NHL

AP Hockey WriterPredators left surprised, determined by Johansen's injuryBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) The Nashville Predators are still stunned by the loss of top scorer Ryan Johansen to a season-ending thigh injury after Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.They're also determined not to allow his absence to...

DeSmith blanks Canucks; Penguins finish perfect Canada tripVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Casey DeSmith stopped 29 shots for his second career shutout, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin had two goals apiece and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-0 on Saturday night.DeSmith, a 27-year-old backup, got the nod...

Oilers ready for Sharks challenge as they return to playoffsEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Jordan Eberle shrugs off the notion that he and the rest of the Edmonton Oilers might be a little wide-eyed when the puck drops in their playoff series against the San Jose Sharks.The Sharks are the...

Blackhawks agree to 1-year contract with D Michal KempnyCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a one-year contract with defenseman Michal Kempny.Kempny was set to become a restricted free agent July 1. The extension runs through the 2017-18 season.The 26-year-old Kempny had two goals and six assists...

Hockey commentator Don Cherry fired for rant over immigrantsTORONTO (AP) A Canadian broadcast company has fired hockey commentator Don Cherry for calling immigrants ''you people'' in a rant on television in which he said new immigrants are not honoring the country's fallen soldiers.Rogers Sportsnet president Bart Yabsley said...

Islanders sign fifth-round draft pick Sebastian AhoNEW YORK (AP) The New York Islanders have signed Swedish defenseman Sebastian Aho to a three-year entry level contract.The team announced the signing of the recent fifth-round draft pick Wednesday.Aho had career highs in goals (10), assists (20), points (30) and games...

Jets center Little hospitalized after being struck by puckWINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Winnipeg Jets forward Bryan Little remained hospitalized Wednesday, a day after being struck near the ear by a puck.Little was skating behind the net midway through the third period in a 2-1 home loss to New Jersey...

Blackhawks hire Samuelsson, Granato as assistant coachesCHICAGO (AP) Former NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson and Don Granato are joining coach Joel Quenneville's staff in Chicago, giving the Blackhawks a fresh perspective after they were swept in the first round of the playoffs this year.The 53-year Samuelsson was the head...

AP Hockey WriterNHL puts off 2 days of playoff games amid injustice protestsBy JOHN WAWROWThe NHL postponed two days of playoff games Thursday after withering criticism from Black players who said the league was slow to acknowledge the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.The joint decision to put...

From the outside, it would appear as if the Ottawa Senators stood pat during an offseason in which Eastern Conference rivals retooled.In general manager Bryan Murray's mind, it was a case of believing in a group that made a strong finishing kick last season and reached the playoffs.''Basically, the...

Associated PressPanthers eliminated from playoffs despite win vs SabresBy PAUL GEREFFISUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Record-setting wins don't get much hollower than Florida's victory Saturday night.The Panthers were eliminated from playoff contention, even after Vincent Trocheck scored late in the third period to help hold off the Buffalo Sabres 4-3...

AP Hockey WriterNHL investigating Flyers' Lehtera after drug bust in FinlandBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe NHL is investigating Philadelphia Flyers forward Jori Lehtera after a report he's being questioned in connection with a drug bust in his native Finland.Deputy commissioner Bill Daly says the league is investigating the situation. Lehtera's lawyer,...