National Hockey

NASHVILLE — The Nashville Predators are back at work feeling a little healthier after an eight-day break for their bye and ready to put together all the pieces for the stretch run to the post-season .

ARLINGTON, Va. — Alex Ovechkin thinks the Washington Capitals were tired. Tired after losing seven consecutive games and tired in the middle of another long slog after winning the Stanley Cup last season.

Women's hockey star Kendall Coyne Schofield said Thursday she doesn't believe NBC Sports analyst Pierre McGuire questioned her knowledge of the sport during an awkward pre-game interaction this week.

TAYLOR, Mich. — Newly-acquired defenceman Jake Muzzin skated alongside Morgan Rielly during his first practice with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

ST. LOUIS — The Blues have placed winger David Perron on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. St. Louis general manager Doug Armstrong announced the roster move Thursday. Perron has missed the past three games.

TORONTO — Antoine Vermette has retired from the NHL after 14 seasons. The 36-year-old made the announcement through the NHL Players' Association on Thursday.

DALLAS — Ben Bishop was so solid in net it didn't matter that the Dallas Stars were held under two goals for the fifth time in six games.

PITTSBURGH — After a baffling loss to a last-place team and with a visit from the NHL's best club looming, the Pittsburgh Penguins called a players-only meeting on Tuesday in an effort to clear the air.

PITTSBURGH — Kris Letang tied Hall of Famer Paul Coffey's franchise record for career goals by a defenceman , Matt Murray stopped 33 shots and the Pittsburgh Penguins held off the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Wednesday night.

Nathan MacKinnon doesn't really notice when the minutes begin to creep up. The Colorado Avalanche centre is too invested in the moment — usually one where he's either trying to help his team get even or push ahead in a tight contest.