Hockey

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Eetu Luostarinen scored about a minute into the third period, and the Florida Panthers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Tuesday night and helping the reigning Stanley Cup champions snap a five-game losing streak.

OTTAWA — For the first time in eight years, playoff hockey is returning to Canada’s capital.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Reaching the NHL playoffs is a long shot for the Utah Hockey Club in its inaugural season in Salt Lake City. Beyond Year 1, though, things are trending upward for the franchise.

SAINT PAUL — Longtime NHL executive Ray Shero, who led the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup title in 2009, has died. He was 62. Shero's passing was first announced by the Minnesota Wild. No cause of death was provided.

DENVER (AP) — If all goes well, the Colorado Avalanche may just have captain Gabriel Landeskog back for another playoff run.

Max Pacioretty had just torn his right Achilles tendon for the second time in less than a year.

Seattle Kraken (34-39-6, in the Pacific Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (47-22-9, in the Pacific Division) Paradise, Nevada; Thursday, 10 p.m.

Nashville Predators (28-42-8, in the Central Division) vs. Utah Hockey Club (36-30-12, in the Central Division) Salt Lake City; Thursday, 9 p.m.

Winnipeg Jets (53-21-4, in the Central Division) vs. Dallas Stars (50-22-6, in the Central Division) Dallas; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: The Dallas Stars look to break their three-game losing streak when they take on the Winnipeg Jets.

Carolina Hurricanes (46-27-4, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Washington Capitals (49-19-9, in the Metropolitan Division) Washington; Thursday, 7:30 p.m.