Reuters Sports News Summary

Burakovsky times it right to lead Caps to win over Rangers

Washington Capitals left winger Andre Burakovsky scored his first two career playoff goals in a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers. Burakovsky tied the score in the second period and netted the game-winner just 24 seconds into the third period on a breakaway.

Johnson strikes late to put Lightning on brink of series sweep

Center Tyler Johnson scored with 1.1 seconds left in regulation as the Tampa Bay Lightning edged the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 to take a 3-0 stranglehold on the Eastern Conference semi-final series on Wednesday night. Johnson broke the deadlock in a game that looked destined for overtime with his eighth goal of the playoffs, taking a centering pass in front of the net and pushing it past Montreal goaltender Carey Price.

Beijing snuffs out suburban BBQs in pre-Olympic smog fight

Beijing has extended a ban on outdoor barbecues to restaurants operating in some suburban areas as it tries to improve its notoriously poor air quality in case it wins the 2022 Winter Olympics, state news agency Xinhua reported. Barbecues, generally used to cook popular street foods like kebabs, are already banned within the city's fourth ring road. The government blames them for contributing to smog, despite much public ridicule that dirty factories are more to blame.

NFL says Patriots probably deflated the balls in AFC title game

The New England Patriots probably deliberately deflated the footballs to gain an advantage in the AFC title game in January, and quarterback Tom Brady was "at least generally aware" of the scheme, the National Football League said on Wednesday. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league would consider possible disciplinary action and what rules, if any, need to be changed.

Flames edge Ducks in overtime

Center Mikael Backlund scored the overtime winner on a delayed penalty call as the Calgary Flames beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in Game Three of their Western Conference playoff series on Tuesday. The Ducks still lead the series 2-1, with Game Four set for Friday at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Federer falls under Kyrgios spell in Madrid exit

Roger Federer became the latest big name to get sucked up by a whirlwind called Nick Kyrgios as the Australian tyro sent the Swiss top seed spinning out of the Madrid Masters in the second round on Wednesday. Ten months after the then 144th-ranked Kyrgios overwhelmed Rafa Nadal in the Wimbledon fourth round with a fearless brand of tennis, the Australian showed that he is a force to be reckoned with on clay too.

Lebron leads Cavaliers past Bulls to tie up series

LeBron James recorded 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Chicago Bulls 106-91 on Wednesday to knot their Eastern Conference semi-final series at 1-1. Bulls forward Pau Gasol, who tormented the Cavs with 21 points and 10 rebounds in Game One, was limited to 11 points and did not score his first basket until the final two minutes of the first half.

McIlroy plays down rivalry with Masters champion Spieth

World number one Rory McIlroy and second-ranked Jordan Spieth talked down their budding rivalry as the pair took differing approaches to the $10 million Players Championship on Wednesday. While Masters champion Spieth rates the PGA Tour's flagship event as the most prestigious behind the four majors, McIlroy's late arrival, at lunchtime on tournament eve, might suggest he does not place the Players on much of a pedestal.

Boxing fans accuse Pacquiao of concealing injury

Boxer Manny Pacquiao has been sued in several U.S. courts by people who said they paid to watch him fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the "Fight of Century" but felt defrauded by Pacquiao's failure to disclose a pre-bout shoulder injury. At least five lawsuits were filed against Pacquiao on Tuesday in federal courts in California, Illinois, Nevada and Texas. The lawsuits seek compensation under laws meant to protect consumers and ask for status as class actions on behalf of ticket buyers, pay-per-view television viewers and people who gambled on the fight.

Azarenka suffers match-point meltdown in Serena loss

Victoria Azarenka suffered a stunning meltdown and blew three match points against world number one Serena Williams before losing 7-6(5) 3-6 7-6(1) in the third round of the Madrid Open on Wednesday. Azarenka served for the match at 6-5 and 40-0 in the third set but fell to pieces.