National Sports

BMX racer Molly Simpson is still riding the high of a fifth-place finish at the Paris Olympics. But the 22-year-old from Red Deer, Alta., has plenty more to do.

Nathan MacKinnon's message would probably be pretty simple. The Colorado Avalanche centre — one of hockey's hardest-working and intense talents — might even let his younger self know it's OK to ease off the throttle ever so slightly at times.

VANCOUVER — It was a whirlwind day for Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko. Nearly eight months after he was injured in the first game of Vancouver's playoff run, Demko returned to the crease Tuesday for his first start of the season.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mikko Rantanen collected his 10th career hat trick and added two assists as the Colorado Avalanche beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2 on Tuesday night.

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask.

EDMONTON — It wasn’t how Leon Draisaitl envisioned getting his league-leading 20th goal of the season, but he’s perfectly fine with it.

VANCOUVER — Dylan Holloway scored a minute and 40 seconds into overtime and the St. Louis Blues held on for a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 37 points, Damian Lillard had nine of his 28 in the final minute and the Milwaukee Bucks returned to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas by beating the Orlando Magic 114-109 on Tuesday night.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Hamilton, Ont., scored 39 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks 118-104 on Tuesday night in an NBA Cup quarterfinal.

WINNIPEG — Mark Scheifele declined to say he was trying to prove something to Don Sweeney.