Canada Sports News

Un rare fait d'armes lors des 55 ans de la LHJMQ  Le Soleil

1. Habs Headlines: Montreal locked into fifth-best lottery odds  Habs Eyes on the Prize
2. Canadiens' draft lottery odds have officially been set | Offside  Daily Hive
3. Canadiens' draft lottery odds could be solidified tonight | Offside  Daily Hive

After quickly falling off pace in her first steeplechase race of 2023, reigning Canadian women's champion Regan Yee plans to be more assertive to begin this outdoor campaign at the Diamond League season opener Saturday in Xiamen, China.

For the first time since 1997, no one from three generations of the Dunaway family group attended the Arizona Coyotes' fan appreciation night — the final game of the regular season — amid reports Wednesday's game against the Edmonton Oilers was the last one before the team is relocated.

1. Oilers on losing end of Arizona Coyotes farewell game at Mullett Arena  Edmonton Journal
2. Arizona Coyotes fans chant 3 words to express their feelings about the team's move to Salt Lake City  Fox News
3. NHL Board of Governors approves Coyotes' move to Salt Lake City: Team will begin play in new home next season  CBS Sports
4. The Arizona Coyotes are officially headed to Salt Lake City  The Associated Press
5. Coyotes finish season on emotional night in Arizona  NHL.com

Coupe des Présidents | Jim Furyk aura plusieurs as dans son jeu  La Presse

1. Séries LHJMQ : le Drakkar et les Eagles décrochent leur billet pour la 3e ronde  RDS
2. Le Titan d'Acadie-Bathurst a vendu chèrement sa peau  Acadie Nouvelle
3. Séries LHJMQ | Raoul Boilard procure une avance de 3-0 au Drakkar de Baie-Comeau  Ma Côte-Nord
4. LHJMQ : Le Drakkar pousse le Titan au bord du gouffre  MSN
5. LHJMQ : le Drakkar élimine le tenace Titan en 4 parties  Radio-Canada.ca

TAMPA — Hockey prides itself on being the ultimate team game. But on this night, the full 60 minutes spun around two individuals.

One who joined an uber-exclusive club, and one who ended a crossbar’s clang shy.

Sixty-nine is nice and all. Yet Auston Matthews‘ attempt to become the first 70-goal man in 31 years was so overt and so fierce, so anticipated and so hotly debated, The Chase had begun to overshadow what, ostensibly, were supposed to be fine-tuning rehearsals to improve the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ team play heading into playoffs.

The pursuit that felt valiant for so long became to feel like, well, something other than hockey toward the end.

Since scoring his 69th goal on the weekend, Matthews ripped 24 shots on net over the team’s final two-and-a-half games. All saved.

And in Wednesday’s mess of a 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Matthews registered 16 attempts. But for a couple inches a couple times, it would’ve been. A pinged iron here, a goal-line save there.

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All this with 70-goal legend Phil Esposito calling the action for the local broadcast and Matthews’ proud parents, Brian and Ema, waiting on the edge of their Amalie Arena seats.

“I wanted it, for sure. But, you know, it just wasn’t meant to be,” Matthews acknowledged as the curtain drew on the chase, the season.

“When you turn the page, the most important thing is the team and the team’s success and making sure that I’m pulling my weight and doing what I can as a leader on this team and individually to help the team win — especially as we go into the post-season. So, that’s where my focus is. And I think that’s kind of where my mindset has been at all year.”

Regardless the final total amassed by the Rocket Richard Trophy winner, Matthews’ respect has only ratcheted among his peers and teammates, with everyone from Sidney Crosby to Patrick Kane, Alex Ovechkin to Steven Stamkos throwing him flowers this month.

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“What a year. What an incredible year to watch live, you know?” marvels Mark Giordano, the oldest skater standing. “Seventy goals or 69 goals. But what he did all year without the puck defensively in both ends of the rink, he’s obviously been what drives our team night in and night out.

“It was just a matter of bad luck here at the end not to get to actually get to the number 70.”

Added Keefe: “It’s been fun to watch. The way he’s played these last two games, give him those types of chances and those types of shots [again], he might have got 75.”

Irony packs a cruel sense of humour. 

Toronto’s quartet of scorers on this night were mostly unlikely. Called-up depth forward Pontus Holmberg and fourth-line tough guy Ryan Reaves found the net. So did T.J. Brodie, who picked a fine time to snap the NHL’s longest active goal drought (111 games).

Brodie’s point blast on a delayed penalty flew past Matthews net-front. Right there for a tip or rebound that never materialized. Brodie, who hasn’t been able to buy a goal in months says “100 per cent” he would’ve preferred an assist. 

Then, with time draining and the Leafs trailing by three, coach Sheldon Keefe pulled the goalie anyway. But it was John Tavares, not Matthews, who bulged the net 6-on-5. A meaningless goal in a meaningless game — for the visitors.

Tampa’s Hart Trophy candidate, Nikita Kucherov, did reach his magic number — 100 assists — fuelling multiple rounds of “M-V-P!” chants in his home barn.

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“If we were going to give up four, we would’ve been cool if 34 got one of them. There’s no doubt. It wasn’t without trying. I think he had like 16 shot attempts and 11 or 12 shots on goal, and he hit a crossbar,” opposing coach Jon Cooper said.

“You talk about the exploits of Nikita Kucherov. Auston Matthews is right up there with him. He’s just a different player and he’s a pure goal scorer. The one thing about Auston is he’s going to have 69, but I think 70’s in his future and beyond. It’s just tough when you get close, and you don’t do it.”

Even more difficult to digest would be the Maple Leafs squandering an all-time regular season from their best player with a lacklustre showing in the post-season.

Toronto exits the 82-game grind on a four-game losing skid, tied for their worst of the season, in which they gave up three leads and 22 goals.

Cooper didn’t dress a full bench, scratching his No. 1 goalie, No. 1 defenceman, No. 1 shutdown centre, and the Lightning still made the Leafs look like a bunch of guys who don’t take their jobs seriously.

If these games have been meaningless to the team, they have also been concerning and, at times, downright embarrassing.

“I couldn’t even tell you the score of any of those games, including the one we just finished,” said Keefe, who revealed that he used Wednesday’s intermission to study video of the Bruins.

But what about the smart details and structured habits of these tune-up contests?

“They’re not there all the time,” Keefe dismissed. “They’re not going to be. It’s human nature.”

Also human nature: Finding it difficult to snap into a disciplined, well-organized and inspired hockey team overnight.

Yet that will be the challenge facing Toronto between now and 8 p.m. ET Saturday, when puck drops at TD Garden and the habits of the Leafs’ past week will get them burned.

Watch Maple Leafs take on Bruins in Game 1 on Sportsnet

For the first time since 2019, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins will go head-to-head in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Watch Game 1 between the Original Six rivals on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

Broadcast Schedule

At least Matthews gets it.

“Definitely not how we want to be playing going into the post-season. And I don’t think we can just think we’re going to turn it on come this Saturday,” Matthews said. 

“This is where we want to have our success. And this is where we want to make sure that we’re elevating our game and, for myself individually, want to take another step.”

Wednesday night drew a line between reflection and scrutiny, appreciation and anticipation.

“Sixty-nine is pretty damn good, too,” said Keefe, who saw the game clock frozen at 34 seconds and took it as an omen. 

The coach has a feeling, a hope. 

“More great things to come for Auston and our team,” Keefe said.

Which may well be prophecy. But it won’t be if the team doesn’t flick the proverbial switch.

Fast.

Fox’s Fast Five

• Speaking of milestones missed by an inch, William Nylander finished the season with 98 points and was unable to top his career-best 40 goals despite having 11 games to do so. 

Over the past eight days, Nylander had one perceived goal wiped off due to goalie interference, a primary assist subtracted via successful offside challenge, and a secondary assist changed upon further review of a tipped goal.

Frustration is evident.

“I think in the last week, Willy’s sort of shown that he’s done with regular-season hockey. He’s ready to move along. But I’m not concerned about Willy.”

(Nylander was not made available to reporters post-game.)

• Did we just witness the final game of Giordano’s career?

Regardless: What a run.

“This time of year is what it’s all about, right?” says Giordano, who will begin the post-season in the press box. “Excited for playoffs. Excited for what lies ahead.”

• Part of the Maple Leafs’ preparation for Game 1 in Boston was to grant starting goalie Ilya Samsonov a full week’s rest between games.

Samsonov gave up 11 goals in his past two starts, so he has gone back into the lab with goalie coach Curtis Sanford this week to focus on his technique and get his mindset sharp.

“He’s responded well from that,” Keefe says.

• Nylander is the only Maple Leaf who played all 82 games this season. Underrated durability. He skated in all 82 last season as well, and in 81 the year prior.

Matthews finished 2023-24 as the team leader in goals (69), points (107), game-winning goals (eight), and plus/minus (+31).

Marner led the club in assists (59), Max Domi penalty minutes (118), and Samsonov wins (23).

• Cade Webber, the unsigned NCAA defence prospect whose rights were acquired by Toronto, is traveling with the team. No entry-level deal is official yet, but consider it done.

In other roster news, we’d be stunned if Max Domi (undisclosed) and surprised if Calle Järnkrok (hand) aren’t in the Game 1. Bobby McMann (lower body) feels more like a long shot.

Here’s my best guess for Toronto’s Game 1 lineup (with the expectation that Keefe will often load up a Nylander – Tavares – Marner super line). Toughest call is whether to play T.J. Brodie or Timothy Liljegren on the third pair:

Bertuzzi – Matthews – Domi

Knies – Tavares – Marner

Järnkrok – Holmberg – Nylander

Dewar – Kämpf – Reaves

Rielly – Lyubushkin

Benoit – McCabe

Edmundson – Liljegren

Samsonov starts

Woll

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2. Projected Lineup - Flames vs. Sharks | Calgary Flames  NHL.com
3. Mikael Granlund and Oliver Bjorkstrand cap off season finale with points in Thursday Best Bets  The Hockey News
4. Flames Ice Chips: Milestones adding a little spice to last game - Video  TSN
5. San Jose Sharks vs Calgary Flames Prediction NHL Picks 4/18/24  Pick Dawgz

1. Auston Matthews denied 70th goal as depleted Leafs lose last regular-season game  Toronto Sun
2. "I wanted it" Leafs' Matthews on 70-goal season  CityNews Toronto
3. Wednesday's hockey: Leafs' Matthews falls short of 70 goals; Cossa ties Howard's record  Detroit News
4. Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals  CP24
5. Matthews falls one short of 70, but he's already moved on  Toronto Star

No Diar DeRozan, no problem.

The Chicago Bulls‘ offence was firing on all cylinders, taking down the Atlanta Hawks 131-116 in the play-in and moving on to a game against the Miami Heat for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

By the end of the third quarter, the Bulls held an 18-point lead that they wouldn’t relinquish, taking advantage of a Hawks defence that has struggled all year long.

Toronto Raptors legend DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points and dished out nine assists while breakout guard Coby White had 42 points of his own to help secure the win.

On the Hawks side, Dejounte Murray led the way with 30 points and Trae Young tacked on 22 but was inefficient, shooting 4-for-12 from the field.

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Chicago is now set to take on the Miami Heat — and a possibly injured Jimmy Butler — in another elimination game, this time battling it out for the eighth seed and a playoff series against the Boston Celtics.

Atlanta, meanwhile, will get a head start on their summer with questions regarding the fit in the backcourt lingering overhead.

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1. Jeff Carter Announces Retirement  prohockeyrumors.com
2. Carter of Penguins retires from NHL after 19 seasons  NHL.com
3. Jeff Carter to Retire: What he Meant for the Kings  The Hockey News
4. Penguins’ Jeff Carter announces retirement after 19 seasons in NHL  Sportsnet.ca
5. Jeff Carter, among London's most successful pro athletes, retires  The London Free Press

It wasn’t all sad times at Mullett Arena with the Arizona Coyotes playing their final home game of the season.

Shane Doan was in attendance for the Coyotes finale and he was given a gift from a fan that he probably never expected to see again.

Back in February 2019, Doan had his number retired by the Coyotes with his No. 19 being raised to the rafters at Gila River Arena (now known as Desert Diamond Arena). When the team was forced to vacate the arena and move to Mullett Arena, they apparently forgot to bring the banner with them.

A fan of the team was able to recover the banner and met up with Doan at Mullett Arena where they met in the hallway during the game.

Doan played his entire 1,570-game career with the Winnipeg Jets-Arizona Coyotes organization, the vast majority as captain, scoring 402 goals and 972 points.

After he retired in 2017, Doan joined the NHL front office and in 2021 he returned to the Coyotes as chief hockey development officer. Doan and the Coyotes parted ways in September 2022.

He is now a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs front office joining them as a special advisor to general manager Brad Treliving.

According to PHNX Coyotes, owner Alex Meruelo was not in attendance for the team’s final game.

1. Shane Doan gets retirement banner returned at Coyotes final home game  Sportsnet.ca
2. Coyotes' experience was always about community  PHNX Sports
3. Shane Doan, Phoenix Hockey Fans Say Goodbye to the Coyotes  Sportico
4. Let's Look Back On The Great Moments In Arizona Coyotes History  Defector
5. TIMELINE: A look at the Coyotes' time in Arizona  ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix

1. Penguins Finish Season Strong, But Fall Short of Playoffs | Pittsburgh Penguins  NHL.com
2. Erik Karlsson calls Penguins ‘a huge disappointment’ after missing playoffs  Sportsnet.ca
3. Red Wings miss playoffs despite 5-4 shootout win over Canadiens  The Associated Press
4. Pittsburgh Penguins Lose Final Game of Season  The Hockey News
5. Erik Karlsson on Penguins: 'We are a huge disappointment'  TSN

Another member of the memorable 2003 NHL Draft class is calling it a career.

Jeff Carter announced after the Pittsburgh Penguins regular-season finale that he was retiring from the NHL after 19 seasons.

Carter appeared in 1,320 career NHL games with the Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings. He finished his career with 441 goals and 850 points.

The London, Ont., native scored in his final game and was greeted by the New York Islanders after the game with a handshake line.

“I’m going to be a dad. You miss a lot being a hockey player — you’re in and out in a way,” Carter said when asked about what’s next for him. “My family sacrificed a lot for me to live out my dream. I’m going to be home and be a dad and then figure it out from there.”

The 39-year-old won two Stanley Cup championships with the Kings in 2012 and 2014. He also captured an Olympic gold medal with Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Marc-Andre Fleury, who was also selected in the 2003 draft, announced that he was returning for his final season with the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday.

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1. Islanders stop late penalty shot, edge Penguins  NHL.com
2. Holmstrom scores go-ahead goal in Islanders' win over Penguins  TSN
3. Islanders Pageau Injured In Final Game Before Playoffs  The Hockey News
4. Holmstrom scores go-ahead goal in Isles' win over Penguins. Sorokin stops Crosby's late penalty shot  Yahoo Canada Sports
5. Penguins/Islanders Recap: Pens finish out the season with loss to NYI  PensBurgh

1. Jeff Carter fait ses adieux dans un revers des Penguins  TVA Sports
2. Jeff Carter annonce sa retraite de la LNH après 19 saisons | LNH.com  NHL.com
3. LNH : Jeff Carter va prendre sa retraite  RDS