National Sports

Canada will face the U.S. and Cuba in group play in the top tier of the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League.

PHILADELPHIA — Sean Couturier kept the Philadelphia Flyers' slim playoff hopes alive for at least one more day. Couturier scored in regulation and provided the only goal in a shootout as the Flyers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 Wednesday night.

TORONTO — The Blue Jays begin the regular season Thursday at home against the Detroit Tigers.

MONTREAL — Randal Grichuk is OK with the experts and pundits who've counted out the Toronto Blue Jays this season.

TORONTO — Veteran designated hitter Kendrys Morales was traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night. The Blue Jays also sent cash considerations to Oakland.

TORONTO — When the Toronto Blue Jays open the 2019 season against the Detroit Tigers Thursday afternoon, it will mark not only a new beginning for a team trending towards a more youthful core, but a fresh start for its rookie manager too.

VANCOUVER — Quinn Hughes won't be looking to put on a show when he makes his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks. "I don't think I need to do anything special," the 19-year-old defenceman said after practice on Wednesday.

NEW ORLEANS — A court on Wednesday rejected an appeal by the man convicted of killing former Saints football star Will Smith during a traffic altercation, rejecting claims that Cardell Hayes acted in self- defence .

TORONTO — The CFL and its players continue to discuss non-monetary issues, but union senior advisor Ken Georgetti expects the two sides to begin tackling financial matters very shortly.

PARIS — Norway captain Maren Mjelde scored in stoppage time Wednesday to send Chelsea into the Women's Champions League semifinals with a 3-2 aggregate win over Paris Saint-German.