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Cardinals vs Braves Predictions: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, stats for April 21

It’s Monday, April 21 and the Cardinals (9-13) are in Atlanta to take on the Braves (8-13). Spencer Schwellenbach is slated to take the mound for Atlanta against Erick Fedde for St. Louis.

The Cardinals are on a four-game losing streak after being swept by the Mets, while the Braves won the past three games, sweeping the Twins. St. Louis was out-scored by New York 19-9 in their last series, while Atlanta out-scored Minnesota 16-9 in theirs.

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 the Cardinals at Braves

  • Date: Monday, April 21, 2025
  • Time: 7:15PM EST
  • Site: Truist Park
  • City: Atlanta, GA
  • Network/Streaming: DSNMWX, FDSNSO

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 Braves

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Cardinals (+155), Braves (-186)
  • Spread:  Braves -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for the Cardinals at Braves

  • Pitching matchup for April 21, 2025: Erick Fedde vs. Spencer Schwellenbach
    • Cardinals: Erick Fedde, (1-2, 3.43 ERA)
      Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Run Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Braves: Spencer Schwellenbach, (1-1, 2.55 ERA)
      Last outing: 4.2 Innings Pitched, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 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!MLB

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Cardinals and the Braves

Rotoworld Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Cardinals Team Total Under 3.5:

"The Cardinals have lost four straight games and five of the past six contests and scored three or fewer games in three of the last six and four or less in all six. The Braves Spencer Schwellenbach is coming off his worst start of the season, but this is an ideal spot at home for him to put together a quality start and record a win. The Cardinals scored nine total runs in the previous four games, so the offense is certainly not clicking. I like St. Louis to score under four runs again, so give me the Team Total Under 3.5."

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 Monday's game between the Cardinals and the Braves:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Atlanta Braves 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

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

  • The Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 games
  • The Under is 7-4-1 in the Braves' matchups against National League teams this season
  • The Braves have failed to cover the Run Line in 3 straight matchups against the Cardinals

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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How long is the Maple Leafs' NHL-record Stanley Cup drought?

How long is the Maple Leafs' NHL-record Stanley Cup drought? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Toronto Maple Leafs own the second-most Stanley Cup titles in NHL history. But it’s been well over a half-century since their last championship triumph.

The Leafs saw their record Stanley Cup drought extended with a second-round loss to the defending champion Florida Panthers in the 2025 NHL playoffs.

Toronto, the Atlantic Division’s No. 1 seed, eliminated the wild-card Ottawa Senators in six games this postseason before jumping out to a 2-0 series lead over Florida. The Panthers then responded with three straight wins, but the Leafs won Game 6 on the road to keep their season alive.

But, in a decisive Game 7 at home, the Leafs were booed off the ice as an ugly 6-1 defeat pushed the storied franchise’s championship drought even closer to six decades.

When was the last time the Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup?

The Leafs’ most recent Stanley Cup championship came in the 1966-67 season.

What’s the longest Stanley Cup drought in NHL history?

Toronto’s current championship drought is the longest in NHL history at 58 years.

The Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks both are mired in title droughts of 50-plus years, as well. Buffalo and Vancouver joined the NHL in the 1970-71 season and neither has won a Stanley Cup in the 54 years since. The Canucks have reached three Stanley Cup Finals (1982, 1994, 2011) and the Sabres have reached two (1975, 1999).

When was the last time the Maple Leafs made the Stanley Cup Final?

The Leafs’ 1966-67 championship campaign also stands as their last appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. That means the Original Six franchise hasn’t reached the Cup Final in the expansion era (since the 1967-68 season).

The Leafs last appeared in the conference final in the 2002 postseason.

How many Stanley Cup Finals have the Maple Leafs made?

Toronto has reached the Cup Final 21 times, trailing only the Montreal Canadiens (33 appearances) and Detroit Red Wings (24 appearances) for the most in NHL history.

How many Stanley Cups have the Maple Leafs won?

The Leafs were victorious in 13 of those 21 Cup Finals. Only the 23-time champion Canadiens have won more Stanley Cups than Toronto.

Here’s a full look at Toronto’s Stanley Cup Final history (years listed are when Cup Finals were played):

  • 1967: Beat Montreal Canadiens
  • 1964: Beat Detroit Red Wings
  • 1963: Beat Detroit Red Wings
  • 1962: Beat Chicago Blackhawks
  • 1960: Lost to Montreal Canadiens
  • 1959: Lost to Montreal Canadiens
  • 1951: Beat Montreal Canadiens
  • 1949: Beat Detroit Red Wings
  • 1948: Beat Detroit Red Wings
  • 1947: Beat Montreal Canadiens
  • 1945: Beat Detroit Red Wings
  • 1942: Beat Detroit Red Wings
  • 1940: Lost to New York Rangers
  • 1939: Lost to Boston Bruins
  • 1938: Lost to Chicago Blackhawks
  • 1936: Lost to Detroit Red Wings
  • 1935: Lost to Montreal Maroons
  • 1933: Lost to New York Rangers
  • 1932: Beat New York Rangers
  • 1922: Beat Vancouver Millionaires
  • 1918: Beat Vancouver Millionaires

Editor’s note: This story was first published on April 21.

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How long is the Maple Leafs' NHL-record Stanley Cup drought?

How long is the Maple Leafs' NHL-record Stanley Cup drought? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Toronto Maple Leafs own the second-most Stanley Cup titles in NHL history. But it’s been well over a half-century since their last championship triumph.

The Leafs saw their record Stanley Cup drought extended with a second-round loss to the defending champion Florida Panthers in the 2025 NHL playoffs.

Toronto, the Atlantic Division’s No. 1 seed, eliminated the wild-card Ottawa Senators in six games this postseason before jumping out to a 2-0 series lead over Florida. The Panthers then responded with three straight wins, but the Leafs won Game 6 on the road to keep their season alive.

But, in a decisive Game 7 at home, the Leafs were booed off the ice as an ugly 6-1 defeat pushed the storied franchise’s championship drought even closer to six decades.

When was the last time the Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup?

The Leafs’ most recent Stanley Cup championship came in the 1966-67 season.

What’s the longest Stanley Cup drought in NHL history?

Toronto’s current championship drought is the longest in NHL history at 58 years.

The Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks both are mired in title droughts of 50-plus years, as well. Buffalo and Vancouver joined the NHL in the 1970-71 season and neither has won a Stanley Cup in the 54 years since. The Canucks have reached three Stanley Cup Finals (1982, 1994, 2011) and the Sabres have reached two (1975, 1999).

When was the last time the Maple Leafs made the Stanley Cup Final?

The Leafs’ 1966-67 championship campaign also stands as their last appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. That means the Original Six franchise hasn’t reached the Cup Final in the expansion era (since the 1967-68 season).

The Leafs last appeared in the conference final in the 2002 postseason.

How many Stanley Cup Finals have the Maple Leafs made?

Toronto has reached the Cup Final 21 times, trailing only the Montreal Canadiens (33 appearances) and Detroit Red Wings (24 appearances) for the most in NHL history.

How many Stanley Cups have the Maple Leafs won?

The Leafs were victorious in 13 of those 21 Cup Finals. Only the 23-time champion Canadiens have won more Stanley Cups than Toronto.

Here’s a full look at Toronto’s Stanley Cup Final history (years listed are when Cup Finals were played):

  • 1967: Beat Montreal Canadiens
  • 1964: Beat Detroit Red Wings
  • 1963: Beat Detroit Red Wings
  • 1962: Beat Chicago Blackhawks
  • 1960: Lost to Montreal Canadiens
  • 1959: Lost to Montreal Canadiens
  • 1951: Beat Montreal Canadiens
  • 1949: Beat Detroit Red Wings
  • 1948: Beat Detroit Red Wings
  • 1947: Beat Montreal Canadiens
  • 1945: Beat Detroit Red Wings
  • 1942: Beat Detroit Red Wings
  • 1940: Lost to New York Rangers
  • 1939: Lost to Boston Bruins
  • 1938: Lost to Chicago Blackhawks
  • 1936: Lost to Detroit Red Wings
  • 1935: Lost to Montreal Maroons
  • 1933: Lost to New York Rangers
  • 1932: Beat New York Rangers
  • 1922: Beat Vancouver Millionaires
  • 1918: Beat Vancouver Millionaires

Editor’s note: This story was first published on April 21.

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Why Flyers Are Strong Fit for Frustrating Exiled Sharks Goalie

Sharks goalie Alexander Georgiev is a bounce-back candidate worth considering for the Flyers. (Photo: Nick Wosika, Imagn Images)

After being informed he’ll be let go this summer, San Jose Sharks goalie Alexandar Georgiev is now available to the Philadelphia Flyers in free agency. But should the Flyers even have any interest?

Georgiev, 29, has seen better days in his NHL career. The formerly undrafted Bulgarian has posted a save percentage north of .900 just once since the 2020-21 season.

And that one time was in the 2022-23 season, when Georgiev was 40-16-6 with the high-flying Colorado Avalanche, doing his part with a 2.53 GAA, a stellar .919 save percentage, and a career-high five shutouts.

Notably, Georgiev also had save percentages of .910 or higher in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons with the New York Rangers, appearing in 33 and 34 games, respectively, in those seasons.

The Flyers, in search of any kind of goaltending help, are actually a strong fit for Georgiev.

It’s no secret that Georgiev has the ability to play at a high level throughout a full season; he’s done so multiple times in his eight-year NHL career.

The former NHL All-Star has a career save percentage of .903, which is neither great nor terrible, but an upgrade for the Flyers by all accounts.

If the Flyers were to take a chance on Georgiev for one year, for example, and he rebounds from the form that saw him post a .875 save percentage this season, they would have rehabbed his trade value to the point where they could get an asset for him at the NHL trade deadline.

Or, Georgiev could simply stay in Philadelphia to platoon with Sam Ersson and/or a Flyers goalie prospect until a true heir apparent emerges.

Naturally, the Flyers and fans will have a great deal of concern about Georgiev’s propensity to self-immolate and meltdown to lose games.

If Georgiev reprises his role as the pumpkin he turned out to be the 2024-25 season, it’s tantamount to the Flyers keeping Ersson, Ivan Fedotov, and Aleksei Kolosov as their bloc of goalies.

And in that case, the Flyers would be, whether they wanted to or not, positioning themselves well for the 2026 NHL Draft, which is loaded with potentially franchise-altering talents like Gavin McKenna, Keaton Verhoeff, Ivar Stenberg, Dylan Roobroeck, and Viggo Bjorck.

The Flyers would still be heading back to square one at the goalie position if that is how things played out with Georgiev, but it wouldn’t be for nought. McKenna, Stenberg, Roobroeck, and Bjorck all have the potential to set Matvei Michkov up with a running mate for the next two decades with a proper development plan and supporting cast.

Georgiev won’t be the only external goalie option available to the Flyers this summer, but this year’s free agent goalie class is a thin one, and Georgiev is one of the most unlikely to receive a contract offer from a Stanley Cup contender.

His implosion in Colorado nearly upended the Avalanche’s season before GM Chris MacFarland intervened with haste.

Without Georgiev, the Sharks will turn the keys over to top goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov, someone who represents what the Flyers should be looking at with respect to the future at the position.

That someone is not readily apparent within the Flyers’ organization, but signing Georgiev could buy the Flyers some time to figure that all out in the end.

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Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Betting Guide: Best Bets, Strategies and Future Options

Breaking down the best value bets, futures to take and strategies to look out for ahead of the first round matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals

Image

The Montreal Canadiens scratched and clawed their way into the postseason only to be greeted by the top team in the East in the Washington Capitals. Unlike the Battle of Ontario or round four of the Oilers and Kings, this is a matchup we don't get to see too often. 

Washington has met Montreal just once in the first round of the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, where the Habs overcame a 3-1 deficit to win the series in seven games.

This series could go seven games once again as the Caps have lost four of their final six games since Alex Ovechkin became the NHL's all-time leading scorer. 

This series promises to be a thrilling showdown, headlined by the clash between the Canadiens’ rising Russian star, Ivan Demidov, and the greatest Russian hockey player of all time, Alex Ovechkin, leading the Capitals.

More NHL:Predicting Which Wild Card Team Can Upset Top Divisional Seed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

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

Nick Suzuki - Series Leading Goal Scorer (+1000)

If you've kept up with the Habs hot streak since the Four Nations Face-Off, you would be aware of how prolific Montreal captain Nick Suzuki has been.

After being snubbed from Team Canada, the London, Ontario native has been red hot with the fourth-most points during that span with 37 through 26 games. His 15 goals during this time had his name among the likes of David Pastrnak, Artemi Panarin and Jason Robertson. 

Suzuki finished the season with eight goals over his final ten games and could easily continue scoring against a slumping Capitals defence. Since Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky's record, Washington has struggled to find the same motivation going into every game especially on the defensive end. 

The Capitals once-top three defence has now managed a 4.25 goals against average in their final 12 games and could struggle against a blazing hot Habs team.

Suzuki has the second-most career playoff points of anyone on Montreal with 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points through 32 postseason games. 

More NHL:The Battle of Ontario Betting Guide: Best Bets, Strategies and Futures for Maple Leafs versus Senators

Habs +1.5 - Series Spread (+106) or Habs +2.5 (-250)

Washington has a notable history of struggling in the playoffs with a long standing rivalry with the Pittsburgh Penguins that they eventually overcame to win their franchise's first Stanley Cup in 2019. 

However, since then they've found themselves in a similar problem as the Toronto Maple Leafs with severe troubles making it out of the first round. Since their Stanley Cup win, the Capitals haven't won a series in fact with five straight losses in the first round. 

This bolds well for a Montreal team that looks to extend the history of a wild card team advancing. Since introducing the current playoff format, a wild card team has advanced to the second round in seven of the last ten seasons.

The Blues, Wild and Senators are all behind in their respective series with the Habs looking like the best available option.

More NHL:Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings Round 4 Betting Guide: Best Bets, Strategies and Future Options

We must not forget that this Montreal team has more experience than we expect as they went to the Stanley Cup finals just a few years ago in 2021.

Suzuki and other young players gained valuable experience then and it should help propel them to keeping this series closer than people may expect.

I like the idea of adding the Habs series spread at +2.5 and parlaying it with the Carolina Hurricanes to down the New Jersey Devils in five or six games at -370 odds.

The Canes have won at least one playoff series in six straight seasons and when added with Montreal, gives us a very solid parlay with -129 odds.

More NHL:Top NHL Prospect Expected to Join Michigan Wolverines Next Season

Matchup Trends: Potential Player Prop Targets

Washington Capitals:

  • Alex Ovechkin has 19 goals and 15 assists for 34 points over his last 25 games against the Canadiens. The Capitals captain old age has shown in recent years as he rides a five-game point drought in the postseason.
  • Dylan Strome has five goals and eight assists for 13 points over his last ten games against the Canadiens. The Mississauga native has been red hot with six goals and eight assists for 14 points in his last ten games entering the postseason.
  • John Carlson has the second-most playoff points on the Capitals with 20 goals and 55 assists for 75 points through 127 games. He finished the season strong with four assists in as many games.
  • Tom Wilson is red hot with 29 points and a team-best 84 hits over his last 30 games. He enters a playoff atmosphere that he excels in with 34 points and 347 hits in 87 career playoff games. 

Montreal Canadiens: 

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Phillies at Mets prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for April 21

It’s Monday, April 21 and the Phillies (13-9) are in New York to take on the Mets (15-7). Tylor Megill is slated to take the mound for New York against Aaron Nola for Philadelphia.

The Phillies are coming off a 7-5 extra-inning loss versus the Marlins yesterday, which snapped the chance of a 3-0 sweep over Miami. That 2-1 series win also snapped three-straight seasons tied or loss by Philadelphia. The Mets have won four straight all coming over the Cardinals. The Mets out-scored the Cardinals 19-9 and won three of the four games by three wins. Now 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 Phillies at Mets

  • Date: Monday, April 21, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Citi Field
  • City: Queens, NY
  • Network/Streaming: NBCSP, SNY

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 Phillies at the Mets

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Phillies (+100), Mets (-120)
  • Spread:  Mets 1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for the Phillies at Mets

  • Pitching matchup for April 21, 2025: Aaron Nola vs. Tylor Megill
    • Phillies: Aaron Nola, (0-4, 6.65 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.1 Innings Pitched, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 9 Hits Allowed, 4 Walks, and 8 Strikeouts
    • Mets: Tylor Megill, (2-2, 1.40 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 3 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 Phillies and the Mets

Rotoworld Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Mets to take care of business amid their hot streak:

"Aaron Nola is 0-4 this season and allowed at least two earned runs in every start. Nola started against the Mets twice last year and had a 4.05 ERA with 10 hits allowed and six earned runs over 13.1 innings. Nola did strike out 15 and walk two, but his current form is not reminiscent of that. Nola has walked four hitters in back-to-back games and I don't see a reason why this road start against the Mets, winners of four-straight, would be his get-right spot. It's Mets ML or pass for me with a lean to the New York Team Total Over 3.5."

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 Monday's game between the Phillies 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 Philadelphia Phillies 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 Phillies at Mets

  • The Mets have won 4 of their last 5 games at home against divisional opponents
  • The Phillies' last 5 road games have stayed under the Total
  • The Mets have covered in 4 of their last 5 games for a profit of 3.63 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!

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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Verstappen’s pseudo-silence spoke volumes of the dissatisfaction in F1 | Giles Richards

The world champion went from one masterclass on the track to another off it with his discontent at recent FIA rule changes

In the aftermath of a superb drive at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen went on to give something of another masterclass, in putting across an opinion while ostensibly declining to say anything at all.

It was an arch display of discontent and dissatisfaction, delivered with a disarming smile, and aimed at the FIA; the latest expression of a cumulative wave of disquiet with the governing body.

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Simone Biles’ coach says gymnast suffered from ‘twisties’ before 2016 Olympics

  • Condition disrupted American’s performance in 2021
  • Former coach reveals new details in book

Simone Biles suffered from the “twisties” in the run-up to the 2016 Olympics, five years before the condition severely disrupted her performance at the Tokyo Games.

Aimee Boorman, Biles’s longtime coach, outlines the story in her new book, The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles. The twisties cause gymnasts to lose their orientation while in the air, a dangerous situation in a sport where falls can cause serious injury. The condition, along with mental health concerns, caused Biles to withdraw from all but one final at the Tokyo Olympics, where her only medal was a bronze on the beam.

Continue reading...
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Zakhar Bardakov: What The Avalanche Have In New Prospect

Zakhar Bardakov (KHL, SKA St. Petersberg)

Fresh blood is a good thing.

For NHL contenders, it’s even better.

The Colorado Avalanche have added many new faces this season. Mackenzie Blackwood, Scott Wedgewood, Brock Nelson, Ryan Lindgren, Charlie Coyle, and Jack Drury are all new to the Avalanche organization.

Bookmark The Hockey News Colorado Avalanche team site so you never miss the latest news, game day coverage, and information on the Avalanche players.

On Sunday, April 20th, the Avalanche signed KHL forward Zakhar Bardakov. The two parties agreed to a one-year entry-level contract that goes into effect next season

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POSTGAME: Mackenzie Blackwood Puts on Goaltending Clinic in Avalanche Win Over the Stars in Game OnePOSTGAME: Mackenzie Blackwood Puts on Goaltending Clinic in Avalanche Win Over the Stars in Game OneTo cap off the first day of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche put up five goals to the Dallas Stars' one to take Game 1 in their first-round series against the Dallas Stars.

The 24-year-old forward was originally a New Jersey Devils draft pick in the 2021 draft. Bardakov was traded to the Avalanche along with a 2024 7th-round draft pick for Kurtis MacDermid.

Bardakov is coming off a solid year in the KHL. He just finished his third season in Russia’s top league, collecting 35 points in 53 games. He averaged 16:10 per game while firing 122 shots on goal, playing for SKA St. Petersburg.

He saw his responsibilities increase during the playoffs. Bardakov’s ice time rose over four minutes to 21:51 per game. He recorded two points in six playoff games.

Considering that Bardakov was a 7th-round draft pick (203rd overall), if he plays any NHL games, that would be a slam dunk for the organization.

Bardakov’s contract officially expires on May 31st of this year. That, combined with him signing his ELC, suggests he’s ready to cross the pond for next season. The young forward could push for an NHL position; however, an AHL assignment is more likely.

Add us to your Google News favorites and never miss a story.

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Dodgers believe Shohei Ohtani will get a boost from 'dad strength' as a new father

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, center, talk with teammates in the dugout before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, center, talks with teammates in the dugout before a game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday. (Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press)

As a father of two, Dave Roberts is a true believer.

“Dad strength,” he declared Sunday morning, “is real.”

Which, naturally, made the Dodgers manager all the more excited about the return of the team’s newest dad: Shohei Ohtani.

“Now that he is a father,” Roberts joked, “we might see some 120[-mph] exit velos off the bat.”

Indeed, when Ohtani rejoined the Dodgers on Easter morning, after being away for two games for the birth of his first child this weekend, he was met with a wave of congratulations — and also a hint of expectation.

Read more:Bullpen saves Dodgers after Tyler Glasnow exits with leg cramps in win over Rangers

Sure, the so-called theory of dad strength — gains in physical strength and stamina that some new dads seemingly experience upon entering fatherhood — might be more of a playful urban legend than scientifically proven fact.

But when it came to Ohtani, the intrigue was palpable.

“I’m sure if there is someone that is gonna have it,” teammate Mookie Betts said, “it’s Shohei.”

Whatever fatherly forces Ohtani acquired this weekend — when he and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, welcomed a baby girl — weren’t immediately on display in his first game back in the lineup.

In the Dodgers’ 1-0 win on Sunday, Ohtani walked just once and went hitless in three other at-bats. His top exit velocity was only 82 mph. Roberts said after the game that the reigning MVP looked a little unsettled at the plate.

“[He was] overly aggressive,” Roberts said after Ohtani hit two groundouts and a strikeout. “Having two days off, I think today he just came a little anxious.”

Still, it did little to dampen belief in the dad strength phenomenon — one that, well before Ohtani entered the ranks of parenting, has become particularly popular within professional baseball.

Read more:Roki Sasaki shows progress in six innings, but Dodgers fall to Rangers on walk-off

In recent years, several MLB stars have had memorable dad strength surges; perhaps none more notable than when Angels slugger Mike Trout hit six home runs in his first eight games after becoming a father in 2020.

MLB’s website even tracks what it terms as “dad strength home runs,” listing the 26 players since 2011 who have gone deep in their first game back from paternity leave. Phillies star Bryce Harper, remarkably, has done it twice.

Around the Dodgers’ clubhouse Sunday morning, several players recounted their own dad strength experiences.

Third baseman Max Muncy noted how, after the birth of his daughter, Sophie, in July 2021, he went on to receive MVP votes at the end of what became a career-best season — even if, he added with a laugh, there were plenty of “dad ache” moments that also came along with it.

“Just when your arms start hurting holding the baby, and your back starts hurting,” he said. “I had more of those moments than I had dad strength moments.”

Tommy Edman joked that his own recent power surge, which has seen the once light-hitting utilityman rack up 13 home runs in his last 60 games going back to last season, has come in the wake of son Eli’s arrival two offseasons ago.

“Ever since he’s been born,” Edman said, “my home run rate has gone up.”

Plenty of others detailed changes they noticed away from the field upon becoming fathers.

Evan Phillips said he feels his dad strength whenever he’s carrying groceries or other baby-related products for his 2-year-old son, Beau.

“When the baby stuff at home happens, you just gotta make it happen,” he said.

Read more:Shohei Ohtani's wife gives birth to a girl, the couple's first child

While Phillips was on a rehab assignment with triple-A Oklahoma City last week, he highlighted another benefit not shared by younger prospects in the organization.

“We had an 11 a.m. game … and everyone is walking in all dragging,” Phillips chuckled. “And I’m like, ‘Guys, I woke up at the same time I always do.’”

Veteran pitcher and father of four, Clayton Kershaw, explained a similar dynamic.

“I think you just have more energy,” he said. “You just have to. Like now, I don’t ever feel the need to really sit down. I just am ready to go, all the time.”

“When you don’t have kids, you feel like, ‘Oh gosh, I just need to relax,’ or like, ‘I just need a day,’” Kershaw added. “Now, you don’t have that. But you don’t need it, either.”

Roberts, too, recalled dad strength moments from his playing days, crediting it for a few of the 23 career home runs he hit over 10 years in the majors.

“There's something to the dad strength,” he reiterated. “But [I was] nothing close to Shohei."

Ohtani, of course, isn’t exactly lacking for physical capabilities on the field. Last season, he became the first player in MLB history to have a 50-homer, 50-steal campaign. This year, he already has six long balls, five stolen bases and, according to MLB’s Statcast data system, one of the five hardest swings in the majors.

Read more:Anticipating birth of first child, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani goes on paternity leave

However, Roberts noted, it’s the renewed perspective fatherhood provides that usually drives the biggest transformation of players.

“Some of the attributes you get from being a dad do translate to the baseball field,” he said. “Not sweating the small stuff. Understanding what’s most important. I have seen our players evolve in how they look at life and baseball.”

And to that end, how Ohtani navigated his first weekend of fatherhood had already made an impression on the manager.

“For him to just make sure the baby was healthy and to get back here, and to be a part of this, certainly shows his ability to balance life and work,” Roberts said. “It’s good to have him back. And most importantly, I'm happy him and Mamiko have a healthy baby girl."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Presumptive No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg makes it official, declares for 2025 NBA Draft

As the No. 1 pick on everybody’s draft board, this has long been expected, and on Monday morning he made it official:

Cooper Flagg is entering the 2025 NBA Draft. He made it official in an Instagram post.

Flagg entered the college season as the top prospect on most draft boards and only solidified that standing with a season where he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. He won the Naismith National Player of the Year award and the Wooden Award, plus was voted the National Player of the Year by the Associated Press, National Association of Basketball Coaches and U.S. Basketball Writers Association. He became the first freshman in NCAA history to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, leading Duke to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.

Heading into the season, NBA scouts questioned how good he would be at creating his own shot — he has answered that emphatically.

Flagg admitted he thought about returning to Duke during the season, even telling The Athletic," S***, I want to come back next year." However, for a future No. 1 pick, the injury risk and the money left on the table — it could cost him as much as $75 million over the course of his NBA career — made choosing the NBA draft the only option.

There are a lot of teams heading into next month's NBA Draft Lottery now hoping for the ping pong balls to bounce their way so they can land a franchise cornerstone player in Flagg.

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Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is headed to the NBA as the favorite to be the No. 1 overall draft pick

Duke star Cooper Flagg is headed to the NBA as the favorite to be the No. 1 overall draft pick. The program announced Flagg's move in a social media post Monday following a lone college season that saw the 18-year-old become only the fourth freshman named as The Associated Press national player of the year while leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four. Flagg had reclassified to get to Duke a year early, and his decision was expected all year, even as he generally declined to spell out plans about his professional future as the season pushed into March or mentioned how much fun he had playing in college.

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NHL Rumor Roundup: Blackhawks To Target Mitch Marner? Sharks To Shop First-Overall Pick?

Connor Bedard and Mitch Marner (David Banks-Imagn Images)

This was a difficult season for the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks. They improved marginally over their 2023-24 campaign amid concerns of growing frustration from franchise star Connor Bedard.

Bedard denied rumors that he was unhappy playing for Chicago, acknowledging the club was in the process of growth and learning. Nevertheless, there's no question he needs some help, especially offensively. The Blackhawks rose from a league-worst 2.17 last season to 2.73, but they still finished 26th overall in that category. 

The Blackhawks have plenty of salary cap space if management wants to add scoring punch. PuckPedia indicates they have a projected cap space of $30.9 million with 20 active roster players under contract next season.

Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers of The Athletic believe the Blackhawks could be first in line if Mitch Marner goes to free agency on July 1. They acknowledged the 27-year-old two-way right winger prefers staying in Toronto but wondered if the Maple Leafs can make the money work.

Marner reached the 100-point plateau for the first time this season. He'd become the best player potentially available in this summer's UFA market. 

Lazerus and Powers believe the Blackhawks' favorable cap situation gives them more money to throw toward Marner than any other club. They speculated it could cost between $12 million and $14 million annually, but felt it would be worth it. 

That's assuming Marner would join a rebuilding club instead of a playoff contender.

Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Shows Up In Game 1 – The 4 Nations Experience Played A PartMaple Leafs' Mitch Marner Shows Up In Game 1 – The 4 Nations Experience Played A PartDespite the fact the Toronto Maple Leafs came into the playoffs as the Atlantic Division champions, there were questions (ohh the questions) about how their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators would kick off.

Turning to the San Jose Sharks, their last-place finish in the overall standings gives them the best odds of winning the upcoming NHL draft lottery for the second straight year. They selected promising center Macklin Celebrini in last year's draft, who's gone on to become a favorite to win the Calder Trophy.

Sheng Peng of NBC Sports Bay Area reported Sharks GM Mike Grier could be open to trading that pick if the lottery balls bounce their way again this year. He said he wouldn't say no if he received a really good offer of young, established players. 

Grier believes defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the OHL's Erie Otters is the prospect currently considered the consensus first-overall pick. After him, this year's draft is mostly forward-heavy. 

It's possible Grier trades that pick for the right price. So could any other GM who wins the draft lottery. However, it's unlikely to happen. 

The last time the first-overall pick was traded was in the 2003 NHL draft, when the Florida Panthers sent it to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Mikael Samuelsson, the third-overall pick and a second-rounder. The Penguins used that pick to select future Hall of Famer Marc-Andre Fleury.

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