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The Islanders are making a habit of bouncing back from a loss to advance in the playoffs. With a 4-0 win over the Capitals on Thursday night in Toronto, the Islanders clinched a spot in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second year in a row behind a pair of goals …

After getting mauled by Toronto in their Eastern Conference playoff opener, the Nets had to prove they can play with the Raptors. They did that Wednesday, but now they have to show they can beat the defending champions. Monday’s first-round Game 1 blowout loss to Toronto was humbling. This was more heartbreaking, as the Nets …

Bruins No. 1 goaltender Tuukka Rask cited family reasons when he opted to leave the NHL bubble prior to Game 3 against the Hurricanes this past Saturday, but apparently it was a family emergency regarding his daughter. Rask had revealed to WEEI’s Dale Arnold in a text message that he needed to return home to …

The Islanders couldn’t finish off the series sweep for the second time this postseason. Alex Ovechkin scored two goals as the Capitals took a 3-2 win over the Islanders on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, forcing a Game 5 in the best-of-seven first-round series after the Isles had taken a commanding 3-0 lead. …

The refs spoiled Kristaps Porzingis’ postseason debut and a thrilling NBA playoff game with two dubious calls on Tuesday night. Porzingis was ejected from Game 1 of the Clippers-Mavericks series after a brief altercation with Los Angeles forward Marcus Morris, led to the referees giving the Latvian star his second technical of the night. Dallas …

The Islanders were all brawn and no brains, but somehow finessed a win. Unable to stay out of the penalty box and keep their heads above the physical play for much of the game, the Islanders emerged victorious after three unanswered goals in the third period propelled them to a 4-2 win in Game 1 …

One game into the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs and already there’s an instant classic. Or make that two, depending on how you count. The Blue Jackets and Lightning went five overtimes — that’s two full games, plus two extra periods for good measure — before they could find a Game 1 winner, as Brayden Point …

Sorry, costume lovers: Your cosplay has been canceled. New York Comic Con announced Tuesday that its in-person 2020 event at Jacob K. Javits Center will instead be held virtually on YouTube from Oct. 8-11 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It follows in the wake of San Diego Comic Con and other fandom frolics that have …

There could be a double meaning when the 2020 World Series champion pours out the bubbly. Popping those champagne corks might happen inside a bubble, as MLB is discussing going to an isolation format for the postseason, according to reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN. COVID-19 outbreaks have disrupted the regular-season schedules of …

Igor Shesterkin was healthy enough to practice Sunday, but David Quinn said following the team’s workout that he had not yet anointed a starting goaltender for Monday afternoon’s Game 2 against Carolina. “I haven’t really decided,” the coach said. “[I’m] not sure yet whether Igor will be available.” The question is this: Is an impaired …