>>Panthers Reach Stanley Cup Final; Golden Knights Seek Series Sweep
(Undated) — The Florida Panthers are advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1996. Florida knocked off the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 behind a game-winning goal from Matthew Tkachuk in the closing seconds of regulation. The Panthers swept the Eastern Conference Final in four games after entering the playoffs as the lowest seed in the East. Florida will battle either the Vegas Golden Knights or Dallas Stars in this year’s Stanley Cup. The Golden Knights lead the West Final 3-0 as they go for the sweep in Game Four tonight in Dallas.
>>NBA Playoff Preview
(Undated) — The Boston Celtics are aiming to extend the Eastern Conference Finals once again. Boston will host the Miami Heat for Game Five tonight at TD Garden. The Celtics staved off elimination with a statement 116-99 victory in Game Four in Miami on Tuesday night. Jayson Tatum erupted for 33 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in the win. The Heat hold a 3-1 series lead and can clinch their second Eastern Conference title in the last four seasons with a win. The winner of the East will take on the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals, which start on June 1st.
>>Athletics, Nevada Reach Agreement On Funding Plan
(Las Vegas, NV) — The Oakland Athletics are reaching a deal with Nevada state and local officials on a stadium funding plan. The team and state announced the tentative agreement on Wednesday as the sides look to move forward with a 1.5-billion dollar ballpark in Las Vegas. The agreement still needs approval from the state Senate and Assembly as it will be introduced into the Nevada Legislature as a funding bill. The A’s didn’t specify how much they are seeking in public funding, but said the project includes “the most private investment of any stadium in Major League Baseball.”
>>Ravens’ Lamar Jackson Expects Less Running
(Owings Mills, MD) — The Ravens are looking to take better care of their most valuable asset. Following Wednesday’s OTA, quarterback Lamar Jackson said the offense under new coordinator Todd Monken will feature less running and more throwing. Jackson also confirmed that his rushing attempts will be scaled back this year. The 26-year-old has run for 4,437 yards through the first five seasons of his career, which is the most by any quarterback in NFL history. Head coach John Harbaugh decided to hold out Jackson from team drills with the intention of ramping him up moving forward. Jackson became the league’s highest paid player during the offseason after signing a deal that pays him 52-million-dollars per season.