Lightning will defend Stanley Cup crown

Steven Stamkos scored two goals and the two-time defending champion Lightning are headed to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year after beating the Rangers 2-1 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final on Saturday night.

Stamkos put the Lightning ahead for good in the third period just 21 seconds after the Rangers’ Frank Vatrano scored on the power play with the Lightning captain in the penalty box for holding.

Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat assisted on the winner with 6 ½ minutes left, with the puck deflecting off Stamkos’ knee into the net after Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin stopped the initial shot.

Game 1 is Wednesday night in Denver.

Auto racing: Alexander Rossi won his first pole in three years and will now try to snap a losing streak that dates just as long. Rossi will start from the pole Sunday at Road America, site of his last IndyCar Series victory 44 races ago on June 23, 2019.

Golf: Patrick Reed is the latest former Masters champion to sign up to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series in defiance of the PGA Tour. With Pat Perez also confirmed as joining the breakaway on Saturday, 20 players have now defected from the PGA Tour . ... Tony Finau birdied the final hole Saturday for an 8-under 62 and a share of the RBC Canadian Open lead with defending champion Rory McIlroy.

Tennis: Nick Kyrgios says he faced racist abuse from the crowd during a semifinal loss to Andy Murray at the Stuttgart Open. The Australian posted on Instagram that he heard abusive comments from the stands during the 7-6 (5), 6-2 loss to Murray. Kyrgios was given a point penalty for breaking his racket at the end of the first-set tiebreaker, and then a game penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct in the second set after he approached the crowd and appeared to ask: “What did you say?”