NHL

The Calgary Flames placed goalie Miikka Kiprusoff and center Mikael Backlund on injured reserve on Friday. Kiprusoff was injured in Calgary's 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. Kiprusoff was added to the IR retroactively and is considered day to day with a lower-body injury. Backlund is expected to...

AP Hockey WriterBlues trade goalie Allen to Montreal, clear salary cap spaceBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe St. Louis Blues traded goaltender Jake Allen to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday in a move that clears valuable salary cap space to try to keep their Stanley Cup-winning captain.St. Louis received a third- and...

AP Sports WriterGM: Hurricanes 'capable' of finally making playoffsBy JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes figure they look like a playoff team on paper. They're eager to find out if that translates to the ice.After missing the postseason for the eighth straight year - the longest active...

Hurricanes buy out remainder of F Patrick Marleau's contractRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes have bought out the remainder of Patrick Marleau's contract less than a week after acquiring him in a trade.The team announced the decision Thursday.Toronto sent the 39-year-old forward to Carolina on Saturday seeking salary-cap...

AP Hockey WriterOilers, Sabres sagging despite being led by McDavid, EichelBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) While keeping open the possibility of a late playoff push, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid acknowledged how much losing has worn on him this year. In Buffalo, Sabres captain Jack Eichel grew irritated...

AP Hockey WriterOvechkin, Capitals return home still seeking an identityBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) The first month of the NHL season taught the Washington Capitals that they can't simply repeat their success of the past two seasons.Depleted of their depth by offseason departures and injuries, the Capitals stayed...

NEW YORK (AP) The New York Islanders agreed to a one-year deal with right wing Steve Bernier on Thursday.Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.The 30-year-old Bernier matched his career high with 32 points for New Jersey last season, tying for second on the team with 16 goals.The...

Leafs sign veteran Jason Spezza to another 1-year dealTORONTO (AP) The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed center Jason Spezza to a one-year, $700,000 contract.It marks the second straight one-year deal at the NHL minimum with the Leafs for the 37-year-old Toronto native.Spezza had nine goals and 25 points...

Associated PressCanadiens use big 2nd period to beat slumping Blues 5-2By JOE HARRISST. LOUIS (AP) Brendan Gallagher got a lucky bounce, and the Montreal Canadiens took over from there.Gallagher, Jonathan Drouin and Nick Suzuki scored in the second period, and the Canadiens beat the St. Louis Blues 5-2...

CHICAGO (AP) Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell has cleared waivers and will remain with the Stanley Cup champions for now.Bickell could have been sent down to Rockford of the American Hockey League after he cleared waivers on Saturday, but coach Joel Quenneville says he is staying and would play...

AP Hockey WriterMaple Leafs select Arizona-born Matthews No. 1 in NHL draftBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) On the heels of the NHL expanding into Las Vegas, the Toronto Maple Leafs are pinning their future on Arizona-born center Auston Matthews.Amid chants of ''Go Leafs, Go!'' the 18-year-old from Scottsdale...

AP Sports WriterBruins say Bergeron's status for Game 5 a game-day decisionBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) Boston Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy says he will decide on Saturday whether forward Patrice Bergeron plays in Game 5 of the playoff against Toronto that night.Bergeron missed Game 4 on Thursday with an...