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"We Had Concerns": Steve Yzerman Saw Warning Signs For Red Wings

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The unfortunate reality for the Detroit Red Wings is that they now own the NHL's longest active postseason drought at 10 years.

Near the end of January, they were in a prime position to make the postseason. They were tied for first overall in both their division and the Eastern Conference, but as they have in each of the last three seasons, things began unraveling at the beginning of March. 

Eventually, Detroit tumbled out of their playoff spot and had to scratch and claw for every possible point in the standings as the schedule ran out of runway. Their fate was officially sealed with a 5-3 loss at Little Caesars Arena to the New Jersey Devils in their 80th game. 

During Thursday's press conference, GM Steve Yzerman acknowledged there were multiple warning signs he was wary of before Detroit began falling in the standings.

“We had concerns,” he said. "We were in third overall or something, and we're like, 'Let's be realistic.' I don't think we're as good as our record at the time, but we are winning games, and we are where we are, and at the deadline we were where we were, and for the most part we were playing at .600 hockey, a little over .600, and at the end we were under .400."

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One of the main areas of concern for the Red Wings all season long was their lack of even strength scoring, which finished 30th overall in the NHL. 

They were also heavily reliant on goaltender John Gibson, who, after a subpar first two months, caught fire and became arguably the best player at his position in the League for several weeks. 

For Yzerman and the Red Wings, the bottom line is that they need more talent on the roster. 

“We need better players, we need to improve specifically in certain areas," Yzerman said. "We can talk about goal scoring; we need to improve in that area, particularly five-on-five."

“Collectively, if you’re watching the playoffs, and I’m assuming and I’m hoping our players are, to play with the intensity and determination needed to be successful to make the playoffs and get there," he said. "But ultimately it’s incumbent upon me and my staff to improve the team.”

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Who had declared for NBA draft? Cameron Boozer makes decision as last call looms

Who will stay and who will go?

It's the question some of the top players in men's college basketball need an answer to as the deadline to declare for the NBA draft has arrived on Friday, April 24.

Entering your name into the 2026 NBA Draft doesn't shut the door completely on college eligibility, as the deadline is when players must decide to forgo their college eligibility or retain it by "testing the waters." Some people have decided to return to college hoops while others have entered the transfer portal while putting their name into draft consideration, and they have another month before they have to officially withdraw and return to their respective college program.

Still, several top prospects have already decided the pro ranks will be their next career stop. Here's who has decided to enter the 2026 NBA Draft and who still hasn't made a decision yet with the deadline approaching, as well as other key dates for the process:

Who has declared for 2026 NBA Draft?

Here is who has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft. Players are listed in order of where they are projected to be picked in the latest USA TODAY Sports' latest NBA mock draft, as well as other notable names.

A big name to announce their draft decision was Cameron Boozer. The Duke star declared for the draft.

List updated at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, April 24:

Note: * Denotes players who have also entered the transfer portal and/or testing NBA waters

Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) shoots a free throw against the Siena Saints in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Who hasn't declared for NBA draft yet?

A few notable names have not announced their decision. Here's who hasn't announced yet and must decide by the 11:59 p.m. ET deadline.

  • 9. Arizona G Brayden Burries
  • Arizona C Motiejus Krivas
  • USC G Alijah Arenas

When is the NBA draft entry deadline?

Players must make their decision for the 2026 NBA Draft at 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, April 24.

Should a player enter the draft but decide to "test the waters" and keep their college eligibility, they have until May 27 at 11:59 p.m. ET to withdraw and return to their respective college program. The NBA-specific deadline for an early entry player to withdraw from the pool of prospects is June 13 at 5 p.m. ET.

When is the 2026 NBA Draft?

The 2026 NBA Draft begins June 23 at 8 p.m. ET with the first round at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The second round starts at 8 p.m. ET on June 24 at the Barclays Center.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who has declared for NBA draft? Latest updates on Cameron Boozer, more

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Thunder vs Suns Prediction, Picks & Odds for NBA Playoffs Game 3 Today

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A series doesn’t truly begin until the home team drops one, right? After losing the first two at Paycom Center, the Phoenix Suns return home looking to get on the board against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 on Saturday.

With Oklahoma City on the road and potentially shorthanded without Jalen Williams, this may not be a comfortable spot for the visitors.

My Thunder vs. Suns predictions lean toward Phoenix keeping things close and covering the spread as sizable home underdogs.

Here are my NBA picks for Game 3 on Saturday, April 25, from Mortgage Matchup Center.

  • UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win.

Thunder vs Suns prediction

Who will win Thunder vs Suns Game 3?

Suns: I’ll take the Suns to win this one at home. Not simply to cover but to win outright. The Suns have adopted a scrappy, hard-nosed attitude with Dillon Brooks in the locker room, and Brooks will set the tone on defense.

Fresh off his sizzling critique of the officials in Game 2, I expect Devin Booker to set the tone on the offensive end. The Thunder could take their foot off the gas here, and Jalen Williams’ absence will certainly be felt. Phoenix went 10-8 straight up as home dogs this season.

Playing with their backs against the wall, I’ll take Phoenix to get the dub.

Thunder vs Suns best bet: Suns +8.5 (-105)

The Oklahoma City Thunder have an NBA-best 66 wins, including the postseason. However, they are just 40-43-1 ATS. The Thunder are 20-20 ATS on the road and 19-18 as the road favorite. Conversely, the Phoenix Suns are 24-19 ATS at home and 12-6 as the home underdog. The Suns have covered in 23 of 39 games following a loss and in 35 of 56 games against Western Conference opponents.

In seven matchups with the Thunder, the Suns covered the spread four times, including one of two games at home. The Suns hung tough with the Thunder through two quarters in Game 2, going into halftime with a 65-57 deficit. A monster third quarter from the Thunder propelled them to victory, and the game got chippy.

Following the game, Devin Booker ripped the officiating crew and called out referee James Williams by name, calling him “terrible” and questioning his integrity. Booker was fined $35,000 for his comments, but owner Matt Ishbia backed his star player and doubled down on his comments.

Dillon Brooks called Shai Gilgeous-Alexander “frail” and noted the lack of physicality in the current NBA. Both Booker and Brooks will surely be playing with chips on their shoulders, feeling slighted by the referees playing favorites and making unfair calls in favor of their opponents.

Booker’s comments triggered an investigation from the Association that found nothing to substantiate his claims, but the public call-out could lead to an overcorrection, and the refs may swallow their whistles.

The Suns can’t afford to lose this game and fall into a 0-3 hole, so I expect them to scrap and claw with a Thunder team missing SGA’s No. 2, Jalen Williams. I’ll take Phoenix to cover, and I like their chances of winning this one outright.

Thunder vs Suns same-game parlay

The Thunder and Suns have hit the Over in five of seven head-to-head matchups this season, including one of two games in the first-round playoff series. The 214.5 total is set a bit low for two offenses that can effectively put up points, especially if Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks are playing with extra motivation.

Devin Booker has scored 20+ in 13 straight games, averaging 26.9 points along the way. In that span, he scored 23+ in eight games and finished with exactly 22 points in four more. Booker averaged exactly 22.5 points in four matchups with the Thunder, hitting the Over twice and finishing with 22 and 21 in the other contests.

Thunder vs Suns SGP

  • Suns +8.5
  • Over 214.5
  • Booker Over 22.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Hotter than the sun

It’s now or never for the Suns. A loss would essentially end the series, as no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit. If Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks can all eclipse their point totals and limit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the other end, the Suns can take this one and gain some ground back in the series. It’s a long shot, but they’ve got a chance.

Jalen Green scored 20+ in three of his last four games overall, and he reached that mark in 18 of 32 regular-season matchups. He finished with 21 in Game 2.

Dillon Brooks led the Suns in scoring in Game 2 with 30, and he’s scored 18+ in each of the first two games of the series. He scored at least that many points in 38 of 56 regular-season contests, including 25 of 27 at home.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged just 30.4 points per game across five matchups with Phoenix this season, going Under 31 points three times, including a 25-point performance in his only trip to the desert. I expect the refs to be more conservative with their calls, limiting free-throw opportunities and points.

Thunder vs Suns SGP

  • Suns moneyline
  • Booker Over 22.5 points
  • Green Over 19.5 points
  • Brooks Over 17.5 points
  • Gilgeous-Alexander Under 30.5 points

Thunder vs Suns odds for Game 3

  • Spread: Thunder -9 | Suns +9
  • Moneyline: Thunder -325 | Suns +425
  • Over/Under: Over 214.5 | Under 214.5

Thunder vs Suns betting trend to know

The Suns covered the spread in 12 of 18 games as the home underdog this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Suns.

How to watch Thunder vs Suns Game 3

LocationMortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
DateSaturday, April 25, 2026
Tip-off3:30 p.m. ET
TVPeacock

Thunder vs Suns latest injuries

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Joel Embiid ruled out for Game 3 vs. Celtics after participating in practice

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 15: Paul George #8, Joel Embiid #21 and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during the game against the Orlando Magic during the SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Well, this is all moving quite fast now, isn’t it?

The Sixers released their injury report ahead of Game 3 as the first round series shifts to Philadelphia, and Joel Embiid wasn’t initially ruled out on it. He is listed as doubtful with post appendectomy surgery recovery. It’s truly remarkable that Embiid could play in a playoff game just 15 days after the emergency procedure back on April 9.

Word around Embiid started trending in a positive direction earlier in the day at practice. The team announced that he was a partial participant. Nick Nurse told reporters that he was “hopeful,” but didn’t know “how close” the big fella was to getting back on the court. The extended quote is below courtesy of Ky Carlin of SixersWire.

Embiid being able to take the court sooner than anyone expected would of course make that Game 2 win for the Sixers even bigger. The doubtful designation for most players means just that, but, for Embiid, it could be a pretty good sign he’s going to play.

It’s really hard to guess how Embiid would look if he is able to go, but just his presence in the starting lineup would obviously be an upgrade. He’s obviously not asked to carry any sort of scoring burden, but Adem Bona shooting 12% on his layups sums up how his series has gone for him pretty well.

Regardless, this would be an insane recovery if Embiid is able to come back about a week or two earlier than the typical recovery time from an appendectomy. It would go right to the top of the list up there with Bell’s palsy and a broken face in terms of insane injuries Embiid has pushed through to play in a playoff game.

Update: 4/24 5:13 p.m ET: Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Game 3, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. According to the report he has intensified his on-court work in order to get back on the court. Doctors are pleased with his progress but he’s yet to be cleared just yet.

In his pregame media availability, Nick Nurse said that Embiid has done some on-court work both individually and with the rest of the team, but he is “just not there yet.”

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Jack Kayil Declares for NBA Draft, Keeps Gonzaga Door Open

20 March 2026, Berlin: Basketball, Men: Bundesliga, Alba Berlin - Rostock Seawolves, Main Round, Matchday 25, Uber Arena. TJ Crockett Jr. (r, Rostock Seawolves) fights for the ball against Jack Kayil (l, Alba Berlin). Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa (Photo by Andreas Gora/picture alliance via Getty Images)

As expected, Alba Berlin combo guard Jack Kayil has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, according to agents Kevin Bradbury and Milan Nikolic. Don’t fret, as the Gonzaga Bulldogs signee can still decide to opt out and play his first college basketball season in Spokane, Washington, in 2026-27.

He’s testing the waters, looking to hear back from scouts and NBA franchises. Looking around the different draft projections, his name isn’t anywhere to be found. That can change with a strong performance at the NBA Combine from May 10-17, 2026, at the Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago, Illinois.

The deadline for an early entry player to withdraw from the NBA Draft is June 13 at 2 p.m. PT.

The 20-year-old native of Berlin, Germany, is averaging 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in German Basketball Bundesliga competition. He also represented his country in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in March.

At 6-5, Kayil is powerful for his position and can score on all three levels. His ability to create for himself and others is what intrigued coach Mark Few and his staff to bring him over to the Pacific Northwest.

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'Some Guys Can Play Better': Why The Kings' Top Line Must Be Broken Up For Game 4

The Los Angeles Kings have been struggling to score all series long. After Game 3's 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the Kings are tied with the second-fewest goals scored in the Stanley Cup playoffs with four.

Only the Ottawa Senators have fewer goals, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are the team that shares a four-goal total with the Kings. All three teams are down 3-0 in their respective series.

The bottom line for Los Angeles is that they've struggled offensively, with the top line of Artemi Panarin, Anze Kopitar, and Adrian Kempe should take a bigger part of the blame for that. It may be time to change the look of that line ahead of Game 4.

Game 3 is a great example of why the team's first line hasn't had the answer in these playoffs. Panarin, Kopitar and Kempe combined for a minus-nine plus-minus rating, including for the empty-net goal that Brock Nelson scored to close out the game.

On Friday's off day for Los Angeles, interim coach D.J. Smith spoke about how the effort is there on the ice, but he's looking for results.

What Changes The Penguins, Senators And Kings Must Make To Avoid Playoff SweepWhat Changes The Penguins, Senators And Kings Must Make To Avoid Playoff SweepThe Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings need a miracle to reverse-sweep their first-round playoff opponents. But this is what they can do to win Game 4.

"As well as we've played, in my opinion, there's some guys that can play better," Smith told reporters. "There's a few guys that I think can play better. Not for a lack of effort, (but) better execution."

In addition to that performance from the Kings' top line, that forward trio is yet to record an even-strength point in the series.

Panarin leads the team in scoring with two goals and three points, but every single marker he's contributed to has been on the power play. 

Artemi Panarin (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)
Artemi Panarin (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

The same can be said about Kempe, who has just one point in this series. It was Los Angeles' second goal in Game 3 on the mad advantage, and with the goalie pulled.

As for Kopitar, the Kings captain hasn't registered any sort of scoring and could very well be making his final NHL appearance in Game 4 on Sunday.

With the makeup of the top line on a downward trajectory in terms of form, it's a good time for Smith to try something new and mix up the personnel. Especially since the Kings are in a position where they have nothing to lose, against a team they had no business competing with.

"I think you got to think about everything," Smith said. "Whether it's jumble the top six, move a guy up, move a guy down… we're going to look at all possibilities to win one game."

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Where to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets Game 3 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Friday, April 24

The Los Angeles Lakers meet the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. LeBron James and the Lakers won the first two games in L.A. The series moves to Houston for Games 3 and 4. Austin Reaves is questionable to return for the Lakers. Kevin Durant is also questionable to play for the Rockets.

  • Spread: Houston Rockets -8.5

  • Moneyline: Houston Rockets -325 (73.4%) / Los Angeles Lakers +260 (26.6%)

  • Over/Under: 207.5

Game 1:Lakers 107, Rockets 98
Game 2:Lakers 101, Rockets 94
Game 3: Fri., April 24 at Houston (8 p.m., Prime)
Game 4: Sun., April 26 at Houston (9:30 p.m., NBC)
Game 5: Wed., April 29 at Los Angeles (TBD)
Game 6: Fri., May 1 at Houston (TBD)
*Game 7: Sun., May 3 at Los Angeles (TBD)

*if necessary

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5 storylines to watch as the series heads to the Valley

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 22: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball while being defended by Alex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center on April 22, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Now that we’ve got the first two games over with in Oklahoma City, the series is heading to the desert.

It’s been a rough couple of games, with OKC dominating for just about every quarter, winning 7 of the 8 quarters thus far in convincing fashion. Phoenix made it a little interesting briefly towards the end of the game, but every time they threw a punch, the Thunder responded immediately.

Here are five storylines that will determine if we’re actually in a series or just waiting for the sweep.

1. The Jalen Williams “Hamstring” Factor

The biggest break the Suns have received wasn’t a tactical adjustment; it was a physical casualty. Phoenix has been without Mark Williams, Grayson Allen, and Jordan Goodwin, so the Thunder aren’t the only team dealing with it.

Jalen Williams, who was carving us up for 19 points in just 23 minutes, went down with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Game 2. He is officially week-to-week, which likely sidelines him for Games 3 and 4 at the very least. Williams was the secondary connector for OKC, averaging 20.5 points on 61.5% shooting through the first two games. Without his verticality and secondary playmaking, the Suns’ defense might finally find some breathing room.

It also allows Phoenix to defend Shai more aggressively, but make no mistake… OKC’s depth behind Williams at his position can shoot the rock. We still need to be hyper-aware of the floor spacers.

2. Booker vs. The Zebras

Devin Booker didn’t mince words when discussing the officiating postgame. After a bizarre technical foul and an offensive foul call that went unpunished on the other end for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (among several other things), Book compared the league’s officiating to the “WWE”.

Booker is averaging 22.5 points (lowest of his playoff career) this series on 48% shooting, and is clearly frustrated by the lack of “respect” as far as the whistles go, and I can’t blame him.

The fine was expected. I’m more interested in watching how the whistle treats him in Game 3. If he spends more time talking to the refs than attacking the paint, we’re cooked. I’m all for him speaking up, but the team needs to eliminate that distraction once they are on the court.

Will the refs provide some “make-up” calls on our home floor? It would be nice to have both teams be allowed to play a physical brand of basketball. Just call it both ways. That’s all we’re asking for!

3. The “Iso-Ball” Dilemma

Dillon Brooks was the only Sun who decided to fight back offensively in Game 2, exploding for 30 points on a variety of tough looks.

Coach Jordan Ott and Booker both emphasized moving away from isolation plays after the Game 1 blowout. While it makes sense in theory, the Thunder have a way of defending in a half-court setting that makes it easy to fall into those lapses due to the constant pressure, blitzes, and deflections. It makes moving the ball a challenge, which is why the Suns must capitalize on any transition opportunities they get and look to push the ball early and often. Once OKC’s defense is set, it’s a challenge to score.

When Brooks starts hunting his own shot, the ball stops moving. We need his 30-point ceiling, but we can’t afford the offensive stagnation that comes with it if the shots stop falling.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 22: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

4. Size, Length, and the Rebounding Gap

We are consistently getting dismantled on the glass. The Thunder are longer and more “twitchy” at almost every position. They are essentially a bigger, more athletic version of us.

  • Game 1: A 35-point loss where we looked like we were playing a different sport.
  • Game 2: We showed more “sicko” energy, but the second-chance points remained a death sentence.
  • Game 3: TBD

If we don’t utilize Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro to bridge the athleticism gap, Chet Holmgren is going to keep treating the paint like his private playground. And yes, I will still die on the hill that Rasheer Fleming needs to be involved. Not even a brief look? What are we doing here?!

5. Protecting the Home Floor Identity

Heading back to the Valley is about more than just crowd noise. It’s about protecting your home floor and showing some pride. Role players play better at home in these environments. Crowd pops and momentum shifts can change games. It could be the fuel they need to make things interesting.

They HAVE to take care of the ball. Booker and Green combined for 12 turnovers to 7 assists, and each labored for inefficient 20-point games. Green more so than Book, who shot 50%, but the turnovers were killer.

The easiest way to lose on your home floor is by making mistakes that you can control. If Phoenix plays smart and hard, they have a chance. If they play carelessly, it will get ugly again, fast.

Closing Thought

The Suns need to stop looking for whistles and start looking for contact. With Jalen Williams out, the door is cracked open. Game 3 on Saturday is the season. Either we find a way to make Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s life miserable, or we can start booking flights to Cabo.

Just win.

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Sidney Crosby on his embellishment call: Flyers player 'got away with it'

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby wasn't in the mood on Friday, April 24 to discuss being called for embellishment for the first time in his 21-year NHL career.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway had caught Crosby with a high stick in the face in Game 3 as he lined up for a faceoff. Crosby dropped to the ice, Hathaway made a diving gesture and the Penguins captain was called for embellishment.

Instead of the Penguins going on a power play because of the Hathaway high stick, it was 4-on-4. The Penguins lost the game, trail the series 3-0 and face elimination on Saturday, April 25.

"I don't really want to get into it," Crosby told reporters Friday about the incident. "It happened. He hit me in the face with his stick. I don't know what else you want me to tell you. Make up whatever you want to make up. Those are the facts. He got away with it. Good tradeoff."

Penguins coach Dan Muse had been upset after Game 3 that Crosby was also penalized.

"We don't have a single embellishment all year," he told reporters afterward. "Sidney Crosby doesn't have an embellishment in 21 seasons. So stick's in his face and they take both. I disagree on that strongly.

"Not one. Not one for our team all season. We didn't come in this series to start now. Our guys have done a good job with that, and Sid doesn't embellish."

The Penguins will try to win Game 4 in Philadelphia Saturday, April 25 (8 p.m. ET, TBS) to stay alive.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sidney Crosby addresses embellishment call: Flyers 'got away with it'

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Yankees Mailbag: Backup breaking points and early standings

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 13: Hitting coach, James Rowson #82 talks with Randal Grichuk #34 of the New York Yankees before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good afternoon everyone, it’s time to dive back into the mailbag and answer some of your questions. Remember to send in your questions for our weekly call by e-mail to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

Cisforcookie asks:Is Grichuk the odd man out when Volpe returns with Rosario and Cabby both “able” to play in the OF?

He’s in the hot seat, that’s for sure. Randal Grichuk hasn’t delivered in his limited time on the field thus far, failing to make much of a difference in the Yankees’ “lefty killer” lineup that they’ve deployed more recently when faced with a southpaw starter. His Statcast page shows a hitter who is getting a little unlucky on the field, with high percentages of barreled balls and an average exit velo of 90 mph, but that means very little when the sample size is as small as it has been for Grichuk and the actual results are what they are. Being the last-minute addition to the roster and failing to provide a reason to consistently get more chances gives the Yankees an easy out if they so choose.

However, Grichuk is far from the only struggling Yankee in a limited role. J.C. Escarra hasn’t held down the backup catcher role well either, and Paul Goldschmidt is a backup whose main value appears to be a mentorship role more than anything else (more on him in a minute). On top of that, while Amed Rosario and José Caballero “technically” qualify as outfielder options, I’m sure the team would be a lot more comfortable with a tried and true regular outfielder serving as the backup. Similarly, while Ben Rice takes the lion’s share of starts at first and deserves them all with how hot his bat has been this year, but the team hasn’t tested his versatility behind the plate yet. The choice likely comes down to whether they like their chances with Rice serving as a backup catcher or one of the infielders covering a corner, and I’m 50-50 on which one of those is the route they’ll take. It’d be an easier one to make if Rice had played catcher at all this year, as I lean towards letting Grichuk ride things out a bit longer and sending Escarra down, but perhaps the team would rather their budding star not take on the wear and tear that the position holds. The clock is ticking though, and I imagine it’ll be between one of those two when the time comes to go to the chopping block.

ReadingYankee asks:It feels a bit early in the season to look at these division rankings and say this is how it is going to be. I mean, it’s not even 30 games. However, do these numbers really just represent who is good now and who no longer is, despite what we all predicted to be the case? (I.E. Phillies and Mets) Are we really looking at the division races right now in the way they will play out by the end of the summer? Or do these current rankings tend to change a whole lot from this point in the season? What tends to be the case from this point forward?

There’s plenty of time for variance, and the leaders in several divisions will likely flip-flop throughout the summer as teams get hot and start to break away from this conglomerate we’re seeing currently. That being said, the one thing you want to avoid is an ice-cold April, because it’s very easy to get buried and never catch all the way back up. Taking a look at last year’s standings on this date, it was clear to see that some teams like the Twins (9-16 at the time), Braves (10-14), and Orioles (10-14) were in far worse straits than anticipated, and those teams all ended up out of the playoff picture entirely. That’s without even touching the teams we knew were bad and turned out terrible, like last year’s White Sox and Rockies, but the Mets and Phillies treading water in the territory that those teams were in currently is a terrible sign.

Boston, Kansas City, and Houston all look like they belong in that similar category, though Houston is besieged by injuries while the other two are just plain playing bad. There’s the occasional team that can pull themselves out of an early tailspin, a la the 2019 Nats, but even setting their miraculous rise aside the odds of surviving being nearly double-digits games behind by the end of the first month are dire. The exceptions are few and far between, and it’s far easier to blow a big lead than surpass a monumental deficit with so many other teams chasing in-between.

The idiot that said, “Harper is coming” asks: Paul Goldschmidt and Ryan McMahon are doing their best to test the “batting average is not an important statistic” theory, each posting an identical .125 BA as of 4/23. McMahon is obviously going to get the longer leash of the two, but how long a leash are we talking? Should they at least be searching the market now to set up for a later deal? Is there any chance Lombard might be in their plans down the road this season? Is Rosario just gonna be the main guy?

McMahon is finding his footing at third again, looking more and more like the sharp defensive wizard that the team acquired him to be. That alone can carry him far, as long as the offense at least nominally improves. Goldschmidt is the tougher tell, because his limited role in the offense is two-fold: on one hand, it means less if he’s struggling if he isn’t expected to play a significant amount of games, but on the other hand it means it’s going to be even harder for him to get out from under the slump. Goldschmidt started 2025 off on the right foot, but as he ceded playing time he lost more and more from his bat, and it hasn’t looked any better now in 2026. It’s all well and good that he’s a mentor to Rice, and the first baseman has certainly looked a lot more comfortable at the position with the former MVP now actively assisting his development as opposed to competing with him for the starting gig, but how far can a player on the active roster drift into coach status before the team has to make a decision to benefit the overall roster?

We talked last week about where Lombard’s ETA stands, so I won’t dwell on the topic too long, but that isn’t an imminent decision forcing a roster crunch. At best, if Lombard stands out that well all season and the deadline acquisitions the Yankees could make don’t look appealing enough, I could see the move being made, but that’s a lot of qualifiers that have to occur for a bat that’s still in Double-A and yet to see Triple-A. Rosario has impressed in his role and earned a bit more starting time than I imagine the Yankees envisioned for him out of the gate, so trusting in him seems like the short-term solution while they monitor McMahon and the platoons that they’ve built into this lineup. If we’re still talking about McMahon as an automatic out by this time in May, then the conversation drifts towards shaking things up, but if he can pull himself back into the 80-range wRC+ hitter he’s been for most of his career that’ll play.

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Spurs vs Trail Blazers Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 3

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Our NBA player prop projections are fired up for Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference First Round playoff matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers.

The data is incredibly high in some markets, and we've identified the very best edges against the odds on the board to uncover hidden value. 

Read on for our NBA picks for Friday, April 24. 

Spurs vs Trail Blazers computer picks for Game 3

Spurs SpursBlazers Trail Blazers
Castle u19.5 points 
-112		Camara o10.5 points
-120
Vassell u14.5 points 
-112		Henderson o2.5 rebounds
+100
De'Aaron Fox u19.5 points 
-120		Holiday o16.5 points
-112

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Spurs Game 3 computer picks

Stephon Castle Under 19.5 points (-112)

Projection: 16.9 points

Stephon Castle is a developing scorer who still relies heavily on Victor Wembanyama drawing attention in the paint. Without Wembanyama, Portland can key in on Castle and limit his driving lanes.

At 16.9 points projected, the gap between that number and 19.5 is hard to ignore, which is why we are following our model and playing the Under. 

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Devin Vassell Under 14.5 points (-112)

Projection: 13.38 points

Devin Vassell is an efficient off-ball scorer, but his production is closely tied to the San Antonio Spurs' offensive flow. With De'Aaron Fox set to dominate usage in Wemby's absence, Vassell's shot volume takes a hit.

Projected at 13.38 points and available at a reasonable price, the Under 14.5 is exactly the kind of line you want to attack.

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De'Aaron Fox Under 19.5 points (-120)

Projection: 17.69 points

De'Aaron Fox needs Wembanyama to be gone or severely limited to clear his points total. With Wemby now looking like he might play tonight, Fox likely won't score 20 points as he's failed to do so in three of his last five games with the big fella on the floor.

Expect the Spurs point guard to take a back seat to Wembanyama, and go Under his points total. 

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Trail Blazers Game 3 computer picks

Toumani Camara Over 10.5 points (-120)

Projection: 12.16 points

Toumani Camara is a relentless cutter and transition threat for the Portland Trail Blazers, who doesn't need the ball in his hands to produce. With San Antonio's defense possibly missing its anchor, Camara has room to operate.

Projected at 12.16 points with a 22% edge over the line, this is one of the cleaner Overs on the board tonight.

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Scoot Henderson Over 2.5 rebounds (+100)

Projection: 3.1 rebounds

Scoot Henderson is more than a playmaker. He crashes the glass with purpose and competes for boards on both ends. Projected at 3.2 rebounds, the 2.5 line is set low enough to exploit, and you're getting plus money to do it.

Henderson has the motor and the minutes to clear this with room to spare, and he's done so in two of his previous three games. 

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Jrue Holiday Over 16.5 points (-112)

Projection: 18.13 points

Jrue Holiday is a proven playoff performer who elevates when the stakes are highest. Holiday is going to see heavy usage tonight as the Trail Blazers primary ball-handler and shot creator.

He's topped this number in three of his previous five games, and at 18.13 projected points, the Over here is backed by the data. 

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How to watch Spurs vs Trail Blazers Game 3

LocationModa Center, Portland, OR
DateFriday, April 24, 2026
Tip-off10:30 p.m. ET
TVPrime Video

Not intended for use in MA.
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Hurricanes vs Senators Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's NHL Playoffs Game 4

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The Carolina Hurricanes can punch their ticket to Round 2 with a Game 4 win over the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday, April 25.

While this has been the tightest, most defense-driven series of Round 1, my latest Hurricanes vs. Senators predictions and NHL picks expect a shift in tone, with both offenses starting to come alive.

  • UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win & goal scorer pick.

Hurricanes vs Senators Game 4 prediction

Who will win Hurricanes vs Senators Game 4?

Carolina Hurricanes: Ottawa No. 1 defenseman Jake Sanderson (concussion) joining partner Artem Zub (undisclosed) in the press box for Game 4 is a massive blow, and the Sens were already limited to just three goals all series and haven’t held a lead once.

With the Hurricanes also generating an eye-popping 59.8% of the expected goals to this point, Carolina will cruise to Round 2.

Hurricanes vs Senators best bet: Over 5.5 (-115)

Despite combining for 23.72 expected goals and 81 high-danger scoring chances, the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators have totaled just 10 goals across the first three games of the series.

Hurricanes starter Frederik Andersen sports a .964 save percentage for the series, and Sens No. 1 Linus Ullmark checks in at .933, so statistical correction will be rearing its ugly head due to the unsustainable play of both goalies.

This is also an elimination game, so we could see an early goalie pull if Ottawa is trailing late in the third period, and the Sens haven’t had a lead all series long.

Hurricanes vs Senators Game 4 same-game parlay

Ottawa defenseman Thomas Chabot is set to log huge minutes in Game 4, including quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit. It’s a role he’s familiar with, and with the season on the line, I’m anticipating the longest-standing Senator stuffing the stat sheet. 

Chabot has already picked up five shots on 19 attempts while blocking eight shots in the series, in addition to being on the ice for a team-high 5.24 expected goals.

Hurricanes vs Senators SGP

  • Thomas Chabot Over 0.5 points
  • Thomas Chabot Over 1.5 shots
  • Thomas Chabot Over 2.5 blocked shots

Hurricanes vs Senators Game 4 goal scorer pick

Andrei Svechnikov (+180)

Carolina winger Andrei Svechnikov leads the series in individual expected goals (2.06) without finding the back of the net, and he’s also racked up an impressive 15 shots, 24 attempts, and five high-danger scoring chances.

The 26-year-old Russian sports 27 career playoff goals, including eight across 15 games last spring.

Hurricanes vs Senators odds for Game 4

  • Moneyline: Hurricanes -125 | Senators +105
  • Puck Line: Hurricanes -1.5 (+195) | Senators +1.5 (-240)
  • Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-115) | Under 5.5 (-105)

Hurricanes vs Senators trend

Carolina has won 15 of its last 20 games (+9.40 Units / 32% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Senators.

How to watch Hurricanes vs Senators Game 4

LocationCanadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
DateSaturday, April 25, 2026
Puck drop3:00 p.m. ET
TVSportsnet, TBS

Hurricanes vs Senators latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Former Canucks Prospect Named 2026 AHL MVP

A former Vancouver Canucks prospect has been named AHL MVP for the 2025-26 season. That former prospect is Michael DiPietro, who became the ninth goaltender to win the now-named Les Cunningham Award. DiPietro currently plays for the Providence Bruins, who are the AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins. 

The Canucks drafted DiPietro 64th overall in 2017. The now 26-year-old was a star in the OHL for the Windsor Spitfires and Ottawa 67's, with his junior career including a Memorial Cup championship in 2017. DiPietro also represented Canada multiple times during his junior career and would later win a Gold Medal at the 2021 World Championship. 

DiPietro's time with Vancouver was short as he was traded to the Bruins in 2022. He played three NHL games with the Canucks and spent most of his time in the AHL. In return for DiPietro as well as defensive prospect Jonathan Myrenberg, Vancouver received Jack Studnicka, who would play 52 NHL games for the Canucks. 

Since leaving Vancouver, DiPietro has become one of the best goaltenders in the AHL. This includes winning the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award, which is given out to the AHL's best goaltender in back-to-back consecutive season. Over his AHL career, DiPietro has a record of 118-50-16 along with 12 shutouts. 

Jan 23, 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Michael Dipietro (65) in action against the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Michael Dipietro (65) in action against the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-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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UPDATED: Michael Harris II scratched from lineup, Eli White to start versus Philadelphia

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 21: Eli White #36 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Drake Baldwin #30 after hitting a home run in the fifth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alyssa Piazza/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

After yesterday’s injury scare and early exit, all looked well and truly precautionary for Michael Harris II. He was slated to bat fifth and play center in the lineup released by the Braves earlier this afternoon.

Unfortunately, Grant McAuley has reported that Michael Harris II has been scratched and is day-to-day with that left quad tightness.

With this change, everyone will move up a spot to accommodate Eli White getting the start in center and batting ninth. Riley will no longer be batting sixth (the lowest he’d been penciled in this season), but we are still on the lookout… he’s sitting on 499 career RBI. How do we think he’ll drive in #500?

We had hoped to avoid the worst, and it seems like we will. It just feels particularly tragic because Harris II has been an absolute machine at the plate and was rocking a streak of at least 1 RBI in five straight games. 

The Phillies are catching a break – it was five games ago he was a menace on Sunday Night Baseball, where he tallied a homer, two singles and a walk against tonight’s starter Andrew Painter and the relievers that followed.

The Phillies have made some roster changes since we saw them. Catcher JT Realmuto officially hit the IL with back spasms, making Rafael Marchán their primary catcher. They tried it one last time with Taijuan Walker, but even after using an opener his last outing, he struggled and they released him. And making the trip with the team is Zack Wheeler, who will make his season debut tomorrow night. 

Their lineup is only slightly different from the last time they were behind Andrew Painter (more on the pitching matchup here). Garrett Stubbs will make his second start at catcher since being recalled and bat ninth. Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm will swap to bat sixth and seventh, respectively.

Grant’s World Series might be retiring Bryce Harper in any form (Harper has one hit and three walks to make his OPS vs Holmes start with a 2). But Adolis García is also a formidable matchup. Although the Phillies fell to the Cubs in extras yesterday, García did make things interesting with a pinch-hit game-tying home run in the top of the ninth.

A fun note from the Braves comms team… The Braves have not won four straight over the Phillies to open a season since 2007. Could be a nice night for it.

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It sure sounds like Austin Reaves will return in either Game 3 or Game 4

Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) look on from the bench in the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Lakers look set to get an unexpected boost this weekend with the return of Austin Reaves.

In a wave of updates that have escalated quickly, Reaves seems set to return to the court this weekend and as soon as Game 3 on Friday. Prior to Game 2 on Tuesday, head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Reaves had begun on-court work. At that time, though, he was just doing 1-on-1 work and had to progress to 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 work.

From that point to Friday, things have developed so rapidly that, on ESPN on Friday afternoon, Shams Charania reported that Reaves is trying to return for Game 3 and, if not, will try to do the same in Game 4.

If you want to put a lot into the wording here, it sure sounds like Austin will be back by Game 4 at the latest. That’s a pretty drastic change, if that’s really the case.

Prior to the series, the Lakers were working under the expectation that neither he nor Luka Dončićwould return during the first round. To a certain extent, operating under that assumption makes sense and expecting either to return and save the day would be the wrong mindset to take.

But even still, this feels like a bit of gamesmanship went into this one. At the very least, the Lakers were playing things very close to the vest because this all feels pretty sudden.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.