Veteran center Scott Laughton has only been a member of the Los Angeles Kings for 14 games, yet his former Toronto Maple Leafs teammates already miss his presence.
He was only a Maple Leaf for 76 regular-season and playoff games after joining Toronto at last season's trade deadline. However, his former teammates like the idea of Laughton returning to Toronto in free agency, as he is a pending UFA.
After the Maple Leafs' practice on Friday in preparation for Saturday's game, Toronto's Steve Lorentz was asked about the possibility of Laughton returning in free agency.
"Yeah, that'd be awesome!" Lorentz told reporters. "We would welcome him back with open arms. I know there's a lot of guys in this locker room that feel the same way."
Therefore, unless Kings GM Ken Holland pushes to sign Laughton to a contract extension between now and July 1, the Oakville, Ont., native could leave for free in the summer.
Leafs coach Craig Berube was asked if he could see a world where a Laughton return to Toronto would be a fit.
"Yeah, I could see it, for sure," Toronto's bench boss told reporters. "He really liked it in Toronto, and he's from around there, too. I think that was a… dream for him to go back home and play."
Along with fantasizing about potentially reuniting with their old teammate, they shared how much of a great teammate he was and how lucky the Kings are to have him.
"I think you win with a guy like Scott," Lorentz said of Laughton. "He's a glue guy, he plays the game the right way, he plays hard, and he's definitely got the skill offensively and defensively to be out there in all situations."
Laughton is indeed a player that can be utilized in all situations, and that's exactly how Los Angeles has been using him.
Since his Kings debut against the Montreal Canadiens on March 7, Laughton is the joint leader on the team in shorthanded time on ice per game, along with defensemen Joel Edmundson, Mikey Anderson and Cody Ceci.
He's also on Los Angeles' second power-play unit and averages 1:12 of ice time per game on the man advantage.
Furthermore, he's been so important for the Kings in the faceoff dot, to the point where he takes the opening draw in overtime to win possession in the extra frame. He has a faceoff win rate of 58.1 percent as a member of the Kings.
With all he brings on the ice and in the dressing room, it's no wonder why his former Maple Leafs teammates have raved about him so much since his departure.
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Apr 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry (39) receives congratulations from catcher Dillon Dingler (13) after he hits a two run home run in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Tigers made it 2-0 at home and 4-4 overall with a convincing show of power on Saturday. The pitching, particularly Jack Flaherty, was pretty sketchy, but four home runs from the Tigers set things right in a game that devolved into a slop fest in the bottom of the eighth and top of the ninth, inducing a lengthy delay and full shenanigans mode from the broadcasts as the tarps were pulled with one out in the final frame. After a lengthy delay, the game was finally declared official with the rain showing no sign of letting up.
A newly engaged Jack Flaherty took the mound looking to bounce back after a messy first outing of the season. Things stayed messy for a few minutes. The right-hander fired three straight balls to rookie J.J. Wetherholt, fought back in the count, and then walked him anyway. Wetherholt stole second with ease, and Flaherty nicked Ivan Herrera with a fastball to dig himself an early hole.
He did bounce back, however. A flurry of breaking balls punched out Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman grounded out on the first pitch he saw, advancing the runners. Jordan Walker stepped in and Flaherty got ahead 1-2. A slider bounced and got away from Dingler. Wetherholt broke home but Dingler recovered and got the ball back to Flaherty at the plate. Wetherholt retreated, but there was a possibile play on Herrera retreating to second, but Flaherty decided to calm things down and focus on the batter. He dialed up 96 mph and Walker got locked up to end the inning.
Things would eventually get extremely messy for Flaherty again.
Colt Keith started things off for the Tigers and immediately did damage. That damage was in the form of a smoked ground ball off starter Dustin May’s lower leg. Keith reached with a single, and May needed a while to shake that one off. Once he did, he locked up Kevin McGonigle with a high sweeper that found the zone.
May dropped in another high sweeper to Gleyber Torres in an 0-1 count, and that pitch was something to watch out for as it’s both sneaky and crushable. May missed twice to make it 2-2. The next sweeper got inside-outed by Torres, lining a single to right that sliced away from center fielder Victor Scott II. He briefly misplayed it, Joey Cora initiated the windmill protocol, and Keith raced all the way around first to home for a 1-0 lead. Kerry Carpenter stepped in, got back to back changeups away, and flicked the second one the opposite way for a two-run shot. 3-0 Tigers.
May, perhaps shaking off the effects of Keith’s ball, walked Riley Greene, but was firing 97-98 mph in there, getting Dillon Dingler on a high fastball tipped into the glove. Zach McKinstry worked a 2-2 count, really pushing May’s early pitch count, but Riley Greene ran on a high sweeper and was thrown out by Pedro Pages to end the inning.
Flaherty punched out Thomas Saggese to open the second, but he walked Nathan Church, and then a fourseamer sailed in on Pages and nicked him for a second hit batter. The Cardinals helped him out with a Scott sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Wetherholt fought off a couple of good breaking balls, but Flaherty reared back and blew him away with a high fastball to escape again.
McKinstry and Torkelson both struck out after somewhat lengthy at-bats to start the bottom of the second. May wasn’t getting any whiffs in the zone and was already dumping in five different pitches to keep hitters off balance as he felt for his command. He didn’t find it against Parker Meadows, issuing a two-out walk as his pitch count reached 55. That brought Keith back around, and he ripped another hard shot into right center field this time. Unfortunately, while Meadows cruised to third, Keith tried to stretch it into a double, but Jordan Walker in right cut him down at second.
Maybe stop running on Jordan Walker guys.
Herrera jumped on a get me over 91 mph heater for a double to open the third, and Burleson grounded out to first, getting Herrera to third. Flaherty punched out Gorman with the high fastball, and another pair of well located fastballs put Walker down 0-2. but he spat on a few breaking balls and eventually got the high fastball, pulling it into left field for an RBI single. Saggese grounded out to Keith at third to end it, but Flaherty’s pitch count was up to 60 and on pace to require at least four innings from the bullpen.
With Justin Verlander hitting the 15-day IL and Keider Montero not stretched out fully to start, A.J. Hinch was going to have some tricky decisions as to how to use his long relievers in this one.
While I pondered the contingencies, Kevin McGonigle led off the bottom of the third with a solid single up the middle. A wild pitchto Torres got away from Pages, and McGonigle beat feet to second. In a 2-2 count, Torres thoughtfully stayed inside a 2-2 May offering to bounce one to the right side and move McGonigle to third. Carpenter then did his job as well, lifting a fly ball out to Scott in center. McGonigle tagged and Scott’s throw was wide. 4-1 Tigers. Greene lifted a towering flyout to left to end the inning.
After some shaky command early on, Flaherty got himself pretty dialed in and that produced a quick fourth. Church popped up a first pitch slider to open the fourth, and he carved up Pages for his sixth strikeout for good measure. Scott flew out to McKinstry in right to end a pretty snappy inning. Just what the doctor ordered for Flaherty.
May clipped Dingler with a fastball that sailed inside to start the Tigers half. McKinstry fell behind 0-2, but May tried to drop in a sweeper and left it up a bit. McKinstry launched it to right for a two-run shot and a 6-1 lead. Torkelson grounded out, but Meadows hammered a drive deep to left center field and Scott and Church didn’t communicate well and it dropped in with Meadows flying around the bases to third for a triple. That was it for May, as left-hander Justin Bruihl came out of the Cards’ bullpen.
That got Hinch to pinch-hit in Matt Vierling for Keith. I get Hinch wanting to get Vierling into the game as he hasn’t had much work so far, but it’s pretty tough to put Keith’s hot bat out of the lineup. Still, moving McKinstry to third and Vierling in the game in right field improved the defense with a big lead, and so was hard to argue with. Vierling did the job, lifting a fly ball deep enough to left that Meadows tagged and scored easily. 7-1 Tigers. McGonigle grounded out to end the inning.
As good as Flaherty looked for a few innings, Tigers fans know he can completely lose the plot at times, and that quickly unfolded in the fifth. Flaherty hit his third batter to open the fifth, yanking a one-hopped changeup into Wetherholt’s leg. As hot as Wetherholt has been early on, that’s not the worst outcome, but it was another leadoff man reaching. He followed that up by walking Herrera in classic Flaherty rollercoaster fashion. Burleson got a first pitch knuckle curve down and drilled it into the left field corner, and just like that Flaherty was crumbling. 7-2 Tigers. A walk to Gorman followed, and a pretty good outing for Flaherty went completely sidewise as Drew Anderson entered with the bases loaded, no outs, and a run already in.
It’s worth noting that Drew Anderson has been in a starting role the past two years and is entirely unused to this scenario. You can’t plan for your starter melting down that quickly. Still, the job is the job, and Jordan Walker got a 1-0 fastball on the inner edge and torched it deep to left center for a grand slam. 7-6 Tigers.
Woof. Quadruple woof. Would we even drink without a bullpen to fear? We may never find out.
Anderson got two quick outs after the salami, but then sailed a breaking ball that hit Pages for the Tigers fourth hit batter. Brant Hurter was warming. Anderson punched out Scott to finally end a nightmare inning for the Tigers, but it was a whole new ballgame.
Torres struck out and Carpenter lined out to second against Bruihl, but Riley Greene drew a two-out walk. Oli Marmol turned to RHP Matt Svanson to face Dingler. The Tigers’ catcher challenged a called strike three and won, and ultimately walked as well. That brought up McKinstry, and he ripped a single through the right side to score Greene for an 8-6 lead, and he and Dingler advanced on a throw into home. Torkelson made a bid, but it fell short on the warning track in left to end the inning.
Hurter came on in the sixth, continuing the irritation by throwing six straight balls, walking Wetherholt, but getting Herrera to ground to Torres, who got the out at second on a bang-bang play. Burleson grounded to Torkelson, who fired to McGonigle at second and the Tigers’ shortstop gunned it to Hurter at first for the ol’ 3-6-1 double play.
Svanson threw a 1-1 cookie to Meadows to start the bottom of the sixth, and he lined it to left for a leadoff single. Vierling then grounded into a double play, and McGonigle popped out to send up to the seventh.
With storms working into Wayne County, holding the lead was crucial in the seventh, and Hinch went to Will Vest. He blew away Gorman for the first out and got ahead of Walker 0-2. The athletic right fielder got to 1-2, and flicked a slider down below the zone off the end of the bat for a single to center. Vest picked off Walker, but Walker just kept running, beating Torkelson’s throw to second. Maybe his cleat came off the bag, but the Tigers didn’t challenge. Vest dug in and refuted the Cardinals attempt at scoring by getting routine grounders from Saggese and Church to end the frame.
That was huge. The lead was still 8-6 as the groundscrew got the tarps prepped. Gleyber Torres helped the cause with a drive to right that just cleared the wall and Walker’s outstretched glove for his first homer of the year. Hey, the power showed up. Three homers on the day was what the doctor ordered. Home cooking, folks. 9-6 Tigers.
Carpenter made a bid to right field but came up short, and Riley Greene grounded out. The Cardinals had missed a couple of challenge opportunities in the game, but they finally used one on a two strike pitch to Dingler and won, striking him out.
Tyler Holton took over in the eighth, and Marmol pinch-hit right-hander Ramon Urias in for the catcher Pages to get the matchup. Holton somehow managed to nick Urias to give up the leadoff baserunner. That made six total hit by pitches in this game, five of them from Tigers’ pitching. Yahel Pozo pinch-hit for the center fielder Scott as the rain started falling in Comerica Park.
Holton got Pozo to ground into a double play 6-4-3, and that was well timed, as Wetherholt singled to right field. Holton and Herrera locked into a lengthy battle as fans fled the seats for the concourse. Torkelson laid out on a 2-2 foul flare beyond first base but just couldn’t make the play. The next pitch was a grounder up the middle with McGonigle playing toward third base against the right-handed hitter. Torres ranged deep beyond second base to make the play and fired a long off-balance throw to get the out at first. Nice play. 9-6 Tigers headed to the bottom of the eighth.
Right-hander Chris Roycroft took over for the Cardinals, and now it was really dumping down rain as Zach McKinstry stepped into the box. He grounded out, but Torkelson sprayed a cutter the opposite way for a single. Meadows took a called strike three on a good pitch on the inner edge. With rain falling down the brim of his helmet, it was Matt Vierling who provided the thunder, hammering an opposite field shot over the right field wall for an 11-6 lead. Four home runs for the Tigers today, and further justification for Hinch’s decision to insert Vierling.
Ok that’s great, but let’s move this along guys. Kevin McGonigle isn’t going to give up on an at-bat no matter the scenario though. He challenged a called strike and was, of course, correct, drawing a two-out walk. Roycroft walked Torres as well, and we salute all the fans who brought ponchos or simply accepted the deep, thorough soaking being delivered to stay in their seats. Carpenter struck out, moving us mercifully to the ninth with Kenley Jansen coming on as he’d been warmed up throughout the whole inning prior to Vierling’s shot.
The veteran closer took over and now it was absolutely pouring and Jansen was just trying to get a grip. He walked Burleson, but Jansen dusted Gorman with a high cutter, and that was it as conditions were downright ridiculous. Home plate umpire Nate Tomlinson called for the tarp as Jansen and Burleson laughed about the absolute downpour they were playing in.
Dirks began lecturing on proper tarp unrolling technique with Benetti, and it was time to just wait for this game to be called official. The broadcast crew took viewer questiosn, and we learned about the wonder of leeches in Michigan ponds, the cost of a tarp ($7000-$10,000), and there was brief consideration of trying to set a record for most people to macarena at once with the remaining home crowd, which Tiger would make the best world leader (Dingler, McKinstry, and Will Vest all drew consideration) and so on.
Finally the game was called with the rain showing no sign of letting up, and the Tigers moved to 4-4 on the year.
The Tigers finished with 12 hits, 4 homers, and 6 walks drawn in this one. With Justin Verlander on the IL, Keider Montero will get the start on Sunday evening as the Tigers look to get on the good side of .500 before heading to Minnesota for four starting on Monday.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 25: Head coach Will Hardy of the Utah Jazz looks on during the first half of a game against the Washington Wizards at Delta Center on March 25, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In our most recent Utah Jazz Reacts survey, we got some interesting answers from Utah Jazz fans. Utah is nearing the end of another season where draft position was the goal. With that in mind, most of Jazz Nation is looking forward to next season and how good the team will be. One of the biggest questions these last four years under Will Hardy is, “Can Will Hardy turn them into a top-10 defense in the NBA?” Even though the team has been purposely designed to lose games, they’ve been one of the worst defenses in the league, if not dead last, each season. With an upgraded roster, that’s going to be one of the most interesting storylines next season. But how do Jazz fans feel?
From this survey, it looks like Jazz fans have a lot of faith in Will Hardy going forward. AlthoughThere may be some noise in that data. For example, maybe the roster doesn’t have enough players who are able to defend at a high enough level. We’ll see. All that said, it is interesting that Hardy has the seal of approval for the defense from the fans.
The next question I had was: who has the best chance of making the All-Star Game next season? According to Jazz fans, it looks like that is Lauri Markkanen.
That may be very likely, although I also think Keyonte George would be my own pick. The ball will be in George’s hands a lot and will be the player making everything happen. That might give him an advantage, but we’ll see.
To look at the odds for these and the upcoming playoffs, you can visit FanDuel here.
The Yankees began the season with a four-man rotation thanks to the many off days they had, but now that they're about to get back to their normal schedule, Luis Gil's return is around the corner.
Before Saturday's game between the Yankees and Marlins, manager Aaron Boone was asked about Gil's potential return to the starting rotation. The Yankees skipper said that Gil will pitch Sunday in Triple-A and then will join the team for his turn in the order.
"With the off day, we’ll take our normal turn through [the rotation]," Boone said. "He’ll be that fifth starter after [Ryan] Weathers’ next one."
Weathers is set to pitch Saturday night, and Max Fried will pitch the series finale on Sunday. The Yankees have Monday off before hosting the Athletics for three starting Tuesday. That series will see Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Weathers pitch before they head down to Tampa to take on the Rays. The series opener on Friday is when Gil is set to make his season debut.
Gil is coming off an injury-plagued 2025. He made 11 starts and pitched to a 3.32 ERA, but wasn't as effective as he was the previous season when he won AL Rookie of the Year.
With so many starters vying to come out of camp, Gil lost out to the current batch of arms, largely due to his subpar spring.
Gil made six spring starts and allowed 11 runs (10 earned) in 19.1 innings pitched. While he struck out plenty of batters (24), he just couldn't keep the opposing team off the board consistently enough.
It should be noted that Gil dominated his final spring start. Going up against the Orioles, Gil struck out seven batters and allowed just one hit and one walk across five scoreless innings.
Bring on postseason hockey in Buffalo. The Sabres’ playoff drought is finally over.
Following an NHL-record 14 seasons of futility, during which the team finished no better than 19th in the league standings, the Sabres clinched a berth on Saturday when the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings in regulation. Buffalo’s playoff drought was among the four North American major sports’ longest active streaks, ranking second behind the NFL’s New York Jets, who last qualified in 2010.
The Sabres clinched with six games left in their season, before playing at Washington on Saturday night, and are in contention to earn the Eastern Conference’s top seed. At 46-22-8, Buffalo is riding a 35-8-4 surge that has vaulted the team after sitting last in the East in early December.
The turnaround has been remarkable for a franchise that through Saturday has gone 5,458 days since the Lindy Ruff-coached team lost Game 7 of a first-round series to Philadelphia on April 26, 2011.
In the ensuing years, the Sabres have finished last overall four times and are on their seventh coach, with Ruff back for a second stint, and their fourth general manager, Jarmo Kekalainen.
Buffalo’s run up the standings coincided with Kekalainen being promoted from his position as senior adviser on Dec. 15, replacing Kevyn Adams, who was fired after five-plus seasons.
The Sabres already had won three straight when the change occurred and proceeded to go on a franchise record-matching 10-0 run. They’ve not looked back since. Buffalo is 14-3-2 since returning from the Olympic break, and the team’s worst stretch since December has been a 0-1-2 skid.
Though Adams’ firing played a role in spurring the team, so did Buffalo getting healthier.
The Sabres’ top two lines were replenished with the return of Josh Norris and Jason Zucker, and their goaltending got a boost with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shaking off an early season injury to resume sharing the starting duties with Alex Lyon. After opening the season 4-5-1, Luukkonen has gone 15-4-2 since Dec. 21.
Kekalainen also added depth at the trade deadline last month by acquiring center Sam Carrick, forward Tanner Pearson and defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn.
The team is led by two of its longest-tenured players: captain Rasmus Dahlin, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, and forward Tage Thompson, who was acquired in a trade that sent Ryan O’Reilly to St. Louis in the summer of 2018.
Dahlin entered Saturday ranking sixth among NHL defensemen with 67 points, while Thompson was tied for 11th among all skaters with 38 goals.
The next test for Buffalo is winning a playoff series, something the team hasn’t done since beating the Rangers in six games in the second round in 2007.
The turnaround has revived a fanbase that had grown weary with losing, various rebuilding plans that failed to generate a winner and a revolving door of talent being shuffled in and out of Buffalo — from O’Reilly’s departure to Jack Eichel being dealt to Vegas in November 2021 following a lengthy standoff over how to repair a neck injury. Each went on to win the Stanley Cup with his new team.
The Sabres have not hoisted the Cup through their first 54 seasons of existence.
Buffalo has had 21 home sellouts this season, including 15 in a row, a year after selling out just five games.
This season, the Sabres have shown resolve in rallying back from deficits. Buffalo entered Saturday with 19 come-from-behind wins, tied for seventh in the NHL. That included defeating Tampa Bay 8-7 last month after trailing 7-5 with nine minutes left in regulation.
The Lightning also clinched Saturday before playing.
DALLAS — Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns became the second player in NHL history to appear in 1,000 consecutive games when Colorado faced against Central Division rival Dallas on Saturday.
The bearded 41-year-old was recognized on the video board by the Stars early in the game, and plenty of Dallas fans joined a vocal Avs contingent in cheering for Burns.
The all-time ironman streak belongs to forward Phil Kessel, who played in 1,064 consecutive regular-season games from Nov. 3, 2009, to April 13, 2023. He appeared with Toronto, Pittsburgh, Arizona and Vegas.
Burns, who appeared in his 1,500th game in October against the Stars, has been in the lineup for every game since Nov. 21, 2013, with San Jose. He also has played for Minnesota and Carolina.
Burns is in his first season with the Avalanche and has 11 goals. He and Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom are the only defensemen in league history to score double-digit goals at 40 or older.
The meeting with the Stars is Burns’ 1,572nd career regular-season game. He entered the game with 941 points (272 goals, 669 assists). Burns spent 11 of his 22 seasons with the Sharks.
The Kings are still right in the middle of their playoff race as they host the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight. Unfortunately for the Kings, the Sharks play the Predators, meaning one team is guaranteed to reach 81 points tonight, and the Kings have to win to be tied for that wildcard spot. The Kings are coming off a 2-1 win over the St Louis Blues. The Leafs are coming off a 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks.
Projected Kings Lines
Here are the projected lines for the Kings tonight:
Artemi Panarin - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Alex Laferriere
Joel Armia - Scott Laughton - Jared Wright
Mathieu Joseph - Samuel Helenius - Taylor Ward
Brian Dumoulin - Drew Doughty
Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke
Mikey Anderson - Cody Ceci
Anton Forsberg
Darcy Kuemper
Projected Leafs Lines
Here are the projected lines for the Leafs tonight:
Easton Cowan - John Tavares - William Nylander
Dakota Joshua - Max Domi - Nicholas Robertson
Matthew Knies - Bo Groulx - Matias Maccelli
Michael Pezzetta - Jacob Quillan - Steven Lorentz
Morgan Rielly - Philippe Myers
Jake McCabe - Brandon Carlo
Simon Benoit - Troy Stecher
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
Line Changes and Injuries
Neither the Leafs nor the Kings held a morning skate today. The Kings did not practice on Friday following their back-to-back games against the Blues and Predators. The Kings are without Alex Turcotte due to an undisclosed injury. The Leafs are likely to miss Ekman-Larsson in tonight's game as he was injured in the 4-1 loss against the San Jose Sharks.
Key Factors
The Kings vs. Predators game was a very good one for the Kings; while they lost in a shootout, they battled back from a 4-1 deficit and walked away with a point. In that game, the Kings found scoring from all levels. Adrian Kempe had 2 goals, Joel Armia had a goal and an assist, and Scott Laughton had a goal as well. This is what the Kings need to make the playoffs. This is also the first game for Scott Laughton against his former team since being traded at the deadline.
If the Kings can get that type of depth scoring in tonight's match-up, they will walk away with a win. The Kings' depth players are fully capable of stealing wins or points for the Kings, and tonight is a perfect time for them to play like they did on Thursday.
For the goaltending matchup, it looks like Anton Forsberg vs. Joseph Woll. Forsberg has put up solid numbers in his last 3 games, with his save percentage above .930. For Woll, he is coming off a 33-save performance in which he allowed 5, but his team did not do him any favours, as they put up only 13 shots in that game.
Overall, this is once again a must-win game for the Kings, especially when the 2 teams the Kings need to lose are playing each other today. My prediction for tonight's matchup is a 4-1 Kings win.
Liam Rosenior ‘had a really good conversation’ with Enzo Fernández
Chelsea vice-captain suspended for 7-0 FA Cup win over Port Vale
Liam Rosenior has insisted he is in a “very good place” with Enzo Fernández as he looked to move on from the controversy of the Chelsea vice-captain’s comments during the international window.
Fernández appeared to cast doubt on his Chelsea future when he talked glowingly about the former Real Madrid midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, and mentioned Madrid as the European city in which he would most like to live.
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Ryan Hartman scored twice to lead the Minnesota Wild to a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
Jonas Brodin and Jake Middleton also scored for the Wild (43-21-12), and Jesper Wallstedt made 33 saves.
Linus Ullmark stopped 19 shots for the Senators (39-27-10). Drake Batherson scored for Ottawa.
Minnesota built a 3-0 lead through the first two periods and extended its advantage midway through the third on a great effort by Quinn Hughes. Hughes kept the puck in at the line, spun and found Middleton on the opposite side. Middleton fired through traffic for his second goal of the season.
Batherson spoiled Wallstedt’s shutout attempt with just over three minutes remaining in the game. Batherson then left the game, but returned after a brief absence.
The Wild capitalized on a Senators turnover late in the first that led to Hartman’s first goal of the game. Hartman scored his second of the game and 22nd of the season when Mats Zuccharello found him at the top of the slot and he beat Ullmark on the glove side at 15:31 of the second.
Jake Sanderson returned to Ottawa’s lineup after missing 13 games with an upper-body injury.
Up next
Wild: At the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday afternoon.
DALLAS (AP) — Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns became the second player in NHL history to appear in 1,000 consecutive games when Colorado faced against Central Division rival Dallas on Saturday.
The bearded 41-year-old was recognized on the video board by the Stars early in the game, and plenty of Dallas fans joined a vocal Avs contingent in cheering for Burns.
The all-time ironman streak belongs to forward Phil Kessel, who played in 1,064 consecutive regular-season games from Nov. 3, 2009, to April 13, 2023. He appeared with Toronto, Pittsburgh, Arizona and Vegas.
Burns, who appeared in his 1,500th game in October against the Stars, has been in the lineup for every game since Nov. 21, 2013, with San Jose. He also has played for Minnesota and Carolina.
Burns is in his first season with the Avalanche and has 11 goals. He and Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom are the only defensemen in league history to score double-digit goals at 40 or older.
The meeting with the Stars is Burns' 1,572nd career regular-season game. He entered the game with 941 points (272 goals, 669 assists). Burns spent 11 of his 22 seasons with the Sharks.
Oct 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow (31) throws a pitch in the ninth inning for game six of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Tyler Glasnow makes his second start of the season for the Dodgers (5-2). Right-hander Jake Irvin starts for the Nationals (3-4).
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 02: Starter Ryne Nelson #19 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning at Chase Field on April 02, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Arizona Diamondbacks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
It’s early days, but we had seen each starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks once this year. That’s surely plenty to be able to make a pronouncement about who’s going to be our Cy Young candidate for 2026, isn’t it? Things do get a little more complex because of the injury situation. Merrill Kelly is going to get his season under way when everyone else has already had a couple of starts ahead of him, and theoretical “ace” Corbin Burnes will not be taking the mound until even later in the schedule. These factors, and the lack of any obvious answer, is exactly why we had this week’s poll. And the envelope, please:
Despite a wobbly first start – and a second one which was not much better (including the unearned runs, anyway) – the SnakePit is still keeping its faith in Ryne Nelson. That’s understandable: his body of work last year after coming into the rotation was impressive, and a couple of shaky outings don’t negate all that. However, I’m very concerned about the peripherals. Nelson has walked (6) almost as many as he has struck out (7), and the long-ball problem from last year seems to have got worse so far, with four homers allowed in only 9.1 innings. Indeed, so far Ryne has allowed one hit which didn’t leave the yard, for a BABIP of .043. That’s going up, I suspect.
The impressive first outing by Eduardo Rodriguez certainly opened eyes, and helped boost him into third place. Last night’s game made him the first Arizona starter since Curt Schilling in 2002 to open the season by throwing consecutive games without allowing an earned run [some pitchers have done it in their first two starts, such as Nelson in 2022, just not right at the beginning of the year]. Probably the biggest surprise might be the low level of support, down in single figures, for Merrill Kelly. I get him not out-performing Nelson based on 2025 numbers, but I definitely expected him to come ahead of E-Rod and Gallen. Zac hasn’t been truly good since the first half of 2024, with an ERA from July 1, 2024 of 4.62 across 51 starts.
It’ll be interesting to revisit this around the All-Star break, and see whether opinions have changed, with a bit more significant of a sample size to look at.
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 15: Manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves exchanges lineup cards with Manager Stephen Vogt #12 of the Cleveland prior to the game between at Progressive Field on Friday, August 15, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Can’t say that you can really blame the Braves for not changing anything… did you know they have a better record than the Dodgers right now? This will their fifth time using this lineup in nine games.
The Diamondbacks are making a few changes. Adrian Del Castillo missed the first few games of the season with a calf issue, but is back DHing and hitting fifth. He’s hit pretty well in the minors but has a sub-.300 xwOBA in the majors, even if his career wRC+ is 111 because he massively outhit hit xwOBA back in 2023. The Braves will also get another look at Jose Fernandez, who hit two homers in his MLB debut but hasn’t done anything since.
Every Brave in the lineup has faced Michael Soroka at least once, with the exception of leadoff hitter Ronald Acuña Jr. However, the PA tally is limited — Dominic Smith leads the gang with a whopping six PAs. Collectively, we’re talking about a .392 wOBA and .333 xwOBA in all of 20 PAs.
Six Diamondbacks in tonight’s lineup have faced Bryce Elder before, and the success level has been meh in a small sample: 31 PAs and a .335 wOBA, but a .296 xwOBA. Only Nolan Arenado has double-digit PAs against Elder, and he’s the one guy that hasn’t hit Elder well in terms of either inputs or outputs.
On Thursday night, the Kraken honored defenseman Adam Larsson for reaching 1,000 NHL games played. 423 players in NHL history have met the impressive milestone, and Larsson marks the 141st defenseman to join their ranks.
Adam Larsson Tribute, video by Candace Kludt courtesy of Seattle Kraken
Drafted 4th overall in the 2011 NHL entry draft by the New Jersey devils, Larsson played 65 games for the team that year. He remained with the Devils until 2016 when he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. In 2021, the Seattle Kraken picked up the veteran defenseman as part of the expansion draft. Since joining the Kraken, Larsson has missed only one game-for the birth of his daughter.
Pre-game, Adam was joined on the ice by his wife, daughter, mother, brother, and sister. To commemorate his achievement, the Kraken ownership group presented Larsson with a custom painting. He also received gifts from the team, along with the traditional silver stick to commemorate 1,000 games played. His daughter, Alba, also received a miniature version of the silver stick.
Alba Larsson receives her mini stick from Kraken President of Hockey Operations Ron Francis photo by Candace Kludt | The Hockey News
The Kraken went on to lose 6-2 to the Utah Mammoth; an unfortunate end to a celebratory night.
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Expert MLB moneyline picks for April 5
Orioles vs Pirates: Pirates (-122)
Pirates win probability: 55%
Braxton Ashcraft pitched well in his debut, but the Pirates lost 2-0. However, the outing showed command and should help build confidence.
I’ll back him against Chris Bassitt in this matchup. Expect a sharper effort and better run support overall.
Dodgers vs Nationals: Dodgers (-186)
Dodgers win probability: 65%
Roki Sasaki vs. a back-end starter is a significant talent gap on the mound.
The Dodgers' lineup will chase Foster Griffin early, and they have a good enough bullpen to get the job done.
Marlins vs Yankees: Yankees (-285)
Yankees win probability: 74%
Max Fried is dominant at home, and Chris Paddack has never fully recovered his early-career form after Tommy John.
Miami's small-ball approach is the worst style to bring against a shutdown lefty.
Padres vs Red Sox: Padres (+122)
Padres win probability: 45%
Walker Buehler is a proven veteran arm and is coming off a tough start, but Ranger Suarez is a gas can that the Padres' lineup can hammer for a solid road win.
Expect a bounce-back outing for Buehler and a Padres plus-money victory.
Cubs vs Guardians: Guardians (+104)
Guardians win probability: 49%
Parker Messick shut out the Dodgers in his opening start and gets a Cubs offense that has scored fewer than three runs in three of their last five contests.
The Guardians’ sticks should get the best of Edward Cabrera and his history of command issues.
Brewers vs Royals: Royals (-122)
Royals win probability: 55%
Kyle Harrison is a quality young arm, but Kris Bubic is coming off a two-hit outing against the Twins.
Bobby Witt Jr. hits .313 lifetime at home against lefties, and I expect the Royals to win.
Rays vs Twins: Rays (+104)
Rays win probability: 49%
Nick Martinez has the sharper stuff right now and looked solid in his first outing. Simeon Woods Richardson is steady, but his history against this Rays lineup is sketchy.
Tampa Bay needs a win and gets it on Sunday.
Blue Jays vs White Sox: Blue Jays (-177)
Blue Jays win probability: 64%
Eric Lauer faces Davis Martin, and the gap is clear. Martin profiles as a replacement-level arm, while Toronto’s lineup should create plenty of chances regardless.
The price is steep, but the talent edge heavily favors Toronto.
Reds vs Rangers: Reds (+117)
Reds win probability: 46%
Chase Burns is a legitimate arm, and Elly De La Cruz has been on a tear.
The Reds' offense will inflict enough damage against Jack Leiter, and Burns should hold up his end for a solid road win.
Phillies vs Rockies: Rockies (+186)
Rockies win probability: 35%
Taijuan Walker has been a disaster early in 2026, and Coors is the last place you want to back him.
Tomoyuki Sugano looked sharp in his first start, holding Toronto to two hits, and while he's prone to the longball, so is Walker.
Back Colorado in what shapes up as a high-scoring slugfest.
Astros vs Athletics: Astros (-117)
Astros win probability: 54%
Houston starter Lance McCullers opened the season with a dominant outing, while Jacob Lopez walked five and got lit up in his first start.
The Astros' offense has been clicking at twice the rate of Oakland's. Take Houston to prevail.
Mets vs Giants: Mets (-104)
Mets win probability: 51%
Kodai Senga gets a generous matchup against a struggling Logan Webb.
Webb coughed up nine earned runs and five walks over his last two starts.
The Mets got the lumber going on Friday night, and with Webb hard to trust right now, I'll back the Mets.
Mariners vs Angels: Mariners (-170)
Mariners win probability: 63%
Luis Castillo is a true top-of-rotation arm going up against Angels starter Ryan Johnson.
Johnson got lit up in his first start, and the Mariners offense will likely chase him early.
Seattle has dominated the Halos in recent history and is a good bet to secure another road win.
Braves vs Diamondbacks: Diamondbacks (-104)
Diamondbacks win probability: 51%
Brandon Pfaadt is 16-7 at home over the last two seasons, and Arizona beat Detroit despite him struggling in his last outing.
Atlanta will likely go with a bullpen game in this one, so I'll ride with the Diamondbacks at home.
Cardinals vs Tigers: Cardinals (-104)
Cardinals win probability: 51%
Keider Montero steps in for injured starter Justin Verlander.
Kyle Leahy has decent command, and St. Louis gets a favorable matchup against a Tigers bullpen posting a 4.58 xFIP.
Back the road dogs at -100.
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.
Why Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland Had An Underrated NHL Trade DeadlineWhile it wasn't a loud deadline, GM Ken Holland and the Los Angeles Kings made some sensible moves that make the team better for the playoff push and the future.
Scott Laughton Reflects On Maple Leafs Tenure, ‘A Little Bit’ Surprised In Club’s Lack Of Immediate Response To Auston Matthews HitIn a 1-on-1 conversation with The Hockey News on Sunday, Scott Laughton reflects on his trade to the Los Angeles Kings, his former team's lack of response to the hit on their captain, the pressure of playing in Toronto and the possibility of re-joining the Leafs down the road.
Orioles
Pirates
Dodgers
Nationals
Marlins
Yankees
Padres
Red Sox
Cubs
Guardians
Brewers
Royals
Rays
Twins
Blue Jays
White Sox
Reds
Rangers
Phillies
Rockies
Astros
Athletics
Mariners
Angels
Braves
Cardinals
Tigers