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The Tampa Bay Lightning snapped their four-game home losing streak with a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. The win propelled the Lightning into a tie with the Detroit Red Wings for the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot.Victor Hedman sealed the victory in the sixth round of the shootout, while Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves in regulation to tie Tiny Thompson for 49th place in NHL wins with 284.Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli scored second-period goals to tie the game at 2-2 after Montreal's Joel Armia and Jake Evans had given the Canadiens an early lead. Tyler Motte's short-handed goal with 9:42 remaining in regulation pulled Tampa Bay even again after Josh Anderson had put Montreal ahead 3-2.Nikita Kucherov, the NHL's leading scorer, picked up an assist to extend his point streak to 11 games. He now has 105 points on the season.The Canadiens, who are 2-7-2 over their last 11 games, were coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the NHL-leading Florida Panthers on Thursday night. Cayden Primeau stopped 30 shots during regulation for Montreal.In overtime, Montreal killed off Cole Caufield's hooking penalty, despite Tampa Bay getting four shots during the man advantage.The Lightning will host the Calgary Flames on Thursday night, while the Canadiens will play at Nashville on Tuesday night.

Nashville's Predators extended their remarkable winning streak to eight games with a dominant 5-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night. Cody Glass stole the spotlight with his first career hat trick, leading the Predators to their impressive triumph.The Predators' relentless attack began in the first period when Glass opened the scoring with a well-placed shot assisted by Colton Sissons. However, the Avalanche responded swiftly with a goal from Nathan MacKinnon, who has been on a scoring tear lately.In the second period, Glass struck again, showcasing his offensive prowess with a multi-goal performance. Juuse Saros, the Predators' goalie, played a crucial role in preserving the lead with a key save on a partial breakaway by MacKinnon.The Predators' dominance continued in the third period as Ryan O'Reilly extended their lead with a power-play goal. Glass sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute, completing his hat trick and sending the home crowd into a frenzy."It was a thrill," said Glass, who had only scored two goals before this game. "We have a great team here. To be on an eight-game win streak, everybody is pulling on the same rope."The Predators' winning streak is now tied for the second-longest in franchise history, matching their 10-game run from 2018. Their relentless defense and opportunistic offense have been key factors in their recent success."I like our relentlessness," said Predators coach Andrew Brunette. "I think we're connected. We're taking away time and space at a high level right now. That comes from work ethic. That comes from trust."Despite the loss, the Avalanche remain a formidable opponent. Coach Jared Bednar acknowledged that his team played well for 40 minutes but faltered in the third period."I thought we were competitive, played hard, really good game for 40 minutes," Bednar said. "But I'd say third period, it's like they got better and we got worse in the third."The Predators will look to extend their winning streak when they host the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. The Avalanche, meanwhile, will return home to face the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night.

National long jump record holder Jeswin Aldrin's disappointing performance at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Glasgow on Saturday has raised questions about his current form. The 22-year-old, who held the world lead for a few months in 2023 with his 8.42m jump, could only manage a 7.69m effort, finishing a lowly 13th.Aldrin's performance was particularly disappointing considering his recent international outings. In three other events last month, he had recorded jumps of 7.70m, 7.74m, and 7.83m. He had also finished eighth in the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.The Indian long jumper's struggles in Glasgow were evident from the start. He cleared 7.69m in his first attempt but fouled the next two. With only three attempts allowed in the qualifying round, Aldrin was unable to improve his mark and was eliminated along with eight other competitors.The top eight long jumpers after three rounds were permitted to have another three attempts. Reigning Olympic and world champion Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece won gold with a best jump of 8.22m, while 19-year-old Mattia Furlani (8.22m) of Italy and Carey McLeod (8.21m) of Jamaica were second and third respectively.Aldrin's performance in Glasgow is a setback for the Indian athlete, who has been touted as a potential medal contender at the upcoming Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. However, it is important to note that Aldrin is still young and has time to improve. With the right training and support, he can still achieve his full potential.

The LPGA, the premier women's professional golf tour, has partnered with Hana Kuma, the production company founded by tennis superstar Naomi Osaka, to elevate the profiles of its players and strengthen the tour's brand.This innovative collaboration aims to make LPGA players household names by providing them with tailored assistance to enhance their personal brands. Eight players will be selected for an inaugural pilot program, receiving guidance on building their social media presence, engaging with fans, and developing their personal narratives.All LPGA athletes will also participate in a brand-building workshop in May, focusing on developing their personal brands and connecting with audiences. These initiatives are part of the LPGA's strategy to increase player recognition and build a stronger connection with fans.LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan emphasized the importance of showcasing the athletes' personal stories and athletic achievements. "Fans follow people and build strong affinity with those whom they know and connect," she said. "Our athletes are inspiring, particularly for young girls, and we can't wait to help give them the biggest platform possible."Osaka, who has been a vocal advocate for women's sports, expressed her excitement about the partnership. "With Hana Kuma, I want to pay it forward by helping empower and champion the LPGA players," she said. "Together, we can continue to uplift and inspire the next generation of female athletes."Stuart Duguid, Osaka's longtime agent and co-founder of Hana Kuma, believes the partnership has the potential to transform women's sports. "We're excited to embark on this journey with the LPGA," he said. "Our commitment extends to amplifying the diverse narratives of LPGA athletes, reshaping their interactions with fans and sponsors, and pushing the boundaries to elevate women's sports to new heights."The LPGA's revenue has grown significantly in recent years, but only two golfers made Forbes' list of highest-paid female athletes last year. This partnership with Hana Kuma aims to address this disparity by providing players with the tools and resources to build their brands and increase their earning potential.

Manu Gandas, the 27-year-old golfer from Gurugram, faced a challenging first season on the DP World Tour (European Tour) in 2023. Despite qualifying by topping the PGTI Order of Merit, he made only five cuts in 25 appearances."The results didn't go my way, but I've gained invaluable experience," said Gandas, whose best finish was a tied-20th at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational in Northern Ireland. "I now understand the demands of competing with world-class golfers in challenging conditions."Gandas has shown signs of improvement in the 2024 PGTI season, winning the Players Championship in Kolkata and finishing 13th at the Vooty Masters. He is now eyeing a strong performance at the Hero Indian Open, a DP World Tour event on his home course.This year's Indian Open will feature a record prize purse of $2.25 million and will be the second of five events comprising the Asian Swing. The tournament will attract 144 players, including 2015 champion Anirban Lahiri, Indian veteran Shiv Kapur, and three-time DP World Tour winner Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium."I'll try to apply my learnings," said Gandas, who finished tied-32nd last year. "The DLF course can be intimidating, especially in windy conditions."Reflecting on his European experience, Gandas highlighted the colder, windier, and wetter conditions, which affect warm-up time and distances. He also noted the longer courses, which test the long game.Gandas has been troubled by recurring niggles in his right wrist and left ankle. "I've been playing with pain for the past 2-3 years," he said. "This season, I'm prioritizing rest and physical strengthening to improve my yardage."Despite the challenges, Gandas remains determined. "There were times of self-doubt, but as an athlete, you must persevere," he said. "I had support from Shubhankar, but homesickness can be a factor. Technical and mental inputs from tour regulars were helpful, but speaking to my coach Anitya Chand was invaluable."Meanwhile, Indian Golf Union (IGU) President Brijinder Singh announced plans to hire a National Development Manager (NDM) and National High Performance Manager (NHPM). "We're interviewing candidates and expect to appoint an NDM by early April," he said. "The NHPM will be an established player with a strong commitment to golf."

The Prime Volleyball League (PVL) has witnessed an electrifying start to its second season in Chennai, with thrilling matches and unexpected results.Ahmedabad Defenders, who had a dominant start with three consecutive straight-set victories, faced their first setback against Bengaluru Torpedoes. The Torpedoes, led by Muthusamy Appavu, halted the Defenders' winning streak, showcasing their resilience and determination.Mumbai Meteors have emerged as a formidable force, securing three consecutive wins. Shubham Chaudhary and Ajith Lal have been instrumental in the Meteors' success, guiding them to a 3-1 victory over Calicut Heroes. This marked the Heroes' first defeat of the season, after their impressive start with two straight-set wins.Delhi Toofans bounced back from their loss to the Meteors by defeating Hyderabad Black Hawks. Santhosh played a pivotal role in the Toofans' victory, showcasing his exceptional skills. The Black Hawks, on the other hand, continue to struggle, finding themselves in the bottom half of the table with only one win.Kolkata Thunderbolts, the Season 1 champions, finally secured their first win of the season. Turkish setter Onur Cukur played a crucial role in their 3-1 victory over Kochi Blue Spikers. The Blue Spikers have had a disappointing start, languishing at the bottom of the standings without a win.As the competition intensifies, all eyes are on Chennai Blitz and their potential to make a thrilling run to the final. Kolkata Thunderbolts and Kochi Blue Spikers face an uphill battle, relying on luck and improved performances to advance to the next stage.

Puneri Paltan's triumph in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 final marked a historic moment for the Pune-based team. After a heartbreaking loss in last season's final, Paltan emerged victorious this time, defeating Haryana Steelers 28-25 in a nail-biting encounter at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on March 1.The low-scoring match was a testament to the defensive prowess of both teams. However, Paltan's raider Pankaj Mohite proved to be the game-changer, scoring a crucial nine points and leading his team's offensive charge.The first half was a close contest, with Paltan maintaining a narrow lead. A crucial four-point raid by Mohite near half-time pushed the Steelers on the brink of an all-out, but substitute raider Vishal Tate kept them in the game with a crucial touch.The second half continued to be a tense affair, with Paltan eventually pulling away for an eight-point lead in the final two minutes. Strong defensive play by Gaurav Khatri, who secured four tackle points, helped Paltan slow down the game and secure its historic victory.On the other hand, it was a disappointing night for the Steelers, who struggled defensively, only managing six tackle points throughout the match. This was the third final defeat for Steelers' coach Manpreet Singh, who has previously failed to cross the final hurdle with Gujarat Giants.This win continues the recent trend in PKL, where the team finishing atop the league stage emerges as the ultimate champion. Paltan captain Aslam Inamdar was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the season for his impressive performance, which included 142 raid points and 26 tackle points. Its vice-captain Mohammadreza Chiyaneh won the Best Defender award for 99 tackle points, while Dabang Delhi's Ashu Malik bagged the Best Raider trophy for 276 raid points.

Indian hockey is once again facing turmoil, with allegations of financial irregularities and election process violations surfacing. Former Delhi Hockey secretary Mahesh Dayal has raised concerns about the validity of the current Hockey India (HI) dispensation and the 2022 election process, claiming violations of the National Sports Code.Dayal's allegations center around the eligibility of secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, treasurer Sekar Manoharan, and executive director Cdr. RK Srivastava. He claims that Singh has exceeded his tenure limits and that the election process did not comply with the Sports Code.Singh has dismissed the allegations, stating that he is within the provisions of the code and that his election was not in violation of the rules. However, Dayal has also questioned the absence of an arbitration committee and an ombudsman, as well as the lack of age and tenure limits for district-level officials.The allegations come amidst the recent resignations of women's chief coach Janneke Schopman and long-serving CEO Elena Norman. Both Schopman and Norman have hinted at internal issues within HI, with Schopman claiming "disrespect" and Norman naming the three officials as being more interested in power.Furthermore, there is an ongoing case in the Delhi High Court over a forensic audit of HI accounts. Questions have been raised about HI's income-tax assessment and its finances, including sponsorship money and payments allegedly made to the International Hockey Federation (FIH).The allegations have raised concerns about the governance and transparency of HI. The sports ministry and HI president Dilip Tirkey have been urged to investigate the matter and ensure that the National Sports Code is adhered to.

Odisha's Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, unveiled a commemorative coffee table book titled 'FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023' on Friday. Published by Sportstar, the sports magazine of The Hindu Group, the book chronicles the 15th edition of the prestigious tournament, which was hosted by Odisha in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.The coffee table book captures the grandeur and excitement of the World Cup, showcasing the on-field action, off-field moments, and the cultural extravaganza that accompanied the event. Through captivating photographs and rich printing, the book preserves the memories of the tournament for posterity.In his message, Chief Minister Patnaik expressed his delight at Odisha's successful hosting of the World Cup. He highlighted the state's commitment to hockey and its efforts to promote sports at all levels. Patnaik expressed hope that the tournament's success would inspire the younger generation to embrace hockey and revive the glory days of Indian hockey.The 252-page coffee table book features stunning images of the sporting action, the vibrant cultural performances, and the enthusiastic spectators. It provides an immersive experience for readers, allowing them to relive the excitement of the World Cup.Ayon Sengupta, Editor of Sportstar, praised Odisha's unwavering support for hockey and its commitment to promoting sports. He said that Sportstar and The Hindu were honored to be part of the endeavor to share the story of Odisha's love for hockey through this book.The release of the coffee table book was attended by Odisha's Sports and Youth Services Department Secretary R. Vineel Krishna and Sridhar Aranala, Vice President, and SDT Rao, General Manager, of The Hindu Group.