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Orioles at Nationals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for March 24

It's Monday, March 24 and the Orioles (9-14) are in Washington to take on the Nationals (11-13). Cade Povich is slated to take the mound for Baltimore against Jake Irvin for Washington.

Washington has won the first two games of the series, 7-3 and 4-3, as they look toward a sweep of Baltimore. The Orioles looked like they were going to win yesterday tying the game up in the top of the 8th, 3-3, but Luis Garcia Jr. recorded a sac fly RBI in the bottom of the 8th for the Nats to earn the victory.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. 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, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Orioles at Nationals

  • Date: Monday, March 24, 2025
  • Time: 1:05PM EST
  • Site: Nationals Park
  • City: Washington, DC
  • Network/Streaming: MLB Network

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Orioles at the Nationals

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Orioles (-108), Nationals (-112)
  • Spread:  Orioles -1.5 (+150)
  • Total: O/U 8.5 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Orioles at Nationals

  • Pitching matchup for March 24, 2025: Cade Povich vs. Jake Irvin
    • Orioles: Cade Povich, (0-2, 6.38 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.1 Innings Pitched, 7 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 5 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Nationals: Jake Irvin, (2-0, 3.68 ERA)
      Last outing: 6.1 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 9 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Orioles and the Nationals

Rotoworld Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes the Orioles to avoid the sweep:

"Baltimore lost 4-3 yesterday after a 7-0 drumming on Tuesday, so this is the last chance for the O's to avoid getting swept by the Nationals. Washington as a team surrendered 23 runs and went 0-3 in Jake Irvin's first three starts, but wins over the Rockies and Pirates have inflated his value. I like the Orioles ML and a dabble on the -1.5 at +150 odds."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Orioles at Nationals

  • Baltimore is on a season-long three-game losing streak.
  • Baltimore is 1-6 in the final game of a series this season.
  • Washington has won four of the past five games.
  • Washington is 9-5 at home this season.
  • Baltimore is 4-8 on the road this season.

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday’s game between the Orioles and the Nationals:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Baltimore Orioles at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 8.5.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Canadiens In Big Trouble After Second Loss In Washington

Apr 23, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) attempts to make a save against the Montreal Canadiens in the second period in game two of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

After losing game one of their first-round series 3-2 in overtime, the Montreal Canadiens needed a win on Wednesday night against the Washington Capitals. Despite calls for Arber Xhekaj to be inserted into the lineup, bench boss Martin St-Louis decided to stick with his six defensemen. However, he moved Ivan Demidov away from Patrik Laine and Alex Newhook by swapping him with Joel Armia.

The second line got a defensively responsible player while Demidov got to play with Jake Evans, who’s more of a two-way center than Newhook.

Anderson stepped up

Without Xhekaj in the lineup, Josh Anderson has been one of the Canadiens’ best hitters in the tail end of the season, and that trend continued in the playoffs. In game one, he landed four, and early in game two, he had an opportunity to rock Capitals’ hitman Tom Wilson, and he didn’t miss it.

It earned him a two-minute boarding call and a cross-checking one when Tom Wilson skated up to him to complain, but it was entirely worth it. Washington got a two-minute power play on the play as Wilson was also assessed two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct, but the penalty kill stood tall.

Canadiens At Bottom Of The Athletic Playoffs Pressure Rankings
Canadiens Desperately Need More From Bottom Nine
Canadiens: Poised St-Louis Won’t Panic

Anderson's hit put Wilson on notice that the Canadiens were not about to back down and that they, too, could play heavy. Minutes later, Wilson passed on an opportunity to flatten Lane Hutson against the boards.

Have To Be Ready For The Pushback

Early in the second frame, the Canadiens took a 1-0 lead thanks to the tenacity of the Anderson-Christian Dvorak-Brendan Gallagher line. It was the Habs’ first lead of the series, and they weren’t ready for what came next.

The Capitals attacked with a vengeance and pretty much had the Canadiens in the ropes. As a result, within three and a half minutes, the hosts were ahead 2-1, and any trace of momentum the Habs had vanished. Spencer Carbery’s men were relentless for the rest of the frame. Both teams had twice as many shots in the middle frame, which meant eight for the Canadiens and 18 for the Capitals.

Samuel Montembeault did very well weathering the storm, but he could only help at one end of the ice.

Finding The High Gear Earlier

For a second game in a row, the Canadiens found their high gear in the third period and proved to be a handful for Logan Thompson. Montreal had 12 shots on net through 40 minutes, yet they found the net 14 times in the final frame.

Thompson multiplied the big saves and received some help from his post, but what good goaltender doesn’t? The question is, if the Washington goaltender had been solicited that much in the first two frames, would he have been that efficient in the third? Chances are, he would have been running on empty.

For a second time in as many matches, Brendan Gallagher was hit by a cross-check in the face that went uncalled, just like the one on Cole Caufield later in the game. The Canadiens’ sniper fell to the ice, Nick Suzuki raised his arms in protest, but both referees kept their arms down. While it’s nothing new for fewer calls to be made in the playoffs, it usually takes a couple of rounds for that infraction to go unpunished.

Laine didn’t see a second of action in the third frame; he rode the pine for the full 20 minutes. It has to be said that he struggled through the first 40 minutes. Even though he was often in space on the power play, he elected not to shoot quite a few times, waiting for the picture-perfect pass that never came. It was even worst at even strength, he made hazardous passes and he just couldn't get in the game. Asked about it, the coach said: 

These are decisions you make as a coach. I shortened our bench a lot. Honestly, went with the nine, 10 players I felt could help us
- St-Louis on shortening his bench

As for Armia, he saw a single shift in the same frame. With St-Louis deciding to put Newhook and Evans together with Demidov, he became collateral damage, just like Heineman, who only stepped on the ice twice in the last 20 minutes.

Down 2-0 in the series, the Canadiens do not have much wiggle room left, and changes will have to be made before game three, which will take place on Friday night at the Bell Centre.

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

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Sixers to play 2 preseason games vs. Knicks in Abu Dhabi

Sixers to play 2 preseason games vs. Knicks in Abu Dhabi  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2025-26 Sixers’ preseason will feature an overseas journey.

The NBA announced Tuesday that the Sixers will play two preseason games against the Knicks in Abu Dhabi.

The games are set for Oct. 2 and Oct. 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The remainder of the Sixers’ preseason schedule should be released well down the line.

“Bringing the Philadelphia 76ers to Abu Dhabi is an incredible opportunity to connect with new fans in a dynamic and growing region,” Sixers managing partner Josh Harris said in a press release. “As an organization, we’re committed to creating unforgettable experiences for our fans throughout the world. 

“We’re proud to be part of the NBA’s efforts to grow the game internationally and look forward to representing the city of Philadelphia while engaging with the vibrant community in the UAE.”

The trip will be the Sixers’ first international action since they played two 2018 preseason games in China.

The Sixers lost all four games of their 2024-25 regular-season series vs. the Knicks.

New York split the first two games of its first-round playoff series with the Pistons. The Sixers are in the early stages of the offseason after a 24-58 campaign that president of basketball operations Daryl Morey called the toughest of his career.

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Sixers to play 2 preseason games vs. Knicks in Abu Dhabi

Sixers to play 2 preseason games vs. Knicks in Abu Dhabi  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2025-26 Sixers’ preseason will feature an overseas journey.

The NBA announced Thursday that the Sixers will play two preseason games against the Knicks in Abu Dhabi.

The games are set for Oct. 2 and Oct. 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The remainder of the Sixers’ preseason schedule should be released well down the line.

“Bringing the Philadelphia 76ers to Abu Dhabi is an incredible opportunity to connect with new fans in a dynamic and growing region,” Sixers managing partner Josh Harris said in a press release. “As an organization, we’re committed to creating unforgettable experiences for our fans throughout the world. 

“We’re proud to be part of the NBA’s efforts to grow the game internationally and look forward to representing the city of Philadelphia while engaging with the vibrant community in the UAE.”

The trip will be the Sixers’ first international action since they played two 2018 preseason games in China.

The Sixers lost all four games of their 2024-25 regular-season series vs. the Knicks.

New York split the first two games of its first-round playoff series with the Pistons. The Sixers are in the early stages of the offseason after a 24-58 campaign that president of basketball operations Daryl Morey called the toughest of his career.

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Report: Ishbia, Suns ‘pushing hard' to land ex-Warriors GM Myers

Report: Ishbia, Suns ‘pushing hard' to land ex-Warriors GM Myers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Phoenix Suns are in desperate need of an organizational shift, and they appear to have their eye on a man who knows a thing or two about championship basketball.

Suns owner Mat Ishbia has been “pushing hard” to add former Warriors general manager Bob Myers to his front office staff, The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin reported Thursday, citing sources.

Rankin added, citing sources, that Phoenix is looking to potentially add someone to its front office staff this offseason after another underwhelming season.

NBA contributor Marc Stein also reported Wednesday that the Suns were interested in trying to lure Myers back to a front office role.

Phoenix currently has James Jones as its general manager and president of basketball operations, and Josh Bartelstein as its CEO and team president, who both collaborate with Ishbia on personnel decisions.

But after missing the playoffs with just 36 wins during the 2024-25 NBA season, even with the trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, it’s clear that change is needed.

Myers stepped down as Golden State’s general manager in May 2023 after spending more than a decade with the organization and being the orchestrator behind the Warriors’ dynasty that made six NBA Finals appearances and won four championships.

He joined ESPN as an analyst in 2023 and also became a consultant for the Washington Commanders in January 2024.

If anyone can help fix the dumpster fire that has been the Suns over the last few seasons, it’s Myers. But is he up for the challenge?

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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Watch Udoka tell Rockets refs won't call fouls on them vs. Warriors

Watch Udoka tell Rockets refs won't call fouls on them vs. Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Adam Silver made the call. The script has been leaked.

All jokes aside, there was one interesting moment caught on camera during the Warriors’ 109-94 loss to the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round playoff series that jump-started some NBA fans’ conspiratorial minds.

During a timeout, Rockets coach Ime Udoka, who was mic’d up on the TNT broadcast, was heard relaying a message to his team on the bench about their physicality.

“Keep playing through the contact. Physicality. Don’t worry, they’re not going to call anything, play through it,” Udoka told his team on the bench. “Don’t get caught up in that.”

It’s almost as if he knows …

Again, just kidding.

The refs called 17 total fouls on the Rockets and 18 on the Warriors in Game 2. Golden State had 18 free-throw attempts, while Houston had 20. While the stat sheet showed a relatively balanced foul distribution, it was the non-calls in the game that had Warriors fans up in arms, particularly the aggressive defense against superstar point guard Steph Curry.

Warriors star forward Jimmy Butler also was on the receiving end of Houston’s physicality, and he left the game late in the first quarter after falling straight onto his lower back in a collision with Rockets forward Amen Thompson on a defensive rebound attempt.

Butler was ruled out with a pelvis contusion and will receive an MRI on Thursday in San Francisco. Thompson was assessed a standard personal foul, while many fans thought the foul should have been upgraded to at least a Flagrant 1 or possibly a Flagrant 2.

While the refs did call a foul on that play, perhaps Udoka had a point in his assessment of the officials’ view of the Rockets’ physicality.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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Kings GM Perry addresses his past criticism of LaVine

Kings GM Perry addresses his past criticism of LaVine originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

New Kings general manager Scott Perry discussed his past comments about Sacramento star Zach LaVine during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. 

“I’ve had the chance to speak with Zach,” Perry told reporters. “I knew Zach a little bit, well before I took this job. When he was a young player at UCLA who was coming out, I was scouting him and watching him a lot – terrific talent, athletic, career 40-percent 3-point shooter. And he and I, like I said, had a good conversation. My job now [is] to help put pieces around him and others to enhance his ability to start winning. 

“And that is what you’re getting with the comment that I made, because it was a reflection on him not having won as much. It’s nothing personal.”

Perry, Sacramento’s fifth general manager in 12 years, was referring to a clip from November 2023 in which he described his skepticism toward LaVine’s ability to impact winning. When appearing on “The Hoops Genius Podcast” with Mo Mooncey and BJ Armstrong, Perry suggested LaVine wasn’t worth his pricey contracts.

“No question that Zach LaVine can score the basketball,” Perry said. “Does he impact winning? Zach LaVine has been to one playoff series in nine years. He’s played a total of four playoff basketball games. I’m looking at $40-, 43, 46 & 49 million for a guy who – to this point – has not impacted winning to the level that his money says he should impact.”

LaVine has made $209.62 million over his 11-year NBA career with three different franchises – the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls and the Kings. He still has one playoff victory, which came in a 2022 Eastern Conference first-round playoff series, when the Bulls were eliminated in five games by the Milwaukee Bucks.

LaVine’s numbers are strong across the board. Over 32 regular-season games with Sacramento, he averaged 22.4 points, 3.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds and shot 44.6 percent on triples. Yet, the Kings didn’t make it past the NBA play-in tournament, putting Perry’s old claim into consideration once again. 

Perry, a longtime NBA executive with the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks, doesn’t shy away from giving his players tough love.

“What I enjoy in my relationships with all players – and that’s why so many of them reached out to me – is because they know, ‘OK, I might not always agree with him, but he’s going to shoot me straight,’” Perry told reporters. “And they know I’m going to provide radical candor surrounded by radical love. And those [are] coming from a good place.”

Perry’s comments about LaVine might be old news, but they might serve as a precursor to what Kings fans can expect in their new general manager’s leadership style.

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Warriors-Rockets series resembles old-school NBA war of attrition

Warriors-Rockets series resembles old-school NBA war of attrition originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

HOUSTON – The longer the Warriors and Houston Rockets duke it out in the first round of the NBA playoffs, the more this is going to turn into a war of attrition. After Wednesday night, each team has one battle won under their belt, with the Warriors taking Game 1 and the Rockets winning Game 2 wire to wire with a final score of 109-94. 

Desperation was felt from the start. The Rockets weren’t going to let the Warriors board a flight back home comfortably. That strategy reached the lengths of Warriors star Jimmy Butler’s night ending after eight minutes, limping back to the locker room with what was deemed a pelvis contusion from a frightening fall to the hardwood featuring him and Rockets forward Amen Thompson. 

No technical fouls or flagrant fouls were called Sunday in Game 1. That wasn’t the case two nights later. There were three technical fouls whistled on both teams, plus a flagrant foul on Rockets guard Jalen Green in the fourth quarter. None were from Butler’s injury.

Though no punches were thrown, it only became clearer what kind of series we’re in for. 

“It’s a f–kin’ war now,” one person within the Warriors’ locker room said to NBC Sports Bay Area. “All we can do is fight back.”

Pure fight could be the solution. The Warriors will get their rest Wednesday night, fly home Thursday and learn from the film before Friday’s practice ahead of Saturday’s Game 3 at Chase Center. They’re going to have to find a way to combat the Rockets’ physicality. Somehow, some way.

If the beginning of the playoffs between two franchises who shared a long history of bad blood under the bright lights was a rock fight, Rockets coach Ime Udoka must have wanted boulders thrown on the Toyota Center court in Game 2. 

Steve Kerr looked furious throughout the course of the game with how his players, particularly Steph Curry, were being defended. He could be seen yelling about how Curry keeps getting held but yet the referees keep letting it go. An early timeout wasn’t so much a moment to huddle his team and slow the Rockets’ momentum. 

It was an opportunity to get everything off his chest to the officiating crew, loud and without any confusion over how he felt. His podium availability after didn’t match that intensity. He has had much more lively press conferences over the course of the season, instead giving credit to the Rockets for a win in which they set a tone and never trailed once. 

“Houston played great,” Kerr said. “They were really physical just like we expected. They came out with amazing force defensively.” 

In response, the Warriors looked like the older team that couldn’t find a second gear. Losing a star for the majority of the game will do that. So does having Brandin Podziemski, who was fantastic in Game 1 as a plus-17, try to battle through an illness that had him require an IV at halftime and go scoreless on five shots in just 14 minutes played. 

Draymond Green unsurprisingly was under the spotlight of physicality and skirmishes. He also wasn’t one to escalate anything despite being called for a tech midway through the fourth quarter when he got tangled for a second with Rockets center Alperen Şengün and unsuccessfully pleaded his case to referee David Guthrie. His face-to-face fourth quarter interaction with Fred VanVleet only grew once everybody else joined in.

“I thought it was a little less physical than Game 1,” Green said.

Those words could be nothing more than mind games from Green. Needing a long pause to think it through, Curry also agreed with his longtime teammate’s assessment. 

“I mean, actually, I might agree with that,” Curry said. “There was just a couple crashes that happened out there. We know what their MO is and what they’re trying to do. Use their size and athleticism, size advantage and at times try to bully us. We had a pretty good fight in both games.” 

The Warriors also were held to under 100 points in both games. They went 2-13 when scoring 99 points or under in the regular season, and one of those wins ironically was against the Rockets on Dec. 5 when they outlasted them 99-93 without Curry. The other was when the Warriors beat the New York Knicks 97-94 on March 15. 

Weirdly enough, reaching the century mark might be the magic number for these two teams. They have faced each other seven times now and the Warriors have failed to score 100 points in five games. 

Between the regular season and playoffs, the Warriors are 2–3 in games they can’t crack 100 points against the long, young, athletic and aggressive Rockets. 

“How many times have they been held under 100?” Curry asked. “That’s just the style of this matchup. I don’t care what the score is as long as we get more points. We got to get back to that.”

That number is four. The Warriors have kept the Rockets to under 100 points in four of their seven matchups, and Golden State has gone 3-1 in said games. Maybe that is the magic number. But the Warriors also have been held to under 23 assists in four games, seven off their typical goal of at least 30. 

The last man standing usually isn’t suited for a team led by three players 35 years old and up, and now one of them can only hope to recover quick enough to play this weekend. Surviving and advancing is what Curry and Green have been able to hang their hats for a long, long time. Adding Butler to the mix grows their chances exponentially. 

Winning a war of attrition will take guts to turn to glory for Golden State, leaving style points at the door. The Warriors didn’t lack fight in their loss, and now it’s up to them to figuratively punch their way back to a win back at home with the series all tied up.

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Everton v Bayern Munich: 40 years since the greatest night at Goodison

As Everton leave their beautiful old stadium, we look back on a game that lives on in the hearts of all who saw it

By That 1980s Sports Blog

“If you talk to any Evertonian who was there that night, who actually got in this ground that night, and you said, ‘You can take one game to the grave with you’. Say there was 55,000, I’m betting you 50,000 would take this game with them.” Andy Gray’s words about the second leg of Everton’s semi-final against Bayern Munich in the Cup Winners’ Cup are not hyperbole. Admittedly the official crowd figure was 49,476 but, that apart, Gray is right about how Everton fans feel about the match of 24 April 1985. It was the ultimate night in the history of Goodison Park.

It was an evening that flooded the senses: two superb teams packed with great players were both chasing trebles. Neither of them took a backward step as the line between success and failure shifted throughout 90 minutes of intense football. And it was all played out in the kind of atmosphere that has to be heard to be believed.

Continue reading...
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Jimmy Butler leaves game after hard fall, Warriors offense struggles in loss to Rockets

NBA: Playoffs-Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets

Apr 23, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) suffers an apparent injury during the first quarter during game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Jalen Green stepped up — eight 3-pointers on his way to 38 points. He was not alone, Houston's Alperen Sengun had 17 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists. Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason made plays. Houston can rightfully say this was a team win.

However, Game 2 between the Warriors and Rockets turned in the first quarter when Amen Thompson took out the legs of an airborne Jimmy Butler and sent him to the ground with a nasty fall.

Butler left after taking his free throws but did not return due to a pelvic contusion. He will have an MRI on Thursday and his status for Game 3 is unknown, Golden State coach Steve Kerr said.

"Hopefully Jimmy will be able to play, but if not we have to go through our options and put together a plan," Kerr said.

Houston came out with the desperation of a team that had lost at home. Without Butler much of the night, Stephen Curry faced the full force of a physical, aggressive Rockets defense and could not recreate the magic of Game 1. Curry scored 20 points on 6-of-15 shooting (4-of-9) from 3. He also didn't get enough help, with starters Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody together just equaling Curry's 20 points.

The result was a 109-94 Houston win that evened the series 1-1.

Houston might well have won the game even if Butler had not been injured, considering how well Jalen Green played — he was the best player on the floor.

" From the beginning, my whole mindset from today was to go in and be aggressive and get back to being myself," Green said, via the Associated Press.

There are questions about strategy for the rest of this series, as well as questions about the Warriors' depth and the Rockets' youth.

But all of that pales in comparison to the question about Jimmy Butler's status going forward. The Warriors are not the same without him.

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Artyom Levshunov Lifts IceHogs Over Wolves In Game One

Image

The Rockford IceHogs have a plethora of players who are in the plans of the Chicago Blackhawks. Whether they make it to the NHL on a full-time basis one day remains to be seen for a few of them. 

The AHL's Calder Cup Playoffs are their chance to shine when the stakes are high. Not all of their great young players cracked the lineup for their first game of the postseason, but most should get their chance if the team goes on a run. 

Game One took place at Allstate Arena on Wednesday night against their biggest rival, the Chicago Wolves. It was a physical affair that had good pace to it throughout. 

The first period was scoreless, but there were plenty of disagreements and animosity. That led to a high-octane second period that had a touch more offense. 

First, the Wolves took a 1-0 lead thanks to a power-play goal scored by Juha Jaaska. He redirected a shot on the power play taken by Ty Smith. 

Before the period was over, the Hogs tied the game as Kevin Korchinski threw one off the back boards that went into the net off the paraphernalia of Wolves goaltender Spencer Martin. 

Despite a ferocious effort by the Wolves to win the game in the final minute of regulation, the IceHogs hung on and made sure that the game reached sudden-death overtime. 

In the extra frame, while on a power play that they earned, Artyom Levshunov scored the game-winning goal. The second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft played the role of hero in his first AHL playoff game. 

With GM Kyle Davidson in the building, Levshunov got the job done. Davidson must be content with his decision to select him at this stage. After the game, there was some high praise for Levshunov's game. 

"I liked his intensity level," interim head coach Mark Eaton said about Levshunov following the win. "All the things that made him successful at the NHL level, our expectations [are] that he brings that down here, [and] relishes this playoff opportunity that he's getting. I think he was able to do that." 

When Levshunov made his NHL debut and finished the rest of the season, there were a few rookie mistakes here and there, but he always looked like he belonged. Now that he's down in the AHL for the Calder Cup Playoffs, he has a chance to excel. 

"He's been great," IceHogs captain Brett Seney said of Levshunov. "Since coming down from Chicago, you can tell he's got the confidence. A couple of plays up top, he danced a couple of their forwards; he's just playing confident. He knows he's got the talent to do it at this level. I think there's probably a couple of plays earlier in the game when they blocked some shots he wanted to get through, but you give a player like that enough opportunities, eventually it's going to go in for him."

Seney has been around pro hockey for a long time and that includes playing with some good players. He thinks the world of Levshunov and the kind of talent that he brings to the table. 

Levshunov's overtime winner is the highlight, but it isn't the only impressive part of his evening. He cleared a puck from the blue paint defensively, was a physical presence in tense moments, and never wavered from the big moment. He seems to be a high-character player, which is an asset when you have that much skill. 

The IceHogs now have a 1-0 lead in the series as it shifts back to Rockford for Game 2 on Friday night. If they win, they will move on to face the Milwaukee Admirals in round two. If they lose, a decisive game three will take place on Sunday.  

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Mason Miller overpowering the competition, injury concerns for Emmanuel Clase

In this week's Closer Report, Mason Miller is mowing batters down in his dominant start to the season. The gamble on Jeff Hoffman is working out for the Blue Jays. Injury news raises the level of concern around Emmanuel Clase. That and more as we break down the last week in saves.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings

Tier 1: At the Top

Mason Miller - Athletics
Josh Hader - Houston Astros
Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners

Miller worked a perfect ninth inning against the Brewers on Saturday for a save, then struck out the side Wednesday against the Rangers for his seventh save. The 26-year-old right-hander has not allowed a run over eight innings and holds a ridiculous 17/1 K/BB ratio. There's no one in baseball pitching better.

Hader is a close second. He secured back-to-back saves against the Padres, then stranded two base runners against the Blue Jays on Wednesday for his eighth save. The 31-year-old left-hander has allowed one run with a 17/3 K/BB ratio across 13 innings of work.

Muñoz took the mound with a three-run lead in the ninth against the Red Sox on Wednesday and pitched a clean inning with one strikeout for his eighth save. The 26-year-old right-hander has posted a 15/5 K/BB ratio across 12 scoreless innings.

Tier 2: The Elite

Robert Suarez - San Diego Padres
Jeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue Jays
Edwin Díaz - New York Mets
Devin Williams - New York Yankees
Ryan Helsley - St. Louis Cardinals

Suarez keeps rolling in his dominant start to the season. He locked up two more saves for a league-leading ten on the year. The 34-year-old right-hander's 34.2% strikeout rate over 11 games is his best stretch since 2023.

Hoffman displayed top closer skills over the last two seasons and is pitching even better in the role with Toronto. The 32-year-old right-hander picked up his fifth save Friday against the Mariners and owns an 18/1 K/BB ratio across 12 1/3 innings with two runs allowed.

Díaz looked to be getting on track, rattling off three saves this week and striking out two batters in each of his last five outings. He had an injury scare on Wednesday as he was removed from the game with what the team called a left hip cramp. The issue was downplayed later in the day, but it's going to be something to monitor.

Williams had been pitching better of late with four straight scoreless appearances, including three saves. He then gave up four runs to blow the lead in a non-save situation against the Rays on Saturday. It was the second such outing for the 30-year-old right-hander. Williams just seems to be off as he hasn't gotten the swing-and-miss he's accustomed to. Still, we'll trust the track record here and hope he overcomes this slow start.

Helsley didn't see any save chances this week. He worked around a pair of walks in a scoreless inning of work against the Braves on Tuesday. The walks need to be corrected as he's issued eight free passes over his last four outings.

Tier 3: The Solid Options

Tanner Scott - Los Angeles Dodgers
Jose Alvarado - Philadelphia Phillies
Ryan Walker - San Francisco Giants
Raisel Iglesias - Atlanta Braves
Jhoan Duran - Minnesota Twins
Emmanuel Clase - Cleveland Guardians
Félix Bautista - Baltimore Orioles

Scott was on a roll going into Tuesday with eight consecutive scoreless outings before giving up a solo homer to blow the save against the Cubs. He's been otherwise excellent, posting a 2.77 ERA with an 11/0 K/BB ratio while converting eight saves over 13 innings.

Alvarado is a big riser this week as the Phillies don't seem to have any other choice than to save him for the ninth inning most days. The 29-year-old left-hander is far and away their best option to close out games as the team's top right-handed options Orion Kerkering and Jordan Romano struggle. Alvarado picked up two saves this week and is up to five on the season with a 2.13 ERA and a 17/2 K/BB ratio across 10 2/3 innings.

Walker worked around a hit to record his fifth save Saturday, then took the loss with four runs allowed against the Angels on Sunday. With Walker getting the day off, Camilo Doval stepped in to convert Monday's save chance against the Brewers. The 29-year-old right-hander nearly imploded again Wednesday, giving up two runs with a four-run lead before Doval relieved him to close it out for another save. Walker has been much more hittable this season while failing to generate enough whiffs to sustain success late in games. It could cost him the closer role sooner or later.

Iglesias recorded two saves with a pair of clean outings before giving up three runs in a non-save situation against the Cardinals on Monday. Home runs have been a problem for the 35-year-old right-hander as he's given up four in nine innings.

It was shaky for Duran, but he converted his second save on Tuesday against the White Sox despite giving up a run on two walks and a hit. The walk rate is currently bloated, but the skills otherwise match last season so far for the 27-year-old right-hander. Meanwhile, top setup man Griffin Jax has struggled, giving up ten runs in ten innings.

It's tough to know where to place Clase, but it's time for concern given his recent health news. The 27-year-old right-hander surrendered three runs and blew the save Sunday against the Pirates. Manager Stephen Vogt stated Wednesday that Clase was dealing with some right shoulder discomfort following his most recent outing. Cade Smith stepped in to convert two saves against the Yankees and could be next in line should Clase require some time off.

Bautista had one of his best outings of the season, striking out one batter in a perfect inning against the Reds on Saturday to record his second save of the season. The Orioles haven't seen many save chances so far, but it's nice to see Bautista improving with each outing as the whiffs have been up in his last two appearances.

Tier 4: Here for the Saves

Kenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels
Pete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay Rays
Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers
Justin Martinez - Arizona Diamondbacks
Aroldis Chapman/Justin Slaten - Boston Red Sox
Luke Jackson - Texas Rangers
Kyle Finnegan - Washington Nationals
Carlos Estévez - Kansas City Royals
Emilio Pagan - Cincinnati Reds
Ryan Pressly - Chicago Cubs

So far so good for Jansen. The 37-year-old right-hander locked down his fifth save of the season with a clean frame against the Giants on Friday. He's yet to allow a run over seven innings.

No save chances for the Rays this week. Fairbanks gave up two runs in a non-save situation against the Yankees on Saturday. Edwin Uceta fell in line for the win in that game, striking out three batters. Fairbanks then recorded two outs in extra innings against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday to earn a win.

In Milwaukee, Megill recorded a two-out save on five pitches Friday against the Athletics. He's made two scoreless appearances since getting evaluated for a knee issue but has not recorded a strikeout in his last three outings.

The Diamondbacks bullpen is a bit in flux as A.J. Puk was placed on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation. Meanwhile, Martinez was held out for a couple of days with right shoulder fatigue. Shelby Miller tossed two scoreless innings against the Cubs on Sunday while Drey Jameson recorded the save in extra innings. Martinez did pitch in a tie game against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, tossing a clean frame with one strikeout in the ninth.

Alex Cora played the matchup game in Boston this week, with Chapman getting the eighth inning against the White Sox on Monday before Slaten entered for the save in the ninth. While Chapman projects to lead the team in saves, Slaten could be rostered in deeper leagues for the occasional save chance.

Jackson worked the ninth inning to convert his seventh save Tuesday against the Athletics. While he's gotten the job done, Jackson has struck out just one batter over his last five appearances.

Finnegan converted back-to-back saves in Colorado against the Rockies, then picked up his ninth against the Orioles on Wednesday. The 33-year-old right-hander holds a 1.69 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and a 13/6 K/BB ratio across 10 2/3 innings.

The wheels fell off for Estévez against the Rockies on Tuesday. He was charged with a blown save after giving up three runs on three walks and one hit. The 32-year-old right-hander has been otherwise solid and should continue to operate as the primary closer in Kansas City.

Pagán gave up two runs to blow the save chance last Thursday against the Mariners, then bounced back with a clean frame against the Marlins on Wednesday for his fifth save. The 33-year-old right-hander should continue to run with the closer role in Cincinnati as long as he's effective.

No save chances for Pressly this week, but he did fall in line for a win Friday with a scoreless inning against the Diamondbacks. The 36-year-old right-hander has still only stuck out five batters over 11 innings but has made eight consecutive appearances without giving up an earned run. With a one-run lead against the Dodgers on Wednesday, it was Porter Hodge who was summoned to close it out for his first save despite Pressly not pitching the previous two days. After the game, manager Craig Cousell stated Pressly was dealing with a knee issue and hopes for him to be available Friday.

Tier 5: Bottom of the Barrel

Dennis Santana - Pittsburgh Pirates
Tommy Kahnle - Detroit Tigers
Jesus Tinoco/Calvin Faucher - Miami Marlins
Seth Halvorsen - Colorado Rockies
Jordan Leasure - Chicago White Sox

Santana is still operating as the Pirates closer despite the return of David Bednar. The 29-year-old right-hander picked up a save last Thursday against the Nationals, then locked down his third Wednesday against the Angels. Bednar has made three scoreless appearances since returning from his stint in Triple-A and could eventually work his way back into the closer role.

Kahnle converted back-to-back saves against the Royals, then blew a save chance on Sunday pitching for the third time in four days. Meanwhile, Will Vest got into the mix with two saves. He's pitched well and should see occasional opportunities. Vest did pitch the ninth inning with a four-run lead on Wednesday while Kahle stranded two runners in the eighth in a high-leverage spot.

More mess in Miami. Tinoco got the nod this week, converting back-to-back saves. After pitching in three of four days, Tinoco had the day off Tuesday and it was Faucher who got the save against the Reds. A 2/3 K/BB ratio over 5 2/3 innings is hard to buy into with Tinoco if chasing saves in this situation.

Halvorsen blew the save chance Tuesday against the Royals, giving up a run on two hits. If the Rockies closer can't get it done outside Coors, there's no point looking for saves here. Meanwhile, another week, another zero in the saves column for the White Sox.

Relievers On The Rise/Stash Candidates

Fernando Cruz posted impressive strikeout numbers over the last two seasons in Cincinnati that made him a trade target for the Yankees in the offseason. The 35-year-old right-hander is pitching well in New York, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 21/6 K/BB ratio across 13 innings. He's already collected two saves and three holds as he establishes himself as a high-leverage option behind Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. Garrett Whitlock is in a similar position in Boston. The 28-year-old right-hander has been a versatile arm out of the bullpen, collecting three holds and a win while posting a 1.84 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 19/5 K/BB ratio across 14 2/3 innings. Long relievers could be valuable in deeper roto formats. Giants long-man Hayden Birdsong has been excellent out of the bullpen. He struck out four batters over three scoreless innings to pick up a win against the Brewers on Monday. The 23-year-old right-hander was a rotation hopeful this spring, but the team is intent on keeping him in the bullpen.

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Panthers look to be better in Game 2, leave Tampa with commanding series lead

Apr 22, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) celebrates after he scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)

The Florida Panthers will look to build on their series-opening victory when they hit the ice on Thursday night in Tampa.

Florida skated to an impressive 6-2 win in Game 1 against the host Tampa Bay Lightning and can return to Sunrise with a commanding 2-0 series lead if they can pull off a repeat performance in Game 2 at Amalie Arena.

Despite finishing the regular season with the third-most shots per game in the NHL at 31.6, Florida mustered only 17 shots on a paltry 35 attempts during Tuesday’s win.

Fortunately, the Cats were incredibly accurate and timely with their shots, beating world class goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy six times, including a stretch during the second period in which Florida scored on three consecutive shots.

The Panthers received a massive boost during Game 1 with the return of Matthew Tkachuk.

After suffering an apparent groin injury at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Tkachuk had gone over two months since playing in a hockey game and was chomping at the bit to get back out there.

Skating on the Sam Bennett line and receiving his usual reps on the top power play, Tkachuk provided an instant spark both physically and offensively.

He finished the game with two goals and an assist while only playing 11:43 of ice time.

Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Game 2 in Tampa:

Carter Verhaeghe – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart

Mackie Samoskevich – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand

Evan Rodrigues – Nico Sturm – Jesper Boqvist

Gus Forsling – Seth Jones

Niko Mikkola – Dmitry Kulikov

Uvis Balinskis – Nate Schmidt

Scratches: A.J. Greer, Jonah Gadjovich, Tomas Nosek, Jaycob Megna

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