Chris Wood leaves Forest game with knee problem

NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) – Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood was forced out of Thursday’s Europa League quarterfinal game against Porto with a knee injury in what also could be a concern for New Zealand’s World Cup plans.

Owen Heinecke gets court injunction to return to Sooners for another year

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) – Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke has been cleared to return to the Sooners for another season.

Wild aren't ready to name their Game 1 goalie, confidence in Gustavsson and Wallstedt

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Wild have entered the Stanley Cup playoffs with fully professed confidence in both of their goalies. Their preference is to keep a secret whether Filip Gustavsson or Jesper Wallstedt will start.

Rays rally in 9th for 5-3 win over White Sox

CHICAGO (AP) – Junior Caminero homered and the Tampa Rays scored twice on bases-loaded walks in the ninth inning, rallying for a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.

Carolina Hurricanes head into the playoffs showing more scoring punch

MORRISVILLE, N.C. (AP) – The mission has long been the same for the Carolina Hurricanes in building a perennial playoff contender around a collective effort to wear down opponents with an aggressive forecheck and pressing the attack.

Pittsburgh Penguins have surprised everyone but themselves

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Sidney Crosby, his face cleanly shaven for now, settled into the bench inside the Pittsburgh Penguins dressing room on Thursday and pulled a black baseball cap over his head.

Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness agrees to return next season

It didn’t take long for the Columbus Blue Jackets to decide if Rick Bowness would return as coach.

Wizards GM says he expects coach Brian Keefe to return next season

WASHINGTON (AP) – Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said he’s expecting coach Brian Keefe to return next season after Washington finished with the NBA’s worst record.

Upstart Sabres, Flyers upend Eastern Conference playoff mix

As the Sabres opened practice Thursday, Buffalo city workers began hanging playoff banners on lamp posts lining Washington Street leading to the team’s arena entrance.