TARA SULLIVAN

How do we interpret this latest jab from Brad Marchand?

Columbus OH 5/1/19 Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) during practice before playing the Colombus Blue Jackets in game 4 of the second round of the NHL playoffs at Nationwide Arena. (photo by Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff) topic: reporter:

Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff

The belligerent Bruins winger needs to ignite his scoring touch, not his baser instincts.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/05/01/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/lee050119bruinspractice10SPTS-5963.jpg Bruins may look to David Backes for more net-front presence

Bruce Cassidy wouldn’t commit to the lineup change but has to find ways to disrupt Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/05/01/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/a17fe1239a754b00835b273104e91960-a17fe1239a754b00835b273104e91960-0.jpg Kentucky Derby favorite Omaha Beach is scratched

The colt has been taken out of Saturday’s race because of a breathing problem.

RED SOX 7, ATHLETICS 3

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/05/01/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/davisbosoak3Aspts-5954.jpg Red Sox finish off three-game sweep of Athletics

Red Sox hitters stayed hot and the bullpen was effective in the win at Fenway Park. The team finished its homestand at 5-4 and embarks on an eight-game road trip with momentum.

Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown drives past Milwaukee Bucks' Eric Bledsoe and Brook Lopez (11) during the second half of Game 2 of a second round NBA basketball playoff series Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 123-102 to tie the series at 1-1. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

morry gash/Associated Press

GARY WASHBURN | ON BASKETBALL

Jaylen Brown didn’t want jail tweet to be a story, but it has become one — of motivation

Brown hopes other children will learn they can overcome negativity and shoot for their dreams.

RED SOX NOTEBOOK

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/05/01/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/a1a1eb02aacb4283a58ee19195320e29-a1a1eb02aacb4283a58ee19195320e29-0.jpg Dustin Pedroia to begin rehab assignment Thursday with Double A Portland

Pedroia has been on the injured list since April 19 (retroactive to April 18) with left knee irritation.

BRUINS NOTEBOOK

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/04/21/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/lee042119bostor4SPTSjpg.jpg Brad Marchand’s good-boy streak may be over for Bruins

The forward punched Columbus defenseman Scott Harrington in the back of the head during a stoppage late in Boston’s Game 3 loss.

BLUE JACKETS 2, BRUINS 1

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/05/01/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/lee043019bruinsjackets34SPTS.jpg The Bruins have run into a red-hot goalie, but think they’ll solve him soon

“He’s definitely going to crack at some point,” Brandon Carlo said of Sergei Bobrovsky, who helped the Blue Jackets take a 2-1 series lead.

BOSTON, MA - MAY 1: Marcus Walden #64 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park on May 1, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley /Getty Images)

KATHRYN RILEY/GETTY IMAGES

ALEX SPEIER | ON BASEBALL

Marcus Walden appears to be this year’s bullpen discovery for the Red Sox

The 30-year-old rookie is 4-0 with a 1.65 ERA.

KEVIN PAUL DUPONT I ON HOCKEY

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/05/01/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/lee043019bruinsjackets19SPTS.jpg Blue Jackets look like the best team in the Stanley Cup playoffs

This isn’t a previously sad-sack bunch of expansioneers.

DAN SHAUGHNESSY

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/04/30/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/shaughnessy1-5810.jpg Who really thought the Celtics were going to have it easy?

A sweep of the 60-win Bucks did not seem out of the realm of possibility. And then reality happened.

BRUINS NOTEBOOK

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/04/30/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/tlumackibruinscolumbus191-5811.jpg Bruins have been running into obstacles on offense

Against a tough Columbus defense, the idea was to stick to basics and perhaps shoot more.

01-23-19: Boston, MA: Boston Celtics television play by play announcer Mike Gorman is pictured as he leaves the TD Garden and heads home following a Celtics victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Jim Davis /Globe Staff) 01-23-19: Boston, MA: Boston Celtics television play by play announcer Mike Gorman is pictured as he leaves the TD Garden and heads home following a Celtics victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Jim Davis /Globe Staff)

Jim Davis/Globe staff

ADAM HIMMELSBACH

‘Got it!’ The winding, improbable journey of Celtics voice Mike Gorman

Gorman shares a few stories for the first time: a Naval tragedy that still haunts him, the time he nearly fought Tommy Heinsohn, and an important beer-league softball game.

Nora Princiotti/globe staff

Several Patriots make an impact for charity

They attended the 2019 Team IMPACT Gala, a nonprofit founded by Dan Kraft, the son of the Patriots owner.

Sports Log

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/05/02/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/d08fead396a844cf89d4f501ad87517c-d08fead396a844cf89d4f501ad87517c-0.jpg Cleveland’s Corey Kluber breaks right forearm

Indians’ ace struck on the arm by comebacker to the mound during fifth inning of Wednesday night’s 4-2 loss in Miami.

Carolina Hurricanes' Justin Williams (14) and goalie Curtis McElhinney (35) defend against New York Islanders' Brock Nelson (29) during the second period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, May 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

NHL playoffs

Hurricanes push Islanders to the brink

Teuvo Teravainen scored twice as Carolina forged a 3-0 series lead.

Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum, right, drives by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Wednesday, May 1, 2019, in Denver. Portland won 97-90. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

NBA Playoffs

Trail Blazers even the series against the Nuggets in Game 2

Portland’s C.J. McCollum scored a game-high 20 points in 97-90 victory to tie Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - APRIL 27: Brandon Bye #15 of New England Revolution takes down Gerso #12 of Sporting Kansas City resulting in a red card ejection for Bye during the game at Children's Mercy Park on April 27, 2019 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

jamie squire/Getty

FRANK DELL’APA | SOCCER NOTES

Why are the Revolution so bad? Let us count the reasons

Ineffective defense, sluggish offense, questionable coaching decisions . . . they’re all factors.

Gary Washburn | On basketball

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/05/01/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/Chin043019GM2Celtics-Bucks_Spt11.jpg Miserable night by Celtics gives Bucks the momentum back

Kyrie Irving played his worst game with the Celtics and worst statistical playoff game of his career.

TARA SULLIVAN

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/04/11/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/tsullivan.jpg Where have the Bruins we saw all season gone?

The Bruins would be wise to figure it out by Thursday night and Game 4.

RED SOX 5, ATHLETICS 1

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/05/01/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/davissoxas10Aspts.jpg Here’s what led to Rick Porcello’s most dominant outing of the season

Some extra work and an adjustment to his pitch mix helped the righthander continue to bounce back from a slow start.

Vanderbilt defensive back Joejuan Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

michael conroy/AP

BEN VOLIN | ON FOOTBALL

A way-too-early projection on the Patriots’ 53-man roster

The regular season is only four months away — what could possibly change in that time?

High school track and field

MSTCA, MIAA reach truce over state meets

The agreement averted the awkward prospect of the groups staging dueling outdoor championships this season.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2018/11/17/BostonGlobe.com/ReceivedContent/Images/harvardyale2.jpg Fenway Park reportedly will begin hosting a bowl game in 2020

The game will pit teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and American Conference against each other.

Foxborough-7/25/2018 Patriots David Andrews adjusts his hat as he appeared at a press availabilty. The Patriots opened traiining camp at the Gillette Stadium facility. Photo by John Tlumacki/Globe Staff(sports)

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

David Andrews knows what advice to give Patriots rookies

The veteran center remembers what it was like when he joined the defending Super Bowl champions in 2015.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2019/04/30/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/09282008_GL14knowshonmoreno-6914823.jpg ESPN The Magazine to end print operation in September

The network indicated that it will still produce the type of projects that ran in the magazine, but for a digital audience.

Foxborough, MA - 1/25/2019 - New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) at New England Patriots practice at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. - (Barry Chin/Globe Staff), Section: Sports, Reporter: Jim McBride, Topic: 26Patriots, LOID: 8.5.213616483.

barry chin/globe staff

BEN VOLIN | ON FOOTBALL

Why Tom Brady should participate in Patriots’ spring workouts this time

He has four weeks in May and June to get introduced to new target N’Keal Harry, and he should do it.

Colleges

UMass celebrated its overtime win over Denver in the Frozen Four semifinals.

NCAA HOCKEY

Title game appearance leaves UMass hockey program both proud and optimistic

Despite the Minutemen’s loss in the Frozen Four championship game, “a culture that everybody’s bought into” has paved the way for excellence.

Kevin Paul Dupont

/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/03/05/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/dupont-13978.tif More from Dupont

Read his recent “On Second Thought” columns and more features from the longtime Globe writer.