National Sports

SUNRISE, Fla. — Sidney Crosby wants the NHL to tweak its playoff format. Gary Bettman says the task isn't as simple as it sounds.

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — After reigniting hope of an English Premier League title challenge, Manchester United was left counting the cost of Casemiro’s red card after beating Crystal Palace 2-1 on Saturday.

DRESDEN, Germany — Canadians Felix Roussel and Courtney Sarault collected bronze medals in World Cup short track speedskating Saturday in Dresden. Roussel of Sherbrooke, Que.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Mitch Marner has been enjoying the sun and sand at this year's NHL all-star festivities. The Maple Leafs winger will need his winter coat if he makes the cut next year.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Panthers are trying to sign a high-scoring forward who has an Olympic gold medal and two world championships, with hopes of getting the deal done in the coming days.

TORONTO — Midfielder Stephen Eustaquio and forward Cloe Lacasse have been named Canada Soccer’s players of the month for January.

HUA HIN, Thailand (AP) — Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine reached her first final in four years after top-seeded Bianca Andreescu of Canada retired with a shoulder injury during their semifinal match at the Thailand Open on Saturday.

CALGARY — James Crawford and Valérie Grenier lead Canada's alpine ski team into the world championship starting Monday in Courchevel and Méribel, France.

HAMILTON — McMaster University's men’s basketball team will forfeit two regular-season games played last month due to the participation of an ineligible student-athlete.

Irish MMA star Conor (Notorious) McGregor is returning to action to face (Iron) Michel Chandler after the two serve as rival coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter." Season 31 of the UFC's reality TV show will run May 30 through Aug.