National Hockey

TORONTO — Maple Leafs captain John Tavares was taken off the ice on a stretcher after a collision early in Toronto's first-round playoff matchup with the Montreal Canadiens Thursday.

TORONTO — Carey Price had played two periods of hockey — in the minors — over the past month coming into Thursday.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Each time the New York Islanders tried to get some momentum, the Pittsburgh Penguins had an answer. And now they have the lead in their first-round playoff series.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Brandon Tanev broke a tie with 3:36 left and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Islanders 5-4 on Thursday night in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.

John Davidson left the Columbus Blue Jackets two years ago for his dream job running the New York Rangers after playing for them decades ago.

CALGARY — A mid-season coaching change in a short season didn't ignite the Calgary Flames. Calgary (26-27-3) finished fifth in the North Division and four points out of a playoff berth.

EDMONTON — It's not often an NHL head coach speaks positively of going through a stretch of nine losses in 10 games as his team approaches the playoffs.

VANCOUVER — After a season punctuated by a COVID-19 outbreak and a grinding schedule, the beleaguered Vancouver Canucks are looking forward. Captain Bo Horvat believes the adversity his squad weathered will make them mentally stronger.

The Ottawa Senators have signed forward Clark Bishop to a one-year, two-way contract extension. The deal is worth US$800,000 at the NHL level and $200,000 in the American Hockey League for the 2021-22 season.

EDMONTON — The Winnipeg Jets contained the NHL's top two scorers and their goaltender Connor Hellebuyck did the rest in a 4-1 win Wednesday over the Edmonton Oilers to open their first-round playoff series. Hellebuyck was stellar with 32 saves.