The Golden State Warriors are heating up, and with Jimmy Butler now in the mix, they look like a team finding its rhythm. Fresh off an impressive 126-102 blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks, the Warriors will try to close out a brief homestand with another victory when they face the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night in San Francisco. Since acquiring Butler on Feb. 8, Golden State has gone 5-1, showing signs of a resurgence that has them climbing back into the playoff mix. Now, with a five-game road trip looming, they’ll look to build on that momentum before hitting the road again. Coach Steve Kerr has been vocal about how Butler’s basketball IQ, playmaking, and two-way presence have given

For the first time in seven years, the Anaheim Ducks are still in the playoff conversation this late in the season. They’ve fought their way into contention for a Western Conference wild-card spot, and with the race heating up, every single game matters. Tuesday night’s showdown against the Buffalo Sabres marks a pivotal moment in their quest to end their playoff drought. The Ducks entered Monday just six points behind the Vancouver Canucks for the final wild-card position. But with three other teams between them and the Canucks, Anaheim can’t afford any missteps. The good news? Momentum is on their side. Before the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament paused NHL play for two weeks, the Ducks had won six of their

The Boston Bruins find themselves in unfamiliar territory. With the NHL trade deadline less than two weeks away, Boston’s front office may be rethinking their usual aggressive approach if the team can’t put together a strong stretch of games. Tuesday’s matchup against the Atlantic Division-leading Toronto Maple Leafs is the first of six critical games that could determine whether the Bruins go all-in or take a more cautious stance before March 7. After a 0-2-1 skid, Boston sits one point behind the Eastern Conference playoff cut line, making every game feel like a playoff battle from here on out. Injuries have hit the Bruins hard, with top defenseman Hampus Lindholm likely out for the season and Charlie McAvoy also sidelined.

The Philadelphia Flyers are riding high after the midseason break, but things are about to get serious. With the playoff race tightening and the Pittsburgh Penguins desperate to stay in the hunt, this home-and-home battle could define the rest of the season for both teams. The Flyers opened their post-break schedule in dominant fashion, putting up a 6-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. Now, with momentum on their side, they face off against their biggest rival in one of the most important matchups of the season. Philadelphia wasted no time shaking off the rust after the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament break. Their offense looked faster, sharper, and more dangerous than it had in weeks. That’s the kind of