Sports
Leon Draisaitl's big night boosts Oilers over Preds
Oct 31, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) blocks the shot of Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (90) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images Leon Draisaitl had two goals with an assist and the visiting Edmonton Oilers looked solid minus injured superstar Connor McDavid, beating the Nashville Predators 5-1 on Thursday night.
With McDavid out two to three weeks after suffering an ankle injury Monday at Columbus, the Oilers didn’t look dejected en route to their highest-scoring game of the season. Draisaitl, the NHL MVP in 2020, extended his team-leading goal total to eight and recorded his second three-point effort in three games.
Meanwhile, ex-Predator Viktor Arvidsson, Corey Perry and Zach Hyman also scored, while Calvin Pickard made 26 saves for the Oilers, who have won three of four. It was also Edmonton’s second victory this month at Nashville, which managed only Filip Forsberg’s fifth goal while losing its second straight (0-1-1) after winning three in a row.
Not smarting from McDavid’s absence, Edmonton opened the scoring 37 seconds into the contest. After the Oilers’ forecheck prevented the Predators from clearing their zone, the puck made its way to Draisaitl in front of the net, then over for Arvidsson to push home.
However, Nashville equalized just 5:05 into the first. On the power play, the Predators caught a break when Brett Kulak’s clearing attempt for Edmonton hit bodies, with the puck then landing for Forsberg to send by Pickard.
The Oilers, though, regained the lead nearly five minutes later. Off an initial save from Juuse Saros (24 saves), Perry was in position to convert.
Draisaitl extended Edmonton’s lead with 10:57 remaining in the middle period. After Nashville’s Michael McCarron lost an edge while trying to maintain the puck at the near board, Draisaitl picked up the puck, raced in alone and beat Saros for a 3-1 Oilers edge.
Draisaitl was at it again just 1:48 into the third. Taking a pass from Mattias Ekholm, Draisaitl did the rest, working his way around Brady Skjei and catching the metal of the cage before the puck made it by Saros.
Hyman recorded his first goal of the campaign, after scoring a career-high 54 last season, off a partial breakaway with 7:14 left in regulation.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Lions running back David Montgomery “wants out” of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN reported on Sunday.
Montgomery, however, immediately appeared to refute the report on X, posting: “Damn, Dmo told you that?”
The ESPN report claims the Lions would want “a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)” in the 2026 NFL Draft in return for Montgomery, who turns 29 in June and is owed $6 million next season.
The report follows general manager Brad Holmes’ remarks after the season about Montgomery being unhappy with his playing time in 2025. Sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery rushed for a career-low 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (no starts).
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said of Montgomery in January. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so yeah would love for it to be here, but if it can’t be here then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.”
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Holmes said the situation with Montgomery is “fluid.” He signed a two-year extension during the 2024 season that runs through the end of the 2027 campaign.
“Yeah, I have been in touch with David’s agent, and his representation,” Holmes revealed. “Obviously, we love David, he’s a great player, we love to have him, you know, kind of want to put last year in the rear view, and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. The conversations are still fluid, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Montgomery has rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns in 45 games (28 starts) in three seasons with Detroit (2023-25). He has 76 catches for 650 yards in that span.
He began his career with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 scores in 60 games (51 starts) with the Bears (2019-22).
–Field Level Media
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
