St. Louis Cardinals vs Philadelphia Phillies Game Discussion Tuesday

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 27: Andre Pallante #53 of the St. Louis Cardinal pitches against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium on June 27, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jeff Le/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies will tangle again Tuesday night as Andre Pallante will try to earn his 13th victory for the Cardinals while the Phillies will send LHP Cristopher Sánchez to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45pm central time at Busch Stadium and the game TV broadcast will be available through Cardinals.tv.

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Texas Rangers lineup for August 11, 2026

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Brandon Nimmo #24 of the Texas Rangers hits an RBI single during the tenth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 10, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Texas Rangers lineup for August 11, 2026 against the Anaheim Angels: starting pitchers are Cody Bradford for the Rangers and Ryan Johnson for the Angels.

Texas looks to make it two in a row against the Angels, who fired all their pitching coaches today. As a result, Ryan Johnson, who barely two years ago was pitching for Dallas Baptist, and who has been rushed to the majors and has a 7.11 ERA, will no doubt throw a 2 hit shutout.

The lineup:

Pederson — DH

Langford — LF

Seager — SS

Nimmo — RF

Duran — 3B

Carter — CF

Burger — 1B

Wynns — C

Lopez — 2B

8:38 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -146 favorites.

Braves vs. Mets rain delay chat and discussion

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 14: The tarp on the field before the Saturday afternoon MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the Atlanta Braves on June 14, 2025 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

There’s been some nasty weather in the forecast all day for metro Atlanta. It’s been threatening and threatening and threatening to roll in and finally it’s close enough to where the grounds crew at Truist Park has gone ahead and put the tarp on the field ahead of Tuesday’s contest between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets.

We’ll have more for y’all once the details come in but for now, anticipate that tonight’s game won’t be starting on time.

UPDATE [6:55 p.m. ET]: Well apparently the weather is fine enough at the ballpark to where the game is apparently set to start on time. The tarp is off and the players are preparing as if the game will be starting on time.

Apparently this leaves in the possibility of a one-minute delay.

UPDATE [7:15 p.m. ET]: The teams are on the field and it’s time to play ball. Come join us in the game thread!

Anthony Edwards takes page from Lakers’ Luka Doncic’s pricey playbook

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic’s generous offer to his teammates is being copied by one of the star’s biggest rivals.

At the end of July, news broke that Doncic was hosting the entire Lakers’ roster in Slovenia for a four-day minicamp. Not only was he inviting them to his home country, but he was also paying for all of their flights to and from Europe.

Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the NBA Western Conference Playoffs. Getty Images

This was seen as a praiseworthy act of leadership from the Lakers’ best player, even though these flights will barely even register in Doncic’s bank account, given that he’s making nearly $50 million this upcoming season.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is making $49 million in this upcoming season. And he seems to have taken inspiration from Doncic’s flight-booking act, as news broke on Monday that Edwards (and his new teammate LaMelo Ball) have offered to pay for their teammates’ flights to Paris for a team workout overseas.

It appears that Minnesota is trying to create camaraderie with their new-look roster that includes Ball. And they chose Paris as their workout location in part because their French star center, Rudy Gobert, lives there in the offseason.

Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball during the Minnesota Timberwolves All Access practice. NBAE via Getty Images

Doncic and Edwards have had many great battles on the court together. And now they seem to be competing when it comes to treating their teammates to nice flights.

It would be fun to find out which of these two ended up paying more for their teammates’ flights. Then again, Edwards had Ball to help foot the bill while Doncic did so on his own.

That seems like another win for the Lakers guard.

Kelenic up, Bride out, Jansen on rehab

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 24: Jarred Kelenic #25 of the Texas Rangers looks on from the dugout during a game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on June 24, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Saul Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Texas Rangers have purchased the contract of outfielder Jarred Kelenic from AAA Round Rock, the team announced today. To make room for Kelenic on the active and 40 man roster, the Rangers have designated infielder Jonah Bride for assignment. In addition, the Rangers announced that catcher Danny Jansen is beginning a rehab assignment with Round Rock today.

Well, this is weird. Bride was added to the active roster on Sunday, with lefthanded hitting outfielder Alejandro Osuna being sent down to AAA Round Rock. Now, after two games, both of which Bride started, going 1 for 5 with a walk and two Ks in all, Bride is dropped so the Rangers could add a lefthanded hitting outfielder to the active roster.

Did they just want Bride for the two games? Was the plan all along to have him up against the two lefty starters, then put him on waivers? Did he do something to upset somebody? Did he cropdust Skip Schumaker? Was he playing the Thong Song on the clubhouse stereo (or, conversely, objecting to someone playing the Thong Song on the clubhouse stereo)? Did he sit in Corey Seager’s preferred spot on the bus?

Its a mystery.

Anyway, Kelenic is back for his second stint on the Rangers’ active roster this season. Since being sent down, Kelenic has slashed .391/.456/.674 in 103 plate appearances over 24 games while going 7 for 7 on stolen base attempts. He went 2 for 4 on Sunday, with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored, and maybe the organization like the cut of his jib in that game so much they decided, the hell with Jonah Bride, we need this Kelenic guy back up!

In Kelenic’s previous stint with the Rangers, he was 1 for 8 with two walks, five Ks and a caught stealing in seven games. For some reason, I thought he had gotten more action than that.

The good news is that Danny Jansen will hopefully be back soon. Jansen has been out with an elbow issue that reportedly may or may not need surgery this offseason. He’s scheduled to catch four innings for Round Rock, and my guess is that he’ll spend the week with the Express and, if things go well, be activated when the Rangers return home a week from today to start a series against the Nationals.

NBA Christmas Day Predictions, Odds & Picks: New-Look 76ers Put on a Show in Hollywood

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You'd better finish opening your presents quickly because the NBA is bringing the heat early on Christmas Day, with the New York Knicks hosting the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden at noon ET in an NBA Finals rematch.

I had a strong stance on this matchup during the NBA Finals, and it hasn't changed. Let's dive into my early NBA picks for a loaded slate on Friday, Dec. 25.

NBA Christmas Day predictions

PickDraftKings
Knicks Knicks -1.5-105
Celtics Celtics -5.5-110
76ers 76ers +1.5 -115
Timberwolves Timberwolves +3.5-105
Nuggets Nuggets -3.5-110

The NBA delivered an incredible Christmas Day slate, starting with an NBA Finals rematch before LeBron James returns to Los Angeles to face Luka Doncic as a 76er. 

And while some questioned Golden State's inclusion, Stephen Curry vs. Nikola Jokic as the nightcap is the perfect way to end Christmas Day.

Spurs vs Knicks (12 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

Spurs vs Knicks opening odds

Spurs SpursKnicks Knicks
-105Moneyline-115
+1.5 (-115)Spread-1.5 (-105)
Over 228.5 (-115)TotalUnder 228.5 (-105)

Spurs vs Knicks early pick: Knicks -1.5

em-105 at DraftKings/em

The New York Knicks have the matchup advantage against the San Antonio Spurs, just as they did in the NBA Finals, so I'm backing them again on Christmas Day. 

Karl-Anthony Towns' spacing and the starting five's shooting limit Victor Wembanyama's ability to roam defensively. As long as nobody gifts De'Aaron Fox a jumper, New York should cover.

Heat vs Celtics (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

Heat vs Celtics opening odds

Heat HeatCeltics Celtics
+154Moneyline-185
+5.5 (-110)Spread-5.5 (-110)
Over 229.5 (-110)TotalUnder 229.5 (-110)

Heat vs Celtics early pick: Celtics -5.5 

em-110 at DraftKings/em

The Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat matchup is fascinating with Giannis Antetokounmpo now in South Beach.

Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo give the Heat one of the NBA's most imposing interior defenses, but that strength doesn't align with Boston's Mazzulla-ball offense, which is built around bombing away from three rather than attacking the paint.

Give me the Celtics -5.5.

76ers vs Lakers (5 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

76ers vs Lakers opening odds

76ers 76ersLakers Lakers
-105Moneyline-115
+1.5 (-115)Spread+1.5 (-115)
Over 235.5 (-115)TotalUnder 235.5 (-105)

76ers vs Lakers early pick: 76ers +1.5 

em-115 at DraftKings/em

I'm shocked to see the Philadelphia 76ers as underdogs. I wasn't a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers' free-agent moves, and by Christmas Day, Philadelphia should have plenty of games under its belt to establish roles and usage.

Jaylen Brown was a nightmare for Luka Doncic at the point of attack in the NBA Finals, and I expect more of the same.

Take the Sixers at +1.5.

Thunder vs Timberwolves (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

Thunder vs Timberwolves opening odds

Thunder ThunderTimberwolves Timberwolves
-162Moneyline+136
-3.5 (-115)Spread+3.5 (-105)
Over 232.5 (-110)TotalUnder 232.5 (-110)

Thunder vs Timberwolves early pick: Timberwolves +3.5

em-105 at DraftKings/em

The Oklahoma City Thunder lost Lu Dort this offseason, a physical defender who has given Anthony Edwards problems in the past as his primary defender.

Not only did the Thunder lose perimeter depth, but the Minnesota Timberwolves added a major creator in LaMelo Ball. 

That matters here because the Wolves have often forced the ball to Edwards against the Thunder in matchups that aren't favorable for him. Ball can handle the Thunder's pressure and create open looks for the Wolves' secondary scorers. 

Nuggets vs Warriors (10:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

Nuggets vs Warriors opening odds

Nuggets NuggetsWarriors Warriors
-155Moneyline+130
-3.5 (-110)Spread+3.5 (-110)
Over 238.5 (-105)TotalUnder 238.5 (-115)

Nuggets vs Warriors early pick: Nuggets -3.5

em-110 at DraftKings/em

I personally have high hopes for the Denver Nuggets next season. I think they caught a ton of bad breaks last season, as they had a hard time integrating Cam Johnson into the offense, while Aaron Gordon missed a ton of time with an injury.

When healthy, this is one of the best starting fives in the NBA. The Golden State Warriors feel like a deflated team heading into next season after missing out on LeBron.

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

Game Thread: Reds (56-61) at White Sox (61-56)

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 25: Sean Burke #59 of the Chicago White Sox smiles in a game against the Houston Astros at Rate Field on July 25, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images)
Sean Burke holds a 1.74 ERA in his last seven starts, with 144 strikeouts on the season. | (Matt Dirksen/Getty Images)

After squeaking out an important series win against the Cleveland Guardians this past weekend, the South Siders look to carry that momentum into a new three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds. Ideally, the Sox can take care of business while holding down first place as the Detroit Tigers and the Guardians bat each other up over the next few days.

The good news is that on top of the wizardry that Mike Vasil contributes to the team, the Good Guys can channel the Pope and those powers-that-be, as 38,000+ fans in attendance on the South Side will be sporting a “Pope hat” from tonight’s giveaway.

Standing room only at Sox Park? All for this glorious hat:

The South Siders have their ace on the mound, as righthander Sean Burke makes his 20th start of the season. Burke ranks 15th in baseball with 144 strikeouts while holding a 27.4% strikeout rate, ranking in the 81st percentile among MLB pitchers. Burke’s excellent extension while walking batters at a lower rate (7.4%) has helped maintain his dominance over the last several starts. In his last seven games, he’s posted an excellent 1.74 ERA across 41 1/3 frames with just a 0.92 WHIP, striking out 57 against just nine walks. The White Sox rank last in innings pitched for starting pitchers, so Burke going at least six innings in five of his last six starts has been helpful to keep a struggling offense in games.

With a lefty on the mound against the South Siders, Will Venable is calling on his right-handed hitters to hold it down at the plate tonight. Chase Meidroth is getting a second consecutive day of rest, so Sam Antonacci will slot in at second base, with Randal Grichuk batting cleanup and playing left. Colson Montgomery is also getting an off-day in the field, locking in as the DH with Luisangel Acuña subbing in at shortstop. Brenton Doyle will also continue to lead off with Meidroth out, and he wasn’t too shabby the other day, even tallying a couple of hits on Sunday with a stolen base and run scored.

Both Munetaka Murakami and Miguel Vargas remain at the top of the order, and Mune has a 25-game on-base streak going, looking to extend that this evening.

Chicago White Sox Lineup

On the mound for the Reds is Nick Lodolo, making his 13th start of the season. Lodolo has floated on and off the IL this season, officially returning to the big league squad today after wrapping up a rehab assignment. The lefty hasn’t pitched since July 11 due to a blister on his throwing hand, so it’s possible he’ll be a bit rusty, which would be best-case scenario for the South Siders. Lodolo isn’t a big strikeout pitcher, only ringing batters up 17.9% of the time, and his 9.7% walk rate is quite high and favorable for a White Sox team that tends to walk 9% of the time.

Burke’s splits against righties and lefties are nearly identical, though opponents are slugging less from the right-handed side (.337 SLG) than when batting lefty (.392). The Reds are rolling with a righty-heavy lineup, though the power at the top of the order is still something to keep an eye on with Elly De La Cruz leading off. Elly has so far posted an .852 OPS on the season, leading the Reds in that category, but the young first baseman Sal Stewart has driven in 87 runs so far this season alongside 25 homers with a strong .807 OPS.

Cincinnati Reds Lineup

Now that the storms have moved through, it’s a beautiful night for a ball game with the temperature handing around 80º at game time. First pitch will take place at 6:40 p.m. CT, and you can tune into the usual locations either on TV at CHSN or on the radio at ESPN Chicago AM 1000.

Now, it’s time for a White Sox win, because we certainly can’t disappoint the Pope.

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Braves vs Mets chat and discussion: Martín Pérez vs Nolan McLean

After a few rough games that have drawn some eyes to umpires, the Atlanta Braves are looking to bounce back and take game two against the New York Mets.

The game will feature Martín Pérez for the Braves as he continues his second best season of his fifteen year career against Nolan McLean a player emerging as a staff ace for the Mets. Pérez gave up four earned runs against the Mets in early July and in the same game McLean had a much better performance only giving up two.

A rematch is in place tonight, and hopefully Pérez and the Braves come out on top this time. Follow along in the comments.

First pitch was scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET but the tarp went on the field around a half hour before first pitch. The tarp is now off but in case there are any more updates, the rain delay thread is the place to go to. Otherwise, follow along with us below.

Lineup

Preview

Premier League 2026-27 preview No 5: Brighton

Fabian Hürzeler has lost key players including Welbeck and Van Hecke with Brighton needing squad depth to cope with the demands of European football

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 9th (NB: this is not necessarily John Brewin’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 8th

Continue reading...

The Athletic Projects Flames Losing Wolf's Backup in Mock NHL Expansion Draft

The NHL may have 32 teams heading into the 2026-27 season, but expansion talk resurfaces every offseason, and the league will inevitably feature 33 or 34 teams one day. Recently, The Athletic launched a series that produced a mock Expansion Draft for a fictional 33rd team, based on the 2026-27 rosters. 

Considering how deep the Calgary Flames are in their rebuild, the writers opted not to select any players from the club, with many under 25. Instead, they selected goalie Devin Cooley, who just became Dustin Wolf's backup last year. The 29-year-old from California compiled a 10-10-6 record in 31 games, producing a 2.69 GAA and .909 SV%. In 2023-24, Cooley made his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks, going 2-3-1 in just six games. 

Revisiting Cooley's Path to the NHL

Before earning a full-time backup role with the Flames last season, Cooley played parts of five seasons in the AHL, appearing in 112 games and posting a 53-41-13 record with a respectable .902 SV% and 3.07 GAA. Moreover, he has built a professional hockey career with stops in the USHL, the ECHL, and with Team USA at the recent World Championships. 

Calgary General Manager Craig Conroy signed Cooley to an extension on Dec. 30, 2025, giving him another two years at $2.7 million, the biggest deal of his career. 

After taking the long route to a regular NHL job, if Cooley ended up with the fictional 33rd NHL team The Athletic drafted, he'd be hard-pressed to find a spot in a stacked crease. The writers took five goalies in their mock draft, including Filip Gustavsson (Minnesota), Sebastian Cossa (Utah), Leevi Merilainen (Ottawa), Artur Akhyuamov (Toronto), and Cooley. 

Flames Recent History with Expansion Drafts

Because of the rules regarding the protection lists in Expansion Drafts, The Athletic decided to go with the 7-3-1 model, letting the Flames keep Jonathan Huberdeau, Mikael Backlund, Matt Coronato, Connor Zary, Joel Farabee, Morgan Frost, Yegor Sharangovich, Zach Whitecloud, Kevin Bahl, Brayden Pachal, and Wolf. 

When the Seattle Kraken joined the NHL in 2021, the Flames protected several superstar names, all of which have since departed the organization except Backlund. Calgary's last protected list also included Dillon Dube, Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, Andrew Mangiapane, Sean Monahan, Matthew Tkachuk, Rasmus Andersson, Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Jacob Markström. In the end, the Kraken selected Mark Giordano, who would go on to become the expansion team's first captain. 

Meanwhile, when the Vegas Golden Knights came into existence in 2017, the Flames' protection list included several names from the 2021 one, including Backlund, Gaudreau, and Monahan, but also featured Sam Bennett, Michael Ferland, Michael Frolik, Curtis Lazar, T.J. Brodie, Dougie Hamilton, Mike Smith, and then-captain Giordano. The Golden Knights selected Deryk Engelland, who helped the expansion team reach the Stanley Cup Final in June 2018.

Although there is no official Expansion Draft on the horizon, it won't stop fans and media from talking about the possibilities, if and when the moment comes to fruition. Given the youth movement in Calgary, it will be a fascinating time for the club, which will need to sort out their no-movement clauses with several of their core players, knowing that whoever they leave unprotected is someone they may have developed from the draft up to the NHL. 

Canucks AHL-Affiliate Signs Former Penguins Draft Pick To One-Year Contract

A former Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick is making his way to the Abbotsford Canucks. 

23-year-old Isaac Belliveau, who was drafted in the fifth-round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, has been signed to a one-year AHL contract by Abbotsford. 

The 6-foot-2, left-shot defenceman has spent the past three seasons split between the AHL and ECHL. He skated for the Wheeling Nailers in 2023–24, putting up 14 goals and 24 assists in 70 games with the Penguins’ ECHL-affiliate. The 2024–25 season saw him play in more of a split, skating in 22 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and 25 with the Nailers. 

After being traded to the Buffalo Sabres in June of 2025 as part of a deal for defenceman Connor Clifton, Belliveau played for the Rochester Americans in the AHL. He skated in 36 games and scored a goal and five assists. 

Belliveau played out his junior hockey career in the QMJHL, spending around two seasons with Rimouski Océanic and nearly three with Gatineau Olympiques. He put up a career-high of 53 points in 62 games with Rimouski during his rookie QMJHL season in 2019–20.  

In 2023, Belliveau signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins, but did not end up playing for the team. After being traded to Buffalo, he did not receive a qualifying offer. 

Sep 25, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Isaac Belliveau (78) moves the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Isaac Belliveau (78) moves the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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Nick Swisher relives best Yankees memories at Old-Timers’ Day

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 08: Former New York Yankees Nick Swisher is introduced during the Yankees Old-Timers' Day prior to the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, August 8, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Jonathan Pensiero/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

It is rare to have an opportunity to relive your glory days the way Yankees legends do at Old-Timers’ Day. As a key member of the 2009 World Series-winning team, Nick Swisher couldn’t ask for more.

Before the Yankees faced the Braves on Saturday, Michael Kay made introductions for all the former players participating in the Old-Timers’ Day game. Swisher, whose spirit and enthusiasm were never dimmed by his retirement, was introduced as “Swishalicious,” the nickname famously coined by former Yankees broadcaster John Sterling, who sadly passed away in May 2026.

Hearing that name brought back a massive wave of memories for the MLB All-Star. Sterling originally used another nickname when Swisher first joined the organization, but it never really sat right with him.

“I remember the first time I met John Sterling,” Swisher commented during an interview after Old-Timers’ Day. “The first home run call when I first showed up was ‘Jolly Ol’ St. Nick.’”

“When I caught him after the game, I said, ‘Hey John, do I look like Santa Claus to you? I am jolly, but I’m not old!’”

The former Yankees first baseman revisited old friends in the dugout, shared many stories of his favorite moments in the league, and discussed the current state of the franchise.

“We just have so much fun. You get right back in the locker room and everybody picks up right where they left off. Coffee starts flowing, the crossword puzzles are out, people are talking shop, it’s just an amazing opportunity to be a part of. ”

Swisher is still deeply involved with the Yankees organization and often provides analysis on what needs to get done to get another shot at a World Series title. You can likely find him either visiting old friends at Yankee Stadium, sharing his takes on YES Network, or spending time with his wife JoAnna and daughters Emme and Sailor.

Canadiens Have Trade Target To Consider In 6-Foot-4 Defender

The Montreal Canadiens have not been very busy this off-season when it comes to bringing in new talent.

Although this is the case, the Canadiens still have some time to change that before the start of the 2026-27 season.

When looking at the Canadiens' current roster, it is fair to argue that they could use another right-shot defenseman to improve their depth. Due to this, one player who could make sense for the Canadiens to bring in is Nashville Predators blueliner Nick Perbix.

If the Canadiens acquired Perbix, they would be adding a 6-foot-4 right-shot defenseman who could work well on their bottom pairing. However, he could also be useful to have around when injuries arise during the season. 

Perbix would also be an affordable option for the Canadiens, as he has a reasonable $2.75 million cap hit until the end of the 2026-27 season. Due to this, there would be no risk in the Canadiens bringing him in to improve their blueline depth. 

Perbix appeared in 79 games this past season for the Predators, where he recorded three goals, 13 points, 95 blocks. He also recorded at least 19 points in each of his three previous seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning. This included during the 2023-24 season when he recorded a career-high 24 points in 77 games. With that, he has shown that he has the potential to provide a little bit of offense from the point. 

Overall, if the Canadiens want to add another right-shot defenseman without needing to give up a lot, a solid blueliner like Perbix could make sense for them.

Ranking 2026 NBA Christmas games: Where does LeBron vs. Bronny James land?

The biggest date on the NBA calendar, at least in the first half of the season, is undoubtedly Christmas Day.

And on Tuesday, Aug. 11, the league revealed the games that will be played December 25. The league historically preserves its best matchups and rivalries, offering a five-game slate that highlights some of the game’s biggest stars. LeBron James has been a fixture. So have Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokić, Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and others.

This time, however, things will be a little different, as James will be playing for his fourth different team, the Philadelphia 76ers. Interestingly, their opponent on Christmas happens to be the team where his son and former teammate, Bronny James, plays.

Here’s a ranking of the 2026 Christmas Day NBA games, from worst to first:

NOTE: All games on ABC and ESPN and all times Eastern.

5. Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors

Game time: 10:30 p.m.

Stephen Curry has been a fixture on Christmas Day, but this feels more like a nod to past performance and what has worked in the past. The Warriors, with their age, injury concerns and lack of offseason additions, may struggle to compete this season in the West. Christmas Day can be an opportunity for the league to introduce casual fans to some of the game’s upcoming stars; think of Victor Wembanyama in 2024 at 20 years old, dropping 42 points at Madison Square Garden in a close loss. This felt like a missed opportunity to pass the torch.

4. Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers

Game time: 5 p.m.

The storyline is there: LeBron James is making his return to Los Angeles and will face off against Luka Dončić and the Lakers, presumably for the first time since he signed with the 76ers. His son, Bronny James may play, which would mark the first time a father and son have been opponents in the same game in NBA history. Yet, though James delivered a championship to Los Angeles, fans never held him in the same regard as franchise icons like Magic or Kobe or Shaquille. It should make for compelling theater but there are better basketball matchups out there.

3. Miami Heat at Boston Celtics

Game time: 2:30 p.m.

This was an excellent Eastern Conference rivalry in the early 2020s that lost its luster after Miami languished in recent seasons. The addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat should revive it. Both these teams are gritty and they’ll have contrasting styles; the Heat will look to push pace in transition, while the Celtics slow things down and launch 3s. They’re also superb on defense. This could end up being a low-scoring game more reminiscent of the early 2000s, but that should be taken as a high compliment.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves

Game time: 8 p.m

The Thunder may very well be the best team in the NBA, when fully healthy. And though they lost some key players like Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Joe, they remain deep and talented. The Timberwolves are intriguing because they took a risk in adding LaMelo Ball to give Anthony Edwards another ball handler and shot creator. The Thunder have been the best defensive team each of the last two seasons. What a way to test this new Minnesota offense.

1. San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks

Game time: 12 p.m.

It’s the early game but make no mistake: this should give us the best basketball. You have Wembanyama going back to the Garden, where fans will surely try to make him uncomfortable. You have a Spurs team that is presumably bothered about the way they closed out the NBA Finals. And you have the newly-crowned Knicks trying to prove that they were no fluke. And, if it happens to go down to the wire, expect fireworks because this Knicks team has shown it is no stranger to a good comeback.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking 2026 NBA Christmas games: Where does LeBron vs. Bronny James land?

Canadiens Goalie Named Among NHL's Top Breakout Candidates

One of the Montreal Canadiens' most promising youngsters has received a big shout-out.

This is because TheHockeyNews.com has named Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler as one of the NHL's top goalie breakout candidates to watch for the 2026-27 season.

There is no question that Fowler has the potential to have a big year for the Canadiens next season. The 21-year-old goalie has big upside and has already shown a lot of promise early on in his NHL career.

Fowler proved that he was NHL-ready during the 2025-26 season, posting a 9-6-2 record, a 2.43 goals-against average, and a .908 save percentage in 17 appearances. Overall, he had a strong start to his NHL career.

Now, the Canadiens will be hoping that the 2023 third-round pick continues to head into the right direction this upcoming season. If he can put together a big breakout year and form a top-of-the-line tandem with Jakub Dobes, it would be massive for a Canadiens club that is looking to be among the NHL's best teams in 2026-27. 

It will be very interesting to see what Fowler can do as an encore this campaign. The young goalie has a plethora of potential.