National Hockey

DETROIT — To Jeff Blashill, the outcome came down to one simple fact. "They made one more play than us," the Detroit coach Blashill said. To Toronto centre Auston Matthews, it came down to persistence.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Taylor Hall has had the hottest stick in the NHL for the past month, but on Sunday his streak almost came to an end. Then came overtime.

DENVER — Connor McDavid had his third hat trick of the season, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 on Sunday to snap a six-game losing streak. McDavid now has 11 goals in the last nine games and two hat tricks.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — This wasn't the first time Devante Smith-Pelly has had racial taunts directed at him during a hockey game.

NEW YORK — Pressed into action after Flyers starter Michal Neuvirth left with a lower-body injury, rookie goaltender Alex Lyon was confident at Madison Square Garden having played there before for Yale.

LAS VEGAS — The Vegas Golden Knights have done an excellent job of not looking too far ahead in their inaugural season. It has served them well during their amazing run as an expansion team, all the way to the top of the NHL standings.

NEW YORK — New Jersey forward Miles Wood has been suspended for two games by the NHL for a blindside hit on Tampa Bay forward Vladislav Namestnikov.

TORONTO — The NHL suspended forward Miles Wood of the New Jersey Devils for two games Sunday. Wood was suspended for boarding Tampa Bay forward Vladislav Namestnikov in New Jersey's 4-3 win Saturday night over the Lightning.

CHICAGO — Jonathan Toews had a goal and two assists and the Chicago Blackhawks ripped the Washington Capitals 7-1 on Saturday night to end an eight-game losing streak.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Anders Nilsson finally had his hard work rewarded with a victory.