Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will not shy away from pitching Anthony Gordon into a cauldron on his return to relegation-haunted Everton as he targets Champions League qualification.

The 22-year-old left Goodison Park in a £45million switch to the Magpies in January in acrimony, having made his name in the blue half of his native city.

Gordon has had to remain patient since – although he allowed his frustration to get the better of him when he was substituted at Brentford earlier this month – having started just two games for his new club, but will hope to play a significant role on familiar territory on Thursday evening.

Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon:

"I can only really comment on the player I've seen and he's been very good. He's trained very well and he's passionate, wants to achieve and wants to do well in his career. He's in a good place and he's looking forward to the game." pic.twitter.com/JqP9PInSTr

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 26, 2023

Asked if he had to be mindful of the hostile reception the youngster could receive, head coach Howe, who has a doubt over defender Fabian Schar, replied: “You don’t want to have or do anything that impacts the team, which is the most important thing.

“This is something surrounding the game, but is not influencing the game in terms of tactical preparation.

“There is nothing I can do to change that. It’s something we need to be mindful of, but I’m not too sure – other than concentrating on how we play – what we can do.”

In a terse announcement of Gordon’s departure, Everton confirmed the player, who had been confronted by angry fans as he left Goodison following a 2-1 defeat by Southampton in January, had submitted a formal transfer request.

He has since insisted the situation surrounding his departure was “misconstrued”, but whether he has a point to prove on his return, Howe – who revealed he would speak to the midfielder before the game – insisted he had to play the game rather than the occasion.

The 45-year-old said: “It’s staying very present and not thinking too much, just play the game – which is easier said than done in that environment where probably all eyes will be, he’ll feel, focused on him.

“I don’t want it to become a big talking point in the game.

“For me, it’s not important. It’s important for Anthony and it’s important that he comes through the game in a good way, but what’s important is that the team functions and we show our best selves.”

Seven of Gordon’s nine Newcastle appearances to date, the last of them in Sunday’s 6-1 Premier League romp against top-four rivals Tottenham, have come from the bench and while he is pleased with his contribution to date, Howe is confident there is more to come from him.

He said: “We have seen glimpses of potential, glimpses of what he can do. Putting it all together for 90 minutes, we have not seen that yet.

“I am really pleased with him and I know he will be a high-quality player for us in the future and I know he is going to be the right signing for us because of the way he has reacted to the move.”

5-0 inside 21 minutes!@NUFC were electric against Spurs ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/6PrPo7MEkO

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 26, 2023

Sunday’s rout of Spurs re-ignited the Magpies’ European charge and Howe and his players are in no mood to relax as the season’s climax approaches.

He said: “It’s hugely important that we don’t settle, that after a victory like we had on Sunday, we don’t sit back and relax with that.

“That is the wrong emotion. We have to use the confidence we have from the game, the way we played, the manner of the performance and use it to fuel us even more to try and recreate those moments again.”

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre will attempt to eradicate the “wobbles” from his new approach to staying calm on the course as he bids to secure a place in the US PGA Championship.

The top 100 players in the world rankings, who are not already exempt, are traditionally invited to compete in the year’s second major, with MacIntyre 90th in the standings.

The left-hander has two chances to seal his place at Oak Hill ahead of the May 8 ranking deadline, with this week’s Korea Championship followed by his title defence in the Italian Open at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, venue for this year’s Ryder Cup.

And the 26-year-old arrived at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon in good form following a final round of 64 in Japan at the weekend.

“It was really good,” MacIntyre said. “The golf course played tough on Sunday, it was firm and the wind blew.

“It was a good golf course. You knew if you scored well, if you were a couple under par, you would move up. Just happy to finish it off well.

“I’m trying not to get too emotional (on the course), whatever happens just hit it, deal with it, hit it again. That’s what I’m trying to do and last week it worked.

“I think I only had three holes where it wobbled a little bit. That was in the second round, I had two double bogeys within three holes, but we dealt with it and got on with it.

“Everyone gets annoyed and a bit stressed, it’s just recognising it is there and doing something to sort it.”

?? Jul 2022: Maiden Tour win ?? Dec 2022: Second success ? Jan 2023: Winning putt at Hero Cup ⛳ Apr 2023: Masters debut

There have been plenty of highlights for @AdrianMeronk in the past year ?#KoreaChampionship

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) April 25, 2023

World number 63 Adrian Meronk is the highest-ranked player in the field as he returns to action after becoming the first Polish player to compete in the Masters.

Meronk, who missed the cut at Augusta National by two shots following rounds of 73 and 76, said: “The Masters was an unbelievable experience.

“When I arrived on Sunday I was like, ‘Wow’. It’s such a cool place, a special place. I enjoyed the week, wish it was a bit longer for me, but I’ll get it next time. A special week and probably one of the highlights of my career.

“Playing with the best in the world gives you confidence and belief in yourself that you can do it. Hopefully that will help me to get better, improve my world ranking.”

Organisers of Europe’s biggest inclusive rugby union tournament will tap into Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games feelgood factor when the city hosts the IGR Union Cup.

Four years after bidding for the event and two years on from when Birmingham should have staged it, 47 LGBTQ+ teams – 1400 players from more than 10 countries – will descend on Perry Barr Stadium.

The three-day competition, which has a tiered structure for players of all levels, starts on Friday.

Last weekend we held a training event for the volunteers who will be helping us make the Union Cup 2023 a huge success next month in Birmingham! ? It was great to meet so many enthusiastic people.#volunteers #volunteering #birmingham #rugby #unioncup2023 #lgbtq? pic.twitter.com/MFqHYvioto

— IGR Union Cup (@unioncuprugby) March 22, 2023

It also sees the return of a women’s programme, which includes a masterclass training day taken by former England World Cup-winning coaches Gary Street and Graham Smith.

And there will be a familiar sight of kitted-out volunteers, with many of them returning after playing their part during the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

“Birmingham has an outstanding reputation for staging major events,” Union Cup organising committee chair James Anthony told the PA news agency.

“We’ve been really lucky in terms of volunteers. We have got over 100 of them, and in a real legacy of the Commonwealth Games, about half of them were involved last year.

? Only 3 Days To Go Till Union Cup 2023!? Best wishes to all teams playing.

ℹ️ For more information on the schedule:? https://t.co/aMBrGXrlP5#igrugby #rugbyforall #unioncup2023 pic.twitter.com/RCF1DB9yGk

— IGR International Gay Rugby (@IGRugby) April 24, 2023

“They have got the bug for volunteering at sports events, which has been a huge help to us.”

Four-figure crowds are expected, with Birmingham being the competition’s ninth host city as it returns following a four-year absence due to the Covid pandemic.

“The first tournament took place in 2005 in Montpellier, when I think only three or four teams from Europe competed, so it has developed significantly since then,” Anthony added.

“It is the biggest inclusive tournament in Europe, and one of the biggest rugby events in terms of people participating at one time in the country.

We did it! Winners of the Bingham Cup 2022: Kings Cross Steelers 1XV. ?

A great day of results for the club – we couldn't be prouder to win this trophy for the first time pic.twitter.com/UfVjdIk111

— Kings Cross Steelers (@KXSteelers) August 21, 2022

“We’ve got teams from Israel, Spain, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Sweden, as well as a very large contingent from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

“There are a number of tiers based on clubs’ previous performances, with eight of them competing in the top tier for the Union Cup, with three tiers sitting below that.

“And the range is incredible as we’ve got clubs that only started during and after Covid, along with clubs like Kings Cross Steelers, who won the Bingham Cup global event last year and are Harlequins’ official inclusion partner club.”

Apart from the competitive and coaching elements, the event, which starts with an opening ceremony at Birmingham Town Hall on Thursday and includes former Wales captain Gareth Thomas among the speakers, will have a key theme of driving participation.

“One of the things that LGBTQ+ clubs are very good at is bringing new people into the sport,” Anthony said.

“At my club, the Birmingham Bulls, I would say half of our players hadn’t played rugby in any serious way other than when they were at school, and we also get a lot of people coming into rugby for the first time, some in their 30s and 40s.

“There are probably 10 times as many clubs now as there were 10 years ago.

“And I would say to anyone looking to take up rugby to find their local IGR (International Gay Rugby) team, because they are so welcoming. A lot of clubs also have well-developed touch rugby teams, so you can find your space and give it a go.

“And you don’t have to live in a major urban area to take part in these things. There are clubs springing up in all parts of the country, and that makes a huge difference.”

Marc Marquez will miss his home MotoGP race after it was confirmed the eight-time world champion will sit out the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.

The Respol Honda man underwent surgery last month on a right hand fracture, with his recovery keeping him out of both the Argentine Grand Prix and Grand Prix of the Americas.

There had been some hope the Spaniard could return in Jerez, but the decision has now been made to focus on next month's French Grand Prix.

"Yesterday, we did another CT scan, and it has been confirmed that, despite the fact that the injury is progressing favourably, the bone has not yet finished healing and racing in Jerez was risky," Marquez said on Wednesday.

"Together with the medical team, we decided not to take any risks, to wait two more weeks and return in Le Mans.

"I am very sorry to miss the Spanish Grand Prix because it is always special, because of the atmosphere, racing at home and above all, seeing and enjoying the fans.

"I will continue with the rehabilitation and work to be back as soon as possible. Thank you for your messages of support!"

Iker Lecuona will stand in for Marquez this weekend.

Former Scotland captain and scrum-half Greig Laidlaw has announced his retirement from rugby.

The 37-year-old began his career with Edinburgh before moving on to Gloucester and Clermont Auvergne. He currently plays for Japanese club Urayasu D-Rocks.

Laidlaw earned 76 caps, including 39 Test appearances as captain, and toured New Zealand with the 2017 British and Irish Lions.

A post shared by Greig Laidlaw (@g.laidlaw)

He retired from international rugby after the 2019 World Cup in Japan and now plans to start a coaching career.

“We intend as a family to stay in Japan a while longer, but it is here I will finally hang up my playing boots,” Laidlaw wrote on Instagram.

“It is time to take everything I have learnt from a playing career I could only have dreamt of and move on into coaching.

One of the very best ?

Congratulations on an incredible career, Greig!#AsOne pic.twitter.com/eqyNRph4Aw

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) April 26, 2023

“Throughout my playing career I have pushed myself, I have taken on new experiences, continuously learnt and immersed myself in different cultures.

“I have always enjoyed figuring out how to work as a team and how to get the best out of my team-mates, things I will take with me and continue to develop.

“I believe I have developed a really strong skillset in performing under pressure and leadership – the two areas that I have learnt most about and that have always fascinated me.”

Barcelona’s England defender Lucy Bronze will miss their upcoming Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea due to injury.

The 31-year-old limped off the pitch during the second half of the first leg on Saturday, which Barcelona won 1-0 thanks to Caroline Graham Hansen’s goal.

The Spanish club have now confirmed in a statement on Twitter that Bronze will be unavailable for the return fixture at the Nou Camp on Thursday after undergoing arthroscopy on her right knee.

COMUNICAT MÈDIC]@LucyBronze ha estat sotmesa a una artroscòpia al genoll dret. És baixa contra el Chelsea i l'evolució marcarà la seva disponibilitat pic.twitter.com/KcgxDoRwWY

— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) April 26, 2023

Bronze’s injury provides a fresh concern for England manager Sarina Wiegman, with both Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson set to miss this summer’s World Cup.

However, after Saturday’s game Barcelona manager Jonatan Giraldez provided an upbeat assessment of Bronze’s injury.

“She felt something in her knee in the beginning,” Giraldez said.

“But in the end right now she’s fine. At the moment we made the substitution the feeling was bad, but right now the feeling she has is good.”

Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool remembers his NFL draft experience as the ultimate waiting game.

Claypool, 24, was a second-round selection in 2020 and had to hear 48 other names read out before his was called by the Pittsburgh Steelers for their first pick.

The 2023 edition opens outside of Kansas City’s Union Station on Thursday, with another crop of hopefuls poised to learn their fate – and eager to see who will be among the 31 players soon able to boast they went in the first round.

The updated #NFLDraft order after yesterday's shake up ?

?: 2023 #NFLDraft — Starts Thursday 8pm ET on NFLN/ESPN/ABC?: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/WH21J8zBCw

— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2023

“I think every pick that got picked before me was just extra motivation,” said the Canadian, who – due to pandemic restrictions – celebrated his milestone moment with just a small group of family and friends.

“So it wasn’t that I was sitting there sulking that I wasn’t picked before one guy or another, but it just adds fuel to the fire. I think as the names come off the board you just get more and more ready for your name to be called.

“It was a super special moment and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”

Claypool was the 11th wide receiver drafted in a year particularly ripe with prospects at his position, including Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb who have already found success with the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys respectively.

While some might find it natural to compare members of the same class, Claypool does not find the endeavour personally helpful, insisting: “I don’t ever look at another player and be like, ‘Oh I want to have his success’. I want to have my own success.”

Just a couple more sleeps! ?#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/ERzYcJYJr7

— NFL UK (@NFLUK) April 25, 2023

Claypool saw his stock rise after participating in the NFL Scouting Combine, an annual event that sees over 300 college football players invited to a week-long February camp where they are put through their paces in front of scouts, executives, coaches and other decision-makers.

The pressure on many prospects, particularly those fighting to be chosen in the seventh and final round of the draft, can be immense.

Claypool, who led his team with 66 catches for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns in his final college season at Notre Dame, was likely to land somewhere – which helped alleviate some of the stress of the experience.

Speaking at the launch of the NFL’s new flag football league for girls in the UK, he said: “Obviously there’s always a little bit of pressure, but it just depends on how you look at the situation. For me it was an opportunity, and no matter what happened from the combine I was happy to be there, happy to be participating and happy to be showing off what I can do.

We’re officially Chase Claypool days away from the NFL draft pic.twitter.com/VAOlTieXof

— BearsNationCP (@CpBears) April 17, 2023

“And then for being drafted in the second round, if anything it might have been less pressure, because when you go super late you are afforded less mistakes and it just took the pressure off of ‘damn, I have to be perfect’, to then you have a little bit of fun.”

This draft, unusually, will have just 31 names taken off the board in the first round. An investigation into whether or not the Miami Dolphins had violated league anti-tampering policies resulted in the Florida team forfeiting their 2023 first-round pick and third-round selection next year.

Pittsburgh will have the first pick of the second round, a result of the trade that sent Claypool to Chicago in November after a promising start to his career in Pennsylvania petered out.

Stepping into a new locker room mid-season, admitted Claypool, was “definitely a brand new experience – something that you can’t really prepare for until it happens”.

He added: “The playbook was completely different, the weather wasn’t the greatest. It was an adjustment but I think knowing those things we’re going to be just fine next year.

“Sometimes it can take a shorter time or a longer time, but now I think having a full off-season with the Bears and then being able to play a full season with them is going to be a really great opportunity.”

Alexander Isak’s goals have helped to fore Newcastle to the brink of Champions League qualification.

The Magpies’ £60million record signing has scored seven goals in his last seven appearances, including a double in Sunday’s 6-1 demolition of Tottenham, to take his tally for the club he joined last August to 10 in 15 Premier League appearances.

Here, the PA news agency takes a took at a 23-year-old, who is rapidly establishing himself as a new hero on Tyneside.

A post shared by Alexander Isak (@alex_isak)

Born in the Stockholm suburb of Solna and of Eritrean heritage, Isak began his professional career with home-town club AIK before
Borussia Dortmund took a chance on the then 17-year-old in January 2017. After a loan spell in the Netherlands with Willem II, he left the Bundesliga for Spain and Real Sociedad, and that was where he really started to find his feet. His three seasons in LaLiga yielded 131 appearances and 43 goals, as well as a Copa del Rey winners’ medal and three top-six finishes.

Our new centre-forward. ? pic.twitter.com/CcSE1qUGzG

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 26, 2022

Isak’s capture ended a long-running search for a striker as Eddie Howe was allowed to smash the record £40million the club had paid for Joelinton in July 2019 to get his man in August last year. He was Newcastle’s fourth signing of the window following a permanent deal for full-back Matt Targett and swoops for keeper Nick Pope and defender Sven Botman, and his fee took the new owners’ spending spree through the £200m mark in just two transfer windows.

The signs were there from the off that Newcastle might have a player on their hands when Isak announced himself in style with a stunning strike 38 minutes into his debut at Liverpool. He was unfortunate to see a second ruled out for a marginal offside decision, and his evening ended in further disappointment when Fabio Carvalho won it for the hosts eight minutes into stoppage time.

The 39-times-capped Sweden international is not a traditional centre-forward in the mould of the club’s record goalscorer Alan Shearer – indeed, he admits heading the ball is not one of his strengths. However, his ability to play across the front line, his pace, willingness to drop deep and link the play and eye for goal have proved significant weapons since he shook off the thigh injury which sidelined him between September and January.

Absolutely world class. ? pic.twitter.com/yAgLzy1Wkr

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 23, 2023

Howe’s preferred 4-3-3 formation requires just one out-and-out frontman and, while he has not ruled out the possibility of Isak and Callum Wilson lining up together from the start, to date he has started with one or the other. Such has been the Swede’s form in recent weeks, however, that it is he who has been the man in possession, although the competition between the two men for the starting berth has spurred on both.

Aaron Rodgers paid an emotional tribute to the Green Bay Packers following confirmation of his trade to the New York Jets.

The four-time NFL MVP will end a near-two-decade stay in Wisconsin with a move to MetLife Stadium for the 2023 season.

Rodgers, who led the Packers to Super Bowl XLV, has spent his entire professional career to date in Green Bay, where he has played for 18 years.

Ahead of his departure though, the veteran quarterback took to Instagram on Tuesday to thank the team, his fellow players, coaches and supporters for his time at Lambeau Field.

"I'm not sure [if] it's possible to fully express the gratitude that I have to the Packers, our incredible fans, the state of Wisconsin [and] the thousands of players that I crossed paths with," he wrote.

"I grew up in Green Bay, [was] drafted at 21, fell in love with the game, met some lifelong friends, and take with me memories that will last a lifetime.

"To the fans, thank you. You made every run out of the tunnel special, every home game magical, and it was my honour to be your QB.

"To my teammates, I love you all, and am thankful for the moments on and off the field that brought us close. I played with legends, I played with friends. Thanks for believing in me and having my back always.

"This is not the end for us. I will see you again Green Bay. You’ll always have my heart."

The Packers are expected to get four draft picks in return for Rodgers' departure, with the quarterback having pushed for his move to the Jets after a fractious few seasons.

Devin Booker was lauded for his incredible 47-point performance against the Los Angeles Clippers but acknowledged the Phoenix Suns would take "a good lesson" from their series-clinching win.

The Suns wrapped up a 4-1 series victory with a 136-130 success on Tuesday in which Booker tied his playoff career high. He scored 25 points in the third quarter alone, another high mark in any single quarter.

That display epitomised a sensational series for Booker, who averaged 37.2 points, shooting 60.2 per cent from the field and 85.7 per cent from the foul line.

Only Michael Jordan, in the first round in 1992, had previously averaged 35 or more points on 60 per cent shooting from the field and 80 per cent shooting from the line.

Reflecting on the third quarter, team-mate Kevin Durant said: "It was spiritual.

"I don't scream too much in games as I get older, but when he hit that three at the top of the key, I felt that energy, and I know everyone in the crowd felt it. We feed off his aggression."

Coach Monty Williams added: "When he's going like that, we're not calling any plays."

The fourth quarter was a different story, however.

Booker had only six points as the Clippers, still without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, outscored the Suns by 11 to threaten a fightback.

"I think it's a good lesson for us moving forward," Booker said. "Don't play with your food. Finish out as strong as you can. Keep playing all the way until the whistle blows."

Jaylen Brown was frustrated by the way the Boston Celtics gave the Atlanta Hawks "life" in Game 5, passing up a "tremendous opportunity" to clinch their first-round playoff series.

The Celtics were 3-1 up heading into Tuesday's game in Boston, but they now must go on the road again to attempt to finish the job in Atlanta.

That is after the Hawks won 119-117 in perhaps the biggest upset of the postseason so far.

Dejounte Murray was missing for the Hawks, serving a one-game suspension, but All-Star team-mate Trae Young finished with 38 points and 13 assists in a dominant performance.

"We had a tremendous opportunity," Brown said. "We controlled the game for the most part, and then Trae Young just put on a hell of a performance in the fourth quarter."

Indeed, Young had 16 points in the fourth quarter, including each of the Hawks' last 14.

Atlanta outscored Boston by 12 points in the fourth, having still trailed by eight entering the final four minutes before Young took over, hitting a 30-foot, game-winning three over Brown with three seconds left.

"We made some bonehead plays, some fouls," Brown added. "We gave them some opportunities to get going. We've just got to finish the game.

"We let the game get away from us a little bit, and they just hit shot after shot down the line. When you give a team life, you give them a chance, and that's what we did."

Sophie Carrigill says playing wheelchair basketball was crucial in helping her adjust to her new identity as a disabled woman.

Carrigill’s life was turned upside down in 2010 when – aged just 16 – she was involved in a horror car crash while on holiday in America and suffered spinal injuries that left her in a wheelchair.

After recovering from equally horrific internal injuries Carrigill, now 29, decided that life had to carry on and came across wheelchair basketball.

A post shared by Sophie Carrigill (@sophcaz)

And it paid dividends as she was able to get to elite level, representing Team GB at two Paralympics – with a third on the horizon – and was part of the GB team that won silver at the 2018 World Championships.

But at first it was not about the success, it was about making her transition into a new way of life as easy as possible.

“Previous to the accident I was very sporty and I wanted to get back into it as soon as possible after,” she told the PA news agency.

“I wanted to get back playing in some competitive team sport.

“I never knew where it would go or what level I would end up getting to. But that initial phase was getting back into doing something I love and meeting new people as well.

“I didn’t know anyone else with a disability, so I guess in those early stages of me adjusting to my new identity as a disabled woman that was really key for me to be exposed to those types of people.

“Having that resilience and a bit of grit when you go through something like that and then to get out of the other side and I feel like I am thriving.

“I get to play sport for my job and I have got to travel the world so it is a really incredible opportunity.

“I would not have been playing this level of sport had I not had my accident so I do feel lucky in a way because the stars all aligned for this to happen.

“It is the most traumatic thing I would not wish on anybody but it has ultimately left me with an amazing life and I am fortunate to be doing what I am doing now and I do love it.”

Although the life-changing incident happened 13 years ago and Carrigill, who is based in Yorkshire, has achieved so much since, she admits it is only recently that she has fully accepted her transition into disability.

SUPER CUP CHAMPIONS ? @Briantea84 #wheelchairbasketball pic.twitter.com/3gUAmwfMBu

— Sophie Carrigill (@sophcaz) November 22, 2021

“It was a difficult transition but I only sort of understood it as I have grown older,” she said.

“My identity was all over the place anyway as a 16-year-old and then this massive car accident came and changed it all up on top of everything else that was already changing.

“It was a big adjustment period in accepting my identity. Only recently have I fully understood how difficult that was.

“Having that carefree way of living has helped me the most and just accepting who I am.

“It’s about learning to love yourself, I know that sounds cliche, but that is what I have done over the years.”

We’re excited to share our new partnership with @BritWheelBBall! ??

Our collaboration will remove barriers to the sport, enabling more disabled people to enjoy an active lifestyle, while raising awareness of the Motability Scheme among players & fans.https://t.co/m1Xnc0C8Ah

— Motability Scheme (@MotabilityOps) April 17, 2023

British Wheelchair Basketball has teamed up with UK charity Motability, which runs the Motability Scheme, intended to enable disabled people to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair, using their disability benefit.

The two organisations will aim to remove barriers to sporting participation so that more disabled people can access and enjoy healthier, active lifestyles, with wheelchair basketball identified as one of the most inclusive sports around.

Carrigill added: “It is an incredible sport, it is one of the most inclusive sports out there at the moment.

“Able-bodied people can play alongside people with disabilities. At grassroots level it is great that so many people can play it. At the top end it is super competitive, fast-paced and exciting to watch.

“It’s a really great sport to watch and support.”

Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer feels his young goaltender Jake Oettinger is on a trajectory to join the game's best after Tuesday's 4-0 home shutout win against the Minnesota Wild.

The Stars used goals from Tyler Seguin, Jason Robertson and Mason Marchment to take a 3-0 lead early in the second period of the crucial Game 5 clash, before Ty Dellanrea put in an empty-netter to complete the rout and give Dallas a 3-2 series lead.

Oettinger, 24, collected the first shutout of the playoffs after making 27 saves, following a regular season where his five shutouts tied him for the second-most in the league.

Speaking after the game, DeBoer said the poise of his third-year shot-stopper is remarkable to see.

"He sure doesn’t look like a 24-year-old goalie," he said. "He's doing some special things.

"Being at this stage in the career he's at, when you look at the real good goalies over their history, not many of them at his age are taking the load that he's taking and delivering like he's doing."

Wild coach Dean Evason added: "We've talked about [Oettinger] a lot – he was good again."

DeBoer went on to talk about how he feels the Stars' confidence is only growing the longer this series rolls on.

"I think we're getting better as the series goes on," he said. "We got behind early, we've chased it. We wanted to take the opportunity to get out in front for the first time in the series. 

"The last win is always the toughest, but we've got an elimination game in Minnesota. We've been a real good road team all year. I think our guys are excited."