Sports
Sharks seek reset vs. Blackhawks after late collapses
Jan 31, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; San Jose Sharks center MacKlin Celebrini (71) against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images Contending for a Stanley Cup playoff berth for the first time since 2019, the San Jose Sharks continue a five-game road trip on Monday night against the slumping Chicago Blackhawks.
Only six points separate the top six teams in a tightly contested Pacific Division. The Sharks trail the third-place Seattle Kraken by three points and are just six behind the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers, who are tied for first place with 64 points.
Not bad considering San Jose lost its first six games (0-4-2) to start the season. But led by budding superstar Macklin Celebrini (27 goals, 52 assists) and another former first-round pick, center Will Smith (16 goals, 22 assists in just 40 games), the Sharks have assembled three consecutive winning months for the first time since December 2018 to February 2019.
San Jose went 9-5-1 (19 points) in November, 8-6-0 (16 points) in December and 7-5-1 (15 points) to finish January, though it ended the month with a pair of frustrating losses at Edmonton (4-3 in overtime) and Calgary (3-2).
The Sharks blew a 3-0 lead in the third period against the Oilers and a 2-1 second-period lead on Saturday against the Flames, who had lost five straight games. San Jose self-destructed with eight penalties totaling 24 minutes against Calgary, which finished with a huge 42-25 edge in shots on goal.
“This one hurts,” admitted Smith, who scored a goal.
San Jose opened the trip with a 5-2 victory at Vancouver and has three points in three games so far. However, the late meltdown against the Oilers, followed by a loss to the struggling Flames, makes that statistic bittersweet.
“It’s a tough one to swallow but we got two more games here,” goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic said after making 39 saves against Calgary. “(At) .500 through the first three games, it kind of stings, but we’ll take it. We got a big one against Chicago to flip the script a little bit.”
Chicago has dropped eight of its last 10 games and comes in on a five-game losing streak (0-3-2), including a 4-2 loss to the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.
Columbus’ Charlie Coyle scored a hat trick, including an empty-netter to seal the win. Connor Bedard led the Blackhawks with a goal and an assist.
Scoring on the power play has contributed to Chicago’s recent woes. The Blackhawks were 0-for-2 with the extra man against Columbus and are 0-for-26 on the power play in their last 10 games, dating back to a 3-0 victory at Nashville on Jan. 10 when Tyler Bertuzzi scored with the man advantage.
“All we look at is what we did well, what we didn’t do well, how we can grow and get better,” Chicago coach Jeff Blashill said. “That’s the only thing we look at, to be dead honest with you. So, we’ll continue to do that. If I looked at (Friday’s) game, I think we do more of the second half. That’s when we’re a successful team.”
This is the first of three meetings between the teams. The Sharks won two of the three last season, with the Blackhawks winning the lone contest in Chicago, 4-2.
–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
