MICHAEL MCLEOD

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have spent too much time the past several games trying to battle back from deficits. The New Jersey Devils converted twice on the power play in the second period and got XX saves from Vitek Vanecek to defeat the Red Wings 5-1 at Little Caesars Arena. The Red Wings trailed 5-0 before Lucas Raymond scored with 2:00 remaining on the power play. This was the start of a stretch that sees the Red Wings play five of six games at home. The Red Wings had a good night overall in the face-off circle but lost draws preceding both goals.

DETROIT (AP) — Dylan Larkin got his first career hat trick and added an assist as the Detroit Red Wings handed the New Jersey Devils their fifth consecutive loss, 5-2 on Saturday. Michael McLeod and Dawson Mercer scored for New Jersey, and Akira Schmid made 26 saves in his second career start. The Red Wings already had forwards Robby Fabbri and Michael Rasmussen on the COVID list. The Red Wings recalled goaltender Calvin Pickard and forward Riley Barber to replenish the roster. Red Wings: Visit Minnesota North Stars on Thursday.

Dylan Larkin got his first career hat trick and added an assist as the Detroit Red Wings handed the New Jersey Devils their fifth consecutive loss, 5-2.

Pavel Buchnevich celebrated his birthday with his first career hat trick and the New York Rangers beat the New Jersey Devils 6-3 on Saturday for their third win over their Hudson River rivals in five days.

Four games were postponed because of players testing positive or quarantining under the COVID-19 protocol. DePaul’s previously postponed game at St. John’s on Jan. 2 has been rescheduled for Feb. 20. Major League Baseball last week proposed a one-month delay in starting spring training due to the coronavirus pandemic. ___The Cleveland Indians will not be allowing fans to watch their spring training workouts in Arizona due to the COVID-19 pandemic. AdThere has not yet been a decision on whether fans will be able to attend spring training games.

Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel (9) carries the puck past New Jersey Devils forward Yegor Sharangovich (17) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)BUFFALO, N.Y. – Jack Eichel scored in a shootout, Linus Ullmark made 31 saves and the Buffalo Sabres beat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Saturday. Victor Olofsson, Tobias Rieder and Eric Staal also scored to help the Sabres improve to 3-0-2 in their past five games. AdJanne Kuokkanen, Ty Smith and Andreas Johnsson scored for New Jersey in former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff’s first trip to Buffalo since taking over the Devils this offseason. Buffalo’s top free-agent acquisition assisted on two goals, tying Eichel for the team lead with nine points in eight games. RUFF’S RETURNRuff served as a Rangers assistant and Stars head coach since being fired by the Sabres in 2013.