Mandel’s Final Thoughts: Playoff bracket, bubble and Big 12 race have new main characters

Alex Ovechkin will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a fractured fibula, impacting his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's NHL goal record. The Washington Capitals captain, who is 26 goals away from tying Gretzky's record of 894, suffered the injury during a game against the Utah Hockey Club and will miss significant playing time for the first time in his career. Ovechkin's absence is a blow to the Capitals and delays his chase for hockey history,...

Your donation to The Independent helps fund their on-the-ground reporting on critical issues like reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, allowing them to provide unbiased and in-depth coverage. The newspaper is trusted by Americans of all political backgrounds and believes in making quality journalism accessible to everyone without paywalls. Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been named the unanimous National League MVP, making him one of only 12 players to win three...

Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune was named the NWSL's Midfielder of the Year after an impressive rookie season, during which she tied an NWSL record with 10 assists and won the Rookie of the Year award. Despite a season-ending injury, Bethune is focused on building on her success and returning for the 2025 season. She expressed gratitude for the support, described the team's grit and determination, and highlighted the trust among teammates that has propelled...

In a Thursday Night Football matchup, the 8-2 Steelers, coming off a big win over the Ravens, face the struggling 2-8 Browns in Cleveland. Russell Wilson leads Pittsburgh's passing attack, while the Browns have been on a downward trend, losing their last two games by double digits. The game will be played in 37-degree weather at First Energy Stadium and can be watched on Amazon Prime Video at 8:15 p.m. ET. Full Article

Ireland boss Andy Farrell has challenged Jacob Stockdale to prove himself at Test level during the upcoming match against Fiji, where Stockdale is set to win his fifth cap. Farrell has also given debuts to Cormac Izuchukwu and Gus McCarthy, highlighting their potential and impressive rises in their respective careers. Additionally, fly-half Sam Prendergast will make his first international start, showcasing confidence in his abilities after a successful Emerging tour. Full Article

Manchester City announced that Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2027. Guardiola, the most successful manager in City's history, cited his special connection to the club as a key reason for staying. The new deal does not contain a break clause, despite ongoing financial rule allegations, as Guardiola aims to continue his successful tenure with City. Full Article