NHL

AP Sports WriterBlue mutt named Stanley set tone for Preds' attacking styleBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The instant one of the Pittsburgh Penguins passes the puck to a teammate, one of the Nashville Predators closes in, taking away any time or space to operate.The junkyard dog approach...

Wild re-sign forward Kurtis Gabriel, goalie Steve MichalekST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Wild have re-signed right wing Kurtis Gabriel and goalie Steve Michalek to one-year, two-way contracts.The deals with the restricted free agents were done Monday. Many of the moves by the Wild this summer have been...

AP Sports WriterNHL royalty vs. the rowdy neighbors in Stanley Cup FinalBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins kept getting by even as their star players kept skating off the ice in pain. Even as the targets on their back as Stanley Cup champions kept getting bigger. Even...

AP Hockey WriterDefensemen help Penguins play fast in Stanley Cup FinalBy STEPHEN WHYNORon Hainsey avoiding a big hit and carrying the puck from end to end isn't what the Pittsburgh Penguins ask of him or any other defenseman not named Kris Letang.Out long term after neck surgery, Letang isn't...

Predators sign Emil Pettersson to 2-year, entry-level dealNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators have signed forward Emil Pettersson to a two-year, entry-level contract.Pettersson, 23, ranked ninth in the Swedish Hockey League in points this season. Pettersson had 15 goals and 23 assists while splitting the season between Skelleftea...

AP Sports WriterAfter inconsistent season, Lundqvist shining in postseasonBy VIN A. CHERWOOGREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) After struggling through a subpar season by his standards, Henrik Lundqvist was at his best when the Rangers needed him in the first round.The 35-year-old goalie will again have to be at the top...

AP Sports WriterKunitz's double-OT goal sends Penguins back to Stanley CupBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Chris Kunitz spent a portion of the spring nursing a lower-body injury and wondering if his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins was over. The veteran forward's contract is up this summer and he's been...

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...

AP Hockey WriterFirst night of playoffs teaches lesson to young Maple LeafsBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Mike Babcock watched the first night of the Stanley Cup playoffs and was glad his players tuned in.''It's important for your players to be able to watch on TV just how hard everyone...

AP Sports WriterPenguins star Sidney Crosby out with another concussionBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The scene brought back jarring memories. Sidney Crosby woozily making his way off the ice after taking a brutal hit from a member of the Washington Capitals. His brain foggy. His immediate future uncertain.The sight...

McDavid disappointed at NHL decision to skip OlympicsTORONTO (AP) Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid said he's disappointed the NHL won't be sending players to the Winter Olympic in South Korea.''It would have been a special group, and you're just hopeful to be a part of it,'' McDavid told...

AP Sports WriterMike Sullivan guides Penguins back to conference finalsBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins looked like they needed a day off. Maybe more than one.And yet there the defending Stanley Cup champions were on Tuesday morning, dressed and skating barely 12 hours removed from a listless...