Oklahoma State guard Jaylen Curry plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, On3’s Joe Tipton has learned. Curry is on the move for the second consecutive offseason, only spending one year in Stillwater. UMass is where his college basketball career got underway. But now, Curry is looking for school No. 3 for what should be his final year of eligibility.
The Cowboys used Curry as a nice rotational piece throughout his 33 games played. Only seven of them were starts, playing around 24 minutes every time out there. Curry averaged 10.1 points while shooting 41.8% from the field. Not too bad for somebody playing in a power conference for the first time in his career.
Curry did a little more than just score, though. He finished as Oklahoma State’s second-leading assist man, putting up 3.5 per game. Some activity on the glass did some — mainly on the defensive end — with 3.2 rebounds a night.
There is one performance from this past season that stands out more than any. Oklahoma State hosted Nicholls back in November for a nonconference showdown. Curry had his lone double-double of the year, doing so in style. Thirty points were put up by Curry, going 8-11 from the field and making all 12 of his free throws. And then 10 assists also show up on the statsheet to help Oklahoma State get a 14-point win.
More on Jaylen Curry, early portion of college basketball career
Curry played high school basketball at Charlotte (NC) Calvary Christian, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 193 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
UMass earned Curry’s original commitment and let him get action as a true freshman. One season later, Curry was a starter for the Minutemen and putting up good numbers. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Unfortunately, not too much team success came, and Curry decided to enter the transfer portal.
Now, another school will have an opportunity to sign Curry. If the fit turns out to be the right one, some potential still appears to be in there.
A first-round playoff series between the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets would be a dream scenario for NBA neutrals, and we get another sneak preview as the teams square off tonight.
Charlotte has picked up four straight victories and won at TD Garden last month, but my Hornets vs. Celtics predictions see Boston getting the upper hand, as Jayson Tatum continues to impress.
Check out my NBA picks for this clash between in-form Eastern Conference squads on Tuesday, April 7.
Hornets vs Celtics prediction
Hornets vs Celtics best bet: Celtics -4.5 (-110)
A healthy Boston Celtics rotation is a scary prospect for the rest of the league, and they’ve looked in sync while winning eight of their last 10 games.
Boston is also 8-2 straight up in its past 10 matchups against the Charlotte Hornets, and I’m laying the points here with Joe Mazzulla’s men, who are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven. The Celtics turned it on late to brush off the Raptors on Sunday and make it four straight wins by a margin of 14+ points.
Though the Hornets embarrassed Boston in early March, the Celtics got revenge a few weeks later with a 114-99 victory, despite missing Jaylen Brown. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard combined for 60 points that day to outplay Charlotte’s talented guards.
The hosts are at full strength now, after Nikola Vucevic’s return over the weekend, and their defense is the stingiest in the NBA, allowing just 107 points per game. Look for that attention to detail to stifle a Hornets team that leads the league in made 3-pointers.
After a recent home-heavy slate, Charlotte will be entering a rocking TD Garden, where the Celtics are 27-11 SU this year. So, even this late in the regular season, Boston should view this as a statement game, and this spread is small enough for me to back Tatum & Co.
Hornets vs Celtics same-game parlay
The Celtics are humming along since Tatum’s comeback, and he’s been especially consistent on the glass, with 9+ rebounds in eight of his last nine, headlined by 18 boards against the Heat last week. I’m wagering on another big haul tonight.
Meanwhile, Pritchard’s heat-check scoring is a spark for the Boston bench. He’s nailed this Over in five of his last six games, and finished with 28 points in the last meeting between these teams.
Hornets vs Celtics SGP
Celtics moneyline
Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 rebounds
Payton Pritchard Over 14.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Put up your Dukes
This SGP pairs two Duke alums, with Tatum going past this points prop in five straight and Kon Knueppel putting the final touches on his Rookie of the Year case.
Tatum has been a steady double-digit rebounder in the past few weeks, while Knueppel dropped 20 points on the Celtics last month and has O/U lines that feel low for a player averaging 18.7 PPG and 3.4 APG this season.
Hornets vs Celtics SGP
Jayson Tatum Over 22.5 points
Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 rebounds
Kon Knueppel Over 16.5 points
Kon Knueppel Over 2.5 assists
Hornets vs Celtics odds
Spread: Hornets +4.5 (-110) | Celtics -4.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Hornets +175 | Celtics -210
Over/Under: Over 221 (-110) | Under 221 (-110)
Hornets vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Under is 48-31 for the Hornets this season, but the Over has hit in their past three contests. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Celtics.
How to watch Hornets vs Celtics
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC/Peacock
Hornets vs Celtics 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.
In their second-last home game of the 2025-26 season, the Vancouver Canucks will take on the Vegas Golden Knights at 7:00 pm PT. The Canucks last played the Golden Knights on March 30 in Vegas, dropping that game by a score of 4-2. Tonight, they'll hope for a different outcome. Here are the lineup notes for April 7, 2026.
During yesterday's practice, Canucks Head Coach Adam Foote confirmed that forward Evander Kane and goaltender Kevin Lankinen are currently day-to-day. Kane played in Vancouver's afternoon matchup on Saturday, during which the team celebrated his 1000th-career NHL game. Lankinen also missed this game as he was not well enough to back-up. As a result, Nils Höglander and Curtis Douglas will play tonight, while Jiří Patera will back up Nikita Tolopilo. Ty Mueller will not be in tonight's lineup.
Tonight’s matchup is also projected to see the reunion of the Liam Öhgren — Marco Rossi — Brock Boeser line after a few games apart. The last time these three played together in-game was on March 26, during which Vancouver lost to the Los Angeles Kings by a score of 4-0.
Mar 2, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander (21) shoots against the Dallas Stars in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Projected Lineup:
O’Connor-Pettersson-DeBrusk
Öhgren-Rossi-Boeser
Sasson-Blueger-Karlsson
Höglander-Räty-Douglas
Buium-Hronek
M. Pettersson-Willander
E. Pettersson-Mancini
Tolopilo
Patera
Game Information:
Start time: 7:00 pm PT
Venue: Rogers 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.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 06: Brady House #12 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with teammate CJ Abrams #5 after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park on April 06, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For years under hitting coach Darnell Coles, it always felt like Nationals hitters were lacking a defined approach at the plate. Young hitters like James Wood, CJ Abrams, and Brady House demonstrated the raw power to be successful big league hitters, but would often flail at pitches outside the zone and miss the pitches they should’ve been doing damage on. They finished the 2025 season with a 22.6% strikeout rate and a 7.4% walk rate, placing them 28th out of 30 ball clubs in BB/K ratio at 0.33
A major point of emphasis for the Nats new hitting coach, Matt Borgschulte, was to instill a plan at the plate in his hitters. Players couldn’t just go up to the plate looking for a strike that they can hit hard somewhere, but instead needed to be key holing for their pitch when ahead in the count, looking to do extra-base-hit damage.
We’re only 10 games into the 2026 season, but the improvements are already beginning to show, as the Nationals are working more walks and striking out less than ever. The team walk rate has improved from 7.4% to 9.7%, and the strikeout rate has dipped from 22.6% to 20.9%, resulting in a team BB/K ratio of 0.46, good for 11th best in all of baseball. The improvement isn’t coming from just one or two Nats hitters, but the whole unit, as in 2025, only 2 Nats hitters had a BB/K ratio over 0.50, and in 2026, that number is 6.
The 2 Nationals who have seen their plate discipline improve the most are CJ Abrams and Brady House. Abrams has cut his strikeout rate by about 3% and raised his walk rate by about 6%, resulting in his BB/K jumping from a shaky 0.30 to a strong 0.71. His whiff and chase rate are actually slightly up from 2025, so we’ll see where his numbers stabilize after a larger sample size, but what matters currently is that the process looks much improved from before.
CJ Abrams just walked for the 4th time in four games. He's taking really good at-bats and showing more selectiveness than he's had in the past. pic.twitter.com/rahwt53JZM
As for House, he is still striking out at a high clip, up from 28.5% in 2025 to 30% in 2026, but in turn, he has over tripled his walk rate from 2.9% to 10%. He’s improved both his whiff and chase rates from near the bottom of the league to just somewhat below average, and as a result, his BB/K ratio has gone from 0.10 in 2025, 2nd worst in all of baseball among hitters with at least 250 plate appearances, to 0.33, just under the league average.
Brady House walk rate by season:
2025: 2.9% 2026: 13.7%
He walked 8 times last year in 73 games a year ago. He's already got 4 walks midway through game 7 this year. pic.twitter.com/AxBy8ovEJS
One of the keys to improving the discipline of Nats bats has been the addition of Trajekt pitching machines to their facilities, allowing hitters to simulate the arm angle and pitch shapes of the pitchers they’re set to face. Though the Nats’ bats haven’t been using them for long, the results are already beginning to show, even at the lower levels, as prospects such as Seaver King and Luke Dickerson are walking more than ever through their short stretch of games in the minor leagues. I’m excited to watch how these numbers change over the course of the season, and how hitters in the Nats organization adjust when pitchers change their game plans to attack their new patient approaches.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 5: The sneakers worn by Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Toronto Raptors on April 5, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Ducks are entering the homestretch of the regular season, with each game another opportunity to grab a vital two points and solidify their spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2018. However, the Ducks are currently experiencing one of their worst runs of the season. A five-game losing streak in which they've been outscored 14-24 and gained just one point has also featured two third period collapses against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the San Jose Sharks.
Their opponent, the Nashville Predators are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday. The Predators have won seven of their last 11 games and are just one point back of the second Wild Card spot. The Kings reclaimed that spot with their win on Monday.
Due to their poor run of play, the Ducks have dropped to second in the Pacific, with the Edmonton Oilers holding the top spot despite the teams being tied in points, thanks to the tiebreaker rules. The Vegas Golden Knights are one point back of both the Oilers and Ducks and could jump to first with a win and Oilers/Ducks losses on Tuesday.
Apr 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks play against the St. Louis Blues at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Dropping out of the playoffs completely remains an unlikely scenario for Anaheim. However, they must win at least two of their remaining five games to prevent that from becoming a reality. Four points currently separate the second Wild Card and second in the Pacific.
"Just trying to view these last five games as a round of playoffs," Troy Terry said. "That's truly what it is for us right now."
“Let’s incentivize ourselves,” head coach Joel Quenneville said. “Play this game like it's a playoff game, that’s the meaning and the purpose. We get to find out about guys knowing that with everything at stake, you rise to the occasion. But, you’ve got to earn it in this business in this situation as well. Let’s go get it.”
"This time of year, it's just important to win those games," Jackson LaCombe said. "I think every point matters throughout the year, so I wouldn't say we're looking into (the standings) too much, but you want home ice and everything else that comes with that. I think we're just trying to focus on playing our best hockey."
“I think we just want to play a little more simple,” Mason McTavish said. “I think we are really going to focus on not giving up as much, whether it's keeping our shifts shorter and being more fresh and thinking a little more clearly out there. I think that's something that we can control, and we're going to really look to focus down the stretch with these games meaning so much. It’s a great test for our team, and I know everybody's really excited.”
Apr 4, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (23) during the second period against the Calgary Flames at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images
Anaheim's leading goalscorer Cutter Gauthier has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury. He left the game in the first period on Mar. 30 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and has not played since. He will not play against the Predators, missing a fourth consecutive game.
Captain Radko Gudas will also miss this game with a lower-body injury. He returned to face the Leafs, but has not played since.
Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov has also missed the past three games with a lower-body injury, but will return to the lineup against the Predators. He is playing in his 200th NHL game.
“Play hard and simple,” Mintyukov said on the focus for the team after their recent poor run of play. “No stupid mistakes.”
-Cutter Gauthier (upper-body) had a light skate on Tuesday and is targeting a return on Sunday, Mar. 12 against the Vancouver Canucks, per Quenneville.
-Radko Gudas (lower-body) is “closer than he was before,” but has no projected timeline. “(If) he gets in a practice or two with the guys, could be playing right after that,” Quenneville said.
-Ross Johnston (lower-body) is entering week three of his initial projected three to four-week timeline. Quenneville said Johnston is progressing well and that he’ll start skating soon. “Tough to say, but we’ll keep with that forecast.”
Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville speaks to the media after their morning skate at Honda Center.
Ducks Projected Lines
Mikael Granlund - Leo Carlsson - Beckett Sennecke Chris Kreider - Ryan Poehling - Troy Terry Alex Killorn - Mason McTavish - Jeff Viel Frank Vatrano - Tim Washe - Ian Moore
Jackson LaCombe - Jacob Trouba Pavel Mintyukov - John Carlson Tyson Hinds - Drew Helleson
Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)
Predators Projected Lines
Steven Stamkos - Ryan O'Reilly - Zachary L'Heureux Filip Forsberg - Matthew Wood - Jonathan Marchessault Tyson Jost - Erik Haula - Luka Evangelista Reid Schaefer - Fedor Svechkov - Joakim Kemell
Brady Skjei - Roman Josi Adam Wilsby - Nick Perbix Ryan Ufko - Justin Barron
The battle to stay out of the play-in spots in the East is real, with the team in fifth just 3.5 games up on the team in 10th. Two of those squads collide tonight when the Toronto Raptors host the Miami Heat.
Both teams desperately need a win after a tough stretch of games. My Heat vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks tell you why Toronto will prevail against the spread on Tuesday, April 7.
Heat vs Raptors prediction
Heat vs Raptors best bet: Raptors -1.5 (-110)
The Miami Heat currently hold the last play-in spot in the East, but they trail the Toronto Raptors, who are just above the play-in spots in sixth place.
The Heat are coming off a win, but it was only their third in the last 11 games.
This will be an interesting stylistic matchup as Toronto’s defense tries to slow down the high-tempo Heat, who rank fifth in offensive rating since the All-Star break.
The Raptors do this frustrating thing where they show their potential for three quarters, before a typically poor fourth costs them the game, just like their most recent loss to the Celtics.
However, they tend to perform better when they’re supposed to win, and they’re slight home favorites here. Additionally, their strength remains at the defensive end of the floor, where they rank 10th in defensive rating for the second half of the season.
They also do a solid job on the perimeter, ranking eighth in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. This is important against a team that leads the NBA in pace and shots per game.
Meanwhile, the Heat rank 21st in defensive rating since the break. That should be enough to help Toronto cover this short spread at home and beat the Heat for the third time this season.
Heat vs Raptors same-game parlay
The Heat’s high pace of play and huge shooting output results in a lot of rebounds. Scottie Barnes has seen his rebounding numbers dip a bit lately, but he still averages 7.5 rebounds per game this season, and this is a great spot for him to get back to having a presence on the boards.
We also get a fun Norman Powell reunion tonight. The former Raptor returns to where he helped win an NBA championship in 2019, and the Toronto fans love him. Don’t be surprised if the guard, averaging 22.1 points per game this season, gets in a groove tonight.
Heat vs Raptors SGP
Raptors -1.5
Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
Norman Powell Over 17.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Heating the glass
The Raptors have also struggled on the glass of late, ranking 23rd in rebounding rate since the All-Star break. So, rebounds for all!
Heat vs Raptors SGP
Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
Brandon Ingram Over 5.5 rebounds
Andrew Wiggins Over 4.5 rebounds
Norman Powell Over 3.5 rebounds
Heat vs Raptors odds
Spread: Heat +1.5 | Raptors -1.5
Moneyline: Heat +100 | Raptors -120
Over/Under: Over 240 | Under 240
Heat vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors have covered the 1Q Spread in 12 of their last 16 games for +7.45 Units and a 41% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Raptors.
How to watch Heat vs Raptors
Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
TSN, FDSN-Sun
Heat vs Raptors 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.
Kentucky Basketball is receiving a wide range of projections in way-too-early 2026-27 Top 25 rankings, reflecting uncertainty after a season of key departures and transfers.
Projected starting five (before Jelavić’s transfer, though he could still return): G Trent Noah, G Collin Chandler, F Kam Williams, F Andrija Jelavić, C Malachi Moreno Projected key bench: Brayden Hawthorne, Mason Williams
Roster Status
Graduating: Otega Oweh, Walker Horn, Zach Tow
Transferring: Denzel Aberdeen (graduating), Jasper Johnson, Brandon Garrison, Jaland Lowe, Mo Dioubate, and Andrija Jelavić
Undecided: Trent Noah, Jayden Quaintance, Kam Williams, Collin Chandler, Brayden Hawthorne, Reece Potter
College/Testing NBA Draft Waters: Malachi Moreno
Mark Pope’s top priority will be retention, especially keeping 7-foot center Malachi Moreno, who averaged 7.8 points per game and has high breakout potential. Veteran shooting guard Collin Chandler, averaging 9.7 points, will also hopefully anchor the backcourt, though he has not 100% confirmed his return yet.
As the Wildcats navigate departures, transfers, and player development, fans are left watching closely how the roster takes shape and how early projections will adjust leading into the new season.
It’s still fairly early in 2026, but what a year it’s been for Carlos Beltran.
After finding out in January that he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the good news kept coming, including the most recent announcement that the former center fielder would be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame and have his No. 15 retired in September.
“2026 has been an incredible year for me, and also for my family. My daughter has been accepted to Columbia University here in New York, so I’m so excited for that, and the Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame for the Mets and now the number retired, I’m thinking about maybe a tattoo with 26,” Beltran said with a laugh on Tuesday afternoon. “My first tattoo, I don’t have any tattoos.
“But so happy, and honestly speaking I’m so grateful for the relationships in baseball and the ability to be around the team, the opportunity to be around the organization.”
Beltran, now a special assistant to David Stearns, played in parts of seven seasons for the Mets from 2005 to 2011, posting a slash line of .280/.369/.500 with 149 home runs, 559 RBI and 551 runs scored, ended up making five All-Star appearances as a Met, though he admitted his transition from playing in cities like Kansas City an Houston wasn’t the easiest, at least at first.
“There’s no doubt that New York is a different place to play baseball. The attention that you receive here as a baseball player, understanding the amount of people and media that you have to be available to after the games is different than in any city. I played for six different organizations in baseball and I never experienced in New York what I experienced in other organizations.
“I didn’t really understand the magnitude of playing in New York City. I knew that I wanted to be here, because I felt that at the point this organization was heading into, they were adding players that I thought were going to help this organization moving forward.”
Beltran admitted that he tried to play through injuries in 2005, his first year in New York, and he didn’t really find his rhythm until the 2006 season, when he helped lead the Mets to an appearance in the NLCS against St. Louis.
And while he said he felt “misunderstood” at times as a player, he now sees himself as a Met, and he’ll don the team’s cap when he gets enshrined in Cooperstown this summer.
“It really means a lot [to have my number retired], even though at times I feel like I was misunderstood,” Beltran said of his Mets tenure. “It’s sweet, it’s bitter at times, because I felt like there were moments where I was doing everything possible to try to connect with the fan base, but for some reason at times it was hard, because the message that was delivered sometimes out there about me didn’t allow me to connect with the fans.
“But believe it or not, this was the team where feel like I grew the most, as a character, as an individual, as a player. …. But the fact that I see myself as a Met; my identity as a baseball player is here. And working with this organization the past three years has also been incredible.”
Beltran will enter the Mets Hall of Fame and have his No. 15 retired during a pregame ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 19 prior to the 4:10 p.m. game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
It's fairly clear that Minnesota will be the No. 6 seed and Phoenix the No. 7 in the West, but that could become more official depending on what happens Tuesday. Here is what you need to know.
Playoff Scenarios
• Minnesota can clinch a playoff spot (and officially avoid the play-in) with a win over tanking Indiana and a Phoenix loss to Houston. • Conversely, the Suns can be locked into the play-in if they lose to the Rockets while the Timberwolves pick up the expected win over the Pacers. • Miami becomes locked into the East play-in with a loss on the road to Toronto.
Games to Watch
Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass
Miami's slim chances of getting out of the No. 10 seed in the East — and having to win two games on the road to make the playoffs — hinge on it racking up wins and getting help with one of Orlando/Charlotte/Philadelphia falling apart in the last week. Toronto is technically the No. 6 seed in the East but is just half a game ahead of the trio the Heat are chasing and needs wins to avoid the play-in. Toronto should be desperate, and if Miami loses this game it is locked into the play-in.
Charlotte Hornets at Boston Celtics, 8 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock
Orlando, Charlotte and Philadelphia are all 43-36 and tied for the 7/8/9 seeds in the East (and they are all just half a game back of No. 6 seed Toronto) — the Hornets need to win this game to help secure at least a top-eight seed and maybe climb out of the play-in altogether. Boston is likely to finish as the No. 2 seed in the East, but the Celtics are just 2.5 games ahead of the Knicks, so an ill-timed losing streak could see them fall a slot in the seedings. This is a potential first-round playoff preview, and Charlotte may be the team that the top three in the East would most like to avoid in the first round the way it has played of late.
Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns, 11 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock
Phoenix can, in theory, make up the three-game difference between these two teams and climb out of the play-in out West, but both of those things are unlikely. Houston should be the desperate team here, it is just one game back of the banged-up Lakers for the No. 4 seed in the West and getting to host a first-round playoff series (likely against those same Lakers). Both teams could use the win in this nightcap of the NBA Tuesday.
The Chicago Blackhawks have four games remaining in 2025-26, and all of them will take place at the United Center. They close out with games against the Carolina Hurricanes, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres, and San Jose Sharks.
All of those teams are either in a playoff spot or desperately pushing to try and get in, so it won't be an easy task in any of these matchups.
The Blackhawks will be solely focused on themselves as they try to finish the season strong. Every player on the roster is pushing to show what they can do ahead of next season, where they will be expected to take another step.
There are a lot of different storylines to keep an eye on when it comes to this team's final handful of games. These are the four that stick out with four games remaining.
1. The five-forward power play is starting to work well.
Over the last handful of games, Jeff Blashill has been using five forwards on the power play. Against the San Jose Sharks on Monday, this looked like a strong group that skated and moved the puck well with the man-advantage.
When asked if he would go back to this strategy next season, Blashill had a response that you would expect following a game where everything seemed to click:
"I’d have to be crazy not to," Blashill said on considering five forwards again in 2026-27. "I have no issue with five forwards. It doesn’t matter if it’s a forward or a [defenseman] back there. That doesn’t dictate whether or not you give up shorthanded chances. To me, it’s about the responsibility of the group. What it does is get the puck in Bedsy’s hands, and he’s the guy you want with the puck in his hands."
With five forwards on the ice, the defensive responsibility (assuming they allow the short-handed unit to get the puck and hang onto it) would be on whoever is playing at the point.
Things usually aren't negative for the Blackhawks when Connor Bedard has the puck on his stick. He is the best offensive player on the team, so getting him touches with the extra man out there is important.
Against the Sharks, Frank Nazar and Anton Frondell couldn't stop shooting the puck from the flanks, which was largely created by Bedard dancing around. In Chicago's case, it might be better to go with that instead of a defenseman at the top of the zone.
2. Kevin Korchinski's development is showing as the season comes to an end.
Kevin Korchinski was called up ahead of Matt Grzelcyk and Artyom Levshunov, who were ruled out for the season. In that stretch, he has shown great signs of development.
"He's not over-complicating it," head coach Jeff Blashill said of Korchinski. "He's using his feet to beat pressure, but then he's moving the puck to the open people. When he does that and defends with his feet, he's been a really good player."
When Korchinski was the 7th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks envisioned him as a high-end skating defenseman with great puck skills. It wasn't clicking at the NHL level early on, but he showed those skills in the AHL on a nightly basis.
Now, at 21 years old, he is starting to prove the scouting staff correct. It takes time, especially at this position with his skill set. It doesn't happen overnight. Heading into the summer, especially if he finishes strong over these four games, Kyle Davidson and his staff must work on getting him extended (RFA).
3. Anton Frondell and Sacha Boisvert are looking to have strong finishes to a wild season.
Anton Frondell and Sacha Boisvert were both inserted into the Chicago Blackhawks lineup late in the season. They have wildly different skillsets, but are each capable of contributing to the team in the long-term.
Boisvert, the 18th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, is a scrappy bottom-six forward who can play center or wing. In addition to playing a physical game (that includes fighting), he has a knack for goal scoring. As he adapts to the pro game, he should find success reaching the high-danger areas more frequently.
As for Frondell, he was the third overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft for a reason. Whether it's his two-way dominance, elite one-time shot, or tenacity in all three zones, he already fits into a top-six NHL role.
Whether he plays wing with a dynamic center or drives his own line as a center in the future remains to be seen, but the Blackhawks will certainly do their due diligence to figure out a great plan for him.
Going into the final four games of the season, expect both of them to skate like the wind. It's been a wild season for each of them, and they'd like to finish it strong.
4. Good Draft Lottery Odds are awaiting the front office.
The Chicago Blackhawks enter the final four games with the second-fewest amount of points in the National Hockey League. The Vancouver Canucks have locked in the best odds, but the Blackhawks could finish anywhere in the bottom five.
With some incredible teams rolling through town in the next few days, there is an opportunity for them to remain with the second-fewest amount of points. They have already improved their totals from a year ago, so one more year in the top three won't hurt them in any way. In fact, they would be guaranteed to add an elite prospect.
If they stick with the second-best odds, they will enter the lottery with a 13.5 percent chance of winning the first overall pick in the 2026 Draft. Picking first or second likely means one of Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg. Dropping outside of the top two could mean anything, as this is a deep draft with some big decisions yet to be made.
Although the young Blackhawks have no interest in dropping any of their final four games, every result will have the hockey world checking the standings at the bottom.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
It became abundantly clear by early April that this year’s rookie class has a chance to be a once in a generation influx of impact fantasy contributors. The excitement level for this current nucleus reached its high-water mark last Friday when Pirates prodigy Konnor Griffin became the first teenager to reach the majors since Juan Soto back in 2018. We’ve already seen flashes of present and future fantasy greatness from Kevin McGonigle, JJ Wetherholt, Sal Stewart, Carson Benge, and Chase DeLauter.
The ever-expanding list of potential high-impact rookie talent this season also includes Samuel Basallo, Trey Yesavage, Andrew Painter, Bryce Eldridge, Carter Jensen, Bubba Chandler, Connelly Early and Justin Crawford. Technically, Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami qualify too. Not to mention that potential franchise cornerstones like Leo De Vries, Colt Emerson and Jesús Made are on the horizon. We’re also due for some out-of-nowhere stars emerging. It’s an exciting and slightly overwhelming moment for fantasy managers to have to draw firm conclusions about prospects as they reach the majors faster than ever before.
The actionable conclusion, especially in dynasty formats, is to start thinking about the next wave instead of marveling at the present tsunami crashing into the shore. Here’s an oversimplification: Waves don’t begin at the shoreline, they form far offshore, building shape and momentum long before anyone on the beach takes notice. This week’s Rotoworld Dynasty Stock Watch examines seven prospects on the rise with varying trajectories and timelines to the big leagues that fantasy managers should be prioritizing in trade discussions.
⚾ Baseball is back! MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.
There are professional debuts, and then there’s whatever Hernandez did last Friday in his season debut for Low-A Bradenton, recording eight strikeouts over three scoreless innings. The 19-year-old prodigy was selected sixth overall in last year's MLB Draft as the consensus top prep pitching arm in the class and certainly lived up to the hype. He topped out at 99.3 mph and generated an eye-popping 18 swinging strikes on 39 pitches (30 strikes) in the abbreviated outing.
He's still a hyperspace jump or two, to borrow a Star Wars metaphor, from reaching the big leagues, but he's clearly one of the top pitching prospects in the fantasy landscape already. He'll be one of the biggest risers in dynasty rankings over the next few months and is on a trajectory to blossom into one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.
James Tibbs III, OF, Dodgers
There would be a path to major-league at-bats for Tibbs in virtually every other organization, but there appears to be no clear avenue to regular playing time in Los Angeles, barring an unexpected development. The 23-year-old former first-round pick, who was traded by both the Red Sox and Giants last year, is making plenty of noise on the doorstep of the majors, hitting .474 (18-for-38) with seven homers and 13 RBI through nine games at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
James Tibbs III is off to an INSANE start to 2026 at Triple-A for the Dodgers
He won’t sustain this surreal pace much longer, but it’s increasingly likely he forces his way to the big leagues later this season, whether with the Dodgers or elsewhere. Tibbs could fit in a righty-mashing platoon role alongside someone like Teoscar Hernández, but Los Angeles is unlikely to carve out consistent at-bats unless he gives them a reason over the coming months.
The alternative is another organization overwhelming the Dodgers with an offer to make him an everyday player. The simplest way to put it: Tibbs looks ready for the majors, and someone is going to give him that opportunity soon.
Ryan Sloan, SP, Mariners
Sloan has been a household name in dynasty formats for a couple years at this juncture, but he’s a bit underrated from a national standpoint, especially with southpaw Kade Anderson drawing a ton of attention in the same system. The 20-year-old possesses the complete fantasy ace starter kit, featuring upper-echelon velocity, elite spin rates and the ability to command his electric arsenal. He routinely touches the upper 90s with his fastball and pairs it with a hard-biting slider capable of neutralizing left-handed hitters.
MLB's No. 4 RHP prospect Ryan Sloan (@Mariners) retires his final 7 batters faced and finishes with 4 K's across 4 IP in his Double-A @ARTravs debut: pic.twitter.com/VbW0WYZBNZ
He allowed three runs with four strikeouts over four innings in his season debut last Saturday for Double-A Arkansas after posting a 3.73 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 90/15 K/BB ratio across 82 innings in the lower minors last year. There’s a potential buying opportunity for dynasty managers if Sloan isn’t being valued like a future ace in trade discussions, and he’s a worthwhile stash in deeper mixed leagues given the strong possibility he reaches the majors later this summer.
Sam Antonacci, 2B/OF, White Sox
Antonacci announced his presence to the broader fantasy audience during last month’s World Baseball Classic and has looked like an everyday big leaguer early in the Triple-A season, hitting .346 (9-for-26) with two homers and three steals in seven games. He’s also drawn eight walks while striking out just three times over that span.
Sam Antonacci homers for the 2nd straight game to begin his Triple-A @KnightsBaseball tenure ⚡️
The 23-year-old has clearly added strength after hitting just five homers in 139 games across the previous two minor-league seasons. The uptick in power, combined with his well-rounded skill set and defensive versatility, should make him a viable fantasy contributor in deeper formats once he reaches the majors. He doesn’t offer the same upside as some of the other names in this space, but his proximity to the majors and recent improvements have driven a rapid rise in his stock.
Brody Hopkins, SP, Rays
Hopkins boasts one of the more imposing power arsenals among pitching prospects, featuring triple-digit fastball velocity paired with a curveball and changeup that can both touch 90 mph. The 24-year-old flamethrower has allowed just one run with a 10/7 K/BB ratio across nine innings over two starts for Triple-A Durham.
He has a chance to reach Tampa Bay later this season after a dominant run at Double-A Montgomery last year, where he posted a 2.72 ERA with a 141/60 K/BB ratio across 116 innings. Hopkins is an elite pitching prospect worth monitoring closely, especially with only veterans like Steven Matz and Nick Martinez standing between him and a potential rotation spot in one of the more pitcher-friendly home parks in baseball. He could be one of the top-ranked dynasty pitching prospects by midseason.
George Lombard Jr., SS, Yankees
Lombard is ready to play shortstop at the highest level from a defensive standpoint. The 20-year-old former first-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft struggled over 108 games at Double-A last year, but he’s off to a strong start in a return to the level, going 6-for-9 with three extra-base hits and one steal through two games.
Hard to get better than George Lombard Jr.'s season debut.
He would represent a clear long-term defensive upgrade over Anthony Volpe at shortstop, and his timeline to the majors could accelerate if he proves capable of handling upper-minors pitching over the next few months. He doesn’t project as a fantasy superstar—particularly if batting average remains an issue—but his blend of double-digit home run and stolen base potential provides a path to mixed-league relevance soon.
Luis Hernandez, SS, Giants
Sometimes, you know it when you see it. The top international prospect from the 2026 signing class, Hernandez drew rave reviews from scouts and evaluators during spring training and will skip the Dominican Summer League altogether, making his stateside debut soon in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
The switch-hitting shortstop is more about projection than present tools from a fantasy perspective, but similar things were said about Leo De Vries and Jesús Made at this stage of their development. The aggressive assignment is a clear indication that San Francisco believes he can handle the challenge and move quickly through the system. He’s still several years away from the majors, but a strong showing over the next few months could vault him near the top of most dynasty rankings.
Andrew Fischer, 3B, Brewers
Fischer was one of the prospect standouts during last month’s World Baseball Classic, hitting .357 (5-for-14) with three extra-base hits in four games. The 21-year-old first-round pick from last year’s MLB Draft posted an .848 OPS in 19 games at High-A Wisconsin during his pro debut. He’ll open this season at the same level but could reach Double-A by the summer. If he shows improved strike-zone control in the upper minors, he could arrive in Milwaukee as a legitimate middle-of-the-order power bat as soon as 2027.
The New York Yankees have the scariest lineup in baseball, and today they host the A's and righty Aaron Civale, whom they have history of dominating.
That AL clash headlines my three favorite MLB picks in the "no run first inning" and "yes run first inning" markets today.
Here are my best free YRFI and NRFI bets for Tuesday, April 7.
Best NRFI/YRFI bets today
Pick
Odds
/ - NRFI
-120
/ - YRFI
-115
/ - YRFI
+118
Cubs at Rays: NRFI (-120)
Javier Assad makes his season debut for the Chicago Cubs and has pitched to a solid 3.43 ERA across 331 innings in his MLB career. He takes on the Tampa Bay Rays, who are 29th in the majors in barrel rate and 25th in hard-hit rate.
The Cubs have also struggled at the plate, ranking 25th in OPS (.628), with that number dropping to .557 over their last three games.
The Rays are giving the pill to Drew Rasmussen, who has logged a sparkling 2.68 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP in 83 career starts with Tampa Bay.
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Marquee Sports Net | Rays.TV
Athletics at Yankees: YRFI (-115)
The New York Yankees have the best lineup in the AL and have scored in the first inning in 44.4% of their games.
They face Athletics starter Aaron Civale, who pitched to a 4.85 ERA in 102 innings last season. Civale has an ugly 6.35 ERA with a 1.65 WHIP in seven career starts against the Yankees.
The A's also have a talented lineup anchored by Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers. The A's are seventh in the majors in exit velocity, and the 20 mph wind blowing towards the outfield today will help both offenses.
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBC Sports CA | YES
Mariners at Rangers: YRFI (+118)
The Seattle Mariners are ice-cold at the plate. That said, this is virtually the same lineup that mashed on the road last year, and proven sluggers like Cal Raleigh, Josh Naylor, and Julio Rodriguez will eventually break out.
They face Texas Rangers righty Nathan Eovaldi, who has surrendered 16 hits and 11 runs through 8 2/3 frames.
Meanwhile, M's starter George Kirby struggles away from the pitcher-friendly confines of T-Mobile Park. He had a 5.16 ERA with an OBA of .279 on the road last year, and the Rangers are second in the majors in hard-hit rate and exit velocity.
Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Mariners.TV | Rangers Sports Network
Rohit's 2026 Transparency Record
NRFI/YRFI picks: 7-7, -0.27 units
What is a NRFI bet?
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.
A YRFI bet is the exact opposite. You're betting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.
NRFI and YRFI bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.
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.
The reaction was predictable; the Lakers came out flat against an already eliminated Dallas Mavericks team on Sunday. They were able to fight back behind a 30-point, 15-assist effort from LeBron James and a triple-double by trade deadline acquisition Luke Kennard, but Cooper Flagg had arguably his signature moment of his rookie season with 45 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to outlast LA 134-128, handing the shorthanded Lakers their second straight loss.
In the meantime, the other teams in the running for the third seed – the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets – have surged. The Nuggets have won nine in a row and overtook the Lakers for third place with their comeback over the Portland Trail Blazers, Monday, April 6. The Rockets, trailing by just one game, have also been red-hot with a six-game winning streak of their own.
So how much room do the Lakers have for error – if any at all? Here's what lies ahead for each team in the final week of the season:
Luka Dončić's MVP campaign was put to a premature end when he suffered a grade 2 left hamstring strain in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He's been ruled out for the remaining five games in the regular season, with his status unclear for the playoffs.
The standard timeline for a grade 2 hamstring strain is four-to-six weeks, which would make a return in the first round highly unlikely, but Dončić is currently in Spain to undergo an injection procedure in an attempt to expedite his recovery timeline. It's currently unclear how effective this treatment is or how much it can speed up the healing process.
Austin Reaves also went down with a grade 2 left oblique strain in the same game; he is also expected to miss 4-6 weeks as he rehabs in Los Angeles. If both timelines go completely as expected, the Lakers would likely need to advance to the second round in order for Dončić and Reaves to return to the floor.
LeBron James also landed on Monday's injury report as questionable for their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with left foot injury management, which has been persistent over the past month or so. Given the Lakers' reliance on the 41-year-old to carry them at least through the first round, it wouldn't be surprising for him to have a night off in at least one of the four games left in the regular season.
Remaining schedules for the Lakers, Nuggets and Rockets
Here are all the games left for each of the teams in the running for the No. 3 seed in the West:
Lakers remaining games
Tuesday, April 7: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Thursday, April 9: at Golden State Warriors
Friday, April 10: vs. Phoenix Suns
Sunday, April 12: vs. Utah Jazz
Nuggets remaining games
Wednesday, April 8: vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Friday, April 10: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Sunday, April 12: at San Antonio Spurs
Rockets remaining games
Tuesday, April 7: at Phoenix Suns
Thursday, April 9: vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Friday, April 10: vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Sunday, April 12: vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Who has the edge?
The Nuggets have championship experience and one of the greatest centers to ever play the game on their side in Nikola Jokić, but they unequivocally have the toughest remaining schedule out of the three teams. Denver's final two games are against the top two seeds in the West -- though Victor Wembanyama's status might be up in the air for that game.
The Rockets have endured plenty of growing pains along the way, but they're ending the season on just as strong of a note as they started it. This is the youngest of the teams vying for the third seed, and Kevin Durant is still every bit the matchup nightmare he's always been (burner accounts aside). Three of their final four games are against teams jockeying for playoff positioning, and their penultimate meeting with the Timberwolves can likely decide who ends up with the fifth seed.
The Lakers – on paper at least – have the most favorable remaining schedule after Tuesday's game against OKC, but their backs are against the wall after dropping a winnable game in Dallas. The Warriors are still trying to find their rhythm, but Steph Curry looked like himself in his return April 5, which could spell danger for anyone in the West. The Suns might still be fighting to get into the top six, but odds are they'll be locked into the play-in by then. The Lakers then finish off against the tanking Utah Jazz.
The third seed is still within reach, but LA is going to need their role players to step up, like Deandre Ayton had during their 15-2 March or how Luke Kennard did with his triple-double on Sunday. James has shown that he can still pull off amazing feats on the court, but it can't come down to just him if this shorthanded Lakers team is going to survive.
Game 77 tonight against the St Louis Blues can be a big one for the Colorado Avalanche, as not only could they secure first in the Central Division and lock up first place in the Western Conference, but they could also secure the Presidents' Trophy, with the help of some other teams, of course.
If they want to win the Central Division and finish first as West #1, the stipulations for tonight are as follows:
- A win versus St. Louis Blues (regulation or overtime, need the two points) -OR; One point versus the Blues and the Dallas Stars lose to the Calgary Flames (in any fashion) -OR: Stars regulation loss versus Flames
It's as simple as that for the Avalanche: secure a point against the Blues and hope the Flames don't pull off an upset against the Stars, who are starting Jake Oettinger tonight.
Granted, the Flames are 6-3-1 in their last ten, and the Stars are 3-5-2 in their last ten, so both teams are both hot and cold going against each other tonight. Though the last time each faced each other was back on March 3, where the Stars took a massive 6-1 victory over the Flames.
Presidents Trophy Stipulation
Now this is where the Avalanche start to rely on more than just one team if they hope to secure the Presidents' Trophy tonight. Here are the stipulations needed if the Avalanche wants to secure the 2025/26 Presidents' Trophy:
- Avalanche regulation win against the Blues, AND Carolina Hurricanes lose in regulation to the Boston Bruins -OR; Overtime/shootout win versus the Blues, Hurricanes regulation loss to the Bruins, AND the Tampa Bay Lightning don't secure a regulation win against the Ottawa Senators.
It's a bit more congested for the Avalanche if they want to secure the Presidents' Trophy tonight, as the stars need to align perfectly for them, which is hard with that many stipulations.
The Hurricanes have already clinched a playoff spot, but the Bruins are currently holding the top wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference with 95 points, and the teams below them are not too far away from reaching their point total.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have already clinched a playoff spot, but they're fighting for first in the Atlantic against the Buffalo Sabers, who are tied with them in points, both with 102.
The Ottawa Senators are fighting to keep that last wildcard spot, as there are four other Eastern Conference teams creeping up on them, ready to take that spot with just a matter of one win.
The Avalanche are in a comfortable spot to secure both. Will they get both tonight against the Blues? Time will only tell if all stipulations fall their way.
/
- NRFI
/
- YRFI
/
- YRFI
