NHL

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - After their last two seasons ended with heartbreaking losses in winner-take-all games, the Anaheim Ducks thought they were ready to get past Game 7.Instead, the Chicago Blackhawks showed the Ducks just how far they still are from the Stanley Cup Final.Jonathan Toews scored two goals...

Sharks retain Bob Boughner as coach, removing interim tagSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks have retained Bob Boughner as their coach, removing the interim tag to make him the ninth full-time head coach in franchise history.The Sharks announced their full coaching staffs for the NHL and...

AP Hockey WritersRalph Krueger returns to NHL as Sabres coachBy STEPHEN WHYNO and JOHN WAWROWRalph Krueger changed his mind on returning to coaching in the NHL just in time to give the Buffalo Sabres the experience they wanted behind the bench.Krueger was named Sabres coach on Wednesday after spending...

Associated PressHutton stops 48 shots for 9th shutout, Blues beat Jets 2-0By DAVID SOLOMONST. LOUIS (AP) As a backup goalie, Carter Hutton knows he has to make the most of his rare chances to play.Hutton did just that, making a career-high 48 saves to earn his ninth career...

AP Sports WriterTampa Bay takes momentum into back-to-back Cup gamesBy STEPHEN HAWKINSThe Dallas Stars have to fix some things in a hurry, or this Stanley Cup Final could be over quickly.After consecutive games with three-goal periods, Tampa Bay has all of the momentum and a 2-1 series lead. This...

Bill Dineen, former hockey player and coach, dies at 84TORONTO (AP) Bill Dineen, the hockey icon who played with and later coached Gordie Howe, has died. He was 84.The American Hockey League confirmed in a statement that Dineen died Saturday at his home in Lake George, New York.Dineen,...

AP Sports WriterWild drop interim tag to make Dean Evason full-time coachBy DAVE CAMPBELLThe Minnesota Wild made Dean Evason their full-time head coach on Monday, signing him to a two-year contract extension at the commencement of training camp for the restarted NHL season.Evason's deal will expire after the 2021-22...

Dany Heatley found it all too fitting that he reached the 400-assist mark for his career with two "passes" off the post. Known more for his shot, the Minnesota Wild forward clanged a pair of line drives off the goal post, only to have the puck carom straight to...

BOSTON (AP) The Boston Bruins have re-signed forward Sean Kuraly to a three-year deal. The contract has an annual cap hit of $1.275 million, the team said. Kuraly scored six goals last season, his first full season in the NHL. He had two goals and a pair of assists in the...

AP Sports WriterStan Mikita, who led Blackhawks to 1961 title, dies at 78By JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) Stan Mikita, the hockey great who helped the Chicago Blackhawks to the 1961 Stanley Cup title while becoming one of the franchise's most revered figures, died Tuesday. He was 78.Mikita's family announced...

AP Hockey WriterIn first full year under Yeo, Blues' sights still on CupBy STEPHEN WHYNOVladimir Tarasenko told the St. Louis Blues he wants to lead them to another level.After a sixth consecutive playoff appearance without a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, what is the next level for the...

AP Hockey WriterLundqvist to Caps, goalie carousel spins in NHL free agencyBy STEPHEN WHYNOHenrik Lundqvist will continue his pursuit of the Stanley Cup with a team he spent much of his career trying to stop from winning it.Lundqvist signed with the Washington Capitals on Friday, a $1.5 million, one-year...