Here is the latest Connecticut sports news from The Associated Press

OTTAWA (AP) — The Ottawa Senators defeated the New York Islanders 3-1 last night. Andre Benoit and Dave Dziurzynski scored their first NHL goals and Craig Anderson made 37 saves. Colin Greening also scored for Ottawa. Travis Hamonic scored for the Islanders, who got 23 saves from Rick DiPietro in his third start of the season.

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Galchenyuk snapped a tie early in the third period, and the Montreal Canadiens held on for their fifth consecutive win, 3-1 over the New York Rangers last night. Montreal had 18 shots and made the most of very little offense against Henrik Lundqvist.

NEW YORK (AP) — Joe Johnson hit a tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter and then his buzzer-beating jumper at the end of overtime lifted the Brooklyn Nets to a 113-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks last night. Johnson finished with 24 points, and Brook Lopez and Deron Williams added 19 each for the Nets.

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Boston Celtics 97-90 last night. Jeff Green had 20 points off the bench for the Celtics, who have been playing well despite losing Rajon Rondo, Jared Sullinger and Leandro Barbosa to season-ending injuries in the past month.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Prized Boston Red Sox prospect Xander Bogaerts is preparing for the World Baseball Classic. The shortstop is set to join Team Netherlands as it begins competition March 2nd against Korea in Taiwan. The Red Sox say the WBC will be a great place for growth for Bogaerts, who, in the meantime, has been chugging away at his first spring training.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes has upper back stiffness and will be sidelined for a few days. Hughes was hurt Monday during a defensive drill covering first base. Manager Joe Girardi says, "There's always a little bit of concern, but it's upper back by his shoulder blades."

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — The New York Mets outfield is as uncertain now as it was at the general managers' meetings in November. As the Mets held their second full-squad workout yesterday, the seven outfielders on the 40-man roster totaled 434 games of major league experience in the outfield.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Jets have released veteran linebacker Calvin Pace, safety Eric Smith, backup offensive lineman Jason Smith, and tight end Josh Baker, clearing significant salary cap space. The moves were expected because New York entered the offseason more than $20 million over the cap for the 2013 season.