Caps oust Blue Jackets
Alex Ovechkin scored twice in the second period, Braden Holtby made 35 saves and the visiting Capitals defeated the Blue Jackets 6- 3 on Monday to win their first- round playoff series 4- 2. The Capitals won four consecutive games — three of them on the road — after dropping the first two at home.
Dmitry Orlov, Devante Smith-Pelly, Chandler Stephenson and Lars Eller also scored for the Capitals, who will play the two- time defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins in the second round. Nick Foligno scored twice and Pierre-Luc Dubois once for the Jackets.
Mitch Marner and Tomas Plekanec each had a goal and an assist, Frederik Andersen made 32 saves and the host Maple Leafs forced a deciding game in their firstround playoff series with a 3- 1 victory against the Bruins in Game 6.
The Wild parted ways with general manager Chuck Fletcher, whose contract wasn’t renewed after nine seasons. The Wild have made six playoff appearances in a row, but they haven’t reached the second round since 2015.
The Flames hired Bill Peters as their coach, three days after he resigned from the same position Friday with the Hurricanes. The Flames fired coach Glen Gulutzan last week after missing the playoffs.
NBA 50- point quarter carries Rockets
James Harden scored 22 of his 36 points in a 50- point third quarter that fueled the visiting Rockets to a 119- 100 victory against the Timberwolves and gave them a 3- 1 lead in their first- round playoff series. The Rockets led only 50- 49 at halftime before outscoring the Timberwolves 50- 20 in the third.
The only team to score more points in a quarter in the postseason were the Lakers, who scored 51 in the fourth quarter against the Pistons on March 31, 1962.
Donovan Mitchell led six players in double figures with 33 points, and the host Jazz opened a 3- 1 lead in their first- round playoff series by walloping the Thunder 113- 96. Paul George scored 32 points for the Thunder, who shot only 5- for- 26 from three- point range.
Multiple outlets reported the Pelicans exercised their option on coach Alvin Gentry’s contract for next season.
MLB Yankees annihilate Twins
The Yankees got four home runs, including a grand slam from Didi Gregorius, and former Cubs prospect Gleyber Torres notched his first major- league hit — a leadoff single in a six- run eighth inning — in a 14- 1 rout of the visiting Twins.
Jesse Winker singled home the tiebreaking run during a five- run sixth inning that carried the host Reds past the Braves 10- 4 for their first victory in four games under interim manager Jim Riggleman.
The Indians agreed to terms with former White Sox outfielder Melky Cabrera on a minor- league contract, pending a physical.