National Hockey

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The St. Louis Blues are doing their best to buy some breathing room in the Central Division. Robert Thomas scored his second goal with 2:38 left as the St.

Vegas Golden Knights (32-24-4, third in the Pacific) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (29-27-3, fifth in the Metropolitan) Columbus, Ohio; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Vegas heads into the matchup with Columbus after losing three in a row.

VANCOUVER — Head coach Bruce Boudreau left the second-intermission pep talk to one of his leaders on Friday.

Josh Bailey scored twice, Brock Nelson added a goal and an assist and Barry Trotz became the third coach in NHL history to reach 900 victories as the New York Islanders beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 Friday night.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Yegor Chinakhov scored the shootout winner after Zach Werenski tied the game with 32 seconds left in regulation to rally the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Friday night and snap a four-game losing

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall began the day by saying he believes the pieces are in place for a long playoff run even if he opts not to be a major player at the trade deadline.

Morgan Rielly is of two distinct minds when it comes to NHL outdoor games. The Maple Leafs defenceman was ecstatic when his team picked up victories over the Detroit Red Wings in 2014 and 2017.

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Stars have signed forward Joe Pavelski to a $5.5 million, one-year contract extension for the 2022-23 season.

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks have signed left-winger Arshdeep Bains to an entry-level contract. Bains, 21, comes to the Canucks from the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ron Hextall doesn't sound like a man in a hurry to make a deal.