National Sports

WINNIPEG — Gabe Vilardi’s hat trick helped the Jets clinch a berth in the NHL playoffs. And now, he’s looking forward to Winnipeg’s famous playoff Whiteout.

BRANDON, Man. — Denton Mateychuk scored and added an assist as the Moose Jaw Warriors downed the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-2 on Thursday to complete a four-game sweep in the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs.

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev.

MONTREAL — The Tampa Bay Lightning are staying white hot as they close in on a playoff spot. Steven Stamkos and Nicholas Paul had two goals apiece to lift Tampa Bay to a 7-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.

NEW YORK (AP) — Julius Randle needs surgery on his right shoulder and will miss the rest of the season, a crushing blow for a New York Knicks team that was surging before the All-Star forward was hurt in January.

UTICA, N.Y.

OTTAWA — Brady Tkachuk looked completely dejected following a 6-0 loss to his older brother’s Florida Panthers on Thursday. The Ottawa Senators captain was often at a loss for words over what had just transpired.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Miami Open champion Danielle Collins continued an amazing run by winning two matches on Thursday, beating Ons Jabeur and Sloane Stephens to reach the quarterfinals of the rain-delayed Charleston Open.

NEW YORK (AP) — The scheduled start time for Monday's game between the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins has been changed because of the total solar eclipse . New York was initially set to host the Marlins at 2:05 p.m.

OTTAWA — Atletico Ottawa has bolstered its defence with the addition of Canadian international defender Amer Didic. The 29-year-old arrives on a free transfer after spending the last two Canadian Premier League seasons with Pacific FC.