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New York Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Ex- Islanders star Cal Clutterbuck taking on New York State Open Championship in retirement
Former Islanders tough guy Cal Clutterbuck is trying to turn his obsession with golf into a title at the New York State Open Championship, taking place this week at Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury, New York. Clutterbuck, who retired from the NHL in April, finished Day 1 of the tournament on Monday with a score of 82, 12-over par, setting up a second day in which he'll need to improve by roughly 10 strokes if he hopes to make the cut to advance to Wednesday's round. The New York State Open Championship is a 54-hole stroke-play tournament that is open to both professional golfers and amateurs who belong to clubs in the state and have a handicap that does not exceed 10.0. 3 Cal Clutterbuck is competing in the New York State Open Championship this week. AP Clutterbuck shot a 43 on the front nine and started the day with a double bogey on the first hole and double bogey on six, before bogeying on seven and eight, but he shot for par on hole nine. The NHL's all-time hits leader, with 4,029, fared better on the back nine, nearly eagling on hole 15, but ended up with a bogey. 'I missed a couple of birdies, but I hit one,' Clutterbuck told after his first round. 'I was putting it well. It's tough, the level of focus you need for almost five hours,' he added. 'When things are going well, you want to just keep riding it. When something happens, you really have to work on just putting it behind you and moving on.' Clutterbuck will tee off for the second round at 12:48 on Tuesday and will be paired with Jimmy Hazen and Chris Fischer. 3 Cal Clutterbuck (15) collides with Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Michael Blunden (46) during the first period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference semifinals, May 6, 2016, in New York. AP The 37-year-old is the second New York sports pro to compete in the tournament in the last three years. Mets infielder Jeff McNeil had competed in the New York State Open Championship in 2023 during the MLB All-Star break. Clutterbuck spent parts of 17 seasons in the NHL, spending his first six with the Wild before he was traded to the Islanders during the 2013 NHL Draft, along with a third-round pick, for Nino Niederreiter. On the ice from Long Island Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Clutterbuck would go on to play 718 regular-season games for the Islanders and became a mainstay on the Isles' 'Identity Line' alongside Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas – only one of whom remains an active NHL player. He was a part of seven playoff teams while with the Islanders – including in 2016 when the team advanced beyond the first round for the first time since 1993. The Islanders also made it one round shy of the Stanley Cup Final in 2020 and 2021 while was a member of the organization. 3 (L-R) Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck and Josh Bailey at the U.S. Open in 2024. Getty Images for Heineken Clutterbuck has long held a love for the game of golf and made the announcement that he was retiring from hockey days after attending the Masters. 'I couldn't help but think how I would have never been able to do that if I were still playing hockey,' Clutterbuck said in his retirement announcement. 'Which brings me to this announcement post. Obviously I haven't played hockey in the NHL in a year and I think it's safe to say that everyone assumed, but I'm going to make it official today. 'I am retiring from the NHL, and… um… I really have no idea how to do this. So, that's it. I'm done. See ya.' Clutterbuck spent last season as an analyst for MSG Networks on Islanders broadcasts and will be there in 2025-26 in a full-time role.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brad Marchand embraces Panthers' rat-throwing tradition, which goes back 30 years
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) acknowledges the crowd after the Panthers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) A young Florida Panthers fan watches during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) FILE - Plastic toy rats litter the ice after the Florida Panthers scored during the third period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers, Saturday, June 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) FILE - Toy rats litter the ice as the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers scuffle at the end of the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals in Sunrise, Fla., Monday, June 9, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP, File) FILE - Toy rats litter the ice as the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers scuffle at the end of the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals in Sunrise, Fla., Monday, June 9, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP, File) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) acknowledges the crowd after the Panthers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) A young Florida Panthers fan watches during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) FILE - Plastic toy rats litter the ice after the Florida Panthers scored during the third period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers, Saturday, June 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) FILE - Toy rats litter the ice as the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers scuffle at the end of the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals in Sunrise, Fla., Monday, June 9, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP, File) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — There's a giant, gold-outlined rat emblazoned on the hat that dangles in Brad Marchand's locker. The scrappy NHL veteran has been likened to the tiny rodent for much of his career, notoriously known as 'The Rat' among hockey fans for his brash play. Advertisement So when Marchand was traded from Boston to Florida back in March, it didn't take long for him to embrace Panthers fans' longstanding tradition of tossing plastic rats onto the ice after wins. 'I hope we get some rats thrown at us,' Marchand quipped at his locker on Sunday, before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. 'I just hope it's on the ice and not outside." Marchand got his wish. After the Panthers routed the Edmonton Oilers 6-1 on Monday, those unmistakable gray pests rained down on the ice in a tradition that has lasted three decades. As they've done after most games this postseason, Marchand's teammates fired the rats at his legs before exiting the ice. For Marchand, getting the rats thrown at him is like a badge of honor — a tiny, symbolic moment that represents how the Panthers have been able to keep things lighthearted while going for their second straight championship. Advertisement 'This group has a ton of fun," Marchand said. 'It's an incredible environment to be a part of. In the room, on the ice, even just in the city, there's a lot of excitement around right now.' The rat-throwing tradition goes back 30 years Before their 1995-96 season opener, Panthers players were waiting to take the ice in a cramped, makeshift dressing room at the now-demolished Miami Arena when a large rat scampered in. 'Players were jumping on top of their stalls ... big, tough hockey players,' said Billy Lindsay, Panthers left wing from their expansion season in 1993 to 1999, 'most of us were pretty scared of this big rat running around. We were ducking for cover everywhere.' Advertisement Right wing Scott Mellanby then grabbed his stick and one-timed the rat into the wall. The rodent went flying across the dressing room. It died as soon as it hit the wall. Players later memorialized it by circling the small dent in the blood-stained wall and placing a rat statue there for the year. The Panthers went out and beat the Calgary Flames 4-3 that night. Mellanby scored a pair of goals with that same stick. 'Scott Mellanby didn't even have time to really tape his stick,' Lindsay said. 'So he's got a little rat and blood there on his stick and went out there and scored a couple of goals.' In his postgame news conference, goalie John Vanbiesbrouck noted that Mellanby had the NHL's first 'rat trick.' Advertisement The incident was in the local paper the next day. About a week or so later, a toy rat hit the ice after a home game. The next game, there were a couple more. By the end of that season, which included Lindsay scoring the game-winning goal that clinched Florida's first ever playoff series win, the rat throwing had become such a phenomenon that the team earned a sponsorship from the pest control company Orkin. 'And funny enough, it's still around today,' Lindsay said, 'which is quite strange.' 'It's a feeling you can't replicate' Sports traditions are ubiquitous. Some are sacred. Many are quirky. And they can include just about anything. There's the Lambeau Leap at Green Bay Packers games. The 'Gatorade Bath' after a win in the NFL. LeBron James' patented pregame chalk toss. Detroit Red Wings fans occasionally celebrate wins by throwing octopuses on the ice. The Nashville Predators have their catfish toss. Advertisement For the Panthers, who at the time were in just their third season as an NHL franchise, the rat throwing — buoyed by the fact that Florida made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final that year — became the first real way they got the South Florida fans in a non-traditional hockey market to embrace their team. Colin Fox, 32, a Panthers fan from Boca Raton, Florida, said it's 'a thrill' to be a part of the rat throwing at the end of games. 'Even when they weren't very good, when they weren't on these hot streaks, there were still rats on the ice," said Fox, who wore a throwback Mellanby jersey to Game 3 of the final. "It's something that has persevered through the years." For opposing teams, the rats are often a nuisance, Lindsay said, recalling how some goalies would hide in their net between goals to try and escape them. So many hit the ice after that initial season the NHL changed its rules to say such in-game celebrations could lead to penalties, though the league still allowed rats to be thrown after games. Advertisement There's plenty of rat-themed memorabilia for sale at Panthers games, and the plastic rodents themselves can be purchased all over Miami. At gas stations. Party stores. Some fans order them online. The rats that Panthers fan JP Kirkpatrick, 23, tossed onto the ice after a game this season came from a fan sitting next to him who brought plenty of extras. 'It's a feeling you can't replicate,' said Kirkpatrick, an Orlando, Florida, native. 'It's something you can't get (anywhere else). You've got to be there to get it. You can't watch it on TV. You can't get it in the parking lot. You've got to be out there, be in the seat. The fans, everybody there, it's electric.' No one from that 1995 Panthers group thought they'd be a part of creating a lasting, iconic symbol for the team, but as they look back on that moment amid all the Panthers' recent success, they're proud of what it's become. Advertisement "There's been enough people from back then to hang on to the tradition and pass it along," Lindsay said. "And now you get this unparalleled success where you get three Stanley Cup appearances in a row, you win a Stanley Cup championship, you're looking for a second. And that rat is just (still) going. 'It just makes me proud of what we started.' ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
New York Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Stanley Cup Final pick: Oilers vs. Panthers Game 1 prediction, odds, best bets
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. The Florida Panthers and the Oilers will renew acquaintances in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night in Edmonton. Though both teams have changed since the Panthers lifted the Cup after Game 7 in 2024, their strengths and weaknesses remain very much the same. The Panthers, making their third straight trip to the finals and looking to repeat as champs, are like dogs on a hunk of meat. Florida wants to get pucks behind you, impose their will physically, and never let you off the mat. The Oilers, looking to avenge their heartbreaking loss in last year's finale, want to skate circles around you and let their dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl be the difference. Edmonton's attack is built on speed, creativity, and skill, while Florida's is built on force and execution. Both teams have been excellent defensively throughout the playoffs. The goaltending matchup for Game 1 is fascinating. Sergei Bobrovsky has been stellar for the Panthers in the tournament, while Stuart Skinner started horribly, got replaced by Calvin Pickard, and was thrown back into the starting role when Pickard got injured. Skinner has been lights-out over the past month. Given how last year's series went, Florida took a 3-0 lead and then Edmonton stormed back before losing in Game 7, you'd imagine that both teams will want to forego the usual pleasantries that a Game 1 can present. There will be no feeling-out process in this best-of-7. The Oilers will dread the possibility of falling behind the Panthers again, and Florida will need to be ready for the pace that Edmonton will bring from the drop of the puck. That should create a more helter-skelter, frenetic pace to Game 1 than you'd think you'd see in such a high-pressure environment. You'd think that a back-and-forth affair would favor the Oilers, but it's the Panthers who should thrive in that kind of environment. Florida can beat you in a number of ways, but the Cats are incredibly adept at keeping their composure amidst chaos. Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky watches the puck during the Panthers' series-clinching Game 5 win over the Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals. AP They're not going to chase you around and try to force the issue, but will sit back and wait for their opportunity to hit on the counter. They trust that Bobrovsky and their defense will keep them in the game until they can strike. Given how I project this game to play out — with these teams trading chances and Florida coming out the better for it — why not build a same-game parlay correlated to that script? The first leg is to back the Over 1.5 goals in the first period at -134. I think this thing flies off the handle early. With that being the case, we'll also throw in the Over 6.5 goals, as a wide-open first period should lead to more of the same in the next 40 minutes. From there, we'll add Panthers -1.5 at +250. If this game is going to be full of chances, there's a good chance that it will be decided by multiple goals. Betting on the NHL? To add some serious juice to this nearly 100/1 parlay, we'll add Anton Lundell (+400) as an anytime goal scorer for the Cats. Lundell's line has been superb throughout the postseason, and he should get a favorable matchup with both coaches playing cat and mouse with Aleksander Barkov, McDavid and Draisaitl. Finally, we'll back McDavid to record Over 4.5 shots on goal at +320. McDavid leads the playoffs with 59 shots, and if things do go off the rails, he should have every chance to clear this mark. If you wrap all five legs together in a same-game parlay, it would pay out 97/1. Not a bad way to start the Stanley Cup Final.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Florida Panthers-Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup Final by the numbers
during the third period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Florida Panthers' Aleksander Barkov (16) skates over to accept the Prince of Wales Trophy following Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (C) and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, right, pose with the Prince of Wales trophy at the end of Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. They advance to the Stanley Cup finals. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) speaks to media during a news conference, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, ahead of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final series against the Florida Panthers. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) Edmonton Oilers general Manager Stan Bowman and head coach Kris Knoblauch speak to media during a news conference, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, ahead of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final series against the Florida Panthers. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) Edmonton Oilers general Manager Stan Bowman and head coach Kris Knoblauch speak to media during a news conference, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, ahead of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final series against the Florida Panthers. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) during the third period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Florida Panthers' Aleksander Barkov (16) skates over to accept the Prince of Wales Trophy following Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (C) and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, right, pose with the Prince of Wales trophy at the end of Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. They advance to the Stanley Cup finals. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) speaks to media during a news conference, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, ahead of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final series against the Florida Panthers. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) Edmonton Oilers general Manager Stan Bowman and head coach Kris Knoblauch speak to media during a news conference, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, ahead of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final series against the Florida Panthers. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers meet again in the Stanley Cup Final, a cross-continental showdown of the NHL's last teams left standing. The Panthers are aiming to be back-to-back champions, while Oilers captain Connor McDavid is looking to hoist the Cup for the first time in his dominant career. Game 1 is Wednesday night at Edmonton. Advertisement Here's a look at the series by the numbers: 11 This is the 11th rematch in the final in league history and the first since Pittsburgh and Detroit in 2009. Edmonton and the New York Islanders also had one in 1984. Each of those series saw the result flip from the previous year. The other two rematches since the expansion era began in 1967 were Montreal sweeps of Boston in 1977 and '78 and St. Louis in '68 and '69. 3 The Panthers are in the final for a third consecutive season, matching cross-state rival Tampa Bay's trio of trips from 2020-22. The Lightning won back to back on their first two runs, then lost their third to Colorado. Advertisement Since Paul Maurice was hired as coach and Florida acquired Matthew Tkachuk in a trade in the summer of 2022, the team has won 10 of 11 playoff series. 51 McDavid and longtime running mate Leon Draisaitl lead all scorers in the playoffs with 26 and 25 points, respectively. This is their seventh playoff run together and the sixth year in a row. Since their postseason debuts in 2017, McDavid has 143 points and Draisaitl 133, first and second of all players in that time. All that is missing is the Stanley Cup. 2.11 Sergei Bobrovsky has again backstopped the Panthers to the final, going 12-5 with a 2.11 goals-against average and .912 save percentage through three rounds. Advertisement Counterpart Stuart Skinner lost his starting job after allowing 11 goals in Games 1 and 2 of the first round and only got it back in the second when Calvin Pickard was injured. Since returning to the net, Skinner is 6-2 with a 1.73 GAA and a .931 save percentage. 2,543 The 2,543 miles (4,092 kilometers) between Sunrise, Florida, and Edmonton, Alberta, is — for the second year in a row — the longest distance between finalists in NHL history. It's a roughly six-hour flight each way for the teams, which will be especially challenging going back to western Canada for Game 5 without an extra travel day after Game 4. ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Carolina Hurricanes enter the offseason aiming to punch through an Eastern final roadblock
Florida Panthers head coach Rod Brind'Amour, left, rear, talks with his players during the third period against the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Florida Panthers head coach Rod Brind'Amour, left, rear, talks with his players during the third period against the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — There's been plenty of disappointment for the Carolina Hurricanes after falling short in another Eastern Conference final. General manager Eric Tulsky and coach Rod Brind'Amour view that as a positive. The franchise that went nine straight years without a playoff berth has nearly matched that with seven straight seasons of winning at least one postseason series, with this year's loss to the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers marking a third trip to the Eastern final in that span. Now Tulsky faces a familiar challenge after taking over as GM last summer: improving the roster so it can punch through its roadblock amid higher expectations. Advertisement 'We set the bar very, very high,' Tulsky said Tuesday during an end-of-year news conference with Brind'Amour. 'Every year we expect to be at least competing for a Cup and our goal is to win one or more. ... I love that we are where we are and we're going to keep pushing to get to where we want to go.' Carolina's 519 regular-season points over the past five seasons is tied for the NHL's best with the Colorado Avalanche. Its 35 postseason wins in that span trail the Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers, the last two playoff teams standing for a second straight year. Carolina has top players locked up to long-term deals in forwards Sebastian Aho (through 2031-32), Seth Jarvis (2031-32) and Andrei Svechnikov (2028-29), and top defenseman Jaccob Slavin (2032-33). They also recently reached an extension with trade addition Taylor Hall (through 2027-28) and goaltender Frederik Andersen for another year. And forward Logan Stankoven, who thrived in the postseason after being the primary return from Dallas in the Mikko Rantanen deadline deal, has another season before becoming a restricted free agent. Advertisement Additionally, the Hurricanes are projected to have roughly $28.4 million cap space for next season, according to PuckPedia, which is most among playoff teams and fifth overall. The Hurricanes have fallen to the Panthers twice in three seasons in the Eastern final, this time in five games after ending a 15-game skid in that round dating to 2009. In theory, the Hurricanes have enough assets in money and draft picks — Carolina acquired two first-rounders and two third-rounders in the Rantanen/Stankoven deal — to boost the roster. 'You take a step back and you're like, 'Wait a minute, there's four teams playing left,' and we're feeling like crap because we lost,' Brind'Amour said. "This is where you want to be. This is the level of standard you want to have as an organization.' Blue-line look Advertisement Defensemen Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov are unrestricted free agents. Burns, 40, routinely got top-pair work with Slavin, while the 33-year-old Orlov worked with Jalen Chatfield as second pair. Carolina also returns Chatfield, offensive threat Shayne Gostisbehere and Sean Walker (signed to a five-year deal last summer), while top prospect Alexander Nikishin drew in for four playoff games as his NHL debut and is projected to be among Carolina's regulars next year. UFA forwards Carolina has unrestricted free agents among its regular forwards lines in Eric Robinson and Jack Roslovic. Both joined Carolina last summer on one-year deals. Advertisement Robinson posted career-highs of 14 goals and 18 assists while playing all 82 regular-season games for the first time in his career. He also scored a critical goal in Game 4 of the second-round series against Washington, helping Carolina maintain control of that series from the fourth line. Roslovic finished third on the team with 22 regular-season goals, though he was a healthy scratch for multiple playoff games. Banged-up Jarvis Jarvis is again dealing with a lingering shoulder injury. He opted against surgery last summer in favor of rehabbing and strengthening work, then said last week he quickly aggravated it in the regular season. Advertisement Jarvis — who led the team with 32 regular-season goals and 16 postseason points — plans to stick with rehab and strengthening work again instead of surgery. 'It's not an organizational decision, it's a personal decision,' Tulsky said. 'It's his medical care. And he's going to do what's best for him and the team. If he wants to rehab it and strengthen it and keep playing, he was very effective this year and I'm optimistic that'll continue going forward, and that he'll keep helping us compete for a championship." ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
