Hockey

TORONTO (AP) — Retired NHL great Wayne Gretzky downplayed his influence on Donald Trump in his first public comments since the U.S. president began his second term and began making references to making Canada the 51st state .

TORONTO (AP) — Retired NHL great Wayne Gretzky downplayed his influence on Donald Trump in his first public comments since the U.S. president began his second term and began making references to making Canada the 51st state .

MONTREAL (AP) — In an unexpected late-season development, the Montreal Canadiens are getting a huge boost for the stretch run and potentially the playoffs with top prospect Ivan Demidov joining them from Russia.

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is ponying up cash to help rally support for the hometown high-flying Winnipeg Jets as the NHL playoffs loom.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens signed forward Tyler Thorpe to a three-year entry-level contract Tuesday. The deal will begin in the 2025-26 season. Thorpe will spend the remainder of this season on an American Hockey League tryout contract.

St. Louis Blues (43-29-7, in the Central Division) vs. Edmonton Oilers (44-28-5, in the Pacific Division) Edmonton, Alberta; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: The Edmonton Oilers and the St. Louis Blues square off in Western Conference action.

Seattle Kraken (34-38-6, in the Pacific Division) vs. Utah Hockey Club (35-30-12, in the Central Division) Salt Lake City; Tuesday, 9 p.m.

San Jose Sharks (20-47-10, in the Pacific Division) vs. Minnesota Wild (42-29-7, in the Central Division) Saint Paul, Minnesota; Wednesday, 8 p.m.

Philadelphia Flyers (31-37-9, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. New York Rangers (36-34-7, in the Metropolitan Division) New York; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

NEW YORK (AP) — Brayden Point had two goals an an assist, Nikita Kucherov added a goal and two assists, and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the New York Rangers 5-1 on Monday night.