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Pierre-Luc Dubois returns to practice as Caps prep for Kraken

NHL: Washington Capitals at New York IslandersOct 11, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) plays the puck against New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) and center Bo Horvat (14) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Washington Capitals, trying to surge back into playoff positioning before the Olympic break, had a welcome participant Monday at practice.

Forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has missed 42 games since undergoing surgery on Nov. 7 on his abdominal and adductor muscles, was cleared for full contact with his teammates.

Whether Dubois makes his return when the Capitals play Tuesday in Seattle remains to be seen. Team officials said previously Dubois wasn’t expected to dress until after the Olympic break, which would mean no sooner than Feb. 25 at home against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“I don’t read too much into it,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said. “He looks good out there. ‘Dubie’ always looks good, whether he’s in a regular jersey or a light blue (non-contact) jersey. He just continues to progress. Today was a good step. He was kinda partaking in some of the drills that we did, little bit of contact there. Another good day for him, and he’ll just continue on with his progression.”

The Capitals, mired in a 1-4-1 slump, could certainly use the help. The 27-year-old Dubois, who has played in just six games this season, posted a career-high 66 points (20 goals, 46 assists) in 2024-25, his first campaign with Washington.

The Capitals showed signs of life over the weekend, winning 3-1 Friday in Calgary before taking a 6-5 overtime loss Saturday in Edmonton that gave them a 1-2-1 record on their six-game trip that concludes Thursday in Detroit.

Washington owned a 5-4 lead late against the Oilers, but Zach Hyman tied it with 32 seconds left and Connor McDavid scored the winner on a breakaway 47 seconds into overtime.

Connor McMichael and Justin Sourdif each had a goal and an assist while John Carlson and Tom Wilson added two helpers apiece for the Capitals.

“If we play like that every night, we give ourselves a really good chance to win some games,” Capitals forward Anthony Beauvillier said. “That’s just the way it goes sometimes, it’s been a grind lately. But I think we gave ourselves the best chance to win (Saturday) and this is how it’s going to have to look if we want to win.

“It’s still a huge point for us, but it’s unfortunate when it ends like that.”

This will be the second and final meeting between Washington and Seattle this season. The Capitals won 4-1 on Oct. 21 at home as Nic Dowd had a goal and an assist, Aliaksei Protas added two helpers and goaltender Logan Thompson made 18 saves.

The Kraken defeated New Jersey 4-2 on Sunday to even their record on their six-game homestand at 2-2-0.

Captain Jordan Eberle, who shares the team lead in scoring, had a goal and an assist and Matty Beniers, Ryker Evans and Berkly Catton also tallied. Goalie Joey Daccord made 27 saves for Seattle, which had lost seven of its previous nine games (2-5-2).

Catton scored what proved to be the winner. It was the fifth goal in the past 11 games for the 20-year-old rookie, who went No. 8 overall in the 2024 NHL draft.

“I mean, I went, what, 27 games without a goal? That’s a long time,” Catton said. “It’s nice that they’re kind of starting to go in here. … I have no clue how it went in. I had it, I shot it on net, and it hit the side of the net, and then I don’t know what happened after that.”

–Field Level Media

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Curtis Mead, Keibert Ruiz help Nationals tame Giants

MLB: San Francisco Giants at Washington NationalsApr 19, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Curtis Mead (45) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Curtis Mead hit a two-run homer, Keibert Ruiz had two hits and the Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 in Washington on Sunday to avoid a series sweep.

Andrew Alvarez (1-0), called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win, allowing three hits and striking out five without a walk.

PJ Poulin opened for Washington and was replaced by Miles Mikolas with two outs and two on in the first. Mikolas, who began the day with an 11.49 ERA, pitched four scoreless innings while allowing four hits in his best outing of the young season.

Rafael Devers and Drew Gilbert had two hits each for the Giants, who had won three straight, but went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

San Francisco’s Robbie Ray (2-3) gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

The Giants put runner on first and second with two outs in each of the first two innings but did not score.

The Nationals got an infield single and a walk to open the third inning but couldn’t cash in. Curtis Mead hit a blooper to shallow left field that dropped, but Keibert Ruiz briefly broke back towards second and was thrown out at third. Brady House flied to the warning track in center and CJ Abrams flied out.

Washington took a 3-0 lead in the fifth. Nasim Nunez reached on a bunt single and stole second. Ruiz hit shot to left center and Heliot Ramas made a diving effort but couldn’t come up with it. Nunez scored and Mead lined the first pitch he saw from Ray out to left for a two-run homer.

The first two Giants reached base in the eighth inning on an error and a single, but Casey Schmitt grounded into a double play and pinch hitter Jerar Encarnacion struck out.

–Field Level Media

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Best Value Betting Picks Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson (WO40) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn ImagesFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson (WO40) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

It’s hard to believe that the 2026 NFL Draft is already almost here. It’s the perfect time to cash in on some draft betting picks.

Over the last few months, countless NFL mock drafters have taken stabs at where these top prospects could be selected.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best value on the board, utilizing FanDuel Sportsbook odds. Remember, this doesn’t mean that we’re predicting these players will be drafted in these spots.

Rather, we’re going to try to cash in on some valuable plus money opportunities for the NFL Draft, an event that is always capable of a few surprises.

No. 3 Overall: Francis Mauigoa (+650)

The Arizona Cardinals have the No. 3 overall pick – and they have needs all over their roster.

David Bailey (+110) and Arvell Reese (+260) are the betting favorite to come off of the board in this spot. But what if the Cardinals want to hook up new offensive minded head coach Mike LaFleur with a player to help fix his offense?

That could lead the Cardinals to Mauigoa, who was a standout right tackle for the Miami Hurricanes. 31-year-old veteran Elijah Wilkinson is expected to start at right tackle for the Cardinals.

They’ll probably take an edge rusher. But if they don’t Mauigoa would be the play at +650.

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No. 6 Overall: Caleb Downs (+1200)

The Cleveland Browns don’t need a defensive player. But Browns general manager Andrew Berry continues to float the idea of the team trading down. It’s a safe bet to expect the Browns to try and trade back.

Who would be worth another organization deciding to trade up for? Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs, who should still be on the board if the New York Giants select his Buckeyes teammate, Sonny Styles, at No. 5 overall.

Obviously, a lot has to go right for this selection to cash. But Downs is one of the best players in the draft. If he’s still available outside of the top five selections, he won’t last much longer.

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No. 10 Overall: Jordyn Tyson (+440)

Tyson is the one player in this class that could cause a major shakeup inside the top 10 picks.

According to reports, 20 teams attended the Arizona State star’s private workout, where the consensus seemed that most teams were comfortable with his medical situation.

The Giants just acquired the No. 10 selection from the Cincinnati Bengals. The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Giants GM Joe Schoen had dinner with Tyson the night before the private workout.

If Tyson is still available at No. 10 overall, the Giants could load up on offense for Jaxson Dart.

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Timberwolves look to shake off rust in Game 2 vs. Nuggets

NBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver NuggetsApr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dribbles the ball up the court during the first half against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets’ halftime adjustments in Game 1 on Saturday spurred them to a 116-105 win over Minnesota. Now, it’s the visiting Timberwolves’ turn to adjust for Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series on Monday night.

Minnesota missed 14 of its first 16 shots in the third quarter, when Denver built a 15-point lead. The Timberwolves cut it to 97-95 in the fourth quarter, but two turnovers contributed to a Nuggets’ run that put it away.

It is only one game, and No. 6 Minnesota has an opportunity to steal one from No. 3 Denver before heading home for Games 3 and 4.

“No one wants to have a moral victory, but we understand we had every opportunity to win that game and down the stretch, we cut it to two,” Ayo Dosunmu said. “We just have to be better.”

Composure and the ability to defend without fouling will be vital if the Timberwolves want to even the series. Jaden McDaniels hit a turnaround jumper that ended a Minnesota drought in the third quarter, and then drew a technical for pushing Nuggets star Nikola Jokic in the back after the bucket.

The Timberwolves had 25 personal fouls that led to 33 free-throw attempts for Denver, 16 by Jamal Murray. He didn’t miss from the line, and the Nuggets missed just three overall.

Minnesota’s chances to pull off the upset in the series hinge on star guard Anthony Edwards. He missed 11 of the final 14 games of the regular season due to a balky right knee, and Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said Edwards looked “rusty” Saturday.

Edwards acknowledged he struggled.

“I haven’t played in like a month, month and a half, so, I was a little fatigued,” he said despite tallying 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three blocks.

Denver is hoping to get fully healthy for the rest of the series if forward Peyton Watson can return from a right hamstring strain. Watson has not played since aggravating the hamstring injury on April 1. He initially sustained the injury Feb. 4 and missed more than six weeks.

The Nuggets do have Jokic and Murray healthy, and they were a force in Game 1. Jokic recorded the 22nd triple-double of his playoff career, and Murray scored 30 points despite going 7-for-22 from the field. He did most of his damage from the line and disputed Minnesota’s grumblings in the disparity of foul calls.

“I thought I got fouled on every single one of them. I don’t know what everybody is talking about,” Murray said. “They were real fouls.”

Denver has been on a roll since losing to Memphis on March 18. The Nuggets won their final 12 games of the regular season to overtake the Los Angeles Lakers for the third seed and secure a third playoff meeting in four years against the Timberwolves to build on a budding rivalry.

“I think some people say it’s the same teams. I don’t think it’s the same teams,” Jokic said. “People are more experienced, different players. One player can change the whole situation, the whole rotation, the whole momentum of the team.”

–Field Level Media

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