National Hockey

The handful of candidates in the mix for the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP are all unique. Connor Hellebuyck is the backbone and best player for the league-leading Winnipeg Jets.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets have signed defenceman Neal Pionk to a six-year contract extension, the team announced Thursday. The deal carries an average annual value of US$7 million per year and begins in 2025-26.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The force behind the St. Louis Blues' late-season playoff push cannot be found in the box score. He has not scored a single goal. His addition can’t be found on the NHL’s transaction wire. It’s Jobu.

A month before NHL's playoff openers this weekend, Commissioner Gary Bettman was more than happy to defend the decision to not expand the bracket like other professional leagues around North America have done in recent years.

VANCOUVER — Quinn Hughes stood slumped against a wall in the dressing room. The Vancouver Canucks captain said few words, but his body position spoke volumes.

MONTREAL (AP) — Kaiden Guhle scored twice and the Montreal Canadiens wrapped up the last Eastern Conference playoff spot with a 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night in their regular-season finale.

MONTREAL (AP) — Kaiden Guhle scored twice and the Montreal Canadiens wrapped up the last Eastern Conference playoff spot with a 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night in their regular-season finale.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Pavel Dorofeyev broke a tie at 7:59 of the third period with his team-leading 35th goal and the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 on Wednesday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.

MONTREAL — Kaiden Guhle watched with tremendous stress as the Columbus Blue Jackets rolled to yet another victory Tuesday night. The Montreal defenceman woke up the next day determined not to let them control the Canadiens' destiny.

SAN JOSE, Calif.