Smiling Russians? World Cup Hosts Defy Glum, Hostile Image

The Denver Broncos caught Kris Abrams-Draine by surprise on Day 3 of the NFL draft last Saturday. The Missouri cornerback had only a couple of meetings with Denver during the pre-draft process, but that didn’t stop the organization from selecting him in the fifth round. While Abrams-Draine’s conversations with Denver were limited, his game tape was enough to sell general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton on the idea he could be a valuable asset in Denver’s secondary. A wide receiver-turned-cornerback, Abrams-Draine has solid ball skills and versatility to play inside and out.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after Jamal Murray hit yet another game-winner to eliminate the Los Angeles Lakers. Among the topics discussed: Jamal Murray’s postseason credentials continue to grow after the Nuggets guard hit his second game-winner in eight days.

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag. Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag. At what point does Bud Black’s job security come into question? I know he doesn’t have the most talented roster to work with. Still, it seems like they also keep shooting themselves in the foot with coaching mistakes like baserunning errors and mismanaged lineups (Kris Bryant is batting third or fourth, and Ezequiel Tovar is starting the year batting seventh).

Instant reaction from the Avalanche’s 6-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 5 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series. Related Articles Colorado Avalanche | PHOTOS: Colorado Avalanche best Winnipeg Jets 6-3 to advance to the second round of NHL playoffs Colorado Avalanche | Mikko Rantanen scores twice, Avalanche grounds Jets in Game 5 to advance to second round Colorado Avalanche | Alexandar Georgiev’s ability to make “Big Save” at key moments changed Avalanche’s fortunes Colorado Avalanche | Namestnikov and Dillon out for Game 5 against Avs due to injuries as Jets face playoff elimination Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche vs.

WINNIPEG — Mikko Rantanen found a stick he liked, and shot the Colorado Avalanche into the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Winnipeg Jets played their best game of the series facing elimination, but the Avs continued to put pucks past the pending Vezina Trophy winner and advanced with a 6-3 victory Tuesday night in Game 5 at Canada Life Centre. Colorado won four straight in this series after dropping Game 1, and will now awaits the winner of Dallas-Vegas in the second round. “How hard we worked and how hard we battled this series was amazing,” Nathan MacKinnon said.

Leave it to the Rockies to ruin a couple of storybook endings. In one of the worst meltdowns in recent memory, the Rockies blew a 5-0 lead in the ninth inning and lost 7-6 to the woeful Marlins in 10 innings Tuesday night at loanDepot park. In losing again, the Rockies became the first team since 1900 to trail in each of its first 29 games. The Rockies lost to Houston on Sunday, joining the 1910 St.