thing, van Gisbergen said. Obviously, there are expectations now, but Im pretty good at keeping that under control myself and focusing on my own thing.
SVG understands the reasoning behind shortening the course and shouldnt have difficulty adapting to the new circuit.
I did like the long track, but I see why they shortened it, he said. More time past the stands and more action. And the cut-through thats done (from Turn 6), we dont lose any passing spots. That extra bit (Turns 7 through 11), theres only one real passing spot, and theyre kept one with the cut-through.
More laps, too. I think its probably a good thing, a shorter track.
William Byron and Christopher Bell, who won at Daytona and Atlanta, respectively, to start the 2025 season, finished 1-2 at COTA last year.
Byron also will run the Xfinity Series race on Saturday in Hendrick Motorsports No. 17 Chevrolet.
Im more than ready to get to COTA, said Byron, who escaped a last-lap crash to win the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16. Weve always been fast there, and last year really showed what this team is capable of.
The course will be shorter this time, but thats where the extra laps in the Xfinity car should help. After the last two weekends of drafting, Im happy to be going to a road course that takes such technique.
Changes Propel Kahne Into Second High Limit Campaign
MOORESVILLE, N.C. Things will look quite different for Kasey Kahne as he returns full-time with Kubota High Limit Racing this season.
After winning six-straight national championships with Brad Sweet on the NAPA Auto Parts No. 49, renowned crew chief Eric Prutzman will move one trailer over to wrench on the Kahne Screen Print, HendrickCars.com No. 9 while also assuming the Team Manager role to oversee all of Kasey Kahne Racing.
The new pairing has seven nights of racing under their belts between the World Finals at Charlotte and DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia with the highlight coming in a top-five finish against the World of Outlaws.
As the Kubota High Limit Racing campaign comes around the corner, its all about getting familiar with this new dynamic for the No. 9 camp.
Adding Eric has been great because he prepares such a nice car and builds a team for the whole year, Kahne said. Thats something that weve lacked for a few years, having both cars fully prepared when the new season starts. As far as working together at the track through the night, I think itll be a learning process for both of us. I know that the success he and Brad achieved will help in the long-term, but I also know that Brad and I are very different drivers. I think it can work well, but it will be a unique combination that well have to adjust to.
For the better part of the last decade, Prutzman has been revered as one of the top crew chiefs in all of sprint car racing.
Before moving to Kasey Kahne Racing in 2017, he honed his craft under the tutelage of legends like Ricky Warner and Jimmy Carr when he was part of four World of Outlaws championships on the Tony Stewart Racing No. 15 driven by Donny Schatz.
Over seven seasons with Sweet, Prutzman enjoyed the glory of 74 World of Outlaws wins, 10 High Limit wins, a Knoxville Nationals title, a Kings Royal crown, and of course those six-straight titles with Outlaw rings from 2019-23 then High Limit bling in 2024.
For Kahne, who has been on the verge of his elusive first win with a national sprint car series for years, he hopes Prutzmans knowledge will elevate the No. 9 program to new heights.
I think we have the potential to become way more consistent, he noted. I know that its not as easy I would hope it will be and it will take some time, but I think our results, our consistency as a whole, our qualifying performance, it can all improve from where it has been in the past.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Rising Progressive AFT standout Bradon Pfanders is primed for a riveting 2025 campaign.
Returning to the AFT Singles presented by KICKER class with a bold new No. 83, the Bethlehem, Pa., native is poised to bounce back in dramatic fashion after a 2024 rookie season cut short by injuries in Texas.
Its a fresh start for me, said Pfanders. Last seasons injuries lit a fire underneath me. The team at Hannums Harley-Davidson has given me an incredible opportunity, and Im ready to put in the work and get back into the fight.
A 12-time Amateur National Champion and three-year Team Dunlop Elite Program participant, Pfanders brings a wealth of proven talent to the grid.
Armed with an upgraded machine and a lineup of dedicated sponsors, the young racer looks to leave his mark on the upcoming Progressive American Flat Track seasonbeginning this weekend at Daytona Flat Track in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Its time for our weekly Friday morning tour around the racing world. From hot laps to the main event, heres whats on our mind this week.
Hot Laps: Happy Birthday
Happy 85th birthday to Mario Andretti.
Qualifications: New Generation
Carter McMurray, the 14-year-old son of 2010 Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray, will make his SMART modified debut this weekend at South Carolinas Florence Motor Speedway.
First Heat: Lincoln Vs. Mother Nature
Pennsylvanias Lincoln Speedway has canceled its sprint car racing program scheduled for Saturday (March 1) due to unfavorable weather conditions. Lincoln opened its season Feb. 23 with Chase Dietz winning after the previous days event was scrapped. That makes it Mother Nature 2, Lincoln 1.
Second Heat: Trophy Time
One of the best trophies in motorsports is scheduled to be handed out Saturday night at Clarksville (Tenn.) Speedway.
The winner of the 21st annual Tuckasee Toilet Bowl Classic for dirt late models receives a customized toilet trophy and a $7,500 winners check.
Third Heat: Dirt Track Visitors
NHRA Funny Car champions J.R. Todd and Austin Prock are no strangers to open-wheel racing, and both will make visits to this weekends World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series events at Floridas Volusia Speedway Park.
Todd will be on hand Sunday, with Prock, who started his career racing midgets, stopping by to meet fans on Monday. The visit comes one week ahead of the NHRAs annual Gatornationals at nearby Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway.
Fourth Heat: IndyCar Debut
A new television network (FOX), the first full season for hybrids are among whats new as the NTT IndyCar Series season kicks off this weekend at St. Petersburg, but on the race track has anything changed?
Will Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske again be the class of the field or can Arrow McLaren, Andretti Global challenge for the championship?
Twenty-seven cars are expected to run the full season.
Fifth Heat: Bike Week
Bike week kicks off in the Daytona Beach, Fla., area this weekend and there will be plenty of racing over the next 10 days.
The annual Monster Energy AMA Supercross event at Daytona Intl Speedway on Saturday night.
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series visits Volusia Speedway Park for two nights of four-wheel competition Sunday and Monday, while the American Flat Track motorcycle series opens its campaign March 6-7 at the Daytona Flat Track on the grounds of Daytona Intl Speedway.
It all wraps up with the 83rd running of the Daytona 200 Feb. 8 at the Daytona Intl Speedway road course.
Dash: Tweet-tastic
Saw the following social media post this morning from the JEGs Performance account: So, I googled my symptoms and it says I need more horsepower.
C Main: A Different World
Media is very different today than it was when this reporter got his start under the tutelage of Chris Economaki in 1991. Digital and social media rule and the NHRA has made a big step to cater to Content Creators.
The NHRA has created the Cornwell Tools Burnout Box Content Creator Zone and is inviting social media influencers with 25,000 or more followers on any platform to experience this VIP opportunity, helping NHRA reach new audiences.
Thinking of the folks who may visit the Creator Zone, reminds us of one of Economakis favorite sayings He/she doesnt know which way the cars run.
B Main: Yellow Flag Endings
Through most of my time following NASCAR racing, it was common for races to end under yellow flags with leaders often allowed to race to the yellow flag. But some years ago, NASCAR initiated Overtime and the green-white-checkered finish of which it seems that every other race ends in that fashion.
But it created a standard whereby more often than not if a crash happened, the yellow flag appeared and the leaders did not race back to the yellow flag. It was understood.
But through two weekends this year, NASCARs officiating in these situations has been far from consistent with nearly identical situations handled in different ways.
Its led to justified criticism from NASCAR fans and confusion among competitors.
During a time when, Major League Baseball is experimenting with digital umpires calling balls and strikes and the NFL is preparing to digitally measure down and distance, is there technology out there to make NASCARs officiating more consistent in these cases?
One would think that drivers in major racing series know how to contact one another, but as Austin Cindric revealed this week, thats not usually the case.
Cindric was in conflict with Kyle Larson following a late-race crash Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway and left his business card to Hendrick Motorsports Vice President of Competition Jeff Andrews in the garage area following the race and asked to have Kyle call him.
I saw Jeff Andrews and Chad Knaus standing over by the 24 hauler, so I figured that was a good way of ensuring that I would get my conversation and that would be a lot healthier than just showing up at the race track, Cindric said. Sometimes guys will reach out to you and sometimes guys wont. I dont have a super close relationship with Kyle by any means, so its not like hes got my number. I guess that was my way of saying, Hey, we really need to talk about this, in a way that was gonna be not emotional for me because at the time I was pretty frustrated.
Cindric confirmed he had with Larson on Monday with the two discussing Sundays incident and moving on from it.
Editors Note: This is the final installment in SPEED SPORTs preview of each NTT IndyCar Series team. To read other teams previews, click here.
The NTT IndyCar Series 11th team on the grid this year is Prema Racing. The Italian team has a rich history in various Formula series, where its excelled with some of Formula 1s premier talents Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon.
As the team enters its maiden season with the American open-wheel series, it has tasked two drivers to full-time duty.
IndyCar veteran Callum Ilott is the teams experienced driver while it will also welcome 2019 Formula 3 champion Robert Shwartzman to the team.
Ahead of this weekends season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg (Fla.), heres a look at each driver:
Key Additions: Callum Ilott (FIA WEC), Robert Shwartzman (FIA WEC)
No. 83 Robert Shwartzman
Robert Shwartzman will embark on his rookie season in IndyCar when the green flag waves this weekend. While there are plenty of unknowns as to how hell adapt to Indy car racing, his track record is nothing short of impressive.
Alongside his F-3 title, Shwartzman also boasts six wins across two seasons in F-2 while driving for Prema.
Last year, the 25-year-old competed in the Le Mans Hypercar category with AF Corse in WEC, notching two victories in eight starts.
While its too early to tell how a new team and new driver to the series will fair, Shwartzmans progress will be a topic to watch as the season progresses.
No. 90 Callum Ilott
Callum Ilott had two starts in the IndyCar Series last season in relief for David Malukas at Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team. He earned two strong 11th-place results, including at the Indianapolis 500.
Aside from his open-wheel action, Ilott enjoyed a successful season with Hertz Team Jota (WEC) in the LM Hypercar division. He earned a win at the 6 Hours of Spa along with two second-place finishes during the season.
While its been a full season since his last full-time action in IndyCar, Ilott showed plenty of promise while competing with Juncos Hollinger Racing in 2023 with three top-10 finishes and a result of 16th in the standings.
Ilott will be a key component in the teams rise to success within the series.
Petgrave re-bailed in Johnson death investigation
SHEFFIELD, England -- A man who was arrested more than a year ago on suspicion of manslaughter in the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson was again re-bailed Friday.
Johnson played for the Nottingham Panthers and died shortly after his neck had been sliced in a collision with Sheffield Steelers defenseman Matt Petgrave during a game on Oct. 28, 2023.
A man was arrested two weeks later and though South Yorkshire Police have not publicly identified him, Petgrave himself said in a crowdfunding appeal for legal fees that he's the subject of a police investigation.
He has been re-bailed several times -- this one extending to May 29.
"The investigation remains ongoing as officers work to understand the circumstances surrounding Adam's tragic death," South Yorkshire Police said in a statement Friday. "Any further updates or developments in this investigation ahead of the new bail expiry date will be issued proactively on our website. Our thoughts remain with Adam's family and friends."
No criminal charges have been filed. There could be a variety of explanations for why the investigation has stretched past 15 months.
Petgrave, 33, who is from Canada, has called Johnson's death a "a tragic accident."
The collision took place in the second period of a game in the Elite Ice Hockey League's cup competition.
Johnson, a Minnesota native who briefly played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, was skating with the puck into Sheffield's defensive zone and pivoted to move inside. Petgrave had another Panthers player in front of him and appears to have made contact. Then, Petgrave's left skate elevated as the defenseman began to fall and the blade hit Johnson in the neck.
NHL referees won't have to scan cavernous Ohio Stadium to find a clock during Saturday's Stadium Series game between Detroit and Columbus. They'll just have to feel the vibrations on their wrist.
The NHL, Apple and Presidio have created a system for real-time, in-game situational notifications with the NHL Watch Comms App, which runs on Apple Watches specifically configured for on-ice NHL officials. Officials are alerted by haptics to time ticking down at the end of a period and the end of power plays.
While referees and linespersons have been using the Apple Watch software throughout the 2024-25 season, this weekend marks the first time it will be used in an NHL outdoor game. The Red Wings and Blue Jackets face off at 6 p.m. ET Saturday at Ohio State's football stadium.
Stephen Walkom, the NHL's executive vice president of hockey operations, was an on-ice official for three decades. He said this technology is an important innovation.
"You were always searching to find the clock, and every rink's just a little bit different. While you were doing that, you were taking your eyes off the ice," he said. "In the stadium games, it was even harder. You're staring off into space looking for a clock and a guy gets hooked on a breakaway. For us, this is a dependable, durable and useful tool to keep us safe and focused on the game."
The NHL's relationship with Apple tracks back to 2017, when iPads were first placed on every bench so real-time video of plays could be available for viewing. Dave Lehanski, NHL executive vice president of business development and innovation, said that after coaches and players were given that technology, the league's attention turned to how to make its officials' jobs easier.
Andres de Corral, vice president of digital services and solutions at Presidio, said the software provides three main functions. It displays the game clock and jersey numbers of players in the penalty box. It has a running penalty timer, sending vibrations to the official's wrist when a power play is about to end.
"They have a 200-pound person flying at them at 50 mph," Corral said. "We want to make sure they're out of the way and not necessarily get tripped up. That was really the key for official safety."
Walkom remembers that from his days as an NHL referee.
"We had a number of near misses. You're trying to avoid each other, trying to keep up with the pace of the play, and you've got to know that the guy's coming out of the box," he said. "But getting that little notice, that warning at 10 seconds, it makes you aware where you need to be to stay out of the way of the player."
The watch also alerts officials to the clock ticking down for the end of a period, with haptic notifications for 10, 3, 2 and 1 seconds left "just so they could really ensure their eyes are on the ice and the players," Corral said.
The penalty box and game clock haptics are different vibrations.
Rather than using the scoreboard clock as a reference, the watches pull 25 data points from the NHL's OASIS feed, which is part of the league's NHL Edge puck and player tracking system. Pulling the data, rather than using push notifications, dramatically decreased the lag between what's happening on the ice and what's delivered to the watch. Instead of relying on an arena or stadium Wi-Fi, the watches use cellular connectivity.
The NHL Watch Comms App was launched in September 2024. The league said 92.5% of on-ice NHL officials have adopted wearing the Apple Watch. Walkom said those who haven't were waiting on customization of their watch bands.
The league is already considering other ways to use this technology to help its on-ice officials.
Part of the NHL Edge system tracks the "stick and limb" movements of players during the game. Lehanski said that data isn't publicly available yet because "we're still authenticating for accuracy and for consistency from arena to arena."
Once the NHL is satisfied with its accuracy, the NHL Watch Comms App might be able to alert an official that a puck had been contacted by a high stick.
"You could have a time where you measure every player on normal heights of the shoulder and you get a notification when that particular player touches the puck with a stick above their normal height to the shoulder," Walkom said. "You get it instantly. It's not a judgment call."
There has also been discussion about whether the watches could eventually alert officials to pucks getting shot into the netting behind the goals, which is something that occasionally misses detection on the ice. In time, as the NHL's puck tracking continues to be refined, Lehanski hopes the watches could one day alert referees that the puck has crossed the goal line if their sightlines are blocked.
The watches could also create more connectivity for all the officials watching the game.
"All of this speaks to the future potential for how we leverage the watches potentially for communication. Thinking about the officials on the ice, the other officials in the arena, the officials that are in the video review room in Toronto and maybe leveraging that as a component down the road," Lehanski said. "No doubt we're just scratching the surface."
NHL Power Rankings: Each team's fantasy hockey surprise of 2024-25
Now that the 4 Nations Face-Off is in the rearview mirror, the NHL has resumed the regular season -- which means its time for another round of power rankings!
Along with the updated voting totals, it's time for another fantasy hockey takeover. Sean Allen (Eastern Conference) and Victoria Matiash (Western Conference) have identified each team's biggest surprise this season in fantasy hockey -- for positive or negative reasons.
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 Feb. 7. Points percentages are through Thursday's games.
1. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 72.50%
Mark Scheifele, F: Just weeks before he turns 32, the Jets center is threatening to hit the 45-goal mark for the first time in his career. Toss in another 40-something assists and Scheifele could wrap 2024-25 as a top-10 forward in ESPN fantasy leagues.
Next seven days: vs. PHI (March 1), @ NYI (March 4), @ PHI (March 6)
2. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 71.19%
Logan Thompson, G: He has only a 55.8% crease share on the season, yet the surprising Thompson ranks a comfortable third in fantasy points among all goaltenders. Honorable mentions go to Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has finally found a productive home, and Alex Ovechkin, whose 0.71 goals per game ties the second-best rate of his career as he closes in on Wayne Gretzky's goals scored record.
Next seven days: vs. TB (March 1), vs. OTT (March 3), @ NYR (March 5)
3. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 65.52%
Logan Stankoven, F: Remember when Stankoven exploded for four goals and 10 assists in his first 15 games, wedging himself well into the Calder Trophy conversation? No? That's probably because he's kicked in only 12 points in 40 contests since. A surprising drop-off, following an equally remarkable fantasy start to 2024-25.
Next seven days: vs. LA (Feb. 28), vs. STL (March 2), vs. NJ (March 4), vs. CGY (March 6)
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 63.79%
Anthony Stolarz, G: Dishonorable mention to the defense, which is producing fantasy value from physical play only -- only the Sharks and Ducks have fewer power-play points from the blue line. Honorable mention to Stolarz's goalie partner, Joseph Woll. The goaltending has been simply fantastic for the Leafs this season.
Next seven days: @ NYR (Feb. 28), @ PIT (March 2), vs. SJ (March 3), @ VGK (March 5)
5. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 64.41%
William Karlsson, F: Recently placed on IR, the center hadn't exactly been lighting it up even before suffering this latest lower-body injury. Seven goals in 38 games? After potting 30, along with another 30 assists, in 70 contests this past season, that serves as a surprisingly disappointing dip in production and fantasy value.
Next seven days: vs. NJ (March 2), vs. TOR (March 5)
6. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 62.50%
Carter Verhaeghe, F: Maybe it shouldn't be a surprise, but after scoring 42 goals in 2022-23, the 34 scored by Verhaeghe this past season felt appropriate and repeatable. It's an unpleasant shock, but he'll be lucky to get 21 goals this season in what's been a healthy campaign.
Next seven days: vs. CGY (March 1), vs. TB (March 3), vs. CBJ (March 6)
7. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 61.02%
Zach Hyman, F: For another player, 19 goals in 53 contests would serve as an impressive haul. Except Hyman scored 54 this past season. So his fantasy managers can feel excused -- especially those who blew an early draft selection on the winger -- for feeling less impressed with the surprise drop.
Next seven days: @ CAR (March 1), vs. ANA (March 4), vs. MTL (March 6)
8. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 62.07%
Anthony Cirelli, C: Sure, Cirelli flirted with fantasy value on and off this past season. This season, he is a roster mainstay, and he's doing it with minimal power-play access and infrequent ice time with the superstars on the Lightning. Cirelli was a very worthy addition to Canada at the 4 Nations.
Next seven days: @ WSH (March 1), @ FLA (March 3), vs. CBJ (March 4), vs. BUF (March 6)
9. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 62.50%
Darcy Kuemper, G: While some of us (ahem) were a little more optimistic about how Kuemper would fare in this second tour in L.A., his current eighth ranking among goalies in total fantasy points still qualifies as a pleasant surprise. Between the experienced netminder's solid play and the Kings' stingy defense, his managers certainly aren't complaining.
Next seven days: @ DAL (March 28), @ STL (March 1), @ CHI (March 3), vs. STL (March 5)
10. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 61.02%
Marco Rossi, F: The 23-year-old sophomore is already comfortably ahead of his points total from this past season. Barring injury, Rossi should break through with 70 in his second full campaign. Not too shabby for a player projected for 10-15 fewer than that. Centering the top line definitely doesn't hurt.
Next seven days: @ COL (Feb. 28), vs. BOS (March 2), @ SEA (March 4)
11. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 61.02%
Seth Jarvis, F: He was fantastic this past season, but it's still a bit of a surprise that he is repeating the results like clockwork. Not all 23-year-old wingers bring the kind of consistency we're getting from Jarvis, as he's on pace to finish with 33 goals for the second consecutive season -- this time in seven fewer games.
Next seven days: vs. EDM (March 1), vs. CGY (March 2), @ DET (March 4), vs. BOS (March 6)
12. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 58.33%
Stefan Noesen, F: The production has been slowing down as teams got wise to the Devils' strategy on the man advantage, but raise your hands if you had Noesen down to be in the top 10 league-wide for power-play goals at this stage of the season.
Next seven days: @ UTA (March 1), @ VGK (March 2), @ DAL (March 4)
13. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 58.33%
Mackenzie Blackwood, G: Forgive the considerable and obvious understatement, but the trade from San Jose helps big time. Blackwood is now competing often and well. Only three other goalies have logged a greater points total in standard leagues: Connor Hellebuyck, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Logan Thompson.
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Feb. 28), vs. PIT (March 4), vs. SJ (March 6)
14. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 55.93%
Lucas Raymond, F: With 31 goals and 72 points this past season, it looked like Raymond had finally broken out in his third NHL season. Surprise! He has another level. Raymond is on pace for a 90-point campaign as the Red Wings look to make their first playoff appearance since 2016.
Next seven days: @ CBJ (March 1), vs. CAR (March 4), vs. UTA (March 6)
15. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 55.17%
Yegor Sharangovich, F: Perhaps a second-straight 30-plus goal season in Calgary was too big an ask? Obviously, since he has all of 11 goals to show for 50 contests. Lately, Sharangovich is seeing limited minutes, and in the Flames' bottom six.
Next seven days: @ FLA (March 1), @ CAR (March 2), @ PHI (March 4), @ DAL (March 6)
16. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 55.93%
Zach Werenski, D: It's not a surprise that a healthy Werenski is having a great fantasy season, but it is pleasant that he's keeping pace with none other than Cale Makar. They both round off to 2.9 fantasy points per game to lead the league for defensemen.
Next seven days: vs. DET (March 1), @ TB (March 4), @ FLA (March 6)
17. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 53.45%
Jake Sanderson, D: It usually plays out that the old guard slowly cedes the role to the new guy and there is some back-and-forth. Thomas Chabot had better per-game stats than Sanderson in 2023-24, so it wasn't clear the torch had fully passed. This blue line is now all Sanderson all the time, and it's not close.
Next seven days: vs. SJ (March 1), @ WSH (March 3), @ CHI (March 5)
18. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 55.08%
Elias Pettersson, F: He isn't shooting. He certainly isn't scoring. Seven other Vancouver skaters have more goals than the 102-point performer from two years ago. As far as fantasy surprises go, the Canucks center ranks right up there as one of this season's most frustrating showings.
Next seven days: @ SEA (March 1), vs. ANA (March 5)
19. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 53.45%
Chris Kreider, F: Twenty-two games into the season, Kreider didn't have a single assist when, surprise, he finally got one on Dec. 6. The next assist would come in January and he's now up to four on the season. Kreider was always more of a goal scorer, but the overall lack of points really has been a shocker.
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Feb. 28), vs. NSH (March 2), vs. NYI (March 3), vs. WSH (March 5)
20. Utah Hockey Club
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 52.50%
Dylan Guenther, F: The 21-year-old is blossoming into a top skater and fantasy star in real time. Although projected to serve as a near point-per-game player at some point in his career, this feels a bit (pleasantly) premature. Through the fantasy lens, Guenther is now equal to fellow Utah forward Clayton Keller as a must-roster in fantasy leagues of any size.
Next seven days: vs. NJ (March 1), @ DET (March 6)
21. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 51.67%
Jeremy Swayman, G: As surprises go, we might have seen this coming. Contract negotiations that threaten training camps rarely have a positive impact on a player's offseason regimen. We hoped Swayman would be a difference-maker in the crease as one of the top goalie picks, but, surprise: He's allowed the most goals in the league this season.
Next seven days: @ PIT (March 1), @ MIN (March 2), vs. NSH (March 4), @ CAR (March 6)
22. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 51.67%
Pavel Buchnevich, F: The good news is that production appears to be improving for the Blues' winger. After a mostly quiet January -- and dry spell-littered season altogether -- Buchnevich has a goal and four assists in three games since the break. This makes a lot more sense for someone who erupted for 76 points, including 30 goals, in his first season in St. Louis only three years ago.
Next seven days: vs. LA (March 1), @ DAL (March 2), @ LA (March 5)
23. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 51.69%
Lane Hutson, D: Before the season, there was the hope that one or more of the Habs' young defenders would get some game action this season. It became quite the surprise when Hutson took over the depth chart early in the campaign. He's not just excelling, he's threatening to win the rookie scoring race.
Next seven days: @ BUF (March 1), vs. BUF (March 3), @ EDM (March 6)
24. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 50.00%
Travis Sanheim, D: Inside the top 20 for total fantasy points, Sanheim has asserted himself as a must-roster player in fantasy hockey. He was on our radar before the season but has been a pleasant surprise in lineups since the opening faceoff.
Next seven days: @ WPG (March 1), vs. CGY (March 4), vs. WPG (March 6)
25. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 50.86%
Bo Horvat, F: This surprise can be shared with other members of the Isles' offense, which has failed to produce a single forward with a rate of at least 2.0 fantasy points per game. Even Mathew Barzal's per-game rates aren't that close to the threshold.
Next seven days: vs. NSH (March 1), @ NYR (March 3), vs. WPG (March 4)
26. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 50.86%
Jackson LaCombe, D: One of several positive surprises to emerge out of Anaheim -- goalie Lukas Dostal is another -- the sophomore defenseman is comfortably on pace for his first 40-point campaign. In fact, LaCombe leads all Ducks' skaters in averaging 2.0 fantasy points per game in 2024-25. He won't be under the radar much longer.
Next seven days: vs. CHI (March 1), @ EDM (March 4), @ VAN (March 5)
27. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 46.49%
Dylan Cozens, F: Two seasons ago, Cozens finished with 31 goals and 68 points as a central pillar of the team's power play. This past season, he dipped to 47 points but was still a big part of the man advantage. This season, he'll be lucky to get 37 points and is off the top unit.
Next seven days: vs. MTL (March 1), @ MTL (March 3), vs. SJ (March 4), @ TB (March 6)
28. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 46.72%
Rickard Rakell, F: Easily outpacing all other Penguins in fantasy scoring and hot on the heels of players like David Pastrnak and Mikko Rantanen among all skaters in FPPG, Rakell has been the most pleasant of surprises in a season of troubled waters for the Pens.
Next seven days: vs. BOS (March 1), vs. TOR (March 2), @ COL (March 4)
29. Seattle Kraken
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 45.00%
Matty Beniers, F: So much for rebounding off this past season's sophomore slump. After rifling off 57 points in his Calder-winning rookie campaign, Beniers is putting up disappointingly pedestrian numbers, translating into equally mediocre fantasy points, ever since.
Next seven days: vs. VAN (March 1), vs. MIN (March 4), @ NSH (March 6)
30. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 42.24%
Steven Stamkos, F: What else is there to say? It's been a sheer disaster in Nashville since the start. Stamkos earned fewer than 50 points in a full NHL campaign back in his 2008-09 rookie season (47), and it's only growing more dire. Ahead of Thursday's tilt with Winnipeg, the former Lightning captain hadn't collected a single point since Jan. 23.
Next seven days: @ NYI (March 1), @ NYR (March 2), @ BOS (March 4)
31. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 34.75%
Philipp Kurashev, F: It's difficult to believe that Kurashev potted 54 points in 75 games with the Blackhawks only a year ago. Or that the 25-year-old was supposed to take another step forward within Chicago's top six this season. But nine points in 41 games definitely serves as the stark opposite of forward.
Next seven days: @ ANA (March 1), vs. LA (March 3), vs. OTT (March 5)
32. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 32.50%
Jake Walman, D: It speaks volumes that Red Wings fans continue to bemoan the deal that sent the defender westward in exchange for future considerations. Settling in nicely with the Sharks, the surprising Walman leads San Jose's blue line in scoring, power-play production, shots and blocked shots. If it wasn't for losing several games to injury, the unanticipated fantasy gem might have totaled 50 points this season.
Next seven days: @ OTT (March 1), @ TOR (March 3), @ BUF (March 4), @ COL (March 6)
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