National Sports

NEW YORK — The Presidents' Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets will kick off the Canadian slate of NHL playoff games. The Jets open their first-round series against the St. Louis Blues at home on Saturday, with Game 2 at Canada Life Centre on Monday.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets have signed defenceman Neal Pionk to a six-year contract extension, the team announced Thursday. The deal carries an average annual value of US$7 million per year and begins in 2025-26.

Fubo Canada has retained the rights to the English Premier League with a new multi-year deal. The streaming service has been the Canadian home of the top-tier English soccer league since the 2022-23 season.

MONTREAL — Marinette Pichon has never shied away from a challenge.

VANCOUVER — Quinn Hughes stood slumped against a wall in the dressing room. The Vancouver Canucks captain said few words, but his body position spoke volumes.

MONTREAL (AP) — Kaiden Guhle scored twice and the Montreal Canadiens wrapped up the last Eastern Conference playoff spot with a 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night in their regular-season finale.

VANCOUVER — Quinn is no stranger to big games. The Canadian midfielder won gold at the Tokyo Olympics and has played in league championships. Being part of history on Wednesday, though, was something special.

Wednesday's Scoreboard NHL Winnipeg 2 Anaheim 1 (OT) Montreal 4 Carolina 2 Vegas 4 Vancouver 1 Edmonton 3 San Jose 0 Detroit 5 New Jersey 2 Nashville 5 Dallas 1 --- AHL Belleville 2 Laval 1 Charlotte 3 Hartford 2 Syracuse 3 Hershey 2 Toronto 6 Utica

PRINCE ALBERT — Hunter St. Martin had a goal and two assists as the Medicine Hat Tigers defeated the Prince Albert Raiders 6-1 in Western Hockey League playoff action Wednesday night.

MONTREAL — Kaiden Guhle watched with tremendous stress as the Columbus Blue Jackets rolled to yet another victory Tuesday night. The Montreal defenceman woke up the next day determined not to let them control the Canadiens' destiny.