NHL

Golden Knights sign Russian forward Vadim ShipachyovLAS VEGAS (AP) The expansion Vegas Golden Knights have signed free-agent Russian forward Vadim Shipachyov to a two-year, $9 million contract.General manager George McPhee announced the deal Thursday night.The 30-year-old Shipachyov had 26 goals and 50 assists in 50 games this season...

AP Sports WriterBlackhawks, Blue Jackets look to stave off eliminationBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) After posting two of the top four records in the NHL in the regular season, the Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets both need to find out a way to get a win...

In the opening days of training camp, Eric Fehr could sense that the Pittsburgh Penguins hadn't had much rest since winning the Stanley Cup in mid-June. That fatigue affected the runner-up San Jose Sharks more than it did the Penguins early on. But both teams are again among the best...

AP Hockey WriterBruins' consistency faces final test in Game 7 vs. BluesBy STEPHEN WHYNOST. LOUIS (AP) The strains of Jay-Z and Linkin Park's ''Numb/Encore'' mashup emanated from a small speaker on the hallway floor outside the visiting locker room following the Boston Bruins' morning skate.''I don't know what...

AP Sports WriterNieto's hat trick lifts Avalanche to 5-3 win over StarsBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) A deluge of injuries got Matt Nieto back into the lineup. More games like this will certainly keep him in there.Nieto capped off his first career hat trick on an empty-netter in the...

AP Hockey WriterEmergency goalie protocol talk on tap for NHL GMs meetingBy STEPHEN WHYNOWhen a 42-year-old Zamboni driver entered as an emergency goaltender and won an NHL game, it became one of the best stories in sports.But David Ayres going from practicing with the Toronto Maple Leafs to playing...

D Jan Rutta agrees to 1-year deal with Chicago BlackhawksCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a one-year deal with Czech defenseman Jan Rutta.The 26-year-old Rutta set career highs with 24 assists and 32 points in 46 games with the Czech Extraliga's Pirati Chomutov. He also played...

TORONTO (AP) As Connor McDavid was going through his draft year, agent and Hall of Famer Bobby Orr knew his client had to get stronger to play at the NHL level.After a summer of training, McDavid feels as if he has done that, and now he's ready to...

Associated PressOvechkin near 700 after 27th hat trick; Caps beat Kings 4-2By IAN QUILLENWASHINGTON (AP) Alex Ovechkin recorded his 27th career hat trick and raised his career goal total to 698 during a five-minute stretch of the third period, rallying the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 victory over...

Associated PressPietrangelo set for Vegas debut, carries high expectationsBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Alex Pietrangelo will be carrying the weight of many expectations on his shoulders when he finally takes the ice for the Vegas Golden Knights.Team President George McPhee and general manager Kelly McCrimmon believe the veteran...

AP Hockey WriterSame series, different year: Penguins-Capitals meet againBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Like tourists flocking to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom, the Pittsburgh Penguins making a trip to Washington in the playoffs has become a rite of spring.The Penguins and Capitals will face off in...

Judge denies request to block funding tied to Detroit arenaDETROIT (AP) A federal judge has denied a request to block some public funding for Little Caesars Arena and the Detroit Pistons' move from the suburbs.U.S. District Court Judge Mark Goldsmith issued his decision late Monday, saying a requested...