Author: Mike Brehm, USA TODAY

Guardians outfielder Will Brennan hit a hard grounder for a single in the second inning. But the ball hit a bird that was in the infield, killing it.

The Panthers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 1-0 at home and can wrap up their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since 1996 at home on Wednesday.

Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk scored with 12.7 seconds left in the fourth overtime, ending the sixth-longest game in NHL history.

This year’s NHL playoffs conference finals are missing the big names from last year. How do the potential Stanley Cup Final matchups rank?

Dallas’ Roope Hintz broke a scoreless tie with a breakaway goal. Goalie Jake Oettinger rebounded from being pulled in Game 6 to beat Seattle 2-1.

The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs conference finals are getting underway with Vegas Golden Knights-Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes-Florida Panthers.

It’s been 30 years since the last Canadian team won the Stanley Cup. That drought will continue after the Golden Knights knocked out the Oilers.

The Florida Panthers pulled off their second consecutive major upset to reach the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 1996.

Jesper Fast, who shot high on a wide-open net earlier in Game 5, didn’t miss on an overtime deflection as the Hurricanes beat the Devils 3-2.

Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo will sit out for slashing Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers’ Darnell Nurse got a game for instigating.