National Hockey

MONTREAL — Auston Matthews once again brought out his best hockey when the spotlight shines brightest.

NEW YORK — The New Jersey Devils kept their focus when they were outplayed in the first period and bounced back nicely one night after their first loss of the season.

TAMPA, Fla. — Nikita Kucherov was well aware when asked about having a goal in every game this season.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets and Carolina Hurricanes both made moves in the off-season in search of a No. 1 goaltender. The Hurricanes found theirs, while the Jets answer was seemingly right there all along.

PHILADELPHIA — Scott Laughton swiped the puck at the blueline, raced to the circle and faced Washington goalie Phillipp Grubauer sprawled on the ice trying to make the stop.

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Alex Edler will miss 4-6 weeks due to a sprained knee ligament. Head coach Travis Green confirmed the news Saturday after the team's morning skate.

PHILADELPHIA — The Washington Capitals put No. 1 defenceman Matt Niskanen on long-term injured reserve with an upper-body injury. The team says Niskanen is week-to-week.

LAS VEGAS — Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill put a lot of weight in this four-game road trip. A season after missing the playoffs for the first time in 25 years, Detroit was hoping a strong start could help chase away some of that disappointment.

NEWARK, N.J. — Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and three assists and the Washington Capitals knocked the surprising New Jersey Devils from the unbeaten ranks with a 5-2 victory Friday night. T.J.

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche went all of last season without a winning streak of at least three games. It took them just five games get there this time around.