NHL

CHICAGO (AP) - Everything seemed to fall into place for the Chicago Blackhawks, except for the final score.They came up short against a supposedly ailing Ben Bishop and lost 3-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals on a late goal by Cedric...

Linesman Barton leaves Jackets-Capitals game with injuryWASHINGTON (AP) A linesman injured his left knee and was helped off the ice in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals.Steve Barton collapsed to the ice after his left skate knocked into a...

AP Sports WriterIslanders have played Lightning tough since Game 1 routBy NOAH TRISTERThe New York Islanders are gaining confidence in their series with Tampa Bay.Coach Barry Trotz understands this is still an uphill battle.''We're going to get their best game tomorrow, and we've got to have our best game,''...

AP Sports WritersAlmost no travel in NHL playoffs benefits Lightning, StarsBy STEPHEN HAWKINS and STEPHEN WHYNOEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The Dallas Stars have been inside the NHL bubble in Edmonton for two months, staying in a hotel connected to the arena.Tampa Bay's only trip since this unusual postseason began...

AP Hockey WriterGeorgiev stops 31 in Rangers' 6-2 win over SabresBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Rookie Alexandar Georgiev stopped 31 shots, including 13 in the final period, and the New York Rangers rolled to a 6-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.Vladislav Namestnikov scored twice in...

Hughes seals SO win, Devils beat Senators 4-3OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) Jack Hughes helped bail out the New Jersey Devils after they gave up a lead in the third period.Kyle Palmieri tied it late in the third period, and Nikita Gusev and Hughes scored in the shootout to lift...

St. Louis re-signs Paajarvi on 1-year, $800,000 dealST. LOUIS (AP) St. Louis has re-signed forward Magnus Paajarvi to a one-year, one-way contract worth $800,000Blues general manager Doug Armstrong announced the deal Thursday. The 26-year-old Paajarvi split last season between the Blues and the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.Paajarvi,...

AP Hockey WriterDevils GM doesn't care if Zacha considers signing with KHLBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero says he is still attempting to sign center Pavel Zacha amid concerns the former first-round draft pick will play in the Kontinental Hockey League this...

AP Sports WriterBacklund propels Flames to 2-1 victory over DucksBy JOE REEDYANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Cam Talbot and Michael Stone haven't played much through the first three weeks of the Calgary Flames' season. They made the most of their opportunities Sunday night.Talbot made 29 saves and Stone scored the...

AP Sports WriterPredators just one NHL team winning thanks to its SwedesBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Filip Forsberg is having quite the spring for the Nashville Predators, setting franchise records with his eight goals and 15 points. He's tied the team mark with at least a point...

AP Hockey WriterCoyotes sign goaltender Antti Raanta to 3-year dealBy STEPHEN WHYNOAntti Raanta handled injuries, a scorpion infestation and a minor car wreck in his first year as a starting NHL goaltender.Battling through all that earned him a three-year contract that makes him the Arizona Coyotes' franchise goalie for...

Meruelo completes deal to become Coyotes majority ownerGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Alex Meruelo has completed his purchase of the controlling interest in the Arizona Coyotes.The team announced Monday that Meruelo completed the transaction with Andrew Barroway to become Arizona's majority owner. Meruelo becomes the only Hispanic controlling owner of...