National Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The average time of a nine-inning game is 2 hours, 36 minutes through the first full month of the major league season, down 1 minute from 2023 in the second year of the pitch clock.

EDMONTON — During what they hope is a deep run through the gruelling Stanley Cup playoffs this spring, the Edmonton Oilers will take all the time off they can get. “Rest is always a good thing,” captain Connor McDavid said.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Thursday he feels “really good” that he will reach a new contract with the team, mirroring optimism from president and general manager Don Waddell a day earlier.

TORONTO — Daulton Varsho loves to go all out when tracking down a fly ball but the new smaller foul areas at Rogers Centre have him being a little more cautious.

Nigara Shaheen finally feels the freedom to fully prepare for an Olympic Games.

Off the goaltender's mask, off a defenseman's back, nothing but net. Well, at least in the net. That is how Colorado's Casey Mittelstadt got his first goal of the NHL playoffs this year, and it is not the only one.

Home sweet home ice? For Vegas, maybe. Nashville, not so much lately.

NEW YORK — Calgary Flames defenceman Oliver Kylington, Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen and Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram are the finalists for this season's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

NEW YORK (AP) — The final cost of the New York Mets’ sorry 2023 season has been totaled: $420 million. Major League Baseball finalized its payroll figures for last year, and the Mets finished at a record $319.5 million.

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin was briefly down on the ice with a bloody nose and a bit dazed after taking a shot to the face from Alex Pietrangelo.