After 34 career games, Rangers' Brennan Othmann finally recorded his first career NHL goal on Saturday afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The 23-year-old forward was able to blast a shot on the fastbreak past Flyers goaltender Aleksei Kolosov to make it a 3-1 game in the first period.
While it's his first NHL goal, Othmann has scored six times in the AHL this season with the Hartford Wolf Pack over 23 games. He has 39 career goals in the AHL across three seasons.
Some of the top names in the Detroit Tigers’ 2025 draft class may take a while to really get cooking. With the group headed by prep shortstop Jordan Yost and prep catcher Michael Oliveto, the Tigers are unlikely to see one of them rushing the upper levels anytime soon. In the meantime, eighth round pick OF Nick Dumesnil was among the few who got a brief look at Single-A Lakeland last summer. He showed enough to keep an eye on him as the California Baptist University product looks to push his way to West Michigan and beyond this year.
Dumesnil is a 6’2” 210 pound outfielder, and he was drafted at age 21, so he was on the youngish side for a junior in his draft class and won’t turn 22 until March. The Tigers paid him $214,500, just a modest bump over the minimum, so he was another pick to save money for their top targets. His college career was impressive despite his small school background. The center fielder hit 19 home runs in his sophomore year across 61 games and he showed out pretty well swinging wood bats in the Cape Cod League later that season.
By that point his draft stock had rocketed to where he was pretty universally viewed as an early round pick. However, his power output cooled as a junior as he had a little more trouble with breaking stuff. He still cracked 10 bombs in 57 games while stealing 27 bases and drew his walks. The strikeouts were up somewhat but he still made a good deal of hard contact. Even so, the down junior year chilled his draft stock in some quarters, though Baseball America still had him 52nd on their draft board in one of their final mock drafts last spring prior to the July draft.
Dumensil only played 16 games with Single-A Lakeland, so we can’t really take anything from the results, though they were modestly positive, but he showed off some interesting underlying traits. He walked much more than he struck out and his swinging strike rate was a very low 8.7 percent. He averaged 89.5 mph with his average exit velocity, which is really good by MLB standards, though again, this was just a couple weeks worth of games. Still, those are some intriguing numbers for a player who has size and also carries the speed to play a fairly solid center field right now. As a quality college hitter handling Single-A pretty quickly is mandatory, but the amount of hard contact was nice to see.
There are plenty of questions that will need to start being answered in 2026 as Dumesnil makes his full season pro debut. Still, there’s a chance that the Tigers landed a sleeper here with a lot of strong tools. He’s probably not a full-time center fielder in the long-term, but he looks like he’ll be able to capably handle all three outfield spots. His arm is solid, though not a prototypical right fielder’s cannon.
Dumesnil has a tendency to get out in front rather than sitting back to drive pitches to the pull field, but there’s time to work on it. He did produce a lot of ground balls and precious little hard contact in the air in Lakeland. Still, his size and his history say there’s a chance to develop average power, particularly if he can start driving the ball in the air more. He’s not a burner, but he has above average speed as well. Put those tools together with a history of making a lot of hard contact and pretty good zone discipline, and there’s a ton to like considering the price the Tigers paid to draft him.
We’ll just have to see how he handles a better, more consistent brand of breaking stuff and offspeed this season. A good goal would be for Dumesnil to hit his way to West Michigan by this summer and hold his own there.
LENS, France (AP) — Winger Wesley Saïd scored a brilliant goal to secure Lens' 10th consecutive win across all competitions and place atop the Ligue 1 standings on Saturday.
Lens defeated Auxerre 1-0 after Saïd controlled with his chest Malang Sarr’s cross into the box and finished with a left-footed volley from the bounce. The 65th-minute score was his eighth this season.
Lens, which claimed its only French title in 1998, stayed one point ahead of defending champion Paris Saint-Germain, which beat Lille on Friday.
Next-to-last in the standings, Auxerre was not intimidated by the buoyant crowd and posed a strong challenge to the host with intense pressing.
After a first half of few clear chances, Lens showed more intent and Matthieu Udol, set up by Adrien Thomasson, came close to breaking the deadlock. The ball fell back to Udol who struck again only for defender Fredrik Oppegård to block.
Udol then delivered a low cross toward the near post for Thomasson, whose effort went just wide. Lens kept pushing and was finally rewarded when Saïd slotted home.
Other matches
Toulouse hosted Nice later Saturday and third-place Marseille was at mid-table Angers.
PSG warmed up for next week's Champions League match at Sporting with a convincing 3-0 win over Lille on Friday. Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé scored a brace. Monaco fell to its seventh defeat in eight games, at home to Lorient 3-1.
The ESPN personality ripped the two-time defending World Series champions after the franchise signed star outfield Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million deal, adding to their embarrassment of riches.
“It’s terrible for baseball,” Russo said during an appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show.” “… I mean, how many guys are you going to have them sign? … Their payroll last year with insurance was over $500 million.
“The Dodgers theoretically aren’t doing anything wrong. They’re playing by the rules but the rules have to change. This is getting to be a joke.”
Russo took exception to the Dodgers’ use of deferred compensation, which has helped them bring in talents like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Blake Snell, Tucker and others in free agency.
“The rules stink. They gave Ohtani all that money, but it’s all deferred, so he’s making basically $10 million a year,” Russo said. “That gives them the best player in baseball at an incredibly low price, which means they can do anything they want.”
The massive Tucker deal included $30 million in deferred money, bringing the Dodgers’ total future compensation number well past $1 billion.
“You can’t tell me it’s good for the sport,” he said. “Good for L.A., bad for baseball.”
Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Tucker runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 4 of baseball’s National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Oct. 9, 2025, in Chicago. AP
The Detroit Pistons have built a 4.5-game lead at the top of the East, and Cade Cunningham continues to play like an All-Star. Despite a wrist issue, I expect him to put up big numbers again tonight against the Indiana Pacers.
His assists prop is the one that really stands out to me here, with Cade serving up 11+ dimes in four of his last five games. He’s got options inside and outside, from Jalen Duren as a lob threat to a red-hot Duncan Robinson beyond the arc, and it’ll just come down to making the right reads.
Cunningham has passed those kinds of tests all season, and there’s a steadiness with his playmaking. He averaged 10.1 APG in December, and he’s inched that number up so far this month.
The Pacers arrive in Motor City on the second night of a back-to-back set, and Cade should be able to cut through an Indiana defense that allowed the lowly New Orleans Pelicans to shoot 50% from the field yesterday.
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, FanDuel Sports Network Indiana
It’s the banged-up Washington Wizards against the banged-up Denver Nuggets here, but that opens the door for big performances from the healthy players on the two rosters.
That’s part of the case for Kyshawn George, who’s taken big strides in his second NBA season, and he’s getting every chance to spread his wings as the Wizards look towards the lottery.
George has scored 15+ points in four of his last five contests, including a 23-point effort against the Los Angeles Clippers last week, and this is a nice spot for him against a Denver team that will be without Christian Braun’s gritty defense.
He’s served up some erratic nights from 3-point range, but he’s making his triples at a 39% clip overall this year, and Washington needs him to stay aggressive as a shooter after trading away CJ McCollum.
The Wizards don’t appear to be in a big hurry to get new addition Trae Young on the court, and that means more touches for George, Alex Sarr, and the rest of the team’s young core.
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Altitude Sports, Monumental Sports Network
As frustrating as the LaMelo Ball experience can be at times, the 15-26 Charlotte Hornets have beaten the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder this month.
They’ve also got the upside to trouble the Golden State Warriors tonight, and that starts with Ball delivering another impressive stat line. LaMelo dropped 30 points on the Lakers on Thursday, including nine 3-pointers, and he’s gone past this number in three of his past four games.
Ball finished with 25 points in his one outing against the Warriors last season, and I’m wagering on him embracing the challenge of going head-to-head with Steph Curry here.
Volume shouldn’t be an issue. LaMelo has jacked up 20+ shots in four of his last five games, so while the efficiency may not be great, he’ll have every opportunity to nail this Over.
Ultimately, this pick may come down to Ball’s 3-point stroke. He’s 24-for-54 from downtown in his last four games, and that’s a shot he should be able to get with ease here.
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, NBC Sports Bay Area
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The Detroit Pistons opened 2026 the same way they closed 2025 — winning in a variety of ways and anchoring everything with elite defense. Injuries over the past few weeks failed to slow their momentum, and now the Pistons are back to full strength ahead of a tough stretch against Boston, Houston, and Denver to close out the month.
1. Threats in the East?
Opening the floor: who poses the biggest threat to Detroit in the postseason — and can the Pistons capitalize on what many view as a “gap year” in the conference?
Detroit currently holds a 4.5-game lead over Boston, which has cooled off after a scorching December. The Pistons have taken two of three from the Celtics, with all three games decided by single digits. The wild card is Jayson Tatum’s Achilles recovery — whether he could return at all, and whether Boston would even allow it. The contrasting styles of these teams would make for a fascinating playoff series.
Dec 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) brings the ball up the court against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Then there’s New York. Detroit dismantled the Knicks in their lone meeting so far, but you’d expect a much sharper response in future matchups. Below them, Toronto — whom the Pistons haven’t yet faced — along with Philadelphia, Orlando, and Cleveland all linger as dangerous middle-tier threats in a tightly packed East.
2. Deadline looming
With less than a month until the NBA trade deadline, there’s little consensus among fans or media about how — or even if — Trajan Langdon will approach roster changes.
There seem to be two main schools of thought consuming fans’ minds: swing for a bigger name or stand pat. But there’s also a middle ground Langdon could easily land on, similar to last season’s Dennis Schröder acquisition — a move that paid dividends during Detroit’s strong finish despite a first-round exit.
Detroit needs shooting, but they’ll be careful to add someone who won’t disrupt the culture or identity they’ve built. It’s hard to envision them sacrificing young assets for a moderate upgrade, but could a name like Tobias Harris surface in that type of deal? And what kind of draft capital would Langdon be willing to throw into a deal?
3. Duren back
Jalen Duren returned for the first time since New Year’s Day and immediately made his presence felt, posting 16 points, 18 rebounds, and two blocks — including a momentum-swinging rejection late in the fourth quarter.
Oct 24, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) reacts after making a basket during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
After a roaring start to the season, injuries slowed Duren in December, when his averages dipped to 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, down from November marks of 21.5 and 12.6. Still, it feels far more likely that his early-season production represents the real version of his trajectory rather than a hot stretch.
At just 22 years old, with multiple areas of his game still developing, there’s no clear ceiling on what Duren can become — and that uncertainty will loom large as future contract discussions approach. The Pistons are just happy to have him back at full strength.
Jon Heyman tells us that the Jays offer to Kyle Tucker was $350 million for 10 years. He signed a 4-year, $240 million contract with the Dodgers. So I guess the question is will he be able to find a 6-year, $110 million contract at age 33.
I guess it is best to get the money now. And there are likely tax issues that I wouldn’t know about, but I guess the Dodger contact would be the better one. We’ll have to see what happens in four years.
Either way, he won’t have to look for a job after baseball.
Jeff Passan has the information on Tucker’s contract:
Full details on Kyle Tucker's Dodgers contract, per ESPN sources:
– 4 years, $240 million guaranteed – Opt-outs after Years 2 and 3 – $64M signing bonus – $30M deferred – $57.1M a year in net present value after factoring in deferrals — a record by $6M+
Bo getting the three-year, $126 million contract is interesting, too. I’ve long thought he wouldn’t age well, that his impressive batting ability is mostly reflexes and that players who tend to age well are the ones who control the strike zone better. I didn’t expect anyone to offer him $40+ a season. It will take him to his age 31 season and he’ll likely be able to get a pretty good contract after that.
I’m not sure I think that third base is the right spot for him, but he’ll likely be fine there. I think second or left would have been better fit.
It will be strange seeing Vlad without Bo, we’ve had seven seasons with the pair of them. Between the two, they had a 46.9 bWAR and 294 home runs. They’ve made seven All-Star teams. By bWAR they are the 7th (Vlad) and 13th (Bo) best positions players in team history.
Jesse Barfield and George Bell came up the same season (1981, though Bell was back in the minors for the 1982 season). They played together until Barfield was traded in 1989. Thought the 1988 season Barfield had a 29.3 bWAR, Bell 17.1.
Carlos Delgado and Shawn Green came up about the same time, but we traded Green before he built up a lot of WAR.
I’m sure there are other pairings that came up at the same time for the Jays, I just can’t think of them at the moment.
Dante Bichette: $42M in career earnings Bo Bichette: average of $42M/year for the next 3 years pic.twitter.com/qpEhWne4Pi
Each of the previous three meetings went beyond regulation, with the Penguins winning the last two in overtime.
The two teams most recently met on Jan. 4 in Columbus. The Blue Jackets jumped out to a 4-1 lead and had everything under control late in the second period until the Penguins stormed back to tie it late in the third. Rickard Rakell tied the game with 12.8 seconds left in the game before Sidney Crosby won it in overtime.
That loss for the Blue Jackets paved the way for a coaching change, as they fired Dean Evason this week and replaced him with Rick Bowness. Bowness is 2-0-0 as the Blue Jackets' head coach, and the team as a whole has won three in a row coming into Saturday's game.
Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has been tremendous once again this season, compiling 18 goals and 51 points in 43 games. He does it all as the Jackets' top defenseman and will play a big role for Team USA at the Olympics next month.
Kirill Marchenko is second on the team in goals with 17 and also has 40 points in 43 games. He can strike from anywhere and scored against the Penguins in the game on Jan. 4.
Dmitri Voronkov has 16 goals and 30 points in 47 games, while Adam Fantilli has 12 goals and 30 points in 47 games.
Elvis Merzlikins will start in goal for the Blue Jackets after he made 30 saves in a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.
The Penguins are set to go with the same lineup that they had against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.
Forwards
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin
Mantha-Kindel-Brazeau
Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari
Defense
Kulak-Letang
Wotherspoon-St. Ivany
Shea-Clifton
Arturs Silovs will start in goal after having the night off on Thursday.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Fans can listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
Last year, the left fielders for the Los Angeles Dodgers put up a 99 wRC+. That number is actually flattering because Andy Pages managed to do some of his best work (226 wRC+) in his short time away from center field, in 64 plate appearances. Whether Kyle Tucker comes in to play left or we’ll see Teoscar Hernández make the shift to left, as neither one of them has played the position with any sort of regularity in the bigs, that production is what Tucker comes in to replace. Michael Conforto was the primary left fielder for the Dodgers last season, and we all know how well that turned out, given his complete absence on the postseason roster.
While we could have a lengthier conversation about what Tucker’s specific contract represents as MLB gears up for, at the bare minimum, some tense negotiations between owners and the MLBPA in the near future, there’s plenty to unpack on the field. Yet another perennial All-Star added to this collection of great players, Tucker only enhances the bullseye on the Dodgers’ back, if that was even possible.
Tucker is a fascinating example of a baseball player who makes the most out of his natural abilities. Not necessarily the fastest, Tucker has stolen 25-plus bases consistently for the past four seasons, with the exception of a 2024 campaign cut in half due to an injury. Nowhere near the top of the leaderboards when it comes to exit velocity, Tucker gets to enough power to have a .507 slugging percentage in his career, a master of pulling the ball in the air. Reliably, the former Astro and Cub also has outstanding plate discipline, accumulating nearly as many walks (223) as strikeouts (234) over the last three seasons — that particular aspect of his game has been evolving since his early days with Houston.
Over the last two seasons, for large enough samples, Tucker looked on his way to taking steps forward from the established 4.5/5.0 win player he’s been since 2021 into an even higher level as a perennial MVP candidate—only for it to fall short on that endeavor. Twice, injuries could be seen as the culprit in limiting the impact that was still rather impressive.
Back in 2024, his last season with the Astros, Tucker was magnificent in the first half, hitting 19 home runs with a near-1.000 OPS by June 3rd. Sadly, a right shin fracture, which was initially misdiagnosed as a contusion, kept him out until September, much later than initially hoped. What looked to be Tucker’s best season was cut short. This past season, once again, Tucker appeared set to take that step forward in the first half, hitting 17 homers, stealing 20 bags, and posting a .931 OPS through the end of June. From July onwards, though, Tucker started slumping, and while it’s only speculative, there’s a chance a hairline fracture he suffered on his right hand in early June affected his performance in the second half. Tucker played through the issue, arguing it was primarily a pain-tolerance problem, and his struggles in the second half could have nothing to do with it, but the possibility can’t be totally ruled out.
Having said all of this, the positive sign is that, even in a season with such a prolonged slump as he had last year (.378 slugging percentage in the second half), Tucker was able to put up his standard 4.5 fWAR campaign. While it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to see Tucker produce career-high numbers if he can sustain the evolution he’s shown since 2024 for a full campaign, whichever version of Tucker the Dodgers get, he’s going to provide a massive boost to this lineup. His addition will help take some of the pressure off Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and company. Furthermore, as we touched on it a bit when discussing who the fans preferred between Bo Bichette and Tucker here, on top of everything else, Tucker is as great as it gets when it comes to left-on-left crime — Tucker is the rare left-handed hitter who looks completely unfazed batting against southpaws (career .842 against LHP).
The Dodgers needed help in the outfield, and they signed the top-ranked free agent on the market to fill that need.
Each squad made more than 40% from three, and a trio of players — Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, and Charlotte's LaMelo Ball — knocked down at least five each.
The seven-point Golden State win started a stretch for Charlotte that has seen the Hornets go 7-2 ATS. On the flip side, it started a four-game ATS losing streak for the Warriors, though Golden State has bounced back to win four of its last five ATS.
The Hornets haven't just been winning and covering on the road; they've been bullying teams. In addition to the 124-97 win at NBA-leading OKC, the Hornets won at Chicago by 13.
On this trip, they beat the Lakers 135-117 and dismantled Utah, winning by 55.
Golden State will have Curry available. That was up in the air briefly after he limped away from Thursday's game with a quad contusion.
However, coach Steve Kerr confirmed Curry would be available for Saturday. The only injury issue for Golden State is Gui Santos, who will miss the game with a sprained ankle.
He contributes 11 minutes and 3.7 points per game, so it's not likely to sway things one way or the other.
Hornets vs Warriors same-game parlay
This point's total cutoff inspired a double-take. Yes, Charlotte and Golden State combined for 257 points two weeks ago, and yes, both teams are outstanding three-point shooters.
However, Golden State plays at the No. 18 pace in the league, and Charlotte is even slower, ranking No. 25 in tempo. Neither team will be pushing the ball, and Golden State has only one cutoff higher in its last six games.
Charlotte has had lower cutoffs in three of its last five. That New Year's Eve shootout is fresh in people's minds, and pushing tonight's game total too high creates opportunity.
LaMelo Ball put up 54 three-point attempts in the last four games, making 24. He's taken at least seven threes in 15 straight games and made four or more in 10 of them.
Hornets vs Warriors SGP
Hornets +7
LaMelo Ball Over 3.5 threes
Under 234
Our "from downtown" SGP: Curry no Favor!
Nothing against Curry, who is still the league's premier sharpshooter, but this is another case of the New Year's Eve game swaying people and creating an opportunity.
Curry has made five or more threes just twice in the eight games (he missed one of them) since the last Hornets matchup. Overall, he's done it just four times in his last 14 games, and he's hampered by a quad contusion.
Over/Under: Over 236.5 (-110) | Under 236.5 (-110)
Hornets vs Warriors betting trend to know
The Hornets have hit the moneyline in seven of their last 11 away games. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Warriors.
How to watch Hornets vs Warriors
Location
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SE-CHA, NBCSBA
Hornets vs Warriors latest injuries
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Frank Lampard hailed Coventry’s win against Leicester as “massive” after Haji Wright’s first goal since early October secured a 2-1 victory. Jordan James had opened the scoring for the visitors before Ellis Simms equalised shortly after half-time. Wright came off the bench to grab an 85th-minute winner as Coventry claimed a much-needed three points after a run of two victories in eight.
“It was a massive win because it was a tough match,” said Lampard. “They’re a quality team, you can’t get fooled by their league position because if they turn up and play well they give you problems. They gave us problems in the first half which makes us happier that we had half-time, dealt tactically with the problems and the feeling of the game and owned it in the second half.
The Montreal Canadiens make the short trek to the Canadian Tire Centre to face the Ottawa Senators tonight.
This marks the third meeting between these two Atlantic Division rivals after they split the first two games.
My Canadiens vs. Senators predictions point to continued struggles for the middling Senators, with Habs defenseman Noah Dobson remaining a force on the blue line.
Read more in my NHL picks for Saturday, January 17.
Canadiens vs Senators prediction
Canadiens vs Senators best bet: Noah Dobson Over 2.5 blocked shots (+135 at Bet99)
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson leads the NHL in blocked shots (122) and is in the midst of a particularly hot stretch.
The 26-year-old has blocked 26 shots over his last eight games, cashing the Over in seven of them.
Given the reliability of this player prop, it offers serious value at plus odds. The Ottawa Senators also rank 13th in the league in shots on goal.
Habs rookie Oliver Kapanen paces all first-year players with 16 goals and is enjoying a particularly trigger-happy stretch. The Finn has matched Alexander Ovechkin in shots on goal over the past two weeks, cashing the Over in six of his last seven games.
Kapanen is the primary shooter on the Canadiens’ second line, with Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky showing no hesitation in feeding the 22-year-old. He’s firmly established himself as a shoot-first option.
The Habs have scored the fourth-most goals away from home, own an impressive 13-5-6 road record, and sit tied for third in points percentage. Meanwhile, Ottawa has recently spiraled to the bottom of the Atlantic Division.
Montreal has prevailed in four of the last six head-to-head meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Senators.
How to watch Canadiens vs Senators
Location
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
CITY
Canadiens vs Senators latest injuries
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Lukas Nmecha stepped off the bench to fire a stoppage-time winner as Leeds marked their tribute to Terry Yorath with a valuable win The striker, an 81st-minute replacement for Jayden Bogle, latched on to Ethan Ampadu’s cross in the first minute of added time to clinch victory, which keeps Leeds eight points clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone.
Leeds dominated after an even first half, but by failing to take their chances it appeared Fulham would extend their unbeaten run to seven league matches.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are likely to be without William Nylander for the next couple of games.
Toronto had an optional morning skate on Saturday in Winnipeg ahead of their matchup against the Jets. The Athletic's Joshua Kloke reported that Calle Jarnkrok will draw into the lineup for Nylander, who reaggravated a lower-body injury on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said, via Kloke, that Nylander is also unlikely to play against the Minnesota Wild at home on Monday.
Maple Leafs lineup news tonight against the Jets: Dennis Hildeby starts. Calle Jarnkrok in the lineup. No Simon Benoit.
Craig Berube said William Nylander is not only out of the lineup tonight but also unlikely for Monday’s game against the Wild.
"I mean, right now, I don't expect him to be in today for sure. Monday, probably not," Berube told reporters on Saturday morning. "I don't know how long it's going to be."
Nylander missed six straight games with the lower-body injury before returning to Toronto's lineup on Jan. 10 against the Vancouver Canucks. He's appeared in the Maple Leafs' last four games, registering three goals and seven points in that span.
Two of those points — a goal and an assist — came in the first period against the Golden Knights before leaving the game with the injury.
Jarnkrok last appeared in Toronto's lineup against the Utah Mammoth (and scored), with Nick Robertson out after blocking a shot one night earlier vs. the Colorado Avalanche. The veteran forward has six goals in 28 games this season.
Dennis Hildeby is set to start for Toronto in Winnipeg, his first appearance since the 6-1 loss to the Mammoth on Jan. 13. The 24-year-old stopped 35 of 41 shots against in that game.
"That was more on us as a team than him," Berube said Saturday morning. "I think he was under siege pretty good there, and I thought he made a lot of really good saves. But for me, like I talked about, his game has really grown.
"I think he's building more and more confidence and understanding the league a lot better. I really like a lot of what he's done."
Also not in the lineup tonight is Simon Benoit, Kloke reports. Benoit was a late scratch on Thursday against the Golden Knights due to an upper-body injury, despite attending Toronto's skate earlier that morning.
With Benoit set to miss his second straight game, Philippe Myers likely will remain in Toronto's lineup. Myers was paired alongside Oliver Ekman-Larsson against Vegas and had 16:48 of ice time in the overtime loss.
With Nylander out for what's likely the next two games, it's expected that Jacob Quillan will join the Maple Leafs in Winnipeg later today. He'll be the extra forward whilst Nylander is injured.
Quillan has played three games with the Maple Leafs this season — two in November and one in December — and is yet to register a point. The 23-year-old has been strong with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, scoring eight goals and 27 points in 28 games.
The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-born forward has played four career NHL games, averaging 7:25 of ice time.
Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs Date: January 17th, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CST Location: Frost Bank Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There are losses where you shrug, chalk it up as a schedule loss, and move on. And then there are losses that linger because you know exactly how winnable they were.
Friday night in Houston fell squarely into the second category. Not because Minnesota got embarrassed. They didn’t. Not because Kevin Durant did Kevin Durant things. That’s the job description. It was frustrating because the Wolves had the game right there, in their hands, on a night when they were missing Anthony Edwards, and still managed to let it slip away. There’s no shame in losing to one of the West’s best teams when your top-five superstar is out. There is frustration in losing a game you could have stolen because the second half turned into a self-inflicted unraveling.
And the real kicker? Houston was on the second night of a back-to-back, coming off a loss to Oklahoma City the night before. This was supposed to be the “tired legs, heavy shots, Wolves run them off the floor” script. For a half, it looked like that’s exactly where it was headed. Minnesota was locked in defensively with Rudy Gobert swallowing up looks around the rim like Houston had tried to shoot a basketball through a black hole. The Wolves were moving the ball, pushing the pace, turning misses into transition chances, and playing like the grown-up January version of themselves.
Then the second half happened.
The refs turned things into a disjointed, foul-heavy, rhythm-free slog in the third. Minnesota never recovered its rhythm. The ball movement evaporated. The tempo slowed. And the Wolves, who had an opportunity to pressure tired legs, force Houston to chase, and turn this into a track meet, did the exact opposite. They let Houston pack the paint, load up on Julius Randle, swarm him on every bully-ball drive, and choke the oxygen out of the offense.
And look: Randle filled the stat sheet, sure. But he also turned into a black hole in the worst way, forcing looks against multiple defenders, occasionally coughing it up, and leaving everyone else watching instead of participating. It was like the offense got reduced to one guy trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube with boxing gloves on, while everyone else stood around.
The most brutal part? The free throws. Minnesota shot 57% from the line. That’s not “bad for an NBA team,” that’s “bad for a high school team.” The Wolves left 15 points at the stripe. Rudy went 2-for-10. That’s the kind of stat that makes you check the box score twice because you assume you misread it. If Minneosta hits even a third of those misses, you’re talking overtime or a road win you had no business getting without Ant.
So yes, the loss is frustrating. But it also tells you something important: Minnesota can hang with Houston even shorthanded. If Ant plays, that matchup looks very different. If the Wolves simply don’t self-destruct at the line, that game probably swings.
Unfortunately, now there’s no time to sulk. Because the second leg of the Texas two-step is waiting, and it’s the bigger one: Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs, and a rematch that comes with real standings consequences.
After the Houston slip-up, Minnesota is now 1.5 games back of Denver and San Antonio, who are tied for the two/three seeds. There won’t be any standings leapfrogging on Saturday night, but there is a chance to stop the bleeding and close the gap, as well as a very real risk of getting swept through Texas if Anthony Edwards can’t go as he battles his toe infection.
This is where the weekend turns from “slightly annoying” to “could spiral fast if you’re not careful.”
So yeah. Big game. Again.
And with that, here are the keys.
Keys to the Game
#1: Hit your free throws. I cannot believe we’re back here. This is an NBA team fighting for top-three positioning and they’re treating the charity stripe like it’s a haunted house. Minnesota’s free throw ineptitude is not just ugly, it’s actively cost them games against their own conference rivals in OKC and Houston. In two of the biggest measuring-stick games they’ve played, the Wolves have basically spotted the opponent points like they’re donating to a cause. And now they go into San Antonio, potentially without Ant, on the road, against an elite team, and you’re telling me they’re going to win while giving away free points? No. If they shoot like that again, it’s over before the fourth quarter even arrives.
#2: Don’t cower to Wembanyama. Last week, Minnesota started down 16–0 because they looked like they were trying to solve Wembanyama instead of playing basketball. Everything was hesitant. Everything was off-kilter. They weren’t getting their normal looks, and you could feel the intimidation factor creep into the shot selection, like the rim was guarded by a 7’4 French demogorgon. The Wolves can’t do that again. They’ve now had the experience of seeing how the game changes when Victor is on vs. off the floor. They need to use it. Attack with purpose. Don’t settle into the “we’ll just jack threes and hope” offense. And Julius Randle needs to tap into what worked late last game with the bully-ball defense, the physicality, and the “I’m not moving for you” attitude that sent Wembanyama into baby giraffe mode.
#3: Move the ball like the game depends on it — because it kind of does. Houston was a masterclass in what happens when Minnesota’s offense stagnates. The disjointed third quarter killed the rhythm, Randle became the whole offense, and everyone else got iced out. McDaniels and DiVincenzo basically became spectators. That can’t happen again, especially with Wembanyama looming behind every drive like a skyscraper with arms. Whether Ant plays or not, this has to be a team offense. Randle can score, yes, but his superpower is using his gravity to create open threes and easy looks when the defense collapses. If he’s just trying to bully through triple teams for 48 minutes, you’re playing right into San Antonio’s hands.
#4: Win the non-Wemby minutes like it’s a separate game inside the game. This was the biggest tell last time: the Wolves looked like two different teams depending on whether Wembanyama was on the floor. When he sat, Minnesota’s offense suddenly breathed again. Spacing improved, driving lanes opened, and the Spurs’ defense looked human. The Wolves have to treat those non-Wemby minutes like a hunting license. Attack immediately. Push the pace. Go on runs. Make it hurt when he rests. They’ve used this receipe before against Denver with Jokic. Survive the star minutes, dominate the bench minutes, and steal the game in the margins.
#5: Naz Reid has to be the spark plug again. Naz was a beast from deep against Houston, one of the only guys keeping the offense from fully dying when the rhythm disappeared. If Ant can’t go, Naz becomes even more important as a scorer, as a spacing weapon, and now, increasingly, as a defender. His defensive effort has legitimately stepped up over this January stretch. Randle will draw bodies. Rudy will get his easy looks and offensive boards. But Naz is the guy who can bend a defense with quick threes and inside-out scoring, especially against lineups where San Antonio’s secondary defenders are vulnerable.
#6: Keep your emotions in check. These teams got chippy last weekend. Rudy picked up the flagrant that pushed him over the limit and got him suspended. That’s not just a “whoops.” That’s a real consequence. Now you’re heading into a high-stakes rematch, coming off a frustrating loss where the refs already turned one quarter into a whistle-fest, and emotions could be running hot. Minnesota cannot get baited. They cannot give away free throws, techs, or foul trouble minutes. And they certainly do not need Gobert sniffing another flagrant situation. Play tough. Play physical. Play smart.
The Finish
Here’s the truth: this is the kind of game that tells you whether Minnesota’s January reinvention is real, or whether it’s just a hot stretch that collapses the second the margin tightens.
Because yeah, it’s hard to see the Wolves stealing a road back-to-back against a team as talented as San Antonio without Anthony Edwards. That’s just math. That’s just reality. But this is also the NBA, where weird stuff happens every night and the team with the sharper edge wins more games than the team with the prettier roster.
Minnesota already proved last week they can come back from the dead against these guys — down 19, staring at the abyss, and somehow winning 104–103 by executing like a real contender. That wasn’t luck. That was poise. That was grown-up basketball. That was Julius Randle bodying Wembanyama and Ant hitting another “I own this moment” shot.
Now they have to do it again, on the road, with less margin, more fatigue, and a whole lot more pressure.
If they hit free throws. If they move the ball. If they win the non-Wemby minutes. If they don’t melt down emotionally. If Naz gives them juice. If Julius balances bully ball with facilitation instead of turning into a black hole…
They can absolutely punch San Antonio in the mouth and make them prove they can take it.
And if the Wolves somehow pull this off without Ant? That’s not just a win.
That’s a statement about who they are — and who they’re becoming.
Cade Cunningham
Kyshawn George
LaMelo Ball
