National Sports

EDMONTON — From a goal off the chest to another that may have just crossed the line — depending who's asked — the Dallas Stars were getting the big bounces and breaks. That's what it takes this time of year.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — LeBron James took note when the Los Angeles Lakers built an early 24-8 lead over the Trail Blazers on Kobe Bryant Day.

Monday's Games NHL Playoffs Best-of-Seven Eastern Conference Semifinals At Toronto New York Islanders 4 Philadelphia Flyers 0 (Islanders lead series 1-0) Best-of-Seven Western Conference Semifinals At Edmonton Dallas 5 Colorado 2 (Stars lead series 2

TORONTO — The New York Islanders came out hot to begin their second-round playoff series against Philadelphia, creating numerous good chances and scoring an early goal. Semyon Varlamov did the rest.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Bam Adebayo got his first playoff series win, but the big man wasn't planning on celebrating for too long.

NEW YORK — Bothered by a bad neck that a trainer massaged twice, Novak Djokovic double-faulted seven times and trailed by a break in each set before avoiding the rash of upsets at the Western & Southern Open by taking the last four games for a 7-

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Randal Grichuk hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning before later leaving with lower back tightness and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 on Monday.

NEW YORK — Milos Raonic advanced to the round of 16 at the Western & Southern Open before fellow Canadians Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov were eliminated on Monday. Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.

PHILADELPHIA — Patient and positive, Brett Brown was the perfect coach for the Philadelphia 76ers when they set up a long-term home in the NBA basement. They'll be looking for someone else now that they want to be on top.