Sunday, April 30, 2017

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Predators Take 2-1 Series Lead Over Blues; Ducks Knock Off Oilers In Edmonton, Cut Series Deficit To 2-1

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Sunday with the third game of both Western Conference semifinal series.

At Nashville, Tennessee:

Ryan Ellis, Roman Josi, and Cody McLeod each scored a goal while Pekka Renne saved 22 of 23 shots as the Nashville Predators defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-1 in game three of their series, which the Predators now lead two games to one.

At Edmonton, Alberta:

Jakob Silfverberg scored twice and assisted once as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-3 on the road in game three of their series, which the Oilers now lead two games to one.

NBA Playoffs: Celtic Come Back To Upend Wizards In Series Opener; Jazz Finish Off Clippers In LA To Get Crack At Warriors

The NBA Playoffs continued on Sunday with two games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Boston:

Isaiah Thomas scored 33 points and dished out nine assists while Jae Crowder scored 24 and Al Horford added 21 (to go with his ten assists and nine rebounds) as the Boston Celtics overcame an early 16-0 deficit and upended the visiting Washington Wizards 123-111 in the opening game of their conference semifinal series as the second round of the playoffs opened.

Bradley Beal scored 27 points and John Wall added 20 (to go with his 16 assists) to pace the Wizards.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:


At Los Angeles:

In the finale of the playoffs' opening round, Gordon Hayward scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Utah Jazz took the seventh and deciding game of their conference quarterfinal series with the Los Angeles Clippers 104-91 on the road and took the series four games to three as they notched their first playoff series victory since 2010.

DeAndre Jordan paced the Clippers with 24 points (to go with his 17 rebounds) while Jamal Crawford added 20.

The Jazz will open up their conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland on Tuesday.


T2 No Match For San Antonio FC

At Portland, Oregon:

Cesar Elizondo scored twice (34', 90'+3) as San Antonio FC demolished Portland Timbers 2 by a score on 4-0 on the road in Friday United Soccer League action.

Next up for T2:  A match on the road against Seattle Sounders 2 at Tukwila, Washington next Friday (May 5) at 7:30 PM Pacific Time.

Saturday, April 29, 2017

TImbers And Hoops Battle To 2-2 Stalemate In Frisco (Frisco, Texas, That Is)

At Frisco, Texas:

In Saturday Major League Soccer action, the Portland Timbers, with goals from Fanendo Adi (30') and Sebastian Blanco (71') managed to gain a 2-2 road draw with FC Dallas.  Maximiliano Urruti (61') and Tesho Akindele (80') each scored a second-half goal to help the Hoops come back from behind twice and remain the league's lone unbeaten club.

Next Saturday, the Timbers will pay visit on the San Jose Earthquakes for a match set to kickoff at 7:30 PM Pacific Time and to be broadcast over the Timbers' television network (via KPDX-TV, Portland-Vancouver).

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Senators (In 2OTs), Penguins Stretch Respective Series Lead To 2-0

Both Eastern Conference semifinal series continued on Saturday as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.

At Ottawa:

Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored four goals, including the game winner at 2:54 of the second overtime period as the Ottawa Senators outslugged the visiting New York Rangers 6-5 in game two of their series, which they now lead two games to none.

At Washington:

Phil Kessel and Jake Guentzel each scored twice as the Pittsburgh Penguins stretched their conference semifinal series with the Washington Capitals to two games to none after their 6-2 game-two road demolition of the President's Trophy winners.

Friday, April 28, 2017

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Blues Square Series With Preds At 1-1; Oilers Knock Off Ducks Again, Take 2-0 Series Lead Back To Edmonton

Both Western Conference semifinal series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Friday.

At St. Louis:

Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice (his second being the game winner with 3:51 remaining) as the St. Louis Blues squared their series with the Nashville Predators at one game apiece following their 3-2 home win in game two.

The defeat was the Predators' first of the playoffs.

At Anaheim, California:

Patrick Maroon delivered a power-play goal while goalie Cam Talbot saved 39 of 40 shots as the Edmonton Oilers will take a two-games-to-none series lead back to Alberta after their 2-1 game-two road win over the Anaheim Ducks.

NBA Playoffs: Wizards, Celtics Advance To Conference Semifinals; Clippers Knock Off Jazz In SLC To Force Game Seven In LA

Three games were played on Friday as the opening round of the NBA Playoffs continued.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:


At Atlanta:

John Wall scored 42 points while Bradley Beal added 31as the Washington Wizards defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks 115-99 in game six of their conference quarterfinal series and closed out the visitors four games to two.

Paul Millsap topped the Hawks with 31 points (while grabbing 10 rebounds) while Dennis Schroder added 26 (while dishing out ten assists).

The Wizards will next take on the Chicago Bulls in a conference semifinal series.

At Chicago:

Avery Bradley scored 23 points as the Boston Celtics manhandled the Chicago Bulls 105-83 on the road in game six and won their conference quarterfinal series four games to two.

Jimmy Butler paced the Bulls with 23 points.

The Celtics will host the opening game of their conference semifinal series against the Washington Wizards on Sunday. 



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Salt Lake City, Utah:

Chris Paul scored 29 points as the Los Angeles Clippers squared their opening-round series with the Utah Jazz at three games apiece with a 98-93 game-six road win.

Gordon Hayward scored 31 points and George Hill added 22 to lead the Jazz.

This series----the only first-round playoff series in either the NBA or NHL to reach the full series----will conclude in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Senators, Penguins Win Series Openers

Both Eastern Conference semifinal series opened on Thursday as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.

At Ottawa:

Erik Karlsson scored the winning goal with 4:11 remaining in regulation as the Ottawa Senators took the opening contest with the New York Rangers 2-1 at home.  

Craig Anderson stopped 34 of 35 shots to preserve the victory for the Senators.

At Washington:

Sydney Crosby scored twice in a space of 52 seconds in the second period while Nick Bonino scored the game winner in the third period as the Pittsburgh Penguins seized home-ice advantage after their series-opening 3-2 road win over the Washington Capitals.

2017 NBA Playoffs: Raptors, Spurs Close Out Respective Opponents And Advance To Second Round

Two games were contested on Thursday as the NBA Playoffs continued.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Milwaukee:

DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points as the Toronto Raptors recovered from blowing a 25-point lead and fought off the Milwaukee Bucks 92-89 on the road in game six and won their conference quarterfinal series four games to two.

Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with 34 points while grabbing nine rebounds.

The Raptors will next face LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in a conference semifinal series.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Memphis, Tennessee:

Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points (and grabbed nine rebounds) while Tony Parkers added 27 as the San Antonio Spurs closed out the Memphis Grizzlies after their 103-96 road win in game six that enabled them to win their opening-round series four games to two.

Mike Conley paced the Grizzlies with 26 points.

The Spurs will next take on James Harden and the Houston Rockets in an all-Texas Western Conference semifinal series.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Preds, Oilers Open Quarterfinal Round By Taking Series Openers On Road

The quarterfinal round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs opened on Wednesday with two games, both in the Western Conference.

At St. Louis:

Vernon Fiddler scored with 5:05 remaining in the third period while P.K. Subban also scored a goal while delivering two assists as the Nashville Predators knocked off the St. Louis Blues 4-3 on the road in the opening game of their conference semifinal series.

At Anaheim, California:

Adam Larsson scored twice in the third periods as the Edmonton Oilers recovered from blowing a two-goal lead and defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-3 on the road in the opening contest of their conference semifinal series.

NBA Playoffs: Wizards, Celtics Take 3-2 Series Leads

Two games, both in the Eastern Conference, were played on Wednesday as the opening round of the NBA Playoff continued.

At Washington:

Bradley Beal scored 27 points while John Wall added 20 (to go with his 14 assists) as the Washington Wizards held off the visiting Atlanta Hawks 103-99 in game five of their conference quarterfinal series.

Dennis Schroder paced 29 points to pace the Hawks while dishing out 11 assists.  Paul Millsap, while grabbing 11 rebounds, added 21 points to Atlanta's coffers.

The Wizards, who now lead the series three games to two, can finish off the Hawks with a game-six on Friday in Atlanta.

At Boston:

Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley each scored 24 points while Al Horford added 21 (to go with his nine assists) as the Boston Celtics defeated the visiting Chicago Bulls 108-97 in game five of their opening-round series.

This was the first game in this series won by the home team.

Dwyane Wade scored 26 points to top the Bulls while pulling in 11 rebounds.

The Celtics can lock up the series---which they currently lead three games to two----with a game-six road win in Chicago on Friday.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

NBA Playoffs: Rockets Close Out Thunder, Advance To Second Round; Spurs, Jazz 3-2 Respective Series Leads

The NBA Playoffs are set to continue with three games on Tuesday, all in the Western Conference.

At Houston:

James Harden scored 34 points while Lou Williams added 22 as the Houston Rockets held off the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder 105-99 in game five and won their conference quarterfinal series four games to one, despite 47 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists from the guests' Russell Westbrook.

The Rockets will next face the winner of the San Antonio-Memphis series (which the Spurs now lead three games to two).

At San Antonio:

Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points while Patty Mills came off the bench to add 20 as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting Memphis Grizzlies 116-103 in game five of their opening-round series.

Mike Conley paced the Grizzlies with 26 points.

The Spurs can close out the series, which they now lead three games to two, with a game-six victory in Memphis on Thursday night.

At Los Angeles:

Gordon Hayward scored 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Utah Jazz defeated the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 96-92 in game five of their conference semifinal series, which they now lead three games to two.

Chris Paul scored 28 points (while dishing out nine assists) while J.J. Redick added 26 to lead the Clippers.

The Jazz can lock up the series with a game-six victory back home in Salt Lake City on Friday.

Monday, April 24, 2017

NBA Playoffs: Hawks Level Series With Wizards At 2-2; Raptors Manhandle Bucks To Take 3-2 Series Advantage; Warriors Stomp On Blazers To Complete Series Sweep

Three games were contested in the NBA Playoffs on Monday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Toronto:

Norm Powell scored 25 points as the Toronto Raptors, with six players scoring in double-digits, mauled the visiting Milwaukee Bucks 118-93 in game five of their conference quarterfinal series.

Giannis Antekokounmpo topped the Bucks with 30 points while grabbing nine rebounds.

The Raptors, who now lead three games to two, can close out the series with a game-six victory in Milwaukee on Thursday.

At Atlanta:

Paul Millsap scored 19 points (and grabbed nine rebounds) as a balanced attack with seven players scoring in double figures lifted the Atlanta Hawks to a 111-101 game four of their conference quarterfinal series, now all squared at two games apiece.

Bradley Beal scored 32 points while John Wall added 22 (to go with his ten assists) to pace the Wizards.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Portland, Oregon:

In a dominating performance that lasted all game long, the Golden State Warriors, with Stephen Curry scoring 37 points and Draymond Green adding 21, completed their four-game conference quarterfinal series sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers by delivering a frontier-styled 128-103 game-four fist-beating on the road in a contest that was never that close.

Damien Lillard topped the Blazers with 34 points while Al-Farouq Aminu added 14.

Next for the Warriors, a conference semifinal series against the winner of the Utah Jazz-Los Angeles series, currently deadlocked at two games apiece.

Sunday, April 23, 2017

T2 Blank Republic In SacTown For First Win Of Season

At Sacramento, California:

Villyan Bijev (PK-40') and Victor Arboleda (68') each produced a goal on Saturday night as Portland Timbers 2 blanked Sacramento Republic FC 2-0 on the road for their first United Soccer League victory of the season.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Senators, Caps Close Out Opening Round With Game-Six OT Wins

The opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Sunday with two games, both in the Eastern Conference.

At Boston:

Clarke MacArthur scored the game-and-series-winning power-play goal at 13:30 of overtime as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Boston Bruins 3-2 in game six of their conference quarterfinal series, which they won four games to two.

The Senators will host the first two games of their upcoming conference semifinal series with the New York Rangers.

At Toronto:

Marcus Johansson scored a pair of goals, including the game winner at 6:31 of overtime as the Washington Capitals lowered the curtain on the opening round of the playoffs by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 on the road in game six and winning their conference quarterfinal series four games to two, setting up a conference semifinal showdown with the Pittsburgh Penguins, with the first two games to be contested in the nation's capital.

NBA Playoffs: LeBrons Helps Cavs Complete Series Sweep Of Pacers; Rockets One Game Away From Ousting Thunder; Celtics, Jazz Square Respective Series At 2-2

The NBA Playoffs are set to continue on Sunday with four games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Indianapolis:

LeBron James scored 33 points and grabbed ten rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers completed a four-game sweep of their conference quarterfinal series with the Indiana Pacers with their 106-102 road win in game four.

Kyrie Irving added 28 points to the Cavaliers' coffers.

Lance Stephenson came off the bench to lead the Pacers with 22 points while Myles Turner added 20 points while grabbing nine rebounds. 

The Cavaliers will next face the winner of the Toronto-Milwaukee series (currently deadlocked at two games apiece). 

At Chicago:

Isaiah Thomas scored 33 points as the Boston Celtics leveled their opening-round series with the Chicago Bulls at two games apiece following their 104-95 game-four road victory.  The road team has won every game thus far in this series.

Jimmy Butler topped the Bulls with 33 points. 


WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Oklahoma City:

Nene scored 28 points (converting all 12 shots from the field) and grabbed ten rebounds as the Houston Rockets took a three-games-to-one conference quarterfinal series lead after their 113-109 game five road win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Russell Westbrook topped the Thunder with 35 points while grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out 14 assists.

The Rockets can close out the series with a game-five win back home in Houston on Tuesday.

At Salt Lake City, Utah:

Joe Johnson came off the bench to score 28 points as the Utah Jazz came from behind to upend the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 105-98 in game four of their opening round series, now leveled at two games apiece.  

Chris Paul scored 27 points, dished out 12 assists, and grabbed nine rebounds for the Clippers while Jamal Crawford added 25 points to Los Angeles' coffers. 

Saturday, April 22, 2017

No More Shortcake

Erin Moran, the former child actress best remembered for her portrayal as Joanie "Shortcake" Cunningham on the ABC Network sitcom Happy Days (1974-84) and its' short-lived spinoff Joanie Loves Chachi (1982-83), passed away on Saturday at age 56 at Harrison County, Indiana.

"Shortcake" was a nickname given to Richie Cunningham's kid sister by Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzerelli.

Darren Mattocks Haunts Former Team As Timbers Hold Off Caps In Cascadia Cup Clash

At Portland, Oregon:

Darlington Nagbe (18') and Darren Mattocks (40') each scored once on Saturday as the Portland Timbers held off the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 in Major League Soccer (and Cascadia Cup) action.

The top spot in the Western Conference, which the Timbers currently occupy, is up for grabs as Portland pays a visit on FC Dallas, next Saturday night at Frisco, Texas (5:00 PM Pacific Time, ROOT Sports Northwest).

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Blues, Rangers, Oilers Advance To Second Round

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Saturday with three games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At New York:

Mats Zuccarello scored twice (once on the power play) in the second periods as the New York Rangers eliminated the visiting Montreal Canadiens by winning their conference quarterfinal series four games to two after their 3-1 game-six victory.

The Rangers will next face the winner of the Boston-Ottawa series (which the Senators lead three games to two).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At St. Paul, Minnesota:

Magnus Paajarvi scored the game (and series)-winning goal at 9:42 of overtime as the St. Louis Blues defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in game five of their conference quarterfinal series and closed out the hosts four games to one.

The Blues will hosts the first two games of their upcoming conference semifinal series against the Nashville Predators.

At San Jose, California:

Leon Draisaitl and Anton Slepyshev each scored a second-period goal as the Edmonton Oilers finished off the San Jose Sharks 3-1 on the road and won their opening-round series four games to two.

The Oilers will next take on the Anaheim Ducks in a conference semifinal series with the first two contests taking place in Anaheim, California.

NBA Playoffs: Raptors, Grizzlies Square Respective Series At 2-2; Hawks Cut Wizards' Advantage To 2-1; Big Comeback By Warriors Put Blazers On Brink Of Elimination

Four games are scheduled to be contested on Saturday as the NBA Playoffs continue.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Milwaukee:

DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points and grabbed nine reoubnds as the Toronto Raptors leveled their conference quarterfinal series with the Milwaukee Bucks at two games apiece following their 87-76 game-four road win.

At Atlanta:

Paul Millsap scored 29 points (while grabbing 14 rebounds) while Dennis Schroder added 27 as the Atlanta Hawks overpowered the visiting Washington Wizards 116-98 in game three of their opening-round series.

John Wall scored 29 points to lead the Wizards, who still lead the series two games to one.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Memphis, Tennessee:

Marc Gasol, who scored 16 points, hit the game-winning bucket with 0.7 seconds remaining in overtime to carry the Memphis Grizzlies to a 110-108 game-four home victory over the San Antonio Spurs, squaring their opening-round series at two games apiece.

Mike Conley scored a Grizzlies' franchise-postseason record 35 points, while grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out eight assists.

Kawhi Leonard scored 44 points to pace the Spurs while Tony Parker added 22 to the San Antonio coffers.

At Portland, Oregon:

Stephen Curry scored 34 points while Klay Thompson added 24 as the Golden State Warriors came back from down 17 points to upend the Portland Trail Blazers 119-113 on the road in the third game of their conference quarterfinal series, which they now lead three games to none.

C.J. McCollum topped the Blazers with 32 points while Damien Lillard added 31.

The Warriors can finish off the Blazers with a game-four victory in Portland on Monday night.

No team has ever come back from a three-games-to-none deficit to win a best-of-seven NBA playoff series.

Friday, April 21, 2017

NBA Playoffs: Celtics, Thunder Clip Respective Series Deficits To Two Games To One; Clippers Hold Off Jazz For 2-1 Series Advantage

The NBA Playoffs continued on Friday with three games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Chicago:

Al Horford scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Boston Celtics cut their conference quarterfinal series to two games to one after their 104-87 game-three road win over the Chicago Bulls.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Oklahoma City:

Mr. Triple Double himself, Russell Westbrook, did it again as he scored 32 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out 11 assists while Taj Gibson added another 20 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder took game three from the Houston Rockets (who still the conference quarterfinal series two games to one) 115-113 at home despite 44 points from the guests' James Harden, whose game-winning three-point attempt as time expired failed.

At Salt Lake City, Utah:

Chris Paul scored 34 points and dished out 10 assists as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Utah Jazz 111-106 on the road in game three of their conference quarterfinal series, overcoming a toe injury to Blake Griffin and a career-high 40 points from Utah's Gordon Hayward---as well as 26 from George Hill.

The Clippers now lead the series two games to one.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Bruins Win 2 OT Thriller With Senators To Force Game 6 Back In Boston; Caps Top Leafs In OT To Take 3-2 Series Lead

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Friday with two games, both in the Eastern Conference.

At Washington:

Justin Williams scored the winning goal 64 seconds into overtime as the Washington Capitals defeated the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in game five of their conference quarterfinal series.

The Caps can finish off the Leafs with a game-six victory in Toronto on Sunday.

At Ottawa:

Sean Kuraly's second goal of the game was the winning tally at 10:19 of the second overtime period as the Boston Bruins came back from two goals down to upend the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on the road in game six of their opening-round series.

The Senators, who still lead the series three games to two, can finish off the Bruins on Sunday afternoon with a game-six victory on Boston ice.







Thursday, April 20, 2017

Niners 2017 Schedule

The San Francisco 49ers' 2017 regular-season schedule was released on Thursday with all kickoff times Pacific.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10:

vs. Carolina, 1:25 PM 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17:

@ Seattle, 1:25 PM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21:

vs. Los Angeles Rams, 5:25 PM (NFL Network; set to be the Niners' lone 2017 primetime appearance, barring flex scheduling)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1:

@ Arizona, 1:05 PM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8:

@ Indianapolis, 10:00 AM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15:

@ Washington, 10:00 AM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22:

vs. Dallas, 1:05 PM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29:

@ Philadelphia, 10:00 AM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5:

vs. Arizona, 1:05 PM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12:

vs. New York Giants, 1:25 PM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19:

Bye Week

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26:

vs. Seattle, 1:05 PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3:

@ Chicago, 10:00 AM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10:

@ Houston, 10:00 AM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17:

vs. Tennessee, 1:25 PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24:

vs. Jacksonville, 1:05 PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31:

@ Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 PM

NBA Playoffs: Cavs Overcome 26-Point Deficit, Put Pacers On Brink Of Elimination; Bucks Smother Raptors To Take 2-1 Series Lead; Grizzlies Get One Back Against Spurs

Three games in the NBA Playoffs wereMik contested on Thursday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Indianapolis:

LeBron James scored 41 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out 12 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers erased a 26-point deficit and upended the Indiana Pacers 119-114 in game three of their conference quarterfinal series.  

Paul George paced Indiana with 36 points.

The Cavaliers, who lead the series three games to none, will go for the four-game sweep on Sunday.

At Milwaukee:

Khris Middleton scored 20 points as the Milwaukee Bucks demolished the visiting Toronto Raptors 104-77 in game three of their opening-round series to take a two-games-to-one advantage.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Memphis, Tennessee:

Mike Conley scored 24 points while Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph each added 21 as the Memphis Grizzlies held off the visiting San Antonio Spurs 105-94 in game three of their conference quarterfinal series, which the Spurs still lead two games to one.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Penguins, Predators Advance To Second Round; Rangers, Oilers Take 3-2 Series Leads

Four games were played on Thursday as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Montreal:

Mika Zibanejad scored the winning goal at 14:22 of overtime to lift the New York Rangers to a three-games-to-two conference quarterfinal series lead over the Montreal Canadiens after their 3-2 game-five road win.

The Rangers can close out the Habs with a game-six road win at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.



At Pittsburgh:

Bryan Rust scored twice while Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby each added a power-play goal as the Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 in game five of their opening-round series on the road and closed out the series four games to one.  Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury saved 49 of 51 Blue Jackets shots.

The Penguins will next face the Toronto-Washington series winner (that series is deadlocked at two games apiece).


WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Nashville, Tennessee:

Roman Josi scored twice while Pekka Rinne stopped 30 of 31 shots as the Nashville Predators completed the first four-game playoff-series sweep in their history by defeating the visiting Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 in game four of their conference quarterfinal series.

The Predators will next face the St. Louis-Minnesota winner (the Blues lead their series three games to one).

At Edmonton, Alberta:

David Deshamais scored the winning goal 18:15 into overtime as the Edmonton Oilers knocked off the visiting San Jose Sharks 4-3 in game five of their first-round series.

The Oilers, who now lead three games to two, can advance to the second round for the first time since 2006 (when they reached the Stanley Cup Finals but lost to Carolina) by beating the Sharks in San Jose on Saturday.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

NBA Playoffs: Wizards, Rockets, Warriors Extend Respective Series Leads To 2-0John Wall scored

Three games were played on Wednesday as the NBA Playoffs continued.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Washington:

John Wall scored 32 points and Bradley Beal added 31 as the duo scored 20 of their team's last 21 points as the Washington Wizards extended their conference quarterfinal series lead over the Atlanta Hawks 109-101 at home in game two for a two-games-to-none advantage.

Paul Millsap scored 27 points (to go with his ten rebounds) while Dennis Schroder added 23 to pace the Hawks.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Houston:

James Harden scored 35 points as the Houston Rockets came from behind to upend the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder 115-111 despite another triple-double from the guests' Russell Westbrook (51 points---a franchise single-game playoff record---13 assists, and 10 rebounds).  The Rockets stretched their opening-round series lead to two games to none.

At Oakland, California:

Stephen Curry scored 19 points as the Golden State Warriors, sans the injured Kevin Durant, still manhandled the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 110-81 in game two of their conference quarterfinal series, which they now lead two games to none.

Stnaley Cup Playoffs: Caps Square Series With Leafs At 2-2; Senators Top Bruins, Lead Series 3-1; Wild Avoid Elimination By Beating Blues In St. Louis; Ducks Douse Flames, Complete Series Sweep Of Calgary

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Wednesday with four games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Toronto:

Tom Wilson and T.J. Oshie each scored twice while Alex Ovechkin added a power-play tally as the Washington Capitals held off the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 on the road in game four of their conference quarterfinal series, now knotted at two games apiece.

At Boston:

Bobby Ryan scored the game's only goal in the third period while Craig Anderson stopped all 22 shots as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Boston Bruins 1-0 on the road in game four of their opening-round series, which the Senators---who can finish off the Bruins with a game-five victory back home in Ottawa on Friday---now lead three games to one.


WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At St. Louis:

Charlie Coyle and Martin Hanzal each scored a goal while Devan Dubnyk stopped all 28 saves as the Minnesota Wild avoided elimination by blanking the St. Louis Blues 2-0 on the road in the fourth game of their conference quarterfinal series, which the Blues still lead three games to one.

The Blues can still clinch the series on Saturday with a game-five win at St. Paul, Minnesota.

At Calgary, Alberta:

Patrick Eaves, Nate Thompson, and Ryan Getzlaf each scored once as the Anaheim Ducks completed a four-game conference quarterfinal series sweep after ousting the Calgary Flames 3-1 on the road in game four of their series.

John Gibson saved 36 of 37 shots for the Ducks.

Anaheim will face the San Jose-Edmonton series winner in the Western Conference semifinals (that series is deadlocked at two games apiece).







Tuesday, April 18, 2017

NBA Playoffs: Bulls Open Up 2-0 Series Lead Over Celtics; Raptors Square Series With Bucks At 1-1

The NBA Playoffs continued on Tuesday with three games. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Toronto:

DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points and Kyle Lowry added 22 (including the game-clinching bucket with less than ten seconds remaining) as the Toronto Raptors leveled their conference quarterfinal series with the Milwaukee Bucks at one game apiece following their 106-100 game-two home win.

Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with 24 points (while grabbing 15 rebounds) while Khris Middleton added to Milwaukee's coffers with 20 of his own.

At Boston:

Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade each scored 22 points as the Chicago Bulls head back to the Windy City with a two-games-to-none lead in their opening round series with the Boston Celtics following their 111--97 game-two road triumph.

Isaiah Thomas paced the Celtics with 20 points.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Los Angeles:

Blake Griffin scored 24 points while Chris Paul added 21 (to go with his ten assists) as the Los Angeles Clippers squared their conference quarterfinal series with the Utah Jazz at one game apiece after their 99-91 game-two home win.  

Gordon Hayward scored 20 points to top the Jazz.