TALLADEGA, Ala. – Austin Dillon and Richard Childress Racing received the first major post-race penalty of the NASCAR season on Tuesday for violations from the GEICO 500 weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.

NASCAR officials issued Dillon’s No. 3 team an L1-level penalty for a rear deck lid that did not comply with the NASCAR rule book, discovered prior to Busch Pole Qualifying on Saturday.

Competition officials determined that body filler, colloquially known as Bondo or repair putty, was added to the deck lid and confiscated the illegal part as a result.

Dillon has been docked 10 driver points and car owner Richard Childress has been docked 10 owner points as part of the penalties issued by NASCAR.

Crew chief Danny Stockman was also fined $25,000 and car chief Gregory Ebert has been suspended for one Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points event.

Pending a potential appeal, Ebert could sit out for this weekend’s Cup Series event at Dover (Del.) Int’l Speedway, the next event on the calendar for NASCAR’s top division.

Dillon ended up 14th in Sunday’s rundown, and despite his pole starting position, never led during the 188-lap event.

NASCAR also fined crew chief Jeremy Bullins $10,000 after one lug nut was found to be “not safe and secure” on the No. 12 Ford of driver Ryan Blaney following Sunday’s GEICO 500.

Blaney finished 15th in Sunday’s Cup Series event.

We got only one game Monday night, but it sure was a thriller, as the St. Louis Blues edged past the Dallas Stars with a goal in the final two minutes of regulation.

Here's a recap of Monday night's action (check out replays of every playoff game on ESPN+) and what to watch for Tuesday night, in today's 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: St. Louis Blues 4, Dallas Stars 3 (Blues lead series 2-1) Just as the Stars had taken over home-ice advantage in this series, they let it slip away. And just as the Blues looked like they were going to let this game slip away, they bounced back with resiliency. The third period was symbolic, but mainly just wild, with a four-goal outburst occurring in a five-minute stretch.

It was the Blues who prevailed -- despite three rallies from the Stars -- as Patrick Maroon scored the game winner with 1:38 left (about two minutes after Tyler Seguin had tied it up ... again). The Blues have been road warriors this postseason, going 4-0, and all in one-goal games. We have a feeling this series has plenty of more twists in store.

Three stars

1. Patrick Maroon, LW, St. Louis Blues

There have been plenty of "local boy comes home, does good" moments in these playoffs (see: John Tavares, Charlie Coyle), and Monday night belonged to Maroon. After joining his hometown team at a discount last summer, Maroon scored the game-winning goal with 1:38 remaining.

2. Tyler Seguin, C, Dallas Stars

If Maroon didn't play spoiler, Seguin could have been the hero Monday. His game-tying goal with 4:08 remaining sent the crowd into a frenzy. The top line was once again terrific in this game; they've now combined for 10 goals and 56 high-danger chances in these playoffs.

3. Jaden Schwartz, LW, St. Louis Blues

After finishing the season with just 0.16 goals per game (the second-lowest rate of his career), Schwartz bounced back in a big way in these playoffs. The team leader in goals (six) is averaging 0.67 per game, including the opening tally Monday. And once again, Schwartz responded positively to a lineup change.

Jaden Schwartz has six goals in nine post-season games after scoring 11 in the regular season. pic.twitter.com/i8tigIpFmo

- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 30, 2019

Play of the night

A periodic reminder that Jason Spezza still has it. Look at this setup.

Spezza finds the opening to get it to Radulov and Rads beats Binnington up top.#GoStars | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/DPZQ4pn7Sr

- Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 30, 2019

Dud of the night

We'll just leave this here.

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME!!! pic.twitter.com/CfcvwcZVAK

- Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 30, 2019

On the schedule

Boston Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets, Game 3, 7 p.m. ET (series tied 1-1)

When fans show up at Nationwide Arena, they will receive free shirts that say: First-round victory is not the goal. That's the mantra for the Blue Jackets, who are hosting their first second-round game in franchise history. Columbus comes in with momentum after rediscovering its offense and taking home-ice advantage away from the Bruins. It sounds like Bruce Cassidy is mixing up Boston's lines again; David Pastrnak could start to get going once he's on the third line with red-hot Charlie Coyle (and facing off against bottom-six defensemen).

San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche, Game 3, 10 p.m. ET (series tied 1-1)

Nathan MacKinnon is arguably the most dominant forward remaining in these playoffs. The top center has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in his past six. Linemate Mikko Rantanen also is riding a six-game point streak. As the series shifts to Colorado, the Sharks no longer get the last change and the chance to match up Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic against them. San Jose is still likely playing short-handed, as it's unclear when captain Joe Pavelski will return to the lineup.

Social post of the day

This is absolutely amazing... this kind of stuff is the biggest reason I am blessed to do what I do.... this was me as a kid watching Sakic and Forsberg. Thank you so much for sharing https://t.co/6BAnNyhbWm

- Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) April 30, 2019

Mini 95 has a bright future ahead.

Quotable

Pietrangelo: "These playoffs. Just keep playing. You never know." #atlblues #WeAllBleedBlue

- St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 30, 2019

Nedum Onuoha has labelled Zlatan Ibrahimovic a "thug" and called on the Major League Soccer to punish the striker after the two players clashed during La Galaxy's 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake on Sunday.

Ibrahimovic threw the former Manchester City man to the ground sparking an angry reaction from the defender and the confrontation continued into the dressing room after the match.

Following the altercation, Onuoha said that he would refuse to accept an apology from the Swedish striker and now he has criticised Ibrahimovic's aggressive behaviour on the pitch.

"He didn't affect the way that I played, it just motivated me more really," he told Love Sport Radio. "But after the 60th minute, he got booked and he started saying 'right that's it then, keep watching that clock, I'm going to do you, just you wait.'

"These are words I've probably heard twice or three times in all my career, usually by people who are complete thugs. It's one thing to be competitive but it's another thing to be threatening harm against another professional.

Ibrahimovic is one of the biggest names in the league since joining from Manchester United last year and Onuoha believes that the authorities will not punish the striker due to his star status.

He added: "The sad thing about it is that based on who he is and the league that he's playing in, nine out of 10 people will happily just go and shake his hand and say 'no problem,' even though from start to finish it's been about him and the way he's been.

"He's not going to get anything done to him. It will get spun into a story about how he's really competitive and this is what gets him going, this is why he's one of the best of all-time. That's just the way that it works. I'm not the type of person to say that the better MLS players get preferential treatment but from what I've seen so far, it's a lot easier to be Zlatan than it is to be the striker for Real Salt Lake."

Two people have been arrested after an image of deceased footballer Emiliano Sala's body had been posted on social media.

Dorset police announced on Saturday an investigation would be launched following the discovery of the image online.

- Borden: In search of Emiliano Sala

"On Feb. 7 2019, a post mortem examination of Emiliano Sala was conducted at Holly Tree Lodge Mortuary in Dorset," a police statement read. "On Feb. 13, Dorset Police became aware of an image on Twitter purporting to show the post mortem of Emiliano, and an investigation was launched.

"The image had been swiftly removed by Twitter, but unfortunately it had been circulated extensively on various social media sites by this time. As part of the enquiries by Dorset Police, a warrant was obtained for an address in Wiltshire and, on Feb. 18, this warrant was executed by officers from the Digital Investigations & Intelligence Unit within Wiltshire Police.

"A 48-year-old woman from Corsham was arrested at the scene on suspicion of unauthorised access to computer material [an offence under the Computer Misuse Act] and malicious communications, and is currently released on conditional bail.

"As the police investigation continued, a 62-year-old man from Calne was also arrested on suspicion of unauthorised access to computer material, and is currently released under investigation."

The single-engined Piper Malibu aircraft carrying Sala, 28, disappeared over the English Channel when flying him from previous club Nantes to Cardiff on Jan. 21.

Wreckage was found on Feb. 3 following a privately-funded underwater search and a body was recovered three days later. Later that month Sala's body was flown back to Argentina for his funeral.

It has been a very difficult period for the Sala family with Emiliano's father Horacio passing away following a sudden heart attack on Friday.

Cardiff and Nantes remain in a dispute over Sala's transfer after the Premier League side refused to make the first scheduled payment for the Argentine.

The Bluebirds argue the agreement struck with Nantes regarding Sala's purchase was not legal as the French club failed to fulfill conditions they set.

FIFA has granted Cardiff City and Nantes extra time to submit full details of the transfer of Sala as the clubs look to schedule face-to-face talks.

Paul Pogba will be forced to take a pay cut if he leaves Manchester United for Real Madrid this summer, as sources have told ESPN FC that the Spanish club are not prepared to match his £290,000-a-week Old Trafford wages.

Sources at United have repeatedly said Pogba, 26, will not be sold at the end of the season, despite persistent speculation linking the midfielder with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Both Pogba and Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane have spoken recently about the prospect of the France international playing in the Spanish capital, but United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said that he expects the £89 million signing from Juventus to be a part of his squad next season.

Sources have told ESPN FC, however, that some of Pogba's club teammates expect him to push for a move this summer if United fail to qualify for the Champions League -- an outcome which is now increasingly likely following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford which has left United three points adrift of the top four with only two games left to play.

United's determination to keep Pogba, rooted as much in the player's commercial value as his contribution to the team, may yet prompt the club to discuss a new contract with his advisors in an effort to put an end to Madrid's efforts.

But while sources have told ESPN FC that Madrid's interest in Pogba is strong and long-standing, the club are unwilling to add further strain to their huge wage bill by offering him a contract worth more than his United deal.

Madrid are also in the hunt for Chelsea forward Eden Hazard, with the club aware of the need to strengthen all departments of the team and reduce the average age of Zidane's squad.

With high earners Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Isco all facing uncertain futures, Madrid need to create space on their wage bill to accommodate the likes of Hazard and Pogba, who would both likely cost in excess of £100m each should transfers be negotiated with Chelsea and United respectively.

And if Pogba is able to force through a move from United, he will have to accept a reduced salary in order to make it happen this summer.

The Champions League returns and with just four teams left, the path to glory is wide open. Any of the remaining sides has a chance but equally, question marks surrounding their challenge. Can Liverpool crack Lionel Messi & Co. to deny their Treble push? And which of the "underdogs" will prevail in the other semifinal?

Here's everything you need to know, from the superheroes and the sidekicks who can decide the ties to the keys for victory.

Jump to: Tottenham-Ajax | Liverpool-Barcelona

Tottenham vs. Ajax

WHEN: Tuesday, April 30, 3 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. BST

BACKSTORY: Ajax are doing their glorious past proud, having eliminated perennial Serie A champs Juventus and Champions League holders Real Madrid to get into the semifinals. The quality, freshness and fearlessness displayed in those matches have made them the neutrals' favorites. They are tied at the top of the Dutch league and in the Dutch Cup final, so they, too, have Treble aspirations.

Tottenham have lost more than half the games they have played since Valentine's Day, but they are still hanging on to third place in the Premier League and knocked out mighty Manchester City to get this far. That they're in the final four is remarkable given the rash of injuries they've suffered -- most notably to captain Harry Kane, who is out of both legs -- and their limited resources. Limited relative to most, but not Ajax: in any other season, Spurs would be the Cinderella team at this stage.

HOW THEY MATCH UP: Tottenham are at times perhaps more pragmatic, but there's a lot of common ground between the way these two sides play, and with the Spurs trio of Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen having combined to spend nearly three decades at Ajax at youth and senior levels, there will be few surprises.

Given Kane's absence and the fact that Ajax's approach changes little home and away (regardless of the opposition's pedigree), you can imagine Spurs exploiting the counterattack, particularly with the fleet-footed Lucas Moura.

TOTTENHAM'S STAR TO WATCH: Eriksen. He's at a crossroads in many ways. He has yet to extend his contract, which expires in June 2020, suggesting he's open to a summer move. Wouldn't a decisive turn in the Champions League semifinal be the ultimate shop window? He's facing his past, but he's also the man who can create out of nothing for Tottenham and who may have to carry them, as he's done so many times before.

AJAX'S STAR TO WATCH: Frenkie De Jong. He epitomizes the modern two-way midfielder, with the added wrinkle that he carries himself with a charisma and a personality far beyond his years. He's making the jump to Barcelona in the summer but very few 21-year-olds have seemed this ready for that kind of quantum leap.

X-FACTOR, TOTTENHAM: Dele Alli. He hasn't put up the gaudy numbers of past seasons (he had 22 goals from midfield in 2016-17 compared to seven this year), partly because he missed seven weeks due to injury and partly because he has had to reinvent himself as a hole-plugging jack of all trades given Spurs' many injuries, particularly in the middle. But he has the dynamism and selflessness to match Ajax, and if he can keep Ajax from bossing the midfield, he can turn this Tottenham's way.

X-FACTOR, AJAX: David Neres. At 22, he's still very raw, but his dribbling ability and unpredictability make him a real handful. Within a philosophy that carefully balances the team versus the individual, he can lean toward the latter at times (which may be why he had a bumpy start to the campaign), but that makes him no less valuable over 180 minutes.

TOTTENHAM NEED TO... find a makeshift midfield combination that can see them through (which will not be easy, given the likely absences of Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks) without leaving the initiative to Ajax, while getting Eriksen into positions where he can create.

AJAX NEED TO... not let the intensity and fearlessness drop simply because Tottenham's pedigree isn't equal to that of their previous Champions League opponents (Juventus, Real Madrid and Bayern), while ensuring the center-back duo of Daley Blind and Matthijs de Ligt need to do as little open-field defending against Lucas Moura as possible.

PREDICTION: Tottenham 2-1 Ajax. Momentum isn't with Tottenham and the midfield is a mystery but they otherwise don't match up badly against Ajax.

Barcelona vs. Liverpool

WHEN: Wednesday, May 1, 3 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. BST

BACKSTORY: Barcelona won La Liga on Saturday and will play Valencia in the Spanish Cup final later this month, which means they're still on track for the Treble. It would be their third since 2008, which is some achievement when you consider that it had only been achieved three times in the first 40 years of European football.

Liverpool reached the Champions League final last year, of course, but unlike then -- when they went out of domestic contention early -- they are now neck-and-neck with Manchester City for the Premier League title. They've won 10 games in a row in all competitions and look stronger and more complete than last year.

HOW THEY MATCH UP: It used to be a rarity for a team to score 100 goals in all competitions, but Liverpool passed that mark on Saturday and Barcelona did it back in February. Yet though both can (and do) score plenty, there's a more patient, defensive dimension to what they do as well. Jurgen Klopp only wheels out his "heavy metal" all-out press intermittently, and compared to prior incarnations, this Barca side are more safety-oriented in the middle of the park. That fact that both have outstanding goalkeepers in Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Alisson adds another layer of solidity.

BARCELONA'S STAR TO WATCH: Lionel Messi. He's averaging more than a goal a game (again) while playing an even bigger role than before in terms of dropping deep and creating chances for others. You can find your own superlatives here.

LIVERPOOL'S STAR TO WATCH: LIVERPOOL'S STAR TO WATCH: Virgil van Dijk. Few signings have been as transformative in recent years as the Dutchman's arrival at Anfield in January 2018. A colossus in the air, his work in reading the game and marshalling a back four in which both fullbacks are often attacking at the same time is second to none.

X-FACTOR, BARCELONA: Jordi Alba. He has 16 assists in all competitions this year from left back and a nearly supernatural understanding with Messi, who often cuts in from the opposite flank. He'll be up against Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, which means Liverpool will need to get a midfielder helping out when he advances. Except they can't overcommit to him, because Messi is on the opposite side...

X-FACTOR, LIVERPOOL: Roberto Firmino. He's a center-forward who doesn't score that much (he has broken the 20-goal mark just twice in his career) but his prodigious movement and off-the-ball work rate more than make up for it. Between Sergio Busquets in midfield and Gerard Pique at the back, Barcelona won't want to lose sight of him.

BARCELONA NEED TO... Dictate the game in midfield and pin back Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, Liverpool's full-backs, while denying service to Salah and Sadio Mane, particularly in transition.

LIVERPOOL NEED TO... Be aware of Messi at all times, but particularly when he drops back to create. Ensure the front three don't get isolated, while also maintaining their shape.

PREDICTION: Liverpool 1-2 Barcelona. Two evenly matched sides but one of them has Messi, the other does not.