National Sports

SAN JOSE, Calif. — With several players dealing with the flu, the San Jose Sharks managed to find a way to pull out a win that moved them closer to Calgary in the race for first place.

Thursday's Games NHL Boston 4 Florida 3 Pittsburgh 3 Columbus 0 Detroit 3 N.Y. Rangers 2 (SO) N.Y.

Thursday's Games NHL Boston 4 Florida 3 Pittsburgh 3 Columbus 0 Detroit 3 N.Y. Rangers 2 (SO) N.Y.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — With a hot goaltender and a nice run of winning, the Arizona Coyotes have tightened the race for a wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference.

BRANDON, Man. — The wins are coming, but they're not coming easy for Alberta at the Canadian men's curling championship. Kevin Koe's team secured a playoff berth and was the only undefeated team left at the Brier with a 9-0 record Thursday.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers haven't given up yet. Connor McDavid had a pair of assists and Mikko Koskinen made 35 saves as the Oilers continued to make a late playoff push with a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.

OTTAWA — Valtteri Filppula made sure his club took both games in a home-and-home set with the league's last-place team.

TORONTO — They were once coach and player. They've been close friends ever since.

HALIFAX — Laurentian Voyageurs guard Kadre Gray has been named the national university men's basketball player of the year for the second season in a row.