VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Jim Rutherford says there are some big decisions looming for the Vancouver Canucks, but the team's president of hockey operations has crossed one large task off his to-do list - he hired Patrick Allvin as general manager.

Allvin became the 12th GM in franchise history on Wednesday. He had served as assistant GM for the Pittsburgh Penguins since November 2020.

"Obviously, it's a big honor for me taking on this opportunity," Allvin said on a video call. "I'm extremely excited and honored and proud to be part of the Vancouver Canucks going forward."

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PITTSBURGH (AP) Jeff Carter still has plenty of hockey in front of him.

The veteran Pittsburgh Penguins forward agreed to a two-year contract extension with the team on Wednesday that runs through the 2023-24 season. The deal carries an average annual value of $3.125 million.

WASHINGTON (AP) James Reimer made 32 saves, Jonathan Dahlen scored in one of his dad's old home arenas and the San Jose Sharks beat the Washington Capitals 4-1 on Wednesday night to snap a two-game losing streak.

Reimer stopped Alex Ovechkin eight times and was San Jose's best penalty killer when Washington came up empty on four power plays.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Sabres' injury-depleted goalie ranks were thinned further on Wednesday after the NHL issued Aaron Dell a three-game suspension for body-checking Ottawa forward Drake Batherson into the end boards.

In determining the length of the suspension, the NHL took into account that Batherson broke his left ankle after being shoved by Dell late in the first period of Ottawa's 5-0 win on Tuesday night.

CHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks are taking an unusual approach to their search for their next general manager and plan to make a decision before the NHL trade deadline in March.

Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, the son of team owner Rocky Wirtz, said Wednesday the interview process will include candidates "both inside and outside of hockey." Danny Wirtz and President of Business Operations Jaime Faulkner will lead the interview process, with help from an advisory group "comprised of leaders across the sports industry as well as our search partners," Danny Wirtz said.

Coming off a successful homestand, David Pastrnak and the Boston Bruins will look to stay hot on the road as they visit one of the league's best home teams and best team overall in the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night.

Pastrnak had a goal and an assist on Monday night, but newly re-signed goalie Tuukka Rask gave up five goals on 27 shots as the Bruins fell 5-3 to the Anaheim Ducks at home.

VOORHEES, N.J. (AP) The stirring "Rocky" soundtrack cranked full blast inside the Flyers' training complex seemed a strange dichotomy for a fallen franchise mired in the longest losing streak of its 54-year existence.

Then again, much like the fictional fighter, the Flyers' championship heyday peaked in the 1970s.

NEW YORK (AP) Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle broke the NHL record on Tuesday night by playing in his 965th consecutive game.

The 35-year-old Yandle passed the previous mark set by Doug Jarvis, who played 964 straight games over his entire career from Oct. 8, 1975, to Oct. 10, 1987.

PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins fell behind on three separate occasions against the Arizona Coyotes, but each time they had a quick answer.

The biggest response came in the third period, when Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang led a four-goal barrage to give the red-hot Penguins a 6-3 win over the Coyotes on Tuesday night.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson is expected to miss at least two months with an injury to his left forearm.

The Sharks said that Karlsson underwent surgery Monday to repair a small muscle tear in his left forearm. The team said Tuesday that Karlsson is expected to be reevaluated in mid-March.