Hot Button: Kraken force another Game 7, sinking Stars ... Did Gallo moonshot break Statcast? ... Panthers eliminate Maple Leafs, will face Hurricanes for Eastern crown

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KRAKEN FORCE GAME 7 WITH
TOP EFFORT AGAINST STARS

Saturday, May 13: The Kraken forced Game 7 in their playoff series with the Stars, beating Dallas, 6-3, Saturday night at Climate Pledge Arena. The win-and-in game will be Monday night in Dallas.

Seattle forced the issue from the opening puck drop, playing with controlled desperation in front of its home crowd and scoring four times in the first 24:23 of game action, forcing Stars goalie Jake Oettinger to the bench.

Joe Pavelski scored his eighth of the playoffs to cut the lead to two by period’s end, but Dallas never got any closer. The teams traded goals 15 seconds apart in the third period, but Seattle closed it out with a Jordan Eberle empty-netter, his second goal of the game. 

The Kraken played a strong defensive game in front of Philipp Grubauer, who faced only 23 shots.

My take: Good for Seattle — that was an inspired effort. They took the Avs in seven games with a road win to finish it off. Is a repeat possible? Perhaps. Each team has only one road win in the series, but one is all it takes now. Grubauer isn’t all the way back from shaky Games 4 and 5, but he looked better and Oettinger will have to start a Game 7 coming off being benched. Everything’s in place, let’s hope we get an epic finish. — Bob

GALLO HOME RUN TOO
FAR FOR STATCAST?

Saturday, May 13: Twins slugger Joey Gallo hit a baseball very far in Saturday’s 11-1 clubbing of the Cubs. So far, in fact, that Statcast could not measure its distance:

As of late Saturday night, there is still no  official distance on the blast which landed more than halfway up the upper deck in right-center field.

My take: Could be close to a 500-footer, but it's better not knowing. Always nice to see a limit to technology every once in a while. One thing is certain — no one sitting in that section was expecting to have a chance at a souvenir … though they flubbed it and it went to someone at field level. — Bob

COUSINS OT WINNER SENDS PANTHERS
TO EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

Friday, May 12: The number of years since the Maple Leafs have won the Stanley Cup is now officially 56 and counting after Nick Cousins scored at 15:32 of overtime to win the game, 3-2, and win the series, four games to one. The Panthers advance to the Eastern Conference Final against the Hurricanes, Florida’s first trip to the ECF since 1996.

Cousins broke out on the rush after Radko Gudas intercepted a Toronto pass deep in Florida’s zone. Cousins took it up the left side then made a curl-and-drag move as Gudas crashed the net and beat Toronto goalie Joseph Woll with a snap-shot short side:

The Maple Leafs played a strong game, peppering the Panthers with 53 shots on goal and getting a late equalizer from William Nylander with just over four minutes remaining in the third to force overtime. However, Sergei Bobrovsky was equal to the task in overtime, making three strong saves to give Florida a chance to end the series. 

A date has yet to be announced for the beginning of the conference final.

My take: It was a game effort by the Leafs, but it was all Florida in the overtime, forcing turnovers and playing in the Toronto end for good portions of the period. Seemed inevitable, but one never knows. Great play by Gudas and Cousins for the series-winner. Who do you have? Panthers or Canes? — Bob

BROWNS BOLSTER PASS RUSH, 
ADD FORMER RAVEN SMITH

Friday. May 12: The Browns want to bring heat from both edges on defense and traded for edge/outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith, sending the Vikings a fifth-round pick in 2024 and 2025, while the Browns receive a sixth- and seventh-round picks in 2025 along with Smith. 

Smith, 30, is in the final year of a contract which pays him $11.75 million, fully guaranteed.

Smith is coming off a Pro Bowl season in Minnesota, registering 10 sacks, 15 tackles for a loss and 24 quarterback hits in 16 games. Smith has made three Pro Bowls in four seasons, playing just one game in 2021 due to injury, but has 36 sacks in his last 49 games played. 

Smith now slots into the right side opposite Myles Garrett, giving the Browns a strong pass rush off each edge.

My take: Good move by the Browns, getting a tough player who knows all about AFC North football, having started his career with four seasons with the Ravens. Broderick Jones gets a baptism by fire in Week 1 against Nick Bosa and Week 2 against Smith. — Bob

SNYDERS REACH FINAL AGREEMENT
TO SELL COMMANDERS

Friday, May 12: Commanders owners Daniel and Tanya Snyder have finalized an agreement to sell the franchise for $6.05 billion to a group led by Josh Harris, it was officially announced Friday. The proposed sale price shatters the U.S. professional sports record set by the Broncos owners last year at $4.65 billion.

The Snyders issued a brief statement: “We are very pleased to have reached an agreement for the sale of the Commanders franchise with Josh Harris, an area native, and his impressive group of partners. We look forward to the prompt completion of this transaction and to rooting for Josh and the team in the coming years.”

Harris, who has majority ownership stakes in the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers, issued his own statement in response, celebrating his local ties to the franchise: “ … I want to express how excited we are to be considered by the NFL to be the next owners of the Washington Commanders and how committed we are to delivering a championship-caliber franchise for this city and its fanbase. Growing up in Chevy Chase, I experienced first-hand the excitement around the team, including its three Super Bowl victories and long-term winning culture. We look forward to the formal approval of our ownership by the NFL in the months ahead and to having the honor to serve as responsible and accountable stewards of the Commanders franchise moving forward."

The deal includes what stake the Commanders hold in FedEx Field, plus the team’s training facilities in Ashburn, Virginia. 

The sale will require a 75-percent vote of the NFL’s owners to become official. The next owners’ meetings begin May 22 and a vote is expected at that time, if the details can be completed by then. The NFL owners unanimously approved the Broncos sale in 2022.

My take: I’m surprised the owners aren’t having a Zoom call this evening to unanimously vote this thing through and be rid of reprehensible Snyder. Good riddance. And for $6.05 billion? The owners would probably approve the sale to just about anybody. — Bob

CANES ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE
FINAL WITH OVERTIME WIN

Friday, May 12: The Hurricanes became the first team to advance to the 2023 Stanley Cup semifinals, defeating the Devils, 3-2 in overtime to eliminate New Jersey, four games to one.

Jesper Fast scored on a power play at 7:09 of the extra period to send Carolina to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in five years.

The teams had traded goals through the second period and a scoreless third forced overtime. The Hurricanes await the winner of the Panthers-Maple Leafs series, with Florida holding a three-games-to-one advantage heading into Friday's Game 5 in Toronto.

• The Stars won their second in a row to put the Kraken on the brink of elimination with a 5-2 victory in Game 5 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. 

The Stars got key contributions from two prominent players, as Roope Hintz scored his seventh and eighth goals of the playoffs and Joe Pavelski scored his seventh.

Adam Larsson and Jared McCann got the Kraken within one at 3-2 after the second period, but Hintz's second goal gave Dallas a two-goal lead and Radek Faksa ended all Seattle hopes with an empty-netter.

Game 6 is Saturday in Seattle.

My take: The Canes advancing was an inevitability, though Game 5 was the only entertaining contest of the series. The Stars seem to have found their stride and Jake Oettinger is asserting more each game. I expect this one to be over Saturday. With the Leafs on the brink, Edmonton-Vegas is the only series left with real Game 7 potential. Quite a disappointing turnaround from the first-round. — Bob

OILERS’ NURSE SUSPENDED ONE
GAME, PIETRANGELO NEXT?

Thursday, May 11: Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse has been suspended one game by the National Hockey League for instigating a fight in the final minute of their Wednesday night win over the Golden Knights. Because it was ruled an instigation, it carried an automatic one-game penalty and a $10,000 fine for head coach Jay Woodcroft.

Tempers flared at the end of the game as the Golden Knights, frustrated by Edmonton’s clean physicality throughout the game, began to get chippy. Things got tense when Vegas defenseman Alex Pietrangelo took a viscous slash on Leon Driasaitl, earning a major penalty and game misconduct:

Pietrangelo was suspended one game later Thursday for the slash on Draisaitl. He received a hearing because he was issued a game misconduct and not a match penalty, which would have been an automatic suspension.

My take: Should be a suspension for Pietrangelo but, ya know, DOPS, so who knows? Ridiculous league that punishes Nurse but leaves open the possibility that Pietrangelo plays. Talk about instigating. — Bob

Updated take: DOPS did the right thing? Mark the calendar. — Bob

JONES GOES FROM STUDIO TO
TOP OF FLYERS FRONT OFFICE

Thursday, May 11: National Hockey League and Flyers broadcast analyst Keith Jones has been hired by the Flyers as their new team president and director of hockey operations. The organization also announced that they are dropping the interim tag on Daniel Briere and hiring him as the team’s general manager.

Jones played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League, the last three with the Flyers, ending in 2000. He has spent every year since in the booth as an analyst for Flyers’ broadcasts on NBC Sports Philadelphia, and has been an on-ice and studio analyst for NHL broadcasts on NBC and NBC Sports Network, TNT and TBS, TSN, and ESPN. He has no sports management experience.

Following the announcement, Jones said, "To be able to lead this team back to the winning tradition that everyone knows it can and should be is a true honor, and one that I do not take lightly. I consider the Philadelphia Flyers organization the gold standard of the NHL and professional sports. I've seen how this city and these fans can rally around their team, and there is nothing that compares to that feeling."

Briere, a former alternate captain for the Flyers over six of his 17-season NHL career, has been in the Flyers front office since 2017, running hockey ops for their then-fledgling ECHL affiliate Maine Mariners. In 2021-22 Briere was named assistant to the Flyers general manager and was elevated to interim general manager on May 10, after Chuck Fletcher was fired.

Briere said Thursday that “to be given this opportunity with the confidence from Dan Hilferty and the leadership group, in a city that means so much to me, words cannot describe my excitement. I truly believe this is an exciting time for the Flyers with the steps that we've taken this past season, the way our team has responded to the standard that was set both on and off the ice, and the path that we are on."

The Flyers have been to the playoffs in only four of the last 11 seasons, and none in the past three. Under new head coach John Tortorella in 2022-23, the team finished 31-38-13, seventh in the eight-team Metropolitan division and 14th in the Eastern Conference. They hold the 7th-overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft.

My take: Anything to get Jones off my television is OK by me. He can’t possibly do worse than recent team management. Nowhere to go but up. Not sure what Briere was referencing about the new “standard” this past season in Philly, but we’ll see. — Bob

MAPLE LEAFS SURVIVE,
OILERS TIE THINGS UP

Thursday, May 11: The Maple Leafs beat the Panthers Wednesday night, 2-1, to avoid a sweep in their playoff series. Game 5 is Friday back in Toronto.

The Panthers, for their part, looked passive, seeming to take interest only in the last 10 minutes of regulation, down 2-0 after a Mitch Marner tally at 10:03 of the third. Sam Reinhart got one back three minutes later but Florida could not push another past rookie Joseph Woll, making his first career playoff start for the Leafs.

In Edmonton, the Golden Knights also got away from what made them successful in a Game 3 drubbing of the Oilers, and Edmonton took full advantage, playing the aggressor with a physical, free-skating performance in a 4-1 win, leveling the series at two games apiece. Game 5 will be in Vegas on Friday. 

My take: Completely unsure why the Panthers lacked the killer instinct in Game 4 — they certainly ruined the DK’s night — but now the Leafs have a shred of confidence heading home for Game 5. A return to the Panthers’ effort in the first three games should end it for good. Each of these series’ have been rubbish to watch, to be honest. Blowout wins and a general lack of competitiveness from one team or the other. Hopefully, things pick up, particularly in Oilers-Knights, which can be a good 7-gamer if both play to their potential at the same time. — Bob

REPORT: HUGGINS OUT FOR THREE GAMES,
TO LOSE MILLIONS OVER SLUR

Wednesday, May 10: West Virginia University is finalizing a new contract for Bob Huggins in response to the anti-gay slur he used on a radio program Monday morning. Huggins has agreed to a reduction in his annual salary by $1 million and will be suspended three games without pay for the 2023 season. Huggins currently makes $4.2 million per season. Additionally, Huggins will agree to sensitivity training and meetings with local LGBTQ+ organizations.

Huggins' new contract will be year-to-year instead of a multi-year deal, to be reviewed and potentially amended after each season, including termination. WVU President Gordon Gee said Wednesday, "... any incidents of similar derogatory and offensive language will result in immediate termination."

Gee also announced that the $1 million taken from Huggins' salary will be used to support on-campus centers supporting sexual orientation and identity, mental health, plus "other state and national organizations that support marginalized communities."

My original take: I really didn’t think Huggins was going to keep his job, if the source’s information is accurate. Kind of shocking, but not a complete surprise. Will WVU use the $1 million per year Huggins is forfeiting to benefit students on campus and the Morgantown community? One would hope so. No reason they should get a windfall off this incident. — Bob

My updated take: Three games? That's a shoulder shrug. The million dollars will at least be used and not saved by the university, but the end result is WVU losing it's basketball coach against three likely bottom-feeders to start the season, while Huggins will somehow have to manage living his life on $3.2 million per season while taking sensitivity training seminars. Unacceptable. — Bob

JAGS SCHEDULED FOR TWO
LONDON GAMES INT’L SLATE

Wednesday, May 10: Jaguars fans will have to change their chant from “Duuuuuval” to “Lonnnnndon” twice in 2023, as the Jaguars become the first National Football League franchise to have two overseas games in one season. The Jags will travel to London for an October 1 “home” game against the Falcons at Wembley Stadium, then they will stay to play at the Bills in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the next week on October 8.

The UK portion of the international schedule continues on October 15 with the Titans hosting the Ravens at Tottenham.

The NFL then has another first in November — two regular-season games in Germany. Frankfurt will host the Dolphins at Chiefs at Frankfurt Stadium on November 5, then the Colts at the Patriots on November 12.

Each international game will kick off at 9:30 a.m. ET. Broadcast networks and streaming services were not announced.

The NFL also announced other special games for 2023 ahead of the full schedule release Thursday night. The Dolphins will play at the Jets on November 24, the first “Black Friday” game, a new annual game on NFL schedules moving forward. The Giants will play at the Eagles on Christmas Day, a Monday night, and the Bengals will play at the Chiefs on New Year’s Eve, a Sunday night contest.  

My take: The NFL is making a big push in Europe — this is the largest slate of games there yet, and the international schedule will only get bigger when Mexico returns on the slate in 2024. The Jags are one of the up-and-coming teams but if the fans don’t come out and support, they will be the first full-time European club. The plan is to have a four-team NFL division in Europe and it looks like they’ve identified the first two cities. London could easily host two teams, Frankfurt and another German city seem logical. It’s coming, folks. — Bob

RIVERHOUNDS STUN MLS’
REVOLUTION IN U.S. OPEN CUP

Tuesday, May 9: On May 3, the Riverhounds welcomed back fan-favorite midfielder Danny Griffin and Tuesday, that investment paid immediate and shocking dividends when Griffin scored in the 44th minute, as Riverhounds SC stunned the New England Revolution of MLS, 1-0, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Middle back Marc Ybarra threaded a ball into the box and Griffin snuck through two defenders to receive it and drill it into the back left corner:

The game was also an historic battle between the two winningest coaches active in U.S. Soccer — Bob Lilley for the Hounds and two-time U.S. Men’s National Team skipper Bruce Arena for the Revolution. 

It’s been 22 years since the Hounds defeated an MLS team (2001, Colorado Rapids) and Tuesday’s win advances Pittsburgh to the Round of 16.

My take: A stunning win, for sure, that might help jolt the beleaguered U.S. Open Cup, for which U.S. Soccer has received harsh criticism recently due to an overall lack of support and fan interest in the poorly-attended tournament games. I mean, name me last year’s U.S Open Cup winner, or the year before. It’s not coveted and often teams, even lower-tier clubs, play backups to avoid interference with league play. It’s essential to growing the game, so U.S. Soccer needs to figure it out … as soon as it can decide on who’s going to coach the USMNT. What a dysfunctional organization. — Bob

CANES RETURN TO FORM,
ROUT DEVILS AGAIN

Tuesday, May 9: The Hurricanes are one game away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals after a 6-1 drubbing of the Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark, taking a three games to one series lead. 

Carolina was caught sleeping in Game 3, an 8-4 loss after winning the first two games. It appeared there might be a repeat when Devils star Jack Hughes scored just 1:55 into the first period, but the Canes tied it on a Martin Necas wrister just outside the crease, then Carolina buried five more in the second period.

Necas got the game-winner at 7:26, starting of a stretch of four goals in 5 minutes and 20 seconds. Devils goaltender Vitek Vanacek was yanked after the fourth goal of the period, then Akira Schmid gave up the last goal, a Jordan Martinook short-side snipe in the last minute. 

When the Canes have won in this series, they have dominated, outscoring the Devils 17-3. They can win the series Thursday night at home.

My take: New Jersey’s goaltending has been wretched, with the starter getting pulled in each loss. Combined, they’re giving up a goal every 6 shots on net. Good grief. The Devils have been completely outclassed, and unless something dramatic happens, it’s going to be a Canes-Panthers Eastern final. — Bob

LEGENDARY VIKINGS, CFL
QUARTERBACK KAPP DIES

Tuesday, May 9: Joe Kapp, who led the Vikings to Super Bowl IV and is the only man to have played in a Super Bowl, Grey Cup and the Rose Bowl, has died at his homein Los Gatos, California. He was 85. According to his son, J.J. Kapp, Mr. Kapp lost “a 15 year battle with dementia.” It was known in 2016, that Kapp had an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. J.J. Kapp said his father’s brain will be donated for CTE determination and research.

Mr. Kapp played a tough brand of football at the University of California at Berkeley, and throughout his professional playing career. He was selected by Washington in the 18th round of the 1959 draft but opted to play in the Canadian Football League, playing nine seasons with the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions, winning a Grey Cup with the Lions in 1964, before moving to the NFL’s Vikings in 1966. Mr. Kapp played three seasons for Minnesota, winning the NFL Championship in 1969, a season in which he tied an NFL record with 7 touchdown passes in one game against the Colts. He was selected to the Pro Bowl, but lost Super Bowl IV to the Chiefs, 23-7. One final NFL season followed with the Boston Patriots in 1970.

Mr. Kapp moved into acting following his playing career, appearing in supporting and minor roles on several popular television programs in the 1970s and having memorable appearances in feature films, particularly football classics “The Longest Yard” and “Semi-Tough.”

In 1982, Mr. Kapp became head coach at his alma mater, leading Cal for five seasons. Though his tenure resulted in a 20-34-1 record, it did deliver one of the most iconic moments in NCAA history:

Mr. Kapp became BC Lions general manager in 1990, signing Doug Flutie, who would become one of the league’s legendary players. However, the rest of the roster was not good and Mr. Kapp was fired after 11 games.

An Albuquerque, New Mexico native, Mr. Kapp dedicated the remainder of his life to charities supporting Hispanic communities, celebrating his own Mexican ancestry.

Mr. Kapp is a member of the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and his number 22 is retired by the BC Lions. He was recognized by the Minnesota organization as one of the 50 greatest Vikings of all time. 

My take: Kapp threw one of the ugliest passes ever … but it always got there, wobbling the whole way but somehow catchable. He was tough as nails and wasn’t afraid to lower his head to get the extra yard. A winner on the field and off. Rest in Peace. — Bob

BROSSOIT EXIT DOES NOT
DETER VEGAS IN ROUT

Tuesday, May 9: Golden Knights netminder Laurent Brossoit was forced to leave Monday night’s 5-1 rout of the Oilers after sustaining an injury in the first period, with the score knotted at 1-1.

The injury did not deter the Golden Knights, in fact it seemed to energize them, playing tighter defense in front of backup Adin Hill. The smothering effort led to several turnovers and odd-man breaks for Vegas and its forecheck wore down Edmonton’s defenders. Jonathan Marchessault ended up scoring the game-winner off a center drive and dish from Jack Eichel in the last minute of the first period:

Vegas then steamrolled Edmonton in the second period, scoring three times. Well, four actually, but one was overturned on goaltender interference. Vegas responded to that by scoring six seconds after the ensuing faceoff to make it 5-1.

Hill, for his part, stopped all 24 shots he faced, including a couple strong saves when the Oilers attempted a brief third-period push to get back into the game.

Hill may be called on to finish out the series, with Vegas now up two games to one. Jonathan Quick would serve as his backup. Brossoit could not put any weight on his left leg as he left the ice, coming off a severe hip injury to the same leg earlier this season. No update on his status was offered postgame beyond "lower body injury."

Game 4 will be Wednesday night in Edmonton.

My take: Vegas showed that if they can play this way each game, Edmonton has no chance. It limited Connor McDavid and the playoffs leading goal scorer, Leon Draisaitl, to six total shots, none of them particularly threatening. They are the deeper team, and if they focus on winning lower-scoring games should continue to generate the chances they got Monday night. — Bob

HUGGINS APOLOGIZES
FOR ANTI-GAY SLUR

Monday, May 8: West Virginia University basketball coach Bob Huggins apologized Monday for an anti-gay slur he used during an interview with a Cincinnati radio station Sunday.

WVU administration is investigating what it called "insensitive, offensive" remarks.

During a question from Bill Cunningham on his eponymous program about the contentious rivalry between Xavier and the University of Cincinnati during Huggins’ coaching tenure at UC, Huggins replied, "Any school that can throw rubber penises on the floor and then say they didn't do it, my God, they can get away with anything."

Cunningham then clarified, "I think it was 'Transgender Night,' wasn't it?"

"What it was, was all those f--s, those Catholic f--s, I think," said Huggins, before adding,"They were envious they didn't have one." 

Huggins apologized Monday, saying, “I used a completely insensitive and abhorrent phrase that there is simply no excuse for — and I won't try to make one here. I deeply apologize to the individuals I have offended, as well as to the Xavier University community, the University of Cincinnati and West Virginia University. As I have shared with my players over my 40 years of coaching, there are consequences for our words and actions, and I will fully accept whatever’s coming my way. I am ashamed and embarrassed and heartbroken for those I have hurt. I must do better, and I will."

Later in the day, WVU athletic director Wren Baker said he did not have more on the Huggins situation, as he arrived in Wheeling for the coaches caravan. Baker said he had just heard the situation while driving to the event and that he had spoken briefly with Huggins. When asked, Wren said Huggins’ absence at the coaches caravan was due to “a conflict. He won’t be able to attend.”

Huggins coached Cincinnati from 1989-2005. He is entering his 17th season coaching West Virginia, his alma mater, making 11 NCAA Tournament appearances and eight AP Top-25 final rankings.

My take: Huggins is facing serious discipline … if he’s not fired, and the Big 12 will likely have its say in what happens. These are usually zero-tolerance policies surrounding unacceptable speech. I’d imagine a quick and severe resolution. — Bob

YARBROUGH SUFFERED SKULL
FRACTURES OFF BATTED BALL

Monday, May 8: The Royals placed left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough on the 15-day injured list after being hit just above the left temple off a batted ball Sunday from the bat of Athletics first baseman Ryan Noda:

The ball off the bat registered at 106.1 miles per hour. It was revealed Monday that Yarbrough suffered multiple skull fractures and will be out indefinitely.

My take: Those are always scary. To go off a guy’s head so hard the catcher was able to make the play and record the out? Yarbrough’s lucky it’s not worse. Best to him in his recovery.

LEAFS ON BRINK
AFTER OT LOSS

Sunday, May 7: If the Maple Leafs are to break their 56-year Stanley Cup drought — 20,370 days and counting — they will have to do it in dramatic fashion.

Sam Reinhart scored on a strong wraparound at 3:02 of overtime to give Florida a commanding three games to none lead with a 3-2 win at FLA Live Arena. Game 4 will be Wednesday night.

The teams traded goals throughout — Toronto getting on the board first courtesy of former Penguin and Hollidaysburg native Sam Lafferty, and the Panthers eventually tying the game at 2-2 in the third period when a Radko Gudas point shot went in off Carter Verhaeghe’s backside.

That wasn’t the only misfortune endured by Toronto on the night. Starting goaltender Ilya Samsonov had to leave the game shortly after the start of the second period, with an injury sustained when teammate fell and slid hard into him. Postgame, head coach Sheldon Keefe had no update on his status moving forward. Joseph Woll replaced Samsonov and gave up three goals on 21 shots. Matt Murray would backup Woll if Samsonov can’t go in Game 4.

My take: The Leafs played a pretty solid game and had some misfortune, including not getting any power plays. That said, the Leafs gonna Leafs, and they look very much like a team that’s going to be cleaning out lockers on Thursday in Toronto. — Bob

DEVILS BACK IN SERIES
WITH CRUCIAL GAME 3 WIN

Sunday, May 7: The Devils doubled-up the Hurricanes, with a resounding 8-4 win Sunday at Prudential Center in Newark. It was a crucial victory, preventing them from going down three games to none, and now are one good game away from tying the series. Game 4 is Tuesday night.

New Jersey came out with a purpose lacking in the first two games, when they were outscored 11-2 and looked lethargic against the diligent Canes. The script was flipped in Game 3, with the Devils looking to prove something in front of the home crowd. They did so in resounding fashion, building a 4-0 lead before the second period was a minute old. 

In total, the Devils got goals from seven different players, the lone exception being Jack Hughes who scored the second and seventh goals for New Jersey. 

The Hurricanes did grab a semblance of momentum in the third period when, down 7-2, they scored twice shorthanded on the same Devils power play.

New Jersey did make a goaltending change back to Vitek Vanecek after Akira Schmid was pulled from each of the first two games. Vanecek gave up four goals on 30 shots.

My take: The Devils earned the win, but giving up those shorties just might cost them in Game 4. Those can really give a team life, particularly after a dreadful performance. There is still no answer in net for the Devils, who are collectively giving up a goal once every six to seven shots in this series. Carolina was caught napping, will it happen again Tuesday? — Bob

BLUE DIES, STAR A’S
PITCHER, MVP

Sunday, May 7: Former American League Cy Young and MVP winner Vida Blue has died, He was 73. No cause of death was released.

Born in Mansfield, Louisiana in 1949, Mr. Blue was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in 1967, as a senior at DeSoto High School in Baton Rouge. With his signature backward lean and high-leg windup, the southpaw pitched in parts of 17 major-league seasons, beginning in 1969, starring for the World Series winning Athletics teams from 1972-74. He was awarded the Cy Young and AL Most Valuable Player Award in 1971, when he went 24-8, with AL-bests in ERA (1.80), WHIP (0.952) and a major-league leading 8 shutouts.

The Athletics released a statement on Mr. Blue’s passing: "There are few players with a more decorated career than Vida Blue. He was a three-time champion, an MVP, a six-time All-Star, a Cy Young Award winner, and an Oakland A's Hall of Famer. Vida will always be a franchise legend and a friend. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this arduous time."

The organization also released a video tribute online:

After nine seasons with Oakland, Mr. Blue was an All-Star three years out of four with the cross-bay Giants. He made 50 starts with the Royals in 1982 and 1983, then missed 1984 to injury. He returned to the Giants for two seasons in 1985-86 to finish out his career, struggling with injuries and substance abuse in the waning years of his career. He finished with a 209-161 record, a 3.27 ERA, 1.233 WHIP and 2,175 strikeouts in 3343.1 innings pitched. He pitched one no-hitter on September 21, 1970, against the Twins.

In his post-playing days, Mr. Blue spent time as a booth analyst for the Giants and was active in several charity endeavors, which began during his playing days and continued until his death.

Mr. Blue was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019, the second year of the franchise’s honorific.

My take: Blue was a dominant force and a real personality in the 1970s — I used to love watching ol’ No. 35 (and 14) toss back in the day. My father had his signature blue glove which was sold in stores in 1973, I believe, and probably still sits in a storage bin somewhere. Might have been the last player before Ichiro Suzuki to have his first name on the back of his uniform, too. Rest in Peace. — Bob