NHL

AP Sports WriterStar-laden Penguins open playoffs against stingy IslandersBy VIN A. CHERWOOEAST MEADOW, N.Y. (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins have the big-name players. The New York Islanders rely on their system for success.Perennial All-Stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lead the high-scoring Penguins against Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal and...

DETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings have put winger Thomas Vanek on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Detroit made the move Monday, keeping Vanek out of the lineup for at least four more games. He's eligible to play Nov. 20 against Calgary. The 32-year-old Vanek, signed July 1 as...

AP Hockey WriterAP Sources: Caps to host Leafs in outdoor game at NavyBy STEPHEN WHYNOTwo people with knowledge of the situation say the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs will play an outdoor game at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, next season.The people spoke to The Associated Press...

AP Sports WriterPenguins trade Kessel to Coyotes for GalchenyukBy JOHN MARSHALLGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded high-scoring winger Phil Kessel to the Arizona Coyotes for center Alex Galchenyuk.Minor league defenseman Pierre-Oliver Joseph also will go to Pittsburgh in the deal announced Saturday. The Coyotes get minor...

AP Hockey WriterSalary cap economics squeezing out NHL's middle classBy STEPHEN WHYNOStanley Cup-winning experience isn't worth what it used to be. Neither is experience of any kind.As NHL teams move toward paying their stars more money and relying on young players to fill the gaps, hockey's middle class is...

Predators hire former Devils coach John Hynes as new coachNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators have hired former New Jersey Devils coach John Hynes as the third coach in franchise history after firing Peter Laviolette.The Predators announced the hiring Tuesday morning before a morning skate. Nashville hosts Boston...

Associated PressBergeron scores twice in return as Bruins beat Predators 5-2By KEN POWTAKBOSTON (AP) Patrice Bergeron scored two goals to reach 300 for his career, returning to the lineup Saturday after missing 16 games and leading the Boston Bruins past the Nashville Predators 5-2.He also set up Brad...

Flames acquire goalie Elliott from Blues for 2nd-round pickBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Calgary Flames addressed their biggest need entering the NHL draft weekend by acquiring goalie Brian Elliott in a trade with the St. Louis Blues for their second-round pick this season.Flames general manager Brad Treliving said Thursday...

AP Sports WriterBishop now the Stars goalie trying to beat Blues in playoffsBy STEPHEN HAWKINSBen Bishop grew up rooting for the St. Louis Blues before being drafted by them. He remembers being in the stands at 14 years old during a playoff series against the Stars and wholeheartedly taking...

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (AP) The Minnesota Wild have built the best record in the Western Conference with lines that are often mixed and matched. Except for one trio, that is. Jason Zucker scored two goals and added an assist to lead the Wild past the Nashville Predators 5-2 on Saturday night. Minnesota...

Sabres forward Skinner out 3-4 weeks with upper body injuryBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner will miss three to four weeks because of an upper body injury.The team did not provide any other details in announcing the update Saturday, a day after Skinner was injured in...

AP Sports WriterLightning have 'unfinished business' after All-Star breakBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) For Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning, just about everything has gone right so far this season.But as they get ready to return from the All-Star break as the NHL's top team, the...