Sports
NHL roundup: Mattias Ekholm posts hat trick as Oilers top Ducks
Jan 26, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal scored by defensemen Mattias Ekholm (14), his third of the game and first career hat-trick, during the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images Mattias Ekholm collected his first career hat trick as the Edmonton Oilers posted a 7-4 victory against the visiting Ducks on Monday, ending Anaheim’s seven-game winning streak.
Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid each had a goal and an assist, Leon Draisaitl notched four assists and Tristan Jarry made 36 saves for the Oilers, who will try to win three straight for the first time this season when they host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
Spencer Stastney and Darnell Nurse also scored for Edmonton, which won two in a row nine times previously but never extended the streak. The Oilers scored four goals in a 3:49 span of the second period.
Mikael Granlund recorded a hat trick, all on the power play, for the Ducks. Alex Killorn also scored, Beckett Sennecke had two assists and Ville Husso made 25 saves.
Islanders 4, Flyers 0
Ilya Sorokin made 21 saves for his league-leading sixth shutout as New York Islanders picked up its first win of the season against host Philadelphia.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who came into Monday’s contest with two goals in his last 26 games, scored twice for the Islanders. Mathew Barzal, who entered in a slump of his own with no goals in his last eight contests, also scored and added an assist for New York.
The Islanders avoided a third straight defeat and bounced back nicely from their first shutout loss of the season — a 5-0 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. New York also topped the Flyers for the first time this season after losing each of the first two matchups, both via shootouts.
Kings at Blue Jackets (ppd.)
The game between Los Angeles and host Columbus was postponed due to severe winter weather and will be played on March 9 in Columbus with the time to be determined at a later date.
Lightning 2, Mammoth 0
Andrei Vasilevskiy turned away 28 shots, Darren Raddysh and Anthony Cirelli tallied on the power play and Tampa Bay won its sixth straight home game by stuffing Utah.
In his 42nd career shutout, Vasilevskiy stopped eight shots in the third period for his second blanking this season. His 20-save showing against the Philadelphia Flyers in a 3-0 win on Nov. 24 was his other. Tampa Bay improved to 15-1-1 in its past 17 games.
Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka made 27 saves, and Dylan Guenther skated in his 200th NHL game. Winger Lawson Crouse (illness) returned to Utah’s lineup following a one-game absence.
Rangers 4, Bruins 3 (OT)
Rookie Matthew Robertson scored with 67 seconds left in overtime as New York snapped a four-game home losing streak by rallying past Boston.
Robertson scored his first career overtime goal when he got a pass from goalie Jonathan Quick after David Pastrnak’s shot was blocked by New York defenseman Braden Schneider, skated to the slot, switched from his backhand to forehand and lifted the puck over goalie Joonas Korpisalo to improve the Rangers to 6-13-4 on home ice.
Quick made 21 saves to earn his 408th career victory, passing Glenn Hall for 12th on the all-time list. Pastrnak had three assists to become the sixth player in team history with 900 career points as the Bruins fell to 10-2-1 in their past 13 games.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: QB Derek Carr could unretire provided situation is right
Dec 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) walks off the field after field after an injury during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Derek Carr retired from the NFL prior to the start of last season, however that doesn’t mean that he and the league have completely moved on from each other.
Carr, 34, reportedly has considered ending his retirement if there’s a team that provides the “right fit and coaching staff,” per NFL Network.
“Never say never,” the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback said in September when asked about a return on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
“Because I’ve learned that when I say never, it usually happens.”
Carr retired last May due to a labral tear in his shoulder and damage to his rotator cuff.
The injuries at that time, however, didn’t stop teams from inquiring about his services. One such team reportedly was the Cincinnati Bengals, who saw Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow go down early in the season. The Bengals ultimately elected to sign Joe Flacco to address their quarterback situation.
A now-healthy Carr remains under contract with the New Orleans Saints, who moved on last season with rookie Tyler Shough. It is believed he and the Saints could reach an agreement on the contract issue.
He potentially could have an opportunity in Las Vegas for a reunion with the Raiders.
His offensive coordinator with the Saints in 2024, Klint Kubiak, holds the same post with the Seattle Seahawks — and he is expected to accept the Raiders’ head-coaching position after Sunday’s Super Bowl LX. The Raiders hold the top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but the Raiders might want an experienced starter while Mendoza waits in the wings.
Carr threw for 41,245 yards and 257 touchdowns against 112 interceptions in 169 games for the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014-22) and Saints. He was selected by the Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Fresno State.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Bears to promote Press Taylor to OC
Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The Chicago Bears are promoting passing game coordinator Press Taylor to offensive coordinator, NFL Network reported Sunday.
Once the deal is official, the 38-year-old Taylor will replace Declan Doyle, who accepted the same job with the Baltimore Ravens.
Taylor’s first NFL job came with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013 when he was named offensive quality control coach. He rose through the ranks to quarterback coach and passing game coordinator, then became a senior offensive assistant with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021. He then spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars before landing on Ben Johnson’s staff in Chicago.
Taylor likely will not call plays in Chicago for quarterback Caleb Williams. Johnson holds that role.
Taylor is the younger brother of Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Knicks' OG Anunoby out, Karl-Anthony Towns to play vs. Celtics
Dec 30, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts with guard Josh Hart (3), and forward OG Anunoby (8) after a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby has been ruled out of Sunday afternoon’s game against the host Boston Celtics due to a toe injury.
Anunoby joined center Karl-Anthony Towns (right eye laceration) in sitting out Friday as New York saw its season-best eight-game winning streak come to a halt with a 118-80 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Towns, however, and guard Josh Hart (ankle) are available to play on Sunday against the Celtics.
All three players were listed as questionable on the injury report.
Anunoby, 28, is averaging 16.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 41 games (all starts) this season.
Towns, 30, contributes 19.9 points and a team-best 11.9 rebounds in 48 games (all starts) in 2025-26.
Hart, 30, is averaging 12.1 points and 7.6 rebounds in 40 games (26 starts) this season.
–Field Level Media
Report: QB Derek Carr could unretire provided situation is right
Report: Bears to promote Press Taylor to OC
