National Sports

OTTAWA — Despite having lost four in a row, the Ottawa Senators still feel pretty good about their game.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — When the eerie Foxborough fog lifted, it became clear that New England's reign atop the NFL was ending. Derrick Henry ensured that with the kind of dominating playoff performance usually reserved for Tom Brady and the Patriots.

HOUSTON — Deshaun Watson’s teammates talked all week about how they never feel as if they’re out of any game when No. 4 is on the field.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens didn't understand the officials' decision on Pittsburgh's overtime winner on Saturday.

TORONTO — Michael Hutchinson had more than 24 hours to mentally prepare for a rare start in net for the Toronto Maple Leafs. That relatively lengthy leadup was more than enough for him.

NEW YORK — The Toronto Raptors were coming off their most inept performance of the season and their shooting looked just as off to start their game Saturday night. “It don’t matter. We’re going to keep putting them up,” Kyle Lowry said.

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic — Canada was looking for payback. The national team got it, and then some, in a dominant wire-to-wire performance Saturday at the world junior hockey championship.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Eric Staal didn’t need to be reminded he hadn’t scored in overtime in eight years. The Minnesota Wild’s veteran centre was well aware.

BOSTON — Edmonton goalie Mike Smith took a deep sigh when asked how it felt to finally get a victory. The Oilers had a little bit of help from the Boston Bruins, too.

Watching John Stones make defensive mistakes while playing for England in the Nations League finals in June, Port Vale striker Tom Pope took to Twitter to say he’d “love to play … every week” against the Manchester City centre back.