The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for the upcoming season, with key players Freddie Freeman and Will Smith set to make their returns. Freeman, recovering from ankle surgery, is expected to make his Cactus League debut against the Colorado Rockies. Meanwhile, Smith is dealing with an ankle issue but has shown resilience by participating in drills. Shohei Ohtani, fresh off an impressive season, continues his recovery from shoulder surgery and is slated to pitch after a month into the regular season.

With the Dodgers starting their regular season early against the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Series, there is a tight window for Freeman, Smith, and Ohtani to get game-ready. Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts is optimistic about Freeman's health, noting his ability to run and his positive trajectory in recovery.

Macklin Celebrini, the top pick in the 2024 NHL draft and the first-ever No. 1 selection for the San Jose Sharks, is drawing significant attention as he embarks on his NHL career. Celebrini and his rookie teammate Will Smith recently went viral with a TikTok video, showcasing their off-ice training in a humorous light. Meanwhile, Celebrini's family background – influenced by his father, Rick Celebrini, a former director of rehabilitation for the Vancouver Canucks – has shaped his journey, sparking a unique dynamic as he transitions into the professional ranks.

Notably, Celebrini's debut has drawn comparisons to Sidney Crosby, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in NHL history. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky praised Celebrini's work ethic and skill set, likening him to Crosby's all-around game. As the youngest player in the NHL this season, Celebrini has already made an impact, leading all rookies in goals and scoring. His resilience and competitive spirit reflect a mindset aimed at transforming the Sharks’ franchise into a competitive team.

Joel Armia's short-handed goal late in the third period propelled the Montreal Canadiens to a thrilling 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks, ending their five-game losing streak. The Canadiens were struggling with a record of 0-4-1 prior to this game, and the win brings them back into the mix after previously winning seven out of nine games. Alex Newhook contributed significantly with a goal and an assist, while Cole Caufield and Brendan Gallagher also found the back of the net. Kirby Dach recorded two assists, and goaltender Sam Montembault made 27 saves to secure the win.

The Sharks, on the other hand, have faced tough times recently, suffering their eighth loss in nine games, and have now lost 11 of their last 13 overall. Tyler Toffoli stood out for San Jose, scoring a power-play goal that temporarily tied the game, while Macklin Celebrini and Collin Graf also scored. Alexandar Georgiev made 16 saves in the loss. The game showcased notable back-and-forth action, with Gallagher's power-play goal giving Montreal a brief lead before Toffoli's equalizer. However, Armia's late heroics secured the win.

Aaron Ekblad's impactful return from injury propelled the Florida Panthers to a commanding 7-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Ekblad contributed with a goal and an assist, leading a robust team performance that saw Matthew Tkachuk shine with a goal and two assists. With contributions from Nate Schmidt, Sam Bennett, A.J. Greer, Jesper Boqvist, and Sam Reinhart, the Panthers outscored the Sharks 4-0 in the second period alone. Despite the Sharks' goals from Cody Ceci and Will Smith, they suffered their sixth consecutive defeat and tenth in eleven games, continuing their struggle defensively as they allowed at least five goals in three straight games.

In a dominant display, the Florida Panthers defeated the San Jose Sharks 7-2, marking a strong comeback for defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who contributed a goal and an assist after returning from injury. Matthew Tkachuk also shone with a goal and two assists, while multiple players including Nate Schmidt, Sam Bennett, A.J. Greer, Jesper Boqvist, and Sam Reinhart scored for the Panthers. In a decisive second period, Florida outscored San Jose 4-0, thwarting any chance of a competitive game. The Sharks, meanwhile, fell to their sixth consecutive defeat, with only a few players managing to find the net, including Cody Ceci and Will Smith.