Sports
With eyes on ending drought, Ducks begin stretch run vs. Oilers
Feb 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) speaks with goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images The Anaheim Ducks return to action after the Olympic break ready to push for an end of their playoff drought.
As the Ducks prepare to play host to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, they sit in the Western Conference’s second wild-card spot, tied with Seattle for third spot in the Pacific Division but edged out having fewer regulation wins.
Anaheim last made the Stanley Cup playoffs in the 2017-18 campaign, the third-longest drought in the league, but have made a huge turnaround this season.
“Our team is doing a great job of buying into what we want to do,” said defenseman Jackson LaCombe, who returns to the club after being part of Team USA’s gold-medal winning squad at the Olympic Winter Games.
“Everyone is committing to playing better defense, that’s shown over our last stretch. … I think we’re really happy with where we’re at,” he added.
The Ducks entered the break after a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Feb. 3. They have won two straight and nine of 11 games after suffering through a nine-game skid.
They have 26 games remaining.
One of those two losses during their 9-2-0 run came at the hands of the Oilers, a 7-4 affair in Edmonton on Jan. 26.
While the Ducks have a team goal to reach over the next seven-plus weeks before the regular season ends, they have a more immediate quest.
Coach Joel Quenneville needs one more victory to become only the second bench boss in league history to reach the 1,000-win mark during the regular season. Scotty Bowman holds the record with 1,244 victories.
The Oilers arrive in Anaheim sitting second in the Pacific Division, one point ahead of the Ducks (and Kraken).
Edmonton, which has 24 games remaining, will be trying to find that winning formula having lost three straight games, the last one a 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames on Feb. 4.
“We’ve got to win games,” forward Leon Draisaitl said. “We’ve got to bank points and secure a spot in the playoff race. They’re a good team and have had a great year and taken big steps.”
Whether captain Connor McDavid suits up for the clash is a mystery. McDavid, who was to join the team in Anaheim after making his way back from winning silver with Team Canada at the Olympics, but coach Kris Knoblauch was not certain if their star would suit up.
“A lot of it has to do how he’s feeling, injury-wise, health-wise, energy-wise,” Knoblauch said. “There’s a lot up in the air and nothing’s been ruled out.”
Edmonton’s schedule may play a part in whether McDavid suits up. The Oilers will face the Ducks and Los Angeles Kings on consecutive nights and finish a California trip against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday afternoon.
Regardless of whether McDavid plays, the Oilers are aware they are skating a thin line, even while sitting in a playoff spot. This is a team that reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of the last two seasons.
“We’ve got to change some things,” Draisaitl stated. “We’re in a race. We can’t be cruising around like years past. We have to get going.”
The Oilers made news during the break by hiring Paul Coffey as an assistant coach. Coffey, one of the most prolific defensemen in league history, returns to the club to help its defensive game. Edmonton has surrendered 16 goals in its current three-game streak.
–Field Level Media
Sports
NJ Benson's red-hot run gives DePaul chance for Creighton sweep
Jan 10, 2026; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; DePaul Blue Demons forward Nj Benson (35) reacts after his basket against the UConn Huskies in the first half at PeoplesBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images Senior center NJ Benson aims to continue his strong stretch of play when DePaul bids for a season sweep of Creighton on Wednesday in Omaha, Neb.
Benson began a sizzling three-game run by making 10 of 11 shots from the floor during a 23-point performance — the second-highest of his career — in the Blue Demons’ 72-71 victory over the Bluejays on Feb. 11.
Benson followed that up by making 15 of 18 shots for 40 points over his last two games for DePaul (14-13, 6-10 Big East). If Benson (11.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg) had a few more field goal attempts on his resume, then his 64.0% shooting accuracy would rank second in the Big East and 13th nationally.
He recorded his second double-double in his last three games by collecting 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Blue Demons’ 71-68 setback to Providence on Saturday.
A dismal 12-for-24 performance from the free-throw line and being outrebounded by a 41-31 margin ultimately did in DePaul.
“We’re sixth right now in the league, and it’s an 11-team league,” said Blue Demons head coach Chris Holtmann, per Haystack.tv. “There’s little separation really between fifth and the very last-place team, and any of those are really in play for us right now.
“In order for that to happen, we have to continue to do a better job of rebounding at both ends. We have to make open shots, make free throws and we have to keep our defense really consistent.”
Brandon Maclin, who recorded 14 points and seven rebounds against Providence, made the game-winning layup with seven seconds remaining in the previous encounter with Creighton (14-14, 8-9) to snap DePaul’s 23-game losing streak against the Bluejays.
Creighton guard Blake Harper told reporters that his team is ready for the rematch.
“Focus on the game plan and focus for all 40 minutes,” Harper said. “Certain times at DePaul, we let the ball roll. And now, we don’t have any more room for error.”
The lack of wiggle room for Creighton comes as a result of falling for the sixth time in eight games with an 81-52 drubbing by St. John’s on Saturday. The 29-point setback served as the Bluejays’ largest loss since Jan. 5, 2022, and came on the heels of their upset victory last Wednesday over then-No. 5 UConn.
Austin Swartz, who was held without a point versus St. John’s, led Creighton with 15 points in the previous meeting with DePaul.
Josh Dix leads Creighton’s four double-figure scorers with 12.1 points per game.
–Field Level Media
Sports
P.J. Haggerty, Kansas State try to disrupt Colorado's roll at home
Feb 17, 2026; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard P.J. Haggerty (4) is guarded by Kansas State Wildcats guard David Castillo (10) during the first half at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images Kansas State interim coach Matthew Driscoll will continue to make minor strategic adjustments when the Wildcats head to Colorado for a Big 12 contest on Wednesday in Boulder, Colo.
The Wildcats (11-16, 2-12 Big 12) are 1-1 since former coach Jerome Tang was fired on Feb. 15, following postgame comments after a 91-62 home loss to Cincinnati on Feb. 11. The Wildcats snapped a six-game losing streak in Driscoll’s debut with a 90-74 home victory over Baylor on Feb. 17.
“We’re not going to change,” Driscoll said. “But we will be different.”
Different could be good after the Wildcats were crushed 100-72 on Saturday at No. 13 Texas Tech. Though being different could simply mean P.J. Haggerty getting back to normal.
Driscoll jokingly suggested that Haggerty, the nation’s No. 3 scorer at 23.5 points per game, was mortal after he connected on 7 of 17 field-goal attempts and finished with 17 points against Texas Tech — his second-lowest total in Big 12 play.
“Today you found out that when P.J. Haggerty gets cut, he bleeds, too,” Driscoll said. “He’s a regular human being. He had a very tough day. He’s usually 50 to 52% (from the field), makes a three, knocks down some free throws and he’s between 20 to 25 (points). On a good night, he gets 35. Today, on 17 shots, he got 17 points.”
Colorado (15-12, 5-9) could be playing out the string in conference play, but the Buffaloes have more urgency because they entered Tuesday’s action ranked No. 69 in the national NET rankings and No. 76 in the WAB (Wins Above Bubble). They are 3-3 in February coming off an 83-69 home win over Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Bangot Dak led the Buffaloes with 17 points and Barrington Hargress added 16 to move to 3-0 at home in February and 12-4 on the season.
“We feel the energy at home and love playing in front of our fans,” Hargress said. “We’ll take it, we want to protect home-court advantage. But we are really just focused on playing consistent basketball, whether it’s here or away.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Golf Glance: PGA Tour starts Florida swing; Masters spot at stake in South Africa
Brooks Koepka looks over his putt on the 16th hole during Round 2 at the WM Phoenix Open on Feb. 6, 2026, at TPC Scottsdale. The PGA Tour tees off its Florida swing with Brooks Koepka in the field in Palm Beach Gardens, the LPGA Tour continues its Asia swing and a coveted spot in the Masters is on the line in South Africa.
PGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: Cognizant Classic, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Feb. 26-March 1
Course: PGA National, Champion Course (Par 71, 7,223 Yards)
Purse: $9.6M (Winner: $1.728M)
Defending Champion: Joe Highsmith
FedEx Cup Leader: Jacob Bridgeman
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 2-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (NBC)
Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday-Friday: 6:45 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m.
X: @the_cognizant
NOTES: The PGA Tour begins is four-tournament Florida swing with a field that includes eight of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking. … The course has been lengthened by about 100 yards from last year, and water is in play on 15 of 18 holes. Hole Nos. 15-17 are known as the “Bear Trap.” … This is Brooks Koepka’s third start in his return to the PGA Tour. He followed a T56 at Torrey Pines by missing the cut in Phoenix. Koepka’s inclusion means two additional players got into the field, which will play as threesomes. … Highsmith made the cut on the number last year before going on to win by two strokes and claim his maiden win on tour while setting the PGA National scoring record at 19-under 265. He is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend at the event since Jack Nicklaus in 1977-78. … Billy Horschel will be making his 14th event start, with his best previous finish a T4 in 2017. … This is the final opportunity for players to earn a spot in next week’s signature event via the Aon Swing 5. The top five in the standings entering this week are Michael Thorbjornsen, Nicolai Hojgaard, Haotong Li, Stephan Jaeger and Kevin Roy. … Blades Brown, 18, will be making his second tour start of the season following a T18 at The American Express, where he carded a 60 in the second round and played in the final group with Scottie Scheffler on Sunday. Other sponsor exemptions are Adam Hadwin, Harry Higgs and Camilo Villegas.
BEST BETS: Ryan Gerard (+1850 by DraftKings) is the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 26. He has three top-25 this season and finished fourth here three years ago. … Shane Lowry (+1900) owns three top-five finishes in his past four starts at PGA National. … Nicolai Hojgaard (+2150) has a pair of top-4 finishes worldwide through his first four starts in 2026, including a T3 in Phoenix. … Michael Thorbjornsen (+2450) also finished T3 in Phoenix before a T78 at Pebble Beach. … Aaron Rai (+4200), who in Abu Dhabi late last year, was a factor at the Genesis before closing with a 76. … Nico Echavarria (+5900) is a two-time winner on tour. His lone made cut in five starts this year was a T8 at Pebble Beach. … Garrick Higgo (+6000) offers intriguing odds for another two-time tour winner. He has started 2026 with three missed cuts in four starts and a T60 in the limited field at Pebble Beach.
Last Tournament: The Genesis Invitational (Bridgeman)
Next Tournament: Arnold Palmer Invitational, Orlando, March 5-8
LPGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: HSBC Women’s World Championship, Singapore, Feb. 26-March 1
Course: Sentosa Golf Club, Tajong Course, Old Course (Par 72, 6,793 Yards)
Purse: $3M (Winner: $360,000)
Defending Champion: Lydia Ko
Race to the CME Globe Leader: Jeeno Thitikul
HOW TO WATCH
TV/Streaming: Wednesday-Saturday: 9:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. ET (Golf Channel/USA Sports App)
X: @HWWWCGolf
NOTES: This is the second leg of the three-event Asia swing that concludes in China, with the tour returning to the United States for the Ford Championship in Arizona March 19-22. … The event dates back to Lorena Ochoa’s 11-shot victory in 2008. … Nelly Korda is skipping the Asia swing for the third consecutive year, but the field does include 21 of the top 25 players in the Rolex Rankings. That includes the top-ranked Thitikul, No. 3 Charley Hill, No. 4 Minjee Lee and No. 5 Miyu Yamashita.
Last Tournament: Honda LPGA Thailand (Thitikul)
Next Tournament: Blue Bay LPGA, Hainan Island, Hainan, China
DP WORLD TOUR
THIS WEEK: South African Open Championship, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Feb. 26-March 1
Course: Stellenbosch GC (Par 70, 7,213 Yards)
Purse: $1.5M (Winner: $250,000)
Defending Champion: Dylan Naidoo
Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed
HOW TO WATCH
TV: Thursday-Friday: 5:30-10:30 a.m. ET; Saturday: 5:30-10 a.m.; Sunday: 4:30-9:30 a.m. (Golf Channel)
X: @DPWorldTour
NOTES: The winner of the South African Open receives an invitation to the Masters for the first time. The top three finishers earn spots in the Open Championship if not otherwise exempt. … This is the sixth of seven events on the tour’s International Swing, with the final three all taking place in Africa. … The winner of the International Swing will earn a $200,000 bonus and a spot in the Scottish Open if not otherwise exempt. … Naidoo is defending his first DP World Tour title, which he earned in a sudden death playoff against Laurie Canter after the final round was cancelled due to heavy rainfall. … The event returns to Stellenbosch for the first time in 27 years.
Last Tournament: Kenya Open (Casey Jarvis)
Next Tournament: Joburg Open, Johannesburg, South Africa, March 5-8
LIV GOLF LEAGUE
THIS WEEK: OFF.
2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Ripper GC
Last Event: LIV Golf Adelaide (Individual: Anthony Kim; Team: Ripper GC)
Next Event: LIV Golf Hong Kong, March 5-8
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
THIS WEEK: OFF.
Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart Cink
Next Tournament: James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, Boca Raton, Fla., March 6-8
–Field Level Media
NJ Benson's red-hot run gives DePaul chance for Creighton sweep
P.J. Haggerty, Kansas State try to disrupt Colorado's roll at home
