National Sports

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets ditched their eight-game losing streak — and lost two more players to injuries. Emil Bemstrom scored 4:35 into overtime, and the banged-up Blue Jackets beat the Ottawa Senators 4-3 on Monday night.

Ken Holland has watched his players grind through 62 regular-season games. The general manager of the Edmonton Oilers hopes Monday's moves prior to the NHL trade deadline help push them over the post-season hump.

CALGARY — With designs on improving special teams while also bringing in some immediate injury relief, the Calgary Flames made two depth additions on the blueline at Monday's NHL trade deadline.

LONDON — Children up to the age of 12 will be banned from heading a soccer ball in practice sessions in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland as authorities look to address the potential long-term impact on health of head injuries.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets stood pat at the NHL trade deadline Monday, meaning suspended defenceman Dustin Byfuglien remains a member of the team.

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin felt Ilya Kovalchuk earned the right to help choose his next destination.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers acquired winger Andreas Athanasiou and minor-leaguer Ryan Kuffner from the Detroit Red Wings for centre Sam Gagner and two second-round draft picks ahead of Monday's NHL trade deadline.

Toronto Blue Jays top prospect Nate Pearson is feeling confident and comfortable in his first big league spring training. The makeup of the team around him has helped ease any nerves he may have had coming in.

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Centre-fielder Randal Grichuk scored the go-ahead run on a balk in the bottom of the third inning, and the Blue Jays held on to defeat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 on Monday in Toronto's spring training home opener at TD Ballpark.

OTTAWA — Jean-Gabriel Pageau had trouble dealing with the stress of the NHL trade deadline. The Ottawa Senators centre learned he had been traded to the New York Islanders for draft picks early Monday morning, putting an end to an emotional stretch.