NHL

AP Sports WriterPredators beat Stars 2-1 in OT, even series 1-1By TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Craig Smith has a knack for timely goals in the playoffs, and he helped the Nashville Predators avoid a very big hole heading to Dallas.Smith scored five minutes into overtime to give...

Wheeler, Scheifele help Jets beat Flyers 7-3WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele each had a power-play goal and added two assists in the Winnipeg Jets' 7-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday,Nikolaj Ehlers, Luca Sbisa, Logan Shaw, Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor also scored and Connor...

AP Hockey WriterArizona-born Matthews goes 1st in NHL draft; Finns followBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Once the ''Go Leafs, Go!'' chants subsided after Toronto selected Arizona-born center Auston Matthews with the first pick in the NHL draft, the Finns began their march to the podium.Three players from Finland...

The Winnipeg Jets are sending 19-year-old forward Mark Scheifele to the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff says he still has confidence in Scheifele. He adds that Scheifele was a top performer with his junior club and will get a chance to continue his...

Hurricanes losing Dudley, still in talks with TV's ForslundRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Carolina Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell said Wednesday that executive Rick Dudley won’t return and the team is still in talks with longtime TV play-by-play announcer John Forslund on a new deal.The 71-year-old Dudley had...

Capitals' Winnik loses part of ear blocking shotSUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Washington forward Daniel Winnik lost a part of his right ear when he was stuck in the head blocking a shot in the Capitals' 4-2 victory Thursday night at Florida.The only Washington skater who doesn't wear a protective...

Associated PressPenguins lose special teams battle, game to NashvilleBy JIM DIAMONDNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins are still leading the Stanley Cup Final, no thanks to their scuffling power play.The Penguins went 0-3 with the man advantage in losing Game 3 in Nashville, 5-1. The Predators scored on...

AP Hockey WriterSeason of comeback? Blues lock down games to win CupBy STEPHEN WHYNOBOSTON (AP) When Alex Pietrangelo lifted a backhander over Tuukka Rask to give the St. Louis Blues a two-goal lead late in the first period, Boston fans went silent and the eerie quiet lasted throughout...

Carolina, defenseman Jaccob Slavin agree on 7-year extensionRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes and defenseman Jaccob Slavin have agreed to a seven-year contract extension.General manager Ron Francis on Wednesday said the deal begins in 2018-19 and will carry an average annual value of $5.3 million through the 2024-25...

AP Hockey WriterEmotional Pominville seals Sabres' 5-2 win over SenatorsBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Sabres forward Jason Pominville began the day unable to contain his emotions by choking up when coming to the realization he might be playing his final home game in Buffalo.The 36-year-old ended the day...

AP Sports WriterIslanders, Josh Bailey agree to 6-year, $30 million dealBy VIN A. CHERWOONEW YORK (AP) Josh Bailey agreed to a six-year, $30 million deal Friday to stay with the New York Islanders instead of testing free agency this summer.The 28-year-old forward, selected to his first All-Star appearance...

AP Hockey WriterWinger Mike Hoffman traded twice, lands with PanthersBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe Ottawa Senators traded winger Mike Hoffman on Tuesday, hoping to solve an ugly off-ice issue involving star defenseman Erik Karlsson and his wife.The Senators sent Hoffman to the San Jose Sharks, who then dealt him to the...