Centre Emily Scarratt will win her 100th England cap in her hometown of Leicester in Sunday's Women's Six Nations encounter with Ireland.

World player of the year Zoe Aldcroft makes her return from injury at lock, pushing Poppy Cleall to the bench.

The defending champions face an Ireland side missing several key players.

With Ireland's sevens and XV-a-side programmes combined, many of the usual starting side will be away preparing for a sevens event in Canada.

England captain Sarah Hunter praised Scarratt for reaching the milestone and helping to boost the exposure of women's rugby along the way with her work in the media.

"I feel very honoured not only to call her my team-mate but my friend as well," Hunter said.

"I hope she starts to realise what she's done - not just 100 caps but what she's done to bring the women's game forward.

"I hope she takes all the plaudits. She fully deserves all this attention."

Missing Ireland players 'a shame'

Middleton rotated most of his 40-player squad through the first three games, previously saying those matches would be an opportunity for players to earn a starting shirt in the last two rounds.

With a record crowd of more than 15,000 expected, the head coach is deploying all his best players as England prepare for a possible title decider against France - also unbeaten so far - on the final weekend.

Lydia Thompson is named on the right wing, with Holly Aitchison at 12 and Leanne Infante starting at scrum-half for her 50th cap.

Jess Breach impressed on her return against Wales and moves across to the left wing to make way for Thompson.

Rowland - normally a fly-half or centre - fills the gap left by Abby Dow, who is a doubt for October's World Cup after suffering a broken leg against Wales.

Hooker Amy Cokayne and prop Hannah Botterman are set to return from injury as they are named among the replacements.

England are on track to claim a fourth successive Six Nations title after three bonus-point wins and face an Ireland side who have claimed one win in three games.

Middleton said Ireland's lack of available players is "a shame because they were going really well".

"Ultimately it's down to where they put their priorities," he added.

"If they feel that at this point in time they're working towards a different goal in terms of sevens or XVs, it's down to them."

England: Rowland; Thompson, Scarratt, Aitchison, Breach; Harrison, Infante; Cornborough, Davies, Bern, Aldcroft, Ward, Matthews, Packer, Hunter (capt).

Replacements: Cokayne, Botterman, Muir, Galligan, Cleall, Hunt, Reed, Kildunne.

Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon are two of the best hockey players in the world. Neither has come close to winning the Stanley Cup yet, but if things break a certain way this postseason, one of them could be guaranteed a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Avs have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and are in the mix for the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top team overall this regular season. They'll face the West's No. 2 wild card (currently the Dallas Stars) in the first round, followed by the winner of the St. Louis Blues-Minnesota Wild series in the second round in order to get to the Conference finals. Per Money Puck, the Avs have a 43.4% chance of making it that far.

As for the Oilers, they've got a series forthcoming against the No. 3 seed in the Pacific Division, currently the Los Angeles Kings. Win that one, and they'll face the winner of the series pitting the Calgary Flames against the West's No. 1 wild card (currently the Nashville Predators). Money Puck gives the Oilers a 24.6% chance of getting to the Conference finals.

The still-raging Western wild-card race will have much to do with both teams' paths to another showdown. But we'll be keeping a close eye on their game tonight (9 ET, streaming live ESPN+ for out-of-market subscribers) to get a preview of this possible future matchup.

As we enter the final stretch of the 2021-22 regular season, it's time to check in on all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2022 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via FiveThirtyEight. Tragic numbers are courtesy of Damian Echevarrieta of the NHL.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Wednesday's games
Tuesday night's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC2 Washington Capitals
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 Boston Bruins
M2 New York Rangers vs. M3 Pittsburgh Penguins

Western Conference

C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Dallas Stars
C2 Minnesota Wild vs. C3 St. Louis Blues
P1 Calgary Flames vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Tonight's games

Note: All times Eastern. All out-of-market, non-NHL Network games available to stream on ESPN+.

Ottawa Senators at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. (NHLN)
Colorado Avalanche at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Arizona Coyotes, 10:30 p.m.

Last night's scoreboard

Watch In the Crease on ESPN+ for highlights from every game.

Philadelphia Flyers 6, Montreal Canadiens 3
Florida Panthers 5, Detroit Red Wings 2
Buffalo Sabres 5, New Jersey Devils 2
Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Boston Bruins 0
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Winnipeg Jets 2
New York Rangers 6, New York Islanders 3
Tampa Bay Lightning 8, Toronto Maple Leafs 1
Minnesota Wild 6, Vancouver Canucks 3
Calgary Flames 4, Dallas Stars 2
Los Angeles Kings 4, Chicago Blackhawks 1
St. Louis Blues 3, San Jose Sharks 1

Expanded standings

Note: x = clinched playoff spot; y = clinched division title; z = clinched best conference record; e = eliminated

Atlantic Division

z - Florida Panthers

Points: 118
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 5
Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 108
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 4
Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 5
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Boston Bruins

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 5
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

e - Buffalo Sabres

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Detroit Red Wings

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Next game: vs. PIT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Ottawa Senators

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Next game: @ CBJ (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Montreal Canadiens

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Next game: @ OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Metropolitan Division

x - Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 108
Regulation wins: 44
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 4
Next game: @ NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - New York Rangers

Points: 108
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 4
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 4
Next game: @ DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Washington Capitals

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 5
Next game: @ ARI (Friday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

e - New York Islanders

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Next game: vs. OTT (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - New Jersey Devils

Points: 61
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Next game: vs. PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Central Division

z - Colorado Avalanche

Points: 116
Regulation wins: 45
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 5
Next game: @ EDM (Friday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Minnesota Wild

Points: 105
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 5
Next game: vs. SEA (Friday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - St. Louis Blues

Points: 105
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 4
Next game: @ ARI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Nashville Predators

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 5
Next game: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98%
Tragic number: N/A

Dallas Stars

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 4
Next game: vs. SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 77%
Tragic number: N/A

e - Winnipeg Jets

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Next game: vs. COL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Arizona Coyotes

Points: 50
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Next game: vs. WSH (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

y - Calgary Flames

Points: 106
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 4
Next game: vs. VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 5
Next game: vs. COL (Friday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 3
Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 95%
Tragic number: N/A

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Next game: vs. SJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 28%
Tragic number: 7

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Next game: @ CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2%
Tragic number: 5

e - Anaheim Ducks

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - San Jose Sharks

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Seattle Kraken

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Next game: @ MIN (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team might move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. The 2022 draft lottery will be held on May 10.

1. Arizona Coyotes

Points: 50
Regulation wins: 16

2. Montreal Canadiens

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14

3. Seattle Kraken

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22

4. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 19

5. New Jersey Devils

Points: 61
Regulation wins: 19

6. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 15

7. Ottawa Senators

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24

8. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 19

9. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 24

10. San Jose Sharks

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 21

11. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 21

12. Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 24

13. New York Islanders

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 32

14. Winnipeg Jets

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 28

15. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 31

16. Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 33

Notes on conditionally traded picks impacting the top 16:

• Columbus will receive Chicago's first-round pick if Chicago does not win either of the two draws in the 2022 draft lottery. Otherwise, the pick defers to 2023.

• Buffalo will receive Vegas' first-round pick if it is outside the top 10 selections. Otherwise, the pick defers to 2023.

Formula One star Lewis Hamilton, who is part of a consortium bidding to buy Chelsea, has said he was forced to support Arsenal as a child, although he now describes himself as a "sporting fan."

Hamilton and tennis star Serena Williams have joined a consortium led by Sir Martin Broughton to buy Chelsea. Representatives for the seven-time F1 champion said he planned to invest more than £10 million ($13m).

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"When I was young, around the corner from where I lived, I used to play football with all the kids and a couple of close friends at the time. I really wanted to fit in. I was the only kid of colour there," Hamilton said.

"I knew all the kids supported someone different, one was Tottenham Hotspur, one was Manchester United. I remember switching between these teams when I was younger and getting home and my sister Sam punching me several times in the arm, basically beat me, saying 'You have to support Arsenal!'

"I remember 5, 6 years old that I then became a supporter of Arsenal. But my Uncle Terry is a big Blues fan, so I've been to so many games with him to watch Arsenal and Chelsea play. Ultimately I'm a sporting fan -- it is the biggest sport in the world and Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world and most successful.

"When I heard about the opportunity I was like, 'wow, this is one of the greatest opportunities to be part of something so great.'"

Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who own multiple teams including the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, are also backing Broughton's bid.

Hamilton said he joined the bid with 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams as a way to better engage with the community.

"We did speak about it. We spoke multiple times, Serena and I are very close so we are constantly in touch. She's a phenomenal athlete and woman. We spoke about it, she asked me what my thoughts were about it and I told her that I'm going to be a part of it and she was excited to join," Hamilton said.

"Firstly, we are trying to acquire a team and move it forwards. This is a team, it's all about the community. That's what really makes a football team, it's the people in and around it. They've been quite leading in their work in D&I and becoming more diverse and progressive. So it's not that we're associating ourselves with previous owners, our goals is to continue some of the work that they've already done and have even more of an impact and engage more with the community."

Hamilton, who is a seven-time champion in F1, said he would not be as "hands on" as others in the consortium should their bid for the club be successful, but he added he is keen to be involved as a way to "educate fans."

"Well at the moment my primary focus is continuing in Formula 1 and this isn't my first business venture or investment. But yeah, it's something that I'm excited about. I would say for sure early on I wouldn't be able to be as hands on as some of the other people that are a part of it," he added.

"We haven't won it yet but if we do, there's lots of opportunity to be involved more and more over time, which is super exciting and particularly beyond racing, of wanting to help with the success they've already had and help it be even more successful. The part we are very aligned in and what they've already done there is D&I. You see in that sport there is a lot more work that needs to be done to be diverse and more inclusive. It's an amazing platform to bring in and educate a lot of the amazing fans that are out there."

There are two others bids for Chelsea -- L.A. Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca -- being considered by U.S. bank Raine Group, who are overseeing the sale.

Chelsea were put up for sale by Russian owner Roman Abramovich amid sanctions against him from the U.K. government following the invasion of Ukraine.

Formula One star Lewis Hamilton, who is part of a consortium bidding to buy Chelsea, has said he was forced to support Arsenal as a child, although he now describes himself as a "sporting fan."

Hamilton and tennis star Serena Williams have joined a consortium led by Sir Martin Broughton to buy Chelsea. Representatives for the seven-time F1 champion said he planned to invest more than £10 million ($13m).

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- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access

"When I was young, around the corner from where I lived, I used to play football with all the kids and a couple of close friends at the time. I really wanted to fit in. I was the only kid of colour there," Hamilton said.

"I knew all the kids supported someone different, one was Tottenham Hotspur, one was Manchester United. I remember switching between these teams when I was younger and getting home and my sister Sam punching me several times in the arm, basically beat me, saying 'You have to support Arsenal!'

"I remember 5, 6 years old that I then became a supporter of Arsenal. But my Uncle Terry is a big Blues fan, so I've been to so many games with him to watch Arsenal and Chelsea play. Ultimately I'm a sporting fan -- it is the biggest sport in the world and Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world and most successful.

"When I heard about the opportunity I was like, 'wow, this is one of the greatest opportunities to be part of something so great.'"

Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who own multiple teams including the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, are also backing Broughton's bid.

Hamilton said he joined the bid with 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams as a way to better engage with the community.

"We did speak about it. We spoke multiple times, Serena and I are very close so we are constantly in touch. She's a phenomenal athlete and woman. We spoke about it, she asked me what my thoughts were about it and I told her that I'm going to be a part of it and she was excited to join," Hamilton said.

"Firstly, we are trying to acquire a team and move it forwards. This is a team, it's all about the community. That's what really makes a football team, it's the people in and around it. They've been quite leading in their work in D&I and becoming more diverse and progressive. So it's not that we're associating ourselves with previous owners, our goals is to continue some of the work that they've already done and have even more of an impact and engage more with the community."

Hamilton, who is a seven-time champion in F1, said he would not be as "hands on" as others in the consortium should their bid for the club be successful, but he added he is keen to be involved as a way to "educate fans."

"Well at the moment my primary focus is continuing in Formula 1 and this isn't my first business venture or investment. But yeah, it's something that I'm excited about. I would say for sure early on I wouldn't be able to be as hands on as some of the other people that are a part of it," he added.

"We haven't won it yet but if we do, there's lots of opportunity to be involved more and more over time, which is super exciting and particularly beyond racing, of wanting to help with the success they've already had and help it be even more successful. The part we are very aligned in and what they've already done there is D&I. You see in that sport there is a lot more work that needs to be done to be diverse and more inclusive. It's an amazing platform to bring in and educate a lot of the amazing fans that are out there."

There are two others bids for Chelsea -- L.A. Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca -- being considered by U.S. bank Raine Group, who are overseeing the sale.

Chelsea were put up for sale by Russian owner Roman Abramovich amid sanctions against him from the U.K. government following the invasion of Ukraine.

By ALAN THATCHER – Squash Mad Editor

Americans Olivia Clyne and Sabrina Sobhy won through to the quarter-finals of the Carol Weymuller Open at Heights Casino, with Sobhy meeting No.1 seed and world No.8 Rowan Elaraby in the last eight.

No.7 seed Sobhy beat Ineta Mackavica from Latvia in straight games but Clyne was fully extended before overcoming Egypt’s Hana Moataz 11-8 in the fifth.

Sobhy is currently ranked 23 in the world after reaching a high point of 18 back in September. Mackevica is ranked 44 and based in the great squash city of Paderborn, Germany.

The American was in control for most of the match but Mackevica rallied strongly in the second. After delighting the crowd with a crosscourt nick in the third game, Sobhy said: “Nerves are always present at the first match of every tournament, so I am trying to keep a very simple game plan. I am happy with the win and looking forward to tomorrow’s match.”

Brooklyn-born world No.17 Clyne was made to battle for a place in the quarters by Egyptian Moataz, the world No.70. Moataz is about to graduate college in two weeks and is excited to embark on her pro squash career, with a bright future ahead of her in the game on this evidence.

The match was played at a fast pace, with exciting shots and both players covering the court well. Clyne looked in a strong position as she led by two games to one, but she struggled to remain patient during the fourth and made too many mistakes.

Moataz won the fourth 11-8 leaving the home crowd wondering if Clyne could cope with her skilful and resilient opponent in the final game. Clyne rose to the occasion and finally came through to win the fifth 11-8, leaving the court to a chorus of whooping, whistles and cheering and with a big smile on her face.

Clyne meets another Egyptian, Farida Mohamed, in the quarter-finals and said: “Honestly, it’s just nice to win a match! It’s been a rough couple of months and a win is a win. I’m just happy to play tomorrow and have another match back to back.

“Hana is a great player with lots of potential and one hell of a head of hair! It’s almost better when it’s hard and then you are ready for hard the next day.”

Mohamed, the world No.26 from Egypt who plays her college squash at Columbia, beat England’s Lucy Beecroft, a Yale graduate ranked 63 in the world.

In a sometimes fractious match, Beecroft squandered game balls in the first and second before Mohamed got off to a good start in the third with a mixture of power and precision.

Beecroft showed her skill and fighting spirit but Mohamed closed out the match 13-11, 13-11, 11-7 for a place in the quarter-finals against local favourite Clyne.

College rivalry was on display as Cornell’s Sivasangari Subramaniam, the individual collegiate champion from Malaysia, met Marina Stefanoni, who is studying at Harvard and has arguably been one of the most successful players to emerge from US junior squash.

Subramaniam began impressively, winning the first nine points, before Stefanoni could begin to make any kind of impact.

The Malaysian played some outstanding squash to take the first two games but Stefanoni fought back to win the thirds. However, Subramaniam regained her control to dominate the fourth and book a place in the quarter-finals against Hollie Naughton, who won an all-Canadian second round tie against Nicole Bunyan.

After beating wild card Akanksha Salunkhe, the world #99 from India, top seed Rowan said: “I’m feeling fresh. I played here a few years ago and I was so young back then. I think I came here this time with more experience and lots of things learned.

“I have never seen Akanksha play before but I was expecting a good match as she played a good match yesterday. I’m happy I’m through in three and looking forward to the next round.”

Tournament promoter Linda Elriani looked on with pride as another Weymuller week unfolded. She is one of the few event promoters in squash and is delighted to see so many young women benefit from combining squash and studies.

She said: “We had eight more wonderful matches today with the top seeds joining the fun. One thing that struck me when looking at the Weymuller draw was the amount of women that are, or have, attended college here in the US and have now gone on to be amazing world class squash players.

“This not only shows us that the standard of college squash in the US is truly incredible, but it also shows that a player can get a great education first before embarking on a professional squash career and still make it to the top ranks. So wonderful to see and very inspiring!”

$51,250 Women’s Carol Weymuller Open 2022, Heights Casino, Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Second Round:
[1] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt [WC] Akanksha Salunkhe (IND) 11-3, 11-7, 11-3 (20m)
[7] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bt [9/16] Ineta Mackevica (LAT) 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 (21m)
[8] Donna Lobban (AUS) bt Karina Tyma (POL) 11-5, 11-6, 11-5
[3] Nadine Shahin (EGY) bt Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 (22m)
[4] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt [9/16] Nicole Bunyan (CAN) 11-8, 11-5, 11-3
[6] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt Marina Stefanoni (USA) 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-5 (32m)
[5] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bt Lucy Beecroft (ENG) 13-11, 13-11, 11-7 (29m)
[2] Olivia Clyne (USA) bt [9/16] Hana Moataz (EGY) 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8 

Quarter Finals:
[1] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) v [7] Sabrina Sobhy (USA)
[3] Nadine Shahin (EGY) v [8] Donna Lobban (AUS)
[4] Hollie Naughton (CAN) v [6] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS)
[2] Olivia Clyne (USA) v [5] Farida Mohamed (EGY)

Pictures courtesy of JEAN ERVASTI

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has said the issue with signing a new contract at Anfield is not all "about money" as he admits he does not know if an agreement will be found.

In an interview with Four Four Two magazine, Salah, whose existing deal expires in June 2023, said he is confident he will remain at the club next season, regardless of how the negotiations play out.

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"I don't know, I have one year left. I think the fans know what I want, but in the contract it's not everything about the money at all. So I don't know, I can't tell you exactly. I have one year left and the fans know what I want," Salah said.

The 29-year-old has played a crucial role for Liverpool this season, leading the side in goals as they continue their bid for a historic quadruple.

He added: "I'm not worried, I don't let myself worry about something. The season didn't finish yet, so let's finish it in the best possible way -- that's the most important thing. Then in the last year, we're going to see what's going to happen."

Salah's age has dominated speculation over whether Liverpool should make him one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League, but the forward said he said he is not concerned.

"I didn't think about the fact I'm going to turn 30," he said. "I ask some players and they say it's a different feeling when you turn 30, but I don't know, I'm feeling fine. I'm enjoying life, I'm enjoying football -- it doesn't matter how old you are now.

"Now you can see that with players -- all of them extend their careers. You can see the top, top players always after 32, 33, you can see a lot of them -- [Robert] Lewandowski, [Karim][ Benzema, [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Zlatan [Ibrahimovic], a lot of players; also [Edin] Dzeko in Italy, [Olivier] Giroud. All of them perform really well after 30, so I'm not concerned about that."

DENVER -- After delivering their best punch and still losing 118-113 to fall behind 3-0 to the Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone said he told his players they have a decision to make on Sunday.

"Are we going to roll over?" Malone said of Sunday's Game 4. "Or are we going to fight like hell and send this back to Golden State?"

The Nuggets got an MVP performance out of Nikola Jokic, finally got a big game out of Aaron Gordon and were in the game in the fourth quarter for the first time this series. They led 111-109 with 3:20 left in the fourth, only to watch Golden State finish the game, and likely the series, with a 9-2 closing run.

Denver missed five of its final six shots and turned the ball over three times in the last three minutes. Jokic had his best game of the series with 37 points, 18 rebounds, five assists and three steals in 38 minutes.

But the Warriors' defense, led by Draymond Green, held Jokic scoreless in the final three minutes. Green sealed the game by stripping Jokic in the post with 34.7 seconds left and the Warriors up five.

"It's not over," Jokic said. "As long as we put the effort like we did today, we are going to be fine. They are a great team, but we showed ourselves that we can play with them and it can be a really interesting game."

The Nuggets will certainly need another effort like the one they got from Gordon on Thursday night. After scoring a total of 15 points in the first two games, Gordon responded with 18 points, 12 rebounds and four assists while having to guard Jordan Poole (27 points) and Stephen Curry (27 points) for stretches.

Gordon admitted that he felt more like himself in Game 3 but that it was "a little too late."

"Obviously the frustration level is high," Gordon said of how the Nuggets were feeling. "We felt like we should have won that game -- 2-1 is a whole different series. But we are not done yet. All year long we have been a resilient group, and I expect us to bounce back."

Denver has come back from down 3-1 against the Utah Jazz and the LA Clippers in playoff series in the bubble two postseasons ago. But without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets are staring at being swept for the second straight playoffs series. Last season, they fell 4-0 to Phoenix in the conference semifinals.

"We have a choice to make, come Sunday," Malone said before quoting a lyric from Starland Vocal Band. "What time do we play Sunday? Sunday afternoon? All right. It is going to be 'Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight.'

"Knowing our group, we are going to be here for the fight. I know I will be."

DENVER -- Ahead of Thursday night's Game 3, Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone vowed to "go down swinging" in the NBA playoffs against the Golden State Warriors while trying to find some fight within his team.

The Nuggets, after being pummeled in the first two games of the first round, showed the most fight and life they've had all series, and yet it wasn't enough as the Warriors squeaked out a 118-113 victory in Denver to go up 3-0 in the series.

"You have to feel this kind of adversity and pressure on the road," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. "You've got to execute. It's good for our team to have this experience and come through because we are going to be feeling it again, especially on the road."

Added Draymond Green: "When a team is down 2-0, they come out and give you everything they got in that Game 3. If you are able to take that punch and come out with a win, you go out in Game 4 and you got to take a punch or two, but you set yourself up well."

There were several plays that could qualify as the game-sealing play for Golden State on Thursday night.

With 34.7 seconds left and the Warriors up five, Green forced Nikola Jokic into his fifth turnover of the night -- the fourth forced by Green -- when he tipped the ball from Jokic's grip as the reigning MVP tried backing him down.

"On the first dribble when he hit me, I felt like I still had good inside positioning," Green said. "And then he took the second one and it was far away from his body. I'm already thinking right there, 'If he takes on more dribble, I'm stabbing at it.'"

At that moment, Green had five fouls. When asked if that made him nervous, Kerr said, "Yeah. But I'm not going to take him out."

Green said he didn't hesitate to go for the steal and risk getting his sixth foul.

"That's money time," he said. "That's when you've got to dig deep. You cant play the last four minutes of the game worried about fouling out. I'm going against Joker. I have to be willing to use all six of my fouls at some point in the game. ... But I can't start playing timid because I pick up my fifth foul."

Although Green has excelled at his defensive assignment on Jokic this series, he admitted that Jokic "got the best of me" in Game 3.

Jokic had his best game of the series Thursday night, finishing with 37 points on 14-of-22 shooting to go with 18 rebounds, five assists and three steals. With Green as the primary defender, Jokic had two turnovers and went 8-of-13 from the floor. Overall this series, Jokic has shot 13-of-36 (36%) from the field when guarded by Green compared with 21-of-30 against every other Warriors defender.

Green has also forced six turnovers when defending Jokic. That is tied for the most turnovers by a player against a single defender this postseason. Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant has committed six turnovers when guarded by Boston's Jayson Tatum.

"He's got so much confidence defensively," Kerr said. "He knows how to use his gifts. He's incredibly quick and strong and he knows the advantage he has using his speed and leverage. Jokic is so difficult to handle. He gets to wherever he wants, and once he gets to his spot and turns and shoots, he's got incredible touch."

When thinking about the play that likely sealed the win for the Warriors in Game 3, Malone said it isn't Green's steal that comes to mind but a play that happened about a minute and 45 seconds earlier.

With the Nuggets trailing 112-111, Stephen Curry pulled up for a 3-point shot several feet behind the arc. It rimmed out, but as Jeff Green, Will Barton and Monte Morris circled the paint for the rebound, the Warriors' Andrew Wiggins flew in to grab the offensive board.

"That was just one where you play good defense and the shot is taken and you kind of get guys just ball watching," Malone said. "And it's got to be a ball that we come up with in that type of game."

Wiggins tossed the ball back to Curry, who found a wide-open Jordan Poole in the corner. Poole passed up the open shot and finished with a reverse layup instead, putting the Warriors up by three with 2:15 to go.

Poole called Wiggins' rebound a "huge" play.

"We don't get that bucket if he doesn't get that rebound," Poole said. "Wiggs came up huge."

Wiggins had checked back into the game with 4:27 left, which Kerr said was always part of the game plan. Up until that point in the fourth, Kerr kept Andre Iguodala in the game because he had made "several good plays in a row." But as soon as the game shifted and the Warriors knew they needed more offense, they went back to Wiggins.

It was a move that quickly paid off. Wiggins hit a go-ahead 3 with 3:05 left, putting Golden State up for good. Kerr called it the "shot of the game."

The Warriors also got big performances down the stretch from Curry, Poole and Klay Thompson, who finished with 27, 27 and 26 points, respectively, making them the first Warriors trio to each have 25 points in a playoff game since Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals (Curry, Thompson and Durant).

Poole is also the first player in the shot-clock era to average 25 points and an 80% effective field goal percentage through the first three games of a postseason.

"The fun part is seeing Jordan in this for the first time," Kerr said. "He continues to play well. This is his third straight playoff game where he's really done a great job knocking down shots and making plays."

The Warriors have now won a road game in each of their past 24 playoff series (a league record), which is every series Curry, Thompson and Green have played together.

"That's what it's all about," Green said. "There is no better feeling than going into an opposing team's building and you can shut the crowd up. It doesn't get much better than that. There is no better feeling in sports than going into a hostile environment, their crowd into it -- yelling, screaming -- and ultimately you come out with the win."