The New York Knicks are on one of the best postseason runs we have ever seen. The Western Conference Finals are understandably drawing more attention, but do not overlook what New York is doing, led by none other than Jalen Brunson.
These Jalen Brunson picks trust the Knicks star to lead the way to complete a sweep in Game 4 on Monday, May 25.
Jalen Brunson best bet: Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points (-110 at bet365)
Jalen Brunson is the New York Knicks’ clear leader, and he has utterly dominated this Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In Games 1 and 3, Brunson scored 38 and 30 points, respectively. In his seeming letdown in Game 2, the diminutive point guard dished out 14 assists.
The Cavaliers' defense focused on Brunson in Game 2, holding him to 7-for-16 from the field. However, he solved that riddle in Game 3, going 10-for-19 from the field and getting to the free-throw line 12 times.
By no means is Brunson a shoddy playmaker, but he is a bucket-getter first. With the chance to secure a berth in the NBA Finals, expect Brunson’s true nature to show itself plenty tonight.
Furthermore, every Brunson bucket should have a deflating effect on the Cavs. Exploiting James Harden’s and, to a lesser extent, Donovan Mitchell’s defense will only push that backcourt duo closer to the offseason and the beach.
Jalen Brunson same-game parlay
Brunson’s deep shot has not shown up for him in this series. Going 2 of 17 (11.8%) from beyond the arc through three games may look like a small sample size, but it is too egregious to be dismissed so easily.
Most notably, Brunson took only four 3-pointers in Game 3 while scoring 30 points. He knows where his success comes against the Cavaliers, inside the arc.
Brunson has shot 60% or better from inside the arc in every game of this series. Emphasizing that will only help his scoring.
And if Brunson is scoring, then this game should get away from Cleveland. In a rout, doubt Brunson to play enough to record seven assists.
Look at each of the last two rounds: New York won so handily in each clinching game, Brunson did not play even 29 minutes in either game. Fading his assists prop is actually a bet on the Knicks.
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The New York Knicks are just one win away from punching their ticket to the NBA Finals and have the opportunity to do so tonight in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Knicks took a commanding 3-0 series lead and extended their postseason win streak to 10 games in the process in Saturday night’s Game 3.
“No matter what is at stake, it’s a chance for us to come together, be better than we were the game before, continue to learn,” Jalen Brunson said ahead of tonight’s game. “And try to be the best team we can be.”
The Knicks set the Game 3 tone immediately by exploding for 37 points in the first quarter, and while Cleveland briefly fought back to tie it at 50–all in the second, New York countered with a 10–1 run to reclaim a lead they would never give up again. Brunson led the Knicks with 30 points and 6 assists, while Mikal Bridges delivered 22 points on 11-of-15 shooting.
NBA Eastern Conference Finals: what to know
What: New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Game 4
When: May 25, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Rocket Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)
Channel: ESPN
Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
In the event that the Cavaliers win tonight’s matchup, Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday in NYC. If the Knicks win, the Cavs’ season is over and the Knicks will advance into the NBA Finals with a start date of June 3.
Knicks vs. Cavaliers start time:
Game 4 of the Knicks vs. Cavaliers playoff series is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET tonight, May 25.
How to watch Knicks vs. Cavaliers for free:
If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the Knicks game for free.
DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes ESPN (plus every other channel you’ll need for the rest of the NBA postseason). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $44.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.
TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE
If you aren’t ready to commit to a full-on subscription and just want to tune into today’s game, you can try a Sling TV Orange Day Pass. Priced at $4.99, you’ll get 24 hours of access to all Sling TV Orange has to offer, including ESPN. Sling also offers weekend and week-long passes for its Orange plan, which offer between three and seven days of access.
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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
KANSAS CITY – For the first time this season, Anthony Volpe and José Caballero were in the same lineup on Monday afternoon.
Volpe started at shortstop while Caballero slid over to third base as the Yankees faced Royals right-hander Michael Wacha, who has reverse splits, at Kauffman Stadium.
Caballero had started all 41 of his games this season at shortstop before moving off the position Monday. Aaron Boone wanted to get an extra righty bat in the lineup against Wacha, who has been tougher on left-handed hitters, which meant Ryan McMahon was relegated to the bench.
Anthony Volpe is starting at shortstop for the Yankees against the Royals. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“I just wanted to at least have a little bit more of a righty presence today against Wacha, who’s historically tougher on lefties,” Boone said before the game. “We can’t avoid having some lefties in there, obviously, and I like the ones we have in there. But felt like getting another righty bat in there and the athleticism and defense and everything. Felt like today was a good day to have him in the lineup as well.”
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Volpe had been out of the lineup in Caballero’s first two games back from the injured list before getting back in on Monday, at his regular position. The Yankees plan to have Volpe work out at second base before games he is not starting, though there is no indication he is close to being an option there.
Caballero, meanwhile, could get a start in the outfield during this series against the Royals, which would give Volpe another day in the lineup.
Jose Caballero is moving to third base with Volpe starting at shortstop. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“Whenever I’m in there [the lineup], I’m happy,” Caballero said Monday.
Caballero, who has plenty of history playing other positions, indicated he would only need some pregame work on the days he plays other positions to feel ready there again.
“Between the lines, I feel comfortable,” he said. “I like to be in the lineup, that’s all.”
US player Marcelo Balboa is fouled by Brazilian Mazinho (R) during their World Cup match at Stanford stadium in San Francisco on July 4, 1994. Brazil win the Round of 16 match 1-0. The 15th FIFA World Cup took place in 1994. The United States hosted the event, which was held at nine locations nationwide from June 17 to July 17, 1994. Despite soccer's relative lack of popularity in the host country, the United States was selected, and the competition was the most profitable in World Cup history. (Photo by Mike FIALA / AFP) (Photo by MIKE FIALA/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
MLB vs FIFA.
To write a preview when you have not even one day between the previous series and the upcoming one, on a weekday, definitely adds to the time pressure. Luckily for me, the opponent for the next series is the San Francisco Giants. We saw them just a couple of days ago. That, in general, is no fun for a series preview, even less for a weekday series, but it definitely gives me a bit of stress relief: we saw them a couple of days ago, so there is no news there, and no one is going to read this preview anyhow, given the opponent and the weekday schedule.
So, with your approval, I will keep this series preview short.
I was a bit surprised to see that San Francisco will host some soccer World Cup matches this summer, but it makes all sense, of course, because it is a major city.
My memories of the 1994 World Cup, that was organised in the USA, is limited to watching a weird shirt of Germany, seeing a country like Bolivia play, first time I saw the US soccer team and Alexi Lalas and getting up in the middle of the night to see The Netherlands struggle in their group, for example against Saudi Arabia. It wasn’t the best of performances of the Dutch, but the quarter finals against Brazil were a terrific match, with an, in The Netherlands, legendary commentary when we scored the equalizer after being down 2-0, but we lost anyhow. I still hate Bebeto and his swinging arms. Brazil had eliminated a fiery fighting US the round before. I am sure you join me in my everlasting hatred.
San Francisco got to see Brazil in 1994 four times, because they were the group head and had their fixed seat in the group phase in San Francisco. I did not remember that. This year, though, I am inclined to say that the Bay Area has not been spoiled with matches: Paraguay (twice), Qatar, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, Algeria, Australia and Jordan (twice) will play a match at the 49ers stadium. Cheapest tickets can be bought from 200$ and up. Holy crap, that is a lot of money for watching some second/third category teams.
I am sure most people in San Francisco prefer to see Major League Baseball and why not the Arizona Diamondbacks.
After being tarred and feathered on their way out of Arizona, the San Francisco Giants received the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox are surprisingly playing around .500 this season and was therefore not a guaranteed redemption effort for the struggling Giants, but they came out on top.
On Friday evening the Giants had a catastrophic 4th inning and were then down 9-0, losing the match eventually with 9-4. On Saturday a 5th inning grand slam from Harrison Bader propelled the Giants to a 10-3 win. On Sunday it was Rafael Devers doing the same in the 5th inning and he launched the Giants to another win, 8-5.
Those 22 runs in 3 games might do wonders for that struggling offence. It certainly has boosted their confidence, so the Arizona pitching corps better be warned.
Matchups.
Game #1 Mon 05/25 2:05 PM MST, Merrill Kelly (ARI) vs Landen Roupp (SFG).
Oh, in the end I do feel time pressure on me because why on earth are they playing the Monday game at 2PM????
Said Imstillhungry95 in his preview: Loupp has had a pretty decent season thus far. Through his first six starts in April, he only gave up more than three runs once. It was a seven run beat down against the Mets in his second start of the season. He had settled down fairly well, though, until the end of the month. Since the calendar has turned to May, he’s pitched three times, and he’s given up four runs twice. This could be a situation of catching a pitcher at the right time.
Well, Roupp went strong against the Diamondbacks and pitched 6 innings, giving up just 1 run. Unfortunately for him, so did Ryne Nelson go strong in that game and it came down to moments. In this case it was Ketel Marte who decided that Arizona was going to win.
Merrill went strong as well in his game against the Giants, giving up 3 runs in 6 innings, but enough for the win, and the sweep.
Game #2 Tue 05/26 6:45 PM MST, Eduardo Rodriguez (ARI) vs Tyler Mahle (SFG).
Said Imstillhungry95 in his preview: That’s a stat line for Mahle that looks like it would fit right in with the Diamondbacks pitching staff. It’s been very much a coin flip for Mahle and the Giants as to what sort of performance he is going to put up. He’s started nine times. Three times, he has held his opponent scoreless. Once he gave up two runs. The other five starts? He’s given up five runs or more. Combine this with an offense that sporadically likes to beat up on pitchers, this could be a very beneficial matchup for the Diamondbacks.
Well, Mahle definitely tried but he gave up 6 runs in 5 innings in that matchup against Merrill Kelly, and was tagged with a loss. Said Tyler Mahle after the game: “It’s a bad one, I mean, five innings, six runs is never considered a good start. I don’t think anything was off, just made some bad pitches in some key situations and they capitalized on it. I’ve not given us a chance to win every day [I start]. So that really doesn’t help our record at all.”
Except for a couple of hiccups, E-Rod has been very good so far this season (knocking on every piece of wood I can find at my home). His latest performance was 7 strong innings at Coors Field, allowing 4 hits and a walk, without any damage. As a Diamondback, Eduardo Rodriguez has faced the Giants 4 times and got 1 win. That was last season, in September. 14 runs in 20 innings isn’t a great overall performance against San Francisco since wearing Sedona Red, so time to make a statement.
Game #3 Mon 05/27 12:45 PM MST, Michael Soroka (ARI) vs Trevor McDonald (SFG).
Unfortunately the Diamondbacks couldn’t get Soroka a win despite going 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run. That was already the third time where you’d say the Canadian should have gotten a win. Soroka has seen the Giants just 3 times in his career as a starting pitcher, the last time last year, when he gave up 3 runs in 6 innings and got the loss, as a Washington National.
Trevor McDonald was called up to the major leagues about a month ago after Logan Webb hit the IL. Webb is on his way back though and the biggest question is whether McDonald will stick in the rotation. He did well against Padres, Dodgers and Athletics, but his first non-West coast team knocked him around pretty hard: the White Sox scored 4 runs on him, after hitting two batters and issueing a walk, an anormality for a pitcher who can be proud of his command and control. McDonald was off and not helped by some defensive errors and Borucki allowing two inherited runners to score. Unless Webb makes a surprisingly fast comeback to the majors, it could be McDonald’s final outing in the rotation at the moment, though he has pitched better than his ERA might show.
Max Domi #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Ottawa Senators on April 15, 2026.
Max Domi’s offseason took a turn for the worse.
The Maple Leafs announced the forward is out indefinitely following complications from offseason surgery.
Domi, who scored 12 goals and 36 points for Toronto in 80 games, played through an injury all season long, the team revealed.
Max Domi #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Ottawa Senators on April 15, 2026. NHLI via Getty Images
“Domi will continue working with the club’s medical staff and will be re-evaluated at the start of training camp,” the Maple Leafs said in a statement.
The 31-year-old — son of famed NFL pugilist Tie Domi — has two seasons left on a four-year, $15 million deal he signed in 2024.
His status adds more questions to what’s been an offseason full of them for the Maple Leafs after a disappointing 32-36-14 finish that saw them miss the postseason for the first time since 2015-16.
That result saw the franchise move on from general manager Brad Treliving, with his successor John Chayka firing coach Craig Berube following his second season behind the bench.
Chayka’s hiring comes with questions about his past jobs — the Coyotes made him the youngest GM in NHL history at the age of 26 in 2016, beginning a tenure plagued by mixed trade success, a suspension for pursuing other jobs while under contract and hosting prospect for illegal draft workouts.
His shot at redemption in Toronto comes alongside franchise icon Mats Sundin, who was hired as a senior executive adviser.
One bit of good news for the Maple Leafs is that Chayka, Sundin and Co. were handed an early win in the lottery and getting the first-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, which is set to take place on June 26.
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 24: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a move to the basket during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been nearly 16 months since the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, but the two sides could find themselves making another deal this offseason.
ESPN contributor Zach Kram suggests the trade that would send center Daniel Gafford to the Lakers for Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, and the No. 25 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
“This deal should be a no-brainer for the Lakers, as they’d address their glaring hole at the center position — which would still exist even if Deandre Ayton exercised his option for next season — with a player who’s a proven fit next to Doncic. Gafford would certainly help the Lakers more next season than any rookie they could draft with the No. 25 pick,” Kram wrote.
“On the other side, Dallas lost a 2028 pick swap when it acquired Gafford at the 2024 trade deadline, but it could recoup some of that value and add another young player here. The Mavericks also would clear future cap space, with Gafford signed for more money and years (through the 2028-29 season) than Vanderbilt.”
Gafford took a step back this season with the Mavericks, averaging 9.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. That was slightly below his 12.3 points per game during the 2024-25 campaign. Gafford’s 3-year extension is about to go into effect, and the Mavs will have to pay him $54 million over the next three seasons, with Dereck Lively II also on the roster.
This is a big season coming up for Lively in terms of whether he will be a long-term part of the Mavs, so the team needs to get the best look on what he can do as long as he is healthy.
With all of the change surrounding the Mavs at the moment, moving on from Gafford could be in the cards as the team looks to get younger around Cooper Flagg.
MM community, what do you make of the trade suggestion? Chime off in the comments section below.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 24: Ty France #25 of the San Diego Padres is tagged out at home by Jonah Heim #15 of the Athletics during the fifth inning at Petco Park on May 24, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Philadelphia Phillies (26-27) at San Diego Padres (31-21), May 25, 2026, 3:40 p.m. PST
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Apr 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shrortstop Francisco Lindor (12) at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Ahead of the start of the Mets’ three-game series with the Reds, manager Carlos Mendoza offered a number of injury updates in his pre-game press conference.
Most pressing for this series is that Juan Soto is still feeling week and has a fever, and so isn’t playing today and his status for the rest of the series is still unknown. Jared Young and A.J. Minter are both set to rejoin the team this week, with Young likely on Tuesday and Minter either Tuesday or Wednesday.
In a rare bit of Mets’ good news, Francisco Lindor has started doing baseball activities and so is on the road back to playing. Similarly, Francisco Alvarez is already running and doing catching drills and may be ahead of the initial eight-week assessment for his return.
Jorge Polanco will “hopefully” start a rehab assignment this week, which is a situation that truly needs to be seen to be believed. And finally, Kodai Senga will throw a bullpen today and make his second rehab start on Thursday.
In an interview with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Montreal Canadiens’ veteran defenseman Mike Matheson lifted the curtain on the happenings in the Habs’ dressing room during Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres. There’s a reason the 32-year-old blueliner has a letter on his jersey; it’s not just about what he does on the ice, but also about what he does off it.
During the intermission between the third frame and the start of overtime, Matheson spoke up in the Canadiens’ room:
The thing that I wanted to get across was just to look back at your eight-year-old self and ask him how he’d be feeling. Just kind of remind yourself that this is exactly what, whether you’re on the outdoor rink growing up or playing ball hockey, you’d be pretending you’re in this situation: Game 7, going into overtime. I feel like putting that into perspective sometimes takes the pressure off a little bit and just lets you go play, and I feel like we did that in overtime.
Matheson may not have gotten a point on Alex Newhook’s series-winning goal, but he was on the ice and watched it unfold in front of his eyes. He played 31:28 on that night. The rearguard might not have put up a lot of points in these playoffs; he only has a goal and two assists in 16 games, but he is still contributing in other ways, and that’s a perfect example of it.
Friedman also revealed that the Mathesons welcomed their third child the morning after that Game 7 win. You have to hand it to the Canadiens’ kids; they know not to show up during games. Both Matheson and Suzuki welcomed new arrivals in these playoffs, and neither had to miss any action. The defenseman did admit that he has thought about putting his newborn on the Stanley Cup, smiling.
There are other news arrivals on the way, as Noah Dobson, Alexandre Carrier, Samuel Montembeault and Brendan Gallagher will all be welcoming new family members soon. Hopefully, they’ve all got the memo about showing up when the Canadiens aren’t playing.
DUNEDIN, FL - FEBRUARY 16: General Manager of the Houston Astros Dana Brown speaks to the media during the Spring Training Grapefruit League Media Day at Blue Jays Player Development Complex on Thursday, February 16, 2023 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
As frustrating and inconsistent as this season has been for Astros fans, one question is becoming impossible to ignore: how much trust should this fan base have in general manager Dana Brown between now and the end of the season?
The timing of that question matters because, despite early struggles, injuries, and inconsistent play, the Astros remain within striking distance. Sitting just four and a half games out of first place and hovering around playoff contention, this team is still very much alive. For all the disappointment surrounding the season to this point, the reality is that meaningful baseball is still on the table.
That creates a complicated situation for the organization because Brown is operating in the final year of his contract.
Many fans have already reached the point where they would welcome a change, arguing that ownership should move on immediately and begin searching for a replacement. But from an organizational standpoint, the timing simply does not make sense.
The Astros are approaching one of the most important stretches of the baseball calendar: the amateur draft and the trade deadline. Both are critical to the immediate and long-term health of the franchise. Maintaining leadership continuity during this period matters, especially for a team trying to remain competitive while simultaneously rebuilding depth in a thinning farm system.
The draft alone makes an in-season move difficult to justify. A franchise that has relied heavily on player development to sustain championship contention cannot afford instability when evaluating and adding young talent. The farm system desperately needs reinforcements, and getting those decisions right could shape the next era of Astros baseball.
Then comes the trade deadline, perhaps the most important checkpoint of Brown’s tenure.
Between now and that moment, Brown has the opportunity to improve a flawed but talented roster and position this team to compete for another postseason run. But there is also a legitimate concern attached to his current situation: desperation.
History has shown that general managers operating as “lame ducks” can sometimes make short-term decisions with long-term consequences.
When a general manager knows he may not be around to see draft picks develop or prospects mature, the temptation can be to prioritize immediate survival over organizational sustainability. That often means sacrificing younger talent for veteran help in an attempt to save a season — or save a job.
And that is the balancing act Astros fans should be watching closely.
Would Brown make calculated, disciplined moves to strengthen the roster? Or could pressure force the organization into mortgaging future assets for temporary fixes?
Complicating the conversation even more is Brown’s overall track record.
What Astros fans may never fully know is how much autonomy Brown has actually had. How many decisions were truly his, and how many were influenced, or restricted, by ownership?
At times, the moves that were not made stand out more than the moves that were.
Questions continue to linger around roster construction, depth issues, and player acquisitions. For a roster talented enough to compete, there have been glaring holes left unaddressed. Injuries have also fueled frustration, particularly when projected recovery timelines have repeatedly shifted or failed to materialize.
Communication has become part of the criticism as well.
Too often, timelines have felt unclear, expectations have been reset, and fans have struggled to get consistent answers regarding player availability and organizational plans. Whether fair or unfair, much of that scrutiny lands at Brown’s feet.
Even his perceived strength, talent evaluation, has come under increased examination.
Take Brice Matthews, for example. While there is still time for development, he has yet to become the player many envisioned. Prospect growth is never linear, but patience becomes harder to maintain when the organization is searching for impact talent.
Then there is Cam Smith.
Brown deserves credit for finally turning an expiring veteran asset into future value instead of simply watching a player leave in free agency. That kind of proactive decision-making matters. But if Smith was the centerpiece of the return, fans are understandably watching closely as he struggles to establish himself consistently at the major league level.
Which brings us back to the uncomfortable reality facing the Astros.
This organization is stuck in something of a catch-22.
You cannot realistically move on from your general manager in the middle of a season when playoff hopes remain alive, the draft looms, and the trade deadline could determine how far this team goes. Stability matters too much.
At the same time, it is fair to question whether a general manager on an expiring deal can separate job security from long-term organizational health.
The Astros need smart, disciplined decisions over the next several months, moves that improve the team without sacrificing the future.
Because the biggest concern is not whether Dana Brown can save this season.
It is whether the pressure to save his job could influence decisions that impact the franchise long after this season ends.
Now that the St. Louis Blues and their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, have finished their seasons, the focus turns to the NHL draft and the off-season.
Heading into the 2026 off-season, new GM Alexander Steen will have seven restricted free agents he must make decisions on. Those RFAs are Jonatan Berggren, Matthew Kessel, Dylan Peterson, Zach Dean, Thomas Bordeleau, Leo Loof, and Will Cranley.
Of those seven players, only two played in NHL games with the Blues: Berggren and Kessel. Berggren was a waiver-wire pickup from the Detroit Red Wings, and he turned out to be a serviceable NHLer.
Originally drafted by the Red Wings in the second round of the 2018 NHL draft, Berggren posted six goals and 16 points in 36 games with the Blues this season. While finding a spot in a healthy lineup might prove to be challenging, having a player of Berggren’s level as the 13th forward would go a long way in keeping the Blues competitive.
Kessel played 29 games with the Blues this season, and zero with the Thunderbirds. Kessel was exclusively used as a seventh defenseman, filling in when the Blues were shorthanded due to injuries. Similar to Beggren, Kessel is a serviceable depth piece.
The remaining five RFAs did not play any games in the NHL this past season.
Peterson, a 24-year-old forward, was drafted in the third round of the 2020 NHL draft, but has yet to make his NHL debut. He’s spent the past two seasons in the AHL, where he most recently scored 12 goals and 24 points in 57 games. Peterson isn’t afraid to mix it up physically, recording 85 penalty minutes this past season.
Dean was a former first-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2021 NHL draft, but was traded to the Blues as part of the Ivan Barbashev package. Since arriving, Dean has played just nine NHL games, failing to record a point.
Dean missed a large chunk of the AHL season because he was in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program at the start of the season. When he returned, he notched four goals and 14 points in 36 games.
Bordeleau, 24, was acquired by the New Jersey Devils during the 2025-26 season. Upon arriving, Bordeleau scored seven goals and 13 points in 25 games.
Loof, another 24-year-old, was also drafted by the Blues in the third round of the 2020 draft. In his third season with the Thunderbirds, Loof took a step back production-wise, notching just two goals and six points in 47 games, compared to his sophomore season, which saw him record 17 assists in 63 games.
The final RFA is 24-year-old goaltender Will Cranley. Cranley split his time between the AHL and ECHL. In the AHL, he posted a .892 save percentage, and in the ECHL, he posted a .915 SP.
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Once a massive underdog, winger Mitch Marner is dominating Conn Smythe Trophy odds as his Vegas Golden Knights enjoy a 3-0 series lead in the Western Conference Final.
Key Takeaways
Marner leads the entire playoffs in points scored.
Despite being up 3-0 in the conference finals, the Golden Knights aren’t favored to win the Stanley Cup
Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki was the favorite on prediction markets Monday morning.
Marner was a +6,600 candidate to win the Conn Smythe Trophy when the NHL Playoffs began.
The Colorado Avalanche, who now find themselves on the brink of getting swept, rostered the previous favorite in Nathan MacKinnon.
BetMGM insights shared with Covers showed that MacKinnon was a +250 leader in the award market near the end of the conference semifinals. He surged to +170 when the Avs booked their ticket to the next round, leaving Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen as the next-closest candidate (+400).
MacKinnon was also the overwhelming pick for public bettors, boasting 22% of tickets and 27.5% of all money wagered in the market. The second-highest amounts in the respective categories were 5.7% and 17.6%.
Marner, 29, has managed to completely flip the odds. After spending nine years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the first-year Golden Knights star leads the entire playoffs in points with seven goals and 14 assists, including a trio of helpers in three games against the Avalanche.
Prediction markets largely agree
Prediction market sites, such as Polymarket, have emerged as viable rivals to sportsbooks thanks to their sports event contracts. Users buy and sell yes/no outcomes associated with various events in sports and win or lose money depending on the accuracy of their prediction.
Marner, whose +175 odds at BetMGM carry a 36.4% implied probability, barely leads in likelihood to win the Conn Smythe at Polymarket.
While his 35% probability nearly mirrors BetMGM’s odds, he finds himself entangled with Avalanche center Martin Necas (34%) and Hurricanes center Seth Jarvis (30%).
Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki was favored as of Monday morning, although his probability wasn’t visible as of noon ET.
Polymarket’s top rival in the prediction space, Kalshi, has Marner as a dominant 50% favorite. Andersen is second at 23%, while Golden Knights center Jack Eichel is the only other player with a double-digit probability (11%) at the time of writing. Suzuki is listed at 8% after spiking as high as 67%.
Stanley Cup odds
The Avalanche were the team to beat heading into the conference finals. Not only were their +135 Stanley Cup odds the shortest of the four remaining teams, but they had leading marks with 17.7% of tickets and 23.7% of the pot. The Golden Knights were +575 with 7.3% of wagers and 11% of the handle.
The Knights still aren’t in the lead in odds to win the Stanley Cup, as their +145 value just trails the Hurricanes at +140. The Canadiens are at +425, and the Avs are down at +1,400.
Barstool founder Dave Portnoy is one of many fans who are hoping the Golden Knights defy the odds and win the championship. The well-known celebrity wagered $100,000 at +650 odds, meaning he stands to win $750,000 if Vegas cashes his ticket.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 14: Nolan McLean #26 of the New York Mets pitches against the Detroit Tigers during their game at Citi Field on May 14, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 16: Will Warren #29 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout during the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 16, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees got out of town at a good time. Aaron Judge’s walk-off home run salvaged the tail-end of a lackluster (not to mention rainy) homestand for the Bombers, who will spend their Memorial Day in a much warmer neck of the woods. The forecast calls for sunny skies with game-time temperature somewhere in the low-80s at a ballpark where the Yanks have generally had success in prior seasons: Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. The Royals, who the Yankees swept in a three-game set last month, enter this series at 22-31. However, their starter in tonight’s opener is a familiar and pesky foe.
Michael Wacha has faced the Yankees 13 times in his MLB career, posting a 3.12 ERA across 69.1 innings, posting 70 strikeouts against only 22 walks. He took a turn in the rotation in that April series, completing six quality innings with two earned runs on three hits, striking out six and walking three. The Yankees still won the game 4-2, but the veteran righty has demonstrated a knack at blunting the Bombers. He’s having a terrific start to his season overall, posting a 2.70 ERA through his first ten starts.
Will Warren, though, was not to be outdone. When he faced the Royals on April 18th, he took their lunch money. In seven full innings, he struck out 11 batters to tie his career-high without allowing a single walk, with two runs allowed on five hits in a 13-4 blowout victory. Warren’s progress has slowed a tad this month, but with a 3.01 FIP entering action, he is still doing enough to win ballgames more often than not. And hey, he has a 6-1 record to prove it. No matter how obsolete wins are as a stat, pitchers still value them; and you can’t totally bumble your way into winning six games before the end of May.
Warren and the Royals offense are evidently a good match for the Yankees’ purposes; though in all fairness Kansas City has had little success against AL pitching across the board. The encouraging strides they took to make it to the Bronx for a playoff series two years ago have slowed substantially. Bobby Witt Jr. remains a can’t-miss star, but the supporting cast has been quite unimpressive. There’s still a gaggle of younger hitters who are trying to prove themselves, such as Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen; they’re both a little above-average, trying to offset the lack of production from guys like Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino.
Put another way, the slumping Yankee offense needn’t move heaven and earth to succeed in this series. It wouldn’t hurt, though.
The lineup will start like yesterday’s, with Trent Grisham in the leadoff spot ahead of Aaron Judge and Ben Rice. Cody Bellinger will clean up ahead of Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. The bottom third of the lineup will see Anthony Volpe inserted at shortstop, with J.C. Escarra taking the day behind the dish and José Caballero shifting to the hot corner.
Seeing as today is Memorial Day, this game will be broadcast on national TV! ESPN has the rights to this one, and it’ll start at a strange 3:40 pm time slot. But hey, that’s what holidays are for.
How to watch
Location: Kauffman Stadium — Kansas City, MO
First pitch: 3:40 pm ET
TV broadcast: ESPN
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | 96.5 The Fan, Royals Radio Network (KC)
KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 20: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) pitches in the first inning during a MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals on May 20, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The AL Central 4th place 22-31 Royals play at home on Memorial Day against the 31-22 Yankees, who are in 2nd place in the AL East behind the Rays.
I was at the game yesterday and got to see all the good parts. I skipped the bad parts at the end to go home. In my head, they beat the Marinaras 8-3. Yes, Marinaras. That’s what my 8-year-old and 5-year-old called them. Let’s hope today is full of the good parts and none of the bad parts.
The Royals will put up Michael Wacha on the bump to start against Will Warren. Wacha has continued to pitch like himself – just reliable and steady. He’s had four quality starts in a row; in fact, 8 of his 10 starts have been quality starts. He started with four in a row, had two blips, and now has another four in a row. I’m hoping we can count on that today against the Yankees.
Warren’s first full season was last year, and he has followed it up well so far this year. He’s improved the FIP metrics – strikeout rate, walk rate, and home run rate. It’s a good pitching matchup today.
The game starts at 2:40pm US Central. It is a nationally-televised game on ESPN. You can also listen on 96.5 The Fan or the Royals Radio Network.
