This week marks the one-third mark of the 2024 NFL season. Through five games, some teams and players have outperformed expectations while others have fallen short. The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs are 5-0, as are the Minnesota Vikings. Popular playoff picks Cincinnati and the Los Angeles Rams are both 1-4 to start the year due to different issues.

As we reach Week 6, the NFL MVP race continues to change. Favorites have dropped while younger players have made their way up the order. Here’s how the top five look – with odds from BetMGM – ahead of Week 6.

NFL MVP rankings by odds: Week 6

Odds as of Friday.

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5. QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (+1000)

The early frontrunner for NFL Rookie of the Year is now a top-five MVP candidate. Daniels leads the league in completion percentage (77.1%) with eight total touchdowns (four rushing, four passing) to just two interceptions. He isn’t settling for short throws, though, with an average throw depth of 7.1 yards per Sports Information Solutions (SIS) data. That’s tied for 16th among starting quarterbacks league-wide.

This week is likely his toughest test of the season against the Baltimore Ravens’ defense. If he plays well and wins on Sunday, his odds could improve.

4. QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+750)

Allen was an early frontrunner for the award after Buffalo’s 3-0 start to the season. Consecutive losses to Baltimore (35-10) and Houston (23-20) have dropped him down to fourth.

Buffalo’s offense struggled without top receiver Khalil Shakir in the two losses. Allen continues to avoid mistakes – he’s the only full-time starting quarterback in the NFL without an interception – but needs Shakir back to give the offense an advantage, otherwise he’ll be stuck with difficult throws for much of his Sundays.

T-2. QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (+650)

Jackson and the Ravens’ offense is rounding into form since Week 2. Over the last three games, Baltimore is averaging 467 yards on offense and 36 points per game. They’ve become the top rushing attack and the No. 2 scoring offense in the NFL behind the dual threat of Jackson and Derrick Henry.

Jackson is improving as a passer in 2024. He’s on pace for a career-high in net yards per attempt and a career low in sack percentage. The Ravens have a chance to put up lots of yards and points again this week against Washington. If Jackson has another strong performance, he could inch closer to the top spot.

T-2. QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (+650)

Stroud powered the Texans to a win last week despite missing leading wide receiver Nico Collins for much of the game. Collins is out for at least the next four weeks with a hamstring injury but Houston still has Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell at the position to help.

Stroud’s completion percentage and yards per game is already up from last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year-winning campaign. Houston has road games in the next two weeks, starting Sunday against New England. Two wins could close the gap to the top even more.

1. QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+240)

At the start of the season, the Chiefs starting 5-0 and Mahomes leading the MVP rankings seemed like a likely scenario. But it is a bit surprising considering he leads the league in interceptions with six and is currently on pace for a career-low in yards per game and quarterback rating as well as a career-high in sack percentage.

But Mahomes is completing a career-best 69.4% of his passes and the Chiefs offense is making enough plays to stay ahead in crucial moments. They’re off this week but go on the road for a Super Bowl rematch against the 49ers in Week 7. A win won’t likely change his odds much; a loss likely would drop him the rankings.

Next five: QB Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (+1300); QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (+1500); QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (+1600); QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (+2000); QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (+2800)

The decisive game of the American League Division Series between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers has been rescheduled to a new time on Saturday.

The Guardians announced Friday, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, that first pitch for Game 5 at Progressive Field in Cleveland has been moved up to 1:08 p.m. ET due to impending inclement weather expected in the area by Saturday evening. The forecast for Cleveland calls for showers beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday and continuing into Sunday, according to The Weather Channel. The elimination game was originally slated to begin at 8:08 p.m. ET.

The winner will advance to face the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series beginning Monday at Yankee Stadium.

The Guardians forced Game 5 with a 5-4 win in Detroit on Thursday night that featured home runs by Jose Ramirez and David Fry. Both teams split home games to begin the series.

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Cleveland could turn to veteran starting pitcher Matthew Boyd, who spent eight seasons in Detroit, or just rely on its strong bullpen in Saturday’s game. The Tigers are expected to use AL Cy Young Award candidate Tarik Skubal. He has a 24-inning scoreless streak dating to the regular season, including seven scoreless innings thrown in a Game 2 win over the Guardians.

Tigers-Guardians ALDS Game 5: TV channel, streaming info

Game 5 of the American League Division Series between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians is scheduled to begin at 1:08 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on TBS. You can also stream Game 5 on Max or through Sling TV.

Watch Guardians vs. Tigers Game 5 on Sling TV

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The New York Jets took many by surprise Tuesday when they fired coach Robert Saleh after the team’s 2-3 start. Now, under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich – and with a new play caller taking over in Todd Downing – Gang Green will try to salvage the season beginning Monday, when it hosts the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills.

But there are sure to be many juicy stories before that divisional match wraps up the week. In a year partially defined by a historic class of rookie quarterbacks, two more first-year signal-callers are set to make their starting debuts on Sunday: the New England Patriots’ Drake Maye, who will face a tall task against the Houston Texans’ formidable defense, and the New Orleans Saints’ Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round pick who will be filling in for the injured Derek Carr against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And when it comes to 2024 draft picks, no one has stood out more than Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. On Sunday, he might finally meet his match in reigning MVP Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens.

Here are bold predictions for Week 6 from USA TODAY Sports’ NFL staff:

Drake Maye will rush for more yards than … Jayden Daniels

Hey, it’s about matchups and survival. Daniels has demonstrated much spark as the multi-dimensional threat for the Washington Commanders. The rookie ranks fourth in the NFL for pass efficiency and among quarterbacks, only Lamar Jackson has run for more yards (363) than Daniels at an even 300. Yet on Sunday, when Maye, 22, the youngest of the six first-round rookie quarterbacks, makes his long-awaited starting debut for the Patriots, he’ll actually run for more yards than Daniels. Maye, remember, is breaking in behind a young, suspect O-line in rebuilding mode, which is why New England has yielded the second-most sacks in the NFL (19), exceeded only by the 26 given up by the Browns. Jacoby Brissett absorbed 49 hits behind that line in his five starts for the Pats. So, Maye, who averaged more than 40 rushing yards per game at North Carolina, could be running for his life against a Texans defense that brings a formidable pass-rushing element. Daniels, meanwhile, may have fewer cracks of daylight to run through against the Ravens, who rank No. 1 in the league against the run. It’s a good thing for Daniels that he can attack both ways, because the Ravens also bring a pass defense that is ranked next-to-last in the NFL for yards allowed.

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— Jarrett Bell

Jets use big ‘MNF’ win to fuel deep postseason run

We are going big picture with this one because I have earned that right. With Microsoft Teams message receipts to prove it, I said in August that Spencer Rattler would be starting for the New Orleans Saints by Week 6. The time has arrived, and with Derek Carr suffering an oblique injury, the rookie is making his debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

For my next trick: The Jets will play well enough and go deep enough into the playoffs for Jeff Ulbrich to become the full-time head coach of the organization. Owner Woody Johnson is apparently a fan of Ulbrich. He played in the league for a decade, and the word “beloved” has been used in reports of how Jets players and personnel view him. If the Jets can win the AFC East and win a postseason game or two, I think Ulbrich will have done more than enough to remove the interim tag and move into the big office for good.

That “Gang Green” fever dream begins with a key primetime matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Monday. With new offensive play caller Todd Downing at the helm, the Jets offense will finally feature some imagination to erupt against a beleaguered but well-coached Bills defense. A decisive win would go a long way in making all of the above a reality.

— Chris Bumbaca

Battle of DMV will produce over 400 combined rushing yards

The Ravens and Commanders rank first and second, respectively, in rushing offense this season. Baltimore’s rushed for at least 100 yards in 38 consecutive games, tied for the third-longest such streak in NFL history. The Commanders lead the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns entering Week 6. Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels are both averaging over 225 passing yards and 50 rushing yards per game. I expect both quarterbacks to showcase their electric dual-threat ability in what should be an exciting showdown between two neighboring teams. However, I believe it’ll be running back Derrick Henry who will ultimately propel Baltimore to victory. Henry was contained for much of last week, until his 51-yard rumble put the Ravens in position to connect on a game-winning field goal in overtime. The bulldozing running back leads the NFL with 572 rushing yards, and he also has an NFL-high seven runs of at least 20 yards. 

— Tyler Dragon

The Lions will throw a score to a lineman against the Cowboys, and it will count this time

OK, so this is mostly an unserious prediction. But let’s have some fun.

The Detroit Lions might still be miffed about the controversial conclusion of last year’s Week 17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, in which left tackle Taylor Decker’s would-be go-ahead two-point conversion reception was negated amid an apparent miscommunication regarding who reported as eligible prior to the play. While Dan Campbell stopped short of ripping the refs for the call, he made it clear that he had outlined the team’s plans to officials before the game.

While many envisioned a possible rematch in the playoffs, the Cowboys’ flameout in the wild-card round left Sunday as the first time these squads will square off against one another since that memorable finish. Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson don’t seem like the types to get wrapped up in sending messages, but what a flourish it what be if Detroit could take another crack at rewarding their tone-setting front with a scoring strike. Before then, though, Decker and Co. likely will have to play some bully ball to rough up a Dallas run defense that still ranks 23rd in the NFL despite its progress the last two weeks.

— Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

College Sports Inc.’s two mob bosses sat together in a show of strength Thursday, and although no horse’s head sat in front of them, their message resonated.
SEC’s Greg Sankey, Big Ten’s Tony Petitti hold future College Football Playoff format in their hands.
Current playoff format is on the books for 2024, ’25 seasons. After that, it’s subject to change, and SEC, Big Ten wield major control.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – College Sports Inc.’s two mob bosses sat together in a show of strength Thursday, and although no horse’s head sat on the table in front of them, their message resonated.

If Greg Sankey and Tony Petitti don’t get what they want, on your (horse’s) head be it.

That’s especially true of the College Football Playoff.

Sankey and Petitti, the heads of the SEC and Big Ten families, respectively, said they’ll closely evaluate this current playoff format that’s on the books for this year and next while determining the format they want for 2026 and beyond.

They stated no explicit ultimatums to the playoff selection committee, but fine-tuned ears could not miss their hints: Give us the at-large bids, award us the desirable seeds, or we’ll get to work on tilting the playoff more in our favor.

Consider this current 12-team playoff format a two-year glory period that enjoys no guarantee of lasting past the 2025 season.

So, here’s the deal: This season’s playoff will be a litmus test, and Sankey and Petitti will read the test strip.

“This just has to go incredibly well,” Sankey said. “This has to be a successful launch.”

I’m envisioning a playoff selection committee member holding a sign that reads: MuSt SeLeCT B1g aNd SeC TeAMs, oR ThEY’Ll hAvE my HeAd. HaVe MeRcY oN My sOuL!

SEC, Big Ten quietly threaten playoff selection committee

If this trial run of the expanded playoff works beautifully in favor of the SEC and Big Ten maybe this format retains a chance of continuing. But if the selection committee doesn’t do the bidding of the SEC and Big Ten, expect Sankey and Petitti to change the selection rules.

Speculation runs rampant that the two leagues might break off from the other conferences and stage their own hoedown. But, why build a new sandbox when you control the current terrain and the other conferences reside under your oppressive thumb?

And if the ACC, Big 12 or others decide to grow a spine and tell Sankey and Petitti that they don’t run the playoff? Well, good luck with that, because if Sankey and Petitti don’t get their way, they hold the trump card to take their ball, go create their own playoff, and watch the revenue chase their tails.

Within the existing sandbox, what might playoff evolution look like? Consider a playoff format in which the Big Ten and SEC earmark as many as three or even four automatic bids apiece for their conferences before the season ever kicks off.

If the committee does not select and seed in December to the liking of Sankey and Petitti, virtually anything is on the table.

What a sickening twist, that would be: A playoff that technically includes representation from several conferences, but in which more than half the bids would reserved for two conferences. Forget meritocracy, and insert aristocracy.

Sankey pathetically and successfully grandstanded last season for one-loss Alabama to make the final four-team playoff instead of undefeated Florida State. No such grandstanding will be necessary this year, because he – and his shadow, Petitti – control the future of the playoff. All Sankey needs to do to earn the benefit of the doubt is nod to that horse’s head.

Do you want that equine noggin placed in your bed?

The 13-person playoff selection committee will award their seven at-large playoff bids in December with a guillotine hanging above their necks, and Sankey and Petitti control the trigger.

You shouldn’t need a divination guide to tell you who would get the final playoff spot if it comes down to 10-2 Texas A&M or 11-2 Clemson. Enjoy your 11-seed, Aggies, awarded by 13 selectors held hostage by two mafiosos.

Greg Sankey, Tony Petitti flex muscle over College Football Playoff

Sankey and Petitti met at a summit here Thursday, along with their conference’s athletics directors. Afterward, the conference commissioners convened with a small group of national reporters in a show of strength.

I directly and repeatedly asked Sankey and Petitti what they needed to see this year to support continuing this current playoff format, which reserves five bids for conference champions and seven selections for at-large qualifiers.

They repeatedly dodged and ducked my questions, but Petitti, at least, offered a few hints.

“How the committee evaluates strength of schedule,” Petitti said, in reference to what he’s monitoring from the selection committee.

Petitti also stressed the number of premier games the Big Ten plays in the season’s final month. See Ohio State vs. Penn State, Oregon vs. Michigan and Michigan vs. Ohio State.

Left unsaid: Petitti doesn’t want the B1G’s top teams penalized too stringently for losing late-season games against quality opponents.

What might look mighty appealing to the Big Ten and SEC? The two leagues teaming up for, say, six of the seven at-large bids and claiming three or even all four of the first-round host sites.

The playoff selection committee members retain free will – sure they do – so long as they ignore the mob henchmen in the corner.

If those playoff selectors should dare ignore the B1G and SEC mafiosos, a horse’s head will be served.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.

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One of the biggest matchups of the college football season has arrived between new conference foes in No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Oregon.

A potential game of the year candidate, the Buckeyes and Ducks enter their matchup how most of the country expected: 5-0 and top candidates to make the College Football Playoff. While there have been moments both fanbases have been concerned with, whether it’s not scoring at-will or having games be closer than anticipated, both squads are among the best in the sport. Ohio State allows an FBS-low 6.8 points per game and is fourth in the country in scoring at 46.0 points per game, but Oregon isn’t far behind in the same categories.

There’s recent history between the two sides. Ohio State and Oregon faced off in the first College Football national championship in the 2014 season, which the Buckeyes won. Then in 2021, Oregon went into Columbus and stunned the Buckeyes in an early season matchup. This year will also be sort of a makeup for a game that never happened; Ohio State was scheduled to visit Oregon in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of that game.

Now thanks to the expanded Big Ten, the Buckeyes make their first trip to Eugene since 1967 for the first matchup between two top five teams in Autzen Stadium history.

‘I think this is a great opportunity for two great teams to get to play against each other,’ said Oregon coach Dan Lanning.

Thanks to the expanded College Football Playoff, Saturday’s contest between the two heavyweights won’t be an elimination game, but it will have ramifications for the race to secure one of the 12 coveted spots, the Big Ten conference and is significant for players and coaches.

What does this game mean for Ohio State?

If competition to be compared, Ohio State has had the easier path to Saturday − Oregon defeated Boise State, a legitimate playoff contender from the Group of Five. The Buckeyes faced three non-descript opponents prior to their conference schedule and followed those victories with defeats of Michigan State and Iowa.

A win also gives Ohio State some margin for error in the Big Ten race with the difficult part of its schedule still ahead. Next week, the Buckeyes host Nebraska squad and have November games against unbeatens Penn State and Indiana. The final game on their schedule sees Michigan visit in a must-win game for Ryan Day after three consecutive losses to the Wolverines.

A loss changes things. Ohio State would still controls its destiny to the Big Ten title game, but it would mean there would be huge pressure on the Penn State game in Happy Valley. A second league loss would require either the Ducks and Nittany Lions to drop three league games to playoffs conference championship. And the Buckeyes would be on the playoff bubble with two losses and lack of quality wins.

This game also represents the first significant chance for Will Howard to start creating his Ohio State legacy. The Kansas State transfer quarterback came to Columbus for games like this. He’s been solid in the early part of the season, but this is a different environment against a different opponent. Is he capable of handling this type of pressure – even with a talented group of receivers and running backs supporting him? We should find out Saturday.

As for Day, he’s under tremendous pressure to produce after the Buckeyes went all-in on Howard and other priority transfer portal targets. Yes, he’ll always be judged by performances against Michigan, but there needs to be a major run at a national title, too, given the roster he has assembled. A loss here and maybe some doubt creeps in.

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What does this game mean for Oregon?

Oregon can assert itself as more than a newcomer in the Big Ten and suddenly become the top dog in its new home by taking down Ohio State. The win would also comparable favorably with Alabama’s defeat of Georgia as of the best victories in the country.

The Ducks also would be in great shape in the chase for the Big Ten championship game and become the favorite to land a coveted first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. Their schedule is easier than the Buckeyes in the second half with games at home against Illinois and Washington, plus trips to Michigan and Washington as potential pitfalls. They could probably afford one slip and still finish in the top two of the league.

That calculation would change with a loss. Oregon would be fighting with Penn State and possibly others to reach the Big Ten title game. Its playoff hopes would also be in jeopardy with a second defeat. Boise State continuing to win would be a major bonus if the Ducks finish 10-2.

Like Howard, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel transferred for his final season to make a run at a national championship. He put up big numbers at both Central Florida and Oklahoma, but not on this type of national stage. A strong showing would help improve his NFL draft stock after Gabriel was disappointed with his evaluation after last season and led him to staying in college football.

Ducks coach Dan Lanning has gone 27-5 in three seasons as a head coach. But what he hasn’t done is win a game of this magnitude. Oregon lost twice to Washington last season, including the Pac-12 title game that would have secured a playoff berth. His first game in charge was a blowout loss at the hands of Georgia. Beating Ohio State would be the first step in erasing criticisms he can’t win the biggest games.

Gerrit Cole’s face scrunched up as if he’d just choked down a cocktail of dread and disgust as Kyle Isbel’s fly ball drifted toward the right field wall in Kauffman Stadium. The New York Yankees were just seven outs away from putting away the Kansas City Royals – “pesky,” as many bigger-city dwellers might damningly call them – but now Isbel’s drive was fixing to ruin their night.

And within just a few slo-mo frames, Cole’s reaction likely distilled what so many Yankee fans have been feeling for the last week, or few months, or maybe the better part of this century.

The 3-1 game would not become 3-3. The ball would die at the fence in Juan Soto’s glove – shout out real ballparks with normal right field dimensions – and Cole would escape with a seven-inning, closeout gem.

And so he emoted, a scream of triumph and relief that betrayed the impish detachment he carried for much of his two starts in this American League Division Series. Oh, the 155 pitches he delivered in his two starts came with great conviction, and the Yankees won both of those games. Yet Cole never looked totally comfortable, not with every game a close-and-late affair, not with Kansas City flush with excellent contact hitters who make playoff baseball a daunting challenge for their rivals.

Well, Cole can exhale – and Yankee fans ought to, as well. Their team has survived a harrowing and crucial test, and now they find themselves in exquisite position.

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The Yankees suppressed the Royals in Game 4 on Thursday night, winning both game and ALDS by a 3-1 count, and they are back in the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2022.

They’ll try to win an ALCS game for the first time since 2019 – Houston swept them in ’22 – and a pennant and World Series for the first time since 2009, and goodness, doesn’t every corner of the organization have that burned in their memory.

Yet if the last 15 years of postseason failure, and the last few years and even couple weeks of playoff baseball has taught them, it’s that there’s only so many controllables. You can only “want it” so much in October, when matchups and hot hands and health are so paramount, payrolls and pinstripes be damned.

But as they emerge from this division round, the Yankees find themselves in an unlikely spot: In fantastic shape.

They will stage Game 1 of the ALCS on Monday night at Yankee Stadium, with only the opponent to be determined. The Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers are staging a beautiful exhibition of baseball in that other ALDS, with taut, extremely well-pitched games.

But Cleveland’s Game 4 victory Thursday forced a winner-take-all finale, ensuring Detroit will burn its ace, the baddest man left standing in the playoffs, lefty Tarik Skubal, to try and advance.

Skubal won’t start any earlier than a Game 3 in the ALCS; New York’s victory Thursday night ensures Cole can be ready for Game 2, and that Clarke Schmidt can take the ball in Game 1, against whatever leftovers the Guardians and Tigers can summon after knocking each other silly.

But that series is starting to look a lot more like a pair of offensively-challenged teams lacking deep frontline pitching to last in a best-of-seven series. A lot like their AL Central brethren, the Royals, who battled fantastically but were probably a few bats short of going toe-to-toe with the game’s greatest.

Suddenly, just a couple nights after their season was in peril, the Yankees absolutely fit that description.

They can pitch: Cole, who picked up steam in his last two regular season starts after an elbow injury delayed and then dogged his ’24 season, covered seven innings in Game 4, walking nobody and giving up just six hits, five of them singles and handed it off to a bullpen that tossed 15⅔ innings without giving up an earned run in the series.

They are undaunted: Luke Weaver, anointed the closer less than a month ago after All-Star Clay Holmes’ second-half unraveling, saved all three victories in the ALDS, notching a five-out save, two four-out saves and retiring 14 of the 16 batters he faced. It was little surprise that behemoths Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton engulfed the 183-pound Weaver on the mound in the on-field celebration, paying their respects.

“These guys are dogs, man,” Cole said in a clubhouse TV interview of Weaver and Holmes, the latter settling deftly into a set-up role as he took down the eighth inning of Game 4. “They want the ball and want it in big spots. They’ve faced adversity and come back from it. It’s made them stronger, made them better and we have all the confidence in ‘em.”

And they are hitting just enough: Stanton had six hits in 15 at-bats, including two doubles and a homer, and Judge drew five walks in four games, checking in with a Game 4 double as the Royals – “They’re a damn good ballclub,” says Cole – steadfastly refused to let the presumed MVP beat them.

But the Yankees found a way, more than can be said for the 95-win Philadelphia Phillies, who are already home, or the seven-time ALCS qualifying Houston Astros, who couldn’t even make it this far. The last of this era’s blue bloods, the Los Angeles Dodgers, still must fight for their lives in Friday’s NLDS Game 5.

Other people’s problems.

“Now,” says manager Aaron Boone, “we’ll be down to the final four. Everyone is feeling pretty good about their teams. That’s the case for me.”

And why not? The Yankees are going home, ready to enjoy a three-day weekend, and primed to attack what’s next.

Big exhale. Bigger opportunity ahead.

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Among the biggest moves in the leadup was the Boston Bruins and No. 1 goalie Jeremy Swayman reaching an eight-year, $66 million contract a day earlier and ending an impasse that looked like it could stretch into the season.

Transactions are continuing during the regular season as teams build toward a Stanley Cup or make moves for their long-term future. There are key dates to watch: the holiday roster freeze in December, the league’s break for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February and the trade deadline in early March.

Follow along here this season for signings, trades, transactions and other news from the NHL:

Oct. 11: Avalanche claim goalie Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers

In a busy day for goalie transactions, the Colorado Avalanche claimed Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. Colorado lost 8-4 in the opener, with Alexandar Georgiev giving up five goals and backup Justus Annunen giving up two goals on four shots. The Avalanche are Kahkonen’s fourth team in a year. He split time last season between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils.

In other moves, the Minnesota Wild called up Jesper Wallstedt, their goalie of future, who will join Game 1 winner Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury. The Nashville Predators sent down Matt Murray, who backed up Scott Wedgewood on Thursday with injured No. 1 goalie Juuse Saros unable to play.

Oct. 10: Hurricanes-Lightning game postponed because of Milton

Saturday’s game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning has been postponed as the Tampa Bay area recovers from Hurricane Milton. The league said a makeup date would be announced as soon as it can be confirmed.

The Lightning are playing their season opener in Carolina on Friday. Saturday’s game was to be the start of a three-game homestand (also Tuesday and Thursday).

Amalie Arena got through the storm fine, though Tropicana Field, home of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida, suffered major damage to its roof.

Oct. 10: Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner has surgery

Jenner had shoulder surgery to repair an injury he suffered during training camp and could miss up to six months.

‘Our hope is he can return before the end of the season,’ said Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Waddell. ‘His loss will be felt by our club, but we have a strong leadership group in place and players will be given an opportunity to take on greater roles on and off the ice.’

Boone, who finished second on the Blue Jackets last season with 22 goals and is the franchise leader in games played, has been the team’s captain since 2021-22.

Oct. 9: Linus Ullmark, Joey Daccord get contract extensions

Ullmark, who won the Vezina Trophy with the Bruins in 2022-03, was traded to the Ottawa Senators this offseason so Boston had the room to re-sign Swayman. Ullmark will get four years, $33 million from the Senators and have the same $8.25 million cap as Swayman.

Meanwhile, Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord received a five-year, $25 million extension. He filled in for Philipp Grubauer after that goalie’s injury last season and got the NHL’s first shutout in the Winter Classic. Both contracts will take effect next season.

Oct. 8: Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin turns down extension offer

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes posted on social media Tuesday that the New York Rangers offered Shesterkin an eight-year, $88 million contract, with an $11 million average annual value that would have eclipsed Carey Price’s high-water mark of $10.5 million. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed those numbers to lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network.

It’s not a huge surprise that the 28-year-old Russian would reject it on the eve of New York’s season-opener in Pittsburgh. Another person familiar with the situation recently indicated the two sides have been far apart in negotiations, and that the chances of striking a deal before the start of the new season weren’t looking very promising. That could always change if Rangers team president Chris Drury decides to up the ante, but Shesterkin seems content to bet on himself and wait it out. – Vincent Z. Mercogliano, lohud.com

Also: The defending champion Florida Panthers announced after their opening victory that forward Carter Verhaeghe had agreed to an eight-year extension. It’s worth a reported $56 million.