In Brief: Blue Jackets pick up first win, beat Blackhawks 3-2

NHL: Rookie defenseman Zach Werenski had a goal and an assist, and teammates Nick Foligno and William Karlsson picked up their first goals of the season as the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Friday night in Columbus, Ohio.

Columbus’ Sergei Bobrovsky blocked 32 shots and survived a desperate Chicago power-play rally near the end of the game as the Blue Jackets picked up their first win of the season, avoiding a repeat of last season’s disastrous 0-8 start.

Columbus never trailed in Friday’s game. Tyler Motte and Richard Panik scored for Chicago (2-3-0), and Corey Crawford had 25 saves.

The Blue Jackets (1-2-0) took the lead when the 19-year-old Werenski netted a wrist shot from the point during a power play at 9:10 in the first period. It was his team-leading second goal of the season, with Alexander Wennberg and Foligno credited with assists.

Nyquist, Red Wings win third straight game: Gustav Nyquist had a goal and an assist to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the Nashville Predators 5-3.

Justin Abdelkader, Drew Miller, Tomas Tatar and Darren Helm also scored as Detroit won its third straight.

Islanders edge Coyotes: Johnny Boychuk’s short-handed goal early in the third period lifted the host New York Islanders to a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes.

Dennis Seidenberg and Ryan Strome also scored for New York.

Winnik loses part of ear blocking shot: Washington forward Daniel Winnik lost a part of his right ear when he was stuck in the head blocking a shot in the Capitals’ 4-2 victory Thursday night at Florida.

The only Washington skater who doesn’t wear a protective visor, Winnik was hit when he slid to block Reilly Smith’s shot in the third period. Capitals coach Barry Trots said the puck pinched off a small piece of Winnik’s ear.

Flyers’ Weise suspended for three games: Philadelphia Flyers forward Dale Weise was suspended for three games without pay by the NHL for an illegal check to Anaheim defenseman Korbinian Holzer’s head.

The hit came in the second period of the Flyers’ 3-2 home loss Thursday night. Weise wasn’t called for a penalty.

The suspension will cost Weise $39,167.

Thomas leads by two at CIMB Classic

Golf: Defending champion Justin Thomas shot a 6-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead halfway through the CIMB Classic, staying within striking distance of his own tournament record at TPC Kuala Lumpur in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Thomas shared the first-round lead with fellow Americans Keegan Bradley and Derek Fathauer at 64, and followed up with a bogey-free round to get to 14 under. Thomas finished at 26-under 262 last year for his first PGA Tour title.

Lee extends lead to six: Minjee Lee patiently navigated Jian Lake’s undulating greens again to stretch her lead to six strokes in the Blue Bay LPGA in Hainan, China.

The 20-year-old Australian followed her opening 7-under 65 with a bogey-free 67 in windier afternoon conditions off Hainan Clear Water Bay.

Ex-student pleads guilty in UTEP betting

Basketball: A former West Texas university student has pleaded guilty to a role in a gambling operation at the university that took bets from basketball players on different sports. The FBI says Michael Karpus pleaded guilty in federal court hearing in El Paso to misprision of felony, a charge involving failure to report a felony to authorities.

Authorities say Karpus received wagers from basketball players at the UTEP and unsuccessfully tried to recruit one player to participate in point-shaving to influence the outcome for bettors.

Kings exercise option on Cauley-Stein: The Sacramento Kings have exercised their third-year option on center Willie Cauley-Stein. He averaged 7.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game last season when he was named to the all-rookie second team.

Kuznetsova moves to Kremlin Cup semis

Miscellany: Top-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova beat No. 4 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-1, 6-7 (2), 6-4 in the Kremlin Cup semifinals in Moscow to stay on course to claim last spot in tennis’ WTA Finals.

Bunning suffers stroke: The family of former U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning said he suffered a stroke this week but is out of intensive care. Bunning was stricken Tuesday at his home in Southgate, Kentucky.

Bunning, a former major league pitcher and Hall of Famer, turns 85 on Sunday.

Wagner wins Skate America short program: American Ashley Wagner won the Skate America short program in with a score of 69.50, building on her second-place finish in the world championships.

Japan’s Mai Mihara was second at 65.75, and U.S. champion Gracie Gold third at 64.87. The free skate will determine the champion Saturday at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Rosberg tops Hamilton: Formula One championship leader Nico Rosberg put more pressure on Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton by posting the fastest lap in Friday’s practice sessions at the U.S. Grand Prix.

Hamilton led the morning session before Rosberg came back in the afternoon with a lap of 1 minute, 37.358 seconds.