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Orioles at Diamondbacks prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends, and stats for April 7

Its Monday, April 7 and the Orioles (4-6) are in Phoenix to take on the Diamondbacks (5-5) in Game 1 of their three-game series.

Zach Eflin is slated to take the mound for Baltimore against Zac Gallen for Arizona.

Former Orioles' hurler Corbin Burnes lost his first game with Arizona yesterday as the Nationals knocked off the Arizona ace, 5-4. Corbin Carroll did pick up three hits for the Diamondbacks.

The Orioles are off to an uninspiring start. They lost two of three at Kansas City this weekend including a 4-1 setback yesterday. Ryan Mountcastle picked up three hits yesterday but the O's in total managed just five for the game.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Orioles at Diamondbacks

  • Date: Monday, April 7, 2025
  • Time: 9:40PM EST
  • Site: Chase Field
  • City: Phoenix, AZ
  • Network/Streaming: MASN, Diamondbacks.TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Orioles at the Diamondbacks

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Orioles (+106), Diamondbacks (-126)
  • Spread:  Diamondbacks -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Orioles at Diamondbacks

  • Pitching matchup for April 7, 2025: Zach Eflin vs. Zac Gallen
    • Orioles: Zach Eflin (1-1, 3.75 ERA)
      Last outing: 4/2 vs. Boston - 6IP, 3ER, 8H, 0BB, 5Ks
    • Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.38 ERA)
      Last outing: 4/2 at Yankees - 6.2IP, 0ER, 3H, 0BB, 13Ks

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Orioles at Diamondbacks

  • Baltimore has lost 4 of their last 5 games
  • Baltimore is 4-6 on the Run Line for the season
  • Arizona has lost 3 of their last 4
  • Arizona is 5-5 on the Run Line this season

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

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Orioles and the Diamondbacks

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday's game between the Orioles and the Diamondbacks:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Arizona Diamondbacks on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Diamondbacks -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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‘They Won’t Play Either Game’: Maple Leafs’ Jake McCabe, David Kampf Hit The Ice For Optional Skate, Set To Miss Next Two Games On Florida Road Trip

Feb 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) celebrates with defenseman Jake McCabe (22) and center David Kampf (64) after defeating the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without defenseman Jake McCabe and forward David Kampf for the next two games, as both are set to miss the club’s brief two-game road trip through Florida after participating in Monday’s optional skate.

According to TSN’s Mark Masters, the two skaters hit the ice before the team departed for Fort Lauderdale ahead of a back-to-back set against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday and Wednesday. Head coach Craig Berube told reporters both players are officially ruled out for the trip and are still listed as day-to-day.

“They won’t play either game, the next two,” Berube told reporters including Masters.

Berube also mentioned on Monday that the pair will stay back in Toronto and continue to recover, not travelling with the team.

“They’ll stay home. They’re skating today, which is good, but they’ll be out the next two games,” he said.

Kampf exited Wednesday’s game against Florida in the second period with an upper-body injury and did not return. McCabe, whose injury is undisclosed, was seen heading to the dressing room with just over a minute left in the third period after crashing awkwardly into the boards following a hit from Carter Verhaeghe. The 31-year-old blueliner also collided with a linesman after a Matthew Knies goal.

Both players also sat out Saturday’s home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“I'm not sure when it happened, to be honest with you. I really don't know,” said Berube on Friday.

Toronto has a small cushion at the top of the Atlantic Division with a four-point lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning and a six-point lead over the Florida Panthers. With just six games remaining on the regular-season schedule, the team can afford to rest McCabe and Kampf with bigger goals set on the playoffs – already locked into their ninth consecutive postseason appearance. 

Kampf, who has tallied five goals and eight assists for 13 points through 59 games this season, is averaging a career-low 12:24 of ice time per game. McCabe, meanwhile, has been a cornerstone of Toronto’s defense, contributing two goals and 21 assists while averaging a career-high 21:31 per night across 66 appearances.

How The Maple Leafs Will Adjust Without David Kampf And Jake McCabe In The LineupHow The Maple Leafs Will Adjust Without David Kampf And Jake McCabe In The LineupKampf left Wednesday's game with an upper-body injury, while McCabe's ailment is undisclosed.

No official timetable has been given for either player’s return.

"I can't really comment on that too much about how long it's going to be,” Berube said on Friday.

For now, Toronto will prioritize health ahead of their hopes of a postseason run, looking to get McCabe and Kampf ready for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the latest.

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

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How Wilyer Abreu is making history with hot start for Red Sox

How Wilyer Abreu is making history with hot start for Red Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox have found their groove at Fenway Park after a tough start to the 2025 MLB season on the road. The American League East club has won five consecutive games, including a weekend sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals.

A lot of players deserve credit for Boston’s resurgence, but Wilyer Abreu has made the largest impact both at the plate and in the field.

Abreu has been one of baseball’s best players so far this season, and his excellent performance started right from the jump when he smashed two home runs in an Opening Day win over the Rangers in Texas.

He’s been red-hot at the plate ever since, leading the American League with a .483 batting average, in addition to hitting three home runs with 12 RBI with a .595 on-base percentage. He ranks top three among AL players in several notable stats.

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Abreu also has made history with his awesome start to the year, joining Hall of Famers Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Lou Gehrig as the only left-handed batters in AL history to tally at least 14 hits, three homers, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored and eight walks in the first 10 games of a season.

Abreu didn’t start the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Cardinals, but he ended it with a walk-off single in the 10th inning.

He flashed his defensive brilliance in the second game Sunday. This throw was pretty much perfect:

Abreu was acquired as part of the Christian Vazquez deal with the Houston Astros before the 2022 MLB trade deadline. He made his Red Sox debut in 2023 and played his first full season in Boston last year. Abreu won a 2024 American League Gold Glove Award for his stellar defense in right field.

The expectation for Abreu coming into this season was he that would continue to make strides at the plate, and he’s certainly done that through 10 games. His whiff percentage has been cut in half from 29.5 in 2024 to 14.5 this year, per Baseball Savant. He’s also swinging at fewer bad pitches. His chase percentage is 13.6, far below his career average of 27. He’s batting .667 on breaking balls, compared to a .202 average on the same pitches last season. He’s striking out a lot less often, too.

The real question is whether Abreu can play anywhere near this pace for a full season. A regression is coming. He’s obviously not going to bat over .400, but can he hit over .300 for the first time in his major league career? Can he reach 20-25 homers after hitting a career-high 15 last season? Will his improved plate discipline continue the trend of fewer strikeouts and more walks?

Opponents will start to pitch him differently, and the longer he keeps playing at a high level, the more pressure he’ll be under. But Abreu has improved each season he’s played in Boston, and playing in a very strong lineup should help him.

There have been a lot of positives for the Red Sox this season. Kristian Campbell looks like the top AL Rookie of the Year candidate. Garrett Crochet looks like a real ace. Alex Bregman leads the AL with 15 hits.

But Abreu’s start is the most notable of all. He’s a potential star in the making at just 25 years old.

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Duran reveals suicide attempt amid mental health struggles in 2022

Duran reveals suicide attempt amid mental health struggles in 2022 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

In a revealing interview for Netflix’s “The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox” docuseries, All-Star outfielder Jarren Duran opened up about the darkest period of his life.

In Episode 4, titled Still Alive, Duran shared his mental health struggles during the early, disappointing stretch of his MLB career. The 28-year-old said the feeling that he had let himself and others down drove him to attempt suicide during the 2022 season.

“I was already hearing it from fans,” Duran said. “And what they said to me, (it was like), ‘I’ve told myself 10 times worse in the mirror.’ That was a really tough time for me. I didn’t even want to be here anymore.

“I got to a point where I was sitting in my room, I had my rifle and I had a bullet and I pulled the trigger and the gun clicked, but nothing happened. So, to this day, I think God just didn’t let me take my own life because I seriously don’t know why it didn’t go off. I took it as a sign of, ‘I might have to be here for a reason’, so that’s when I started to look myself in the mirror after the gun didn’t go off.

“I was like, ‘Do I want to be here, or do I not want to be here?’ That happened for a reason and obviously you’re here for a reason, so let’s be the way you want to be and play (the way) you want to play and live the way you want to live.”

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A former top prospect renowned for his unique combination of power and speed, Duran joined the big-league club with lofty expectations in 2021. He hit just .215 with a .578 OPS over 33 games that season, then hit .221 with a .645 OPS in 2022.

The tumultuous start to his career reached a tipping point in August 2022, when he misplayed two fly balls and argued with fans during a game in Kansas City. He was sent back down to Triple-A later that month.

Since then, Duran has overcome his struggles on and off the field to become one of the game’s most electrifying players. He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023 and reached another level in 2024, when he earned All-Star Game MVP honors and finished the year with American League MVP votes. He begins 2025 as someone the club’s younger players can look up to for inspiration as they battle adversity early in their careers.

“Jarren’s decision to share his story is an act of courage that reaches far beyond baseball,” Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy said in a statement. “By opening up, he’s showing others who may be struggling that they’re not alone and that asking for help isn’t just OK, it’s essential.

“Every member of this organization continues to stand with him. He has our deepest admiration, he’s always had our full support and we’re incredibly fortunate to have him as part of our team.”

The Red Sox signed Duran to a one-year deal worth $3.85 million to avoid arbitration before the 2025 season. With the darkness behind him, Duran will look to duplicate his 2024 numbers and lead Boston to its first postseason berth since 2021.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

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NHL Nugget: Oilers And Kings' Goals Fest Set NHL Playoff Record This Day In 1982

Marcel Dionne (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Milestone Monday rewinds to April 7, 1982, when the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Los Angeles Kings in a wild first-round opener.

Both teams kicked off the playoffs with full throttle on offense. It was 4-3 for the Oilers after the first period and 8-6 for the Kings after the second.

The Kings won 10-8, but both teams set an NHL record no other teams matched since.

Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media.  And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.     

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2025 NBA playoff picture: Bracket, standings, projections, scenarios heading into final week of season

There is just one week left in the NBA season and very little is settled.

The top couple of seeds in each conference are set — Oklahoma City and Houston in the West, Cleveland and Boston in the East — and after that things open up quickly. Here's everything you need to know about the NBA Playoffs heading into the final week of the season.

NBA standings

NBA playoff picture

If the season ended today (April 7).

East Play-In matchups

8. Hawks at 7. Magic
10 Heat at 9. Bulls

East first-round matchups

1. Cavaliers vs. 8. Magic/Hawks/Heat/Bulls
2. Celtics vs. 7. Magic/Hawks
3. Knicks vs. 6. Pistons
4. Pacers vs. 5. Bucks

West Play-In matchups

8. Grizzlies vs. 7. Timberwolves
10. Mavericks vs. 9. Kings

West first-round matchups

1. Thunder vs. 8. Grizzlies/Timberwolves/Mavericks/Kings
2. Rockets vs. 7. Grizzlies/Timberwolves
3. Lakers vs. 6. Warriors
4. Nuggets vs. 5. Clippers

Playoff projections

Let's break it down by conference, taking a closer look at each race (the listed games back in each race are from the leader of that grouping, not the top-seeded team).

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Houston Rockets

Oklahoma City has been clear and away the best team in the West during the regular season and has long ago locked up the No. 1 seed. Houston is 13.5 games back of OKC, and had a little slump that made things interesting recently, but the Rockets' magic number to lock up the No. 2 seed is one (one Rockets win or Lakers loss this week). One thing to watch: Other teams don't fear the Rockets in the playoffs the way they fear the Thunder (or even the Warriors/Lakers/Nuggets), so don't be surprised if teams try to jockey into the 3 or 6 seeds to get on Houston's side of the bracket.

3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. Denver Nuggets (-1.5)
5. Los Angeles Clippers (-2)
6. Golden State Warriors (-2)
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (-2)
8. Memphis Grizzlies (-2)

The NBA wants drama in the final week of the season, and the West is delivering.

The Lakers are in control of the No. 3 seed: Two wins in their final four games guarantees them the No. 3 seed, and just one win guarantees a top-six finish. After that, the other five teams all have 32 losses — it is one big tie that could go in any direction. A couple of key games to watch this week in this group:

• Lakers at Thunder (Tuesday). The Lakers won the first game of this two-game set on Sunday.
• Rockets at Clippers (Wednesday). The Clippers' elite defense against the young legs of the Rockets will be entertaining.
• Timberwolves at Grizzlies (Thursday). Ja Morant vs. Anthony Edwards will be a show.
• Rockets at Lakers (Friday). Houston will have things locked up as the two seed, but is not going to take it easy against the Lakers.

9. Sacramento Kings
10. Dallas Mavericks (-0.5)
11. Phoenix Suns (-3)

Phoenix enters the week mathematically alive, if it can win its final four games this week it has a chance to catch Dallas (two losses, however, and the Suns are eliminated). In reality, the Suns let go of the rope and have games against the Warriors and Thunder this week. The Suns are toast.

Sacramento has one game lead in the loss column but has a slightly tougher schedule this week with the Nuggets, Clippers and Pistons coming up. The race to host the first round of the Play-In Tournament could come down to the final days.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Boston Celtics

No drama at the top of the East standings, the Cavaliers have locked up the No. 1 seed (technically their magic number for the top seed is one, but that's happening) and Boston is locked in at No. 2.

3. New York Knicks
4. Indiana Pacers

While not mathematically locked in yet, these teams will finish in this order. New York's magic number to clinch the No. 3 seed is one (just one win or Pacers loss). Indiana controls its own destiny to host a first-round series, its magic number for the No. 4 seed is two (with two games against the Cavaliers, one against Orlando and one against Washington this week).

5. Milwaukee Bucks
6. Detroit Pistons (-1)

The Bucks have a one-game cushion over the Pistons, but these two teams play each other in the final two games of the season (Friday and Sunday). That will determine their seeding, and who is headed to New York and who is headed to Indiana to start the playoffs.

7. Orlando Magic
8. Atlanta Hawks (-1)
9. Chicago Bulls (-2)
10. Miami Heat (-3)

The four teams in the East play-in are locked in, but their order is not — these four could finish in almost any order (well, Miami can't get up to No. 7, but aside from that, any order). That said, the smart money is on this group finishing in this order, with the Magic and Hawks in the 7/8 Play-In Tournament Game.

The big game to watch in this group is Tuesday night, when Atlanta travels to Orlando — the winner of that game is in the driver's seat for the No. 7 seed.

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Robert MacIntyre: ‘Imagine taking a Green Jacket back to Glencruitten … ’

After his ‘fairytale’ success last year, the Scottish golfer has his heart set on Masters glory

What a mistake it would be to presume the boy-next-door demeanour means a lack of competitive instinct. Robert MacIntyre’s love for Oban, shinty and all associated is endearing. He has also proved that he is perfectly comfortable in the company of golf’s aristocracy.

MacIntyre missed the module where sportspeople are advised not to speak about lifetime aspirations. Mention the Masters to the Scot and he lights up. Absence makes the heart grow fonder; after impressing at Augusta National in 2021 and 2022, he failed to qualify for the next two stagings. MacIntyre returns for the 89th edition as the 17th-ranked player in the world.

Continue reading...
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Jets' Colin Miller Absent From Practice, Haydn Fleury Returns And Nikolaj Ehlers Remains A Game-Time Decision Against Blues

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Colin Miller (6) defends as St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (18) controls the puck during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Connor Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Winnipeg Jets return home to take on the St. Louis Blues, who have won 12 games in a row.

The Jets could receive reinforcements tonight with the addition of Nikolaj Ehlers. The 29-year-old blocked a shot and was later hit by a Cole Perfetti shot against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, forcing him to miss Saturday's loss to Utah HC. 

His offensive creativity was thoroughly missed despite his absence spanning just one game. His 24 goals and 63 points in 67 games have him ranked fourth and third on the team. If his game-time decision status is upgraded, he'll return alongside his usual linemates, Vladislav Namestnikov and Perfetti, and will also retake his spot on the first power play unit.

Coming out of the lineup would be David Gustafsson, as Jarrett Anderson-Dolan has left a lasting impression on HC Scott Arniel.

On the backend, Colin Miller did not participate in this morning's skate, replaced by Haydn Fleury. Miller has recorded four goals and 14 points in 59 games, but is also deemed a game-time decision with an illness.

If he is unable to play, Fleury will check back into the lineup, paired with Logan Stanley. Fleury has played 37 games this season, registering seven assists. Without Neal Pionk, Fleury will take Miller's placeholder spot as the quarterback of the second power play unit. 

It'll take a team effort and a stellar night in goal from Connor Hellebuyck to defeat the Blues tonight. They are by far the hottest team in the NHL and have continuously found ways to win hockey games. 

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

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Great starting pitching stretches not enough for the White Sox and Reds early this season

The Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox both got brilliant stretches from their starting rotations — and largely wasted them.

Chicago’s starters did not allow an earned run through the first four games of the season, but the White Sox split those games and then lost five in a row once their rotation came back to earth. The Reds lost three straight games 1-0. The only other team in the live ball era to lose 1-0 in three straight games was the 1960 Philadelphia Phillies.

That Philadelphia team finished 36 games under .500, in large part because it batted .239 on the season. Those 1-0 defeats were a better reflection of the Phillies’ batting than their pitching.

The Reds will hope for the opposite. Right-hander Hunter Greene began living up to his potential last year and has allowed three runs over his first two starts of 2025. Brady Singer, acquired from Kansas City in the offseason, threw seven one-hit innings in his Cincinnati debut.

Lefty Nick Lodolo has yielded two earned runs in 12 2/3 innings.

Although the Reds were shut out three straight times by Texas and Milwaukee, that came immediately after Cincinnati’s offense put up 14 runs in a win over the Rangers. The Reds also beat the Brewers 11-7.

For the White Sox, the future looks a lot more challenging. Chicago actually did have a couple bright spots last year on its way to 121 losses, but Erick Fedde was dealt to St. Louis in July and then Garrett Crochet was traded to Boston during the offseason.

Even without Fedde and Crochet, Chicago’s rotation was sharp its first time through, but reality has set in since then. The White Sox have allowed 32 runs in their last five games.

Down lower

Speaking of good pitching numbers in an unexpected spot, Colorado’s starters have posted a 2.61 ERA through 48 1/3 innings so far. That hasn’t been enough for the Rockies, who managed just 18 runs through their first eight games and lost seven of them.

Don’t assume the thin air at Coors Field has suddenly become a non-factor. Colorado began the season with seven straight road games against Tampa Bay and Philadelphia.

But even when the Rockies opened their home schedule against the Athletics, their starters were able to get through five innings in all three games, and Colorado’s offense finally broke out in a 12-5 win.

First impression

The Athletics finally played their first three home games for the fans in the Sacramento area, and it wasn’t pretty. They were swept by the Chicago Cubs, outscored 35-9 over the series,

That was more runs than the A’s allowed in their first three home games the entire time they were in Oakland. In fact, it was a record for the whole franchise history. The Athletics gave up 31 runs in their first three home games in 1922, when the team represented Philadelphia.

Trivia time

Nathan Eovaldi pitched the first complete game in the majors this season when the Rangers beat Cincinnati in one of those 1-0 games. Who is the last Texas pitcher besides Eovaldi to throw a complete game?

Line of the week

Martin Perez threw six hitless innings in his debut for the White Sox, a 9-0 rout of Minnesota. He struck out nine with three walks.

Comeback of the week

The Houston Astros trailed 7-1 in the fifth inning against Minnesota before rallying to tie the game on a two-run homer by Yordan Alvarez in the ninth. Houston eventually won 9-7 in 10 innings.

The Twins had a win probability of 97.9% after taking a six-run lead in the fourth, according to Baseball Savant.

Trivia answer

Jon Gray in 2023.

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Canadiens: What’s Next For Demidov?

Ivan Demidov -Photo credit: SKA St. Petersburg Ice Hockey Club X Account

Montreal Canadiens's prospect Ivan Demidov’s season ended in the KHL on Sunday. SKA St. Petersburg lost to Dynamo Moscow 5-2, losing its first-round series in six games. In game five, the right winger shone brightly with a goal and an assist, but he was kept off the score sheet on Sunday.

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While SKA’s KHL team is now eliminated, its lower-league affiliates aren’t, and according to RG.org’s Marco D’Amico, that’s where the talented forward is likely to be headed for now. St. Petersburg owns his rights until May 31st, and when Roman Rotenberg was asked what was next for the prospect, he replied:

I don’t know about Montreal. He’s a SKA player Honestly, we haven’t thought about Montreal, Quebec, or Toronto. Everything will happen in its time… It would be better for both Nikishin and Demidov to stay in Russia with SKA.
- Coach Roman Rotenberg on what's next for Ivan Demidov

That certainly doesn’t sound like the organization is about to cut ties with the player and allow him to cross over to this side of the pond. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes has always been clear that he didn’t expect his Russian wonder to come over this season.

As mentioned in the past, SKA’s organization wants to win championships at every level. Considering his age, he’s still eligible to play in the MHL, their junior level. Adding a player of his caliber to the roster could make a huge difference.

While Canadiens fans are sure to be displeased with the news, if the roles were inverted and Demidov could help the Canadiens organization win a championship in the AHL, they would assign him to the Laval Rocket. It’s the nature of the business. Demidov’s contract with SKA is valid until the end of May, and it’s normal for them to want to use the player as long as possible.

However, a final decision has yet to be made, and the Demidov clan will meet with SKA in the coming days to discuss the next steps, but Canadiens fans shouldn’t hold their breath. Hopefully, Demidov doesn’t sustain any injury in lower-level play. Last year, in 17 playoff games, he tallied 28 points before suffering a lower-body injury. Still, according to RG.org, he came close to suffering an injury in Sunday’s game.

Hopefully, whatever is decided, Demidov steers clear of injury and is 100% ready when the Canadiens’ development camp kicks off  at the end of June or in early July, I can already picture the Brossard facility filled to the brim with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the next franchise cornerstone.

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

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

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

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Fantasy Basketball End of Season Roundtable: Biggest fantasy surprise

While some fantasy managers are competing in leagues that run through the end of the NBA's regular season, most were done by the end of Sunday's games. Congratulations to those who won their leagues and the money (and bragging rights) that comes with it. Those who did not will reflect on what went wrong and how they can avoid a similar fate next season.

With the fantasy season effectively over, now is a good time for the Rotoworld fantasy basketball staff to have a few roundtable discussions. Monday's question is simple: Who was your biggest surprise in fantasy basketball? Nick Schlain, Noah Rubin, Raphielle Johnson and Zak Hanshew answered this question, and each writer had a different choice.

Who was the biggest surprise in fantasy basketball this season?

Nick Shlain: Dyson Daniels had a preseason ADP of 136 on Yahoo! but is the fifth-ranked player in total game value on Basketball Monster this season. In his first season as a full-time starter, Daniels has seen his numbers increase across the board. No stat has been as crucial to Daniels’ fantasy success than steals, the category where he leads the league with three steals per game. Daniels has vastly outperformed expectations in his first season with the Hawks after coming to Atlanta last offseason in the Dejounte Murray trade.

Noah Rubin: I have long been a pessimist regarding Austin Reaves’s productivity in fantasy basketball. I have had the opinion that he is a really, really good player, but that doesn’t always translate to fantasy production, especially in category leagues. On a team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, why would Reaves have the ball in his hands enough to return top-tier value? Trading for Luka Doncic certainly didn’t make me more optimistic, and yet, Reaves has been better while playing alongside a ball-dominant superstar. Over the past two months, he has returned third-round value this season and ranks in the top ten in nine-cat formats. He is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and three-pointers and has solidified himself as an All-Star talent. He shattered his Yahoo! ADP of 87.8 and has been a league-winning producer recently.

Raphielle Johnson: Many people laughed when Norman Powell discussed the loss to Paul George as “addition by subtraction” for the Clippers. PG's exit meant more opportunities for Powell and Ivica Zubac, and both got off to hot starts. However, while Powell's production tailed off due to injury, "Big Zu" has been consistently excellent for the Clippers. Ranked just outside the top-50 in eight-cat formats, Zubac heads into the season's final week safely within that threshold in nine-cat. He's averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists while shooting 62.4 percent from the field. While expecting Zubac to be a top-100 player was well within reason, he's been even better than that.

Zak Hanshew: Maybe I should have seen a resurgence coming, but hindsight is 20/20, right? After years of finishing as a perennial top-10 fantasy option, Karl-Anthony Towns's value took a big hit over the last two seasons. The fit alongside Rudy Gobert wasn't ideal for Towns from a fantasy standpoint, but his move back to playing a pure center role in New York has done wonders for him. He's averaging a career-high 12.8 rebounds with 24.4 points, 3.1 dimes, two triples and a steal. Towns is shooting a career-best 42.6% mark from beyond the arc, and he's cut his turnovers to his lowest mark in seven seasons. Towns's revival is surprising based on the raw numbers alone, but the fact that he's leading his team in rebounds and sits second in scoring while playing on such a loaded roster is the most shocking aspect of his meteoric 2024-25 rise.