Good morning. The NBA and the NHL are entering their playoff seasons \u2013 more on that below and many more sports to follow, along with metal tariffs and mailbox changes. But first: <\/p>\n
Today\u2019s headlinesAlberta rejects an independent commission\u2019s proposed changes to the province\u2019s electoral map, fuelling accusations<\/a> the UCP is gerrymanderingSexual assault charges against spiritual leader John de Ruiter will be stayed<\/a> because of court delays and misconduct by the prosecutionTrump says the U.S.-Iran war should end \u2018soon,<\/a>\u2019 and urges Hezbollah to support the Israel-Lebanon truceOpen this photo in gallery:<\/a><\/p>\n Toronto forward Scottie Barnes slam dunks on April 12. The Raptors are headed back to the playoffs, where they face the Cleveland Cavaliers.Frank Gunn\/The Canadian Press<\/p>\n SportsOn the ball<\/p>\n Hello! I\u2019m Sarah Wallace, an audience editor for The Globe and Mail, the team responsible for connecting with readers like you. I\u2019m also a very big sports fan \u2013 when I\u2019m not working, you\u2019ll often find me cheering on the English national football team or staying up until the a.m. watching a Formula 1 race. <\/p>\n Lucky for you (and me), April is one of the best sporting months of the year because it\u2019s the start of the playoff season for many major sports. Wondering which games you need to prioritize this week? We\u2019ve got you covered.<\/p>\n NHL playoffs: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins<\/p>\n It\u2019s not an understatement to say that the Penguins are looking like the best team they\u2019ve had in years, with a Canadian at the forefront. It\u2019s the team\u2019s first playoff appearance in four seasons, and their forward depth \u2013 captained by Sidney Crosby \u2013 is stronger than ever. The 38-year-old leads all active players in playoff points, and bounced back tremendously in the regular season after a knee injury in the Winter Olympics sidelined him for most of the knockout stage as captain of the Canadian men\u2019s team.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s called the Battle of Pennsylvania for a reason. Rick Tocchet\u2019s first season as the Flyers\u2019 head coach saw the franchise\u2019s best season-over-season increase in almost 20 years, and goaltender Dan Vladar has put up an above-average save percentage this season. The Flyers might also have papal support, after Pope Leo XIV was gifted a customized jersey<\/a> from some dedicated fans. <\/p>\n NBA playoffs: Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers <\/p>\n Toronto fans, rejoice: The Raptors are back in the playoffs<\/a> for the first time since 2022. This team is quite different from the squad that bowed out in the first round four years ago against the Philadelphia 76ers. The old guards of Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet have been replaced by the likes of RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram<\/a>. Darko Rajakovic was tapped to be the team\u2019s 10th head coach after Nick Nurse was fired in 2023.<\/p>\n The Raptors face the Cavaliers, with Toronto having swept those three games against them in the regular season. But those games took place in October and November while Toronto was in the midst of a season-best 13-1 stretch, and before the Cavaliers traded for star guard James Harden. The 36-year-old was the league\u2019s MVP in 2018, is an 11-time All-Star and one of the best players to have never won a NBA championship.<\/p>\n Toronto is headed to Cleveland for the first match-up tomorrow. The Globe has everything you need to know<\/a> about the Raptors\u2019 postseason. <\/p>\n EPL soccer: Arsenal vs. Manchester City<\/p>\n Only six points separate top-placed Arsenal from second-placed Manchester City, with six games to go. Use this game as a primer to see some of the potential difference makers in this year\u2019s FIFA World Cup, including England\u2019s Bukayo Saka, Brazil\u2019s Gabriel Jesus and Spain\u2019s Rodri (Manchester City also have star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose Italian squad didn\u2019t qualify<\/a> for the World Cup).<\/p>\n PWHL: Boston Fleet vs. Montreal Victoire<\/p>\n Like Arsenal and Manchester City, the top-placed Victoire and second-placed Fleet are facing off late in the regular season tonight. The two squads just met last Saturday, with the Victoire extending a six-game win streak. Despite captain Marie-Philip Poulin\u2019s placement on the long-term injured reserve<\/a> in March, Montreal hasn\u2019t lost in regulation since the middle of January.<\/p>\n MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Sporting KC<\/p>\n I have to shout out German star Thomas M\u00fcller, who\u2019s helping the Whitecaps continue their winning ways from last season\u2019s runner-up finish<\/a>. The Whitecaps are currently at the top of the MLS standings, with a +15 goal differential. M\u00fcller also called for fans to pack BC Place for the team\u2019s home games, amidst rumours of relocation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s more of the latest sports news:<\/p>\n The NFL draft will be next Thursday, April 23. Heisman Award-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza is a virtual lock<\/a> for the first overall pick, held by the Las Vegas Raiders. The Toronto Tempo selected Kiki Rice with its first-ever selection<\/a> in the WNBA draft. The expansion team also acquired Kia Nurse, one of the most recognizable players<\/a> in Canadian basketball.LIV Golf\u2019s 2026 season will run as scheduled<\/a> with the full backing of Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund, after reports emerged that the PIF was close to cutting support.The Shot\u2018They let us burn.\u2019Open this photo in gallery:<\/a><\/p>\n Darren Sopel stands outside of the small ATCO trailer he currently lives in in Enterprise, NWT, on Nov. 14, 2025. Sopel purchased the trailer for $5,000 after his home was destroyed by wildfire in 2023.PAT KANE\/The Globe and Mail<\/p>\n Enterprise was among the hardest hit communities during the 2023 wildfire season and this NWT hamlet is still recovering<\/a> more than two years later. <\/p>\n The WrapWhat else we\u2019re following<\/p>\n At home: Canadian manufacturers are facing a potentially devastating increase in tariffs<\/a> after a change in how the U.S. applies metal duties to manufactured goods. <\/p>\n Abroad: The world is being ravaged by a \u201chandful of tyrants\u201d<\/a> and \u201cmasters of war\u201d who spend billions of dollars on killing and devastation, Pope Leo said on a tour of African countries.<\/p>\n Contracts: Ottawa says it extended the bidding process<\/a> to pick a submarine builder so the two entrants vying for the prize could sweeten their bids. <\/p>\n