Terry Stotts joins the list of head coach candidates

PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 14: Assistant coach Terry Stotts of the Golden State Warriors looks on before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on December 14, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks parted ways a few weeks ago, the Mavs kicked off the search for his replacement. We previously covered the news that Dallas was exploring potential fits with collegiate stalwarts Jon Scheyer and Dusty May, and now word has come out that Terry Stotts is also being considered for the job.

If Stotts’ name strikes you as familiar, that’s because he was an assistant under Rick Carlisle during the Mavericks’ 2011 championship season. Aside from that memorable run, Stotts has held coaching roles at the NBA level since 1994 when he began as an assistant for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s former iteration, the Seattle Supersonics. That stint afforded him some NBA Finals experience when the Sonics came up short to the Chicago Bulls in 1996. He was then an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, and then the Atlanta Hawks for whom he eventually took the head coaching job. He then spent a year with the Golden State Warriors as an assistant, before returning to Milwaukee for two years as the head coach.

After that, he was with Dallas as an assistant coach from 2008-2012 where he again returned to the NBA Finals, but with better results. 2011 put Stotts in the rarified air of those that were a part of the pinnacle of Mavericks’ history, playing an instrumental part in the championship run. He parlayed that stint into a long tenure as the Portland Trailblazers head coach from 2012 to 2021, then took some time off before returning to the Warriors as an assistant coach for the past two seasons.

In all, Stotts has accumulated a 402-318 record (55.8% winning percentage) as a head coach in the NBA. Over more than 30 years, he has either coached, or coached against, some of the best coaches and players the league has ever seen. He is a basketball lifer – you don’t stick around as long as he has unless you both belong and badly want to be there.

Rumors are that Stotts now only wants to consider head coaching jobs, and will be in the mix for the open position in Dallas. The Mavericks would be well served with Stotts steering the ship. At age 68 and with his resume, he has seen it all. He would instantly command respect simply based on who he is – there would be no rookie coach inexperience to harp on from either the players or media. He would bring the necessary discipline to what will likely be a young team led by Cooper Flagg, while also knowing full well how to manage the veteran players. Throwing back to the 2011 championship team would also bring a nice connection to the past for the Mavs, who could still afford to bolster good will with the fanbase.

Stotts would likely be something of a transitional coach, but that too could be a boon to the franchise. He could ably prepare one of his assistant coaches to take the reigns from him in a few years, or Dallas could simply choose to go another way when the time comes. Either way, Stotts brings a safe – but not mundane or low-ceiling – coach to the franchise, and one who can help lead the team into the next phase. The Mavs could certainly do worse.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

Opposition research: Seranthony Dominguez

Apr 28, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Seranthony Dominguez (58) celebrates after defeating the Los Angeles Angels at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Before the season, it was expected that the Chicago White Sox wouldn’t have many save opportunities for their relievers to convert. They were coming off three straight 100+ loss campaigns, including a 41-121 bottoming out in 2024. But the Sox have been one of the biggest surprises this season, checking in at 33-29, good for second place in the American League Central.

As a result, there have been plenty of save opportunities, and the man who has closed out the majority of them is former Phillie Seranthony Dominguez.

You likely remember Dominguez as the rookie who looked electric in his rookie season of 2018, only to lose effectiveness, and then ultimately over two years of his career thanks to a UCL injury. After his return, he showed flashes of his former dominating self, but there was too much inconsistency, and the Phillies ultimately shipped him to Baltimore at the 2024 trade deadline.

He served as the Orioles closer down the stretch and while he converted ten saves, he gave up a decent number of runs. He was used in a setup role for 2025 until the Orioles traded him to the Blue Jays at the deadline.

After serving as a setup reliever for the Jays, he signed a two-year deal with the Sox in the offseason and was established as their closer. Results have been mixed: While he has eleven saves, he’s also blown three chances, and his FIP is at 5.22. Basically, he’s the same guy he was for the Phillies: He can look dominating for much of the time, but there will be games when he looks incapable of retiring a batter.

Hating on the White Sox

There’s not much of a rivalry between the Phillies and the White Sox with only 28 games played between them all time, and I’m having trouble remembering any that were particularly memorable. (Oddly, five of the 28 have gone to extra innings, including all three games in 2013.)

But you know what? Screw the White Sox.

The White Sox used to be cool. They had iconic uniforms, with their hats being worn by famous rappers, and as a result became really popular with suburban white kids.

However, that coolness never really translated to the on-field product, because they rarely make the playoffs (since somehow winning the 2005 World Series, they’ve made the postseason just three times) and will be forever known as Chicago’s “other team.”

The White Sox could have beaten Camden Yards in kicking off the retro trend with their stadium but instead built perhaps the most boring stadium ever. (Though Nationals Park would have a word.) They were “fortunate” enough to find a corporate sponsor that matches the stadium’s vibe, because Rate Field sounds like it should be hosting adult league games, not a Major League Baseball franchise.

You know a franchise is down bad when they start retiring the numbers of players like Paul Konerko and Mark Buerhle. Admittedly, I’m a retired number elitist who thinks the honor should be reserved for iconic, all-time greats, but when you start hanging the numbers of “Hall of Very Good” players, it feels like it cheapens the honor. Frank Thomas should have his number retired; Konerko should be on the Wall of Fame or whatever equivalent they have.

Trivia

Last week’s answer: The Phillies recorded one hit off of Roki Sasaki in the 2025 NLDS. World War II buffs will appreciate the irony that the one hit was off the bat of Max Kepler. 7redseven was correct.

This week’s question: The first ever Phillies vs. White Sox game was played on June 18, 2002 and saw the White Sox prevail 6-3 in 12 innings. What future Phillie delivered the go-ahead hit in the 12th?

Additional thought about the series

Are you sure we can’t get any more games against the Padres?

The schedule makers say no, so the Phillies will see if their recent strong play can be duplicated against a different opponent. The good news is that different opponent is missing its best offensive player.

Much of the Sox’ success has been fueled by rookie Munetake Murakami who is on the IL with a hamstring strain. The Japanese import made a huge early splash, prompting several Phillies fans to ask why the Phillies didn’t pursue him to replace Alec Bohm at third base.

The Phillies reportedly did pursue him, but the biggest problem – aside from Japanese players apparently hating Philadelphia – is that he’s probably not a major league quality defender at third base. The Sox have had him exclusively at first base and designated hitter, and the Phillies have players already entrenched at those positions. There were also questions about how well his Japanese league numbers would translate, but he’s had no problem adjusting to major league pitching so far.

Since he’s on the IL, there will be little opportunity for irate Phillies fans to question why they didn’t sign him. Then again, if Alec Bohm continues to hit into double plays at a prodigious rate, those questions still might get asked.

Best NRFI Picks Today: No Run First Inning Predictions for MLB June 5

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It’s a loaded 15-game slate on the diamond Friday, June 5, and I’ve got a trio of NRFI predictions to cover you throughout the action.

My top MLB picks call for a low-scoring first frame between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers to start the night, with the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins also blanking the first inning to round out my betting card.

Best NRFI/YRFI predictions today

PickOdds
Mariners/Tigers - NRFI-130
Guardians/Rangers - NRFI-130
Royals/Twins - NRFI-110

Mariners at Tigers: NRFI (-130)

The Seattle Mariners rank last in wOBA against lefties, and Detroit Tigers southpaw Framber Valdez has pitched a scoreless first in eight of 12 starts despite his 6.75 first-inning ERA checking in way above his 3.60 career mark.

This is a tough matchup for the Tigers, too. Seattle righty Bryan Woo has fired four consecutive scoreless opening frames to improve to 10-2 to the NRFI this season, and Detroit has been held without a first-inning run in seven of its past 10 games while ranking 16th in batting average and 15th in xwOBA during the stretch.

This NRFI is playable to -140.

  • Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: DSN, SEAM

Guardians at Rangers: NRFI (-130)

With Texas Rangers righty Kumar Rocker pitching a scoreless first in three of his past four starts and holding hitters to an overall .159 batting average, I’m anticipating him taking care of a Cleveland Guardians lineup ranked 26th in wOBA against righties in the opening frame. The Guardians have only scored in the first in 27% of their games, too.

It’s a similar matchup in the bottom half, too. Cleveland southpaw Parker Messick hasn’t allowed a first-inning run all season while holding opposing hitters to a minuscule .371 OPS. The Rangers rank 28th in wOBA against lefties, too.

This NRFI hits the breakeven mark at -140.

  • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Apple TV

Royals at Twins: NRFI (-110)

The Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins both rank below-average in wOBA against right-handed pitchers, and Royals starter Michael Wacha has fired a scoreless first in 10 of 12 starts while holding opposing hitters to a pedestrian .234 on-base percentage.

This is also a soft matchup for Twins righty Zebby Matthews. The Royals have only scored in the first inning in 25% of their games while struggling to a 26th-place wOBA over the past 30 days.

Matthews also sports a smooth 3.01 xERA through four starts, which slides in well below his front-facing 4.63 ERA, so this is a spot for him to sail through the opening frame.

I’d back this NFRI down to -125.

  • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Apple TV
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
  • NRFI/YRFI picks: 11-11, -3.54 units

What is a NRFI prediction?

NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) picks add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI pick is a prediction that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're predicting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.

A YRFI pick is the exact opposite. You're predicting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.

NRFI and YRFI picks add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for those looking for a quick resolution.

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.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Today in White Sox History: June 5

Eddie Collins of the Chicago White Sox poses for a batting portrait prior to Game 3 of the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois, October 3, 1919.
On this day 107 years ago, Eddie Collins hit the only grand slam of his career, in a win at the Yankees. | (Photo by TPLP/Getty Images)

1919
With the score tied, 1-1, deep into a game at the Polo Grounds facing the Yankees, Eddie Collins belted an inside-the-park grand slam that rolled into the very deep reaches of right-center field. Eddie Cicotte completed the win, improving to 10-1 on the season. The White Sox went three games up in the American League race, at 25-11.

Given that he hit just four homers in his career before 1910, when complete records became available, this was the only grand slam of Collins’ 47-homer career.


1923
While long road trips were not uncommon in the days of train travel and fewer teams, the White Sox set a franchise mark that remains today in embarking on a monthlong road trip. The Pale Hose visited all seven American League clubs on the journey, which lasted 27 games and a full month — not returning home until a July 7 doubleheader. Strangely enough, the long trip did wonders for the club, as the White Sox went 18-9 and improved from last in the league (eighth) at 15-24, 13 games out to third place, at 33-33.

Ultimately the club faltered and fell back to seventh place at a 69-85-2 record by season’s end. The culprit? That awful home cooking! (For the season, the White Sox were 39-40 on the road and 30-45 at home!)


1935
White Sox rookie pitcher John Whitehead saw his eight-game winning streak to start his MLB career snapped, losing to the St. Louis Browns, 2-0. Whitehead would finish 13-13 in his rookie campaign, with 18 complete games and 4.9 WAR, finishing 19th in AL MVP voting.

“Silent John” amassed in impressive 11.6 WAR in 127 games over four-plus seasons on the South Side. Ironically enough, he was dealt to the Browns during the 1939 season.


1960
White Sox pitchers Russ Kemmerer and Frank Baumann both fired shutouts in beating the Kansas City Athletics in a doubleheader. The Sox won both games by the same score: 2-0. The A’s combined for only 10 hits on the Sunday afternoon. 


1967
Eddie Stanky did it again. The White Sox manager let loose a verbal assault on Red Sox All-Star Carl Yastrzemski. Before a three-game set in Comiskey Park, Stanky was quoted as saying, “He may be an All-Star from the neck down, but in my book he’s a moody ballplayer … and I don’t like moody ballplayers.” 

Red Sox fans were incensed, and let Stanky and the Sox have an earful, as well as throwing tomatoes at him whenever he went to the mound when the Sox went to Boston the following week.


2022
With a ground-rule double to drive in the first two runs of a 6-5 win over Tampa Bay in a game the White Sox would never trail, Jake Burger recorded the game-winning RBI in a fourth straight White Sox win — a record that dates back to at least 1974.

Burger’s streak started with a three-run homer on May 25 vs. Boston, the only runs needed for a 3-1 win. Next was a 12th-inning single that won it against the Cubs on May 29. Then came a two-run shot in the eighth inning of a 2-1 game vs. the Rays on June 4, which the White Sox held on to win, 3-2.

You might note the wide range of dates, indeed during this 10-game stretch that Burger established his clutch mark the White Sox went 4-6. This win brought the club to 25-27, in its seemingly endless quest to get past the .500 mark. It would end up exactly there, at 81-81 in the disappointing spin into another rebuild — one that seems like it will last the rest of the 2020s.

Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb’s Stanley Cup Final status is unclear after taking a puck to the face

RALEIGH, N.C. — The status of Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb moving forward in the Stanley Cup Final is unclear after he took a puck to the face in Game 2.

Coach John Tortorella had no update on McNabb other than to confirm the 35-year-old was traveling home with the team. Game 3 is in Las Vegas.

McNabb left Game 2 after taking an 87.3 mph slap shot from Nikolaj Ehlers square in the face just past the midway point of the first period. McNabb dropped his stick, went down to the ice and grabbed his nose as he skated immediately off and down the tunnel.

“It’s a scary play,” forward Brett Howden said. ”You never want to see that. Just hope he’s doing all right.”

Vegas went the rest of the way with just five defensemen. McNabb’s exit had a domino effect that led those guys to playing more minutes than usual, and in particular Jeremy Lauzon was on the ice for all four Carolina goals, with one shot banking in off him, another partially the result of him losing a one-on-one battle with William Carrier and Seth Jarvis’ overtime winner going past him.

“You lose a guy like Nabber who logs heavy minutes, such a good teammate, plays the game so hard, it’s tough,” captain Mark Stone said. “They battled as hard as they could.”

McNabb was coming off the first three-assist performance of his NHL career in Game 1. He is one of three original Golden Knights players who have been around for the franchise’s entire nine-year existence and are in the final for a third time.

“He’s a vital part of this team,” said center William Karlsson, who also has been around since the beginning. “He’s been here for a long time and has been vital every year. I think he is extremely good defensively, helps us out in PK situations and stuff like that. Of course, tough to not have him for the remainder of that game.”

The Golden Knights had their optimum, healthy lineup back for the series opener when Lauzon returned from his puck-to-the-head injury that had sidelined him since the second round. That did not last long.

Either Ben Hutton, a left-handed shooter, or Kaedan Korczak, who was playing in place of Lauzon, figures to play in Game 3 if McNabb is unavailable.

Jorge Polanco won't rejoin Mets on Friday for Padres series: report

Jorge Polanco is going to need a bit longer before re-joining the Mets.

The New York Post's Mike Puma reports that despite the possibility that Polanco could return from his rehab assignment for Friday's series opener against the Padres in San Diego, the veteran will remain in Syracuse.

The 32-year-old has struggled in his brief stint in Triple-A. Polanco is hitless with one walk in two games in Syracuse after going 2-for-5 with a home run in three games in Double-A Binghamton. 

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said earlier in the week that the organization would have conversations with Polanco regarding his availability for the weekend. 

"We got to talk to the player, how he's feeling, and all that. And he's got to get cleared from the medical staff as well," Mendoza said. "It could be in play that he's active on Friday. But again, if he needs more at-bats, and it's not so much like how he's feeling physically, I think there's a combination of a lot of things there."

Polanco's first year in Flushing has been marred by injuries. Polanco played through Achilles bursitis, which relegated him to the DH role, before landing on the IL with a right wrist contusion in mid-April. Mendoza said that the wrist contusion is now a non-issue, but that Polanco will have to play through his Achilles bursitis. That means he'll be mostly a DH when he returns, although the Mets expect him to be available at first base when needed.

Before he landed on the IL, Polanco struggled at the plate. In 14 games, Polanco hit .179 (10-for-56) with one home run and three doubles to go along with two RBI. 

Once the Mets wrap up their weekend series against the Padres, they return home for a three-game set with the Cardinals starting Tuesday. 

Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants preview, Friday 6/5, 1:20 CT

Today’s roster move: Here

Friday notes…

  • A SERIES STORY: The Cubs have lost seven and split one of their last eight series. They were 2-6 in the first games of those series and have lost the last five. They are 8-12 in all first games but 5-5 at home, 7-4 in first games after having won the last game of the previous series and 3-3 at home after having won the finale of the previous series. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • OUTHITTING THE OTHER GUY: After making only four hits through eight innings last night, the Cubs made seven in the ninth to outhit the Athletics, 11-7. The Cubs are a remarkable 27-2 when they have finished with more hits. The only losses were at home to the Pirates, 2-0, on April 10, and at St. Louis, 6-5, last Friday. They are 2-1 when they and their opponent have had the same number of hits and 4-27 when they have given up more than they have made. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • RISPy BUSINESS: The Cubs made six hits last night with runners in scoring position — five of them in the ninth inning — to match their season high, accomplished four times before. Their 10 at bats last night were their fewest in any of the games. They were had 12 vs. the Mets on April 17, 14 vs. the White Sox on May 15, 16 vs. the Angels on April 1 and 18 vs. the Phillies on April 14. The Cubs won all five games. They are 6-0 with five hits with RISP and 3-2 with four, for a total of 14-2 with at least four. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Carlos Zambrano and Will Ohman combined on a one-hit shutout of the Astros in Houston, the only hit a one-out single by Preston Wilson in the eighth. Zambrano also hit a three-run homer as the Cubs won 8-0. It happened 20 years ago today, Monday, June 5, 2006.

Cubs lineup:

Giants lineup:

Edward Cabrera, RHP vs. Robbie Ray, LHP

Edward Cabrera’s return from the IL, where he sat out two weeks with a blister, comes at a time when the Cubs really need a solid outing from a starting pitcher.

So all we can do is hope the blister issue is behind him and he can do that.

Last year against the Giants, June 25, 2025 in San Francisco, he threw 5.1 innings, allowed three hits and two runs, and struck out six. I think we’d take that today.

Robbie Ray is 34 and will be a free agent at season’s end. As such, he’s been mentioned as someone the Cubs might have trade interest in.

His year, though, hasn’t been very good. He hasn’t gone more than five innings in any of his last five starts and in one of them (May 18 vs. the D-backs) he allowed 10 runs and two homers. (Insert obligatory “He’d fit right in with this staff with the homers” joke here.)

Ray has been particularly bad away from San Francisco (6.23 ERA in six road starts, nine HR in 30.1 innings, 2.83 ERA in six home starts, four HR in 32.1 innings), so a) the Cubs might be able to hit him and b) maybe don’t trade for him?

Here is the weather forecast for the area around Wrigley Field. There is a chance of rain this afternoon so here’s the local radar for you to keep handy.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. It’s also on MLB Network (outside the Cubs and Giants market territories).

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Giants site McCovey Chronicles. If you do go there to interact with Giants fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.

You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.

The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.

You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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John Tortorella’s failed coach’s challenge is a difference-maker in Stanley Cup Final Game 2

RALEIGH, N.C. — A failed coach’s challenge by John Tortorella was a momentum-changing moment in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.

His Vegas Golden Knights appeared to score with five minutes left in regulation, but referee Jean Hebert waved it off immediately, citing goaltender interference. Hebert announced that he and the other on-ice officials thought Ivan Barbashev pushed Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen to knock the puck into the net.

Tortorella after some deliberation decided to challenge the play, and it did not take long for officials and the on-site NHL situation room to stick with the call on the ice of no goal. The Hurricanes scored on the ensuing power play 25 seconds later and went on to win 4-3 in overtime to tie the series.

“I saw a loose puck in front of Freddie,” Tortorella said. “Our player stabbed it, didn’t move the goalie and it goes through him into the other side. I’d challenge it 10 out of 10 times.”

It was purely a video review of goalie interference and had nothing to do with whether the whistle was blown before the puck crossed the goal line.

“The ruling on the play was goaltender interference,” executive vice president and director of officiating Stephen Walkom told a pool reporter. “He waved it (off) immediately. He believed that it was under the goalie, and the Vegas player went after the puck and interfered with the goalie and his ability to freeze the puck and waived it off immediately.”

Mark Jankowski just had tied it for the Hurricanes a few shifts earlier after Logan Stankoven started the comeback from down 2-0. On the opposing bench, Carolina players and coach Rod Brind’Amour were not sure how the review was going to go.

“Obviously, you’re hoping for the best,” center Sebsastian Aho said. “You can’t really control it. I didn’t have a really good view of it, so I had no clue. So, I was just hoping for the best.”

Brind’Amour decided not to challenge for goalie interference in Game 1 because there were too many variables at play. His thinking turned out to be right again.

“It happened to us in I guess the first game: When it’s called a goal or no goal on the ice, it better be 100% to challenge it,” Brind’Amour said. “That’s the rule we go by. So, they called no goal on the ice, so that’s kind of how I think it worked out. I don’t know. I don’t know what the explanation is. It looked like he had it covered, and then all of a sudden it was in the net. I don’t know. I haven’t really looked at it. I was just happy that it went our way.”

Andersen went full extension to make a paddle save to deny Barbashev on the initial shot. A scrum ensued around the crease with players diving at the puck hoping to knock it in or keep it out.

“To me, it felt like a no goal,” Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal said. “Obviously, I’m on the other side, but I’m sure they have a different opinion. My gut was like, ‘Man, there’s no way.’ What an incredible effort my Freddie just staying with that one and finding a way to get a piece of that. I was flopping everywhere. I didn’t know what was going on. Freddy just stuck with it. The guy’s an absolute animal. That was a pretty crazy play and obviously a game-changer for us.”

The punishment for a failed coach’s challenge is a two-minute minor penalty. Vegas was 4 for 4 on the penalty kill against Carolina’s power play to that point in the series.

“I’m not sure how they go about their thought process, Brind’Amour said. “They’ve obviously killed all the penalties. That’s a big one.”

Staal made sure the Golden Knights didn’t kill this one, tipping defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere’s point shot in for just the Hurricanes’ eighth power play goal of the playoffs. Seth Jarvis made it nine when he scored in overtime, though it may have never gotten to that point had Tortorella not challenged.

“You’d like to make them pay every time,” Aho said. “It’s a big swing because the other option is going down a goal. But other than that, every time you get a power play, you’re trying to score. So, it’s not that different, but obviously it was a big swing.”

Cowan, Nylander Dominant Agility Test: How Current Maple Leafs Performed At NHL Combine In Previous Years

The NHL scouting combine is reaching the main portion of the event, with the intense physical testing coming up this weekend. It's been an important week for the Toronto Maple Leafs, particularly considering they have the first overall pick at this year's draft, which is coming up on June 26 and 27.

The results of the scouting combine don't always tell the story of whether a player will become a star in the NHL or not, but it's still interesting to see who might be the strongest or most agile prospects in the draft class.

With that, here's a look at a brief history of current Maple Leafs at the NHL combine in previous years.

Nick Robertson - Pull Ups

At the 2019 NHL combine, Maple Leafs left winger Nick Robertson finished among the best performers at the pull-up test.

Robertson was able to execute 15 pull-ups, which puts him tied at 15th for the most pull-up reps in the event at the combine since it was introduced in 2015.

This event seems to favor athletes who are light, and the 5-foot-9 Robertson is certainly that. For further reference, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson completed 18 pull-ups in 2022, the second most ever.

In that 2019 draft, the Maple Leafs selected Robertson in the second round with the 53rd overall pick.

Maple Leafs' Scouting Director Reveals Plan For 2026 NHL DraftMaple Leafs' Scouting Director Reveals Plan For 2026 NHL DraftToronto Maple Leafs' director of amateur scouting, Mark Leach, discussed the organization's plan going into the 2026 NHL draft, the methods they'll use, and the preferences they have with the first overall pick and beyond.

Jake McCabe - Horizontal Jump

Defenseman Jake McCabe wasn't drafted by the Maple Leafs, but has been with Toronto for the past four seasons.

Nonetheless, he had a great showing in the horizontal jump event when he was eligible to be drafted in 2012. Not only is he tied for the 11th-best jump at 119 inches, but that was also the best score of his entire draft class.

The Buffalo Sabres went on to select McCabe in the second round of the 2012 draft with the 44th pick.

Projected First-Overall Pick Gavin McKenna Reveals Maple Leafs GM John Chayka Visited Him In WhitehorseProjected First-Overall Pick Gavin McKenna Reveals Maple Leafs GM John Chayka Visited Him In WhitehorseProjected first overall pick, Gavin McKenna, revealed that Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka travelled up to Whitehorse to meet him ahead of the NHL scouting combine and 2026 draft.

Easton Cowan, William Nylander - Pro Agility Test

Easton Cowan and William Nylander, both first-round picks by the Maple Leafs, performed well in the pro agility test.

Nylander, a part of the 2014 combine and draft class, marked a 4.28-second time in this event. That held up as the second-best time of his class, and tied for 15th on the all-time board.

The right winger ended up getting selected eighth overall by Toronto in 2014 and has since emerged as an NHL star.

As for Cowan, his test was off the charts as he holds the all-time record for the pro agility event. He completed the drill in 4.07 seconds. 

Cowan was a surprise pick by the Maple Leafs when he was drafted 28th overall in 2023, but maybe this performance on this particular drill shed some light on him.

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Cade Cavalli is settling into his role at the top of the Washington Nationals rotation

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 26: Starting pitcher Cade Cavalli #24 of the Washington Nationals reacts after striking out the side to end the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on May 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As Cade Cavalli put it, when you have 32 outings in a season, you are not going to have your best stuff every time. The key to being a good starting pitcher in this league is to manage the outing when you do not have your A game. This is something Cavalli is learning, and we are already seeing improvements. 

Back in Mid-April, Cavalli had an outing where he could not get out of the second inning against the Pirates. The Nats big right hander just totally lost the zone and could not re-find it. It seemed like Cavalli was destined for a similar outing against the Marlins. He could not find the zone in the first inning, walking three batters, including one with the bases loaded.

However, we got to see the maturation process from Cavalli. He turned his outing around, giving the Nats five solid innings, only allowing two runs. Cavalli also did not walk a batter after that first inning. He told me that he “wanted to make the hitters swing the bat”. With Cavalli’s stuff, good things tend to happen when he is around the zone.

By the third inning, Cavalli really found his good stuff and started to bully the Marlins hitters. There was a neat overlay that showed Cavalli’s fastball and his curveball. It gave you a cool visual of just how nasty his stuff is. Just when you need to gear up for a 98 MPH fastball, he drops in a hammer of a curveball.

One theme that Cavalli kept emphasizing is that he is trying to learn everyday. Cavalli turns 28 in August, and has been in the Nats organization for a long time, but he is still an inexperienced pitcher. He was a two-way player for much of his college career and then lost a lot of reps due to his slow Tommy John recovery. Despite debuting in 2022, Cavalli has only made 24 career starts.

As an inexperienced member of this staff, Cavalli said he has learned a lot from veterans like Zack Littell and Miles Mikolas. He told me that seeing the routines of these older pitchers is helpful, saying “It is not necessarily having conversations with them, it is just being a part of their day. Seeing how they prepare for starts and treat their bodies”. For me, this emphasizes the importance of having veterans around. They don’t even need to be vocal leaders, just having young guys see what it takes to be in this game for a long time matters.

It is not like those veterans are not talking either. Cavalli told me that the starters like to sit in the dugout during games, and just talk about baseball. They discuss “little nuances of the game” as he put it. Whether that is pitch location, what pitch to throw in a specific count, or when to pick off.

Cavalli was named the Opening Day starter in Spring Training, but now it feels like he is truly settling into that role of being a frontline starter. In his last 7 starts, Cavalli has a 3.38 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 40 innings. For me, the inning pitched number is what truly stands out. At the beginning of the season, Cavalli was struggling to get through five innings. However, in these 7 starts, he is averaging 5.7 innings per outing. 

Getting deeper into games is what will make Cavalli a top of the rotation starter. Hopefully, he can get that average to 6 innings as he enters his prime. I think Cavalli has the ability to go deep into games, but he needs to be more efficient. He has the ability to hold his velocity, but he has a tendency to have one really long inning.

When you watch Cavalli, you always get the sense that there is more in the tank. The combination of his fastball and curveball is a special foundation. His heater has been sitting at 97 MPH since the start of May, and the curveball is one of the best in the sport. Cavalli could be one of those pitchers who peaks in their early to mid 30’s.

Starting pitchers peaking in their 30’s is not too uncommon, especially for guys who do not have a lot of mileage on their arms. Zack Wheeler and Max Scherzer are two good examples of pitchers who truly hit their peak after 30. Cavalli is not going to be that caliber of arm, but I think the same idea applies for him. Due to his injuries and the fact he was not a full time pitcher in college, there are not a whole lot of innings in that arm, which is a good thing.

Cavalli also has some clear areas where he can improve as well. His command and control can both be hit or miss at times. He has outings where he is pounding the zone, but he can lose it very quickly. As he gets more experienced, Cavalli will learn how to settle in. We are seeing growth in that area, as shown by his last start.  

Another area that Cavalli could explore is his changeup. I think Cavalli has the bones of a great changeup. However, he only uses it 9% of the time, and it feels like he does not trust it enough. When that pitch is working, it can be a devastating offering, especially to lefties. It has so much movement, and I think it could unlock a new element of his game.

While Cavalli is doing a good job keeping the ball in the yard, he has allowed a lot of hits this year. A pitcher with his stuff should not be allowing a .269 average against. His WHIP of 1.42 is also simply too high for a pitcher of his caliber. A part of that high WHIP is the 10 batters he has hit, most of them coming on breaking balls that hit batters in the foot.

There is so much for Cade Cavalli to learn and improve, yet he is already a good starting pitcher. He has a 3.62 ERA, a 3.00 FIP and a 3.76 xFIP. Imagine what Cavalli could be if he irons out some of the warts in his profile. I am not sure he has the command to be a true ace, but I think he has the ability to be a rock solid number two starter. Even in his current form, Cavalli is a number 3 starter in a good rotation, and he is just settling in right now. The sky remains the limit for the Nats big righty.

Vegas' Brayden McNabb takes a puck to the face, forced to leave Game 2 of Stanley Cup Final

A hockey puck is in mid-air in front of a player's face
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb was hit by the puck during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday in Raleigh, N.C. (Karl B DeBlaker / Associated Press)

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb was forced to leave Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday after taking a puck to his face on a slap shot midway through the first period.

The 14-year veteran, who played for the Kings from 2014-2017, did not return to the game. ESPN is reporting that McNabb was taken from Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., to a hospital for evaluation.

Vegas coach John Tortorella did not have an update on McNabb’s status after his team’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Carolina Huricanes, and the Golden Knights had not provided one as of early Friday morning.

Read more:Claude Lemieux, feisty four-time Stanley Cup champion, dies at 60

McNabb was defending in front of the net with 9:08 remaining in the first period when a blistering shot by Carolina winger Nikolaj Ehlers hit him in the facial area. Slow-motion replays show the puck may have struck the protective visor on McNabb’s helmet near his eyes.

After crumpling to the ice, McNabb immediately climbed to his feet, skated off the playing area and headed down the tunnel while holding a hand over his nose and mouth.

“It’s a scary play,” Vegas forward Brett Howden said after the game. ”You never want to see that. Just hope he’s doing all right. We haven’t seen him yet but hope he’s doing OK.”

Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin said: “Any time you see that happen to a teammate, especially to a guy like Nabber who is a huge part of this team, a leader, it’s tough. It’s hard to see that happen to any guy on the ice. We’re just hoping for the best for him.”

Read more:Ducks' storybook season comes to an end with Game 6 loss to Golden Knights

Born in Davidson, Canada, McNabb was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the third round of the 2009 entry draft. He played in 37 games for the Sabres and was acquired by the Kings on March 5, 2014. Los Angeles also received Jonathan Parker and a pair of draft picks in exchange for Hudson Fasching and Nic Deslauriers.

McNabb had six goals and 36 assists in three seasons with the Kings before being selected by Vegas in the 2017 expansion draft. This is his third Stanley Cup Final with the Golden Knights, who won the championship in 2023.

In Vegas’ 5-4 Game 1 victory against Carolina on Tuesday, McNabb had three assists for the first time in his career. Ben Hutton and Kaedan Korczak are possible options to take McNabb’s spot if he can’t play in Saturday’s Game 3 in Las Vegas.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

MLB Player Props & Best Bets for Today, June 5

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We've got a full slate in front of us, and there are plenty of enticing hitter spots to attack. A few names immediately jumped off the page while digging through today's matchups, and I keep finding myself drawn back to the same trio for our MLB player props

Jac Caglianone, James Wood, and Alec Burleson all find themselves in favorable spots against pitchers allowing plenty of hard contact and elevated batted balls.

If things break right, these are the types of matchups that can turn into a very profitable evening as we get into the top MLB picks for Friday, June 5.

Best MLB player props today

Player PickOdds
Royals Jac CaglianoneOver 1.5 Hits, Runs, RBI+104
Nationals James WoodOver 1.5 Total Bases-105
Cardinals Alec BurlesonOver 1.5 Total Bases-104

Jac Caglianone Over 1.5 Hits, Runs, RBI (+104)

There is a first time for everything, and this will be the first time I have ever backed future Kansas City Royals star slugger Jac Caglianone.

The former highly touted prospect finds himself in a great spot against Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews, who owns some of the worst pitcher ratings in Batters Box. Matthews also carries poorly rated marks in matchup wOBA, ISO, hard contact allowed, and ground ball rate. We love pitchers who allow plenty of hard contact and elevated balls.

Matthews has struggled against left-handed hitters this season. Over the last 60 batters faced, lefties have generated a 61.3% elevation rate and 9.7% barrel rate against him, while posting a .451 xSLG and .468 wOBA.

Caglianone owns 70% arsenal coverage against Matthews' entire pitch mix. On top of that, over his last 60 plate appearances against right-handed pitching, he has produced an 80.6% hard-hit rate, a 16.7% barrel rate, and nearly a 40% line-drive rate. During that stretch, his batting average is hovering around .280, but if he continues making this much hard contact, the rest of his numbers should begin to explode.

If you are unable to find his hits, runs, and RBI prop at plus money, I would look toward the over 1.5 total bases. I also think his home run prop is worth a sprinkle. The kid feels overdue for a massive breakout performance at the plate.

  • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Apple TV

James Wood Over 1.5 Total Bases (-105)

Yes, we are all over James Wood once again. Before you get sick of seeing some of my favorite names, let me explain why the Washington Nationals star is due for another big outing.

The big fella draws Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly, who brings a poorly rated matchup ISO to the table this evening. On top of that, Kelly has been getting hammered by left-handed hitters at home. He owns just a 17.1% ground-ball rate against lefties, meaning they're elevating the baseball 82.8% of the time, while they are also making 57.1% hard contact.

Over his last 30 at-bats against right-handed pitching, Wood sports a .463 wOBA and 203 wRC+, while producing 64.3% hard contact and a 28.6% barrel rate. Not to mention, the Nationals star owns the third-highest arsenal coverage among elite-rated hitters tonight. Wood is crushing nearly 87% of Kelly's pitch mix.

Snagging the Nationals' leadoff hitter to record a stolen base at nearly plus money always feels like a gift. That said, I would not pay too much juice for it. Play this up 

  • Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: ARID, NATS

Alec Burleson Over 1.5 Total Bases (-104)

Another hitter I found extremely hard to pass up tonight is Alec Burleson, especially when you look at how much hard contact and elevation Cincinnati Reds starter Brady Singer is allowing. We are all over the St. Louis Cardinals stud this evening.

Singer has not been able to find success against left-handed hitters this season, allowing a 45% hard-hit rate, 13.8% barrel rate, and nearly a 60% elevation rate. Those lefties own a .292 xBA, .531 xSLG, and .380 xwOBA against him. If we zoom in even further, the last 60 left-handed batters he's faced have posted a .406 xBA, .851 xSLG, and .428 xwOBA.

The Cardinals first baseman carries the only elite rating in this matchup over on Batters-Box, boasting an 85.6% arsenal coverage score against Singer's pitch mix. His overall and expected numbers by pitch type are marvelous. Over his last 90 at-bats against right-handed pitching, Burleson owns a .524 SLG while making hard contact at a rate north of 50%.

With how well Burleson matches up against Singer's offerings, coupled with the Reds right-hander allowing lefties to hit above .360 with a .649 SLG on the road, I have to be all over this prop.

As always, sprinkle the home run. I would play this prop up to -110. If you'd rather avoid laying juice, the double and home run markets are worth a look as well.

  • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: CARD, CINR
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
  • Prop picks: 185-326-29, +1.10 units

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Rockets bring back "ketchup and mustard" look with new look uniforms for next season

Ketchup and mustard are back in Houston.

The Rockets unveiled their uniforms for the 2026-27 season, bringing back — with an updated version — the classic red jerseys with a yellow accent.

"We heard our fans…Ketchup and mustard is back!" Patrick Fertitta, Vice Chairman of the Houston Rockets and Comets, said in a statement announcing the new look. "From the time my family bought the team in 2017, we've heard from countless fans about how deeply those colors are tied to their memories of Rockets basketball. We wanted to create something that celebrates the generations of fans who built Rockets basketball while inspiring the next generation of Rockets fans."

Red remains the primary color for the Rockets' look, although their third jerseys are black with red lettering. The Rockets "R" logo remains at the center of the new look, while the reimagined Dunkstronaut image blends nostalgia with innovation and is a nod to the spirit of Space City.

The Rockets are coming off a 52-win season that showed promise, with a young core starting to take steps forward, but also a disappointing first-round playoff exit to a shorthanded Lakers team. Whatever moves the Rockets make to take their next step forward with this group, they will look sharp in these new uniforms.

The Biggest 'Almost' In Rangers Cup History

 Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK
 Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK

If ever an NHL team could be sitting on top of the world after losing a Stanley Cup Final Game Seven in double overtime the 1949-50 Rangers were IT. 

Although the Blueshirts finished under the .500 mark (28-31-11) they still qualified for a playoff berth. They faced the strong Montreal Canadiens – led by Maurice (The Rocket) Richard – in the first round and were given little chance to advance past the semi-final round.

"Our coach Lynn Patrick decided to assign defensive forward Pentti Lund to check The Rocket," said center Don (Bones) Raleigh  and it was a series-turning move. The Rocket was shut down and Lund even scored a bitl"

What also helped was that future Hall of Famer, Rangers goalie Chuck (Bonnie Prince Charlie) Rayner was playing the best hockey of his career. By contrast, the Canadiens netminders, Bill Durnan and Gerry McNeil were not nearly as good.

The Rangers won the series four wins to one and then faced the league-leading Detroit Red Wings in the 1950 Stanley Cup Final. The Winged Wheelers were overwhelming favorites to sweep the New Yorkers.

It wasn't enough that the first place Red Wings finished 21 points ahead of New York but there was an even more reason to knock off the Blueshirts - the Ringlang Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus had taken over the Garden and there was no ice for the Blueshirts.

"In those days," recalled Rangers manager Frank Boucher, "Once the circus took off we had to leave. In this case the league had us playing all playoff games on the road."

Dodgers Post podcast: Can Shohei Ohtani keep pace in Cy Young race?

Can Shohei Ohtani really win the Cy Young Award this year?

That’s the main topic of conversation on the latest episode of the Dodgers Post podcast.

On this edition, California Post baseball writers Dylan Hernandez and Jack Harris break down the Dodgers’ recent series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, including Thursday’s walk-off loss and whether there is any reason to be concerned with the bullpen.

Then, the two dive into their main debate, arguing about where Ohtani (and his 0.74 ERA) stacks up in a loaded National League Cy Young race, and whether he will accumulate enough innings to truly make a run at winning the award for the first time.

Later, the pair have a little fun, checking in on Dylan’s fortune-telling abilities, and look ahead to this weekend’s Angels series –– before making their traditional round of predictions and trivia, as always.

All that and more on this latest episode of the Dodgers Post podcast.


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