James Reimer makes 16 saves as Senators blank Canucks 2-0

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — James Reimer stopped 16 shots for his first shutout of the season and 32nd of his career, and the Ottawa Senators beat the Vancouver Canucks 2-0 on Monday night.

Ridly Greig scored in the second period for Ottawa, and Brady Tkachuk added an empty-netter with 1:20 remaining, extending his point streak to seven games — six of those after he helped the United States win Olympic gold in Milan.

Kevin Lankinen made 22 saves for Vancouver, which opened an eight-game homestand.

Ottawa has points in seven straight games (5-0-2) and 11 of 12 (9-1-2) as it chases an Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

Greig collected a pass from Shane Pinto at the bottom of the faceoff circle, moved the puck to his forehand and fired a shot past Lankinen midway through the second.

The Canucks challenged the play, arguing Pinto made a hand pass before the goal, but the call was upheld after a video review.

Making his first start since Feb. 5, Reimer improved to 4-3-1 on the season and earned his first shutout since April 8, 2025, when he was with Toronto. The 37-year-old signed with Ottawa as a free agent on Jan. 12.

Tim Stutzle assisted on Tkachuk’s goal, stretching his point streak to 13 games (eight goals, nine assists).

Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson was sidelined with an upper-body injury suffered in Saturday's win over Seattle. Coach Travis Green said the 23-year-old is “week to week.”

Senators: Host Montreal on Wednesday.

Canucks: Host Nashville on Thursday.

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

Fans celebrate Ottawa Senators' Brady Tkachuk's empty net goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, on Monday, March 9, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators goalie James Reimer (47) and Ridly Greig (71) celebrate after Ottawa defeated the Vancouver Canucks 2-0 during an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, on Monday, March 9, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators goalie James Reimer, left, and Nick Jensen celebrate after Ottawa defeated the Vancouver Canucks 2-0 during an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, on Monday, March 9, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks' Nils Hoglander (21) looks for the puck after being stopped by Ottawa Senators goalie James Reimer (47) as Thomas Chabot (72) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, on Monday, March 9, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators goalie James Reimer checks the inside his mask during a stoppage in play during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, in Vancouver, on Monday, March 9, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Left-hander Jesús Luzardo and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed on a $135 million, five-year contract that starts in 2027, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not yet been announced.

The 28-year-old Luzardo went 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA in 183 2/3 innings and was second in the National League with 212 strikeouts in his first season with the Phillies.

Luzardo agreed in January to an $11 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration. He entered this season seven days shy of six years of major league service, a level that would have made him eligible for free agency.

He was acquired ahead of the 2025 season in a trade with Miami and instantly helped solidify the rotation – he struck out 11 in his first start against Washington -- as the Phillies won their second straight NL East championship. The only time a pitcher recorded more strikeouts in his first game with Philadelphia came in 1997, when Garrett Stephenson had 12 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Luzardo is 41-41 over seven seasons that also included stops with Oakland and the Marlins. He is the latest Phillies starter to agree to a long-term deal.

Cristopher Sánchez has a $22.5 million, four-year contract through the 2028 season, Zack Wheeler a $126 million deal through the 2027 and Aaron Nola a $172 million, seven=-year agreement through 2030. Rookie Andrew Painter is expected to earn the fifth-starter spot in the rotation

The Phillies had a busy offseason. They gave manager Rob Thomson a one-year extension through 2027 after he led the Phillies to their fourth straight playoff appearance, signed NL home run champion Kyle Schwarber to a $150 million, five-year deal and three-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto to a $45 million, three-year contract.

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

FILE - Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo throws out Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernandez at first during the fourth inning in Game 2 of baseball's National League Division Series, Oct. 6, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)