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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier said their game at MetLife Stadium had been circled on their calendar before the season. What he didn’t know was how crucial their 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night could end up being for the Devils.

“That’s a win that brings the group together,” said Hischier, who had two goals and an assist in front of 70,328 fans, the largest crowd to date for an NHL Stadium Series game. “We knew it was a big game at the beginning of the year. With how the standings are, it’s an even a bigger game. So, this can bring the group together. We move on, we take the good feelings out of it, and now we have more business to do.”

It was a weekend of good feelings for the Devils. They skated with friends and family after practice on Friday night. They arrived together on Saturday wearing tracksuits out of “The Sopranos.” They never trailed against the Flyers. The massive crowd was majority Devils faithful.

“We knew we had great fans. I didn’t see too many Philly fans, so it’s a pretty special win,” Hischier said.

The victory moved the Devils (28-22-4, 60 points) within five points of Philadelphia (29-20-7, 65 points) for third place in the Metro Division with two games in hand. They also are two points behind the Detroit Red Wings (28-20-6, 62 points) for the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

“We needed this win. If [the Flyers] beat us, it puts them almost out of reach,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said.

New Jersey has been trying to build momentum for a run at a playoff spot since getting star center Jack Hughes back in the lineup on Feb. 8. It is now 3-2-1 since Hughes returned from injury, having played noticeably better in all six games than it did before the NHL All-Star break.

New Jersey defenseman Brendan Smith, who had a goal and an assist in the win, said he hoped the Stadium Series victory combined with that uptick in play could launch the Devils down the stretch.

“We hope so. To be honest, I think I’ve been happy with what we’ve been doing as of late in our games. Keep my fingers crossed on that, and let’s keep going,” he said.

Devils winger Timo Meier agreed, saying the four-point swing versus the Flyers in the standings was hugely important.

“I think we’ve started to play better defensively. Everybody’s buying in, and that’s what we need,” he said. “Jack’s back, so we obviously got the offensive explosion from him that he can bring to the ice. But it’s also the play away from the puck that’s really important. Our goalie made some big saves too.”

Rookie netminder Nico Daws won the Stadium Series game with a 45-save effort against a relentless Flyers team. The 23-year-old has put together four straight strong performances as the Devils continue to search for a dependable option in goal.

“He’s been awesome,” winger Nathan Bastian, who had two goals in the win, said of Daws. “There have been stretches this season where we’ve played some tough hockey, and it’s made our goalies look bad. Lately, Nico’s been making us look good. He’s young. He’s so confident and so promising for us.”

The Devils will take to the road to meet the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

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Canes’ Andersen, 35, secures deal before Round 2

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Canes' Andersen, 35, secures deal before Round 2

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year contract for next season, worth $2.75 million for the 35-year-old veteran.

General manager Eric Tulsky announced the deal Saturday, a little over 48 hours before his team starts the second round of the playoffs against the Washington Capitals.

Andersen could earn up to $750,000 in incentives for games played and his participation in a potential run to the Eastern Conference finals next season. He would get $250,000 for playing 35 or more games, another $250,000 for getting to 40 and $250,000 if the Hurricanes reach the East finals and he plays in at least half of the playoff games.

“Frederik has played extremely well for us and ranks in the top 10 all-time for winning percentage by an NHL goalie,” Tulsky said. “We’re excited that he will be staying with the team for next season.”

Andersen and the Hurricanes, the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division, advanced past the New Jersey Devils in Round 1 last week. They will meet the Capitals, who won the division crown, for the right to make the NHL’s final four.

Extending Andersen could give the team a goaltending tandem with Pyotr Kochetkov for less than $6 million combined.

Anderson, a Denmark native who previously played for the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs, has become coach Rod Brind’Amour’s most trusted option in net. He is expected to return to the starting role for Game 1 of the Capitals series after getting injured in the first round against New Jersey.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Sovereignty outduels Journalism to capture Derby

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Sovereignty outduels Journalism to capture Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby in the slop on Saturday.

Trainer Bill Mott won his first Derby in 2019, also run on a sloppy track, when Country House was elevated to first after Maximum Security crossed the finish line first and was disqualified after a 22-minute delay.

This time, he knew right away.

Sovereignty won by 1½ lengths and snapped an 0-for-13 Derby skid for owner Godolphin, the racing stable of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It was quite a weekend for the sheikh. His filly, Good Cheer, won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and earlier Saturday, Ruling Court won the 2,000 Guineas in Britain.

Sovereignty covered 1¼ miles in 2:02.31 and paid $17.96 to win at 7-1 odds.

Journalism found trouble in the first turn and jockey Umberto Rispoli moved him to the outside. He and Sovereignty hooked up at the eighth pole before Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado pulled away.

Baeza was third, Final Gambit was fourth and Owen Almighty finished fifth.

Rain made for a soggy day, with the Churchill Downs dirt strip listed as sloppy and horse racing fans protecting their fancy hats and clothing with clear plastic ponchos.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Zilisch to miss Xfinity race in Texas after wreck

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Zilisch to miss Xfinity race in Texas after wreck

FORT WORTH, Texas — Connor Zilisch, the 18-year-old driver already with two NASCAR Xfinity Series race wins, will miss Saturday’s race at Texas because of lower back injuries sustained in a last-lap wreck at Talladega.

Trackhouse Racing said Wednesday that its development driver will return as soon as possible to the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. The team didn’t provide any additional details about Zilisch’s injuries.

Cup Series regular Kyle Larson will drive the No. 88 in Texas. After that, the Xfinity Series has a two-week break before racing again May 24 at Charlotte.

Zilisch, sixth in points through the first 11 races, was driving for the win at Talladega Superspeedway when contact on the backstretch sent his car spinning, and head-on into inside wall.

Zilisch won in his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen last Sept. 14. He added another win this year at Austin, the same weekend that he made his Cup Series debut. He has six top-10 finishes in his 15 Xfinity races.

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