A Streaming Overhaul Draws Closer, Cubs Single Game Tickets, Nico Snubbed, and Other Cubs Bullets

Any time there is a streaming update, I think I’m going to try to hit it quickly in just a few bullets, and it always becomes more unwieldy than that. It’s just such a complicated, complex situation. I try to boil it down as much as I can, I swear.

That, and some other Cubs bullets …

  • A streaming reckoning is another step closer, as Diamond Sports (which is a Sinclair subsidiary, and owns the Bally RSNs, which hold the rights for about half of MLB’s teams) is reportedly signaling a bankruptcy:

  • To be sure, there could be a restructuring of the company’s debt before a bankruptcy actually arrives, but it’s clear MLB ain’t gonna help that happen – they want a chance to get their local streaming rights back from Sinclair/Diamond so that they can create their own national distribution platform. It sounds to me like Sinclair/Diamond was hoping their direct-to-consumer product would be a hail mary to save them, but MLB wasn’t about to make it easy for them to lock up those local streaming rights long-term (for fear they’d get stuck in a bankruptcy). And without local streaming rights for ALL the teams under the Bally umbrella, the direct-to-consumer product was kinda DOA. Thus, Diamond is reportedly planning to stop making interest payments on its debt, which means bankruptcy is highly likely.

  • What happens when bankruptcy arrives is still unknown. Sinclair/Diamond owes annual rights fees to the MLB teams under its umbrella, but when they go into bankruptcy, they no longer have the sole authority to make those payments. So you’d have MLB and half its teams fighting to get their RSN fees paid, while other creditors are fighting to get their loans paid. It would be a mess, and again, I suspect MLB is hoping that it provides a vehicle for them to buy back the local streaming rights. From there, they could create their own national, blackout-free streaming product, possibly together with the NBA and NHL.

  • As for the Cubs, specifically, they own Marquee jointly with Sinclair, and it’s never been entirely clear how a Diamond Sports bankruptcy would impact their situation, other than perhaps providing an opportunity for the Cubs to buy back the other half of Marquee at a reduced price (or for MLB to buy that half, which I am trying not to dream on, because that could mean the Cubs would then be included in a national, blackout-free streaming product – and I tend to think the Cubs are going to want to control that on their own, rather than be lumped in with every other team). The Cubs are expecting to launch a direct-to-consumer option for Marquee this year, so no matter what happens, it’s highly likely that you, the fan, will always have an option for streaming Cubs games – in the Cubs’ market, you can get Marquee; out of the Cubs’ market, you can get MLB dot tv.

  • Cubs single game tickets go on sale February 24:

  • This kind of thing doesn’t actually MATTER, but it’s pretty hard for me to review and not think that Nico Hoerner wasn’t just a snug, but he could’ve been as high as six on this list:

  • Whatever. Use it, Nico. Put it on your bulletin board. They think you stink. Show ’em what’s what.

  • Mentioned this briefly in yesterday’s Cody Bellinger post in relation to hoping for continued bouncing back from him, but I also want to comment on some of the substance of what he said:

  • All true, and I’m obviously happy about the shift restrictions, but I’ll note: with the currently-articulated shift restrictions, those line drives up the middle still might be caught by a shifted shortstop. As long as he’s left of second, he’s fine to be there. And for some guys, that’s definitely where the shortstop is going to be parked. That’s why I was such an advocate for the pie slice rule, which keeps defenders from setting up behind second base, and I hope they take that next step next year.

  • The Rays converted a previously relatively obscure reliever into a starting pitcher for his age 29 season, and he was so good in 2022 that he merited a four-year extension thereafter:

  • What an incredible story. I’d only barely even heard of this guy when I saw the news of his extension. That’s just what the Rays do. This, by the way, is why you keep trying to reclamation projects. Sure, Springs was a REALLY EXTREME example, but it can pay off. Heck, look at how good Adrian Sampson was last year for the Cubs.

  • Given the Cubs’ extreme turnover at the position, this rings true:

  • Wild factoid from the piece: “Next season, only six teams โ€” the Braves, Rays, Astros, Dodgers, Giants and Blue Jays โ€” will have a primary hitting coach who has been in the same role for more than two seasons.” The Cubs, of course, made the change to Dustin Kelly from Greg Brown, who himself was in the job only one year.

  • Cubs player favorite baseball movies:

https://twitter.com/TrevFahnstrom/status/1618403414475698178
  • ‘Major League’ is obviously the correct answer, though I will give partial credit to ‘The Sandlot.’ That said, it’s the Cubs … how is NO ONE gonna say ‘Rookie of the Year’?!

  • The de-juicing effect:

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
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Feb 05, 2025
MLB Rumors and Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso Re-Signing with the Mets, Did NOT Get Paaaaid

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Chicago Cubs
Michael Cerami
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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
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Alex Bregman

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Chicago Cubs
Michael Cerami
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Feb 05, 2025

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Chicago Cubs
Michael Cerami
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The Latest Set of Playoff Odds Are Not NEARLY As Bullish on the 2025 Cubs

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
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Feb 05, 2025

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025

Fun (and Funny (and Sad)) Exercise: How Good Would the White Sox Be with Ohtani, Judge, and Skubal?

I don't know that any of us NEEDED additional context for just how bad the 2025 Chicago White Sox project to be, but I'm very, very glad FanGraphs' Dan Szymborski decided to give it to us anyway. Basically, Szymborski wondered what would happen to the AL Central projected standings, via ZiPS, if he took Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Tarik Skubal away from their current teams and then gave them...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
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Feb 05, 2025

Cardinals Have Reportedly Had Recent Talks with the Red Sox About a Nolan Arenado Trade

I probably could've put this one under the "Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch" banner, because there are clear implications for that story, too. But, since the impacts to the NL Central and the Cardinals would be more immediate (and guaranteed) in the event of a Nolan Arenado trade, I focus on that part first: The Red Sox and Cardinals have had recent communication about Nolan Arenado, source says. If the trade...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
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Feb 05, 2025

Activity Around Baseball, Brasier Trade, Suzuki Fan, and Other Cubs Bullets

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
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Cubs Roster Move: Zastryzny DFA’d to Make Room for Brasier

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
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Chicago Bears
Patrick K. Flowers
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The nightmare that was the 2024 Chicago Bears season is over. Before the transactional period starts and the roster changes begin, we will recap the seasons of most of the 53-man roster. Next up: We're looking at the 2024 season of offensive lineman Ryan Bates. Ryan Bates' 2024 Snapshot We recently discussed the 2024 season of Coleman Shelton, who, whether you believe he was serviceable (passable?) or not, was a...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
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Jaquan Brisker Says He is Cleared to Return to Football Action

The 2025 NFL regular season won't kick off until September. Preseason games will not take place until August. And it won't be until July when training camps begin opening their doors around the league. But offseason workout programs begin in April. Perhaps when those start taking place, we'll see Jaquan Brisker's return to organized football activities. 2025 NFL IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER Brisker, who will be entering his fourth year...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
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Saquon Confirms Bears Rumors, Doors Opening For Cunningham? and Other Wednesday Bullets

Day 31 of the Chicago Bears offseason. Happy Hump Day! Saquon Barkley says he was "pretty damn close to signing with the Bears last offseason, according to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. If you'll recall, the Bears were viewed as one of the "priority suitors" in a Saquon sweepstakes and it was even a thing during the offseason version of "Hard Knocks" with the Giants. Heck, we'd been discussing...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
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devin hester bears

Tony Dungy Has a Funny Story About Devin Hester’s Super Bowl Kick Return TD

It was on this date 18 years ago when Devin Hester made NFL history. Hester's Super Bowl XLI-opening kick-return touchdown is the stuff of legends at this point. And after making it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we can say โ€”ย with confidence โ€”ย that it is the signature moment of the iconic long-time Chicago Bears standout's Hall of Fame career. But did you know that it has a funny...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
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Chicago Gets Some Love From Former Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio

Super Bowl Week is HERE! And while the Chicago Bears aren't playing for the Lombardi Trophy, it's not as if this game will be without some Chicago connections. Among them is Vic Fangio, who is the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive coordinator. Bears fans are likely familiar with Fangio from his time in Chicago, in which he was the team's defensive coordinator from 2015-18. As part of a Q&A session with the...

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Chicago Bulls
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NOT DONE YET: Lakers Trade a HAUL to Hornets for Big Man Mark Williams

The Los Angeles Lakers have made another big move ahead of the NBA trade deadline. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Lakers have acquired 23-year-old center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. The towering big man heads to the West Coast in exchange for a sizable package of Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap, and an unprotected 2031 first-round pick. Williams is in the thick of a career...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
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Box Score & Player Grades: Timberwolves 127, Bulls 108 โ€“ February 5, 2025

The nice thing about my job is that I can be brutally honest about the fact that I barely watched this game. To be clear, I was firmly planted in front of my television and ready to watch Anthony Edwards single-handedly dismantle the Bulls (and, boy, did he). But then Matas Buzelis was named a starter ... and Jimmy Butler was traded to the Warriors ... and Lonzo Ball reached...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
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Feb 05, 2025
Lonzo Ball of the Chicago Bulls

BREAKING: Chicago Bulls Sign Lonzo Ball to Two-Year Extension (UPDATED: Good or Bad Move?)

The Chicago Bulls have reportedly reached an extension with Lonzo Ball on the eve of the NBA trade deadline. Amid ongoing trade rumors surrounding the veteran point guard, Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson was the first to share that Ball was finalizing the deal. The extension will reportedly be worth $20.0 million over the next two years. Johnson also reported live during the Bulls' battle with the Timberwolves on Wednesday...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
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Feb 05, 2025

TRADE: Warriors Acquire Jimmy Butler from Heat, Sign Him to an Extension (Bulls Impact)

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
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Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls

Matas Buzelis Earns First Start Following Career-High Night

Rookie Matas Buzelis has finally found himself on head coach Billy Donovan's good side. After scoring a career-high 24 points on a perfect 10-10 shooting against the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, Buzelis has earned the first start of his young career. The former No. 11 overall pick will take the place of Lonzo Ball (who does not play in back-to-back sets) alongside Josh Giddey, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and...

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Chicago Bulls
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Feb 05, 2025
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Pre-Gaminโ€™: Bulls at Timberwolves (7:00 CT) โ€“ Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

It's Matas' team now. https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2025/02/05/gs-nikola-vucevic-wire/ Game Info Chicago Bulls (22-29) at Minnesota Timberwolves (27-23) โ€“ 7:00 p.m. CT on Chicago Sports Network (TV) andย 670 The Scoreย (Radio) Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Ayo Dosunmu Josh Giddey Patrick Williams Nikola Vucevic Minnesota Timberwolves Mike Conley Anthony Edwards Jaden McDaniels Naz Reid Rudy Gobert Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports Odds Chicago comes into todayโ€™s game as an 11.5-point underdog against Minnesota atย DraftKings...

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We're less than 24 hours until the NBA Trade Deadline, and the two biggest fish on the market are still out there! Will Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler get dealt? Will they be swapped for one another? Can the Warriors manage to bring one of them to The Bay? We still have a whole lot of questions to be answered before 2:00 PM CT tomorrow, so let's unpack the latest...

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Chicago Bulls
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Nikola Vucevic Trade Rumors: Will Warriors Bring It Down to the Wire? Did His Value Just Improve?

He loves me ... loves me not ... he loves me ... he loves me not. The Golden State Warriors continue to play with the Chicago Bulls' hearts as the NBA's trade deadline nears. Their reported interest in Nikola Vucevic dates back weeks, and he has been coined as one of their top targets numerous times. However, with the team sitting 11th in the Western Conference and the reality of...

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Chicago Bulls
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Feb 05, 2025
Arturas Karnisovas sits at Media Day for the Chicago Bulls

Um, the Chicago Bulls Better Not Be Done …

All early indications were that the Zach LaVine trade was just the beginning for the Chicago Bulls. After years of copying and pasting a mediocre product, change was long overdue. The Bulls didn't possess the franchise centerpiece or additional assets to justify pursuing win-now upgrades. Tearing things down to the roots became their only option, and moving their long-time leading scorer suggested that they finally understood that. This is why...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
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Feb 06, 2025
Aidan Thompson DU University of Denver

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We're now into February, and Blackhawks prospects continue to put up solid numbers across college hockey. There are some really good ranked matchups this weekend, with Denver and Providence both playing important conference matchups. And, Monday night, Boston University will face Boston College in a hyped Beanpot championship game. Here's this weekend's schedule for the Blackhawks' prospects in action. And, again, make sure you vote every day for one of...

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Chicago Blackhawks
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The good news when a game starts at almost 9 PM local is the first period flew by and neither team scored. With a little under eight minutes left in the first period, this ridiculous sequence by Arvid Sรถderblom and Connor Murphy kept the game tied at zeroes. Oh my Arvid Soderblom, what a saveMurphy helps out too with a stop of his own pic.twitter.com/Wu11sUNd07— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) February 6, 2025...

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Before Wednesday's game, the Blackhawks announced a few roster moves. The team formally activated veteran forward Craig Smith from IR. To make room on the roster, they needed to assign at least one player to Rockford. The Blackhawks sent both Artyom Levshunov and Colton Dach to the IceHogs. We knew Levshunov was headed back to Rockford without playing a game when he joined the Blackhawks earlier this week; the intent...

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Chicago Blackhawks
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New NHL Players Poll Offers Interesting Results

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Smith Returns, Mentor Martinez, Nazar’s Defense, Prospect Rankings, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The Blackhawks are back in action tonight with Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in town. Based on practice the last couple days, it appears Craig Smith will return to the lineup and the Blackhawks will hope to rekindle the magic he had with Lukas Reichel and Pat Maroon on a line together. Which means Colton Dach will be the odd man out. Again, based on practice the last couple...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
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Frank Nazar Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Prospect Pool Climbing Rankings

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Chicago Blackhawks
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Kevin Korchinski 2025 AHL All-Star Game MVP

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
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Feb 03, 2025
Artyom Levshunov Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Call Up Artyom Levshunov (For Practice Only)

On Monday morning, the Chicago Blackhawks unfortunately had to place defenseman Louis Crevier on IR (concussion protocol). He was boarded in the middle of the first period Saturday in Florida and left the game. He did not return. The Blackhawks were already carrying eight defensemen, so this opens up a spot for one of Ethan Del Mastro or Nolan Allan (even better: both!) to get into the lineup. However, the...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
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Kevin Korchinski Chicago Blackhawks

IceHogs All-Stars, Spellacy’s Jets, the Lardis and Vanacker Show, Beanpot Begins, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Since the Blackhawks were off on Sunday, let's start our Monday with a some prospects. A quick note for those looking for IceHogs action with the Blackhawks off for a couple days: the AHL All-Star Game is tonight. Kevin Korchinski and Cole Guttman will represent the Blackhawks and IceHogs at the event. You can watch the event(s) on NHL Network tonight at 8 PM CT. https://twitter.com/goicehogs/status/1886212901607755889?s=51&t=ESwYjOKcGL_TWWx-NV4tsw Another reminder: co-captain Ryan...

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation. You can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation, on Bluesky at @Brett-Taylor, and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

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Great news today, spotted by Rich Biesterfeld out in Arizona, where Nico Hoerner is playing catch. Weโ€™ve got Nico Hoerner playing catch today at Cubs Camp! pic.twitter.com/VIccpz38U6— Rich Biesterfeld (@biest22) February 5, 2025 We had no idea on a precise...

Fun (and Funny (and Sad)) Exercise: How Good Would the White Sox Be with Ohtani, Judge, and Skubal?

I don't know that any of us NEEDED additional context for just how bad the 2025 Chicago White Sox project to be, but I'm very, very glad FanGraphs' Dan Szymborski decided to give it to us anyway. Basically, Szymborski wondered...

Cardinals Have Reportedly Had Recent Talks with the Red Sox About a Nolan Arenado Trade

I probably could've put this one under the "Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch" banner, because there are clear implications for that story, too. But, since the impacts to the NL Central and the Cardinals would be more immediate (and guaranteed) in...

Activity Around Baseball, Brasier Trade, Suzuki Fan, and Other Cubs Bullets

The Fantastic Four teaser trailer was fine, I guess, but sufficiently surface that I have no take as to whether this is going to be a rebound for Marvel or not. I am hopeful, but there's a reason the previous...

Cubs Roster Move: Zastryzny DFA’d to Make Room for Brasier

The Cubs and Dodgers have made the Ryan Brasier trade official, with the Cubs getting Brasier and some cash (he was set to make $4.5 million this year, not clear yet how much the Cubs are paying), and the Dodgers...

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Capitals vs. Flyers Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Washington Capitals are moderate favorites (-148) away at the Philadelphia Flyers (+124) at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Capitals vs. Flyers Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Capitals (-148)Underdog: Flyers (+124)Total: 5.5Best Capitals vs. Flyers Promo CodesHow to Watch...

Lightning vs. Senators Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Ottawa Senators on February 6 at 7:00 PM ET, and have been made -162 favorites, with the road team at +136.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Lightning vs. Senators Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Lightning (-162)Underdog: Senators (+136)Total:...

Hurricanes vs. Wild Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Carolina Hurricanes are big favorites (-166) away at the Minnesota Wild (+140) at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Hurricanes vs. Wild Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Hurricanes (-166)Underdog: Wild (+140)Total: 5.5Best Hurricanes vs. Wild Promo CodesHow to Watch...

Devils vs. Golden Knights Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Thursday, February 6, 2025

The New Jersey Devils meet the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday and are -115 on the moneyline, with the latter at -105.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Devils vs. Golden Knights Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Devils (-115)Underdog: Golden Knights (-105)Total: 5.5Best Devils vs....

Utah Hockey Club vs. Blue Jackets Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Utah Hockey Club are solid favorites (-155) away at the Columbus Blue Jackets (+130) at Nationwide Arena on Thursday.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Utah Hockey Club vs. Blue Jackets Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Utah Hockey Club (-155)Underdog: Blue Jackets (+130)Total: 5.5Best...

Panthers vs. Blues Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, February 6, 2025

The bookmakers give a big edge to the visiting Florida Panthers (-170) over the St. Louis Blues (+142) when they face off on Thursday, February 6 at 8:00 PM ET.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Panthers vs. Blues Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Panthers...

How to Watch Santa Clara Broncos vs. Portland Pilots: Live Stream or on TV

WCC action features the Santa Clara Broncos (15-9, 7-4 WCC) on the road against the Portland Pilots (8-16, 3-8 WCC) on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM ET.Santa Clara won its previous game versus Pacific, 83-49, on Saturday. Christoph...

Pacific vs. San Diego: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The San Diego Toreros (4-20, 1-10 WCC) will attempt to stop a 10-game losing streak when they visit the Pacific Tigers (7-18, 2-9 WCC) on February 6, 2025 at Alex G. Spanos Center.In its previous game, Pacific fell to Santa...

Cal Baptist vs. Southern Utah: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds (9-13, 1-7 WAC) will look to break a five-game losing streak when they hit the road to take on the Cal Baptist Lancers (11-10, 4-3 WAC) on February 6, 2025 at Dale E. and Sarah Ann...

UCSB vs. CSU Bakersfield: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (10-13, 4-7 Big West) will attempt to stop a three-game losing streak when they host the UCSB Gauchos (14-8, 6-5 Big West) on February 6, 2025 at Icardo Center.UCSB was victorious in its previous game versus...

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