National Hockey

PHILADELPHIA — Tinged with sadness, the Hurricanes welcomed their captain back to the lineup. Jordan Staal helped give them the boost they needed toward a playoff push.

EDMONTON — About two dozen proud and excited fans were planning to attend an Oilers game in Edmonton on Thursday night to cheer on an Indigenous player making his NHL debut.

SEATTLE — A group looking to bring NHL hockey to Seattle says it has received over 25,000 deposits for season tickets through a ticket drive.

SEATTLE — Apparently, sports fans in Seattle are ready for the NHL.

EDMONTON — NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is heading to Calgary on Friday but says anything to do with a new arena for the Flames franchise is not on the agenda. He says he'll meet with sponsors, some season ticket holders, and team officials.

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks General have signed forward Kole Lind to a three-year entry level contract. The 19-year-old from Shaunavon, Sask.

NEW YORK — Minnesota Wild centre Eric Staal, Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin and Vegas Golden Knights right-wing Reilly Smith have been named the NHL's three stars for the month of February.

VANCOUVER — After enduring a long losing streak, goaltender Henrik Lundqvist didn't much care how the New York Rangers won a hockey game.

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche were playing out the string a year ago. With 19 games left in this season they're battling for their first playoff berth in four years. "It's a complete 180.

TAMPA, Fla. — Jason Pominville scored on a power play at 1:26 of overtime to give the Buffalo Sabres a 2-1 victory over the NHL-leading Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.