National Hockey

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Matt Martin scored twice and the New York Islanders beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on Thursday night in the opener of a three-game series.

NEWARK, N.J. — New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider is so hot these days, even shots that go off his body are finding their way into the net.

PITTSBURGH — Philadelphia Flyers coach Alain Vigneault pointed to his team's three-game set in Pittsburgh as a potential turning point. A chance to figure out just where the Flyers are as the mid-point of a 56-game sprint approaches.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Jordan Staal and Jesper Fast scored a pair of goals early in the third period to help the Carolina Hurricanes take over and beat the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 on Thursday night.

NEW YORK — San Jose Sharks forward Joachim Blichfeld was suspended for two games without pay by the NHL on Thursday for an illegal check to the head of Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon.

NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier broke his nose and sustained a concussion when he was hit in the shield of his helmet by a shot last weekend.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was fined $5,000 by the NHL on Thursday for spearing Boston Bruins rookie Trent Frederic, an amount that is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement.

HALIFAX — The International Ice Hockey Federation has confirmed the postponement of the women's world hockey championship in Nova Scotia to May 6-16.

Minnesota Wild (12-7-1, fourth in the West Division) vs. Arizona Coyotes (10-9-3, fifth in the West Division) Glendale, Arizona; Friday, 9 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: West Division foes Arizona and Minnesota will play.

St. Louis Blues (13-8-2, second in the West Division) vs. Los Angeles Kings (9-8-4, sixth in the West Division) Los Angeles; Friday, 9 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: St. Louis heads into a matchup against Los Angeles as winners of three consecutive games.