National Sports

He's disruptive on the football field but Anthony Lanier II wants to enhance people's lives off it.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins fired general manager Ron Hextall, director of hockey operations Brian Burke and assistant general manager Chris Pryor on Friday after the club failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in 17 years.

There isn't much Afshin Ghotbi hasn't done when it comes to coaching soccer.

Rob Friend will be proud but likely conflicted Saturday when expansion Vancouver FC takes the field for the first time in the Canadian Premier League to face Pacific FC at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C. Both B.C.

TORONTO — The 13-0 Tampa Bay Rays are one win away from setting a modern-day baseball record for most consecutive victories to start a season. The Toronto Blue Jays — also off to a strong start at 8-5 — stand in their way.

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Conor Garland capped his first career hat trick 1:19 into overtime, and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Arizona Coyotes 5-4 Thursday night in the season finale for both teams. Elias Pettersson scored his 39th goal and J.T.

Thursday's scoreboard Women's World Hockey Championship Czechia 2 Finland 1 United States 3 Germany 0 Canada 3 Sweden 2 (OT) Switzerland 5 Japan 1 --- NHL Boston 5 Montreal 4 Carolina 6 Florida 4 Tampa Bay 5 Detroit 0 New Jersey 5 Washington 4 (OT) B

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers already look to be in playoff form.

HONOLULU (AP) — Natthakritta Vongtaveelap shot a 2-under 70 at windy Hoakalei Country Club to hold onto a share of the lead Thursday in the LOTTE Championship.

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche are on the brink of capturing the Central Division title even through their lengthy list of bumps and bruises, which includes being without their captain all season.