Each week, our “What’s on Tap” series previews the week ahead in the world of sports betting. Come here for a summary of upcoming financial happenings, legislative and regulatory meetings, industry conferences, top games scheduled for the week, and much more.

The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the Stanley Cup Playoffs yet again as a chic pick to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup. Despite loads of talent and a fervent fan base, the Leafs haven’t won the Cup since 1967. Beset by an illness, Auston Matthews struggled on Saturday as the Leafs fell down 3-1 in a best-of-seven series against the Bruins.

The Bruins can eliminate Toronto on Tuesday with a win in Boston. The Leafs have yet to solve Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman who has allowed a 1.34 goals-against-average in three playoff wins. The Bruins are -160 favorites over the Leafs, which travel to New England as +135 dogs.

The Rockies dropped an 8-2 loss to the Astros on Sunday to fall to 7-21 on the season. In the defeat, Colorado extended a streak where they have trailed in all 28 games this season. The Rockies became only the second team in MLB history to open a season in such fashion.

Now, Colorado hits the road for a six-game East Coast swing. The Rockies can end the streak on Tuesday night in Miami. Also struggling, the Marlins enter the series with a 6-23 mark. The two are the only clubs in the National League with a winning percentage below .275.

— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) April 28, 2024

Despite squandering a 31-point lead, the Clippers received clutch play from James Harden on Sunday to even an opening-round series with the Mavericks. Harden scored 11 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter as the Clips withstood a furious rally in Sunday’s Game 4. The series returns to Los Angeles on Wednesday with the Mavs listed as 2.5-point favorites over the Clips at ESPN BET.

(For the record, I've always thought his struggles in the playoffs were a bit overstated) pic.twitter.com/hKWW4FvJVf

— Mat Issa (@matissa15) April 29, 2024

The series winner will likely meet Oklahoma City in the second round. The Thunder, which holds a 3-0 lead over the Pelicans, can end the series with a victory on Monday night. Through the first two weeks of the NBA Playoffs, Minnesota is the only team that has advanced past the opening round. The Timberwolves ended the Suns’ season on Sunday by sweeping Phoenix in four games.

Despite the sweep, the Timberwolves (+450) are the third choice at Hard Rock Bet to win the Western Conference. The Nuggets, the heavy -105 favorite, can eliminate the Lakers on Monday night. The Thunder are the second choice at +375.

Along with its top competitors, DraftKings saw its earnings restrained in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to a series of unfavorable NFL betting outcomes in November. DraftKings, however, may be in for a bounce back this week when the company reports earnings for the opening quarter of this year.

While DraftKings is expected to report a quarterly loss of $0.28 per share, according to Zack’s Consensus Estimate, it will still represent a 68% increase from the year-ago quarter. At the same time, DraftKings is expected to post quarterly revenues of $1.13 billion, up 46% from the opening quarter of 2023. Keep an eye on the company’s parlay mix through same game parlays as you parse through the results.

Not since Bellamy Road entered the Kentucky Derby in 2005 with a Beyer speed figure of 120 has a horse distanced himself from the field as much as Fierceness. A 5/2 morning-line favorite at Churchill Downs, Fierceness won the Florida Derby by an astounding 13 1/4 lengths. Fierceness recorded a Beyer of 110 in the win, 12 points higher than Sierra Leone, the next closest entrant.

While Fierceness prefers a stalking trip off the early leaders, Sierra Leone is a deep closer. The two distinguished runners are the only entrants in the field with morning-line odds in the single digits. Fierceness received a tough post on Saturday from the No. 17 gate. The favorite has not won the Derby since Justify in 2018.

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 27, 2024

Have a good week, everyone!