National Sports

KINGSTON, Ont. — Traditional handshakes still rule at the Tim Hortons Brier despite a Curling Canada suggestion for athletes to bump fists at this week's national men's curling championship.

From Brooke Henderson to Bianca Andreescu to Kia Nurse, the Canadian sporting landscape is jam-packed with female stars. But women's stories are often secondary behind the virtual blanket coverage of men's sports.

VANCOUVER — The Canadian men want to make a statement early when they face France in their first match Saturday at the HSBC Canada Sevens Rugby tournament.

SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry seemed every bit himself after a four-month layoff, save for a little long-range rust. “He looks exactly the same to me,” coach Steve Kerr said.

LOS ANGELES — Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe scored in the shootout, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 1-0 Thursday night for their fourth consecutive victory.

Thursday's Games NHL Philadelphia 4 Carolina 1 Pittsburgh 4 Buffalo 2 Tampa Bay 4 Montreal 0 N.Y. Rangers 6 Washington 5 (OT) Ottawa 4 N.Y.

CHICAGO — Alex DeBrincat scored two goals, rookie Adam Boqvist had two assists, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 on Thursday night.

TAMPA, Fla. — Andrei Vasilevskiy made 32 saves, Victor Hedman scored twice and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 Thursday night.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators were more than happy to spoil Jean-Gabriel Pageau's homecoming. Pageau made his return to Ottawa on Thursday, 11 days after being traded to the Islanders, in New York's 4-3 loss to the Senators.

KINGSTON, Ont. — Canada lead Ben Hebert smacked his broom on the ice. Teammate Colton Flasch looked dejected. A look of resignation washed over the faces of B.J. Neufeld and skip Kevin Koe.