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For the Boston Bruins, embarking on a four-game road trip so early in the NHL season has its benefits. The team bonding might be great, but the results are even greater. A night after defeating Los Angeles 4-2, the Bruins will go for a third straight victory in California — and their fifth in a row to begin the season — when they visit the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. “A trip like this earlier in

The Buffalo Sabres are accustomed to lamenting their performance on defense. For the defensively oriented New York Islanders, their Friday loss was a jarring and unusual experience. A pair of teams looking to bounce back from porous efforts are slated to meet Saturday night when the Sabres host the Islanders in a battle of Eastern Conference rivals. The Sabres, in the midst of a four-game homestand, were off Friday after falling to the Calgary Flames

The Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets sport identical records as they head into a Saturday meeting at Saint Paul, Minn. While neither team is ecstatic about its 2-2-0 mark, neither team is overly disappointed. “We’ve just been even, which is our record, 2-2,” Wild coach Dean Evason said after his team’s Friday practice. “We need to take another step forward.” The record is even, but the Wild’s games have been all over the map.

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies each used eight pitchers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, a contest won by the Diamondbacks behind a three-run, eighth-inning rally. With so many arms needed in Arizona’s 6-5 victory that tied the best-of-seven series at two wins apiece, both managers are counting on their aces to come through with lengthy performances on Saturday in Game 5. The Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen (17-9,

Orlando City look to keep the momentum going into the playoffs when they visit Toronto FC on MLS Decision Day on Saturday. The Lions (17-7-9, 60 points) already have secured second place in the Eastern Conference, as well as the most points and wins of their nine MLS seasons. Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja may opt to rest some starters Saturday to keep everyone fresh for the MLS Cup playoffs. However, after a two-week international

Once again, the Columbus Blue Jackets have limped out of the gates. Heading into Friday’s clash with the visiting Calgary Flames, the Blue Jackets have a 1-2-0 record and have been outscored 11-7, with the latest defeat a 4-0 thumping at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings on Monday. The Blue Jackets have had plenty of time to stew about their performance while preparing to face a Flames team that arrives after a 4-3

The Houston Astros dominated the past two games of the American League Championship Series with their bats. Now they will look for ace pitcher Justin Verlander to play a big role on Friday afternoon when the right-hander takes the mound for the crucial Game 5 matchup against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas. The best-of-seven series is tied at two games apiece. Houston dropped the first two games of the ALCS at home before it

The Houston Astros are red hot on the road, and no place is more appealing than Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Astros have scored 59 runs in their last five road games against the Texas Rangers as the rivals prepare to battle in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday night. Texas holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, but Houston gained momentum with an 8-5 victory on Wednesday.

After winning five games against teams with a combined 5-24 current record, the Miami Dolphins will face both of last season’s Super Bowl participants in their next three games. They will begin their step up in competition in prime time Sunday night at Philadelphia against the Eagles, who are smarting after taking their first loss of the season last week against the New York Jets. After visiting the Eagles (5-1), who lost to Kansas City

The Kansas City Chiefs will try to increase their winning streak to six when they host the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC West division rivalry matchup Sunday afternoon. Kansas City (5-1) is coming off a 19-8 victory at home against the Denver Broncos in Week 6. Despite the Chiefs’ first-place status, quarterback Patrick Mahomes is not satisfied. He wants to see improvement from himself and his teammates against the Chargers. “It’s just the little