National Hockey

ST. LOUIS — Carter Hutton isn't playing like a backup goalie for the St. Louis Blues. He's playing like one of the game's best. Paul Stastny broke a third-period tie with his eighth goal of the season, Hutton continued his hot play in goal and St.

DENVER — Jonathan Bernier had 18 of his 34 saves in the third period for his second shutout of the season, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-0 on Thursday night.

MONTREAL — It had been more than a month since Max Pacioretty scored a goal and, when he finally got one, it was in the midst of a goaltending duel.

PHILADELPHIA — Another listless performance led Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall to turn to the minors for what he called "needed energy.

PITTSBURGH — Sebastian Aho and the Hurricanes helped Cam Ward have a fairly comfortable night in goal against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens have sent goaltender Al Montoya to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in 2018.

TORONTO — Nazem Kadri was an assist short of a bizarre Gordie Howe hat trick Thursday night in a 3-2 Leafs shootout win over the San Jose Sharks that saw the Toronto centre rip out part of Joe Thornton's mountain-man beard in a fight.

TORONTO — Joe Thornton's mountain-man beard was an early casualty Thursday night as the San Jose Sharks visited the Toronto Maple Leafs.

PHILADELPHIA — The New York Islanders have signed defenceman Scott Mayfield to a five-year contract extension through the 2023-24 season. The deal announced Thursday has an average annual value of $1.45 million, according to Newsday.

MONTREAL — As much pain as Montreal Canadiens fans may feel over Mikhail Sergachev's impressive rookie season, they may take some solace from his return to the Bell Centre with the Tampa Bay Lightning.