The GIST: After a four-and-a-half period NHL hockey game on Saturday, men’s playoff sports gave our heart rates a break with yesterday’s lopsided NBA action. It’s all about balance as we discuss the championship details.

🏀 Oklahoma City Thunder even series with dominant dub: There were no miraculous comebacks this time around as the Thunder emphatically shut the door in last night’s 123–107 Game 2 win over the Indiana Pacers. As per usual, league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (34 points) was a walking bucket, but bench scoring made all the difference: OKC outscored Indy by 14.

• All things considered, the Oklahoma trip should be considered a success for the Pacers, who head back home with the series knotted at one game apiece ahead of Wednesday’s Game 3.

🏒 Brad Marchand plays hero for Florida Panthers in Game 2: Marchand lit the lamp halfway through the second overtime (OT) period, lifting the Cats to a 5–4 series-evening dub over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday — all the more stunning after Oilers forward Corey Perry buried a game-tying goal with 18 seconds left in regulation.

• The margin for error? Razor thin: It’s only the sixth time in NHL history (and the first since 2014) that the first two Final games have gone to OT. May the puck bounces be ever in their favor ahead of tonight’s 8 p.m. ET Game 3 in Florida.