National Sports

Brad Gushue is approaching this year's men's world curling championships like it could be his last. The veteran skip from St. John's, N.L., won the world title in 2017 and lost in the final three times, including the last two years.

VANCOUVER — Vanni Sartini has done a lot of self reflection lately. Barred from the Vancouver Whitecaps' first four games of the Major League Soccer season, the club's head coach has had time.

WASHINGTON — CF Montreal is back from a week off and on the road again as their Major League Soccer season-opening trip continues Saturday against D.C. United.

VANCOUVER — Special teams proved to be the difference in a key matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars on Thursday. The Stars capitalized on their power-play chances and clinched a spot in the NHL playoffs with a 3-1 win.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evgeni Malkin scored twice to reach the 20-goal milestone for the 15th time and Pittsburgh extended their mastery over Columbus with a 3-2 win on Thursday night.

Thursday's Scoreboard NHL Edmonton 4 Los Angeles 1 Toronto 5 Washington 1 Montreal 3 Philadelphia 1 Dallas 3 Vancouver 1 Ottawa 2 Chicago 0 St. Louis 5 Calgary 3 Vegas 4 Winnipeg 1 Pittsburgh 3 Columbus 2 N.Y.

EDMONTON — If it was a playoff preview, the Edmonton Oilers liked how they looked in rehearsal.

WINNIPEG — Head coach Bruce Cassidy felt some extra satisfaction after his Vegas Golden Knights grounded the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 on Thursday. The game was physical from the get-go and tied 1-1 after two periods.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Brandon Saad scored his sixth winning goal of the season, lifting the St. Louis Blues to a 5-3 NHL victory over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night. “They just seem to be going in.

SASKATOON — The underdog Prince Albert Raiders spotted the Saskatoon Blades a 2-0 lead on Thursday then stormed back to register a 4-3 victory in the opening game of the Western Hockey League playoffs.