Stanley Cup Final set as postseason action continues

The GIST: The Stanley Cup Final is officially set, while the quest for the NBA’s Larry O'Brien Trophy is still a three-horse race. Only the strong survive in the postseason.

🏀 NY Knicks stave off elimination with Game 5 win: This lead was safe — and fans across the Big Apple exhaled after the Knicks extended their season with last night’s 111–94 win over the Indiana Pacers (up 3-2). NY’s Jalen Brunson exploded for 32 points, while Indy’s Tyrese Haliburton was held to a mere eight in the loss. Expect these superstars to keep jawing in tomorrow’s 8 p.m. ET Game 6 from Indiana.

• Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder punched their first Finals ticket since 2012 with Wednesday’s 124–94 Game 5 shellacking of the Minnesota Timberwolves. OKC’s always been a vibe, but now with the league’s best defense and MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they look virtually unstoppable.

🏒 Edmonton Oilers continue goal-scoring surge in series-clinching Game 5 win: The Oil burned bright from puck drop, lighting the lamp three times in the first period en route to a 6–3 dub over the Dallas Stars. Save Game 1, Edmonton dominated all series, outscoring the Stars 19–5 in Games 2 through 5 to return to next week’s Stanley Cup Final for the second straight season.

• And their opponent is an all-too-familiar foe: The reigning champ Florida Panthers earned their third straight finals berth with Wednesday’s 5–3 comeback W over the Carolina Hurricanes. With the storm weathered, the Cats have bigger goals than a run-of-the-mill conference championship.