National Hockey

NEW YORK — The surging Pittsburgh Penguins are closing in on the top spot in their division.

NEWARK, N.J. — Instead of getting down after giving up an embarrassing, early bad-hop goal from centre ice, New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider responded with what might have been his best game of the season.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump welcomed Alex Ovechkin and the reigning NHL champion Washington Capitals to the Oval Office on Monday to congratulate them for winning the Stanley Cup in June.

NEW YORK — Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor, Tampa Bay Lightning centre Steven Stamkos and Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer are the NHL's three stars of the week.

NASHVILLE — The Nashville Predators have put forward Austin Watson on a long-term injury loan to their American Hockey League affiliate, a week after he earned reinstatement from the NHL.

VANCOUVER — The scoring slump was over, but the questions remained for Pierre-Luc Dubois. Dubois had a goal and an assist as the Columbus Blue Jackets pounded the Vancouver Canucks 5-0 Sunday night to improve their NHL playoff chances.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Jordan Eberle and Brock Nelson scored to back Robin Lehner's fifth shutout of the season as the New York Islanders beat the Arizona Coyotes 2-0 Sunday.

CHICAGO — Duncan Keith is a two-time Norris Trophy winner because of his defence , not his scoring skills. This night was different. When the Blackhawks needed it most, Keith played the role of power forward perfectly Sunday.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Andrei Svechnikov scored with 1:45 left in overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes rallied to beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 Sunday night in a matchup with Eastern Conference playoff implications.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The New York Islanders used a smothering defence and some timely scoring to move closer to a playoff berth.