Playoff Brackets Set for NHL and NBA; Spring Games Highlight College Football
The Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket is now finalized as the NHL regular season concluded with key results. While the Eastern Conference matchups were already determined, the Western Conference pairings are set, signaling that the Florida Panthers will not achieve a three-peat. Notably, Canadian teams face a tough road ahead to end a 32-year Stanley Cup drought. In baseball, Parker Messick narrowly missed a historic no-hitter during the Cleveland Guardians' 4-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Messick held the Orioles hitless until the ninth inning, when Leody Taveras broke the spell with a single. Looking ahead, the NFL Draft approaches, and CBS Sports' insider Jonathan Jones revealed insights on major storylines, including the New York Jets' strategy with the No. 2 pick. In college basketball, Cayden Boozer announced his return to Duke University for his sophomore season, a significant win for coach Jon Scheyer as they aim to retain talent amid the transfer portal frenzy. As for the NBA Playoffs, tonight's play-in games will finalize the 16-team bracket. Expectations run high for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who could become the first back-to-back champions since the Golden State Warriors in 2018. John Gonzalez highlighted that the Minnesota Timberwolves face a challenging path, now set to play against the Denver Nuggets instead of the Los Angeles Lakers. In college football, 20 Power Four programs conclude spring camp, with notable storylines emerging from teams like Texas, Georgia, and Ohio State. The weekend's spring games promise to showcase quarterback battles and new talent, setting the stage for the upcoming season.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-17