National Hockey

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The New York Islanders used a smothering defence and some timely scoring to move closer to a playoff berth.

DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings recalled defenceman Dylan McIlrath from Grand Rapids of the AHL under emergency conditions and assigned defenceman Libor Sulak to Grand Rapids.

TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs signed goaltender Joseph Woll to a three-year entry-level contract on Sunday. The 20-year-old native of Dardenne Prairie, Mo., had a 13-21-3 record and .

WASHINGTON — Even though the Washington Capitals didn't have peak emotional energy from the drop of the puck, they had Braden Holtby. They're used to this by now.

While the bulk of contenders duke it out to secure playoff spots, the Tampa Bay Lightning sit comfortably atop the NHL with nothing left to play for.

VANCOUVER — Mark Giordano's "unbelievable" three-point performance on Saturday proves why he's the captain of the Calgary Flames, says the team's goalie.

LOS ANGELES — Amid every disappointment in an otherwise miserable season, at least the Los Angeles Kings rule the Freeway Faceoff.

LAS VEGAS — Anthony Mantha acknowledges he has had a rough season, with "ups and downs" he's had to learn from, especially after missing 15 games with a hand injury midway through the season.

DENVER — Colin Wilson scored his first goal in more than a month, Philipp Grubauer stopped 29 shots and the playoff-chasing Colorado Avalanche earned their fourth straight win by holding off the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 on Saturday. J.T.

ST. LOUIS — Home ice was anything but friendly to the Blues at the start of the season. With the playoffs approaching, they're looking pretty comfortable in St. Louis — and made a statement against the hottest team in the NHL.