Kings' record 15-game home points streak ends in loss to Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews had a goal and an assist, Anthony Stolarz made 36 saves, and the Maple Leafs are 5-1-1 in their past seven games.
Alex Laferriere scored, Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves, and the Kings had their franchise-record 15-game home point streak snapped. It was their first regulation loss at home since falling 5-1 to Pittsburgh on Jan. 20.
Laferriere put the Kings ahead early in the second period, but Matthews tied it up 1-1 early in the third with his second career short-handed goal.
Tavares then put Toronto in front by putting in Matthews' rebound during a 4-on-3 power play with less than eight minutes remaining. He picked up an empty-netter with 1:35 remaining.
The win put the Maples Leafs atop the three-team race for the Atlantic Division for now, moving them one point ahead of Florida and Tampa Bay. The Panthers do have a game in hand over the other two challengers.
Maple Leafs: Toronto, which came into the game with the third-best road power play in the NHL, went 1 for 4 to turn the game in their favor.
Kings: Laferriere ended a 17-game goal drought dating back to Feb. 22 when he opened the scoring.
Key moment: Kuemper got a little too active with his stick, tripping Matthews during 4-on-4 hockey, and setting the stage for Tavares' 12th power-play goal of the season.
Key stat: Tavares has scored in five straight games and leads the NHL with 13 goals since the 4 Nations Face-off.
Up next: The Maple Leafs visit Anaheim on Sunday, and the Kings host San Jose on Sunday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sources: Warriors unmoved by Kings, Suns' Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade pursuit
The post Sources: Warriors unmoved by Kings, Suns' Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade pursuit appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the NBA calendar flipping to August, there is still no clarity on where Jonathan Kuminga, who spent his first four seasons in the league with the Golden State Warriors, will be playing by the time the 2025-26 season begins. Kuminga remains one of the best free agents on the market, but his restricted free agency has been just that — restrictive. The Warriors' focus has remained unchanged this offseason. Although it seems like this ship has sailed in terms of Kuminga's long-term value stalling with Golden State and the 22-year-old wanting a fresh start elsewhere, the Dubs are adamant about wanting to bring him back on a short-term contract. Recently, Golden State presented Kuminga and his representation with a short-term contract proposal, where he would make between $20 million and $23 million per season, as previously reported on ClutchPoints. This official offer was a two-year, $45 million contract that would have a team option in Year 2 and see Kuminga forfeit an implicit no-trade clause he would receive, according to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of ESPN. Aside from having plans to utilize his dynamic play at the forward positions, the Warriors' main goal is to find value in a trade. That is why retaining Kuminga has been at the forefront of Golden State's offseason plans, and it is why they have not been receptive to sign-and-trade offers coming from the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. Both organizations have expressed serious interest in Kuminga to this point in the offseason, and each has made firm offers for a sign-and-trade, league sources confirmed to ClutchPoints. However, the Warriors have expressed little to no interest in what the Kings and Suns are willing to sacrifice. Why Kings', Suns' pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga has stalled The Kings have been at the forefront of conversations connected to Kuminga since the free agency window opened. With new leadership in their front office and a vision to become a more athletic team, Sacramento has made the strongest pitch to Kuminga and his camp, promising him a starting role and a long-term commitment on a salary equal to the annual average value the Warriors have been willing to offer, sources said. While the Kings have spoken with the Warriors on multiple occasions about a Kuminga sign-and-trade, there has been zero movement on this front. Originally, the Kings offered Dario Saric, Devin Carter, and two second-round picks in a sign-and-trade proposal during the first week of free agency. This deal was slightly increased when Sacramento instead made the two second-round picks a protected first-round pick, sources said. Malik Monk's name has also been brought up in dialogue between the two parties, yet negotiations have not made it past the Kings' initial offer and the Warriors' counterproposal, which includes the likes of Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis. Sacramento holds no interest in giving up either player in a sign-and-trade for Kuminga, sources confirmed. Golden State also doesn't have interest in Carter, which has led the Kings to a dead end in their pursuit of Kuminga. Even if Monk were to be involved in a firm offer from the Kings, it is hard to envision the Warriors holding much interest. The organization has made it a point of emphasis not to bring back long-term contracts that will tie them down financially. Golden State is currently operating on a two-year window with the contracts of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green set to expire after the 2026-27 season. That leads into the Suns and where their offer stands in a Kuminga sign-and-trade. All the Suns really have to offer and have included in conversations with the Warriors for Kuminga are the contracts of Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale. Phoenix has not offered and will not involve newly acquired wing Dillon Brooks in trade conversations this offseason, nor would the Warriors hold interest in him, sources said. There has been rampant speculation from fans on social media about the inclusion of Ryan Dunn being a potential holdup in sign-and-trade discussions. These rumors are not true as the Suns have not added Dunn in any scenario discussed with the Warriors, sources confirmed. Suns insider John Gambadoro has also shut down talk of Dunn being involved in these trade talks. Two different paths have been discussed between the Warriors and Suns. One involves Allen, who still has three more years left on his contract, including the 2025-26 season, and another that involves both O'Neale and center Nick Richards, sources said. Again, the Warriors haven't been thrilled with these proposals due to the long-term money attached, and Golden State doesn't hold much interest in Richards. Another key piece of information between the Warriors and Suns regarding Kuminga is that there has not been an offer involving a slew of second-round picks from Phoenix. The Suns can only offer at most three second-round picks in a potential trade this offseason. Five weeks have passed, and Kuminga's situation continues to keep the Warriors from making moves in free agency and filling out the rest of their roster. With nine players under contract entering August, Golden State is hoping to find a resolution with the young forward and his representation in the coming weeks, sources said. Neither side has budged to this point, and the standstill continues with both sides essentially trying to scare one another. Whereas the Warriors have ended sign-and-trade conversations and have informed Kuminga that they will not be pursuing new opportunities on this front, Kuminga and his camp continue to point in the direction of his $7.9 million qualifying offer. Should this qualifying offer be accepted, Kuminga would return to the Dubs on a one-year contract with a no-trade clause, making it very difficult for the organization to potentially flip him before February's trade deadline. Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Warriors' front office have made it clear that they will not be bullied into accepting a sign-and-trade offer they don't like, and they believe Kuminga will be on their roster by the time the 2025-26 season begins. Whether or not Kuminga signs a short-term deal or accepts his qualifying offer is the question at large since a sign-and-trade is off the table… for now. Related: 1 undrafted Warriors 2025 Summer League player who could make roster Related: Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga drops bold response to latest contract standoff update
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Nick Robertson, Maple Leafs Avoid Arbitration With $1.825M One-Year Contract Agreement
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Nick Robertson have reportedly reached a settlement ahead of their arbitration case that was scheduled for Sunday. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, both sides agreed to a contract with a $1.825 million average annual value. The Leafs confirmed it is a one-yeal deal. When a player elects for salary arbitration, the team can choose whether it would be a one or two-year deal, except in the case when the second year eats into the eligibility of unrestricted fee agency. Toronto could have opted for two years in Robertson's case. According to it's a one-year deal, which reduced the available cap space on Toronto's books to $1,107,222 based on a roster of 24 players. Robertson was the last of the 11 player-elected salary arbitration cases in the NHL to be settled, thereby avoiding a hearing. On Friday, Friedman reported that the Leafs submitted comparables with an ask of $2.25 million while the team came in with $1.2 million. Had the case not been settled ahead of the hearing, an arbitrator would have had the final say on Robertson's compensation for the 2025-26 season. Toronto Maple Leafs News and Community Toronto Maple Leafs news, video, analysis and community on The Hockey News Follow all Leafs news at The deal gives Robertson a massive $950,000 raise from his 2024-25 salary. The player signed a one-year, $875,000 deal in September after a summer that included a trade request away from Toronto. 'He's Gone Through Some Stuff Here': Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Excited to Have Nick Robertson Back A new coach and a clean slate await Nick Robertson who reports to Maple Leafs training camp next week. Robertson established career highs in goals (15) and games (69) last season but was limited to just three of Toronto's 13 playoff games due to lineup decisions. With star forward Mitch Marner departing the Leafs for the Vegas Golden Knights this summer, players like Robertson will be counted on to fill the void Marner leaves behind on a by-committee basis. Drafted by the Leafs in the second round (53rd overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, Robertson has 32 goals and 24 assists in 156 career games spread over five seasons. (Top image credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images) Maple Leafs Risk Major Mistake If Nick Robertson Isn't Signed Or Traded Before Arbitration It should come as no surprise that Nick Robertson's pending player-elected arbitration case is the last of all cases this offseason to reach a conclusion. After all, Robertson's tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs has undeniably been complicated. Drafted by the Maple Leafs in the second round (53rd overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, his six years in Toronto have been filled with more downs than ups. Maple Leafs Forward Nick Robertson Files For Salary Arbitration, Timeline, Reasons And What's Next? For the first time in his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nick Robertson has leverage. The forward filed for salary arbitration on Saturday, which allows a third party to decide his compensation for the upcoming season. 'The Puzzle Has Got To Come Into Play': Maple Leafs Not Rushing Contracts Of RFAs Nick Robertson And Pontus Holmberg While the talk of the town might be whether the Toronto Maple Leafs can sign John Tavares before July 1 rolls around, you cannot forget about their younger restricted free agents.
New York Times
6 hours ago
- New York Times
Ben Shelton beats fellow American Taylor Fritz to reach a new career milestone
TORONTO — Under a full moon at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, Ben Shelton showcased an illuminating performance. Big serve, quick movement, and various shots were all on display in a dominant win. The world No. 7 defeated compatriot Taylor Fritz, 6-4, 6-3, in one hour and 18 minutes Wednesday night to advance to the Canadian Open final. Advertisement No delay to begin the match was going to stop Shelton, 22, from reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 final, another milestone in his blossoming career. There was great anticipation for this contest. The two friends hadn't met since 2023 at Indian Wells, where Fritz won a close three-setter in the second round en route to capturing the tournament. Shelton was a rookie on tour then. The stage doesn't feel too big for the American youngster two years later, on the cusp of his biggest tournament win. To add to the drama, the match began with a 15-minute delay. A technical issue with the electronic line system forced the players to leave the court. The stoppage was brief, and soon their showdown would begin in front of the Toronto crowd. There were tense moments for Shelton to start the match. In his first service game, Shelton faced two break points. He delivered a 118 mph unreturnable serve. Then, after a 15-shot rally on the second break point, Fritz sent a forehand long. Shelton held and was never broken for the rest of the set. At 4-4, Shelton was dictating the pace of the points, forcing Fritz to defend behind the baseline. Like his previous round win against Alex de Minaur, it was Shelton owning the long rallies with deep groundstrokes and punitive slices. Fritz committed back-to-back errors, leading to break point. Shelton connected on a forehand winner that went behind Fritz, giving him the first break of the match. After two winners on the subsequent service game, Shelton claimed the one-set advantage. The dominant Fritz serve, broken just three times in four matches, was in trouble. He faced a superior returner in Shelton, not afraid to be aggressive and control the points. At 2-2, Shelton won points of 16 and 14 shots to get the second break of the match. The break point was notable as Shelton brought Fritz forward and punished him with a perfectly placed lob. The crowd cheered before Shelton motioned for them to get louder. He sensed the finish line was near. Advertisement On match point, Fritz tossed his third double fault, getting broken for a third time before breaking his racquet in half. After congratulatory remarks at the net, Shelton smiled to his team and waved to the crowd. Cheers of 'Let's go, Ben' rang throughout the stadium, supporting the American after this emphatic victory. Shelton's opponent in the final is Karen Khachanov. The Russian outlasted top seed Alexander Zverev, saving a match point before winning 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4) in two hours and 52 minutes. Khachanov is attempting to win his second ATP Masters 1000 title, after being victorious at the Paris Masters in 2018. As Shelton served for the first set, a fan yelled, 'This is your time!' In less than 24 hours, the time could be Shelton's to capture his maiden Masters 1000 trophy, the potential beginning of a successful North American summer. (Photo of Ben Shelton: Julian Avram / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
