D-Backs Get By Rockies in NL Wild Card Game
We knew the Colorado Rockies-Arizona Diamondbacks NL Wild Card matchup would provide plenty of offense, and it did not disappoint on Wednesday night. The D-backs hung on after jumping out to a 6-0 lead, advancing to the NLDS with an 11-8 win on Wednesday night. The highlight of the night for the D-backs had to be reliever Archie Bradley stunning the crowd with a two-run triple late, extending Arizona's lead in the seventh. Arizona jumped out to a big lead early behind home runs from Paul Goldschmidt and Daniel Descalso, as well as an RBI triple off the bat of Ketel Marte. Colorado would make things interesting with a four-run fourth against ace Zack Greinke, but they were unable to officially complete the comeback. Bradley followed his clutch hit by surrendering back-to-back home runs to Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story in the eighth, helping the Rockies stay pesky on the night. A.J. Pollock gave Arizona their fourth triple of the night in the bottom half of the inning, sealing things for the Diamondbacks in a three-run eighth. They became the first team with four triples in a postseason game since 1903. That powerful offense is set to battle baseball's best team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Game 1 of the series being on Friday night.
Blues Spoil Penguins' Banner-Raising
The Pittsburgh Penguins raised a championship banner on opening night for the second consecutive season on Wednesday night, although, that celebration would only last so long. After the Penguins rallied in the third period to force overtime, Alex Pietrangelo scored just 1:15 into overtime for a 5-4 St. Louis Blues' win. Sidney Crosby and Conor Sheary scored 54 seconds apart in the third to force the extra period, as the Penguins trailed the entire way before the final period. Last season, they became the first team since the 1997-1998 Detroit Red Wings to win back-to-back Stanley Cups, and they are looking to become the first team in 35 years with a three-peat. Brayden Schenn, Colton Parayko, and Paul Stastny all scored, while Jake Allen had 29 saves to lead St. Louis. Justin Schultz and Olli Maatta added goals for Pittsburgh in the loss, as they are dealing with a much different-looking roster. The likes of Marc-Andre Fleury, Matt Cullen, Chris Kunitz, Nick Bonino, and Trevor Daley all moved on after winning the Stanley Cup. They will have no rest before their second game on Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. Meanwhile, the Blues will host the Dallas Stars on Saturday.
McDavid Opens Up Season With Hat Trick in Win
Connor McDavid seems to be the favorite to win NHL MVP this season, the Edmonton Oilers are favorites to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, and both showed exactly why on Wednesday night. McDavid recorded a hat trick, while Cam Talbot made 26 saves in a season-opening 3-0 shutout of the Calgary Flames. The Oilers' star is coming off a Hart Trophy win a season ago after leading the league with 100 points, and scored once in the first period and twice in the third. Mike Smith was solid between the pipes with 42 saves, but his team fell to 0-7-1 in the last eight season openers. Leon Draisaitl assisted McDavid's first goal just 11 minutes into the game. The young phenom did not need an assist in the final two goals, one of which was a breakaway, and the other was an empty-netter to seal the victory. Edmonton has now won five in a row against their division rival, as they improved to 18-8-3 in season opener on their home ice. Calgary did have some welcoming news on the day with them adding veteran Jarmomir Jagr on a one-year deal. They will hope to have him make his team debut on Saturday night against the Winnipeg Jets. The Oilers are on the road Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks.
We knew the Colorado Rockies-Arizona Diamondbacks NL Wild Card matchup would provide plenty of offense, and it did not disappoint on Wednesday night. The D-backs hung on after jumping out to a 6-0 lead, advancing to the NLDS with an 11-8 win on Wednesday night. The highlight of the night for the D-backs had to be reliever Archie Bradley stunning the crowd with a two-run triple late, extending Arizona's lead in the seventh. Arizona jumped out to a big lead early behind home runs from Paul Goldschmidt and Daniel Descalso, as well as an RBI triple off the bat of Ketel Marte. Colorado would make things interesting with a four-run fourth against ace Zack Greinke, but they were unable to officially complete the comeback. Bradley followed his clutch hit by surrendering back-to-back home runs to Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story in the eighth, helping the Rockies stay pesky on the night. A.J. Pollock gave Arizona their fourth triple of the night in the bottom half of the inning, sealing things for the Diamondbacks in a three-run eighth. They became the first team with four triples in a postseason game since 1903. That powerful offense is set to battle baseball's best team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Game 1 of the series being on Friday night.
Blues Spoil Penguins' Banner-Raising
The Pittsburgh Penguins raised a championship banner on opening night for the second consecutive season on Wednesday night, although, that celebration would only last so long. After the Penguins rallied in the third period to force overtime, Alex Pietrangelo scored just 1:15 into overtime for a 5-4 St. Louis Blues' win. Sidney Crosby and Conor Sheary scored 54 seconds apart in the third to force the extra period, as the Penguins trailed the entire way before the final period. Last season, they became the first team since the 1997-1998 Detroit Red Wings to win back-to-back Stanley Cups, and they are looking to become the first team in 35 years with a three-peat. Brayden Schenn, Colton Parayko, and Paul Stastny all scored, while Jake Allen had 29 saves to lead St. Louis. Justin Schultz and Olli Maatta added goals for Pittsburgh in the loss, as they are dealing with a much different-looking roster. The likes of Marc-Andre Fleury, Matt Cullen, Chris Kunitz, Nick Bonino, and Trevor Daley all moved on after winning the Stanley Cup. They will have no rest before their second game on Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. Meanwhile, the Blues will host the Dallas Stars on Saturday.
McDavid Opens Up Season With Hat Trick in Win
Connor McDavid seems to be the favorite to win NHL MVP this season, the Edmonton Oilers are favorites to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, and both showed exactly why on Wednesday night. McDavid recorded a hat trick, while Cam Talbot made 26 saves in a season-opening 3-0 shutout of the Calgary Flames. The Oilers' star is coming off a Hart Trophy win a season ago after leading the league with 100 points, and scored once in the first period and twice in the third. Mike Smith was solid between the pipes with 42 saves, but his team fell to 0-7-1 in the last eight season openers. Leon Draisaitl assisted McDavid's first goal just 11 minutes into the game. The young phenom did not need an assist in the final two goals, one of which was a breakaway, and the other was an empty-netter to seal the victory. Edmonton has now won five in a row against their division rival, as they improved to 18-8-3 in season opener on their home ice. Calgary did have some welcoming news on the day with them adding veteran Jarmomir Jagr on a one-year deal. They will hope to have him make his team debut on Saturday night against the Winnipeg Jets. The Oilers are on the road Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks.
