Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. NHL roundup: Hurricanes end long playoff drought

Justin Faulk scored the tiebreaking goal in the second period, and the Carolina Hurricanes went on to wrap up a playoff spot for the first time in a decade by defeating the visiting New Jersey Devils 3-1 in the regular-season home finale Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C. Nino Niederreiter's goal with 3:25 remaining gave the Hurricanes a two-goal cushion. Fans chanted, "We want playoffs," and that's what they'll get. Maple Leafs recall G Hutchinson with Sparks struggling

The Toronto Maple Leafs recalled goaltender Michael Hutchinson from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) on Friday. Frederik Andersen's backup, Garret Sparks, has lost nine of his past 11 decisions and has never played in an NHL playoff game. Brazil soccer legend Pele says 'much better' after French hospital stay

Brazil soccer great Pele said on Friday he was feeling "so much better" after receiving treatment in a French hospital for a urinary infection. "Thank you for all your love! The antibiotics are working and the tests are all (good). I feel so much better, I think I am ready to play again," Pele wrote on Twitter. NBA roundup: Bucks lock up No. 1 seed

Playoff intensity showed itself from the opening tip at Philadelphia on Thursday as Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 45 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the Milwaukee Bucks' 128-122 comeback victory over the 76ers that clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference. Khris Middleton scored 22 points for the Bucks, who will enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in franchise history. They were top seed in the Western Conference three times in their first six years of existence, the last in the 1973-74 season. Lobov makes bare-knuckle debut as combat sports go mainstream

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight Artem Lobov, a long-time friend and team mate of Conor McGregor, is set to make a lucrative debut in bare-knuckle boxing as combat sports bid to gain more mainstream acceptance. Nicknamed the "Russian Hammer", Lobov told Reuters he had accepted a big payday from the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship to fight another UFC veteran, Jason Knight, on a pay-per-view card in Biloxi, Mississippi on Saturday. Report: Browns to sign AAF QB Gilbert, FA safety Burnett

The Cleveland Browns, still busy retooling this offseason, are expected to sign quarterback Garrett Gilbert and safety Morgan Burnett on Friday, according to Cleveland.com. Gilbert became available when the Alliance of American Football suspended operations earlier this week. The former sixth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams had led the AAF with 2,152 passing yards and 13 touchdowns this season, playing for the Orlando Apollos. Lakers' Ball splits with agent

Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball and agent Harrison Gaines are splitting amicably, both parties told ESPN on Friday. "Harrison Gaines has been a trusted advisor and close friend for many years," Ball told ESPN in a statement. "He guided my NBA career with integrity and always had my best interests at heart." Cracknell's Cambridge made firm favorites for boat race

Double Olympic champion James Cracknell is set to become the oldest person to compete in the Varsity boat race, with his Cambridge crew ranked as firm favorites to win the event on Sunday. The 46-year-old retired from competitive rowing in 2006 but qualified for the event because he is studying a Master of Philosophy degree in human evolution at the University. Swedish female soccer players call for unity to tackle inequality

With 30,000 tickets sold for their friendly against Germany in Stockholm on Saturday, Sweden's female players have called for unity to tackle inequalities between men and women in soccer, especially when it comes to money. Huge crowds have attended women's games in England, Italy and Spain recently and defender Nilla Fischer told Reuters that fans, players, sponsors and governing bodies would all have to work together to ensure better pay for female players. Report: Stackhouse agrees to be Vanderbilt head coach

Memphis Grizzlies assistant Jerry Stackhouse has agreed to become the new head coach at Vanderbilt University, according to a report by ESPN. Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday morning that Stackhouse, 44, has agreed to a six-year deal with Vanderbilt, which has also committed to upgrade its financial investment in the program, including budgets and salaries for assistant coaches. He will replace Bryce Drew, who was fired after going 40-59 in three seasons at Vanderbilt.