Sports
Evenly-matched Canadiens, Lightning reach deciding Game 7
May 1, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (81) and teammate forward Nick Paul (20) contain Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky (20) during the first period in game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images With how even the teams are and how close their head-to-head showdown has been, it is appropriate the Tampa Bay Lightning will play host to the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday in a Game 7 of their Eastern Conference first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
After both clubs finished the regular season with 106 points, the Lightning and Canadiens have both scored the same number of goals (14), both won twice in overtime and both won two of three road games in the first six instalments of the series.
“I’m 14 years in the league and I’ve been in a number of Game 7s. Some that I can be man enough today to say we weren’t as good as the other team and some we were as good as the other team,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “This one here … it’s so even, special teams, goaltending, everything. To win this, you’ve got to have a special game against the other team.”
The winner will face the Buffalo Sabres in the next round.
The teams face a challenging encore after a thrilling 1-0 Lightning victory in overtime of Game 6. Both goaltenders were sensational while the clubs traded scoring chances before Tampa’s Gage Goncalves scored his first career playoff overtime winner.
Now, a new chapter beckons. Not only does Tampa Bay have home-ice advantage, but also the upper-hand with its experience. Many core Lightning players have won multiple Stanley Cup titles, including the 2021 championship when the Lightning beat the Canadiens in the Final.
“This is what we all dream about,” Lightning forward Jake Guentzel said. “I’m fortunate to have played in a couple and there’s nothing better. Especially at home, it’s going to be an electric atmosphere. I can’t wait.”
The Canadiens, who went through a rebuild right after that run to the final, boast a more youthful lineup, and one that headed into the season knowing a brighter future for the franchise is still ahead.
However, after pushing the Eastern Conference first-round series to the distance, the attitude has become about making a mark now. All six games have been decided by one goal as the Canadiens have shown they are worthy opponents for the more-heralded Lightning.
“We’re not here for a ribbon. We want to move on,” coach Martin St. Louis said on Saturday before his team headed to Florida. “We worked to get to this spot. Playing Tampa in the first round, you know you’re gonna need everything and we’ve delivered that. It’s a good spot to be in. I think the guys have enjoyed the process and are hungry to keep moving forward.”
A major task for the Canadiens will be regrouping. Montreal was staring at a golden chance to advance but could not find the winning goal.
Even in overtime, the Canadiens failed to convert on a power play just before the winner. Turning the page, instead of spending time think of a missed opportunity, will be a big key.
“It’s hard to close out a series. I’ve never been in this position. A lot of guys haven’t been in this position,” said Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson. “It would have been cool to do it at home, but we have another chance to do it in Tampa.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Marta Kostyuk bests Mirra Andreeva in Madrid for back-to-back titles
Aug 2, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Marta Kostyuk (UKR) reacts after winning a point against Mccartney Kessler (USA) in fourth round play at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images Marta Kostyuk won her second consecutive clay court tournament and her first WTA 1000 event with a 6-3, 7-5 upset over ninth-seeded Mirra Andreeva at the Madrid Open on Saturday afternoon.
No. 26 Kostyuk, who hails from Ukraine, won the Rouen Open in France on April 19 and will rise to a career-high No. 15 in the WTA rankings.
Andreeva could not capture her third title of the season, with prior wins in Adelaide and Linz. The Russian, who just turned 19, became the youngest player to reach three WTA finals since the format’s inception in 2009.
Kostyuk broke her opponent in the sixth game of the first set and served at 5-3. After falling behind, 15-40, she used a magnificent backhand-slice volley to earn a set point and won the set on her next attempt.
The second set was topsy-turvy, with five service breaks. Andreeva bolted out to 3-1 lead via two breaks, but Kostyuk won eight consecutive points to get back on serve. Leading 5-4, the teenager earned two set points, but Kostyuk blasted home back-to-back aces to erase the second one and then leveled the set.
The often-emotional Kostyuk then broke for the 34th time in the tournament and won the title in 81 minutes on her third match point.
“I want to thank all my opponents that I played this week,” said Kostyuk on court after the match. “Girls pushed me to the limit. One of the most unbelievable matches for me these weeks… very special two weeks here.
“If you look at the stats up until last year, I think I was like 2-7 in Madrid. I never thought I’d be able to lift the title here. It was not my favorite tournament for sure but thank you to the crowd. It was unbelievable this week. You were supporting me so much every day. It wouldn’t be possible without you.”
Kostyuk has won 11 consecutive matches on clay this season and became the second Ukrainian woman to win a WTA 1000 title. Elina Svitolina has captured four, but her last championship occurred in 2018.
Kostyuk is now 2-0 against Andreeva all-time, with a previous 2026 victory on the hard courts in the quarterfinals at Brisbane. She saved all four break points against her in the Madrid finals, using a dominant inside-out forehand for several of her winners.
“It feels unbelievable to stand here right now,” said Kostyuk. “It took me many years to reach this point. One word I think about right now is consistency. It’s showing up every day, no matter how hard it is.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Orioles set to call up RHP Trey Gibson for MLB debut
May 5, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; The Baltimore Orioles logo on the sleeve of designated hitter Gunnar Henderson (2) as he prepares on deck during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images The Baltimore Orioles will have right-hander Trey Gibson make his major league debut Sunday in a start against the New York Yankees, manager Craig Albernaz confirmed Saturday.
The Orioles have a rotation vacancy after left-hander Trevor Rogers went on the injured list this week with an illness. Baltimore also has righty Dean Kremer (quad) on the IL, while fellow right-hander Zach Eflin (Tommy John surgery for his right elbow) is out for the season.
Gibson’s first opportunity to pitch in the major leagues comes after the 23-year-old spent four seasons in the minors. He is 2-2 with a 5.84 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Norfolk this season.
Gibson went undrafted after two seasons at Liberty and signed with the Orioles in 2023. He is the club’s No. 3 overall top prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Rays to activate LHP Garrett Cleavinger from IL
Mar 29, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Garrett Cleavinger (60) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images The Tampa Rays activated left-handed reliever Garrett Cleavinger from the injured list Saturday, while right-hander Yoendrys Gomez was designated for assignment, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
Cleavinger, 32, has not pitched since March 30 because of right calf tightness. He was 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA in three relief outings this season and pitched a scoreless inning for Team USA in this spring’s World Baseball Classic.
Over seven major league seasons, including the last five with the Rays, Cleavinger is 14-17 with a 3.25 ERA in 193 appearances (one start).
Gomez, 26, had a 6.23 ERA in nine relief appearances for Tampa Bay this season. He is 3-3 with a 5.11 ERA in four major league seasons with four different clubs, including parts of his first three seasons (2023-25) with the New York Yankees.
–Field Level Media
Marta Kostyuk bests Mirra Andreeva in Madrid for back-to-back titles
Orioles set to call up RHP Trey Gibson for MLB debut
