National Hockey

TORONTO (AP) — Nick Paul came through with the best playoff performance of his career when the Tampa Bay Lightning needed it most and the two-time defending champions are moving on again.

TORONTO — This playoff heartbreak felt different for the Maple Leafs. A team that had so often stumbled in big moments went toe-to-toe with the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers are through to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs after beating the L.A. Kings 2-0 in Game 7. Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist, and Mike Smith stopped 28 shots for his second shutout of the series.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Twice before, the Carolina Hurricanes had reached the playoffs only to see their ascent to becoming a serious Stanley Cup contender blocked by the Boston Bruins.

EDMONTON — Leon Draisaitl was on the ice Saturday as the Edmonton Oilers warmed up for Game 7 of the first-round NHL playoff series against the L.A. Kings.

The Toronto Maple Leafs fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7 of their first-round series to be eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs. Toronto hasn't won a playoff series since 2004. More coming. The Canadian Press

CALGARY — Most Calgary Flames players lack Game 7 experience in the NHL playoffs, but their coach doesn't. Darryl Sutter owns the best all-time record among NHL head coaches at 7-3 in best-of-seven series that reach a Game 7 finale.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Ovechkin thinks it's pretty messed up that the Washington Capitals haven't won a playoff series since hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2018. This time, they have only themselves to blame.

It's a hockey fan's dream with three Game 7s on deck, including contests involving the Leafs and the Flames.

Boston Bruins (51-26-5, fourth in the Atlantic Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (54-20-8, first in the Metropolitan Division) Raleigh, North Carolina; Saturday, 4:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Hurricanes -135, Bruins +114; over/under is 5.