NHL:
The Pittsburgh Penguins are one victory away from capturing the fourth Stanley Cup championship in team history.
Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist as the Penguins beat the Sharks 3-1 at San Jose to take a three-games-to-one lead. Malkin ended a six-game goal drought by netting the eventual game-winner, beating Martin Jones on a power play 2:37 into the second period to put the Pens ahead 2-0. He also assisted on Ian Cole's first goal in 124 regular-season and playoff games, which opened the scoring 7:36 after the opening faceoff.
Phil Kessel set up the first two goals and Matt Murray turned back 23 shots as the Pens bounced back from Saturday's overtime loss to the Sharks. Murray blanked San Jose until Melker Karlsson beat him at 8:07 of the third period to get the Sharks within 2-1. Eric Fehr (fehr) iced the victory with an empty-netter. The Penguins can wrap up the series and their first Cup in seven years as early as Thursday at home.
MLB:
In baseball, in the American League, the Yankees beat the Angels 5-2, Baltimore topped Kansas City 4-1, Detroit blanked Toronto 11-0, Texas edged Houston 6-5, and it was Cleveland over Seattle 3-1.
In the National League, the New York Mets face the Pirates in Pittsburgh today, with the teams playing a doubleheader after yesterday's contest was rained out. Rookie Steven Matz will start the first game, which starts at 4:05 p.m. while Jacob deGrom is slated to pitch the second game for the Mets. Pittsburgh will start Jon Niese and Francisco Liriano. Meanwhile the Cubs beat Philadelphia 6-4, San Diego topped Atlanta 7-2, and it was Colorado over the Dodgers 6-1.
In interleague play, Tampa Bay won against Arizona 6-4.
NBA:
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love accompanied the team back home Monday after suffering a concussion during the first half of Sunday's Game 2 loss to Golden State in the NBA Finals. Love is in the league concussion protocol and has to be cleared in order to resume playing. Game 3 is Wednesday night in Cleveland. The Warriors have looked dominant in rolling to wins in the first two games of the series as they try to repeat as league champs. Golden State pulled off a 110-77 laugher on Sunday after a 15-point victory in Game 1.
You won't see Stephen Curry in a U.S. uniform during the Rio Olympics this summer. The Warriors star guard has withdrawn his name from consideration from Team USA. Curry issued a statement saying he has decided to pull out for "several factors, including recent ankle and knee injuries." The Americans also will be without All-Stars Chris Paul and Anthony Davis as they seek their third straight gold medal.
NASCAR:
Kurt Busch coasted to victory in the rain-delayed Sprint Cup race at Pocono. Busch had to conserve fuel down over the final two laps before finishing ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Busch was urged by his team to save gas and go hard for the win on the final lap. He led for 32 laps in winning his 28th career Cup race and becoming the ninth driver to earn a victory this season. Busch has 12 top-10 finishes in 14 starts this year. Brad Keselowski finished third, followed by Chase Elliott and Joey Logano.
Boxing:
Many details of Muhammad Ali's upcoming memorial service in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, were created by the three-time heavyweight champ himself, along with family and friends. Ali wanted the memorial service in an arena, with multiple religions having a voice while honoring the traditions of his Muslim faith. And he wanted ordinary fans to attend, not just VIPs. The final revisions were made days before Ali died Friday at 74 at an Arizona hospital, his family by his side. Ali's memorial service Friday looms as one of the most historic events in Louisville's history. The doctor who treated Ali says the boxing icon and his family never seriously thought of donating his brain for research. Dr. Abe Lieberman said he didn't think boxing contributed to Ali contracting Parkinson's disease but he couldn't be "a hundred percent" certain. Lieberman was among those who diagnosed Ali with Parkinson's in 1984.
NFL:
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he sees no avenue right now for a settlement with Tom Brady over the New England quarterback's four-game suspension in the "Deflategate" episode. Goodell says the league will move forward based on whether the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decides to grant Brady's request for the full court to re-hear the case. A three-judge panel from the appeals court in April reinstated Brady's suspension that was handed down and upheld on appeal by Goodell. The type of appeal Brady is seeking from the court is rarely granted.
The Buffalo Bills have signed linebacker and top draft pick Shaq Lawson to a four-year, $10.3 million deal. The former Clemson standout was the 19th overall pick in the draft. Lawson is recovering from shoulder surgery and isn't expected to join the team until mid-season.
Elsewhere:
— Vikings safety Harrison Smith has signed a contract extension after piling up 402 tackles, 12 interceptions and 5.5 sacks in his first four NFL seasons. He has started 52 of his 53 regular-season games and set a team record in 2015 by returning four interceptions for touchdowns.
— Carolina has signed center Ryan Kalil to a two-year extension, keeping the three-time All-Pro under contract through 2018. The five-time Pro Bowl selection has spent all nine seasons with the Panthers after being selected in the second round in 2007 out of Southern Cal.
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