National Sports

EDMONTON — For once the Edmonton Oilers won’t have to dig themselves out of a hole to start the NHL playoffs.

BOSTON (AP) — Auston Matthews scored on a breakaway to snap a third-period tie with eight minutes left, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins 3-2 on Monday night to knot their first-round playoff series at one game apiece.

DALLAS (AP) — Vegas captain Mark Stone scored quickly after missing two months and his first-time linemate Tomas Hertl had a nifty goal in his playoff debut for the Golden Knights.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes were down big at home in the NHL playoffs, playing desperate hockey full of withering long shifts in the offensive zone as they tried to rally.

BOSTON — Auston Matthews desperately wanted to reach 70 goals in the regular season. After posts, crossbars and plenty of terrific looks, the Maple Leafs star finished one shy.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bo Bichette had a bases-clearing triple, Daulton Varsho hit a two-run homer and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 5-3 on Monday night. The Jays have won seven of their past nine games.

GENEVA (AP) — The World Anti-Doping Agency said after reviewing various media reports that it stands by its decision to clear 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned heart medication before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

MILAN (AP) — Winning the derby ended up being the cherry on top of a special night for Inter Milan.

BOSTON — William Nylander missed Game 2 of the Maple Leafs' first-round playoff series Monday with an undisclosed injury. Toronto's star winger also sat out his team's 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in Saturday's opener.

Lindy Ruff is returning to Buffalo for a second stint as coach of the Sabres. General manager Kevyn Adams announced the hiring Monday.