National Sports

TORONTO — Yusei Kikuchi will still be a work in progress for Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker after a disappointing start on Friday.

WINNIPEG — Connor Hellebuyck found some satisfaction with backstopping the Winnipeg Jets to a 3-1 victory over the top-flight Calgary Flames on Friday.

The Houston Texans won't have to wait long for Canadian John Metchie III. Houston traded up with the Cleveland Browns to select the Alabama star receiver in the second round, No. 44 overall, of the 2022 NFL draft Friday night.

MONTREAL — Cole Caufield scored his first career hat trick and the last-place Canadiens crushed the Presidents' Trophy champions Florida Panthers 10-2. Caufield had a roaring end to his season under interim coach Martin St. Louis.

TORONTO — Sheldon Keefe's sole focus Friday was for his team to emerge unscathed on the injury front. That mission firmly accomplished, the Toronto Maple Leafs now flip the page to the playoffs.

TORONTO — The National Hockey Players' Association will begin the search for a new executive director.

PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif. (AP) — Hannah Green took the lead into the weekend in the Palos Verdes Championship, rebounding from consecutive bogeys Thursday in gusting wind to birdie the two late par 5s in a 5-under 66.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brady Tkachuk had a goal and an assist to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night in the season finale for both teams.

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) — Jon Rahm faced the wind and handled it just as well Friday in the Mexico Open, making eight birdies on his way to a 5-under 66 that staked the world's No. 2 player to a two-shot lead over Alex Smalley.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (AP) — Steve Stricker played his first round in 201 days and it seemed as though he was healthy as ever, opening with a 5-under 67 on Friday to share the lead in the Insperity Invitational on the PGA Tour Champions.