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Français (Afrique)Otherworldly McDavid helps Oilers bolster lead in Pacific Division
Total command. Absolute control.
We could be talking about Connor McDavid’s five-point night in a 5-2 win at San Jose. Or perhaps it was an Edmonton Oilers power play that entered the game on a two-for-20 run, but scored on all three opportunities versus the Sharks.
Or we could be referencing Edmonton’s defensive play, surrendering just 14 Sharks shots on goal — including only four in the third period, when Tristan Jarry came on in relief of an injured Connor Ingram.
“Finding a way to get three on the power play should win a lot of nights,” offered McDavid, who notched his 15th career hat trick. “But everyone defended. We checked hard. They’ve got some special players over there, one in particular. So I thought we did a good job defending.”
It was a game that San Jose absolutely needed, using up one of their two games in hand while still trailing Nashville by three points for the final wild-card spot. And Edmonton played the night before in Utah, getting to their hotel rooms at around 1:30 a.m.
But it was the Oilers who were on point and detail-oriented. And it was McDavid not Macklin Celebrini (one goal) who brought the fans out of their seats in this one.
“I’ve grown to like back-to-backs a lot this year,” McDavid said. “There’s just something about them that I’ve been feeling really, really good in them. Feel on right away. And tonight, that was really the case.”
McDavid was otherworldly in this one, pulling six points clear of Nikita Kucherov in the chase for his sixth Art Ross Trophy. Ever since Leon Draisaitl went down he’s taken it upon himself to provide, and on this back-to-back he was in on seven of Edmonton’s 10 goals.
“He knows that our team needed to win, and also we’re playing a little shorthanded,” head coach Kris Knoblauch said. “Who needs to pick us up? You know he’s going to be the guy.
“Every shift, he was really dialled in. Played extremely well. I’ve seen him play a lot of good games, and that was one of his best.”
With five points McDavid passed the great Bobby Clarke to move into 50th place on the NHL’s all-time scoring list, with 1,215 points. Next up is Jeremy Roenick (1,216), Larry Murphy (1,217) and the esteemed Jean Beliveau (1,219).
He’s also got 47 goals, and needs a goal-per-game pace in Edmonton’s final three games to reach 50 for just the second time in his NHL career.
On a night this one, what goes through Evan Bouchard’s mind?
“Just get him the puck,” chuckled Bouchard, who was excellent at both ends of the rink after an off night against Utah.
The Oilers scored 10 goals in this back-to-back — minus injured snipers Draisaitl and Zach Hyman — and collected three of four points.
They are 5-1-2 in their last eight road games and 6-1-1 in their past eight overall, with three games left to play: Saturday in Los Angeles, and at home next week against Colorado and Vancouver.
Edmonton hasn’t won their division in the regular season since the 1986-87 season, the longest current drought in the entire NHL. Now, they’ve won two Stanley Cups in the interim and been a Cup finalist three other times, but Edmonton won their third Stanley Cup in the spring of 1987 — so that’s not nothing.
Uh oh…
Much to everyone’s surprise, Jarry took the Oilers’ net for the third period, after Ingram had stopped eight of the 10 shots he faced through 40 minutes.
Jarry had played the night before in Utah, surrendering all six goals in a 6-5 overtime loss. On Wednesday he gave the Oilers the saves they needed to close this one out, stopping all four shots he faced behind an Oilers defensive front that gave up virtually nothing to the Sharks.
As for Ingram, it sounds like he tweaked something. It was not bad enough, however, for the Oilers to have requested the EBUG in San Jose. Ingram served as the backup for the third period, skating out on the ice to stretch during TV timeouts.
“With about six minutes left, the last TV timeout in the second period, he felt a little discomfort,” Knoblauch said. “He got tested out in the training room (in the intermission), and then we felt it was best for him, and obviously our team, to not push it and make something worse.”
Edmonton has a day off in L.A. Thursday. The Bakersfield Condors are at home this weekend, so if Ingram is anywhere less than 100 per cent, we’d expect Calvin Pickard to drive down from Bako for Friday’s practice and to back up Jarry on Saturday versus the Kings.
OIL SPILLS — With two assists Evan Bouchard crested the 90-point plateau for the first time in his career, with 91. Paul Coffey (four times) is the only other Oilers D-man to reach 90 points in a season. He also joins Coffey as the only defencemen in franchise history to register 70 assists in a season, something Coffey did three times … Bouchard becomes only the 13th D-man in NHL history to score 90 points in a season … With 795 career games, Darnell Nurse ties Kelly Buchberger for the eighth spot in games played in franchise history (credit to X user 50Oilers).
Aston Villa XI vs Bologna – Predicted lineup and team news
Aston Villa visit the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara tonight, aiming to secure a vital first-leg advantage in their Europa League quarter-final.
The Villans reach this stage as tournament favourites following a dominant 3–0 aggregate win over Lille.
Manager Unai Emery oversaw a professional domestic victory against West Ham before the international break.
Villa have won their last seven matches in this competition and will look to continue that relentless form tonight.
Aston Villa team news
Unai Emery manages a squad bolstered by the return of several key senior figures. Notably, Youri Tielemans is available for selection and is expected to start his first match in several weeks. Accordingly, he should partner Amadou Onana in the heart of the midfield.
John McGinn also starts as he chases his tenth major European goal for the club. However, winger Jadon Sancho is ruled out after sustaining a shoulder injury during the break.
Emiliano Martínez will start in goal behind a back four likely featuring Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres. In midfield, McGinn will provide the creative spark alongside Emiliano Buendía and Morgan Rogers.
Notably, Ollie Watkins leads the line as he aims to add to his impressive continental tally this season. Villa have kept clean sheets in each of their last four matches against Italian teams. They will rely on that defensive solidity to silence the home crowd tonight.
Aston Villa predicted lineup
Aston Villa Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendía, Rogers; Watkins
When will the match kick off?
The Europa League quarter-final in Bologna officially begins this Thursday, 9 April, at 20:00 BST.
How to watch Bologna vs Aston Villa?
UK fans can watch the match live on TNT Sports 2 or stream via HBO Max.
Read more- “He has the DNA” – Amad backs Carrick for Manchester United job
See Also- Arsenal close in on Champions League record held by Chelsea
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Porto vs Nottingham Forest – Match preview and team news
Nottingham Forest face a daunting task as they travel to the Estádio do Dragão for the first leg tonight.
The Tricky Trees aim to repeat their group stage victory against the Portuguese giants. However, Porto have remained nearly perfect since that October defeat. They currently lead Liga Portugal by five points and dominate home fixtures. Vítor Pereira leads his side against his former club for the first time in his career.
Despite a difficult domestic campaign, Forest have excelled in Europe this season. They recently stunned Tottenham 3–0 to build vital momentum. Porto, meanwhile, enter this tie after a 4–1 aggregate win over Stuttgart. Both teams are desperate to secure a healthy advantage before the return leg at the City Ground.
Porto vs Nottingham Forest – Match preview and team news
- Date: Thursday, 9 April 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST
- Venue: Estádio do Dragão, Porto
- Referee: Marco Guida (ITA)
- VAR: Daniele Chiffi (ITA)
- Last Meeting: Nottingham Forest 2–0 Porto ( 23 October 2025, UEL)
Team news
Porto
The Dragons are missing key strikers Samu Aghehowa and Luuk de Jong through injury. Rodrigo Mora and Nehuén Pérez also remain major doubts for this fixture. Consequently, Terem Moffi should lead the attack. Winger Borja Sainz is chasing a record; he has assisted in his last two Europa League outings.
Nottingham Forest
The visitors must navigate a significant injury crisis. Notably, Omari Hutchinson, Willy Boly, and Ola Aina are all unavailable. Star midfielder Elliot Anderson is also ruled out due to suspension. Ibrahim Sangaré and Nicolas Dominguez should therefore anchor the midfield. Joint top-scorer Igor Jesus provides a potent threat from the bench.
Form
Porto
Porto are one of only three sides with a 100% home record in this competition. They have won all five Europa League games at the Estádio do Dragão this term. The Dragons have lost just once in their entire European campaign. Notably, they have been eliminated in their last four major European quarter-final ties.
Nottingham Forest
Forest have reached their first major European quarter-final since the 1995–96 UEFA Cup. They have impressed on the road recently, losing only once in five away matches. Significantly, the Tricky Trees are currently on their fourth manager of the season. They aim to become only the third English club to beat a team twice under different managers.
Predicted lineups
FC Porto Predicted XI (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Martim Fernandes, Bednarek, Kiwior, Zaidu; Varela, Gabriel Veiga, Froholdt; William Gomes, Deniz Gül, Pepê
Nottingham Forest Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Williams, Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato; Yates, Sangare; Dominguez, McAtee, Bakwa; Awoniyi
How to watch Porto vs Nottingham Forest?
Fans in the UK can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1. Coverage begins at 19:00 BST, with streaming available via the discovery+ app.
Read more- Nottingham Forest set massive asking price for Elliot Anderson
See Also- “He has the DNA” – Amad backs Carrick for Manchester United job
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Nottingham Forest XI vs Porto – Predicted lineup and team news
Nottingham Forest visit the Estádio do Dragão tonight, aiming to secure a vital away result in the Europa League.
The Tricky Trees reach the quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout win against Midtjylland. Manager Vítor Pereira oversaw a massive 3–0 victory over Tottenham in his last outing. Forest already beat Porto 2–0 earlier this season in the group stages. They now look to replicate that performance on Portuguese soil.
Nottingham Forest team news
Vítor Pereira manages a squad thinned by several major absences. Notably, Elliot Anderson is suspended after picking up a milestone booking in the last round. Consequently, Ibrahim Sangaré and Nicolas Dominguez are expected to start in the engine room.
The medical room remains busy with Willy Boly, Omari Hutchinson, and Ola Aina still sidelined. Notably, Chris Wood and Jair Cunha are unlikely to be available for this trip.
Stefan Ortega will start in goal behind a defence featuring Nikola Milenković and Morato. In attack, Taiwo Awoniyi is poised to lead the line with James McAtee providing creative spark.
Notably, seven-goal striker Igor Jesus remains a dangerous option from the substitutes’ bench. Forest have lost only once away from home in the Europa League this term. They will rely on their defensive discipline to silence the home crowd tonight.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup
Nottingham Forest Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Williams, Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato; Yates, Sangare; Dominguez, McAtee, Bakwa; Awoniyi
When will the match kick off?
The match in Porto officially begins this Thursday, 9 April, at 20:00 BST.
How to watch Porto vs Nottingham Forest?
UK viewers can watch live on TNT Sports 1 or stream via discovery+.
Read more- Nottingham Forest set massive asking price for Elliot Anderson
See Also- “He has the DNA” – Amad backs Carrick for Manchester United job