Flyers Interested in Top NHL Draft Prospect Who Compares Himself to Sam Bennett

Many Flyers fans are interested in adding a hard-nosed player like Sam Bennett. (Photo: Walter Tychnowitz, Imagn Images)

Many Philadelphia Flyers fans want to sign a player like Florida Panthers standout Sam Bennett in free agency, but what if they draft one who is much younger instead?

Various reports have indicated that Bennett, the leading goal-scorer in the NHL playoffs, could receive up to $10 million a year on the open market.

The problem is that the Flyers are still rebuilding, and even with the amount of cap space they'll soon have, that kind of signing wouldn't make much sense. Bennett will turn 29 years old before the end of the month and would, in turn, become the Flyers' highest-paid player at that price point.

He's never scored 30 goals in a regular season campaign, and has a career-high of 51 points.

The 2025 NHL Draft, on the other hand, could present the Flyers with some more interesting, cheaper, and younger options to get a Sam Bennett of their own.

On Friday, at the NHL Scouting Combine, top NHL draft prospect Brady Martin revealed that he's met with the Flyers for dinner, which, of course, indicates a fairly high level of interest from Philadelphia.

He'd be the stereotypical Flyer, and one who evoked comparisons to Bennett on his own accord.

"I'm a hybrid between Sam Bennett and Tom Wilson," Martin was quoted as saying by Anthony Martineau of TVA Sports.

Martin, 18, has already been mocked to the Flyers by some draft experts, including Craig Button, who notably predicted Jett Luchanko to the Flyers in 2024.

NHL Draft 2025: Flyers Won't Guarantee a Top Center This YearNHL Draft 2025: Flyers Won't Guarantee a Top Center This YearIf you want the Philadelphia Flyers to draft the No. 1 center of their future with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, you've already been warned not to get your hopes up.

The Elmira, Ontario, native just finished his second full season with the Soo Greyhounds, scoring 33 goals, 39 assists, and 72 points in 57 games. Martin added two goals and two assists in five playoff games, and racked up three goals, eight assists, and 11 points for Canada at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship en route to a Gold medal and an All-Star team appearance.

It was this tournament that catapulted Martin atop the draft boards of many NHL teams, and the Flyers appear to be one of them.

The 6-foot center is expected to be available when the Flyers are on the clock at Pick 6; Martin is currently ranked as high as sixth and as low as 28th based on rankings pooled by EliteProspects.

He may not be the most talented on the board, but he checks all the boxes when it comes to intangibles, intensity and physicality. New Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet was a fan of one of his former Vancouver Canucks players, J.T. Miller, for this reason.

The Flyers, too, have an affinity for that kind of stuff, and it could make all the difference at the NHL draft later this month.

The Hockey Show: David Pagnotta talks Stanley Cup Final rematch, coaching changes

The Stanley Cup Final is off and running, and The Hockey Show is here for all the fun!

For the third straight season, the Florida Panthers have reached the championship series, and for the second year of its existence, THS is along for the ride.

This week, hosts Roy Bellamy and David Dwork welcomed NHL insider David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period to chat about the Final and other big league news.

That includes the Dallas Stars firing of Peter DeBoer, news that broke just before the show was recorded. 

The boys also get into Edmonton’s exciting come from behind overtime victory in Game 1.

During the game, Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch made the move to put his superstars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, on the same forward line.

Not only did that spark Edmonton’s comeback, but it also led to the Panthers changing their defensive structure.

This week’s wins and fails of the week included the Memorial Cup, a mean penalty taunt, a foul by a monument and a Calder Cup finalist.

Check out the full show below to enjoy all fun and hockey talk:

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Panthers enter Game 2 in Edmonton looking to earn series split before returning to South Florida

Nate Schmidt collecting points in bunches has been recurring theme during Stanley Cup Playoffs

Panthers rally around Tomas Nosek after overtime penalty led to Game 1 loss

Three takeaways: Panthers let lead slip away in OT thriller, series has potential of being another great Final

Maple Leafs Hire Derek Lalonde As Assistant Coach: What He Brings To Toronto's Bench

The Toronto Maple Leafs officially announced on Friday the addition of Derek Lalonde to their coaching staff as an assistant. This move filled a  vacancy on head coach Craig Berube’s staff after associate coach Lane Lambert departed to become the Seattle Kraken’s new bench boss.

Lane Lambert Leaves Maple Leafs to Become Seattle Kraken’s New Head CoachLane Lambert Leaves Maple Leafs to Become Seattle Kraken’s New Head CoachLane Lambert is heading west.

The hiring marks Lalonde’s return to an NHL bench after he was fired last December, midway through his third season running the Detroit Red Wings’ bench. During his two-and-a-half seasons with Detroit, Lalonde compiled a record of 89-86-23.

Before his time in Detroit, Lalonde served as an assistant on Jon Cooper’s staff with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. While it's not immediately clear what attracted the Leafs to Lalonde, given his lack of a prior relationship with Berube or Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving, he has spent some of his recent years working in Toronto as an analyst during Hockey Night in Canada’s playoff coverage. This includes Toronto’s 2023 playoff run and their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators this spring.

Interestingly, Lalonde shared some key insights from his time in Tampa during the Leafs' pivotal 2023 playoff series against the Lightning. A former goalie himself, Lalonde revealed during an intermission broadcast that Tampa had adjusted their defensive strategy around goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. This change came after a study they commissioned showed Vasilevskiy had one of the lowest success percentages in tracking pucks from the point. The Leafs leveraged this information to their advantage, ultimately winning their first playoff series in 19 years by defeating Tampa in six games. While his decision to reveal this information sparked some ethical debate, what was undeniably clear was his keen understanding of coaching and strategy.

Vasilevskiy finished the series with a save percentage of .875.

Lalonde's coaching journey includes significant success in the AHL and ECHL. He served as head coach of the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild from 2016-18, compiling a 69-58-17-8 record. Before that, he spent two seasons with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye (2014-16), leading the team to an impressive 97-35-7-5 record. During his first season in 2014-15, Lalonde guided the Walleye to a 50-15-5-2 mark, winning the Brabham Cup as the ECHL's regular-season champion and earning the John Brophy Award as the ECHL's Coach of the Year.

His head coaching career began with the United States Hockey League's Green Bay Gamblers from 2011-14, where he amassed a 114-56-8-6 record as head coach and general manager. In 2011-12, he was named the USHL's Coach of the Year after the Gamblers posted a 47-9-2-2 record and captured the organization's fourth Clark Cup title.

Lalonde's coaching philosophy

At the cornerstone of Lalonde's defensive strategy was "low-event" hockey, a philosophy designed to minimize high-danger scoring chances while reducing the number of goals against. That was actually one of the few bright spots in Lalonde's tenure. The only issue came on the offensive side of the game. In Detroit he was often criticized for his dump-and-chase style of play in the offensive zone. But his low-event brand of hockey on the defensive side of things should play well under Berube's philosophy and make for the right type of defensive-minded coach to replace Lambert.

Toward the end of his tenure in Detroit, Lalonde' team had the worst penalty kill in the NHL. Before his time in Detroit, Lalonde had established a culture of winning and had a reputation for forming good bonds with players that should carry him well in Toronto.

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Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

England ease to 21-run win over West Indies in first men’s T20 cricket international – as it happened

Liam Dawson enjoyed a fairytale return to international cricket, taking 4-20 in a comfortable England victory

4th over: England 33-1 (Smith 16, Buttler 12) Jason Holder changes ends to good effect. An early wide didn’t bode well but he was in control after that and conceded only singles. Buttler, on the charge, was also beaten by a nice slower ball.

West Indies have dragged it back after conceding 16 from the first over.

Continue reading...

Bath 34-20 Bristol: Premiership rugby union semi-final – as it happened

Three second-half tries at the Rec took the home side to the final

7 mins. Alfie Barbeary revs up for one of his trademark boom-boom carries from the drop-out return, but he slips over as he and Genge are about to come together with such force it could’ve created a singularity that would swallow the entire west country. Instead it’s a knock-on, which is probably best for all concerned.

4 mins. From the lineout the Bath forwards set to work after a big carry by Ted Hill moves them to within ten metres. The try looks inevitable but Bristol do a great job to get under the ball and hold it up over the line which will allow the Bears to kick a long drop-kick from under the posts to relieve the early pressure.

Continue reading...

Former Golden Knights Head Coach Fired By Stars; Ended Eerily Similar To His Time With Vegas

Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer speaks to the media after the game against the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Dallas Stars have fired their head coach, Pete DeBoer, after three seasons, and his time with the Stars was very similar to his time with the Vegas Golden Knights. 

In his final game as the head coach of the Stars, DeBoer elected to pull his star goaltender, Jake Oettinger, in a must-win game. The move did not pay off, and the Stars lost to the Edmonton Oilers in five games. 

"Today was a tough day," Stars general manager Jim Nill said. "I spoke with Pete this morning at 9 o’clock. Great conversation, he was very professional and he understands. We have a good relationship and that’s probably what makes this the hardest."

"I have the utmost respect for him as a person and as a coach. In the end, it’s my responsibility to make a decision that’s the right decision for the organization moving forward.”

DeBoer has been a head coach in the NHL since the 2008-09 season with the Florida Panthers. He moved to the New Jersey Devils afterwards, bringing them to the Stanley Cup finals once. His time with the San Jose Sharks saw him continuously fall short of their goal, making it to the finals just once. 

After he was fired by the Sharks, he signed with the Golden Knights where his struggles to get his teams over the hump continued. His first two seasons witnessed him lose in the Conference finals, and his third and final season saw him miss the playoffs. 

He was relieved of his head coaching duties after missing the playoffs and was signed by the Stars. He made the conference finals three times with the Stars, losing each time. 

With the Golden Knights, DeBoer had a falling out with Marc-Andre Fleury. He turned his back on Fleury in favor of Robin Lehner, which upset both Fleury and his agent. Similarly to the situation with the Stars, the move to pull Oettinger put the nail in the coffin as DeBoer lost the Stars dressing room.

The players were clearly upset with the decision, and his press conferences following the conclusion of the playoffs made it seem like he knew what his fate was. 

Now 58 years old, DeBoer could very well still find a job in the NHL. The Stars are the only team with a coaching vacancy, which might indicate that DeBoer will have to wait until next offseason to get another coaching gig. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Former Golden Knights Goaltender To Feature In Season 2 Of “Faceoff: Inside the NHL”Former Golden Knights Goaltender To Feature In Season 2 Of “Faceoff: Inside the NHL”Prime Video's Season 1 of “Faceoff: Inside the NHL” was a success, and they have elected to bring it back for a second season, which will feature former Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

Will Pete DeBoer Ever Find Work Behind An NHL Bench Again?

As soon as the words came out of Pete DeBoer's mouth after Game 5 of the Western Conference final, speculation about his job security began to run rampant.

And for good reason. A little more than a week after DeBoer pulled goalie Jake Oettinger, then didn't exactly endorse his play in the Dallas Stars' loss to the Edmonton Oilers, the Stars fired DeBoer, with GM Jim Nill saying in a statement that, "a new voice is needed in our locker room to push us closer to our goal of winning the Stanley Cup."

That voice presumably will be a little softer and sound a little less edgy. Firing coaches because they're hard on the poor dears is not exactly a new thing. The NHL is a players' league and when they're not happy with the man behind the bench, for whatever reason, that guy is almost always replaced, whether he's led the team to three straight appearances in a conference final or not.

Pete DeBoer (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

Watch today's video column for more, and share your thoughts.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Former Canadiens Player Enters Colorado History Book

When Kent Hughes took over as the Montreal Canadiens' GM and the Habs brass decided to press the rebuild button, one of the Habs’ most coveted assets was Artturi Lehkonen. It took some time, but eventually, a deal was struck with Colorado Avalanche General Manager Joe Sakic to send the Finnish winger to Denver.

For his services, Hughes obtained right-shot defenseman Justin Barron and a 2024 second-round pick, which he then used to move up in the first round of the same draft in a deal with the Los Angeles Kings, which resulted in Montreal drafting Michael Hage.

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Barron didn’t pan out in Montreal and was dealt to the Nashville Predators earlier this season in return for Alex Carrier, who became a significant member of the defense corps. It’s too early to tell how Hage will turn out, but so far, the Avalanche has been the winner in that deal.

Although Lehkonen struggled with injuries this season, he still became the fourth player to lead the team in both plus/minus and game-winning goals since the franchise moved to Colorado. The left winger finished the season with a plus-36 rating and five game-winning goals to his name.

The three players who have managed the feat since the Quebec Nordiques became the Avs were Nathan MacKinnon in 2023-24 (plus-35 and nine game-winning tallies), Gabriel Landeskog in 2011-12 (plus-20 and five game-winning goals), and 2000-01 Joe Sakic (plus-45 and 12 game-winning goals). That’s some elite company right there.

Since being traded to Colorado, Lehkonen has put up 139 points in 194 games for 0.72 points per game. In six seasons with the Canadiens, he had put up 149 points in 396 games, averaging 0.38 points per game. Almost twice as much with the Avalanche. Of course, he has had incredible linemates; he finished the last season skating alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas on the Avs’ first line.

Was Lehkonen flying under the radar in Montreal, or is this production mainly due to the company he’s been keeping near the Rockies? Whatever it is, the Avs certainly do not have buyer’s remorse four years down the line.

Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images


Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

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Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Report: Flyers Sign Young KHL Forward

The Philadelphia Flyers have secured the services of 24-year-old Russian forward Maxim Shabanov, according to reports

A Rising Star in the KHL

Shabanov has been a standout performer in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk.Standing at 5'8" and weighing 157 pounds, he may not have the imposing size of some forwards, but his skill set more than compensates for it. 

In the 2024-25 season, Shabanov recorded 67 points (23 goals, 44 assists) in 65 regular-season games, followed by an impressive 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 21 playoff games . His performance earned him a spot in the KHL All-Star Game in both 2023 and 2025.

What Shabanov Brings to Philadelphia

Shabanov's game is characterized by exceptional puckhandling, agility, and speed. His ability to navigate tight spaces and create scoring opportunities makes him a valuable asset. Despite his smaller stature, he has consistently produced offensively, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

His versatility allows him to play both right wing and center, providing the Flyers with flexibility in their lineup.Shabanov's left-handed shot and offensive instincts could complement the team's existing talent, potentially enhancing their powerplay and overall scoring depth.

Integration into the Flyers' System

Transitioning from the KHL to the NHL presents challenges, including adapting to a different style of play and increased physicality. However, Shabanov's experience and success in a competitive league like the KHL suggest he possesses the skill and determination to make this leap.

An interesting development is that Matvei Michkov, a fellow Russian and Flyers prospect, has followed Shabanov on Instagram. Given Michkov's selective social media presence, this could indicate a budding connection that might ease Shabanov's integration into the team and city.

Looking Ahead

The addition of Maxim Shabanov signifies the Flyers' commitment to enhancing their offensive lineup with skilled and dynamic players. While the transition to the NHL will require adjustment, Shabanov's track record in the KHL and his particular skill set offer promising potential. His presence could invigorate the Flyers' offense and contribute to the team's pursuit of success in the upcoming seasons.

As the Flyers continue to build and refine their roster, Shabanov's arrival adds an exciting dimension to their offensive strategy. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how his talents translate to the NHL stage.

‘We have been here before.’ Thunder players try to look ahead in aftermath of painful Game 1 loss

OKLAHOMA CITY — "It sucks, but we have been here before."

Jalen Williams' summation of Oklahoma City's gut-punch Game 1 loss — where the Thunder led until Tyrese Haliburton's shot with 0.3 on the clock — summed up the postgame mood of the Thunder.

Disappointed? Absolutely. However, the Thunder dropped Game 1 at home to Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets in the second round and came back to win that series in seven games. After Haliburton's shot, OKC players drew on that experience and how they had turned things around.

"We played good enough to win that game, controlled it for the most part. Was up double-digits most of that game, as well," Alex Caruso said of the Game 1 loss to Denver. "Then they made some big shots. We made a couple mistakes down the stretch to give them free throws. There's some similar stuff from that. I think moving forward, the mentality of this team is good."

The Thunder's postgame vibes flowed from their leaders.

"The biggest experience we've had is understanding that every game's a new game," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "The most important game of the series is always the next one, regardless of the outcome… Would've liked to get the game, but need to be a better game in Game 2."

"The series isn't first to one, it's first to four," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "We have four more games to get, they have three. That's just where we are. We got to understand that and we got to get to four before they get to three, if we want to win the NBA championship. It's that simple. It's not rocket science. We lost Game 1. We have to be better."

The other postgame theme from the Thunder's perspective was that they lost the game more than the Pacers took it from them.

"It sounds weird — it wasn't like they won the game, but I feel like we lost the game," Isaiah Hartenstein said, speaking for a lot of Thunder players. "There was a lot of things where it was closeouts, executing and slowing down the pace a little too much at the end."

"We lost the game. I thought we played good enough to win. We just didn't finish the game," Caruso said. "Credit to them, that's how they've played for the whole post-season. They kind of strayed true to themselves, their brand of basketball. They threw in a couple big shots down the stretch."

The team's mantra seemed to be "it's just one game."

"It counts the same as when we lost by 40 in Minnesota in the last series. Counts the same as when we lost by two or three at Denver Game 3 that series. It's all worth one," Caruso said.

Game 2 is Sunday in Oklahoma City. Drop that one and the postgame mood from the Thunder may be very different.

Blue Jays at Twins Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 6

It's Friday, June 6, and the Blue Jays (33-29) are in Minneapolis to take on the Twins (34-28). Paxton Schultz is slated to take the mound for Toronto against Bailey Ober for Minnesota.

The Blue Jays are one of the hottest teams in the MLB. They have won eight of their last 10 games and are now 5.5 games back of the New York Yankees.

Despite Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s 0-5 poor outing, the Blue Jays beat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-1 last night.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Blue Jays at Twins

  • Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
  • Time: 8:10PM EST
  • Site: Target Field
  • City: Minneapolis, MN
  • Network/Streaming: Twins.TV, Sportsnet ONE

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 Blue Jays at the Twins

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Blue Jays (+120), Twins (-141)
  • Spread:  Twins -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Blue Jays at Twins

  • Pitching matchup for June 6, 2025: Paxton Schultz vs. Bailey Ober
    • Blue Jays: Paxton Schultz, (0-0, 1.84 ERA)
      Last outing (Philadelphia Phillies, 6/3): 1.1 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts
    • Twins: Bailey Ober, (4-1, 3.48 ERA)
      Last outing (Seattle Mariners, 5/31): 4.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Blue Jays at Twins

  • The Blue Jays have won 8 of their last 10 games
  • 7 of the Blue Jays' last 8 matchups against American League teams have gone under the Total
  • The Twins have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 2.09 units

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Blue Jays and the Twins

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 Blue Jays and the Twins:

  • 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 Toronto Blue Jays 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)

Dodgers at Cardinals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 6

It's Friday, June 6, and the Dodgers (38-25) are in St. Louis to take on the Cardinals (34-28). Justin Wrobleski is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles against Sonny Gray for St. Louis.

Last night, the Dodgers' three runs in the bottom of the eighth were enough to beat the New York Mets 6-5.

The Dodgers have a 2.0 game lead in the tough NL West. With the San Diego Padres heavy on their heels, the Dodgers have won six of their last 10 games.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Dodgers at Cardinals

  • Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
  • Time: 8:15PM EST
  • Site: Busch Stadium
  • City: St. Louis, MO
  • Network/Streaming: FanDuel Sports Networks Midwest, Matrix Midwest, KMOV-4, SportsNet LA

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 Dodgers at the Cardinals

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Dodgers (-110), Cardinals (-108)
  • Spread:  Dodgers -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Dodgers at Cardinals

  • Pitching matchup for June 6, 2025: Justin Wrobleski vs. Sonny Gray
    • Dodgers: Justin Wrobleski, (1-1, 8.00 ERA)
      Last outing (Athletics, 5/15): 4.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 1 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Cardinals: Sonny Gray, (6-1, 3.65 ERA)
      Last outing (Texas Rangers, 5/31): 7.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 10 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

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

  • The Cardinals have won 15 of their last 18 matchups against National League teams
  • The Over is 7-3 in the Dodgers' and the Cardinals' last 5 games combined
  • The Dodgers have failed to cover the Run Line in 4 straight games at the Cardinals

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

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

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 Dodgers and the Cardinals:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the St. Louis Cardinals on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the St. Louis Cardinals at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

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)

How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers Game 2: TV/stream info, date, time

The 2025 NBA Finals continue this Sunday, June 8, at 8:00 PM ET as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder go head-to-head with Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 at Paycom Center.

RELATED:Another dramatic come-from-behind win. How do the Pacers keep doing this?

Comeback victories have been the Pacers' calling card this postseason, and Game 1 of this Thunder vs Pacers series was no different.

Indiana was down by 15 in the fourth quarter on Thursday night but rallied to take the win. Tyrese Haliburton hit another clutch shot with just 0.3 seconds remaining, giving the Pacers the 111-110 dub. It was Indiana's only lead of the game.

The All-star guard has now made five game-tying or go-ahead shots in the final 30 seconds of the playoffs.

“When it gets to 15, you can panic, or you can talk about, ‘How do we get it to 10? How do we get it to five from there?" Haliburton said after the game. "So, you know, I think all [playoffs], that’s what we preached as a group, is when we get down big, let’s just find a way to incrementally get it down."

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 38 points on Thursday night. While the outcome was not what was expected, the 2025 league MVP remains unfazed.

"As much as we can, we just got to treat it like every other game, every other situation we've been in," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Yes, we haven't been in this situation, but that doesn't mean our character has to change, or what we did last time.

"It's still basketball, the game of basketball we grew up playing. The rules don't change because we're in the Finals.

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The Thunder come in as heavy favorites, but we also have some best bets to consider this series.

How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers Game 2:

  • Date: Sunday, June 8
  • Time: 8:00 PM ET
  • Where: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK
  • TV Channel: ABC

When is Game 2 of the NBA Finals?

Sunday, June 8 at 8:00 PM ET.

What channel is the Thunder vs Pacers game on?

The Thunder vs Pacers series will take place on ABC.

Thunder vs Pacers Series Scores and Schedule:

*All times listed are ET  (* = if necessary)

  • Game 1: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
  • Game 2: Pacers at Thunder - Sun. June 8, 8 PM on ABC
  • Game 3: Thunder at Pacers - Wed. June 11, 8:30 PM on ABC
  • Game 4: Thunder at Pacers - Fri. June 13, 8:30 PM on ABC
  • Game 5: Pacers at Thunder - Mon. June 16, 8:30 PM on ABC *
  • Game 6: Thunder at Pacers - Thu. June 19, 8:30 PM on ABC*
  • Game 7: Pacers at Thunder - Sun, June 22, 8 PM on ABC*

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Path to the NBA Finals:

The Thunder are seeking their first NBA title since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008. The last time the franchise reached the Finals was in 2012, dropping their series against LeBron James' Miami Heat in 5. Here is how they advanced to the NBA Finals:

Oklahoma City swept the No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies in the First Round, eliminated the No. 4 Denver Nuggets in 7 in the Conference Semifinals, and defeated the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves in 5 in the Western Conference Finals.

RELATED:Times, they are a changin’ - Thunder vs. Pacers Finals highlights generational change sweeping NBA

Indiana Pacers’ Path to the NBA Finals:

The Indiana Pacers are seeking their first NBA title. The team's last Finals appearance was in 2000, when they lost to the Lakers in 6. Here is the team's path to the Finals:

Indiana eliminated the No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks and the No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers in 5 games, before knocking out the No. 6 New York Knicks in 6 to advance to the Finals.

RELATED:Caitlin Clark, Tyrese Maxey, the basketball and sports worlds react to Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winner

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for each game of the Thunder vs Pacers series

Was Pacers’ Game 1 victory over Thunder a fluke?

Take Siakam to record over 6.5 rebounds in Game 2:

Head to nbcsports.com/nba for the latest news, updates, and storylines!

Mariners at Angels Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 6

It's Friday, June 6, and the Mariners (32-29) are in Anaheim to take on the Angels (28-33). Bryce Miller is slated to take the mound for Seattle against Kyle Hendricks for Los Angeles.

In the first meetings between these two, the Mariners mini-swept the Angels. In game one, they won 5-3 and then 9-3 in the second game.

The Mariners are 1.5 games behind the Astros in the AL West, while the Angels are 5.5 games. The Angels need to get something going. They have won just three of their last 10 games.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mariners at Angels

  • Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
  • Time: 9:38PM EST
  • Site: Angel Stadium
  • City: Anaheim, CA
  • Network/Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network West, ROOTNW

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 Mariners at the Angels

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Mariners (-148), Angels (+124)
  • Spread:  Mariners -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mariners at Angels

  • Pitching matchup for June 6, 2025: Bryce Miller vs. Kyle Hendricks
    • Mariners: Bryce Miller, (2-4, 5.36 ERA)
      Last outing (Minnesota Twins, 5/31): 4.0 Innings Pitched, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts
    • Angels: Kyle Hendricks, (2-6, 5.34 ERA)
      Last outing (Cleveland Indians, 5/31): 5.2 Innings Pitched, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mariners at Angels

  • The Angels have lost 4 of their last 5 games against teams with winning records
  • 7 of the Angels' last 9 home games stayed under the Total
  • The Angels have covered the Run Line in 5 of their last 6 home matchups against the Mariners

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 Mariners and the Angels

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 Mariners and the Angels:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Seattle Mariners 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 9.0.

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)