2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 2, Game 3 – Ducks vs. Golden Knights Gameday Preview (05/08/26)

Ducks forward Jansen Harkins speaks to the media after their morning skate at Honda Center.

The Ducks come home for Game 3 with the series tied at one apiece. There’s a lingering thought they could have been up 2-0 in the series, much like the previous Edmonton series. But as Ryan Poehling said after Game 1, “If you linger in the past, it’s not going to change. You can’t focus on that. You’ve just go to dictate how you can play next game.”

Ducks goaltender Lukáš Dostál has been terrific through the first two games, coming 6 seconds away from his first Stanley Cup Playoffs shutout. Defensive focus has become a priority for the Ducks, as they adjust to a much more structured opponent in the Golden Knights.

“I thought our team game with a purpose all game long was strong,” Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said after Game 2. “Some of the defensive part of our game was having some good puck shifts, possession-wise, in the offensive zone.”

May 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (98) blocks a shot by Vegas Golden Knights left wing Ivan Barbashev (49) during the third period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
May 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (98) blocks a shot by Vegas Golden Knights left wing Ivan Barbashev (49) during the third period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

“I think the attention to defense has been evident, especially in this series,” Ducks forward Troy Terry said. “It’s leading to more possession time. The two teams, there's definitely a lot of differences between how they play and how the games are taking shape. There’s definitely been a lot less rush opportunities against Vegas. They're very structured. 
They're very good at being above the puck. But that being said, I think our play in the offensive zone and holding onto pucks and not being one and done in the offensive zone and forcing plays and all that, I think (that) has gotten a lot better in this series.”

Ross Johnston and Jansen Harkins were inserted into the lineup for Game 2, with Mason McTavish and Ian Moore coming out. After a flurry of line adjustments, both Johnston and Harkins ultimately settled into fourth line roles on the flanks of Tim Washe. Harkins iced the game with an empty net goal.

“Everyone wants to play in these important games,” Harkins said. “This is the best type of hockey to be playing, so it’s not easy to watch (from the press box). 
But I think everyone's doing a great job. We played so well in Round 1, just trying to be ready for my chance. Happy I could do a good job last game.”

May 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Jansen Harkins (24) celebrates with center Tim Washe (42) after scoring an empty net goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
May 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Jansen Harkins (24) celebrates with center Tim Washe (42) after scoring an empty net goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Golden Knights have killed off 19 consecutive penalties and have killed 24-for-25 penalties this season in the playoffs. The Ducks have had nine power play opportunities against the Golden Knights thus far, including a two-minute 5-on-3 opportunity and nearly seven consecutive minutes of power play time.

“We had some looks and our power play is out there where it's not losing momentum in the game,” Quenneville said. “But whether it’s finish or the fine tuning, certainly, there's a higher difficulty of the pressure coming at us.”

“They make it difficult on you,” Ducks defenseman John Carlson said. “They take care of the good areas of the ice. They're very disciplined in their seams, in their rotations, all that stuff. 
Just like the regular season, that's some of their greatest strengths. So we’ve got to figure out ways to get the puck where it needs to be to make those plays for us.”

Terry will play in Game 3 despite missing the morning skate. Defenseman Radko Gudas participated in morning skate, but is not expected to play in Game 3.


Ducks Projected Lines

Chris Kreider - Leo Carlsson - Troy Terry
Alex Killorn - Mikael Granlund - Cutter Gauthier
Jeff Viel - Ryan Poehling - Beckett Sennecke
Ross Johnston - Tim Washe - Jansen Harkins

Jackson LaCombe - Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov - John Carlson
Tyson Hinds - Drew Helleson

Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)

Golden Knights Projected Lines

Ivan Barbashev - Jack Eichel - Mark Stone
Brett Howden - William Karlsson - Mitch Marner
Pavel Dorofeyev - Tomáš Hertl - Keegan Kolesar
Cole Smith - Nic Dowd - Colton Sissons

Brayden McNabb - Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin - Rasmus Andersson
Ben Hutton - Dylan Coghlan

Carter Hart (confirmed)


Related articles:

Ducks Won Game 2 vs Golden Knights with a lot of Money Sitting in the Press Box, Future of Key Players in Question

Ducks Prospect Tarin Smith Commits to University of Minnesota for 2026-27

Takeaways from the Ducks 3-1 Win over the Golden Knights, Series Tied 1-1

Anaheim Ducks Rival Sharks to Draft Second Overall

Beckett Sennecke Calder Trophy Finalist

If The Panthers Want To Go All In, Trading For Jets' Connor Hellebuyck Is The Move To Make

The Florida Panthers might be in the market for a new goaltender if Sergei Bobrovsky walks in free agency, and if the Panthers want to make a bold move and solidify their crease, making a trade for Winnipeg Jets and Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would do just that. 

Hellebuyck’s playoff history isn’t too pretty. In his playoff career, he has a .903 save percentage, but his last three playoff appearances have been dreadful. In 2022-23, he posted an .886 SP; in 2023-24, it was .870; and last year, it was a woeful .866. 

Although it’s not all bad, his first four playoff appearances saw positive results, including a .922 SP when the Jets went to the Western Conference finals in 2017-18. 

While concerns about his playoff performances are reasonable, his regular-season track record is outstanding. Hellebuyck is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner, a two-time William M. Jennings trophy winner, and won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2024-25 after posting a .925 save percentage in 63 games while helping the Jets secure the Presidents’ Trophy.

Finally, the last piece of evidence that Hellebuyck is still the best goaltender in the NHL was his dominant performances for Team USA on the international stage. Team Canada dominated Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics final, and likely deserved to lose, but goaltending is part of the sport, and no one does it better than Hellebuyck. 

The 32-year-old allowed just one goal, giving the Americans the chance to win in overtime and take gold. 

Could The Panthers Take Advantage Of The Goaltending Situation In Minnesota?Could The Panthers Take Advantage Of The Goaltending Situation In Minnesota?If the Florida Panthers are in the market for a goaltender this off-season, could they look to take advantage of the situation with the Minnesota Wild?

If acquired by the Panthers, Hellebuyck can give the organization a level of goaltending that even Bobrovsky may never have reached, but the issue with acquiring Hellebuyck is the cost in assets and against the salary cap. 

To at the very least get the Jets front office interested in listening to offers, the deal would involve the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft. After that, a deal would involve young players like Mackie Samoskevich and Jack Devine, as well as possibly a veteran like Carter Verhaeghe. 

If the deal doesn’t include a veteran who takes up a large chunk of the salary cap, the next issue would be icing a lineup that fits. Hellebuyck’s $8.5-million contract can fit with that lineup, but it does leave them with little space.

Should The Panthers Target Blues' Jordan Binnington If Sergei Bobrovsky Walks In Free Agency?Should The Panthers Target Blues' Jordan Binnington If Sergei Bobrovsky Walks In Free Agency?The Florida Panthers may have a new No. 1 goaltender for the first time since 2019 if Sergei Bobrovsky leaves in free agency. Could St. Louis Blues' Jordan Binnington be the answer for the Panthers?

The Panthers also need to find a backup goaltender, as Daniil Tarasov is a UFA as well. 

Dealing away the ninth overall pick and Samoskevich would indicate that GM Bill Zito is willing to mortgage the future of the franchise to give the current roster another few years of being top Stanley Cup contenders.

While the Panthers would be able to compete for Cups with, say, Jordan Binnington or Filip Gustavsson in their crease, Hellebuyck would make them the most balanced team in hockey and the greatest threat to win the Stanley Cup. 


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Remembering the pre-Ben Rice era, Part 2: Voit’s brief reign, LeMahieu’s peak and fall, and the Rizzo years

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 15: Luke Voit #59 of the New York Yankees poses for a photo during the New York Yankees Photo Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Welcome, friends. I hope you brought popcorn and soda, because it’s time for Part 2 of my impromptu review of the Yankees’ first base situation before Ben Rice arrived on the scene. In Part 1, we covered the decline phase of Mark Teixeira and the tragic fate of Greg Bird, but ended on a high note with Luke Voit’s magical 2018 run. Today, we’ll be covering 2019-2024. Without further ado, let’s remember some guys.

2019 – 2021: Voit’s truncated tenure, LeMahieu’s uncomfortable fit, and Rizzo’s introduction

As the 2019 season approached, all eyes were on Luke Voit. I guess hitting 14 home runs in 39 games the year prior has a way of heightening expectations. While Voit could not quite match that level, he had a very strong start to the year, hitting .277/.386/.497 with 16 home runs through June. Everyone in Yankee Universe was just about ready to crown him as the future at first base. However, as with Greg Bird, the injury bug would befall Voit time and time again. 

First, on June 29 during the London Series against the Red Sox, Voit suffered an abdominal injury that sidelined him until July 13, forcing him to miss eight games. Then, on July 31, he was placed on the injured list yet again with a sports hernia. When he returned at the end of August, he simply wasn’t the same. Prior to the hernia, Voit’s wRC+ stood at a robust 132; post-injury, he only managed an 80 wRC+ over 94 plate appearances, with a paltry .138 ISO. Although his overall line (.263/.378/.464, 126 wRC+) was still strong thanks to his early-season performance, the way Voit’s season ended left a bad taste in many a fan’s mouth. 

Fortunately, though, for 2019, the Yankees were able to weather Voit’s absences quite well thanks to two excellent backup options – DJ LeMahieu and Mike Ford. When Voit went down at the end of June, it was LeMahieu, along with the recently acquired Edwin Encarnación, who handled first base. Those of you who have followed the Yankees’ recent years might not remember LeMahieu so fondly, but in 2019, he was truly a force to be reckoned with, hitting .327/.375/.518 while handling multiple infield spots capably. With LeMahieu sliding over to first from second and third, the Yankees did not miss a beat offensively – in 135 plate appearances as a first baseman, LeMahieu hit a sparkling .338/.361/.531. 

LeMahieu also saw time after Voit’s second IL stint, but this time, his first base partner was Mike Ford. A sleeper prospect who had posted strong OBPs in the Yankees’ system for many years prior, Ford was invited to spring training as a non-roster player, and had been assigned to Scranton to start the year before being called up in April when Greg Bird was placed on the IL. While he struggled in his initial April stretch, Voit’s second injury gave him another opening, and he sure made the most of it. In 84 August PAs, Ford hit eight homers with a .582 slugging percentage, good for a 121 wRC+. Between Ford and LeMahieu, first base was in good hands despite Luke Voit’s injuries and subsequent struggles, at least for 2019.

Coming into 2020, there was some uncertainty around how Voit would perform (although if that was your main preoccupation at the time, you should consider yourself lucky). However, Voit quickly silenced any doubters. In a pandemic-shortened season, Voit hit .277/.338/.610, and led the league with 22 dingers in just 234 PAs. Unfortunately, Mike Ford cratered, managing only a 37 wRC+ in 84 PAs. However, you don’t really have to worry that much about how your backup 1B is doing when your starter is running a 153 wRC+. Once again, Voit had shown that he was capable of being an elite player – the only question was whether he would be able to sustain that over a full year, and Yankeedom could not wait for that question to be answered in 2021.

So, the baseball gods being the bullies that they are, naturally it was time for Voit’s body to betray him again. On March 27, it was announced that he had partially torn his meniscus in his right knee and would undergo surgery. It wasn’t until May 11 that he would make his season debut, and just twelve games later, he landed on the IL again with an oblique strain, sidelining him for a month. Then, on July 11, Voit suffered a bone bruise, forcing him to miss yet another month. When all was said and done, Voit was only able to play 68 games, and while his 11 homers and 113 wRC+ weren’t terrible, it was a far cry from his peak form.

Unlike 2019, the 2021 Yankees’ backup options could not carry them. Fresh off winning the AL batting title, the magic was gone from LeMahieu’s bat, and he could only manage a 101 wRC+ – fine if you’re a slick defender at second and third, but inexcusable if you’re manning first. Ford could not bounce back from his awful 2020, hitting just .136 with three homers in his 21 games at first base. The Yankees tried throwing Jay Bruce and Chris Gittens at the wall, but they disintegrated upon impact. It was painfully clear that the Bombers did not have any in-house options.

So, the Yankees got creative. On July 29, they sent prospects Kevin Alcántara and Alexander Vizcaíno along with cash considerations to the Cubs for Anthony Rizzo. At the time, Rizzo was enduring the worst full season of his career since 2013, when he was still a budding major leaguer. At 31 years of age, it was abundantly clear that Rizzo had entered his decline phase. However, even a diminished Rizzo was head and shoulders above the Yankees’ other options at the time. He hit for a 115 wRC+ over 200 plate appearances with the Yanks, and coupled with Luke Voit’s struggles with injury, that was enough for Brian Cashman to hand him the keys to the first base job. On March 17, 2022, the Yankees signed Rizzo to a two-year, $32-million deal. A day later, they shipped Voit to the Padres for Justin Lange. Thus ended Luke Voit’s Bronx tenure – what an unceremonious end, given that it had started with such promise.

2022 – 2024: Rizzo falls victim to injuries, Yankees’ mismanagement; A new hope

Going into the 2022 season, there was some trepidation with Rizzo given his age and his performance in the prior year. However, Rizzo responded resoundingly with a resurgent year with the bat, hitting .224/.331/.480 (131 wRC+) with 32 homers in 548 plate appearances. Even though he was hampered by injuries, particularly in the second half of the season – first by back spasms, then by the aftereffects of an epidural injection gone wrong – Rizzo managed to be a stable presence at first base for the first time in what felt like forever. Indeed, his 117 games at 1B were the most by a Yankees first baseman since…Lyle Overbay’s 119 games in 2013. Man, that 2013 team sure was something.

In the offseason, Rizzo bet on himself, opting out of his deal and becoming a free agent. However, the Yankees weren’t going to let their first “real” 1B in nearly a decade slip away. They signed him to another two-year deal, this time for $40 million, and Yankees fans everywhere rejoiced. Then, as the 2023 season started, Rizzo did the unthinkable – he was even better than the year before. Through May 28, 2023, Rizzo hit .304/.376/.505, good for a 145 wRC+.

Why was I so specific about the date there? Because that was the day it all went south for Rizzo and the Yankees.

That day, during a pickoff attempt at first base, Fernando Tatis, Jr. rushed back to the bag, and his right hip collided squarely with the side of Rizzo’s head.

Hindsight is 20/20, but reviewing the video, it’s painfully clear that the play left Rizzo seriously disoriented. Watch the way he sluggishly rises to his full height, tries to tag Tatis again like he’s not sure where he is, and stumbles off towards second base like he’s had one too many beers. He left the game due to what was initially described as a “neck injury”, but even to the untrained eye, it seems quite obvious that Rizzo was suffering from a concussion.

Fortunately, the Yankees eventually reached the same conclusion. Unfortunately for Rizzo, it took fourty-six games for them to do so.

For more than two whole months, the Yankees kept on running Rizzo out, despite the fact that he was experiencing signs of post-concussion syndrome such as grogginess and fogginess, and the fact that his post-injury performance (a 43 wRC+ over 192 PAs) should have been cause for alarm in itself. Sure, he passed MLB’s initial concussion testing, but that’s no excuse for the Yankees to have continued to play Rizzo for as long as they did. For the record, in Chris Kirshner’s postmortem interview with Rizzo regarding the whole fiasco for The Athletic, Rizzo claimed that neither he nor the Yankees handled anything wrongly, explaining that he was hesitant to blame his struggles on the collision with Tatis because “we’re not bred to come up with excuses”.

I’m going to cut Rizzo some slack here. Although the “play through pain” mentality is just another example of how patriarchy harms men, I think it’s unrealistic to expect someone like Rizzo, who has spent nearly his entire life in a hyper-masculine, hyper-competitive field, to suddenly have a moment of clarity and concede that something wasn’t right. But I’m not inclined to extend the same courtesy to the Yankees. They have a responsibility to put their players’ health before anything else, especially for an issue as serious as this. Reading the Kirshner interview, it seemed like the team waited for Rizzo to come forward to conduct additional testing, but the onus should be on the team to look out for their players.

The hope for 2024 was that Rizzo would able to recover from this ordeal and return to his career norms. That did not happen. Limited to 92 games due to a mid-June arm fracture that sidelined him until September, Rizzo hit a pitiful .228/.301/.335 (85 wRC+). Somehow, the Yankees saw enough in him to stick with him at first base in the playoffs, but it did not end well, both offensively (he went 2-for-16 in the World Series) and defensively. After the season ended, the Yankees declined his $17 million option, making him a free agent. He went unsigned, and in September 2025, he officially announced his retirement.

However, all was not lost for the Yankees. A certain unheralded prospect made his debut in 2024. Always old for his level, no one expected much of him, but he burst on to the scene, becoming the first Yankees rookie to dinger thrice in one game. And though a hellacious slump prompted the Yankees to send him down to Scranton in late August, his peripherals suggested that he was much better than the back of his baseball card. His name was Ben Rice, and I guess you all know what happened next.

So, that concludes our trip to the pre-Rice era. The moral of the story is: don’t take what Rice is doing now for granted. Savor every moment. I hope he’s able to enjoy a long, healthy career, but you just don’t know. And if Rice ever finds himself in a slump, remember this article and remind yourself that it could always be worse.

Braves vs Dodgers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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Two National League division leaders begin a weekend series tonight as the Atlanta Braves visit the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

The Braves are tied for the best record in baseball at 26-12, while the Dodgers are at 23-14.

I’m backing Chris Sale and the visitors with my Braves vs. Dodgers predictions and MLB picks for Friday, May 8.

Who will win Braves vs Dodgers today: Braves moneyline (+108)

The Atlanta Braves and Chris Sale at plus money? That’s difficult to pass up.

Sale has been his typical dominant self with a 2.14 ERA, and Atlanta has come away victorious in six of his seven starts. His 114 Stuff+ ranks seventh among starters — well ahead of his pitching counterpart on Friday, Emmet Sheehan (169th among starters with a 93 Stuff+).

Sheehan’s velocity is down a full tick from last year, and he’s offered no mercy against an Atlanta lineup that has plated the most runs (213) in the MLB.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Sale has dominated the Dodgers’ projected starting lineup, limiting them to a .535 OPS across 69 at-bats with a 21-5 strikeout-walk ratio.

Braves vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Under 8 (-110)

Two of the most effective bullpens in baseball, and one of the most lethal starting pitchers? Yeah, that’s enough for me to take the Under. 

All of the top arms will be available for both teams after Thursday’s off day. Atlanta’s pen ranks third in bullpen SIERA (3.27), and the Los Angeles Dodgers are right behind (3.30).

While Sheehan’s 5.23 ERA is a worry, his 3.11 xFIP is more encouraging, and he’s turned things on lately with 18 Ks in his last two starts. 

Sale, meanwhile, has held some of the Dodgers' best bats (Kyle Tucker, Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith) to a combined 2-for-21 at the dish.

JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 11-9, +0.57 units
  • Over/Under bets: 14-7, +6.64 units

Braves vs Dodgers odds

  • Moneyline: Braves +102 | Dodgers -120
  • Run line: Braves +1.5 | Dodgers -1.5
  • Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8

Braves vs Dodgers trend

Atlanta is 6-1 in games where Chris Sale is the starting pitcher. Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Dodgers.

How to watch Braves vs Dodgers and game info

LocationDodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
DateFriday, May 8, 2026
First pitch10:10 p.m. ET
TVBravesVsn, SportsNet LA
Braves starting pitcherChris Sale
(6-1, 2.14 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcherEmmet Sheehan
(2-1, 5.23 ERA)

Braves vs Dodgers latest injuries

Braves vs Dodgers weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Five players Celtics should target with $27.7M traded player exception

Five players Celtics should target with $27.7M traded player exception originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics will look to upgrade their roster this offseason after a stunning first-round exit in the 2026 NBA playoffs. During his end-of-season press conference, C’s president of basketball operations Brad Stevens identified one area of the team that needs addressing.

“One of the things that we’ve got to figure out is how to have more of an impact at the rim, and I think we do need to add to our team to do that,” he said. “Everybody plays a role in that, but at the end of (Game 7), (Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel) Embiid is standing at the rim on all those possessions, or a lot of those possessions.”

Boston’s frontcourt was exposed when Embiid returned to the Sixers lineup, and that was among the biggest reasons for its collapse after taking a 3-1 series lead. While Neemias Queta and Luka Garza played significant roles all season long, the Celtics need someone they can count on to anchor their frontcourt when facing tough playoff matchups. Nikola Vucevic wasn’t the answer, and even if he re-signs this summer, it’s worth wondering whether he’d have a major role.

Unfortunately for the C’s, this year’s free agent class of centers leaves plenty to be desired. The good news, though, is that Boston can add an impactful big man via the trade market with the $27.7 million traded player exception (TPE) it gained from the Anfernee Simons/Vucevic trade back in February.

So, what are the top realistic trade options? Here are five big men the Celtics should consider acquiring with their TPE.

Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets

  • 2026-27 Salary: $23.1 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 57.1 FG%, 11.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.1 bpg (69 games)
Nic ClaxtonVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Nic Claxton is coming off a down year, but he’d fit what the Celtics need as a versatile defender at the five.

The Celtics have been linked to Claxton in trade rumors before, and it’s easy to see why. The 6-foot-11 center is an above-average defender who can switch and guard anyone on the court at a high level. He consistently averages double digits in points per game while racking up rebounds and blocks.

Claxton is an athletic, versatile rim protector who should be relatively affordable in a deal with the rebuilding Nets. He’s coming off a down season by his standards, but joining a contender could help him return to form.

P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks

  • 2026-27 Salary: $19.8 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 45.0 FG%, 32.5 3P%, 14.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.1 bpg (56 games)
P.J. WashingtonKevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
P.J. Washington is a difference-maker on both ends of the floor.

At 6-foot-8, Washington isn’t the prototypical big man you may have had in mind, but the 27-year-old can play the five when the Celtics go small. Boston would benefit from his versatility, as he can protect the rim as well as switch and hold his own defensively against players of all sizes. Offensively, he’s capable of shooting the 3 and making his presence felt in the post.

Washington is a rell-rounded player who could help the C’s in a wide variety of ways.

Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic

  • 2026-27 Salary: $18.1 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 51.2 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 11.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.6 bpg (78 games)
Wendell Carter Jr.Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Wendell Carter Jr. is an above-average defender and a versatile big man.

The Magic might look to move Carter Jr. to get under the second apron of the luxury tax. If so, the Celtics should give them a call.

Carter Jr. is a rock-solid defender who can also occasionally provide a spark on the offensive end. He isn’t the best rim protector, but he’s a versatile big who excels at switching and can anchor the paint. His play style would work well in Boston.

Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks

  • 2026-27 Salary: $17.2 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 65.5 FG%, 9.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.3 bpg (55 games)
Daniel GaffordJerome Miron-Imagn Images
Daniel Gafford is a traditional center who excels in rim protection.

If the Celtics prefer a more traditional center, Gafford could be their guy. The 27-year-old averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over 55 games last season in the first year of his three-year contract extension with Dallas

Gafford is an exceptional rim protector. Offensively, he offers little upside but can do some damage in the paint.

If the C’s are looking for a Kristaps Porzingis-like big man who can shoot the 3 and provide rim protection, they should look elsewhere. If they want an elite presence in the paint, Gafford should be on their list of targets.

Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies

  • 2026-27 Salary: $17 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 47.9 FG%, 35.0 3P%, 14.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 0.7 bpg (43 games)
Santi AldamaPetre Thomas-Imagn Images
Santi Aldama is a jack of all trades with a versatile skill set that would help Boston in a variety of ways.

Aldama checks a lot of boxes for Boston. The 7-footer is only 25, he’s affordable, and he provides value on both ends of the court.

Last season with Memphis, Aldama averaged a career-high 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 35 percent from 3-point range. He also notched just under one block and steal per game. The only concern with Aldama is injuries, as he was limited to only 43 games last season.

Thunder vs Lakers Same-Game Parlay for Saturday's NBA Playoffs Game 3

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Hollywood loves an underdog story.

Too bad those long shots are reserved to the silver screen and not the purple and gold hardwood of Crypto.com Arena. 

The Los Angeles Lakers are back in La-La Land buried in a 0-2 series hole to the Oklahoma City Thunder. My Thunder vs. Lakers predictions and same-game parlay for Game 3 doesn’t buy into that Tinsel Town magic, taking OKC to cover on the continued dominance of their big man in the middle, Chet Holmgren.

Here are my best NBA picks for May 9.

Our best Thunder vs Lakers SGP for Game 3

SGP leg #1: Thunder -8.5

The Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t got the best from their top star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and honestly haven’t looked dominant in the first two games of this Round 2 series. However, OKC has won the battle over 48 minutes, wearing down a talent-thin Los Angeles Lakers squad to pull away and cover massive spreads in the first two contests.

The 8.5-point spread for Game 3 is just the second time Oklahoma City has laid single digits in the playoffs and OKC seems to have L.A.’s number, boasting a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS mark against the Lakers so far this season.

SGP leg #2: Marcus Smart Over 3.5 assists

Marcus Smart is shooting too much in the first two games of this series. Los Angeles needs the veteran point guard to be just that, prompting extra playmaking from Smart in Game 3.

He’s already dished out five and seven assists in the opening two games of this series and passing on shots and generating more potential assists will see him top four or more dimes for the seventh time in nine postseason games Saturday.

SGP leg #3: Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 points

The Lakers don’t have the size or versatility in their frontcourt to properly counter Chet Holmgren.

With the Lakers focused on flustering SGA, Holmgren is getting plenty of space to operate down low and is killing the Lakers whenever he steps outside the arc. He’s scored 22 and 24 points so far in this Round 2 set and his Game 3 models all sit above this modest total of 16.5 points for Saturday night.


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Tigers series preview: Detroit is running low on pitchers

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 28: Manager A.J. Hinch (14) of the Detroit Tigers looks at the scoreboard as he leaves the pitching mound during the Tuesday evening MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Detroit Tigers on April 28, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Tigers come to Kansas City this weekend, giving the Royals an opportunity to vault ahead of them in the mediocre Central Division. Detroit was considered by many to be the favorites to win the division title, but have had an up-and-down start and have dropped six of their last nine. The Tigers’ rotation was thought to be a strength, but they have been decimated. Tarik Skubal had elbow surgery this week, Framber Valdez was suspended for throwing at Trevor Story, and they were already missing Jackson Jobe, Casy Mize, Reese Olson, Justin Verlander, and Troy Melton due to injury.

Detroit Tigers (18-20) vs. Kansas City Royals (17-21) at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Tigers: 4.34 runs scored/game (17th in MLB), 4.18 runs allowed/game (9th)

Royals: 4.13 runs scored/game (22nd), 4.55 runs allowed/game (17th)

The Tigers have hit just 36 home runs, three fewer than the Royals. They are hitting .238/.323/.375 on the road. Only two teams have stolen fewer bases. Kevin McGonigle is on his way to being in the mix for Rookie of the Year after a blazing start to his career, and he is hitting .338/.410/.486 in road games this year. Riley Greene is hitting .362/.463/.580 in his last 20 games.

Spencer Torkelson has the tenth-highest strikeout rate in baseball at 31.3 percent. Kerry Carpenter is just a .212/.274/.303 career hitter against the Royals in 39 games. Colt Keith is a 7-for-20 (.350) hitter against Michael Wacha. The Tigers are without Gleyber Torres, Javier Báez, and Parker Meadows.

Keider Montero will go in the opener after winning his last start against the Rangers, allowing one run in 6.2 innings. Montero had a 3.72 ERA in 12 starts last year, with a 5.51 ERA in eight relief appearances. Salvador Perez is 4-for-7 in their career matchups, while Bobby Witt Jr. is 3-for-8 with a walk.

Ty Madden has not been announced as the starter on Saturday, but seems like a likely option after he tossed five shutout innings in his season debut last week. Madden was drafted by the Royals out of high school in Texas, but elected to attend the University of Texas where the Tigers made him a first round pick. The 26-year-old has battled injuries and missed all of last year, and was promoted after putting up a 4.71 ERA in 21 innings at Triple-A.

The Tigers have had a solid bullpen the last few seasons despite not having a lot of big name relievers, and have the 11th-lowest ERA in baseball at 3.76. Top reliever Will Vest is out with injury, but the Tigers have gotten good innings from former Royals pitcher Burch Smith. Kenley Jansen has 482 career saves, but has blown his last two opportunities, and is 6-for-9 in converting saves this year. Brant Hurter has a 59.6 percent groundball rate this year. Kyle Finnegan has a minuscule ERA despite the 8th-highest walk rate in baseball.

The Tigers swept the Royals in Detroit a few weeks ago and took 9 of 13 from them last year. The Royals seem to have the offense going better than it was operating when they last saw the Tigers. They had a missed opportunity to win a series against Cleveland, they could really use a series win this weekend against Detroit.

MLB Pipeline releases their first 2026 Mock Draft

HOOVER, AL - MAY 24: Ole Miss pitcher Cade Townsend (10) grimaces after walking a LSU player during the SEC Baseball Tournament Semifinals game between Ole Miss Rebels and LSU Tigers on May 24, 2025, at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Last night MLB’s Pipeline released their first mock draft for the 2026 MLB Draft, a draft where the Atlanta Braves have two first round picks – including their first Top 10 selection in seven years.

This mock draft only covers the first 25 picks of the draft, as well as the first selection for teams who pick after that point. This means the Braves second first round pick at #26 is not covered in this mock draft.

The first three picks shouldn’t surprise anyone, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Texas prep shortstop Grady Emerson, and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. The first pick that might surprise a little would be the Giants taking prep shortstop Jacob Lombard fourth. Then as expected the fifth pick is UC Santa Barbara right-hander Jackson Flora. The sixth pick is another surprise with Florida prep lefty Gio Rojas, leaving Mississippi prep outfielder Eric Booth Jr. to go seventh, and Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick to go eighth.

The Braves came up at nine and were taking Ole Miss right-hander Cade Townsend, for the second time in a mock released yesterday after Keith Law also made this pick in his mock.

The writeup for that pick is right here:

“Clubs believe that college pitchers will rise up boards by the time the Draft arrives, and Townsend could move up more than most. He can hit 98 mph with his fastball and spin a pair of plus breaking balls as well as a plus cutter.”

Others of note in this mock draft would include Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress at #10, Etowah HS outfielder Trevor Condon at #15, and Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron #16.

Thoughts

I like Townsend as a prospect in this draft, though I am not feeling like he is the guy I would target at #9. He has been great at a sophomore this year, a real improvement over his freshman season in 2025 – especially with the command. He also has potentially four pitches that could be plus offerings, though there is still some effort in his delivery which could keep his command in the more fringe-average range.

Overall this year he is 5-1 with a 2.42 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 52 IP over 11 starts. Townsend has struck out 73 to 13 walks, racking up a 12.6 K/9. He has also allowed just 37 hits, for a 6.4 H/9 and five home runs.

It is also important to know that he missed a start this year with shoulder inflammation. He has returned and looked good since then, but considering it is a shoulder, his medicals will need to be reviewed closely.

I personally would have preferred a bat here, as I believe the drop off in bats between #9 and #26 is greater than the drop off of arms in that same range.

Playoff Game Preview: Knicks at 76ers, Game 3, May 8, 2026

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks is helped to his feet by Mikal Bridges #25 and Jalen Brunson #11 during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 06, 2026 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I enter tonight’s game more calm and serene than any other game this postseason. And I don’t particularly think I’m the only Knicks fan who feels that way. For many, the last 36 hours involved being an involuntary passenger on a roller coaster ride of emotions.

After seeing the Knicks win an ugly and gritty Game 2, the win almost felt meaningless due to the large void left by the uncertainty surrounding OG Anunoby’s injury. His suffering a significant injury would be a gutshot to fans, and a death sentence for a Knicks championship run.

Following hours and hours of refreshing social media feeds, trying not to have PTSD from Anunoby’s hamstring injury in 2024, and role-playing as an orthopedic doctor, fans let out a collective sigh of relief when reports started surfacing that Anunoby’s hamstring strain was mild and that he was just day-to-day.

Because fans, for the most part, were expecting the worst, his diagnosis feels like a bullet dodged, making tonight’s game against the 76ers somehow feel less dire. That being said, it’s still a road playoff game against a desperate and hungry rival looking to claw itself back into the series. A loss tonight means a little less room for error moving forward, while also giving Philadelphia a bit more confidence and momentum. Meanwhile, a win tonight would buy them, and more specifically, Anunoby, more time.

While the weight and emotions going into the game may feel different, the significance of the game doesn’t change. Nick Nurse and the 76ers will continue to change some things up. They’ll likely be better prepared to deal with the aggressive trapping of Tyrese Maxey. They’ll also likely double down on pressuring Jalen Brunson now with OG Anunoby out. And as backup point guard Kyle Lowry mentioned, they’ll make sure to pressure Karl-Anthony Towns more on the perimeter.

Unlike the fans, though, the Knicks likely aren’t going into this game as though they have multiple lives. While human nature may take over and give them at least a slight sense of relief, these Knicks have displayed more sense of urgency and focus since their Game 3 loss to the Hawks in the last round. From Brunson, Towns, and Mikal Bridges, who have been playing incredibly well, to bench players Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and Jose Alvarado, along with the now probable Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson, this team should come into the game ready to compete.

Whether they win or not is still up in the air, but they have the depth, offensive firepower, and defense to defeat what is still a fatigued and very thin 76ers team.

Prediction

If Joel Embiid is out again tonight, which I suspect will be the case with the Knicks being sans Anunoby, I expect another close back-and-forth affair between these two teams. I do think the 76ers will come up hot, much like they did in Game 1. They’ll be back home, knowing they are a loss away from going down 3-0, and will also know that the Knicks are wounded, missing one of, if not, their best postseason performers.

But this battle-tested Knicks have been like roaches, and I mean that in the most endearing way someone can use that word. Even when they look tired, or out of sorts, or are just not executing well, they have a remarkable tendency to always give themselves a chance. They’ve got the will and the grit that cannot be quantified by counting stats or analytics. And I think that bodes well for them tonight in a game where things may not go their way. But unlike the last time Anunoby missed a postseason game with a hamstring injury, this team also has depth.

McBride, Shamet, Clarkson, Robinson, and even Mo Diawara have all had huge moments for this team this season and have won multiple games. Replacing Anunoby with one player will be impossible. But they might just be able to recreate him in the aggregate (yes, that was a Moneyballreference).

Knicks win: 105–102

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks (2-0) vs Philadelphia 76ers (0-2)
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Place: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
TV: Prime Video
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

Zegras not forgetting 3.8 percent, says Flyers are ‘still here' despite 3-0 hole

Zegras not forgetting 3.8 percent, says Flyers are ‘still here' despite 3-0 hole originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

VOORHEES, N.J. — Trevor Zegras was asked about the four teams in NHL history that have come back from a 3-0 playoff series deficit.

He wanted to talk about his team, about the comeback the Flyers have made just to be one of the eight teams still remaining in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“I think a big thing for us this year is that 3.8 percent number,” Zegras said Friday. “I bet not a lot of people, maybe not a lot of people in this [media] room, would have pegged us to be in the second round of the NHL playoffs. We have life, we have opportunity. It’s 3-0, but we’re still here, we’re still playing.”

Back on March 18, the Flyers had a 3.8 percent to make the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck.com. They’ve had that number featured on a team shirt for the playoffs. Now they need to really dig into their belief to dig out of a hole. They trail the Hurricanes 3-0 in this best-of-seven second-round matchup.

This young Flyers team will face its first elimination game Saturday at Xfinity Mobile Arena (6 p.m. ET/TNT).

“We’ve been dead before, we’ve climbed out of it, we’ve played a lot of playoff games the last two, three months,” Rick Tocchet said. “And now it’s a must-win, this is a do-or-die. How do you go into this game making these guys play relaxed, but also play desperate? I don’t like the word desperate that much; I like the word determined. Can we be more determined tomorrow night? Yeah, I think we can.”

In the first round, the Flyers were on the other side of the 3-0 conversation. They ripped off wins in the first three games of their series against the Penguins. They felt the pressure when Pittsburgh won Games 4 and 5.

“We know what it’s like to be up 3-0, that feeling when a team wins one game and then wins another game and kind of how the locker room tightens up,” Zegras said.

The Flyers were able to fend off the Penguins with an eke-it-out, 1-0 overtime win in Game 6. It set up a second-round date with Carolina, the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes are still unbeaten in these playoffs after taking the first three games from the Flyers.

“When you’re up 3-0, you feel like, almost in a sense, the series should be over, you just want it be done,” Zegras said. “I think if we can go out and get one tomorrow, they’ll tighten up a little bit. They’re 7-0, haven’t lost in the postseason yet. … We’ve got to do a job to make it as hard as possible tomorrow.”

A huge key for the Flyers will be giving Frederik Andersen a more arduous outing. The Carolina netminder had to make just 18 saves Thursday night in Game 3 as the Flyers lost, 4-1.

“I think there are things we can do against Andersen,” Tocchet said. “Listen, this guy’s playing great, but I think there’s something we can do tactically. Not his weakness, but one of his things that maybe he’s not as good at, I think we can do better at. We discussed it again today. Can we apply it tomorrow? We’ll see.”

More: Flyers without two key forwards in Game 3 loss

Andersen has held the Flyers to just three goals in the series.

“He’s feeling it, so we’ve got to do something different,” Nick Seeler said. “Change the angle, try to get a few more shots on net. I think we had 19 last game. Obviously put a little bit more pressure on him, getting to the net and having our anchors there. Tomorrow’s huge for us and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

The Flyers will hope it’s not their last challenge.

“We’ve shown a ton of fight all season,” Zegras said. “We’ve got a lot of belief and confidence in the room.”

Guardians Analysis: Franco Aleman Gets the Call

After a long wait, it’s finally time to see Franco Aleman on a mound in Cleveland. The 26 year-old, 6-foot-6 specimen of a reliever finally gets the call.

BBWA writer Francys Romero reports the call has been made on Twitter:

I am not sure who @MayDayTimes is, but they had it first:

The big righty reliever had gone through ups and downs in Columbus, primarily with location, but 2026 has seen him completely dominate Triple-A. So where does Aleman fit? That answer is easy: wherever he’s needed. The Guardians bullpen, outside of Erik Sabrowski and recently Matt Festa and Cade Smith, has been abysmal. Colin Holderman has been better lately but isn’t used in big spots. Peyton Pallette can’t find the zone (16.4% BB%), Connor Brogdon has been rough and is coming off an outing where he gave up back to back home runs to Bobby Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino, and Tim Herrin has a horseshoe you know where as he’s running a -4.1% K-BB% but hasn’t allowed an earned run.

So yes, Aleman can and will slide in wherever he’s needed, the question just becomes can he throw enough strikes? This season says yes, but the lurking struggles of 2025 and beyond still loom. Aleman is throwing in the zone a career high 53.9% of the time, a mark 9% higher than 2024 and 2025 combined in Columbus, but the stuff is better. Aleman is generating better spin on his fastball and slider, his only two offerings thus far, and nobody in Triple-A has been able to hit either of them.

Aleman has a bull whip of a release, making for an incredibly uncomfortable at-bat for right-handed hitters. Aleman torments them and fares far better on a rate basis than he does against lefties. Aleman is able to utilize his fastball to cuff righties so that his slider can dive away from them and induce lots of swing and miss. From TJStats, Aleman is running a sub .200 xwOBA against RHH with a preposterous 42.3% strikeout rate.

You’ll notice the walk rate spike against lefties. Aleman being a two pitch pitcher with one being a slider turns him almost into a one pitch guy which lends to longer at-bats and more walks as the chase doesn’t follow. Definitely something to monitor as he makes the leap.

Aleman is not a sure thing nor a savior for the bullpen, but he is a massive step in the right direction. Cleveland shopped in the bargain bin all offseason and are feeling some regrets of their cheapness. Aleman will hopefully be the first of a few arms on the way to Cleveland to aid the back end in their quest to stay Division Champs.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Bryce Eldridge returns, Robby Snelling and Ryan Waldschmidt debut

Welcome to Waiver Wire Watch, our weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire guide. We'll be doing things a little differently this season, with Eric Samulski publishing the initial waiver-wire article on Friday afternoon. Then James Schiano updates it every Sunday to make sure you get the most up-to-date information.

The premise of the article is pretty straightforward. We'll give you some recommended adds each week based on recent production or role changes. When we list a player, we'll list the category where we think he’ll be helpful or the quick reason he’s listed. We hope it helps you determine if the player fits what your team needs. Not every "trending" player will be a good addition for your specific roster.

To qualify for this list, a player needs to be UNDER 40% rostered in Yahoo! formats. We understand you may say, “These players aren’t available in my league,” and we can’t help you there. These players are available in over 60% of leagues and some in 98% of leagues, so they’re available in many places, and that can hopefully satisfy readers who play in all league types.

⚾️ Baseball is back on NBC: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Hitters

Casey Schmitt - 1B/2B/3B, SF (42% rostered)

(REGULAR PLAYING TIME, HOT STREAK)

Two weeks ago, we had Schmitt on here with the headline "hot streak coming." Since then, Schmitt has hit .318 with four home runs, seven runs scored, and 10 RBI in 13 games. No, he's not going to keep up that pace for the entire season, but he's 27 years old and has shown some intriguing skills in a part-time role before. This year, he's improved his barrel rate to 16.7% and his hard-hit rate to 46.7% by looking to pull and lift the ball more often and being a bit more selective. His zone contact rate is up to 91%, and his swinging strike rate is under 10%. Kudos to you if you were able to scoop him before the hot stretch.

Brooks Lee - 2B/3B/SS, MIN (38% rostered)

(HOT STREAK, BATTING AVERAGE UPSIDE)

Few hitters are hotter than Brooks Lee, who is actually a top 40 player in Yahoo formats over the last two weeks because he's hitting .326 with two home runs, eight runs scored, 11 RBI, and two steals. He has just a 5% barrel rate and 33% hard-hit rate, so he's likely overperforming from a power standpoint right now, but he makes a lot of contact, doesn't take a lot of called strikes, and squares the ball up regularly. That should lead to a good batting average, but he also only had three steals all of last season, so it's hard to know exactly how much he's going to run this year. Another multi-position option for deeper formats is Ezequiel Duran- 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF, TEX (12% rostered), who has hit his way into a (pretty much) every-day role in Texas. Over the last two weeks, he's hitting .345 with one home run, one steal, five RBI, and six runs scored. This is more about playing the hot streak here, but if you need a multi-position guy to fill in gaps in your roster in a deeper format, he'll do the trick.

Adolis Garcia - OF, PHI (34% rostered)

(REGULAR PLAYING TIME, POWER UPSIDE)

We created this narrative that Garcia was washed back when he was dealing with knee injuries in Texas, so perhaps we're not noticing what he's doing this season. His hard-hit rate is up to 53%, and he's posting a career-high average exit velocity. He's squaring the ball up more than he ever has and seems to be focused on peppering line drives and not just trying to lift the ball. His swinging strike rate is the lowest it's ever been, and he's chasing less than he has since 2020. Oh, and his zone contact rate and contact rate are the highest they've ever been. He may not be a 30-home-run bat anymore, but he could easily hit .245-.255 with 25 home runs this season, hitting in the middle of an offense that's beginning to heat up. That deserves more love.

Bryson Stott - 2B/SS, PHI (34% rostered)

(REGULAR PLAYING TIME, BATTED BALL QUALITY)

Earlier this season, Stott was really struggling, but Eric had him in a do-not-drop article and said, Stott "still has a 95% zone contact rate, a 6.6% SwSt%, and the quality of contact he is making has been good. His hard-hit rate is 50%, which is up 20.5% from last year, the 4th-biggest improvement of any hitter in baseball. His average exit velocity is up two mph, his bat speed is up one mph, and he is pulling the ball 12% more. His attack direction, which measures the horizontal angle of the bat’s sweet spot at the point of contact, has gone from two degrees towards the opposite field to four degrees to the pull side, which is tied for the 4th-biggest change in baseball. So what we’re getting is a player who is making elite levels of contact, hitting the ball harder than ever, and making a conscious change to pull the ball more. He’s also a player who has stolen at least 24 bases in three straight seasons. All of that should entice us." While the batting average hasn't improved yet, Stott has three home runs and eight RBI in his last seven games, so the quality of contact is starting to lead to impactful hits as the weather is warming up. Ryan McMahon - 3B, NYY (2% rostered) was also in that same article, and he's hit .311 with two home runs and eight RBI over his last 13 games. Perhaps that can continue if you need corner infield help.

Samuel Basallo - C, BAL (32% rostered)

(PLAYING TIME OPPORTUNITY, POWER UPSIDE)

Basallo probably deserves a look in more one-catcher formats. Yes, he's going to sit against left-handed pitchers, but most catchers are sitting out two or more games a week. Basallo has a 10.5% barrel rate, a nearly 50% hard-hit rate, and has started to heat up a bit at the plate, hitting .293 over the last 20 games with four home runs and 13 RBI. Over the last 30 days, he's the 11th-ranked catcher on FanGraph's Player Rater and likely needs to be rostered in all 12-team formats.

Spencer Jones - OF, NYY (30% rostered)

(PROSPECT CALL-UP, POWER UPSIDE)

The Yankees called up Spencer Jones on Friday with Jasson Dominguez on the injured list. Understandably, there is a lot of hype around a hitter who's 6'6" and has light tower power. Jones has a .258/.366/.592 slash line with 11 homers, 41 RBI, and seven stolen bases in Triple-A. However, he also has an astonishingly low 59% contact rate overall, with a 32 percent strikeout rate. It’s incredibly difficult to be a starter at the MLB level if you make that little contact. He may get off to a hot start and smash a few home runs early on, and we understand adding him if you're in an OPS format or are desperate for power, but we would be really careful spending big FAAB dollars on a hitter with this profile. Plus, Giancarlo Stanton (calf) is not expected to be sidelined too much longer and would most likely take Jones’ spot on the roster.

Sunday update: Jones has four strikeouts and one walk through six plate appearances entering play on Sunday. He is going to stress the limits of the three-true-outcome approach.

Cole Young - 2B, SEA (23% rostered)

(REGULAR PLAYING TIME, POTENTIAL BREAKOUT)

As we said last week, second base is a trainwreck, so why are so few people rostering Young? He’s hitting .276 on the season with a .342 on-base percentage, three home runs, two steals, 20 runs scored, and 20 RBI. He’s doing a little bit of everything and was a guy Eric highlighted this offseason in his second-year hitters article. In fact, over the last two weeks, he's the 8th-ranked second baseman on the FanGraph's Player Rater.

Carlos Cortes - OF, ATH (21% rostered)

(GREAT SCHEDULE, BATTING AVERAGE UPSIDE)

Over the last 30 days, Cortes is the 27th-ranked outfielder in the FanGraph's Player Rater. He's hitting .365 with four home runs, 10 runs scored, and 12 RBI over that span. His swing is compact and helps him generate more power than his below-average bat speed would suggest. His elite power metrics right now are likely to trend down, but elite bat-to-ball skills and great swing decisions give him a better floor than most would assume. Even with Brent Rooker’s return to the Athletics’ lineup, Cortes is still starting in the corner outfield and hitting near the middle of their order against right-handed pitching. Even when Denzel Clarke (foot) eventually returns, it's going to be hard to take Cortes' bat out of the lineup.

Spencer Steer - 1B/OF, CIN (16% rostered)

(REGULAR PLAYING TIME, PAST SUCCESS)

We’ve seen Steer be a useful fantasy contributor before, and we like having any member of the Reds lineup who is getting regular playing time. Over his last 30 days, Steer is a top 40 outfielder on FanGraph's Player Rater. Over that stretch, he is hitting .291 with five home runs, 11 runs scored, and nine RBI. We called this out last week, but the Reds' inability to get anybody on base is leading to a pretty depressed RBI total, given the amount of home runs Steer is hitting. We would bet on that changing.

Nasim Nuñez- 2B/SS, WAS (12% rostered)

(BATTING AVERAGE SURGE, STOLEN BASE UPSIDE

The batting average is bad for Nuñez, but he has been collecting more hits lately. Over his last 15 games, he's hitting .262/.360/.310 with nine RBI and six steals. He also has a 9/7 K/B ratio over that span. He doesn't hit the ball hard, so there will be no power, and he relies a lot on placement and speed to collect hits, but if he's going to make this kind of contact and run a 50% groundball rate and 21% line drive rate, he's going to have a passable batting average and then try to steal bases whenever he's on. Brayan Rocchio - 2B/SS, CLE (12% rostered) also has four steals over that same 15-game stretch with a .273/.322/.309 slash line, so he's giving you a little bit of what Nuñez is with a higher batting average floor and less stolen base upside.

Carson Benge - OF, NYM (12% rostered)

(PROSPECT PEDIGREE, HOT STREAK)

Sometimes prospects just need a little bit of time to figure things out. Carson Benge got off to a slow start to his MLB career, but over his last 15 games, he's hitting .302/.348/.512 with two home runs, nine runs scored, seven RBI, and one steal. He also has an 8/3 K/BB ratio over that span and a 51.4% hard-hit rate, so we like that he's not striking out much and is making firm contact. He's not going to hit for big-time power, but he already has six steals this season, so if the batting average can continue to be solid, Benge is going to help a lot of fantasy managers. Another option would be Zack Gelof - 2B/OF, ATH (1% rostered), who has hit .269/.309/.519 in 21 games since being called up, with three home runs and two steals. We may remember the version of Gelof that went 14/14 with a .267 average in 69 games in his rookie season in 2023, but that version is still likely fictitious. However, Gelof has made some changes to his contact profile that should prevent him from being as bad as he was the last two seasons. His swing rate and chase rate are both down this season, but he's swinging far more often in the heart of the zone. Also, despite chasing LESS outside of the zone, his contact on pitches outside of the zone is up 36%, which should be a good indication that when he is offering, it's on pitches he knows he can foul off or put in play. It's just a 21-game sample size, so who knows if this will continue, but it might be worth a gamble given his power and speed and the fact that second base is a black hole in fantasy right now.

Sam Antonacci - 2B/3B/OF, CWS (12% rostered)

(HOT STREAK, SPEED UPSIDE - MAYBE)

After a slow start, Antonnaci is hitting .311/.407/.511 in his last 15 games with one home run, eight RBI, and eight runs scored. He doesn't have much power and has just a 37% hard-hit rate over that span, but he's trying to lift the ball and drive it into the gaps, which we like. He has also started to play against lefties, which the White Sox weren't letting him do early on. I'm not sure why he has just one steal despite stealing almost 50 bases last season, but you'd have to think that the speed will also come and be paired with an elite contact profile. Another speed option would be Caleb Durbin - 2B/3B, BOS (11% rostered). The Red Sox have been running a little more since they fired Alex Cora. In 12 games since then, Caleb Durbin is hitting .250/.302/.375 with one home run, six runs scored, seven RBI, and four steals. That's not exceptional, but Durbin should still steal 20 bases this season and hit .250-.270, so that has some value in deeper formats.

Bryce Eldridge - 1B, SFG (12% rostered)

(PROSPECT PEDIGREE, HUGE POWER UPSIDE)

One of the most fascinating top prospects in baseball, Eldridge is getting his second shot in the show after an uninspiring cup of coffee last September. Yet, he got the call last season at just 20 years old after being speed-ran through the minor leagues, only being drafted in 2023 as a two-way player out of high school. He's a 6'7" behemoth with obscene raw power evidenced by multiple batted balls hit harder than 110 mph in his time at Triple-A and this 470 foot home run last season.

He also hit his first career major league home run on Saturday night on a pitch that had absolutely no business winding up in the bay.

The profile is far from perfect with what's likely to be rampant swing-and-miss, but it's not a bad idea to bet on players with traits like this and hoping to catch lightening in a bottle. Just note, he's only drawn a start in four of six games since being called up. All have come at DH and against right-handed pitchers.

JJ Bleday - OF, CIN (12% rostered)

(APPROACH CHANGE, PLAYING TIME OPPORTUNITY)

Bleday has come back from the minors on a mission, hitting .303/.410/.727 with four home runs, six runs scored, seven RBI, and a 7/6 K/BB ratio in 10 games. It's a small sample, but his bat speed is up from 71.7 mph to 75 mph, and his hard-hit rate is surging to 61.5%. That has helped his average exit velocity go from an 88.4 mph career rate to 94.5 mph. He's also running just a 19% groundball rate, so much of what he's hitting is on a line or in the air. He's also being far more aggressive in the "shadow" area of the strike zone, which is the fringes of the zone, swinging 11% more often there than he has in his career. That aggression has caused his contact rate to drop a bit, but if it allows him to hit for more power, then we're all for it.

Ryan Waldschmidt - OF, ARI (10% rostered)

(PROSPECT PEDIGREE, REGULAR PLAYING TIME)

The Diamondbacks promoted their top prospect Waldschmidt midday Friday and DFA'd Alek Thomas in the corresponding move. That should give Waldschmidt plenty of runway as a starter for them moving forward. While he didn't start on Friday night, he came in late as a pinch-hitter and immediately stroked his first career hit. Then, he drew the start Saturday in center field and is in left on Sunday. He has enough raw power to flirt with a 25 homer pace from this point on and the speed to steal a handful of bases as well. One odd note about his profile, he had one of the lowest swing rates in all of Triple-A before being called up. Pay attention to whether or not he brings that extreme passivity to the majors.

Nathaniel Lowe - 1B, CIN (8% rostered)

(REGULAR PLAYING TIME, HOT STREAK)

Another Cincinnati player, which is weird for a team that isn't hitting well. Lowe has started pretty much every game for the Reds since Eugenio Suarez went on the IL, and is hitting .270 with six home runs and 16 RBI in 27 games. He’s pulling the ball more than he ever has and hitting with a higher launch angle than he ever has, while also hitting in a hitter-friendly environment. Oh, and his bat speed is up 1.5 mph from last year. I don't know if this will last, but I'll roster him while I wait to find out.

Isaac Collins - OF, KC (3% rostered)

(HOT STREAK, MODEST SPEED UPSIDE)

Over his last 50 plate appearances, Collins has seen the biggest increase in xwOBA (Expected Weighted On-Base Average) in baseball. If you even go back to his last 75 plate appearances, Collins is hitting .286/.387/.429 with two home runs, nine runs scored, nine RBI, and two steals. He has a 19/10 K/BB ratio over that span, while also posting a nearly 45% hard-hit rate (the league average is 39.7%). On the season, Collins now has a 7.9% barrel rate, which is up from his 5.4% career mark. That could be the result of a massive increase in fly ball rate from 34.3% last year to 49.2% this year. He has just a 9.1% HR/Fly ball rate, which is below league average, so it’s unclear if elevating the ball that much will really pay off for him in the long run, but the approach change appears to be working for now.

Jesús Rodríguez - C, SFG (3% rostered)

(TWO-CATCHER TARGET)

Tired of their offensive woes, the Giants first promoted Rodríguez earlier this week to take some starting reps from the incumbent Patrick Bailey. Then, they shipped Bailey to Cleveland on Friday, which opens the door for Rodríguez to be something close to their full-time catcher. Known more for his bat, the 24-year-old Rodríguez was acquired from the Yankees in the Camilo Doval trade last deadline and should put up a high contact rate without much thump. It's also worth noting that he played a bit of corner outfield in the minors and has already drawn one start in right field. That extra playing time could make him an intriguing option in two-catch formats.

Vaughn Grissom - 2B, LAA (1% rostered)

(PLATOON ADVANTAGED WEEK)

Deep league note, the Angels have three lefties on their schedule this week and Grissom has started against every lefty they've faced over the last month. Plus, a smattering of righties. He doesn't offer much power or speed, but puts his bat on the ball and has a chance for a few multi-hit games this week.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pitchers

Gregory Soto - RP PIT (37% rostered)

Heading into Friday, Soto is coming off back-to-back save opportunities and conversions. He's thrown 6 1/3 scoreless with six strikeouts, two saves, and two wins in recent weeks, which has provided tons of fantasy value for your teams. However, we have seen this happen before. He got his first save on April third, and then didn't record another one until this week. It's hard to see him being "the closer" on the Pirates, but he's certainly in the mix, and his ratios are good enough to provide value even if the saves don't come.

Sunday update: the Pirates didn't have a save opportunity on either Friday or Saturday, so forge ahead into the unknown.

Logan Henderson - SP, MIL (35% rostered)

Henderson was promoted to start for the Brewers last Sunday in the wake of Brandon Woodruff’s concerning drop in velocity and ensuing trip to the injured list. Henderson had a great season debut Sunday against the Nationals despite squandering a one-run lead in the fifth inning. Nevertheless, his trusted changeup was sharp, and his cutter was intriguing when he was able to bury it in on the hands of left-handed hitters. He also showed off a new sweeper that would be a crucial pitch for him against right-handed hitters. Woodruff got fluid drained from his shoulder this week, so we're still not convinced he's going to be healthy in a couple of weeks, which means we're comfortably adding Henderson in most places.

Jacob Latz - SP/RP, TEX (31% rostered)

Since April 14th, Latz has recorded the only saves for Texas, and Jakob Junis has the only other save opportunity, which is just one opportunity that he blew. Lats has also only pitched once since May 1st, and it was in a non-save situation, so this remains a bit of a fluid bullpen. We assume that Latz is the closer, but there haven't been many save chances of late, and he's still a left-handed former starter who throws 94 mph. That's not really the profile of a lockdown closer. We're hapy to add him but not assuming this is a rest of season type of thing.

Rico Garcia - RP, BAL (30% rostered)

Last week, Ryan Helsley became yet another closer who is on the IL, as the Orioles' closer hit the injured list with elbow inflammation. Since then, the Orioles have had one genuine save chance, which went to Garcia, and he converted. Andrew Kittredge was also charged with a blown save, but he did not enter in the 9th with a lead. Garcia has also been far better than Kittredge this season, so he's the player we're looking to add, but we also just saw all of Jhoan Duran, Daniel Palencia, and Raisel Iglesias get hurt and return in like three weeks, so we can't just assume Garcia is going to have this role for a month-plus.

Robbie Snelling - SP, MIA (28% rostered)

Snelling got the call and will start on Friday, so by the time James updates this on Sunday, he's going to have way more information on what Snelling could do at the MLB level. For now, we acknowledge that he's a top pitching prospect in baseball, who was crushing Triple-A and is worth an add in most formats. Also, James recorded a video on him this week, so check that out for more details.

Sunday update: Snelling struggled in his debut, walking four batters and allowing three runs against the Nationals over five innings. All three of those runs came in the first inning, with the big blow being a two-run home run from Jacob Young (somehow). Then, it felt like Snelling was trying to be a bit too fine so as to not let up much more damage, hence the walks. His fastball held true around 95 mph for most of his start, but tailed off once he got around 70 pitches. He also struggled to put hitters away, as his command was spotty in general. It was good to see him tough out a passable start, it was just very lackluster from a fantasy perspective. Keep an eye on his next start, which is scheduled to come Thursday against the Twins.

Janson Junk - SP, MIA (28% rostered)

Junk just continues to produce with a 2.82 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across seven starts. Of course, that comes with a 17% strikeout rate and 10.1% swinging strike rate, so this is not a slam-dunk add. We have seen him get better recently, using his fastball up in the zone more often and then keeping the changeups, sweepers, and sliders low in the zone. We still consider him a streamer, but he's one of the better ones for now.

Griffin Jax - SP/RP, TB (24% rostered)

The Rays are stretching Jax out as a starter, and with Steven Matz on the IL with elbow inflammation, there is a rotation spot for Jax to take. On Thursday, Jax pitched four innings, struck out three and walked one while throwing 59 pitches in this one. The former reliever showed off a six-pitch mix in this one, using five pitches at least 14 percent of the time. He threw plenty of strikes with his sinker and four-seamer and was able to use his changeup for whiffs against both righties and lefties. However, no other pitches really missed many bats, and he had just a 10 percent swinging strike rate. We’ll need to see a little more strikeout upside from Jax if he’s going to be relied on in fantasy leagues, but he could be worth a speculative add in deeper formats.

Jack Perkins - RP/SP, ATH (22% rostered)

If somebody gave up on Perkins because he had a rough outing on Wednesday, we would scoop him up. The reliever has a 3.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 19/4 K/BB ratio in 14.2 innings. That also comes with three saves. He's simply the best reliever in the Athletics' bullpen, and it's hard to see them moving away from him in the late innings.

Sunday update: Perkins ran into more trouble Friday night and was pulled after letting a run home in the ninth inning for Hogan Harris (4% rostered), who secured the save. After walking the lead-off man, Perkins struck out the next two before allowing a run-scoring single to cut the Athletics' lead in half. On came the left-handed Harris to face two right-handed batters and close this one out, after allowing a walk of his own. Perkins likely still gets the next save chance, but his hold on the role could be slipping some.

Tony Santillan - RP, CIN (22% rostered)

It was Graham Ashcraft - RP, CIN (14% rostered), who got the first save opportunity with Emilio Pagan on the injured list. He did blow the save, but somebody from this Reds bullpen is going to emerge as the closer for the three months that Pagan is going to be sidelined. Terry Francona likes to use one guy in the back-end of the bullpen, so it might be worth trying to figure out who it is. Eric recorded a video going into detail on that this week.

Sunday update: Santillan had an absymal outing on Friday, allowing four hits, four runs, and two home runs against the Astros without recording an out. Possibly more telling, he entered this game in the ninth inning, but with the Reds down 5-0. Pierce Johnson (2%) came in for the save on Saturday and pitched a clean ninth inning. Perhaps he's the preferred ninth inning option in Cincinnati after Ashcraft and Santillan's respective missteps.

Peter Lambert - SP, HOU (14% rostered)

We recommended Lambert after his first two starts, so we're going to keep him on here now, especially after a solid outing against the Dodgers. He's probably just a streamer or a deeper league add, but he has shown a 95 mph four-seam fastball with good vertical movement that he keeps up in the zone. He has also shown the ability to keep the changeup low/away from lefties, while the cutter looks like a decent pitch. It's unclear if this production will stick, but we like the four-seam, cutter, change combination, and the breaking balls are just fines, so we're going to keep rolling him out there.

Griffin Canning - SP, SD (12% rostered)

Canning was pretty good in his debut with the Padres, allowing one run on three hits in five innings while striking out seven. The velocity is up on his four-seam fastball, and he actually went to his changeup way more than we're used to seeing, but it got plenty of whiffs. His command was a bit all over the place, but it was his first start off the IL so he deserves some grace. We still consider him more of a deep league add.

Sunday update: Canning's changeup-first arsenal got torched by the Cardinals on Friday night to the tune of six runs in a catastrophic fifth inning. Yet, most of the damage came via a misplay by Fernando Tatis Jr. in right field that allowed JJ Wetherholt to hit a little league grand slam.

Still, that changeup allowed plenty of hard-hit balls and this start was a good reminder than Canning is prone to blowups without tons of upside.

Connor Prielipp - SP, MIN (11% rostered)

Meanwhile, Prielipp should be rostered in far more places. No, he hasn't gone deeper than five innings in any of his starts, which is an issue, but the Twins are pushing him past 90 pitches, so it's going to happen. Mick Abel is also dealing with continued soreness in his arm and needed a cortisone injection, so Prielipp's spot in the rotation seems secure. He has a solid enough fastnall and a wicked slider. I also think his changeup will continue to improve versus righties because it has the makings of a good pitch.

Sunday update: Prielipp had another strong start on Friday, striking out six and allowing just earned one run over five innings. Yet, a critical error by second baseman Luke Keaschall opened the floodgates in the second inning and caused a two-run home run by Travis Bazzana to register as unearned runs. Nevertheless, Prielipp is a highly functional mixed-league pitcher at this point and needs to be on more rosters.

Christian Scott - SP, NYM (10% rostered)

Scott was electric in his second start of the season last week, striking out eight Angels in five innings of work. He was not as good in Coors this week, but that start was actually encouraging for us because he looked fine in a bad environment. His fastball has tremendous life and is electric working up in the zone. His sweeper moves like a frisbee and his cutter has nice bite. It's unclear how good he will be against lefties, so his next start against Detroit is a bit unnerving, but he has plenty of upside and a good schedule coming up, so we love him as an add.

Ryan Zeferjahn - RP, LAA (1% rostered)

Did you know Zeferjahn has increased his fastball velocity more than any other pitcher in baseball? There are some command issues here, but he has good Stuff+ numbers, is being used in high-leverage spots, and can miss bats. Somebody needs to close for the Angels.

Best NRFI Bets Today: No Run First Inning Predictions for MLB [Friday, May 8]

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Let’s welcome the weekend in with a trio of NRFI/YRFI bets to cover you throughout the 15-game slate of baseball on Friday, May 8.

My top MLB picks begin with an NL East clash between the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins before wrapping up with another National League showdown between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres in the late window.

Best NRFI/YRFI bets today

PickOdds
Twins/Guardians - NRFI/YRFI-135
Nationals/Marlins - NRFI/YRFI-115
Cardinals/Padres - NRFI/YRFI-115

Twins at Guardians: NRFI (-135)

Minnesota Twins left-hander Connor Prielipp has limited opposing batters to a .455 OPS while allowing just a pair of hits and a single run across seven opening innings.

Additionally, the Cleveland Guardians have overachieved at the dish of late, sporting a .336 wOBA (.310 xwOBA) across the past seven games.

I’m also expecting the Twins to struggle against emerging Cleveland star Parker Messick. He’s spun a tidy 2.40 ERA and 2.86 xERA while also pitching seven consecutive scoreless opening innings and allowing just two hits and a minuscule .247 OPS.

  • Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Apple TV

Nationals at Marlins: NRFI (-115)

Miami Marlins lefty Robby Snelling is set to make his MLB debut after posting a 1.86 ERA, 2.64 xFIP, and 40.0 K% across six Triple-A starts.

I’m fully anticipating Snelling to keep the Washington Nationals off balance in their first look at him, and the Nats also have the fifth-highest strikeout percentage against southpaws. 

Meanwhile, the Marlins are in tough against Washington LHP Foster Griffin. He’s held opposing hitters to a .442 OPS without allowing a single earned run through seven opening innings, and I also value him keeping batters to a 36.0% hard-hit rate. 

  • Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Nationals.TV, Marlins.TV

Cardinals at Padres: NRFI (-115)

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy has pitched a scoreless first frame in six of seven starts and boasts a positive pitch value on each of his three most frequent offerings. This spells trouble for a San Diego Padres offense that has failed to score a run in the first inning in 83.8% of their games.

Similarly, the Cards rank middle of the pack in games without a first-inning run (70.3%) and now face Friars righty Griffin Canning following a solid season debut.

Canning scattered six baserunners across five innings while allowing just one run and striking out seven in his last outing, which also included a scoreless opening frame.

  • Time: 9:45 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Apple TV
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
  • NRFI/YRFI picks: 6-7, -1.37 units

What is a NRFI bet?

NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting 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 bet is the exact opposite. You're betting 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 bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Hart Trophy finalists announced: Favorites and snubs for NHL MVP 2026

The finalists for the Hart Trophy are out, and the three NHL players could add another MVP award to their trophy case.

Previous winners (listed alphabetically) Nikita Kucherov (Tanpa Bay LIghtning), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) and Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) were announced as this year's finalists. McDavid is a three-time winner and Kucherov and MacKinnon won once previously.

They were the three top scorers in the league in 2025-26 and MacKinnon also led the league in goals. The winner will be announced later.

Here's what to know about the Hart Trophy (voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association), including projected winner and who was snubbed:

Hart Trophy finalists

  • Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning: Kucherov finished second in the NHL with 130 points in 76 games – 42 points more than his closest teammate as the Lightning clinched their ninth conseucite playoff berth. Kucherov’s 42-point edge was the second-largest gap between a team’s top two scorers in 2025-26. He previously won the Hart in 2019.
  • Nathan MacKinnon:, Colorado Avalanche: MacKinnon led the NHL with 53 goals in 80 games to win his first career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. He led the Avalanche (55‑16‑11) to a franchise-record 121-point season. He previously won the award in 2024.
  • Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oiers: He led the NHL with 138 points in 82 games to earn his sixth career Art Ross Trophy, tied for the second-most in league history, and guided the Oilers to their seventh consecutive playoff appearance. McDavid previously won the award in 2017, 2021 and 2023.

Who win the Hart Trophy?

Hard to say. All are worthy candidates. MacKinnon could have the edge because of the goal title and Avalanche having the league's best record.

Hart Trophy snub

San Jose's Macklin Celebrini set a team scoring record, finished fourth in points and had the Sharks in the playoff hunt after last-place finishes the previous two seasons. He was a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player) as voted on by fellow players. But falling short of the playoffs probably cost him votes.

NHL awards finalists announcement schedule

  • Tuesday, April 28: Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player): Macklin Celebrini, Nikita Kucherov, Connor McDavid.
  • Wednesday, April 29: Vezina Trophy (goaltender): Ilya Sorokin, Jeremy Swayman, Andrei Vasilevskiy
  • Thursday, April 30: Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship): Cole Caufield, Anze Kopitar, Jake Sanderson
  • Friday, May 1: Jack Adams Award (coach): Jon Cooper, Dan Muse, Lindy Ruff
  • Monday, May 4: Masterton Trophy (perseverance): Rasmus Dahlin, Gabriel Landeskog, Jonathan Toews
  • Tuesday, May 5: Calder Trophy (rookie): Ivan Demidov, Matthew Schaefer, Beckett Sennecke
  • Wednesday, May 6: Selke Trophy (defensive forward): Anthony Cirelli, Brock Nelson, Nick Suzuki
  • Thursday, May 7: Norris Trophy (defenseman): Rasmus Dahlin, Cale Makar, Zach Werenski
  • Friday, May 8: Hart Trophy (MVP): Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid.
  • Monday, May 11: Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award (impact on community, culture or society)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hart Trophy finalists announced. Who will be NHL MVP for 2026?

Buffalo Sabres – Montreal Canadiens Game 2 Preview: Lineups, Stats, How To Watch

5/8/26 - 7:00 pm at KeyBank Center, in Buffalo, NY

TV - US - TNT and HBOMax, Canada - CBC Hockey Night In Canada

Buffalo – 50-23-9 | - 109  points – 1st place in the Atlantic Division

Montreal  – 48-24-10 | - 106 points – 3rd place in the Atlantic Division

 

Special Teams

Buffalo

Power Play(Reg) – 19.5% (21st)

Power Play(Playoffs) - 3 for 27 - 11.1% (13th) 

Penalty Kill(Reg) – 81.9% (4th)

Penalty Kill(Playoffs) - 15 for 18 - 83.3% (10th) 

Montreal

Power Play(Reg) – 23.1% (10th)

Power Play(Playoffs) - 6 for 28 - 21.4% (5th)

Penalty Kill(Reg) - 78.2% (18th)

Penalty Kill(Playoffs) - 78.1% - 25 for 32 (13th)

Top Scorers

Buffalo

Alex Tuch: 7 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 PTS

Tage Thompson: 7 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 PTS

Bowen Byram: 7 GP, 4 G, 2 A, 6 PTS

 

Montreal

Nick Suzuki: 8 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 PTS

Lane Hutson: 8 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 PTS

Zach Bolduc: 8 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 PTS

 

Starting Goalies

Buffalo – Alex Lyon (4-1, 1.30 GAA, .950 Sv %)

Montreal  – Jakub Dobes (4-4, 2.28 GAA, .910 Sv %)  

Other Sabres Stories

Canadiens Sluggish In Game 1 Loss 

Is Alex Lyon a good enough starter to get the Sabres to the Cup Final?

Sabres Line Combinations and Pairings (projected)

Forwards

Peyton Krebs   - Tage Thompson - Alex Tuch

Zach Benson - Josh Norris - Josh Doan 

Jason Zucker - Ryan McLeod - Jack Quinn  

Jordan Greenway - Tyson Kozak - Beck Malenstyn

Ex., Tanner Pearson,, Josh Dunne, Sam Carrick

Defense

Mattias Samuelsson - Rasmus Dahlin

Owen Power - Bowen Byram 

Logan Stanley - Conor Timmins 

Ex. Luke Schenn, Michael Kesselring, Zach Metsa

Goaltenders

Alex Lyon

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Colten Ellis

Injuries

Justin Danforth (lower body, Oct. 18; injured reserve)

Jiri Kulich (blood clot, Nov. 4; injured reserve - out for the season) 

Noah Ostlund (lower body, Apr 28; week-to-week)

 

Other Stats Leaders 

Shots: Thompson (26), Dahlin (25), Tuch (21) Hits: Malenstyn (27), Samuelsson/Tuch (21), Greenway (20) 

Blocked Shots: Timmins (15), Dahlin/Tuch (9), Samuelsson/Stanley (8)

 

Notes

This season marks the first time the Sabres have advanced past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since they advanced to the 2007 Eastern Conference Final. The Sabres have earned three playoff series victories over the Canadiens in franchise history. Buffalo last faced Montreal in the playoffs in the 1998 Eastern Conference Semifinals, a series in which the Sabres won four games to none. The Sabres also defeated the Canadiens three games to none in the 1983 Adams Division Semifinals and four games to two in the 1975 Semifinals. 

Entering this series, Buffalo’s most recent playoff victory over Montreal was on May 14, 1998 (3-1). Donald Audette, Matthew Barnaby and Miroslav Satan each scored and Dominik Hasek stopped 37 of 38 Canadiens shots in the series-clinching game. Buffalo has allowed two or fewer goals in five consecutive games (seven goals against), tied for the longest such streak by the Sabres in the playoffs all-time. The Sabres last did so from April 25 to May 4, 2007 (nine goals against). Buffalo’s seven goals allowed in this five-game span are tied for the fewest by the Sabres in any five-game playoff span all-time (April 8 to 16, 1980). A win tonight would give Buffalo six consecutive playoff wins over Montreal, tied for the longest playoff winning streak by the Sabres against the Canadiens all-time (May 6, 1975 to April 5, 1990). 

The Sabres are the only team in NHL history to record multiple playoff winning streaks of five or more games against the Canadiens. Boston (April 29, 1991 to April 16, 1994; six games), NY Rangers (April 21, 1996 to May 19, 2014; six games) and Philadelphia (April 26, 2008 to May 18, 2010; six games) are the only other NHL teams to defeat Montreal in six straight playoff meetings. 

In his last four games, Zach Benson has posted five points (2+3), including two points in back-to-back contests. Benson (0+2 in Game 1) became the first NHL skater age 20 or younger to record multiple points in consecutive playoff games since Bowen Byram from May 23 to 25, 2022 with Colorado (two games; 0+4). He was the first NHL forward to accomplish that feat since Mitch Marner from April 14 to 16, 2018 (two games; 1+3). A multi-point performance tonight would make Benson the first NHL skater age 20 or younger to record multiple points in three or more consecutive playoff games since Patrick Kane from April 27 to May 2, 2009 (three games; 4+2). He would join Sidney Crosby, Wayne Gretzky (twice), Kane and Don Maloney as the only NHL skaters age 20 or younger to do so at least once. An assist tonight would make Benson the first Sabres skater age 20 or younger to record a three-game assist streak in the playoffs since Kevin Haller from April 7 to 11, 1991 (0+4). 

Alex Lyon has allowed seven total goals in six appearances in the playoffs, the fewest goals allowed in any six-game span in the playoffs by a Sabres goaltender all-time. It is the first time a goaltender has allowed seven or fewer goals in their first six playoff games with a team since Carter Hart from August 2 to 18, 2020 with Philadelphia (7). Lyon has posted a .950 save percentage in his first six appearances in the playoffs, trailing only Dominik Hasek (April 22 to May 8, 1998, .951; April 21 to May 9, 1999, .953) for the best mark by a Sabres goaltender in any six-game span in the playoffs. It is the best save percentage by a Sabres goaltender in their first six playoff appearances with Buffalo alltime. 

Bowen Byram has recorded six points (4+2) in seven playoff games thus far. • His four goals are the most by a Sabres defenseman in any seven-game span in the playoffs since Mike Ramsey from April 9 to 22, 1983 (four goals). Byram is one goal away from recording the most goals by a Sabres defenseman in a single playoff year all-time.  

Peyton Krebs has registered six points (2+4) in seven playoff games thus far and his plus-7 rating through the team’s first seven playoff games is tied with Byram and Alex Tuch for the team lead. Krebs and Tuch are the first Sabres forwards since Chris Drury (plus-8) and Derek Roy (plus-9) to record a plus/minus of plus-7 or better in any seven-game playoff span. It is the best plus/minus by a Sabres forward in their first seven playoff games of a season since Miroslav Satan from April 21 to June 8, 1999 (plus-7). 

Alex Tuch has posted seven points (4+3) in the playoffs. He leads all Sabres skaters in goals and is tied with Tage Thompson for the team lead in points. With a point tonight, Tuch and/or Thompson would become the first Sabres skater(s) to register eight or more points in their first eight playoff games with Buffalo since Daniel Briere (3+8), Tim Connolly (5+6), Chris Drury (4+6), Mike Grier (3+5) and Derek Roy (3+5) all did so from April 22 to May 8, 2006. 

Tage Thompson has registered four assists in his last four games.  An assist in tonight’s game would make Thompson the first Sabres forward to record five or more assists in any five-game span in the playoffs since Dainius Zubrus from April 12 to 20, 2007 (5). 

In his last four games, Josh Doan has registered five points (2+3), including at least one point in each of his last two contests. Doan would join Thompson (three games; April 26 to May 1; 0+4) and Owen Power (four games; April 19 to 26; 0+4) as the only Sabres skaters with assist streaks of three or more games in the playoffs with an assist tonight. 

Rasmus Dahlin has tallied three points (1+2) in his last three games. Entering play on Thursday and among all NHL defensemen with at least 50 minutes of time on ice at 5-on-5 in the playoffs, Dahlin ranks first in expected goals for percentage (69.22). Among those defensemen, Dahlin ranked second in scoring chances for percentage (68.18) and high-danger chances for percentage (65.91).

 

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