Joe Thornton scored the go-ahead goal with 12:19 to play as the NHL-leading San Jose Sharks shook off a terrible start to earn their ninth straight victory, 3-2 over the Columbus Blue Jackets, on Thursday.
Captain Patrick Marleau scored and Jeremy Roenick added his second goal in 26 games for the Sharks, 14-0-1 at home. San Jose survived an early deficit and an unusually sluggish performance with a stellar effort from Evgeni Nabokov, who stopped 29 shots while bailing out his teammates several times.
Fredrik Modin and Rick Nash scored for the Blue Jackets, who opened a three-game California road trip by losing at the Shark Tank for the 15th time in the franchise’s 16 trips. Steve Mason, the NHL’s top rookie last month, made 19 saves.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic had three assists for the Sharks, who improved the NHL’s best record to 22-3-1 during one of the most impressive starts in NHL history.
PENGUINS 5, HURRICANES 2
At Raleigh, North Carolina, Petr Sykora scored two goals and Sidney Crosby had four assists as Pittsburgh spoiled Paul Maurice’s first game in his second Carolina coaching stint.
Pascal Dupuis scored an early goal and NHL scoring leader Evgeni Malkin added two assists, even as his NHL lead over Crosby dwindled to two. Miroslav Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko also scored, and Dany Sabourin made 34 saves.
CANADIENS 6, RANGERS 2
At Montreal, Steve Begin and Maxim Lapierre each had a goal and an assist as Montreal celebrated their 99th birthday with a victory over Texas.
Andrei Kositsyn, Alex Tanguay, Robert Lang and Matt D’Agostini also scored to help the Canadiens improve to 3-0 on their franchise-record seven-game homestand.
The Canadiens, founded on Dec. 9, 1909, unveiled bronze statues of Howie Morenz, Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur outside the Bell Centre earlier in the day.
In Thursday’s other games it was:
• Red Wings 6, Canucks 5
• Capitals 5, Islanders 2
• Devils 3, Panthers 2, OT
• Bruins 3, Lightning 1
• Panthers 2, Sabres 1
• Predators 3, Avalanche 2
• Coyotes 6, Maple Leafs 3
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely