National Hockey

MONTREAL — It took seven pre-season games but the Montreal Canadiens finally have a win. Paul Byron scored two goals as the Canadiens downed the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Friday night.

TORONTO — There are some goaltenders this season chasing milestones, others trying to bounce back from a disappointing season, while others are looking to make a good impression on a new home. Here are five to keep an eye on in 2017-18: 1.

OTTAWA — At the end of the day Craig Anderson just wanted to stay in Ottawa. The Senators goaltender agreed to a two-year, US$9.5 million contract extension Friday morning that will pay him $5.5 million in 2018-19 and $4 million in 2019-20.

Connor McDavid is doing his best to not make a big deal out of his big deal. Edmonton's 20-year-old captain and reigning NHL MVP insists nothing about him has changed in the months since signing an eight-year, $100 million contract.

It was just two seasons ago that, for the first time in 46 years, not a single Canadian team qualified for the NHL playoffs.

VANCOUVER — Jake Virtanen's days were pretty packed after the Vancouver Canucks banished him to the American Hockey League last season.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Jared McCann scored three goals to help the Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 in an exhibition game Thursday night. Radim Vrbata and Michael Matheson also scored, and James Reimer made 34 saves.

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock says the NHL has shifted accountability onto him and his staff as the league attempts to fix coach's challenges for offsides.

EDMONTON — An Alberta judge has refereed a dispute over a pair of Edmonton Oilers season tickets. According to court documents Beverly and Donald McLeod, both avid National Hockey League fans, separated in 2015 after 35 years of marriage.

BROSSARD, Que. — With all his accomplishments in junior hockey, Zach Fucale was expected to be making his mark in the NHL by now. But the Laval, Que.