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Count On Marner, Tkachuk Scoring in High-Flying Maple Leafs-Senators Game One

Toronto Maple Leafs host Ottawa Senators in thrilling game one of their first round matchup on Sunday

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Sunday night is the ultimate opportunity for NHL fans, with a loaded slate of thrilling matchups on day two of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The game that sticks out is the Battle of Ontario between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators, which promises to be a physical war of attrition. 

Both teams don't like each other as they meet for the 172nd time with Sunday being their fifth meeting in the postseason. Toronto holds an all-time record of 16-8 fuelled by four straight series wins. 

For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 13-5 record on our last 18 picks and our 18-6 record on our last 24 underdog picks. 

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. 

More NHL:Battle of Ontario Betting Guide: Best Bets, Strategies and Futures for Maple Leafs versus Senators

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators Best Bets:

  • Maple Leafs ML (-170)
  • Over 5.5 goals (-108)
  • Mitch Marner or Brady Tkachuk anytime goal (-120)
  • Mitch Marner Over 1.5 points (+172)
  • Tim Stutzle Under 0.5 points (-104)

The Senators haven't made the postseason since 2017 when they lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Ottawa has struggled to put together a quality team since but this team looks very different with cornerstone players in Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle as well as a solid goaltender in former Vezina trophy winner Linus Ullmark. 

They will be more competitive than people believe in this series as they have the best odds of any wild card team to advance to the second round at +164 odds.

More NHL:Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings Round 4 Betting Guide: Best Bets, Strategies and Future Options

Ottawa should keep things close to start off this one as they'll be lead by Tkachuk, who has been vocal about his love for the big moments like Sunday night. 

The Senators captain has never played in the postseason before but I would expect a similar performance to his showing at the Four Nations where he recorded three goals in four games. His winger Tim Stutzle on the other hand, may suffer from the physicality of play in the Stanley Cup playoffs. 

Many hockey fans have heavily criticised Mitch Marner and other smaller-sized players for struggling to produce in the postseason as they can put up solid numbers but can't make an impact defensively.

Marner has taken a massive step forward this season but Stutzle has started to make headlines for getting pushed around. 

The German winger will get his first taste of the playoffs and I expect him to struggle. At 192 pounds, he may get pushed off the puck by bigger players like Auston Matthews (217 pounds), Matthew Knies (227 pounds) or Brandon Carlo (220 pounds). 

This is becoming a common belief as Stutzle is listed with very low odds to even get a point at -122 which is surprising for a the Senators top scorer. I expect Tkachuk will get on the board but not Stutzle. 

Marner should get on the board as he excels in game one's with four goals and five assists for nine points over his last first-round game one's.

Elite goaltending has brought the over/under down to 5.5 for this one despite these two having a history of high-scoring affairs with six or more goals in 16 of their last 25 matchups.

The under has hit in two of their four matchups this season but I expect another high-scoring affair as the nerves of the playoffs should get the better of a couple players and will leave holes for offence to pierce through. 

More NHL: Predicting Which Wild Card Team Can Upset Top Divisional Seed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

The over hit in both playoff games yesterday with the Devils Canes matchup today being the first to go under. The Leafs and Sens should continue the trend and add excitement to this series with a shootout to open things up. 

Toronto will have home-ice to kick things off plus have the advantage of more experience in the playoffs that should carry them to a series-opening victory in game one. 

A value bet to look at would be depth forward David Kampf scoring for the Maple Leafs. The 30-year-old Czech winger isn't known for being an elite goal scorer after recording 31 goals over the last four season with Toronto.

More Hockey:Top NHL Prospect Expected to Join Michigan Wolverines Next Season

However, he has done well in the playoffs with goals in two of the last three first round game one's for the Maple Leafs. He may not be in the lineup but if he is, he's worth a look. 

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Mets' Jeff McNeil homers for second straight game in Double-A

Jeff McNeil did it all for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Sunday as the Mets infielder/outfielder continued his rehab from a right oblique strain sustained during spring training.

A day after going yard in his first game for Double-A, McNeil unloaded on the first pitch of the game against Moises Chase for his second home run in as many days to give the Rumble Ponies an instant 1-0 advantage.

The 33-year-old playing second base followed that up with a long double in the third inning, scoring the game's second run on Nick Morabito's sacrifice fly later in the frame.

McNeil finished the game 4-for-4 and was a triple away from hitting for the cycle. He swung at the first pitch on three of his four hits, wasting no time to make his mark and prove he's ready to re-join the big-league club as soon as possible.

Another injured player itching to return to the majors is Francisco Alvarez, who played in back-to-back games for the second time during his rehab. After catching nine innings on Saturday, the 23-year-old was the designated hitter on Sunday and finished 1-for-5 in the No. 2 hole.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said before New York's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals that it's "most likely [both players] will continue to get at-bats," but it'll be interesting to see if either McNeil or Alvarez has made enough of a case to get the call before the Mets begin a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.

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NHL Awards Poll: Predicting The Winners Of The Hart, Vezina, Norris And More

Connor Hellebuyck (James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images)

When playoff season rolls around in the NHL, it also signals award season for the league's best players and staff.

We had 40 writers and editors provide their picks for seven of the NHL's most prestigious awards, with some polls being extremely tight, and others not so much.

Here's who they think will win the Hart Trophy, Norris Trophy, Vezina Trophy and more.

1. Who will be the Hart Trophy winner as the NHL’s regular-season MVP?

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(Don't see the graph? Click here.)

Four NHL stars got a considerable amount of votes here, but in the end, Oilers superstar center Leon Draisaitl emerged as the winner, with two more votes than Jets star goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Draisaitl won the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy as the top goal-scorer in the league this season, and he’s done more than enough to earn his first career Hart.

2. Who will win the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman?

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(Don't see the graph? Click here.)

Avalanche star Cale Makar has a Norris Trophy to his credit, and after posting career-bests in goals (30) and points (92) this year, he’s the runaway pick to win another. Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski had career-bests in assists (59) and points (82). And Canucks captain Quinn Hughes won last year’s Norris, but missing 14 games due to injury hurt his chances of repeating as Norris champ. 

3. Who will win the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender?

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(Don't see the graph? Click here.)

Only one category in this year’s poll had every voter in agreement, and it was this one, with 40 voters picking Hellebuyck to repeat as Vezina-winner. You can see why, as the 31-year-old set new personal-bests in goals-against average (2.00) and save percentage (.925). This will be Hellebuyck’s third career Vezina, as he’s earned every Vezina vote that’s come his way. 

4. Who will win the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward?

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(Don't see the graph? Click here.)

Aleksander Barkov is the reigning Selke-winner with two Selkes under his belt, and this year, the Panthers captain finished just two votes ahead of  Maple Leafs right winger Mitch Marner, who is looking for his first career Selke, for first in this poll. Golden Knights centre Jack Eichel finished third in voting in this category, while one vote behind him were Florida’s Sam Reinhart and New Jersey’s Nico Hischier.

5. Who will win the Lady Byng Award as the NHL’s most gentlemanly player?

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(Don't see the graph? Click here.)

Eichel has only eight penalty minutes and 94 points in 77 games this year, and voters responded by giving him the most votes in this category. In second is veteran Kings center Anze Kopitar, who has won two Lady Byngs in his Hall-of-Fame-worthy career, and who has just four PIM this season. And in third place is Canadiens center Nick Suzuki, who has only eight PIM this year.

6. Who will win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie?

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(Don't see the graph? Click here.)

Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson was the clear pick for this year’s Calder, as the 21-year-old posted 60 assists and 66 points in 82 games. The 24-year-old goalie Dustin Wolf had a .910 SP and 2.64 GAA for the Flames this season. San Jose center Celebrini generated 25 goals and 63 points in 70 games.

7. Who will win the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s best coach?

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(Don't see the graph? Click here.)

The credit for the Capitals’ stunning success this season – finishing with the Eastern Conference’s top regular-season record – goes to Spencer Carbery, who is in his second year behind Washington’s bench. No other coach got more than one vote in this category, as Carbery cruised to a landslide victory in our poll.

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

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Mets complete four-game sweep over Cardinals with 7-3 win

The Mets finished off a four-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals with a 7-3 win on Easter Sunday at Citi Field.

Here are the takeaways...

-After ending Friday night's game with a solo shot, Francisco Lindor started this one off with a leadoff home run against Sonny Gray -- Lindor's third career homer against Gray, who has allowed five dingers already this season.

Lindor is now 9-for-20 when leading off the game and appears to have put his bad start to the year in the rearview mirror. He finished 3-for-5 and bumped his average up to .271.

-New York may have stolen its second run in the third inning, taking advantage of the scouting report on the Cardinals' outfield defense.

After Tyrone Taylor and Lindor singles put runners on the corners to bring up Juan Soto in another opportunity with runners in scoring position -- one in which Soto has struggled this season after excelling mightily in that spot last year with the Yankees -- the outfielder hit a shallow fly ball to Lars Nootbaar in left field. Without skipping a beat, Taylor raced home after the catch and beat Nootbaar's throw home to double the Mets' lead.

-Pitching with an early lead, Clay Holmes had his best outing for New York and was able to complete six innings for the first time as a member of the Mets. The right-hander allowed just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six and throwing 91 pitches (58 strikes).

The only run Holmes allowed came in the sixth inning, but it could've been more if not for Brandon Nimmo's leaping catch at the wall to rob Jordan Walker of a home run and end the inning.

-After being unable to get deeper into games as a whole, New York's pitching staff has now gone at least six innings in four of its past nine games after doing so only once in its first 13 games.

-Pete Alonso stayed hot with an RBI single in the fifth inning as the first baseman now leads the NL with 24 RBI.

-The Mets saw their lead disappear in the seventh inning after reliever Danny Young entered. The lefty allowed a hit and a walk and left after striking out Nootbaar for the second out of the inning. Looking for the final out of the frame, Jose Butto got jumped on by Thomas Saggese, who doubled his first pitch to drive in two runs and tie the game.

-New York got the lead right back in the bottom half of the inning as Nimmo, facing former Met Phil Maton, got his first hit of the day to drive in Lindor before the Mets piled on in the eighth.

On the strength of three doubles, the Mets scored three insurance runs to make it 7-3. Luisangel Acuña, who had another positive day at the plate by going 2-for-4, started things off with a chopper to the left side of the infield that was deflected by third baseman Nolan Gorman. It allowed Acuña to get to second base for a hustle double.

Taylor followed with his second hit of the day, a conventional double to right field, that scored a run before Soto brought in two with a slicing double to center field and cashing in on another RISP opportunity.

-Ryne Stanek pitched the ninth and allowed his first run of the season.

Game MVP: Juan Soto

Soto was in the middle of all the action, and his two-run double in the eighth put the icing on the cake.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets begin a three-game set with the Philadelphia Phillies at home starting on Monday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

RHP Tylor Megill (2-2, 1.40 ERA) goes for New York and will be opposed by RHP Aaron Nola (0-4, 6.65 ERA).

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Max Fried proves worth as Yankees' 2025 ace, takes no-hit bid deep into series-clinching win at Rays

Max Fried lived up to his eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees and delivered his best start yet for AL East-leading New York (14-8) in Sunday's 4-0, series-clinching win at the Tampa Bay Rays.

Takeaways

-Without Gerrit Cole, Fried has been invaluable as the ace of the Yankees' 2025 starting rotation. He took a no-hit bid deep into his remarkable outing, giving the bullpen a breather after Saturday's extra-inning loss and stifled the Rays (9-13). Fried (4-0, 1.42 ERA) allowed two hits while striking out two and walking two in 7.2 IP. The 64-strike, 102-pitch outing saw Fried embrace the role of the ace with New York coming off a collapse in Saturday's 10-8 defeat.

-Trent Grisham stepped up in the leadoff spot for Ben Rice (left elbow), whom the Yankees kept out of the lineup Sunday after a hit-by-pitch during Saturday's game. Grisham turned on a 2-0 fastball down the middle at 94 mph and sent Ryan Pepiot's offering over the right-field wall for an important solo shot to start the game. Three strikeouts followed for Grisham, who has six home runs through 20 games, but he ultimately gave the Yankees a pivotal run in a big spot as the pitchers' duel between Fried and Pepiot ensued.

-After Grisham drew first blood and while Fried battled,Cody Bellinger's two RBI created separation in the third and sixth innings. His second home run of the early season, a solo shot to right-center field off Pepiot's 95-mph fastball on a 1-2 count, was the last blow in what was an otherwise strong start by the opposing pitcher. Without Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees need Bellinger (12 RBI through 19 games) to be a run-driving supporter behind Aaron Judge and that was the case Sunday.

-Austin Wells' fourth home run through 19 games was the last nail in the Yankees' shutout, sending the first pitch of a one-out, ninth-inning at-bat into opposite field for a solo shot off Garrett Cleavinger. Wells, whose 1-for-3 afternoon included a fourth-inning walk, is up to 10 RBI on the early season.

Who's the MVP?

Fried, who dominated the Rays in a game where New York got just enough offense to end the victorious series with a bounce-back win.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees' three-game series at the Cleveland Guardians starts with Monday's 6:10 p.m. opener. RHP Clarke Schmidt is set to make his second start this season after he scattered three runs on four hits in 5.2 IP of last Wednesday's 4-3 New York win over the Kansas City Royals. The Guardians are projected to start RHP Gavin Williams (1-1, 4.58 ERA).

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Max Verstappen remains tight-lipped over penalty at Saudi Arabian GP

  • Champion second to Piastri after five-second censure
  • ‘I cannot share my opinion, it might get me in trouble’

Max Verstappen has implied it is all but impossible to express an opinion for risk of censure by Formula One’s governing body the FIA, when he refused to air his clear displeasure at the penalty he was given during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

After the race Verstappen declined to discuss the race after the top three drivers climbed from their cars in parc ferme. He was fined by the FIA for swearing in a press conference at the Singapore GP last year and this season has been far more guarded and short in answering questions and speaking to the media in Jeddah suggested he felt constrained by the rulebook.

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Jalen Chatfield Scores Hurricanes First Goal Of Postseason

Dec 3, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) looks on against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes struck first in their opening game of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs as defenseman Jalen Chatfield's shot from distance beat New Jersey's Devils netminder Jacob Markstrom through traffic.

It was a quick bank-bang goal for the Canes as Jack Roslovic won an offensive zone faceoff, Eric Robinson picked it up and sent it to the blueline where Chatfield teed off on it.

William Carrier provided the screen in front and while New Jersey pondered a challenge as Carrier wound up making contact with Markstrom, it appeared to happen after the puck had already gone past.

The goal gave the Canes an early 1-0 lead about three minutes into the contest, getting Lenovo Center roaring and giving the team a foot up on the Devils in Game 1.

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

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Celtics' supporting cast exposes Magic's fatal flaw in Game 1

Celtics' supporting cast exposes Magic's fatal flaw in Game 1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON — The Celtics’ stars weren’t at their best in Game 1 of their first-round series against the Orlando Magic. It didn’t matter.

Boston cruised to a 103-86 victory with a huge boost from its supporting cast. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combining for 32 points (14-36 FG), the reigning NBA champions were led by Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Payton Pritchard.

White erupted for a team-high 30 points on 7-of-12 shooting from 3-point range. Holiday was rock-solid on both ends of the court with nine points (3-4 3-PT), five assists, three rebounds, and three steals. Pritchard, an NBA Sixth Man of the Year finalist, tallied a playoff career-high 19 points (4-6 3-PT) off the bench.

The trio combined to shoot 14-for-22 from beyond the arc. The rest of the team was 2-for-15.

The Magic had all the momentum at the half after turning a 12-point deficit into a one-point lead. Their surge was short-lived as the C’s responded with a 15-4 run to start the third quarter.

Holiday’s 3-pointer to put Boston up 10 with 7:30 left in the frame was the turning point. The typically mild-mannered veteran guard’s rare display of emotion fired up his teammates, and the C’s didn’t trail the rest of the way.

“Yeah, I mean, he’s an innate competitor and sometimes he takes a backseat because of the type of guys that we have,” Mazzulla said of Holiday.

“I thought he put the team on his back from that passion and emotion standpoint, and that’s why Jrue Holiday is Jrue Holiday. We’re lucky to have him. We’re gonna need that every single night. But, you know, we do feed off of his physicality and his presence.”

White’s postgame praise of Holiday backed up Mazzulla’s statement.

“It was fun to see,” White said of Holiday’s emotion. “He was just kind of that emotional leader we had there, and it was big-time, especially at that moment. I mean, whether he’s yelling or not yelling, we know what to expect from Jrue. He’s always just that constant for us that’s gonna just kind of do all the little things, make every little play that we need him to do, and like I said, it’s it’s great to have him.”

While Holiday lifted his team emotionally, White carried them offensively. His 30 points marked the third-highest total in his playoff career.

Pritchard raved about “The Stock Exchange” after the win.

“Jrue set the tone to start the second half,” Pritchard told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin. “His ball pressure, hit two 3s, the transition, his energy. He just makes winning plays.

“And then obviously, D-White had a tremendous game today, carried us, got us to a W.”

The C’s backcourt showed why the No. 7 seed Magic, despite having one of the league’s best defenses, entered the series as such heavy underdogs. If Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have an off night, Orlando’s role players aren’t capable of keeping pace with Boston’s balanced offensive attack. Pritchard outscored the Magic bench on his own, 19-17.

Banchero and Wagner combined for 59 of the Magic’s 86 points in their Game 1 defeat. None of their teammates scored more than seven.

The Magic shot a solid 10-of-27 from 3-point range, but that success is unlikely to last. They finished the regular season with the league’s worst 3-point percentage (31.8). It will be near impossible to defeat the C’s in a seven-game series with such a glaring lack of depth and 3-point shooting.

The Celtics will look to take a 2-0 series lead when they host the Orlando Magic for Game 2 on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.

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2024-25 NBA award finalists revealed: MVP, Coach of the Year, more

2024-25 NBA award finalists revealed: MVP, Coach of the Year, more originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

It’s now reasonable to think that Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo finished third in this season’s balloting for the NBA MVP award.

The NBA released the three finalists for its major trophies on Sunday night, with Antetokounmpo on the MVP list alongside Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver’s Nikola Jokic, the runaway frontrunners for the award.

Jokic was last season’s MVP and is bidding for his fourth MVP award in the last five years. Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s scoring champion this season and the leader of a Thunder team that won 68 games while setting a league record for scoring margin, is seeking his first MVP trophy.

They were considered such big favorites that BetMGM Sportsbook didn’t even offer realistic odds toward the end of the regular season on anyone else winning. Gilgeous-Alexander was the favorite, Jokic was the second choice and nobody else had odds shorter than 500-1.

Given that All-NBA voting now essentially mirrors MVP voting, being an MVP finalist basically guarantees an All-NBA first-team nod. It’ll be the ninth appearance on that team for Antetokounmpo, the seventh for Jokic and the third for Gilgeous-Alexander.

Last year’s MVP finalists were Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic — then of Dallas, now of the Los Angeles Lakers.

A panel of writers and broadcasters who cover the NBA voted on the awards last week. The NBA will announce the winners of the various awards, along with the All-NBA and All-rookie teams, over the coming weeks.

Coach of the year

Finalists: Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland; J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit; Ime Udoka, Houston.

This is how good a race this was: Mark Daigneault, who won last year, led Oklahoma City to a 68-win season and didn’t get into the top three.

Atkinson led the Cavaliers to a 64-win season, the best in the Eastern Conference. He was announced Saturday as the winner of the National Basketball Coaches Association’s coach of the year award, a separate trophy from the NBA honors.

Bickerstaff, in his first year with the Pistons, and Udoka took their teams to the playoffs, and the Rockets got the No. 2 seed in the West.

Last year: Daigneault won, with Minnesota’s Chris Finch and Orlando’s Jamahl Mosley the other finalists.

Rookie of the year

Finalists: Stephon Castle, San Antonio; Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta; Jaylen Wells, Memphis.

Castle — the No. 4 pick in last year’s draft — could be the second consecutive NBA Rookie of the Year from San Antonio, after Victor Wembanyama was the unanimous winner last season.

Risacher and Wells were the No. 3 and No. 4 rookie scorers this season behind Castle. A notable omission: Washington’s Alex Sarr, who averaged 13 points this season.

Last year: Wembanyama won, with Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren and Charlotte’s Brandon Miller the other finalists.

Sixth man of the year

Finalists: Malik Beasley, Detroit; Ty Jerome, Cleveland; Payton Pritchard, Boston.

Pritchard is the overwhelming favorite, though voters clearly took note of what Beasley did off the Pistons’ bench — making more than 300 3-pointers — and Jerome was particularly steady for the Cavs all season.

Last year: Minnesota’s Naz Reid won, with Sacramento’s Malik Monk and Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis the other finalists.

Most Improved Player

Finalists: Cade Cunningham, Detroit; Dyson Daniels, Atlanta; Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers.

Cunningham led Detroit’s wild turnaround year — a 28-game losing streak last season, the No. 6 seed this season — and should be an All-NBA selection as well. Daniels and Zubac both had exceptionally good seasons, particularly on the defensive end.

Last year: Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey won, with Houston’s Alperen Sengun and Chicago’s Coby White the other finalists.

Defensive player of the year

Finalists: Dyson Daniels, Atlanta; Draymond Green, Golden State; Evan Mobley, Cleveland.

Daniels was a steals machine, Mobley has the gift of being able to defend the rim with physicality but not foul, and Green is seeking his second award after winning it in 2016-17.

Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert remains on four DPOY awards, tied with Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace as winners of the most. Wembanyama — who won the blocked-shots title this season — probably would have won this award in a runaway had he not been sidelined since the All-Star break with deep vein thrombosis in one of his shoulders.

Last year: Gobert won, with Miami’s Bam Adebayo and Wembanyama the other finalists.

Clutch player of the year

Finalists: Jalen Brunson, New York; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota; Nikola Jokic, Denver.

Can’t go wrong here. Edwards had 157 points in clutch time this season, Brunson had 150 and Jokic had 140.

Last year: Golden State’s Stephen Curry won, with DeMar DeRozan — then of Chicago, now of Sacramento — and Gilgeous-Alexander the other finalists.

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2024-25 NBA award finalists revealed: MVP, Coach of the Year, more

2024-25 NBA award finalists revealed: MVP, Coach of the Year, more originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

It’s now reasonable to think that Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo finished third in this season’s balloting for the NBA MVP award.

The NBA released the three finalists for its major trophies on Sunday night, with Antetokounmpo on the MVP list alongside Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver’s Nikola Jokic, the runaway frontrunners for the award.

Jokic was last season’s MVP and is bidding for his fourth MVP award in the last five years. Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s scoring champion this season and the leader of a Thunder team that won 68 games while setting a league record for scoring margin, is seeking his first MVP trophy.

They were considered such big favorites that BetMGM Sportsbook didn’t even offer realistic odds toward the end of the regular season on anyone else winning. Gilgeous-Alexander was the favorite, Jokic was the second choice and nobody else had odds shorter than 500-1.

Given that All-NBA voting now essentially mirrors MVP voting, being an MVP finalist basically guarantees an All-NBA first-team nod. It’ll be the ninth appearance on that team for Antetokounmpo, the seventh for Jokic and the third for Gilgeous-Alexander.

Last year’s MVP finalists were Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic — then of Dallas, now of the Los Angeles Lakers.

A panel of writers and broadcasters who cover the NBA voted on the awards last week. The NBA will announce the winners of the various awards, along with the All-NBA and All-rookie teams, over the coming weeks.

Coach of the year

Finalists: Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland; J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit; Ime Udoka, Houston.

This is how good a race this was: Mark Daigneault, who won last year, led Oklahoma City to a 68-win season and didn’t get into the top three.

Atkinson led the Cavaliers to a 64-win season, the best in the Eastern Conference. He was announced Saturday as the winner of the National Basketball Coaches Association’s coach of the year award, a separate trophy from the NBA honors.

Bickerstaff, in his first year with the Pistons, and Udoka took their teams to the playoffs, and the Rockets got the No. 2 seed in the West.

Last year: Daigneault won, with Minnesota’s Chris Finch and Orlando’s Jamahl Mosley the other finalists.

Rookie of the year

Finalists: Stephon Castle, San Antonio; Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta; Jaylen Wells, Memphis.

Castle — the No. 4 pick in last year’s draft — could be the second consecutive NBA Rookie of the Year from San Antonio, after Victor Wembanyama was the unanimous winner last season.

Risacher and Wells were the No. 3 and No. 4 rookie scorers this season behind Castle. A notable omission: Washington’s Alex Sarr, who averaged 13 points this season.

Last year: Wembanyama won, with Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren and Charlotte’s Brandon Miller the other finalists.

Sixth man of the year

Finalists: Malik Beasley, Detroit; Ty Jerome, Cleveland; Payton Pritchard, Boston.

Pritchard is the overwhelming favorite, though voters clearly took note of what Beasley did off the Pistons’ bench — making more than 300 3-pointers — and Jerome was particularly steady for the Cavs all season.

Last year: Minnesota’s Naz Reid won, with Sacramento’s Malik Monk and Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis the other finalists.

Most Improved Player

Finalists: Cade Cunningham, Detroit; Dyson Daniels, Atlanta; Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers.

Cunningham led Detroit’s wild turnaround year — a 28-game losing streak last season, the No. 6 seed this season — and should be an All-NBA selection as well. Daniels and Zubac both had exceptionally good seasons, particularly on the defensive end.

Last year: Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey won, with Houston’s Alperen Sengun and Chicago’s Coby White the other finalists.

Defensive player of the year

Finalists: Dyson Daniels, Atlanta; Draymond Green, Golden State; Evan Mobley, Cleveland.

Daniels was a steals machine, Mobley has the gift of being able to defend the rim with physicality but not foul, and Green is seeking his second award after winning it in 2016-17.

Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert remains on four DPOY awards, tied with Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace as winners of the most. Wembanyama — who won the blocked-shots title this season — probably would have won this award in a runaway had he not been sidelined since the All-Star break with deep vein thrombosis in one of his shoulders.

Last year: Gobert won, with Miami’s Bam Adebayo and Wembanyama the other finalists.

Clutch player of the year

Finalists: Jalen Brunson, New York; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota; Nikola Jokic, Denver.

Can’t go wrong here. Edwards had 157 points in clutch time this season, Brunson had 150 and Jokic had 140.

Last year: Golden State’s Stephen Curry won, with DeMar DeRozan — then of Chicago, now of Sacramento — and Gilgeous-Alexander the other finalists.

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Deadline Retrospective: Which NHL Players Were The Luckiest To Be Traded?

Mikko Rantanen (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

By Alex Scott, The Hockey News Intern

The NHL trade deadline is a time for teams to load up on talent, restock the prospect cupboard or free up cap space for future moves. When players get traded, some find themselves on an exciting new team, preparing for a playoff push, while others find themselves suddenly out of contention.

Here are a few players who saw their fortunes change significantly this year.

Unlucky at the deadline

Poor Josh Norris moved to the Ottawa Senators just as franchise legend Erik Karlsson departed – Norris was part of the package that the San Jose Sharks sent to acquire the star defenseman – and as Ottawa firmly entered a rebuild. 

In Norris’ first full season with the Sens in 2020-21, he played very well, finishing tied for second on the team in points and placing fourth in Calder Trophy voting. He followed that up with a sophomore effort that saw him score 35 goals in just 66 games, which was good enough to earn him an eight-year, $63.6-million contract extension, per puckpedia.com. 

Norris’ next two seasons were abbreviated due to separate shoulder injuries, which limited him to eight games in 2022-23 and 50 in 2023-24. The Sens missed the playoffs both years, extending their playoff drought to seven straight seasons.

This season, things finally started to click for the Sens, and they found themselves firmly in playoff contention at the deadline, thanks in part to great seasons by Brady Tkachuk, Thomas Chabot and Tim Stutzle.

The Sens then dealt Norris and teammate Jacob Bernard-Docker to Buffalo in exchange for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert and a second-round pick in the 2026 draft. Ottawa has since clinched a post-season spot, ending their playoff drought, while Buffalo’s drought has reached 14 seasons and counting. To make matters worse, Norris found himself injured again and has only played three games for the Sabres since being traded.

Lucky at the deadline

When Seth Jones got to Chicago in 2021, he immediately signed an eight-year, $76-million extension, one which was supposed to have him anchoring the Blackhawks’ defense as they emerged from a rebuild. 

Things didn’t exactly go according to plan, as the Blackhawks’ rebuild stalled and the team missed the playoffs in each of Jones’ first three seasons. This year, the team found itself well outside of contention once again, and Jones requested a trade to a more competitive team.

Chicago obliged, trading Jones to the Florida Panthers along with a fourth-round pick in 2026 in exchange for goaltender Spencer Knight and a 2026 first-rounder. For Jones, this has meant playing almost 25 minutes a night for the reigning champs, while Chicago has found itself once again near the bottom of the league. 

Unchanged at the deadline

Mikko Rantanen has done a lap of the NHL this season and found himself almost right back where he started.

The star winger won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 and scored over 100 points in each of the previous two seasons. This season, Rantanen and the Avs were unable to negotiate a long-term extension to keep him in town, and he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in a three-team deal with Chicago. 

Then, history repeated itself, as the Canes also found themselves unable to re-sign their new star. Having given up several assets to acquire Rantanen, including fan-favorite Martin Necas, Carolina decided to recoup some of its investment by trading Rantanen to the Dallas Stars, after he’d played just 13 games in red and black. 

Now, Rantanen is back in the Central Division and is once again playing for a playoff contender. In fact, he is currently facing his former Avs teammates in the first round of the playoffs. And Rantanen can probably unpack his suitcase for good, as the Stars have given him the eight-year, $96-million contract he was looking for. 

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Yankees' Clayton Beeter begins rehab assignment, strikes out four in first outing

Yankees RHP Clayton Beeter began his rehab assignment Sunday with the Low-A Tampa Tarpons and struck out all of his opposing batters.

He entered Sunday's game at the St. Lucie Mets in the fifth inning and struck out the side. He fanned Vincent Perozo to start the sixth inning and ended the day with 14 strikes on 20 pitches.

Beeter's fastball sat at 97 mph, according to the Daily News.

"Reports have been good with how he's throwing the ball," Yankees manager Aaron Boonesaid, via the Daily News, before Sunday's series finale at the Tampa Bay Rays. "Velocity's in a good spot. He could definitely be a guy that could play a big role for us this year."

New York placed Beeter, 26, on the 15-day IL in late March due to right shoulder impingement syndrome.

He made his MLB debut last March and logged three games with the Yankees in 2024, striking out five and walking one while allowing two runs on four hits over 3.2 IP.

Spending most of 2024 at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Beeter was 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 36 IP over 10 games (seven starts).

New York landed Beeter -- the 2020 MLB Draft's No. 66 overall pick -- in the Aug. 2, 2022 trade that sent Joey Gallo to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Latest on Tatum's wrist injury after scary fall in Game 1 vs. Magic

Latest on Tatum's wrist injury after scary fall in Game 1 vs. Magic originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics’ double-digit win over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of the teams’ first-round NBA playoff series included a hold-your-breath moment for fans at TD Garden.

With the Celtics leading by 16 points early in the fourth quarter, Jayson Tatum drove to the basket and was fouled hard by Orlando’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Tatum landed awkwardly on his right wrist and remained on the floor in obvious discomfort.

Tatum got up under his own power and stayed in the game, and while he missed both free throws after Caldwell-Pope was assessed a technical foul, he hit a 3-pointer about two minutes later in the contest.

Tatum appeared to grab his right wrist on several occasions down the stretch before exiting Boston’s 103-86 win with 17 points on 8 for 22 shooting (1 for 8 from 3-point range) with 14 rebounds, four assists and a steal.

The Celtics star confirmed he received an X-ray on his right wrist after the game but said it came back “clean,” adding, “I’m good.”

“It’s all right. Just fell on it, landed on it,” Tatum said when asked about the injury. “… It was throbbing for a second, (then) kind of went away.”

Head coach Joe Mazzulla also downplayed Tatum’s injury after the game, responding, “He’s good,” when asked about the All-Star’s status. And considering Tatum stayed in the game, it doesn’t appear the ailment is too serious.

Still, Tatum’s injury is absolutely worth monitoring going forward, especially since it’s on his shooting hand and could impact his shot in the postseason. (Tatum has dealt with injuries to his left wrist in the past, electing not to undergo surgery during the 2023 offseason.)

Tatum will have two full days to get treatment on the wrist before Game 2 on Wednesday night at TD Garden. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.