January 1, 2025 2:31 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Anthony Mantha scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1. Mantha, who scored in his third straight game, had a power-play goal in the first period and added another goal in the second as Pittsburgh jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Justin Brazeau set a career high with his 12th goal and added an assist. Tommy Novak had a goal and an assist, and Sidney Crosby scored his 21st of the season. Erik Karlsson had two assists and passed Brad Park for the 14th-most points by a defenseman in NHL history. Pittsburgh has won three of four following an eight-game losing streak. Stuart Skinner made 27 saves and improved to 1-3 with the Penguins since they acquired him Dec. 12 from Edmonton.
January 1, 2025 2:08 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Steelers could have linebacker T.J. Watt back for their Week 18 showdown against Baltimore for the AFC North title. Coach Mike Tomlin says he’s optimistic Watt will return after missing three games because of lung surgery. The Steelers need to win or tie the Ravens to earn their first division crown since 2020. While Watt could return, tight end Darnell Washington is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a broken arm. The game could be the final one for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, though the 42-year-old four-time MVP expects the Steelers to recover and beat the Ravens.
January 1, 2025 2:33 am
BOSTON (AP) — New England Patriots star wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing strangulation and other criminal charges in connection with a dispute with his former private chef. News of the charges emerged after a court hearing Tuesday in Dedham, Massachusetts. Diggs’ lawyer said in an emailed statement that Diggs “categorically denies these allegations.” According to police, the chef told investigators that Diggs hit her and tried to choke her during a discussion about money. The 32-year-old NFL veteran joined New England this season after a trade from Houston. Diggs has been a standout player for the Patriots this season, helping his team clinch the AFC East title.
December 30, 2025 4:33 am
The Penguins have swung a deal for a new forward in a deal with division rival Columbus. They acquired 24 year old former first round pick Yegor Chinakhov for veteran Danton Heinen, a 2026 second round draft pick and a 2027 third round pick. Chinakhov will receive $2.1 million per year through the 2025-26 season. He is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 203 pounds. During his time with Columbus, he scored 37 goals, had 40 assists and picked up 77 points in 204 games. He was drafted 21st overall in 2020.
December 30, 2025 4:38 am
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh says he’ll have a better sense Wednesday about quarterback Lamar Jackson’s status for Sunday night’s game at Pittsburgh that will decide the AFC North title. Tyler Huntley helped Baltimore keeps its playoff hopes alive, replacing an injured Jackson for last weekend’s win at Green Bay. But Harbaugh said Monday if Jackson is ready, he’ll play Sunday. Jackson has been nursing a back injury from two weekends ago against New England. The Green Bay game was the fourth game he’s missed this season.
December 30, 2025 4:34 am
ATLANTA (AP) — Zane Gonzalez kicked a 51-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining and the Atlanta Falcons recovered after blowing two 21-point leads to upset the Los Angeles Rams 27-24. Bijan Robinson’s 93-yard touchdown run was the longest in Atlanta history. Jessie Bates III scored on a 34-yard interception return. The Falcons led 21-0 at halftime. Matthew Stafford recovered from throwing three interceptions to help the Rams pull even a 24-24. Stafford’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Puka Nacua tied the game. Robinson rushed for 195 yards and set the Falcons record for most scrimmage yards in a season.
December 30, 2025 4:28 am
Pitcher Andrew Heaney says he is retiring after 12 major league seasons. He made his announcement Sunday on social media. A 34-year-old left-hander, Heaney was 56-72 with a 4.57 ERA in 208 starts and 22 relief appearances for Miami, the Los Angeles Angels, the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas and Pittsburgh. He was 5-10 with a 5.52 ERA this year in 23 starts and four relief appearances. He was released by the Pirates on August 29, signed with the Dodgers three days later and made one appearance for Los Angeles.
December 30, 2025 4:35 am
Tiger Woods played a game with which hardly anyone could relate. And now he approaches a milestone that makes him like everyone else. Woods turns 50 on Tuesday. This celebration is more about appreciating the past than wondering about the future. Woods has had more surgeries than the 15 majors he won. He is eligible for the 50-and-older PGA Tour Champions without any indication he will play. Woods has played only 11 times since he was badly injured in 2021 car crash in Los Angeles. And this is the first year he didn’t play at all. His impact on the game remains huge.
December 29, 2025 4:26 am
CHICAGO (AP) — Justin Brazeau recorded first NHL hat trick, Bryan Rust scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins rolled past the sliding Chicago Blackhawks 7-3 on Sunday night. Anthony Mantha had a goal and assist and Noel Acciari scored for the Penguins. Ryan Shea had three assists, and Arturs Silovs made 21 saves. Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno scored in his return after missing 19 games, and Wyatt Kaiser and Tyler Bertuzzi each had a goal. Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight stopped only three of the first seven shots he faced before being relieved by Arvid Soderblom 12:03 into the game. Knight returned for the third period and stopped both shots he faced. Soderblom stopped 12 shots.
December 29, 2025 4:29 am
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers have had multiple chances to clinch the AFC North. They’re down to their final one. Aaron Rodgers was limited to 168 yards passing and failed to lead a scoring drive on six second-half possessions, allowing the Cleveland Browns to top Pittsburgh 13-6. The Steelers could have locked up a playoff berth with a victory over last-place Cleveland or if the Baltimore Ravens had lost to Green Bay on Saturday. The Ravens remained alive with a 41-24 triumph over the Packers. As a result, Pittsburgh will host the Ravens in Week 18 with the division crown and final AFC postseason spot on the line in a winner-take-all matchup.
