National Hockey

TORONTO — Auston Matthews took another step toward a mark not reached in more than 30 years. Following the Maple Leafs' late collapse, one of the team's under-the-weather stars made sure Thursday ended on a positive note.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — After being blown out in Buffalo earlier in the week, Los Angeles Kings needed only one game to start looking like the team that won 20 of its first 31 games this season.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Whatever energy Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice sensed his team lacked in playing on consecutive nights, was evened out by Anthony Stolarz.

Ottawa Senators defenceman Jakob Chychrun gave full credit to the Anaheim Ducks Thursday night. Mason McTavish scored two goals in leading the Ducks to a 5-1 victory and snapping the Senators' four-game winning streak.

BOSTON (AP) — Matty Beniers had a goal and two assists as the Seattle Kraken concluded a five-game road trip with a 4-1 win over the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Bruins on Thursday night.

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Mason McTavish scored twice against his hometown team to help the Anaheim Ducks beat the Ottawa Senators 5-1 on Thursday night. The 21-year-old McTavish grew up in nearby Carp, Ontario.

NEW YORK (AP) — Rangers forward Blake Wheeler injured his right leg midway through the first period Thursday night against Montreal and had to be helped off the ice.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks rookie center Connor Bedard was expected to return to the ice on Thursday night after missing nearly six weeks with a broken jaw, coach Luke Richardson said before the team's game against Pittsburgh.

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet says he's open to a reunion with Phil Kessel, but he's prioritizing his team. Kessel skated with the Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate on Wednesday in Abbotsford, B.C.

CHICAGO (AP) — The struggling Pittsburgh Penguins will have to claw their way back into the playoff race without star forward Jake Guentzel.