Yankees ace Gerrit Cole looked solid in his third rehab start on Wednesday as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.
Pitching for Double-A Somerset, Cole retired the first 11 Portland Sea Dogs he faced, but ran into some trouble in the fourth inning.
Cole lost the perfect game on a two-out single and then gave up a two-run home run to Johanfran Garcia. The right-hander got out of the frame on a fly out.
He bounced back with a strikeout to open the fifth inning, but then allowed another home run to Max Ferguson as the Patriots went down, 3-1.
Cole was able to regain his control and record the next four outs into the sixth inning, exiting after exactly 60 pitches -- the most he's thrown over three rehab starts. Over his three games in the minors, Cole has allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk over 14.1 innings.
It's expected that the 35-year-old will still need a few more rehab games before he returns to the Bronx.
Additionally, shortstop Anthony Volpe went 2-for-4 for the Patriots as his rehab from shoulder surgery continues. However, he was picked off first base in the bottom of the third inning and was thrown out at second base in the fifth inning trying to stretch a single into a double.
On Monday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he was unsure if Volpe would be able to rejoin the team in time for their weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles. Over 10 minor league games across Double-A and Triple-A, Volpe is hitting .303 with a home run and three RBI.
Gerrit Cole looking solid in his third rehab start!
The Premier League isn’t as fun and fizzy as PSG v Bayern but that’s the price of the twice-weekly churn that rewards discipline and sacrifice
In the novel Rabbit, Run, John Updike has one of his characters, a groovy and progressive 1960s priest, calling round to talk to his fellow minister, a hard German Lutheran, about the secret doubts he harbours about his faith. Is the doctrine really necessary? Is hell just, you know, a metaphor? He likes Jesus. But maybe he also likes sinful things, like sex and recklessly open attacking football.
The hard German Lutheran takes one look, curls his lip and tells the groovy progressive priest to get down on his knees in the kitchen and beg for forgiveness. Who is he to reason with divine suffering? Life is pain. Joy is pain. Pain is pain. Frankly, the groovy priest who likes flying full-backs and an open midfield disgusts him. He will burn in hell for his spineless debauchery. The groovy priest leaves in tears.
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The Battle of Pennsylvania continues tonight, and the Philadelphia Flyers could win its first playoff series in six years.
The Flyers are currently up three games to two in the best-of-seven series against its intrastate rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Flyers won three straight to open the series, but the Penguins came back with wins in games four and five, where the Flyers erased a 2-0 deficit to tie things up, but a fluke bounce led to a bizarre Penguins goal that put them ahead, 3-2.
Penguins vs. Flyers: what to know
When: April 29, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Channel: TBS
Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
If the Flyers win tonights game, they’ll advance into the second round of the NHL Playoffs to face the Carolina Hurricanes. A Penguins win would force a winner-takes-all Game 7 in Pittsburgh.
Penguins vs. Flyers Game 6 start time
Tonight’s (April 29) Penguins vs. Flyers game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET.
How to watch Penguins vs. Flyers for free
If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the Penguins vs. Flyers game for free.
DIRECTV is our top pick for watching hockey live for free — the five-day free trial of its MySports genre pack has TNT, plus all of the other channels you’ll need for the NHL playoffs. When the trial is over, you’ll pay $44.99/month for your first two months and gain access to 20+ live sports channels.
TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE
If you aren’t ready to commit to a full-on subscription, you can try a Sling Orange Day Pass. Priced at $4.99, you’ll get 24 hours of access to all Sling TV Orange has to offer, including TNT. Sling also offers weekend and week-long passes for its Orange plan, which offer between three and seven days of access.
Penguins vs. Flyers playoff schedule
Game 1: Flyers 3, Penguins 2
Game 2: Flyers 3, Penguins 0
Game 3: Flyers 5, Penguins 2
Game 4: Penguins 4, Flyers 2
Game 5: Penguins 3, Flyers 2
Game 6: Penguins at Flyers | April 29, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Egor Demin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the Orlando Magic during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 16, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For the first time in years, the Brooklyn Nets will be doing double-duty in the summer, adding three games at the Sacramento-based California Classic in early July to their already scheduled minimum of five games at the Las Vegas Summer League.
The announcement came via Tweet from the Nets official account…
The Classic is co-sponsored by the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. In addition to the three games the Nets will play at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, three other games involving three other teams will be played at Chase Center in San Francisco. Classic games are normally carried on NBA TV.
The news re the California Classic means the Nets will play a minimum of eight games between July 4, the beginning of the California Classic and July 19, the end of the Vegas Summer League. Following the close of the Classic, they will travel to Vegas and play a minimum of five games in Vegas. That schedule could be extended by a couple of more games depending on how far the Nets advance in the championship round.
The Nets decision was based in large part on just how many of their roster players are young. The roster this past season was the league’s youngest in the last 20 years, per Sean Marks. By season’s end included five first round picks — an NBA record — who can be expected to play in one or both leagues, depending on health. Egor Demin missed the last month of the season due to increased plantar fasciitis in his left foot. At the time, the Nets said Dëmin is expected to be a “full participant in the summer development program.”
In addition, Brooklyn played three undrafted players at one point or another in the season: Chaney Johnson, Grant Nelson and Malachi Smith. Also, as of the moment, the team has three first draft picks in June: a lottery pick somewhere between No. 1 and No. 7 as well as second rounders at Nos. 33 and 43. The double schedule will permit the team to get extended looks at all of them.
The Vegas games, which normally take place the first week of July, will also be getting a later start, giving the Nets the opportunity to play in both leagues. In the past, the Nets played in two leagues, either in Orlando or Salt Lake City.
The Summer League games will come during a particularly hectic time for NBA teams in late June and early July. The NBA Draft takes place over two nights on June 23 and 24 at Barclays Center. Teams can begin contacting free agents on July 1 and will be permitted to sign them five days later. It is also the most active time for trades.
While the first two months in the Detroit Red Wings tenure of John Gibson weren't what he or the club were looking for, he rebounded in emphatic fashion.
Gibson became arguably one of the NHL's top goaltenders from that point on, putting together several multi-game winning streaks and enjoying a dominant stretch of 16 wins in 18 games while posting an impressive .929 save percentage.
However, Gibson was ultimately overlooked in the recent voting for the Vezina Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL's top goaltender. This season's nominees were announced on Wednesday, and two of them play in the Atlantic Division.
Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins, and Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders are this season's Vezina nominees.
By January 22, Gibson's 13.47 goals saved above expected at 5-on-5 since the start of December was only behind Sorokin. His strong play was also a major reason why the Red Wings, who ultimately missed the postseason, were tied for first overall in the Eastern Conference in late January.
Gibson's numbers did come back down to earth during the final 19 games that he started, during which he accumulated a 6-10-2 record with a 3.20 goals-against average.
Overall, he finished his first campaign with the Red Wings, having posted a 29-22-4 record, a 2.72 goals-against average, a .901 save percentage, and four shutouts.
Gibson, who was acquired last offseason from the Anaheim Ducks, is under contract for one more season.
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DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn was fined Wednesday by the NHL for cross-checking Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman after a heated exchange between the players during Game 5 of the first-round playoff series.
Benn and Hartman came together with 5:15 left in the Wild's 4-2 win on Tuesday night that gave them a 3-2 series lead.
The fine of $2,604.17 against Benn was the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
After Hartman's high shove on Benn near the Minnesota net, the Stars forward gathered himself and responded with cross-checks to the back and then high around the neck/shoulder area. Benn was assessed a minor penalty for cross-checking, and Hartman got a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, creating a 4-on-4 situation.
The Wild host Game 6 on Thursday night, when they have to a chance to clinch their first playoff series victory since 2015.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 07, 2026: Carson Whisenhunt #88 of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch during the second inning of a spring training game against the Texas Rangers at Scottsdale Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
There were just three games for the San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball affiliates on Tuesday, as those teams kicked off their next six-game series. High-A Eugene, as happens from time to time (including next week) had a scheduling conflict at their University of Oregon stadium, and have a doubleheader on Saturday to make up for not starting their series against Spokane until today.
All listed positions in the roundup are the position played in that particular game.
AAA Sacramento (15-11)
Sacramento River Cats beat the Salt Lake Bees (Angels) 5-2 Box score
It took awhile, but we finally got a star showing from LHP Carson Whisenhunt (No. 8 CPL). Whisenhunt has struggled a bit to start to the year, but you certainly wouldn’t know it based on Tuesday’s performance, when he positively dominated the Bees. That’s doubly impressive when you glance at Salt Lake’s roster and realize just how many former Major Leaguers are populating it …. guys like Chris Taylor, Jeimer Candelario, Jose Siri, Nick Madrigal, Trey Mancini, and Yolmer Sánchez.
Those batters wanted nothing to do with Whisenhunt on Tuesday, though, as he cruised through 6 innings while allowing just 3 hits and 1 run, with 8 strikeouts. Whisenhunt wasn’t particularly dominating the strike zone, as he threw 48 of 78 pitches for strikes, but, critically, he didn’t issue a single walk all game (he did hit a batter, though).
It was Whisenhunt’s best pitch — his famed changeup — that did the damage against the Bees. All 8 of his strikeouts were swinging strikes, and a staggering 7 of them came when whiffing through his changeup. Talk about an elite pitch! There really doesn’t seem to be much of a question as to whether or not Whisenhunt’s changeup can play at the highest level … the question, rather, is whether his fastball can play well enough to set up the changeup. And on this day it most certainly did.
Rehabbing RHP Joel Peguero (No. 27 CPL) was a strike-throwing machine, as he tossed 12 pitches in a scoreless 7th inning, and all 12 of them were strikes. Impressive, and not usually what he’s known for! He did give up 2 hits, but struck out a batter and kept runs off the board, lowering his ERA to 6.14 and his FIP to 4.59. He’s made 8 rehab appearances, and it’s unclear if he’ll head to San Francisco when he’s done rehabbing, or if he’ll stay in Sacramento (he still has all 3 option years remaining). I’d guess the latter.
The big hit on offense came from designated hitter Jake Holton, who bopped the 1st home run of his AAA career to give the River Cats some insurance runs.
Holton, who hit 1-4 with a strikeout, spent 3 years putting up really nice numbers in AA while in the Tigers system before joining the Giants on a Minor League deal this year. It’s been an adjustment to the new level: he has just a .216 batting average, a 27.7% strikeout rate, a .668 OPS, and an 89 wRC+. But he’s still getting his feet wet.
Nice days for 2 of the best defensive players on the team, as center fielder Grant McCray and shortstop Osleivis Basabe both hit 2-4 with a double and a strikeout. McCray, who has a .667 OPS and a 91 wRC+, has been showing signs of life lately after a brutal start to the year. Basabe, who is critical depth given that there are no rostered infielders on the River Cats, has a .717 OPS and a 91 wRC+.
Not very good days for the team’s top hitting prospects, as first baseman Bryce Eldridge (No. 1 CPL) went 1-4 with 3 strikeouts, catcher Jesús Rodríguez (No. 16 CPL) hit 1-4 with 1 strikeout, left fielder Victor Bericoto (No. 35 CPL) went 0-4, and second baseman Nate Furman (No. 39 CPL) hit 1-4 with a walk and a stolen base.
AA Richmond (17-4)
Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Altoona Curve (Pirates) 10-9 Box score
It was almost an incredibly arrogant game for the Squirrels. Earlier this month, they swept Altoona in a 6-game series, and almost flexed on their opponent with a ruthless comeback. Richmond trailed 9-1 entering the 6th inning, and 10-6 entering the 8th. They almost pulled it off!
Unlike their older brothers in Sacramento, the Squirrels emphatically did not have a good pitching day, so we won’t linger on it long. The starter, LHP Greg Farone, had a brutal game, throwing just 36 of 70 pitches for strikes while allowing 5 hits (including a home run), 5 walks, and 4 runs in just 2.1 innings, though he struck out 4 batters. Farone, a 7th-round pick in 2024, started his debut AA season nicely: in his 1st 2 starts, he pitched 9 innings and allowed just 6 hits, 2 walks, and 2 runs, with 13 strikeouts. But in 3 starts since, he’s made it through just 8.1 innings, while giving up 13 hits, 9 walks, and 11 runs, with 11 strikeouts.
Then it was RHP Shane Rademacher, who has played something in between a long relief role and a piggybacking starter role this year. He didn’t have the command issues — he didn’t issue any walks — but gave up 3 home runs in just 2.1 innings. In total, the UDFA allowed 6 hits, 5 earned runs, and struck out 3, while seeing his ERA rise to 6.17 and his FIP to 7.62.
RHP Will Bednar (No. 24 CPL) had a decent showing, though, as he tossed 2 shutout innings with 3 strikeouts, though he did allow 3 baserunners (2 singles and a walk).
On offense, it was the usual suspects up to their early season tricks. Namely, it was first baseman Sabin Ceballos (No. 43 CPL) who continues to make it his life’s mission to put the 2025 season behind him. The 2023 3rd-rounder out of Oregon (drafted by Atlanta) had another brilliant day, hitting 3-5 with a 2-run home run, 2 doubles, and a strikeout.
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 28, 2026
Ceballos, who will turn 24 in August, is now at 5 home runs on the season …. after hitting just 6 bombs last year (at the same level) in 108 games. That power increase is the leading reason for why his year-over-year OPS has leaped from .670 to .990, and his wRC+ from 102 to 154. But it’s not just an injection of power, as his average has jumped from .232 to .306.
With Parks Harber (No. 17 CPL) finally healthy, Ceballos — who plays a pretty mean third base — will probably mostly be spending time at first base for Richmond. Given that third base isn’t blocked in AAA, an earlyish promotion wouldn’t be too surprising if Ceballos keeps up this level of performance.
The other usual suspect was right fielder Jonah Cox, who continues to hit like someone we shouldn’t describe as a glove-and-cleat first player. Also a 2023 draft pick by a different team (a 6th-rounder by the A’s), Cox hasn’t stopped hitting this year, and on Tuesday went 1-3 with a triple, a hit by pitch, and a stolen base.
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 29, 2026
A year after having just a .731 OPS and a 103 wRC+ in High-A, Cox is at a blistering 1.183 OPS and 209 wRC+ through 19 games playing up a level … and also has 13 stolen bases in 15 attempts. I don’t think anyone else in the organization (save for perhaps Rafael Devers at the Major League level) has had a more surprising start to the year.
Nice games for catcher Drew Cavanaugh (No. 19 CPL) and second baseman Diego Velasquez (No. 31 CPL), who both hit 1-2 with 2 walks and a strikeout. Cavanaugh has built on his breakout 2025 by casually posting a 1.147 OPS and a 202 wRC+, while having an elite blend of contact, power, and walks (among the 108 Eastern League hitters with at least 50 plate appearances, Cavanaugh is 6th in average, 6th in walk rate, and 16th in isolated slugging). Velasquez, who doubled for his hit, quietly has a .788 OPS and a 120 wRC+ despite posting an uncharacteristically-low .244 average. He’s nearing the 200-game mark in AA, but is also still just 22.
Harber and center fielder Bo Davidson (No. 4 CPL) are both still trying to find their groove during seasons that have been interrupted (Harber by a fairly serious hamstring injury, and Davidson by a less-serious arm injury plus parental leave). Harber went 1-5 with a double and 3 strikeouts, and now has a .737 OPS and a 93 wRC+; Davidson hit 0-3 but drew 2 walks, moving his OPS to .676 and his wRC+ to 70. He did have an awesome catch, too.
Bo Davidson brings one back in the late innings for the @GoSquirrels!
His bat gets the headlines and for good reason, but his defense has come a long way across the last year or so.
San Jose Giants beat the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) 8-5 Box score
Fresh off Pitcher of the Week honors, RHP Keyner Martinez (No. 10 CPL) flashed some good and some bad in his Tuesday start. The strikeout stuff was emphatically on display for the 21-year old, who K’d 8 batters in just 4 innings. But it was definitely a case of being effectively wild, as Martinez also walked 5 batters, while giving up 4 hits and 2 runs.
Missing the plate has been the biggest issue for Martinez as he looks to build on his sensational 2025. He’s already walked 10 batters in just 15.2 innings, while hitting another 2. But when he gets hitters to swing? Well, things are going his way … he’s already recorded 24 strikeouts, and has only given up 11 hits. The overall numbers aren’t there yet — he has a 5.17 ERA and a 4.80 FIP — but it’s certainly a very exciting package.
RHP Sam Bower followed and was awesome, giving up just a hit and a walk in 2.1 shutout innings, with 3 strikeouts. Bower was the team’s 11th-round pick back in 2022, but didn’t make his professional debut until this season, due to injuries. The St. Mary’s alum is starting to find his groove, though he’s issuing too many walks. He’s down to a 3.95 ERA on the year, though he has a 5.11 FIP.
In the batter’s box, it was yet another great game for first baseman Hayden Jatczak, who has started his career by doing nothing but hitting, hitting, and hitting some more. The UDFA went 2-5 in this game, with both a home run and a double, raising his OPS to 1.056 and his wRC+ to 168.
Jatczak’s numbers are propped up in part by an absurd 22.3% walk rate, but he’s also just beating up on much younger players (he turns 25 in August). It’s been a fun debut to watch, and I’m curious how much longer the Giants let him lay waste to the lowest level of A-ball.
Center fielder Andy Polanco had a nice game, hitting 2-4 with a double and stealing a pair of bases. The 11th-round pick from 2024, who is celebrating his 21st birthday today, is holding his own on offense, with an .805 OPS and a 110 wRC+. There are some warning signs — he has a sky-high .478 BABIP and a very high 28.2% strikeout rate — but it’s still nice to see given his 85 wRC+ in the Complex League last year.
Polanco is a burner, and has played strong defense for San Jose this year, while stealing 8 bases in as many attempts. Hopefully the offense can keep making strides.
Also stealing a base was shortstop Jhonny Level (No. 3 CPL), who hit 2-5 with a strikeout and his 7th swiped bag in 9 tries. Level has cooled off from his absurd start to the year, though he still has a 1.050 OPS and a 160 wRC+. It’s been nothing short of a fantastic season for the 19-year old switch-hitter, who I think has a good chance to be a consensus top-50 prospect by the end of the year.
And finally, right fielder Jose Astudillo made his season debut. And he made it quite nicely, I might add, hitting 2-4 with a walk. Astudillo, a recently-turned 22 year old from Venezuela, really opened eyes last year, when he started the season in the Dominican Summer League and ended it in Low-A. The right-hander is lacking power, but is a bat control artist: in 200 plate appearances across 3 levels last year, he hit just 1 home run, but posted a .367 batting average and struck out just 19 times.
Sacramento: 5:35 p.m. PT at Salt Lake (SP: Carson Seymour) Richmond: 3:00 p.m. PT at Altoona (SP: Joe Whitman) Eugene: 11:05 a.m. PT vs. Spokane (SP: Charlie McDaniel) San Jose: 3:35 p.m. PT at Visalia (SP: TBD)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 8: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers takes a lead off second base against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on June 8, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After their first off day in two weeks, the Dodgers open a six-game road trip on Friday night against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
This will be Emmet Sheehan’s first career start in St. Louis, and his second career start against the Cardinals. He struck out five and allowed two unearned runs in five innings in a win last August 5 at Busch Stadium.
Left-hander Matthew Liberatore starts for the Cardinals. The Dodgers are 5-1 in games started by left-handed starting pitching opponents this season, but Friday will mark just the third time in the last 16 games they’ve faced a southpaw to start.
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 22: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning during the game between the Houston Astros and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Grace Hoppel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The battle for American League MVP features plenty of star power and familiar names only a month into the 2026 MLB season. In the latest FanDuel Sportsbook American League MVP 2026 market, there are plenty of viable candidates trying to dethrone reigning back-to-back MVP Aaron Judge.
Unlike the NL MVP race — which has turned into Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani running away from most of the field — the AL MVP race still has eight players under 30/1 odds.
On a quest to capture his fourth MVP award overall, Judge (+170), the New York Yankees outfielder, remains the frontrunner. The Yankees are off to a strong start and Judge is top-10 in home runs and OPS.
While Judge’s wasn’t particularly strong out of the gate, his consistency and history with the award lends him considerable credibility at this stage in the season. All it takes is one big power surge for Judge to grab a big lead in the race. After home runs in back-to-back games, Judge could be settling in for another big summer.
Keeping pace with Judge is Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez (+270). Leading all of MLB in batting average, OPS and hits while tied for second in home runs, Alvarez is back in form after injuries derailed his 2025 season. Alvarez is on pace for his best season, but matching Judge’s power could prove difficult for a player who has never hit more than 37 home runs in a season.
It’s been a power outage for Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (+1100) so far this season. With only one home run, Witt needs to start slugging more frequently to stay with Judge and Alvarez in the MVP race.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (+1500) was off to a hot start after his offensive production dipped last season. Already at nine home runs on the season after hitting only 17 in 2025, Henderson’s returning power and 11 stolen bases are worth tracking. But Baltimore’s young star is also struggling to get on base with only a .280 on-base percentage.
Similar to Judge, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (+1500) is also pursuing his fourth AL MVP award. After winning three MVPs last decade, Trout hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Off to a promising start in 2026 with nine home runs, Trout is hoping for a resurgent season.
Cleveland Guardians star Jose Ramirez (+2000), Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz and Yankees first basemen Ben Rice (both +2500) are three more secondary MVP contenders worth tracking. Rice and Judge made history on Monday as the first Yankees teammates to hit 10 or more home runs in the team’s first 29 games since Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle in 1956.
The Vancouver Canucks are officially less than a week out from what could become one of the most impactful days in franchise history. The NHL Draft Lottery will take place on Tuesday, May 5, with the confirmed start time revealed to be 4:00 pm PT.
Vancouver heads into this year's draft lottery with the highest odds to select first-overall with 18.5%. After them are the Chicago Blackhawks (13.5%), New York Rangers (11.5%), and Calgary Flames (9.5%). Only 11 teams will get the chance to potentially select first-overall, as teams can only move up a maximum of 10 spots from their seeding position.
If the Canucks successfully win the lottery and claim the first-overall selection, it will be the first time in franchise history they'll do-so. Vancouver has selected within the top-three eight different times, but have yet to claim a first-overall pick. Their PWHL counterpart, the Vancouver Goldeneyes, were awarded the first-overall pick on Saturday due to the league's Gold Play policy.
As it stands, there are no Stanley Cup Playoff games officially scheduled for May 5, though this could change in the coming days. Three games could potentially be played a couple of days before, however, as the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins, Montréal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning, and Utah Mammoth and Vegas Golden Knights will all have their Game 7s scheduled for Sunday, May 3. The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will likely begin shortly after that.
The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery can be viewed on Sportsnet.
Photo Credit: @Canucks - X
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There have been a lot of factors that have contributed to the Pittsburgh Penguins finding themselves back in their first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers.
After going down 3-0 to start the series, the Penguins won-back-to-back in Games 4 and 5 to force a Game 6. Goaltender Artūrs Šilovs has been a big part of that, as he has stopped 46 of 50 shots across the two wins to amount to a .920 save percentage. Sidney Crosby has also been a big part of it, as he leads the team with five points in five games - including four in the last two - and his line has found another gear.
But another huge factor in the last two games has been 20-year veteran blueliner Kris Letang.
Letang, 39, has had a long, successful career across two decades with the Penguins, registering 178 goals and 806 points in 1,235 career regular season games and 25 goals and 92 points in 152 playoff games. Unfortunately, he struggled to find consistency for much of the regular season, and the carousel of defense partners didn't help.
First, he was paired with Ryan Shea on the second pairing, which didn't go over very well for Letang. Then, he played about two months alongside defenseman Brett Kulak, who was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers, along with Stuart Skinner, for netminder Tristan Jarry in mid-December. He and Kulak paired well together, as Kulak's shutdown style tandemed with Letang's offensive prowess and ability in transition.
Then came Sam Girard, who was part of a swap with the Colorado Avalanche that involved Kulak going the other way. Girard, 27, is a lot like Letang in many ways, as they are generally smaller blueliners who like to carry the puck on their stick and use their skating to their advantage.
It didn't start off well for the two, as both were getting used to each other and trying to play a similar style, which often resulted in odd-man breaks against, turnovers, and lapses in defensive coverage. It was like that for the first part of their regular season together - starting in February after the Olympic break - and that's how things went in the first three games of the series against Philadelphia, too.
But just like they were able to reach another level nearing the end of the regular season, they have turned it up several notches in the last two playoff games.
According to Natural Stat Trick, among the 40 defense pairings in the playoffs that have seen at least 30 minutes on the ice together, Girard and Letang have the second-highest on-ice shot attempts-for share (CF%) at 67.52, second only to Montreal Canadiens pairing Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj (70.69). The Penguins have had 79 chances for and 38 against with them on the ice.
And the next-closest Penguins' pairing? Parker Wotherspoon and Erik Karlsson at a 51.97 chances for share with 66 chances for and 61 against.
These numbers account for the entirety of the playoffs, too, not just the last two games, where their numbers were elevated a bit from the first three. The fact of the matter is that the Girard-Letang pair is beginning to step up again, as they did in the final few weeks of the regular season, and the Penguins are a much better team for it.
Of course, credit goes to both guys as individuals and as a pairing. Girard has been a monster in transition and in the offensive zone, which has helped the Penguins' attack a whole lot. But Letang has managed to lock in and play, arguably, his best hockey of the year in the last two games - and that has been in all facets.
Not only did he score back-to-back game-winning goals for the Penguins in Games 4 and 5, he was also able to get back to the best version of himself in all zones: A player who defends well one-on-one, can get back in plays on the backcheck, has elite puck possession and protection skills, and is strong on the breakout and - like Girard - in transition.
Like Crosby and the other veterans in the room, Letang has been in this league for a long time, and he has a ton of playoff experience under his belt that includes three Stanley Cup Championships. So, his ability to elevate his game when the stakes have been the highest in the playoffs is nothing new - and it's helping the Penguins stay alive in this grueling series.
"Obviously, this is a guy who's been doing it for a long time and at a high level," head coach Dan Muse said Tuesday. "He's been in a lot of these big moments. I think he's got the experience of understanding, too, when it's time to elevate and how to get to another level. I think we've seen that, not just in terms of the goal-scoring, but just overall play, and I think you've seen that from a lot of our group and, definitely, a lot of our veterans leading the way. I think the experience they've had of being in these big moments, being in a lot of different situations in the playoffs, that could factor in.
"I think it's also... he's just a big-time competitor, and what you don't see behind the scenes, just the way he prepares, the way he takes care of himself, his day-to-day, gets you this time of year. And it comes as no surprise that he's put himself in a position to elevate his game."
If Letang can produce repeat performances of Games 4 and 5 - or, even, manage to turn it up a notch more - that will be very good news for the Penguins in Game 6.
The Boston Celtics head back to the City of Brotherly Love with a chance to shut the door on the Philadelphia 76ers.
After letting a series-clinching win slip at home, Boston won’t be taking any chances in Game 6 on Thursday.
The Celtics have long been one of the NBA’s best “bounce-back” teams, but they’ll likely need a lift from super-sub Payton Pritchard if they’re going to close things out and move on to Round 2.
The Boston Celtics’ flash freeze in the second half saw them blow a 13-point lead in Game 5, sending the series back to Philly. The Celtics seem to do their best work on the road and boast one of the most impressive records when coming off a loss.
This season, Boston is 21-6 SU and 18-9 ATS off a loss and 60-13 SU and 51-22 ATS (70%) in those spots over the past three years.
SGP leg #2: Payton Pritchard Over 13.5 points
Payton Pritchard continues to produce off the pine for Boston, be it points, assists, or rebounds. He had a monster 32-point performance in his last trip to Philadelphia and scored 2.5 more points per game as a visitor on the season.
The Celtics guard is shooting 51% over the last three outings, and player projections call for 15+ points from Pritchard on Thursday night.
Maxey connected for 17 total 3-pointers over the last five games, and with Philadelphia’s game script having the Sixers fighting from behind, he’ll be extra active from outside if the Celtics start to pull away.
Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Celtics vs 76ers predictions for Game 6.
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Alexander Nikishin looks to be ahead of schedule in terms of a potential return to game action.
After suffering a concussion on Saturday in Game 4 of the Hurricanes' first round series, the Russian blueliner was back on the ice for practice on Wednesday.
Nikishin was sporting a yellow, non-contact jersey, but according to Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour, the rookie defenseman seems to be doing well.
"They said right away that he didn't really have a lot of symptoms, so I think he's feeling good," Brind'Amour said. "Whatever he's gotta do, it's going along in the right direction."
The Hurricanes have had plenty of time off since their series sweep of the Senators and they might just continue enjoying this extended recovery time with the way the first round has been going.
While some worry about the rust factor, the benefit for injured players like Nikishin certainly outweighs those fears.
"Scary moment, but thank God he's fine," said teammate Andrei Svechnikov. "He's skating with us now and I think he's gonna be good."
And while the team has depth that they can rely on, having all of their main guys available is obviously preferred.
Nikishin has been a steady presence on Carolina's blueline this year, as the rookie finished the year not only third in defensive scoring, but also set a team record for points by a first-year defenseman.
His game has come a long way throughout the course of the season, and he's developed pretty well overall into being a consistent and trusted part of the defensive corps too.
"His game has been progressing all year," Brind'Amour said. "Playoff hockey, the only thing that changes is the intensity and the physicality, and that's something that he should be able to adapt too really well. His game is good, but I still think there's another level and I think he knows that too. But a lot of positives too with where he's come and where we think he can get to."
"He had a really good second half of the year," Svechnikov said. "I think first half, he was trying to figure out and get used to the NHL speed and physicality and all that stuff. He's been really good. It's exciting to see him and I think he's only gonna get better from this point."
I asked Svechnikov today on his response to Kleven's hit on Nikishin: "Scary hit. When I saw Niki laying on the ice, I just tried to jump the guy because when you play the physical game and you try to hurt someone, that's what's gonna happen." https://t.co/ZPZKLDSKaP
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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Pitcher Gregory Santos #47 of the San Francisco Giants poses for a portrait during photo day at Scottsdale Stadium on February 19, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The last vestiges of the Eduardo Nunez trade from 2017 exist in the form of reliever Gregory Santos, whom the Boston Red Sox signed as an amateur free agent allllll the way back in 2015. It wouldn’t be until 2021 that he’d make his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants and after 5.2 innings across 2021 & 2022, the Giants traded him away for pitcher Kade McClure, who did not pan out. Such is the mystery of Baseball. He’s now back with the Giants and will be on the major league roster for them tonight, taking the place of Blade Tidwell.
The 26-year old flamethrowing righty had a great 2023 season for the Chicago White Sox. He was a 1.5-fWAR reliever in 66.1 IP with a 52.5% groundball rate and a 3.39 ERA, but also a 2.65 FIP. He pitched just 14.1 innings over the past two seasons for Seattle, and were bumpy to say the least (5.02 ERA / 4.41 FIP). He’s allowed just 3 runs (all earned) in 11 innings (2.45 ERA) for Sacramento so far with just 6 strikeouts. So, it’s weak contact when things are going well. Sort of a “best case scenario” Joel Peguero, perhaps. He’s the Giants’ ideal form of reliever, stretching back for at least the past decade: high velocity sinker (in this case, 97+) and 2,500+ rpm slider.
That’ll be an interesting change from Blade Tidwell from a stuff perspective. He has a six-pitch mix and gets a bit more swing and miss. On the other hand, the Giants might still see him as a starter, and with Adrian Houser pitching closer to his career averages and Tyler Mahle likely to hit the IL at some point, having a quality starter ready to go will be a necessity here very soon. But he looked great as a reliever.
For now, the Giants will hope that Santos can regain some of that 2023 magic and slide right into that bailout in the 5th inning or start the 6th clean role to make the 7th and beyond a fun game of Keaton Winn/Ryan Walker/Caleb Kilian/Erik Miller.
To clear a spot for him on the 40-man roster, outfielder Jared Oliva was transferred to the 60-day IL while he recovers from hamate surgery. Welcome back to the Giants and the big leagues, Gregory!
Veteran outfielder Tommy Pham's tenure with the Mets is officially done.
Pham cleared waivers on Wednesday and the team outrighted him to Triple-A Syracuse, but he declined the assignment and elected free agency instead, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.
New York designated the 38-year-old for assignment earlier in the week on April 26 after a rough stretch at the plate.
The OF had gone 0-for-13 with a walk over nine games this season.
It was Pham's second stint with the Mets, having played 79 games with the team in 2023. He had a solid year with New York, slashing .268/.348/.472 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI before getting traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks at the deadline.
For his career, Pham has played for 10 teams across 13 seasons, owning a .256 average and .765 OPS with 149 home runs, 200 doubles, and 522 RBI.
