GEAR MAG

The Red Storm made just two field goals and managed only 14 total points in the second half in a 72-40 loss at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford. It marked the team's fewest points scored in a game since 2013 and was easily the most lopsided loss of the Pitino era. It was the fewest points a Pitino-led team had ever scored. The longtime head coach, who has been in the sport for five decades, had a previous low of 43 points when he was with Boston University in 1981,according to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander.

To make the second half worse, both of St. John's made field goals came quickly after the break. Zuby Ejiofor hit a 3-pointer about 90 seconds into the second period, and then he made a layup about a minute later. That was it.

The Red Storm missed 24 straight shots to end the game over the next 17:28. UConn ended up outscoring St. John's 31-14 in the second half to cruise to the 32-point win. That stretch of 24 missed field-goal attempts is the longest streak of missed FGs by a ranked team and a Big East team in the past eight seasons, and the longest streak by any Division I team since 2022,according to ESPN.

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"That's probably only happened to me two times in my career ... It's all on me," Pitino said. "I'm very disappointed."

Joson Sanon led St. John's with 10 points and was the only Red Storm player to hit double figures. The Red Storm went 11-of-56 from the floor and 5-of-20 from behind the arc. The loss, which snapped a 13-game win streak, moved the Red Storm to 22-6 on the year.

Pitino didn't really have any answers after the game, either. He seemed just as confused as everybody else.

"I don't know what it is, all I know is we didn't play good offense," Pitino said. "We did things that we've never done. Again, it's something I have to question about myself and I will question it because the team did not do the things we've done in the last 13 games."

Tarris Reed Jr. led UConn with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Alex Karaban added 14 points. Solo Ball finished with 11 points. The Huskies shot 47% from the field. UConn (26-3) reclaimed the lead in the Big East from St. John's after a bad loss to Creighton last week opened the door in the conference standings.

St. John's completely failed to take advantage of the opportunity to put some space between itself and UConn with three games left in the regular season. Now, with UConn back in the lead, St. John's will have to be perfect and get some help in order to claim a second straight regular-season title.

That starts Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

"We'll get ready for Villanova. We're still playing for a league championship," Pitino said. "It doesn't matter whether you lose by one or 40, the league championship is still at stake. Obviously, we have to make our corrections and move on."

Eight of the last nine national champions have been No. 1 seeds in theNCAA tournament,with the lone exception being UConn in 2023, as the Huskies were a No. 4 seed. Of course, UConn repeated as national champions in 2024. Coincidentally enough, the last team lower than a No. 4 seed to win a title was also UConn, when it won as a No. 7 seed in 2014.

BRACKETOLOGY:NCAA tournament prediction has another shakeup

That said, math favors the NCAA tournament champion being a team that dominated the regular season, which makes plenty of sense.

Here's a look atUSA TODAY Sportspredictions for which teams can win a national championship this season:

March Madness predictions 2026: Who can win a national championship?

Michigan

It only took Dusty May two seasons as head coach to turn Michigan into a national championship contender, as the Wolverines are 26-2 this season with wins over Gonzaga, Purdue and Michigan State, which all also appear on this list.

Michigan is the only team in the country ranked inside the top five of both KenPom's offensive and defensive adjusted efficiency, ranking No. 5 and No. 2 in the metrics, respectively. UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg is one of the best all-around players in the country, averaging 14.2 points with 7.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game on 49.6% shooting.

Michigan belongs at the top, or at least very close to it, among the national championship favorites this season.

Duke

Duke has been the best defensive team in the country this season per KenPom, and also has one of, if not the frontrunner for national player of the year in Cameron Boozer.

Boozer, who's averaging 22.7 points with 10.7 rebounds and four assists per game on 58.3% shooting this season, has had a Cooper Flagg-like impact on the Blue Devils.The surefire top-five pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draftwas tremendous inDuke's win over Michiganon Feb. 21, scoring 18 points with 10 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in the win.

Duke isn't quite as loaded as it was last season with top-three NBA picks Flagg and Kon Knueppel, but the Blue Devils are more than capable of winning a title.

Arizona

Fifth-year coach Tommy Lloyd, a former Mark Few assistant at Gonzaga, has reloaded Arizona this season after the Wildcats lost four starters from 2025's Sweet 16 team.

Arizona is young, with three true freshmen starters. The Wildcats are led by Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, who are averaging 15.5 and 13.8 points per game this season. Fellow true freshman Ivan Kharchenkov is also averaging 10.1 points this season.

Arizona ranks eighth in KenPom's adjusted offensive efficiency and third in adjusted defensive efficiency while playing in the Big 12, likely the best conference in college basketball this season. It has three wins over top-10 ranked teams – Florida, UConn and Houston – and looks like one of the best Final Four bets in 2026.

Florida

Reigning national champion Florida lost its three starting guards from last season's team – March Madness hero Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard. However, the Gators' frontcourt trio of Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu all returned, and form perhaps the best group of big men in the country.

Haugh, Condon and Chinyelu are averaging 17.3, 14 and 11.5 points per game this season, respectively. They're also averaging a combined 26 rebounds per game, and Chinyelu leads all players nationally with 11.6 boards per contest.

The guard play has been suspect at times this season, but the Gators are rolling as of late with a 12-2 record in conference play. Florida could go as far as starting guards Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee take them, or its frontcourt could continue dominating and make their shaky play not even matter.

Houston

Houston is amid a 3-game losing streak, a rarity under legendary coach Kelvin Sampson, one of the best to never win a national title. The Cougars are coming off a national championship runner-up finish in 2025.

Houston boasts one of the most dynamic guards nationally in true freshman Kingston Flemings, who paces the offense with 16.6 points and 5.1 assists per game. Flemings, paired with returning starters Milos Uzan, Emanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler, makes for a lineup with loads of experience.

The Cougars rank 15th in adjusted offensive efficiency and eighth in adjusted defensive efficiency, which is still elite but worse than their usual standards. Houston is still one of the strongest bets to reach the Final Four, which it has done twice since 2020.

Illinois

Illinois has scored better than anyone in college basketball this season, with all five starters averaging in double digits while ranking No. 1 in adjusted offensive efficiency. True freshman Keaton Wagler has been a great surprise for the Fighting Illini, raising their ceiling by averaging 18.2 points with 5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 42% from 3-point range.

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Illinois' defense is the worst among KenPom's top-15 ranked teams, which could pose a threat come NCAA tournament time. Still, their transfer-heavy lineup could have enough firepower to make a run to a national title.

Purdue

The preseason No. 1-ranked team hasn't been quite as good as expected, but is still a top national championship contender.

Purdue's backcourt of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer have likely more experience than anyone in college basketball, as the four-year starters have been together since 2022-23. Smith, one of the best playmakers in the sport, is averaging 8.7 assists per game and paces an offense that ranks second nationally per KenPom.

Trey Kaufman-Renn, who led the team averaging 20.1 points per game last season, has taken a step back in 2025-26 averaging 13.3 points per contest. His emergence in March could be an X-Factor for the Boilermakers, and he could be heating up, with 27 and 20 points in his last two outings.

Michigan State

Never count out Tom Izzo in March Madness. The legendary coach hasn't won a national title since 2000, but has six Final Four appearance since and has an experienced roster in 2026.

Multi-year starters Jeremy Fears Jr. (15 points and 9.2 assists per game) and Jaxon Kohler (12.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game) lead the way for the Spartans. Returning contributors Coen Carr and Carson Cooper have emerged as starters in 2026 and both average in the double figures.

The Spartans lack a go-to scorer and could win a title if their offense gets hot.

Iowa State

Iowa State has been one of the Big 12's top programs for a few years now, but doesn't have much NCAA tournament success to show for it, with only a pair of Sweet 16 appearances since T.J. Otzelberger took over in 2021.

The Cyclones were bounced in the Round of 32 last season, despite having a veteran roster. They also have an experienced group this season, and are looking to avoid that same fate this season.

Iowa State is led by a trio of multi-year starters in Milan Momcilovic, Joshua Jefferson and Tamin Lipsey, who are averaging 17.4, 16.6 and 13 points per game this season, respectively. The Cyclones can shoot and defend, which is a recipe for success in March.

Kansas

Kansas has been solid without star freshman Darryn Peterson this season, even taking down Arizona without the projected No. 1 overall pick. Still, the Jayhawks' ceiling is highest when Peterson is at his best.

Peterson is averaging 19.5 points per game this season while shooting 40.5% from 3-point range but has missed 11 games. If he can stay on the court, the Jayhawks are a true national title threat.

UConn

UConn is back to college basketball elite status this season after being a bubble team in 2025. The Huskies have won two national titles under Dan Hurley, and he has another squad capable of winning a championship in 2026.

UConn has three returning starters in Solo Ball, Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban, a four-year starter for the Huskies. UConn added true freshman Braylon Mullins and Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr. to its backcourt, with both additions providing a huge boost to last season's core.

The Huskies haven't been tested much in Big East play, but have nonconference wins over Illinois and Florida. They rank No. 12 in KenPom's overall adjusted efficiency ratings.

Gonzaga

Gonzaga has one win this season over a currently ranked team (Alabama), and has dominated WCC play, per usual, which makes it hard to know just how good the Bulldogs are opposed to other seasons.

Gonzaga's frontcourt duo of Graham Ike and Braden Huff is stellar, as the duo is averaging 19.9 and 17.8 points per game this season, respectively. Outside shooting could be a problem in March Madness, though.

Arkansas

Arkansas surprised many last season when it reached the Sweet 16 despite being a bubble team for most of the season under John Calipari. The Razorbacks likely won't be a top-three seed in the NCAA tournament, but maybe is a sleeper national title team.

True freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. is one of the best players in the country, averaging 22.2 points with 6.2 assists per game this season, and scored 49 points in an overtime loss to Alabama on Feb. 18.

Arkansas ranks fourth nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency and is capable of getting hot and making a run.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:March Madness predictions: Teams that can win 2026 NCAA tournament

The three-time Vezina Trophy recipient and reigning Hart Trophy winner, proved to everyone why he's so decorated and in need of a larger trophy cabinet. U.S. President Donald Trump even said on Tuesdayhe will award Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Let's dive into Hellebuyck's five best performances, three of which came from his first trip to the NHL playoffs. Nobody will be surprised to see which is cemented in the No. 1 spot.

And I doubt he'll ever top the performance we witnessed to culminate the2026 Milano Cortina Games.

Members of the US Men's Olympic hockey team are recogized by US President Donald Trump as he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Feb. 24, 2026.

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See US men's hockey players honored by Trump at State of the Union

Members of the US Men's Olympic hockey team are recogized byUS President Donald Trumpas he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Feb. 24, 2026.

Connor Hellebuyck's top 5 performances

5. 2017-18 playoffs (Game 4, first round)

Hellebuyck has five shutouts in 58 playoff games, two of which occurred in consecutive games in the first round of the 2017-18 postseason against the Minnesota Wild.

Hellebuyck made the identical number of saves in Games 4 and 5, with 30 each. Due to playing on the road with the series still hanging in the balance (2-1 Jets), his Game 4 performance was marginally better.

The Jets won 2-0, leading to their Game 5 series clincher at home.

4. 2017-18 playoffs (Game 1, second round)

Playing in Nashville, one of the most inhospitable playoff environments, the Jets faced a daunting task against No. 1 seed Nashville in Game 1.

Hellebuyck made the 4-1 upset appear effortless despite the relentless barrage of attacks he was up against. He made 47 saves on 48 shots, finishing with a .979 save percentage.

Kevin Fiala broke Hellebuyck's shutout bid early in the third period, but the Jets' netminder was named the first star of the game.

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3. 2020-21 playoffs (Game 2, first round)

The Jets stormed into Edmonton in the second straight COVID-impacted playoffs and prevailed 1-0 over the Oilers in overtime, thanks to Hellebuyck's heroics.

He made 38 saves against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Co., providing Winnipeg with a commanding 2-0 series lead heading back to Winnipeg for Game 3.

What made the goose egg even more impressive is the fact the Oilers haven't been shut out in the playoffs at home since that fateful night at Rogers Place.

2. 2017-18 playoffs (Game 7, second round)

Easily his best Game 7 performance, Hellebuyck marched into Nashville and silenced the raucous home crowd.

He made 36 saves on 37 shots for a .973 save percentage, propelling the Jets to a 5-1 victory and securing their place in the Western Conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Hellebuyck won three of four in Nashville during his most successful playoff series.

1. 2026 Olympic gold medal game

With the weight of a nation and a 46-year wait tossed on his shoulders, Hellebuyck stood taller than the world's tallest building, assemblingarguably the greatest goaltending performancein any competition, ever.

He faced 42 shots, many of which were of the high-danger variety, and turned aside 41. He made several monumental saves, including on Canada's 5-on-3 second-period power play, and stopped McDavid and Macklin Celebrini on breakaways.

That merely scratches the surface of his fairytale-like performance on the world's biggest stage.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck top 5 games across NHL and Olympics

US Federal Court

Asif Merchant, 47, faces a life sentence if he's convicted ofterrorism charges. His trial got underway Wednesday in a federal court in Brooklyn.

Prosecutors said in court filings that a man who Merchant initially met when he arrived in New York in April 2024 later notified authorities about the plot and became a confidential informant, The New York Times reported. Merchant later paid a $5,000 advance to two would-be assassins who were actually undercover FBI agents, prosecutors said.

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At the time, Merchant did not specify who the target would be, but court filings show the potential targets included high-level officials such as Trump.

Merchant, who has maintained his innocence, is a deeply religious man who frequently traveled to Iran and Pakistan, where he has separate families, which his lawyers noted is legal in both countries he calls home. They told jurors Wednesday that there was simply not enough evidence to show their client was involved in some type of plot.

Prosecutors told jurors that Merchant sketched out his plans by putting objects on a hotel napkin to represent people and places in a potential assassination plot, including the target, crowd and buildings. The killing would have occurred during the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.

The FBI has foiled several alleged attacks through sting operations in which agents posed as terror supporters, supplying advice or equipment. Critics say the strategy can amount to entrapment ofmentally vulnerablepeople who wouldn't have the wherewithal to act alone.

Cuba said its forces fatally shot four heavily armed people attempting to "infiltrate" its territory on a Florida-registered speedboat on Wednesday, amid simmering tensions between the communist island and the US.

Cuban border guard troops approached the boat after it entered their territorial waters in Falcones Cay, Villa Clara province, just over 100 miles from Florida, the country's interior ministry said in a statement.

A passenger on the speedboat shot at the Cuban vessel, wounding its commander, and prompting Cuban forces to return fire, according to the statement. Six other people aboard the speedboat were wounded and are in custody and receiving medical attention.

The passengers were Cuban residents of the US and were armed with assault rifles, handguns and Molotov cocktails, and had "intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes," according to a later statement from the ministry.

Two of the surviving passengers were previously wanted by Cuba for terrorism, the ministry added.

The vessel was not carrying US government personnel and was not on a US government operation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier.

The registration number given by Cuban authorities, FL7726SH, matched a 24-foot power boat that was manufactured in 1981, according to maritime database records.

Another individual who was sent from the US to "facilitate the reception of the armed infiltration" was arrested and has since confessed, the Cuban interior ministry statement said. CNN has reached out to the White House regarding the latest Cuban statement.

The shootout comes amidheightened tensionsbetween the US and Cuba. Following the US ousting in January of Venezuelan leader and Cuban ally Nicolás Maduro, the administration of US President Donald Trump has set its sights on Cuba, blocking all oil deliveries to the island and talking of regime change.

The blockade has brought Cuba's economy to its knees, with the Caribbean nation experiencing its worst era ofeconomic uncertaintyin decades and the UN warning of a potential humanitarian "collapse."

The USeased the embargo slightlyon Wednesday, saying it would grant licenses to private Cuban entities looking to resell oil from Venezuela, the main supplier of crude and fuel to the Cuban market. That market is largely dominated by the public sector.

Cuba has clashed with US boats before

Cuba's forces have engaged in skirmishes with US boats entering its waters in the past, though it is rare to see deadly shootouts on this scale.

Havana's ministry of the interior said itintercepted 13 US speedboatsin 2022 with 23 crew members who it accused of "carrying out human trafficking operations" taking people from Cuba to the US.

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The north coast of Villa Clara province, where the speedboat was intercepted on Wednesday, is known for its white-sand beaches, shallow waters and sandbars. The US Coast Guard has previously intercepted speedboats off its coast that it said were carrying illegal migrants to the US, which is home to a Cuban exile community largely opposed to the island's communist government.

The fatal shooting comes just one day after the 30-year anniversary of when theCuban military downed two planesbelonging to the Cuban-American humanitarian organization Brothers to the Rescue over the waters north of Havana, killing four.

Earlier this month, Trumpextended a Clinton-era emergency measure, enacted after Cuba shot down the planes, which allows US authorities to board any vessel which may be headed toward Cuba.

Nearly one million Cubans have fled to the US in recent years, withthousands attemptingthe perilous sea journey to Florida in makeshift vessels. However, unlike previous Republican and Democratic administrations, which generally treated Cubans as political refugees and gave them a unique fast track to US residency,Trump has deported Cubansin record numbers.

US officials call for investigation

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US embassy in Havana was looking into the incident after being informed of it by Cuban authorities. The Department of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard are also involved.

"We're going to find out exactly what happened here and then we'll respond accordingly," said Rubio, who was in the region on an official visit to Saint Kitts and Nevis.

"Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts on open sea like that," he added. "It's something, frankly, that hasn't happened over Cuba in a very long time."

Officials from Florida called for an investigation and for the Cuban government to be held accountable.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said he has directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to help federal, state, and law enforcement authorities begin an investigation.

US Republican Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez, whose district includes the southern tip of Florida, said the incident raised concerns about the use of lethal force against people aboard a US-registered vessel and called for an investigation into the incident.

"United States authorities must determine whether any of the victims were US citizens or legal residents and establish exactly what occurred," he said in a statement posted to X. "The regime in Cuba must be relegated to the dustbin of history for its countless crimes against humanity."

Republican Senator Rick Scott, also from Florida, called the incident "deeply concerning" and said the Cuban government "must be held accountable."

CNN's Max Saltman, Patrick Oppmann and Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report.

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About 14,000 troops marched through Kim Il Sung Square in the capital of Pyongyang, state media said. Columns of soldiers were seen goose-stepping under floodlights with fighter jets roaring overhead.

Kim's teenage daughter, widely believed to be named Ju Ae, again appeared prominently at the parade beside her father. But despite speculation in South Korea about her potential grooming as a successor, no new official titles were announced as the once-in-five-years ruling party congress wrapped.

In his closing remarks at the congress, Kim doubled down on expanding the nation's nuclear arsenal. He called it the party's "firm will" to strengthen national nuclear power and increase both the number of weapons and the means to deploy them.

But at his parade, most military hardware was conspicuously absent. No procession of tanks, no towering intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), no hypersonic glide vehicles, no transporter-erector-launchers rumbling past the cameras.

The restraint is noteworthy because the Kim regime often uses parades to showcase its most menacing weapons, and state propaganda has been leaning into weapons imagery recently.

Just last week,state media aired footageof Kimappearing to take the wheelof a 600mm multiple rocket launcher – a system North Korea has touted as "nuclear-capable" – with rows of dozens of launch vehicles lined up in striking formation. And only four months ago, North Korea staged a massiverain-soaked military parademarking the ruling party's 80th anniversary, showcasing what state media called its most powerful ICBM and other new strategic systems.

North Korea's Ninth Workers' Party Congress, a largely rubber-stamp political gathering of the nation's elite, also brought personnel changes at the top.

Kim's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, was promoted to director of a party department after years in a deputy role, solidifying her standing in the inner circle. Several senior party and military posts were reshuffled, elevating younger loyalists while unanimously "reelecting" Kim as general secretary for another five-year term.

A change in Kim's signaling

So why the scaled-back military display this time around? One practical explanation is timing. Parades are expensive, logistically complex, and often used to unveil new and upgraded hardware. Showing the same missiles so soon after a major anniversary event could blunt the impact of their appearance.

But the broader context suggests something more deliberate. Pyongyang appears to be signaling discipline and political control while keeping its strategic leverage in reserve.

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Alongside the promise for more nuclear weapons, Kim also reiterated plans for stronger ICBMs, submarine-launch capabilities, and developments involving drones and artificial intelligence.

At the same time, Kim left conditional room for talks with Washington, but only on Pyongyang's terms. Prospects for improved relations, he said, depend entirely on the "US attitude," implying that Washington would need to accept North Korea's nuclear status and abandon what the regime has long described as a "hostile policy."

The timing may be intentional. US President Donald Trump is preparing for a visit to China from March 31 to April 2, a trip that could reshape regional diplomacy. Some North Korea watchers speculate that a Beijing visit could create a narrow opening for a renewed Trump-Kim dialogue, whether directly or through Chinese mediation.

Notably, Trump made no mention of North Korea during hisState of the Union address. It was a striking omission given how frequently he referenced the country during his first term, particularly around the high-profile summit diplomacy with Kim.

Trump did recognize a 100-year-old Korean War veteran during the speech Wednesday, presentingformer fighter pilot Royce Williamswith the Medal of Honor before a bipartisan round of applause. The tribute underscored the enduring legacy of the war, even as contemporary tensions on the peninsula went unaddressed in the speech.

The Russia partnership

Pyongyang's leverage looks very different from the summit era of Trump's first term, largely because of Kim's deepening partnership with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Kim and Putin signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" agreement in June 2024 that includes a mutual defense clause, cementing what both sides portray as a de facto alliance. The relationship has grown more consequential as North Korea's role in Russia's war in Ukraine has become central to Pyongyang's propaganda.

State media has repeatedly shown Kim honoring returning North Korean soldiers who fought for Russia and consoling the families of those killed. The ceremonies are often visibly emotional, with Kim portrayed as a benevolent father figure. Earlier this month, heawarded new apartmentsto some of those families.

Against that backdrop, Wednesday's parade being heavy on troops and light on weapons could be deliberately calibrated for Kim's domestic audience. The emphasis this time around was on unity, loyalty and readiness, while keeping the most provocative systems off-camera.

The warning to adversaries still came through. State media quoted Kim saying that any violation of the country's sovereignty would trigger immediate retaliatory strikes. The familiar threat landed as the US and South Korea announced that their own, possibly toned-down, military drills will return to the calendar next month.

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San Jose saw four of its players compete at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan over the last couple of weeks, including forward Pavol Regenda for Slovakia, forward Alexander Wennberg for Sweden, forward Philipp Kurashev for Switzerland andforward Macklin Celebrini for Canada,who won silver.

Now, the full team is back and ready to trek along for the remainder of the season, starting with a six-game homestand beginning Thursday, Feb. 26 against theCalgary Flames.

"It's just the same approach every day, no matter what situation you're in," Celebrini told USA TODAY Sports. "That's what I found at the Olympics. It was the biggest stage I've ever played on, and the biggest games I've ever been a part of. So, I think it was just, come back to my same routine, doing all the same things to get prepared, and then whatever happens on the ice, happens."

The Sharks remain hopeful they'll continue playing into late April.

There has been a lot of buzz generating around the Bay Area over the resurgence of a Sharks team that has been in the draft lottery year in and year out and hasn't sniffed the postseason since 2019.

Still, heading back into the regular season with a 27-24-4 record (58 points), San Jose finds itself on the outskirts of a wild card spot in the Western Conference.

Jack Eichel #9 of Team United States and Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada face off in the first period during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

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See USA and Canada clash as Olympic rivalry continues

Jack Eichel #9 of Team United States and Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada face off in the first period during theMen's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United Stateson day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky told USA TODAY Sports that they aren't overlooking games, or looking too far down the road. The team is focusing its attention not on the last months of the season, but on how to improve every single day.

"When you walk in the building it says on the left side of the wall 'Focus on Today.' That's what we ask of our players and that's what we'll continue to do," Warsofsky told USA TODAY Sports.

"We gotta focus on today and that was our practice," he said. "(Thursday), we'll get ready for the Calgary Flames. We can't get wrapped in 'we have a six-game homestand, we gotta go 6-0'. Can't do that. Mentally, as (a) human being you get overwhelmed."

Warsofsky, 38, is in his second season as head coach of the Sharks.

He was an assistant coach before being promoted, becoming the youngest NHL head coach in June 2024. Although young, Warsofsky is ensuring that the team remains level-headed and focused on little tasks that make a huge impact.

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"So, we're going to focus, we're gonna have a morning skate tomorrow, it's gonna feel good. There's meetings and (we'll) prepare our players and making sure we execute it and get excited to play in front of our fans," Warsofsky said. "But we can't get wrapped up in the homestand. Today we had practice, we were focused on that and had a good practice."

Celebrini has been one of the bright spots for the Sharks. He is in his second year after being selected with the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL entry draft. Beyond being an Olympic selection for Team Canada, he finds himself in the top five of the NHL scoring leaderboard.

His production has been a big part of the Sharks' turnaround. In his rookie season, the Sharks went just 20-50-12 (52 points).

The 19-year-old phenom echoed some of the same sentiments as Warsofsky regarding the team's focus on the present, rather than looking too far into the future.

"It's a mentality for every game you want to win," Celebrini said. "Especially how important it is for us. Like I said, we're not going to try to look too far ahead, but, I mean, we know. We know how important all these games are."

That mentality is contagious amongst the entire team, setting up for an interesting finish to the season.

After seven years outside the field, the Sharks feel like now's the time to end their playoff drought. Regenda doubled-down, and said that is the goal.

"Everybody wants to win," Regenda told USA TODAY Sports. "Everybody wants to win. Everybody wants to make the playoff. And that's our goal."

Having an opportunity to play for his home country, Slovakia, provided Regenda with a newfound confidence that he needed as the Sharks lean on him and other players down the stretch.

"(I've gained) a little confident in (myself)," Regenda said. "I can play with the big guys. That's my goal, you know, come to the games, be confident and play my game, and, you know, help the team as much as I can."

Regenda said the team is happy to be back on the ice together after the break and is excited about the next couple of games, adding that "nobody wants to lose."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Can the San Jose Sharks make the playoffs? NHL back after Olympics