ES
NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Royals call on stellar veteran RHP Seth Lugo vs. Angels
The Kansas City Royals will go for their first series sweep of the season when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday night.
The Royals rapped out 14 hits and benefited from 10 walks in a 12-1 rout of the Angels on Saturday.
Kansas City right-hander Seth Lugo (1-1, 1.15 ERA) will oppose left-hander Reid Detmers (1-2, 4.08) in the series finale — a rare nationally televised game for these teams.
Lugo will look to continue his stellar start to 2026. The 36-year-old has allowed two earned runs or less in each of his five starts and has pitched into the seventh inning four times.
Last time out, he tossed seven shutout innings Monday in a no-decision against the Baltimore Orioles. He left with a 1-0 lead after allowing one hit, striking out seven and walking four, but the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. Baltimore won 7-5 in 12 innings.
“There were a couple of guys that I know they could hit a good breaker that’s sharp like that,” Lugo said of his strategy against the Orioles. “So I took some off for them. But the other guys are the opposite. So I added some more velocity for those guys.”
Lugo is 2-0 with a 1.61 ERA in four games (three starts) against the Angels. Both wins came in 2024.
Detmers has alternated good and not-so-good starts thus far. After allowing one run in seven innings to beat the New York Yankees 7-1 on April 14, he was touched for four runs on five his in six innings of a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays last Monday. He struck out five and walked two.
Detmers is 0-1 with a 6.62 ERA in five games (three starts) against the Royals.
On Saturday, Kansas City’s Salvador Perez had three hits, including a home run. Cole Ragans pitched six strong innings and the Royals pulled away late, scoring three runs in the seventh and four in the eighth as the Angels resorted to position player Adam Frazier pitching in the eighth inning.
Nick Loftin had two hits and drove in four runs for the Royals, and Bobby Witt, Jr., Michael Massey and Kyle Isbel had two hits each.
“We all know what these guys are capable of,” Ragans said. “Watching them put in the work day-in and day-out, it’s just a matter of time. It’s an unbelievable group of guys and so much fun to watch.”
Ragans also was fun to watch Saturday, as he allowed one run on five hits and struck out 11 without a walk.
The Royals will look to win a season-high three straight games for just the second time this season.
Jo Adell homered and Vaughn Grissom had three hits and is 6-for-12 in his past three games for the Angels, who have lost six of their past seven games. They have scored two runs or less in five of the losses.
On Saturday, the Angels were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.
“It’s one of those things,” manager Kurt Suzuki said. “When it gets rolling for the other team, it gets rolling, and it just seems like you can’t do anything right. One game. Just move on to the next.”
Los Angeles catcher Logan O’Hoppe departed the game after the seventh inning with left wrist irritation after taking a foul tip off the wrist.
–Field Level Media
Dodgers, Cubs close series with potential pitching duel
A resurgent Los Angeles Dodgers’ offense will take on the visiting Chicago Cubs in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon.
The Dodgers snapped the Cubs’ 10-game winning streak with a 12-4 win on Saturday night.
Teoscar Hernandez was 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs as Los Angeles racked up 14 hits. Hitless in his previous three games, Hernandez lined a two-RBI single up the middle in a six-run fourth inning.
“I haven’t been on base for the last couple games, but it is OK, everyone goes through that,” he said. “Hopefully I can keep up doing that and be consistent with it.”
Shohei Ohtani also snapped an 0-for-12 skid over his previous three games when he led off the game with an opposite-field single.
Andy Pages, Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland posted two-hit games as the Dodgers scored in double digits for a major league-leading fifth time this season. The Cubs have scored in double figures in four games.
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said Max Muncy will be out on Sunday. The Dodgers third baseman felt sick yet still hit his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot in the third.
“Muncy wasn’t feeling well,” Roberts said. “We talked and said to him, give us what you got, three at-bats. That’s what we did and felt good about getting him three at-bats. Max will be down tomorrow and be back in there on Monday.”
Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (3-0, 1.88 ERA) is slated to start for the Dodgers. He covered seven innings in his most recent start and earned the decision in a 12-3 road win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday, yielding one run on eight hits with three strikeouts.
In his past three starts — all wins– he has allowed only two runs in a combined 20 innings. He never has faced the Cubs.
“At the end of the day I am going out there and doing the same thing every time,” Wrobleski said. “That’s trying to fill the zone, create contact and see what happens.”
Chicago’s scheduled starter is Shota Imanaga (2-1, 2.17), who earned the win when he surrendered one run on three hits over seven innings in his last start, a 7-4 home win against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.
The lefty is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA on the road this season. In four career starts against Los Angeles, Imanaga has a 1-0 record with a 3.48 ERA.
“I come to the field every day, whether it’s a start day or not, with the same responsibility,” Imanaga said. “I know if someone gets injured I can help cover them. We have a very tight circle with full support.”
He has a stellar defense in the field — the Cubs are ranked No. 1 on FanGraphs with 17 defensive runs saved — and knows he can pitch to contact.
“It helps with my confidence as well, knowing that behind me, the Cubs’ defense is the best of all 30 teams,” Imanaga said. “If I can control and avoid damage and extra-base hits, I know they are going to get outs. So it’s a big confidence booster.”
–Field Level Media
Giants’ Landen Roupp on a roll entering series finale vs. Marlins
A pair of 27-year-old right-handers who are off to successful starts will face relatively unfamiliar opponents on Sunday afternoon when Max Meyer and the Miami Marlins close a three-game road series against Landen Roupp and the San Francisco Giants.
The teams have split the first two games of the set, with the Giants drawing even Saturday in a 6-2 win after the Marlins dominated the opener 9-4.
Meyer (1-0, 3.96 ERA) has allowed no more than three runs in any of his outings this season, with Miami winning three of his five starts. He limited the St. Louis Cardinals to two runs and three hits over 5 1/3 innings on Monday, striking out a season-best eight in his team’s 5-3 home win.
The fourth-year major-leaguer has never faced the Giants, who experienced an interesting situation on Saturday when designated hitter Casey Schmitt slipped rounding second base in the second inning of a scoreless game, eventually costing San Francisco a run. But Schmitt responded with a tie-breaking, two-run home run four innings later, giving the hosts a lead they never relinquished.
Giants manager Tony Vitello insisted to reporters afterward that he was not surprised how the sequence of events unfolded.
“He makes the coaches feel comfortable around him because he’s not afraid to laugh at himself, which we all have to do because we all make mistakes,” Vitello noted of Schmitt. “He wants to win. When an obstacle comes up, he gets a little more determined. I don’t think it’s a coincidence (the home run) happened.”
The Giants’ Roupp (4-1, 2.28 ERA) has been the club’s best starter in the early going, including a current three-game personal winning streak in which he held the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers to a total of two runs and seven hits in 17 innings, striking out 17. He has won his last two starts despite getting just three runs of support in each.
Roupp has thrown just one inning against the Marlins in his three-year career, a hitless ninth in a 7-5 home loss in September 2024.
The right-hander will have to deal with a lineup that’s been much more productive against righty pitchers this season, including the season-high-tying, 16-hit outburst in a game started by right-hander Adrian Houser on Friday. The Marlins weren’t nearly as effective Saturday as the Giants threw three left-handers, including starter Robbie Ray.
Miami began the weekend with the third-highest team batting average in baseball (.276) against right-handers.
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said he loved watching the show Friday, one in which his team put up nine or more runs for the fourth time this season. All four surges have come in games started by opposing right-handers.
“From the very beginning I thought our approach was outstanding,” McCullough said after Friday’s win. “Our swing decisions were outstanding. It was just a real offensive clinic, one through nine, with the type of quality at-bats.”
–Field Level Media
Game 4 heads back to Bell Centre on Sunday night with Montreal holding a 2-1 series lead after another overtime finish. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN, and this series has already turned into exactly the kind of first-round battle bettors want to track closely. Tampa Bay finished the regular season 50-26-6 and took the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic, while Montreal closed 48-24-10 and grabbed the No. 3 seed. Through three games, that gap has barely mattered.
What has mattered is how thin the margin has been. All three games have gone to overtime, Montreal stole Game 1 behind a power-play eruption, Tampa answered in Game 2, and the Canadiens pushed back in Game 3 with Lane Hutson’s overtime winner. Tampa Bay still has the more proven playoff core and the more established No. 1 goalie, but Montreal has looked faster, more opportunistic, and perhaps a little more comfortable in the chaos this series keeps producing.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens Odds
These are the current betting lines for Game 4, and bettors should always keep an eye on the latest NHL odds before locking in a position because a series this tight can move quickly on goalie or injury news.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Lightning | -111 | -1.5 (+213) | O 5.5 (-135) |
| Montreal Canadiens | -105 | +1.5 (-265) | U 5.5 (+109) |
Go Inside the Handicappers’ Playbook
All in one spot. Real-time line moves, sharp reads, and verified edges.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Form
Tampa Bay is down in the series, but the case for the road side is still easy enough to make. The Tampa Bay Lightning stats and results still point to one of the league’s more dangerous offensive teams, and the top end has shown up in this matchup. Brandon Hagel has scored in all three games and has five points in the series, while Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, and Jake Guentzel continue to drive chances whenever Tampa gets to play on its terms.
The frustration for Tampa is that the cleaner stretches have not lasted. In Game 3, the Lightning were outshot 29-17 and gave up too many odd-man looks after controlling more of the first two games territorially. At 5-on-5, there are still moments where Tampa looks like the steadier team, but the execution has slipped at the wrong times, and the overtime problem has not really gone away. If the Lightning are going to even this series, it probably starts with a cleaner defensive game in front of Andrei Vasilevskiy and far less sloppiness away from the puck.
Special teams remain a real edge for Tampa, though maybe not as clear an edge as it usually would be. The Lightning have already scored multiple power-play goals in this series and came into the playoffs with a stronger penalty kill profile than Montreal. Still, availability matters here. Victor Hedman remains out and was not expected back in this round, while Charle-Edouard D’Astous and Pontus Holmberg also remain part of the injury conversation. That is why monitoring the Tampa Bay Lightning injury report matters before puck drop.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Form
Montreal looks like a team that believes it can win this series now, not just steal a couple of games. The Montreal Canadiens schedule and stats show a club that finished strong enough to take the No. 3 seed, and that confidence has carried over. The Canadiens are 2-1 in the series, 1-0 at home in this round, and they have already shown they can win in multiple ways, whether it is power-play damage in Game 1 or late-game pressure and overtime composure in Game 3.
The most encouraging part for Montreal might be that the headline names have not even fully taken over at even strength yet. Kirby Dach, Alexandre Texier, Zachary Bolduc, and Lane Hutson all played major roles in Game 3, and the Canadiens have gotten enough from their supporting cast to keep the matchup balanced. Juraj Slafkovsky’s power-play hat trick in Game 1 was the early reminder that Montreal has more scoring depth than Tampa may have expected, and the likely return to Jakub Dobes in goal gives the Canadiens a goalie who has already handled this opponent well several times. Final confirmation still matters, but Dobes versus Vasilevskiy remains the most likely setup.
Montreal’s risk is pretty simple. The penalty kill can still be stressed, and the blue-line health is not perfect. Noah Dobson remains out, Patrik Laine is sidelined, and Brendan Gallagher’s status still needs to be watched. Even so, the Canadiens have managed the holes well enough so far, especially at home where the pace and crowd energy seem to fit this group. Bettors should keep tabs on the Montreal Canadiens injury report before the final bet goes in.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens Matchup Breakdown
This matchup keeps circling back to two things: special teams and late-game nerve. Montreal burned Tampa for three power-play goals in Game 1, the Lightning answered with man-advantage production of their own, and all three games have still gone beyond regulation. So even though the line is only 5.5, there are enough power-play weapons on both sides to make the total dangerous if the whistles come early again. That is a big part of why this series has felt more volatile than a standard tight-checking first-round matchup.
At 5-on-5, I still think Tampa has a small structural edge when it stays disciplined. The Lightning held Montreal to limited even-strength creation in the opener and, for stretches, looked like the more repeatable team. The issue is that Montreal has been better at turning small momentum swings into goals, especially at Bell Centre. That is not always sustainable long term, but in a short series it matters a lot. This is exactly the kind of spot where a sharper NHL betting guide or a deeper Stanley Cup betting guide can help separate one-game noise from the angles that are still holding up.
Goaltending is still the swing factor. Vasilevskiy has had to clean up too many mistakes, but he has still been good enough to give Tampa a chance every night. Dobes has been less busy in certain stretches, though he has looked calm when the pressure spikes. If this game opens up, Tampa probably benefits because its top-end scorers are more established. If it turns into another one-goal grinder with special-teams interruptions and heavy traffic around the crease, Montreal has already shown it is comfortable there.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens Predictions and Best Bets
The side lean here is still Tampa Bay on the moneyline, but not by much. The Lightning are the more proven team, they have been competitive in every game, and they still look like the club with the cleaner 5-on-5 ceiling when they stay out of penalty trouble. At this number, the price is much more playable than it was earlier in the series. If Tampa cleans up just a few defensive-zone mistakes and gets one normal game from its structure, it can absolutely even this matchup.
That said, the stronger betting angle is still the total. A 5.5 in a series with three straight overtime games, dangerous power plays on both sides, and enough finishing talent to punish mistakes feels a little light. Even the games that look tight are producing enough chances late to keep the over live. Montreal has already shown it can score without dominating all 60 minutes, and Tampa’s top line remains too talented to stay quiet for long.
There is always some risk with an over in a playoff game where both coaches know each other this well. Maybe it tightens up. Maybe the first period is cautious. Still, the special-teams profile, the recent overtime pattern, and the likely goalie workload all push me toward goals rather than trying to force a bigger opinion on the side. Tampa moneyline is the lean. Over 5.5 is the better bet.
Best Bet: Over 5.5 (-135).
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you want more than one opinion on this game, the best place to start is today’s NHL picks. On a playoff slate, that helps because you can compare this series to the rest of the board and see whether the edge is really here or whether another matchup offers a cleaner angle. The NHL previews hub is useful too when you want matchup-by-matchup context instead of only raw picks.
For bettors who care about transparency, the top sports handicappers page and the handicapper leaderboard make it easier to compare styles, records, and recent form instead of tailing one opinion blindly. That matters even more in the playoffs, where some bettors are stronger on sides while others are better at totals, props, or derivative markets.
And if you want a stronger conviction play instead of a free lean, premium NHL picks is the natural next step. In a series like Lightning vs Canadiens, where the margin is thin and the prices are moving around small details, that extra filtering can be worth it.
Game 4 shifts back to Honda Center with a real swing feel to it. Anaheim leads the series 2-1 after ripping off back-to-back home wins, including Friday’s 7-4 result, and now the Ducks have a chance to push Edmonton to the edge before the series goes back north. Puck drop is set for 9:30 PM ET on Sunday, April 26, with ESPN carrying the broadcast. Edmonton finished the regular season at 41-30-11 and Anaheim closed at 43-33-6, so this was never some massive gap on paper, even if the Oilers came in with the bigger playoff reputation.
The bigger story so far has been game environment. Anaheim has turned this into a fast, messy, high-event series, and Edmonton has not handled that well enough defensively. The Ducks scored six in Game 2 and seven in Game 3, while Edmonton has already allowed 16 goals through three games. That is not the script the Oilers want, especially with Game 4 suddenly feeling close to must-win territory.
Edmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks Odds
These are the current betting lines for this matchup, and bettors should always monitor the latest NHL odds before locking in a play.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | -132 | -1.5 (+164) | O 7.5 (+126) |
| Anaheim Ducks | +114 | +1.5 (-201) | U 7.5 (-159) |
Go Inside the Handicappers’ Playbook
All in one spot. Real-time line moves, sharp reads, and verified edges.
Edmonton Oilers Betting Form
Edmonton still brings the scarier top end into this game, and that matters. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins can break a matchup open in a hurry, and the regular-season profile still looked like a classic Oilers team: elite offense, elite power play, and enough pace to make totals dangerous. The Edmonton Oilers stats and results page is a good reminder that this group still plays in some of the league’s most volatile scoring environments, especially when the power play gets its chances.
The problem is that the defensive floor has been ugly in this series. Edmonton has scored 11 goals in three games and still trails 2-1, which tells you almost everything. They have been loose off the rush, too casual with turnovers, and not nearly good enough around their own crease. Jason Dickinson was pushing to return for Game 4 after a full practice, which would help the center depth, but the goalie call was still not locked in, and that is a real betting issue when a total opens this high. Monitor the Edmonton Oilers injury report before puck drop because lineup clarity still matters a lot for both the side and the total.
There is still a very live Edmonton case, obviously. Their power play was the best in hockey during the regular season, and Anaheim’s penalty kill profile has been vulnerable enough that one whistle-heavy game could swing everything back. But right now, backing the Oilers means trusting a team that has not controlled the series defensively even once since the opener.
Anaheim Ducks Betting Form
Anaheim looks like the more comfortable team right now, which is maybe the most surprising thing in the series. The Ducks have scored 13 goals over the last two games, Lukas Dostal has given them steadier goaltending than Edmonton has gotten at the other end, and the young core has not looked overwhelmed at all. Jackson LaCombe has been a huge part of that. He entered Game 4 with six points in three games, and Anaheim’s speed through the neutral zone has consistently forced Edmonton into mistakes. The Anaheim Ducks schedule and stats page tracks the same idea bettors have seen most of the year: this is a dangerous team when the game opens up.
What stands out to me is how many different ways Anaheim can hurt Edmonton. Troy Terry, Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Mikael Granlund, Mason McTavish, Beckett Sennecke, even LaCombe from the back end, there is real scoring depth here. The Ducks scored a franchise-record 265 goals in the regular season, so while this offense is young, it is not some random playoff heater either. Availability is not perfect, though. Radko Gudas was dealing with an issue coming into this stretch, and Petr Mrazek remains out, so monitor the Anaheim Ducks injury report before puck drop.
Anaheim’s weakness is still the same one it has carried all year. If the game gets parade-to-the-box sloppy and Edmonton starts owning special teams, the Ducks can get exposed fast. Their penalty kill has not been a strength, and against this opponent that is never a small detail. Still, the Ducks have earned a lot of respect by turning this series into their kind of pace.
Edmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks Matchup Breakdown
This series has become a style fight, and right now Anaheim is winning it. Edmonton wants talent and special teams to decide the game. Anaheim wants pace, pressure, turnovers, and enough chaos that the Oilers have to defend in layers. Through three games, the Ducks have done a better job forcing that second version. Edmonton has already conceded 16 goals, and once a talented offensive team starts playing on its heels like that, the moneyline gets a lot shakier than the roster names suggest.
Special teams still lean Edmonton in the bigger picture. The Oilers’ power play was a 30.6 percent monster in the regular season, and Anaheim’s penalty kill profile is exactly the kind of unit that can get punished by that level of puck movement. So even though the Ducks have carried the series flow lately, there is always a built-in risk in backing them if the game gets whistle-heavy. That is one reason the total is so inflated. A few early penalties and this thing can get loose all over again. For bettors trying to think more in matchup terms than just team names, the NHL betting guide is a useful reference point, and the Stanley Cup betting guide fits this exact kind of series-adjustment spot.
Goaltending is probably the cleanest edge on the board right now, even if Anaheim does not have the bigger name. Dostal has looked like the steadier option, and the Ducks have been far more confident in front of him. Edmonton had still not confirmed its Game 4 starter by Sunday, which tells you the coaching staff at least knows the crease is part of the problem. That uncertainty makes it hard to love the Oilers as a road favorite, even if their desperation level is obvious.
Edmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks Predictions and Best Bets
My first lean is Anaheim on the moneyline. Not because the Ducks are suddenly the more talented team overall, but because the price is finally acknowledging how unstable Edmonton has looked in this matchup. Anaheim has the better goaltending form, the more confident 5-on-5 game right now, and home ice in a building that clearly gave them a lift in Game 3. At plus money, that is enough for me to stay with the side that has dictated the series for two straight games.
I do understand the Oilers argument. Desperation matters, experience matters, and if Edmonton cleans up even a little around its own net, the top-end skill can flip the whole script in one night. That is also why I would rather play the moneyline than chase Anaheim on the puck line or get too cute with derivative markets. If Edmonton wins, it likely looks like a stars-take-over response. If Anaheim wins, I think it is because the Ducks keep dragging this into a high-speed, mistake-filled game.
The total is where I get more cautious. Seven and a half is a huge playoff number, even with these two teams playing track-meet hockey. Yes, the last two games got wild. Yes, both teams can score. But at some point Edmonton has to make this game tighter, and if they cannot, they are probably losing the series anyway. Anaheim would also love a slightly calmer game if it can get one. I still lean over before under because neither defense has earned much trust, but the number has already baked in so much chaos that the value feels thinner there than on the home dog.
So the side is Anaheim, the total lean is slightly over, and the best price on the board is still the home team to win again and push Edmonton into a very uncomfortable Game 5.
Best Bet: Anaheim Ducks moneyline (+114).
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are betting playoff hockey every night, not just this game, it helps to compare more than one read before locking in a card. The today’s NHL picks page is useful for that broader board view, and the NHL previews hub makes it easier to stack matchup context across the full slate instead of isolating one game.
The other edge is transparency. You can compare top sports handicappers and use the handicapper leaderboard to see who is actually producing over time, which matters a lot more in the playoffs when public sentiment gets louder and prices get tighter.
And if you want a more aggressive card than the free board gives you, buy expert picks is there for that next layer. In a series like Edmonton versus Anaheim, where side, pace, and goalie uncertainty are all pulling on the number at once, having a few trusted angles before puck drop is usually the sharper process.
The Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins meet Sunday, April 26, 2026, at TD Garden for Game 4 of their first-round playoff series. Puck drop is set for 2:00 PM ET, with TNT carrying the broadcast. Buffalo leads the series 2-1 after taking Game 3 in Boston, so this is a real pressure spot for the Bruins.
Buffalo has been the slightly sharper team through three games. The Sabres are 2-1 in the postseason, have scored 9 goals, and have allowed 8. They just won 3-1 behind a strong Alex Lyon start, with Bowen Byram, Noah Ostlund, and Alex Tuch all making key plays in a tight road win.
Boston is 1-2 in the playoffs and now needs a response at home before the series gets away from them. The Bruins are slight moneyline favorites at -110, while Buffalo sits at -106. The total is 5.5, with the Over priced at -127 and the Under at +102, which says the market is expecting more offense than Game 3 gave us.
Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins Odds
These are the current betting lines for Game 4, and bettors should always monitor the latest NHL odds before locking in a position.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Sabres | -106 | +1.5 (-273) | O 5.5 (-127) |
| Boston Bruins | -110 | -1.5 (+218) | U 5.5 (+102) |
Go Inside the Handicappers’ Playbook
All in one spot. Real-time line moves, sharp reads, and verified edges.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Form
Buffalo has done enough through three games to make bettors take the Sabres seriously as more than just a live underdog. Their Buffalo Sabres stats and results show a team that can win in different ways, and that has mattered in this series. Game 1 was a late offensive push. Game 3 was more about defensive structure, goaltending, and finishing the few chances that mattered.
The Sabres have 9 postseason goals and have allowed only 8, which is a strong enough balance for a road playoff team. Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson have both scored twice, and Buffalo’s physical edge has shown up with 121 hits. That is not just noise. Against Boston, winning wall battles and making the Bruins work for every clean entry has helped Buffalo control the tone for long stretches.
Availability still matters, so monitor the Buffalo Sabres injury report before puck drop. Sam Carrick, Justin Danforth, and Jiri Kulich are out, while Josh Norris is questionable with an undisclosed issue. That depth loss is not ideal, but Buffalo has received enough from Byram, Ostlund, Tuch, and Thompson to keep the attack dangerous. From a betting angle, the Sabres moneyline is playable because they are not being priced like the team ahead in the series.
Boston Bruins Betting Form
Boston needs more from its offense. The Bruins scored just once in Game 3, and while Tanner Jeannot got them on the board, they did not do enough with their power-play chances late. Their Boston Bruins schedule and stats still show a team with enough structure and goaltending to win this game, but the finishing has to be sharper.
David Pastrnak has 5 points in 3 playoff games, and he remains the key offensive driver. Charlie McAvoy’s defensive work has also mattered, especially with his shot blocking and ability to eat difficult minutes. Jeremy Swayman has been good enough to keep Boston in every game, sitting with 94 saves this postseason. The Bruins are not losing because of goaltending. They are losing because they have not turned enough pressure into goals at the right times.
The Boston Bruins injury report is lighter than Buffalo’s, with Pavel Zacha questionable for personal reasons. That is still important because Zacha can help Boston through the middle, on faceoffs, and in special-teams spots. Boston has won 93 faceoffs in the postseason, and if the Bruins can turn that possession edge into cleaner looks, the moneyline case becomes stronger.
Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins Matchup Breakdown
This series has been tight because neither team has consistently separated at 5-on-5. Buffalo has found timely offense, while Boston has had stretches where it looks like the more controlled team but cannot fully break through. That creates a tricky betting market because the Bruins are home favorites, but the Sabres have already shown they can win at TD Garden.
Special teams may decide Game 4. Boston has ranked well in postseason power-play production, but Buffalo’s penalty kill came up big in Game 3. If the Sabres keep taking penalties, that is dangerous. If they stay disciplined and force Boston to score at 5-on-5, the matchup becomes more even than the home-ice price suggests.
The goalie angle is interesting too. Swayman is the more established playoff presence, but Lyon just gave Buffalo exactly what it needed. He did not have to steal the game with 40 saves. He just had to be clean, calm, and sharp on the chances Boston did create. That is enough in a series where goals have not come easily.
For bettors looking deeper into playoff markets, a good NHL betting guide can help frame why short moneyline prices and puck-line payouts matter more in tight postseason games. The Bruins puck line at +218 has a big payout, but this series has not really pointed toward a comfortable Boston win. If Boston wins, it may be by one.
Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins Predictions and Best Bets
I lean slightly toward Boston on the moneyline, but I do not love the price as much as the market probably wants me to. The Bruins are at home, they have the urgency, and Swayman gives them a strong floor. That said, Buffalo has already won twice in this series and just handled the road environment well. This is not a spot where I want to dismiss the Sabres.
The better Boston argument is situational. Down 2-1, at home, with a chance to even the series, the Bruins should bring their most aggressive push. Pastrnak has to be more involved early, and the power play needs to punish Buffalo if the Sabres give them chances. If Boston wins this game, it likely comes from better special teams and a cleaner offensive start.
The total is where I agree with the original lean. Over 5.5 is juiced, but both teams have shown enough scoring profile over the last 10 games to make it viable. Buffalo’s last 10 have leaned Over, Boston’s recent totals have done the same, and Game 4 urgency can create a more open third period if either side is chasing.
I still see risk because playoff hockey can tighten quickly. Swayman can drag this toward the Under, and Lyon just showed he can handle the moment. But at 5.5, one empty-net goal can matter, and both teams have enough power-play and transition threat to get this into a 4-2 or 3-3 type of range.
Best Bet: Over 5.5 (-127).
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
The NHL playoffs are where price discipline matters. One game can swing on a goalie decision, a special-teams call, or one late empty-netter. Bettors can use today’s NHL picks to compare the full board instead of forcing action on only the biggest matchups.
ScoresAndStats also makes it easier to compare experts with different betting styles. You can review top sports handicappers, track records on the handicapper leaderboard, and see who is producing long-term profit across NHL sides, totals, puck lines, and props.
For bettors who want more than free analysis, premium NHL picks can help narrow the card during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. A matchup like Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins is exactly why that matters. The side is close, the total is sensitive, and the best angle may come down to price rather than simply picking the better team.
Game 4 heads to Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, April 26, with puck drop set for 4:30 PM ET on TNT. Colorado leads this first-round series 3-0 and now gets its first chance to close it out, while Los Angeles is trying to avoid another early playoff exit after three straight losses to open the round. The Avalanche have controlled the series without needing wild, high-scoring games, and that matters because this market is still built around Colorado as the clear favorite with a total of 5.5.
What stands out is how narrow the margins have felt even with Colorado up 3-0. Los Angeles has not been completely run over shift to shift, but the Kings have only scored four goals in the series and have struggled to create enough at five-on-five. Colorado, meanwhile, has leaned into a more committed defensive game than people expected and has gotten steady goaltending behind it. That gives this matchup a slightly different shape than the regular season version.
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings Odds
These are the current betting lines for Game 4, and bettors should always keep an eye on the latest NHL odds before puck drop because goalie confirmation and late injury news can still move a playoff number.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | -164 | -1.5 (+155) | O 5.5 (-117) |
| Los Angeles Kings | +141 | +1.5 (-189) | U 5.5 (-105) |
Go Inside the Handicappers’ Playbook
All in one spot. Real-time line moves, sharp reads, and verified edges.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Form
Colorado still looks like the more complete team because the edge is not coming from one hot scorer or one lucky stretch. Through three playoff games, the Avalanche have allowed only four total goals, and they have shown they can win in a low-event script just as easily as they can in a more open one. That is a huge plus for bettors because it gives Colorado more than one path to cover a favorite price. The broader Colorado Avalanche stats and results page fits that picture too, showing a team that entered the playoffs with elite two-way balance.
The other big point is five-on-five control. Colorado’s power play is still sitting at 0-for-9 in the series, which is surprising given the talent on the ice, but the Avalanche have been good enough at even strength that it has not hurt them much yet. Scott Wedgewood is listed as the projected starter again for Game 4, with Mackenzie Blackwood behind him, and that keeps Colorado in a stable spot in net. The lineup should also stay mostly intact even with Josh Manson unlikely to play after leaving Game 3 with an upper-body injury. Availability still matters, so give the Colorado Avalanche injury report one last look before puck drop.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Form
Los Angeles still has a case, but it starts with structure rather than offense. The Kings have kept these games reasonably tight for stretches, they are blocking shots, and their special teams have given them a little life. Anton Forsberg is projected to start again, with Darcy Kuemper behind him, and that does at least give the Kings a goalie who has been capable of stealing momentum when the game settles down. The season-long Los Angeles Kings schedule and stats page also supports the idea that this team has generally been more competitive than the 0-3 series score suggests.
The problem is that the Kings have been too dependent on the power play. They have only four goals in the series, and the five-on-five offense still has not shown enough to make Colorado uncomfortable for long stretches. Home ice and last change should help D.J. Smith hunt cleaner matchups for Kopitar, Kempe, and Panarin, and with elimination on the table, you would expect Los Angeles to push early. But the gap in depth still shows up once the game gets into its normal rhythm. With Kevin Fiala still out and Alex Turcotte only a possible return after missing the first three games of the series, depth remains a concern, so it is worth checking the Los Angeles Kings injury report before puck drop.
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings Matchup Breakdown
This series still comes back to pace and five-on-five trust. Colorado wants longer offensive-zone shifts, layered pressure, and enough skill touches to break down structure eventually. Los Angeles wants something much cleaner and tighter, a game that stays under control and gives the Kings a chance to make special teams or goaltending the difference. Through three games, Colorado has been the side more capable of dictating the terms that matter.
Special teams are the one place where Los Angeles can still flip the feel of the game. Colorado’s power play has not connected yet in the series, and the Kings have already shown they can punish mistakes with the extra man. But there is a catch there too. If Los Angeles needs the power play to carry most of its offense again, the margin stays tiny. Colorado has simply looked more trustworthy at even strength, and in a playoff game like this, I still think that is the most important edge. If you like framing matchups through that lens, the NHL betting guide and the Stanley Cup betting guide both fit naturally here.
There is also a small schedule and pressure angle working in opposite directions. The Kings are home and desperate, which can sharpen the opening 10 minutes, but Colorado is in the calmer spot and does not need to chase this game if it stays tight. The Avalanche can win 2-1, 3-2, or 4-2. Los Angeles, at least so far, has looked like it needs a narrower script to get this series back to Denver.
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings Predictions and Best Bets
My main side lean is Colorado on the moneyline. The Avalanche are the better team, yes, but more importantly they are the better five-on-five team, and that tends to be the part of the handicap I trust most once a playoff series settles into its real shape. They have already shown they can beat Los Angeles in a tighter defensive game, and that makes Colorado easier to back as a favorite even on the road.
The puck line is tempting because the Avalanche are one win from a sweep and have more scoring depth, but I do not love forcing that angle in what has mostly been a controlled series. Los Angeles is structured enough to hang around, especially at home with last change and a little desperation energy. So for me, the cleaner value is paying for the superior side rather than demanding a multi-goal margin.
The total is close. I understand the under case because Colorado has defended so well and Los Angeles still has only four goals through three games. But I lean slightly over the posted number more than under because the Kings should be more aggressive in an elimination spot, and that can create a wider third-period script if Colorado gets ahead. Still, it is not my favorite angle. The stronger read is that Colorado has more ways to win this game than Los Angeles does.
Best Bet: Colorado Avalanche moneyline (-164).
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are building out the full playoff card, today’s NHL picks are a strong place to start because they let you compare multiple opinions quickly. The broader NHL game previews page helps too when you want context across the entire board instead of isolating one matchup.
There is also real value in comparing different styles before you lock anything in. The handicapper leaderboard makes it easier to track long-term performance, while the page of top sports handicappers helps you sort through experts who fit your approach best. That matters in the NHL because some cappers are stronger on sides, others on totals, and others on playoff derivatives.
And if you want a stronger card than one free opinion can offer, premium NHL picks are the cleanest next step. That gives bettors a way to compare a fuller menu of positions before the market moves too far.
Padres, D-backs visit ‘Petco South’ in Mexico City one more time
Arizona outfielder Alek Thomas took the field with the Mexican flag as a cape in honor of his mother’s heritage and followed that entrance with a two-run homer against San Diego in the first game of the Mexico City Series on Saturday.
It was not enough to keep the Padres from remaining undefeated in the Mexico City Series history.
The Padres beat the Diamondbacks 6-4 Saturday in the first game of the 2026 edition after sweeping San Francisco in the first Mexico City Series in 2023.
“We can probably call this place Petco South,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said in reference to the Padres’ Petco Park home. “I think that’s a good nickname for it.”
San Diego’s Michael King (3-1, 2.28 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander Kyle Nelson (1-2, 6.97) in the final game of the two-game set at the Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu on Sunday afternoon.
“Great moment for Alek,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, noting that Thomas played for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic this spring.
“We’re going to come out tomorrow with everything we got to hopefully split this series,” Lovullo added Saturday. “There’s nothing we can do about today. There were some good moments and obviously moments that weren’t so good.”
The Padres overcame a 4-0 deficit behind two bases-empty homers by Ty France, and their four-run seventh inning was perhaps the D-backs’ worst half-inning of the season.
San Diego scored on two singles, three walks (one intentional), a balk, an error and two sacrifice flies. Gavin Sheets’ two-run single was the big blow. During the inning, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo left the game with a sprained left ankle after committing an error.
San Diego has won 13 of its past 15 games; the D-backs have lost four of five.
“The team never gives up, especially in a ballpark like this,” Stammen said. “Keep taking good at-bats and hopefully something gets through. We’re just piecing it together, playing good baseball and never giving up.
“So far this season we’ve been able to come back, and I think once you feel that and feel that early in the season, that becomes a little bit of your identity and who you are. So far, that’s been who we are.”
King has been strongest when the Padres have needed it the most this season. Opponents are hitting .179 against him with runners on base and .080 with runners in scoring position.
King came up as a relief pitcher with the New York Yankees and credits a mindset he developed there for his ability to rise to the occasion.
“I took a lot of pride in that, in terms of when you got yourself in some bad situations, you’ve got to get yourself out,” King told The San Diego Union-Tribune. “I kind of knew those situations and how to navigate it.”
King is coming off a 2-1 victory last Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., in a game in which he gave up only one hit in five scoreless innings but threw 105 pitches. He walked four batters.
Nelson enters after his worst career outing. He allowed eight runs and eight hits and retired only one of the 10 batters he faced in the first inning of a 10-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays last Sunday.
“I assume it is going to be kind of like pitching in Colorado,” Nelson said of the altitude in Mexico City, elevation 7,350 feet. “I’ll probably take the same approach. Just stick to my game plan, and if I need to make adjustments, make adjustments.”
King is 2-0 with an 0.00 ERA in three career starts against Arizona. Nelson is 4-3 with a 4.83 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) against San Diego. He has surrendered 11 home runs to the Padres in 54 innings.
–Field Level Media
Yankees play waiting game about Giancarlo Stanton before finale vs. Astros
The New York Yankees have yet to make a decision on the availability of designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, who departed in the sixth inning of the series opener in Houston on Friday with lower-leg tightness.
Stanton did not play in the Yankees’ 8-3 win over the Astros on Saturday, a victory that secured the three-game series for New York, which has an eight-game winning streak.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone was noncommittal on what direction the club would take with Stanton, who has an extensive injury history. A stint on the injured list is possible, but the club is awaiting additional information.
“We’re going to give it the day, kind of see how treatment is going,” Boone said Saturday. “I do think he got it in time to hopefully not do something serious to it. Whether that turns into a day-to-day situation or turns into a short IL, we’ll see.
“We also don’t want to just race to the IL 12 hours after, when hopefully something isn’t too serious. We’ll be smart about it; G knows that. We don’t want this to turn into a long-term situation, so we’ll proceed accordingly.”
Right-hander Luis Gil (1-1, 4.11 ERA) is scheduled to start the series finale for the Yankees. He earned his first victory of the season in his start at the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday after tossing 6 1/3 scoreless innings with two hits, three walks and two strikeouts in a 4-0 win.
Gil is 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA in two career starts against the Astros.
Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (2-0, 2.45 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Astros on Sunday. He earned a 9-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday after surrendering two runs, five hits and four walks with three strikeouts across five innings. Arrighetti, who opened the season with Triple-A Sugar Land, has issued four walks in both of his starts this season.
Arrighetti has faced the Yankees once. He allowed five runs on eight hits, including three home runs and three walks with four strikeouts across five innings in a 9-4 road loss on May 8, 2024, to the Cardinals.
The Astros welcomed back one of their 10 pitchers on the injured list on Saturday, with left-hander Bennett Sousa (oblique) reinstated after missing the first 27 games of the season.
The Astros appear close to having ailing left-handed closer Josh Hader and right-hander Tatsuya Imai (arm fatigue) back after Hader threw 25 pitches in a live batting practice on Saturday. Hader (biceps) is scheduled for one additional session before a determination on his readiness is addressed. Imai, meanwhile, will throw a bullpen before departing for a rehab assignment.
Astros manager Joe Espada said he was happy to have Sousa back, but the player struggled in his season debut. He walked four batters, including three left-handed hitters, in the seventh inning.
“That lineup is going to force you to throw strikes,” Espada said. “They did it throughout the entire game.”
–Field Level Media
‘Dirtbag’ Pirates pursue road sweep of power-starved Brewers
The visiting Pittsburgh Pirates will turn to right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski on Sunday afternoon as they look to complete a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Mlodzinski (1-1, 3.28 ERA) will oppose Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison (1-1, 3.06).
The Pirates scored three runs in the 10th inning en route to a 6-3 victory Saturday, fueled by RBI singles from Bryan Reynolds and Nick Gonzales. It was Reynolds’ 51st RBI in 102 career games against Milwaukee, which lost its fourth straight contest.
The Pirates have clinched their third straight series victory against a National League Central rival this season.
“In division, to be able to win series is really important,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said following Saturday’s game. “We need to continue to do that, and I think that continuing that gritty, dirtbag style of baseball is what we need to do.”
Milwaukee is in last place in the division despite its .500 record.
Mlodzinski lost his last start, allowing five runs in 4 1/3 innings in a 5-1 defeat Tuesday at Texas. In the two starts before that, he did not allow a run in 11 1/3 innings.
He has not given up a home run this season in 24 2/3 innings in five games, including four starts.
Mlodzinski will make his first career start against Milwaukee after 12 relief appearances. He is 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA against the Brewers, allowing 11 runs, but only six earned, in 15 1/3 innings.
Gonzales had three hits Saturday to extend his hitting streak to six games. He is batting .458 (11-for-24) over that span, with three RBIs.
“We need to keep earning it. It’s a daily thing,” Kelly said. “We still need to keep grinding it out and getting after it and continue to earn that respect every day.”
Without injured starters Jackson Chourio, Andrew Vaughn and Christian Yelich, the power-starved Brewers have just one home run in their last 10 games, including none in their last six — their longest streak since six games in July 2015.
“When you’re going through a spell where you feel like nothing’s going right, it seems like everything backfires,” manager Pat Murphy said Saturday. “But there’s a lot of great performances I can point out.”
Harrison lasted just three innings in his last start, allowing one run on four hits without a decision in a 12-4 win at Detroit on Tuesday. He struck out three but walked three, hit one batter and had a wild pitch in the 72-pitch outing.
Harrison has faced the Pirates once, when he was with the San Francisco Giants, tossing five scoreless innings without a decision in a 3-0 win in 2024.
“The Pirates are a couple games ahead of us, but you’d think they’re in first place,” Murphy said. “They’re playing with such great confidence. They’ve got a nice team.”
–Field Level Media
