By all means move at a glacial pace
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Giddy up!
Pour yourself a mint julep because the 150th Kentucky Derby — the most exciting two minutes in sports — races into action tomorrow. Before you start searching for your fascinator and planning your ’fit, let’s gallop into today’s news.
— 2016 WNBA MVP and one of the Seattle Storm’s major offseason signings Nneka Ogwumike, commenting on the franchise’s elite new training facility, one of just two dedicated solely to a WNBA team. Game-changing.
NHL Playoffs
🏒 Stayin’ alive
The GIST: Buckle up hockey fans because three Canadian teams are still contending for the Stanley Cup, including the never-say-die Toronto Maple Leafs. Weekend plans? Confirmed.
Toronto Maple Leafs force Game 7: The Buds did their best Houdini impression and escaped from the Boston Bruins’ series lead, earning a 2–1 Game 6 win last night to set up every sports fan's dream: Game 7.
- Team-leading scorer Auston Matthews missed his second straight game, but right winger William Nylander provided all the offense the Leafs needed to send the series back to Beantown.
- On defense, goalie Joseph Woll lived up to his name, making 22 saves, a great sign heading into tomorrow’s 8 p.m. ET winner-take-all showdown between these archrivals.
Vancouver Canucks (up 3-2) look to prey on the Nashville Predators: The Pacific Division champs are running out of chances (and goalies) to clinch a second-round berth, but the Canucks have a great opportunity to put the Preds away in tonight’s 7 p.m. ET Game 6.
- Vancouver already has two wins in the Music City so far this series and will look to captain Quinn Hughes to fire up the squad from puck drop.
The Edmonton Oilers dethrone the LA Kings again: It was déjà vu for the Oilers, who sent the Monarchs home in the first round for the third straight year with Wednesday’s 4–3 Game 5 win. The high-powered offense now has the luxury of a break while they wait for their second-round opponent: either Vancouver or Nashville.
🏀 Indiana Pacers clinch first conference semis berth since 2014, will face NY Knicks
After his team forfeited a 24-point first quarter lead, the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson (41 points) dug deep to help his team win 118–115 last night, ending the chaotic series in six and clinching NY’s second straight second round appearance.
- And despite injured Milwaukee Buck Damian Lillard’s return, Tyrese Haliburton’s Pacers outshined the still Giannis Antetokounmpo–less squad last night, meshing for a 120–98 win to clinch their first Eastern Conference semis spot (and playoff series dub) since 2014.
🥅 Two playoff spots still up for grabs entering PWHL regular-season finale weekend
Minnesota, Ottawa, and Boston, all within three points of each other, are in contention for the two remaining playoff spots, looking to join Toronto, who secured the No. 1 seed on Wednesday, and No. 2 Montréal. Minny (35 points) has the first shot and can clinch that elusive berth with a win or overtime loss vs. already eliminated New York tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET.
- Boston (32 points) is next up, taking on Montréal tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. ET. But a regulation win doesn’t guarantee Beantown a berth; Ottawa (32 points) owns the tiebreaker and could lock in the fourth and final playoff spot when they face Toronto, Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. Icy and spicy.
⚾ Toronto Blue Jays’ offensive struggles continue
Missing: the Blue Jays’ bats. Toronto dropped their three-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday after managing just two runs across their last two games. It’s a team effort, but first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s struggles have been noticeable — he’s striking out at the highest rate of his career. Ruh roh.
- That said, Vladdy and Co. have a chance to start dancing again when they face the Washington Nationals for three weekend games starting tonight at 6:45 p.m. ET.
Together With DoorDash
✈️ Win a trip to the WNBA All-Star Game
The WNBA returns to Canada for the second time tomorrow with the LA Sparks set to take on the Seattle Storm in preseason action from Edmonton. The best companion to watch with? DoorDash.
- If you place an order of $20+ anytime today through May 10th and use code WNBACAN at checkout, you’ll be entered to win a free trip to WNBA All-Star Weekend on July 20th. Hey now.
That’s right, DoorDash is hooking up two lucky fans with tickets, airfare to Phoenix, and a hotel stay just for ordering your favorite meal to your front door. Now that’s a slam dunk.
No purchase necessary. Must be a Canadian resident. Must be 18+. Must be able to travel to the US from July 19 to July 21, 2024. Rules: https://bit.ly/44hqZgc
🎾 Madrid Open: Félix Auger-Aliassime vs. Jiri Lehecka — Today at 2 p.m. ET — TSN.ca
- Auger-Aliassime advanced to today’s semis after No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner withdrew from the quarter-finals due to injury. And after upsetting World No. 6 Casper Ruud earlier this week, the 23-year-old Quebecer is poised for a finals run.
🏀 WNBA Canada Game: Seattle Storm vs. LA Sparks — Tomorrow at 9:30 p.m. ET — TSN3
- Hamilton’s own Kia Nurse and her Sparks take on the Storm in Edmonton — a city known for its rich women’s basketball history — in the league’s second-ever exhibition game in Canada. Can’t wait, eh?
⚽ MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Austin FC — Tomorrow at 10:30 p.m. ET — TSN1
- Vancouver’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Match will set a franchise attendance record with over 30K fans expected to take in the festivities at BC Place.
🏎️ F1: Miami Grand Prix — Sunday at 4 p.m. ET — TSN4/5
- Red alert: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are apparently driving to Miami in their getaway car, with Kansas City Chief besties and fellow team Alpine investors Patrick and Brittany Mahomes.
- Hope Taylor’s presence doesn’t cause Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso to steer straight into a ditch.
Here’s what has GIST HQ buzzing:
🍻 Where to watch the game
Soon enough, your local The Sports Bra location. The first-of-its-kind women’s sports bar in Portland, Oregon, just announced plans to franchise nationally. Cheers to that.
🏇 What to read
This article about the changes at this year’s Kentucky Derby, following an investigation into the death of 12 horses in the days surrounding last year’s race. Much needed.
🌭 Where to eat
A Premier League match. Bachelor stars and social media foodies Matt James and Rachel Kirkconnell had themselves a feast at a recent Arsenal vs. Chelsea game.
Question of the Day
With the WNBA season start just 11 days away, we want to know: Which team did Media Day best? Cast your vote below or reply to this email with your top pick.
On Wednesday, we asked which May sporting event you are most looking forward to. 42% voted for WNBA season start, 23% voted for NBA/NHL playoffs, 19% voted for PWHL playoffs, and 16% voted for the French Open.Today’s email was brought to you by Lauren Tuiskula, Alessandra Puccio, Marga Sison, Lisa Minutillo, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore, Janine Kiefer, Emma Leishman, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Parul Kanwar. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alexis Allison, and Dee Lab. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.