National Sports

Nigara Shaheen finally feels the freedom to fully prepare for an Olympic Games.

Off the goaltender's mask, off a defenseman's back, nothing but net. Well, at least in the net. That is how Colorado's Casey Mittelstadt got his first goal of the NHL playoffs this year, and it is not the only one.

Home sweet home ice? For Vegas, maybe. Nashville, not so much lately.

NEW YORK — Calgary Flames defenceman Oliver Kylington, Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen and Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram are the finalists for this season's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

NEW YORK (AP) — The final cost of the New York Mets’ sorry 2023 season has been totaled: $420 million. Major League Baseball finalized its payroll figures for last year, and the Mets finished at a record $319.5 million.

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin was briefly down on the ice with a bloody nose and a bit dazed after taking a shot to the face from Alex Pietrangelo.

The Edmonton Oilers are, so far, the only Canadian team to punch their ticket to the second round of the NHL playoffs. The Vancouver Canucks can make it two teams with a victory Friday in Nashville, or Sunday in Vancouver.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings played a tight-checking series at even strength. But the special teams matchup was lopsided — and that’s why it ended in five games.

DALLAS (AP) — Jason Robertson scored on a power-play after Tyler Seguin took a shot to the face, Jake Oettinger had another flawless finish and the Dallas Stars finally got a home win in these NHL playoffs.

EDMONTON — Leon Draisaitl scored twice, and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 Wednesday to win their first-round NHL playoff series in five games.