National Hockey

OTTAWA — Despite their best efforts, the Ottawa Senators came up short against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists, Lars Eller scored a strange deciding goal and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Ottawa Senators 5-4 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Carter Verhaeghe scored twice in Florida’s franchise-record, seven-goal first period and the Panthers beat the Montreal Canadiens 9-5 on Thursday night.

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Josh Doan is following his father's footsteps into professional hockey. The Arizona Coyotes signed the 21-year-old forward to a three-year entry-level contract Thursday, beginning with the 2023-24 NHL season.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks forward Cole Guttman had surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday. The team said the operation was performed in Los Angeles.

NEW YORK (AP) — St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington was suspended two games without pay Thursday for throwing a punch at Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Sabres captain Kyle Okposo is one of the oldest players on one of the NHL’s youngest teams, and takes care to present a patient front in the midst of a late-season playoff push.

St. Louis Blues (29-32-5, sixth in the Central Division) vs. Washington Capitals (33-29-7, sixth in the Metropolitan Division) Washington; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: The St.

Buffalo Sabres (33-28-6, fifth in the Atlantic Division) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (24-32-11, seventh in the Metropolitan Division) Philadelphia; Friday, 7 p.m.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ryan Hartman had two goals and an assist and the surging Minnesota Wild beat St. Louis 8-5 on Wednesday night in a game in which Blues goalie Jordan Binnington was ejected for throwing a punch.