National Sports

Ryan Hunter is thankful he's spending his off-season in Kansas City and not the upstart American Alliance of Football. The AAF began its inaugural season earlier this month, it rosters full of players looking to earn another NFL opportunity.

VANCOUVER — A year ago, Canada's first three-sport Olympian was broken. Georgia Simmerling had crashed during a ski cross competition weeks before the Pyeongchang Olympics where she was expected to be a medal contender.

Most golfers look for balance in their swing. Hamilton's Alena Sharp found it in her life and is now reaping the benefits on the LPGA Tour. Sharp was named Golf Canada's player of the week on Feb.

Toronto FC players and coaches like to have the grass field at BMO Field watered, so they can fizz the ball over a slick surface. Watering the field in February in Toronto presents a problem, however.

VANCOUVER — Bo Horvat's nerves were frayed in the final seconds of the Vancouver Canucks battle against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday. The Canucks (27-28-8) were up 4-0 with just over a minute to go when the centre was called for interference.

Monday's Games NHL Toronto 5 Buffalo 3 New Jersey 2 Montreal 1 Tampa Bay 4 Los Angeles 3 (SO) Nashville 3 Edmonton 2 (SO) Florida 4 Colorado 3 (OT) Vancouver 4 Anaheim 0 --- AHL Bakersfield 3 Tucson 1 --- NBA Detroit 113 Indiana 109 Golden State 121

Monday's Games NHL Toronto 5 Buffalo 3 New Jersey 2 Montreal 1 Tampa Bay 4 Los Angeles 3 (SO) Nashville 3 Edmonton 2 (SO) Florida 4 Colorado 3 (OT) Vancouver 4 Anaheim 0 --- AHL Bakersfield 3 Tucson 1 --- NBA Detroit 113 Indiana 109 Golden State 121

NASHVILLE — Playing hours after the NHL trade deadline isn't easy, and a pair of late deals left the Nashville Predators short a couple of forwards — forcing coach Peter Laviolette to use a defenceman on his fourth line.

NEWARK, N.J. — If the Montreal Canadiens don't make the post-season , they can blame the lowly New Jersey Devils. Three games. Three losses. And only one point for a team fighting for its playoff life.

TORONTO — Auston Matthews set a franchise record for the 102-year-old Maple Leafs on Monday night but his eyes are on the rest of Toronto's season. Matthews scored in a four-goal second period as Toronto downed the Buffalo Sabres 5-3 on Monday night.