Saturday

Maple Leafs extend unbeaten streak to 9

Boxing: Jason Sanchez vs. Adam Lopez, several other fights, MGM Grand, Las Vegas Nev. Streaming: espn+, 5:30 p.m.

NHL referees and linesmen are holding pre- and postgame meetings virtually and limiting time spent together.

They’re seeing one another less but players much more, the result of a unique schedule with teams almost always facing off multiple games in a row. Working consecutive games between teams has allowed officials and players to build more of a rapport than usual, even amid coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

“It’s different,” Philadelphia’s Travis Konecny said. “It’s kind of fun. For me, I’m still young in the league, so I haven’t had an opportunity to really ever talk to some of the officials and get to know them too well. It’s a chance to build some relationships and see a couple familiar faces out there.”

While familiarity breeds contempt on the ice among opponents, it’s having the reverse effect for the men in stripes. Officiating teams get to communicate more with players and learn their tendencies outside the intensity of a playoff series when tensions can be high for everyone.

“You definitely want to be nicer in the first game, I think, just to say, ‘Hello, how are you doing, how’s the room service been?’” Washington defenseman Brenden Dillon said. “When you do have that familiarity and you kind of get to know the guys, I feel like you can build a bit more of a relationship other than just the guys that are yelling at one another on the ice.”

CRAZY COLUMBUS: It seems like Columbus is at the center of the league this season.

First there was Pierre-Luc Dubois’ change of scenery request, his benching and blockbuster trade to Winnipeg for Patrik Laine and hometown kid Jack Roslovic. Then the Blue Jackets were on the wrong end of a bizarre botched video review in a loss to Carolina on Sunday. And then coach John Tortorella benched Laine on Monday.

GAME OF THE WEEK: The St. Louis Blues and Arizona Coyotes face off Friday for the fifth time in seven consecutive meetings, a record for an NHL or NBA regular season

Thursday night

MAPLE LEAFS 4, CANADIENS 2: In Montreal, Justin Holl and Ilya Mikheyev scored in a 42-second span early in the third period to help Toronto beat Montreal.

Toronto is 8-0-1 in its last nine games and leads the NHL and all-Canadian North Division at 11-2-1.

BRUINS 3, RANGERS 2 (OT): In New York, Brad Marchand scored 36 seconds into overtime to give Boston a victory over New York in the opener of a two-game set at Madison Square Garden.

Marchand beat goalie Alexander Georgiev with a forehand-backhand maneuver. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy broke up an odd-man rush and set up Marchand.