National Hockey

BOSTON — Rene Rancourt, the tuxedoed troubadour who has sung the national anthem before Boston Bruins games for more than 40 years, announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the season.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray is taking a leave of absence from the team following the death of his father. The Penguins announced Wednesday that James Murray, Matt's father, died on Tuesday in Ontario, Canada.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The winter has been cruel to the injury-riddled Columbus Blue Jackets. Three of the team's top forwards and a defenceman went down in December, followed by another key forward this month.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — It took Aaron Dell 38 games to get into his first career shootout, and the San Jose Sharks goalie made it a good one.

NASHVILLE — While his teammates enjoyed some time off with a bye week, Juuse Saros kept working. It paid off for the Predators on Tuesday night.

NASHVILLE — Juuse Saros made 43 saves, Kevin Fiala scored eight minutes into the third period and the Nashville Predators beat the Vegas Golden Knights 1-0 on Tuesday night. Nashville played its first game in a week and has won three straight.

DETROIT — Jason Spezza made the most of an opportunity to play a day after getting benched. Spezza scored two tiebreaking goals on power plays to help the Dallas Stars beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-2 on Tuesday night.

NEW YORK — Nearly three weeks after the Devils' last victory, Damon Severson didn't want to say his team was getting desperate. He did acknowledge they needed a win.

TORONTO — Past the halfway point of the season and with their bye week behind them, the Toronto Maple Leafs have their eyes on the playoffs. The problem is that they can't finish teams off in the final few minutes of a game.

NEW YORK — Rick Nash scored twice while New York notched five straight goals, and the Rangers rolled over the Philadelphia Flyers 5-1 on Tuesday night. Jordan Weal put Philadelphia up 1-0 before Nash, J.T.