Breaking
Wealth World News
Archive

2024

Browsing
Politics

Iran-backed militia kills 3 US troops just weeks after Biden said Tehran knows ‘not to do anything’

Join Fox News for access to this content
Plus get unlimited access to thousands of articles, videos and more with your free account!
Please enter a valid email address.
By entering your email, you are agreeing to Fox News Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided.

President Biden struck a confidant tone earlier this month when asked whether Iran would retaliate after the U.S. and its allies bombed Yemen in response to ongoing attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi militants. 

The January 12 exchange came during the president’s visit to Emmaus, Pennsylvania to tout what he regards as the success of his administration’s economic policies. 

The president said he’d ‘already delivered a message to’ the Islamic Republic after the Yemen bombings. 

‘They know not to do anything,’ President Biden said, assuring that attacks on the Houthis would continue so long as they ‘continue this outrageous behavior.’ 

He declined to say whether the U.S. was in a ‘de facto proxy war with Iran.’ 

But just a little over two weeks later, three American troops were killed and dozens of others were injured in a drone strike in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border. Most, if not all, of those injured and killed were Army soldiers at a base known as Tower 22, which has been in support of the counter-ISIS mission for years, the official said.  

The president as well as Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin blamed Iran-backed militias for Sunday’s attack. A coalition of Iran-backed militant groups calling themselves the ‘Islamic Resistance in Iraq’ claimed responsibility. 

Later Sunday, President Biden said the U.S. ‘had a tough day in the Middle East,’ and vowed: ‘We shall respond.’ 

The troops’ death marked a major escalation of tensions in the region, after months of strikes by militia groups on American forces in the region in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. 

President Biden said the United States ‘will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing.’

Secretary Austin said he was ‘outraged and deeply saddened’ by the fatalities and the injuries. 

‘These brave Americans and their families are in my prayers, and the entire Department of Defense mourns their loss,’ he said. ‘Iran-backed militias are responsible for these continued attacks on U.S. forces, and we will respond at a time and place of our choosing.’ 

He added: ‘The President and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests.’

The U.S. military base at al-Tanf in Syria is just 12 miles north of Tower 22. The Jordanian installation provides a critical logistical hub for U.S. forces in Syria, including those at al-Tanf, which is near the intersection of the Iraq, Syria and Jordan borders.

Since the war in Gaza began Oct. 7, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times and in Syria more than 90 times, with a mix of drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles. 

Scores of U.S. personnel have been wounded, including some with traumatic brain injuries, during the attacks.

The militias have said that their strikes are in retaliation for Washington’s support for Israel in the war in Gaza and have also said they aim to push U.S. forces out of the region.

The U.S. in recent months has struck targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen to respond to attacks on American forces in the region and to deter Iran-backed Houthi rebels from continuing to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Fox News’ Danielle Wallace, Liz Friden and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
Keep Reading
By
Politics

UN calls on countries to resume UNRWA funding despite report employees participated in Oct 7 massacre

Join Fox News for access to this content
Plus get unlimited access to thousands of articles, videos and more with your free account!
Please enter a valid email address.
By entering your email, you are agreeing to Fox News Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on member countries to resume their funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), despite accusations from Israel that some of the group’s employees participated in Hamas’ bloody incursion late last year.

The U.S., Germany, U.K., Canada and at least five other countries have temporarily halted funding for the program. Israel released evidence showing that a dozen of the organization’s employees in Gaza had participated in the massacre of 1,200 Israeli citizens by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023.

‘While I understand their concerns – I was myself horrified by these accusations – I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s operations,’ Guterres said in a statement on Sunday.

‘Of the 12 people implicated, nine were immediately identified and terminated by the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini; one is confirmed dead, and the identity of the two others is being clarified,’ he added. ‘Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.’

‘The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences. But the tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met,’ Guterres said.

The State Department under former President Trump cut ties with the UNRWA in 2018, but President Biden resumed the relationship shortly after taking office. He continued to increase spending for the organization, with funds exceeding $1 billion.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the U.S. decision to suspend funding as ‘an important step in holding UNRWA accountable.’

‘At least a dozen UNRWA employees participated in the horrific attack conducted on Oct. 7: These are ‘humanitarian workers,’ with salaries paid for by international donations, with blood on their hands,’ Gallant said in a press release following the State Department’s announcement.

The funding cut follows growing allegations that started in December 2023 when an Israeli citizen taken hostage by Hamas said upon release that they had remained captive in the attic of a UNRWA teacher. Another hostage said a Gazan doctor – reportedly a pediatrician – helped hold another hostage captive for Hamas.

Fox News’ Timothy H.J. Nerozzi and Peter Aitken contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
Keep Reading
By
Politics

3 American troops killed, 25 injured in attack on Jordan base near Syria border

Three U.S. service members were killed and at least 25 others were injured in a drone attack on an outpost in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border, U.S. Central Command confirmed on Sunday. 

But a senior U.S. defense official told Fox News the injury toll could rise to higher than just 25 Americans. Most, if not all, of those injured and killed are Army soldiers based in Northern Jordan near the Syrian border at a base known as Tower 22, which has been in support of the counter-ISIS mission for year, the official said. 

Some of the 25 plus injured have been medically evacuated from the base, likely to Landstuhl in Germany, according to the official. It is not clear if they were hit while sleeping in the residential compound at the base. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is actively engaged in discussions taking place at the White House about how to respond.

‘On Jan. 28, three U.S. service members were killed and 25 injured from a one-way attack UAS that impacted at a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border. As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with DoD policy, the identities of the servicemembers will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified,’ CENTCOM said in a statement. 

‘Updates will be provided as they become available,’ the statement added. 

The White House said President Biden was briefed Sunday morning by Austin, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer about the attack, which marked a significant escalation as the first time U.S. troops have been killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war began.  

U.S. troops long have used Jordan as a basing point, and the attack took place in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border. 

Biden blasted ‘radical Iran-backed militant groups’ in reacting to the attack. 

‘Today, America’s heart is heavy. Last night, three U.S. service members were killed – and many wounded – during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border,’ he said. ‘While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.’ 

‘Jill and I join the families and friends of our fallen – and Americans across the country – in grieving the loss of these warriors in this despicable and wholly unjust attack,’ Biden continued. ‘These service members embodied the very best of our nation: Unwavering in their bravery. Unflinching in their duty. Unbending in their commitment to our country – risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism. It is a fight we will not cease.’  
 
‘The three American service members we lost were patriots in the highest sense,’ the president said. ‘And their ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by our nation. Together, we will keep the sacred obligation we bear to their families. We will strive to be worthy of their honor and valor. We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism. And have no doubt – we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing.’ 

In the wake of the attack, Republicans condemned Biden’s perceived inaction so far and some went further accusing the president of appeasing Iran. 

‘Iran’s proxies have launched over 150 attacks on US troops since October, as the Iran-backed Houthis attack global shipping, and Iran-backed Hezbollah and Hamas attack our ally Israel. The Biden administration’s failed Middle East policy has destroyed our deterrence against adversaries in the Middle East. We need a major reset of our Middle East policy to protect our national security interests and restore deterrence,’ House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said. 

‘Enough is enough. The Biden administration’s appeasement of Iran must end. It’s time for clear and decisive action, and Iran must be held accountable for the malign activities of its proxies,’ Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital. 

‘It’s long past time for President Biden to finally hold the terrorist Iranian regime and their extremist proxies accountable for the attacks they’ve carried out against U.S. and coalition forces,’ Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said. 

Some 3,000 American troops typically are stationed in Jordan, according to The Associated Press. 

The unnamed U.S. officials cited in several reports say the attack happened at Tower 22, a small outpost in northeast Jordan located close to Al Tanf Garrison in southeastern Syria, where U.S. forces have collaborated with local partners combating Islamic State militants, the Jordanian government reportedly is claiming otherwise. 

Jordanian state television quoted Muhannad al Mubaidin, a government spokesman, as insisting the attack happened outside the kingdom across the border in Syria. 

Reuters also cited al Mubaidin as telling Jordanian public broadcaster al Mamlaka television that the attack had targeted the U.S. Al-Tanf base in Syria.

The conflicting information could not be immediately reconciled. 

Since Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip began, U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria have faced drone and missile attacks on their bases, but Sunday’s marked the first U.S. fatalities. 

Syria is still in the midst of a civil war and long has been a launch pad for Iranian-backed forces there, including the Lebanon-based terrorist organization Hezbollah. Iraq has multiple Iranian-backed Shiite militias operating there as well. Jordan, a staunch Western ally and a crucial power in Jerusalem for its oversight of holy sites there, is suspected of launching airstrikes in Syria to disrupt drug smugglers, including one that killed nine people earlier this month, according to the AP.

Fox News’ Sarah Tobianski and the Associated Press contributed to this report. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
Keep Reading
By
Sports

WWE Royal Rumble 2024 results: Cody Rhodes, Bayley win rumble matches

Who are the stars that will main-event WrestleMania?

The road to WWE’s premier event is officially underway after the 2024 Royal Rumble took place Saturday. WWE’s first premium live event of the year was highlighted by the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches, with the winner of each getting a championship shot at WrestleMania. 

There was also Roman Reigns putting his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship on the line in a fatal four-way match against Randy Orton, AJ Styles and LA Knight. Also, Logan Paul defended his United States Championship for the first time.

Here’s a recap of all the action from the 2024 Royal Rumble:

Men’s Royal Rumble match

Is the story almost finished? It could be.

Two of WWE’s biggest signings in recent years − Cody Rhodes and CM Punk − were the final two stars standing in the Royal Rumble match. They were both main event-worthy candidates, and they went back-and-forth in almost getting each other over the top rope.

When Punk looked to be closing in, Rhodes countered the GTS, and he was able to throw Punk over the top rope to win the Royal Rumble for the second straight year, guaranteeing himself another title shot at WrestleMania. Rhodes is the third person to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches, and first to do it since Stone Cold Steve Austin did it in 1997-98.

Now who will he face? It was clear; Rhodes pointed to Roman Reigns, who was in a suite, likely setting up another main event match between the two at WrestleMania 40.

All entrants for the men’s Royal Rumble match will be listed, as well as when/if they are eliminated.

No. 30: Sami Zayn

Eliminated by Drew McIntyre.

No. 29: Drew McIntyre

Eliminated by CM Punk.

No. 28: Ricochet

Eliminated by Drew McIntyre.

No. 27: CM Punk

Eliminated by Cody Rhodes.

No. 26: Damian Priest

Eliminated by Sami Zayn.

No. 25: The Miz

Eliminated by Gunther.

No. 24: R-Truth

Eliminated by Damian Priest.

No. 23: JD McDonagh

Eliminated by Jey Uso.

No. 22: Pat McAfee

The commentator gets up from the announcer’s table to get in the match. After seeing Bron Breakker and Omos, he eliminated himself in 38 seconds.

No. 21: Omos

Eliminated by Bron Breakker.

No. 20: Bron Breakker

Eliminated by Dominik Mysterio.

No. 19: Ivar

Eliminated by Bron Breakker.

No. 18: Gunther

Eliminated by Cody Rhodes.

No. 17: Kofi Kingston

Eliminated by Gunther.

No. 16: Bronson Reed

Eliminated by Omos.

No. 15: Cody Rhodes

Winner.

No. 14: Finn Bálor

Eliminated by Bron Breakker.

No. 13: Austin Theory

Eliminated by Cody Rhodes.

No. 12: Ludwig Kaiser

Eliminated by Kofi Kingston.

No. 11: Bobby Lashley

Eliminated by Karrion Kross interference.

No. 10: Carlito

Eliminated by Bobby Lashley.

No. 9: Dominik Mysterio

Eliminated by CM Punk.

No. 8: Karrion Kross

Eliminated by Bobby Lashley.

No. 7: Santos Escobar

Eliminated by Carlito.

No. 6: Shinsuke Nakamura

Eliminated by Cody Rhodes.

No. 5: Carmelo Hayes

Eliminated Finn Bálor.

No. 4: Andrade

Andrade returns to WWE after leaving the company in 2021. Eliminated by Bronson Reed.

No. 3: Grayson Waller

Eliminated by Carmelo Hayes.

No. 2: Jimmy Uso

The Uso brothers start the match against one another. Eliminated by Bron Breakker.

No. 1: Jey Uso

Eliminated by Gunther.

United States Championship match: Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens

The build-up to this match had been great with the on-air distaste between the two stars, and it featured quick back-and-forth action from the jump.

Owens had an impressive frog splash on Paul, but the champion kicked out. The roles were reversed a few moments later, and Owens was also able to kick out of the pin. Paul tried to suplex Owens off the top rope, but the challenger reversed it in a big fall for both competitors. Paul eventually landed the right-hand punch he had promised would take out Owens, but the challenger didn’t stay down and kicked out.

Paul then tried to sneak in another brass knuckle hit, but the referee caught it and had Paul’s friend escorted out. But Austin Theory and Grayson Waller came in as a distraction, and Theory was able to get the brass knuckles to Paul. Paul tried to land the punch, but Owens got the knuckles off and used them to his advantage. The punch landed, and Owens was set to be champion, but the referee caught the knuckles on Owens’ hand during the pin. The referee stopped the match by disqualifying Owens, and Paul retained his title.

A frustrated Owens didn’t let it slide, going back in the ring and unleashing an attack on Paul, sending him through the announcer’s table in what is sure to be just one chapter of this building rivalry.

Fatal four-way match for Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Randy Orton, AJ Styles and LA Knight

Could the Tribal Chief finally be dethroned?

All the challengers had it out for Reigns for months, and they wasted no time by going after him to start this heavyweight battle. The champion was able to get on offense, taking Styles up for an impressive drop. It didn’t last long, and all sides began to hit their finishers, including LA Knight executing a BFT on Reigns, and Styles hitting a Styles Clash on the champion, but both pins got broken up. Randy Orton hit three straight RKOs, ending with Reigns, and when he went for the pin, Solo Sikoa came out and stopped the referee from counting to three.

Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on LA Knight and Orton, and tried to take out Styles before he ran into the barricade. Styles then landed the Phenomenal Forearm on Reigns and tried to pin all three stars but they kicked out.

Late in the match, LA Knight took out Orton and had the momentum to hit a BFT on Reigns. But Reigns pushed LA Knight out of it and it resulted it taking Styles out on the ropes. Reigns hit the Superman punch on LA Knight, then hit Styles with the spear and pinned him to retain his title.

Women’s Royal Rumble match

Sixty-three minutes and three seconds.

It took over an hour, but Bayley went from No. 3 to the winner of the women’s Royal Rumble match. There were several great spots in the match, but the final three came down to Bayley, Jade Cargill and Liv Morgan.

All three ended up on the edge of the ring, and Morgan and Bayley tried to get the powerhouse Cargill out of the match. It took several attempts, but Morgan was able to eliminate Cargill, but Bayley seized the moment by taking out Morgan before she could even realize it and winning her first Royal Rumble match while also breaking the record of longest time in the ring for a women’s match.

Bayley will now get to challenge Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, or possibly, go after fellow Damage CTRL member and WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky. Regardless, Damage CTRL now stands on top of the women’s division.

All entrants for the women’s Royal Rumble match will be listed, as well as when/if they are eliminated.

No. 30: Liv Morgan

Liv Morgan returns from injury.

Eliminated by Bayley.

No. 29: Tiffany Stratton

Eliminated by Bianca Belair.

No. 28: Jade Cargill

She has finally arrived.

Jade Cargill has made her first in-ring appearance after she signed with WWE in September.

Eliminated by Liv Morgan.

No. 27: Roxanne Perez

Eliminated by Tiffany Stratton.

No. 26: Zoey Stark

Eliminated by several stars.

No. 25: Michin

Eliminated by Nia Jax.

R-Truth appears

Classic R-Truth.

Known to be confused over matches, R-Truth showed up and was confused as to where the guys were at. Then Nia Jax threw him over.

No. 24: Valhalla

Eliminated by Nia Jax in five seconds.

No. 23: Shayna Baszler

Eliminated by Nia Jax.

No. 22: Alba Fyre

Eliminated by Naomi.

No. 21: Becky Lynch

Eliminated by Jade Cargill.

No. 20: Shotzi

Eliminated by Nia Jax.

No. 19: Nia Jax

Eliminated by Jade Cargill.

No. 18: Maxxine Dupri

Eliminated by Bayley.

No. 17: Zelina Vega

Eliminated by Shayna Baszler.

No. 16: Xia Li

Eliminated by Nia Jax.

No. 15: Piper Niven

Eliminated by Nia Jax.

No. 14: Chelsea Green

Eliminated by Becky Lynch.

No. 13: Kayden Carter

Eliminated by Piper Niven.

No. 12: Tegan Nox

Eliminated by Bayley.

No. 11: Kairi Sane

Eliminated by Kayden Carter and Katana Chance.

No. 10: Bianca Belair

Eliminated by Tiffany Stratton.

No. 9: Katana Chance

Eliminated by Nia Jax.

No. 8: Ivy Nile

Eliminated by Nia Jax.

No. 7: Asuka

Eliminated by Kayden Carter and Katana Chance.

No. 6: Indi Hartwell

Eliminated by Bayley.

No. 5: Jordynne Grace

Another surprise, Grace is currently TNA Knockouts Champion.

Eliminated by Bianca Belair.

No. 4: Candice LeRae

Eliminated by Damage CTRL.

No. 3: Bayley

Winner.

No. 2: Naomi

The first surprise of the Royal Rumble is Naomi, making her return to WWE after departing the company in May 2022.

Eliminated by Jade Cargill.

No. 1: Natalya

Eliminated by Tegan Nox.

Pat McAfee returns

The ESPN star is back in WWE.

Just like last year, Pat McAfee showed up to the Royal Rumble to serve as a special commentator for Saturday’s event. He previously was a commentator on ‘Smackdown’ in 2022.

What time is Royal Rumble 2024?

The 2024 Royal Rumble is Saturday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. ET.

Where is Royal Rumble 2024?

The 2024 Royal Rumble will be at Tropicana Field − home of the Tampa Bay Rays − in St. Petersburg, Florida.

How to watch Royal Rumble 2024

The event can be streamed on Peacock, but you must have their premium or premium-plus subscription to watch. Internationally, it will be available on WWE Network.

Royal Rumble 2024 match card

Matches not in order

Men’s Royal Rumble match
Women’s Royal Rumble match
United States Championship match: Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens
Fatal four-way match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. LA Knight

Royal Rumble 2024 predictions

Men’s Royal Rumble match winner: CM Punk
Women’s Royal Rumble match winner: Bayley
United States Championship match: Logan Paul (c) defeats Kevin Owens
Fatal four-way match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) defeats Randy Orton, AJ Styles and LA Knight

Who’s in the men’s Royal Rumble match?

Heading into Saturday, 21 of the 30 participants have been announced. They are:

Cody Rhodes
CM Punk
Shinsuke Nakamura
Bobby Lashley
Drew McIntyre
Gunther
Damian Priest
Kofi Kingston
Chad Gable
Otis
Akira Tozawa
Santos Escobar
R-Truth
Carlito
Grayson Waller
Austin Theory
Jimmy Uso
Dominik Mysterio
Finn Bálor
JD McDonagh
Ivar

Who’s in the women’s Royal Rumble match?

Going into Saturday, 11 women have been confirmed to be in the match. They are:

Bayley
Nia Jax
Becky Lynch
Bianca Belair
Maxxine Dupri
Ivy Nile
Alba Fyre
Shotzi
Zelina Vega
Michin
Valhalla

How does the Royal Rumble match work?

The 30-person match starts off with two entrants, and every 90 seconds, another competitor enters the match.

The only way to be eliminated from the match is to be thrown over the top rope of the ring and both feet hit the floor. If only one foot hits the floor, the competitor may re-enter the ring. The match goes until there is one person remaining in the ring that hasn’t been eliminated. The winner of the match then gets a guaranteed championship match at WrestleMania.

Men’s Royal Rumble history

The match first took place in 1988 – with “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan winning the inaugural event – and it’s been held every year since. Here are the list of winners:

1988: “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
1989: Big John Studd
1990: Hulk Hogan
1991: Hulk Hogan (second win)
1992: Ric Flair
1993: Yokozuna
1994: Lex Luger and Bret Hart
1995: Shawn Michaels
1996: Shawn Michaels (second win)
1997: Stone Cold Steve Austin
1998: Stone Cold Steve Austin (second win)
1999: Vince McMahon
2000: The Rock
2001: Stone Cold Steve Austin (third win)
2002: Triple H
2003: Brock Lesnar
2004: Chris Benoit
2005: Batista
2006: Rey Mysterio
2007: The Undertaker
2008: John Cena
2009: Randy Orton
2010: Edge
2011: Alberto Del Rio
2012: Sheamus
2013: John Cena (second win)
2014: Batista (second win)
2015: Roman Reigns
2016: Triple H (second win)
2017: Randy Orton (second win)
2018: Shinsuke Nakamura
2019: Seth Rollins
2020: Drew McIntyre
2021: Edge (second win) 
2022: Brock Lesnar (second win)
2023: Cody Rhodes

Women’s Royal Rumble history

The women’s Royal Rumble match was introduced in 2018, with Asuka winning the first edition. Here are the list of winners:

2018: Asuka
2019: Becky Lynch
2020: Charlotte Flair 
2021: Bianca Belair
2022: Ronda Rousey
2023: Rhea Ripley

Best number to enter the Royal Rumble?

Save the best for last when it comes to the men’s match; five winners have come in at No. 30, the most of any entry number. All of the wins have happened since 2007. The second most is No. 27 with four wins and No. 1 and No. 24 with three wins. Nos. 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17, 20, 21 and 26 have never been winners.

The later numbers have been most successful, with 22 of the 37 winners (59.4%) coming in at least No. 22 or later. 

On the women’s side, No. 28 has been the most successful with it being the only entrant number with two wins (2019, 2022).

How successful are Royal Rumble winners at WrestleMania?

The concept of the Royal Rumble winner earning a title shot at WrestleMania wasn’t introduced until the 1993 event. 

Since then, the winner in the men’s match has mostly been successful in capturing a title at the flagship event, going 16-14 in those matches for a 53.3% success rate. However, the winners are on a losing streak, with the past three – Edge, Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes – all losing to Roman Reigns.

The women winners have been very successful in the short match history. Royal Rumble victors are 4-2 in WrestleMania matches, including Rhea Ripley last year.

Royal Rumble surprises: Who will return?

The Royal Rumble is known for being the event where surprise entrants happen, usually stars of the past or newly signed talent. WWE has gone through great lengths to keep its surprise entrants from being spoiled, so the public doesn’t know who could show up Saturday. But here are popular candidates to possibly enter the match:

The Rock
Sasha Banks
Naomi
Jade Cargill
Liv Morgan
Gable Steveson
Andrade

WrestleMania 40 sign goes up

The road to WrestleMania wouldn’t officially begin until the WrestleMania 40 sign was put up, and it’ll be hanging inside Tropicana Field, where the winner of the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble match will point to signal their upcoming championship opportunity.

Bayley, Damage CTRL continue to rise 

When WWE star Bayley returned from injury at SummerSlam 2022, she brought back Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky to form Damage CTRL, hoping to help the former NXT talents make a name for themselves on the main roster.

A year and a half later, even with some bumps on the road, the faction has continued to elevate themselves into a dominant stable, capturing tag team gold twice. And Sky is the current WWE Women’s Champion. As if the group needed more firepower, it now features some decorated stars with the addition Asuka and Kairi Sane, who captured the Women’s Tag Team Championship on Friday. 

It’s been a long journey for the now five-women group, and there were even times when Bayley, the de facto leader of Damage CTRL, wondered if success was on the horizon. But now, the three-time women’s champion is “very proud” of what the group has accomplished heading into Saturday’s big Royal Rumble.

“There was rough times where we were just like, alright, maybe this isn’t gonna be exactly all we hoped for,” Bayley told USA TODAY Sports. “I’m proud of what Damage CTRL has brought to the women’s division.”

− Read more about Bayley and Damage CTRLhere.

Bianca Belair continues to break barriers

Being on the cover of WWE 2K24 isn’t the only thing Bianca Belair has achieved as a groundbreaking wrestling star. 

When she defeated Sasha Banks for the Smackdown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 37, it marked the first time two Black women headlined WWE’s flagship event. A three-time champion and previous Royal Rumble winner, Belair also has one of the longest women’s title reigns in the past 20 years. 

And if her star power in the ring wasn’t enough, her and husband Montez Ford have become such major celebrities they will be starring in their own reality show, airing next month. She also mentioned her husband had spent the past two years speaking it into existence that she’d appear on the cover of the video game.

With all that’s going right for Belair, she’s hoping the high she’s on right now will translate into a successful road to WrestleMania, which begins with Royal Rumble on Saturday.

“I think I’ve set the tone that I am a history maker, that I’m breaking barriers, so I will love to become the first woman to ever win the Royal Rumble twice and go to WrestleMania,” Belair said.

− Read more about Bianca Belairhere.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By
Sports

LeBron outduels Steph with triple-double as Lakers win in double-OT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Back and forth they went, one-upping the other, two of the greatest to ever play each believing he could will his team to win. Step-back 3s, fadeaway jumpers, drives and dishes. Two overtimes.

LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry. At their finest.

And at the very end, James made a pair of free throws with 1.2 seconds left to cap his triple-double of 36 points, career-high 20 rebounds and 12 assists, outdueling Curry as the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Golden State Warriors 145-144 on Saturday night.

“It’s something I’ll be able to talk about with my grandkids, talk about me being able to compete with one of the greatest players to ever play the game,” James said. “So hopefully I can be cool with my grandkids at that point, for sure.”

Curry danced through the paint for a layup that sent the game to overtime. He knocked down a 3-pointer high over Anthony Davis in the second overtime for a lead.

James scored the first points of a second extra session and found D’Angelo Russell the next time down for a 3.

“Every year we get to do this, the back-and-forth battles, all the Finals runs, to the playoffs last year, after the horn sounded tonight there was a little laugh of we can’t like imagine a scenario where a game like tonight happens, his year, what, 21, and my year 15,” Curry said. “All the other guys in the league who have been doing it 15-plus years, KD (Kevin Durant), CP (Chris Paul), it’s insane.

“You look forward to the battles, but you also appreciate the mutual respect of what it takes to keep doing what you’re doing at this level because only a few people know how hard it is. I’m happy to be in that group.”

According to ESPN, Saturday’s game marked the first time opposing players at least 35 years old each scored at least 35 points.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham had to stay focused as he sat close-up to witness the greatness.

“Oh, man,” he exhaled afterward.

“Just trying to control myself first and foremost as a basketball fan,” he said. “They should be real happy in New York, this was a hell of a basketball game, a high-level basketball game. Two legends going back and forth, two great organizations. It was fun to be a part of. It’s just one of those wins where it showed our character. Our group is really coming together.”

Curry hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds left in the second OT and sunk the one over Davis with 1:22 to go on the way to 46 points with a season-high nine 3s.

Russell connected from deep with 53 seconds left in the second OT and also hit another earlier in the period after also making two 3-pointers late in regulation on the way to 28 points.

James scored 12 points in the two OT periods and recorded his third triple-double of the season and 110th of his career. Davis added 29 points and 13 rebounds.

Klay Thompson hit a tying 3 with 5.9 seconds remaining in the initial overtime and another late in the second extra period before fouling out with 1:14 left in Golden State’s first double-OT game since a 143-141 victory against Atlanta on Jan. 2, 2023.

Davis returned after an injury scare in the third. He made a pair of free throws with 29 seconds to go in regulation, then missed the first of two with 14.7 seconds left – giving Golden State the ball down 118-116. Curry drove through the paint for a tying layup with just under 6 seconds left to force overtime.

These star-studded teams played another thrilling game after the Lakers beat the Warriors in a six-game Western Conference semifinals last year.

Los Angeles hit 38 of 43 free throws, while the Warriors attempted only 16 – and they didn’t like that.

“I might comment on the free throws that they shot, but my mom is here right now and I want to be on my best behavior so I’m not going to comment on their 43 free throws to our 16,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I’m not going to comment on Steph shooting three free throws in 43 minutes.”

Curry notched his second straight game with six or more 3s and third in five and also his fifth consecutive game with 25 or more points. It was his third 40-point performance this season and 65th of his career.

James and Davis combined to shoot 14 for 19 in the first half and wound up 25 of 49 for the night and contributed to a 55-50 rebounding edge.

The Warriors scored a season high 144 points and their 23 3-pointers were a season best. Golden State used its 15th starting lineup – with Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga on the floor for the opening tip together for the first time this season.

This was a second straight heartbreaking defeat for the Warriors after losing 134-133 to Sacramento on Thursday night in another 2023 playoff rematch. The Warriors eliminated the Kings in Game 7 of their first-round matchup.

Kuminga followed up his career-best 31-point performance Thursday with 22 points and has scored 20 or more points in a career-best six straight games.

UP NEXT

Lakers: At Houston on Monday night to start a back-to-back on the road with a game at Atlanta on Tuesday.

Warriors: Host the 76ers on Tuesday night.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By
Sports

Why 76ers’ Joel Embiid missed fourth consecutive game at Denver

DENVER (AP) — This matinee was no marquee, not with one of its co-stars missing again.

The Denver Nuggets fended off the gritty, short-handed Philadelphia 76ers 111-105 on Saturday behind 26 points and 16 rebounds from Nikola Jokic, who was again denied his rematch with fellow MVP contender Joel Embiid.

Philadelphia’s star center missed the Sixers’ game at Denver for a fourth consecutive season after the team’s medical staff determined he shouldn’t play on his balky left knee.

Denying hoops fans another marquee matchup between the last two NBA MVPs, the Sixers scratched Embiid minutes before tipoff after he grimaced through his warmups.

“He really wanted to play, and the medical team did not deem him fit to play today,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said. “That’s too bad for those fans. That’s too bad.”

Nuggets coach Michael Malone was miffed by the late nature of Embiid’s scratch.

“We found out very late and again, I don’t know how you go from being active/available to out,” Malone said. “And I’m sure the league will do their due diligence because that’s frowned upon. We’ve had situations this year where we’ve talked to the league and they told us if a player goes from being active to out, there’s going to be an investigation.”

Embiid tweaked his troublesome left knee against the Pacers on Thursday night, but he wasn’t listed on the injury report Saturday.

“I’m sure he is hurt,” Malone said. “But it’s just really tough on the (opponent) preparing for them and then all of a sudden, last minute, he’s out.

‘But, we have to do a better job of handling those situations.”

Embiid was preparing to play without much of his supporting cast as Tyrese Maxey (ankle), Tobias Harris (illness) and Mo Bamba (knee) were all ruled out well before he was.

Counting Embiid, that’s 84 points of scoring averages that the Sixers were missing. But the tired Nuggets, coming off a season-long 12-day East Coast swing, couldn’t shake the Sixers until the closing minutes.

Jamal Murray scored 23 points for Denver and Michael Porter Jr. had 20. Paul Reed led Philadelphia with a career-best 30 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 25.

Jokic didn’t want to dwell on Embiid’s latest absence on the Ball Arena court, saying Reed deserved the airtime instead for his spectacular performance.

Besides, Jokic said, what Embiid is doing this season is absolutely breathtaking.

“He’s putting history right now in front of our eyes, and he’s making it look so easy,” Jokic said.

Embiid is averaging 36 points and 11.4 rebounds, and Malone said 90 minutes before the game that the Sixers’ All-Star center has become “really unguardable.”

That is, when he’s not unavailable — which is sometimes the case, especially in Denver, where he hasn’t played since Nov. 8, 2019.

Embiid has missed 11 games this season and because of the NBA’s new rules he can only miss six more to remain eligible for the league’s awards. That includes MVP, which he won last year for the first time while denying Jokic a third consecutive such honor.

Embiid and Jokic have jockeyed for MVP front-runner status each of the last four seasons, including this one. Each has been runner-up when the other won the award.

In the Sixers’ 126-121 win over the Nuggets on Jan. 16, Embiid had 41 points and 10 assists to Jokic’s 25 points and 19 rebounds but complimented Jokic afterward as the game’s best player and congratulated him on leading Denver to its first NBA title last summer.

Embiid was mocked last year with “Missing Person” signs in the stands at Ball Arena after he sat out the Sixers’ game in Denver with a sore right calf, leading to accusations he was ducking Jokic. When the crowd realized he wasn’t playing Saturday, chants of “Where’s Embiid?” broke out as the Nuggets jumped out to a 13-4 lead.

“I think everybody was like, ‘Oh, yeah, this is going to be a cakewalk today,’’ Malone said. “Well, it wasn’t a cakewalk. This was a tough, tough win.’

Embiid was street clothes and cheering on his teammates courtside by game’s end, but he wasn’t around afterward in the locker room to talk about his latest absence.

UP NEXT

76ers: Visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.

Nuggets: Host the Bucks in Doc Rivers’ Milwaukee coaching debut Monday night.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By
Sports

Iowa vs. Nebraska highlights: Caitlin Clark drops 38 in Hawkeyes win

Ho hum, another day, another 30-point game for Caitlin Clark. 

The reigning national player of the year, Clark has never scored less than 30 against Nebraska . And it was more of the same Saturday, as she dropped 38 points, also grabbing 10 rebounds, dishing six assists and tallying two steals in No. 5 Iowa’s 92-73 win. She connected on 8-of-15 3-point attempts during the game.

She scored 28 in the second half alone, which she told the Big Ten Network was a result of playing with “more intensity, more emotion and more pride.” She also credited the way Iowa moved the ball in the second half, which helped the Hawkeyes total 20 assists. 

With another dominant performance, Clark also moved closer to setting a new NCAA career scoring record, and is now just five points away from passing Jackie Stiles.

Here’s how everything unfolded on Saturday in Iowa City:

Final: Iowa 92, Nebraska 73

Three players scored in double figures led by — who else? — Caitlin Clark, who finished with 38. She also grabbed 10 rebounds to tally the 53rd double-double of her career. Kate Martin chipped in 16, and Sydney Affolter had 12 off the bench. Iowa hit 12 3s in the win (eight from Clark) and recorded 20 assists. 

Though the win gets Iowa back on track after last week’s upset at Ohio State, the Hawkeyes were out rebounded 40-31 though, which means there’s still room for improvement. 

5:00 4Q: Iowa 73, Nebraska 61

Is Caitlin Clark about to set another record? 

Clark has 33 points already, which means she’s just 10 away from moving past Jackie Stiles on the all-time women’s scoring list. She’s also hit eight 3-pointers, and her career-high is nine. 

End of 3Q: Iowa 63, Nebraska 49

There’s just no stopping Clark, and slowing her down isn’t easy, either. 

Clark leads the nation with 5.2 3-pointers per game — she particularly loves going to the left — and she’s already got six with 10 minutes left to play. Her stat line through the first 30 minutes: 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Kate Martin is also in double figures with 15, and has shot 6-of-8 so far today. 

On the other bench, Markowski has cooled considerably, though she does have 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

6:53 3Q: Iowa 48, Nebraska 35

And just like that, Iowa has a 13-point lead. It’s the Hawkeyes’ largest lead of the game.

Back-to-back 3s from Clark — part of Iowa’s streak of connecting on four of its last four field goal attempts — has given the Hawkeyes some breathing room. Clark is up to 18 points (about 13 away from her average) and Nebraska needs a timeout. 

Halftime: Iowa 36, Nebraska 31

Clark drained a 3 at the buzzer (what else is new?) and Iowa ends the half on a 9-0 run to take a 36-31 lead into the locker room. Clark already has 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and the Hawkeyes are shooting 45% (13-of-29) from the field. Kate Martin has eight points and Sydney Affolter has seven off the bench. 

For the Huskers, 6-foot-3 center Alexis Markowski already has eight points and eight rebounds. (She is one of only two Big Ten players averaging a double-double this season.)

Is Caitlin Clark a senior? 

Yes, Clark is a senior … but she could come back next year and be a super senior if she wants. 

Though she’s projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, she could return to Iowa City next season. Because Clark was a freshman in the 2020-21 season, she has a COVID year (basically, that season didn’t count toward anyone’s eligibility).  

4:29 2Q: Iowa 22, Nebraska 19

After a couple more scores from Clark — including a tough drive and finish — she’s already got seven points and five rebounds. It’s just crazy how  quickly she can stuff a stat sheet. 

Meanwhile, Nebraska has turned the ball over four times in the last 3:21. Not the way to upset Iowa. 

End of 1st quarter: Iowa 14, Nebraska 11

Back-to-back baskets by Jaz Shelley, Nebraska’s best all-around player, late in the quarter has helped Nebraska get going, and the Huskers only trail by three to start the second period. 

Clark picked up a foul in the first quarter, and spent the last couple minutes on the bench, but buckets from both Molly Davis and Gabby Marshall, Clark’s backcourt partners, helped Iowa maintain its lead. With Clark back on the floor to start the second quarter, don’t be surprised if there’s an offensive explosion. 

4:54 1Q: Iowa 9, Nebraska 0

Not exactly the start you want if you’re the Cornhuskers. 

Nebraska missed its first eight shots from the field, allowing Iowa to jump out to a 9-0 run. And Clark only has three points — but she’s also already got four rebounds and two assists. 

Iowa is so tough in transition, especially when Clark is leading the break. For as terrific a scorer as she is, Clark is easily the best passer in college basketball, a skill that’s often overlooked. 

How tall is Caitlin Clark? 

Clark, a senior, is 6-foot. Big guards have become more common in women’s basketball the last decade or so, and Clark’s size absolutely helps her because she’s able to see over defenders on the break and helps her get vertical separation when she goes up for a shot. 

Also of note: Clark, who’s pretty thin, worked hard last summer to put on eight pounds of muscle and that has made a huge difference in her game, particularly when she drives to the rim. 

Iowa vs. Nebraska: Time, TV for Hawkeyes-Cornhuskers

The women’s college basketball game between the No. 5 Iowa Hawkeyes and Nebraska Cornhuskers is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET in Iowa City, airing on Big Ten Network.

Clark-mania: A look at how much Caitlin Clark fans travel and spend to watch the Iowa star

By now you’ve probably heard that Iowa All-American Caitlin Clark, the reigning national player of the year, has a tendency to sell out any arena she plays in. But for a closer look at #Clarkonomics — as ESPN analyst Debbie Antonelli has termed it — USA TODAY reporter Jim Sergent worked up a graphic look at just how much Iowa fans will spend and how far they’ll travel to see Clark in person. The numbers are telling, to say the least.

Iowa looks to bounce back after loss to Ohio State

IOWA CITY — De facto bye weeks inside the grueling Big Ten season are all about timing and what precedes them. For No. 5 Iowa women’s basketball, five days in between games was a welcomed reset following a hectic weekend.

‘The mood of the team is actually pretty good,’ Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder said Friday. ‘They’re very excited to get out on the floor again. We had a couple days off, which was really kind of nice with the start of the new (semester).

‘Sometimes I don’t really like a bye week after a loss because you’ve got to sit on it for so long. But I think when you have time to sit on it too, you process it a little bit more and don’t just move on right away from it.’

There was a lot to process after Sunday’s 100-92 overtime loss to then-No. 15 Ohio State, which marked the Hawkeyes’ first stumble in two months and first road defeat of the season. Then came the avalanche of distractions following Caitlin Clark’s postgame collision with a Buckeyes fan and additional social-media criticism the Hawkeyes (18-2, 7-1 Big Ten Conference) had to endure.

Easy to see why a break was beneficial.

– Dargan Southard, Des Moines Register

Caitlin Clark stats

Points shy of breaking Kelsey Plum’s women’s scoring record: 177
Points shy of breaking Pete Maravich’s all-time record: 317
2023-24 stats: 31.7 points per game, 7 rebounds, 7.7 assists

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By
Sports

Former NBA All-Star taking his talents to Taiwan to make bubble tea

Four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins is getting acclimated to his latest job with the Taiwan Beer Leopards.

The 33-year-old center was recently spotted by Taiwanese news outlet CNA making bubble tea for fans at a small shop in the Xinyi District of Taipei. Cousins wore the full uniform for the 19 Tea House Yongji Store and made 100 cups of what he called ‘DeMarcus Cousins Bubble Tea.’

The store scheduled the event for Friday morning and dozens of basketball fans arrived that morning for a chance to see the Taiwan T1 League’s newest star. Cousins handed out the free tea and the fans seemed satisfied.

‘So far the review is seeming to be good,’ Cousins told CNA. ‘Seeing people enjoy it, I’m very excited that I was able to create success at my first time. It’s a cool thing.’

Demarcus Cousins stats with Taiwan Beer Leopards, NBA

In his first action last Saturday against Tainan GH, Cousins posted 13 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a 119-90 win. He followed that a day later with a game-high 25 points, 17 rebounds, and four assists in the Beer Leopards’ 105-85 win over N. Taipei CTBC. After the final two home games this weekend, the team and Cousins will determine whether or not to sign a longer-term deal.

Cousins is the latest former NBA star to take his talents to the Beer Leopards. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard played the entire 2022-23 season with the team and earned multiple T1 League honors, including Most Valuable Import and All-Star Game MVP.

Cousins last played in the NBA in the 2021-22 season with the Denver Nuggets. He played in 31 games for Denver and averaged 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He played for the Guaynabo Mets of the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional league prior to coming to Taiwan.

Since moving to Taiwan, Cousins told CNA he’s become a big fan of beef noodles and is getting more familiar with local culture.

‘[Fans in Taiwan] are very welcoming, very hospitable,’ he said. ‘You make me feel like I’m right at home, you make this transition very very easy for me.’

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By
Sports

Ovechkin, chasing Gretzky goal record, ends another long drought

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin’s goals have been less frequent this season as he chases all-time leader Wayne Gretzky and tries to break a record once thought unbreakable.

But Saturday afternoon, he ended another long goal drought, which had extended on either side of a three-game injury absence.

Gretzky, who played from 1979-99, leads the way with 894 regular-season NHL goals. Ovechkin, 38,who passed Gordie Howe last season to move into second place, has 831 goals and needs 64 more for the record. He’s behind the pace but has two years left on his contract after this season.

Here’s where he stands in his chase of Gretzky’s goal record:

How many goals does Alex Ovechkin have this season?

Ovechkin needs to average 24 goals a season during his current contract to tie Gretzky’s record. With nine goals in the Capitals’ first 47 games, he is on pace for about 16.

What did Alex Ovechkin do in the Capitals’ last game?

Jan. 27: He had a goal and an assist, plus four shots in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars. The third period goal was scored on a 6-on-4 power play. He scored from outside his usual office in the left faceoff circle and on a slapshot, not a one-timer.

How is Alex Ovechkin’s season going?

The goal droughts have been atypical for him. Ovechkin had no shots on goal in consecutive games for the first time in his career and only two goals in his first 12 games. He scored three goals over his next three games before going through a career-worst 14-game drought. He went another three games without a goal before scoring in back-to-back games on Dec. 30 and Jan. 2. He had no goals in the eight games surrounding his three-game absence before scoring on Saturday. But he’s tied for first on the Capitals with 31 points in 44 games.

The Capitals’ power play, which is missing injured Nicklas Backstrom, is 28th in the league. Ovechkin, the all-time leader in power-play goals, has four this season.

When do Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals play next?

The Capitals’ next game is Feb. 6 against the Montreal Canadiens in their first game after the All-Star break. Ovechkin has 37 goals in 56 career games vs. the Canadiens.

Who are the NHL’s top all-time goal scorers?

The top 20 NHL all-time goal scorers have all topped 600 goals. All are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, except Ovechkin and Jaromir Jagr, who has suited up this season in the Czech Republic.

1. Wayne Gretzky,  894 goals in 1,487 games

2. Alex Ovechkin, 831 goals in 1,391 games

3. Gordie Howe, 801 goals in 1,767 games

4. Jaromir Jagr, 766 goals in 1,733 games

5. Brett Hull, 741 goals in 1,269 games

6. Marcel Dionne, 731 in 1,348 games

7. Phil Esposito, 717 goals in 1,282 games

8. Mike Gartner, 708 goals in 1,432 games

9. Mark Messier, 694 goals in 1,756 games

10. Steve Yzerman, 692 goals in 1,514 games

11. Mario Lemieux, 690 goals in 915 games

12. Teemu Selanne, 684 goals in 1,451 games

13. Luc Robitaille, 668 goals in 1,431 games

14. Brendan Shanahan, 656 goals in 1,524 games

15. Dave Andreychuk, 640 goals in 1,639 games

16. Jarome Iginla, 625 goals in 1,554 games

17. Joe Sakic, 625 goals in 1,378 games

18. Bobby Hull, 610 goals in 1,063 games

19. Dino Ciccarelli, 608 goals in 1,232 games

20. Jari Kurri, 601 goals in 1,251 games

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By
Sports

Oilers keep winning, are one short of NHL record

EDMONTON, Alberta – Connor McDavid had a goal and three assists and the Edmonton Oilers picked up their 16th consecutive victory to move within one of tying the NHL record, beating the Nashville Predators 4-1 on Saturday.

Edmonton will attempt to tie the record set by the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins when its returns from the All-Star break to play at the Vegas Golden Knights on Feb. 6. The Oilers matched the 2016-17 Columbus Blue Jackets for the second-longest streak.

“It’s exciting, obviously it’s a great run, obviously the goalies have played great,” McDavid said. “This past week wasn’t our best hockey and we found a way to get three wins, which is a great sign. We’ve gotten great goaltending, the back end has been good, the kill has been amazing, those are all good things.”

Leon Draisaitl each had a goal and two assists, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman also scored and Stuart Skinner made 28 saves to help Edmonton improve to 29-15-1. The Oilers are 24-3-0 in their last 27 and have a franchise-record streak of 14 games without allowing more than two goals.

“It’s special,” Draisaitl said. “It takes a lot of good efforts and a lot of good games to get to that number. We have been a bit sloppy the last three games but have obviously had some individual performances that have gotten us the wins. You need that sometimes too. It’s been a great stretch for us.”

Colton Sissons scored for Nashville. The Predators have lost three of four.

“I thought we outplayed them, but unfortunately it doesn’t matter when you don’t get two points,” Sissons said. “It still hurts.”

Edmonton opened the scoring on a power play at 7:55 of the first period. Nugent-Hopkins slid into the high slot and took a feed from Draisaitl before unleashing a quick wrist shot that beat goalie Kevin Lankinen for his 12th goal of the season.

The Oilers’ power play came through again with 8:21 left in the second. McDavid sent it across to Draisaitl for a one-timer and his 23rd. The goal was Draisaitl’s 800th career point, making him the fourth-fastest player to reach the milestone, doing so in 683 games.

McDavid made it 3-0 at 9:12 of the third. He swung behind the net and banked the puck off of Lankinen’s backside from behind the goal line for his 20th.

Sissons ended Skinner’s shutout bid with 6:33 during a scramble in front of the net, the first goal allowed by Edmonton in 158 minutes. Skinner is 19-2 in his last 21 starts.

“It’s been a lot of fun being able to be on the back end of these things,” Skinner said. “We did everything we could to keep the puck out of our net.”

Hyman capped the scoring with an empty-netter for his 30th of the season.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By