Hockey

Chicago Blackhawks star rookie Connor Bedard has been cleared to return to action after missing almost six weeks with a broken jaw. The Blackhawks announced Bedard's return to the roster before hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Two games in two days. A concert. Four Metropolitan Division rivals separated by about a 100-mile corridor that runs from New York to Philadelphia.

The Columbus Blue Jackets fired general manager Jarmo Kekalainen on Thursday, ending his time on the job ahead of another crucial trade deadline for the struggling club.

Pittsburgh Penguins (23-20-7, seventh in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (14-36-3, eighth in the Central Division) Chicago; Thursday, 8:30 p.m. EST FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NHL LINE : Penguins -219, Blackhawks +179; over/under is 5.

Florida Panthers (34-15-4, second in the Atlantic Division) vs. Buffalo Sabres (23-25-4, seventh in the Atlantic Division) Buffalo, New York; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NHL LINE : Panthers -150, Sabres +126; over/under is 6.

Carolina Hurricanes (30-17-5, second in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Arizona Coyotes (23-25-4, seventh in the Central Division) Tempe, Arizona; Friday, 9 p.m.

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy each had a goal and an assist, Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 25 shots and the Minnesota Wild beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-1 on Wednesday night.

WINNIPEG — Connor Hellebuyck registered 17 saves in a 1-0 shutout over the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, but Mark Scheifele could have been credited with one of those.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Florida Panthers are playing so well, they don't need any bounces. They're getting them anyway.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill learned two things from his days in youth hockey: breathing and patience.