NHL

Stars D Johns likely to return after 1 1/2-year absenceDALLAS (AP) Star defenseman Stephen Johns appears on track to return to Dallas' lineup for the first time in 22 months on Saturday.Johns, who returned from a conditioning assignment with Texas of the AHL, was not active for Thursday's...

Associated PressGrubauer makes 27 saves, Avalanche blank Sharks 4-0By MICHAEL KELLYDENVER (AP) Valeri Nichushkin's only shot of the game gave Colorado the lead in the first minute. Philipp Grubauer made it stand up for the last 59.''First shot, first goal, we keep working and don't look back,'' Grubauer...

Virtanen, Markstrom lead Canucks over Coyotes 3-1By The Associated PressVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Jake Virtanen scored the go-ahead goal midway through the second period and Jacob Markstrom made 34 saves to lead the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night.Bo Horvat also...

Dahlin breaks tie, Ullmark helps Sabres beat Stars 4-1DALLAS (AP) Rasmus Dahlin’s tiebreaking goal in the second period held up for Buffalo on Thursday night.Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark and aggressive play in the neutral zone held Dallas scoreless until Buffalo scored two empty-net goals for a 4-1 win...

Associated PressRakell's goal, assist lead Ducks over Predators 4-2By JIM DIAMONDNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Anaheim Ducks have just two wins in 2020, both against the Nashville Predators.Rickard Rakell had a goal and an assist, John Gibson made 33 saves and the Ducks beat Nashville 4-2 Thursday night.Josh Manson,...

Associated PressVoracek scores in OT, Flyers beat Blues 4-3By JOE HARRISST. LOUIS (AP) The Philadelphia Flyers have shown the ability to play up to their competition.Jakub Voracek scored in overtime and the Flyers beat the St. Louis Blues 4-3 on Wednesday night.The win capped a four-game stretch in...

Smith scores twice, Blackhawks beat Canadiens 4-1MONTREAL (AP) Corey Crawford doesn’t know why he plays well against his hometown team.The veteran goalie stopped 32 shots to help the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 on Wednesday night.Crawford, from suburban Chateauguay, Quebec, improved to 11-2-2 against the Canadiens.“I...

AP Hockey WriterGolden Knights fire Gallant, name DeBoer new coachBy STEPHEN WHYNOGerard Gallant was abruptly fired as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday less than two years after leading them to the Stanley Cup Final in their first season of existence.Peter DeBoer takes over immediately, a month...

AP Hockey WriterGolden Knights fire Gallant, name DeBoer new coachBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe Vegas Golden Knights fired former NHL coach of the year Gerard Gallant on Wednesday amid a four-game losing streak and replaced him with Peter DeBoer.General manager Kelly McCrimmon announced the stunning change the morning after a 4-2...

Smith scores twice, Blackhawks beat Canadiens 4-1MONTREAL (AP) Zack Smith scored twice to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.Alex DeBrincat and Drake Caggiula also scored for the Blackhawks, who were coming off a 3-2 overtime win against the Senators on...

Smith scores twice, Blackhawks beat Canadiens 4-1MONTREAL (AP) Zack Smith scored twice to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.Alex DeBrincat and Drake Caggiula also scored for the Blackhawks, who were coming off a 3-2 overtime win against the Senators on...

AP Hockey WriterTop women's players to be part of NHL All-Star WeekendBy JOHN WAWROWThe magnitude of the moment wasn't lost on Kendall Coyne Schofield - wearing her No. 26 Team USA jersey - as she dug her skates into the ice waiting for the starter's whistle to blow.It took...