Sports
Ducks out to continue late playoff push in visit to Sabres
Jan 12, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images The Anaheim Ducks have not been in a playoff race this late in the season in seven years.
They will try to better their chances of ending their postseason drought when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night in the finale of a three-game road trip.
The Ducks entered play Monday six points back of the Vancouver Canucks for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Three teams also sit between the Ducks and Canucks, who visit Anaheim on Thursday.
Anaheim moved up the standings by winning six of seven games before the two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The Ducks beat the Boston Bruins in overtime in their first game back on Saturday before losing in overtime to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday after scoring two goals in under two minutes with goalie Lukas Dostal pulled for the extra skater.
“Everyone had a good break, eight or nine days off, but we all came back and we’re focusing on one thing, and that’s getting wins,” Ducks rookie Cutter Gauthier said after scoring two goals against the Red Wings. “We have a pretty big second half here that we have to stay focused on and do our jobs, and do our roles, and it’s not going to come easy and we all know that as a group. So every single night, whether it’s a back to back or we have a couple days in between, we’re going to come out battling.”
The Ducks have yet to lose in regulation when scoring at least three goals this season (21-0-3). They also have proved to be difficult to put away, as evident by their comeback against Detroit.
“Just resiliency. We’ve done it all season long,” Gauthier said about being able to chase the game late. “It’s not something we’re proud of, but it’s something that we’ve been pretty good at this year, coming back in games and fighting to get extra points that will help us down the road.”
Anaheim forward Trevor Zegras is expected to have a disciplinary hearing with the NHL after his hit up high knocked Detroit forward Michael Rasmussen from the game.
The Ducks could use Zegras’ offensive skills against the Sabres, who produced a season-high goal total in an 8-2 win against the New York Rangers on Saturday.
Rasmus Dahlin had two goals and two assists in the win, but Buffalo remains at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
“We know the second half (of the season) is important for us and this is how we want to play every night,” Dahlin said. “We’ve just got to continue to build on this.”
Dahlin, who played for Sweden at the 4 Nations tournament, scored the 74th and 75th goals of his career to move past Mike Ramsey for the second-most goals by a defenseman in Sabres history, trailing only Phil Housley (178).
“I thought the Nashville game (on Feb. 8) was probably his best of the year,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said of Dahlin. “I thought he got even better tonight. Came out better. I think he’s feeling a little bit coming off the 4 Nations, but he really did lead the way. He played well, he looked calm out there, he made some great plays. Some of his breakout plays were real special.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Ryan Preece returning to RFK Racing in 2027
May 3, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Roush Fenway Keselowski driver Ryan Preece (60) is introduced before the start of the 2026 Wurth 400 cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Ryan Preece will remain behind the wheel of RFK Racing’s No. 60 Ford during the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Team co-owner Brad Keselowski confirmed the decision Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, saying RFK exercised an option in Preece’s multiyear contract several months ago.
“We’re going to continue to keep him as a part of the family for a while,” Keselowski said.
Preece joined RFK Racing in 2025 after spending two seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing. He narrowly missed the playoffs in his first year with the team but had his best Cup campaign, earning three top-five finishes and finishing 18th in the final standings.
The 35-year-old Connecticut native is again 18th in points entering Sunday’s Brickyard 400. He has four top-10 finishes through the first 21 races of the season as he continues pursuing his first career Cup Series playoff berth.
Preece has made 243 Cup Series starts over nine seasons, earning two poles and 33 top-10 finishes. He is still looking for his first points-paying win at NASCAR’s top level.
–Field Level Media
Sports
ATP roundup: Quentin Halys blasts 17 aces, wins Generali Open for first crown
Mar 24, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Quentin Halys (FRA) hits a forehand against Alexander Zverev (GER) (not pictured) on day eight of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Frenchman Quentin Halys delivered 17 aces and earned his first career title with a solid 6-4, 7-6 (6) victory over defending champion Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in the Generali Open final at Kitzbuhel, Austria on Saturday.
Halys, 29, turned pro in 2012 and had played in just other ATP final — losing to Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the 2024 Swiss Open. Halys won 86.8% of his first-serve points (33 of 38) and didn’t face a single break point.
Top-seeded Bublik led 6-5 in the second-set tiebreaker but couldn’t convert a set point. Halys then scored two more points to finish the match.
Bublik had six aces and saved 5 of 6 break points. He hadn’t lost a set this week prior to the title match and was looking for his 10th career ATP crown.
Estoril Open
Fourth-seeded Alexander Blockx of Belgium rallied for a 5-7, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (5) victory over second-seeded Luciano Darderi of Italy in the semifinals at Portugal to reach the first ATP final of his career.
Blockx, 21, recorded eight aces and saved 8 of 14 break points while sliding past Darderi. In the third-set tiebreaker, Darderi scored the first four points before Blockx turned things around and won seven of eight to close the match.
Blockx will face Luca Van Assche, who posted a 6-4, 7-5 victory over fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston. Van Assche won the final two games to close out the match in straight sets.
The final will also be the first for the 22-year-old Van Assche. The win over Gaston came in his first ATP semifinal.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Sean McVay says Aaron Donald still weighing Rams comeback
Former Pittsburgh Panther and retired NFL defensive tackle Aaron Donald waves to the crowd while walking out onto the field during his jersey number retirement ceremony during halftime of the Pittsburgh Panthers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on November 15, 2025. Aaron Donald is undergoing an NFL-level training program as he considers ending his retirement, but Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said no decision has been made.
McVay provided an update Saturday as Rams players reported for training camp, explaining that Donald is following a demanding and carefully structured routine similar to the one he used during his playing career.
The process is intended to show the 35-year-old whether his body can withstand the physical demands of another season after two years away from the game.
McVay said he genuinely does not know which direction Donald will choose. The Rams, however, are prepared to explore a reunion if the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year decides he is ready.
“If he feels good, then you guys know he’s going to be ready to rock,” McVay said.
Donald retired in March 2024 after spending all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Rams. He recorded 111 sacks, earned eight first-team All-Pro selections and was named to the Pro Bowl in every season of his career.
The possibility of a comeback emerged after Los Angeles began considering a trade for star pass rusher Myles Garrett. McVay contacted Donald for his opinion of Garrett, and the conversation eventually shifted toward whether Donald might be interested in playing alongside him.
The Rams acquired Garrett in June, adding the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to a defense that now could become even more imposing if Donald returns.
“But this is his decision,” McVay said. “He’s earned the right to be able to do it on his terms. And that’s why I think you guys are seeing us take this approach. But I did not ever really think this would be something, but I’m not going to sit here and act like I’m not excited about the possibility of it.”
Donald last played during the 2023 season, finishing with eight sacks and 53 tackles while earning another first-team All-Pro selection.
McVay initially thought Donald was done for good, as the defensive tackle said he felt fulfilled after retirement. However, his stance has shifted enough for Donald to consider testing himself physically again, though McVay made clear that walking away once more would be fully respected.
“He doesn’t owe us anything,” McVay said.
–Field Level Media
Ryan Preece returning to RFK Racing in 2027
ATP roundup: Quentin Halys blasts 17 aces, wins Generali Open for first crown
