National Hockey

LOS ANGELES — The team was dragging and maybe Dustin Brown was, too. The Los Angeles Kings, fresh off an eight-game winning streak, had suddenly lost three of four.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Less than two months removed from a stint in the minors, Kevin Labanc is getting ice time on San Jose's top line and power play. Showing he belongs, too.

TAMPA, Fla. — Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos scored in the shootout, lifting the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night.

DALLAS — Ken Hitchcock's 800th career win came against one of only two NHL coaches with more.

NASHVILLE — A fast start by Carolina spelled an early exit for Pekka Rinne. Noah Hanifin had a goal and two assists to lead an early outburst that carried the Hurricanes past the Nashville Predators 4-1 on Thursday night.

EDMONTON, B.C. — The Edmonton Oilers are starting to make up for their early-season struggles.

TAMPA, Fla. — It took longer than the Lightning wanted, but the NHL's top team finally prevailed against a struggling Atlantic Division foe.

NEW YORK — On most nights, Hampus Lindholm is not a huge threat to score. But the Anaheim Ducks defenceman was in the right place three times Thursday.

NEWARK, N.J. — Brian Boyle didn't take any extra satisfaction in playing a big role against the New York Rangers, his former team. The satisfaction came from giving the New Jersey Devils a big win in a rivalry game that had a playoff atmosphere.

BOSTON — Tuukka Rask's wire-to-wire dominance helped to ensure that Charlie McAvoy's 20th birthday had a happy ending.