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The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to regain the momentum going as they take on the Toronto Raptors in Game 4.
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Victor Wembanyama's status looms over Game 4, but our NBA player prop projections have found six other players you can bet on for this afternoon's matchup.
Looking to add to your NBA picks? Our comprehensive Spurs vs. Trail Blazers predictions for April 26 have you covered.
 Spurs |  Trail Blazers |
|---|---|
| Champagnie o7.5 points -130 | Henderson o2.5 assists -150 |
| Fox o17.5 points -115 | Camara o9.5 points -130 |
| Harper o2.5 assists -145 | Williams o7.5 rebounds +110 |
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Projection: 10.27 points
Julian Champagnie has cleared this modest points total in six of his last 10 games, and if Wemby ends up sitting, this will look like a bargain.
Champagnie scored nine points in Game 3, and his outside shooting will be depended on as the San Antonio Spurs look to take a 3-1 grip.
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Projection: 18.37 points
De'Aaron Fox has been a steady force for the Spurs over the last several games, clearing this point line in four of his last six, and finishing with exactly 17 in the two other games.
Fox will have plenty of time with the ball to eclipse this number.
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Projection: 3.51 assists
Dylan Harper was a stud in Game 3, dropping 27 points in 29 minutes of play. He also collected three dimes while manning the bench unit, and he'll play a similar role this afternoon.
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Projection: 5.03 assists
Five-star projection alert! Our model calls for Scoot Henderson to double this assist total, creating an excellent opportunity for a milestone market.
Scoot will get ample playing time, looking to set up his teammates as the Portland Trail Blazers look to even the series.
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Projection: 11.73 points
Toumani Camara put up a stinker in Game 3, but he finished with 10 points a game prior in Portland's lone series win. If the Blazers want to tie up the series, they'll need Camara to contribute. He'll get enough volume to go past this modest points total.
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Projection: 8.56 rebounds
Robert Williams is a ferocious rebounder, pulling down nine boards in back-to-back outings off the bench. RW3 knows why he's on the floor, and that's to attack the glass. Our model likes him to haul in at least eight more rebounds this afternoon.
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| Location | Moda Center, Portland, OR |
| Date | Sunday, April 26, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
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The Boston Celtics regained control of this series with a road win in Game 3 and can put the Philadelphia 76ers on the ropes with another in Game 4.
That's exactly what our Celtics vs. 76ers predictions and NBA picks expect to happen at Xfinity Mobile Arena tonight.
The Boston Celtics thrive as the road favorite. Boston is 16-9 ATS in that position this season and 26-16 ATS overall in road games. The Philadelphia 76ers are below .500 ATS both as a home dog and in all home games.
The Game 3 result added to both trends.
Boston bounced back from a Game 2 loss by clamping down on the two players who burned them. VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey combined for 59 points on 23-for-48 shooting and 11-for-22 from deep in Game 2.
Boston put Jayson Tatum on Edgecombe in game three, and both Philly shooters paid the price. They combined to hit just 17 of 47 shots and went 5-for-20 from beyond the arc.
I'm also targeting the Under. Boston plays at the slowest tempo in the NBA, and Philadelphia is at No. 15. All three games in the series have gone Under.
Philly has gone Under in 10 of 15 games as a home dog this season, while Boston has been Under 16 of 25 as a road favorite.
Lastly, Jayson Tatum is averaging 23 points in the playoffs and has scored 23 or more in nine of the last 10. He's a better bet than Jaylen Brown, whose points prop is 2.5 points below his playoff average, because Brown is less consistent with his scoring.
In his last eight, he has three games over 35 points and five at 26 or lower.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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The Los Angeles Lakers have a chance to make quick work of the Houston Rockets with a win in Game 4 tonight.
We break down Kalshi’s win probability markets and deliver some Lakers vs. Rockets predictions to help guide your NBA picks for Sunday, April 26.
Lakers win probability:62% (-163)
Rockets win probability:40% (+150)
Even at a 3–0 deficit, Houston is once again the favorite, trading at 62¢ to stay alive against Los Angeles.
Our prediction:Lakers to win
It’s time to put the Rockets out of their misery and wrap up the series early.
The Lakers will surely value rest for the players who fought through the series while they anxiously anticipate the return of Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic.
Expect the Lakers to put the final nail in the coffin of a highly dysfunctional Rockets season.
Read more in Zak Hanshew's full Lakers vs. Rockets predictions.
Sign up now using our exclusive Kalshi promo code 'COVERS' and get a $10 trading bonus after you trade $10 on any other event contracts — including Lakers/Rockets!
*Eligible to ALL states + DC, (excluding Nevada)
You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Lakers vs. Rockets at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.
You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Rockets -5.5 spread means the Rockets will cover, while "No" means the Lakers will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using the Covers odds converter).
| Outcome | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Rockets -5.5 | 46¢ (+117) | 55¢ (-122) |
| Over 206.5 points | 53¢ (-113) | 48¢ (+108) |
Our predictions: Over 206.5 points — Yes
After Friday’s 220-point total, the number has moved up just one point to 206.5, making it a value selection.
Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts," which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Rockets win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.
In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.
Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:
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Victor Wembanyama's availability has been the story of this Round 1 series between the Spurs and Trail Blazers.
With him trending towards playing this afternoon, our Spurs vs. Trail Blazers predictions and SGP picks expect San Antonio to take full control of this series with a win.
The San Antonio Spurs are 24-17-1 ATS on the road and 14-12-1 ATS as the road favorite. The visiting team covered the spread in 25 of 45 games when favored by at least 5.5 points, including a 10-7 mark when favored by that many on the road.
The Spurs were one of the best two-way teams in the Association this season. San Antonio boasted the second-best net rating (8.4), the third-best offensive rating (118.7), and the third-best defensive rating (110.4).
Five of six head-to-head matchups between the Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers have gone Under the total, and with tonight's number sitting at 219, I expect that trend to continue in Game 4.
With Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama back in action, the Spurs can lock down Portland’s offense and keep this matchup low-scoring.
Wembanyama delivered 35 points in Game 1 before getting concussed in Game 2 and missing most of the contest. Including that shortened stint on the court, Wemby has averaged 29.7 points over his last 18 games, scoring 28+ 10 times.
He’s cashed the Over on this scoring line in five of his last six healthy games.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
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Enzo Fernandez’s classy header sent a much-improved Chelsea into another FA Cup final
The Guardian has kicked off a new chapter in puzzles with the launch of its first daily football game, On the ball. It is now live in the app for both iOS and Android … so what are you waiting for?
Chelsea have also been in WSL action today. You can read all about their game at Everton, plus the latest in the Scottish title race and more, with our clockwatch.
Continue reading...The San Antonio Spurs face the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 4 of their first-round NBA playoff series. The Spurs rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to win Game 3. San Antonio star center Victor Wembanyama has not played since suffering a concussion in the second quarter of Game 2.
Date: Sunday, April 26
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT
Where: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
TV Channels: ESPN
Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports
Spread: Portland Trail Blazers +5.5
Moneyline: Portland Trail Blazers +180 (34.2%) / San Antonio Spurs -220 (65.8%)
Over/Under: 218.5
Game 1:Spurs 111, Trail Blazers 98
Game 2:Trail Blazers 106, Spurs 103
Game 3:Spurs 120, Trail Blazers 108
Game 4: San Antonio at Portland on Sunday, April 26 (3:30 p.m., ESPN)
Game 5: Portland at San Antonio on Tuesday, April 28 (9:30 p.m. ESPN)
*Game 6: San Antonio at Portland on Thursday, April 30 (time and network TBD)
*Game 7: Portland at San Antonio on Saturday, May 2 (time and network TBD)
*if necessary
The Boston Celtics took care of business in Philadelphia with a 108-100 win in Game 3. Boston leads the series 2-1, but remains in Philadelphia for a pivotal Game 4.
Boston was much warmer from distance in Game 3 with a 43% mark from three (20/43) after going 13/50 (26%) in Game 2. Jaylen Brown has led Boston in scoring all three playoff games with 26, 36, and 25 points, while Jayson Tatum in assists with 7, 9, and 7. The Celtics have won five straight Game 4's in the first round.
Philadelphia has the chance to tie up the series 2-2 or go down 3-1 when they travel to Boston for Game 5. The 76ers have been led by 25-year-old Tyrese Maxey (27.0 PPG) and 20-year-old VJ Edgecombe (17.7 PPG). The 76ers are setting themselves up for success in the near future with the duo as the two have combined for 44.7% of the teams' playoff points. The 76ers are 1-4 in the last five first round Game 4's.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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The latest odds as of Sunday courtesy of DraftKings:
This game opened Celtics -7.5 with the Total set at 215.5.
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Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
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World champion pulls clear of Paul Seixas on final climb
‘It means a lot to win again one of the biggest races’
The world champion, Tadej Pogacar, pulled ahead of the 19-year-old French debutant Paul Seixas in the final climb to secure his third straight Liège-Bastogne-Liège title on Sunday, his fourth overall victory in the race.
Pogacar finished the 259.5km race in five hours, 50 minutes and 28 seconds to win the 13th Monument title of his career and his third of the year after the Tour of Flanders and Milan-San Remo.
Continue reading...The good news: Anthony Edwards suffered no ligament damage from the kind of injury that can easily lead to ACL or PCL tears.
The bad news: Ewards is going to be out "multiple weeks" due to the bone bruise from the left knee hyperextension he suffered on Saturday against Denver, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. For comparison, when the Nuggets' Nikola Jokic suffered this injury during the season, he was out for a month, and on that timeline not only is Edwards out for the remainder of this first-round series but likely the second should the Timberwolves advance.
The injury occurred when Edwards went up to challenge a shot by Denver's Cameron Johnson and just landed wrong, hyperextending his left knee. This is the opposite knee from the one with runner's knee, which had been bothering him for weeks, and he had played through in this series.
Anthony Edwards was helped to the locker room after an apparent knee injury. pic.twitter.com/rMAHGMK1ie
— ESPN (@espn) April 26, 2026
Edwards' knee injury occurred in the same game in which Minnesota's starting guard, Donte DiVincenzo, tore his Achilles and will be out for the remainder of the playoffs, as well as most or all of next season.
Even without two of their starters, the Timberolves rallied behind reserve guard Ayo Dosunmu and his 43 points — 27 in the second half, 15 in the fourth quarter — and pulled away to beat the Nuggets 112-96, giving Minnesota a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
Edwards was averaging 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists a game through the first three games of these playoffs. He is the team's primary scorer and shot creator and their offense will not be the same without him.
At times during the Pies’ big win at the MCG the 38-year-old appeared to be playing 10 simultaneous games of chess – and Essendon had no answer
The week in football was characterised in many ways by the absence of competence. There wasn’t much competence over at Kayo, which had more crashes than Leslie Nielsen. There wasn’t much competence in the umpiring on Friday night. There wasn’t much competence at the AFL tribunal, with its barking dogs and house inspections. There wasn’t much competence, or basic decency, at its appeals board.
“Competence porn” is a term we hear a lot these days, mainly in relation to television and film. In a world run by people who temperamentally and intellectually aren’t far from the sandpit, it’s the craving for content that showcases craft and care. It’s there in shows like The Pitt where doctors and nurses under incredible strain maintain both their excellence and (mostly) their sanity. The AFL should poach primary charge nurse Dana Evans from Pittsburgh to run their score review system, or their tribunal, or the whole competition. She’d ship it into shape in half a shift.
Continue reading...The Los Angeles Kings have their backs against the wall in their first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. The Kings are down 3-0 and are struggling to find ways to outscore the Avs.
With that, their very next loss would mean they're eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs. That also means Anze Kopitar's NHL career would officially be over.
"I'm hoping it's not going to be (my last game)," Kopitar told NHL.com. Indeed, it would be a disappointing way to sign off on the magical career that Kopitar had.
Unfortunately for the 38-year-old, it doesn't look good for the Kings based on the first three games of this series against the Avalanche.
Defensively, Los Angeles has put up a fight against a Colorado roster that is littered with stars and elite talent. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Brock Nelson, Martin Necas and Nazem Kadri have all been limited to one point each in these playoffs.
However, the real issue for the Kings has been their lack of scoring, and Kopitar isn't an exception to that problem.
Kings Shouldn't Think About Beating The Avalanche, Worry About Beating Wedgewood InsteadThe Los Angeles Kings have done some good things in their first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. However, they're down 3-0 in the series because they haven't been able to solve Scott Wedgewood.In the first three games in this series, Los Angeles hasn't scored more than two goals. To go with that, the Kings' top line that includes Kopitar, as well as Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe on his flanks, have not scored a single point at even strength.
Kopitar himself is the only player in the team's top-six forward group to not record a point in these playoffs. Also, he's averaged 19:14 of ice time and has registered a team-low minus-four plus-minus rating.
If Kopitar wants his career to last a little bit longer, or at least go out on a more positive note and make contributions to his team before hanging up his skates.
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The Minnesota Timberwolves have dodged a serious blow to star guard Anthony Edwards, but his status for the rest of the NBA playoffs remains in question..
Medical imaging tests revealed that Edwards, the NBA’s third-leading scorer this season, suffered a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee on Saturday, April 25, in Game 4 of Minnesota’s first-round playoff series against the Nuggets.
The results were first reported by ESPN.
Although sources tell the network Edwards is expected to be sidelined multiple weeks, he did avoid a more serious ligament injury that would’ve ended his postseason.
The news comes as the No. 6-seeded Timberwolves have taken a commanding 3-1 series lead in the first round over the No. 3 Denver Nuggets. The Timberwolves are also dealing with depth concerns in the backcourt, after guard Donte DiVincenzo suffered a torn right Achilles tendon one quarter before Edwards sustained his injury.
The Timberwolves have ramped up their defense and are playing their best basketball of the season. After making consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota is looking to break through this season with its first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history. Although the Western Conference is stacked with talented teams, the Timberwolves have been very impressive to open the 2026 playoffs. To pose a legitimate threat, however, they will need Edwards to be healthy, especially now that DiVincenzo will be out indefinitely.
The injury ocurred with 2:45 left in the first half, when Edwards jumped vertically to defend a Cameron Johnson layup during a fastbreak drive. When Edwards landed, his left knee appeared to hyperextend as his weight came down, and he immediately grabbed at the area, writhing in apparent discomfort. Edwards slapped the court a few times in obvious frustration.
Athletic trainers rushed over as Edwards popped up to his feet. The trainers helped Edwards hobble off the floor, as he did not put any weight on the injured leg.
The trainers helped him toward the tunnel, though they didn’t immediately usher Edwards to the locker room, momentarily examining him in the tunnel.
After Minnesota’s 112-96 victory in Game 4, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch didn’t have any updates on the severity of Edwards’ injury, noting that he was being evaluated.
"I saw Ant (at halftime) and kind of dapped him up," Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said after Saturday’s game. "There’s not much to say in those moments. I’ll give him a call tonight, or a text and just check up on him."
In 61 games this season, Edwards averaged a career-high 28.8 points (which ranked third in the NBA behind only Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage (48.9%) and 3-point percentage (39.9%) were also career bests.
In February, he was selected to his fourth consecutive All-Star team.
Contributing: Steve Gardner
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anthony Edwards injury: T-Wolves star expected to miss multiple weeks
The Minnesota Timberwolves took a commanding 3-1 lead over the Denver Nuggets in their first-round matchup of the Western Conference playoffs. However, the Wolves lost two key players to injuries during the game that will make it harder to close out the series. Former Golden State Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo was removed from Game 4 less than a minute into regulation after taking a three-pointer and reaching for the back of his right calf. A non-contact injury, it had the telltale signs of a dreaded Achilles’ tear. By Saturday evening, it was confirmed that DiVincenzo had torn his right Achilles. He is now undeniably out for the postseason and given the timing, will likely miss all of the 2026-27 season as well. The Wolves now anxiously await the diagnosis of star Anthony Edwards’ injury, who left the game later with a knee issue of his own after a scary collision with Cam Johnson.
DiVincenzo has been a key rotation player in Minnesota since he was acquired alongside Julius Randle in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade back in 2024. After serving as the team’s sixth man last season, DiVincenzo started all of the Timberwolves 82 games this year, averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 30.4 minutes per game on 40.6%/37.9%/74.3% shooting. So far this postseason, DiVincenzo had been off to a scorching hot start, shooting 47.8% from three-point range.
DiVincenzo’s injury could very likely bring his tenure in Minnesota to a close. The Wolves acquired guard Ayo Dosunmo at the trade deadline, and he has fit in admirably. Slated to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, though, Dosunmo is in position to ask for a significant payday. With the Wolves hoping to remain contenders next season, DiVincenzo’s $12.535 million salary next year becomes an obvious tradeable expiring contract. Minnesota could potentially attach draft capital with DiVincenzo to clear salary, giving them more flexibility to pay Dosunmo, or could use DiVincenzo as matching salary for a longer-term contract with a player ready to play by the start of next season.
After an arduous rookie season in 2023-24, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe took a sizable step in his progression in 2024-25, jumping from 17 points (2-15=17) in 71 games while averaging 19:23 TOI/G to 43 points (14-29=43) in 75 games and leading the Ducks in TOI/G with 22:18.
When LaCombe was discussed among breakout players in 2024-25 among national media outlets, it was met with a chorus of “WHO?”
Takeaways from the Ducks 7-4 Win over the Oilers in Game 3, Ducks Lead Series 2-1
Joel Quenneville's Cheeky Lineup Adjustment Pays Off
Just prior to the 2025-26 season, on Oct. 2, 2025, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek signed LaCombe to an eight-year contract extension that carries an AAV of $9 million, and will not kick in until the start of the 2026-27 season.
Upon the extension announcement and when it reached a national audience, it was again met with a chorus of “WHO?”
On Jan. 21, 2026, it was announced that USA Hockey selected LaCombe to replace Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones on USA’s 2026 Winter Olympic men’s hockey team that would play in Milano Cortina in February.
Guess what the reaction was. That’s correct, a chorus of “WHO?”
He didn’t see any ice during USA’s run to a gold medal, but returned to Orange County with one around his neck, regardless, and gained valuable experience skating on the same ice with the world’s best hockey players day in and day out.
LaCombe continued to elevate his game and finished the 2025-26 season with 58 points (10-48=58) in 82 games, again leading the Ducks in TOI/G with 24:15, 17th in the entire NHL. He is the blueline’s centerpiece, a true NHL #1 defenseman, on a Ducks team that made a 12-point jump in the standings (a year removed from a 21-point jump in the standings) and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
Through three playoff games, one would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t know the name “Jackson LaCombe,” as he’s been one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs’ top performers, and the argument could easily be made that he’s been the single best. However, due to the late starts in the series between the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks, there are still those relatively unfamiliar.
As of Saturday morning, when three games were played across all eight playoff series, LaCombe co-led the NHL in scoring (with Leon Draisaitl) with six points (1-5=6) and led all defensemen in scoring by two points. However impressive the production has been, what he’s accomplishing over the entire 200-foot ice surface, on the defensive side of the puck, and against Planet Earth’s single best hockey player (maybe in history) has been transcendent.
“It’s insane. I think he’s probably our best player,” Ducks forward Mason McTavish said. “He just does everything. Even in practice, when he’s defending a two-on-one, it’s so hard to pass through him every time. Just his skating, he’s so smart in the o-zone, he’s a single-man breakout. He literally does it all, so it’s been really fun to watch him step into this role.”
Through three games, LaCombe has led the Ducks with 67:55 TOI at 5v5. In those minutes, the Ducks have registered 62.30% of the shots on goal, 55.94% of the shot attempts, 62.24% of the expected goals, and have outscored the Oilers 6-4.
Though Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville didn’t have the benefit of last change in the first two games of the series, he deployed LaCombe, along with partner Jacob Trouba, as much as he could against Connor McDavid and the Oilers’ top line. All but three defensive zone starts featured LaCombe and Trouba.
When the series shifted back to Anaheim for Game 3, McDavid was on the ice against LaCombe for 13:55 TOI and Trouba for 13:39 at 5v5, a far cry from the Ducks’ second pair of John Carlson (4:58) and Pavel Mintyukov (4:55).
“Oh my god, was he good tonight,” Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said after Friday’s 7-4 Game 3 win over Edmonton. “He was special tonight. The plays, the poise, and the patience he had on the goal at the empty net kind of sums up the night. He did have the puck a lot, and I thought his speed going through the middle and into the zone was high-end, and he was definitely a factor.”
In total, in this series, LaCombe has gone head-to-head against McDavid for 33:10 TOI at 5v5. In those minutes, the Ducks have won the shots on goal battle 20-10 (66.67%), the shot attempts battle 45-32 (58.44%), the expected goals battle 1.44-0.88 (61.95%), and the Ducks have outscored the Oilers 4-1.
Game 3 was LaCombe’s standout performance to this point in the playoffs, as he took his game to heights unseen and capped off his efforts with a spinning backhand disruption against a 2v1 featuring McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and a play where he (at the end of a long shift) drove McDavid into the corner, won a puck, ignited a breakout, and joined a rush that the Ducks eventually scored on to extend their lead to 6-4, effectively icing the game.
In today’s NHL, which features electric, dynamic talents like Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Lane Hutson, who will bring fans out of their seats by dancing at the offensive blueline, the fashion in which LaCombe impacts a game is far more subtle and understated while remaining equally as impactful.
Watching him on a shift-by-shift basis will reveal how immensely involved he is in every play, in every zone, while remaining efficient in his efforts, never wasting a stride and poised throughout. He’s so effective on his edges that with just a few strides, LaCombe will often retrieve a puck, evade an F1, conduct a one-man breakout, dish at the offensive blueline, drive the center lane toward the crease, track back, and seal an opposing counter to win the puck back again.
While hesitant to invoke such a name, there’s been only one defenseman in Anaheim Ducks/Mighty Ducks of Anaheim history who could skate so well, defend so intelligently, play so poised, and effortlessly dice through opposing defensive structures while maintaining possession: Scott Niedermayer.
LaCombe still has a long journey ahead of him if he’s to achieve such lofty standards, however, and he remains far from a finished product. He can still often toe the line between poised and casual. Though instances of him holding on to and losing pucks against a heavy pursuit have diminished as the season progressed.
He’s also been somewhat of a liability in front of his own crease at times through the regular season and these playoffs. He’s made quality judgments on when to front on perimeter shots and get key blocks, but when he’s forced to box out, clear a sightline for his goaltender, or find a rebound in front, he’s come up short on occasion.
“I think there’s always things you have to learn and grow,” LaCombe said on Saturday. “You see other players around the league, and you see what they can do, and even on your own team, too. There’s always details you can pick up, and there are so many things in my game I want to improve and work on. So, I don’t think there’s ever a point where you’re a finished product.”
Given his vast progression through the first three years of his NHL career, one would likely be foolish to bet against LaCombe rounding out his game and continuing his evolution into one of the NHL’s truly elite defensemen.
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