NHL

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) looks on as Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Zach Hyman (11) fights for control of the puck with Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers (57) during second period NHL action in Vancouver, Thursday, March 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Virtanen scores 2, Canucks pick up much-needed 3-1 win over Toronto

Maple Leafs were coming off a three-game sweep over Edmonton

 

Walter Gretzky father of hockey hall-of-famer Wayne Gretzky waves to fans as the Buffalo Sabres play against the Toronto Maple Leafs during third period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Walter Gretzky, father of the Great One, dies at 82

Canada’s hockey dad had battled Parkinson’s disease and other health issues

 

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Laurent Brossoit (30) clears the puck past Vancouver Canucks’ Nils Hoglander (36) during first period NHL action in Winnipeg on Tuesday March 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade

Connor, Wheeler have 3 points apiece as Jets thump Vancouver Canucks 5-2

Winnipeg avenges 4-0 defeat the night before

 

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) clears the puck past Winnipeg Jets’ Nikolaj Ehlers (27) during second period NHL action in Winnipeg on Monday March 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade

Demko makes 27 saves as Vancouver Canucks ground Jets 4-0

Vancouver goalie picks up first career shutout in Winnipeg

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) clears the puck past Winnipeg Jets’ Nikolaj Ehlers (27) during second period NHL action in Winnipeg on Monday March 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade
Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse (25) tries to clear Vancouver Canucks centre Jay Beagle (83) from in front of Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) during second period NHL action in Vancouver, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Smith makes 32 saves as Oilers blank slumping Vancouver Canucks 3-0

Edmonton extends NHL win streak to five

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse (25) tries to clear Vancouver Canucks centre Jay Beagle (83) from in front of Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) during second period NHL action in Vancouver, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Montreal Canadiens head coach Claude Julien looks towards the ice as his team takes on the Ottawa Senators during second period NHL action in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. The Canadiens have fired head coach Julien and associate coach Kirk Muller. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Montreal Canadiens fire coaches, add Alex Burrows

Alex Burrows has also been added to the Canadiens’ coaching staff

Montreal Canadiens head coach Claude Julien looks towards the ice as his team takes on the Ottawa Senators during second period NHL action in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. The Canadiens have fired head coach Julien and associate coach Kirk Muller. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Vancouver Canucks left wing Antoine Roussel (26) tries to get a shot past Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) during second period NHL action in Vancouver, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Canucks cough up 3-0 lead, fall 4-3 to visiting Edmonton Oilers

Vancouver falls to 8-13-2 on the NHL season

Vancouver Canucks left wing Antoine Roussel (26) tries to get a shot past Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) during second period NHL action in Vancouver, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson (40), of Sweden, reaches for the puck in front of Winnipeg Jets’ Andrew Copp (9) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Dubois scores 2, including OT winner, as Jets edge Canucks 4-3

Elias Pettersson nets a pair for Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson (40), of Sweden, reaches for the puck in front of Winnipeg Jets’ Andrew Copp (9) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Winnipeg Jets goalie Laurent Brossoit, right, makes a glove save as Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Brossoit makes 29 saves as Winnipeg Jets blank Canucks 2-0

Vancouver slips to 8-12-1 with loss

Winnipeg Jets goalie Laurent Brossoit, right, makes a glove save as Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks goalie Braden Holtby is knocked off his skates by Calgary Flames’ Johnny Gaudreau during third period NHL hockey action in Calgary, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Boeser has 3 points as Canucks torch host Flames 5-1

Goaltender Holtby makes 35 saves for Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks goalie Braden Holtby is knocked off his skates by Calgary Flames’ Johnny Gaudreau during third period NHL hockey action in Calgary, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson (40) fights for control of the puck with Calgary Flames left wing Andrew Mangiapane (88) and Byron Froese (38) during first period NHL action in Vancouver, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Gaudreau scores OT winner as Flames edge Canucks 4-3 in dramatic fashion

Vancouver had tied game at 3-3 with 30 seconds left in regulation time

Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson (40) fights for control of the puck with Calgary Flames left wing Andrew Mangiapane (88) and Byron Froese (38) during first period NHL action in Vancouver, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
FILE - Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger looks on in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Denver. Krueger marked his return to practice Sunday, feb. 14, 2021 with an upbeat but cautionary message following a 10-day bout with what he called “moderately severe symptoms” of COVID-19. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)

NHL adapts COVID-19 approach through 1st month of season

The decision to add rapid tests came after a player was pulled mid-game as a result of a positive test.

FILE - Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger looks on in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Denver. Krueger marked his return to practice Sunday, feb. 14, 2021 with an upbeat but cautionary message following a 10-day bout with what he called “moderately severe symptoms” of COVID-19. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)
Vancouver Canucks’ Jordie Benn, from left to right, Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, of Sweden, and J.T. Miller celebrate Hughes’ goal against the Calgary Flames during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canucks snap 6-game losing skid with 3-1 victory over Calgary

Myers scores winner for Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks’ Jordie Benn, from left to right, Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, of Sweden, and J.T. Miller celebrate Hughes’ goal against the Calgary Flames during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) tires to clear Vancouver Canucks centre Zack MacEwen (71) from in front of the net during second period NHL action in Vancouver, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Markstrom makes 33 saves as Flames trip slumping Canucks 3-1

Vancouver has dropped six games in a row

Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) tires to clear Vancouver Canucks centre Zack MacEwen (71) from in front of the net during second period NHL action in Vancouver, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Braden Holtby (49) stops Toronto Maple Leafs centre John Tavares (91) during third period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canucks end miserable NHL road trip with 3-1 loss in Toronto

Leafs hand Vancouver a fifth straight defeat

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Braden Holtby (49) stops Toronto Maple Leafs centre John Tavares (91) during third period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Wayne Simmonds (24) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks with teammate Auston Matthews (34) during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, February 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Red-hot Matthews scores 2 as Maple Leafs thump slumping Canucks 5-1

Simmonds also nets a pair for Toronto in easy win over Vancouver

Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Wayne Simmonds (24) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks with teammate Auston Matthews (34) during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, February 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Vancouver Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes (43) picks up a tripping penalty on Toronto Maple Leafs centre John Tavares (91) during first period NHL action in Toronto on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Spezza nets hat trick as Maple Leafs dismantle Canucks 7-3

Toronto veteran records eighth three-goal game in win over Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes (43) picks up a tripping penalty on Toronto Maple Leafs centre John Tavares (91) during first period NHL action in Toronto on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) congratulates goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after their overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings in an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Most NHL teams using 2 goalies to get through pandemic play

Montreal, Boston, Carolina, Florida and Vegas are off to strong starts

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) congratulates goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after their overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings in an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber passes by a sign made by his children as he warms up before his 1,000th game of his career for the game against the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Habs trip Canucks 5-3 in Shea Weber’s 1,000th NHL game

Tyler Toffoli scores twice in win over ex-teammates in Vancouver

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber passes by a sign made by his children as he warms up before his 1,000th game of his career for the game against the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry (26) scores his second goal of the game against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Braden Holtby (49) as teammate Canadiens right wing Tyler Toffoli (73) looks on during second period NHL hockey action Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Petry scores 2 as host Habs hammer Canucks 6-2

Montreal snaps four-game winning streak for Vancouver

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry (26) scores his second goal of the game against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Braden Holtby (49) as teammate Canadiens right wing Tyler Toffoli (73) looks on during second period NHL hockey action Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz