NHL:
In the first of a seven game series in the NHL playoffs, the Rangers edged Pittsburgh 2-1, Detroit skated by Tamp Bay 3-2, Minnesota doubled up St. Louis 4-2, and it was Anaheim over Winnipeg 4-2.
NFL:
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been cleared to return to the NFL after missing most of last season while facing child abuse charges in Texas.
Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a letter of reinstatement to Peterson and told him he would have to continue attending counseling while adhering to the league's new personal conduct policy to avoid further discipline.
Peterson's agent has said the star running back wants to play elsewhere next season, but the Vikings have no plans to trade him.
A former Florida State student has filed a lawsuit against Jameis Winston accusing the NFL prospect of sexually assaulting her in 2012. A lawyer for Erica Kinsman said in a statement there are consequences for Winston's behavior "and since others have refused to hold him accountable, our client will." Winston was not charged in 2013 and was cleared by the university following a two-day student conduct hearing.
The Super Bowl champion New England Patriots will be honored at the White House next week.
The Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 in Super Bowl XLIX. It was New England's fourth NFL title since the 2001 season.
The White House announced Thursday that the team will be welcomed by President Barack Obama on Thursday, continuing a tradition of Obama honoring sports teams for giving back to their community.
MLB:
In baseball, in the American League, Minnesota beat Kansas City 8-5, and Tampa Bay doubled up Toronto 4-2.
In the National League, the Mets bested Miami 7-5, St. Louis blanked Milwaukee 4-0, Washington topped Philadelphia 5-2, and it was Arizona over San Francisco 7-6 in 12 innings.
NBA:
NBA players will be blood tested for human growth hormone beginning next season. The league and the Players Association have agreed that HGH testing will start during training camp next fall. All players will be subjected to three random, unannounced tests annually — two during the season and once in the offseason.
A positive test will result in a 20-game suspension for a first violation and a 45-game ban for a second violation. A player would be dismissed and disqualified from the NBA for his third violation.
The NBA heads into the post-season on the heels of a record year in attendance. The league drew nearly 22 million fans during the 2014-15 regular season.
The league says the final total of 21,926,548 fans surpassed the 21,841,480 from 2006-07. It also represented a 2.4 percent increase from last season's final attendance of 21,392,721.
Golf:
Jordan Spieth (speeth) has followed his incredible Masters run by ending a string of 16 straight rounds under par. The 21-year old Spieth opened with a 3-over-par 74 at the RBC Heritage on Thursday, putting him in danger of missing the cut just a week after donning the green jacket. He's eight shots behind leaders Graeme McDowell and Matt Every, who were at 5-under 66. Sangmoon Bae is one stroke back.
Swimming:
Michael Phelps has won the 100-meter butterfly at his first meet in eight months, beginning his push to compete at a fifth appearance at the Summer Games.
The 18-time Olympic gold medalist led at the halfway mark and went on to touch first in 52.38 seconds.
Phelps is competing after serving a six-month suspension handed down by USA Swimming following his second drunken driving arrest. He said Wednesday that he's aiming for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Meanwhile, swimming's governing body wants to give Phelps a special invitation to race at the world championships. FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu has told The Associated Press it would be no problem to offer Phelps an extra place. However, he was suspended by USA Swimming from the Aug. 2-9 championships in Kazan, Russia, following his latest drunken driving arrest.
Horse Racing:
If you're going to the Kentucky Derby on May 2, leave your selfie-stick at home.
Joining a growing list of museums, music festivals and sports venues around the world, Churchill Downs has banned the obtrusive, pole-like contraptions that grasp cellphones and allow people a longer reach to snap their self-portraits and block the view for others.
The race track says it's a safety issue.
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