National Hockey

VANCOUVER — The Canadian Forces Snowbirds have performed a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of the Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers. Eight Snowbirds CT-114 Tutor jets flew in formation over the arena.

TORONTO — Keith Pelley was reminded of the first time he watched Liverpool play up close. The Premier League giant with an illustrious soccer history in both England and Europe are followed by a rabid supporters craving success.

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Audrey Ju met some of her best friends through hockey, knows someone at every rink she goes to and has become close with numerous families in the tight-knit community.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The New York Rangers have carried the form that made them the NHL's best regular-season team straight into the postseason. And that has them within a win of becoming the first team into the conference finals.

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Stars built another multi-goal lead against high-scoring Colorado. This time, they held on to win and avoid another 0-2 hole in the NHL playoffs.

The Toronto Maple Leafs showed coach Sheldon Keefe the door yesterday, the New York Rangers pushed the Carolina Hurricanes closer to one, and Brad Marchand and the Bruins would like to slam one on the visiting Florida Panthers as their nasty series r

Dallas Stars (52-21-9, first in the Central Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (50-25-7, third in the Central Division) Denver; Saturday, 10 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Avalanche -129, Stars +109; over/under is 6.

New York Rangers (55-23-4, first in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (52-23-7, second in the Metropolitan Division) Raleigh, North Carolina; Saturday, 7 p.m.

RALEIGH, N.C.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The New York Rangers erased an early deficit to take momentum, only to squander their own lead late with a huge postseason road victory only minutes away.