Sports
Juuse Saros stops 27 shots as Predators blank Canucks
Jan 3, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Nashville Predators forward Gustav Nyquist (14) battles with Vancouver Canucks forward Phillip Di Giuseppe (34) in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images Juuse Saros made 27 saves to post his fourth shutout of the season as the visiting Nashville Predators defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 on Friday.
Steven Stamkos broke the scoreless deadlock, and Gustav Nyquist and Colton Sisson’s both produced one goal and one assist for the Predators, who snapped a three-game losing streak.
Saros earned his 27th career shutout as the struggling Predators finally picked up a victory in their fourth outing of a six-game road trip.
Kevin Lankinen took the net with Vancouver’s No. 1 goalie Thatcher Demko sidelined due to back spasms, and he stopped 16 of the 17 shots he faced.
Vancouver, which also has top scorer Quinn Hughes, key forward Elias Pettersson and defenseman Filip Hronek sidelined due to injury, has managed only two wins in its past eight outings (2-3-3).
During an entertaining and intense goaltender battle, Stamkos finally opened the scoring at 16:53 of the second period. He buried a one-timer from the left faceoff dot set up by a give-and-go with Jonathan Marchessault. Stamkos has scored 19 goals in 22 career games vs. the Canucks.
Nyquist, who was earlier denied on a breakaway, added much-needed insurance with an empty-net goal with 1:44 remaining, his first goal in 19 games.
Sissons added another empty-netter in the final minute to round out the scoring.
Saros delivered a sparkling performance from the drop of the puck, stopping J.T. Miller’s first-period breakaway and protecting the lead with a key stop on Pius Suter’s blast midway through the third period.
The Canucks nearly opened the scoring early in the second period, but Teddy Blueger’s apparent tally was called back due to goaltender interference.
The Canucks, who failed to convert on any of their three power-play opportunities, have a middling 7-8-6 home record, with only two victories in their last six home clashes (2-2-2).
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jannik Sinner wins Madrid, shatters record for consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles
Mar 29, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates his victory over Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in the final of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images Jannik Sinner became the first player to capture five straight ATP Masters 1000 titles when he breezed past Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2 on Sunday in the Mutua Madrid Open final.
The 24-year-old Italian, who ranks No. 1 in the world, started his unprecedented streak in France by winning the Paris Masters on Nov. 2. He set the record there for losing the fewest number of games (29).
Sinner won the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March, where he became the first player not to lose a set in two consecutive ATP Masters 1000 events. He followed that by claiming the Miami Open, the Monte-Carlo Masters and now the Mutua Madrid Open. The last four victories have come in a nine-week span.
In Sunday’s win over the second-seeded Zverev, Sinner never faced a break point while converting all four of his break points against Zverev. Of his 29 first serves that landed, he won the point on 27 (93.1%). He averaged 130 miles per hour on his first serves compared to Zverev’s 124 mph.
Sinner needed just 25 minutes to complete the first set and 31 minutes to take the second set and wrap up his ninth consecutive win over Zverev. The German sensed the match might go this way.
“He’s world No. 1 and hasn’t lost a match since the beginning of February,” Zverev told reporters after capturing his semifinal match on Friday. “Right now he’s definitely the best player in the world. I have to play very, very good tennis to have a chance.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Raptors' Brandon Ingram downgraded to doubtful for Game 7
Apr 26, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) shoots the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) defends during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram was seen in a walking boot during the team’s shootaround on Sunday morning, several hours before Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the host Cleveland Cavaliers.
Ingram initially was listed as questionable to play due to right heel inflammation. He was downgraded to doubtful when the NBA released its official injury report early in the afternoon.
An All-Star this season for the second time in his career, Ingram was limited to 11 minutes and scored one point in Toronto’s 125-120 setback to Cleveland in Game 5 on Wednesday. He did not play in Toronto’s 112-110 overtime victory in Game 6 on Friday.
During the regular season, the 28-year-old Ingram averaged a team-high 21.5 points over 77 games. He also averaged 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists and drilled 38.2% of his 3-point attempts.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Astros' Christian Walker batting cleanup one day after HBP to head
May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) is helped off the field after being hit by a pitch during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Less than 24 hours after taking a fastball to the helmet, Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker was penciled into the starting lineup for the Astros’ series finale on Sunday at Boston.
Facing an 0-2 pitch from Red Sox rookie left-hander Tyler Samaniego, Walker was drilled over his left eye by a 93.3 mph fastball on Saturday that broke his helmet and sent the biggest piece flying 10 feet toward the backstop.
With the Astros leading 6-3 in the ninth, they took precautionary measures and removed Walker in favor of pinch runner Brandon Shewmake.
“I feel OK,” Walker told reporters afterward. “I think the helmet took most of it. And turning away from it hopefully made it more of a glancing blow than straight impact.”
Clearly Walker felt good enough to fill the cleanup spot for Sunday’s game against the Red Sox. Walker has appeared in every game this year for the Astros — starting all but one — and the 35-year-old has been producing some career numbers.
His .309 batting average, .386 on-base percentage and .577 slugging percentage all represent career bests. He has delivered eight homers and 26 RBIs through 34 games, which put him on pace for a career-high 38 homers and 124 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Jannik Sinner wins Madrid, shatters record for consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles
Raptors' Brandon Ingram downgraded to doubtful for Game 7
