Honda Center – Syndication Server

Off the Canvas: Join Ryan Garcia after sensational KO, Part II

Lightweight contender Ryan Garcia appears to be a star in the making. The Los Angeles fighter has the looks, the charisma, the backing of Golden Boy Promotions, the work ethic and, most important, the ability. He can box and he can bang. That was …

[jwplayer eqRtXigU]

Lightweight contender Ryan Garcia appears to be a star in the making.

The Los Angeles fighter has the looks, the charisma, the backing of Golden Boy Promotions, the work ethic and, most important, the ability. He can box and he can bang.

That was plainly evident in his last fight, a first-round knockout of Francisco Fonseca on Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

The end came in a breathtaking instant, a left hook that knocked the veteran Nicaraguan fighter onto his back and out. It took Garcia only 1 minute, 20 seconds to get the job done.

In this new series of videos, courtesy of DAZN, you are able to join the fighters and their teams behind the scenes.

In Episode 2, Garcia and Co. react to his knockout of Fonseca.

Off the Canvas: Join Ryan Garcia after his sensational KO of Francisco Fonseca

In this new series of videos entitled “Off the Canvas,” courtesy of DAZN, you are able to join the fighters behind the scenes.

[jwplayer 3IEGvVzW]

Lightweight contender Ryan Garcia appears to be a star in the making.

The Los Angeles fighter has the looks, the charisma, the backing of Golden Boy Promotions, the work ethic and, most important, the ability. He can box and he can bang.

That was plainly evident in his last fight, a first-round knockout of Francisco Fonseca on Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

The end came in a breathtaking instant, a left hook that knocked the veteran Nicaraguan fighter onto his back and out. It took Garcia only 1 minute, 20 seconds into the fight.

In this new series of videos, courtesy of DAZN, you are able to join the fighters and their teams behind the scenes.

In Episode 1, Garcia and Co. react to his knockout of Fonseca.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Anaheim Ducks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at Anaheim Ducks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

[jwplayer wcHtPTSE]

The Pittsburgh Penguins (37-19-6) continue their road trip with a date against the Anaheim Ducks (25-30-8) Friday at Honda Center at 10 p.m. ET (on ESPN+). We analyze the Penguins-Ducks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Penguins at Ducks: Projected starting goalies

Matt Murray vs. John Gibson

Murray should get the call after All-Star Tristan Jarry started and lost in Los Angeles Wednesday. Murray is 17-9-5 with a 2.84 goals against average and .901 save percentage in 33 starts. While his only shutout of the season came on the road, he has a 3.08 GAA away from home as opposed to a 2.55 GAA in the Steel City. Murray allowed just one goal on 32 shots in a 2-1 home win over the Ducks in the first meeting Oct. 10.

Gibson has posted an 18-24-5 record, 3.01 GAA and .903 SV%. He allowed two goals on 28 shots in that Oct. 10 loss at Pittsburgh. Gibson is a respectable 11-11-2 with a 2.85 GAA and .905 SV% in 24 starts on ‘The Pond’ this season.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Penguins at Ducks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:50 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Penguins 4, Ducks 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Penguins (-189) were dumped in Los Angeles as a -196 favorite Wednesday, showing why it is always risky to lay more than -180 on any single game. Nothing is a sure thing, and there is no sense risking nearly two times your potential return. AVOID a ML play in this one.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Penguins ML returns a profit of $5.29 if they win, while a $10 wager on the Ducks (+155) results in a profit of $15.50 if the home team prevails.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The PENGUINS (-1.5, +140) are more attractive on the puck line. Yes, they won the first meeting 2-1, and they were dropped in L.A. two nights ago, but the Ducks (+1.5, -167) are a mish-mash of AHL and NHL players, having been sellers at the deadline. They’ll simply be playing out the string. Don’t expect the Pens to lose two in a row against pretenders.

Over/Under (O/U)

Go lightly on the OVER 5.5 (-125). It’s hard to imagine the high-octane Pittsburgh offense getting shut down twice in three nights. The Over is also 5-2 in Ducks’ past seven games overall, and 6-2 in the past eight against winning teams. Look for the Pens offense to come alive against them. The Over is 4-1 in the past five skates on The Pond between these two clubs.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

Vegas Golden Knights at Anaheim Ducks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Vegas Golden Knights at Anaheim Ducks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Vegas Golden Knights (33-22-8) travel to battle the Anaheim Ducks (24-30-7) Sunday at the Honda Center at 10 p.m. ET. We analyze the Golden Knights-Ducks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Golden Knights at Ducks: Projected starting goalies

Malcolm Subban vs. John Gibson

Subban is expected to make the start after Marc-Andre Fleury worked in the 5-3 win against the Florida Panthers Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. Subban has managed an 8-7-3 record, 3.09 goals against average and .893 save percentage across his 18 starts and one relief appearance. He allowed four goals on just 18 shots in a 4-3 loss at Anaheim Dec. 27.

Gibson has posted a 17-24-4 record, 2.95 GAA and .906 SV% in 45 starts. The results have been mixed for Gibson vs. the Golden Knights, as he is 1-2-0 with a 4.04 GAA and .900 SV% in three starts.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Golden Knights at Ducks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:10 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Golden Knights 5, Sharks 3

Moneyline (ML)

The GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-176) are a rather risky play at this price level, although they’re expected to win. My limit on moneyline plays is generally -180 or lower. Toss in the fact that the Ducks (+145) have dropped three in a row, and Vegas looks a lot less risky. Vegas has won five in a row, and new D Alec Martinez posted a goal and an assist Thursday in his team debut, fitting right in. This is a team on the rise and playing well.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Golden Knights to win returns a profit of $5.68, while a $10 wager on the Ducks results in a profit of $14.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-1.5, +155) might be worth a small-unit play at this price level, especially given Gibson’s struggles vs. VGK so far this season.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-139) is worth a look at this price level with the backup netminder for Vegas expected to play, while Anaheim’s Gibson has coughed up more than four goals per game against the Knights. The Over is 10-3-1 in the past 14 for Vegas following a win, and 5-2 in the past seven inside the division. The Over is 20-7 for Anaheim in the past 27 inside the division, and 10-4-1 in the past 15 against Western Conference foes.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

Colorado Avalanche at Anaheim Ducks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Colorado Avalanche at Anaheim Ducks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Colorado Avalanche (34-18-7) drop the puck against the Anaheim Ducks (24-29-7) Friday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., at 10 p.m. ET. We analyze the Avalanche-Ducks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Avalanche at Ducks: Projected starting goalies

Pavel Francouz vs. John Gibson

Francouz has cruised to a 14-5-3 record with a 2.44 goals against average and .923 save percentage in 21 starts and 24 appearances overall. He has won three of his past four starts, and hasn’t lost in regulation in five starts since a 1-0 loss on the road against the Islanders Jan. 6. He is 1-0-1 with a 2.45 GAA and .909 SV% in the past two starts in place of the injured Philipp Grubauer (lower body).

Gibson is 17-23-4 with a 2.99 GAA and .904 SV% in 44 starts, including a 10-10-1 home record with a 2.79 GAA, .908 SV% and his lone shutout. He hasn’t faced the Avs this season, but he went 2-0-0 with a 2.01 GAA and .943 SV% in two starts vs. them last season.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Avalanche at Ducks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Ducks 4, Avalanche 3

Moneyline (ML)

The DUCKS (+135) are worth a roll of the dice considering they have won each of the past three meetings in this series. That includes a dominating 5-2 win in Denver back on Oct. 26. The public is all over the Avalanche (-167) despite the fact they’re just 7-19 in the past 26 in Anaheim, and 17-35 in the previous 52 meetings overall. The underdog is also 5-2 in the past seven in this series.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Ducks to win returns a profit of $13.50, while a $10 wager on the Avalanche results in a profit of $5.99.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Ducks (+1.5, -200) are not worth the risk, as you need to put up two times the return. For the Avalanche (-1.5, +165), they’re a nice value if you like them, but they have had their troubles against the Ducks, so they’re not the play for me.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 5.5 (-134) is the way to go, hitting in four of the past five games in this series. While the Avs have seen the Under hit in seven of the past eight overall, including 7-0 in the past seven as a favorite, the Over is still the way to go. That’s because the Over is 5-2 in the past seven at home for Anaheim, and 4-1 in the past five against winning teams.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

Ryan Garcia needs only 1:20 to knock out Francisco Fonseca

True stars don’t just win. They make statements. And that’s what Ryan Garcia did on Friday night at Honda Center in Anaheim, California on DAZN. The popular lightweight contender needed only one punch to end his fight against Francisco Fonseca, a …

True stars don’t just win. They make statements. And that’s what Ryan Garcia did on Friday night at Honda Center in Anaheim, California on DAZN.

The popular lightweight contender needed only one punch to end his fight against Francisco Fonseca, a left hook that knocked Fonseca flat on his back and out only 1 minute, 20 seconds into the scheduled 12-round fight.

It was Garcia’s second consecutive first-round knockout. He stopped Romero Duno 1:38 into their fight in November.

“I saw the left hook. I was there,” Garcia said. I just needed to let him commit to a shot, let him get comfortable. I caught him right between the shot. It was a perfect left hook. That’s what they call it.”

By comparison, in two junior lightweight title fights, Fonseca (25-3-2, 19 KOs) was stopped in eight rounds by Gervonta Davis and lost a 12-round decision to Tevin Farmer.

What’s next for Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs?

The rising star’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, apparently has arranged for Garcia to fight Jorge Linares in July at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Linares looked sharp en route to stopping Carlos Morales on the Garcia-Fonseca undercard.

“I said if he had a good performance, I’d fight him,” Garcia said of Linares.

That’s a dangerous fight for Garcia. Linares, a three-division titleholder, is a proven commodity. But Garcia is bursting with confidence. He has a blueprint for this year that should, if he’s successful, make him a true star.

“I had a plan for 2020 and that was to shock the world,” he said. “So to shock the world I’ll beat Linares, beat Luke Campbell, beat Gervonta Davis and then go after Devin [Haney].”

Jorge Linares looks sharp in KO victory over Carlos Morales

Jorge Linares looked like the Jorge Linares of old on Friday night. The former three-division titleholder stopped Carlos Morales at 2:09 of Round 4 in a scheduled 10-round lightweight bout on the Ryan Garcia-Francisco Fonseca on Friday night at …

Jorge Linares looked like the Jorge Linares of old on Friday night.

The former three-division titleholder stopped Carlos Morales at 2:09 of Round 4 in a scheduled 10-round lightweight bout on the Ryan Garcia-Francisco Fonseca on Friday night at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Linares (46-5, 28 KOs) has now won two in a row since he was stopped by Pablo Cesar Cano in an ill-fated attempt to eventually win a title in a fourth division, junior welterweight.

Linares, prone to being cut, suffered a gash above his left eye as a result of an accidental head butt in the first round. In the second, Morales (19-5-4, 8 KOs) landed a number of eye-catching punches and might’ve won the round.

However, in the third, a short right from Linares put Morales down and hurt him. He said on his way to his corner, “What hit me?”

He never really figured that out because the same punch, a short right, put him down on his behind and into the ropes. He was unable to continue.

Morales had never been stopped in his career.

Linares looked sharp, but apparently he believes he can do more.

“I’m surprised at myself because I know I can demonstrate even more than that,” the Japan-based Venezuelan said through a translator.

We’ll probably see. Linares, 34, now seems to be on his way to challenging for a 135-pound title. One possibility: Ryan Garcia.

Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia? De La Hoya throws down gauntlet

Oscar De La Hoya has challenged fellow promoter Floyd Mayweather to make a Ryan Garcia vs. Gervonta Davis fight happen.

Oscar De La Hoya would’ve liked a rematch with Floyd Mayweather after losing a competitive fight in 2007 but it never happened.

The next best thing?

De La Hoya, speaking on the Petros and Money Show, challenged now-fellow promoter Mayweather to pit his fighter Gervonta “Tank” Davis against Golden Boy’s rising young star Ryan Garcia.

Garcia (19-0, 16 KOs) fights Francisco Fonseca (25-2-2, 19 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round lightweight bout Friday at Honda Center in Anaheim, California, on DAZN.

“Ryan, I believe, is ready for a world title,” De La Hoya said on the radio program. “And I have something to say. … You have a fighter, Tank. I have my fighter, Ryan Garcia. Let’s make this fight happen.

“If Ryan wins … this Friday, if he wins, then let’s stage a fight, man. Look, promoter vs. promoter, fighter vs. fighter, Mayweather Promotions vs. Golden Boy Promotions. It’ll be a huge fight.”

Davis seems to like the idea. Garcia retweeted a clip of the De La Hoya interview. Davis then tweeted “Let’s do this! I’m gonna be Supa rich this year” with a link to the clip. To which Garcia responded, “It’s on course now.”

We’ll see.

Davis has also expressed interest in fighting Leo Santa Cruz, with whom he shares a manager. And Davis also is dealing with legal issues after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting the mother of his child.

And, of course, Fonseca might have something to say about it.

Oscar De La Hoya: Ryan Garcia ‘will be world champion by end of year’

Ryan Garcia is scheduled to face Francisco Fonseca on Feb. 14 in Anaheim, California, but has bigger plans for 2020.

Ryan Garcia needs no introduction. His social media following is evidence of that. Yet his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, foresees 2020 as a time to prove that Garcia is more than just another virtual celebrity.

Proof is in a word “title”.

De La Hoya hopes to add that complementary piece to Garcia’s resume this year.

“I think he’ll be a world champion by the end of the year,’’ De La Hoya said Monday during a media tour promoting Garcia’s fight against Francisco Fonseca on Feb. 14 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on DAZN. “He’s getting stronger, faster and wiser. For Ryan, we want the best for him.’’

The bout against Fonseca (21-2-2, 19 KOs), of Nicaragua, is seen as step toward a shot at a lightweight title for Garcia (19-0, 16 KOs), who set the stage for a promising New Year with a sensational first-round stoppage of Filipino Romero Duno on Nov. 2 in Las Vegas.

“I feel like this is the first step towards things to come,” said Garcia, who will fight for the fourth time with Canelo Alvarez trainer Eddy Reynoso in his corner. “Now that it’s here, I’m ready to shine at the brightest moment.”

Jorge Linares to face Carlos Morales on Garcia-Fonseca card

Jorge Linares will try to fight his way back into the 135-pound title mix on a card featuring Ryan Garcia vs. Francisco Fonseca on Feb. 14.

Former lightweight champion Jorge Linares will try to fight his way back into the title mix on a card featuring Ryan Garcia vs. Francisco Fonseca on Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Golden Boy Promotions announced Monday that Linares (46-5, 28 KOs) will face Carlos Morales (19-4, 8 KOs) on the DAZN-streamed card.

“2019 was a difficult year, but I’ve been through ups and downs in my career before, and I’ve always come back,’’ Linares said. “On Feb. 14, I’m going to show why I became a four-time world champion by scoring a dominant win. After that, I hope to fight for a world title very soon.”

Linares, who has won belts at featherweight, junior lightweight and lightweight, moved up to 140-pounds last Jan. 18 and suffered a first-round knockout against Pablo Cesar Cano in New York. The 34-year-old Venezuelan came back on Sept. 7, winning a decision over Filipino Al Toyogon in Japan.

A Linares victory could put him in line to fight Ryan Garcia, if Garcia beats Fonseca.

Morales, a 29-year-old Mexican, is a former junior lightweight who will be fighting at 135 pounds for the third time. He lost a majority decision to Garcia on Sept. 1, 2018 in Indio, California.