Mitali Dey

6 days ago | essentiallysports.com | Diptarko Paul |Mitali Dey

“We want to win the Stanley Cup just like any other team,” Aleksander Barkov made it clear that the Florida Panthers aren’t here for the kicks. Instead, the defending champs have a clear goal: to keep the Stanley Cup in Miami for another year. Now, with the Cats in the finals for the third straight time, coach Paul Maurice thinks his squad couldn’t have been in a better place to win the biggest prize in hockey.

1 week ago | essentiallysports.com | Malabika Dutta |Mitali Dey

Although the SEC Spring Meetings officially kick off Tuesday, but Commissioner Greg Sankey lit the fireworks early Monday night with some bold talk about the future of the CFP. Lately, there’s been buzz about whether the SEC and B1G hold too much sway in shaping the playoff’s direction. That spotlight only grew brighter last week when the CFP committee unveiled a new straight-seeding format for 2025. In response, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips weighed in with a clear message.

1 week ago | essentiallysports.com | Malabika Dutta |Mitali Dey

Dabo Swinney did his homework—deep homework—before picking his next defensive leader. Out of the dozens who reached out, he narrowed it down to just a handful. But the only one he chased? Tom Allen. Swinney pointed straight at him and said, “This guy.” Allen, the former Indiana HC, spent a season lighting it up at PSU. He helped power the Nittany Lions all the way to the CFP semifinals. Now, he’s bringing that fire to Clemson. Swinney called him a “leader of men.” And Allen?

1 week ago | essentiallysports.com | Shreya Nag |Mitali Dey

Is the ‘U factor’ back in Miami? Mario Cristobal put together an unbelievable 10-3 with Cam Ward under the center. The Washington transfer has been the key instrument in transforming the UM offense. With a solid 4,313 passing yards, 39 touchdowns over a stretch of 13 games, Ward solidified his legacy before taking it to the Tennessee Titans as the coveted No.1 pick. His exceptional chemistry with veteran receiver Xavier Restrepo made the job yet more daunting for Carson Beck to do.

1 week ago | essentiallysports.com | Diptarko Paul |Mitali Dey

“You have to be able to survive.” Paul Maurice‘s words were probably enough to make anyone understand that the Florida Panthers were going to take every advantage of playing on home ice in Game 3 against the Hurricanes. The postseason series between the two Eastern Conference heavyweights has been heated, but Eetu Luostarinen might have taken things a bit too seriously.