Tkachuk brothers propel Team USA to win over Finland in 4 Nations Face-Off opener
NY Post
MONTREAL — For Team USA, it was a poor start and a grand Finnish.
The Americans looked like they were in trouble early, letting up the opening goal and allowing Finland to control the tempo through two periods Thursday night.
In the end, it was less of an escape than Team USA putting its foot down in a 6-1 victory to open its 4 Nations Face-Off, boosted by a dominant third period from both Tkachuk brothers, Brady and Matthew, joined together on a line by coach Mike Sullivan.
But it was not so simple, not so easy and not nearly as convincing as the final score suggested for the pre-tournament favorites.
This game hung in the balance until early in the third when Juuse Saros let in a pair of soft goals that allowed Team USA to turn it into a rout — and a regulation win that means volumes in this short format.
Still, the Americans had better hope their last 20 minutes are much more indicative of what they can do on this best-on-best stage than their first 40.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Frankie Montas’ triceps soreness following his first bullpen session last week has turned into a rotation vacancy for the Mets to begin the season.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Juan Soto’s one-season stop with the Yankees may have served as the perfect primer for the All-Star outfielder as he begins the first of potentially 15 spring trainings with the Mets.
Former Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito went on a tweet spree Sunday after former Miami teammate Jonathan Martin, whom he was accused of bullying in a scandal that led to Incognito being suspended by the NFL, told ESPN that he never felt bullied.
I am trying to envision Adam Silver’s reaction — just a few hours before he called “the state of the game excellent” — to hearing that Draymond Green, a high-profile employee and active NBA participant, labeled his league “very boring.”
The allegations against Justin Tucker keep growing.
BOSTON — The 4 Nations Face-Off is giving the NHL its moment.
TAMPA — This will begin with your recency bias alert. Because, yes, I do not watch much hockey, and yet I could not take my eyes off the USA-Canada game Saturday night.
Draymond Green did not hold back when giving his view of the NBA All-Star Game’s new format.
Dion Jordan’s NFL career didn’t go quite as planned.
TAMPA — Devin Williams is used to it by now.
SAN FRANCISCO — Jalen Brunson isn’t ruling out a return to the 3-point competition after losing in his second try.
Giants — and NFL — history nearly looked very different.
MONTREAL — Canadian coach Jon Cooper put it better than anyone.