Sports
Surging Sabres out to extend Hurricanes' tough stretch
Feb 22, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) looks for the puck during the first period against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images The Carolina Hurricanes have taken a detour, but there’s time to get back on track for a team that has been one of the most difficult to face over the past few seasons.
Experiencing a challenging period of transition, the Canes will be looking for a reset of sorts when the Buffalo Sabres visit Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday night.
“If you look at the identity of our team, it has definitely changed in the last couple of weeks,” head coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We’ve changed the way that we play a little bit and that’s no knock on the guys that we brought in, they’re great players, but we have to remember how we play the game. I think we’ve changed a little bit and it’s clearly not working.”
The Hurricanes will need to cash in on their return home. They have lost five of their last six, including the last four road games.
Even with the reduced February schedule, it’s startling that Carolina has only one win since January.
In the meantime, the Sabres have won six of their last seven. With four victories and one loss in February, Buffalo is 2-0 — with home wins over the New York Islanders and Anaheim Ducks — since the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
But the Sabres, who had about half their roster participate in Wednesday’s optional practice, are winless in their last 10 games (0-8-2) in Raleigh.
“They get a lead and their puck pressure probably (makes them) the best team in the league of making sure they spend the least amount of time in their own end,” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said.
Ruff is seeking upgraded grittiness in gaining puck possession.
“That’s something that we’re going to have to do a better job on the road,” he said.
Carolina’s emphasis is bound to be on creating better starts. The Hurricanes have recently faced numerous first-period deficits.
“We’re starting off games down a couple, and chasing is never a recipe for success,” Carolina captain Jordan Staal said. “I just don’t think we’re defending well enough. We’re kind of hoping to outscore teams and hoping to out-chance teams.”
The Hurricanes have been shutout victims twice across their last five games.
Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has started four games this month. He has given up eight goals over his last two road appearances, both losses.
Luukkonen made 35 saves in a Jan. 15 home victory against Carolina.
Based on Carolina’s goalie rotation, it will be Pyotr Kochetkov’s turn Thursday night.
Kochetkov has allowed 10 goals across his three February outings, which includes two losses. Fortunately for the Hurricanes, he is 4-0-1 over his last four home games. He didn’t play in the loss at Buffalo.
The Hurricanes used an 11-forward, seven-defenseman lineup in Tuesday night’s 4-0 loss at Montreal, though defenseman Riley Stillman logged less than two minutes of ice time.
Thursday’s game is part of an annual Whalers throwback night. The franchise, which had been the Hartford Whalers, relocated from Connecticut to North Carolina in 1997.
The teams will meet again on April 8 in Buffalo.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cardinals OL Isaiah Adams facing gun charges in Canada
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Isaiah Adams (74) watches from the sidelines during the team’s practice at State Farm Stadium on July 29, 2025. Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Isaiah Adams is facing multiple charges related to a guns and gangs investigation in his native Canada.
Adams turned himself into Durham Regional Police in the Toronto area on Sunday on charges of possessing a weapon by crime, possessing a restricted or prohibited firearm without a license, possessing a loaded firearm and possessing a prohibited device.
His 27-year-old sister, Allyson Mae Adams, was charged with the same crimes as part of the investigation.
Adams, who turned 26 on Tuesday, has since returned to Arizona and is expected to report to training camp on Wednesday, according to ESPN. The Cardinals begin practice on Thursday.
The Cardinals said Tuesday that they were aware of the situation.
“Out of respect for the process, we will refrain from commenting further at this time,” a team spokesperson said.
A third-round draft pick by Arizona in 2024, the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Adams appeared in 32 games with 16 starts in his first two NFL seasons. He is expected to compete with rookie Chase Bistonis for the starting job at right guard.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Royals acquire RHP Nate Pearson from Astros
Jun 26, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Nate Pearson (55) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images The Kansas City Royals acquired Nate Pearson from the Houston Astros on Wednesday in exchange for fellow right-hander Max Martin.
Pearson, 29, was designated for assignment by Houston on Sunday after going 1-0 with one save and a 3.60 ERA in 16 relief appearances this season.
He is 10-6 with four saves and a 4.99 ERA in 139 career games (six starts) with the Toronto Blue Jays (2020-21, 2023-24), Chicago Cubs (2024-25) and Astros.
Martin, 22, is 6-2 with a 2.01 ERA in 26 relief appearances across two Class A levels this season. Kansas City drafted him in the 10th round in 2025.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Scottie Scheffler ready to tackle 3M Open for first time
Jul 18, 2026; Southport, ENG; Scottie Scheffler plays his shot from the second tee during the third round of The Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Birkdale. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Competing in the 3M Open for the first time this week, Scottie Scheffler fielded nearly as many questions about Minnesota’s NFL team as he did about the golf tournament.
The World No. 1 met with reporters at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn., after playing in Wednesday morning’s pro-am with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
“This might be my first time in Minnesota. I’m not sure if I’ve ever actually been to this state before,” said Scheffler, who is coming off a T4 finish at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Scheffler said he added the 3M Open to his calendar this year because he didn’t want to take time off with the PGA Tour playoffs starting next month.
“This was a tournament that I had heard a lot of good things about and so far everything seems true,” he said. “The people have been tremendous, the fans have been really nice to me so far and the tournament seems to do a really good job just taking care of everybody.”
Even though he’s a football fan, Scheffler said he tried not to pump McConnell for information.
“I love the NFL,” Scheffler said. “I wasn’t going to just start hammering him with questions about football. He’s about to start the season so he’s going to be thinking about football for quite a long period of time, but we did a little bit.
“Yeah, he seemed like a really nice guy. You can tell why he’s such a good coach, seemed very smart. I got to ask him a few questions and he told me some stuff. It was definitely very fun for me to be able to spend some time with him. Like I said, I love the NFL and I’m fascinated by what they’re able to do, especially the head coach. I think in football it’s easily the most important position on the team. I mean he’s got to handle a lot of different personalities and the X’s and O’s. He was definitely an impressive guy to be able to talk to and spend some time with.”
Scheffler was asked he if he had any advice for O’Connell on the X’s and O’s of golf.
“He actually moved it pretty well and hit some really nice shots,” Scheffler said. “I think any advice I give him now will surely be wasted because he’s probably not going to see the golf course for the next six months or so, and hopefully a deep postseason run for them.”
Scheffler, 30, is looking for his first win since The American Express in January.
He said the golf course “has a decent amount of length to it” and the biggest challenge will be keeping the ball in play off the tee.
“There’s some pretty long par 4s and a good amount of water, and so when the rough is up like that there’s going to be a premium I think on hitting fairways,” he said. “When you’re in play, you’re going to get some scorable clubs on some certain holes. And the green are fairly big, so if you’re in the fairway, things are going to be a lot easier for you. Once you start hitting in the rough it could be tough to get on the greens in two.”
–Field Level Media
Cardinals OL Isaiah Adams facing gun charges in Canada
Royals acquire RHP Nate Pearson from Astros
