National Hockey

NEW YORK (AP) — As Paul Stastny approached the goal line in the corner, he just decided to fling it toward the net. It went in, and the Carolina Hurricanes are moving on to the second round of the playoffs again.

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — The team that posted the best regular-season record in NHL history, facing a team that needed to fight and claw all the way to the end just to get into the playoffs. On paper, it was a mismatch. On the ice, it's going to Game 7.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — With three straight wins, the young New Jersey Devils seized the momentum in their first-round series against the New York Rangers.

SEATTLE — The Colorado Avalanche did not comment Friday on either the status of forward Valeri Nichushkin, who has been away from the team for a few days, or on a police report about an incident at the team hotel in Seattle last weekend.

TORONTO — Sheldon Keefe and his players were set to head to the airport and board a plane they would have preferred see stay on the tarmac.

EDMONTON — The roles have been reversed. In last season's first-round playoff matchup, the Edmonton Oilers took a 2-1 series lead and the Los Angeles Kings stormed back to take Games 4 and 5.

New York Rangers (46-21-11, third in the Metropolitan Division) vs. St. Louis Blues (36-35-7, sixth in the Central Division) St. Louis; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NHL LINE : Rangers -179, Blues +151; over/under is 6.

Tampa Bay Lightning (45-27-6, third in the Atlantic Division) vs. New York Islanders (39-30-9, fourth in the Metropolitan Division) Elmont, New York; Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's Stanley Cup runner-up Tampa Bay Lightning extended their stay in the playoffs. Now the reigning champion Colorado Avalanche will have to do the same.

Carolina Hurricanes (52-21-9, first in the Metropolitan Division) vs. New York Islanders (42-31-9, fourth in the Metropolitan Division) Elmont, New York; Friday, 7 p.m.