Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther offers value on his plus-money assist prop when he and the Nuggets host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Strawther recorded two assists in limited minutes against Oklahoma City and has finished with at least two assists in seven of his 11 February games.
With a high game total and an up-tempo projected pace, extra possessions should create more secondary playmaking chances that I expect Strawther to take full advantage of.
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ABC
Prop #2: Taylor Hendricks Over 1.5 assists
+180 at bet365
Taylor Hendricks has made an immediate impact since joining the Memphis Grizzlies.
The former UCF standout is averaging more than 25 minutes per game and contributing across the stat sheet, including at least two assists in six of his last eight outings.
Memphis prefers to push the pace, and the Indiana Pacers play even faster, which should increase possession volume. In a fast-paced matchup with expanded minutes, Hendricks should clear his modest assist total.
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, FanDuel Sports Network
Prop #3: Luguentz Dort Over 1.5 assists
+140 at bet365
We’ll close the night in Dallas with Luguentz Dort at plus money on his assist prop.
Dort consistently logs 25+ minutes and has quietly become a capable secondary playmaker. He is surrounded by high-efficiency scorers, and the Oklahoma City Thunder face a Dallas Mavericks defense allowing 30 assists per game over its last 10 contests.
Dallas also plays at an above-average pace, increasing the amount of game possessions. With opportunity and matchup aligned, Dort offers strong value to clear his assist total for the fifth time in six games.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network, Oklahoma KFAA-TV
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After getting shut out in LA, the Calgary Flames are right back at it Sunday in Anaheim.
My Flames vs. Ducks prediction and NHL picks have Calgary keeping this to a tight defensive affair with the Ducks, as they try to get on track for a late-season push for a Wild Card berth.
Flames vs Ducks prediction
Flames vs Ducks best bet: Under 6.5 (-120)
The Calgary Flames have had great success against the Anaheim Ducks, going 7-1-2 in the last 10 overall. In five of those wins, they held Anaheim to two goals or fewer.
Calgary is the second-lowest scoring team in the NHL at 2.48 goals per game, but the Ducks own the second-worst goals against in the league, allowing 3.52 goals against.
While it might be tempting to take the Flames on the puckline, they’ve lost five straight playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Instead, I’m going to target the Under, which is 6-1-0 in Calgary games on a second consecutive night.
Flames vs Ducks same-game parlay
Prior to the 2-0 loss to LA, Connor Zary had goals in consecutive games in wins over Edmonton and San Jose. He also has one career goal in five games vs Anaheim.
Cutter Gauthier has topped his 3.5 shot line in seven of the last 13 games, but missed it by just a single shot in four other games. He’s gone Over this line in two of the last three against Calgary.
Flames vs Ducks SGP
Under 6.5 goals
Zary anytime goalscorer
Gauthier Over 3.5 shots on goal
Flames vs Ducks odds
Moneyline: Flames +140 | Ducks -170
Puck Line: Flames +1.5 (-185) | Ducks -1.5 (+150)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 | Under 6.5
Flames vs Ducks trend
Calgary has covered the puck line seven straight games as underdogs vs Anaheim.. Find more NHL betting trends for Flames vs. Ducks.
How to watch Flames vs Ducks
Location
Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Date
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Puck drop
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
Sportsnet West
Flames vs Ducks latest injuries
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.
Aug 23, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielder Randal Grichuk (15) hits during an at bat in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images | Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
Organizational depth and a quality bench could be connected, but they don’t necessarily mean the same thing. The Yankees have an option in Jasson Domínguez who, for all the reservations some of us may have, most teams would be perfectly willing to hand him the reins and at least try to maintain a starting gig. As things currently stand, that won’t be the case, but at the same time, the Yankees can’t simply restrict him to coming off the bench, as it’d likely be detrimental to his development. The better option to fill that role of a fourth outfielder for New York is Randal Grichuk, signed to a minor league deal a few days ago.
If we strictly look at Grichuk’s production last year, it’s hard to argue he’d represent a better fit than anything the Yankees might turn to in-house, acknowledging Grichuk will earn a 2.5 million salary if he makes the Opening Day roster. The veteran right-handed hitter followed up an exciting 2024 campaign with arguably the worst season of his career. Grichuk was treading water with a 99 OPS+ in a little under 200 plate appearances for Arizona before being shipped off to Kansas City at the deadline, where he struggled mightily, producing a .566 OPS in 105 plate appearances with the Royals.
On a very basic level, Grichuk is predictable in his unpredictability, and this volatility is what makes him attainable with little to no resistance or risk. Over the last three seasons, he’s been good with the Rockies, then not good with the Angels, good again with the Diamondbacks, then very bad with the Royals.
A closer look at that 2025 campaign would suggest Grichuk got severely unlucky with his final stat line, and there is a nice blend of contact and power to be tapped into here. Grichuk ended the year with an impressive average exit velocity of 92.4 MPH, and he did it all without chasing that much, and most importantly, making a ton of contact in the zone (north of 90 percent). The .452 xSLG Grichuk ended the season showing there was a lot more there to work with.
A hitter with a strikeout rate of 28.3 percent in his first five seasons in the bigs, Grichuk has taken the less-traveled road of a player who’s able to drastically cut down his strikeout rate. Even through his worst period of the 2025 season, Grichuk’s strikeout rate of 21 percent with the Royals was manageable, in part thanks to his ability to make consistent contact in the zone. Odds are, Grichuk won’t deliver a big campaign for the Yankees, and as things currently stand, it’s unclear if he even makes the roster. What’s undeniable is that for what he costs, a hitter who showed his contact skills and raw power represents a worthwhile gamble for a team in need of a better bench.
After covering the potential for improvement, what’s been consistent throughout Grichuk’s career is his reliability to perform significantly better against left-handed pitching, something particularly appealing for a team with two-thirds of its starting outfield being left-handed hitters. Back in 2024, Grichuk delivered a .319/.386/.528 slash line against southpaws, and throughout his entire career, the outfielder has an OPS north of .800 against southpaws.
Spencer Jones and Jasson Domínguez are doing quite well during the start of spring, but neither fits the profile of what the Yankees would look for in a fourth outfielder. Grichuk is this team’s clear-cut top option right now.
DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 27: Tyus Jones #1 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by Cam Spencer #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on February 27, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In what was apparently a joint decision, the Dallas Mavericks have waived former Duke point guard Tyus Jones.
For the Mavericks, it opens up a path to sign rookie Ryan Nembhard. The Gonzaga product was on a two-way and has exceeded expectations.
As for Jones, he would like to be on a playoff team. If things go well, he’ll end up on a solid team with reasonable postseason prospects. He’s a very reliable point guard and was a superb backup earlier in his career.
He’s been in the NBA for 11 years now and at some point, everyone ages out. When he does, he’s someone who you’d think would have a future in coaching. His basketball IQ is off the charts.
The Philadelphia Flyers may have a keeper on their hands when it comes to goalie Dan Vladar, but keeping the veteran beyond his two-year contract may prove to be costly.
Vladar, 28, is in the first year of the two-year, $6.7 million ($3.35 million AAV) contract he signed with the Flyers on the first day of free agency on July 1 and can sign an extension with Philadelphia as soon as this upcoming July 1.
The big question mark, of course, is that Vladar will be 30 years old when he plays his first game on an extension, and the Flyers have prospects Carson Bjarnason and Egor Zavragin quickly climbing the ranks.
There's also no telling what the future holds for Aleksei Kolosov, who has undergone a career resurgence in the AHL this season.
So, while the Flyers do have to consider Vladar's age and his long-term future in Philadelphia, they also have to consider their options if they choose to move on at some point; his trade value will probably never be higher than it is now.
There are also no guarantees his repeated feats in goal are sustainable.
Sam Ersson's odds of having a future with the Flyers are all but nil after consecutive seasons riddled with injuries and maddeningly inconsistent performances.
And for the Flyers as an organization, the successful quest of finding a goaltender like Vladar was certainly more of a flash in the pan than a trend.
If Vladar is moved at peak value instead of staying put for several years at an increased cost, the Flyers' external options would include pending free agents Stuart Skinner, Matt Murray, David Rittich, and Daniil Tarasov.
Potential trade candidates would include Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Akira Schmid, Alex Lyon, and Jordan Binnington. All in all, not the most convincing group with the hassle of moving a well-liked player and bringing another in.
As for the rotational goalie or 1B goalie market, it's worth noting that MacKenzie Blackwood, Logan Thompson, Adin Hill, and Filip Gustavsson are all making (or set to be making) north of $5 million on the cap annually.
The most apt reference for Vladar's next contract might be that of Kevin Lankinen, who was the recipient of a five-year, $22.5 million ($4.5 million AAV) contract after a similar breakout season last year.
Lankinen, 30, has a full no-move clause in each of his first two seasons of the contract, which converts to a 15-team no-trade list in the final three years of the pact.
Should Vladar successfully bargain for a similar contract, that could very well look like five years and $25 million. It's not too terrible a price to pay for the Flyers, but it would behoove them to identify their future piece(s) in net before the inevitable decline in performance hits them.
Between Bjarnason, Kolosov, and Zavragin, the Flyers have a fine base to work with, but they ought to draft at least one more goalie and further add to the NHL mix before next season, given their lack of workable intermediate options behind Vladar.
After a dominant 26-save performance against his former team, the Boston Bruins, Vladar now sits at 18-9-6 on the season with a 2.42 GAA and a .907 save percentage while starting a career-high 34 games and counting.
The Czech Olympian has more than earned a big contract wherever he ends up next, and the Flyers will have to make a decision on his future sooner than later.
With the playoffs looking unlikely at this point, the Maple Leafs could be sellers at the NHL trade deadline for the first time since 2016, the last time they missed the playoffs.
They've got several unrestricted free agents, as well as a few other players who could bring value back to Toronto, whose prospect and draft cupboard is pretty bare. This is a chance to re-tool so that next season, they're primed to get back into the playoff picture.
But who's most likely to go? Who's destined to be on another team in their quest for destiny later this spring?
1. Bobby McMann
Of the Maple Leafs' UFAs this summer, Bobby McMann's name seems to come up most often.
The 29-year-old is having a career season, approaching highs in goals, assists, and points. His speed, strength, and shot are also attributes that teams could value in the playoffs.
McMann burst onto the scene in the NHL with Toronto in 2023-24. His 15 goals through 56 games had him in sixth among Maple Leafs players that year. In every season since, McMann's game has grown more prominent, eventually landing him in an almost regular top-six role with Toronto this season.
But with how the Maple Leafs' year has gone, they could get considerable value for McMann if they were to move him.
There have been reports that the Maple Leafs would like a first-round pick for the forward, and it would be incredible if Toronto could recuperate something like that. At the same time, though, could there be value in keeping McMann?
He's in his prime. Toronto also doesn't have very many players behind McMann who play a similar game. It seems to be very much still in play.
At the end of it all, it depends on what McMann wants money-wise and what the Maple Leafs are willing to pay.
Nevertheless, the forward is at the top of our list for a reason: NHL teams will definitely value his services. And if you can get a first-round pick for him, who could say no to that?
2. Oliver Ekman-Larsson
At $3.5 million for two more seasons after this one, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is an attractive defenseman for teams that are pushing for the Stanley Cup.
The 34-year-old's eight goals and 35 points in 60 games are the most among Maple Leafs defensemen and the fifth-most on the team. Ekman-Larsson can also quarterback the power play, which he's done plenty this season with Toronto. He's also coming off an Olympics with Team Sweden.
Don't forget the defenseman also won it all with the Florida Panthers in 2025.
Teams value that.
While there'll likely be plenty of suitors inquiring about what it'll take to acquire Ekman-Larsson, the Maple Leafs may still want to keep him. He has a 16-team no-trade list, too, so the defenseman does have a bit of say in what occurs with his future.
Ekman-Larsson is arguably Toronto's best defenseman. They don't have to move him if they don't want to. But because of the lack of assets, maybe GM Treliving looks at trading him before the deadline.
3. Scott Laughton
One year ago, Scott Laughton was ready for the inevitable of being traded away from the Philadelphia Flyers, the only NHL team he's ever known.
Now, he's facing the same reality again.
Like McMann, the veteran forward is approaching July 1 without a contract. Since being acquired by the Maple Leafs last spring for Nikita Grebenkin and a 2027 first-round pick, Laughton has tallied 10 goals and 16 points through 62 games.
"I didn't think I'd probably be in this situation," Laughton said on Saturday, ahead of their game against the Ottawa Senators. "It’s tough to think about, but at the same time, you got to come in and do a job to the best of your ability. I want to be in the fight with these guys."
What teams might value with Laughton is his leadership and faceoff abilities. His 56.7 percent faceoff win percentage is among the top 20 in the NHL. Toronto could also retain some of his $3 million salary, which could entice teams even further.
He and McMann are also candidates to be re-signed by the Maple Leafs. But what does general manager Brad Treliving value more? Getting assets, or bringing those two back on new contracts?
Toronto has three picks in this year's draft, none of which are in the first two rounds. At some point, you've got to recoup some assets. Those two guys could give you the best chance at doing so.
4. Brandon Carlo
There was chatter about trading Brandon Carlo last summer, and it appears it's picked up again ahead of this deadline.
The positives: he's a right-shot defenseman, big, strong, and only makes $3.485 million with the Maple Leafs. Carlo is still young, too, at 29.
It's clear things haven't worked out as much as everyone hoped when the Maple Leafs acquired Carlo for Fraser Minten and a conditional 2026 first-round pick last spring. But it's certain teams will still value the 6-foot-5 defenseman.
Maybe Toronto retains even more salary to heighten the price tag?
With how young Carlo still is, I'd bet the Maple Leafs keep him and hope for a better season next year. If that occurs, they're in a pretty good position with a big, strong, and mobile defender who can also play big minutes on the penalty kill.
5. Calle Jarnkrok
Among Toronto's forward group, Calle Jarnkrok is the only other UFA aside from Laughton and McMann.
Here's the thing: if the Maple Leafs aren't going to make the playoffs, which it seems like they won't, every UFA should be made available. Jarnkrok has six goals and one assist in 38 games this season, which isn't the most flattering when you look at his $2.1 million annual average value.
However, if Toronto tells teams they'd be open to retaining some of that salary, maybe a club goes for the Swede?
Jarnkrok is a strong penalty killer and can provide goals from time to time. On the other side, though, is: will he be an effective player for teams headed to the playoffs?
He hasn't had much success with Toronto in recent years.
Either way, Toronto needs to get anything they can for the forward. If a team offers a late pick, Treliving has got to take it.
After a disappointing overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday, Martin St-Louis said his Montreal Canadiens had stopped playing in the last 10 minutes of the game, and on Saturday night against the Washington Capitals, the Habs were hoping to make up for it. The bench boss had elected to make a few changes to his lineup: Jayden Struble was in for Arber Xhekaj, Zachary Bolduc for Alexandre Texier, and Jakub Dobes was playing his first game since the Olympic break after Samuel Montembeault played on Thursday night.
Caufield Everywhere
The Canadiens didn’t have the best first frame, but Cole Caufield had come ready to play. The sniper scored goals number 34 and 35 on the season in the first frame and could have had another pair had it not been for two big saves by Charlie Lindgren.
In the first 20 minutes, the Habs only took seven shots on goal, and four of them came from the diminutive winger’s stick. He was the only Montreal forward to test the netminder, with the other three shots all coming from blueliners.
The goalscorer really had a busy first frame, since he also blocked two shots and landed a hit. There’s definitely a reason why they call him Mr. Saturday night. With his two goals, he’s now on pace for 49 on the season. One must start to wonder whether he may make it to 50 at this stage.
At the end of the game, Caufield had taken five shots on net, or 20% of the team’s output, on top of having one attempt blocked and another shot that missed the net. He finished his night with a plus-three rating and must have felt like he had accomplished his mission.
Mise à jour : À égalité au PREMIER rang des marqueurs de la LNH le samedi (avec 15 buts) – c'est du vol
Through 40 minutes, Dobes had only given a single goal, on a rebound that wasn’t cleared in front of the net, low-hanging fruit for Alexander Ovechkin. He looked in control and poised in front of the net, playing with a lot of confidence. Twice when he couldn’t control a rebound, he harpooned the puck to prevent a second shot.
In the second frame, seeing that Ovechkin was on his way to a breakaway if he caught up to the loose puck, the netminder came way out of his net to handle the puck and neutralize the danger.
He faced the Capitals' power play four times, and each time, he denied them, even though Ovechkin stayed on the net for the full duration and had a couple of his patented shots from the side.
It’s also good to see a goaltender who is energetic and aggressive in the net. Once, after he had immobilized the puck under his glove, Tom Wilson poked it loose, and Dobes gave him a paddle whack in return. The Czech netminder plays with a certain swagger and just won’t be intimidated.
He gave up another goal in the final frame, but it was once again scored by Ovechkin, who had managed to slide in undetected in front of the goaltender and had an easy tap-in when the pass came from behind the goal line. The goal was down to a lack of defensive coverage, with nobody covering the opponent’s most dangerous player.
If St-Louis meant what he said after the Olympics about each goaltender getting a game and then taking it day-to-day as to who would be in net afterwards, Dobes had to be in the pole position to play on Tuesday night. There’s no need to anoint a number one netminder, but the one who plays the best should play the most; it’s as simple as that.
In Game Improvement
On the Canadiens' first two power plays, they controlled the puck nicely and passed it around a lot, but failed to take a single shot on net, always looking for the perfect play. When another penalty was called against the Capitals, St-Louis felt he needed to talk to his men:
Firstly, Suzi was very tired; he had just finished a long shift, so I asked him. Secondly, it was about understanding where we were in the game. If shots get blocked, for Lane, it’s about knowing their guys are going to go the other way. Even if shots don’t get blocked, the guy at the top can cheat a bit. I reminded Lane that he had to respect that, if they go, you need to go too. But it was also about closing the game with a goal, not just enjoying puck possession for two minutes, but also attacking in a calculated manner, because you have to be ready for what can stem from that attack.
- St-Louis on taking a timeout
While they didn’t score on that power play, the players really took what the coach said on board, and they did press to get some shots on net, even though only Juraj Slafkovsky’s got through. 48 hours after seeing his team squander a lead, the coach had the presence of mind to refocus them when they had an opportunity to close out the game.
In the end, it was a deserved 6-2 win thanks to a couple of empty netter goals.
The Canadiens' next game will be on Tuesday night, when they take on the San Jose Sharks at 10:00 PM. After Saturday’s win, the practice scheduled for Sunday was cancelled and turned into a travel day; the coach smiled, saying the six-hour flight would be much more enjoyable after a win.
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Bryson Stott #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies scores against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a spring training baseball game at BayCare Ballpark on February 27, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today is something of a big day for the Phillies. Andrew Painter makes his spring debut for the team as they look to see if he is the best option for the fifth spot in the rotation. There has been excitement surrounding him this camp as he works his way back from a disappointing 2025, so we should be also excited to see him.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - MARCH 15, 2025: Vance Honeycutt #18 of the Baltimore Orioles rounds third base on an inside-the-park home run during the fourth inning of a Spring Breakout game against the New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium on March 15, 2025 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Hello, friends.
We have made it to the month that has real Orioles baseball! It is March and Opening Day is 25 days away. From now through the 23rd, though, the O’s will be playing near-daily exhibition games to keep getting ready for the season. A road trip to the Red Sox spring home awaits with a 1:05 start time this afternoon. This game will be on both TV and radio in the Baltimore area.
Yesterday’s spring training game ended up in the loss column as the Orioles were on the wrong end of a 7-5 score in their game against the Braves. The ultimate difference-maker late in the game was reliever Chayce McDermott giving up three solo home runs in the span of three pitches. Not great! It is often the case in spring training games that some guy who was never going to matter for that year’s team is the one to struggle late, so it’s not important.
McDermott is someone who the Orioles are hoping will succeed. His struggles matter a bit more than some complete random guy. Although maybe they shouldn’t, which is a whole separate thing. Nothing about the career statistics of McDermott paint him as a guy to be relied upon for anything, and he’s 27 now so it’s not like he’s even really still a prospect or anything. Regardless, he’s not in the projected Opening Day bullpen and any McDermott dislikers can hope that other players will pass him by in short order.
Some good things did happen in yesterday’s loss. Namely, Adley Rutschman hit his first homer of the spring and had a double off of Spencer Strider earlier in the spring. Also, the possible revival of outfield prospect Vance Honeycutt continues. The strikeout-prone slugger hit his third home run since spring games began – this one off of seven-year MLB veteran pitcher Sean Reid-Foley. It’s not like Honeycutt roughed up some High-A jabroni who was there just in case.
Does it mean anything yet? Probably not, but Honeycutt continues to be interesting and he might just be worth keeping more of an eye on when the real games begin than he would have been if he wasn’t having this kind of spring. With multiple Orioles outfielders committed to World Baseball Classic teams, there will be a little time for Honeycutt to keep playing deeper into camp than a player in his situation might have otherwise gotten.
Breaking down the bubble of Orioles roster battles (Orioles.com) There are a WHOLE lot of names on the pile for the final two bullpen spots. Hopefully that means whoever gets them has really earned them.
Orioles former pitching prospect aim for post-hype success (The Baltimore Sun) On reading the headline, I asked myself, do the Orioles even have any former pitching prospects still around who had hype once? Your own hype level may have been and still may be higher than mine for McDermott, Cade Povich, and Brandon Young.
Birthdays and Orioles anniversaries
Nothing of particular note is recorded for this day in Orioles history. That probably won’t change here in 2026 unless something very weird (and probably bad) happens.
There are a few former Orioles who were born on this day. They are: 2003 pitcher Omar Daal, 1973 infielder Larry Brown, 1958 pinch hitter Bert Hamric, and 1954 pitcher Howie Fox.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday to you! Your birthday buddies for today include: composer Frédéric Chopin (1810), trombonist and big band leader Glenn Miller (1904), Mercury Seven astronaut Deke Slayton (1924), The Who vocalist Roger Daltrey (1944), actress Lupita Nyong’o (1983), and singer-songwriter Kesha (1987).
On this day in history…
In 293, joint emperors Diocletian and Maximian of Rome appointed two Caesars to share authority. This period of Roman imperial history, known as the Tetrarchy, lasted for 31 years before a series of civil wars eliminated most people who claimed power.
In 1692, three women were brought before the magistrates in Salem in the colony of Massachusetts, marking the beginning of the now-infamous witch trials.
In 1867, Nebraska was admitted into the United States as the 37th state of the union.
In 1932, Charles Lindbergh’s 20-month-old son was kidnapped from his home in New Jersey. Though there was a ransom note and payment made, the child was eventually found dead more than two months later.
In 1954, four militants supporting independence for Puerto Rico opened fire in the House of Representatives, injuring five members of Congress.
A random Orioles trivia question
I received a little book of Orioles trivia questions for Christmas. I’ll ask a question in this space each time it’s my turn until I run out of questions or forget. The book gives multiple choice answers, but that would just be too easy for us. Here’s today’s question:
Who was the first Orioles pitcher to record a 20-win season for the team?
**
And that’s the way it is in Birdland on March 1. Have a safe Sunday.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 19: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns passes the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 19, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It was a rocky February for the Phoenix Suns. Going 4-7 in February, the team had their worst month of the season, with their most losses in a month all year. They never lost more than two games in a row, but lost two-straight three different times. With a win against the Los Angeles Lakers during their last game of February, the team has kept itself in solid shape to be a top-six seed.
With their second and final six-game road trip of the season, Phoenix will be spending a lot of time away from the Mortgage Matchup Center in March, but look to have an easier schedule than they did in February.
Here’s a look at the team’s schedule for the next month:
Staying Out West
Tuesday, March 3rd @ Sacramento Kings (On NBC/Peacock)
Thursday, March 5th vs Chicago Bulls
Friday, March 6th vs New Orleans Pelicans
Sunday, March 8th vs Charlotte Hornets (On Peacock)
Phoenix will stay mostly at home to start March. Before they play three-straight in Phoenix, they’ll finish up their season series against the Sacramento Kings, whom they’ve beaten three times already. According to reports, Devin Booker could be back for the contest.
The Suns will get their first looks at the Bulls and Hornets. After a strong start, Chicago has simmered down and is looking towards getting a high lottery pick in this upcoming draft, while Charlotte has been one of the most surprising teams of the season. Rookie Kon Kneuppel is putting up historic numbers for a first-year player.
The last time the Suns and Pelicans played in Phoenix, Grayson Allen had a career game, scoring 42 and hitting a franchise 10-threes.
A Mostly Midwest Road Trip
Tuesday, March 10th @ Milwaukee Bucks
Thursday, March 12th @ Indiana Pacers
Friday, March 13th @ Toronto Raptors
Monday, March 16th @ Boston Celtics
Tuesday, March 17th @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Thursday, March 19th @ San Antonio Spurs
Phoenix’s six-game road trip is its second and final six-game road trip of the season. During the first one, the Suns went 3-3. They’ll get their first look at Toronto and Milwaukee, but all other opponents will be their final time playing them this year.
Milwaukee and Indiana look to be the easiest games, and the schedule looks to get tougher as the trip goes on. Phoenix struggled mightily against the Celtics earlier this week, scoring just 81 points, and the Spurs beat them 121-94 last week.
Look for Jordan Goodwin and Haywood Highsmith to return from injury around this time. Highsmith has not played yet for the Suns as he’s been recovering from meniscus surgery, while Goodwin has been sidelined for about a week now with a calf strain.
Phoenix has already won the season series with Minnesota, but another win against them could prove to be huge for the end of season standings, with the teams a few games apart.
Returning Home
Saturday, March 21 vs Milwaukee Bucks(NBA TV)
Sunday, March 22nd vs Toronto Raptors
Tuesday, March 24th vs Denver Nuggets(NBC Peacock)
Saturday, March 28th vs Utah Jazz(NBA TV)
Monday, March 30th @ Memphis Grizzlies
Tuesday, March 31st @ Orlando Magic
After a long road trip, the Suns will end the month with four of six games at home, all finishing up their season series against their opponents. Less than two weeks after playing the Bucks and Raptors on the road, Phoenix will host them, including in a matchup that will be nationally televised on NBA TV against Milwaukee.
Phoenix’s matchup against Denver will be its last chance to beat the Nuggets this season. In their two games against each other, Denver dominated Phoenix. The two could very well end up playing against each other in the first round of the playoffs.
When the Suns head east to end the month, it will be the start of a four-game road trip for some of their final road games of the season.
Expect an update on Dillon Brooks and his left hand around this time. The timeline was 4-6 weeks, and these games are around the middle of the timeline.
Definitely a busy schedule. 16 games in 31 days. But it is a manageable one for the Phoenix in March, with opportunities to play new opponents, get revenge on some, and finish some season series.
Of the 136 votes cast last month to predict the Suns’ record, only one voter selected the correct answer of 4-7. 16 games in March. Where do the Suns land?
PERTH, Australia (AP) — The scene was set for a hometown star and Sam Kerr delivered for Australia — again — with the only goal in a 1-0 win over Philippines in the Women’s Asian Cup tournament opener on Sunday.
The Chelsea striker scored with a header from the edge of the box in the 14th minute following a cross from Clare Wheeler on the right and a header back across goal from Caitlin Foord.
It was the 32-year-old Kerr's 70th goal for Australia and a welcome return from a long-term knee injury that has prevented her from playing for the Matildas since the 2023 World Cup.
The crowd of 44,379 was a record for the tournament and something of a tribute to Kerr, who was raised in Perth.
The Australians went into the tournament hoping to relive the atmosphere generated during the Women's World Cup on home soil almost three years ago, when the Matildas shattered audience records on the way to the semifinals.
It wasn't all one-way, though. Australia had 85% of possession, had 15 shots on goal and completed 674 passes to 118 for Philippines, but wasn't able to break down the defense.
Hayley Raso appeared to give Australia a 2-0 lead when she found the back of the net on the half-hour but it was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.
Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel was heavily involved for Philippines, helping limit the margin against the team considered a strong favorite to top a group also containing 2022 runner-up South Korea and Iran.
Kerr played the full game and Australia also had a positive return from Mary Fowler, who went on in the 68th minute in a long-awaited return from injury for the Matildas.
“I think I’m just finding my confidence again,” Kerr said in a post-game TV interview. "I guess that’s for other people to judge, but I feel like I’m still my normal self.
“I’ve just got to get more touches in, around the box.”
Australia hasn't won the continental title since 2010, losing the finals to Japan in 2014 and ‘18 and eliminated in the semifinals four years ago. This is Kerr’s fifth Asian Cup campaign and she's determined to win it again.
“Today was a good start and there’s lots of belief within the team,” Kerr said. “But, as you see today, there’s a lot of quality teams in the Asian Cup.”
“I don’t think we should talk about these matters at all right now,” Jafari said in comments translated to English. “There’s a team here for a very important competition that matters to these women and I think those should be the questions.”
Iran captain Zahra Ghanbari said her squad was in Australia with the target of qualifying for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
“The mindset of all our players and our team is that, God willing, we can get out of our group," she said. "Our entire focus is on getting to the World Cup and achieving great success there.”
The defensively stingy Carolina Hurricanes gave the Detroit Red Wings little room to operate Saturday night, and just when it appeared as though the Red Wings were gaining momentum, Carolina had the answer.
The Hurricanes had built up a 3-0 lead just 23 minutes into the contest, and, despite a pair of quick Red Wings goals late in the second period, it was former Detroit defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere who quickly snuffed out the comeback.
Gostisbehere scored early in the third to restore Carolina’s two-goal lead, and Jackson Blake added another minutes later as the Hurricanes skated to a 5-2 victory at Lenovo Center.
The ones they got, the puck was on our stick, but we didn't exectute and it was in the back of our net," team captain Dylan Larkin said afterward. "They're a heck of a team, and this is a hard building to play in.
"You have to come in here at some point and get points, and I didn't think we executed. We allowed them to be on top of us and come back in waves on Talbs (Cam Talbot)."
Despite goals less than a minute apart from Simon Edvinsson and Patrick Kane, it would be the Hurricanes who once again assumed control of the game in the third period.
The Red Wings, who have struggled to score at even strength this season, know that it's an area of their game that they must shore up if they are to have a realistic chance at punching their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
“We’re searching for answers," Larkin said. "Five-on-five offense, we’re talking about it. This is a hard building. They pressure so much. It’s hard to create in here. But looking back, I thought we had breakaways, two-on-ones that we could’ve executed.”
Larkin and the Red Wings will conclude their three-game road trip on Monday afternoon against the Nashville Predators.
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SOLDEU, Andorra (AP) — Sofia Goggia won her second super-G of the season Sunday and regained a commanding lead in the race to the World Cup discipline title.
The Olympic downhill bronze medallist extended her advantage in the super-G standings to 84 points over Alice Robinson of New Zealand and 116 over Emma Aicher of Germany in third, with two events left.
A race win is worth 100 points.
“I'm still not thinking about it,” said Goggia, who bounced back in impressive style, a day after the Italian had her lead reduced to just 20 points following a sixth-place finish in another super-G.
“I’m really thinking day by day, race by race. It was a solid run today, I got back the points I lost yesterday," she added.
With a trademark gutsy run, Goggia beat Saturday’s winner Aicher by 0.24 seconds and third-placed Kajsa Vickhoff Lie of Norway by 0.31.
Robinson finished 0.94 seconds behind in seventh.
“It was a really similar race to yesterday. But we decided to adopt a different strategy to get into the central pitch, and it paid off,” Goggia said.
Goggia and Robinson set up their duel for the super-G title early in the season when they won the first two races, but neither added another win until the Italian's victory Sunday.
Goggia now has nine career wins in super-G but is chasing her first season title in the discipline, having won the crystal globe in downhill four times, most recently in 2023.
“I still haven’t won in downhill yet (this season), and this is maybe a bit strange for everyone, because I have been doing so many podiums in downhill in my career,” said Goggia, who was the 2018 Olympic downhill champion.
“I have a really solid feeling with the super-G, so I’m happy with it. Now it’s important to stay really focused for the next ones in which we play for everything.”
Olympic super-G champion Federica Brignone came nearly a second behind her Italian teammate in eighth, improving from her 15th-place finish in Saturday’s race when she was more than two seconds off the pace.
Brignone returned from a broken left leg just before the Milan Cortina Games and then won gold in super-G and giant slalom.
Mary Bocock earned her career-best result leading the U.S. ski team in 11th, one position ahead of her teammate Keely Cashman.
Olympic downhill champion Breezy Johnson was nearly three seconds off the pace in 30th.
Aicher’s seventh podium result of the season saw the German close in on second-ranked Camille Rast in the overall standings. The Swiss skier has 963 points while Aicher is on 914.
Mikaela Shiffrin leads with 1,133 points as the American aims for her sixth overall title. She hasn’t competed in speed races this season except for one super-G start last December.
Shiffrin is expected back in action for a GS and slalom in Sweden on March 14-15.
The World Cup continues with two downhills and a super-G in Italy next weekend.
TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees smiles during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 23, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The spotlight on the Yankees’ roster is expected to shine on a number of faces: Aaron Judge as the reigning back-to-back AL MVP, Ben Rice as the promising young star joining the roster, Cody Bellinger as the newest owner of a big contract from this offseason. The list goes on and on. But one name that has slid down towards the back half of the lineup after enjoying a constant presence in the heart of it is Giancarlo Stanton.
The slugger is by no means an afterthought, as his prodigious power was on full display in 2025 in the second half of the season. Yes, he’s always expected to miss time at some point in the year, but he’s made his impact on numerous postseason runs and collected plenty of bombs in the regular season as well. The big No. 500 is within grasp for Stanton, but his health has been put further under the microscope as of late — the DH told the media that he struggles to open chip bags and do other mundane tasks at this point due to the chronic tennis elbow issue he’s had over the past few seasons. His career will be a fascinating test of the milestone voters for the Hall of Fame to consider should he reach that mark, but he’s still 47 homers away entering this season.
With that in mind, how much of the gap can Giancarlo cover in 2026? As mentioned he had a renaissance season last year, swatting 24 long balls in just 77 games, but his pace has been a lot slower outside of that hot stretch: he hit 27 out of the park in 114 games back in 2024, and matched those 24 homers with 101 games played in 2023. He did get over 30 homers in 2021 and 2022, but his body has put on a lot of mileage since those days.
It would require a lot of clocks being turned back for Stanton to get within shouting distance of 500 homers this year, but he can set himself up to have a shot at it in 2027 if he does well this season. At his current pace, he should at last be able to rack up another 20 homer season and put the possibility of getting it done there, but that would require a much greater season despite adding another year of wear and tear. Hitting 25 homers out doesn’t sound too outlandish given the run he most recently was on and would make next year’s mark much more attainable, and anything beyond that would almost assure he could make it with a relatively healthy season. But perhaps you just don’t see him staying on the field enough to do that — he hasn’t playing in 120 games or more since 2021 after all, and his hot streak last year salvaged what looked like a doomed campaign for the milestone after he missed nearly the entire first half of the season. Personally, I’d pin him just shy of reproducing his total homers from last year and predict 23 trips around the bases for Big G, but spread out over close to 100 games. What do you expect from the Yankee slugger, and will 500 home runs be a reasonable target for him next year based on those expectations?
Today on the site, Estevão leads off for us with a look at why Randal Grichuk has the fast track to winning the fourth outfielder spot, and then Kevin wishes current Yankee Oswaldo Cabrera a happy birthday with a look back on his career to this point. Jeremy previews the Baltimore Orioles and their attempt to get back to the upper half of the AL East after signing Pete Alonso, and John wraps us up with the latest social media spotlight.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 11: Blake Lizotte #46 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck under pressure from Victor Olofsson #95 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period during the game at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 11, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who:Vegas Golden Knights (28-17-14, 70 points, 1st place Pacific Division) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (30-15-13, 73 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division)
When: 1:00 p.m. eastern
How to Watch: National game on TNT, streaming on HBO Max
Pens’ Path Ahead: The march of the Penguins will be a staggering one, today’s game kicks off 17 games in the month of March. The Pens make a trip to Boston for a game Tuesday night, then return home for three games: Buffalo on Thursday then receive visits from Philadelphia and Boston next weekend. After that, a five-game road trip awaits.
Opponent Track: Vegas won their Olympic return game on Wednesday against Los Angeles. Today is the second game of a four-game eastern swing for them, having lost 3-2 in regulation to the Capitals on Friday on the first leg. Up next from them are stops in Buffalo on Tuesday and Detroit on Wednesday.
Season Series: Pittsburgh heads out to Vegas on the upcoming road trip on Thursday March 12th to complete the two-game season series between the cross-conference teams.
Hidden Stat: The Penguins (No. 3 power play, No. 2 penalty kill) and Vegas (No. 5 power play and No. 10 PK) are the only two teams in the NHL that currently have both of their special team units in the top-10 this season.
Hidden Stat 2.0: These two teams are a combined 2-14 this season in shootouts, having the worst two shootout records in the league (1-8 for the Pens, 1-6 for Vegas). If this one goes the distance, who knows..
Getting to know the Golden Knights
Projected lines
FORWARDS
Ivan Barbashev – Jack Eichel – Mark Stone
Pavel Dorofeyev – Mitch Marner – Reilly Smith
Braeden Bowman – Tomas Hertl – Keegan Kolesar
Brandon Saad – Colton Sissons – Alexander Holtz
DEFENSEMEN
Jeremy Lauzon / Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin / Rasmus Andersson
Brayden McNabb / Kaeden Korczak
Goalies: Adin Hill and Akira Schmidt
Potential scratches: Ben Hutton
Injured Reserve: Carter Hart, Alex Pietrangelo, William Karlsson, Brett Howden
Vegas has resorted to moving Marner into center in large part due to a mysterious injury around Karlsson. Karlsson has been out since November 8, with no real update on what is going on or whether or not he’ll be back any time soon, or even for the playoffs.
You know it’s a Gen Z world with names like a Braeden and a Kaeden in the lineup. And an Adin plus another Brayden for good measure.
Maybe it’s fitting Vegas has six or seven very shiny and great pieces to work with, then the bottom six or seven in their lineup are not that impressive. Lines up well with that town.
Goal has been a problem, signing Carter Hart didn’t do much to change their fortunes and Hill’s stats have incrementally been falling away since posting an 11-4 record and .932 save percentage in the 2023 playoffs.
There’s been a little bit of an adjustment factor for Andersson coming over in a major trade. One goal in 10 games for a blueliner might not standout, for him it does. Andersson has 10 goals and 30 points in 48 games with Calgary at the start of this season. He’s averaged double-digits the past three full seasons, scoring 31 total goals from 2022/23 – 2024/25. They’ll definitely be looking for him to kick in more as he gets acclimated.
Key to the game: What can the Pens offense do against an uneven opponent?
Vegas has had a great process to keep shots and chances down, yet they allow a lot of 5v5 goals against due to shoddy goaltending. In the last two games coming out of the break without Sidney Crosby, the Penguins have only scored one 5v5 goal rom a forward (Egor Chinakhov’s goal against New Jersey to go with 5v5 goals from Connor Clifton and Ryan Shea).
Thus, the script for this game is pretty clear: can the Pens dig deep and find some offense from the players up front? Some have been close; Anthony Mantha scored on the power play yesterday, Bryan Rust has been getting some looks, Ben Kindel, Evgeni Malkin and Tommy Novak each registered six shots on goal yesterday against the Rangers. They’re probably going to need names in that last sentence to punch through at even strength in a game like this.
And now for the Pens
Projected lines
FORWARDS
Egor Chinakhov – Tommy Novak – Evgeni Malkin
Avery Hayes – Rickard Rakell – Bryan Rust
Anthony Mantha – Ben Kindel – Justin Brazeau
Connor Dewar – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari
DEFENSEMEN
Parker Wotherspoon / Erik Karlsson
Sam Girard / Kris Letang
Ryan Shea / Connor Clifton
Goalies: Arturs Silovs (Stuart Skinner played yesterday)
Potential Scratches: Kevin Hayes, Ryan Graves, Ilya Solovyov
IR: Sidney Crosby, Filip Hallander, Jack St. Ivany
We’ll leave the lines as they have been, though Rakell at center might not be lasting much longer after losing all 10 of his faceoffs yesterday and the team chose to play Malkin and Kindel at center later on in the game yesterday between Rust/Rakell on the wings. If that full on change happens, the Pens might need a center and crack an opportunity for Kevin Hayes to play his first game since 2/5 and just his second since 1/12.
Girard was dealing with a minor injury yesterday but able to play. With so many games coming up in the next few weeks that will be worth watching to see if that issue gets put behind him without issue.
Julian Strawther
Taylor Hendricks
Lu Dort
