UNLV football has added former NFL linebacker Vontaze Burfict as a defensive analyst, according to its coaching list.
All New Features In NHL 26
Along with the NHL 26 reveal trailer EA SPORTS NHL released a full list of new features.
The most touted new addition is a revamped Be A Pro mode that includes new challenges, the ability to play in the World Juniors, and new cutscenes.
NHL 25's big addition ICE-Q has been upgraded to ICE-Q 2.0 which will not incorporate real time stats from NHL EDGE, the NHL's stat and positioning tracking data. This should help inform players skill attributes and help AI.
NHL 26 will come with 28 X-Factors that, "amplify superstar abilities with unique playstyle animations and gameplay outcomes."
These X-Factors will likely replace the 42 from NHL 25. Players having individualized abilities based on X-Factors is a good way to emphasize skills and should help users get a different feeling when using star players.
In the portion of the trailer that shows gameplay from Be A Pro mode there is an animation where the pro scores a goal on a one-handed shot, perhaps a sign of new shot animations and an expansion of the X-Factors.
A new Goalie Crease Control system was announced that is set to improve responsiveness and goaltender positioning.
HUT Seasons is the newest addition to Hockey Ultimate Team that adds new team building, ranked matches, and offline ways to earn rewards.
There were no mentions of major Franchise Mode changes of the re-introduction of GM Connected.
NHL 26 is set to release Sept. 12, those who pre-order the deluxe edition get access Sept. 5.
We will dive into each mode as more news becomes available.
For more NHL Gaming news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed.
Photo Credit: EA SPORTS NHL
Another Islanders Skater Could Be Joining Matthew Schaefer During His Summer Workouts
New York Islanders No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer is working hard this summer to crack the big squad this fall.
Former NHLer Mark Giordano is his trainer and has been working alongside Islanders veteran defenseman Adam Pelech as well as Islanders forward Bo Horvat.
Potential No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer On Islanders Bo Horvat, Adam Pelech & Mathieu DarcheLOS ANGELES -- Matthew Schaefer is not a member of the New York Islanders organization just yet, but all signs are pointing to that with the 2025 NHL Draft just a day away.
There could be another Islanders player who joins Schaefer, and that's Casey Cizikas.
"I talked to Bo Horvat quite a bit. I was gonna train with him. And Pelech comes back to my gym," Schaefer said. "Cizikas may come back.
"I've talked to a lot of guys, and I can't wait to start working with them."
Jumping from the OHL to the NHL will be a gigantic step for Schaefer.
While he's a confident kid with a tremendous amount of hockey skill, Schaefer will need a support system in place to help him overcome obstacles that come his way.
The fact that he's trained this summer with not only NHLers but future teammates will go a long way toward Schaefer feeling comfortable in the room as quickly as possible.
While Pelech and Schaefer will not be a pair given that they both play the left side, there could be times during a game when Schaefer and Pelech are on the ice together. So, it's good for Schaefer to learn Pelech's tendencies and vice versa.
Building chemistry with forwards is ultra important, especially given the two-way style Schaefer plays.
Mathew Barzal made a comment about how he quickly built chemistry with defenseman Mike Reilly when it came to breakout passes.
So, for Schaefer, he's building chemistry with Horvat and, hopefully, Cizikas before it's time to head back to Long Island for training camp.
Jen Pawol feels like ‘fully charged battery ready to go’ ahead of breaking MLB gender barrier
NEW YORK — Jen Pawol was in her hotel room in Nashville, Tennessee, when she got the call she had awaited for a decade.
She was going to make her major league debut this weekend, becoming the first female umpire in a century and a half of big league baseball.
“I was overcome with emotion,” Pawol recalled Thursday, two days before she breaks a gender barrier when she works the bases during Miami’s doubleheader at Atlanta. “It was super emotional to finally be living that phone call that I’d been hoping for and working towards for quite a while, and I just felt super full — I feel like a fully charged battery ready to go.”
Her voice quavering with emotion, Pawol talked about getting the news during a Wednesday conference call with director of umpire development Rich Rieker and vice president of umpire operations Matt McKendry.
Pawol thought back to her long road. In the early 1990s at West Milford High School in New Jersey, she had a summer conversation with Lauren Rissmeyer, the third baseman on the school’s softball team.
“‘Do you want to come umpire with me?’” Pawol remembered being asked. “I didn’t think twice about it. Lauren’s doing it, so I’m going to do it.”
Pawol’s pay was $15 per game.
“She took a field and I took a field,” Pawol said. “It was a one-umpire system. I had no idea what I was doing, but I got to put gear on and call balls and strikes, so I was in.”
A 1995 graduate at West Milford, which inducted her into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022, Pawol became a three-time all-conference softball selection pick at Hofstra.
After umpiring NCAA softball from 2010-16, she was approached by then-big league ump Ted Barrett at an umpire camp in Binghamton, New York, in early 2015.
“Moreso than any female that I’d seen, she looked like she could handle the rigors of the job physically,” Barrett said Thursday. “But what impressed me was her willingness to learn. She seemed like a sponge, everything that we were teaching her. I’m proud that I made her aware of the opportunity.”
Barrett invited Pawol to attend a clinic in Atlanta and then a MLB tryout camp at Cincinnati that Aug. 15. He invited her to dinner in Atlanta with fellow big league umps Paul Nauert and Marvin Hudson and their wives.
“I warned her: `Look, this is what you’re up against. It’s going to be 10 years in the minor leagues before you sniff a big big field,’” Barrett said.
Pawol was among 38 hopefuls invited to the Umpire Training Academy at Vero Beach, Florida, and started her pro umpiring career in the Gulf Coast League on June 24, 2016, working the plate when the GCL Tigers West played at the GCL Blue Jays.
She moved up to the New York/Penn League in 2017, the Midwest League after the first two weeks of the 2018 season, then worked the South Atlantic League in 2019, the High-A Midwest League in 2021, the Double-A Eastern League and the Triple-A International and Pacific Coast Leagues in 2023. She was called in for big league spring training in 2024 and ’25.
“This has been over 1,200 minor league games, countless hours of video review trying to get better, and underneath it all has just been this passion and this love for the game of baseball,” she said. “This started in my playing days as a catcher and transformed over into an umpire, and I think it’s gotten even stronger as an umpire. Umpiring is for me, it’s in my DNA. It’s been a long, hard journey.”
Among eight female umpires currently in the minors, she will join Chris Guccione’s crew in Atlanta, where she expects about 30 family and friends. She is to work the bases during Saturday’s doubleheader and call balls and strikes on Sunday.
Pawol was at third base on Wednesday night as Jacksonville beat Nashville in the International League when Sounds third baseman Oliver Dunn congratulated her.
“If I make it to the big leagues,” he told her, “we will have both worked all the levels together.”
Pawol repeatedly thanked her minor league umpiring predecessors, mentioning several who exchanged calls or texts, including Christine Wren, Pam Postema and Ria Cortesio. Just after her promotion to Triple-A, Pawol met with Postema in Las Vegas.
“The last thing she said to me when I saw her was: Get it done!” Powal explained. “So I texted her yesterday and said, `I’m getting it done!’”
Barrett will be watching from Oregon, where he is attending Northwest League games this weekend.
“The hopes of this are that it inspires,” he said. ”Who knows, there’ll be a young lady watching the game on TV and says, `Hey, I’d like to try that.’”
How Knicks' Mikal Bridges has the most to gain from the Mike Brown hiring
When the Knicks hired Mike Brown as their new head coach, much of the focus was on how he can optimize the All-Star tandem of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
However, it is Mikal Bridges who might have the most to gain from Brown’s hiring.
The two-way wing recently signed a four-year contract extension worth $150 million to stay with the Knicks. With Bridges set to remain in New York for an extended period of time, putting him in an ideal role will be important to the team's title hopes.
Bridges had a bit of an uneven debut season with the Knicks.
After the club sent five future draft picks to the Nets to acquire Bridges, his fit on the roster was inconsistent. There were the highs -- like a 41-point explosion on Christmas against the Spurs, a buzzer-beater against the Trail Blazers, and key defensive stops against the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.
But there were also nights when Bridges disappeared, like an 0-for-9 shooting performance against the now-champion Thunder in January.
Though his raw numbers of 17.6 points on 50 percent from the field looked good on paper, it never seemed like Bridges was fully comfortable. After altering his shot release this past season, Bridges’ three-point attempt rate dropped and he shot 35.4 percent from beyond the arc, his lowest mark since his rookie season.
He was effective from the corners (42.4 percent) but struggled mightily from deeper. Bridges knocked down only 30.5 percent of his trifectas from above-the-break. In the playoffs, he shot 36.2 percent on above-the-break threes, but made only 32.3 percent of his corner ones.
Ways to build Bridges
There are levers that Brown could pull to help Bridges become more efficient.
Under Brown’s watch, the Kings played fast and also embraced the pass.
In his two full seasons as Kings head coach, they finished seventh in assist rate and top five in passes made per game. Kings center Domantas Sabonis thrived as a creator in Brown’s offense, through dribble handoffs and finding cutters from the mid-post and at the top of the key.
The Knicks can use Towns in a similar way. With Towns’ ability to shoot from outside, it would open space in the paint and create easier scoring opportunities for Bridges, as well as other Knicks. The former Villanova star was successful earlier in his career as an off-ball cutter with the Suns.
Under Tom Thibodeau last season, the Knicks were 26th in pace in the regular season, per NBA Stats. The team was also 13th in transition frequency. When the Knicks did push the ball, they were effective, scoring 1.18 points per possession -- good for second in the NBA.
Bridges is effective running the floor and it would give him more opportunities to find easier buckets.
On defense, Bridges was New York’s primary point-of-attack defender. He was often tasked with defending lead ball handlers, and he struggled at times navigating picks while trying to stay in front of guards such as Tyrese Haliburton or Trae Young.
Even with a new coach, it’s hard to see that changing -- none of New York’s other starters are capable of guarding at the point-of-attack.
The only way Bridges won’t be in that position is if Miles McBride plays more minutes with the starters, rather than Josh Hart or Mitchell Robinson. But it’s hard to envision a lineup of four starters with McBride joining the Knicks' primary five-man unit.
One other adjustment the Knicks could embrace would be switching more on defense, so Bridges won’t be hung up on screens as much.
Self-improvement
Even with the coaching change, there are adjustments Bridges can make on his own.
He needs to be more willing to embrace contact -- there were too many occasions where the iron man opted to fade away in the mid-range and avoid defenders. Bridges converted those attempts, making 51.3 percent of attempts from three to 10 feet, according to Basketball Reference.
Last season, Bridges attempted a laughably low 118 free throws in 3,036 minutes. In the year prior, he took nearly 200 more freebies despite playing over 200 less minutes with the Nets.
The lack of foul shots, lower three-point rate, and high volume of mid-range attempts made Bridges the antithesis of efficiency. If he can alter some of that shot diet toward the rim and welcome contact on finishes in the paint while attempting more threes, the Knicks will greatly benefit.
Don't forget Bonk, a Flyers prospect that will ‘aim high' as he turns pro
Don't forget Bonk, a Flyers prospect that will ‘aim high' as he turns pro originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Oliver Bonk won’t elicit all the hype and hoopla that Matvei Michkov did a year ago.
For various reasons, the defenseman has flown under the radar a bit when it comes to Flyers prospects. He was the other first-round pick from the draft that yielded the Flyers a massive talent in Michkov.
With 2024 first-rounder Jett Luchanko tasting the NHL last season, rising prospect Alex Bump nearing his debut and 2025 sixth overall pick Porter Martone now in the picture, the fanfare around Bonk isn’t as loud.
But he could be as important as anyone in the Flyers’ long-term picture, a 20-year-old piece that will be realizing his future at the pro level this season. While he’s projected to open with AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley, he’s not settling for the Phantoms when training camp arrives next month. His goal will be the Flyers’ roster.
“Go in with the expectation that you’re going to make the team,” Bonk said last month at development camp. “You can’t be aiming that you’re going to go to the [AHL] because then you will be going to the [AHL].
“If you’ve already set that bar — I don’t want to say low, but lower than it should be — you’re going to end up there. I think for every guy at this camp, it should be playing in the NHL. Most of the guys, it is. Some people will say it’s not really realistic, but I think it is. You’ve got to aim high.”
Bonk is coming off a highly successful career at the junior ranks. He helped lead London to the OHL championship series three times in four seasons and won the last two.
The righty shot punctuated his run with the Knights in June by winning the Memorial Cup. He did it alongside Flyers prospect Denver Barkey, who captained the top team in Canadian major junior hockey.
“I can definitely tell you that him and Bonk walk around with some pretty good swagger in the locker room after doing what they did,” Flyers director of player development Riley Armstrong said last month.
Bonk and Barkey were both drafted by the Flyers in 2023. After parts of four seasons as teammates in London, they’re turning pro together, as well.
“It’s really cool for us, just to watch each other grow over the years has been special,” Barkey said last month. “To continue to play together and hopefully play together for the rest of our lives, it’s cool to play alongside one another and just have a familiar face around. It has made it a lot easier.”
Oliver Bonk after winning one of his two OHL titles. (Ian Goodall/Goodall Media via OHL Images)
Over his final two regular seasons with the Knights, Bonk put up 107 points (35 goals, 72 assists) and a plus-65 rating through 112 games. He had a career plus-51 mark in the playoffs. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has a game that’s all about doing the subtle things to keep the puck out of his team’s net.
Now he’s set to test himself against pros. What will be the biggest challenge?
“Get physically ready,” Bonk said. “I think mentally, I’m there. I understand what’s happening out there, I’m not lost. But I think physically this summer, you’ve got to get a lot bigger, put on some weight, get heavier because you’re not playing against 16-year-olds anymore that are just young and light. You’re playing against some heavy guys, so it’s going to be important.”
Phillies at Rangers prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 8
Its Friday, August 8 and Globe Life Field is the site of a matchup between two teams positioned to make a push in October as the Phillies (65-49) are in Arlington for a matchup against the Rangers (60-56).
Cristopher Sánchez is slated to take the mound for Philadelphia against Merrill Kelly for Texas.
Winners of four of their last six, the Philles are starting to pull away in the National League East leading the Mets by 2.5 games. Fresh off a series win over the Yankees, the Rangers have pulled to within 1.5 games of the New York for the final Wild Card spot and to within 4.5 games of first place Houston in the AMerican League West.
Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch the first pitch, 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 Rangers
- Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
- Time: 8:05PM EST
- Site: Globe Life Field
- City: Arlington, TX
- Network/Streaming: NBCSP, CW33, MLBN
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 Rangers
The latest odds as of Friday:
- Moneyline: Phillies (-131), Rangers (+110)
- Spread: Phillies -1.5
- Total: 7.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Phillies at Rangers
- Pitching matchup for August 8, 2025: Cristopher Sánchez vs. Merrill Kelly
- Phillies: Cristopher Sánchez (10-3, 2.40 ERA)
Last outing: August 3 vs. Detroit - 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts - Rangers: Merrill Kelly (9-6, 3.18 ERA)
Last outing: August 2 at Seattle - 3.18 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
- Phillies: Cristopher Sánchez (10-3, 2.40 ERA)
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Phillies at Rangers
- The Rangers have won 5 straight home games against the Phillies
- The Under is 70-39-4 for the Phillies' road games and the Rangers' home games combined this season
- The Rangers have covered in 4 of their last 5 games for a profit of 2.46 units
- Marcus Semien is struggling with just 4 hits in 25 ABs in August
- Wyatt Langford was 2-7 with 6 BBs in the series against the Yankees
- Kyle Schwarber was 4-12 in the Phillies' series against the Orioles
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Rangers
Rotoworld Best Bet
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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 Friday's game between the Phillies and the Rangers:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Texas Rangers at +1.5.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.
Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC
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College football Top 25: Ohio State aims to go back-to-back with a new QB and a revamped defense
The Buckeyes are replacing eight starters on the defensive side of the ball and will have a new coordinator in former Lions coach Matt Patricia.
Knight Flights Take Off: Cirrus Aviation Services And Vegas Golden Knights Launch VIP Away Game Experience
The energy of the Vegas Golden Knights won’t just be lighting up T-Mobile Arena this season, now it’s taking flight! Knight Flights, a new partnership with Cirrus Aviation, provides the opportunity for the most die-hard fans to travel in VIP fashion.
“Bringing Knight Flights back this season was a strategic decision rooted in our long-standing partnership with the Vegas Golden Knights and our belief in the power of experiential travel,” said Eric Grilly, President of Cirrus Aviation Services. “We saw an opportunity to reimagine how fans experience away games by offering something more immersive and elevated. The idea of combining private aviation, exclusive access, and game-day energy just made sense—and aligned perfectly with what Cirrus stands for. Since announcing the return of Knight Flights, the early momentum has been strong, and we’re seeing real enthusiasm from fans who are eager to travel in style and support their team on the road.”
This experience is the first-of-its-kind. Each curated getaway includes round-trip private jet travel aboard a Cirrus Challenger 850, seating just 15 guests for an ultra-exclusive feel, bespoke in-flight hospitality, premium lower bowl tickets putting fans right in the heart of the action, and white-glove ground transportation provided by Kaptyn, ensuring a seamless ride throughout the duration of the day.
“Every detail of the Knight Flights experience is curated with the fan in mind,” Grilly said. “We’re fortunate to work with trusted partners like Kaptyn, who share our standard of service, and with the Golden Knights organization, who help us bring this vision to life. Internally, our operations and guest services teams obsess over the details—because for us, it’s not just about the flight, it’s about making every touchpoint feel exceptional.”
The Knights are entering their ninth year in the NHL, and with that comes the ongoing effort to sustain the strong bond between the team and its fans. The players feed off the energy and support that fans bring. Their 82-game schedule is certainly demanding, so this partnership benefits not only the fans but the players putting in the work on the ice as well.
“We live, play and work in Vegas - the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World - so we aspire to be five-star in everything we do,” said Matt Lenio, Vice President of Partnerships for the Vegas Golden Knights. “The Golden Knights are proud to align with brands who share our mission to be champions both on and off the ice, value community, and provide fans with benefits and opportunities that other teams may not. Cirrus Aviation Knight Flights fit directly into the team's profile of being innovative and creative in finding new ways our fans can follow their passions.”
While fans can always stream the games from home, nothing compares to the thrill and unforgettable memories of experiencing the action live.
“Knight Flights is an easy and convenient way to arrange travel to a VGK game, and it minimizes the work of planning travel arrangements,” Lenio said. “Furthermore, it provides an elevated experience at an affordable rate to help create a memorable and stress-free trip. Walking away from a game or event with a positive view is crucial to fan loyalty, and so are unique experiences where fans can feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Through this partnership, Cirrus Aviation is helping the Golden Knights build long-term relationships with their fans to further improve the connection they have to Vegas and beyond.”
2025-2026 Knight Flights Schedule
- 10/9/2025— Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks
- 11/20/2025—Vegas Golden Knights vs Utah Mammoths
- 11/22/2025— Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks
- 11/24/2025— Vegas Golden Knights vs Utah Mammoths
- 1/1/2026— Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks
- 1/14/2026— Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings
- 2/1/2026—Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks
- 2/25/2026—Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings
With select dates already released and up for purchase, Cirrus Aviation continues to have playoff games and other tentpole moments on their radar and plan to announce additions as the season progresses.
“You can feel the energy onboard these flights—people are excited, united, and proud to represent their team on the road,” Grilly said. “It’s more than just a trip; it’s a shared experience that turns strangers into community. As for what fans can look forward to—we’re just getting started. Whether it’s new destinations, surprise onboard activations, or special guest appearances, we’re committed to pushing the envelope and delivering even more moments that fans will remember long after the final buzzer.”
Seats are limited — visit the Knight Flights page to secure your top-tier fan experience like never before!
Canadiens Held Their Own Against the Lightning
The Montreal Canadiens’ performance against teams from their division was a significant part of the reason why they were able to qualify for the playoffs last season, and that included their winning record against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While Jon Cooper and his men are no longer the reigning Stanley Cup champs they were in 2020 and 2021, they are still a contending team every year.
The Habs took on the Bolts three times last season and won two of the three duels, outscoring the Florida outfit 11-9 in the season series, showing character and determination.
Canadiens: When Will The Action Resume?
Canadiens: Former Habs Are Back In Town Again
Canadiens Steamrolled The Champions
The first duel between the two teams came on December 29, just the second game after the Christmas break. Fresh off a 4-0 win over the Florida Panthers, the Canadiens triumphed 5-2 over the Lightning in the second game of a back-to-back. After seeing his backup blank the Cats, Samuel Montembeault put on a strong display, saving 21 of the 23 shots he faced, making key stops when needed. It was a win acquired by the veterans as Christian Dvorak, Jake Evans, Joel Armia, and Brendan Gallagher all found the back of the net after Alex Newhook opened the score in the first period.
A month later, at the Bell Center, the Canadiens showed character coming back from behind to snatch a 3-2 win after Tampa Bay had taken a 2-0 lead. Montembeault was instrumental in the win, making 33 saves as his teammates only tested Andrei Vasilevskiy 22 times. Patrik Laine got a pair of assists, including one at even strength on the game-tying goal, while Jake Evans scored the game-winning goal with 2:15 left in the third.
The Lightning came back strong in the last duel of the season on February 9, posting a 5-3 win while the Canadiens were in the midst of an awful sequence. They were 3-6-1 in their last 10 games and were hoping to bounce back before the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Tampa Bay’s best players stood tall on the night, with Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel, Victor Hedman, and Anthony Cirelli all picking up a pair of points.
The secret of the Habs’ success against Tampa last season was their ability to keep the Bolts’ best players in check. In the three games of the series, Guentzel, Hagel, and Cirelli only had three points, meaning they all had only one across the first two games. Hedman and Nikita Kucherov could only manage a pair of points in the season series. The fact that Vasilevskiy only had a .889 save percentage also helped.
Montreal’s team effort and depth scoring were also key since the Bolts blanked both Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki in the season series. Armia, Dvorak, and Gallagher all played significant roles in those wins, and if the Canadiens are hoping to have the same kind of results against Tampa this season, their best players will have to step up. Armia and Dvorak will no longer be there to provide veteran leadership and depth scoring. Newcomers Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc won’t be the solution since they had moderate success against the Bolts; Dobson was blanked, and Bolduc had one point in two games. Ivan Demidov could potentially make a difference; however, if the Canadiens find a way to put him in winning conditions, on a second line that manages to develop chemistry.
Tampa Bay didn’t make huge moves this offseason; they didn’t really need to, but they did sign recently reacquired forward Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract extension. The veteran generally does well when playing against the Canadiens; he has 15 points in 21 games. The Bolts' most significant move this offseason probably was to move Isaac Howard, who had let it be known he wouldn’t sign with them, to the Edmonton Oilers for Sam O’Reilly, a Memorial Cup Champion with the London Knights.
The bottom line, however, is that if the Canadiens intend to become contenders, they will need to keep on performing well against teams that know how to win, like Tampa. To win against those teams when it matters the most, you also need to get top performances from your key players. Caufield and Suzuki need to play their usual key role against this team as well.
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Bridgeport Islanders Sign Sean Day To One-Year Deal
The Bridgeport Islanders have signed defenseman Sean Day to a one-year deal, it was announced earlier this week.
Day, a 2016 third-round pick of the New York Rangers, spent the 2024-25 season with HV71 in the SHL, scoring two goals and adding nine assists for 11 points in 45 regular season games. With HV71 having played in six games in a relegation round, Day collected an assist.
Having turned pro at the beginning of the 2018-19 season, Day has appeared in two NHL games for the Tampa Bay Lightning, going pointless in the process. Across his pro career, he has also seen time in the ECHL and AHL.
With Day now returning to North America, he joins the New York Islanders organization that has a few familiar faces amongst the crowd, including former Lightning AGM Mathieu Darche. Although Day may not have been able to establish himself in the NHL, he will still provide solid leadership and play at both end of the ice for Bridgeport.
‘The attitude is despair’: Sheffield Wednesday fans push for end to Chansiri’s reign
Protests and a flyover will mark first game of season for 158-year-old club struggling to pay or recruit players
There is little like the anticipation of a new season, not knowing what will come, optimistic this could be your club’s year. Sheffield Wednesday fans have sold out the away end at Leicester on Sunday to watch their team take on a club recently mixing it with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League. The excitement should be building at Hillsborough but instead there is only worry and anger.
It has been a summer of discontent at Wednesday, although the problems began years ago, and the only thing for supporters to cling to is that it may end Dejphon Chansiri’s reign. Those at the King Power Stadium are due to show their disdain for the ownership by leaving their seats empty for the first five minutes and covering the area with a large anti-Chansiri banner. A plane is scheduled to fly overhead with a further message aimed at the owner.
Continue reading...Marlins at Braves prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 8
Its Friday, August 8 and the Marlins (56-58) are in Atlanta to continue their series against the Braves (48-66).
Edward Cabrera is slated to take the mound for Miami against Bryce Elder.
Last night the Braves took the series opener, 8-6. Atlanta rallied from a 6-3 deficit scoring six runs over the final three innings. Drake Baldwin led the attack with three hits including two home runs and five RBIs. Marcell Ozuna added his 16th home run of the season. Carlos Carrasco allowed all six Miami runs but the Braves' bullpen was perfect in relief of him allowing just one baserunner over the final 3.1 innings.
Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch the first pitch, 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 Marlins at Braves
- Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
- Time: 7:15PM EST
- Site: Truist Park
- City: Atlanta, GA
- Network/Streaming: FDSNFL, 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 Marlins at the Braves
The latest odds as of Friday:
- Moneyline: Marlins (-116), Braves (-104)
- Spread: Marlins -1.5
- Total: 8.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Marlins at Braves
- Pitching matchup for August 8, 2025: Edward Cabrera vs. Bryce Elder
- Marlins: Edward Cabrera (5-5, 3.24 ERA)
Last outing: August 3 vs. Yankees - 1.50 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts - Braves: Bryce Elder (4-8, 6.03 ERA)
Last outing: August 1 at Cincinnati - 2.70 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
- Marlins: Edward Cabrera (5-5, 3.24 ERA)
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Marlins at Braves
- The Marlins have won 4 of 5 games at divisional opponents
- The Under is 4-1 in the Marlins' last 5 matchups against divisional opponents
- Edward Cabrera has struck out at least 5 hitters in every appearance but 1 since May 10
- Edward Cabrera has struck out at least 6 hitters in 4 of his last 6 starts
- Marcell Ozuna was 4-8 in his last 2 games
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Marlins and the Braves
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Marlins and the Braves:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Miami Marlins on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Atlanta Braves at +1.5.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.
Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
Ranking The NHL’s Best Media Meals While Covering The Maple Leafs Part 4: Top 8 Revealed
Welcome the fourth and final installment of the ultimate NHL Media Meal rankings. This is the moment you've all been waiting for. You know which meals are the worst and which ones are right in the middle. But what about the top eight in the NHL? Which places go above and beyond. It's time for the full reveal.
TikTok · David AlterCheck out David Alter’s video.No. 8: Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks had a delicious media meal on my last visit. We had a high-quality lunch buffet, complete with a carving station, since it's always a 4 p.m. local start time. During the first intermission, they had a hot dog station, and in the second intermission, there was a candy station. I should note that the media meal experience isn’t always this good in Vancouver; many local media members have told me they step it up when Toronto is in town. Since that’s the only time I’m here, they get the No. 8 spot. My only disappointment was that the previous year it was a brunch instead of a lunch, but I can’t complain.
TikTok · David Alter829 likes, 31 comments. “For $16, the #Canucks #media #meal for the #Leafs game rocks. It also has one of the best coffees in the entire #NHL.”No. 7: Minnesota Wild
I don’t remember the Wild’s buffet being this good before, but that’s probably because the Leafs had to wait two years before going to Minnesota again. The lone road game the season before was played in Sweden. This time, in addition to delicious proteins and good Mexican food, they had an amazing new ice cream bar. It was indeed very good, and I’m looking forward to coming back.
Ranking Every NHL Arena Media Meal Part 3, No. 9 Through 16 RevealedWelcome to Part 3 of The Hockey News Toronto’s ranking of the media meals that are served around the NHL. This week, we move further down the rankings to look at the teams and venues
No. 6: Chicago Blackhawks
This is a hidden gem, probably the best arena when it comes to free food choices up in the press box. A very reasonably priced $11 gets you a high-quality buffet. Upstairs, they’ve got healthy and unhealthy snacks and finger food. Apparently, it used to be even better, with all kinds of desserts coming up during the second intermission. But you know what? This is still fine and quite delicious. Chicago is a good eats town, and it is for the media meal as well.
TikTok · David Alter8852 likes, 121 comments. “It is #media #meal time in #Chicago. Here’s the spread. It’s really awesome!!! Oh and the #leafs play the #blackhawks tonight. Enjoy.”No. 5: Montreal Canadiens
I will admit, the Montreal media meal is good. It’s not the absolute best, but it ranks so high because of the experience. The hot dogs are free here, and they come in a panini-pressed bun which is absolutely delicious. For all the reasons I look forward to coming to Montreal, the media meal is high on the list, and the hot dogs are replenished for both the first and second intermissions. The dining area is great, and there is nothing like a Leafs vs. Habs game in Montreal.
TikTok · David Alter371 likes, 23 comments. “The #Canadiens media #meal is one of my favourites because of the hot dog. But beginning last month, they debuted a ‘Michigan’ take on the chien chaud. Bob Apetit.”No. 4: Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins do an excellent meal here. There's a traditional buffet bar with a main event station where cooks are usually preparing a pasta bar or something custom to your liking. The quality is outstanding. My only beef with this is that they are cash only. However, there are ATMs, and since I bank with TD in the United States, it’s a fairly easy process to get your cash.
Ranking Every NHL Arena Media Meal (Part 2): Venues 17 to 24 RevealedWelcome back to the second part of our summer-long series ranking NHL media meals. With the schedule revealed this week, I've started booking road trips for the upcoming season, which is also making me hungry and excited for the media meals next season. This week, we count down the No. 17 through 24 media meals in the NHL.
TikTok · David Alter839 likes, 21 comments. “The #media #meal in Boston ahead of #Leafs and #Bruins never disappoints. The main event is a Mac and cheese bar. #food.”No. 3: Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken have a wonderful, high-quality, and free media meal. As the home of Starbucks, they offer a good quantity and quality of food, along with great ice cream and snacks. The only issue is that the lineup and wait can be quite long since the entire building’s staff seemingly comes into the same room to eat at the same time. But the food is really good, and combined with a price of $0, it’s high on the list at No. 3.
TikTok · David Alter11K likes, 200 comments. “It was a taco night for the #media #meal ahead of #leafs vs #kraken. The chicken was superb and it’s free. The #candy spread upstairs was great too. Love new buildings for this.”No. 2: Los Angeles Kings
What's great about the Los Angeles Kings media meal is that it is free and there are a lot of options. On one occasion, they had the most amazing sour cream and guacamole combo dip—it was incredible. It's usually Mexican food whenever we are here, and as long as it’s good, there are no complaints. They even had cold brew coffee, which was great, and the snacks and finger foods in the press box are delightful.
TikTok · David Alter1567 likes, 28 comments. “#media #meal in Los Angeles for #leafs and #lakings was free and it’s one of the best in the #NHL.”No. 1: Detroit Red Wings
And now, the undisputed No. 1 media meal in the NHL: the Detroit Red Wings. It costs $11, and it is so worth it. You begin with a salad bar, and then you have your meats. On its own, that would be good enough, but the options just keep going and going. Even after you pick a protein, you get more options. Then you have a dedicated area for fried food like fries and chicken wings, along with Little Caesars pizza, because of course. They have a lot of dipping sauces, which is usually an extra charge at most fast-food joints. There's also an excellent dessert station with cookies and ice cream. This meal is so good that we had the joy of having it twice in one day because the Pistons were playing an afternoon game in the same building. That was heaven on earth. There are also great snack choices from chips, gummies, and chocolate upstairs. Detroit is the bar. I stuff myself to the point where it’s almost hard to focus on my job, which is to cover the game.
TikTok · David Alter1005 likes, 35 comments. “My first visit to the Detroit media #Meal in over a year and they follow the channel!!!! Truly blessed!”
Ranking Every NHL Arena's Media Meal Part 1: The Bottom 8 Revealed (Nos. 25–32)As I write this, I feel blessed that I get to travel as often as I do. And while on the road covering the Toronto Maple Leafs, I like to see what every city has to offer in terms of restaurants, amenities, etc.
Full 2025-26 NHL Media Meal Ranking
- Detroit Red Wings
- Los Angeles Kings
- Seattle Kraken
- Boston Bruins
- Montreal Canadiens
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Minnesota Wild
- Vancouver Canucks
- Carolina Hurricanes
- New York Islanders
- Nashville Predators
- Dallas Stars
- New York Rangers
- Anaheim Ducks
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Utah Mammoth
- Edmonton Oilers
- Florida Panthers
- Vegas Golden Knight
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Calgary Flames
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Washington Capitals
- Winnipeg Jets
- San Jose Sharks.
- Buffalo Sabres.
27. Colorado Avalanche.
28. Pittsburgh Penguins.
29. St. Louis Blues
30. Ottawa Senators.
31. Philadelphia Flyers.
32. New Jersey Devils.
Angels at Tigers prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 8
Its Friday, August 8 and the Angels (55-60) are in Detroit to open a series against the Tigers (66-50).
Kyle Hendricks is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles against Tarik Skubal for Detroit.
Winners of just two of their last six games, the Tigers turn to their ace, Skubal, as they open a series against Mike Trout and co. Despite their recent struggles, Detroit is still up six games in the American League Central and are just two games behind Toronto for the best record in the American League. The Angels have flirted with having a decent season but are teetering again having dropped to six games out in the Wild Card race.
Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch the first pitch, 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 Angels at Tigers
- Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
- Time: 7:10PM EST
- Site: Comerica Park
- City: Detroit, MI
- Network/Streaming: FDSNW, FDSNDT
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Odds for the Angels at the Tigers
The latest odds as of Friday:
- Moneyline: Angels (+257), Tigers (-324)
- Spread: Tigers -1.5
- Total: 7.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Angels at Tigers
- Pitching matchup for August 8, 2025: Kyle Hendricks vs. Tarik Skubal
- Angels: Kyle Hendricks (6-8, 4.59 ERA)
Last outing: August 2 at White Sox - 1.80 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts - Tigers: Tarik Skubal (11-3, 2.18 ERA)
Last outing: August 2 at Philadelphia - 3.86 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 10 Strikeouts
- Angels: Kyle Hendricks (6-8, 4.59 ERA)
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Angels at Tigers
- At home this season the Tigers have won 13 of 24 games following a defeat
- Each of the Angels' last 4 road games with the Tigers have stayed under the Total
- The Angels have covered the Run Line in 5 of their last 6 road games against the Tigers
- Tarik Skubal has struck out a minimum of 7 hitters in each of his last 3 starts
- Mike Trout is enjoying a modest 6-game hitting streak (7-22)
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Angels and the Tigers
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Angels and the Tigers:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Detroit Tigers on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Los Angeles Angels at +1.5.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.
Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)