Lightning trade rumor lands Steven Stamkos for high-powered reunion — and more

Stamkos is on fire for the Predators.

The Boston Celtics continue on their roll since the All-Star break, even more impressive on Monday night, on the second night of a back-to-back. Not only was it a home-away series for Boston who defeated the Sixers on Sunday then traveled to Milwaukee to face the Bucks, but they did so without Jaylen Brown or Neemias Queta in the lineup. On the other side, the Bucks saw the return of their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo who was capped at 25 minutes and finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

As it's been most of the season, when the Celtics have to have contributions from other role players, there have been multiple players who have stepped up when called upon to deliver. Six different Boston players scored in double figures, with Payton Pritchard leading the way with 25 points, while both Hugo Gonzalez and Derrick White added 18 points each.

Here's a quick recap of tonight's win over the Bucks:

Final score: Boston Celtics 108, Milwaukee Bucks 81

Keys to the game:

Contributions from everyone: The aforementioned six players in double figures shows exactly what this Celtics team has been built on all year, any player at any time mentality. They shot 43% from the field, and 40% from 3-point range, and only three players reaching over 30 minutes on the night.

Hugo Gonzalez's big game on both ends: Even with Payton Pritchard leading the way and Derrick White going for 18 points, no one had a game as good as Gonzalez on the night while getting a start for the night. Gonzalez put up 18 points and 16 rebounds, and then added to his stat line with three steals, two blocks, and 5 offensive rebounds on the night. Wherever the basketball was on Monday night, Gonzalez was not far behind.

Dominance in multiple areas: Not only did Boston win the game, but they did so by dominating the rebounds, points in the paint, and more assists, while having less turnovers as well. Boston's biggest lead was 31 points, while Milwaukee's biggest lead was just seven points on the night. The Celtics were close betting favorites before the game tipped off, but took control early on and did not let up throughout.

Highlight of the game: Hugo Gonzalez gets it done at both ends of the court

Hugo bringing that energy ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/8mUSD4jnPS

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 3, 2026

What's next: vs. Charlotte Hornets, Wednesday, March 4, 7:30PM ET

For the first time this season, the Boston Celtics will face a familiar face in former assistant coach Charles Lee and the Charlotte Hornets. In what will be the first of three matchups this season, the Celtics will face a young, upstart Hornets team led by a young trio of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and rookie Kon Knueppel who has taken the league by storm with his scoring abilities. The Hornets can undoubtedly put the ball in the basket, so this game could be a track meet, and it should be expected that Boston will see the returns of Neemias Queta and Jaylen Brown in this matchup.

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics spoil return of Giannis, blowout Milwaukee Bucks on road

Watch PHLY Flyers Postgame

The Philadelphia Flyers have won their first game in Toronto since November 2019 with a 3-2 shootout win over the Maple Leafs!

For a bit, it seemed like Noah Cates’ go-ahead goal with five minutes left in regulation would be the winner, but William Nylander tied the game on the power play late in the third, bringing to an end Philly’s streak of 18 consecutive killed penalties.

But never fear, Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras are here! Both scored in the skills competition, while Dan Vladar stopped two of three, after saving 29/31 through 65 minutes, to seal the victory. HOORAY!

First period

Highlight: A power play goal! The Flyers were on the man advantage three times in the first period, and didn’t look bad despite negating their second opportunity after 59 seconds with a too many men call against them. Their third was the least dangerous looking for the majority of the penalty time, but as the advantage was winding down, Denver Barkey was able to come off the LW wall with space, fake shot enough to draw a defender off Noah Cates, opening him up for a pass into the slot. Cates shoveled the puck into the paint and some hard work down low eventually led to Christian Dvorak tying the game with his 13th goal of the season.

What I want to see next period: Be more physical, get to the net and keep firing at Anthony Stolarz. The Leafs have been outscored 15-4 in three games (all regulation losses) since returning from the Olympic break, and for much of the first period, Toronto did not seem all that interested in engaging enough to win a tough game. The Flyers are making a point of getting pucks back to the point, and with some more traffic (and rebound luck) they could net four or five goals tonight.

Second period

Highlight: Craig Berube’s squad looked like a different team to start the middle period- playing physically, creating turnovers and dominating possession after skating like a team playing an exhibition game for most of the first. The Flyers were able to slow the assault after about 10 minutes, but still, their best scoring chance came off the stick of Nic Deslauriers after a turnover in the corner. Once again, Dan Vladar was Philly’s best player, by a wide margin, making save after save to keep the score knotted at one through 40 minutes. Philadelphia was outshot 11-4, and Vladar’s line is 17/18 two-thirds of the way through regulation.

What I want to see next period: Say it with me, folks… “NO OVERTIME!” The puck didn’t drop until 7:45 tonight, and I want this to end, especially after that dreadful second period. Matvei Michkov had a rough middle frame, perhaps he’ll make up for it with a clutch goal in the third. Here’s hoping.

Third period

Highlight: Noah Cates scores the go-ahead goal! He’s got two points on the night and a four-game point streak, unfortunately an 18/18 penalty killing streak came to an end for Philly late in the third, with William Nylander scoring on the power play to send the game to OT, the Flyers’ 20th overtime game of the season.

Overtime

The first 3:30-4 minutes of OT were pretty boring, but a few turnovers each way created opportunities for Auston Matthews and Jamie Drysdale, but Vladar stoned the Leafs’ captain, and Drysdale just missed the target. Dvorak forced a turnover behind the Leafs’ net with five seconds left and nearly set up Trevor Zegras for the winner, but they could not connect. To the shootout we go!

Shootout

William Nylander: goal.

Matvei Michkov: goal.

Auston Matthews: save.

Trevor Zegras: goal.

Max Domi: save.

Flyers win 3-2 in the shootout. Incredible moves by Michkov & Zegras to beat Stolarz, and Vladar stopped 2/3.

Final note: This isn’t exactly breaking news, but neither of these teams are very good. This wasn’t a great game, but it had its moments. But really, without Vladar, the Flyers would be en route to a top-five draft pick. Also, Michkov got a couple of OT shifts, but wasn’t exactly electric in his ice time.

Watch PHLY Flyers Postgame