National Sports - The Morning Sun

Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) shakes hands with Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg (9) after Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Monday, May 9, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. The Avalanche won 5-3 to sweep the series 4-0. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Second thoughts: Speedy Avs get rematch with rugged Blues

The Colorado Avalanche will try to avoid being ousted in the second round of the NHL playoffs for a fourth year in a row. Standing in the way is a nasty, experienced St. Louis Blues team familiar … more

By PAT GRAHAM | 5/16/22

Fans react during Game 7 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning in Toronto, Saturday May 14, 2022. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Column: Maple Leafs now at 55 years since last championship

As soon as the NHL expanded to more than six teams, and television networks switched to color, the Toronto Maple Leafs were in trouble. Once again, the hockey playoffs are moving on, while the Maple … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 5/16/22

Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling, right wing Claude Giroux, center Carter Verhaeghe and center Aleksander Barkov, from left, celebrate Giroux's goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period of Game 6 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Friday, May 13, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Rematch: Lightning, Panthers set to meet again in playoffs

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions on one side. The Presidents’ Trophy winners on the other. Franchises separated by just a couple hundred miles of highway. And two teams that don’t … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 5/16/22

Colton Herta holds the trophy after winning an IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Column: Herta's profile elevated as he rolls into Indy 500

The stage now belongs to Colton Herta, the young American driver who has forced his way into international conversations. Herta spent three days embedded with McLaren at the Miami Grand Prix and he … more

By JENNA FRYER | 5/16/22

Islanders hire longtime Trotz assistant Lambert as coach

The New York Islanders have hired longtime Barry Trotz assistant and right-hand man Lane Lambert to succeed him as coach. It's Lambert's first NHL head coaching job. Trotz was fired last week after … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 5/16/22

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby and goaltender Tristan Jarry skate off the ice after losing to the New York Rangers in overtime of Game 7 in an NHL hockey playoff series, Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Matt Freed/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)

End of an era? Penguins at crossroads after playoff exit

The Pittsburgh Penguins are at a crossroads following a fourth straight quick playoff exit. The Penguins blew a 3-1 series lead and fell to the New York Rangers in the first round. Longtime stars … more

By WILL GRAVES | 5/16/22

Poland's Iga Swiatek returns the ball to Turkey's Ons Jabeur during their final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Sunday, May 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Swiatek on streak entering French Open, with Ukraine on mind

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek enters the French Open on a 28-match winning streak that has lasted three months. The 20-year-old Polish player just won the Italian Open for her fifth straight title. All of … more

By ANDREW DAMPF | 5/16/22

FILE - Tiger Woods sits next to the Wanamaker Trophy during a press conference following his win at the 89th PGA Championship golf tournament at the Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. Southern Hills is hosting the PGA this week for a record fifth time. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP '22: Capsule look at Southern Hills majors

Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is among the golf courses with a history of hosting the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. Next up is the fifth time the Perry Maxwell design hosts the PGA. Tiger … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 5/16/22

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Chris Coduto)

D'backs, Orioles picking themselves up after 2021 failures

Last season, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles tied for baseball’s worst record with a staggering 110 losses apiece. This year has been a bit more encouraging, so far. The Diamondbacks … more

By NOAH TRISTER | 5/16/22

Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, second from right, is consoled by teammates as Calgary Flames celebrate following overtime NHL playoff hockey action in Calgary, Alberta, Sunday, May 15, 2022. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Gaudreau's OT goal gives Flames 3-2 win over Stars in Game 7

Johnny Gaudreau scored 15:09 into overtime to lift Calgary past the Dallas Stars 3-2 in Game 7 to give the Flames just their second playoff series win in the last 17 years. Gaudreau got a rebound and … more

5/16/22

After Game 7 win, Mavericks will enjoy, prepare for Warriors

The Dallas Mavericks have beaten the NBA's top team during the regular season and now it's off to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2011. The Mavs are still playing after a … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 5/16/22

New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin is mobbed by teammates after scoring the game winning goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during overtime in Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in New York. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Rangers-Canes, Battle of Alberta up next in NHL playoffs

The New York Rangers will play the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the NHL playoffs. The league also will get the Battle of Alberta for the first time in 31 years with the Calgary Flames … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 5/16/22

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Albert Pujols (5) throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, May 15, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)

Pujols pitches 9th, Cardinals romp to 15-6 win over Giants

Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina set a major league record for wins by a starting battery as the St. Louis Cardinals routed the San Francisco Giants 15-6 in a game that ended with longtime slugger … more

By STEVE OVERBEY | 5/16/22

New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) reacts with teammates after scoring the game winning goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during overtime in Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 15, 2022, in New York. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Panarin lifts Rangers past Penguins 4-3 in OT in Game 7

Artemi Panarin scored a power-play goal 4:46 into overtime and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Mika Zibanejad had a … more

By VIN A. CHERWOO | 5/15/22

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta (32) celebrates with teammate Jaccob Slavin (74) following their win over the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, May 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Raanta proves ready for top role in Hurricanes' playoff push

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta has proven critical to the team's chances as they advance in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Raanta was pressed into No. 1 duties to start the playoffs with … more

By AARON BEARD | 5/15/22

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates a basket against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Doncic leads Mavs over Suns 123-90 in Game 7 blowout

Luka Doncic scored 35 points, Spencer Dinwiddie added 30 off the bench and the Dallas Mavericks stunned the top-seeded Phoenix Suns with a 123-90 win in a Game 7 blowout, advancing to the Western … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 5/15/22

Boston Celtics center Al Horford, left, and guard Jaylen Brown, center, vie for a rebound with Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Tiring Giannis, Bucks fall short in NBA title repeat bid

The Milwaukee Bucks and star Giannis Antetokounmpo wilted in Game 7 of their second-round playoff series and saw their hopes of repeat NBA championships come to an end. The Boston Celtics won 109-81 … more

By JIMMY GOLEN | 5/15/22

Lee holds off Spieth, wins again at low-scoring Byron Nelson

K.H. Lee is a repeat winner at the Byron Nelson. The South Korean has held off local favorite Jordan Spieth. Lee shot 9-under 63 to finish at 26 under. It was a stroke better than his winning score … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 5/15/22

Steve Stricker waves to the fans after finishing on the 18th hole during the final day at the Regions Tradition, a PGA Tour Champions golf event, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. Stricker won the tournament by six strokes at 21-under par. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Stricker goes wire-to-wire for 2nd Regions Tradition win

Steve Stricker completed at a wire-to-wire victory Sunday in the Regions Tradition, closing with a 4-under 68 for a six-stroke victory and his fourth PGA Tour Champions major title. Stricker’s … more

By JOHN ZENOR | 5/15/22

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Sunday, May 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pirates win despite 0 hits; Reds' Greene, Warren lose 1-0

Reds starter Hunter Greene and reliever Art Warren combined to allow zero hits in a complete game, but it didn’t count as a no-hitter — or even a win — because the Pittsburgh Pirates eked out a … more

By ALAN SAUNDERS | 5/15/22