National Hockey

DENVER — Colin Wilson stepped up with his team banged up. It was an opportune time for the Colorado Avalanche forward get back on track.

DALLAS — Jared McCann is pretty sure his pirouette wasn't as graceful as one might see from, say, Sidney Crosby. The result was good enough for Pittsburgh.

WINNIPEG — Kyle Connor's new linemates were teasing the Winnipeg Jets forward about helping him score a third goal against the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Then they made it a reality.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens never took their foot off the gas pedal in an 11-goal thriller as the race to the playoffs intensifies.

TORONTO — After leaking 17 goals in their last three home games, the Toronto Maple Leafs tightened up on defence in their return to the Scotiabank Arena on Saturday after a three-game absence.

RALEIGH, N.C. — As the final minutes ticked down off the clock Saturday night, the nearly sold-out crowd at PNC Arena began chanting: "We Want Play-OFFS!" at high volume and in perfect unison.

OTTAWA — General manager Pierre Dorion is going to get some help rebuilding the Ottawa Senators.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Zdeno Chara each had a goal and an assist help the Boston Bruins clinch a playoff berth with a 7-3 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday night.

EDMONTON — The Ottawa Senators played the kind of game Saturday that head coach Marc Crawford enjoys watching.

NEWARK, N.J. — Despite being eliminated from post-season contention, the banged-up New Jersey Devils have hurt the playoff hopes of some wild-card contenders in recent weeks.