National Hockey

TORONTO (AP) — Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander sat out his third straight game to open the playoffs Wednesday night because of an undisclosed injury.

TORONTO — William Nylander seems to be getting closer. The Maple Leafs winger also still isn't quite ready join the playoff fray.

WINNIPEG — Rick Bowness always goes to bed with hockey looping in his mind, but Tuesday night’s thoughts weren’t all bad for the Winnipeg Jets head coach.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Experience tells the Tampa Bay Lightning it’s time to go to work — not panic. The New York Islanders are also down 2-0 after playing well at times and losing their first two games of the NHL playoffs on the road.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The San Jose Sharks fired coach David Quinn on Wednesday following two rough seasons as part of a massive rebuilding project.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Tony DeAngelo found himself playing a reduced role in his second stint with the Carolina Hurricanes amid a deep roster of defensemen.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — In the moment, The Save kept the game tied. By night's end, it became a game-saver since Florida went on to prevail in overtime.

After teasing their excited fans with Game 1 victories, both the Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets were playoff losers at home last night. The Colorado Avalanche rolled the Jets 5-2, while the Nashville Predators pounced on the Canucks 4-1.

Carolina Hurricanes (52-23-7, second in the Metropolitan Division) vs. New York Islanders (39-27-16, third in the Metropolitan Division) Elmont, New York; Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Florida Panthers (52-24-6, first in the Atlantic Division) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (45-29-8, fourth in the Atlantic Division) Tampa, Florida; Thursday, 7 p.m.