SUNDAY SPORTS

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS:  The New York Rangers came out swinging against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the NHL’s Eastern Conference final. Martin St. Louis was one of seven New York scorers as the Rangers crushed Montreal 7-2. Canadiens goalie Carey Price was knocked down in the second period and spent the third on the bench. Coach Michel Therrien insists Price was not injured.

The Chicago Blackhawks host the L.A. Kings in Game 1 of the Western Conference final Sunday at 1:00 pm Sask time.

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5 THINGS TO WATCH: The NHL’s Western Conference finals will have a fantastically familiar look with the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks facing the Los Angeles Kings.

Chicago and Los Angeles have combined to win the last two Stanley Cups and three of the last four.  The Blackhawks beat the Kings in five games in the 2013 conference finals and swept the season series. It is the first time the Western Conference finals have had a rematch since Dallas defeated Colorado in 1999 and 2000.

Here are five things to watch when the Blackhawks begin the series Sunday afternoon at home against the Kings.

COMEBACK KINGS: Chicago may have an advantage in the series opener because it will be rested and at home against a team that was given only one day off after winning a second straight Game 7. But even if the Blackhawks win the first three games or hold a 3-2 series lead, don’t count out the Kings. Just ask San Jose and Anaheim. Los Angeles rallied after losing the first three games to defeat the rival Sharks in four straight and closed the second round with two victories in a row against the top-seeded Ducks. Adding up the comebacks, the Kings are 6-0 when playing on the brink of elimination.

SWEET HOME CHICAGO: The Blackhawks are 6-0 at home in this post-season, outscoring St. Louis and Minnesota 22-8. They are 17-2 at the United Center in the playoffs over the past two seasons, winning by a 63-31 combined margin. Chicago coach Joel Quenneville is a master at using the last line change to create advantages for his team, such as putting two-way Jonathan Toews against high-scoring forwards. If the Kings can’t find a way to win in the Windy City, their run will end against the Blackhawks again.

PAGING PATRICK SHARP: Chicago has gotten key contributions from Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa and Bryan Bickell in the first two rounds. So far, Patrick Sharp has been held in check. He has two goals and four assists in the post-season after scoring a team-high 34 goals with a team- and career-high 78 points in the regular season. Sharp, though, has played well against the Kings in his career. He is averaging more than a point in 34 games, including the post-season, against Los Angeles.

BETWEEN THE PIPES: Corey Crawford has been very good, giving up fewer than two goals a game, for the Blackhawks. If Crawford can help Chicago advance, he might finally get more respect. Quick has been shaky at times, giving up a total of 20 goals in four of his losses, and simply spectacular when the Kings have faced elimination. In those six situations this post-season, Quick has allowed just more than one goal a game. He is 3-0 in his career in Game 7s.

INJURY REPORT: Both teams will get a boost if banged-up players can get healthy enough to play. The Kings eliminated the Ducks without a pair of veteran defencemen, Robyn Regehr and Willie Mitchell. Regehr was hurt early in the series opener against Anaheim and Mitchell hasn’t played since Game 6 against the Sharks. Chicago is hoping it can count on forward Andrew Shaw to come back. He hasn’t played since early in Game 1 against the Wild. In a playoff tradition, teams are not disclosing details about injuries.

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MEMORIAL CUP:  The Guelph Storm showed why they won the Ontario Hockey League title in their first game at the Memorial Cup. Kerby Rychel and Tyler Bertuzzi each scored twice for Guelph in a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings. Edmonton won the Western Hockey League title and will face host London on Sunday at 5:00 pm Sask time on Rogers Sportsnet.

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BLUE JAYS IN FLIGHT: The Toronto Blue Jays are rolling in Texas. Eighth-inning doubles by Kevin Pillar and Jose Reyes produced the go-ahead run as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers 4-2. Toronto has won three straight and can complete the sweep Sunday as knuckleballer R-A Dickey takes the mound for the Blue Jays.

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DELAET IN THE HUNT:  Louis Oosthuizen birdied four of the last five holes for a 6-under 64 and a share of the third-round lead with Brendon Todd on Saturday in the Byron Nelson Championship.

Oosthuizen had the low round of the day after recovering from bogeys on two of the first four holes. The 2010 British Open winner is fighting lingering back and neck issues.

Todd had a 68, making 12 consecutive pars before holing a 4-foot birdie at No. 18 to match Oosthuizen at 10-under 200.

Mike Weir, James Hahn and Gary Woodland are a stroke back.

Weir, the 2003 Masters champion who hasn’t a top-25 finish since 2010 when he had an elbow injury, shot 67 while missing some makeable putts down the stretch. Hahn’s 65 included five birdies in a row on the back nine, and Woodland shot 66 with a double bogey at No. 7.

Weyburn’s Graham DeLaet is tied for sixth, two shots off the lead.

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TRIPLE CROWN:  California Chrome is one step away from winning horse racing’s Triple Crown. He won the Preakness Stakes by outrunning Ride On Curling to the finish line, following up his victory at the Kentucky Derby.

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ON THE PITCH:  A pair of snubbed Major League Soccer players made statements on Saturday. Jermain Defoe and Luke Moore both scored as Toronto F-C snapped its three-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls. Defoe had been left off of England’s roster for the World Cup. Also, Eddie Johnson scored in the 84th minute to lift D-C United to a 1-1 draw with the Montreal Impact. Johnson was passed over for the United State’s World Cup side.

(Canadian Press)