Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Troy Stecher scored just 20 seconds apart in the second period, leading the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday night to close out the 2024 calendar year.
With the game tied 1-1, Nugent-Hopkins scored the go-ahead goal at 4:53 on a break, and Stecher quickly added another to give the Oilers a two-goal lead. Mattias Ekholm and Leon Draisaitl also scored for Edmonton, which improved to 9-1-0 in their last 10 home games.
Connor McDavid and Connor Brown both had two assists, and goaltender Stuart Skinner made 26 saves to earn his 14th win of the season.
Jack McBain scored for Utah, and Jaxson Stauber made 34 saves in the losing effort. The club has now lost five straight games (0-4-1). Utah’s top scorer, Clayton Keller, missed the game due to illness.
Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Ekholm opened the scoring for the Oilers at 4:26 of the first period with a slapshot from the left circle. Utah quickly responded, with Dylan Guenther assisting Jack McBain for the equalizer at 5:60.
Edmonton took control in the second period, with Nugent-Hopkins scoring off a turnover and a pass from McDavid, followed by Stecher’s goal shortly after.
In the third, Utah failed to score on its second power play opportunity, and Draisaitl sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 18:58.
Adam Fantilli scored the winning goal in a shootout as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 on Tuesday night.
Fantilli scored in the fourth round of the shootout, beating Pyotr Kochetkov five-hole, helping the Blue Jackets improve to 4-1-1 in their last six games.
Kirill Marchenko scored twice, Dmitri Voronkov added a goal and an assist, and Sean Monahan had three assists for Columbus. Elvis Merzlikins made 32 saves, earning his third win in his last four starts (3-0-1).
Ty Smith, Jack Roslovic, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored for Carolina, which dropped to 2-3-1 in its last six games. Sebastian Aho had two assists, and Kochetkov made 25 saves.
Carolina outshot Columbus 15-10 in the first period, but the Blue Jackets led 2-1 after 20 minutes.
Marchenko opened the scoring at 4:48 of the first, putting a Monahan pass past Kochetkov. Blue Jackets defenseman Denton Mateychuk earned his first career point with the secondary assist.
Carolina tied the game on a power play when Smith’s shot from the point deflected off Ivan Provorov and past Merzlikins at 9:59.
Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Columbus regained the lead at 15:43 when Marchenko scored again, taking advantage of an out-of-position Kochetkov, who had been run over by Brent Burns. Marchenko now has six goals and nine assists in his last nine games.
Roslovic tied it at 2-2 at 5:47 of the second, tapping in a pass from Seth Jarvis for his team-leading 17th goal.
Carolina took a 3-2 lead at 8:18 of the second when Kotkaniemi backhanded a shot past Merzlikins on the glove side.
Voronkov tied the game 3-3 on a power play at 4:58 of the third, as his cross-ice pass deflected off Jarvis’ skate and into the net.
Carolina defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere missed his second game due to an upper-body injury.
This was the third of four meetings between the two teams, with Carolina’s record now at 1-0-2 in those games. Columbus will visit Carolina on January 23 to finish the season series.
Marco Rossi scored two goals and added an assist, leading the Minnesota Wild to a 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Mats Zuccarello and Jonas Brodin each had a goal and an assist for the Wild, who won three of their last four games. Declan Chisholm also scored for Minnesota.
Colton Sissons, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’Reilly scored for Nashville.
Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson made 43 saves on 46 shots, improving his record to 17-6-3 this season. Predators goalie Justus Annunen allowed five goals on 38 shots.
Chisholm gave Minnesota the lead at 2:52 of the second period with a power-play goal. He took a slap shot that sailed over Annunen’s glove and into the net, putting the Wild ahead 4-3.
Rossi scored again on the power play at 12:53 of the third period to extend Minnesota’s lead to 5-3. He was parked in front of the net and knocked in a loose puck.
Nashville Predators (NHL)
The Wild took the lead early, with Rossi scoring a deflection goal 7:54 into the game. Zuccarello fired a shot from the left circle, and Rossi tipped it in for the first goal.
Sissons tied the game at 1-all just 3:06 later. He tipped in a slap shot from Brady Skjei, which came from near the blue line.
Nashville went ahead 2-1 with 4:46 left in the first period when Marchessault scored on a one-timer after the Wild turned the puck over in their own zone.
Zuccarello tied the game at 2 with a power-play goal at 13:41 of the second period. Joel Eriksson Ek made a great pass to Zuccarello, who scored from in front of the net.
Minnesota regained the lead at 3-2 when Brodin scored a long shot through traffic with 11:03 left in the second. Annunen couldn’t track the puck in time.
The game remained tight, and Nashville’s O’Reilly scored to make it 3-3 with 7:59 remaining in the second period. It was his second goal in the last four games.
Samuel Ersson and Aleksei Kolosov teamed up to stop all 22 shots they faced, leading the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-0 win over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, handing the Sharks their eighth consecutive loss.
Ersson made 15 saves in two periods before leaving the game with an undisclosed injury. Kolosov finished the game, saving all seven shots he faced in the third period, helping the Flyers bounce back from a loss.
Nick Seeler, Ryan Poehling, Travis Konecny, and Egor Zamula each scored for the Flyers, while Jamie Drysdale and Bobby Brink both had two assists.
In the losing effort, Alexandar Georgiev stopped 30 of 34 shots.
Seeler put Philadelphia ahead less than six minutes into the game by banking a shot off the back of Georgiev and into the net from behind the goal line.
Tyler Toffoli nearly tied the game for San Jose with under two minutes remaining in the first period, but his shot off a faceoff in the offensive zone hit the post.
Philadelphia Flyers topped the visiting Detroit Red Wings
Poehling doubled the Flyers’ lead at 12:09 of the second period. He collected a rebound from Zamula, skated around Georgiev, and put the puck into the empty net.
Konecny added to the lead less than two minutes later with a one-timed shot on the power play, breaking Philadelphia’s 0-for-19 power-play drought and making it 3-0 with 6:16 left in the second.
Toffoli had a breakaway late in the second, but Ersson made a glove save to deny him.
Zamula extended the lead to 4-0 at 2:30 of the third when his shot from the corner deflected off a Sharks defenseman and into the net.
The Flyers outshot the Sharks 34-22 and blocked 20 shots compared to the Sharks’ 11. The Sharks, who haven’t won since December 12, remain in last place in the Pacific Division.
Ryan Strome scored the game-winning goal with 3:24 left as the Anaheim Ducks held on for a 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night, despite blowing a two-goal lead.
Troy Terry and Robby Fabbri scored the Ducks’ first two goals, but they lost the lead in just under eight minutes in the third period. Strome finished with two points, as did Frank Vatrano, who had two assists.
Strome broke the 2-2 tie after receiving a cross-ice pass from Jackson LaCombe. He took his time above the right faceoff circle before firing a slapshot that went through traffic, past a screened Jacob Markstrom, and into the upper right corner of the net.
Strome’s goal came after Jonas Siegenthaler and Timo Meier had scored for the Devils, who have now lost two straight games. The Ducks have won two in a row.
Anaheim goalie Lukas Dostal made 32 saves, including eight on two New Jersey power plays in the first period. He also stopped Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton six times each.
Dostal made two big saves on Hughes during a power play and also stopped Hughes in the first minute of the second period after a turnover behind the Anaheim net.
New Jersey Devils (NHL)
The Ducks earned their fifth win in eight games and scored on their first shot against Markstrom, who made 23 saves and saw his six-game winning streak come to an end.
Midway through the first period, Vatrano took the puck from defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic behind the net and passed it to Terry. Terry shot the puck over Markstrom’s glove from the outer edge of the right circle.
Fabbri extended Anaheim’s lead with a goal on a two-on-one with Cutter Gauthier at 3:57 of the third period, just after Brian Dumoulin forced a turnover from New Jersey defenseman Brett Pesce.
Fabbri had been stopped on a breakaway late in the second period.
Siegenthaler ended Dostal’s shutout bid with a shot from the left point that deflected off Anaheim’s Brett Leason and into the net at 5:31 of the third period.
Meier tied the game 2-2 by scoring on a feed from Hamilton while falling to the ice with 6:40 remaining, just moments after Anaheim’s Mason McTavish was denied on a breakaway.
Jason Robertson had a goal and two assists as the Dallas Stars defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 on Tuesday night.
Thomas Harley recorded two assists, and Casey DeSmith made 21 saves for the Stars.
Jason Zucker and Beck Malenstyn scored for Buffalo, which had its three-game winning streak ended. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 29 shots for the Sabres.
Roope Hintz gave Dallas a 1-0 lead at 9:49 of the second period. Robertson controlled the puck high in the zone before passing it to Hintz, who scored with a wrist shot on the glove side of Luukkonen.
Buffalo answered quickly, tying the game 1-1 just 31 seconds later. Tage Thompson tipped a shot by Bowen Byram under DeSmith, and Zucker was there to push the puck across the line.
Robertson gave the Stars a 2-1 lead at 2:35 of the third period, intercepting Jack Quinn’s clearing attempt and beating Luukkonen with a shot on the stick side from the right side.
Rasmus Dahlin kept the game close, preventing a goal by sweeping a puck off the goal line and out of the crease after it got behind Luukkonen.
Dallas Stars (NHL)
At 4:57 of the third, Malenstyn scored for Buffalo, redirecting a shot from Sam Lafferty that deflected off his skate and past DeSmith, tying the game 2-2.
Dallas took the lead back at 11:32 when Wyatt Johnston deflected Harley’s pass from the left circle over Luukkonen’s shoulder to make it 3-2.
Esa Lindell sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 18:23, making it 4-2.
Both goaltenders were strong throughout the game.
DeSmith closed his pads on Jiri Kulich’s backhand shot from the right circle and then stopped Zach Benson’s rebound attempt just over three minutes into the first period.
Later in the period, Luukkonen used his blocker to deny Jamie Benn’s snap shot from the slot.
In the second period, Luukkonen made a great save on Logan Stankoven’s one-timer from the slot.
Benson nearly scored for the Sabres on a two-on-one break, slipping the puck past an outstretched DeSmith, but Nils Lundkvist was there to clear the puck off the line.
J.T. Compher scored the go-ahead goal on a power play with 5:34 left as the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 on Tuesday night.
Detroit’s coach Todd McLellan, who took over for Derek Lalonde last week, earned his 600th career win. He is now 2-1-0 behind the Red Wings’ bench.
Compher and Jonatan Berggren each had a goal and an assist, while Patrick Kane and Dylan Larkin also scored for Detroit. Alex Lyon made 23 saves in goal.
Drew O’Connor scored twice for Pittsburgh, marking the second multigoal game of his career. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 21 shots.
With the win, Detroit took the season series 2-1.
Compher’s decisive goal came while Erik Karlsson was in the penalty box for tripping. Compher tipped in a shot by Erik Gustafsson, who had hit the post with a shot from the point.
Larkin added an empty-net goal with 14 seconds left to seal the win.
Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Detroit got on the board first at 7:52 of the first period. Vladimir Tarasenko made a perfect pass from his own zone to Berggren, who broke away and beat Nedeljkovic with a shot to the top shelf. Compher earned the second assist on the play.
Pittsburgh tied it at 18:29 of the first when O’Connor’s slapshot from the right circle, off a pass from Cody Glass, beat Lyon on the short side.
Detroit regained the lead on a power play at 3:41 of the second. With Glass in the penalty box for tripping, Kane fired a shot from the right circle that went past Nedeljkovic’s glove. Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond assisted on the goal.
Pittsburgh had a chance to respond on the power play when Larkin was called for holding, but Detroit’s penalty kill kept them off the board.
In the closing seconds of the second period, Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider blocked two shots from Anthony Beauvillier during a scramble in front of the net with Lyon out of position, preserving the Red Wings’ 2-1 lead.
The Penguins tied the game early in the third while Jeff Petry was in the penalty box. O’Connor scored on a rebound while being knocked to his knees, with assists from Karlsson and Sidney Crosby.
Casey Mittelstadt scored the go-ahead goal in the third period as the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 in Denver on Tuesday night.
Artturi Lehkonen and Devon Toews also scored for Colorado. Josh Manson recorded two assists, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 20 saves in the win, which extended the Avalanche’s streak to five straight victories.
Gabriel Vilardi and Rasmus Kupari scored for the Jets, while Eric Comrie made 33 saves. Winnipeg’s four-game winning streak came to an end.
Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo was injured late in the third period after taking a shot and limped off the ice to the locker room.
Colorado outshot Winnipeg 25-17 through the first two periods, and Mittelstadt broke a 2-2 tie in the third when he deflected Manson’s shot past Comrie at 7:22. It was his first goal since Nov. 18, marking a span of 19 games, and only his sixth point in 13 December games.
Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Comrie left for an extra skater with 2:06 remaining, and Mikko Rantanen sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 18:31, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon, who recorded his NHL-best 61st point.
Ross Colton added another empty-net goal at 19:53 to complete the scoring.
Lehkonen gave the Avalanche the lead at 11:51 of the first period when he deflected Manson’s shot from the point while being checked by Logan Stanley.
Colorado controlled much of the second period, but the Jets took the first goal when Morgan Barron passed to the far side of the crease, where Kupari tipped it past Blackwood’s left pad at 10:20.
The Avalanche regained the lead later in the period. Cale Makar, who had shaken off a puck hitting his skate, passed to Toews in the left circle. Toews missed his shot, but managed to poke the puck through Comrie’s pads at 16:37.
Winnipeg tied the game again before the second intermission when Vilardi scored on a loose puck in the crease, lifting it over Blackwood’s left shoulder at 18:32.
Cam Fowler scored two goals in his 1,000th career game as the St. Louis Blues defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 on Tuesday in the NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Justin Faulk contributed a goal and two assists to help the Blues, who are now 3-0 in Winter Classic games.
Dylan Holloway and Alexandre Texier both added a goal and an assist to support the Blues, who won for the third time in their last four games, while sending the Blackhawks to their fifth consecutive loss. Jordan Binnington made 28 saves for St. Louis.
Fowler started the scoring with the first of three power-play goals in the first period, skating through the slot and beating Blackhawks goaltender Petr Mrazek with a wrist shot.
Jordan Kyrou made it 2-0 at 8:10 of the first with a simple backdoor tap-in after a sharp passing play. The Blues entered the game struggling on the power play, with only one goal in their last 21 opportunities.
The Blackhawks took advantage of their first power-play chance later in the period. After St. Louis’s Nathan Walker missed an attempt to clear the puck, Ryan Donato’s shot hit Binnington’s pads and went to Taylor Hall, who scored on a rebound from the right circle.
Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues in the game
Faulk extended the Blues’ lead to 3-1 with a shot from the point at 7:15 of the second period.
Binnington stopped Hall on a breakaway and denied Connor Bedard’s follow-up moments later, keeping St. Louis ahead by two goals.
The Blues made it 4-1 at 13:34 of the second period when Holloway scored on a rebound of Faulk’s shot off the post. Fowler added his second goal just over four minutes later, sending a wrist shot through traffic to make it 5-1. Fowler became only the second defenseman in NHL history to score twice in his 1,000th game.
Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno rallied the crowd shortly after, fighting Blues captain Brayden Schenn following the next faceoff.
Tyler Bertuzzi scored for Chicago on the power play at 11:15 of the third period. Texier then capped the scoring at 16:18.
Mrazek made 22 saves for the Blackhawks, who have lost their last three games by four goals. Chicago dropped to 0-5 in the Winter Classic and 1-6 in outdoor games.
Kirby Dach scored the go-ahead goal halfway through the third period, and Sam Montembeault stopped 27 shots as the Montreal Canadiens came back to win 3-2 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday afternoon in Las Vegas.
Cole Caufield scored his 100th career goal, and Emil Heineman also scored for Montreal, which won its third consecutive game and had its first multi-goal comeback of the season. The Canadiens, who were 0-13-0 this season when trailing going into the third period, ended the year with a .500 record (17-17-3).
Zach Whitecloud and Noah Hanifin scored for Vegas, which had a six-game win streak snapped. Adin Hill made 19 saves for the Golden Knights, who had lost only three times in 19 home games (15-4-0) this season.
Vegas took a 1-0 lead at 2:23 of the first period when Whitecloud, joining the rush, received a pass from Tomas Hertl and beat Montembeault with a wrist shot. Hanifin added another goal with 11.6 seconds left in the period, making it 2-0.
Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier tried to poke-check the puck from Brett Howden, but it went right to Hanifin, who scored wwith a wrist shot into the top corner.
Vegas Golden Knights (NHL)
Caufield made it 2-1 late in the second period with a one-timer off a pass from Nick Suzuki. It was Caufield’s team-leading 19th goal of the season.
Heineman tied the game at 7:58 of the third, scoring off a rebound from a David Savard shot.
Dach gave Montreal the lead at 10:08 of the third, finishing a 2-on-1 break with Patrik Laine. He deked around Brayden McNabb and slid a backhand shot through Hill’s pads for his third goal in three games and the eventual game-winner.
With two minutes remaining, Vegas pulled Hill for an extra attacker, but Montembeault made two key saves on Hanifin and Victor Olofsson in the final 15 seconds to secure the victory.
At 6 a.m., Tom Brady made a phone call to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, informing them of his decision to retire. Two hours later, he shared the news with the world through an emotional video on social media.
In the video, recorded on a quiet beach with a gray sky and soft waves in the background, the seven-time Super Bowl champion spoke directly to his audience. “Good morning, guys,” he began. “I’ll get to the point right away. I’m retiring. For good.” Reflecting on his journey, Brady acknowledged that his previous retirement announcement had been a significant moment, and this time, he wanted to keep it simple. “I think you only get one super emotional retirement essay, and I used mine up last year,” he said, expressing gratitude to everyone who supported him. “Thank you for allowing me to live my absolute dream. I wouldn’t change a thing. I love you all.”
The announcement came exactly a year after his first retirement, which he reversed 40 days later, citing “unfinished business.” In the intervening year, Brady faced profound personal and professional challenges: the end of his 13-year marriage to Gisele Bündchen, injuries to key teammates, his first losing season in a 23-year career, and a playoff loss to the Dallas Cowboys. These events painted a more vulnerable and relatable picture of a man long associated with relentless success.
Brady’s final comeback wasn’t just about helping the Buccaneers win the NFC South title. It was about persevering through one of the toughest years of his life, both on and off the field. He rediscovered flashes of brilliance, despite signs of decline, and made the courageous decision to walk away from the game that had defined him.
Reflecting on Brady’s resilience, Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen said, “Winning the division and how he battled through everything personally and professionally—I admired it as much as anything I’ve ever watched. He endured, and his teammates cared deeply about him, showing that the relationships he’d built over the years mattered most.”
Tom Brady (NFL)
Brady’s retirement marked the conclusion of a storied career that included numerous highlights and challenges:
Feb. 1, 2022: At 44, Brady announced his initial retirement after 22 seasons with the Buccaneers and New England Patriots.
Feb. 13, 2022: During the Super Bowl, Brady texted Bucs general manager Jason Licht, who noted, “I don’t think the fire is out.”
Feb. 23, 2022: Brady announced his involvement in the movie 80 for Brady, alongside a star-studded cast.
March 1, 2022: Bucs GM Jason Licht told the NFL Network, “We’ll leave a light on for a guy like Tom Brady.”
March 13, 2022: Brady ended his retirement, saying, “My place is still on the field. I’m coming back for my 23rd season. Unfinished business.”
As the 2022 season unfolded, Brady’s journey mirrored the complexity of his life. From professional setbacks to personal upheavals, he demonstrated resilience and humanity. His legacy, however, extends far beyond wins and championships, embodying perseverance, brilliance, and a heartfelt connection with those around him.
Todd Bowles was caught off guard when Bruce Arians called him with surprising news. Arians asked if Bowles was in town, then revealed over the phone, “I’m going to step down, and you’ll be the next man up.” Bowles, attending a Charlotte Hornets game, was stunned but reassured Arians he’d return the following day. Initially worried something was wrong, Bowles later realized this decision had been part of Arians’ plan all along.
The announcement came at a curious time. Reports from late in the 2021 season suggested tension between Arians and Tom Brady over adjustments Arians allegedly made to offensive game plans designed by Brady and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. Just weeks earlier, Brady had announced his return from retirement, and now Arians was stepping aside to take a front-office role. Byron Leftwich dismissed the rumors outright, stating such interference was not in Arians’ nature. A team source acknowledged minor friction between Brady and Arians but insisted it was overblown and unrelated to the timing of the coaching change.
Arians explained that Brady’s initial retirement complicated his own plans to step down. He didn’t want to leave his staff without a quarterback, as that would have forced a rebuild. Brady’s return allowed Arians to leave the team in a strong position. “I wanted Todd Bowles to have the best opportunity to succeed,” Arians said, emphasizing his desire to avoid setting up his successor for failure. For his part, Brady expressed deep gratitude for Arians’ leadership, calling him a significant reason for joining the Buccaneers and praising his coaching and character.
With Arians stepping aside, Bowles took over as head coach, continuing to oversee the defense. Meanwhile, Brady and Leftwich assumed full command of the offense, setting the stage for what might be Brady’s final season. In this chapter, the legendary quarterback would guide the team entirely on his terms, steering the Buccaneers as both leader and architect.
2022: A Year of Decisions and Transitions for Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski
On May 10, 2022, Tom Brady secured his post-football future, agreeing to a staggering 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox Sports to become an analyst after retiring. It marked a significant step in Brady’s preparation for life beyond the field, even as he returned to play another season.
The Buccaneers faced uncertainty as their June minicamp began without Rob Gronkowski, Brady’s trusted tight end and a future Hall of Famer. Gronkowski remained undecided about his playing future, leaving a question mark in Tampa’s offense. When asked about his decision to return for his 23rd season, Brady admitted, “I live a complex, tricky life … just trying to navigate it the best way I can.” Reflecting on his connection to the game, he candidly acknowledged, “I think I always will [need football].”
By June 21, Gronkowski resolved his uncertainty and announced his retirement, signaling the end of a remarkable chapter in football history. “I will now be going back into my retirement home … walking away from football again with my head held high,” Gronkowski shared, emphasizing the lifelong bonds and memories forged during his career. Gronkowski had been instrumental in Brady’s success, with 10,575 receiving yards and 105 touchdowns in their time together across regular and postseason play. “There’s only one Gronk,” Brady remarked, reflecting on the impact his longtime teammate had on the game.
Gronkowski’s departure forced the Buccaneers to adapt. His presence in Tampa had revolutionized the tight end role, significantly increasing offensive output. With him on the roster, the Bucs averaged 11 touchdowns from tight ends each season, compared to just five before his arrival. Despite the statistical drop-off in Brady’s performance without Gronkowski—such as a lower QBR and reduced win percentage—Brady remained pragmatic. “You’d much rather play with a guy like Gronk than not, but he’s not here,” Brady said. “We’ve got to reestablish strengths with the players we have. That’s what football is all about.”
Tom Brady (NFL)
The Brady-Gronkowski Connection: A Legacy in Numbers
The statistical impact of Rob Gronkowski’s presence in Tom Brady’s career is undeniable. Since 2010, Brady’s performance metrics, both with and without Gronkowski, tell a compelling story:
Metric
With RG (Career)
Without RG (Career)
With RG (TB)
Without RG (TB)
Starts
163
72
34
22
Record
127-36
48-24
25-9
12-10
Win pct.
.779
.667
.735
.545
QBR
74.0
60.9
66.9
59.7
Comp pct.
65.7%
62.3%
65.9%
66.6%
YPA
7.76
6.75
7.49
6.57
TD-Int
3.92 (365-93)
2.66 (117-44)
3.32 (83-25)
3.17 (38-12)
Wide receiver Mike Evans aptly summarized their connection: “It was one of the best we’ve ever seen.” Yet, with Gronkowski retiring, the Bucs faced the challenge of reconfiguring their offense. Gronkowski and Brady’s synergy was so seamless that Gronk joked they could finish each other’s thoughts. Without his “battle buddy,” Brady entered unfamiliar territory, prompting longtime throwing coach Tom House to note, “This is the first time Tom goes into a season where he doesn’t have a best buddy.”
Adapting to Change: The Bucs Move Forward
Offensive adjustments loomed large for the Buccaneers. Quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen acknowledged, “It is a work in progress for us not to have Gronk at all. We watch plays and think, ‘If that was Gronk, this would have happened.'” To help fill the void, the team signed All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones on July 26, 2022. Two days later, another setback struck: center Ryan Jensen suffered a season-ending knee injury. Jensen, Brady’s trusted “enforcer,” was the first person Brady called after unretiring, and his absence further compounded the team’s challenges.
Off-the-Field Turmoil and Family Dynamics
Amid these professional hurdles, Brady faced personal struggles. On August 11, head coach Todd Bowles announced Brady would take an 11-day absence from training camp for “personal reasons.” Sources later confirmed Brady had traveled to the Bahamas during this time. Speculation swirled that these personal matters involved his marriage to Gisele Bündchen, who had long expressed concerns about Brady’s commitment to football over family. Bündchen voiced her frustrations publicly, noting in interviews that while she supported Brady’s career, the balance required constant effort.
A Season Like No Other
The 2022 season brought a marked shift in Brady’s personal and professional life. Bündchen’s absence from all of Brady’s home games that year was conspicuous, especially given her past vocal support. Reflecting on his situation, Brady candidly said, “I’m 45 years old, man. There’s a lot of s— going on.” Even as he battled on the field, his off-the-field challenges highlighted the complexities of sustaining greatness while balancing life’s other demands. For the first time, the legendary quarterback seemed as human as the rest of us.
Tom Brady (NFL)
Brady’s Challenging Start to the 2022 Season
Sept. 11, 2022: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open their season with a solid 19-3 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on the road. Tom Brady makes history, becoming the oldest quarterback to ever start a game at the age of 45, surpassing the previous record held by Steve DeBerg, who was 44 years, 279 days old when he started for the Atlanta Falcons in 1998. However, the win isn’t without its setbacks as wide receivers Julio Jones (knee) and Chris Godwin (hamstring) both exit the game due to injuries.
Sept. 12, 2022: Reflecting on the victory, Brady acknowledges a shift in his emotions, admitting that he’s feeling more than he ever has before. He attributes this to his awareness that his football career is nearing its conclusion. “It’s not like I have 10 years left. I definitely don’t have that,” Brady states. “So all these, I just am never gonna take for granted, you know?” His words reveal a deepened sense of gratitude for every moment on the field.
Sept. 21, 2022: A setback for the Buccaneers as Mike Evans’ one-game suspension is upheld following an altercation with Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, leaving him sidelined for the home opener against the Green Bay Packers. With Jones and Godwin both out due to injuries, the offense is already shorthanded.
Sept. 25, 2022: The Bucs fall to the Packers 14-12 in a frustrating home opener. Notably, Brady’s wife, Gisele Bündchen, does not attend the game, adding to the growing speculation regarding the state of their personal life. In addition to the loss, injuries continue to take a toll on the team’s depth.
Sept. 26, 2022: With Hurricane Ian threatening Florida’s west coast, the Buccaneers make the decision to relocate to South Florida to prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Oct. 2, 2022: In a tough “Sunday Night Football” game, the Bucs are defeated 41-31 by the Chiefs. Jones reinjures his knee, and Godwin remains sidelined. The offense struggles in the face of ongoing injuries, and Brady continues to grapple with the lack of weapons around him.
Bucs Struggling to Adjust: Injuries and Depth Issues
To mitigate the loss of Gronkowski’s impact, the Bucs drafted tight ends Cade Otton and Ko Kieft and signed veteran Kyle Rudolph to help fill the void. The team also brought in former All-Pro receiver Julio Jones to bolster their downfield passing game, while ex-Falcons receiver Russell Gage was acquired in free agency to help replace Antonio Brown and buy more time for Godwin’s recovery from his torn ACL/MCL. However, injuries continue to plague the team.
Jones suffers a knee injury in Week 1 against the Cowboys and aggravates it again in Week 4 against the Chiefs, forcing him to miss several weeks. Gage, too, is sidelined with multiple injuries, further weakening the Bucs’ receiving corps.
Harold Goodwin, the Bucs’ assistant head coach, acknowledges the team’s struggles, stating, “We know right now injuries have cost us a lot early on, offensively.” These setbacks put a strain on the offense, and Brady’s frustration becomes increasingly evident.
In Week 2, as the Bucs face the Saints, Brady shows his frustration after missing a crucial third-and-8 conversion on a deep pass to Scotty Miller. With the Bucs trailing 3-0, Brady walks to the sideline, slamming his Surface tablet to the ground. It’s a rare public display of anger from the usually composed quarterback.
Though the Bucs managed to pull off a victory against the Saints, Brady’s frustration with the offense’s inability to score is evident. Over the first two games of the season, the Bucs’ offense only managed two touchdowns across 23 possessions, a sharp contrast to their high-scoring success in 2021.
Tom Brady (NFL)
Offensive Struggles: Bucs Unable to Find Their Rhythm
The Bucs’ ground game, a key factor in their Super Bowl win in 2020, also faces significant struggles. Averaging just 76.9 rushing yards per game, they rank last in the league in this category, a major drop from the 98.4 yards per game they averaged in 2021 and 122.5 yards during their 2020 postseason run. The lack of a productive rushing attack further exacerbates the offensive woes.
In a three-game stretch that includes losses to the Steelers, Panthers, and Ravens, the Bucs manage only three offensive touchdowns while giving up eight. The offensive struggles lead to widespread frustration among the team.
As wide receiver Mike Evans puts it, “We’re just not as good right now as we used to be, I guess. I don’t know — we’ve just got to figure it out.” The Bucs are forced to dig deep, trying to find solutions to the mounting challenges they face on both offense and defense.
On October 9, 2022, Brady led the Buccaneers to a 21-15 victory over the Falcons at home, despite having suffered a shoulder injury the week prior from a strip sack against the Chiefs.
Just a few days later, on October 12, Brady opened up on his podcast, acknowledging that he was “going through some things.”
On October 14, Brady attended the surprise wedding of Patriots owner Robert Kraft in New York.
The following day, October 15, Brady missed a Saturday morning walk-through before the game against the Steelers. His absence was excused by Coach Todd Bowles, who emphasized that Brady wasn’t receiving special treatment.
On October 16, the Bucs fell to a 3-3 record with a 20-18 loss to the Steelers. Despite Pittsburgh being without their three top cornerbacks and T.J. Watt, Brady was seen on TV visibly upset, delivering an expletive-filled rant to his offensive line during the game. Center Robert Hainsey later praised Brady, stating, “I want nothing else from a quarterback than that — than the guy who’s wanting to tell us what we need to do and step up.”
On October 23, the Buccaneers suffered another defeat, losing 21-3 to Carolina. Despite the Panthers having recently traded away key players and fired their coach, Brady expressed frustration postgame, saying, “No one feels good about where we’re at, no one feels good about how we’ve played or what we’re doing.”
After a tough 27-22 loss to the Ravens in Week 8, Brady appeared visibly dejected, staring at the locker room floor. His teammates, including quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Griffin, tried to comfort him, but he remained inconsolable. Right tackle Tristan Wirfs shared his admiration for Brady, saying, “I’d love to play with him forever. I love Tom. I wish everything was going as perfect as possible for him — if it is the last year for him.”
With the Bucs’ record slipping to 3-5, already surpassing their total number of losses from the 2021 season, Brady faced his first three-game losing streak since 2002. The loss came in front of a national audience on a Thursday night, where Brady acknowledged the team’s struggles, saying, “We’ve struggled in pretty much everything…we’ve got to dig deep, see what we’re all about, come to work, try to improve…and give ourselves a better chance to win.”
Brady also spoke candidly on his podcast about the external criticism he was facing, particularly regarding his decision to continue playing football. “For me, there’s always gratification when you make this commitment, and you have a group of individuals that do the same and you see something pay off.”
The following day, Brady and Gisele Bündchen finalized their divorce, citing their 13-year marriage as “irretrievably broken.” Bündchen’s statement expressed sadness over the split but wished Brady the best. “The decision to end a marriage is never easy but we have grown apart,” she said, adding, “I feel blessed for the time we spent together and only wish the best for Tom always.”
On his podcast, Brady reflected on the challenges in both his professional and personal life, acknowledging how they build resilience. “You face adversity in professional life… and other aspects of life. It all builds resilience and you learn how to deal with the adversities, and hopefully, they make you stronger.”
Amid these challenges, Brady and Bündchen agreed to joint custody of their two children, Benjamin (12) and Vivian (9). When asked about the impact of the divorce on Brady, Bowles responded, “I can’t say for sure…Tom is a very private person. He does his job when he’s out here and he smiles a lot…No matter what profession you’re in, adversity is a part of life. It’s how you handle it and come out of it.”
On October 28, an MRI confirmed that Pro Bowl linebacker Shaquil Barrett suffered a torn Achilles during the Ravens game and would be out for the rest of the season. Barrett had been one of the Bucs’ key defensive players, ranking fourth in the NFL with 40.5 sacks from 2019 through Week 8 of the 2022 season.
Finally, on October 31, Brady spoke publicly for the first time since the divorce was finalized. He reassured listeners on his podcast that the separation was amicable and emphasized that his focus remained on his children and on winning football games. “That’s what professionals do,” he said. “You focus at work when it’s time to work, and then when you come home you focus on the priorities that are at home. And all you can do is the best you can do, and that’s what I’ll just continue to do as long as I’m working, as long as I’m being a dad.”
Ten days after Week 8, Brady led the Bucs to a thrilling victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Rams in Week 9—a team that played a key role in his decision to come out of retirement. The Rams were the catalyst behind a series of text messages between Brady and GM Jason Licht, sparking Brady’s return to football. Despite trailing for most of the game, Brady and the Bucs had one final chance with just 44 seconds remaining, down 13-9.
Brady wasted no time, completing a 28-yard pass to Cade Otton, then spiking the ball to stop the clock. The Bucs went no-huddle as Brady completed three consecutive passes, including one that set up a pass interference penalty, which advanced the ball from the 7-yard line to the 1-yard line. With 13 seconds left, Brady faked a handoff to Leonard Fournette, while Otton broke to the right side for a game-winning reception.
Brady had called the play himself, and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, who had faced criticism over the Bucs’ struggles on offense, encouraged Brady to “go for it.” Following the win, Brady and Leftwich shared a long embrace. This victory marked Brady’s first fourth-quarter comeback of the season and his 43rd career comeback, tying him with Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history. The victory was sweet for Brady, who celebrated his first win against the Rams in four attempts. In addition, he became the first quarterback in NFL history to reach 100,000 career passing yards, combining regular and postseason stats. “That was awesome,” Brady said, with an expletive-laden follow-up, “That was f—ing awesome.”
On November 11, 2022, Brady reflected on his decision to return to the NFL, stating that he had “zero” regrets, despite the tumultuous season. “I returned because I felt like I wanted to compete,” he said. “I spoke to the team about it and they were excited to have me back. When I commit, I give it everything I’ve got.”
Just two days later, on November 13, Brady led the Bucs to a 21-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Germany. With three touchdown drives, Brady became the first quarterback to win in four different countries. “This was one of the greatest football experiences I’ve ever had,” Brady remarked, reflecting on his 23 years in the league.
However, the Bucs’ momentum didn’t last long. On November 27, 2022, after their bye week, they fell to the Cleveland Browns 23-17 in overtime. Coach Todd Bowles faced criticism for not calling a timeout on the potential game-winning drive with 32 seconds left. Additionally, All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs was carted off the field with a high ankle sprain.
On December 5, 2022, Brady orchestrated a comeback win against the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football,” marking the Bucs’ first sweep of the Saints since 2007. The victory was especially sweet for Brady, as his daughter Vivian had expressed doubt about his ability to beat the Saints on her 10th birthday. Brady’s win also marked his 44th career fourth-quarter comeback, surpassing Peyton Manning to claim the record for most all-time.
Brady returned to his home state of California to face the San Francisco 49ers on December 11, 2022, in just his second-ever matchup with the team he had grown up rooting for. As a child, Brady had attended 49ers games, where his love for football was born. He also recalled the chip on his shoulder that began in high school, when he was overlooked by college scouts, especially in comparison to Peyton Manning. “That’s the reason I’m where I am today,” Brady said, reflecting on how those moments fueled his journey.
But the game ended in disappointment for Brady and the Bucs, as they suffered a 35-7 loss, their third-worst defeat of his career. The Bucs’ inconsistency had been a season-long issue. As safety Logan Ryan put it, “We can’t ride the roller-coaster forever.” Bowles’ message to the team was clear: “We’ve got to decide what team we want to be.”
On December 13, Brady joked on his podcast about being asked by 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw to autograph the ball after Greenlaw intercepted him. “It was s— for me, to be honest,” Brady laughed. “I wish I didn’t throw it, but I’m trying to be a good sport.”
Brady faced another setback on December 18, 2022, as the Bucs lost 34-23 to the Bengals, marking Brady’s eighth loss as a starter in a season for the first time in his career. The Bengals’ defense forced four turnovers in the win.
Three days later, on December 21, Brady was left off the Pro Bowl roster for the third time in four seasons, despite earning the honor 15 times in his career. The only Buccaneer named to the team was Wirfs.
On Christmas Day, December 25, 2022, Brady led the Bucs to an overtime victory over the Arizona Cardinals, keeping their hopes alive for an NFC South title with a win in Week 17.
In Week 17, Brady’s deep ball was once again questioned, especially after he had averaged only 1.8 air yards per completion the previous week against the Cardinals. But in a pivotal game against the Panthers, Brady connected with Mike Evans for two touchdown passes over 50 yards, the first time since 2016 that Brady had thrown two touchdowns of that distance in a single game. Brady had not thrown a touchdown over 50 yards all season.
The return of Wirfs from his high ankle sprain and left tackle Donovan Smith from a foot injury provided Brady with more protection, but it was Brady’s willingness to take deep shots that led to success. Evans described Brady’s performance, saying, “Tom was just dropping dimes.”
The Bucs trailed by 11 points entering the fourth quarter, but Brady led them to a comeback victory, his 46th career fourth-quarter comeback. Wirfs joked after the game, “Yeah, he surprises me. His old ass still threw like what? A 60-yard bomb? Yeah, he surprises me.”
Wirfs also reflected on the opportunity to play alongside Brady, imagining telling his future children, “I’ll just tell ‘em he was an old dog. I’ve loved every second of it.”
Tom Brady (NFL)
January 2, 2023: Despite already securing the NFC South title, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles made it clear that the starters, including Tom Brady, would play in Week 18. “There’s plenty we can still improve on, so right now, we plan on playing him,” Bowles said, with the team locked into the No. 4 playoff seed. “We have a lot to work on, and we can’t take our foot off the gas.”
January 8, 2023: In the regular-season finale against the Falcons, Brady broke his own NFL single-season completion record, surpassing the 485 completions he set the previous year. This season, he finished with 490 completions, despite the Bucs losing 30-17. Bowles commented on Brady’s remarkable consistency: “He continues to defy time. Father Time is struggling to keep up with Brady,” he joked. “He works hard, loves the game, and is like a kid out there—he loves to compete. Nothing more needs to be said.”
January 13, 2023: The Bucs entered the wild-card round relatively healthy. Bowles confirmed that cornerback Carlton Davis, who had missed two weeks, was “good to go.” Center Ryan Hainsey, dealing with a hamstring injury from Week 18, was limited in practice. Meanwhile, center Ryan Jensen, recovering from an injury, was moving well but still needed to pass some tests before being cleared for contact. Left tackle Donovan Smith’s foot was “feeling much better,” and defensive tackle Vita Vea was progressing from his calf strain after missing Week 18.
January 16, 2023: Brady’s career came to a close with a 31-14 wild-card loss to the Cowboys. In his final game, Brady attempted 66 passes—the most in his playoff career—completing 35 for 351 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. After the game, Brady took a moment to reflect: “I’m going to go home and get a good night’s sleep—well, as good as I can,” he said, adding that he had no timetable for his retirement decision. “This game has been my focus. I’ll take it one day at a time. Truly.”
February 1, 2023: Brady announced his retirement for the second time through an emotional social media post, declaring that this time, it was “for good.” He left the game with every major quarterback record in his possession.
In the final moments of his career, Brady shared a brief moment of recognition with the fans before jogging off the field at Raymond James Stadium. His parents were waiting for him just outside the tunnel, and teammate Ryan trailed behind, placing an arm around him as they made their way to the locker room.
Reflecting on the loss to the Cowboys, Brady said, “Not the way we wanted to end it, but we didn’t deserve it. I give them a lot of credit—they played a great game and made more plays than we did. It was a tough night.” The Bucs had been eliminated by a Cowboys team Brady had never lost to in his career, having defeated them seven times previously. Brady had a rough start, throwing an interception in the second quarter. It wasn’t until the third quarter, when the Bucs were down 24-0, that Brady found Cade Otton for a 30-yard touchdown. He threw one more touchdown pass to Cameron Brate with just 2:09 remaining and followed it up with a 2-point conversion to Mike Evans.
Bernard recovered an onside kick immediately after, but Brady’s final attempt, a fourth-and-6 pass to Jones, fell incomplete, sealing the loss.
Several teammates, sensing the end of Brady’s career, began reflecting on the journey. One veteran shared with ESPN, “I’m just trying to enjoy the last ride while I can.” However, Brady’s dedication never wavered.
“You see the passion he plays with—it floods through the whole team,” said quarterback Kyle Trask, who had spent the past two seasons learning from Brady. Sources told ESPN’s Jeff Darlington that, despite interest from other teams, Brady would either return to the Bucs or retire.
This time, Brady chose retirement. Now, he will be eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2028.
Off the field, Brady signed a 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports to become an analyst, and his film 80 for Brady was set to debut in theaters nationwide. He also expanded his business ventures, including the TB12 health and wellness brand with his long-time trainer and business partner Alex Guerrero, a year-old clothing line, and a multiplatform content company called 199 Productions, named in honor of being selected 199th overall in the NFL draft.
“Brady could have easily walked away and enjoyed his success,” said linebacker Lavonte David. “His career was already set, and he’s already a Hall of Famer. But the way he carried himself—coming to work even through the hard times, leading with that same intensity and joy—he was always Tom. He never changed. That’s why he’s our leader. I told him, ‘No matter what, you’re the GOAT in my eyes.'”
Steven Lorentz scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, and the Toronto Maple Leafs won 3-1 against the New York Islanders on Tuesday afternoon.
David Kampf and John Tavares also scored for the Maple Leafs, who had lost three of their last four games. William Nylander recorded two assists, and Joseph Woll made 30 saves.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored for the Islanders, who have lost three of their last four games. Ilya Sorokin made 22 saves.
The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 6-3 in Toronto on Dec. 21. The Maple Leafs will play the Islanders again on Thursday.
The game started with Nylander passing from behind the net to Kampf, who scored at 17:54 of the first period. The play started with a blocked shot by Toronto’s Christopher Tanev, leading to a rush that set up Nylander for a shot.
The Islanders had a goal early in the second period, but it was waved off after a video review showed the play was offside.
The Maple Leafs had a goal disallowed at 3:56 due to goaltender interference.
Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Pageau tied the game at 11:59 of the second period after receiving a pass from Noah Dobson. Toronto responded quickly, with Ryan Reaves passing to Lorentz, who scored a wrist shot just 16 seconds later.
Sorokin made key saves to keep the Islanders in the game, stopping shots from Nylander and Matthew Knies in the third period. Pageau later hit the crossbar at 13:28.
The Maple Leafs got a power play at 14:57, and while Brock Nelson had a breakaway, Woll made the save.
With Sorokin pulled for an extra attacker, Dobson was penalized for tripping at 19:17. Sorokin stayed off the ice, and Tavares scored into the empty net at 19:27.
Toronto placed Auston Matthews (upper-body injury) on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 20 for roster management. Pontus Holmberg and Oliver Ekman-Larsson missed the game due to illness.
