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Ducks seeking first series victory in 9 years vs. Oilers

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Edmonton Oilers at Anaheim DucksApr 26, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks celebrate a goal during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images

The Anaheim Ducks are one victory away from winning their first Stanley Cup playoff series in nine years.

Finishing off the two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers, especially on the road, won’t come easily.

The Ducks own a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven first-round series heading into Game 5 on Tuesday night.

Anaheim has won three in a row after blowing a late lead and dropping the series opener 4-3 on April 20.

The Ducks answered back with a 6-4 win last Wednesday and a 7-4 victory Friday. Overtime was needed Sunday before the Ducks came away with a 4-3 victory.

“We’re up 3-1, and every game has been a toss-up,” Ducks coach Joel Quenneville said. “Hanging in there and finding different ways, different guys against an excellent hockey team. We’re in a position now to look ahead and only think of one game.”

Quenneville is well aware that the Oilers have made a habit of coming back during the playoffs in recent years. They lost the first two games of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings last season before winning four straight.

Two years ago, Edmonton came back from 2-1 series deficits in the second and third rounds and then dropped the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers before forcing a Game 7.

“We’re in a hole, no doubt about it,” Oilers star Connor McDavid said. “We have to find a way to get a win at home.”

McDavid, who led the NHL with 138 points during the regular season, hasn’t been as dangerous since tweaking his right ankle in Game 2. He did manage to produce two points in each of the past two games after going scoreless in the first two, however.

“We’re all doing the best we can out there,” McDavid said. “We’re all working and trying to get it done.”

Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch likely will start Tristan Jarry in goal for the second straight game.

Jarry started Game 4 in place of Connor Ingram, who surrendered 14 goals on 93 shots in the first three games of the series (.849).

Jarry made 34 saves in his first postseason start since a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first round on May 15, 2022, when he played for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“Tristan played really well,” Knoblauch said. “Two of the goals, one went off our defenseman’s stick and the other was an unfortunate bounce that went off a skate. He made some big saves, and that’s what we wanted from him, a solid performance, and he played well. “

On the other side, Lukas Dostal played his best game of the series, making 24 saves. He used the blade of his right skate to turn away McDavid after he got behind the defense in the final minutes of regulation.

“He’s the rock of our team,” Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier said of Dostal. “It doesn’t really surprise me how well he performs in high-pressure situations like that.”

The Ducks will also look to stay hot on the power play, which is 6-for-12 in the series.

“Our execution has been excellent,” Anaheim defenseman Jackson LaCombe said. “Similar to our 5-on-5 play, we’ve been working more and recovering more pucks, being in better spots for each other and being more available. That’s leading to more time and success, too.”

–Field Level Media

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Report: Mets scratch RHP Freddy Peralta ahead of trade deadline

Jul 20, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA;  New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesJul 20, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The New York Mets scratched veteran right-hander Freddy Peralta from his scheduled start against the visiting Miami Marlins on Friday, the New York Post reported.

Per the report, Peralta has attracted interest from other teams ahead of Monday’s trade deadline (6 p.m. ET).

The reported move also comes on the heels of the last-place Mets trading left-handed reliever A.J. Minter to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league infielders Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick.

Peralta, 30, is 5-9 with 4.99 ERA in 22 appearances (all starts) this season. He is in the final season of his contract.

The Mets’ Opening Day starter, Peralta lasted at least six innings just six times in 22 starts. His ERA is almost twice as high as last season, when he led the NL with 17 wins and posted a 2.70 ERA.

“I know so far that I’ve let them down,” Peralta said following his start on Sunday, when he didn’t factor into the decision after allowing three runs (two earned) over four innings in the Mets’ 8-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“I haven’t done what I’m supposed to do.”

The Mets, in the cellar in the National League East, hold the second-worst record (47-63) in the NL ahead of only the Colorado Rockies (42-67).

–Field Level Media

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Brewers acquire C Bo Naylor, RHP Codi Heuer from Guardians

Apr 28, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) is tagged out by Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor (23) while attempting to score from third base on a ground ball in the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn ImagesApr 28, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) is tagged out by Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor (23) while attempting to score from third base on a ground ball in the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers acquired catcher Bo Naylor and right-hander Codi Heuer from the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday in exchange for outfielder Blake Perkins and right-hander Craig Yoho.

The move comes two days before the major-league trade deadline on Monday (6 p.m. ET).

Naylor, 26, is batting just .143 with two homers and seven RBIs in 28 games this season for the Guardians.

He is a career .199 hitter with 40 homers and 125 RBIs in 346 games since being selected by Cleveland with the 29th overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft.

Heuer, 30, is 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA in eight relief appearances this season.

He is 10-5 with three saves and a 3.76 ERA in 97 career appearances with five different teams.

Perkins, 29, is batting .157 with one homer and 11 RBIs in 55 games this season.

He is a career .223 hitter with 14 homers and 93 RBIs in 297 games with the Brewers

Yoho, 26, is 2-0 with a 3.15 ERA in 15 appearances this season.

He has the same record with a 4.40 ERA since being selected by Milwaukee in the eighth round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

–Field Level Media

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DeAndre Hopkins joins Georgia Tech as assistant WRs coach

Nov 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) reacts after making a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn ImagesNov 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) reacts after making a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins has been hired as an assistant wide receivers coach at Georgia Tech.

Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key made the announcement on Friday for Hopkins, who auditioned for a coaching role last week with the New England Patriots.

“DeAndre is one of the greatest receivers of all-time, but his value to our program goes far beyond that,” Key said in a statement. “He has an exceptional knowledge of what we’re doing on offense due to his long relationship with (offensive coordinator) George Godsey and strong familiarity with the ACC, but most importantly, he’s a leader of men that I’m very excited for our players to be around, on and off the field.”

Despite his foray into coaching, Hopkins took to social media to note that his playing career isn’t done.

“I Haven’t retired from the @NFL … But if you’re a WR and you want to be great, come to @GeorgiaTechFB,” Hopkins wrote on X on Saturday morning.

Hopkins, 34, recorded just 22 catches for 330 yards in 17 games (three starts) last season with the Baltimore Ravens.

He has totaled 1,006 receptions for 13,295 yards and 85 touchdown catches in 195 NFL games (172 starts).

Hopkins has seven career 1,000-yard receiving seasons and has caught over 100 passes four times. He earned first-team All-Pro honors three straight years (2017-19).

Hopkins spent his first seven seasons with the Houston Texans before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals. He spent three seasons with Arizona before being released, and he also played with the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs.

–Field Level Media

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