BOSTON -- Veteran Boston Bruins forward David Backes is expected to miss at least the first three or four weeks of the season while receiving treatment for diverticulitis, a digestive-system ailment.

The NHL announced Sunday the available and protected lists for the 30 teams who will provide players to the Vegas Golden Knights in this week's expansion draft.

BOSTON -- The Ottawa Senators escaped with a win after blowing a three-goal lead Monday night.

BOSTON -- The Ottawa Senators accomplished all kinds of things Thursday night, and they did it without their best player.

BOSTON -- To call Tuesday night's game against the Nashville Predators a must-win for the Bruins would have been a stretch.

EDMONTON, Alberta -- The Edmonton Oilers clinched their first playoff spot in 11 years and dealt the Los Angeles Kings' postseason hopes a near-fatal blow with a 2-1 victory at Rogers Place on Tuesday.

NEW YORK -- The calendar says the NHL playoffs begin April 12.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Ryan Ellis scored two goals and Pekka Rinne stopped 25 shots Monday night as the Nashville Predators warmed up after a sluggish first period for a 3-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes in Bridgestone Arena.

CALGARY, Alberta -- The Boston Bruins extended their winning streak to four games in a row with a 5-2 victory in Calgary, while making sure the Flames didn't set a franchise record for consecutive wins.

CALGARY, Alberta -- A heart-and-soul effort by David Backes helped the Boston Bruins extend their winning streak to four games in a row.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Brad Marchand lived up to his villain's role in Vancouver on Monday night.

Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid expects to be in the lineup on Monday, two days removed from receiving 25 stitches to close a wound in his neck after being cut by the skate of teammate David Backes.

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Filip Forsberg scored his second goal of the night 2:45 into overtime, leading the Nashville Predators to a 5-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.

BOSTON -- Bruce Cassidy is still the interim coach of the Boston Bruins, but it could be just a matter of time before the "interim" part of his title is removed.

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Kris Russell scored the go-ahead goal as the Edmonton Oilers ended the Florida Panthers' five-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory on Wednesday night at the BB&T Center.