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Pirates take on Orioles chasing early-season sweep

MLB: Baltimore Orioles at Pittsburgh PiratesApr 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Nick Yorke (38) hits a game winning walk-off single to defeat the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Close games have become a regular occurrence for the Pittsburgh Pirates early in the season.

As long as they win their fair share, they will not mind at all. After a pair of one-run victories, the Pirates go for a sweep of their home-opening three-game series when they face the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon.

“These guys have bought into the team aspect,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “These guys are ready on the bench. Just the way they’re buying into the team concept and finding a way to win.”

Three of Pittsburgh’s five wins so far have been by one-run margins.

The Pirates 3-2 victory Saturday came after they scored the tying run in the eighth inning and getting the winning run on Nick Yorke’s game-ending double in the ninth.

“He hasn’t been consistent (at the plate),” Kelly said. “For him to be able to do that, it was an awesome at-bat.”

Highly-regarded Pirates rookie Konnor Griffin is 1-for-6 with an RBI and a walk over his first two games.

The Orioles take solace in the fact that they have been on the cusp of winning several times when things ultimately turned.

“I think we’re competing really well,” Baltimore reliever Ryan Helsley said. “Sometimes baseball doesn’t go your way. Both sides are trying to win. I thought we played a good game (Saturday), just obviously didn’t work out in our way. We got another chance (Sunday), and we got a lot of baseball left and we just have to go get ’em and turn the page.

“It’s obviously frustrating not winning games, and to lose a game like that when you lead the whole way just adds to it. Hopefully we can learn from it and move on.”

The Orioles have lost four of their last five games.

“I think we have a lot of really good players in here and they’re just trying to put it all together and hopefully (Sunday) everything aligns,” Baltimore outfielder Dylan Beavers said.

Right-hander Braxton Ashcraft (0-1, 3.00 ERA) is scheduled to start for Pittsburgh in the series finale. He worked six innings in his first outing of the season Monday at Cincinnati, but there was no offensive support in the 2-0 loss as he allowed both runs on four hits and four walks.

Ashcraft is in his second big-league season. Last September, he gave up one run in three innings of middle relief in a no-decision at Baltimore.

The Orioles will send right-hander Chris Bassitt (0-1, 8.31 ERA) to the mound. He didn’t complete the fifth inning in last Monday’s start vs. the Texas Rangers.

Bassitt is 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA in six career starts vs. the Pirates. Those outings included 46 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings.

It’s possible that Baltimore left-hander Cade Povich could be available for mound duty after he arrived at the ballpark Saturday as part of the taxi squad.

The Orioles have faced only right-handed starters, so that has meant plenty of opportunities for lefty-hitting Samuel Basallo. But his options are not limited.

“We feel comfortable with Basallo handling left-handed pitching, especially him being 21, and his ceiling that he could be,” Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said.

–Field Level Media

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Optimistic Red Wings see 'opportunity' in matchup with Wild

NHL: Minnesota Wild at Boston BruinsMar 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

The Detroit Red Wings are moving closer to a 10th consecutive season without a playoff game.

Following a damaging loss on Saturday, the desperate Red Wings will host the Minnesota Wild on Sunday afternoon.

Facing a team out of the playoff picture, the Red Wings were nearly blanked by the New York Rangers, 4-1. Gabe Perreault collected his first NHL hat trick for the Rangers while the Red Wings couldn’t get a puck past Jonathan Quick until the final minute.

David Perron prevented the shutout with his first goal since he was acquired from the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline. The Red Wings (40-28-8, 88 points) have lost three of their past four games and eight of their last 12 while going 4-7-1 in that span.

“We have to forget about this one quick and get ready for Minnesota,” Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said. “That’s the focus for me right now and for our group. We talked about it after (the game), we have to move on and go get points against Minnesota.”

Forward Lucas Raymond had a similar viewpoint as the Red Wings begin a four-game homestand.

“We would have loved to be in a playoff spot but that isn’t the case,” Raymond said. “At the same time, we’re tied in points with the team that is (in the spot) so we have a good opportunity here. We have games left to really do something special with this team.

“We have a lot of faith in ourselves and our team. It’s just about going out there and getting it done.”

Detroit reside in a four-way tie in points for the second wild card in the East with the Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers.

The Wild (43-21-12, 98 points) already have secured a playoff berth. They did the Red Wings a favor on Saturday by defeating the Senators 4-1.

Ryan Hartman continued to pump up his stat line, scoring two goals for the second consecutive game. Hartman will carry a four-game goal streak into Sunday’s contest.

“We talked a lot about getting ourselves ready, trying to build our team and build our style of game and feel good going into playoffs,” Hartman said. “If we’re up goals, if we’re down a couple, we want to use those as learning spots for us.”

Jesper Wallstedt made 33 saves for the Wild. Filip Gustavsson likely will get the nod in goal for Minnesota on Sunday.

“Every game is obviously a different game,” Hartman said. “Sometimes you feel great; sometimes there’s other things you need to do because you’re not feeling 100%. But we feel good right now and we’re building our game.”

Gustavsson was the winning goalie in the first meeting between the Wild and Red Wings this season. He made 31 saves in a 4-3 overtime victory in St. Paul, Minn., on Jan. 22.

Kirill Kaprizov scored his second goal of the game 45 seconds into the overtime. Mats Zuccarello scored the other goals for Minnesota. Raymond led Detroit’s offense with two goals.

–Field Level Media

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Golden Knights win 3rd straight, glide past Oilers

NHL: Vegas Golden Knights at Edmonton OilersApr 4, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner (93) looks to make a pass in front of Edmonton Oilers forward Jack Roslovic (28) during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and forward Brett Howden had a goal and an assist each to lead the Vegas Golden Knights to a 5-1 win over the host Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.

Colton Sissons, captain Mark Stone and defenseman Rasmus Andersson also scored for the Golden Knights (35-26-16, 86 points), who won their third straight under new coach John Tortorella and moved to within a point of first place in the Pacific Division. Jack Eichel had three assists and Ivan Barbashev two as Carter Hart made 31 saves.

Defenseman Evan Bouchard got the goal for the Oilers (39-29-9, 87 points), who had their five-game winning streak snapped and remain tied on points for the Pacific Division lead with the Anaheim Ducks. Connor Ingram stopped 28 shots.

Howden’s goal with 8:17 left in the first period gave Vegas a 1-0 lead. He put in the rebound of Eichel’s shot off the rush for his second goal in as many games.

Sissons and Lauzon scored 2:21 apart in the second period to make it 3-0.

Sissons tipped in a pass from Mitch Marner off the rush 5:44 into the middle period, and Lauzon also scored via the rush by putting in a snap shot from the inside edge of the left circle off a pass from Eichel.

It was Lauzon’s first goal since the 2023-24 season and his first for the Golden Knights.

Bouchard put the Oilers on the board with 34 seconds remaining in the middle period with a wrist shot from the slot. It was his 400th career point and 21st goal of the season.

Stone restored the three-goal lead 4:04 into the third period when he tipped in Barbashev’s shot 13 seconds after Vegas had killed off an Edmonton power play.

Andersson added a power-play goal with 3:47 left. It was his 16th tally and fourth in his last six games.

A fan looked to be okay, despite being hit in the head with a puck that left the rink with 6:52 left in the second.

The Oilers’ Zach Hyman did not play because of an undisclosed injury.

Vegas salvaged the final game between the two Pacific Division rivals after Edmonton had prevailed in the first three.

–Field Level Media

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NHL roundup: Despite loss, Sabres end NHL-record 14-year playoff drought

NHL: Buffalo Sabres at Washington CapitalsApr 4, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) talks with Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) prior top a face-off against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Despite taking a 6-2 loss to the host Washington Capitals on Saturday, the Buffalo Sabres ended their NHL-record 14-year postseason drought on Saturday thanks to Detroit’s regulation loss to the New York Rangers earlier in the day.

Logan Thompson made 37 saves for Washington in the convincing win.

Jakob Chychrun, Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael each had a goal and an assist for the Capitals, who have won four of their past five games. Washington took a 3-0 lead in just over two and a half minutes early in the first.

Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and an assist and Beck Malenstyn scored for the Sabres, who are even on points for second place in the Atlantic Division.

Canadiens 4, Devils 3 (SO)

Oliver Kapanen scored in the fifth round of the shootout to extend Montreal’s win streak to eight games with a victory over New Jersey in Newark, N.J.

Cole Caufield failed to find his 50th goal of the season, but tallied a pair of assists in the win. Ivan Demidov, Jayden Struble, and Lane Hutson all scored for the Canadiens, who got 35 saves from Jakub Dobes.

Jack Hughes, Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer all scored for the Devils, with Jake Allen stopping 26 shots.

Avalanche 2, Stars 0

Martin Necas and Nathan MacKinnon scored goals in the final 9:21 to break a scoreless tie and help visiting Colorado blank Dallas in a battle of the top two Western Conference teams.

MacKinnon added to his league lead with his 52nd goal on an empty-netter after Necas netted his career-high 36th goal. Scott Wedgewood made 17 saves for his third shutout of the season.

Casey DeSmith made 20 saves for the Stars, who fell to 3-6-2 since a 14-0-1 run skyrocketed them up the standings.

Kings 7, Maple Leafs 6 (OT)

Quinton Byfield scored his second goal of the game at 2:33 of overtime to lift Los Angeles past visiting Toronto.

The Kings took a 6-4 lead with three goals in 1:36 of the third period, and Toronto rallied to tie the game. Adrian Kempe had two goals and two assists for the Kings. Artemi Panarin added a goal and two assists while Samuel Helenius and Alex Laferriere also scored.

Matthew Knies had two goals and an assist and John Tavares had a goal and two assists for the Maple Leafs. Steven Lorentz, Easton Cowan and Nicholas Robertson also scored. Joseph Woll made 33 saves.

Penguins 9, Panthers 4

Evgeni Malkin recorded his first hat trick in more than four years, Sidney Crosby climbed ahead of Steve Yzerman in the record books and a six-goal second period moved Pittsburgh two points closer to a playoff spot as the Penguins walloped visiting Florida.

A dozen players registered at least a point for Pittsburgh, with Crosby’s two assists giving him 1,756 career points, placing him one ahead of Yzerman for seventh on the NHL all-time points list. Malkin’s hat trick was the 14th of his career. Arturs Silovs stopped 19 shots for the Penguins.

A.J. Greer had a goal and an assist, while Seth Jones, Noah Gregor and Mackie Samoskevich also scored for the Panthers, whose three-peat hopes officially came to an end as they became the first Stanley Cup defending champion to miss the ensuing season’s playoffs since the Los Angeles Kings in 2015.

Jets 2, Blue Jackets 1

Kyle Connor scored twice as visiting Winnipeg defeated Columbus. The loss prevented the Blue Jackets from gaining ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race, leaving them tied with Ottawa, Detroit and Philadelphia, with the Senators holding the tiebreaker for the final wild-card spot on regulation wins.

Conversely, the victory kept the Jets firmly in the mix for the Western Conference’s final wild-card spot. Mark Scheifele picked up both primary assists for Winnipeg. Connor Hellebuyck made 15 saves for the Jets.

Ivan Provorov scored the lone goal for the Blue Jackets, who have lost six straight games. Columbus’ Jet Greaves made 23 stops.

Golden Knights 5, Oilers 1

Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and forward Brett Howden had a goal and an assist each to lead Vegas to a win over host Edmonton which moved the Golden Knights just a point back of the Pacific Division lead.

Colton Sissons, captain Mark Stone and defenseman Rasmus Andersson also scored for the Golden Knights, who won their third straight under new coach John Tortorella thanks in part to 31 saves from Carter Hart.

Defenseman Evan Bouchard got the goal for the Oilers, who had their five-game winning streak snapped and remain tied on points for the Pacific Division lead with the Anaheim Ducks.

Hurricanes 4, Islanders 3

Seth Jarvis scored two goals to go with an assist in host Carolina’s victory against New York.

The Hurricanes never led until Sebastian Aho’s short-handed goal with 3:43 remaining in the second period. Jackson Blake also scored for the Canes and K’Andre Miller had two assists. Brandon Bussi made 13 saves to improve his record to 29-6-1.

Marc Gatcomb, Max Shabanov and Anders Lee had the goals for the Islanders, who have a four-game losing streak for the first time this season. llya Sorokin, playing in his 11th consecutive game, stopped 36 shots.

Predators 6, Sharks 3

Tyson Jost set up the game winner, the insurance marker and added an empty-netter in the third period as visiting Nashville doubled up San Jose to move into the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Filip Forsberg scored twice and added an assist, while Steven Stamkos, Ryan O’Reilly and Erik Haula also scored for the Predators. Juuse Saros made 24 saves.

Nick Leddy scored and added an assist, and Macklin Celebrini and Alexander Wennberg scored for the Sharks, who erased a 3-0 first-period deficit but had their four-game winning streak snapped.

Lightning 3, Bruins 1

Darren Raddysh’s game winner also broke a franchise record as Tampa Bay closed its seven-game homestand with a three-goal third period in a win over Boston.

Raddysh netted his 21st goal with 5:31 remaining, marking the most goals by a Lightning defenseman in a single season. Tampa Bay, which also got 21 saves from Andrei Vasilevskiy, clinched its ninth straight playoff appearance before taking the ice due to other Saturday results.

Casey Mittelstadt tallied for the Bruins, who are 0-2-0 on their four-game road trip. Goalie Jeremy Swayman stopped 20 shots.

Blackhawks 4, Kraken 2

Sacha Boisvert scored his first NHL goal as Chicago defeated host Seattle, further damaging the Kraken’s dwindling playoff hopes.

Ilya Mikheyev had a goal and an assist, Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi also tallied, and Wyatt Kaiser had two assists for the Blackhawks, reduced to the role of spoiler after being eliminated from postseason contention with a 3-1 loss Thursday at Edmonton. Goaltender Arvid Soderblom made 25 saves.

Jaden Schwartz had a goal and an assist and Kaapo Kakko also scored for the Kraken, who lost their fourth in a row and for the eighth time in their past nine games to drop into seventh place in the Western Conference’s wild-card playoff race, six points out of the final spot.

Mammoth 7, Canucks 4

Clayton Keller collected his third career hat trick in a four-point game to lead visiting Utah to a victory over cellar-dwelling Vancouver.

Dylan Guenther and Lawson Crouse both scored once and added an assist for the Mammoth, who pulled closer to clinching a playoff berth.

Linus Karlsson scored twice while Jake DeBrusk and Marco Rossi added single tallies for the Canucks, who have lost eight of nine games.

Flames 5, Ducks 3

Morgan Frost scored twice while Joel Farabee and Matvei Gridin both collected one goal and one assist to lead visiting Calgary to an upset of slumping Anaheim.

Goaltender Devin Cooley made 36 saves and held strong while the Ducks frantically pushed for the equalizer in a comeback that fell short after the Flames scored four straight goals to take a 4-1 lead into the third period.

Beckett Sennecke, Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish scored for Anaheim, which is winless in five games (0-4-1) and squandered a chance to move back atop the Pacific Division.

Rangers 4, Red Wings 1

Rookie Gabe Perreault scored twice in the third period to deliver his first career hat trick as New York shut down visiting Detroit.

Jaroslav Chmelar also scored a goal, Adam Fox had two assists and Jonathan Quick narrowly missed a shutout, making 31 saves for the Rangers and allowing his only goal with 33 seconds left.

David Perron scored a goal and John Gibson made 16 saves for the Red Wings, who have lost five of seven to hinder their playoff chances.

Wild 4, Senators 1

Ryan Hartman scored twice for Minnesota in a win against Ottawa in Saint Paul, Minn.

Jonas Brodin and Jake Middleton also scored, Mats Zuccarello had two assists and Jesper Wallstedt made 33 saves for the Wild, who have won two straight for the first time in a month.

Drake Batherson scored a late goal and Linus Ullmark made 19 saves for the Senators, who remain in the second and final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference despite having lost four of five.

–Field Level Media

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