NHL

Associated PressPoint scores in OT, Lightning beat Panthers 5-4By ERIK ERLENDSSONTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Overtime has become Brayden Point's time to shine.The Tampa Bay center scored his fourth overtime goal of the season on Tuesday to give the league-leading Lightning a 5-4 victory over in-state rival Florida.Point also has...

AP Hockey WriterPuck and player tracking coming to NHL next seasonBy STEPHEN WHYNOPuck and player tracking is coming to the NHL next season. A sneak preview is coming up this weekend, too.Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the long-expected news Friday during All-Star Weekend in San Jose, California, calling it a...

Wrong number text leads couple to free Stanley Cup ticketsPITTSBURGH (AP) A text message sent to the wrong number led to a Pittsburgh couple scoring free tickets to see the Penguins play Game 2 in the Stanley Cup Final.KDKA-TV reports (http://cbsloc.al/2sjMRoJ ) Amy Santora received a text offering...

AP Sports WriterNJ Devils season comes to end as NHL plots playoff planBy TOM CANAVANThe New Jersey Devils' season came to an end on Tuesday after the NHL abandoned the rest of the regular season and announced plans to head straight into the playoffs with 24 teams.Only seven teams...

Lacroix, architect of 2 Avs Stanley Cup titles, dies at 72DENVER (AP) Pierre Lacroix, the astute executive who was the architect of two Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup championship teams, has died. He was 72.The Avalanche confirmed his death Sunday. No cause of death was given.Lacroix was a driving...

Lacroix, architect of 2 Avs Stanley Cup titles, dies at 72DENVER (AP) Pierre Lacroix, the astute executive who was the architect of two Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup championship teams, has died. He was 72.The Avalanche confirmed his death Sunday. No cause of death was given.Lacroix was a driving...

Associated PressNewcomers Staal, Stewart lead Wild to 4-3 win against JetsBy BRIAN HALLST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Chris Stewart brought his usual energy in his return to the Wild's home ice, and new recruit Eric Staal finished Minnesota's comeback in its home opener.Stewart had a goal, an assist and...

AP Sports WriterForsberg, Duchene score PP goals as Preds shut out Stars 2-0By TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators just missed the tornado that ripped through Music City not far from their arena, flying out of town for a road game.They offered Nashville a bit of...

When Rod Brind'Amour watched pregame shows during the regular season, he didn't think much thought was put into analyzing his Carolina Hurricanes. ''They'd look at the stat sheet and they'll say: `Oh, Sebastian Aho is a good player. Watch for him,''' Brind'Amour said recently. Now that the Hurricanes are in the...

AP Sports WriterCanes beat Devils 3-1, clinch 1st playoff berth since '09By JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) No current Carolina Hurricanes player has skated in more games than Justin Faulk - 558 in all, and not a single one in the playoffs.That changes next week.The Hurricanes clinched their first...

Isles hire Kelly Buchberger as assistant coachNEW YORK (AP) The New York Islanders have hired Kelly Buchberger to be an assistant under coach Doug Weight.Buchberger served as vice president of player development for the Edmonton Oilers last season, after spending the previous two as the club's manager of...

Smith scores twice, Blackhawks beat Canadiens 4-1MONTREAL (AP) Zack Smith scored twice to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.Alex DeBrincat and Drake Caggiula also scored for the Blackhawks, who were coming off a 3-2 overtime win against the Senators on...