Connections: Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 17, 2026, puzzle No. 601

May 17, 2026 - 08:54

Welcome to the May 17 edition of the daily sports word game. Puzzle No. 601 is live, and players are already sorting through the grid of 16 terms. If you are stuck on today's grouping, here are some hints to get you moving without giving away the full answers.

The first category is easy to spot if you think about the basic equipment used in a specific winter sport. Look for words that describe what you would find on a player's feet or in their hands during a game on ice. The second group is a bit trickier. It involves terms that are also common nicknames for major professional teams in North America. Think about animals or birds that are fierce and fast.

The third category might trip up casual fans. It focuses on a specific type of action or movement that happens in multiple sports, from basketball to soccer. The final group is a wordplay trap. These are not actual sports terms but rather words that sound like they belong in a sports context when paired together. If you are still stuck, the four groups are: Hockey Gear, NHL Team Mascots, Dribbling Moves, and Fake Sports Terms. The answer for the tricky yellow group is "Puck, Stick, Skate, Helmet." Good luck with tomorrow's puzzle.