Backlund and Sharangovich lead Flames to 3-1 road win over Blackhawks

CHICAGO (AP) — Mikael Backlund and Yegor Sharangovich each had a goal and an assist as the Calgary Flames beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 on Thursday night.

Devin Cooley made 22 saves and Matt Coronato added an empty-net goal for the Flames, who won for only the second time in seven games. They completed a 2-3 trip, improving to 8-16-2 on the road this season.

Nick Foligno scored early and Spencer Knight stopped 20 shots for the Blackhawks, outscored 7-2 while dropping the first two games of a four-game homestand. They have lost three of four following a four-game win streak.

Chicago star Connor Bedard was held without a point and finished minus-2 after missing Monday's 4-1 loss to Edmonton with an illness.

Blackhawks forward Teuvo Teravainen sat out with an upper-body injury that prevented him from playing the final two periods against the Oilers.

Foligno, the Blackhawks' captain, opened the scoring with his second goal of the season 2:38 into the first period. Sharangovich tied it 36 seconds later on a power play, assisted by Backlund and Connor Zary.

With the Flames killing a penalty, Backlund scored unassisted at 6:05 to give them a 2-1 lead. Backlund also had a goal and an assist Tuesday in a 5-3 loss at Columbus.

Following a scoreless second period, Sharangovich assisted on Coronato's empty-netter with 1:01 remaining to seal it. It was Coronato’s 13th goal of the season.

Flames: Begin a five-game homestand Saturday against the New York Islanders.

Blackhawks: Host the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) trips Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno (17) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard handles the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy (5), left, and Calgary Flames left wing Joel Farabee (86) fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Landon Slaggert, right, collides with Calgary Flames goaltender Devin Cooley during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) celebrates his goal on the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

CARY, N.C. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw isn't done pitching just yet, agreeing Thursday to join the U.S. team for this year's World Baseball Classic.

The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner wanted to pitch for the Americans in the 2023 tournament but was prevented because of insurance issues. He had a $20 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time.

“I was too broken for the insurance to cover my arm and everything,” Kershaw said on MLB Network, “so now that it doesn't matter I get to go and be a part of this group.”

A left-hander who turns 38 two days after the March 17 championship game, Kershaw announced last September that he was retiring at the end of the season, his 18th in a stellar career for the Dodgers. He won his third World Series title and finished 223-96 with a 2.53 ERA and 3,052 strikeouts.

“I just want to be the insurance policy,” Kershaw said. “If anybody needs a breather or if they need me to pitch back-to-back-to-back or if they don’t need me to pitch at all, I’m just there to be there. I just want to be a part of this group.”

Later Thursday, new Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman announced he will join the U.S. team.

When Kershaw received a call from U.S. manager Mark DeRosa, he thought he was being invited as a coach.

“I didn't have a whole lot of interest in picking up a baseball again," Kershaw said. “I started throwing 10, 12 days ago and it doesn’t feel terrible, so I think I’ll be OK.”

Kershaw joins a U.S. pitching staff that includes right-handers David Bednar, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb along with left-handers Tarik Skubal and Gabe Speier.

The American roster also includes catchers Cal Raleigh and Will Smith; infielders Ernie Clement, Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang and Bobby Witt Jr.; outfielders Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge; and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.

The U.S., which lost the 2023 championship game to Japan, opens March 6 against Brazil at Houston, part of a group that also includes Britain, Italy and Mexico.

Shohei Ohtani struck out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to end Japan's 3-2 win in the 2023 championship. Kershaw doesn't anticipate facing Ohtani, his teammate for the Dodgers' World Series titles in 2024 and 2025.

“I think something will have gone terribly wrong if I have to pitch against team Japan in the finals or something. I think we got plenty of guys to get that guy out and not me,” Kershaw said. “But if that happens, I'll be nervous. I'll be nervous at this point.”

AP baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates the end of the top of the 12th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of baseball's World Series, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)