National Sports

MONTREAL — After surviving the longest road trip in their franchise's history, Montreal Impact players are brimming with confidence ahead of their home opener.

ESPOO, Finland — The dynamic in Canada's leadership shifted during the women's world hockey championship.

Thursday's Games Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Toronto 4 Boston 1 (Maple Leafs lead series 1-0) Washington 4 Carolina 2 (Capitals lead series 1-0) Calgary 4 Colorado 0 (Flames lead series 1-0) --- AHL Charlotte 5 Cleveland 4 (OT) --- MLB American

Thursday's Games Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Toronto 4 Boston 1 (Maple Leafs lead series 1-0) Washington 4 Carolina 2 (Capitals lead series 1-0) Calgary 4 Colorado 0 (Flames lead series 1-0) --- AHL Charlotte 5 Cleveland 4 (OT) --- MLB American

CALGARY — It took 13 seasons but goaltender Mike Smith finally heard his name chanted at a game – and in a good way.

TORONTO — Calgary skip Chelsea Carey took a break from curling after coming home from a disappointing performance at the recent world women's championship in Denmark. She didn't throw stones for almost a week once she returned.

BOSTON — Hours after joking about his continued inability to grow a playoff beard, Mitch Marner stepped up like a hardened post-season performer. At this point, it shouldn't come as a surprise.

BOSTON — Rafael Devers hit an RBI single with one out in the ninth inning and the struggling Boston Red Sox rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday for their first home victory of the season.

MOOSIC, Pa. — Bobby Meacham stood against the dugout railing before Thursday night's game explaining how the newest addition to his Buffalo Bisons lineup had found so much success at such a young age. Then, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

WASHINGTON — Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin combined to score three goals on the first eight shots, and the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals survived a surge from Andrei Svechnikov and the Carolina Hurricanes to win Game 1 of t