One category in today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle jumped out at me right away, since I’m a longtime hockey fan. Also, I figured “Seau” had to go with one other specific word., so the purple category was easy. If you’re struggling with the puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group hint: Hockey abbreviations.

Green group hint: Hope your players earn some points!

Blue group hint:  McEnroe is another one.

Purple group hint: Not senior or sophomore.

Read more: We Need to Talk About Wednesday’s Doggone Connections Puzzle

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: NHL teams, on scoreboards.

Green group: Positions in fantasy football.

Blue group: US Open men’s singles winner.

Purple group: Junior ____.

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is NHL teams, on scoreboards.

The four answers are CAR, EDM, OTT and VAN.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is positions in fantasy football.

The four answers are D/ST, FLEX, RB and TE.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is US Open men’s singles winner.

The four answers are Ashe, Laver, Rafter and Sinner.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is Junior ____.

The four answers are Caminero, college, Seau and varsity.

CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of “Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the ’70s and ’80s,” as well as “The Totally Sweet ’90s.” She’s been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She’s Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she’ll be first in line.

See full bio