Andrew Wilsher

The Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres are set to face off for the third and final time this season. The teams haven’t met since mid-November, and both have seen changes since then. While the Red Wings are not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, they need to go on a significant winning streak to stay in the race. On the other hand, the Sabres have been one of the hottest teams in the league and currently sit atop their division. They have won the last two matchups, scoring in each game, but tonight could be a tighter contest.

John Gibson is confirmed to start for Detroit, and his road performance has been impressive. The veteran goaltender boasts a 2.06 goals against average (GAA) and a .930 save percentage (SV%), which starkly contrasts his home numbers of a 2.97 GAA and .883 SV%. It’s difficult to explain this disparity, but it has become a consistent trend. While Buffalo has been able to score frequently, as evidenced by their last two games, they are generally a strong defensive team that allows few high-quality chances. Given the potential for an empty-net goal, we’re leaning towards the Under and hoping the game stays low-scoring.

Red Wings vs Sabres prediction: Under 6.0 (-105) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number or better.

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The New York Rangers haven’t been great on home ice this season, as they are just 9-18-7 at Madison Square Garden. However, they have a favorable matchup in this tilt against the Chicago Blackhawks. While the Rangers haven’t been great at home, the Blackhawks haven’t been great on the road, with just 14 wins in 36 road games. New York also has a big scheduling advantage in this one. Chicago played on Thursday night in Philadelphia, while the Rangers were off. Playing on the second half of a road back-to-back puts Chicago in a tough spot.

Furthermore, the Blackhawks have struggled to find the back of the net away from the United Center. More specifically, Chicago is averaging a measly 2.56 goals per game on the road this season, which ranks 31st in the NHL. The Blackhawks have also gone 7 straight games without scoring a power play goal. The Rangers have a power play tally in 8 of their last 10 games, and that could be the difference in this game. Despite their home struggles, look for the Rangers to find the win column in this matchup.

Blackhawks vs Rangers prediction: New York Rangers ML (-165) available at time of publishing. Playable to -170.

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The Toronto Blue Jays and the Athletics are back in action as they get set to open their regular season. The Blue Jays are coming off a terrific season, going 94-68 in the American League East and making a deep postseason run that ended in a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th inning. The Athletics finished 76-86 last season and are looking to take a step forward after adding players like Jeff McNeil, Aaron Civale, Scott Barlow, and Andy Ibanez. As for the Blue Jays, they added depth to their starting rotation by signing Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Max Scherzer, while adding Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto to the lineup. 

Taking the mound for the A’s will be the veteran Luis Severino, who went 8-11 with a 4.54 ERA last season. In Spring Training, Severino went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA, striking out 7 through 7 innings. For the Jays, they’ll be sending Kevin Gausman to the mound, who went 10-11 with a 3.59 ERA last season. Gasuman had a solid spring, going 1-1, striking out eight and finishing with a 2.89 ERA in 9.1 innings pitched. Both teams are more than capable of scoring runs this season. Last year the Jays were 3rd in OPS (.760), and the A’s were 8th (.749). While the Jays are a deep and talented team, the A’s have plenty of offensive talent to put runs on the board.

The Blue Jays will likely walk away with a win in this one, but the money line feels a bit steep in a season opener. The better value lies with the total. Both teams swung the bats well this spring, and given some inconsistency from Severino in recent seasons, we can expect the Jays to score a handful of runs. Look for a great Opening Day matchup between both teams, with the over being my best bet of the day. 

Athletics vs Blue Jays prediction: Over 8.5 (-120) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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Thursday’s Opening Day matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros resulted in a 3-0 win for the visiting Angels. Houston will look to grab their first win of the season and even the series with a win Friday evening. We saw quality pitching on both sides in Game 1 of this series, with Jose Soriano and Hunter Brown showcasing their elite stuff. Friday presents another interesting starting pitching matchup between these teams.

Yusei Kikuchi was solid in his first season with the Angels last year, posting a respectable 3.99 ERA across a career-high 178.1 innings of work. The southpaw hurler did struggle with command at times, and on Friday, he will face a Houston lineup that has plenty of experience against him. Active Houston hitters have a combined OPS of .865 across 185 combined plate appearances. Carlos Correa and Yordan Alvarez have contributed the majority of that damage. Kikuchi is one the Angels better starting options, but I am still not overly fond of his matchup to begin 2026.

Michael Burrows was acquired by the Houston Astros this offseason in the 3-team deal that sent Brandon Lowe and others to Pittsburgh. Houston traded prospect capital in that deal for the services of a right-handed starter. Burrows impressed with the Pirates in 2025, totaling 96 innings of work with a 3.94 ERA in his first true sample of Major League ball. Pittsburgh was able to part with Burrows due to their elite pitching depth, but the righty is still extremely talented. We saw what happened the last time a starting pitcher left Pittsburgh for Houston, and while Burrows is not on the level of Gerrit Cole, I do expect Houston to get the best out of their new starter. Burrows was also sharp during the spring with 18 innings and just 3 runs allowed. At current pricing I see some slight value on Houston Friday night.

Angels vs Astros prediction: Houston Astros ML (-160) available at time of publishing. Playable to -165 odds.

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The Dodgers picked up right where they left off, dominating offensively in an 8-2 win to open the season. Andy Pages launched a 3-run homer, while Will Smith added a 2-run shot of his own. This Dodgers lineup is loaded, and with the addition of Kyle Tucker, it becomes even more dangerous for any opposing pitcher, no matter how good they are.  

Taking the mound for the Diamondbacks tonight will be Ryne Nelson who finished last season with a 7-3 record and a 3.39 ERA. Nelson pitched well in Spring Training, going 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA through 17 innings pitched. For the Dodgers, Emmet Sheehan will get the start after going 6-3 with a 2.82 ERA last season. Sheehan had a slow start this spring, allowing 7 runs in 10.2 innings pitched while striking out 11. It’s hard to go against the Dodgers given their depth and firepower, but Arizona’s lineup deserves respect. The Diamondbacks ranked 5th in OPS (.758) last season and feature playmakers like Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo, and Nolan Arenado. They’re all more than capable of generating offense, especially against a pitcher like Sheehan who is still working to find consistency. As we head into the second game of the season, this matchup sets up well for runs on both sides. While the Dodgers are the more talented team, I expect the Diamondbacks to score enough runs against Sheehan as he tries to find his footing, pushing this game over its total. 

Diamondbacks vs Dodgers prediction: Over 8.5 (-115) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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The St. John’s Red Storm and Duke Blue Devils meet in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, setting up a compelling clash between experience and elite talent. St. John’s enters at 30-6, riding momentum after a dramatic win over the Kansas Jayhawks to reach this stage, and they’ve now won 21 of their last 22 games. The Red Storm average 81.1 points per game while allowing 69.4, with their defensive identity driving success. They generate over 7.8 steals per game and rank among the stronger teams nationally in turnover margin, consistently creating extra possessions. Forward Zuby Ejiofor leads the team with 16.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, anchoring a physical frontcourt that can disrupt opposing offenses. Perhaps the biggest factor is head coach Rick Pitino, who owns a remarkable 12-1 record in Sweet 16 games, highlighting his ability to prepare teams for this stage and maximize execution in high pressure tournament settings.

Duke enters at 34-2 and has been one of the most efficient teams in the country on both ends, averaging 81.9 points per game while allowing just 63.1 — one of the best defensive marks nationally. The Blue Devils shoot 49% from the field and dominate the glass with 40.4 rebounds per game, led by freshman standout Cameron Boozer, who averages 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds. Duke’s ability to control the boards—particularly on the offensive glass—creates consistent second chance opportunities and puts pressure on opposing defenses. While Duke’s talent and efficiency make them the rightful favorite, this matchup presents a tougher test than the spread suggests. St. John’s defensive pressure, ability to force turnovers, and experienced leadership give them a strong foundation to compete throughout the full 40 minutes. If the Red Storm can limit second-chance points and control tempo, they have the tools to keep this game close deep into the second half despite Duke’s firepower.

St. John’s vs Duke Prediction: St. John’s Red Storm +6.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to +5.5.

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This isn’t the Rose Bowl, but this is a game tailor made for the Wolverines in the Sweet 16. The Tide live and die by their offense and shooting the three. Michigan however, can beat you in more ways than one. The Maize and Blue can play with pace, they score in the interior, they have perimeter capacity, and they can slow it down and defend well. The Wolverines have all the makings of a national champion, they are efficient, physical, and downhill. That’s bad news for Alabama who has only one trick up its sleeve.

The Tide rolled past Hofstra and a tired Texas Tech, but this is an entirely different assignment. The Wolverines can slow Bama down, they can minimize their three-point operations to less attempts and less success, and they can take advantage of Alabama’s vulnerabilites to defend. Not only is this a contest where Michigan should win it, they can do so emphatically. It’s alluring to back the hot offensive team with points, such a wager is one that is a commodity come tourney time, but it’s nothing to hang a hat on. Against a balanced and disruptive entity like the Wolverines, Alabama can hit a wall and be run over at the same time. Michigan moves onto the Elite Eight with style.

Alabama vs Michigan prediction: Michigan Wolverines -10 (-115) available at time of publishing. Playable to the number.