Hockey

The Ottawa Senators made an abrupt change at general manager Wednesday after the NHL decided to dock them a first-round draft pick for their role in a trade between two other teams that was invalidated last year.

NEW YORK — New Jersey centre Jack Hughes, Vancouver centre Elias Pettersson and Boston right-wing David Pastrnak have been named the NHL’s three stars of October. Hughes led the NHL with 13 assists and 18 points in eight games last month.

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is taking a leave of absence from the team because of what he called an “ongoing injury situation” after a slow start to the season on his artificial left hip.

Carolina Hurricanes (6-4, second in the Metropolitan Division) vs. New York Rangers (7-2, first in the Metropolitan Division) New York; Thursday, 7 p.m.

Nashville Predators (4-5, fifth in the Central Division) vs. Seattle Kraken (3-5-2, fifth in the Pacific Division) Seattle; Thursday, 10 p.m.

Winnipeg Jets (4-3-2, third in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (9-0-1, first in the Pacific Division) Paradise, Nevada; Thursday, 10 p.m.

Vancouver Canucks (6-2-1, second in the Pacific Division) vs. San Jose Sharks (0-8-1, eighth in the Pacific Division) San Jose, California; Thursday, 10:30 p.m.

Florida Panthers (4-3-1, sixth in the Atlantic Division) vs. Detroit Red Wings (6-3-1, second in the Atlantic Division) Detroit; Thursday, 7 p.m.

Toronto Maple Leafs (5-3-1, fifth in the Atlantic Division) vs. Boston Bruins (8-0-1, first in the Atlantic Division) Boston; Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Kings (5-2-2, third in the Pacific Division) vs. Ottawa Senators (4-4, seventh in the Atlantic Division) Ottawa, Ontario; Thursday, 7 p.m.