Sports
Struggling Senators visit Blackhawks squad riding recent high
Feb 22, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (18) scores against Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault (35) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images The Ottawa Senators are seeking a faster start out of the blocks in their bid to halt a four-game road losing skid Wednesday against the host Chicago Blackhawks.
After overcoming a 2-1 third-period deficit to beat the lowly San Jose Sharks 5-3 on Saturday at home, the struggling Senators surrendered the game’s first three goals two nights later in a 5-4 shootout loss at the Washington Capitals.
“I don’t like getting down 3-0 but we showed a lot of character coming back,” Ottawa head coach Travis Green said after his team fell to 1-5-1 in its last seven games.
Shane Pinto scored goals in the second and third periods to highlight the rally against Washington.
“I think starts are a big part of the game, and in the last two games I didn’t think we had too sharp of starts,” Pinto said. “Yeah, we’ve got to be more mature there and just have better starts.”
Claude Giroux collected a goal and an assist and captain Brady Tkachuk tallied in his second consecutive contest since returning from an injury, boosting his team-leading goal total to 23.
“Going into the third, we were down 3-1 but we felt good about our game, but we knew if we kept playing the same way we would get our chances,” Giroux told TSN 1200.
Tim Stutzle notched two assists to extend his franchise-record assist streak to 11 games and career-best point streak to 12 games (four goals, 14 assists). Stutzle leads the team in assists (44) and points (63).
While Ottawa has been headed in the wrong direction, Chicago has answered a dismal 5-16-5 run by winning consecutive games for the first time since earning three straight victories Dec. 15-19.
Offense hasn’t been an issue for the Blackhawks over their last three games. They followed up a 7-5 setback to the Vegas Golden Knights Thursday with a 6-3 win in Anaheim two nights later and a 5-1 romp over Los Angeles on Monday.
Ryan Donato continued his torrid stretch by scoring his team-leading 22nd goal Monday to extend his points streak to five games (three goals, five assists). He owns 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) over his last 16 games.
Spencer Knight shined in his debut with Chicago, recording a season-high 41 saves versus the Kings. He was acquired by the Blackhawks along with a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Florida Panthers Saturday for defenseman Seth Jones and a fourth-round selection in the 2026 draft.
“I said it, no matter how smoothly things are going, the first week or so is going to feel like chaos,” Knight said. “That’s just the way it is. But I think I’ve learned to embrace that. I’ve been through a lot of difficult challenges in my life. It’s another step in the journey. I think I’m looking to bring what I witnessed and was part of in Florida, bring it here.”
Teuvo Teravainen, who has notched two assists in back-to-back games, is riding a five-game points streak (two goals, six assists).
–Field Level Media
Sports
LIV's Thomas Pieters: Rather retire than return to PGA Tour
Apr 4, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Thomas Pieters plays his shot from the 18th tee during the first round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Belgium’s Thomas Pieters said he won’t return to the PGA Tour if the financially challenged LIV Golf League shutters its doors.
“I’m definitely never going back to the PGA Tour,” he recently told host Dan Rapaport of the “Dan on Golf” YouTube channel. “I’ve never liked that life. And that’s not me having a go at the PGA Tour, it’s not for me. I tried it and I just wasn’t happy there. If (LIV) goes away, I’ll probably try and play some on the European Tour or I don’t know. I really don’t know.”
Pieters, 34, joined the PGA Tour in 2017 and made 53 starts, with his best finish a runner-up effort at the Genesis Open in 2017. He has six wins on Europe’s DP World Tour.
He signed with LIV Golf in 2023 and currently plays for captain Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC. He finished T4 at the 2026 season opener at Riyadh in February and third at LIV Golf Hong Kong in March.
Pieters said he was “ready to retire” if LIV Golf had decided to “pull the plug” after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced plans to cut off funding.
“The atmosphere was really grim. I had enough of it after 3-4 hours, everybody talking about it,” he said. “I’m not fussed about it at this point because I feel like I still have a duty to focus on these next six, seven tournaments on LIV and then we’ll see. They’re obviously trying to get it together next year. We’ll see.”
Pieters, a member of the 2016 European Ryder Cup team, said he will make a decision about his future after he has more information from LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil.
“We are just guessing right now,” Pieters said. “But if we’re playing for $5 million next year or I could play on the DP World Tour for $3 million but be close to home that’s something I’d have to look at it when it comes. Possibly there’s guys going. But I think that’s up to Scott and his team to get this thing together and we’ll just have to find out.
“… Scott is telling us that he’s going to a broader market and trying to fund this for next year. I guess it’s a massive challenge. But we just have to wait and see.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Lightning D Victor Hedman stepped away for mental health reasons
Mar 7, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) warms up before playing the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman announced Tuesday that his extended absence was a result of a need to address his mental health.
The 35-year-old defenseman missed the Lightning’s final 15 games of the regular season and all seven contests in a first-round playoff loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
“Over the past couple of months, I made the decision to step away and focus on my mental health,” Hedman said in a statement released by the Lightning. “It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one.
“I’ve always believed that being a leader means doing what’s best for the team. In this case, it also meant doing what was necessary to take care of myself, so I can be the best player, teammate, husband and father I expect to be.”
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) May 5, 2026
Hedman hasn’t played since exiting in the first period of Tampa Bay’s 6-2 road win versus the Vancouver Canucks on March 19 due to illness. Six days later, the Lightning announced he was taking a leave of absence for personal reasons.
“Obviously, after that first period in Vancouver, that was the final straw,” he told reporters Tuesday. “So, it’s something that’s been going on for a long time. I went through ways to get around it, but I wasn’t able to do that. So that’s where the decision came that I needed to take some time.”
Hedman also addressed his message to people dealing with mental health issues.
“Just don’t stick with your thoughts,” he said. “There are a lot of people out there that can help you and that’s what I found out. And like I said, it’s never too late, either.”
Hedman, 35, recorded 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) in 33 games this season. He endured extended absences due to an undisclosed injury in November and elbow surgery in December.
Hedman is a 2017-18 Norris Trophy winner as the best defenseman in the league, a two-time Stanley Cup champion (2020, 2021) and the 2020 Conn Smythe Trophy recipient as the playoff MVP.
The Sweden native has totaled 811 career points (172 goals, 639 assists), a plus-192 rating and 782 penalty minutes in 1,164 games since being selected by the Lightning with the second overall pick of the 2009 NHL Draft.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Hall of Fame LB Lawrence Taylor discharged from hospital
St. Louis Rams vs New York Giants — The 1986 Giants were honored for their Super Bowl at halftime. Here is Lawrence Taylor at the conclusion of the ceremony, September 19, 2011. Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor has been discharged from a New Jersey hospital after more than a week’s stay.
Taylor, 67, was hospitalized with pancreatitis, TMZ Sports reported. He was released late last week from Morristown Medical Center, where initial reports said he was admitted on April 20 for a “stomach-related issue.”
“He is deeply grateful to the entire medical staff for their exceptional care and unwavering support,” attorney Mark Eiglarsh said in a statement Tuesday to The Athletic. “Also, he is grateful to now be on the road to recovery and hopes to be back on the golf course soon. He is returning home to Florida today.
“Mr. Taylor would also like to sincerely thank everyone for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers. Knowing that so many people were thinking of him and praying for his recovery gave him strength and helped carry him through a very challenging time.”
Considered one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, Taylor was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowl selection during his 13-year career with the New York Giants.
In 1986, Taylor recorded 20.5 sacks en route to being named the NFL MVP.
Taylor, a key part of two Super Bowl championship runs for New York, was selected by the Giants with the second overall pick of the 1981 NFL Draft out of North Carolina.
After leaving the NFL, Taylor publicly battled substance abuse issues.
–Field Level Media
LIV's Thomas Pieters: Rather retire than return to PGA Tour
Lightning D Victor Hedman stepped away for mental health reasons
