The NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for September 7, 2026, is number 714. This edition features a mix of professional hockey, gridiron strategy, and tennis history, coinciding with the timing of the US Open tournament.
Hints for Today’s Connections
If you are looking for a nudge in the right direction before seeing the full categories, these hints break down the logic behind the September 7 puzzle.
Yellow: Look for three-letter abbreviations used to identify professional hockey teams during a broadcast.
Green: These terms are specific to building a roster in a popular football-based hobby where participants act as general managers.
Blue: This group features legendary names and modern stars who have hoisted a specific Grand Slam trophy in New York. While John McEnroe would fit here, he is not in today’s grid.
Purple: Every word in this category shares a common prefix that describes a level of competition or a specific athlete’s name.
Stronger Clues for Each Group
- Yellow: These specifically represent teams from Carolina, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Vancouver.
- Green: Think about the different slots you fill during a weekly draft, including the combined unit for defense and special teams.
- Blue: Names like Arthur Ashe and Jannik Sinner belong in this group of hard-court champions.
- Purple: One word refers to a Tampa Bay Rays player, while another refers to an iconic NFL linebacker.
SPOILER WARNING: The full answers and category groupings for today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition follow below.
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition Answers
Yellow: NHL teams, on scoreboards
CAR, EDM, OTT, VAN
These are standard three-letter abbreviations seen on television scorebugs. CAR represents the Hurricanes, EDM the Oilers, OTT the Senators, and VAN the Canucks.
Green: Positions in fantasy football
D/ST, FLEX, RB, TE
These abbreviations represent common roster spots. D/ST stands for Defense/Special Teams, a standard unit in fantasy scoring alongside Running Back (RB), Tight End (TE), and the utility “FLEX” spot.
Blue: US Open men’s singles winner
Ashe, Laver, Rafter, Sinner
This category highlights historic champions of the tournament. The inclusion of Jannik Sinner is historically accurate following his 2024 victory. He joins legends such as Arthur Ashe, Rod Laver, and Patrick Rafter.
Purple: Junior ____
Caminero, college, Seau, varsity
Each word follows the word “Junior.” This includes educational levels like “Junior College” and “Junior Varsity,” alongside athletes Junior Seau (NFL) and Junior Caminero, a prominent player for the Tampa Bay Rays.
