Stanley Cup Playoffs: Sabres Win Series Opener With Habs; Ducks Even Series With Golden Knights

Two games were contested on Wednesday as the second round of the Stanley Cup resumed. 

EASTERN CONFERECE:

At KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York: 

Josh Doan, Ryan McLeod (power play), Jordan Greenway, and Bowen Byram (power play) each scored once as the Buffalo Sabres took the measure of the visiting Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in the opening game of their conference semifinal series.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At T-Mobile Arena. Paradise, Nevada:

Beckett Sennecke, Leo Carlsson, and Jansen Harkins (empty net) each popped in a goal while Lukas Dostal saved 21 of 22 shots (he was six seconds from posting a shutout) as the Anaheim Ducks squared their conference semifinal series at one game apiece (and seized home-ice advantage) by defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1.

 

NBA Playoffs

 The NBA Playoffs continued with two Wednesday games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Madison Square Garden, New York City:

Jalen Brunson scored 26 points while OG Anunoby added 24 and Karl-Anthony Townes 20 (to go with ten rebounds) as the New York Knicks took a two-games-to-none conference semifinal series advantage after their 108-102 victory over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. 

Tyrese Maxey paced the Sixers with 26 points while Paul George added 19.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Frost Bank Center, San Antonio:

Stephon Castle scored scored 21 points while Victor Wembenyama added 19 points (to go with 15 rebounds) as the San Antonio Spurs evened their conference semifinal series at one game apiece after turning the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves into road kill, 133-95, with six players, including all five starters, scoring in double-figures. 

Julius Randle, Jarden McDaniels, Terrance Shannon, Jr., and Anthony Edwards (off the bench), each scored 12 points for Minnesota.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Avalanche Too Much For Wild As Colorado Takes 2-0 Series Lead

 At Ball Arena, Denver:

Five different goal scorers--Martin Necas, Gabriel Landeskog (power play), Nicholas Roy, Nathan MacKinnon (power play), and Valeri Nichushkin (empty net) each scored once as the Colorado Avalanche extended their Western Conference semifinal series lead over the visiting Minnesota Wild (two games to none) with a 5-2 victory in Tuesday's lone Stanley Cup Playoff game.

NBA Playoffs: Pistons, OKC Take Conference Semifinal Series Openers

 The NBA Playoffs continued on Tuesday with two playoff games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Little Caesars Arena, Detroit:

Cade Cunningham scored 23 points while Tobias Harris added 20 (with eight rebounds) as the Detroit Pistons took the opening game of their conference semifinal series, 111-101 over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 23 points while James Harden added 22 (to go with eight rebounds).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Paycom Center, Oklahoma City:

Chet Holmgren scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Oklahoma City Thunder overpowered the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 108-90 in game one of their conference semifinal series.

Los Angeles was led by LeBron James' 27 points.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Canadiens Advance; Hurricanes Take 2-0 Series Lead; Avalanche, Ducks Take Series Openers

 The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Sunday and Monday.

Sunday's Games:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Florida:

Alex Newhook scored the game-winning third-period goal while goalie Jakob Dobes saved 28 of 29 shots as the Montreal Canadiens knocked off the hosts Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 and won their conference quarterfinal series four games to three.

The Habs will open their conference semifinal series with the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday on the road at 4:00 PM Pacific Time (TNT, TruTV, HBO Max).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Ball Arena, Denver:

Cale Makar scored twice in the third period as the Colorado Avalanche outgunned the visiting Minnesota Wild 9-6 in a goal-filled opening game of their conference semifinal series.

Monday's Games:

EASTERN CONFERECE:

At Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina:

Taylor Hall scored the game winner at 18:54 of overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes came back from two goals down to upend the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 and take a two-games-to-none conference semifinal series advantage.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada:

Brett Howden, Ivan Barbashev, and Mitch Mamer (empty net) each tallied once while Carter Hart saved 33 of 34 shots as the Vegas Golden Knights took game one of their conference semifinal series 3-1 over the visiting Anaheim Ducks.

NBA Playoffs: Pistons, Cavaliers Won Game 7s; Knicks Blast 76ersm Wolves Win As Conference Semifinals Open

 The NBA Playoffs continued on Sunday and Monday.

Sunday's Games:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Little Caesars Arena, Detroit:

Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and dished out 12 assists as the Detroit Pistons defeated the visiting Orlando Magic 116-94 in the seventh and deciding game of their conference quarterfinal series.

Tobias Harris helped Detroit's cause with 30 points and nine rebounds.

Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 38 points and nine rebounds.

In the aftermath of blowing a three-games-to-one series lead and bowing out of the conference quarterfinals in each of the past three season, the Magic dismissed head coach Jamahl  Mosley on Monday morning.

At Rocket Arena, Cleveland:

Jarrett Allen (with 19 rebounds) and Donovan Mitchell each scored 22 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the visiting Toronto Raptors 114-102 to win their conference quarterfinal series in seven games.

James Harden helped the Cleveland cause with 18 points.

Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 24 points while RJ Barrett added 23.

The Cavaliers will face the Detroit Pistons in an Eastern Conference semifinal series, starting on Tuesday in the Motor City at 4:00 PM Pacific Time and streamed on Peacock.

Monday's Games:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Madison Square Garden, New York:

In the opening game of a conference semifinal series, Jalen Brunson scored 35 points as the New York Knickerbockers ran roughshod over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 137-98.

Paul George paced the Sixers with 17 points, as Philadelphia got slaughtered despite all five starters scoring in double-digits.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Frost Bank Center, San Antonio:

Julius Randle scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves upended the homestanding San Antonio Spurs 104-102 in game one of their conference semifinal series.

Anthony Edwards came off the bench to help the Wolves' cause with 18 points.

Dylan Harper came off the bench to lead the Spurs with 18 points while Julian Champagnie and Stephon Castle each added 17.

For the record, San Antonio's Victor Yembanyama registered a triple-double(15 points, 15 rebounds, 12 blocked shots).

Historic Day At Churchill Downs

 At Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky:

A 23-1 shot, Golden Tempo, came all the way from last place, to win the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby, with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard, won the annuary Run For The Roses on Saturday.

Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Derby.

For the record, Renegade finished second and Ocelli finished third.

No word as to whether Golden Tempo will race in the May 16 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Hurricanes Smother Flyers To Open Conference Semifinal

 At Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina:

The Saturday's lone Stanley Cup Playoff match, Logan Stankoven scored twice while goalie Frederik Andersen saved all 19 shots for the shutout as the Carolina Hurricanes blanked the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 in the opening game of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

NBA Playoffs: 76ers Knock Out Celtics, Get Knicks Next

At TD Garden, Boston:

In the lone Saturday NBA Playoff game, Joel Embiid scored 34 points and pulled in 12 rebounds while Tyrese Maxey added 30 points while grabbing 11 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers knocked off the Boston Celtice109-100 to win the seventh and deciding game of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 33 points (nine rebounds) while Derrick White added 26.

The 76ers will take on the New York Knicks in a conference semifinal series, set to open on Monday at Madison Square Garden at 5:00 PM PDT on NBC/Peacock.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Sabres, Golden Knights Win Opening-Round Series, Advance To Conference Semis; Lightning Force Game 7 With Habs

 Three games were decided on Friday with the continuation of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:

EASTERN CONFERECE:

At Bell Centre, Montreal:

Gage Goncalves scored the game's lone goal at 9:03 of overtime as the Tampa Bay Lightning squared their conference quarterfinal series with the homestanding Montreal Canadiens 1-0 to square this series at three games apiece.

This series will be decided in Tampa on Sunday at 3:00 PM (TNT, TruTV, HBO Max).  The winner would face the Buffalo Sabres in a conference semifinal series.

At TD Center, Boston:

Alex Tuch, Mattias Samuelsson, Zach Benson, and Josh Norris (empty net) each tallied once as the Buffalo Sabres posted a 4-2 road win over the Boston Bruins to win their opening-round series four games to two.

For the Sabres, it marks their first playoff series victory since 2007.  

Buffalo will face the winner of the Tampa Bay-Montreal series, which is currently deadlocked at three games apiece.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah:

Mitch Mamer scored twice (once on the power play) as the Vegas Golden Knights, on the road, overpowered the Utah Mammoth 5-1 to win their series four games to two.

Carter Hart saved 22 of 23 Utah shots.

The Golden Knights will take on the Anaheim Ducks in a conference semifinal series, opening at the T-Mobile Arena in suburban Paradise, Nevada, with date, time, and network and/or streaming service to be determined.

The Ducks won all three regular-season games amongst the clubs.

NBA Playoffs: Pistons, Raptors Force Game 7s; Lakers Close Out Rockets, Get Thunder

 Three games were contested on Friday as the NBA Playoffs continued.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Kia Center, Orlando, Florida:

Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Detroit Pistons came from behind (they were down 22 points at halftime) to upend the hosts Orlando Magic 93-79.

Tobias Harris added 22 points and ten rebounds to the Detroit cause. 

Paulo Banchero (with ten rebounds) and Desmond Bane each scored 17 points to lead Orlando.

This conference quarterfinal-round series, now deadlocked at three games apiece, will be decided on Sunday in Detroit at 12:30 PM Pacific Time on ABC.

At Scotiabank Arena, Toronto:

Scottie Barnes scored 25 points(with 14 assists) while RJ Barrett (who pulled in nine rebounds and scored the game-winning basket in overtime) and Ja'Kobe Walker each added 24 as the Toronto Raptors upended the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 in game six of their conference quarterfinal series, deadlocking it at tree games piece.

Evan Mobley scored 26 points (while grabbing 14 rebounds) and Donovan Mitchell added 24 to pace the visitors.

The series will be decided on Sunday in Cleveland at 4:30 PM Pacific Time on NBC/Peacock.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Toyota Center, Houston:

LeBron James scored 28 points (with seven rebounds and eight assists) as the Los Angeles Lakers finally closed out the homestanding Houston Rockets 98-78 to win their conference quarterfinal series four games to two.

Rui Hachimura helped the Lakers with 21 points.

Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 18 points while grabbing eight rebounds.  Alperen Sengun added 17 points to go with 11 rebounds.

Next up for Los Angeles, a conference semifinal series with the top Western Conference seed (and defending NBA champs) Oklahoma City Thunder, with the opening game at OKC's Paycom Center this coming Tuesday at 5:30 PM Pacific Time on NBC/Peacock.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Wild, Ducks Win Opening-Round Series

Two games were contested on Thursday as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued. 

WESTERN CONFERENCE: 

At Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota: 

Matt Boldy scored a pair of empty-net goals as the Minnesota Wild defeated the visiting Dallas Stars 5-2 and won their opening-round series four games to two. 

The Wild will next face the Colorado Avalanche in a conference semifinal series, starting in Denver, with date, time, and network/streaming series to be determined.  

At Honda Center, Anaheim, California:  

Ryan Poehling, Chris Kreider, Cutter Gauthier (power play), Troy Terry, and Leo Carlsson (empty net) each scored once as the Anaheim Ducks closed out the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 to win their conference quarterfinal series four games to two.  

The Ducks will next take on the winner of the Vegas Golden Knights-Utah Mammoth series, in which Vegas leads three games to two.

NBA Playoffs: Knicks, Wolves Advance To Conference Semis; 76ers Force Game 7 With Celtics

 The NBA Playoffs continued on Thursday with three game.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At State Farm Arena, Atlanta:

O.G. Anunoby scored 29 points while Mikal Bridges added 24 as the New York Knicks, with all five starters scoring in double-digits, made fried chicken of the visiting Atlanta Hawks 140-89 in game six of their conference quarterfinal series and won it four games to two.

Jalen Johnson paced the Hawks with 21 points while pulling in eight rebounds.

The Knicks will take on the winner of the Boston-Philadelphia series, deadlocked at three games and to decided on Saturday.

At Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia:

Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points while Paul George added 23, and Joel Embiid contributed 19 (to go with ten rebounds and eight assists) as the Philadelphia 76ers squared their series with the Boston Celtics at three games apiece with a 106-93 home victory.  All five starters scored in double-figures for the Sixers.

Jaylen Brown led the Beantowners with 18 points while Jayson Tatum added 17, to go with his 11 rebounds.

The series, and the right to face the New York Knicks in a conference semifinal series,  will be decided on Saturday at 4:30 PM Pacific Time on NBC/Peacock.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Target Center, Minneapolis:

Jaden McDaniels scored 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the visiting Denver Nuggets 110-98 to win their conference quarterfinal series four games to two.

Terrance Shannon, Jr. added 24 points to the Wolves' cause.

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 28 points, along with 10 assists and nine rebounds.  Cameron Johnson added 27, to go with his eight rebounds.

The Timberwolves will face the San Antonio Spurs in a Western Conference semifinal series, starting this coming Monday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas (time and network/streaming service to be determined).

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Flyers Finish Off Penguins, Get Hurricanes Next: Habs, Golden Knights Take 3-2 Series Leads

The opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs resumed with three Wednesday matches. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE:  

At Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Florida: Brendon Gallagher, Kirby Dach, and Alexandre Texier each tallied a goal as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the homestanding Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in game five of their conference quarterfinal series.  

The Habs, now up three games to two, can close out the Lightning back home at the Bell Centre with a victory on Friday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time on ESPN 2.  

At  Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia:

Cam York scored the only goal of the contest at 17:32 of overtime as the Philadelphia Flyers won the battle of the Keystone State, defeating the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 in game six and won their series, four games to two.

Next for the Flyers, a conference semifinal series with the Carolina Hurricanes, starting at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina with the date, time, network to be determined.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada:

Pavel Dorofeyev delivered a hat trick (scoring once on the power play) while Brett Howden scored the shorthanded winning goal at 5:28 of the second overtime as the Vegas Golden Knights came from behind to knock off the visiting Utah Mammoth 5-4 in game five of their opening-round series for a three-games-to-one lead.

The Knights can finish off the Mammoth in Salt Lake City on Friday in game six, 7:00 PM Pacific Time on ESPN.

  

NBA Playoffs: Pistons, Rockets Stay Alive; Cavaliers Take 3-2 Series Lead

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

EASTERN CONFERENCE:  

At Little Caesars Arena, Detroit:  

Cade Cunningham scored 45 points (a Detroit franchise playoff record) while Tobias Harris added 23 (to go with eight rebounds) as the Detroit Pistons avoided elimination by defeating the visiting Orlando Magic 116-109 in game five of their conference quarterfinal series.  

Paolo Banchero paced Orlando with 45 points while grabbing nine rebounds.  

The Magic, up three games to two, can close out the Pistons with a game-six home victory on Friday (4:00 PM Pacific Time, Prime Video).  

At Rocket Arena, Cleveland: 

Evan Mobley and James Harden each scored 23 points and pulled in nine rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted the visiting Toronto Raptors 125-120 for a three-games-to-two conference quarterfinal series advantage.  

R.J. Barrett paced Toronto with 25 points (to go with 12 rebounds) while Ja'Kobe Walker added 20. The Cavaliers can finish off the Raptors in Toronto on Friday (4:30 PM PDT, Prime Video).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles:

Jabari Smith, Jr. scored 22 points while Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets, with all five starters scoring in double-figures, again staved off elimination by defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 99-93 on game five of their conference quarterfinal series.

The Lakers are paced by LeBron James' 25 points.

The Lakers will try again to finish this series by beating the Rockets in Houston in game six on Friday at 6:30 PM Pacific Time (Prime Video).

Although there have been several instances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and once, most famously, in Major League Baseball (in 2004, the Boston Red Sox overtook the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series), no team has ever come back from down three games to none to win a best-of-seven series in the NBA Playoffs.  The Houston Rockets are trying to change that.