Hockey

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Alex Ovechkin finished practice by replicating his belly-flop celebration from scoring the record-breaking 895th goal of his NHL career, delighting the 895 schoolchildren and other Washington Capitals fans in attendance.

Longtime NHL executive Ray Shero, the general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins when they won the Stanley Cup in 2009, has died. He was 62. The Minnesota Wild announced Shero’s death Wednesday.

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Eetu Luostarinen scored about a minute into the third period, and the Florida Panthers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Tuesday night and helping the reigning Stanley Cup champions snap a five-game losing streak.

OTTAWA — For the first time in eight years, playoff hockey is returning to Canada’s capital.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Reaching the NHL playoffs is a long shot for the Utah Hockey Club in its inaugural season in Salt Lake City. Beyond Year 1, though, things are trending upward for the franchise.

SAINT PAUL — Longtime NHL executive Ray Shero, who led the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup title in 2009, has died. He was 62. Shero's passing was first announced by the Minnesota Wild. No cause of death was provided.

DENVER (AP) — If all goes well, the Colorado Avalanche may just have captain Gabriel Landeskog back for another playoff run.

Max Pacioretty had just torn his right Achilles tendon for the second time in less than a year.

Seattle Kraken (34-39-6, in the Pacific Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (47-22-9, in the Pacific Division) Paradise, Nevada; Thursday, 10 p.m.

Nashville Predators (28-42-8, in the Central Division) vs. Utah Hockey Club (36-30-12, in the Central Division) Salt Lake City; Thursday, 9 p.m.