National Sports

TORONTO — Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe predicted a "borderline violent" playoff series against a battle-tested opponent. That was the case both early and late Monday.

LANGLEY, B.C. — The Vancouver Giants have advanced to the next round of the Western Hockey League playoffs.

TORONTO — Midway through Tampa Bay's post-game media availability on Monday, a couple of team staffers replaced the black cushioned chair at the front of the room for a different seat. It was the first time the Lightning were comfortable all night.

TORONTO — The Blue Jays are used to close calls this season, with their nine one-run victories the most in the majors.

BARRIE, Ont. — The Mississauga Steelheads are on to the next round of the Ontario Hockey League's playoffs.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A former University of Virginia lacrosse player is liable for fatally beating his girlfriend in 2010 and must pay $15 million in damages in a wrongful death lawsuit , a jury found Monday.

Tyrell Richards is precariously close to realizing his childhood dream. Richards, of Brampton, Ont., fondly remembers a pro football career being on his radar as early as Grade 3.

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — “Papi! Papi!" With the chants echoing in the Plaque Gallery as he entered, David Ortiz felt right at home inside the Hall of Fame.

MADRID — Canada's Denis Shapovalov is through to the second round of the Madrid Open with a 7-6 (1), 6-3 win over France's Ugo Humbert on Monday.

TORONTO — Blue Jays pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu will pitch Saturday for triple-A Buffalo as he works his way back from a stint on the injured list with forearm soreness.