The top-seeded Carolina Hurricanes take on the third-seeded Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference finals best-of-seven series on Monday night. Carolina is coming off a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday to tie the series at 1-1. The Hurricanes (53-22-7), who finished the regular season with 113 points, are looking to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2005-06. The Canadiens (48-24-10), who finished the regular season with 106 points, are looking to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2020-21.

Face-off from Bell Centre in Montreal is set for 8 p.m. ET. Carolina is the -140 favorite (risk $140 to win $100) in the latest Hurricanes vs. Canadiens odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total goals scored is 5.5. Before making any Canadiens vs. Hurricanes picks, check out the NHL predictions and betting advice for Hurricanes vs. Canadiens from the SportsLine Projection Model.

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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times. The model entered the second week of the conference final round of the 2026 NHL playoffs with a +668 return on top-rated money-line NHL picks. Anyone following its NHL betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen strong returns.  

Now, the model has simulated Hurricanes vs. Canadiens 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NHL picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NHL odds and trends for Canadiens vs. Hurricanes:

Top Canadiens vs. Hurricanes predictions

After 10,000 simulations of Hurricanes vs. Canadiens, SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total (5.5). The Over has hit in four of the past six head-to-head matchups. The Over has also hit in five of the past 10 Montreal games, including one push. The Over has also hit in 13 of the last 21 Carolina games when playing against a team that has won over 55% of their games.

The SportsLine model is projecting Carolina’s Seth Jarvis to score .39 goals and .42 assists, while goaltender Frederik Andersen will make 21.6 saves and allow 2.78 goals. Montreal’s Cole Caufield is projected to score .51 goals and .41 assists. Goalie Jakub Dobes will make 25.0 saves and allow 2.78 goals. It also projects 5.9 combined goals between the teams, making the Over the value play. See the model’s Hurricanes vs. Canadiens predictions at SportsLine.

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How to make Hurricanes vs. Canadiens picks 

After simulating each shift of Canadiens vs. Hurricanes 10,000 times, the model also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NHL picks. 

So who wins Canadiens vs. Hurricanes, and which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Hurricanes vs. Canadiens spread to back, all from the model that has returned $668 on top-rated NHL picks, and find out.

The Minnesota Vikings have plenty of running backs, so much so that trading for one might be perceived as strange. But down in Arizona, Trey Benson is buried on the Cardinals’ depth chart, desperately needing a fresh start.

Benson’s buried role in Arizona could give Minnesota a low-cost chance to add fresh backfield upside.

His stock is at its lowest, and Minnesota should inquire about his asking price via trade.

Arizona’s Silly Depth Chart Could Open the Door for Minnesota. Again.

A late-rounder might drag the deal over the finish line.

Benson on the Trade Block?

CardinalsWire‘s Jess Root wrote earlier this month, “When the Arizona Cardinals drafted running back Jeremiyah Love third overall in the 2026 NFL draft last month, the running back room changed and shifted projections for the final roster. A player the Cardinals once were counting on as a key cog in their offense is now a trade candidate: RB Trey Benson, trade candidate.”

“Benson, a former third-round pick who many believed could turn into a starter, is coming off his second straight year that ended with an injury. He has top-end speed. He has averaged 5.4 yards per attempt in his career. He has good size. He has value and upside. As the season approaches, he might be able to be dealt for a late Day 3 pick.”

For context, here’s the Cardinals’ RB room as of late May:

• Jeremiyah Love
• Tyler Allgeier
• James Conner
• Trey Benson
• Bam Knight
• Corey Kiner

Too many. Benson could benefit from a geographical cure.

The History on Benson

In 2024, coming out of the draft, Carolina Panthers halfback Jonathon Brooks and Benson were the two main RB names to watch — for fantasy football and real-life. To date, injuries have plagued both men’s careers to the point that 2026 feels like a make-or-break year.

Benson is in a particularly rough spot because he’s essentially guaranteed to get no action in the Cardinals’ offense. They have Love, Allgeier, and Conner for those jobs — proven commodities.

Still, Benson is 6’0″ and 220 pounds, an ideal size for a workhorse running back. He’s banked 92 rushing attempts in two seasons, compiling 451 yards on the ground, a touchdown, in addition to 19 receptions. In a career that emphatically has not taken off — he’s missed 50% of all games since 2024 — Benson still averages 4.9 yards per carry. Some team, even if the Vikings are not interested, must take a flyer on him. A man with roughly 5 yards per rushing attempt should not be squandered as an RB4 of the lowly Cardinals’ depth chart.

In that regard, this is a golden opportunity. The Vikings can return to the wishing well of poor Arizona decision-making that might propel their season with Murray at the helm. Try it twice.

Last Word on Sports‘ David Latham noted on Benson last week, “Benson has no clear path to the field. LaFleur didn’t draft him, which means he’s likely the third or fourth running back on the depth chart.”

“Running back is an injury-prone position, but it’s hard to envision Arizona keeping him around with all the depth ahead of him. While they won’t cut him, they could try to trade him to a team that still believes in his natural abilities.”

The Trade Price

This is the fun part. Benson is buried. Like buried-buried. Thirty-one general managers know that Benson is not a hot commodity; he’s staring up at Love, Allgeier, and Conner on a depth chart.

It won’t take much to acquire Benson. For example, if Arizona got cute and requested a 3rd- or 4th-Rounder for his services, every suitor would decline, and the Cardinals would be stuck with Benson on their roster — doing nothing.

For the Cardinals, it’s wiser team-building to nab a 5th-, 6th-, or 7th-Round pick for Benson, knowing the RB room already has too many cooks in the kitchen. Arizona has no leverage; they tipped their hand this offseason by welcoming Love and Allgeier.

Quite realistically and reasonably, Minnesota could ship a 6th-Round pick to Arizona for Benson and call it good. They can turn around and put his 5 yards per carry to work in an offense that desperately must fix its rushing efficiency.

Two More Years of Team Control

The final cool perk? Trading for Benson would welcome an affordable asset for two more seasons. Benson’s rookie contract runs out after the 2027 season, at which point he’d hit free agency. Meanwhile, the Vikings’ main running back, Aaron Jones, is old. He may not be with the club in 2027. If the front office already knows that, adding Benson can prepare for the Jones afterlife.

Trade for Benson and incorporate him into the 2026 offense, with upside of becoming an RB1 candidate in 2027 and 2028.

He’ll turn 24 in July. Go get him.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

The 2025-26 Premier League season delivered another unforgettable campaign packed with thrilling encounters, tactical battles, standout individual performances and dramatic storylines across the table. From title races to European qualification battles, the season showcased the very best of English football.

At the centre of it all were Arsenal, who finally ended their long wait for Premier League glory under manager Mikel Arteta. The Gunners secured their first league title in 22 years after producing a remarkably consistent campaign built on defensive solidity, intelligent set-piece routines and big-match composure.

Arsenal wrapped up the title with a game remaining and finished thier season with 85 points from 38 matches, recording 26 wins, seven draws and only five defeats. They beat Crystal Palace in thier final fixture by 2-1 at Selhurst Park to celebrate the historic achievement in style.

Premier League Player of the Season: Bruno Fernandes

The Manchester United captain produced one of the finest campaigns of his career to win the Premier League Player of the Season award. Fernandes combined creativity, leadership and consistency throughout the season, helping United remain firmly in the race for Champions League qualification.

Golden Boot winner: Erling Haaland

Despite Manchester City falling short in the title race, Haaland once again demonstrated why he remains one of the world’s most feared strikers. The Norwegian forward claimed the Premier League Golden Boot after scoring 27 goals in 35 appearances.

His movement, physicality and clinical finishing allowed him to comfortably finish ahead of Brentford striker Igor Thiago, who scored 22 goals during an impressive campaign.

Golden Glove winner: David Raya

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya played a massive role in the club’s title-winning campaign by securing his third consecutive Premier League Golden Glove award.

The Spanish shot-stopper kept 19 clean sheets in 38 matches, providing calmness and reliability behind Arsenal’s disciplined defensive setup. Raya’s consistency throughout the season was one of the foundations of the Gunners’ success.

Young Player of the Season: Nico O’Reilly

Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly enjoyed a breakthrough season that established him as one of the brightest young talents in English football.

Capable of operating both defensively and in advanced attacking roles, the academy graduate contributed five goals and three assists in 34 league appearances. His versatility, maturity and technical quality earned widespread praise and helped him secure the Young Player of the Season award.

Tottenham back in for Savinho, Yan Diomande tops Liverpool‘s list of Mohamed Salah replacements, Barcelona keen to make Marcus Rashford move permanent and Arsenal to swoop for Julian Alvarez.

Tottenham are rekindling interest in a £60m move for Manchester City and Brazil winger Savinho, 22. (Mail – subscription required), external

Liverpool will prioritise signing a replacement for Mohamed Salah, with RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, who has a release clause of £86m, their top target. Newcastle and England winger Anthony Gordon, 25, and Paris St-Germain and France forward Bradley Barcola, 23, are also options. (Telegraph – subscription required, external)

Newcastle‘s Gordon is also wanted by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich who could use 29-year-old Germany goalkeeper Alexander Nubel as a makeweight in any deal for the 25-year-old winger. (Bild – in German, external)

Barcelona will hold fresh talks with Manchester United before the World Cup to try and sign Marcus Rashford, with the Spanish club already agreeing personal terms with the 28-year-old England forward. (Talksport, external)

Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 25, has emerged as Manchester City‘s top summer transfer target. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Roma are keen on Marseille’s English forward Mason Greenwood, 24, Manchester United‘s 25-year-old Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee and West Ham‘s 24-year-old Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville as they gear up for the Champions League next term. (La Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Julian Alvarez wants to leave Atletico Madrid with Arsenal set to make an aggressive move for the 26-year-old Argentina forward. (Teamtalk), external

Aston Villa are eyeing a move for Newcastle‘s 28-year-old England winger Harvey Barnes as they prepare for the Champions League next season. (Mail), external

Juventus are closing in on a deal for Liverpool and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, who has just over 12 months left on his present contract. (Goal Italia – in Italian), external

Liverpool have entered the race to sign 16-year-old German midfield wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin. (Sky Germany), external

Bernardo Silva has held positive talks with Atletico Madrid as the Spanish giants attempt to hijack Juventus’ move for the Manchester City and Portugal midfielder, 31, who is available on a free transfer. (Teamtalk), external

English managers, Scott Parker, 45, who recently left Burnley and Strasbourg’s Gary O’Neil, 43, are of interest to West Ham if they part company with Portuguese boss Nuno Espirito Santo, 52, this summer. (Guardian) , external

AC Milan have approached the representatives of Bournemouth‘s Spanish manager Andoni Iraola, 43, after the Serie A club sacked 58-year-old Italian head coach Massimiliano Allegri. (Sky Sports, external)

Teddy Atlas has pinpointed who he believes to be the next major star to emerge in boxing.

Atlas knows a thing or two about helping to discover major stars, having worked with a young Mike Tyson during the early stages of his career, whilst also training fighters such as Michael Moorer and Tim Bradley.

Along with his training career, Atlas has also become a highly-respected analyst, and so his expert insight into the sport is always taken seriously by boxing fans.

With that in mind, Atlas has revealed who he thinks has what it takes to be one of the next flagship stars of boxing, with newly-crowned WBO super-middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz the man in question.

Sheeraz became world champion for the first time on Saturday when he knocked out the unheralded Alem Begic inside two rounds to secure the vacant title at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

While Atlas was critical of the match-up, he posted on social media to heap praise on Sheeraz and has backed him to have plenty of success.

“The way these organizations put fighters in title bouts is truly ridiculous, but Sheeraz did what he should & got rid of him quickly. He’s the next star in the sport!”

Sheeraz has won 23 of his 24 fights, 19 of those wins by knockout, with his only blemish coming when he was held to a draw against Carlos Adames in their WBC middleweight title fight in February 2025.

Since stepping up to 168lbs, Sheeraz has looked extremely impressive, and could be set for a showdown with Canelo Alvarez in the future, but first the Mexican superstar challenges Christian Mbilli for the WBC super-middleweight title in September.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has reorganised its daily operations, giving the N S Johal-led Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Division responsibility for 27 Olympic sports disciplines. The division has also been asked to handle governance-related issues in national federations whenever directed by the sports ministry.According to an order issued by sports secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, who is also the Director General of SAI, the TOPS division will now serve as the main point of contact between SAI and the respective National Sports Federations (NSFs).Johal, who already heads the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG), will continue to oversee TAGG as a sub-group under TOPS.TOPS was launched in 2014 to support elite athletes with training and competition planning in priority sports such as boxing, badminton and athletics.Under the new structure, TOPS will fully oversee aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, golf, gymnastics, hockey, judo, modern pentathlon, rowing, sailing, shooting, skateboarding, sport climbing, squash, surfing, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling.The order stated that TOPS will act as the “primary interface” between SAI and the respective NSFs, associations and stakeholders for the assigned sports.The division will also deal with governance matters referred by the ministry, along with development proposals and budgeting matters of NSFs linked to these disciplines.TOPS has also been given the responsibility of coordinating India’s participation in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympics, Asian Youth Games and Asian Beach Games.The Training of Elite Athletes and Management Support Division (TEAMS), which also comes under Johal, will handle operations related to disciplines outside TOPS, including para sports, winter sports and non-Olympic disciplines.Johal is a former Olympian sailor.The TEAMS division will also coordinate National Sports Awards and functions related to Republic Day, Rashtrapati Bhawan and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Manchester City past and present came together with 19,000 fans for a brilliant tribute to Pep Guardiola at the end of an unforgettable decade.

Would any of this be here without Pep Guardiola? Would any of us be here without Pep Guardiola?

Probably not assembled together on this roasting Bank Holiday in May is the answer, and almost certainly not in the Co-op Live Arena that hosted the after party to yet another open-top bus parade for Manchester City.

If Guardiola’s spiritual home is the City Football Academy over the road, where he has stalked every corridor for the last decade and demanded higher standards, the Etihad is where he has transformed English football over ten years of dominance and while there hasn’t been the European glory that was wanted, that 45 minutes against Real Madrid in 2023 will be watched again and again as the moment when Guardiola passed from human to divine in the football universe.

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Not that Guardiola or anybody at the club would want to admit it, but the manager has been like gold dust to the club. A manager who arrived in 2016 with his own sponsors and commercial commitments has catapulted the Blues to one of the biggest commercial behemoths in world football with his leadership of a team that has broken record after record in the game.

The newly expanded North Stand that will bear his name is part of a £300m extension in that area of the campus for City’s owners in addition to being major shareholders in the spectacular venue Co-op Live. Put simply, it is difficult to imagine City involved in this without Guardiola having done what he has done.

Perhaps that is a fitting finale for him on City duty then, stood in the middle of an arena of 19,000 Blues living on his every word as one of the great artists in football looks down on the capital that such brilliance can bring. Inflatable bananas and blue moons hung from the sky while Catalan flags were among the City banners being waved among a packed audience.

This arena is one of the masterpieces that has come out of the Guardiola era, and City knew just how to squeeze every bit of aura out of it. The roof had already come off when WSL top scorer Bunny Shaw announced that she would be staying at the football club, so when Vincent Kompany walked out minutes later carrying the 2017/18 Premier League trophy the noise could probably be heard all over Manchester.

Kompany was just one of a list of legends celebrating the epic trophy haul that Guardiola has managed at the club, from pivotal players and club legends to trusted friends and family in what was the send-off of all send-offs. Having greeted Guardiola ten years ago with pomp and circumstance, this time felt all the more beautiful for the memories that have been shared by everyone in the room over the last decade.

From Mike Summerbee to Txiki Begiristain, Noel Gallagher to Jack Grealish, it was an incredible lineup to mark an unbelievable ten years. What a treat for everyone inside the Co-op – another night to rub their eyes to go with so many over the last decade.

As far as the club have come though, Typical City will always be there. As Guardiola arrived on stage, he was greeted with a series of questions regarding his weird mannerisms over the last decade – shouting to nobody in the dugout, blasting players on the pitch and losing his temper in the changing room – with a blooper reel that has delighted supporters as well as the victories, with celebratory messages from his hero Michael Jordan.

Guardiola was steered towards the centre of the arena, but before he would go he made sure club legend Summerbee was helped off stage – the true mark of the man. When he did take to the spotlight, Noel Gallagher gave him the chance for some final words.

“Thank you so much for coming here tonight to say bye to John, Bernie,” he said. “Of course, other legends like Vinny, Fernandinho, Eddie and Jack and all the others coming too. I feel the connection that this club [has] from the first minute. Thank you so much, I don’t have enough gratitude. I will always have [that with me] for the rest of my life.”

Then came the final surprise – Catalan band Mishima shipped over from Barcelona to give him the final send-off in front of his family and friends. Nobody would have been here without Guardiola because nobody would have had the memories. And, as the final Oasis song suggested, all Blues have seen things over the last ten years that others will never see and will live forever.

The club, and the city, will never be the same again.

Boxing art collector Ingo Wegerich explores the stories behind iconic fight artwork, drawing on his extensive private collection. This piece centres on the legendary rivalry between Tom Cribb and Tom Molineaux, one of the most controversial and mythologised contests of 19th-century prizefighting.

Few fights in boxing history have generated as much debate and mythology as the two contests between Cribb and Molineaux. More than 200 years later, details remain disputed, stories continue to evolve, and the rivalry still stands as one of the defining chapters of early prizefighting.

This painting by Stanley Weston captures the second meeting between the English heavyweight champion and the Black American challenger, a bout that followed one of the most controversial fights of the nineteenth century.

The fight

Tom Cribb and Tom Molineaux first met on December 18, 1810, on Copthorne Common near East Grinstead in Sussex. Thousands reportedly travelled to watch the fight despite dreadful weather conditions, with contemporary accounts describing roads almost knee-deep in mud and many spectators failing to even reach the venue.

The fight took place outdoors in a simple roped ring and was contested under the rules of early English prizefighting. Bouts were fought with bare fists, and rounds ended only when a fighter was knocked down. The contest itself would continue until one man could no longer carry on.

Cribb entered as England’s heavyweight champion at 29 years old, while Molineaux, believed to have travelled from America in search of the best fighters in the world, arrived as a dangerous and physically imposing challenger. Reports from the time describe Cribb as the superior technician, while Molineaux relied heavily on strength and relentless pressure.

Accounts of the fight differ dramatically depending on the source. Most reports state that Cribb won after 44 rounds when Molineaux could no longer continue, though even the duration and exact round count remain disputed. What is certain is that the fight became surrounded by controversy almost immediately.

Several stories have followed the bout through boxing history, including claims of crowd interference favouring Cribb, allegations that Molineaux injured his hand during a chaotic moment in the ring, and suggestions that Cribb was allowed extra time to recover after being overwhelmed in the middle rounds. More than two centuries later, many of those details are impossible to fully verify.

What remains beyond dispute is the scale and brutality of the contest. Contemporary reports describe both men repeatedly being knocked down and exhausted by the conditions. The London Courier wrote of Molineaux’s pressure attack:

“If this could not be called murder, it was something like manslaughter.”
The rematch took place on September 28, 1811, at Thistleton Gap in front of an estimated crowd of 15,000 spectators. This time, Cribb appeared far better prepared and gradually broke Molineaux down before winning decisively after 11 rounds.

The artwork

The painting stages the second fight between Tom Cribb and Tom Molineaux not simply as a sporting contest, but as a dramatic confrontation between two figures who had already become larger than life.

At the centre stand the two fighters, frozen in a moment of tension. Their guarded stances, raised fists and fixed gazes create a scene that feels suspended between movement and stillness. The composition closely resembles early prints of the fight, particularly the famous George Cruikshank depiction held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, though Stanley Weston strips away many surrounding details to focus almost entirely on the fighters themselves.

The bodies are heavily emphasised, almost exaggerated, giving both men a monumental physical presence. Molineaux is painted in warm, earthy tones, while Cribb appears lighter and cooler, creating a visual contrast that subtly heightens the tension between the two rivals.

Meanwhile, the crowd in the background is only loosely defined. Faces blur together into a collective mass, reinforcing the sense that the fight itself has become mythologised over time.

Perhaps most striking is the feeling that the painting is not trying to function as a literal recreation of the bout. Instead, it presents the rivalry as something closer to boxing folklore — a historical memory shaped by storytelling, controversy and legend as much as fact.

The artist

Stanley Weston (1919–2001) was an American photographer, artist, sports journalist and publisher best known for his deep connection to boxing. Alongside his journalistic and photographic work, he also created numerous paintings depicting historic fights and legendary fighters.

Although Weston produced a substantial body of artwork, he never considered himself a professional painter in the traditional sense. Instead, he remained above all a passionate boxing historian and chronicler of the sport.

Personal note from the owner

This painting is the original artwork that appeared on the cover of The Ring Magazine in April 1948. I acquired it, along with seven other Stanley Weston cover paintings, from another collector around two years ago.

Unfortunately, many works from this era have been lost over time through fire, water damage or poor storage conditions, making surviving originals increasingly rare. In total, I own 24 works by Stanley Weston, all of which appeared on the covers of contemporary boxing publications.

This particular painting means a great deal to me because it depicts one of the most important fights in boxing history.

During my most recent visit to London, I went to the National Portrait Gallery, where small ceramic figures depicting Tom Cribb and Tom Molineaux in the exact same pose as Weston’s painting are also on display. It was a special moment to see that connection between boxing history and art history.

Artwork details

Molineaux vs Cribb
Original
1948
Stanley Weston
20″ x 15″
Mixed media on cardboard

Copyright Stanley Weston. You can view more of Ingo’s artwork on his website, Ingo Wegerich Fine Art Collection, or contact him via Instagram.