Stanley Cup Playoffs: Avalanche Complete Sweep Of Kings; Sabres. Ducks Take 3-1 Series Leads; Lightning Even Series With Habs At 2-2

 The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Sunday with four games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At TD Garden, Boston:

Peyton Krebs, Josh Doan, Zach Benson, and Bowen Byram each scored a first-period, while Beck Malenstyn, and Alex Tuch each tallied once in the third period as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the homestanding Boston Bruins 6-1 in game four of their opening-round series.

Buffalo goaltender Alex Lyon saved 23 of 24 Boston shots.

The Sabres, up three games to one, can finish off the Bruins with a game-five victory at home on Tuesday at 4:30 PM PDT (TNT, TruTV).

At the Bell Centre, Montreal:

Brandon Hagel scored twice in the third period as the Tampa Bay Lightning squared their conference quarterfinal series with the Montreal Canadiens at two games apiece with their 3-2 game-four road win.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles:

Nathan MacKinnon scored twice (once on a power play, the other, an empty-netter) as the Colorado Avalanche complete a four-game opening-round series sweep of the Los Angeles Kings with a 5-1 road victory.

Colorado goalie Scott Wedgewood saved 24 of 25 Los Angeles shots.

At Honda Center, Anaheim, California:

Ryan Poehling scored the winning goal at 2:29 of overtime as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the visiting Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in game four of their conference quarterfinal series.

With a three-games-to-one advantage, the Ducks can close out this series with a game-five victory at Edmonton's Rogers Place on Tuesday at 7:00 PM PDT (TNT, TruTV).

NBA Playoffs: Raptors Tie Cavaliers At 2-2; Spurs, Celtics Take 3-1 Series Leads; Rockets Hold Off Elimination By Beating Lakers

 The NBA Playoffs continued on Sunday with four games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Scotiabank Arena, Toronto:

Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes (with nine rebounds) each scored 23 points as the Toronto Raptors evened their conference quarterfinal series with the Cleveland Cavaliers at two game apiece with a 93-89 home triumph.

Donovan Mitchell and James Harden scored 20 and 19 points, respectively, to lead Cleveland.

At Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philaelphia:

Payton Pritchard came off the bench to score 32 points while Jayson Tatum added 30 (to go with 11 assists) and Jaylen Brown 20 as the Boston Celtics smothered the homestanding Philadelphia 76ers 128-96 in game four of their conference quarterfinal series.

Josh Embiid scored 26 points and pulled in 10 rebounds to lead the 76ers while Tyrese Maxey added 22 points of his own.

The Celtics, who now lead three games to one, can finish off Philadelphia with a home victory in game five on Tuesday (5:00 PM PDT, ESPN).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Moda Center, Portland, Oregon:

De'Aaron Fox scored 28 points while Victor Wembanyama added 27, while grabbing 12 rebounds, as the San Antonio Spurs came back from a 15-point deficit to smother the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 114-93 in game four of their conference quarterfinal series.

Deni Avdija paced the Blazers with 26 points while Jrue Holiday added 20. 

The Spurs, now up three games to one, can finish off the Blazers with a game-five victory back home in San Antonio (5:30 PM PDT, ESPN).

At Toyota Center, Houston:

Amen Thompson scored 23 points while Tari Eason added 20 and Alperen Sengun 19 as the Houston Rockets, with all five starters scoring in double-figures, avoided elimination by knocking off the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 115-98 in game four of their conference quarterfinal series.

Deandre Ayton led Los Angeles with 19 points while grabbing ten rebounds.

The Lakers, now up three games to one, can still close out the Rockets with a game-five home victory in the City of Angels (Wednesday, 7:00 PM PDT, ESPN).         

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Canes Complete Sweep Of Senators; Penguins Stay Alive; Wild Even Series With Stars With OT Goal

 Three games were contested as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Saturday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Continental Tire Centre, Ottawa:

Sebastian Aho scored two empty-net goals as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the homestanding Ottawa Senators 4-2 to complete a four-game sweep of their opening-round series.

The Hurricanes never trailed in this series.

At Xfinity Mobile Center, Philadelphia:

Sydney Crosby (power play), Rickard Rakell, Kris Letang, and Connor Dewar (empty net) each scored once as the Pittsburgh Penguins avoided elimination by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 on the road in game four of their conference quarterfinal series.

The Flyers, up three games to one, can still knock out the Penguins with a game-five victory at Pittsburgh's PPG Paints Arena (4:00 PM PDT, ESPN).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota:

Matt Boldy scored the winning goal at 19:31 of overtime as the Minnesota Wild squared their firs-round series with the Dallas Stars at two games apiece with a 3-2 home victory in game four.

NBA Playoffs: Knicks Level Series With HawksAt 2-2; Magic Lead Pistons 2-1; Thunder, Wolves One Game Away From Advancing

 The NBA Playoffs resumed with four games on Saturday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Kia Center, Orlando, Florida:

Paolo Banchero (12 rebounds) and Desmond Blake each scored 25 points as the Orlando Magic took game three of their conference quarterfinal series with the Detroit Pistons 113-105 at home for a two-games-to-one lead.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 29 points (nine assists) while Tobias Harris added 23.

At State Farm Arena, Atlanta:

O.G. Anunoby scored 22 points (with ten rebounds) while Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a triple-double--20 points, 10 rebounds, ten assists as the New York Knickerbockers squared their conference quarterfinal series with the Atlanta Hawks at two games apiece with 114-98 road victory.

C.J. McCollum led the Hawks with 17 points.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points making 15 of 18 shots from the field as the Oklahoma City Thunder outrun the hosts Phoenix Suns 121-109.

Dillon Brooks paced the Suns with 33 points while Jalen Green added 26.

The Thunder, now up three games to none, can complete a four-game sweep of Phoenix with a road victory on Monday at 7:30 PM PDT on Peacock.

At Target Center, Minneapolis:

Ayo Dosunmu popped in 42 points, making 13 of 17 shots from the field (including all five three-point shots) and converting all 12 free throw attempts as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets 112-96.

Jamal Murray scored 30 points while Nikola Jokic added 25 (to go with 15 rebounds) to lead Denver.

The Wolves, who lead this conference quarterfinal series three games to one, can close out the Nuggets with a road win in game five on Monday (7:30 PM PDT on NBC).

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Habs, Mammoth, Ducks Take 2-1 Series Leads

The Stanley Cup Playoffs resumed on Friday with three games. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE: 

At Bell Centre, Montreal:

Lane Hudson scored the game-winning goal at 2:09 into overtime as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 for a two-games-to-one conference quarterfinal series lead.     

WESTERN CONFERENCE: 

Lawson Crouse scored twice in the second period as the Utah Mammoth defeated the visiting Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 to go up two games to one in their opening round series. 

At Honda Center, Anaheim, California: 

Mason McTavish, Mikael Granlund (power play), Alex Killorn, Beckett Sennecke, Leo Carlsson, Jeffry Viel, and Jackson LaCombe (empty net) each scored once as the Anaheim Ducks overpowered the visiting Edmonton Oilers 7-4 in game four of their conference quarterfinal series, in which the Ducks now lead two games to one. 

NBA Playoffs: Celtics, Spurs Take 2-1 Series Leads; Lakers One Win Away From Knocking Out Rockets

The NBA Playoffs continued on Friday with three games. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE:  

At Xfinity Mobile Center, Philadelphia: 

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 25 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the homestanding Philadelphia 76ers 108-100 to take a two-games-to-one lead in their conference quarterfinal series.  

Tyrone Maxey paced the Sixers with 31 points.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At the Toyota Center, Houston:

LeBron James scored 29 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out eight assists as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 112-108 on the road in game three of their conference quarterfinal series.

Rui Hachimura added 22 points while Marcus Smart contributed 21 (and dished out ten assists) to the Lakers' cause.

Alperen Sengun paced the Rockets with 33 points (and grabbed 16 rebounds) while Amen Thompson added 26 (to go with his 11 rebounds) and Jalen Smith, Jr. 24.

With Los Angeles now up three games to none, they can finish off the Rockets with a game four victory on the road on Sunday at 7:30 PDT on NBC/Peacock.

At Moda Center, Portland, Oregon:

Stephon Castle scored 33 points while Dylan Harper came off the bench to add 27 (and grab 10 rebounds) as the San Antonio Spurs, minus the absent Victor Wembanyama, knocked off the Portland Trail Blazers on the road 120-108 in game three of their conference quarterfinal series, in which the Spurs now lead two games to none.

Jrue Holiday paced the Blazers with 29 points while Scoot Henderson added 21 and Deni Avdija 19 (to go with nine assists).

  

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Canes, Avalanche On Verge Of Advancing; Sabres Knock Off Bruins On Road For 2-1 Series Lead

 The opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs resumed with three contests on Thursday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At TD Garden, Boston:

Bowen Bryam, Alex Tuch, and Noah Ostlund (empty net) each scored a goal as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 3-1 on the road to take a two-games-to-one conference quarterfinal series lead.

At the Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa:

Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake each tallied once as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the homestanding Ottawa Senators 2-1 in the third game of their opening-round series.

The 'Canes, now up three games to none, have a chance to eliminate the Senators and complete a four-game sweep of the series with a road win on Saturday (12:00 Noon PDT, TBS/TruTV).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles:

Gabriel Landeskog, Cale Makar, Arturi Lehkonen (shorthanded), and Brock Nelson (empty net) each scored once as the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on the road in game three of their conference quarterfinal series.

The Avalanche, up three games to none, can close out the Kings with a road victory in game four on Sunday (4:30 PDT, TBS/TruTV). 

NBA Playoffs: Hawks, Wolves Take 2-1 Series Leads; Raptors Gain Victory Over Cavaliers To Cut Cleveland Lead To 2-1

Three games were played on Thursday as NBA Playoffs' Round-of-16 continues. At State Farm Arena, Atlanta: 

Jalen Johnson scored 24 points (while grabbing 10 rebounds) as the Atlanta Hawks took a two-games-to-one conference quarterfinal series lead over the New York Knicks with a 109-108 home victory.

C.J. McCollum added 23 points for the Hawks while Jonathan Kuminga came off the bench and contributed 21 points of his own.

The Knicks were led by O.G. Anthony's 29 points while Jalen Brunson added 26, and Karl-Anthony Towns, 21 (along with 17 rebounds).

At Scotiabank Arena, Toronto:

R.J. Barrett and Scottie Barnes (11 assists) each scored 33 points as the Toronto Raptors ran roughshod over the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-104 in game three of their conference quarterfinal series, with the Cavs' advantage cut to two games to one.

Colin Murray-Boyles added 22 points to the Raptors' cause.

The Cavaliers are paced by James Harden's 18 points.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Target Center, Minneapolis:

Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to score 25 points while dishing out nine assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves took a two-games-to one conference quarterfinal series lead over the Denver Nuggets with a 113-96 home victory in game three.

Nicola Jokic led the Nuggets with 27 points, to go with his 15 rebounds.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Flyers Place Penguins On Brink Of Elimination, 2 OT Goal Send Stars To Series Lead Over Wild, Ducks Square Series With Oilers

Three games were played on Wednesday as the Stanley Cup Playoffs resumed. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE: 

At PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh:

Five different goal scorers (Trevor Zegras [power play], Rasmus Ristolainen, Nick Seeler, Noah Cates, Owen Tippett [empty netter]) each tallied once as the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the homestanding Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2.

The Flyers, up three games to none in this conference quarterfinal series, will go for the sweep of the Penguins with a home victory at the Xfinity Mobile Arena this coming Saturday at 5:00 PM PDT (TBS, TruTV).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota:

Wyatt Johnston scored the game-winning goal at 12:10 of the second overtime period as the Dallas Stars defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in game three of their first-round playoff series, in which the Stars now lead two games to one.

At Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta:

Cutter Gauthier (one shorthanded) and Ryan Poehling (one empty netter) each scored twice as the Anaheim Ducks evened their conference quarterfinal series at a game apiece after their 6-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

 

NBA Playoffs: Pistons Level Series At 1-1; SGA Leads Thunder To 2-0 Lead Over Suns

 The NBA Playoffs continued on Wednesday with two games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Little Caesars Arena, Detroit:

Cade Cunningham scored 27 points and dished out 11 assists as the Detroit Pistons leveled their conference quarterfinal series with the Orlando Magic at one game apiece with a 98-83 home victory.

Jalen Suggs led the Magic with 19 points.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Paycom Center, Oklahoma City:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points while dishing out nine assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns in the second game of their conference quarterfinal series with the Thunder up two games to none.

Chet Holgrem and Jalen Williams helped the Thunder's cause with 19 points each.

Dillon Brooks scored paced the Suns with 30 points while Devin Booker added 22 and Jalen Green with 21.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning, Bruins, Mammoth Square Respective Series At 1-1; OT Goal Sends Avalanche to 2-0 Series Lead Over Kings

The opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Tuesday with four contests. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE: 

At Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Florida:  

J.J. Moser scored the winning goal 12:48 into overtime as the Tampa Bay Lightning leveled their conference quarterfinal series with the Montreal at a game apiece after their 4-3 home victory. 

At KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York:

Viktor Arvidsson tallied twice as the Boston Bruins squared their conference quarterfinal series with the Buffalo Sabres at one game apiece with a 4-2 road win. 

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada:

Logan Cooley scored the winning goal with six minutes remaining as the Utah Mammoth picked up their first playoff victory, a 3-2 road triumph over the Vegas Golden Knights as their conference quarterfinal series is deadlocked at one game apiece. 

At Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado: 

At 7:44 into overtime, Nicolas Roy scored the winning goal at the Colorado Avalanche defeated the visiting Los Angeles Kings to take a two-games-to-none lead in their conference quarterfinal series. 

NBA Playoffs: Blazers, 76ers Square Respective Series At 1-1. Lakers Stretch Lead Over Rockets To 2-0.

The NBA Playoffs continued with three games on Tuesday. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE: 

At TD Garden, Boston: 

V.J. Edgecombe scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Tyrese Maxey added 29 and passed out nine assists as the Philadelphia 76ers knocked off the hosts Boston Celtics 111-97 to square their conference quarterfinal series at one game apiece and seized home-court advantage.  

Jaylen Brown paced the Celtics with 36 points. 

WESTERN CONFERENCE:  

At Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas: 

Scoot Henderson scored 31 points as the Portland Trail Blazers overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and knocked off the homestanding San Antonio Spurs 106-103.  

Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 18 points as this conference quarterfinal series is deadlocked at one game apiece with Portland grabbing home-court advantage.

At Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles:

LeBron James scored 28 points while Marcus Smart added 25 and Luke Kennard 23 as the Los Angeles Lakers took a two-games-to-none conference quarterfinal series lead over the Houston Rockets with a 101-94 home win.

The Rockets are paced by Kevin Durant, who scored 23 points while Alperen Sengun added 20 (to go with 11 rebounds).

 

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Flyers, Hurricanes Take 2-0 Series Leads, Stars Level Series With Wild, Oilers Take Series Opener With Ducks

The Stanley Cup Playoffs resumed on Monday with four games. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE:  

At PPG Arena, Pittsburgh:

Patrick Martone, Garnet Hathaway (shorthanded), and Luke Glendening (empty net) each scored a goal while goaltender Dan Vladar saved all 27 shots for the shutout as the Philadelphia Flyers have now taken a two-games-to-none lead in their conference quarterfinal series with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

At Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina:

Jordan Martinook scored the game-winning goal at 13:53 of the second overtime period as the Carolina Hurricanes opened up a conference quarterfinal series two-games-to-none advantage over the Ottawa Senators with their 4-3 victory.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At American Airlines Center, Dallas:

Wyatt Johnston scored twice (once on an empty-netter) as the Dallas Stars squared their conference quarterfinal series with the Minnesota Wild at one game apiece after their 4-2 game-two home win.

At Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta:

Jason Dickinson and Kasperi Kapanen each scored twice as the Edmonton Oilers took the opening game of their conference quarterfinal round series with a 4-3 home triumph over the Anaheim Ducks.

NBA Playoffs: Hawks, Wolves Overcome Double-Digit Deficits To Square Their Respective Series At 1-1; Cavaliers Down Raptors To Go Up 2-0

The NBA Playoffs continued on Monday with three games. 

Eastern Conference: 

At Rocket Arena, Cleveland:  

Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points while James Harden added 28 and Evan Mobley contributed 25 as the Cleveland Cavaliers outdistanced the visiting Toronto Raptors 115-105 to lead their conference quarterfinal series at two games to none.

Scottie Barnes scored 26 points to lead Toronto while R.J. Barrett added 22 (to go with nine rebounds).

At Madison Square Garden, New York:

C.J. McCollum scored 32 points as the Atlanta Hawks came back from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to upend the New York Knicks 107-106 to square their conference quarterfinal series at a game apiece.

Jalen Brunson paced the Knicks with 29 points.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Ball Arena, Denver:

Anthony Edwards scored 30 points (while pulling in ten rebounds) while Julius Randle added 24 as the Minnesota Timberwolves came back from a 19-point deficit to stun the hosts Denver Nuggets 119-114 to level their conference quarterfinal series at one game apiece.

Jalen Murray led the Nuggets with 30 points while Nikola Jokic added 24 (to go with his 15 rebounds).