Stanley Cup Final Update, U.S. Open Preview, and NFL Minicamp News

Good morning to all, especially to…

The Florida Panthers

In an intense Game 3, only one team brought the scoring power. The Panthers defeated the Oilers 6-1 to take a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup Final series.

• Game 2 standout Brad Marchand opened the scoring just 56 seconds in, followed by Carter Verhaeghe`s power play goal, making it 2-0 in the first period.
• Corey Perry scored a power play goal for Edmonton, but that was the highlight for the visitors. Sam Reinhart scored 80 seconds later, and Sam Bennett extended the lead to 4-1 a few minutes after that. Aaron Ekblad and Evan Rodrigues added power play goals in the third period.
• This marks Florida`s fourth win by a margin of 5 or more goals this postseason, tying for the second-most in a single playoff run in NHL history.
• The Oilers accumulated 85 minutes in penalties, tied for the third-highest total ever in a Stanley Cup Final game. It was also the first game this postseason where neither Connor McDavid nor Leon Draisaitl recorded a point.

This performance showcased Florida at their best, playing with speed, capitalizing on opponent errors, and overwhelming Edmonton across all aspects of the game. Their depth advantage, which was previously neutralized by spectacular play from McDavid and Draisaitl, became apparent when Edmonton`s stars were quieter. With six different Panthers scoring and 12 players recording at least one point, contributions came from throughout the lineup, including players like Anton Lundell and Brad Marchand on the third line.

Honorable Mentions

• Did Denzel Clarke make the catch of the year? One of the best home run robberies seen.
• Aaron Wiggins` strong Game 2 highlighted the Thunder`s outstanding depth.
• There`s “mutual intrigue” between Jason Kidd and the Knicks.
• Stefon Diggs is impressing Mike Vrabel, and with Diggs sidelined for drills, young Patriots pass catchers shined.
• With Nick Chubb joining the Texans, can he be the next running back to succeed with a new team after ACL surgery?
• Rome Odunze bulked up ahead of Year 2.
• Here is a latest NBA mock draft.
• The College World Series bracket is set.
• Five thoughts on the House v. NCAA settlement.
• Adam Silver says the NBA might consider bringing back the big Larry O`Brien trophy logo to NBA Finals courts next year.
• The Liberty and the Lynx remain undefeated, holding the top two spots in the WNBA Power Rankings.

Not So Honorable Mentions

• Caitlin Clark remains out with a quad strain, having missed five straight games.
• Satou Sabally criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert regarding the league`s schedule.
• Darius Garland had toe surgery and will miss several months, likely including the start of the 2025-26 season.
• The Packers released talented but injury-prone cornerback Jaire Alexander, who immediately becomes the best cornerback available with plenty of interest. Potential landing spots are being discussed, though Green Bay`s secondary might be okay without him.
• The Bengals are releasing team captain and top tackler Germaine Pratt. What`s next for Cincinnati is unclear.
• Could Novak Djokovic`s retirement be approaching sooner rather than later?

U.S. Open Preview: Storylines, Sleepers, Rooting Guide

We are less than 48 hours away from the start of golf`s toughest test, held at arguably the world`s most challenging golf course. Oakmont Country Club, famous for its “church pew” bunkers, a nearly 300-yard par 3, and ankle-deep rough that swallows golf balls, is set to host the 125th U.S. Open.

Scottie Scheffler is likely the player best equipped to handle it, having won three of his last four starts, including the PGA Championship. He is a major storyline heading into the tournament.

Scheffler is playing at his peak. He was the favorite at last year`s U.S. Open but struggled after a demanding week. With a week of rest this time, Scheffler can prepare as he prefers on a course that resembles courses he`s done well on more than Pinehurst No. 2 did.

Scheffler is the clear favorite (odds are available), but when searching for sleepers, why not consider the hottest player on the planet not named Scottie Scheffler?

Ben Griffin (55-1) has finished T8, 1st, and 2nd in his last three events (PGA Championship, Charles Schwab Challenge, the Memorial). His performance at the Memorial was particularly impressive. It was an incredibly difficult course, and he demonstrated the ability to score low (a 65 on Thursday) and avoid major mistakes to stay in contention. While Scottie Scheffler ultimately passed him for the win, Griffin at 55-1 offers significant value given his current form in significant events.

Then there`s the reigning champion, Bryson DeChambeau. He won dramatically at Pinehurst No. 2 last year – his second U.S. Open title – and has placed in the top six in each of the last five majors held in the United States. He is definitely a player many will be cheering for.

Here`s more on the U.S. Open:

• Trends to consider when picking a winner.
• This will likely be Phil Mickelson`s last U.S. Open, the only major he hasn`t won.
• Joaquín Niemann enters another major on fire from the LIV Golf circuit. Can he finally perform in a major?
• Xander Schauffele says fans want to watch players `suffer` on this brutal course.

Roman Anthony Makes Long-Awaited Debut: What Can He Bring Red Sox?

It wasn`t quite the debut he might have imagined, but the Roman Anthony era has officially begun in Boston. The team`s top prospect was called up Monday and made his debut hours later, going 0 for 4 with a walk and an RBI, and committing an error in a 10-8 Red Sox loss to the Rays.

The 21-year-old was excelling in Triple A this season, hitting .288/.423/.491 with 10 home runs and nearly as many walks (51) as strikeouts (56). Over the weekend, he hit a 497-foot grand slam – nearly 500 feet of absolute power. His high regard stems from his impressive hitting ability.

When Anthony makes hard contact – and he did so on 58% of his batted balls, clearing 95 mph – his average launch angle is 9.4 degrees. This means his best hits are on a line-drive trajectory, which suggests he can hit for a high average in addition to potentially hitting 30-plus home runs annually. Players with similar major league stats include Fernando Tatis Jr., Jonathan Aranda, and Junior Caminero. Beyond his knack for powerful contact, Anthony has a very patient approach, allowing him to work counts and draw walks.

Here is the Fantasy Baseball impact of Anthony`s promotion.

Biggest Storylines for Mandatory NFL Minicamps

Three-quarters of NFL teams begin mandatory minicamp today. While players can be fined for missing these practices, some notable players will be absent (though the Cowboys received positive news about two key names, and Kirk Cousins is expected to attend for Atlanta).

This is the final time these teams will practice before training camp starts in about a month and a half. It`s a crucial period for establishing a strong foundation for the upcoming season.

Here are some of the biggest minicamp storylines and players to watch for NFC teams. For the 49ers, a team-wide bounce-back is needed, likely starting with their biggest star, Christian McCaffrey.

The biggest camp storyline for the 49ers is observing how star running back Christian McCaffrey looks. In 2024, McCaffrey played four games while dealing with bilateral Achilles tendonitis and a PCL injury, during which the 49ers went 6-11. Those 11 losses were tied for the second-most by a team the season after a Super Bowl loss. How much the soon-to-be 29-year-old running back participates and his appearance in mandatory minicamp will be closely watched.

Switching to the AFC, Aaron Rodgers dominated offseason discussions despite not being on a team until last week. Many are wondering how Rodgers will look in his first practices with the Steelers.