Varlamov, Isles open strong vs. Lightning

Semyon Varlamov made 30 saves and the Islanders got goals from Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock to beat the defending champion Lightning 2-1 on Sunday in Tampa, Florida, in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup semifinals.

Varlamov won his fourth straight playoff start, joining teammate Ilya Sorokin as only the third pair of goaltenders from the same team to have personal winning streaks of at least four games in a single postseason.

Sorokin won four in a row during the Islanders’ first-round victory over the Penguins. Varlamov won four games in the second round, including the final three as the Islanders rallied to eliminate the Bruins.

The Islanders helped themselves by staying out the penalty box for most the afternoon, limiting the Lightning to just two power-play opportunities — the last coming with 1:38 remaining and producing their only goal.

Game 2 is Tuesday night in Tampa.

Golf: Jerry Kelly successfully defended his title in his hometown American Insurance Championship in Madison, Wisconsin, closing with a 6-under 66 for a one-stroke victory over Fred Couples and Miguel Angel Jimenez. The 54-year-old Kelly finished at 14-under 202 at University Ridge for his eighth PGA Tour Champions victory. Couples bogeyed the par-5 18th for a 68. The 61-year-old Couples won the 2017 tournament for the last of his 13 senior titles. Jimenez, the leader after each of the first two rounds, shot a 69.

NFL: The Dolphins and LB Jerome Baker, 24, agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $39 million, including $28.4 million guaranteed, ESPN reported.

Soccer: Raheem Sterling scored in the 57th minute to give England a 1-0 win over Croatia in a European Championship group-play opener in London. Never before had England made a winning start to the tournament in nine previous tries.