National Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs stayed alive and the Edmonton Oilers avoided a Leafs-like deficit with a win on Wednesday. Here are five things to know as we head into Thursday's post-season action: LEAFS SURVIVE The Leafs live to see another game.

EDMONTON — Squaring their playoff series with the Vegas Golden Knights and recovering from a bad home game were the Edmonton Oilers' priorities Wednesday.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Draymond Green loved Golden State's defensive energy against LeBron James and knows the Warriors must bring that same urgency back to Los Angeles with another chance to save this topsy-turvy season and defend their title.

TORONTO — The Vancouver Whitecaps opened defence of their Canadian Championship title with a 4-1 quarterfinal victory over York United FC on Wednesday, a result that means the road to the Voyageurs Cup now goes through B.C. for them.

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Maple Leafs entered Wednesday with their backs firmly pressed against the wall.

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson never talked to his coach about how minutes he would play, or how many points he had to score. In the situation the Knicks faced, there's no need for talk. “Nothing was said at all,” Brunson said. “Whatever it takes.

TORONTO — Maple Leafs fans who gathered in downtown Toronto to watch the hockey team battle for NHL playoff survival were rewarded for their faith and loyalty on Wednesday night.

Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got his first career all-NBA nod on Wednesday, securing a spot on the first team. The Hamilton native averaged a career-high 31.4 points per game for the Oklahoma City Thunder, which was good for fourth in the league.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Edmundo Sosa scored on Bryce Harper’s hard-hit grounder in the 10th inning after Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette’s throwing error and the Philadelphia Phillies came back to defeat the Blue Jays 2-1 on Wednesday.

TORONTO — Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid, Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak and San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson are the finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award.