Sports News Roundup: NBA second-half betting: Finding value in MVP, Coach of Year odds; Penguins, Islanders meet with wild-card chase in focus and more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NBA second-half betting: Finding value in MVP, Coach of Year odds

The NBA All-Star break moves the race for the postseason into high gear and opens some interesting options for betting on NBA futures. The injury to Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid forced a reset of the MVP odds, the Coach of the Year race has become a matter of translating the qualifications and the Boston Celtics remain the choice to unseat the Denver Nuggets for the NBA title in June.

Penguins, Islanders meet with wild-card chase in focus

It will be a Metropolitan Division showdown with plenty of implications Tuesday when the New York Islanders visit the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both teams are on the outside looking in as they chase a playoff spot, while each failed to protect leads while losing in a special event game.

Reports: Red Sox to sign closer Liam Hendriks to 2-year deal

The Boston Red Sox and All-Star closer Liam Hendriks have agreed to a two-year deal worth a guaranteed $10 million, multiple outlets reported Monday. The deal is pending a physical for the right-hander, who is coming off Tommy John surgery in August and is not expected to pitch much, if at all, in the 2024 season. If he does return, it would be well after the All-Star break, per the reports.

William Byron wins Daytona 500 under caution

The perfect script played out for Hendrick Motorsports at the end of the 66th Daytona 500 on Monday. Race leader William Byron finished a four-lap shootout under caution in a Presidents' Day Daytona 500 delayed a day because of rain, making him the winner of the Great American Race in Daytona Beach, Fla.

OF Mike Trout expresses loyalty to Angels

Mike Trout says he has no desire right now to leave the Los Angeles Angels, calling a potential trade "the easy way out." The three-time MVP outfielder is heading into his 13th season with the team and has seven years and close to $250 million left on his contract.

Panthers, unstoppable on road, head home to face Senators

The Florida Panthers, who have surged to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and are tied for the third-most points in the NHL, will face the lowly Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night in Sunrise, Fla. Florida has won nine of its past 10 games, and only two of those victories were by one goal. The Panthers' defense held the opposition to two or fewer goals in all 10 games.

NHL roundup: Wild earn historic 10-7 win over Canucks

Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov each finished with three goals and three assists and the Minnesota Wild set a franchise record for goals in a single game with a 10-7 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday afternoon in Saint Paul, Minn. Matt Boldy and Mats Zuccarello each added a goal and three assists for Minnesota, which extended its point streak to six games. The Wild scored one goal in the first period, two goals in the second and a whopping seven goals in the third to finish off their historic performance.

Rangers ride 7-game win streak into matchup vs. Stars

The New York Rangers kept their winning streak alive with a memorable comeback in front of nearly 80,000 fans in a showcase event on Sunday, and their next challenge comes against a team playing nearly as well. The Rangers will attempt to extend their season-best winning streak to eight games on Tuesday night when they host the Dallas Stars, who have the second-most points in the Western Conference.

Back on track, Kings return home to face Blue Jackets

The Los Angeles Kings will try to continue their improved play under interim coach Jim Hiller when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. Los Angeles is 4-1-0 since Todd McLellan was fired on Feb. 2 and Hiller took over. The Kings have won three in a row, all on the road, including back-to-back victories on Saturday and Sunday against the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Nets fire coach Jacque Vaughn after 21-33 start

The Brooklyn Nets fired head coach Jacque Vaughn on Monday after less than two seasons. The Nets are currently 21-33, the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference amid the All-Star break. They lost five of their last six heading into All-Star weekend.