NHL

AP Hockey WriterLightning desperate to fix problems down 0-2 to CapitalsBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Jon Cooper walked into the locker room and didn't get the sense Lightning players were down in the dumps about losing the first two games of the Eastern Conference final.''It was more kind of...

Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa practiced Thursday after taking a forearm to the back of the head from the Vancouver Canucks' Jannik Hansen, and coach Joel Quenneville said Hossa could play Friday against the San Jose Sharks. "I thought he felt much better today," Quenneville said. "He said he felt...

AP Sports WriterGolden Knights' magic ride heads to conference finalBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The crew of castoffs that carried the expansion Vegas Golden Knights to a division title and two rounds of playoffs wins in a reality-defying season are more than just a feel-good story.They've proven...

AP Hockey Writer'No love' between Flyers and Canadiens heading into Game 6By STEPHEN WHYNOA Montreal player got ejected for a hit from behind. A Philadelphia player faces suspension for a cross check to the face.This is the classic Canadiens-Flyers series that history showed was coming. Don't expect players to...

NHL taking a look at Wilson hit on Pittsburgh's Aston-ReeseNEW YORK (AP) The NHL is taking a look at a hit by Washington forward Tom Wilson that left Pittsburgh's Zach Aston-Reese with a broken jaw and a concussion.The league's department of player safety announced Wednesday that it has...

Associated PressEllis scores in OT, Predators beat Lightning 3-2By MARK DIDTLERTAMPA, Fla. (AP) The Nashville Predators are developing a knack for late comeback wins.Ryan Ellis scored 3:15 into overtime and the Predators beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Saturday night.Ellis scored from the left circle shortly after...

AP Hockey WriterNHL, players reach tentative deal for 56-game seasonBy STEPHEN WHYNODrop the puck in mid-January? The National Hockey League is well on the way to making that happen.The NHL and players reached a tentative deal Friday to hold a 56-game season that would begin Jan. 13. The NHLPA...

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Penguins head into the final weekend of the regular season fighting for their playoff lives.The Penguins have sputtered down the stretch. Pittsburgh is just 3-9-2 in its last 14 games but can assure itself of a ninth straight postseason berth with wins over the...

AP Hockey WriterSt. Patrik Laine has Jets looking like perennial contenderBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe Winnipeg Jets can thank their own St. Patrik for their success this season and potentially for years to come.Patrik Laine was the consolation prize in the 2016 NHL draft behind generational talent Auston Matthews. But he...

AP Sports WriterAnaheim Ducks wrap up season with 5-2 win over rival KingsBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) No previous edition of the Freeway Faceoff had ever meant less. The state of Southern California hockey has rarely been lower.The Anaheim Ducks still moved into a long summer with an...

Associated PressPerlini gets hat trick as Blackhawks cool down Coyotes 7-1By MATT CARLSONCHICAGO (AP) Brendan Perlini scored three goals against his former team for his first career hat trick, and the Chicago Blackhawks ripped the Arizona Coyotes 7-1 on Monday night for their third straight win.Patrick Kane fired...

AP Sports WriterTampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov wins Hart, Lindsay at NHL AwardsBy GREG BEACHAMLAS VEGAS (AP) Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award on Wednesday night, receiving the NHL's highest honors for his 128-point regular season for the Lightning.The Russian right wing...