National Hockey

BUFFALO, N.Y. — For the first time in nearly a decade, the Buffalo Sabres had the bounces to go their way against the Chicago Blackhawks.

WINNIPEG — One minute Dmitry Kulikov was feeling fine, the next moment he wasn't. And now the Winnipeg Jets defenceman will undergo back surgery and miss at least eight weeks.

TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs signed forward Mason Marchment to a two-year entry-level contract Saturday. Marchment, 23, has nine goals and 12 assists in 37 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Washington Capitals say centre Evgeny Kuznetsov is day-to-day with an upper body injury and won't play Sunday at the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Winnipeg Jets can thank their own St. Patrik for their success this season and potentially for years to come. Patrik Laine was the consolation prize in the 2016 NHL draft behind generational talent Auston Matthews.

LAS VEGAS — The thought of playing an NHL game in his hometown never entered Jason Zucker's mind when the Minnesota Wild made him their second-round pick in the 2010 draft.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings are no longer in the same conference, but share enough institutional memory and bad feelings to give their games a little extra charge.

DENVER — Colton Sissons and Filip Forsberg each scored twice, backup goaltender Juuse Saros stopped 33 shots and the Nashville Predators became the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season by beating the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 on Friday ni

DENVER — The Nashville Predators didn't break out the bubbly or anything rowdy like that after becoming the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season.

CALGARY — It took Evander Kane until his 565th game to record his first career NHL hat trick. He then added another goal for good measure to lead the San Jose Sharks to a 7-4 win over the Calgary Flames on Friday.