The Anaheim Ducks take on the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of their second-round NHL playoff series. The Golden Knights won Game 1 3-1. Vegas is favored by 1.5 goals in Game 2. The over/under for the game is set at 6.5 goals.
How to watch Anaheim Ducks vs. Vegas Golden Knights
The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres open their East second-round series in the NHL playoffs. The Canadiens beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games in the first round. The Buffalo Sabres beat Montreal 4-2 in the first round. Buffalo is favored by 1.5 goals. The total is set at 5.5 goals.
How to watch Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
LAS VEGAS — Neither team particularly was happy following the Golden Knights’ 3-1 Game 1 victory over the Ducks.
Vegas got the win to open the second round, but realizes that is not sustainable after getting outplayed by Anaheim most of the night. On the other side, the Ducks missed a great opportunity to take the early lead in the best-of-seven playoff series.
“I think the biggest thing is we need to be honest with ourselves,” Golden Knights coach John Tortorella said. “We’ll look at some of the stuff and I think we have a better game coming up.”
That would be Game 2 in Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights would have a hard time getting away with another performance in which they were outshot 34-22 and, according to Natural Stat Trick, gave up 12 high-danger chances compared to creating six.
“I don’t think anyone in that locker room is pretty satisfied with that win,” Vegas center Mitch Marner said. “We know we can play a lot better. I don’t think we got to our (offensive) zone game at all. We gave them some good looks that (goalie) Carter (Hart) made some massive saves on. But we know we’ve got to be better. We know the series is going to get harder. That’s how it always goes.”
If not for Hart’s 33 saves, the Ducks likely would be the ones up 1-0, but Anaheim found itself in a similar spot in the opening round against Edmonton. After the Oilers won the opener 4-3, the Ducks took the next three games and eventually closed out the series in six.
Win Game 2 at Vegas and suddenly home ice advantage belongs to the Ducks.
“It’s definitely a different task at hand,” Ducks center Ryan Poehling said. “I thought we played a great game (Monday) and just using our speed throughout the series is going to kind of be what dictates how it ends up for us.”
That athleticism figured to be a big advantage for Anaheim entering the series, but the Golden Knights counter with physicality and experience. The rough play was less on display, and Tortorella said the officials made cutting down on fighting and other post-play scrums a point of emphasis this series.
If it comes down to being able to create plays in open ice, the Ducks will have the decided edge, at least if Game 1 was any indication.
“I liked how we played,” Ducks coach Joel Quenneville said. “We had a good pace to our game. I thought (Lukas Dostal) was good in net and I thought across the board we had everybody contributing. We had the energy we were looking for and there was speed and pace. We missed some great chances as well.”
Montreal Canadiens at Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres showed in their six-game series victory over Boston in the first round that they aren’t just a feel-good story. In making their first playoff appearance in 15 years, Buffalo is out to make an impact in this postseason and has the chance to knock out the NHL’s most-decorated franchise in Montreal.
“I think after this series, we kind of learned that this is just hockey,” Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said. “The media and stuff are kind of blowing it up about playoffs and different things. But we’ve played this sport for so long.”
The Canadiens pulled off the great escape to get to this point, putting just nine shots on goal in Game 7 at Tampa Bay, but still defeated the Lightning 2-1.
“We stuck together,” Canadiens forward Josh Anderson said. “We found ways to win. I thought everyone bought into the game plan and system we were bringing each and every night.”
Now they have to do it again against a team few expected to be in this position when the season began.
The last time the Islanders held the 13th pick, they traded it.
Back in 2022, the Islanders entered the lottery with the same odds as they did this time, 2.0%, and remained at No. 13.
But when the Islanders were on the clock in Montreal, they traded the pick to the hometown Canadiens.
Left-handed defenseman Alexander Romanov and Montreal's 2022 fourth-round pick came to Long Island in exchange for the 13th pick. The Canadiens then sent the Islanders' pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for centerman Kirby Dach.
The Blackhawks selected center Frank Nazar with the Islanders' pick.
Romanov, a pending restricted free agent who had been squeezed out in Montreal, signed a three-year deal worth $7.5 million annually with the Islanders. Over those first three seasons on Long Island, it was a process of becoming a more responsible defenseman while showcasing more offensive potential.
First-year general manager Mathieu Darche really believes in the player, signing Romanov to an eight-year deal worth $6.25 million annually on June 30, 2025.
Unfortunately, the first year of the deal was a nightmare. Romanov dealt with an upper-body injury early in the season, and the hope was that his poor play and analytics were largely due to it.
The struggles continued when he returned, and on Nov. 18, his season came to an end after Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen boarded him, injuring his right shoulder, an injury that required surgery.
The Islanders are relying on Romanov to bounce back, and if you know the player, you know he'll put in the work this summer to get right.
Nazar has proven to be a good example of a player who falls out of the top 10 but can still be effective in the right spot. He made his NHL debut just a season after being drafted, recording a goal in a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. He went pointless in the final two games of the season.
Then in 2024-25, Nazar recorded 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points in 53 games, averaging 15:52 per game. He followed that season up with a 41-point 2025-26 campaign, with 15 goals and 26 assists. He averaged 18:19 per game.
Nazar played most of his second full season with Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen on Chicago's second line, but he did end the season as a linemate with Connor Bedard.
Back in August, with one season left on his deal, the Blackhawks signed him to a seven-year contract worth $6.59 million annually.
Dach has struggled to stay healthy and be effective since the Canadiens acquired him. He played just 58 games in 2022-23, two in 2023-24, 57 in 2024-25, and only 37 this past season, with eight goals and seven assists for 15 points.
So far in the playoffs, Dach has two goals and an assist in seven games. He is a pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights.
If the Islanders are going to acquire a scoring forward this summer, one would have to think it comes via trade. And if it comes via trade, chances are the No. 13 pick is involved.
Or they can keep the pick and add to their booming prospect pool.
Stephen Halliday might just be the Ottawa Senators’ most compelling forward prospect.
At 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds with a long reach, Halliday is a hard man to knock off the puck, and he pairs that size with slick playmaking ability. In mostly a fourth-line role, he produced four goals and 11 points in 30 NHL games this season, while continuing a trend that’s followed him at every level.
He's a guy who finds ways to produce offense.
Ridly Greig is asked last week about his roughing incident in Game 4, which landed him a two game suspension.
Whether it was with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, Ohio State University, or the AHL’s Belleville Senators, Halliday eventually ascended to the top of his team in point production.
That’s what makes his projection so intriguing. Whether you think of him as a career fourth-line contributor or imagine him eventually climbing into a top-six role, both outcomes feel equally believable right now.
Halliday took a clear step forward as a pro this season, producing at a point-per-game pace in the American Hockey League with 29 points in 29 games. His pass-first instinct stood out, with only 2 of those points being goals. But as he showed during his NHL stint, he’s got a quick, effective release when he chooses to use it.
“Yeah, no, I thought it was a great learning experience,” Halliday told Senators host Jackson Starr on Tuesday. “Super excited that I got a chance to show what I could do up with the big club, but again, I really give credit to the guys in Belleville, like David Bell and all the guys that kind of helped me along the way.”
There’s still a sense that Halliday is just scratching the surface. For now, he remains in that “happy to be here” phase at the NHL level, even as expectations begin to rise.
“Oh yeah, like if you would have told me like I'd be here sitting today, like at the beginning of the year, I would have definitely like been like, 'God, I hope,' and stuff like that.”
Even after proving he can contribute, he didn't get ahead of himself last season. Even now, with a new contract, he knows he still has a lot of work to do to become the player he wants to be. But he learned a lot last season.
“Yeah, like kind of just trying to play every shift, like it was my last, I think trying to improve my pace of play, kind of my physicality, like I wasn't as big of a physicality player like in college and in the NHL, but trying to add that type of part to my game.”
He also pointed to the culture around him as a key factor in his progress.
“Yeah, like going back to like kind of what Sandy said in that post-game interview, like the '25 best friends' thing. Every single guy in the room was trying to help each other, whether it was G or whether it was Timmy, like all of those types of guys.”
That growth earned him a two-year contract on Tuesday worth $1.075 million per season. But according to PuckPedia, it’s a two-way deal, which is a loud reminder that, as head coach Travis Green likes to say, nothing is given.
Halliday was playing regularly leading up to the NHL trade deadline, but after the Senators acquired Warren Foegele, he spent much of the stretch run in the press box.
At the moment, it looks like an NHL opportunity may be there this fall. But a lot can happen in a single offseason.
Two summers ago, like Halliday, Angus Crookshank was a top scorer in Belleville who was getting some long looks in Ottawa and looked like he might be ready to break through as a full-timer. Then the Sens went out that summer and wiped out Crookshank's chances by signing five free agent forwards: David Perron, Michael Amadio, Nick Cousins, Noah Gregor and Adam Gaudette.
What the Senators learned this season is that Halliday belongs in the NHL conversation. And if his track record is any indication, wherever he lands in the lineup, he’ll eventually find a way to produce.
By Steve Warne The Hockey News/Ottawa
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:
Roughly an hour after the NHL announced the Calder Trophy finalists on Tuesday afternoon, the NHL Draft Lottery took place to determine the draft order at the top of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Here were the odds for eligible teams to win the first lottery draw and select first overall:
The Toronto Maple Leafs won the drawing to select first overall, and the San Jose Sharks won the second drawing and will select second overall.
The Sharks and Anaheim Ducks franchises had been in the basement of the NHL standings for nearly an identical amount of time. The Ducks just snapped their seven-year playoff drought, and the Sharks just missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season in 2025-26.
The two teams, on similar trajectories and rebuilding schedules, are projected to soon represent two of the top teams in the Pacific Division and Western Conference due to the talent they’ve amassed over the better part of the last decade.
Though the Ducks are finding current success, making the playoffs and advancing to the second round, it’s undeniable that the Sharks boast the roster with the best player, likely the best since Connor McDavid took hold of the “best player in the world” title: Macklin Celebrini.
Relying heavily on a season from Celebrini that deserves Hart Trophy consideration, the Sharks took a sizable leap in the NHL standings, missing the Western Conference’s second wild card spot by four points. They’ll now be selecting in the top two of the NHL Draft for the third consecutive season and in the top four for the fourth consecutive season.
With all their top ten picks throughout the course of their rebuild having been at forward positions, they could best utilize one of this draft’s top blueliners (Chase Reid, Carson Carels, Keaton Verhoeff). However, the two players consistently projected as the top two selections are Gavin McKenna and Ivan Stenberg, supremely talented albeit relatively undersized wingers.
Whichever direction San Jose goes with their now-top pick will give them a further significant boost toward their ultimate goal of consistent contention. The Ducks will likely have their hands full with the Sharks for a long time, and it could produce one of the most entertaining and high-powered rivalries in the NHL for a long time to come.
Sharks GM Mike Grier will have a tall order surrounding their young talents with quality complementary pieces. The potential advantages the Ducks can cling to at the moment, when comparing trajectories, is that they have the projected edge along the blueline, and their core pieces, in theory, may have an advantage when playoff hockey rolls around, size is more valuable, and physicality is amplified.
The NHL is smack-dab in the middle of the 2026 Playoffs, with eight remaining teams battling out their second-round matchups. However, playoff time also means NHL Awards time, and finalists for all major awards are being announced daily.
On Tuesday, the NHL announced the finalists for the 2026 Calder Trophy, awarded “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition” and voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA).
The three finalists for the award this year are Ivan Demidov (forward, Montreal Canadiens), Matthew Schaefer (defenseman, New York Islanders), and Beckett Sennecke (forward, Anaheim Ducks).
Though statistically, the three players produced at a similar rate, all finishing between 59 and 62 points while playing all 82 regular season games, the trophy will almost certainly be awarded to Schaefer, as he tied Sennecke for the rookie lead in goals (23), was immediately his team’s #1 defenseman, averaged 24:41 TOI, and plays (arguably) the most difficult position on the ice (the hardest one to adapt to). He’s already an elite NHL defenseman, and he turned 18 just before the season, in September.
Heading into the 2025-26 season, with a new head coach and a mandate from ownership and management to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it was unclear what their plan was for Sennecke. His playstyle is naturally volatile, he had a long way to go in his 200-foot development, and on paper, the Ducks had a crowded top-nine forward group.
Former Ducks forward Ryan Strome suffered an oblique injury to open the season, leaving a spot open for Sennecke. Sennecke grabbed it, didn’t loosen his grip on that spot all season, and is now a Calder finalist.
Sennecke finished his rookie season with 60 points (23-37=60), good enough for second among all NHL rookies and third among Ducks players. Though many worried about his trajectory, joining the NHL ranks seemingly underdeveloped, Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville and general manager Pat Verbeek’s strategy seemed to be to simply let him play through his inevitable mistakes, affording him a long leash and letting the good outweigh the bad.
Sennecke is a unique talent, ever involved and influential in plays in all three zones. His 6-foot-3, 206-pound frame suggests a prototypical “power forward,” but his puck skills suggest “shifty winger,” and the truth is that he’s both. He works perimeters, he mixes things up at the net-front, and he thrives off the rush. He’s as complete an offensive talent as a rookie can be.
The decision-making and defensive habits leave a lot to be desired and offer much room for improvement, but those are mistakes made by the vast majority of rookies and are to be expected.
During these playoffs, Sennecke’s play has been greater than his production, as he’s only managed a point (a goal) in seven games. As the margins are infinitely finer in the Spring, Sennecke is currently working through ways to remain impactful to his team’s success. On the positive side, the costly mistakes have nearly dried up completely, and he hasn’t been a liability in any sense for the Ducks.
Sennecke is a foundational piece to the Ducks’ current and future success, and his Calder nomination is earned.
ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 3: Robert Thomas #18 of the St. Louis Blues takes a shot as Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins defends on April 3, 2025 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Penguins are about to enter what could be (and perhaps should be) a fascinating offseason. Probably one of the more fascinating offseasons they have had in years.
There is the Evgeni Malkin situation looming.
There is the fact the Penguins, coming off a surprising playoff appearance, have to wrestle with the reality that they were, in fact, a playoff team, and are also still needing to get younger and look toward the future.
There is Kyle Dubas again insisting he wants to build a championship team and not a team that simply makes the playoffs and loses in the first round.
If the first two years of the Dubas are any indication of what is ahead, you can probably expect a lot of roster movement and a lot of trades. And that is not necessarily a bad thing. The Penguins also have a pretty significant amount of salary cap space to work with, the ability to easily create more if they sell any additional players off the roster that are still under contract, and a lot of future draft picks to potentially deal from.
So what, exactly, should they do with it?
For starters, I will repeat what I said on Monday and emphatically point out I have zero interest in the unrestricted free agent market. The only thing free agency should be utilized for is filling out cheap depth or taking on cheap reclamation projects that can be rebuilt and potentially flipped. Paying Alex Tuch or Darren Raddysh $10 million per year doesn’t do anything to help you now or in the future. That’s a “get to the playoffs and lose in the first round” move.
No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.
Just pass on all of it.
Stay out of it.
Just throw the UFA list away on July 1 and start looking at it again on July 4 or 5 to see who is left.
Aggressive trading is the way to go. Aggressively selling for more assets, and aggressively buying to potentially get the type of impact player the Penguins are still lacking for the long haul.
So with that in mind, is there a path for them to potentially go after a big fish this offseason in the trade market given some of the names that could be available? I also say this knowing full well that trade rumors and trade speculation rarely, if ever, actually turn into blockbuster trades. We go through this every trade deadline and offseason where the insiders tell us the big names that are available, we try to guess what they will go for, and then nobody actually goes anywhere.
But maybe this time will be different.
Let’s look at some options.
The “in your dreams” players
Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars. I say “dream scenario” here because this is probably all it will ever be. But this is the type of player that should be at the top of the Penguins wish list if they did want to do something bold and aggressive. He is still in his mid-20s. He is one of the best players in hockey. He could be a franchise centerpiece for probably the next seven or eight years. They have the salary cap space to pay him whatever he wants. And it is for almost all of those reasons that the Stars would be insane to move him. I know the salary cap exists, but they should be moving OTHER people to make sure he stays. And I suspect they will do exactly that. It would also likely cost you Ben Kindel as a starting point. And at the risk of saying something controversial, this is the one player potentially available that I think I would be okay with that. But it’s not likely going to come to that. It will probably stay in your dreams.
Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues. I think Thomas could be a little more attainable than Robertson, just because the Blues are in kind of a no-man’s land where they are not particularly good and might actually be looking to re-tool things a little bit with their core. He’s not quite Robertson, but I still think he can be an impact player for a long time. He is one of the best playmakers in hockey and signed long-term to a fairly team-friendly contract. But again … the team has to actually WANT to trade him and the cost will be high. Ben Kindel high? Maybe. Maybe you can get away with multiple draft picks and a different young player/prospect, even if it’s a top prospect. I also feel like this could be one of those situations where you deal somebody off of your own roster (Karlsson? Rakell?) in order to collect more assets that could be applied to another trade.
I am also okay dealing prospects, even at this stage of where the Penguins are, because most of these guys are not going to play for the next contending Penguins team. Some of them are going to offer you their most value as trade chips. Especially if it is the right player. Do the Penguins have the right prospects to entice a team into that type of trade? Again … this is why he is in the dream category.
Matthew Knies, Toronto Maple Leafs. Knies has been mentioned in trade speculation going back to the trade deadline, and with the Maple Leafs winning the NHL Draft Lottery on Tuesday and likely adding another forward into the mix, Knies would be a logical option to move for the much-needed defense help the Maple Leafs are craving. I think there’s a chance he gets traded. He is only 23 years old, already really good and already signed long-term. I just don’t think the Penguins have the defensemen Toronto would want or need.
The buyer beware category
Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators. Tkachuk is tired of his name being in trade speculation, but brother, your name is in trade speculation and you are responsible for a lot of that. But I think I am out on him. I like the IDEA of Brady Tkachuk a lot more than I like the reality of Brady Tkachuk. He is a very good player. Maybe even better than very good. But he is also at a point where I think his perceived value across the NHL is higher (and perhaps significantly so) than his actual on-ice value. There are a lot of teams and general managers in the league that would crawl over miles broken glass and random lego pieces to get him on their roster because they see TKACHUK written in bright lights, and that’s just not a bidding war I want to get into. He’s not Matthew Tkachuk. You are not building a championship level team around him. Given all of that, I’d say this dude has New York Ranger written all over him. Let Chris Drury worry about that and make it his problem.
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs. What a chaotic week for the Maple Leafs. Chaotic front office hires. Auston Matthews saying he is not sure he will be back next season and that he wants to see what direction the offseason goes in. Then they go and win the freaking NHL Draft lottery. Let’s be honest, there is a 99.9 percent chance he is a Maple Leaf next season, but in the event that he does somehow become available this is another situation where I like the idea of it a lot more than the reality of it. I am concerned about the wrist injury. I am concerned about the fact that he has been “really good” the past two years and not “really great.” I am concerned he is going to be 29 next season and due for a new contract in two years. I would be concerned at the price. I am not sure he fits into whatever timeline the Penguins should be on.
The reclamation project
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks. Let’s get weird. What type of players has Kyle Dubas made an effort to acquire over the past two years?
Bad contracts teams do not want.
Talented players that have not worked out as planned/hope in their current environment. Some have worked out here better than others.
With that said, have I got the player for you, because Elias Pettersson fits BOTH of these categories.
The contract is … not great. The recent production, given the contract is … even worse.
But here’s what you have working in your favor: There is obviously an elite talent somewhere in that body. Vancouver has been about as grim of a situation as there is in the NHL and if there is anybody that can use a fresh start it is this freaking guy. It’s also probably not going to cost you much in the way of assets because there’s probably not many teams in the league willing to take on that contract or have the ability to take on that contract. I’m not saying it’s high on my wish list. I am saying I think it’s an option at least worth exploring and discussing. I could be talked into it.
The likely path
Restricted free agents. I am not even necessarily talking offer sheets, but simply trades involving other team’s RFAs. Remember that salary cap crunch Dallas is dealing with in order to keep Jason Robertson? Maybe that costs them Mavrik Bourque. It might cost you a first-round pick and a decent prospect (think K’Andre Miller trade), but you’re getting a 20-goal scorer that still has some serious untapped potential.
Cole Perfetti? A talented player that hasn’t quite put it all together in his current spot while still flashing top-line potential? While also playing for a team that is entering a desperate offseason and likely to do something dumb? Sounds like a Pittsburgh Penguin already.
You need more young players on defense. Are Simon Nemec or Brandt Clarke long-term fits in New Jersey or Los Angeles? I feel like Nemec is probably more attainable than Clarke, but the Kings are, after all, run by Ken Holland, and he did trade Jordan Spence last offseason so he could pay Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci, so who knows? Sometimes you have to target the general manager more than the player.
There is also the strong possibility somebody that is not even on anybody’s radar gets moved. Either way, we are probably looking at some big roster movement this offseason, and given the resources the Penguins have to work with there are some really intriguing possibilities.
The Philadelphia Flyers hope a change of scene can charge a comeback against the Carolina Hurricanes, with the two Metropolitan Division foes meeting at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday, May 7.
My top Hurricanes vs. Flyers predictions and NHL picks anticipate Carolina continuing its own charge to the Eastern Conference Finals and peppering Philly goaltender Dan Vladar with shots.
Hurricanes vs Flyers Game 3 prediction
Hurricanes vs Flyers best bet: Dan Vladar Over 26.5 saves (-120)
The Carolina Hurricanespaced the NHL in attempts per 60 minutes on the road during the regular season and again in Round 1 of the playoffs, and they’re sporting a high-end 55.9 Corsi For percentage through two Round 2 games.
Plus, Vladar has done his part in the crease with a .928 save percentage and 8.67 goals saved above average over eight postseason games, which includes respective .945 and 5.13 marks across three home starts.
Additionally, I’m anticipating Philly pushing to generate more offense, which will leave them susceptible to extra Carolina counter attacks and shooting opportunities.
Hurricanes vs Flyers Game 3 same-game parlay
The Hurricanes are too deep, talented and experienced for the Flyers to hang, and the gap in 5-on-5 play showcases it. In addition to the highlighted possession dominance, Carolina has also generated 54.6% of the expected goals and outscored Philly 5-1 at 5-on-5.
Of course, Hurricanes starter Frederik Andersen is building a Conn Smythe case in the crease with an eye-popping .958 save percentage with 12.53 goals saved above expected through six playoff games. Philly will have to push to generate more scoring chances in Game 2, which sets up Andersen to record 22 or more saves for the fifth time this postseason.
Turning to Carolina winger Andrei Svechnikov, he’s been held to a single playoff point despite logging top offensive minutes and being on the ice for 6.74 expected goals. Additionally, after taking three minor penalties in Game 2, I’m expecting a scoresheet response from Svechnikov.
[The Carolina Hurricanes have covered the puck line in 15 of their last 25 away games (+11.75 Units / 38% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Flyers.
How to watch Hurricanes vs Flyers Game 3
Location
Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Puck drop
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
TNT
Hurricanes vs Flyers latest injuries
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25 February 2026, Lower Saxony, Hanover: A meerkat stands in the sunshine at Hanover Zoo. Photo: Julian Stratenschulte/dpa (Photo by Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Aneudis Mejia went 3.1 innings for Hickory, allowing four runs, walking three and striking out three.
Marcos Torres homered. Paulino Santana had two walks and a stolen base. Yolfran Castillo had a pair of hits and a stolen base. Hector Osorio had a pair of hits.
Hub City starter Aidan Curry allowed three runs in 3.1 IP, striking out four and walking four. Andrew Susac struck out two in two innings, allowing two runs.
Maxton Martin homered. Paxton Kling had a hit. Malcolm Moore had a hit. Yeison Morrobel had a double and a walk. Gleider Figuereo was 3 for 4 with a double.
Josh Stephan starter for Round Rock, allowing three runs in six innings while striking out 11. Ryan Brasier struck out one in a scoreless inning. Alexis Diaz walked two, struck out two and allowed a run in an inning. Dane Acker walked three and allowed three runs while not retiring anyone.
Aaron Zavala was 2 for 3 with a walk and a pair of doubles. Cam Cauley had a hit and a walk.
DENVER, CO - APRIL 6: Colorado Rockies grounds crew use leaf blowers to blow off the snow around the edges of the field on Opening Day against the Atlanta Braves on April 6, 2018 Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images) | Denver Post via Getty Images
Meet the Mets
Carl Edwards Jr. has elected free agency following his designation for assignment by the Mets.
ESPN handed out grades to every team to start the season, and the Mets did about as poorly as one would expect.
If you’ve ever wondered how to become the biggest baseball fan possible, look to the man who has attended 10,000 baseball games, with the big number 10,000 coming during the Mets’ doubleheader against the Rockies.
Every Mets starter has gotten pushed back a day due to yesterday’s postponement.
Mark Vientos looks to be returning to his 2024 form, just when the Mets need him the most.
Brandon Nimmo is already realizing some major differences between New York and Texas as a player.
Around the National League East
The Marlins designated pitcher Chris Paddack for assignment.
The Braves activated closer Raisel Iglesias, and have sent Dylan Dodd to begin a rehab assignment.
The Phillies continued their winning ways under interim manager Don Mattingly with a 9-1 blowout against the Athletics, with Cristopher Sánchez throwing eight scoreless innings with ten strikeouts and only three hits.
The Marlins lost 9-7 to the Orioles when Andrew Nardi gave up two runs in the top of the ninth on back-to-back RBI singles.
The Nationals were handed a beatdown by the Twins in an 11-3 loss, with Cade Cavalli giving up six runs (though only three were earned) and Andre Granillo giving up four.
The Braves narrowly defeated the Mariners 3-2, with Matt Olson hitting a solo home run in the top of the ninth to give the Braves the lead, and Raisel Iglesias got the save in his return from the injured list.
Around Major League Baseball
The Tigers terminated the contract of Gabe Alvarez, manager of the Toledo Mud Hens, and named former Met Mike Hessman as the interim manager.
New interim manager of the Red Sox Chad Tracy is making subtle changes to try and help the team succeed.
Mike Trout believes that his hot start is a return to form that he can sustain.
Various broadcast booths across baseball have paid homage to the former Yankees announcer John Sterling following his passing.
The Yankees announced they will be wearing a memorial patch for Sterling for the rest of the season, starting with their next homestand.
A reliever who played against and alongside some of the biggest names in baseball has taken a new path post-baseball—auto engineer at Ford.
Tamp Bay Rays pitcher (and former Met) Steven Matz has become the latest Ray to end up on the injured list.
Brewers reliever Angel Zerpa’s season will be undergoing Tommy John surgery on Monday, ending his 2026 season.
Even Shohei Ohtani has his limits, finding himself out of the lineup on days he pitches during a rough start to his offensive season.
Benches cleared in the game between the Tigers and Red Sox after Framber Valdez hit Trevor Story with a pitch following back-to-back home runs by the Red Sox.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Allison McCague published another pitcher meter for the last two weeks of Mets baseball.
Steve Sypa wrote up the Mets Minor League Players of the Week for the sixth week of the season.
This Date in Mets History
Willie Mays, who played for the Mets for a couple years in the early 1970s and had his number retired by the Mets in 2022, was born on this day 95 years ago.
Anthony Volpe of the Somerset Patriots runs the bases during a Minor League Baseball game at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, United States, on May 1, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
When the Yankees announced that Anthony Volpe would not be added to the active roster when he was activated from the injured list, but instead optioned to Triple-A Scranton, manager Aaron Boone indicated that the team had not considered playing him anywhere but at shortstop. Speaking to the media less than 24 hours later, Boone appeared to walk back those remarks, saying “We’ll see. Right now, he’s going to play shortstop” in response to another question about Volpe’s positional flexibility. While I understand the reasoning behind having Volpe at least start playing his accustomed position exclusively, the prudent move for all involved is to get Anthony Volpe some reps at other positions, or at least at second base.
The benefits for Volpe should be clear. There is no shortage of former shortstop prospects who reinvented themselves throughout the league. Once upon a time, Amed Rosario was the No. 1 prospect in the Mets organization, and in 2017, the MLB.com scouting report said, “There is no question he’ll be a shortstop long-term, with the potential to be an elite-level defender thanks to his range, hands, footwork and plus arm.” He did not come anywhere close to that potential, but has instead built himself a nice career as a southpaw-slugging utilityman capable of playing second, third, and both corner outfield spots — not particularly well, but at least passably. Before him, Jurickson Profar had the same career trajectory (before his multiple PED suspensions, of course).
Defensively, Volpe projects as a player who should be able to slide around the diamond, at least a little bit. As a Gold Glove shortstop (and yes, I would still classify him as that despite his struggles with the glove last season, which at this point I’m inclined to blame on his injury), he clearly has the range to move around the diamond, even if I’m disinclined to think that he’ll have the arm for the hot corner his throws from short were clocked at 81.9 mph last year (a career high despite the injury), which ranked 40th among shortstops. That weakness, however, would be minimized at second base. Since Volpe has just 45 professional innings away from shortstop — 18 at second, 27 at third, and all in 2021 with the Tampa Tarpons and the Hudson Valley Renegades — it would be beneficial for Volpe’s future career for him to start getting reps there sooner rather than later.
At the same time, it’s within the Yankees’ best interests for them to see what else Volpe can do besides playing shortstop. Yes, the team already has quite a bit of flexibility at the major league level, with Rosario, Caballero, and now Max Schuemann all capable of playing multiple positions. Of this trio, however, Cabby is already in the starting lineup, Rosario doesn’t play great defense, and Volpe has a higher ceiling and slightly longer track record than Schuemann. If Volpe can reinvent himself as a strong defender at both middle infield positions over the next month or two, he can provide real insurance in the event of a Jazz Chisholm Jr. injury this season (or a departure in free agency this winter).
In truth, there’s really only one person who would not benefit from Volpe increasing his positional versatility: Oswaldo Cabrera, who has struggled to find his footing in Scranton after missing most of last season. And while I love the Yankees’ human Golden Retriever… more competition is never a bad thing.
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 05: UFC Champion, Alex Pereira throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 5, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’ve seen a lot of fighters over the years throw out some pretty questionable first pitches, but not our man “Poatan.”
Alex Pereira was on hand at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx yesterday (Tue. May 5th, 2026) to watch the New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 7-4 in the first of a three game series. He was welcomed as a proper two division UFC champion should be — they gave him a Yankees jersey with the number 1 on the back and let him throw out the first ceremonial pitch.
And how did Pereira do? He put the ball straight down the middle and over the plate. It was no heater, but it got exactly where it was supposed to go. Take a look.
Compare that to Conor McGregor’s infamous first pitch during a Cubs game, which went, er, slightly to the right.
When lefty Conor McGregor fired in an absolutely wild first pitch at a Cubs game 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Pk0GmetyIS
— Baseball’s Greatest Moments (@BBGreatMoments) April 19, 2026
Pereira was introduced as the ‘former’ two-division UFC champion which is technically true: he relinquished his light heavyweight belt to move up another division, where he’ll face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight championship. A win over Gane at the UFC White House event on June 14th will make “Poatan” the first fighter to ever hold titles in three weight classes.
Add that to the list of impressive accomplishments alongside his impressive first pitch.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Jacob Degrom #48 of the Texas Rangers reacts after giving up a home run against Ryan McMahon #19 of the New York Yankees during their game at Yankee Stadium on May 05, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yankees 7, Rangers 4
That game made me grouchy.
Like the Very Grouchy Ladybug.
Three runs in the first off of Elmer Rodriguez, then one run the rest of the way.
The Yankees were 3 for 8 with runners in scoring position and stranded five. The Rangers were 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12.
And that pretty much explains the ball game.
I don’t want to talk about this game.
Jacob deGrom topped out at 98.7 mph with his fastball, averaging 97.8 mph. Jalen Beeks reached 94.4 mph with his fastball. Tyler Alexander’s sinker reached 92.8 mph.
Jake Burger had a 107.3 mph ground out, a 104.3 mph GIDP, and a 103.3 mph ground out. Ezequiel Duran had a 105.2 mph triple. Andrew McCutchen had a 104.6 mph single. Joc Pederson had a 103.1 mph sacrifice fly. Alejandro Osuna had a 103.0 mph ground out. Josh Jung had a 101.5 mph single.
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Jackson Rutledge #44 of the Washington Nationals reacts after giving up a triple in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 13, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Nationals have admitted defeat on yet another first round draft pick from the 2010’s. While the Nats were having a magical turnaround in the summer of 2019, Mike Rizzo drafted Jackson Rutledge with the 17th overall pick. He did not work out, and the Nats new regime officially admitted that last night when they DFA’d Rutledge.
Max Kranick signing is now official. One year deal with club option for 2027. In a corresponding move, the Nats designated Jackson Rutledge for assignment.
The Nats needed to remove someone from the 40-man roster to add new signing Max Kranick, and Rutledge was the guy. Despite Rutledge’s pedigree, the fact he was DFA’d did not come as much of a surprise. He just has not been productive enough to stick around in the big leagues.
Rutledge has appeared in 71 games, with five starts. In his career, Rutledge has an ERA of 6.29. This season he only made one disastrous MLB appearance, where he allowed 7 runs in 1.1 innings. At that point, it really felt like the writing was on the wall for the former first rounder.
Jackson Rutledge, summoned from Rochester to help provide some bullpen depth tonight, hasn't retired any of the five batters he's faced so far in the 6th, turning a 5-1 game into a 9-1 game.
In 2025, Rutledge was a full time big leaguer for the first time. He was a mainstay in the Nats bullpen. While he had some moments of success, there was more bad than good. He posted a 5.77 ERA in 63 outings last year. Despite throwing in the mid-90’s, Rutledge’s fastball was extremely hittable.
That has been one of the stories of his career. For a guy who was touted as having elite stuff coming out of the draft, he has always been hittable. Even in Single-A, hitters were not having trouble picking up his stuff. In 2021, he posted an ERA of 7.68 in various levels of A ball and in 2022, he had an ERA of 4.90 for the Fred Nats. For a 6’8 guy with a mid-90’s heater and a wipeout slider, he was always shockingly hittable.
Part of that is due to the fact that he does not take advantage of his big frame. Despite being a massive pitcher, Rutledge has below average extension down the mound. That means he is not a very deceptive guy. His fastball shape is also very ordinary, which was a problem for him. Coming out of junior college, Rutledge could dominate with pure velocity, but he could not do that in pro ball.
Despite the rough start to his pro career, Rutledge did appear to turn a corner in 2023. He posted a 3.71 ERA in 23 starts split between Double-A and Triple-A. That success earned him a big league call up in 2023. However, the success never came in the big leagues.
Jackson Rutledge struck out seven batters in 5.0 innings of two-hit, shutout ball last night.
That 2023 turned out to be an outlier. Rutledge posted an ERA above 6 in AAA the following year. After that, he became a full time reliever. He had some success in that role in the big leagues at the start of the 2025 season. However, as we mentioned, that success did not last.
There is a pretty good chance that Rutledge goes unclaimed and remains in the Nats organization. If that happens, he will be off the 40 man roster, and will officially just be organizational depth, which he pretty much was already.
Mike Rizzo’s drafts from 2012 onwards were rough, but his stretch between 2017-2019 was his worst work. In that three year stretch, the Nats took Seth Romero, Mason Denaburg and Jackson Rutledge in the first round. Those drafts are a big reason why the Nats had to enter a rebuild.
You can talk about ownership’s lack of spending, and that is a real problem. However, all of those draft misses added up for this organization. It is tough to build an entire team through free agency, especially in a medium sized market like DC. You need homegrown talent to be flowing through the system, and the Nats just did not have that.
Hopefully the new regime can change that, and they are already showing signs that they are. The Nats minor league teams are having more success than they have had in many years. Prospects like Eli Willits, Ronny Cruz, Devin Fitz-Gerald and Seaver King are also having monster years.
As we head into the future, I hope the Nats can build a young core of homegrown players and augment them with free agent talent. That is what the Nats did when they were at their best in the 2010’s. They spent money, but there was also a core of young, controllable players. That eventually dried up once all the draft misses caught up to this organization.
With the 20th pick in that same 2019 draft, the Mariners took a different college pitcher in George Kirby. Obviously that one is working out a lot better. The Mariners taking guys like Kirby and the Nats taking guys like Rutledge are a big reason why the two teams are in such different spots. With a new front office that has a rich history scouting the amateur draft, I think the Nats will be on the winning side of these sorts of things before too long.
