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Trust In Elite Goaltending Helping Panthers Over Maple Leafs in Game 5 Win

Panthers seek 3-2 series edge before returning home; Maple Leafs aim to bounce back after two road losses.

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This is the most important game of the Maple Leafs' season so far, as they've already had two chances to secure a win and move within one victory of reaching the Conference Finals. 

However, the Panthers battled back with two home wins and now could put Toronto on the ropes with a win on the road during game five. It'll be another tight game with both teams looking to win the most crucial game of the series yet. 

For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 36-28 record on our last 64 picks, including perfect records during Game 1 and 4 of the Maple Leafs-Senators series. 

More NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers Betting Guide: Best Bets, Strategies and Future Options

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers Best Bets:

  • Panthers ML (-145)
  • Under 5.5 goals (-102)
  • Sam Reinhart Over 0.5 points (-170)

Florida has been in these kind of high pressure situations before after making the last two Stanley Cup Finals and have adjusted to playing crucial games and scoring when they need to.

When making it to the Conference Finals last season, the Panthers went on the road with the series tied at 2-2 against the top team in the East in the New York Rangers. Florida scored two clutch goals in third and went on to win the series and then the Stanley Cup. 

These moments they are familiar and comfortable with plus the confidence built from two dominant home wins should propel them into a solid effort for game five.

More NHL: Utah Hockey Club Announces New Team Name

Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is coming off a 23-save shutout, and there’s still anticipation for bigger games out of players like Matthew Tkachuk, who has yet to score, and Sam Reinhart, who has recorded points in just one of the four games so far this series. 

After finishing with almost 40 goals this season, I expect Reinhart to play a much better game alongside his red hot centre in Aleksander Barkov. I wouldn't expect a lot of scoring in this however as the series is starting to tighten up physically, the scores will start to shrink much like the 2-0 win for Florida in game four. 

Toronto netminder Joseph Woll has done everything he possibly can to keep his team in every game and should keep up his stellar play when returning home, where he finished with a 13-5-0 record this season and has yet to record a loss in two home starts this postseason. 

More NHL: Jonathan Toews NHL Return Could Be With Anaheim Ducks, According to NHL Insider

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Royals at Astros Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for May 14

Royals at Astros Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for May 14

Its Wednesday, May 14 and the Royals (25-19) are in Houston to take on the Astros (21-20). Michael Lorenzen is slated to take the mound for Kansas City against Colton Gordon for Houston.

The Astros leveled the series with the Royals 1-1 after winning 2-1 yesterday, after Isaac Paredes' walk-off home run. Famber Valdez was fantastic for the Astros. He only gave up one run on six hits in 8.0 innings. He also struck out seven batters.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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

Game details & how to watch Royals at Astros

  • Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • Time: 8:10PM EST
  • Site: Minute Maid Park
  • City: Houston, TX
  • Network/Streaming: Space City Home Network, FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City

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

Odds for the Royals at the Astros

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Royals (+115), Astros (-136)
  • Spread:  Astros -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Royals at Astros

  • Pitching matchup for May 14, 2025: Michael Lorenzen vs. Colton Gordon
    • Royals: Michael Lorenzen, (3-3, 3.57 ERA)
      Last outing (Boston Red Sox, 5/9): 7.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts
    • Astros: Colton Gordon

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Royals at Astros

  • The Astros are 7-3 in their last 10 home games
  • The Royals have covered in 4 of their last 5 on the road, profiting 1.07 units

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

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Royals and the Astros

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Royals and the Astros:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Houston Astros on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Kansas City Royals at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
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  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Stephen Curry officially out for Game 5, will do some on-court, be re-evaluated day before Game 6

97.7, 105, and 109.8.

Those are the Warriors' offensive ratings in this series' three games without Stephen Curry, who has been sidelined with a strained hamstring. For some context, the best of those numbers would have ranked 26th in the league for the regular season. Golden State lost all three games, which is why the news he is officially out for Game 5 Wednesday — a must-win for the Warriors, who are down 3-1 in the series to the Timberwolves — is troubling. Curry was re-evaluated Wednesday and will begin some on-court work, with the possibility of him playing in a potential Game 6 on Sunday out there, the team announced.

Without Curry, the Warriors have relied on their defense to muck up the game and make it ugly, then hope to find enough offense to get the wins. Even Jonathan Kuminga was let out of Steve Kerr's doghouse to help spark the offense a little.

To its credit, Minnesota has shown it can play and win ugly. It is an elite defensive team with a three-time Defensive Player of the Year in Rudy Gobert on the floor, not to mention athletic perimeter defenders like Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards. Plus, Edwards has started to figure out how the Warriors are defending him and with that he and the Timberwolves offense is picking up.

With Jimmy Butler leading the way, Golden State will not go quietly in Game 5 — force a Game 6 and maybe they get Curry back, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. However, they will have to find new offense on the road five games into a playoff series, which is a big ask.

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What we learned as Jordan Hicks struggles early again in Giants' loss to D-backs

What we learned as Jordan Hicks struggles early again in Giants' loss to D-backs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants have been a bottom-third offense in a lot of ways, but they might be at the top of the list when it comes to teams you don’t want to let hang around. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks did that for three hours Wednesday afternoon, wasting several opportunities to turn this into the type of game that ends with a position player on the mound for the losing side. With a chance to make them pay in the bottom of the ninth, the Giants came up short. 

The Diamondbacks had a six-run lead early, but the Giants entered the ninth down by a pair and got a Matt Chapman single, Willy Adames double and a Patrick Bailey walk with one out. After Mike Yastrzemski struck out, LaMonte Wade Jr. drew a pinch-hit walk to make it a one-run game and set the stage for Christian Koss, who hit a grand slam on Tuesday.

This time, Koss popped out, ending the comeback bid and giving the Diamondbacks an 8-7 win and a series victory. The Giants have now dropped both series to fellow NL West contenders, having been swept in San Diego earlier this month. This latest loss nearly went off the rails early. 

Jordan Hicks nearly got knocked out in the second and didn’t record an out in the third. When Hayden Birdsong took over and allowed a couple of homers, the Diamondbacks took an 8-2 lead. But they kept wasting opportunities to put the nail in the coffin, leaving two on in the fifth and two more in the sixth.

As the bottom of the seventh started, the Giants trailed 8-4 but the Diamondbacks had left nine on base, and Jung Hoo Lee charged through the door. Lee homered into the arcade for the second straight day, cutting the deficit to two with his sixth blast of the year. 

The Giants had a chance to tie it in the eighth after a bizarre sequence at second base. Heliot Ramos hit a grounder to third and the throw pulled Pavin Smith off the bag, but Smith threw down to second, where Koss was rolling in the dirt and tagged out.

Koss had run into Diamondbacks second baseman Jordan Lawler, who is normally a shortstop but entered for the apparently injured Ketel Marte. After a long meeting, the umpires ruled that Lawler had interfered with Koss, who was put back on second as the inning continued.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was ejected for arguing and then “ejected” all four umpires as he left the field. When play resumed, Wilmer Flores popped up to end the inning.

Here are the takeaways from the Giants’ loss that drops them to 25-19:

Decision Time? 

The first time through the order, Hicks gave up a homer, double, three singles and a walk of the No. 9 hitter who was trying to put down a sacrifice bunt. That got the bullpen going, but Hicks escaped complete disaster in the second inning when Corbin Carroll lined into an unassisted double play and Ketel Marte struck out. 

The third inning began with a double, and that again got Birdsong up in the pen. When Josh Naylor blooped a single into left-center to put runners on the corners, Bob Melvin came out with the hook. Birdsong gave up a three-run homer to Eugenio Suarez before settling down and Hicks ended up with an ugly line: 2+ innings, 7 hits, 5 earned runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout.

The start was the shortest of the year for Hicks, who struggled with his command and had trouble keeping the Diamondbacks off his fastball. He threw the pitch 28 times and averaged 97 mph, but got just one swing-and-miss. 

Hicks has a 6.55 ERA through nine starts, although the advanced metrics paint a much different picture. He entered the start with a 3.17 FIP and 3.55 xERA, but he has had trouble finding consistent results. Since an eye-opening debut in Houston, Hicks has allowed 33 earned runs in 39 1/3 innings. 

Out Of The Pen

Birdsong has been waiting all season for an opening to get back into the rotation, but his afternoon didn’t go well, either. 

Suarez’s 13th homer got his afternoon off to a rough start and Ketel Marte hit a long two-run blast in the fourth. Birdsong ended up throwing 65 pitches over three innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks. Homers have been a slight issue of late, but he still has a 2.31 ERA through 11 relief appearances. 

If the Giants do want to make a move at the back of their rotation, it won’t be hard to push Wednesday’s relief outing to the side. Birdsong warmed up and then sat back down in the second, and he entered with two on and no outs. That’s not an easy runway for someone who has been a starter his whole life. 

Good Day For David

The depth chart at first base is about to get crowded. Casey Schmitt and Jerar Encarnacion are both rehabbing with Triple-A Sacramento, and when Encarnacion returns on May 26 (the first day he is eligible) he is expected to become the starting first baseman against left-handed pitchers. 

For now, though, David Villar is making a case to get more starts, including this weekend when the Giants will face a couple of left-handed pitchers. Villar made two strong defensive plays, robbing Carroll of at least a two-run double in the second inning and then diving and making a strong throw to Spencer Bivens to keep Alek Thomas from a leadoff single in the seventh. 

Villar also reached base three times, raising his OBP to .429 since he returned from Triple-A. 

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Athletics at Dodgers prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for May 14

It's Wednesday, May 14, and the Athletics (22-20) are in Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers (27-15). Gunnar Hoglund is slated to take the mound for the Athletics against Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers.

The Athletics dominated the Dodgers yesterday, 11-1, behind five homers between four different hitters. The Dodgers' lone run came on an error in the third inning, so the offense didn't have much of anything going.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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

Game details & how to watch Athletics at Dodgers

  • Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • Time: 10:10 PM EST
  • Site: Dodger Stadium
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • Network/Streaming:

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

Odds for the Athletics at the Dodgers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Athletics (+220), Dodgers (-271)
  • Spread:  Dodgers -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Athletics at Dodgers

  • Pitching matchup for May 14, 2025: Gunnar Hoglund vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
    • Athletics: Gunnar Hoglund, (1-0, 2.38 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.1 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 3 Strikeouts
    • Dodgers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, (4-3, 1.80 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 4 Strikeouts

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

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Athletics and the Dodgers

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Athletics and the Dodgers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Los Angeles Dodgers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Oakland Athletics at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Athletics at Dodgers

  • The Dodgers have won 4 of their last 5 series against the Athletics
  • The Dodgers' last 6 home games have gone over the Total

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Maple Leafs' 'Coaching Decision': Will Nick Robertson or David Kampf Enter Game 5 Lineup Against Panthers?

Jan 5, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf (64) during warm-up before a game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

When the Toronto Maple Leafs step onto the ice for Game 5 against the Florida Panthers, they could have a different-looking lineup. They also might not.

That was Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube's update after the team's optional morning skate inside Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday morning. Usually, when Toronto holds an optional skate, the healthy scratches remain on the ice after for extra work.

However, that didn't occur ahead of Game 5 vs. Florida. Every player set to play, or be scratched, came off together.

"Game-time decisions. We got decisions," Berube said. "It was an optional skate this morning, and we got some decisions to make."

'There's Possible Moves': Maple Leafs Practice Lines Stay Intact, But Craig Berube Open To Changes For Game 5 Against Panthers'There's Possible Moves': Maple Leafs Practice Lines Stay Intact, But Craig Berube Open To Changes For Game 5 Against PanthersDespite hinting at some possible changes to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup following a Game 4 loss to the Florida Panthers, Toronto head coach Craig Berube elected to keep his lines the same during the team's practice.

David Kampf hasn't appeared in the Maple Leafs' lineup since April 2, against the Panthers, 42 days ago. The 30-year-old missed the final seven games of the regular season after suffering an upper-body injury.

He scored five goals and eight assists in 59 games for the Maple Leafs this season.

Kampf is one player who is usually on the ice for an optional morning skate, given that he's been a healthy scratch for the playoffs. However, he wasn't on the ice on Wednesday morning ahead of Game 5.

'What Are They Going To Do?': Maple Leafs Dismiss Panthers’ Retaliation Threat After Emotional Game 4 Finish'What Are They Going To Do?': Maple Leafs Dismiss Panthers’ Retaliation Threat After Emotional Game 4 FinishToronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi was not in the mood to discuss the $5,000 fine he received from the NHL for his hit on Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov at the end of his club's 2-0 loss to the Florida Panthers at the end of Game 4. 

Why?

"Just an optional skate," Berube said. "Game-time decisions, so they either go out or they don't go out, and we'll make the decisions at game time."

Nick Robertson is another player who has the potential to re-enter Toronto's lineup. He hasn't played since Games 1 and 2 of their series against the Ottawa Senators, but is usually dynamite when he's re-inserted into the lineup after being scratched.

It's unknown if there'll be one or many game-time decisions. Toronto has several players, including Calle Jarnkrok, Steven Lorentz, Pontus Holmberg, and Bobby McMann, who've registered just one point in the playoffs.

'It's Not Exactly What I Want To See': Why The Maple Leafs Are Hesitant To Split Up Mitch Marner And Auston Matthews Against Panthers'It's Not Exactly What I Want To See': Why The Maple Leafs Are Hesitant To Split Up Mitch Marner And Auston Matthews Against PanthersToronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is in no hurry to break up the Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner pairing.

McMann had a career-high 20 goals in 74 games during the regular season, but has yet to score through 10 playoff games. His last goal came on March 25 against the Philadelphia Flyers, 21 games ago.

When observing how Berube has deployed his lineup in the postseason, he's liked his fourth line of Jarnkrok, Lorentz, and Scott Laughton. He's also leaned on Holmberg, moving him up to Toronto's second line when protecting a lead.

That leaves McMann as a possible option, unless Berube keeps his lineup intact for Game 5. He may change more than just one player. Toronto's head coach added, though, that if he does switch things up, it'll be "coaching decisions" rather than anything injury-related.

‘He Probably Didn’t Even Hear Him’: Craig Berube, Maple Leafs Unfazed By Extracurriculars Against Panthers With A Focus On Game 5‘He Probably Didn’t Even Hear Him’: Craig Berube, Maple Leafs Unfazed By Extracurriculars Against Panthers With A Focus On Game 5As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for Game 5 against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, head coach Craig Berube doesn’t appear to be losing sleep over the end-of-game antics that spilled over in their Game 4 loss, or the shenanigans from Matthew Tkachuk directed at William Nylander.

Berube's leading several stones unturned before an all-important Game 5 against the Panthers. Does McMann come out? Does Kampf make his 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs debut?

Does Robertson return to the lineup, having not played since Games 1 and 2 against the Ottawa Senators? Does Berube make some out-of-left-field decisions?

We'll find out during warmups — or in the final roster report before Game 5 — on Wednesday night.

Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

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Giro d’Italia: Pedersen dominates another sprint finish to win stage five

  • Danish rider extends overall lead with third stage victory
  • Britain’s Tom Pidcock grabs third spot on 151km ride

Mads Pedersen continued his domination of sprint finishes at the Giro d’Italia by narrowly winning stage five on Wednesday, his third stage victory of this year’s race which extended the Danish rider’s overall lead.

At the end of the 151km ride from Ceglie Messapica to Matera, Pedersen appeared to struggle with the pace on the climb to the finish, but recovered before starting his dash to the line early, just managing to hold off his challengers.

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Three Potential RFA Offer Sheet Candidates for the Red Wings

Apr 26, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) celebrates his goal scored in the second period against the Ottawa Senators in game four of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. (Marc DesRosiers, Imagn Images)

On Tuesday, the NHL revealed the offer sheet compensation levels (based on the AAV of potential RFA poachings) for the 2025 offseason.  With that in mind, here's a look at some potential options for the Detroit Red Wings to reel in some added depth this summer.

Before diving into some candidates, a disclaimer: NHL offer sheets are exceedingly rare, and at his end-of-year press conference, Detroit GM Steve Yzerman essentially suggested that such deals hardly enter his calculus as an executive because of the complications and cost of pulling them off.  In September 2023, I wrote about the way that the modern NHL sees fewer offer sheets than MLB of the 1980s saw free agent movement in an era that eventually forced baseball's owners to pay out collusion settlements to the players association.

When Does a Lack of RFA Offer Sheets Become Collusion?When Does a Lack of RFA Offer Sheets Become Collusion?By now, NHL fans know better than to expect any intrigue on the RFA market, but at what point does a lack of offer sheets become collusion and wage suppression?

Despite the scarcity of offer sheets, last summer did provide a model for adding talent via the RFA offer sheet, as the St. Louis Blues pilfered Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg from the Edmonton Oilers.  Holloway in particular was a smashing success.  After scoring 18 points total in two seasons with the Oilers, he exploded for 26 goals and 63 points in 77 games in his first season as a Blue.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

The keys to pulling off those deals were two-fold: First targeting a contending team like Edmonton facing challenges with the salary cap and second offering a salary that pushes toward the upper limit of the relevant compensation tier while also representing an overpay (at least to some extent) on market expectations.

We probably won't see a budding superstar move in restricted free agency.  Players like Edmonton's Evan Bouchard or Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils are likely valued too much by their teams to move under any circumstances.  Still, St. Louis showed that offer sheets can be a tool to acquire quality depth.

With that in mind, let's consider a few candidates.

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Could Red Wings Be a Fit for Michigan State Star Isaac Howard?

Can Tarasenko Bounce Back from Lowly First Year in Detroit?

Three Highlights from Steve Yzerman and Todd McLellan's End of Season Press Availability

Report: Ex-Red Wings GM Holland Set to Take Over the KingsReport: Ex-Red Wings GM Holland Set to Take Over the KingsAfter a season on the sidelines, multiple reports indicate that former Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland is set to step back into an executive's chair, taking over the Los Angeles Kings as the team's next general manager.

Matthew Knies

Perhaps just by virtue of playing in Toronto, Knies seems to be the first name in any RFA poaching conversation.  The 22-year-old out of the University of Minnesota is coming off an outstanding season: 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points in 78 games.  From a Red Wings perspective, he's exactly the sort of profile Detroit wants to add to its top six: a fast and physical battle winner, who combines finishing touch with 200-foot responsibility.

The case for acquiring Knies is easy, the path to doing so is much more complex.  Toronto certainly wouldn't want to let Knies walk, but it's possible that the summer's Mitch Marner sweepstakes could put the Maple Leafs in a position where there aren't enough dollars to go around for Knies.  If (and it's a big if) that proves the case, he could be a highly appealing target for a bunch of teams around the league, and the Red Wings would certainly fit that description.

Will Cuylle

I don't think it's disrespectful to characterize Cuylle of the New York Rangers as something like a Knies-lite.  He put up 20 goals and 25 assists for the Rangers this season, and like Knies, he brings size, speed, and physicality.  It's hard to see why New York wouldn't want to keep Cuylle around in the long-term, but we know the Rangers are in for a long summer of upheaval, and they aren't a team with lots of flexibility with respect to the salary cap.

Within that context, perhaps Cuylle could shake loose.  To make it happen, the Red Wings would likely have to follow the Blues' Holloway playbook: offering a bit more than his numbers would suggest he's really earned and hope that with an increased role, he could reward his hypothetical new team with an increase in production.

Nicolas Hague

Detroit could certainly use some more depth on defense (frankly, what team couldn't?), and Nic Hague of the Vegas Golden Knights could fit that description.

Hague won't provide a lot of offense, and he realistically isn't fit for a massive role, but he's shone in Vegas that he can play sound defensive minutes for a Cup contending team on a deep playoff run.  He stands at six-foot-six, and no Red Wings fan needs to be told about Yzerman's predilection for big D-men.

Of the three players listed here, he's probably the likeliest to actually spring loose.  That's not to say he could be had easily, but because of the Knights' big cap commitments on the blue line (an $8.8 million AAV for Alex Pietrangelo through 2026-27, $7.35 million per year for Noah Hanifin through '31-32, and $7.425 million a season through 2029-30 for Shea Theodore), it's not impossible to conceive of a world where he becomes too rich for Vegas to hold onto.

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Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 5 predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for May 14

Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview

It’s Wednesday, May 14, and the Golden State Warriors (48-34) and Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33) are all set to square off from Target Center in Minneapolis.

The Warriors are down 3-1 in the series and will be without Steph Curry tonight.

The Warriors are currently 24-17 on the road with a point differential of 3, while the Timberwolves have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Warriors vs. Timberwolves live today

  • Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • Time: 9:30PM EST
  • Site: Target Center
  • City: Minneapolis, MN
  • Network/Streaming: TNT

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

Game odds for Warriors vs. Timberwolves

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Warriors (+452), Timberwolves (-617)
  • Spread:  Timberwolves -11.5
  • Over/Under: 204 points

That gives the Warriors an implied team point total of 100.96, and the Timberwolves 106.95.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday’s Warriors vs. Timberwolves game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

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

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Warriors & Timberwolves game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Minnesota Timberwolves on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Golden State Warriors at +11.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 204.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Warriors vs. Timberwolves on Wednesday

  • The Timberwolves have won four of their last five games at home against Western Conference Pacific Division teams
  • The Over is 35-26 in the Timberwolves' matchups against Western Conference teams this season
  • The Warriors have gone 27-20 on the road against the spread this season

The absence of Steph Curry has clearly been hurting Golden State, who have lost three straight to fall 3-1 down in this Western Conference semi-finals series against Minnesota. Their offence has been severely compromised, and with their backs against the wall a cagey affair can be expected.

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

Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

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

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- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Red Sox at Tigers prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for May 14

Its Wednesday, May 14 and the Red Sox (22-22) are in Detroit to take on the Tigers (28-15).

Hunter Dobbins is slated to take the mound for Boston against Tarik Skubal for Detroit.

The Tigers outlasted the Red Sox last night winning 10-9 in eleven innings. The game was tied at six after nine innings. Each team scored a single run in the tenth and the Tigers outscored the Sox 3-2 in the eleventh to prevail. Javier Baez smashed a pair of three-run home runs including a walk-off dinger in the eleventh.

Lets dive into tonight's matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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

Game details & how to watch Red Sox at Tigers

  • Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: Comerica Park
  • City: Detroit, MI
  • Network/Streaming: NESN, FDSNDT

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

Odds for the Red Sox at the Tigers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Red Sox (+181), Tigers (-219)
  • Spread:  Tigers -1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Red Sox at Tigers

  • Pitching matchup for May 14, 2025: Hunter Dobbins vs. Tarik Skubal
    • Red Sox: Hunter Dobbins (2-1, 2.78 ERA)
      Last Outing: 5/9 at Kansas City - 6IP, 0ER, 5H, 0BB, 6Ks
    • Tigers: Tarik Skubal (4-2, 2.08 ERA)
      Last outing: 5/9 vs. Texas - 7IP, 1ER, 2H, 0BB, 12Ks

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Red Sox at Tigers

  • The Tigers have won 4 straight home games against the Red Sox
  • The Over is 7-3 in the Red Sox's last 10 road games
  • Tarik Skubal has struck out 31 hitters in his last three starts (19IP)
  • Rafael Devers had his 5-game hitting streak snapped last night

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

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Red Sox and the Tigers

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Red Sox and the Tigers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Detroit Tigers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Detroit Tigers at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Cardinals at Phillies – Gm. 2 prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends, and stats for May 14

Its Wednesday, May 14 and the Cardinals (23-19) are in Philadelphia for a doubleheader against the Phillies (24-17).

Sonny Gray is slated to take the mound for St. Louis in Game 2 against Aaron Nola for Philadelphia.

These teams were rained out last night.

Lets dive into Game 2 of the doubleheader and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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

Game details & how to watch Cardinals at Phillies

  • Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • Time: 6:15PM EST
  • Site: Citizens Bank Park
  • City: Philadelphia, PA
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNMW, NBCSP

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

Odds for the Cardinals at the Phillies

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Cardinals (+110), Phillies (-130)
  • Spread:  Phillies -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cardinals at Phillies

  • Pitching matchup for May 14, 2025: Sonny Gray vs. Aaron Nola
    • Cardinals: Sonny Gray (4-1, 3.50 ERA)
      Last outing: 5/7 vs. Pittsburgh - 7IP, 0ER, 2H, 1BB, 8Ks
    • Phillies: Aaron Nola (1-6, 4.89 ERA)
      Last outing: 5/9 at Cleveland - 5IP, 4ER, 6H, 2BB, 5Ks

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cardinals at Phillies

  • The Cardinals have won four of their last five games against the Phillies
  • With Aaron Nola starting, the Under has cashed in the Phillies' last three games
  • The Phillies are 10-10 at home on the Run Line

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

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s Game 2 between the Cardinals and the Phillies

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's Game 2 between the Cardinals and the Phillies:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the St. Louis Cardinals on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the St. Louis Cardinals at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Three Canadiens Make The Hockey News Top 100 NHL Players List

Apr 1, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki (14) celebrates with Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) and forward Cole Caufield (13) after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Not so long ago, Carey Price was the first Montreal Canadiens player to be mentioned in any list of best NHL players. Now that he has been forced to stop playing, the Habs are led by someone else in The Hockey News’ top 100 NHL players list. Only three Canadiens made the list: Nick Suzuki, sniper Cole Caufield, and rookie defenseman Lane Hutson.

Canadiens: The Grades Are In – Mike Matheson
When The Canadiens Draft Twice (Or More) In The First Round…
Canadiens: The Grades Are In – Arber Xhekaj
Canadiens: The Grades Are In – Kaiden Guhle

The captain is the first to appear at number 61, and it's understandable. He has been the juggernaut of Montreal’s qualification for the playoffs; he’s the forward who was called upon the most by coach Martin St-Louis, both at even strength and on the power play, and whenever a penalty killing forward ends up in the box, he’s the one who gets the call. He has become the team's undisputed leader, speaking to Kent Hughes and asking that nobody be traded at the deadline. He quickly rose to the challenge the GM gave, being one of the league’s best forwards after the 4 Nations Face-Off break, on top of playing a fourth consecutive 82-game season.

Not so far behind at number 66 comes his linemate, Cole Caufield. After a fantastic start to the year in goal scoring, he cooled off, but he still scored 37 lamp-lighters, putting the league on notice that in a future not so far away, he may be a Rocket Richard Trophy contender. Under St-Louis’ tutelage, he has become more than a goal scorer; he’s aware of his responsibilities without the puck, and he’s shown a knack for picking unsuspecting forwards’ pockets, creating his opportunities. Have we seen the best of Caufield yet? I don’t think so. The ceiling is high for a 24-year-old, and it keeps getting higher.

The third and final Hab on the list barely makes it, coming in at number 100. Unsurprisingly, it’s rookie defenseman and Calder Trophy favourite, Lane Hutson. The blueliner has had a significant impact on his team right away. It only took him weeks to wrestle the first power-play quarterback role from Mike Matheson, and he was definitely up to the task. He set records for the Canadiens’ franchise and has impressed crowds everywhere with his smooth skating and ability to evade pressure at both ends of the ice. When Hughes signs him to a new contract, he will become the Canadiens’ best-paid player.

Three players in the top 100 is not a lot, but it’s more than the Canadiens have been accustomed to in recent years. With the young Habs continuing to improve, expect these three to make their way up in the list next season, and who knows, there might even be a new member of the top-100 club on the team next year.

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

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Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

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Pirates at Mets Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for May 14

It's Wednesday, May 14 and the Pirates (14-29) are in Queens to take on the Mets (28-15). Bailey Falter is slated to take the mound for Pittsburgh against Clay Holmes for New York.

The Mets won yesterday's matchup, 2-1, off a Brett Baty homer in the 7th inning. New York won both meetings with Pittsburgh by one run (4-3 and 2-1). The Pirates are 2-3 in the last five games, but 2-10 over the previous 12 compared to the 3-0 run the Mets are on and 5-1 in the past six games.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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

Game details & how to watch Pirates at Mets

  • Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • Time: 7:10 PM EST
  • Site: Citi Field
  • City: Queens, NY
  • Network/Streaming: SNP, SNY, MLB Network

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

Odds for the Pirates at the Mets

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Pirates (+218), Mets (-270)
  • Spread:  Mets -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Pirates at Mets

  • Pitching matchup for May 14, 2025: Bailey Falter vs. Clay Holmes
    • Pirates: Bailey Falter, (2-3, 4.36 ERA)
      Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts
    • Mets: Clay Holmes, (5-1, 2.74 ERA)
      Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts

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

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Pirates and the Mets

Rotoworld Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans toward the Buccos:

"One of the angles I like in baseball is backing a team to avoid a sweep. The Pirates avoided a sweep against the Braves after two consecutive series of being swept. At +220 odds, the Pirates aren't a bad look today in what could be another low-scoring affair."

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

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Pirates and the Mets:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Mets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Pittsburgh Pirates at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Pirates at Mets

  • The Mets have won 4 of their last 5 games at home against National League teams
  • The Under is 18-10-3 in the Pirates' matchups against National League teams this season
  • The Pirates have covered the Run Line in 4 straight matchups against the Mets

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Cowboys' Parsons slams Acho for ranking Curry low in his top 10

Cowboys' Parsons slams Acho for ranking Curry low in his top 10 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Retired NFL veteran and current Fox Sports 1 analyst Emmanuel Acho shared a list of his top 10 active NBA players if everyone were at their peak in an X post on Tuesday.

Acho irritated many, particularly Dub Nation and Steph Curry fans, after ranking the superstar Warriors guard fifth, with LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant rounding out the top four in order, and Nikola Jokić, Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis, Luka Dončić and Russell Westbrook trailing Curry in order.

Acho rightfully received some responses from those he agitated. And one respondee, surprisingly, was Dallas Cowboys star edge rusher Micah Parsons, who called out Acho in support of Golden State’s sharpshooting future Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer.

“I’m sorry, not having Curry first is disrespectful!” Parsons wrote on X.

Arguments for first place can be made for any of the players Acho listed.

However, NBA fans like Parsons who have paid attention to Curry’s illustrious 16-year Warriors career – consisting of four championships, two NBA MVP awards, 11 NBA All-Star nods, 10 All-NBA nods and a spot on the league’s 75th Anniversary Team – know how irreplaceable he is to Golden State and the success he has – and still can – brought the franchise when at his best; Curry’s case looms even larger, once considering how the Warriors miss him dearly in the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

And that’s before mentioning how Curry forever changed basketball with his transformative 3-point shooting prowess, unlike any of the great players on Acho’s list.

Nonetheless, Acho insisted on dying on his hill, even defending his take on Curry in response to Parsons.

“In their prime: LeBron, Kawhi, Giannis are all DPOY caliber players,” Acho wrote on X at Parsons. “Steph may be the most skilled offensively, but to say he’s better than any 2-way player (in their prime) is outta pocket.”

And when questioned by a commenter about his logic and how he placed Durant over Curry, Acho tripled down.

“Great question – I prefer Steph to KD, personally,” Acho replied. “However, prime KD (championship runs) was actually an impactful defensive player (blocks, steals, boards). Steph has always been someone you attack defensively, even in his prime.”

Curry, 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, might not be the caliber of defender that the other players mentioned in Acho’s list are. But the initial question Acho answered with his top-10 list was about the NBA’s best active players at their peaks.

And there’s no doubt Curry is one of, if not the, NBA’s best at his apex.

“If you wanted to say Steph, trust me, I won’t argue with you,” Acho replied to another X user. “This a really good convo that I don’t have enough characters for.”

Acho did have enough characters to rank Curry fifth, though.

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