National Sports

TORONTO — The New York Islanders knew they were boarding a plane Sunday. Getting back to a stifling defensive structure and goals from a couple unlikely sources ensured they'll be flying west instead of heading home.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Nick Nurse had a smile on his face when he asked Kyle Lowry a couple of times during Saturday's game if he needed a break. The Toronto Raptors coach knows Lowry well.

EDMONTON — Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves will miss the opener of Western Conference final against Dallas after the NHL suspended him a game for an illegal check to the head of Vancouver's Tyler Motte.

NEW YORK — Vasek Pospisil was feeling run down after dropping back-to-back sets in the third round of the U.S. Open on Saturday. But a timely visit by a physiotherapist early in the fourth set helped turned things around for the 30-year-old Canadian.

LAS VEGAS — Canadian bantamweight Cole (The Cole Train) Smith lost a unanimous decision to American Hunter Azure on Saturday on a UFC Fight Night card.

Two Canadian draft picks ,and a former Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback have cracked 53-man NFL rosters. Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Chase Claypool of Abbotsford, B.C.

LAKE BUENA VISA, Fla. — Nick Nurse says he wouldn't want his family with him in the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World. But he understands why some coaches would, and why they're missing their families right now.

TORONTO — Australian Blake Wallace has left the Toronto Wolfpack for Leigh Centurions. The 28-year-old halfback was part of the Wolfpack's inaugural roster in 2017 and went on to score 48 tries in 57 games for the transatlantic rugby league team.

BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona fans breathed a collective sigh of relief a day after Lionel Messi said he would wait a year in his desire to seek success elsewhere.

When the Vancouver Canucks bowed out to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinal Friday, Canada's Stanley Cup drought officially hit 27 years.