National Sports

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors have missed the playoffs again and will be about 20 games below .500 when the regular season wraps up on Sunday, but something feels different this year.

Michael Malone, who coached the Denver Nuggets to the NBA title in 2023 and has led the team to eight consecutive winning seasons, was fired Tuesday in a stunning move that comes with less than a week in the regular season.

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is ponying up cash to help rally support for the hometown high-flying Winnipeg Jets as the NHL playoffs loom.

The Northern Super League, which kicks off next week, has drawn player talent from 21 countries. According to the NSL, 132 players are signed to the six teams in the new Canadian women's soccer league.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens signed forward Tyler Thorpe to a three-year entry-level contract Tuesday. The deal will begin in the 2025-26 season. Thorpe will spend the remainder of this season on an American Hockey League tryout contract.

PRINCE GEORGE — Josh Zakreski netted the game-winning goal at 10:12 of the third period as the Portland Winterhawks defeated the Prince George Cougars 4-2 on Monday to advance in the Western Hockey League playoffs.

NEW YORK (AP) — Brayden Point had two goals an an assist, Nikita Kucherov added a goal and two assists, and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the New York Rangers 5-1 on Monday night.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Cutter Gauthier scored two goals in the second period and Lukas Dostal made a season-high 47 saves in the Anaheim Ducks' 3-2 victory over the short-handed Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Adam Klapka and Morgan Frost scored 2:48 apart midway through Calgary's three-goal third period, and the Flames rallied to beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Monday night.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Adam Klapka and Morgan Frost sored 2:48 apart midway through Calgary's three-goal third period, and the Flames rallied to beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Monday night.