I Dig Sports
Head coach Farrell said that there are as many as six players in contention for the Lions captaincy, with the skipper not learning of his appointment until shortly before the squad's announcement on 8 May.
"There are maybe four, five, six on the list," he said.
"When you narrow it down - this is the right number to fit the schedule and what you need and which hybrid players can play in different positions then you consider who are the leaders within that, what are the dynamics of a leadership group and who is going to be capable of being themselves and comfortable in and around all that.
"It takes a little bit of a process, rather than diving straight in."
Ireland captain Caelan Doris, England skipper Maro Itoje and Wales counterpart Jac Morgan are all contenders.
Editors Note: In a nod to our 90 years of history, each week SPEED SPORT will look back at the top stories from 15, 30 and 60 years ago as told in the pages of National Speed Sport News.
15 Years Ago 2010
News: Racers using Impact Racing safety equipment may need to make significant changes within the next month.
The SFI Foundation, Inc., which certifies safety equipment for auto racing and other applications, has issued a Notice of Decertification and an order of Cease and Desist, which terminates all contracts of participation to Impact Racing.
The order goes into effect April 27 and pertains to all products manufactured and/or distributed by Impact Racing in relation to SF! Specification Programs 3.2A (racing frresuits), 3.3 (driver accessories), 16.1 (driver restraint assemblies) and 16.5 (stock-car driver restraint assemblies).
According to a statement by the SF! Foundation on its Website, SF! has evidence that over a period of years Impact Racing has engaged it} production and use of counterfeit SFI conformance labels and patches and affixed them to Impact products that bad not been properly certified by SFI.
According to the statement, Impact Racing never advised its customers that its products contained phony SF! labels and patches.
As well, SFI has directed Impact to immediately notify all affected customers to remove the counterfeit labeling and to offer the affected customers a full refund of the purchase price. SFI is requesting that all counterfeit conformance labels removed from Impact products be sent to SFI.
SFI will terminate all contracts of participation with Impact Racing after 90 days from March 24. As a result, Impact will not be able to participate in any SFI Programs after 90 days. No helmets are among the products involved.
Winners: John Force continued his resurgence and made history Monday by racing to victory at the rain-delayed inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
It was the second triumph of the season for the 60-year-old Funny Car icon, who increased his series point lead to 89 over his rivals.
Force, a 14-time world champion who suffered career-threatening injuries in a spectacular crash in September 2007 in Ennis, Texas, and endured one of the worst competitive seasons of his storied career in 2000, has returned to his familiar position as a championship challenger this season.
In the four-wide final, Force powered his Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang to a 4.036-second run at 316.23 miles per hour to finish ahead of his daughter, Ashley Force Hood, longtime rival Ron Capps and second-year driver Matt Hagan. It was Forces 128th career victory and first at zMAX Dragway.
Runner-up Force Hood set a national speed record at 316.38 mph in her Castrol GTX Mustang. As well, her fathers speed was the second best on record since NHRA began racing to 1,000 feet in 2008.
This is a little taste of history, Force said. This was special, like beating the dragsters at Bristol (2000 Winston Showdown). Thanks to (zMAX Dragway owners) Bruton and Marcus Smith. They took the money and spent it to make this happen. The hardest part was racing Ron Capps. He is always tough and (Matt) Hagan, now that he has (co-crew chief) John Medlen there, will put the fear into you. My own daughter also leaves nothing on the table. Im proud of Ashley. Shes learned the game. This track is so good that we took wing off of it. I dont usually run big speed, but it did this weekend.
Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners.
30 Years Ago 1995
News: The Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group Monday announced cancellation of the remainder of the 1995 Mickey Thompson Stadium Off-Road Racing Series.
President Danny Thompson cited a dwindling competitor base, lack of sponsorship and environmental hardships which have had a direct effect on the series financial situation.
Our events have endured a major earthquake in 94, record rainstorms in 93 and 95, and the L.A. riots in 92-all of which took their toll on the series, stated Thompson.
Thompson also acknowledges the level of competition at the shows has decreased due in large part to the departure of the Grand National Sport Trucks, the series marquee class.
We must step back and re-evaluate every aspect of the series, said Thompson, son of the late series founder Mickey Thompson. There is a major deficit in entries and sponsorship sales. We need to revamp the system and inject some excitement back into the program.
MTEG will continue to produce its U.S. Supercross events and pursue its Spec Truck program. No timetable has been set for the return of stadium off-road racing.
Winners: Robby Gordon, considered the next great American driver, used a heavy accelerator foot, a cool head, and a little bit of luck to score his first career Indy car victory by taking the checkered flag in Sundays Slick 50 200 at Phoenix Intl Raceway.
Gordon took the lead when race leader Emerson Fittipaldi had to pit for fuel on the !95th lap. That allowed Gordon to assume the lead after he passed Michael Andretti.
Five laps later, Gordon took his first career victory by finishing 0.788 seconds ahead of Michael Andretti. Fittipaldi was able to get back on the lead lap and finished third followed by Canadians Paul Tracy and Jacques Villeneuve.
Gordon proved that he can learn from a mistake. That experience has paid off in his first career victory in the PPG Indy Car World Series.
Gordon used a fuel strategy that helped him stay on the race track while Fittipaldi, the leader of the race with six laps remaining, was forced to make a fuel stop. Almost simultaneously, Gordon passed Andretti, which gave him the lead. Six laps later, Gordon drove to his first IndyCar victory.
He and his Valvoline/Cummins-backed Derrick Walker Racing Team accomplished all that without benefit of radios, which conked out at the start of the 200-miler.
In last years race, Gordon was in first place when he gambled on fuel strategy and lost He ran out of fuel while leading, 46 laps from the finish.
Fittipaldi went on to win.
Ironically, it was Fittipaldi who was knocked back to second because of the ill-timed pit stop.
Last year, we were in the same situation, Gordon said. Emmo (Fittipaldl), AI (Unser, Jr.) and I were on the lead lap. We gambled to catch a caution and ran out of fuel. This year, we leaned the fuel way back to save If for the last lap. We were running our fuel at 92 percent, and fell way back behind the leader, but it was enough to stay on the track when Emmo had to pit.
60 Years Ago 1965
News: Junior Johnson, 34-year-old veteran stock car racing driver, announced last week he may quit racing after the 1965 season.
The Ronda, N. C., driver, a veteran of 15 years of racing, told of his tentative decision as rain drizzled down on qualifying runs at the Atlanta International Raceway here. Johnson qualified his 1965 Ford for ninth starting in the race which was rained out Sunday and postponed one week.
Ive been in auto racing so long that Ive about lost interest in the driving part of it, Johnson said. Id like to quit and this may be my last year.
Johnson said he is getting too old to take the chances he used to take. l dont feel that I can go as hard today as I could a year ago, or a year before that, he said. I dont want to get completely out of racing.
Racings been my life. I just want to be around race cars, Maybe be a pit chief for another car, I just want to get out of the racing end of it, he opined. I hope to be in a position to do what I want to do by the end of the year, he concluded.
Johnson, who is a chicken former and raises prize bulls when he isnt racing, began his track career in 1950 and has won major races including the Daytona 500. Last month he was featured as The Last American Hero, in an Esquire magazine article.
Winners: Ernie Derr, five-time IMCA late model stock car champion, took the lead on the 96th lap at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds speedway and won the 200-lap IMCA Pelican 200 stock car classic driving a 1965 Dodge, powered by the controversial Heml engine.
Lenny Funk, a Kansas wheat farmer, finished second, three laps behind Derr. He drove a 64 Ford. Ramo Stott, driving a 1965 Plymouth, set the 8,655 fans buzzing when he got the annual race to a flying start. He seized the lead from Funk on the 13th circuit and set a blistering pace on the half-mile dirt ovaL He set new IMCA world records at the 25 and 50-lap marks, but didnt stay around long as Funk and Derr kept the pressure on.
On Stotts 96th lap, he took to the infield with a burned out rear end. His pit crew went to work, and had him back in action 33 laps later. Five laps later he lost a right-front wheel and finally placed 14th.
When Stott faltered, Derr and Don White, driving a 65 Ford, set the pace.
Funk, who had survived a brush with the wall which tore his right-rear tire, moved back into third after a quick pit stop. That dropped him out of the top five.
At 125 laps, Derrs Dodge was three laps ahead of Whites Ford, with Funk two laps behind White. On the 145th lap, Whites 1965 Ford lost a left-front tire, and he was forced to pit, moving Funk into second. Ron Hutcherson, Blaine Morrow and Bill Gibson trailed Funk in that order.
Derr took starter Bernie Carlsons checkered flag better than three laps ahead of second-place Funk and earned $600 for his effort.
Herta, Andretti Global Penalized Following Thermal
MOORESVILLE, N.C. Colton Hertas No. 26 Honda at Andretti Global has been penalized by IndyCar for a violation discovered in post-race technical inspection after The Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix on March 23.
The No. 26 entry has been fined $25,000 and will forfeit 10 championship entrant points and all prize money associated with the race at The Thermal Club.
IndyCar issued the penalty at 12 p.m ET on Wednesday.
Andretti Global was in violation of:
Rule 14.1.4. Approved Suppliers must submit bulletins to INDYCAR for approval prior to releasing bulletins to Entries. Once Submitted bulletins are approved by INDYCAR, Members are subject to enforcement by INDYCAR.
During post-race technical inspection Sunday, IndyCar discovered the team incorrectly attached the anti-intrusion plates on the aft leg of the front lower wishbones by using only one plate per side of the chassis instead of the two per side (a total of four), which were mandated in a Dallara bulletin released Feb. 14, 2025.
The safety-inspired anti-intrusion plates were introduced to the IndyCar chassis following the 2015 practice incident involving driver James Hinchcliffe at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
According to the rulebook, the violation is considered a Non-Race Procedure Penalty (9.2.3.), which includes the issuance of a monetary fine (9.2.3.2.) and the forfeiture of points and awards (9.2.3.5.).
Members may contest the imposition of the penalties detailed in the review and appeal procedures of the NTT IndyCar Series rulebook.
McCreadie Honoring the Past, Looking Ahead In Outlaws Return
CONCORD, N.C. Tim McCreadie is back where it all started for him in dirt late model racing.
The Watertown, N.Y. driver came into the year looking for something new, and as it turns out, whats old is new again. For the first time in a decade, the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Models champion is a full-time member of The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet.
Its exciting, its always nice to shake things up, McCreadie said. Sometimes youve got to look at doing different things and see if you can jumpstart some success. I just looked around at what Ive been doing and thought this seemed interesting. Kind of had our minds made up well before we decided to do it that we were looking to do something different, and here we are.
However, McCreadies schedule is far from the only thing thats changed in the past 12 months. Following the sudden departure of Hudson ONeal from Rocket1 Racing last spring, McCreadie vacated his longtime seat at Paylor Motorsports to run the remainder of the 2024 season with the Mark Richards-led operation.
But with Brandon Sheppard reuniting with Rocket1 after two seasons away, McCreadie went searching for a new home in the Late Model pits. That search led him to Boom Briggs.
Weve known each other a while, McCreadie said. Hes raced; Ive raced for many years. It just kind of worked out. He was looking at maybe scaling back a little and they still wanted to do some racing. It just worked out that I was available, and we decided to give it a try.
McCreadie acknowledged that Briggs experience behind the wheel is one of the main perks of having him as a car owner. The Pennsylvanian spent seven seasons on the road as a full-time World of Outlaws driver, achieving a career-best of second three times. Briggs still plans on strapping on a helmet on a part-time basis in 2025, ensuring he stays up to date on the nuances of a modern-day Late Model and can prepare the best machine possible for McCreadie.
Hes unique, he can still do it and drive, McCreadie said. When I worked with Vic Coffey, it was the same way. Vic could drive and could have all kinds of good feedback, and thats kind of what it is. Hes not afraid to do the work, so its exciting.
Of course, theres one change for 2025 thats visible as soon as cars roll onto the track each night for Hot Laps. McCreadie has brought back the No. 9 as a tribute to his father, Big Block Modified legend Barefoot Bob McCreadie.
Its been cool, McCreadie said. It warms your heart that people remember what my dad did and remember how fast he was, just all about it. I grew up watching this car my whole life, so it was kind of neat that we were able to do it. Weve just got to start putting it up further where it belongs instead of where were at.
The start of the 2025 campaign has been far from what McCreadie and Briggs were hoping for, but theres reason for optimism. McCreadie spent the vast majority of Saturdays Feature at Swainsboro Raceway in the top 10 before coming home in seventh his best run since DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals in January. The next stop on the schedule is Atomic Speedway next weekend, where hes won twice in 2006 and 2019.
With the Briggs Transport team showing signs of life going into the meat of the World of Outlaws season, McCreadie believes he is getting closer to the ultimate goal of doing what his dad did so many times put the No. 9 in Victory Lane.
Ive been all over, many different places and the goal is always to be up front and to do as good as you can, McCreadie said. Sometimes it doesnt seem to work out when you want it to, and then the goal is to work harder to get on top of that. So, the goals never changed. We didnt come over to the World of Outlaws to not try to fight for championships. We put ourselves in a hole, but its up to us to dig out.
McCreadie and the rest of the World of Outlaws Late Models will head to Atomic Speedway for the Fireball 50 on Friday and Saturday, April 4-5.
Beard Motorsports Set For Talladega Return With Alfredo
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. The team of Beard Motorsports, partner Fortify Building Solutions and driver Anthony Alfredo will make their collective return to the race track when the NASCAR Cup Series heads to the 2.66-mile Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway oval on April 27 for the Jack Links 500.
It will mark the 31st appearance for the team, which made its Cup Series debut in 2017 under the leadership of the late Mark Beard Sr., and continues under the ownership of Linda Beard, with her children Amie Beard-Deja and Mark Beard Jr. overseeing daily operations.
Beard Motorsports kicked off its ninth season of participation in select Cup Series events last month at Daytona (Fla.) Intl Speedway, where Alfredo and the No. 62 Fortify Building Solutions Chevrolet fell just short of the teams seventh Daytona 500 appearance as the second-highest finisher among the open teams in the second Duel at the Daytona qualifying race.
We share a heightened commitment with the Beard family to community, perseverance and, well, speed, said Heather Hollis, vice president of marketing at Cornerstone Building Brands. Showcasing Hypersteel cold-formed buildings on the No. 62 Fortify Building Solutions Chevrolet helps us share an exciting story about how customers can get a new customized metal building faster and easier.
Our partnership with Anthony Alfredo underscores our dedication to speed and endurance.
Alfredo returns to the cockpit for his 42nd career Cup Series outing and fifth tour of duty for Beard Motorsports. In this race a year ago, the native of Ridgefield, Connecticut who turns 26 on March 31, qualified 24th and rallied for a sixth-place finish, leading four laps along the way. It was the teams best finish in 13 Cup Series starts at Talladega, eclipsing Brendan Gaughans eighth-place finish in the Beard Motorsports Chevrolet in the April 2019 GEICO 500.
Well head to Talladega feeling like there is some unfinished business to take care of in more ways than one, said Beard-Deja, executive vice president of Beard Motorsports. Despite the incredible preparation that is the hallmark of this team, beginning with our crew chief Darren Shaw, things just didnt go our way at Daytona this time, and thats the way it goes in this highly competitive arena, particularly for a small, single-car, open team. Its certainly disappointing, but it only strengthens our resolve as we prepare for Talladega. Anthony and the team did a remarkable job there last spring, and well look to improve on that this time around.
Beard-Deja added, We welcome Anthony back for his fifth race with the team, and we are thrilled to have Fortify Building Solutions and Cornerstone Building Brands back with us for the third time after making their debut on the No. 62 Chevrolet at Talladega last fall. We are pulling out all the stops to deliver a top result.
Alfredos sixth-place finish at Talladega in the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet last spring was not only the teams best at the track, it was his career best in 41 Cup Series starts. He returned with the team to Talladega last October for a 24th-place finish in his fourth career Cup Series start at the track.
His first two, in the April and October 2021 races for Front Row Motorsports, resulted in finishes of 12th and 10th, respectively. Alfredo has seven Talladega starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where hes driving fulltime this season for Youngs Motorsports. Best of those was his third-place finish last April, the day before his sixth-place Cup Series finish in the Beard Motorsports Chevrolet. Alfredos lone NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Talladega resulted in a 15th-place finish in the October 2019 race for David Gilliland Racing.
I echo Amies sentiments when I say we definitely have some unfinished business next month at Talladega, Alfredo said. We went to Daytona feeling very confident after making the 500 on qualifying speed last year. We executed flawlessly during our Duel, had an awesome, green-flag pit stop, but we were outnumbered with the lack of drafting opportunities with other Chevrolets.
I feel thankful to be back at Talladega with the Beard family and Fortify Building Solutions. Im excited to push for a result even better than our sixth-place finish last year, showcasing the Hypersteel product and our shared commitment to being hyper fast.
Momentum Builds For Jasmine Salinas After Strong Start
CHANDLER, Ariz. Top Fuel standout Jasmine Salinas raced to her second consecutive semifinal finish at the NHRA Arizona Nationals last weekend at Firebird Motorsports Park.
Salinas is off to a stout start in her sophomore season of NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competition behind the wheel of her Valley Services Scrappers Racing machine.
Salinas experienced a few hiccups in qualifying on Friday, meaning the team would be entering the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Top Fuel Challenge, which takes place during qualifying on Saturday, without a clean pass under their belts.
In a rematch of the semifinals at the NHRA Gatornationals, Salinas faced former Top Fuel world champion Shawn Langdon in the first round of the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. She was on a solid run but lost a few cylinders before reaching the finish line. While her pass of 3.843 seconds at 314.09 mph was her best pass of the weekend up to that point, it wasnt enough for Langdons 3.806 at 326.32.
The Scrappers Racing team found their groove in the fourth and final qualifying opportunity on Saturday when Salinas rocketed her 12,000-horsepower dragster to the No. 10 position on the ladder with a 3.808 at 309.84.
In eliminations, Salinas faced Top Fuel veteran Clay Millican in the first matchup on Sunday morning. The two left the starting line with nearly identical reaction times, but Salinas outpaced Millican laying down a remarkable lap of 3.779 at 328.70, her best pass of the weekend, to get the round win.
The quarterfinals put Salinas against four-time and reigning world champion Antron Brown, a formidable opponent to say the least. While Brown got the starting line advantage, Salinas chased him down to take the win and advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive time.
Her race day came to an end in the semifinals against Doug Kalitta.
We had another strong showing this weekend in Phoenix and it feels awesome to go back-to-back with another semifinal appearance, said Jasmine. Im excited to also get another shot at Doug Kalitta as we rematch in Pomona during my second Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge! Our team is really coming together and these round wins really help us mentally. I know we still have a marathon ahead of us this season but Im working on myself as a driver.
As car and driver continue to come together, things are going to get real fun.
Currently sitting fourth in points, Salinas will enter this weeks Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in California from a place of strength, already having gone more rounds in the first two events of the season than she did all of 2024. Finishing in the semifinals at the NHRA Arizona Nationals once again qualifies her for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Top Fuel Challenge.
Im hopeful that going rounds will get the attention of new potential sponsor partners so we can continue to gain momentum out here, Salinas said. Its partners like Pleasanton Ready Mix, Adams Pool Solutions, and Valley Services whove helped us get this far.
And were actively seeking more partners at all levels to join us so that we can stay competitive in 2025 and beyond.
NHL playoff watch: Can the Islanders sneak into the playoffs?
As play began on the day after the NHL trade deadline, the New York Islanders were four points behind the Ottawa Senators, who were in possession of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. There were also four teams between the Isles and Sens.
Fast-forward to Wednesday, and the gap between the Islanders and another playoff berth is just one point. Can they pull this off?
The first team standing in their way is the Vancouver Canucks, who visit UBS Arena on Wednesday night (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+). The Canucks are fighting for their own playoff berth, trying to catch a resurgent St. Louis Blues team that has caught fire since the deadline. So this game will be no gimme for the hosts.
From then on, things get more difficult: The next five games are against playoff-bound teams -- the Tampa Bay Lightning (twice!), Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild and Washington Capitals. They get a one-game respite against the Nashville Predators, then close out with Metro Division foes -- the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, Capitals again and Columbus Blue Jackets -- who will be in no mood to do the Isles any favors.
The road will be tough, but many have counted this team out before at their own peril. The Stathletes projections give the Isles a 24.3% chance of proving the doubters wrong again.
There is less than a month left until April 17, the final day of the regular season, and we'll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today's schedule
Yesterday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Wednesday's games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
Vancouver Canucks at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Chicago Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
Dallas Stars at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m. (TNT)
Boston Bruins at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.
Tuesday's scoreboard
Buffalo Sabres 3, Ottawa Senators 2
Toronto Maple Leafs 7, Philadelphia Flyers 2
Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Nashville Predators 3, Carolina Hurricanes 1
St. Louis Blues 6, Montreal Canadiens 1
Vegas Golden Knights 5, Minnesota Wild 1
Winnipeg Jets 3, Washington Capitals 2 (OT)
Colorado Avalanche 5, Detroit Red Wings 2
Calgary Flames 4, Seattle Kraken 3 (OT)
Los Angeles Kings 3, New York Rangers 1
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: @ SJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Florida Panthers
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: vs. UTA (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 100.5
Next game: vs. UTA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Ottawa Senators
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 92.5
Next game: @ DET (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 97.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 87.9
Next game: @ PHI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 38.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 83.2
Next game: vs. OTT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 3.4%
Tragic number: 20
Boston Bruins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 78.6
Next game: @ ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0.2%
Tragic number: 15
Buffalo Sabres
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 75.0
Next game: vs. MTL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 14
Metro Division
x - Washington Capitals
Points: 103
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 119.0
Next game: @ MIN (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 103.9
Next game: vs. MTL (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
New Jersey Devils
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 10
Points pace: 92.3
Next game: @ CHI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 96.4%
Tragic number: N/A
New York Islanders
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 86.7
Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 30.9%
Tragic number: 24
New York Rangers
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 84.3
Next game: @ ANA (Friday)
Playoff chances: 16.4%
Tragic number: 20
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 85.5
Next game: vs. VAN (Friday)
Playoff chances: 16.2%
Tragic number: 23
Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 77.5
Next game: @ BUF (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 13
Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 73.0
Next game: vs. MTL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 9
Central Division
x - Winnipeg Jets
Points: 102
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 116.2
Next game: vs. NJ (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Dallas Stars
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 110.1
Next game: @ EDM (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Colorado Avalanche
Points: 91
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 10
Points pace: 103.6
Next game: vs. LA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Minnesota Wild
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 96.8
Next game: vs. WSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 91.4%
Tragic number: N/A
St. Louis Blues
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 93.2
Next game: @ NSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 81.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Utah Hockey Club
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 86.6
Next game: @ TB (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 4.1%
Tragic number: 15
Nashville Predators
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 71.6
Next game: vs. STL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 2
e - Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 58.9
Next game: vs. NJ (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 108.6
Next game: @ CHI (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Los Angeles Kings
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 104.3
Next game: @ COL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: vs. DAL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.0%
Tragic number: N/A
Calgary Flames
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 92.5
Next game: vs. DAL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 18.1%
Tragic number: 21
Vancouver Canucks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 90.1
Next game: @ NYI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 5.9%
Tragic number: 18
Anaheim Ducks
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 79.7
Next game: vs. BOS (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 10
Seattle Kraken
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 75.2
Next game: vs. EDM (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4
e - San Jose Sharks
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 55.1
Next game: vs. TOR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Note: An "x" means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An "e" means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL's Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
4. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
6. Seattle Kraken
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 24
7. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
9. Boston Bruins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
10. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
11. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
12. New York Rangers
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31
13. New York Islanders
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
15. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25
16. Calgary Flames
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Five months after a disastrous rollout of their initial branding, officials from Boston's 2026 National Women's Soccer League expansion team unveiled "Boston Legacy Football Club" as the new name of the franchise.
A crest and wordmark will be announced in the coming months, the team said.
The team, which was granted an expansion franchise by the NWSL two years ago, had unveiled the name "BOS Nation FC" and announced itself using a tongue-in-cheek marketing campaign called "Too Many Balls" -- a pun about there not being enough women's professional sports in Boston -- last October.
A widespread pushback quickly followed, and the team removed most of the marketing campaign assets within about 24 hours.
"BOS Nation" was an anagram for the word "Bostonian," the club said in its explanations of the previous name.
Earlier this month, the franchise's majority owner, Jennifer Epstein, confirmed that the team's name would be officially changed following "honest and critical feedback" from supporters, ending months of speculation around the branding.
The new Boston Legacy FC name is meant to acknowledge both the city's long history and "its importance as a hub of future innovation," the club said in a news release.
The team also said that it went through a "quantitative analysis process" of fan feedback to come up with the name. A survey of 1,500 fans and brand professionals led to over 500 name suggestions before a shortlist of 14 names was created.
"Many names -- some popular -- were unavailable for legal or trademark reasons, while others missed the majority of our guiding criteria," the team said on its website this week.
Among the team's criteria were that the new name "require no explanation" -- as BOS Nation being an anagram did -- and could withstand the test of time. The team also said it sought to "steer clear of colonial, Revolutionary War, and nautical themes," which are popular among New England sports teams.
The Boston Breakers name and branding were used in all three iterations of women's professional soccer leagues in the United States.
The Breakers were won of the founding teams of the NWSL, which kicked off in 2013, before folding after the 2017 season amid financial troubles.
"Our name is just the beginning," Epstein said in a statement. "It's what we build together, through dedication, commitment, and grit, that will give it life.
"We aim for our values to reflect a city that breathes competition, passion, and pride, and to pay tribute to those who paved the way before us, including the gamechangers who helped build previous women's professional teams in Boston.
"We are also focused on the future, for the next generation of players and fans who will carry forward what we build today." Boston's forthcoming NWSL franchise has faced setbacks beyond branding.
The team's plan to renovate the dilapidated White Stadium and share it as a home venue with Boston Public Schools sports teams has drawn intense scrutiny from locals and become a polarizing issue in Boston's upcoming mayoral race.
Last week, the team began its defense in a trial seeking to halt plans for the stadium on the grounds that the plan privatizes public land. A decision in the case could be made in the coming days after a brief trial last week, and after the team won significant pre-trial motions.
Construction costs for the stadium project have roughly doubled from the initial estimates proposed in 2023. Demolition began at the site about a month ago.
Boston Legacy FC will begin play next year alongside a Denver expansion team that is yet to be named, which will bring the NWSL to 16 teams.
Denver recently launched a public team-naming process, allowing fans to help choose from a shortlist of six names.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will discuss the future of Brazil coach Dorival Junior at a meeting on Friday, sources told ESPN Brasil.
Brazil's 4-1 defeat to Argentina in the 2026 World Cup qualifying on Thursday has triggered a swift reaction from CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues.
While review meetings between Dorival and the CBF after FIFA international windows are routine, the dismal performance in Buenos Aires has prompted Rodrigues to expedite a face-to-face encounter with the coaching staff, sources said
According to sources close to Dorival, the coach has not yet been informed of any urgency regarding his future or the possibility of his departure.
Within the CBF, several names are being discussed as potential replacements. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was previously pursued by Brazil for the coaching position, along with Flamengo's Filipe Luis and Jorge Jesus, currently in charge of Al Hilal, are considered the leading candidates, sources added.
Dorival only took over in January 2024, replacing Fernando Diniz after Brazil's poor start to World Cup qualifying. However, Dorival, who left Sao Paulo to take the role, has struggled to revive the fortunes of the record five-time World Cup winners.
Brazil crashed out of last summer's Copa America at the quarterfinal stage to Uruguay. Following Tuesday's heavy defeat to archrival Argentina, Brazil sit fourth in the South American World Cup qualifying standings.
The top six teams will qualify automatically for the 2026 competition in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
"There's always a lot of pressure, but I never run away from my responsibilities," Dorival told reporters after the loss to Argentina. "I'm aware of what this loss means and everything that's been going on.
"I really believe in my work, in the development of this process. It's a complicated and difficult process, but I have no doubt that we'll find a way out.
"In all my years in football, this is perhaps the most delicate moment for me. But I've never given up."
The divergent fortunes of U.S.'s Pochettino, Mexico's Aguirre
Last summer's Copa America is not a tournament that will be fondly remembered by either the United States or Mexico.
Neither team made it out of the group stage, and both federations fired the men tasked with leading those squads -- managers Gregg Berhalter and Jaime Lozano -- within six days of one another.
In their places arrived Mauricio Pochettino and Javier Aguirre, respectively, to rejuvenate the regional powers ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup that they will co-host along with Canada.
Pochettino, with a glittering managerial résumé that includes spells in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, was billed as the man-management savant who would unlock the potential of this golden generation of American players. Mexico's appointment of Aguirre, for his third tour in charge of El Tri, sorely lacked the imagination and the boldness of the recruitment of the new coach to the north.
And yet, in the months since, that's not how things have played out. The U.S. has five wins and three losses under Pochettino, including this month's Concacaf Nations League semifinal and third-place defeats to Panama and Canada, while Aguirre's Mexico is 5-1-1, culminating in a Nations League title Sunday.
So what has worked, and hasn't, for each of these managers? ESPN's Jeff Carlisle and Omar Flores Aldana detail the divergent fortunes of Pochettino and Aguirre.
Pochettino's culture problem
When Pochettino was hired as manager of the USMNT in September, the Argentine was faced with numerous issues that needed addressing. There were questions of personnel, playing style and tactics, as well as restoring confidence in a side that had been humiliated at the 2024 Copa America, when it exited the tournament without getting out of the group stage.
But since that sunny day in New York -- and especially in the wake of the U.S.'s dismal showing in the just-concluded Nations League -- one issue has emerged above all others: the team has a culture problem.
Granted, "culture" is a word that gets tossed around a bit, especially when things aren't going well. It also means different things to different people. But loosely translated, it means having the discipline, focus and desire to do the little things that are often the difference between winning and losing.
Following Sunday's 2-1 loss to Canada -- the second consecutive defeat to the Reds on home soil, something that had never happened before -- midfielder Tyler Adams provided some additional insight.
"I think we need to have every single person buy into exactly what we're doing and what we're trying to do, but it's just the little things for me: duels, tackles, leaving your mark on the field, not being naive in certain moments, being a little bit more clever," he said. "All the details of the games that I feel like when I watch people play with their clubs, we do. And then when we come here, sometimes I think we forget a little bit what the games are going to give us."
Pochettino seemed to sense this from the moment he took the job. Even back in September, he spoke often of competing, as if it were something that the U.S. needed to improve upon. That assessment was reinforced in the CNL finals, although the U.S. did a better job of competing against Canada. According to TruMedia, the U.S. won 78% of its tackles.
The last two sentences of Adams' quote are especially damning, though. This isn't about players being unable to do what Pochettino wants; it's about carrying over the same level of urgency that is displayed at club level. And if players aren't buying in, as Adams suggests, then Pochettino needs to look for alternatives.
At minimum, it points to some resistance to what Pochettino is demanding. It's worth remembering that Pochettino has been in charge for only six months, amounting to four windows, one of which was purely for up-and-coming prospects. But the proximity of the World Cup has added an increased sense of tension to every training camp, every match, every misplaced touch and shanked pass. That will increase when the team reconvenes in late May ahead of the Concacaf Gold Cup.
At the moment, more players are shrinking from the moment rather than meeting it. That tournament now represents a critical opportunity for Pochettino to further imprint his philosophy on the players, while also determining which performers are willing to buy in. He'll be with the team for more than a month, giving him the kind of extended, day-to-day interaction that he was used to having when he was a manager at club level.
So what does Pochettino do? He can look at different players, as well as demand more from the ones he already has.
"Pochettino needs to be harder," as former U.S. midfielder Tab Ramos put it.
Pochettino will likely do so without Borussia Dortmund midfielder Giovanni Reyna and the Juventus duo of Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah, who will all be participating with their respective clubs at the FIFA Club World Cup. There may be some benefit in their absences, though.
The core players of the U.S. team that established itself during the 2022 cycle has been given immense deference this cycle -- under two different managers -- regardless of whether their performances for club or country warranted it. Put simply, the team needs more from its best players.
Now Pochettino will have some freedom to look elsewhere and continue a process that began Sunday, in which he gave up-and-comers like Patrick Agyemang and Diego Luna an opportunity to shine. Some fringe players excelling for their clubs, like Club America's Alejandro Zendejas, should get a look as well.
Given that Pochettino and Aguirre took charge of their respective teams at around the same time, there's an impulse to compare where the two rivals are, especially in light of Mexico's triumph in the CNL. Aguirre had the advantage of taking over a Mexico side that had hit rock bottom, though, while the U.S. wasn't quite there yet.
Gabriele Marcotti and Julien Laurens discuss whether Mauricio Pochettino is the right man for the United States after losing to Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League.
It's certainly getting closer to that point. -- Carlisle
Javier Aguirre is on a mission: save Mexico
Mexico's MVP right now has to be Aguirre. He avoided the hype before the Concacaf Nations League, saying that inside the Mexican Soccer Federation they "haven't talked about winning." Yet a few days later, he returned home from the U.S. with a trophy Mexico had never won before.
A culture of effort and discipline is Aguirre's guiding mantra as a manager. The man they call "Vasco" announced before the tournament that the Nations League was a drill to design his team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
He did note the incentive for El Tri to end the U.S. dominance in the continental competition, though that motivation was more for marketing purposes and to pack SoFi Stadium with fans rather than additional fuel for his players. Inside the locker room, Aguirre was crystal clear: Everyone must fight for a place in the starting team, no exceptions.
José del Valle says Mexico's Concacaf Nations League win over Panama wasn't convincing enough to brand them as the standout Concacaf team.
He told that to everyone from Guillermo Ochoa (not called up for these games) to Alexis Vega, who had a couple of games to show he can be the clutch player Mexico needs.
Raul Jimenez was the first player to earn his place on the field. The Fulham striker scored a couple of goals against Canada and then repeated the feat against Panama to lead Mexico to glory. However, goals were not the only highlights for the former Wolves striker, who emerged as the leader of a team that still has many flaws to fix.
"It's unfair saying that we only won because of guts," Aguirre said after the celebrations ended in Inglewood on Sunday night. At the same time, he recognizes there is space to improve, like figuring out a better connection between his midfielders and forwards, and finding an additional attacking threat from the wings.
There's no question Jimenez is, right now, the best player on the team. Aguirre says he has "four or five players" who would form El Tri's base for the 2026 World Cup. They might be Jimenez alongside central defenders Johan Vasquez and Cesar Montes, plus goalkeeper Luis Angel Malagon.
Having missed the chance to battle the U.S. in the final, Mexico won a tournament it had lost three times previously. Aguirre came back with gold, and in doing so established himself as a key piece in building a team that was eliminated in the 2024 Copa America group stage and is now a threat this summer.
The next testing ground for this team: the Gold Cup. Don't bet against Aguirre there, either. -- Flores Aldana
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