BALTIMORE, MD - MARCH 29: Gunnar Henderson #2 and Leody Taberas #30 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrate after defeating the Minnesota Twins 8-6 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on March 29, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles have unveiled a new slogan/marketing motto for this season: Fly different. Pedantic people among us will observe right away that this is a grammatically-incorrect pair of words. It is rather unlikely that this minor sin against language will have any impact on the on-field product.
Grammar aside, this year does need to be different than what we saw last year. In this episode of the podcast, I run through the opening weekend – games and Shane Baz contract extension – with the thought of different on my mind. Is this year going to be different? Is different going to be better? You could almost talk yourself into it after Sunday’s win, which absolutely felt like the kind of game that the Orioles would have managed to lose in the early months of last year.
This is my weekly podcast about whatever is going on lately with the Orioles. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to subscribe. You can get the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you prefer to access your podcasts.
How are you feeling with three games down and 159 to go for the 2026 Orioles? Answers could make it into the mailbag segment in the next episode.
For every iconic moment we see on television during March Madness, there are many other captivating subplots going on at the same time.
Weaving them all together is what makes the best in the TV production business so great at what they do.
During CBS's coverage of UConn's improbable 73-72 comeback win over Duke in the Elite Eight, Braylon Mullins' 35-footer to beat the buzzer was obviously the focal point. But the network's camera operators also had to be ready for the reaction shots.
One angle that didn't make the cut there was a reaction shot of CBS announcers Bill Raftery and Grant Hill as they joined play-by-play man Ian Eagle on the call.
Five games are on the NHL schedule this evening, and I’ve done my research to find the top NHL player props.
I’ll highlight John Carlson, Martin Necas, and Rickard Rakell in today's NHL picks below.
Best NHL player prop bets today
Player
Carlson Over 0.5 assists
-115
Necas Over 0.5 assists
-140
Rakell anytime goalscorer
+205
img alt="Get a first bet encore up to $800 with the BET99 promo code COVERSNHL" width="100%" loading="lazy" src="https://img.covers.com/promo-articles/bet99nhlcreative2526.jpeg"Get a first bet encore up to $800 with BET99 bonus code COVERSNHL. (not available in Ontario)
Our best NHL player props for Monday, March 30
Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.
Prop #1: John Carlson Over 0.5 assists
-115 at BET99
John Carlson is lighting up lately for the playoff-bound Anaheim Ducks. He’s cashed the Over in helpers in three straight games and has notched seven assists over that span. He’s collected 44 helpers overall this season.
The 36-year-old has handed out two assists in each of the last two contests, and he has 17 helpers in 30 home games as the Ducks welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs to town tonight. Carlson has also produced against the Leafs, posting two assists in two meetings in 2025-26.
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Sportsnet Ontario, TVA Sports
Prop #2: Martin Necas Over 0.5 assists
-140 at BET99
Martin Necas is having a marvelous campaign for the Colorado Avalanche, scoring 34 goals and tallying 55 assists. He’s a terrific player who can do it all offensively. The Czech native has logged an assist in three of his last five games.
Necas has a pair of multi-assist games during that span, and he’s really produced at home. Necas has 26 assists in 33 outings at Ball Arena, and the Avs host the Calgary Flames this evening, a team that's not great defensively.
The 27-year-old is a big piece of this electric offense, and he’s usually playing his part. I’ll take him to notch a helper.
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Prime
Prop #3: Rickard Rakell anytime goalscorer
+205 at BET99
Rickard Rakell is not exactly a household name, but he’s a key piece for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old has 17 goals this season, and he’s scored seven times in March. In fact, Rakell has found the back of the net in three of his last five.
The veteran scored twice on Thursday against the Senators, and he also had a goal last Tuesday against the Avalanche. Tonight, the Pens take on the New York Islanders, and Rakell has a goal against them across two meetings.
He’s also generated 11 SOG across the last three games, which is above his average. More chances equal a higher likelihood of him lighting the lamp.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - August 23: Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres and San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller chat as Darvish walks off the field before the game against the New York Mets at Petco Park on August 23, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres announced prior to the start of Opening Day that starter Yu Darvish was going to be added to the Restricted List. The move meant Darvish would remain in the San Diego organization, could rehab with the medical staff, but would not be required to follow a certain program or schedule given by the team. It also meant Darvish would not receive a salary for the 2026 season. This move was made by the team for official purposes, but it was Darvish who made the decision to be placed on the Restricted List. As a player under contract with guaranteed money, he could have remained with the team and worked on their schedule and received his pay, but according to reports, Darvish knew he could not compete on the field and felt it would not be right to take the money.
The decision by Darvish would have been unprecedented had he not recently spent time on the Restricted List in 2024 to attend to a personal family matter that required him to be away from the team for an extended period. There were reports this offseason that followed the announcement that Darvish had surgery on his elbow that would require him to miss the entirety of the 2026 season, that retirement was imminent for Darvish. He and his agent spoke out against the reports and not much had been said since. Some fans believed Darvish choosing not to retire, was selfish because the Padres could have used his salary to spend elsewhere on the team.
As it turns out, San Diego general manager A.J. Preller had been planning for this move by Darvish for quite some time. Once it was announced that Darvish was going on the Restricted List there were conflicting reports stating his money could be used to sign another free agent or make a trade that involved taking on money, while other reporting said the money from Darvish’s salary had already been accounted for and spent.
No matter the outcome, Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball believes one thing about Darvish is clear, he is the rare athlete who puts the team first and genuinely wants the best for his organization. Conroy believes a player like Darvish should be commended and celebrated, but most importantly, he should be appreciated for what has given and continues to give to the Padres.
Padres News:
AJ Cassavell of Padres.com points out some of the things the Friar Faithful can learn from the opening series between the Padres and Detroit Tigers. Despite San Diego losing the series, he believes there is more to come from the offense.
Despite dropping the first two games of the series and needing a win on Saturday to salvage the series with the Tigers, the Padres know that if they want to get to the postseason they are going to have to win in the tough National League West. San Diego will get its first chance at a divisional foe when the San Francisco Giants come to Petco Park tonight.
Padres prospect Kruz Schoolcraft is opening his 2026 season with the Lake Elsinore Storm. There are high expectations for the young starter, and the Padres could use him sooner than later, but they will be careful to focus on his development as he gains more experience in the system. Sung-Mun Song also got into some minor league action in a rehab appearance where he played shortstop while working back from an oblique injury that nagged him throughout the offseason and Spring Training.
Randy Vasquez impressed Padres officials and fans alike with his strong spring performance. He continued that success on the mound with his first start of 2026 against the Tigers on Saturday. The right-hander completed six innings of shutout baseball and recorded eight strikeouts with just two hits allowed. He only walked three batters. Dennis Lin of The Athletic looks at what Vasquez worked on in the offseason that has made him better for the 2026 season.
Baseball News:
Christian Yelich hit his first career pinch-hit home run and it propelled the Milwaukee Brewers to a win and a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox. Chicago had a home run story of its own with rookie Masataka Murakami hitting three home runs in the series.
It’s no secret that the Seattle Mariners have one of the best pitching rotations in MLB and Emerson Hancock highlighted that fact with six no-hit innings to lead the Mariners over the Cleveland Guardians. MacKenzie Gore of the Texas Rangers, in his first start for Texas, followed suit and he too pitched six no-hit innings to help the Rangers beat the Philadelphia Phillies.
Bo Bichette signed a hefty free-agent contract with the New York Mets in the offseason, and he has gotten off to a slow start. Mets fans are not happy about it and they let Bichette know by showering him with boos.
A pair of veterans got their first home runs with their new teams, Andrew McCutchen homered for the Texas Rangers and Alex Bregman hit his first home run as a member of the Chicago Cubs and it came at Wrigley Field. Eugenio Suarez has hit plenty of home runs as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, but his home run Saturday night, was the first since he returned to the team as a free agent. Kazuma Okomoto also took part in the home run barrage by hitting his first MLB home run as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays which helped them sweep the A’s to open the season.
Owen Cassie is one of the newest members of the Miami Marlins and he endeared himself to his teammates and the Miami fanbase with a walk-off home run that allowed the Marlins to sweep the Colorado Rockies and open the season at 3-0.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 29: Gary Trent Jr. #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball against Kris Dunn #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum on March 29, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The undermanned Milwaukee Bucks lost 127-113 at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers yesterday in what was their first “meaningless” game after being eliminated from play-in contention. The game was trending toward embarrassing blowout territory, but a fourth-quarter rally from Milwaukee made the final score look respectable. The Clippers sealed a 2-0 season series victory over the Bucks with this win. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.
Trent was lights-out in this one. He started off hot, scoring 11 of Milwaukee’s first 15, and he never lost his groove. The veteran delivered 16 points in the fourth quarter as part of a late rally for the Bucks. Awesome performance from a guy who keeps stacking good days. Gary’s 36 points were a season-high and the most he’s scored in a game since March 11th, 2022, when he had 42 against the Suns.
Usually, you don’t want a player like Prince playing such a featured role, but to his credit, he was good in this one. TP hit timely shots and kept the ball moving, tying his career-high with eight assists. Five turnovers isn’t ideal, but he wasn’t the only guy coughing it up too much.
AJax continues to look more aggressive on the offensive end. He made solid plays within the team’s sets and disrupted a bit on defense. More and more, he’s showing flashes that justify Milwaukee’s decision to keep him around.
Nance’s offensive production has begun to tail off lately, and it’s limiting his ability to impact the game. He does enough on defense and as a hub at the five to make himself a factor when he isn’t hitting shots, but he’s gotta start doing that again.
This was one to forget for the young Frenchman. Dieng forced some tough shots, missed all his triples, turned it over too much, and fouled out. This feels like a needed reminder to some fans who jumped the gun with him. Ous is still raw and young with a lot of development left.
Dairy Bird was aggressive, but maybe a little too much, as he also fouled out. But on the positive side, he set a new career-high in free throws made with five.
Somewhat pedestrian game for Sims, relative to the heightened standards he’s beginning to set for himself. Two of his three baskets came in the first two minutes of the game, both of which were impressive finishes over Brook Lopez.
The rookie had the first double-digit outing of his young career yesterday. He looked comfortable, confident, and energetic. He hit a three as part of a big fourth-quarter run that got the few faithful fans in Fiserv jumping. Fun game for the kid.
Grade: B
Doc Rivers
“Playing the right way” has been Doc’s go-to buzzword phrase this season, but honestly, it’s the most accurate way to describe how the Bucks played in this game. Every guy on the floor kept the ball moving and played unselfishly. The offense really felt connected from start to finish, with each player (save maybe Dieng) hunting the best shot for the team. They turned it over too much, but that’s a natural byproduct of having no point guards in the lineup (where’s Mark Sears when you need him). So, assuming the structure of the game plan can be attributed to Doc, he did a solid job.
Grade: B
Inactive: The Antetokounmpos (Giannis, Alex, Thanasis), Ryan Rollins, Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr.
Bonus Bucks Bits
Doc on Brook Lopez, who made his return to Milwaukee yesterday for the first time since he left in free agency:
“I wasn’t here when he won the title. I can just tell you what he meant to me, and I texted him and this, after everything went down, you know, I hate ranking cause every time I rank somebody I get some blowback, you know, but he is a top five character person, by far, I’ve ever been around in the NBA, forget coaching, player. Brook was, I fell in love with the guy as a human being. He did everything right. Prepared right. He’s emotional about the game. You know, people don’t see that because he’s so stoic, but Brook is fiercely competitive. He hates… last year, when we were struggling, that one stretch with all the injuries, every time we lost a game, he would text me, ‘what can I do more?’ That was all. Not, what someone else is not doing, I want more shots, it was ‘what can I do more to help you help the team?’ That’s, I’ve never got that text from any player in my career, like that, and he did it every time, and he meant it, and so he was amazing. This city should embrace him every time he comes to the city.”
Tyronn Lue on one thing that’s surprised him about Brook Lopez in his first season with the Clippers:
“His work ethic. I mean, every single day, coming in with JVG, doing his shooting every day, doing his defensive stuff every single day, and no days off. You know, a guy who’s been in the league that long and that’s solidified as a great player this whole time, to just see him come in every single day and work, and so the same routine every single day, you can see why he’s had a long career. He’s a really good player.”
Gary Trent Jr. on what he does to stay positive and loose regardless of the outcome of games and how many minutes he’s playing:
“Again, you can only really control what you can control. I’m going into the eighth year of my NBA career. I’ve starred in games, I’ve been benched, I’ve been behind the bench in a suit, I done started and scored 40 before, so again, I done touched every aspect that you can be a part of, good and bad, so really just over those years, throughout my course of my career, helped me how to deal with things, how to stay sane, how to continue to keep working, little things like that.”
Cormac Ryan went down chasing after a loose ball in the fourth quarter, and two Clippers helped him up. Always fun seeing little displays of sportsmanship like that, and Ryan’s overall energy has been very noticeable since he joined the team. He’s constantly standing up on the bench and cheering his teammates on.
Up Next
The Bucks will continue their homestand on Tuesday night, March 31st, against the Dallas Mavericks. Catch that one at 7:00 p.m. CDT on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 28: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates his shot against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half with teammates Joel Embiid #21, Trendon Watford #12, Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 and Quentin Grimes #5 at Spectrum Center on March 28, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Helen McGinnis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Things are looking up for the Sixers. Their stars are finally healthy, Paul George is suspension free, and they’ve won their last two games to start getting on track as each win becomes increasingly important in the Eastern Conference standings.
After beating the Bulls and Hornets, next up the Sixers are heading to Miami to take on the 39-36 Heat, now down at ninth place in the East.
The Heat will also be at a rest disadvantage, as they’ll be finishing a back-to-back following a hefty 135-118 loss to the Pacers on Sunday.
Meanwhile for the Sixers, I can write a phrase that’s rarely been uttered for a long time: Philly will have their full rotation for this game. The recovering Johni Broome is the only player on the team’s injury report.
The Sixers are coming off the kind of win we needed to see in Charlotte. It was a glimpse of what this team was meant to be this season, before injuries, suspensions and bad vibes (from all the above and things like the Jared McCain trade) derailed it. George looked good physically on both ends and tallied 26 points and 13 rebounds, Joel Embiid got to the line like his usual self and scored 29 points, and Tyrese Maxey easily dropped 26 points and eight assists on 10-of-18 shooting (3-of-6 from three).
Throw into that the accompanying performances — from Kelly Oubre Jr. off the bench, to Andre Drummond’s strong minutes and VJ Edgecombe’s sharp complementary play at both ends — and the strong finish late in the third quarter and through the fourth to overcome a 15-point deficit, and it was actually a fun night.
It’s been hard to remember what a healthy and fun team looked like, so let’s see if they can keep it rolling. The Sixers should have another winnable game ahead of the them.
Norman Powell, the Heat’s All-Star, has been having a quality season. He’s taken on more on-ball duties, especially during all Tyler Herro’s absences, and has put together the best year of his career as a result. He’s put up 22.1 points per game with a 61.1 true shooting percentage, while gunning away from three with 7.1 attempts per game at a 38.4 percent clip.
However, Powell was out on Sunday with a upper respiratory infection. We’ll need to wait until closer to tip-off for Miami’s injury report, but Powell is the clearly the biggest name to look out for.
If Powell is available, it’ll be particularly helpful now that Kelly Oubre Jr. and George are back to help contain him. George was spry and moving well on Saturday, while Oubre’s agility and size advantage over Powell making him a pretty good defensive matchup too.
Another good matchup will be Jaime Jaquez Jr. against George and Oubre whenever they’re squared up. The Heat’s sixth man has been having a very well rounded year, putting up by far the best numbers of his young career with 14.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game with a 56.3 true shooting percentage (albeit lacking three-point efficiency) and reliable defense.
Handling Bam Adebayo is the other main challenge for the Sixers in this one. With Embiid back, though, the frontcourt battle in this one goes from being tough to a clear advantage. Embiid has always had the upper hand against Bam when they’ve faced off, utilizing his plethora of face-up and post-up moves and superior size and strength. Even if Embiid doesn’t have a big scoring night, he only needs to bully Adebayo a bit to force help and double teams to come in order to free up the extra three-point shooting the Sixers have again now George and Maxey are back.
The Herro matchup will be an interesting one to watch, especially if Powell’s out and guys like Herro (plus Andrew Wiggins and Pelle Larsson) get more touches as a result. Even though Herro’s been scoring an efficient 20.9 points per game this season (on 60.5 percent true shooting), his defense still remains an issue for an otherwise strong Miami defense that ranks ninth in the league. Especially now that Maxey is back alongside Edgecombe, it’ll be fun to see if/how they use ball screens to get matched up against Herro more often and use their explosive drives to attack him downhill.
To avoid better defenders in Davion Mitchell, and wings with more size like Jaquez Jr. and Wiggins, let’s see what Maxey and Edgecombe can cook up.
Hopefully for the Sixers, Saturday’s game against Charlotte was a sign of more positivity to come. Now that they have star power, health, and some depth on their side again, it’s time to see if they can start making that more of a regular thing.
Game Details
When: Monday, March 30, 7:00 PM ET Where: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
The San Antonio Spurs are surging toward the playoffs like an express train, and the Chicago Bulls have nowhere to hide in tonight’s matchup.
Gathering speed every week, San Antonio is 13-1 in its past 14 outings, so my Bulls vs. Spurs predictions don’t give Chicago much chance here, especially with the hosts going 0-3 so far on this road trip.
Get the lowdown on this clash on Monday, March 30, with my NBA picks and betting angles.
Bulls vs Spurs prediction
Bulls vs Spurs best bet: Stephon Castle Over 29.5 points + rebounds + assists (-115)
It’s a no-brainer to say that Victor Wembanyama is the No.1 reason to take the San Antonio Spurs seriously as a title contender. But Stephon Castle’s development as a two-way stud has to be second.
Castle is coming off a 22-10-10 triple-double against the Bucks on Saturday, and he’s walking into another favorable matchup tonight, with the Chicago Bulls limping towards the regular season finish line.
There’s been a ferocity to Castle’s play all year, but this month has provided some new peaks, and he’s gone past this combo O/U number in seven of his last nine contests.
Big scoring nights are just a bonus when you consider Castle is averaging 8.5 APG and 5.8 RPG in March. But he’s still very capable as a bucket-getter, and he’s shooting 41% from 3-point range across his past 13 outings. That’s perhaps an inevitable outcome of all the attention that Wemby attracts in the paint.
A visit from the Bulls can only boost those stats. Chicago has coughed up 124+ points in four straight games, including a horror show in Philadelphia last Wednesday, where Billy Donovan’s squad allowed 157 points.
Castle feasted in the teams’ prior meeting this season, with 19 points and 11 assists back in November. A massive spread suggests one-way traffic here, but don’t expect the Spurs to ease up. With Castle at the controls, the hosts should be at their relentless best.
Bulls vs Spurs same-game parlay
With Castle playing at such an elite level, the Spurs are big favorites for a ninth straight victory. San Antonio is 28-7 straight up at home, while Chicago is just 11-25 SU on the road.
I’m doubtful about the Bulls’ chances of posting a big total against an in-form Spurs defense, so the Under offers nice value to round out my SGP. It’s 43-32 for San Antonio this season, and the hosts have held their past two opponents under the 100-point mark.
Bulls vs Spurs SGP
Stephon Castle Over 29.5 points + rebounds + assists
Spurs moneyline
Under 242.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Nothing Else Matas
If the Bulls are going to put up a fight here, it starts with Matas Buzelis filling the box score. He’s grabbed 8+ rebounds in three straight, and he’s got the size to shoot over the Spurs’ smaller guards. For all Chicago’s struggles lately, the visitors are a respectable 6-4 ATS in their last 10, so this spread feels a little inflated.
Bulls vs Spurs SGP
Matas Buzelis Over 6.5 rebounds
Matas Buzelis Over 1.5 assists
Matas Buzelis Over 2.5 made threes
Bulls +18
Bulls vs Spurs odds
Spread: Bulls +18.5 (-115) | Spurs -18.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Bulls +1000 | Spurs -2000
Over/Under: Over 244.5 (-110) | Under 244.5 (-110)
Bulls vs Spurs betting trend to know
The Bulls are 6-1 ATS in their last seven matchups against the Spurs. Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Spurs.
How to watch Bulls vs Spurs
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Monday, March 30, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Bulls vs Spurs latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
St. John's amazing return to national prominence in men's basketball has earned the architect of the renaissance a new contract.
School officials confirmed to ESPN on Sunday, March 29, that Rick Pitino has signed a new contract that will make him the Big East's second-highest paid-coach behind UConn's Dan Hurley.
"Coach Pitino has changed the culture of our community and we want his presence to be felt on this campus for years to come," athletic director Ed Kull said in a statement. "We look forward to more Big East championships and NCAA tournament runs with Coach Pitino at the helm."
Pitino led the Red Storm to a 30-7 record and their first appearance in the Sweet 16 this century before a season-ending loss to Duke on Friday, March 17.
In his third year at St. John's, the 73-year-old Pitino made history as the Red Storm became the first program ever to win back-to-back Big East regular season and tournament titles.
The Hall of Fame coach has an overall record of 915-318 (.742) over 38 seasons. He has taken three different schools (Providence, Kentucky, Louisville) to the Final Four and won two national championships.
The Vancouver Canucks (21-43-8) continue their road trip on Monday as they visit the Vegas Golden Knights. Both teams have struggled as of late and have combined for just five wins over their last 20 games. Based on the standings, Monday is a must-win for Vegas as they are dangerously close to the playoff bar.
Monday will feature a debut from the Golden Knights side as John Tortorella will be behind the bench for the first time. Vegas announced on Sunday that they had fired Bruce Cassidy and replaced him with Tortorella. Earlier this year, Tortorella helped Team USA win Gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics and brings over 1,500 games of experience behind the bench.
Shifting to the Canucks, all the focus remains on whether they can sort out their second-period issues. Vancouver is the only team that has allowed over 100 goals against in the second, as they enter Monday's game with 103 against in 72 games. At this stage of the season, the team needs to show some level of progress, which could be as simple as not allowing a goal in the middle frame against the Golden Knights.
Players To Watch:
Evander Kane:
Monday will feature a milestone moment for Evander Kane as he skates in his 1,000th career regular-season game. In 999 career games, the 34-year-old has 338 goals along with 647 points. As for this season, Kane has played 69 games and recorded 30 points.
Mitch Marner:
All eyes will be on Mitch Marner and how he responds to Tortorella taking over as coach. The 28-year-old has not lived up to expectations in his first year with Vegas, but he does sit second on the team with 71 points in 73 games. The question now is, can Tortorella help Marner unlock another level, or will personalities clash over the next few weeks?
Feb 4, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) keeps the puck away from Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tom Willander (5) during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Vancouver Canucks (21–43–8):
Points:
Elias Pettersson: 15–30–45
Filip Hronek: 8–33–41
Brock Boeser: 17–21–38
Jake DeBrusk: 16–18–34
Linus Karlsson: 13–18–31
Goaltenders:
Thatcher Demko: 8–10–1
Kevin Lankinen: 8–25–5
Nikita Tolopilo: 5–7–2
Jiří Patera: 0–1–0
Vegas Golden Knights (32–26–16):
Points:
Jack Eichel: 25-53-78
Mitch Marner: 20-51-71
Mark Stone: 23-41-64
Pavel Dorofeyev: 34-26-60
Tomas Hertl: 24-30-54
Goaltenders:
Akira Schmid: 16-10-6
Adin Hill: 9-9-5
Carter Hart: 5-3-3
Carl Lindbom: 2-4-2
Game Information:
Start time: 7:00 pm PT
Venue: T-Mobile Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
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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DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 28: Logan O'Connor #25 of the Colorado Avalanche smiles with teammates prior to the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Ball Arena on March 28, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Colorado Avalanche News
Logan O’Connor returns to Avalanche lineup without participating in a conditioning stint — or a 5-on-5 practice. [Denver Gazette]
Jets praise MacKinnon after witnessing dominance: ‘He’s absolutely fantastic’. [TSN]
Sidney Crosby applauds Brent Burns nearing major milestone with Avalanche. [Sports Illustrated]
Colorado teen who survived shark attack walks runway at Avalanche charity event. [KDVR]
Golden Knights fire Bruce Cassidy, hire John Tortorella. [ESPN]
‘They’re not NHL championship caliber players’: Legendary Oiler with hard truth about Edmonton’s skill level. [The Edmonton Journal]
Ottawa Senators playoff hopes struck by Lightning. [Ottawa Sun]
If the NHL playoffs started today: Projecting all 8 matchups and analyzing the teams. [NY Times]
Bill Riley, first African Nova Scotian to play in NHL, remembered as inspiration. [CBC]
Jagr, not officially retired, says professional hockey career likely complete. Legendary NHL forward, 54, played past 9 seasons with Kladno in native Czechia. [NHL]
PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 2: Evgeni Malkin #71 tall with Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the game against the Ottawa Senators at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 2, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Penguins could be getting a big boost ahead of their pivotal game against the New York Islanders that has heavy playoff implications.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who each missed Saturday’s game against the Dallas Stars with injuries, returned to practice yesterday and Crosby will be traveling with the team for tonight’s game. Malkin’s status to travel is unknown.
Both players were full participants in practice and were in their usual spots in the lineup, but it’s unclear whether or not either are expected to play against the Islanders.
#LetsGoPens lines and D-pairs with Crosby/Malkin, and without Rust/Acciari:
“Obviously, it’s very encouraging,” Erik Karlsson said. “Whether they play or not, I don’t know. They’re out there grinding away and trying to keep up the speed and staying in it for when they are ready to return.”
Crosby returned from his injury suffered during the Olympics and played five games for the Penguins before leaving the team’s game against Ottawa last week with a lower-body injury, missing Saturday’s game against Dallas.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are tied with the Penguins with 88 points and sit in the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot.
According to MoneyPuck, the Penguins have a 70.7% chance of making the playoffs and with just nine games remaining in the regular season, a win would be a big boost to those chances.
MoneyPuck has the Penguins’ playoff chance jump to 83.3% with a regulation win. A regulation loss would have the Penguins’ chances fall to 57%.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 24: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a three-point shot during the final seconds of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Nuggets defeated the Suns 125-123. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As Week 23 comes to a close, you take a step back and ask what did we learn about the Phoenix Suns? And the answer is not something new. It is more of a reinforcement of what has already been there all season. This team competes.
Even during that 1–6 stretch, the effort never disappeared. The pressure was there, the identity was there, the foundation of what we call Suns basketball was still present. What was missing was the ability to close. Late in games, the execution slipped, and when you are missing key pieces due to injury, that margin becomes even thinner. It is hard to finish when the other side has its full arsenal, and you do not.
That reality carried into the conversation this week, especially after the loss to the Denver Nuggets. Devin Booker had a clean look from three late, a wide-open shot that would have flipped the outcome. He missed it, and that moment lit the fuse on a familiar debate. Why does it always end in isolation? Why does the ball always find Booker? Why is he the one taking that shot?
It is an interesting conversation, and it always seems to surface when the shot does not fall. There is a push from some to see more movement, more sharing, a search for the next pass and the next open look, regardless of who ends up taking it. The idea sounds clean. The execution is not always that simple.
In that moment, the Suns created a clean look for their best player. Booker was open, the shot was there, and those are the situations you live with. The debate lingers because of the result, but the process itself was sound. And that is where it becomes a little puzzling, because sometimes the difference between the right play and the wrong outcome is nothing more than a made shot.
Let me start here. Isolation is part of basketball. It always has been, and it always will be. When games get tight, when you hit those final possessions, offenses across the league slow down, become more deliberate, and the ball finds one player. That is not a Suns thing, that is a basketball thing. We all love the flow. The ball whipping around, transition opening up shooters, sets unfolding the way they are drawn up. That is the beauty of the game over 48 minutes. But late in games, it becomes about control. It becomes about putting the ball in the hands of your best player and living with the result.
For the Phoenix Suns, that player is Devin Booker.
You can debate where he sits among the league’s elite, you can stack numbers, you can build arguments on both sides, but the reality inside that locker room and on that floor is clear. He is the guy. He is paid like it, he plays like it, and he has earned that responsibility over time. That is not about forcing shots because of a contract, it is about trusting the player who has carried that load night after night.
Does it always work? No. But the objective in those moments is simple. Get your best player a clean look and give him a chance to win the game. And when you do that, when the process is right, you live with the outcome, make or miss.
"Great shot. Probably won't get one that good at the end of a game."
Devin Booker as he missed a late 3 for the win in Phoenix Suns 125-123 loss Tuesday night to Denver Nuggets. #Sunspic.twitter.com/Ak2xTTmvm0
What gets lost in all of this is the simple truth that games like Denver only matter because Devin Booker is on the floor. He is the reason you are in that moment to begin with. He is the one carrying possessions, bending defenses, creating something out of nothing when things stall. Without him, this team drifts. We have seen it. There is no direction, no steady hand guiding it. So when it comes down to that final shot, it should not feel complicated. The same player who got you there should have the chance to finish it. He earned that. Through the work, through the production, through the responsibility he has taken on all season. You live with the result, but you do not take the opportunity out of his hands.
Yes, other Suns’ players have hit big shots this season, and that is what good teams do. It is a sign of depth, a sign of trust, a sign that multiple guys are capable when the moment arrives. But it is always interesting how the conversation shifts when Devin Booker misses. The immediate reaction becomes that someone else should have taken it, that the ball should have moved one more time, that there was a better option waiting somewhere else. It turns into the ‘disease of what if’, a loop that never really ends.
“But Booker is only shooting 26.1% from deep in clutch situations.” True. And Grayson Allen is at 22.2%, Collin Gillespie is at 31.3%, Jalen Green is at (hides eyes with hands) 14.3%, and Royce O’Neale is at 33.3%. Every player on the Suns regresses in those situations, which is a greater conversation to be had in my opinion.
There is a comfort for some in imagining a different outcome. If the ball swings to Grayson Allen and he misses, it feels easier to accept. You shrug it off, say it was a bonus opportunity, and move on. But that same scenario would spark the opposite reaction from others, the question of why Booker did not take it. That is the catch. There is no version of it that satisfies everyone.
The reality is simple. Booker is the best player on the Phoenix Suns, and the offense should be geared toward getting him the best look possible in those moments. Defenses know it, they load up for it, they try to take it away. And still, that is where the ball is supposed to go. That is how this works across the league. Nikola Jokic gets that shot for Denver. Victor Wembanyama gets that shot for San Antonio. They convert, and it reinforces the idea. When they miss, the noise is there too.
There are levels to this. Booker sits within that hierarchy, even if he is not at the very top tier occupied by generational players. But for Phoenix, he is the guy. He is the one everything runs through, the one who carries the weight of those moments. This team goes as far as he takes it, and we have seen both sides of that this season.
Sometimes he delivers, like he did against Oklahoma City. Sometimes the shot does not fall, like it did against Denver. That is the nature of it. No one is perfect in those situations. Nobody is batting 1.000. And at the end of the day, if the Suns are going to live with anyone taking that shot, it should be Devin Booker.
Week 23 Record: 1-1
vs. Denver Nuggets, L, 125-123
Possession Differential: +2.1
Turnover Differential: -6
Offensive Rebounding Differential: -4
The Phoenix Suns did a stellar job competing against a team that, quite simply, is better than them right now. They stayed in it, they pushed, they gave themselves a real chance. And you cannot help but wonder how it looks if they are whole, if the full roster is available, if the margins shift even slightly. Maybe the outcome does too.
vs. Utah Jazz, W, 134-109
Possession Differential: +0.9
Turnover Differential: -2
Offensive Rebounding Differential: +10
Yeah, it’s only the Utah Jazz. But it felt good. It felt right. Watching the Phoenix Suns play that kind of basketball again, connected, sharp, purposeful, moving the ball, defending with intent, it reminded you what this team can look like when it all clicks.
Inside the Possession Game
Weekly Possession Differential: +3.0
Weekly Turnover Differential: -8
Offensive Rebounding Differential: +6
Year-to-Date Over/Under .500: +8
And now, the graph that I soon will no longer have to make…
Week 24 Preview
Week 24 arrives, and with it comes April basketball. You can feel the end of the regular season getting close now, as the runway is shortening. Four games on the schedule, all on the road, and all sitting there as winnable if the Suns handle their business.
It starts with a back-to-back. Monday brings the Memphis Grizzlies, a group that has shifted its focus and is playing out the string. That is one you have to take care of. No messing around, no letting it linger.
The next night, the Suns head to face the Orlando Magic, a team that has found some life. Phoenix needed double overtime to get past them after the break, a 113–110 win fueled by 27 points from Grayson Allen, and you know this one will have a similar feel. Competitive, physical, the kind of game that tests your legs on the second night of a back-to-back.
Thursday sends them to Charlotte against the Charlotte Hornets, a team they have already beaten once, but one that can still sting if you lose focus. They play loose, they play free, and that can create problems if you are not locked in. Then it wraps on Easter Sunday in Chicago against the Chicago Bulls, a chance to clean up a loss that did not sit well earlier this month. That one carries a little extra edge, a little extra motivation.
Four games, all on the road, all right there for the taking. This is where you sharpen things, where you build rhythm, where you make sure you are ready for what comes next.
65% of voters called the 1-1 record for the Suns this past week. A little bit harder to predict in Week 24. How do you think the team will do?
The torrid stretch of play Luka Dončić has been on during March will cool down, at least for one night, when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Washington Wizards on Monday.
Lakers guard Luka Dončić during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles. William Liang-Imagn Images
Dončić averaged 36.5 points (49.3% shooting, 39% on 3-pointers), 8.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 2.3 steals during the Lakers’ 14–2 stretch going back to Feb. 28 before the league announced on Saturday that he’d be suspended for Monday’s game.
He’s the reigning Western Conference player of the week, receiving the honor back-to-back weeks.
“He’s disappointed,” coach JJ Redick said after Sunday’s practice. “He wants to be there for his teammates, and again, I’ve talked about this all year, he plays. He’s not a guy that takes games off. He can be banged up and he’s gonna play. He was like that when I was his teammate in Dallas.”
With the way the Lakers have leaned on Dončić, their game plan against the Wizards will have to look different.
More time for Austin Reaves to be the primary ball handler with Dončić out.
Possibly more playing time for Bronny James, Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber, with starting guard Marcus Smart and Adou Thiero both being “day-to-day,” in addition to Dončić’s absence.
Smart has missed the last three games because of a right ankle contusion, while Thiero has been sidelined for the last couple of days because of left knee soreness.
“For [Monday], we’ve gotten some great contributions from guys that haven’t necessarily been in, like the nine-man rotation when we’ve been fully healthy,” Redick said. “Bronny’s had some good moments. Vando’s had some good moments, Maxi’s had some good moments. But we’re gonna need everybody.”
Austin Reaves drives to the basket against the Detroit Pistons, March 23 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NBAE via Getty Images
Jersey swap
When Reaves conducted his post-practice media availability, he had centers Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes by his side.
But Reaves was wearing Ayton’s practice jersey. And Ayton was wearing Reaves’.
Hayes was wearing second-year wing Dalton Knecht’s jersey during a practice nobody wore their own number.
“We all just traded,” Hayes explained. “Dalton, I saw he was still wearing his jersey, so I gave him Vando’s. I had Vando’s jersey on, we traded. Everyone had on a different jersey.”
Reaves and Dončić do what looks like a pinky swear during a time-out against the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena. Getty ImagesLakers coach JJ Redick during a play stoppage against the Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. David Reginek-Imagn Images
Golf time
Reaves joked that Redick needed to quickly finish his post-practice availability so Reaves could go so he wouldn’t be late for his tee time.
Golf has quickly become one of the frequently-discussed topics among Lakers, a significant amount of the team playing.
“It’s funny, because when I first got in the NBA, there were a lot of guys that golfed and then nobody golfed for a long time,” Redick said. “And then post-bubble [in 2020], guys started getting back into it, and it became more common. For our team, we have 3–5 guys, at least three, that this time last year, have never played golf before: Bronny, Luka, LeBron, kind of Dalton, I think Jaxson started to work on his game.
“It’s a good team-bonding thing. For our team in LA, I talked about this in a press conference recently, it’s really hard in LA to bond. You live in Manhattan Beach, you live in Calabasas, you live in Westside, whatever. You’re hours, sometimes, away from your teammates. So finding tee times, being with each other for four hours where you can shoot the proverbial S-H-I-whatever and not have to be in a high pressure moment or on a team bus and kind of be away from the facility, I think it’s great.
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41-year-old seals first PGA Tour win since 2019 US Open
Brain lesion derailed American’s career
Gary Woodland won the Houston Open on Sunday, a moment that seemed improbable 30 months ago when he had brain surgery, and even two weeks ago when he opened up about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder.
He closed with a three-under 67 to win by five shots over Nicolai Hojgaard. The gallery chanted Woodland’s name before falling silent so he could roll in the winning putt.
Stop me if you've heard this before - The Columbus Blue Jackets blew a 3-goal third-period lead.
Boone Jenner (11), Mason Marchment (18), and Charlie Coyle (18-PPG) scored the goals for Columbus, while Jet Greaves stopped 35 of 38 Bruins shots, including 3 of 5 on the power play, in a stunning 4-3 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins on Sunday night.
The Bruins looked shellshocked after the CBJ scored three first-period goals, but after that, it was all Bruins. And when I say it was all Bruins, that's actually an understatement. The Bruins absolutely dominated every aspect of the second, third, and overtime periods. Columbus had 12 shots in the first period, but after that, they combined for 12 total shots over the next 45 minutes.
The good news is that they didn't let David Pastrnak beat them. The bad news is that Pavel Zacha torched the Blue Jackets for two power-play goals, an assist, and five shots on goal. It was his goal with 11 seconds left to tie the game that sank Columbus. That goal tied the game, but it felt like the game-winner if we are being honest.
What has happened to the Columbus Blue Jackets?
Rick Bowness said after the game, "I thought we got very selfish with the puck. Some of these guys have a lot to learn about how to play in this league at this time of year. It gets harder and harder and harder, and we're going to keep reminding them and reminding them every day how hard it is to win at this time of the year. There's a lot there to be learned from some of these guys, and they better damn well start listening."
He went on, "We'll move on. We'll get them ready for Tuesday. We had a great game against Carolina last game. We'll address what needs to be addressed."
Team Notes
The Blue Jackets have earned points in 13 of their last 14 home games (9-1-4) as well as in 17 of their 19 contests played at Nationwide Arena in 2026 (12-2-5).
The Blue Jackets scored first for the 45th time this season (30-8-7) and for the 26th time at Nationwide Arena (17-5-3).
Columbus fell for just the second time in the shootout this season (6-2).
The Jackets skated in front of their third-straight and 12th sellout crowd of the season tonight.
Final Stats
cbj app
Player Stats & Notes
Boone Jenner scored his 11th goal, had 5 shots, and had 4 PIMs. He played in his 800th career NHL game (210-207-416). The franchise leader in games played, he now sits three goals shy of tying Cam Atkinson (213) for the second-most in club history. Jenner has now posted 10-4-14 in 25 career games against Boston, with 3-3-6 in his past eight overall.
Mason Marchment scored his 18th goal and picked up his 20th assist. He notched his sixth multi-point game as a Blue Jacket with his goal and assist tonight (14-11-25 in 32 GP). He ranks second on the team in goals since making his debut with the club on Dec. 20, 2025. He has now tallied 3-6-9 in 10 career matchups against the Bruins, with four-straight multi-point performances against the club (2-6-8).
Charlie Coyle scored his 18th goal. He is now tied for the second-most points in a campaign in his 14-year NHL career (82 GP with Minnesota in 2016-17).
Kirill Marchenko recorded his 35th and 36th assists and had one shot. He posted his fifth multi-assist, and 11th multi-point performance of the season to reach the 60-point plateau for the second consecutive campaign (31-43-74 in 2024-25). He has now notched points in three of his past four games against Boston (2-4-6) with 3-4-7 in 10 overall career matchups.
Ivan Provorov tallied his 21st assist.
Conor Garland got his 21st assist. He now has 7 points in his 13 games as a Blue Jacket.
Team Stats
The Jackets went 1/2.
The Columbus PK gave up two power plays goals on four Bruins man advantages.
Columbus won 45.8% of the faceoffs - 27/59
The Blue Jackets had 23 hits and 24 blocks.
Next Up For Columbus: The Blue Jackets are home for the final game of a three-game homestand to face the Carolina Hurricanes.
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Carlson Over 0.5 assists
Necas Over 0.5 assists
Rakell anytime goalscorer
