The Celtics leave Tuesday on a three-city, season-ending road trip against three playoff teams – the first two, back-to-back in Chicago and Milwaukee, qualifying as important scouting stops.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Draymond Green and Steve Kerr have won three NBA titles and more than 400 games in their time together with the Warriors. 781 more words
SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors re-assigned rookie Moses Moody to G League affiliate Santa Cruz, the team announced Monday. After suffering a shoulder injury in a loss to the Boston Celtics March 16, Moody has fallen out of the Warriors’ rotation in recent weeks as coach Steve Kerr works to solidify his nine-man group for…
TONIGHT’S GAME 2021-22 Matchups vs. Tampa Bay: Third of Four 2021-22 Record vs. Tampa Bay: 1-1-0 Toronto Season Record: 44-19-5 Toronto Road Record: 19-12-3 TV: Sportsnet RADIO: TSN 1050
RECENT TRANSACTIONS April 1, 2022 Defenceman Mac Hollowell has been loaned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL). April 1, 2022 Defenceman Filip Kral has been loaned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL). March 28, 2022 Forward Kyle Clifford and defenceman Carl Dahlstrom have been recalled from the Toronto Marlies on an emergency basis. March 26, 2022 The Maple Leafs announced that the hockey club has signed forward Nicholas Abruzzese to a two-year, entry-level contract.
LAST GAME Score: Toronto 6 at Philadelphia 3 Date: Saturday, April 2, 2022 TOR Goals: Simmonds, Liljegren, Matthews, Engvall, Rielly, Tavares PHI Goals: Hayes, Provorov (2x) TOR Goaltender: Campbell, 29/32, .906 SV% PHI Goaltender: Hart, 22/28, .786 SV% TOR Power Play: 0-for-1 TOR Penalty Kill: 2-for-2 Team Notes:
Auston Matthews recorded the 250th goal of his NHL career. Matthews reached this feat in 397 games played. Per NHL Stats, only seven players in NHL history have reached the milestone in fewer contests: Wayne Gretzky (302 GP), Mike Bossy (315 GP), Mario Lemieux (324 GP), Brett Hull (328 GP), Alex Ovechkin (366 GP), Teemu Selanne (388 GP) and Jari Kurri (389 GP).
Mitch Marner recorded his fifth straight multi-point game and has posted 11 points (1G, 10A) during the streak. This marks Marner’s second time this season where he has recorded a five-game multi-point streak.
Pierre Engvall recorded his second shorthanded goal of the season and the third of his NHL career. With his goal, Toronto improved to a league-leading 12 shorthanded goals this season.
Nicholas Abruzzese made his NHL debut. NEXT GAME Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 Opponent: at Florida Panthers Time: 7:00 pm ET Broadcast Information: TSN4 (TV), Sportsnet 590 (Radio)
INJURY REPORT Ondrej Kaše Undisclosed Petr Mrázek Groin Jake Muzzin Concussion Rasmus Sandin Knee
ALL-TIME VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING:
First Matchup between Clubs: October 15, 1992 (Toronto 5 vs. Tampa Bay 3) All-Time Record: 57-36-2-7 (102 Games) All-Time Record at Home: 30-19-1-3 (53 Games) All-Time Record on the Road: 27-17-1-4 (49 Games) Last Road Win vs. Opponent: February 25, 2020 (Toronto 4 at Tampa Bay 3) Record in Last Five Games: 3-2-0 Record in Last 10 Games: 4-6-0
ACTIVE LEADERS VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: Games Played: Jason Spezza (50), John Tavares (38), Wayne Simmonds (30) Goals: Jason Spezza (23), John Tavares (14), Wayne Simmonds (9) Assists: Jason Spezza (33), John Tavares (28), Mitch Marner (10), Wayne Simmonds (10), Auston Matthews (10) Points: Jason Spezza (56), John Tavares (42), Wayne Simmonds (19) Penalty Minutes Wayne Simmonds (67), John Tavares (20), Jason Spezza (18)
2021-22 AVERAGES AND RANKINGS
Points % GF/Game GA/Game PP% PK% SF/G SA/G FO% Toronto .684 3.77 3.03 29.8% 83.9% 34.5 30.6 55.4% Tampa Bay .684 3.32 2.75 22.2% 81.5% 30.6 29.6 50.1% THE MAN ADVANTAGE IN 2021-22
Power Play: 54/181 (29.8%) Power Play Goal Leader: 14 – Matthews Power Play Point Leader: 26 – Nylander (10G, 16A) 2020-21 Power Play: 31/155 (20.0%)
Monday games 10th of 10 (3 home, 7 road) Back-to-Backs played 10 of 13 Record in first game of back-to-back 5-4-1 Record in second game of back-to-back 5-4-1 April games 2nd of 15 (6 home, 9 road)
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Michael Bunting Six games away from 100 career NHL games played Justin Holl Seven games away from 200 career NHL games played Ilya Lyubushkin Two games away from 200 career NHL games played Auston Matthews Three games away from 400 career NHL games played William Nylander Two assists away from 200 career NHL assists Morgan Rielly Five assists away from 300 career NHL assists Jason Spezza Nine points away from 1,000 career NHL points John Tavares Four assists away from 500 career NHL assists TJ Brodie Recorded his 300th career NHL point, March 13, 2022 at BUF
RECENT MILESTONES
David Kämpf Skated in his 300th career NHL game, March 27, 2022 vs. FLA Alexander Kerfoot Recorded his 100th career NHL assist, Jan. 1, 2022 vs. OTT Timothy Liljegren Scored his first career NHL goal, Jan. 15, 2022 at STL Auston Matthews Recorded his 400th career NHL point, Jan. 31, 2022 vs. NJD Mitch Marner Recorded his 300th career NHL assist, March 27, 2022 vs. FLA Mitch Marner Skated in his 400th career NHL game, March 4, 2022 vs. BUF Mitch Marner Recorded his 400th career NHL point, Feb. 14, 2022 at SEA William Nylander Skated in his 400th career NHL game, Feb. 1, 2022 at NJD Wayne Simmonds Skated in his 1,000th career NHL game, March 5, 2022 vs. VAN Jason Spezza Skated in his 1,200th career NHL game, Nov. 28, 2021 at ANA
LIGHTNING BOLTS
LAST GAME Lightning 4 vs. Montreal 5 S/O Tampa Bay had its four-game win streak snapped after falling 5-4 in a shootout to the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night at AMALIE Arena…The Lightning had a 10-game home win streak (includes playoffs) versus Montreal stopped as well…The Bolts completed their 10th of 12 back-to-back sets this season and fell to 8-0-2 in the second half of a back-to-back…The Lightning and Canadiens completed their three-game regular season series, the Bolts getting at least a point out of each contest and going 2-0-1 against the Habs…Nick Suzuki was the only player from either squad to convert his shootout attempt (3rd Rd.)…Steven Stamkos (8:57) and Anthony Cirelli (SH – 13:32) scored in the first period to provide a 2-0 lead to the Lightning… Nikita Kucherov scored on a second period power play (11:34) to give the Bolts a 3-1 lead…Brayden Point tallied a power-play goal at 19:44 of the second to put the Lightning back in front 4-3…Lightning netminder Brian Elliott made 27 saves on 31 shots in the shootout defeat, his record moving to 7-3-3 on the season. PP: TBL – 2-3 MTL – 0-2 SOG: TBL – 41 MTL – 31 Attendance: 19,092 TONIGHT’S MATCHUP The Lightning and the Maple Leafs are playing their third of four meetings this season and the first of two at AMALIE Arena…Tampa Bay and Toronto have split a pair of previous matchups, the Lightning taking three of a possible four points…The Bolts were 5-3 winners in the last meeting Dec. 9 at Scotiabank Arena, Ondrej Palat scoring a pair of goals, part of a three-point night for the Czech forward…That early December victory capped a season long-tying five-game win streak for the Lightning…Toronto earned a 2-1 overtime win in the first meeting between the teams Nov. 4 at Scotiabank Arena, John Tavares tying the game with an extra attacker goal with :42 seconds remaining in regulation and William Nylander netting the game-winner on a power play 2:43 into overtime…Tampa Bay and Toronto are facing off at AMALIE Arena for the first time since Feb. 25, 2020, a 4-3 Maple Leafs victory…The Lightning have dropped three of their last four overall to Toronto…The Lightning and Maple Leafs are playing the 50th all-time meeting between the two teams in Tampa. TONIGHT’S STORYLINES The Lightning complete a four-game homestand tonight as well as a stretch of three games in four days…Tampa Bay is on a five-game point streak (4-0- 1), tied for its third longest of the season (longest: 7-0-2 Oct. 26-Nov. 18)…The Lightning have scored multiple power-play goals in three of their last five games and at least one power-play goal in four of the last five, netting eight PPGs over that stretch (8-for-16, 50%)…Tampa Bay and Toronto rank tied for fifth in the overall NHL standings, each with 93 points, and tied for second in the Atlantic Division…The Lightning have 19 wins when allowing the opening goal, tied with Florida for the most in the NHL. INJURIES 2021-22 Reg. Season Man Games Lost: 176 Current injuries Ryan McDonagh (Upper-body injury March 24; Out indefinitely) 5 Games TRANSACTIONS March 31 – Signed D Nick Perbix to a one-year, entry-level contract March 21 – Acquired G Alexei Melnichuk from San Jose in exchange for F Antoine Morand March 21 – Acquired F Riley Nash from Arizona in exchange for future considerations IN THE NIK OF TIME Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov scored a power-play goal and added two assists Apr. 2 vs. MTL for his fourth game of three or more points this season and second over the last three games…Kucherov has posted multiple points in three-straight games and has 16 multi-point efforts in 33 games this season…Kucherov is on a four-game assist/point streak (1-8–9 pts.), matching his longest assist/point streak of the season set twice previously (last: 4-4–8 pts. in 4 GP Feb. 15-March 1)…Kucherov has notched an assist in six of the last seven contests (1-10–11 pts.)…Kucherov is averaging 1.30 points per game, ranking eighth in the NHL. HED OF THE CLASS Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman tallied two assists Apr. 2 vs. MTL, giving him 15 multi-point games this season, tied for the second most of his career (most: 19 multi-pt. games in 2016-17)…Hedman has points in three of the last four games (2-2–4 pts.)…Hedman has scored 19 goals this season, a career high for goals (previous high: 17 goals during 2017-18 Norris Trophy campaign) and one goal from becoming the second Lightning defenseman all-time to score 20 goals in a season, joining Dan Boyle (20 goals in 2016-17)…Hedman ranks second among NHL defensemen for goals and tied for third for scoring. Tampa Bay Lightning: Media Notes 2021-22 NHL DEFENSEMAN SCORING LEADERS
Roman Josi (NSH) – 18-63–81 pts. (66 GP)
Cale Makar (COL) – 24-51–75 pts. (65 GP) T-3. Victor Hedman (TBL) – 19-47–66 pts. (68 GP) T-3. Adam Fox (NYR) – 10-56–66 pts. (67 GP)
Kris Letang (PIT) – 7-53–60 pts. (66 GP) ANDREI THE GIANT Bolts goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 21-of-23 shots his last start Apr. 1 vs. CHI to win his third-consecutive start…Vasilevskiy recorded his 35th win of the season Friday, the fourth season in his career he’s recorded 35 or more wins…Vasilevskiy continues to pace the NHL for wins and is attempting to finish the regular season first or tied for first for wins for a fifth-straight season. 2021-22 NHL GOALIE WINS LEADERS
Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) – 35-14-4 (53 GS) T-2. Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA) – 33-6-3 (45 GS) T-2. Frederik Andersen (CAR) – 33-11-3 (46 GS) T-2. Tristan Jarry (PIT) – 33-15-6 (52 GS) T-2. Juuse Saros (NSH) – 33-21-3 (57 GS) STAMMER TIME Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos scored his team-leading 32nd goal of the season Apr. 2 vs. MTL to extend his goal streak to three games (3-3–6 pts.)…Stamkos has scored a goal in five of the last six games…Stamkos extended his point streak to six games (5-5—10 pts.) to match his season high for a scoring run (also: 3-4—7 pts. over 6 GP Dec. 14-31)…Stamkos is 11 points away from tying Martin St. Louis as Tampa Bay’s all-time scoring leader. TBL ALL-TIME SCORING LEADERS
Martin St. Louis – 365-588–953 pts. (972 GP)
Steven Stamkos – 471-471–942 pts. (908 GP)
Vincent Lecavalier – 383-491-874 pts. (1,037 GP) POINTING THE WAY Lightning center Brayden Point scored a power-play goal Apr. 2 vs. MTL for his 27th goal of the season and ninth on the power play, ranking second in both categories on the Bolts…Point has scored a goal in three-straight games and four of the last five contests…Point extended his point streak to six games (4-5—9 pts.), one game from matching the longest scoring run this season on the Lightning of seven games he set Jan. 4-16 (5-4–9 pts.) and again Feb. 1-March 1 (5-6–11 pts.). TONY THE TIGER Bolts forward Anthony Cirelli scored a shorthanded goal Apr. 2 vs. MTL for his first shorthanded goal of the season and ninth of his career, moving into fourth place among Tampa Bay’s all-time leading shorthanded goal scorers. TBL ALL-TIME LEADING SHORTHANDED GOAL SCORERS
Martin St. Louis – 28 SHGs (972 GP)
Rob Zamuner – 14 SHGs (475 GP)
Vincent Lecavalier – 13 SHGs (1,037 GP)
Anthony Cirelli – 9 SHGs (281 GP)
Tyler Johnson – 8 SHGs (589 GP) Cirelli has points in four of the last five contests (1-5–6 pts.). SLICK NICK Lightning forward Nick Paul tallied an assist Apr. 2 vs. MTL, giving him four assists over the last two games…Paul has recorded 1-4–5 pts. in 7 GP since joining the Lightning March 20…Paul recorded his 23rd point of the season Saturday to add to his career high for scoring. • MILESTONES Brayden Point needs two assists to reach 200 career assists NOTEWORTHY AMALIE Arena has sold out 266-consecutive games (includes playoffs), the NHL’s longest active sellout streak beginning 3/26/15 (2020-21 season excluded due to social distancing protocols). 2021-22 INDIVIDUAL HIGHS AND LOWS Most Goals, Game: 3 (Kucherov – 1/11 at BUF) Most Assists, Game: 4 (Hedman – 10/14 at DET) Most Points, Game: 4 (Multiple players, Last: Point – 3/1 vs. OTT) Most Goals, Period: 2 (Multiple players, Last: Colton – 4/1 vs. CHI – 2nd PER) Most Assists, Period: 3 (Kucherov – 10/14 at DET – 2nd PER) Most Points, Period: 3 (Multiple players, Last: Hedman – 12/2 vs. STL – 3rd PER) Most SOG, Game: 8 (Kucherov – 2/10 at COL and 10/14 at DET) Most PIM, Game: 24 (Maroon – 10/28 vs. ARI) Best +/-, Game: +5 (Rutta – 12/5 at PHI) Most PPGs, Game: 2 (Multiple players, Last: Hedman – 3/16 at SEA) Most Saves, Game: 45 (Elliott – 3/12 at EDM) Most Saves, Period: 22 (Vasilevskiy – 2/10 at COL – 1st PER) Most Consecutive Games With A Goal: 5 (Stamkos – 2/11 at ARI to 3/1 vs. OTT) Most Consecutive Games With An Assist: 5 (Multiple players, Last: Point – 3/24 at BOS to 4/1 vs. CHI) Most Consecutive Games With A Point: 7 (Point – 1/4 at CBJ to 1/18 at LAK and 2/1 vs. SJS to 3/1 vs. OTT) 2021-22 TEAM HIGHS AND LOWS Most Goals Scored, Period: 3 (Multiple times, Last: 3/8 at WPG – 1st PER) Most Goals Scored, Game: 7 (Multiple times, Last: 12/5 at PHI) Most Goals Allowed, Period: 4 (Multiple times, Last: 3/8 at WPG – 3rd PER) Most Goals Allowed, Game: 9 (12/30 at FLA) Most PPGs For, Game: 3 (Multiple times, Last: 3/29 vs. CAR) Most PPGs Against, Game: 2 (Multiple times, Last: 3/22 at CAR) Most PPs For, Game: 7 (10/14 at DET) Most PPs Against, Game: 7 (3/12 at EDM) Most SOG, Game: 48 (10/14 at DET) Most SOG, Period: 19 (Multiple times, Last: 4/1 vs. CHI – 1st PER) Fewest SOG, Game: 18 (11/9 vs. CAR) Fewest SOG, Period: 2 (11/21 vs. MIN – 3rd PER) Most SOG Allowed, Game: 49 (3/12 at EDM) Most SOG Allowed, Period: 24 (2/10 at COL – 1st PER) Fewest SOG Allowed, Game: 17 (11/26 vs. SEA) Fewest SOG Allowed, Period: 3 (Multiple times, Last: 4/1 vs. CHI – 3rd PER) Most Blk/S, Game: 22 (Multiple times, Last: 2/10 at COL) Fewest Blk/S, Game: 5 (3/1 vs. OTT) Most Lightning PIM, Game: 38 (11/15 vs. NYI) Fewest Lightning PIM, Game: 2 (Multiple times, Last: 2/11 at ARI) Largest Margin of Victory: 6 (12/5 at PHI) Largest Margin of Defeat: 4 (Multiple times, Last: 3/3 vs. PIT
DATE: SUNDAY APRIL 3, 2022 ATTENDACE: 19,800 (Sellout)
FINAL SCORE
RECORD
HIGH POINTS
HIGH REBOUNDS
HIGH ASSISTS
Miami
114
51-28
Strus – 23
Adebayo/Herro – 9
Lowry – 10
Toronto
109
45-33
Siakam/VanVleet – 29
Siakam – 8
VanVleet – 7
KEY RUN
Tied at 93 with 5:38 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Heat went on a 14-4 run to push its lead to 107-97 with 2:22 left in the game … Miami led for the rest of the contest.
KEY STAT
Miami shot .474 (18-38) from beyond the arc, including 75 percent (6-8) in the final quarter … The Heat improve to 27-2 when shooting 40 percent from three-point range.
RAPTORS NOTES:
With the loss, Toronto falls to 45-33 this season and 21-17 at home … The Raptors continue a four-game homestand (Apr. 3-8) Tuesday vs. Philadelphia.
Fred VanVleet finished with 29 points, a team-high seven assists and three steals in 41 minutes … VanVleet connected on four three-point field goals tonight and has now set a single-season franchise record with 240 three-pointers this year.
Pascal Siakam recorded 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 43 minutes … Siakam has now scored 20+ points in 14 of the last 17 games (Mar. 3 – Apr. 3), averaging 26.0 points and shooting .525 (168-320) during this stretch … Siakam has tallied 20+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a single-season franchise record 25 games this year.
Scottie Barnes scored 19 points and added seven rebounds in 35 minutes … Barnes has tallied 15+ points in 39 games this season, ranking second All-time among Raptors rookies behind only Damon Stoudamire (52) during the 1995-96 season.
HEAT NOTES:
With the win, Miami improves to 51-28, including 24-16 on the road … The Heat have now won four consecutive games (Mar. 28 – April 3) for the first time since Feb. 17-28, 2021 … Miami will return home to play Charlotte Tuesday night.
Max Strus scored a team-high 23 points and went seven-for-nine from three-point range tonight … Strus has scored 20+ points 10 times in his career, including in eight games this season.
Victor Oladipo recorded a season-best 21 points, including a career high-tying six three-point field goals … Oladipo has appeared in seven games for Miami this season after undergoing surgery on his right quadriceps tendon in May 2021.
Kyle Lowry finished with 16 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in 34 minutes for his 16th double-double of the season … The Heat are 11-5 this season when Lowry records a double-double.
Bam Adebayo tallied 16 points and nine rebounds in 36 minutes … Adebayo went 6-for-12 from the field and has now shot 50 percent in a career-best 14 consecutive games (Mar. 7 – Apr. 3).
The Heat’s bench outscored Toronto’s 45-to-13 … Miami’s reserves have totaled 3,183 points this year, the third most in franchise history behind just the 2018-19 reserves (3,564) and 2017-18 bench (3,313).
Toronto: N. Robertson (9) (J. Blandisi, A. Steeves), B. McMann (19) SH (Unassisted), C. Krys (1) (M. Hollowell) Goaltender: B. Christopoulos (24/28) L
Manitoba:N. Jones (9) PP (C. Suess, D. Stewart), J. Kovaceiv (11) (D. Stewart, N. Jones), B. Lynch (7) (A. Poganski, D. Samberg), D. Gustafsson (14) PP (J. Malott, L. Gawanke) Goaltender:M. Berdin (28/31) W
ON THE SCORESHEET
Nick Robertson opened the scoring at 10:22 of the first period. He has five points (4 goals, 1 assists) in four of his last five games.
Bobby McMann scored shorthanded at 19:07 of the first period. This was his second shorthanded goal of the season. McMann has 28 points (19 goals, 9 assists) in 52 games.
Chad Krys scored at 8:51 of the second period. This was his first goal with the Marlies. He has seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 35 games this season.
Joseph Blandisi recorded the primary assist on Robertson’s first period goal. He has 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists) in 32 games with the Marlies.
Alex Steeves had the secondary assist on Robertson’s first period goal. He is 11th overall amongst rookies in points (20-21-41).
Mac Hollowell picked up the lone assist on Krys’ second period goal. He has 22 points (5 goals, 17 assists) in 36 games this season.
Billy Christopoulos stopped 24 of 28 shots he faced.
OF NOTE
Toronto has scored 11 shorthanded goals this season which is tied for third overall in the league.
The Marlies went 2-for-4 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play. Toronto is 9-15-2-1 when not scoring on the power play and 17-8-2-1 when allowing a goal on the penalty kill.
Toronto had a 31-28 edge in shots in all situations. Bobby McMann led the Marlies with seven shots on goal. Toronto is 12-6-1-0 when outshooting their opponents.
The Marlies are 6-4-0-0 against Central Division opponents and finish the season 1-3-0-0 against the Moose. Manitoba outscored Toronto 15-3 through four games.
RECORD WHEN
Scoring first 24-8-1-1 Leading after 1 16-5-2-1 Tied after 2 5-4-0-0 On the road 17-12-1-0 April 0-2-0-0 Sunday 5-5-1-0
It’s been a long road trip and in different ways if we’re looking at the four games, this was one of the three that we executed really well as a team. Obviously, we didn’t come out with the points that we needed and wanted right now but our team gave in a good effort today.
On the four-game road trip:
We definitely went through some things that were unexpected during the trip and the team stepped up in big ways. Today was a good way to cap it off just in terms of what our process is, the intensity and passion and competitiveness that our team played with.
CHAD KRYS (1 GOAL)
On today’s game:
I liked our effort today. After the last game, we didn’t really bring much of anything so I liked the way we showed up today. A little bit unlucky getting scored on a power play in the third on a delay of game but I liked our effort today and hopefully we can roll a couple.
UPCOMING GAMES: *All times Eastern Standard Time
April 6 vs. Syracuse – 7:00 p.m. April 9 vs. Grand Rapids – 4:00 p.m. April 10 vs. Grand Rapids – 4:00 p.m. April 15 vs. Hartford – 7:00 p.m. April 16 at Syracuse – 7:00 p.m.