Backup goalie Michael Leighton made 36 saves in his first start since Christmas, helping the Carolina Hurricanes to a 4-3 shootout win over the San Jose Sharks in NHL action on Thursday.
Sergei Samsonov scored the shootout winner for Carolina, who won without injured captain Rod Brind’Amour and Eric Staal, the All-Star forward who left the game before the third period because of a lower-body injury.
The Western Conference-leading Sharks have lost consecutive home games for the first time this season.
BLACKHAWKS 5, FLAMES 2
In Calgary, Alberta, Chicago leapfrogged Calgary into overall third place in the Western Conference.
Adam Burish broke a tie midway through the second period and Nikolai Khabibulin made 29 saves for the Blackhawks, who are 4-1-0 on an eight-game road trip.
BRUINS 4, SENATORS 3, SO
In Ottawa, Boston notched a fourth straight win, thanks to a spectacular performance in the shootout by goaltender Tim Thomas, who stopped all five Ottawa shots.
Thomas made a sensational glove stop on Dany Heatley after turning aside four previous shots.
KINGS 5, CAPITALS 4
In Washington, Los Angeles dealt Washington a rare home defeat, winning despite allowing Alex Ovechkin’s 200th NHL goal.
Ovechkin scored with just under 10 minutes left, pulling Washington to 4-3. It was Ovechkin’s NHL-high 37th goal this season.
Wayne Gretzky, Mike Bossy and Mario Lemieux are the only other players to reach 200 goals in their first four seasons. Anze Kopitar scored two goals and added an assist for the Kings.
PREDATORS 4, DUCKS 2
In Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville recorded a fourth straight win by downing Anaheim.
Pekka Rinne made 28 saves, while Ryan Jones, Jason Arnott, Martin Erat and Vernon Fiddler got Nashville’s goals.
AVALANCHE 3, STARS 2
In Denver, Colorado snapped Dallas’ winning streak at five games.
Cody McLeod broke a tie with 7 minutes left, putting the Avalanche ahead for good.
OILERS 2, BLUES 1, SO
In St Louis, Robert Nilsson and Sam Gagner scored in a shootout for Edmonton and Dwayne Roloson stopped both St Louis attempts for the win.
Sheldon Souray opened the scoring late in the second period for Edmonton, and Jay McClement tied it with a short-handed goal early in the third.
PANTHERS 3, ISLANDERS 2
In Sunrise, Florida, Richard Zednik’s stunning goal in the second period helped surging Florida end New York’s season-high winning streak at four games.
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