National Sports

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — American skip John Shuster buried a draw to put the pressure on Canada's Kevin Koe in the ninth end of their game at the world men's curling championship on Thursday. There was just one problem.

DENVER — Erik Johnson scored 1:49 into overtime, Philipp Grubauer made 34 saves and the Colorado Avalanche clinched a playoff berth by rallying from a two-goal deficit to beat the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 on Thursday night.

NASHVILLE — Ryan Johansen can't wait to watch the Nashville Predators' big play again. Not his goal that preserved Nashville's hopes of repeating as Central Division champs.

WASHINGTON — The playoff fate of the Montreal Canadiens is out of their hands — for now.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Sabres forward Jason Pominville began the day unable to contain his emotions by choking up when coming to the realization he might be playing his final home game in Buffalo.

CALGARY — Canadian Olympians Jennifer Abel, Pamela Ware, and Vincent Riendeau all advanced through their preliminaries and semifinals on Thursday to qualify for finals at the Canada Cup FINA Diving Grand Prix.

TORONTO — As far as losses go, this was one the Maple Leafs could stomach. Steven Stamkos scored once and also set up Alex Killorn's winner with under six minutes to go in regulation as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated Toronto 3-1 on Thursday.

CLEVELAND — Trevor Bauer never backs down from any challenge or debate. He accepted this call. Health mattered more than history.

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Vladimir Guerrero Jr., went 1 for 4 and scored a run as the Class-A Dunedin Blue Jays routed the Clearwater Threshers 11-2 on Thursday in extended spring training action.

TORONTO — Kierra Smith earned some redemption Thursday night at the Canadian swimming trials. The native of Kelowna, B.C., won the women's 100-metre breaststroke in a personal-best time of one minute 6.54 seconds at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.