NHL

Associated PressBackstrom's OT goal lifts Capitals past Avalanche 3-2By DENNIS GEORGATOSDENVER (AP) When they were teammates, Nicklas Backstrom always had a tough time against Philipp Grubauer in practice.The Washington Capitals veteran had better luck when they met as opponents Friday night.Backstrom was left uncovered on a 4-on-3 power...

Associated PressBernier's 38 saves lead Avalanche past Sharks 3-1By BRENT W. NEWDENVER (AP) With the core of Colorado's scoring attack sidelined, backup goalie Jonathan Bernier put together a stifling performance.Gabriel Bourque and Tyson Jost scored 2:14 apart in the second period, Bernier stopped 38 shots and the Avalanche...

Devils hire Mark Dennehy as Binghamton AHL coachNEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils have chosen Mark Dennehy as the coach of their top minor league affiliate.Devils general manager Ray Shero said Wednesday that Dennehy will take over the job with the Binghamton Devils. The former Merrimack coach...

Barbashev leads Blues to 4-2 win over DucksANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) The St. Louis Blues are less interested in identifying why they've suddenly turned things around than they are in simply extending their improved play.After losing nine of 10 and fading in the playoff race, the Blues won their...

AP Hockey WriterNHL says Flyers, Panthers could play tiebreaker gameBy STEPHEN WHYNOIf the Philadelphia Flyers and Florida Panthers are even in points, regulation and overtime wins, and goal differential at the end of the season, they will play a one-game tiebreaker to determine who goes to the playoffs.The NHL...

AP Hockey WriterSignings, trades shift balance of power across the NHLBy STEPHEN WHYNOAfter building up to a playoff run that ended in the second round yet again, the Washington Capitals are going through a salary-cap nightmare usually reserved for Stanley Cup champions.The same struggles that led to the deconstruction...

Coyotes trade Domingue to Lightning for McGinn, LeightonGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Coyotes have traded goalie Louis Domingue to the Tampa Bay Lightning for forward Tye McGinn and goalie Michael Leighton.The trade, announced on Tuesday, ends Domingue's mixed tenure with the Coyotes.Domingue played well at times as Mike...

AP Sports WriterKane helps Blackhawks beat Flames 5-1 for 3rd straight winBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) Patrick Kane was terrific, and Corey Crawford had another solid performance for the Blackhawks.Oh, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians in Game 6 of the World Series.''Sure is a good day...

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...

AP Hockey WriterSharks re-signing Karlsson sets table for busy NHL offseasonBy STEPHEN WHYNOErik Karlsson had no wanderlust to test the free agent market before re-signing in San Jose.''I never thought outside that box,'' Karlsson said. ''I'm happy that it didn't get to that.''A handful of other teams aren't so...

The Latest: NHL moving forward with Seattle expansion bidNEW YORK (AP) The Latest on the Seattle NHL expansion presentation (all times local):5 p.m.NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the Board of Governors' executive committee has recommended moving forward with plans to add a team in Seattle. The final vote...

WASHINGTON (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 plays and how little room there is and how the game works,'' the Toronto...