NHL

AP Sports WriterImprobable turnaround has Blue Jackets climbing in MetroBy MITCH STACYCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The Columbus Blue Jackets were tanking fast two months ago.They were 11-14-4, had lost four in a row and timely goals were as scarce as winter sunshine in Columbus. Hopes for a fourth straight...

NHL's 1st black player says league working to fight racismOTTAWA, Ontario (AP) Willie O'Ree is hopeful that one day sports will be free of racism and bigotry, yet thinks it's still a long way off.The 84-year-old O'Ree, the first black player in the NHL, took part in the...

Thornton reaches 1,500 points, Sharks beat Flames 3-1CALGARY, Alberta (AP) Joe Thornton had two assists to reach 1,500 career points and the San Jose Sharks beat the Calgary Flames 3-1 Tuesday night.Evander Kane, Brent Burns and Kevin Labanc scored for the Sharks, who have just two wins in...

AP Sports WriterKreider returns, sparks Rangers to 5-3 win over Maple LeafsBy SIMMI BUTTARNEW YORK (AP) Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad scored in a 6-second span late in the first period and the New York Rangers earned a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.Kreider...

Rakell scores shootout winner, Ducks edge Senators 3-2OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) Rickard Rakell scored the shootout winner and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on Tuesday night.Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase scored in regulation for Anaheim, which has won four of its last five.John Gibson made 30...

AP Sports WriterKovalchuk scores in SO, Canadiens rally past Devils 5-4By TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) Trailing by three goals and with their playoffs hopes fading, the Montreal Canadiens reached down and found something that might spark their season.Ilya Kovalchuk scored the only shootout goal and the Canadiens rallied...

Associated PressStamkos leads Lightning to 4-2 win over Golden KnightsBy ERIK ERLENDSSONTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Steven Stamkos tipped in his 24th goal of the season in the third period and led the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night.Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28...

Rakell scores shootout winner, Ducks edge Senators 3-2OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) Rickard Rakell scored the shootout winner and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on Tuesday night.Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase scored in regulation for Anaheim, which has won four of its last five.John Gibson made 30...

Associated PressOvechkin near 700 after 27th hat trick; Caps beat Kings 4-2By IAN QUILLENWASHINGTON (AP) Alex Ovechkin recorded his 27th career hat trick and raised his career goal total to 698 during a five-minute stretch of the third period, rallying the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 victory over...

AP Sports WriterWerenski scores OT goal in Blue Jackets 1-0 win over FloridaBy MITCH STACYZach Werenski scored 1:54 into overtime and the Columbus Blue Jackets extended their points streak to nine games with a 1-0 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.Werenski picked up the puck off the...

AP Hockey WriterBurakovsky, fluke goal, spark Avalanche's 6-1 rout of SabresBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Andre Burakovsky had a goal and three assists for a career-best four points in the Colorado Avalanche’s 6-1 win over the spiraling Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.Samuel Girard sparked the rout with the...

AP Sports WriterSeattle's scouts studying NHL with focus on expansion draftBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) John Goodwin had the honor of being the first and it was a bit unnerving.He was a pro scout representing a franchise without a nickname and nearly two years away from having a roster...