National Sports

VANCOUVER — Vanni Sartini has done a lot of self reflection lately. Barred from the Vancouver Whitecaps' first four games of the Major League Soccer season, the club's head coach has had time.

WASHINGTON — CF Montreal is back from a week off and on the road again as their Major League Soccer season-opening trip continues Saturday against D.C. United.

VANCOUVER — Special teams proved to be the difference in a key matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars on Thursday. The Stars capitalized on their power-play chances and clinched a spot in the NHL playoffs with a 3-1 win.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evgeni Malkin scored twice to reach the 20-goal milestone for the 15th time and Pittsburgh extended their mastery over Columbus with a 3-2 win on Thursday night.

Thursday's Scoreboard NHL Edmonton 4 Los Angeles 1 Toronto 5 Washington 1 Montreal 3 Philadelphia 1 Dallas 3 Vancouver 1 Ottawa 2 Chicago 0 St. Louis 5 Calgary 3 Vegas 4 Winnipeg 1 Pittsburgh 3 Columbus 2 N.Y.

EDMONTON — If it was a playoff preview, the Edmonton Oilers liked how they looked in rehearsal.

WINNIPEG — Head coach Bruce Cassidy felt some extra satisfaction after his Vegas Golden Knights grounded the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 on Thursday. The game was physical from the get-go and tied 1-1 after two periods.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Brandon Saad scored his sixth winning goal of the season, lifting the St. Louis Blues to a 5-3 NHL victory over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night. “They just seem to be going in.

SASKATOON — The underdog Prince Albert Raiders spotted the Saskatoon Blades a 2-0 lead on Thursday then stormed back to register a 4-3 victory in the opening game of the Western Hockey League playoffs.

MONTREAL — He didn't leave with a shutout, but Cayden Primeau won’t complain about the result on Thursday night. Primeau made 29 saves as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1.