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While Sweeney retains the support of the RFU board, who ultimately decide his future, a significant vote against him from members would ratchet up the pressure.
"The notice to request an SGM contained a significant number of inaccuracies, however, the RFU respects the right of its members to call for an SGM and for their views to be heard," read a statement from the governing body.
Bill Beaumont, who served as World Rugby chair until last year, was brought back to the RFU as interim chairman after the crisis, fuelled by anger over bonuses paid to Sweeney and other executives, prompted Tom Ilube to step down from the role.
Beaumont has written to the RFU's member clubs, defending the RFU management and calling for unity. He admitted, though, there are justifiable concerns around a bonus scheme that resulted in Sweeney being paid 1.1m in a financial year which also included record financial losses for the RFU, job losses and a poor run of form from England's men's team.
"Objectively, we should ask whether English rugby, in the aftermath, was managed effectively," wrote Beaumont. "Having seen all countries wrangle the same problems, I can say with confidence, in comparison to many other countries, the RFU has come out of this period very well.
"The RFU did not receive any government or World Rugby loans. It did, however, successfully negotiate support on behalf of community clubs, and facilitated professional clubs' access to government loans, which ensured rugby received more financial support in England than any other sport.
"There is much work needed to reset and come together as a united game, and I am committed to supporting that."
Former England captain Beaumont will also tour England during January and February to meet with grassroots clubs.
"We all want winning men's and women's England teams, and this can't happen without a thriving community game," he added in his letter.
"I want us to have unity, and the stability required to deliver this. If we work together, we will succeed. If we work against each other, English rugby will not be the winner on or off the pitch."
Gloucester: Barton; Wade, Harris, Llewellyn, Hathaway; Carreras, Englefield; Vivas, Singleton, Knight, Thomas, Clark, Clement, Ludlow (capt), Ackermann.
Replacements: Blake, Ford-Robinson, Gotovstev, Jordan, Clarke, Tuisue, Williams, Atkinson.
Scarlets: Lloyd; Mee, Page, James, Murray; Costelow, Hughes; Mathias, van der Merwe, Thomas, Craig, Douglas, Plumtree, Macleod (capt), Fifita.
Replacements: Evans, Hepburn, Hawley, Lousi, Taylor, Davies, Roberts, Nicholas.
Referee: Jeremy Rozier
Glasgow beat Racing to seal Champions Cup knockout spot
Glasgow Warriors booked their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions Cup with a clinical destruction of Racing 92 at Scotstoun.
First-half tries from George Horne, Jamie Dobie, Sebastian Cancelliere and Sione Tuipulotu put the hosts in control, with Vinaya Habosi responding for the French side.
Rory Darge crossed after the break and although substitute Lee-Marvin Mazibuko and Tristan Tedder hit back for the visitors, Glasgow closed it out for an important bonus-point win.
Warriors face English Premiership side Harlequins at the Stoop next weekend as they look to secure a higher spot in the final pool standings and ensure a more favourable draw in the next round.
They came flying out of the blocks and were over the Racing line with barely two minutes on the clock.
Tuipulotu made a magnificent break from deep and a few phases later some lovely handling allowed Josh McKay to put Horne away under the sticks and become Glasgow's record try-scorer in European competition.
Horne had to leave the field shortly after for a head injury assessment and did not reappear, but his replacement Dobie took no time to make his mark, getting on the end of a powerful burst from Matt Fagerson to dive over for the second try.
Warriors were cooking and some exquisite handling in the midfield carved up the Racing defence and set Cancelliere free to score.
The visitors finally showed some signs of life five minutes before the break, Antoine Gibert's crossfield kick finding Habosi to score and reduce the deficit to 10 points.
Glasgow hit back almost immediately, Tuipulotu arriving onto the ball like a battering ram to cut through the defence, skip past Henry Arundell and dive over to establish a 15-point advantage at the break.
The home side all but finished the contest when Darge peeled off the back of a rolling line-out maul to go over for try number five.
Racing then enjoyed their first period of sustained pressure in the match and were rewarded with a try from Mazibuko.
The Parisians had belatedly arrived at the party and Tedder finished off a lovely passage of play to score their third try.
It was too little too late, however, as Glasgow banked the five points to ensure their European challenge will continue into the knockout stages.
Glasgow: McKay, Cancelliere, Jones, Tuipulotu, Steyn, Jordan, G Horne, Sutherland, Matthews, Z Fagerson, Brown, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Mann.
Replacements: Hiddleston, Bhatti, Talakai, Samuel, Miller, Ferrie, Dobie, Weir.
Racing 92: Spring, Habosi, Tedder, Chavancy, Arundell, Gibert, Le Bail, Julien, Kaitu'u, Sordoni, Palu, Kpoku, Zinzen, Diallo, Baudonne.
Replacements: Escobar, Ben Arous, Mazibuko, R. Taofifenua, Dayimani, Labarbe, Lancaster, Idrissi.
The 2025 Dakar Rally has served up an opening week like nothing off-road fans have witnessed before with a 48-hour Chrono Stage and a two-day unassisted Marathon Stage.
The competitors who remain were rewarded with a well-earned day of rest on Friday.
Here are the most intriguing facts and figures from the first week in Saudi Arabia:
-American racer Seth Quintero is no stranger to making history at the Dakar Rally after the former Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team driver won an amazing 12 of the 13 stages in the Challenger class at the 2022 Dakar.
The Californian native has rewritten the history books again by becoming the youngest ever driver to win a pair of Ultimate stages, thanks to Saturday and then Thursday wins aged just 22. He admitted: Rest Day is not my favorite day. Id rather just keep it going and see what happens.
-The tricky terrain often sees high-profile competitors exit early with defending car champion Carlos Sainz and three-time runner-up Sébastien Loeb retiring along with Spaniard Laia Sanz her first retirement in 15 Dakar attempts.
They have all been as a result of the FIA determining their roll cages sustained too much damage after their cars flipped.
-Australian biker Daniel Sanders has been in determined mood during the opening week. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider followed up his victory on the Prologue with Stage 1, 2 and 4 wins to arrive at the Rest Day with a lead of over 15 minutes. The 30-year-old revealed: The aim for Rest Day is to just chill out a bit. Get some good sleep and good food. A bit of a massage would be good, maybe a swim. Anything that can help to loosen me up a bit.
-One of the most popular racers inside and outside of the bivouac is Dania Akeel. The Saudi Arabian driver has fans all over her homeland and they have cheered her on to fifth place in the Challenger class at Rest Day, which means she looks set to beat her best ever finish of eighth overall.
-Challenger race rookie Gonçalo Guerreiro admitted that he had never driven anything like the 48-hour Chrono Stage before. The Portuguese driver spent over 12 hours racing against the clock to post the fourth fastest time in class and the new recruit to the Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team is second overall, just 28m34s behind leader Nicolas Cavigliasso.
-After covering 3,560km in the first week, the remaining distance in the second week is even greater as there is a further 4,245 kilometers to cover with all roads leading to the Empty Quarter desert. After stops in Al Duwadimi, Riyadh and Haradh, it will be among Saudi Arabias most formidable sand dunes that this latest 47th edition of the Dakar Rally will ultimately be won and lost by the Jan. 17 finish in Shubaytah.
-After 2,559 kilometers of specials covered by the bikes and 2,579 by the cars and trucks, 299 vehicles have reached the rest day in Hail in the heart of Saudi Arabia. 118 bikes (including 100 Rally 2), 58 Ultimate cars, 2 Stock, 45 Challenger cars, 33 SSV and 43 trucks will resume racing on Saturday for the seven stages remaining before the final finishing line in Shubaytah, in the Empty Quarter. 81 vehicles have been able to use a joker to remain in the race, while 36 have been forced into premature exits (i.e., 10.75%).
At the midway point, the rankings are dominated by Daniel Sanders in the Rally GP class; Edgar Canet in the Rally 2 class; Henk Lategan in the Ultimate class; Nicolas Cavigliasso in the Challenger class; Brock Heger in the SSV category; and Martin Macik in the truck race, all of whom are under the age of 36 years.
The rejuvenation of the discipline is underlined by the records for youthful promise beaten by Seth Quintero and then Saood Variawa, respectively aged 22 and 19 years and both stage winners, as well as the early departures from the rally by Carlos Sainz and Sébastien Loeb.
Judge Denies Request To Dismiss Lawsuit Against NASCAR
U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell denied a request from NASCAR and its attorneys to dismiss the lawsuit filed against the sanctioning body and its chairman Jim France by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.
The two teams refused to sign the new charter agreement during the fall and filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and France on Oct. 2.
Bells ruling came Friday after he heard arguments from both sides during a Jan. 8 court hearing.
The parties to this action cast their existential dispute in starkly different terms. According to Plaintiffs, NASCAR (led by the dynastic France family) is the iron-fisted monopolistic ruler of premier stock car racing that has imposed anticompetitive take it or leave it terms on Plaintiffs and other top-tier racing teams, Bell wrote in his ruling.
In Defendants telling, NASCAR and the France family are the founders and guiding lights of a beloved and valuable racing series, who have fairly negotiated mutually beneficial Charter Agreements that reflect reasonable commercial terms between NASCAR and the race teams.
What is the actual evidence and how does it inform a correct legal conclusion? These questions cannot be determined on motions to dismiss in this action, where Plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged one or more plausible antitrust claims against Defendants within the applicable period of limitations.
Instead, the answers must be found when the parties have a full opportunity to pursue discovery of the relevant facts and then at trial, where the jury will be able to weigh the evidence and assess the credibility of the witnesses (unless the case is resolved sooner by the parties or the Court). Therefore, the Court will DENY the Defendants Motions to Dismiss.
The judge also denied a request from NASCAR that 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports post a bond of more than $10 million per car in order to compete during the coming season.
BARBERVILLE, Fla. Danny Dietrich is set to leave his snow-covered sprint car homeland of Pennsylvania for the warm weather of Florida to compete with the American Sprint Car Series National Tour at Volusia Speedway Park.
Dietrich, 36, of Gettysburg, Pa., will enter his Weikerts Livestock Inc, Maxim Chassis No. 48 with a Travis Racing Engine, owned by Chris and Mindy Hiser, for his first ASCS appearance outside of the 360 Knoxville Nationals.
He and the Gary Kauffman Racing team will compete in the opening nights of the 54th annual Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia, Jan. 30Feb. 1.
The PA Posse standout has been a DIRTcar Nationals entrant every year since 2017 with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and has plenty of laps around Volusias fast, half-mile confines in his regular 410 sprint car.
He raced Volusia for the first time with a 360 engine in the car on the final two nights of the 2024 Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout, garnering back-to-back fifth-place finishes.
So, what brings the veteran winged racer back for more 360 sprint car competition at Volusia this year?
It just makes it better for us to go down there and get some laps in before 410s start up the week, Dietrich said. We dont have the race in Georgia like weve had in years past, or the race at Ocala like we have in years past, so its always good to get some laps [at Volusia].
And its probably even better for us, being that were not having to leave one track and go to another. We can just go to Volusia and camp out for a week or so.
While Dietrich is eager to get the local 410 sprint car season started back home, the action around Pennsylvania does not begin until March. Racing two weekends at Volusia also gives he and his team the additional benefit of getting ahead of their competition at home by turning laps and wrenches at the track before most others.
I just enjoy going to Volusia and starting the season off, having the crew back around the track and in the trailer, and just getting back into the swing of things, Dietrich said. Volusia hospitality is very good, and honestly the fan base has grown so much over the years, just more and more. Every year, it seems like there gets to be more and more fans walking through the pit area.
Its good for the racers and good for the teams to get down there and get gelling before things really get kicked off back here in Pennsylvania.
Dietrich is well-versed in the high-speed nature of tracks like Volusia. But does he view his weekly experience on the big tracks as an advantage over the touring stars of ASCS?
Not at all not at all, Dietrich said. We just dont have anything here in Pennsylvania like Volusia. Volusia is probably about as close to Eldora as it is anything, if I had to give an opinion. It kinda races somewhat similar as far as the shape of it not saying we get up on the fence like we do at Eldora or anything like that but it definitely has some similarities as far as how round it is, and you dont really drive very straight around the track.
DIRTcar Nationals kicks off a new era in ASCS National Tour history with the first, full-length schedule constructed under the new ownership of World Racing Group, which purchased the series last March.
I think having ASCS down there is definitely going to help the situation with the 360s, and in Florida as well, Dietrich said. To have ASCS involved and taking over Volusia will be really, really good for 360s as a whole maybe even across the whole country. Kinda gets them another good track and another good forefront where they get the publicity they should be getting.
Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig signed a four-year, $13 million contract extension Friday.
Greig, 22, was set to become a restricted free agent after the season. He is playing on the final season of a three-year, entry-level contract.
Greig has 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) in 37 games this season. He has totaled 47 points (21 goals, 26 assists) and a plus-4 rating in 129 career games since being selected by the Senators with the 28th overall pick of the 2020 NHL draft.
Forward Dylan Guenther, who leads the Utah Hockey Club in goals with 16, was ruled out indefinitely Friday with a lower-body injury.
Guenther was hurt Wednesday during Utah's 4-1 home loss to the Florida Panthers. He was on the receiving end of a hit from Florida forward Aleksander Barkov.
Asked whether the injury would end Guenther's season, Utah coach Andre Tourigny said, "It's long, but not that long."
Guenther, 21, was the ninth overall selection in the 2021 NHL draft. The forward is in his third season with the franchise, which relocated to Utah from Arizona in the offseason.
With 34 points in 40 games, Guenther was on pace to surpass last season's career-high totals of 35 points and 18 goals in 45 games.
The Utah Hockey Club recalled forward Josh Doan from AHL affiliate Tucson on Friday. The son of Arizona franchise legend Shane Doan, Josh Doan appeared in nine games earlier this season and supplied a goal and an assist. He had five goals and four assists in 11 games for the then-Coyotes as a rookie in 2023-24.
Goalie Charlie Lindgren took a hit to the head and left the Washington Capitals' home game against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night.
In the first minute of the second period, Lindgren was struck in the side of the head by Montreal's Nick Suzuki, who was checked into the goalie by Brandon Duhaime.
Lindgren lay on the ice for a few seconds and play was halted. He got back up and appeared to try to stretch his neck. The game resumed, but Lindgren was pulled approximately two minutes later, with Logan Thompson taking over in the crease.
The Capitals later confirmed that Lindgren would not return to the game due to an upper-body injury.
Before exiting, Lindgren stopped all nine shots he faced and the Capitals led 1-0. Montreal came back to defeat Washington 3-2 in overtime.
Washington is set to play again Saturday at the Nashville Predators.
NHL Power Rankings: Knights take command, plus each team's points pace vs. expectation
There is no official midseason mark of the NHL season. But with a number of teams at (or beyond) their individual 41-game marks, it's time for another look at how every club has performed thus far in the context of preseason expectations.
As a proxy for "expectations," we have the over/under point total for each team, courtesy of ESPN BET sportsbook.
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. 3. Points percentages and paces are through Thursday's games.
1. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 71.95%
Preseason O/U: 97.5
Current points pace: 118.0
Death, taxes and the Vegas Golden Knights being near the top of the Western Conference. Vegas remains well ahead of its preseason point total pace, eyeing a deeper playoff run this spring than its first-round exit in 2024.
Next eight days: vs. NYR (Jan. 11), vs. MIN (Jan. 12), @ NSH (Jan. 14)
2. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 70.73%
Preseason O/U: 89.5
Current points pace: 116.0
The 2024-25 season was supposed to be all about Alex Ovechkin's chase of Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record. Someone forgot to tell the Capitals, who sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, well ahead of their expected point total pace.
Next eight days: vs. MTL (Jan. 10), @ NSH (Jan. 11), vs. ANA (Jan. 14), @ OTT (Jan. 16)
3. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 69.05%
Preseason O/U: 95.5
Current points pace: 113.2
One month in, the Jets were on pace for 153.2 points. They've since cooled, but they are on top of the Central Division and still way ahead of preseason expectations.
Next eight days: vs. LA (Jan. 10), vs. COL (Jan. 11), vs. VAN (Jan. 14), vs. SEA (Jan. 16)
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 65.12%
Preseason O/U: 102.5
Current points pace: 106.8
Although the Maple Leafs did not make any bold changes to the on-ice personnel this summer, they did bring in a new voice behind the bench in Craig Berube. Despite injuries to key players (including Auston Matthews), the Leafs sit atop the Atlantic Division at midseason.
Next eight days: vs. VAN (Jan. 11), vs. DAL (Jan. 14), vs. NJ (Jan. 16)
5. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 66.67%
Preseason O/U: 93.5
Current points pace: 109.3
One of the NHL's biggest early-season surprises, the Wild have proven they belong on the list of legit contenders, with or without Hart Trophy candidate Kirill Kaprizov on the ice.
Next eight days: @ SJ (Jan. 11), @ VGK (Jan. 12), vs. EDM (Jan. 15)
6. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 67.11%
Preseason O/U: 96.5
Current points pace: 110.1
Yet another first-round playoff loss to the Oilers seemed to carry bad vibes into the Kings' 2024-25 season. But they've been a wagon since American Thanksgiving, going 11-2-2 since feasting on turkey and all the fixings. Maybe it's the Oilers who should be looking to avoid them?
Next eight days: @ WPG (Jan. 10), @ CGY (Jan. 11), @ EDM (Jan. 13), @ VAN (Jan. 16)
7. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 64.63%
Preseason O/U: 108.5
Current points pace: 106.0
The Oilers came within one victory of the Stanley Cup this past season. Although they sit behind some other Western Conference powers in the standings, on any given night, Connor McDavid & Co. look as strong as anyone in the league.
Next eight days: @ CHI (Jan. 11), vs. LA (Jan. 13), @ MIN (Jan. 15), @ COL (Jan. 16)
8. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 66.25%
Preseason O/U: 103.5
Current points pace: 108.7
Following multiple trips to the Western Conference finals in recent seasons, the Stars' ultimate goal in this one is to make it to the Stanley Cup Final (and win, obviously). With a points pace well into triple digits, they're on track to give themselves a shot.
Next eight days: @ MTL (Jan. 11), @ OTT (Jan. 12), @ TOR (Jan. 14), vs. MTL (Jan. 16)
9. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 61.36%
Preseason O/U: 101.5
Current points pace: 100.6
A lackluster 2023-24 campaign has given way to a return to contention for Jack Hughes & Co. Was it all the result of upgrades in goal in the form of Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen?
Next eight days: vs. TB (Jan. 11), vs. FLA (Jan. 14), @ TOR (Jan. 16)
10. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 61.91%
Preseason O/U: 102.5
Current points pace: 101.5
Stanley Cup hangover? What Stanley Cup hangover? The Cats have bullied their way to a spot near the top of the Atlantic Division, and they will once again be a tough out for anyone in the postseason.
Next eight days: vs. BOS (Jan. 11), @ PHI (Jan. 13), @ NJ (Jan. 14), vs. DET (Jan. 16)
11. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 61.91%
Preseason O/U: 100.5
Current points pace: 101.5
The hockey world knows just what to expect out of the Rod Brind'Amour Hurricanes -- and apparently the sportsbooks now do too!
Next eight days: vs. VAN (Jan. 10), vs. ANA (Jan. 12), @ BUF (Jan. 15)
12. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 61.63%
Preseason O/U: 102.5
Current points pace: 101.1
An injury-based slow start for the Avs has given way to a resumption of their role among the league's elite. Have they found a diamond in the rough in recently acquired netminder Mackenzie Blackwood?
Next eight days: @ WPG (Jan. 11), vs. NYR (Jan. 14), vs. EDM (Jan. 16)
13. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 58.97%
Preseason O/U: 98.5
Current points pace: 96.7
One of these years, the Lightning might finally miss the playoffs. But it's not looking like it'll be this one, as Tampa Bay continues to rack up points (and a gaudy goal differential).
Next eight days: @ NJ (Jan. 11), @ PIT (Jan. 12), @ BOS (Jan. 14), vs. ANA (Jan. 16)
14. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 57.50%
Preseason O/U: 99.5
Current points pace: 94.3
Reports of internecine strife have characterized the Canucks in 2024-25, despite some continuation of their strong performance as division champs in 2023-24. Is a blockbuster trade in the works -- and would that really help them this spring?
Next eight days: @ CAR (Jan. 10), @ TOR (Jan. 11), @ WPG (Jan. 14), vs. LA (Jan. 16)
15. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 56.25%
Preseason O/U: 81.5
Current points pace: 92.3
The Flames traded away many of their top players in the past 12 months -- only to find themselves in the thick of the Western playoff hunt. A big reason is standout rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf, who remains in the mix for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.
Next eight days: vs. LA (Jan. 11), @ CHI (Jan. 13), @ STL (Jan. 14), @ STL (Jan. 16)
16. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 51.25%
Preseason O/U: 90.5
Current points pace: 84.1
Of the three "Atlantic rising" teams -- which includes the Red Wings and Sabres -- the Sens appear closest to a playoff return, though an extended absence for goaltender Linus Ullmark will influence that journey.
Next eight days: @ PIT (Jan. 11), vs. DAL (Jan. 12), @ NYI (Jan. 14), vs. WSH (Jan. 16)
17. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 51.25%
Preseason O/U: 76.5
Current points pace: 84.1
From an exciting group of young players -- led by Calder contender Lane Hutson -- to the resurgent Patrik Laine, the Canadiens are one of the most fun teams to watch, whether they remain in the playoff hunt or not.
Next eight days: @ WSH (Jan. 10), vs. DAL (Jan. 11), @ UTA (Jan. 14), @ DAL (Jan. 16)
18. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 52.38%
Preseason O/U: 69.5
Current points pace: 85.9
The Blue Jackets were not expected to make much of a mark in the Eastern playoff race this season, but at the midseason point, they are right in the battle for a wild-card spot.
Next eight days: @ STL (Jan. 11), vs. PHI (Jan. 14), vs. SJ (Jan. 16)
19. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 51.14%
Preseason O/U: 99.5
Current points pace: 83.9
The chaos began in the preseason for the Bruins, as Jeremy Swayman's contract situation wasn't resolved until quite late in the process. Then, a slow start resulted in Jim Montgomery being fired. Yet Boston remains in the playoff mix, albeit behind their expected pace.
Next eight days: @ FLA (Jan. 11), vs. TB (Jan. 14)
20. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 51.16%
Preseason O/U: 86.5
Current points pace: 83.9
After narrowly missing the playoffs last season, the sportsbooks expected the Blues to be around that same neighborhood, and at midseason ... that's where they remain.
Next eight days: vs. CBJ (Jan. 11), vs. CGY (Jan. 14), vs. CGY (Jan. 16)
21. Utah Hockey Club
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 51.25%
Preseason O/U: 87.5
Current points pace: 84.1
An early-season surge had fans thinking the Hockey Club's inaugural season would conclude with a playoff run. Uneven results in the time since have tempered that idea, but another winning streak could put them back in a wild-card spot.
Next eight days: vs. SJ (Jan. 10), vs. NYI (Jan. 11), vs. MTL (Jan. 14), vs. NYR (Jan. 16)
22. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 50.00%
Preseason O/U: 90.5
Current points pace: 82.0
One of these years, the boisterous Red Wings faithful will have a playoff team to support. If it's going to be this season, they'll have to keep stringing together W's beyond the current streak of five games.
Next eight days: vs. CHI (Jan. 10), vs. SEA (Jan. 12), vs. SJ (Jan. 14), @ FLA (Jan. 16)
23. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 51.16%
Preseason O/U: 90.5
Current points pace: 83.9
Is this the proverbial last dance for Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang? The Penguins remain in the mix for a wild card, but must find more consistency in the second half.
Next eight days: vs. OTT (Jan. 11), vs. TB (Jan. 12), vs. SEA (Jan. 14)
24. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 46.43%
Preseason O/U: 85.5
Current points pace: 76.1
Like any John Tortorella-coached team, the Flyers are a tough out. But they've had trouble stringing together many wins, and they need to jump ahead of a handful of teams to get into a playoff spot.
Next eight days: vs. ANA (Jan. 11), vs. FLA (Jan. 13), @ CBJ (Jan. 14), @ NYI (Jan. 16)
25. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 48.78%
Preseason O/U: 100.5
Current points pace: 80.0
If not for the Predators, the Rangers would be the biggest flop of the season. Though given their Presidents' Trophy in 2023-24, many would put them first on that ignominious list.
Next eight days: @ VGK (Jan. 11), @ COL (Jan. 14), @ UTA (Jan. 16)
26. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 47.56%
Preseason O/U: 91.5
Current points pace: 78.0
A brief appearance in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs led to a summer where the team made few modifications to the roster. That hasn't been the right formula thus far.
Next eight days: @ UTA (Jan. 11), vs. OTT (Jan. 14), vs. PHI (Jan. 16)
27. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 47.56%
Preseason O/U: 72.5
Current points pace: 78.0
It's probably too early to say that the rebuild is over -- with multiple players' names mentioned in trade rumors -- but the arrow is pointing up for the Ducks.
Next eight days: @ PHI (Jan. 11), @ CAR (Jan. 12), @ WSH (Jan. 14), @ TB (Jan. 16)
28. Seattle Kraken
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 44.05%
Preseason O/U: 87.5
Current points pace: 72.2
Underperformance in 2023-24 cost Dave Hakstol his job, so the Kraken tapped Dan Bylsma -- architect of the team's successful AHL affiliate -- to take over. It hasn't been a total turnaround yet, as the club stares down another season outside the playoff mix.
Next eight days: @ BUF (Jan. 11), @ DET (Jan. 12), @ PIT (Jan. 14), @ WPG (Jan. 16)
29. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 44.05%
Preseason O/U: 88.5
Current points pace: 72.2
Can the Sabres salvage their season and avoid a 14th straight spring outside the playoffs? Time is running short to string together the wins necessary to do so.
Next eight days: vs. SEA (Jan. 11), vs. CAR (Jan. 15)
30. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 40.24%
Preseason O/U: 98.5
Current points pace: 66.0
There's no sugar-coating it: the Predators are -- by a wide margin -- the biggest disappointment in the NHL this season, at least according to their preseason expectations. Could bigger changes be on the way by the trade deadline?
Next eight days: vs. WSH (Jan. 11), vs. VGK (Jan. 14), vs. CHI (Jan. 16)
31. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 36.59%
Preseason O/U: 73.5
Current points pace: 60.0
No one was realistically expecting a playoff run for Connor Bedard in his second season, but the Blackhawks' results so far earned coach Luke Richardson his walking papers, and the team has plenty of questions to answer as it remains near the basement of the standings.
Next eight days: @ DET (Jan. 10), vs. EDM (Jan. 11), vs. CGY (Jan. 13), @ NSH (Jan. 16)
32. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 37.21%
Preseason O/U: 63.5
Current points pace: 61.0
The Sharks have been the epitome of a "fun bad" team this season, running up a minus-41 goal differential but seeing Macklin Celebrini make highlight-reel plays on a near-nightly basis.
Next eight days: @ UTA (Jan. 10), vs. MIN (Jan. 11), @ DET (Jan. 14), @ CBJ (Jan. 16)
Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
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