Sports
Ducks try to gain on Flames in Western wild-card race
Jan 28, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish (23) is congratulated by teammates on the bench after scoring a goal during the second period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images The Anaheim Ducks have put themselves in position to play meaningful games in the season’s second half and possibly join the hunt for a playoff spot.
They can take another step toward that goal when they go for a season-high fourth straight win Thursday night in Calgary against the Flames.
Anaheim entered Wednesday seven points behind the Flames for the final wild-card spot from the Western Conference.
The Ducks, who have not made the postseason since 2018, are still last in the NHL in scoring at 2.54 goals a game. But they’ve combined for 16 during their three-game winning streak.
“We’re getting quality chances, and they’re going in,” Anaheim coach Greg Cronin said. “I said earlier in the year, when scorers get chances, and they’re snake-bitten earlier, eventually it’s going to turn.”
Mason McTavish has been the hottest player for Anaheim, registering six goals and an assist in his previous four games.
“It’s just kind of been going in for me recently,” said McTavish, who turns 22 on Thursday. “It’s good getting those bounces, so hopefully I’ve just got to keep it up. I feel like guys are looking for me a lot, and it’s a good run so far.”
Cronin said McTavish’s success has been a result of him skating harder and faster.
“Because he’s skating, he’s winning a lot of loose-puck battles,” Cronin said. “He’s got good instincts, so when we do come up with pucks, he’s putting himself in good shooting areas as well.”
McTavish hasn’t been alone in his contributions.
Troy Terry is also riding a four-game point streak (one goal, four assists), and linemates Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano each have four points in the past four games.
“At times, we’ve had three or four guys at a time that have been confident,” Strome said. “But I think right now, you’re seeing 10 to 12 guys every night with the forward group feeling really confident with the puck and making really good plays.”
The Flames have allowed the Ducks to creep within seven points by losing their past two games, most recently a 3-1 defeat against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday to open a three-game homestand.
“There’s a reason they’re at the top of the standings,” Calgary defenseman Rasmus Andersson said of Washington. “They find ways to win. It’s a great learning experience for us to just create a little bit more.”
Calgary has scored just three total goals in its past two losses. Those came on the heels of a three-game winning streak in which the Flames combined for 13 goals.
“We just have to find a way to put some in the back of the net,” Calgary coach Ryan Huska said. “That’s been a bit of a challenge for us, for sure. I know we have guys that are capable of doing that.”
Huska said the Flames are also perfectly comfortable playing in tight, low-scoring games.
“We’re not going to score a ton of goals, that’s the way we are,” he said. “But having said that, you have to find a way to bear down and bury when you get your chances.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Braves put closer Raisel Iglesias on IL, Robert Suarez to close
Apr 15, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Truist Park. All players are wearing number 42 today in honor of Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with discomfort in his right (throwing) shoulder.
Iglesias has said he’s felt the discomfort since sleeping on his shoulder wrong Friday night. But the Braves conducted an MRI that found no structural damage.
“There’s some inflammation there,” Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters. “We feel like we’re getting out in front of this thing a little bit.”
Iglesias, 36, has amassed a 42-55 record, 258 saves and a 2.86 ERA in his 12 major league seasons, including four-plus years in Atlanta. He was off to a perfect start to the season, with five saves and no runs allowed over eight games (8 2/3 innings). He’s tossed 11 strikeouts to only one walk.
While Iglesias is sidelined, Robert Suarez will take over closing duties. Suarez led the National League with 40 saves while serving as the San Diego Padres’ closer last season; then he signed a three-year, $45 million deal to join the Braves and their bullpen.
The right-handed Suarez has gone 2-0 with one save and an 0.93 ERA for Atlanta in 10 appearances, used mostly as a setup man. He was an All-Star in 2024 and 2025 for the Padres.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
Mar 14, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Martin Ojeda (10) shoots on goal during the second half against the CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images Orlando City will be hoping for a much-needed attacking breakthrough on Wednesday night when they host a Charlotte FC side in search of a second consecutive away victory.
Orlando (1-6-1, 4 points) has been one of Major League Soccer’s most disappointing teams this season, costing former manager Oscar Pareja his job last month.
But there is some evidence that maybe the Lions have at least righted the ship defensively. After conceding 23 times in their first six games, interim manager Martin Perelman’s group has allowed only two goals in the last three fixtures across all competitions.
“I think we organize the team. It never is enough, always (important) to improve things,” Perelman said. “We are in that part. Last details. But yes, the structure is there. In the offensive side as well, we are working. Hopefully we can get the shape we want, that we are used to. Because in this club we have been scoring a lot for the last two years.”
So far, though, the attacking end remains pretty dire. After Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic combined for 28 MLS goals a season ago, they only have two apiece for a team with six goals total.
Pasalic also missed last week’s 1-0 home loss to Houston on Saturday night with a leg injury.
Charlotte (4-2-2, 14 points) makes the journey south following a 2-1 victory at New York City FC on Saturday, one that came despite holding a season-low 36% possession.
Defender Tim Ream exited that match at halftime and will miss roughly a week with an adductor strain, Charlotte manager Dean Smith said.
Idan Toklomati scored early in the second half and Kerwin Vargas added a goal late before NYCFC pulled one back in second-half stoppage time. And Charlotte created a similar number of chances to NYCFC despite having less of the ball.
Smith hopes the performance sets the tone for upcoming travels, with Charlotte to play its next three league games away after five of its first eight came at home.
“There’s not plenty of away games we’ve played so far, such is the fixture list,” Smith said. “We didn’t start on the road well, but we showed loads of characteristics that I liked on Saturday. And we need to continue to do that in the next three away games as well.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Union bring challenged offense north to face streaking Toronto FC
Apr 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Malik Henry (78) attempts to control the ball against Austin FC during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images Toronto FC will aim to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches when the Philadelphia Union visit on Wednesday.
Toronto (3-2-3, 12 points) is 3-0-3 in its last six outings. Wednesday marks the sixth date of Toronto FC’s nine-match homestand, and the club is unbeaten (4-0-8) in its last 12 home matches dating back to last season.
Despite the good results, midfielder Malik Henry felt his team left victories on the table.
“Some of the draws we’ve had, we feel like we definitely could have won those games, which makes it a bit more disappointing,” Henry told TFC Republic. “We just have to take the points and then continue to move forward with it.”
Walker Zimmerman is expected to be available Wednesday, in a boost to an injury-depleted back line. Zimmerman missed Toronto’s last two matches with a calf injury.
Toronto FC’s offense has been both varied and efficient. Eight Toronto players have at least one goal this season, and the team’s 51.5% accurate shooting percentage is the best in MLS.
The Union are at the other end of the attacking spectrum, with a 27.1% AS percentage that ranks second-last in the league.
Philadelphia (1-6-1, 4 points) has recorded only six goals in eight regular-season matches, ahead of only four-goal D.C. United in MLS.
The lack of offense contributed to the Union’s season-opening six-game losing streak, and goals remain at a premium even as Philadelphia has gone 1-0-1 in its last two matches. The Union outshot D.C. United 17-6 on Saturday and held D.C. without a shot on target, yet still had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
Philadelphia coach Bradley Carnell felt that returning to the striker pairing of Bruno Damiani and Ezekiel Alladoh can help unlock the Union’s offense.
“We have tried a lot of different combinations (at forward) and now we go back-to-back with the same,” Carnell said. “Every day we get together with Eze and Bruno working together, it’s … one day more advanced and developed.”
–Field Level Media
Braves put closer Raisel Iglesias on IL, Robert Suarez to close
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
