BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Defenseman Jacob Bryson is skipping his senior season at Providence after signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres.

Bryson will report to Buffalo's AHL affiliate in Rochester after signing an amateur tryout contract. That means his NHL contract won't kick in until next season.

The Sabres selected Bryson in the fourth round of the 2017 draft.

The signing announcement Monday comes after Providence's season ended with a 4-1 loss to eventual national champion Minnesota Duluth in the Frozen Four semifinals held in Buffalo last Thursday. Bryson was the Friars' team captain and finished his junior season with four goals and a career-high 28 points in 42 games.

Listed at 5-foot-9 and 178 pounds, the 21-year-old Bryson finished with 11 goals and 73 points in 121 career games.

Look, we know what many of you were up to last night. Arya. Daenerys. Viserion. Winterfell.

So as a public service, here's what happened in the NHL last night (check out replays of every playoff game on ESPN+), and what to watch for tonight, in the latest edition of ESPN Stanley Cup Playoffs Daily:

Jump ahead: Last night's games | Three Stars
Play of the night | Today's games | Social post of the day

About last night ...

Game 3: New York Islanders 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 1 (Islanders lead series 3-0). The Islanders have a formula for this series, and it's a formula that has pushed the Penguins to the brink of elimination. It begins with a style of play that's not winning any beauty contests but is effective. As Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said, "there's not a lot of risk associated with the Islanders." That manifested itself in yet another sterling defensive effort, as Robin Lehner stopped 25 shots and Penguins star Sidney Crosby was held off the score sheet for the third straight game (and was a minus-3). It continues with perhaps the most opportunistic offense in the playoffs, crushing the momentum of the Penguins at every turn. To wit: The Penguins took a 1-0 lead at 12:54 of the first period; by the 14:24 mark, the Islanders had goals from Jordan Eberle and Brock Nelson (62 seconds apart) to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish. On Tuesday, they'll attempt to do to Crosby what no team in the NHL has done to him: sweep him in the first round.

Game 3: Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 1 (Blue Jackets lead series 3-0). Here's a quick history lesson about this series. It's the first time the Jackets have won three games in the same postseason. It's the first time the 2018-19 Lightning failed to score multiple goals in consecutive games. It's the fifth time in the 100-plus years of NHL postseason competition that a team that led the regular season in points found itself down 3-0 in a first-round playoff series, the last one being the 2012 Vancouver Canucks, who lost in five games to the Los Angeles Kings. In fact, none of these previous four teams rallied to win their series. The Lightning were without Victor Hedman (injured), Nikita Kucherov (suspended) and Steven Stamkos' offensive impact (invisible). They finally looked like themselves during a flurry of offensive chances in the third period, but Sergei Bobrovsky passed the test with 30 saves. With another power-play goal, the Jackets are now 4-for-8 for the series; the Lightning, who had the best power play and kill in the regular season, are 0-for-5 and didn't have a man advantage in Game 3.

Game 3: Winnipeg Jets 6, St. Louis Blues 3 (Blues lead series 2-1). The Jets relocated their offense in a must-win Game 3, scoring in bunches against rookie goalie Jordan Binnington (23 saves) and the Blues. Kevin Hayes, Patrik Laine (his third goal) and Kyle Connor scored in the second period just 4:01 apart to make it 3-1. After Vladimir Tarasenko scored his first of the playoffs to cut the lead, Brandon Tanev and Dustin Byfuglien scored goals 3:41 apart to all but put the game away. Kudos to Paul Maurice for his line tinkering, including a reunion of the TLC line of Tanev, Adam Lowry and Andrew Copp. Binnington, meanwhile, hadn't given up more than four goals in a game this season until this tilt. All eyes will be on the rookie to see how he responds in Game 4.

Game 3: Vegas Golden Knights 6, San Jose Sharks 3 (Golden Knights lead series 2-1). The other day, coach Gerard Gallant was asked about his second line of Paul Stastny, Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty. "When did you declare them our second line?" he asked, earning chuckles. Since Stone arrived at the trade deadline, few trios in the NHL have matched the firepower of this Vegas line, and they owned Game 3: Stone had a hat trick and two assists, Stastny had two goals and three assists and Pacioretty had a goal and an assist. The line gave the Knights a lead just 16 seconds into the game and a 4-1 lead after two periods. Neither Marc-Andre Fleury nor Martin Jones put up good numbers in this brutally physical game between these newly minted rivals -- but Jones followed being pulled in Game 2 with an .850 save percentage in Game 3. Not great.

Three Stars

1. Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights. His hat trick was the first of the 2019 playoffs, the first in Golden Knights postseason history and his first in the past 414 regular-season or postseason games. He was absolutely incredible, with his usual defensive panache (four takeaways) and his underrated playmaking (like his feed to set up Stastny's goal) also grabbing the spotlight.

2. Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets. He didn't have much action for about 40 minutes, but Bob was the difference in the third period when Tampa found its offense, stopping 16 of 17 shots. "We have a really good goalie. I thought he stood really big in those 10 to 12 minutes there when they cranked it up," said coach John Tortorella.

3. Robin Lehner, New York Islanders. Like Bobrovsky, he was the beneficiary of the great defense being played in front of him, but he also did some heavy lifting in stopping all 18 shots he faced after the first period. One of the best stories of the postseason adds another chapter.

Play of the night

Evander Kane and Ryan Reaves finally fight after chirping all night pic.twitter.com/Rla9W0ktX4 - Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 15, 2019

While we'd normally showcase some display of offensive artistry, an athletic save or a quirky play in this space, the play of the night had to be the boiling over of the Evander Kane vs. Ryan Reaves feud in a late-game fight. While Kane sought to show the Sharks won't go down without a fight, that vibe was counteracted by the T-Mobile Arena game operations crew playing "Baby Shark (Do Do Do Do Do)" after it was over. Which was savage.

Dud of the night

Steven Stamkos and Sidney Crosby. With their teams in critical Game 3 battles, neither of these superstars posted a point on Sunday, remaining 0-for-the-playoffs. The Lightning needed something from their captain with Nikita Kucherov suspended and Victor Hedman out with an injury, but he was a minus-2 with no shots on goal. Crosby had three shots on goal ... and was a minus-3 in the Islanders' win.

What's on the schedule

Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs, Game 3, 7 p.m. ET. Series tied 1-1.

The Leafs should learn the fate of center Nazem Kadri before the game, as he appears in person before the NHL Department of Player Safety to answer for his hit on Jake DeBrusk in Game 2. DeBrusk and defenseman Torey Krug are "day-to-day," according to the team.

Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes, Game 3, 7 p.m. ET. Capitals lead 2-0.

The "Bunch of Jerks" return to Raleigh for the first playoff home game for the Hurricanes since May 26, 2009. To put that in perspective: Their most recent postseason home game was played three days before Pixar's "Up" debuted in theaters. It sounds like coach Rod Brind'Amour, despite two straight losses, intends to stick with goalie Petr Mrazek.

Nashville Predators at Dallas Stars, Game 3, 9:30 p.m. ET. Series tied 1-1.

Craig Smith's OT goal in Game 2 evened this series, in what coach Peter Laviolette called a more "complete" game for the Preds than Game 1. The Stars gave up 43 shots in Game 2 and only generated 23 for the game -- including 14 at even strength. They need to make greater use of their opportunities.

Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche, Game 3, 10 p.m. ET. Series tied 1-1.

UMass star Cale Makar quickly signed with the Avalanche after his college season ended. Will we see the outstanding young defenseman in Game 3? The underdog Avs knotted the series in overtime in Game 2. The Flames are looking for a faster start and to "be the more desperate team" in Game 3, according to coach Bill Peters. He also feels that going on the road will be healthy for his younger players: "It might be a little easier for the younger players to go on the road and play and not worry about entertainment value."

Social post of the day

What's a Vegas wedding without some Golden Knights vows? �� pic.twitter.com/RDvOPWltXj - x-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 14, 2019

The Golden Knights did a very Vegas thing before Game 3, having couples get married or renew their vows in front of the arena. They promised to give each other, ahem, a "Fleury" of kisses.

Quotable

This angle clearly shows exactly how bad of a hit that @SanJoseSharks veteran Joe Thornton imposed on @GoldenKnights>

This should at least at the very minimum be a single game suspension, but honestly, this one could cost him two or more. #VegasBorn>#SJSharks>pic.twitter.com/E7uANejKyf - Vegas Desert Sports (@VDesertSports) April 15, 2019

"Honestly, I thought I barely touched him. He came right back. It's just one of those plays. I think my son hits me like that six times a day, it's just a weird position he put himself in. That's all." -- San Jose Sharks star Joe Thornton on his hit to the head of Tomas Nosek that earned him a two-minute minor for checking to the head. Could it earn something more from the NHL Department of Player Safety? (Via Sin Bin)

Real Madrid stumbled to a 1-1 La Liga draw at Leganes on Monday, the latest disappointing result in a nightmare season for the European champions.

Zinedine Zidane's side, who are third in the table and 13 points behind leaders Barcelona, were uninspired against local rivals Leganes.

Madrid put in the kind of lethargic performance which has plagued their season, with Marco Asensio and Raphael Varane missing good first-half chances.

"For me as coach, and them as players, we must keep trying to play better," Zidane said. "We can play better, and we must play better. The first half was not so good, the second half a bit better. Even if this might have been a bad season, we must all give a bit more."

Jonathan Silva fired Leganes ahead in the 45th minute with their first chance of the game, driving home from the edge of the box.

Karim Benzema equalised at the start of the second half and Marcelo saw a shot tipped away as Madrid enjoyed a short period in ascendancy.

Leganes, 11th in the table, went close to winning the game but Youssef En-Nesyri had a goal correctly disallowed for offside.

Asked if Benzema annoyed by persistent talk that the Bernabeu hierarchy would sign a new striker this summer, Zidane said: "I don't know -- you'd have to ask him about that."

"[Benzema] is used to that, new players coming," Zidane said. "But he has shown his personality and that's it. He is a fantastic player and this year what has changed is that he has scored many more goals, so I am happy for him."

A Madrid player whose future remains uncertain is Welsh galactico Gareth Bale, who made little impression during a late run as a substitute.

"[Bale] is an important player of the squad," Zidane said. "He has played three of the last four games, I think. Today I wanted to make a change, that's all. Playing 10 or 15 minutes is difficult for those who come into the game, it was the same with Lucas [Vazquez]. We make the changes to win the game, and we did not do that today."

Information from Reuters and ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan was used in this report.

Arsenal boosted their hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League after a bizarre 10th-minute goal by striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave them a 1-0 win at 10-man Watford on Monday.

The result lifted the Gunners two places up to fourth on 66 points from 33 games, one behind third-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal are ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, who have played a game more, on goal difference. Watford stayed 10th with 46 points.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery was pleased with his team's first away clean sheet of the season.

"A clean sheet is very important," he told the BBC. "It is going to give us a lot of information, this match."

The fast-paced clash took a decisive turn in a frantic one-minute spell early on, as Aubameyang found the back of the net in unlikely fashion before Watford striker Troy Deeney was shown a straight red card for elbowing Lucas Torreira.

The home side's goalkeeper Ben Foster dwelled on Daryl Janmaat's back pass for too long, allowing Aubameyang to close him down and block his attempted goalmouth clearance as the ball ricocheted into the back of the net.

Foster made no excuses for his howler.

"I've said sorry to the lads," he said. "I tried to drag it on to my left and pass it out but before I knew it Aubameyang was bloody on me. He is too quick. In hindsight you have to get rid [of the ball] as quick as you can, even if it goes into row Z."

Torreira was taken off at half-time with a "small injury," said Emery, who also cited the atmosphere surrounding the Uruguay international after the Deeney incident.

"First I decided to do the change of Lucas Torreira because, after the red card, the atmosphere is against him," he said.

"Also, the doctor said to me in the first half that he has a little pain from Thursday's game against Napoli and I decided 'okay, it's the moment [to take him off]'."

Asked what he thought of Deeney's red card, the former Sevilla and PSG boss said he never saw the clash.

"I didn't see the red card. I leave the decision for the referee," he said. "It's clear it helped us, with the decisions, because we played with one more player from then on. It's more difficult for them. But our goal gave us the advantage in the first half and after the red card also."

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Watford kept pressing and missed a string of chances to draw level, having twice been denied by the woodwork as well as by some good saves from Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno.

The home side missed their best opportunity in the 80th minute when Arsenal substitute Ainsley Maitland-Niles slid in to block Andre Gray's goal-bound effort after the Watford forward rounded Leno.

Aubameyang, Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan also came close at the other end but Arsenal were forced to hang on in the closing stages with Watford throwing men forward.

The home team's manager Marco Silva praised his team for their fighting spirit in the face of adversity.

"We did a lot of things to try to win, a big effort," he said. "We didn't get any points but we played well. It was a difficult game with 10 men."

Major League Soccer doesn't really do undefeated teams, at least not for long. There are too many ways to trip in a league where even the worst clubs can sometimes sneak a win through poor opponent finishing and/or a bit of luck.

This year, three teams have made it to mid-April without a blemish following Toronto's loss in Seattle this weekend. All three -- LAFC, Seattle and Houston -- play on the road between now and the end of Week 8. No team made it to May without a loss in 2018, and the two that did proved to be paper tigers by the time the playoffs rolled around.

Making it to May might not indicate anything about how a team's season will end up, but it will convey at least one honor: a top spot in the prestigious ESPN MLS Power Rankings.

What could be better than that?

Previous rankings: Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1

1. LAFC (6 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses)

Previous ranking: 1

Next MLS match: Wednesday, April 17, at Vancouver (10 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

Herculez Gomez says Carlos Vela isn't even playing the best he can and now he's scoring with his right foot. If the rest of the league wasn't already very, very afraid, now is probably a good time to feel fear of Bob Bradley's black and gold machine as well as what Vela can do if he stays healthy for the balance of the season.

2. Seattle Sounders (5-1-0)

Previous ranking: 2

Next MLS match: Sunday, April 21, at LAFC (7 p.m. ET)

It feels like Sounders vs. Toronto FC should be a rivalry game simply because of their competing in MLS Cup finals against each other in 2016 and 2017. Saturday's match had that vibe, with a tight and tense hour-plus giving way to a wild finish. Give the Sounders credit: They executed a comeback and used everything they had to hold on for a win.

3. LA Galaxy (5-0-1)

Previous ranking: 3

Next MLS match: Friday, April 19, vs. Houston (11 p.m. ET)

Four straight wins, two straight clean sheets for the Galaxy. Zlatan Ibrahimovic's health might be the biggest factor in just how successful this season turns out for LA, but there's reason to be positive about the defensive direction of the team. Next week should see the Galaxy debut of Giancarlo Gonzalez, a further boost for a back line that's needed it for some time.

4. Houston Dynamo (4-1-0)

Previous ranking: 6

Next MLS match: Friday, April 19, at LA Galaxy (11 p.m. ET)

The best team no one is talking about (or going out to see, for that matter) is the Houston Dynamo. Wilmer Cabrera's club is unbeaten this season and extended its winning streak to four with a victory over San Jose. If the Dynamo can weather the metaphorical storms of the season like they did the literal one on Saturday, watch out.

5. D.C. United (4-2-1)

Previous ranking: 5

Next MLS match: Sunday, April 21, vs. New York City FC (4 p.m. ET, live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes)

Luciano Acosta's first goal since the season opener against Atlanta (a figurative lifetime ago) helped United overcome an early deficit against the Rapids and bounce back from Tuesday's disappointing draw with Montreal. Keep an eye on Chris Durkin; following reports that United turned down a loan opportunity, there's new pressure to play him.

6. Columbus Crew (4-1-2)

Previous ranking: 4

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, vs. Portland (7.30 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

The lack of a finishing touch and a simple mistake at the back were enough to undo the Crew in Montreal. It's the danger of the possession-heavy approach Columbus takes, particularly against a defend-and-counter team like the Impact. No reason to panic for the Crew, though: They were the better team on the day in Quebec.

7. Sporting Kansas City (2-3-1)

Previous ranking: 7

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, at San Jose (10 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

While other teenagers are getting the bigger spotlight, Gianluca Busio is quietly becoming a crucial part of Sporting's season. The 16-year-old scored the equalizer on Sunday against the Red Bulls and perhaps more impressive, he didn't bother celebrating with more than a first pump: Busio wanted to get back and find the late winner.

8. FC Dallas (4-1-2)

Previous ranking: 10

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, at Atlanta (4 p.m. ET, live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes)

Atlanta's first win of the year might look like it comes at a bad time for FC Dallas, the next team to face the defending champs, but Atlanta's better form will make a win for the Texans more impressive if they can pull it off. Paxton Pomykal and FCD's kids will get a chance to show what they can do on the big national stage.

9. Toronto FC (3-1-1)

Previous ranking: 8

Next MLS match: Friday, April 19, vs. Minnesota (8 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

The Reds took their best swing at the Sounders and came up short. On the plus side, "Pozuelo to Altidore" looks to be a phrase TFC broadcasters will be saying a lot this season. Jozy Altidore already has five goals through four appearances after totaling just seven goals in all of 2018.

10. Philadelphia Union (3-1-3)

Previous ranking: 9

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, vs. Montreal (1 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

The trip out west ended the Union's unbeaten run and winning streak at four and three, respectively. A tough penalty call in the first half put Philadelphia in a hole it couldn't climb out of. Whatever the debate on the call, the Union's lack of firepower doomed them in a game that was likely to demand goals.

11. Minnesota United (3-1-2)

Previous ranking: 11

Next MLS match: Friday, April 19, at Toronto (8 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

The Loons home debut at Allianz Field didn't exactly go to plan (much like the debut Allianz Field tifo), but a draw and three goals is hardly a bad showing. The building glittered and Ozzie Alonso's booming volley was a fitting first goal for the new venue. Now to the business of making it a fortress on the northern plain.

12. Montreal Impact (3-1-2)

Previous ranking: 13

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, at Philadelphia (1 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. That piece of wisdom appears to apply to Remi Garde's Impact, who secured three points in the first home game of the season on Saturday. Things are weird enough in the East that the win launched Montreal up the table and into third place.

13. New York Red Bulls (1-2-3)

Previous ranking: 12

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, at New England (7.30 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

What a "woulda coulda" game for the Red Bulls in Kansas City. How big would a win at Sporting have been for a team struggling in the early going? How could a team as good as the Red Bulls were last year at protecting leads let two points slip by conceding a late goal?

14. FC Cincinnati (2-2-3)

Previous ranking: 14

Next MLS match: Friday, April 19, vs. Real Salt Lake (7.30 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

Cincy walked into the lion's den -- or the falcon's aerie -- and fell to the best team in the league. There's no shame in that, especially considering that Alan Koch's team kept it competitive and nearly managed to steal a point. FCC is still in the "no judgment" zone as an expansion side, so let's call that one a "positive loss."

15. Orlando City (2-2-3)

Previous ranking: 15

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, vs. Vancouver (3 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

Lions boss James O'Connor rolled out a lineup on the road in Salt Lake City that didn't feature Dom Dwyer and Nani, for reasons that aren't entirely clear. It's probably not right to say Orlando lost just because those two didn't start, but it's probably wrong to say things wouldn't have been any different with the pair in the lineup from the opening whistle.

16. Atlanta United (1-2-2)

Previous ranking: 17

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, vs. FC Dallas (4 p.m. ET, live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes)

The champs won a game! Frank de Boer's team put more balls into New England's net (2) than New England did into Atlanta United's net (0)! Ezequiel Barco's coming-out party was a major part of the win and will have the Five Stripes faithful dreaming the $15 million man can lead the team in the quest for another title.

17. Real Salt Lake (2-1-4)

Previous ranking: 18

Next MLS match: Friday, April 19, at Cincinnati (7.30 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

Sam Johnson's name might not stand out, but the Liberian striker is a DP and does need to score goals for RSL to make noise in the West this season. Johnson's first MLS tally finally happened on Saturday against Orlando after weeks of slowly building into the lineup. Will it jump-start RSL's season nearly two months in?

18. New York City FC (0-5-1)

Previous ranking: 16

Next MLS match: Sunday, April 21, at D.C. United (4 p.m. ET, live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes)

NYCFC's fifth point of the year probably should have been three. There might not be a worse goalkeeping moment in MLS this year than Sean Johnson's gaffe, and the last thing Dome Torrent needs as he tries to right the Yankee Stadium clipper is a keeper going through a crisis of confidence.

19. Chicago Fire (1-3-2)

Previous ranking: 19

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, vs. Colorado (1 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

"Fair" is a word we use a lot in soccer, sometimes to the point of forcing the narrative on games that end up in draws. That said, it seems mostly fair that Chicago earned a home point from a questionable penalty after gifting the Whitecaps a goal when David Ousted mishandled the ball on the edge of his box. "Fair."

20. Vancouver Whitecaps (0-2-4)

Previous ranking: 21

Next MLS match: Wednesday, April 17, vs. LAFC (10 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

The Whitecaps blew into Chicago without a win on the season. They didn't blow out any better. The chance at three points was there momentarily, but Vancouver can't have too many complaints about getting a single point out of game in which it had just two shots on target.

21. New England Revolution (1-1-5)

Previous ranking: 20

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, vs. NYRB (7.30 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

For a team called the Revolution, New England is doing a lot of standing in place. A second straight goalless performance doomed the Revs to a loss on Saturday, but more troubling, the club is dropping games at home in a league where doing so is the surest sign of a season on its way to being lost.

22. San Jose Earthquakes (1-0-5)

Previous ranking: 22

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, vs. Sporting Kansas City (10 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

The Quakes didn't just suddenly become good with last week's win over the smoking wreckage of the Timbers, so Saturday's loss is not a shock. San Jose does look more competitive by the week, however, so maybe there's reason to hope for soccer fans in Northern California. Small victories.

23. Colorado Rapids (0-2-5)

Previous ranking: 23

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, at Chicago (1 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

Still no wins for Anthony Hudson and the Rapids in 2019. The new approach -- leaning on MLS vets to make the playoffs -- isn't working. The problems at the back are so bad that Hudson effectively called out every defender in his postgame comments by saying no one in the team has staked a claim to a starting spot.

24. Portland Timbers (0-1-5)

Previous ranking: 24

Next MLS match: Saturday, April 20, at Columbus (7.30 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)

Despite what you might hear from certain figures high up in the administration, it's not the referees who are holding back the defending Western Conference champions. The Timbers are just bad, though when things are going so poorly, the big decisions that go against you can feel like total miscarriages of justice. We get it.