National Hockey

WASHINGTON (AP) — After falling into a deficit they couldn't climb out of once again, the Washington Capitals are in danger of digging too deep a hole to preserve their playoff hopes.

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Noah Cates scored the go-ahead goal 2:36 into the third period, and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cates' goal was his first since Oct.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Former Ottawa Senators coach D.J. Smith was hired as an assistant coach by the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.

PITTSBURGH — The Winnipeg Jets activated centre Mark Scheifele from injured reserve hours before their game Tuesday night at Pittsburgh.

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov has entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, and the team is now preparing for the stretch run of the season without him.

Minnesota Wild (21-23-5, seventh in the Central Division) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (14-34-2, eighth in the Central Division) Chicago; Wednesday, 9:30 p.m.

Tampa Bay Lightning (27-18-5, third in the Atlantic Division) vs. New York Rangers (31-16-3, first in the Metropolitan Division) New York; Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Colorado Avalanche (32-14-4, first in the Central Division) vs. New Jersey Devils (24-20-3, sixth in the Metropolitan Division) Newark, New Jersey; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EST FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NHL LINE : Devils -107, Avalanche -113; over/under is 6.

NEW YORK (AP) — Alexis Lafreniere scored 1:53 into overtime and the New York Rangers rallied to beat the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 on Monday night.

PITTSBURGH — Former Toronto Maple Leaf forward Jason Spezza says his younger brother Matthew has died of an accidental overdose.