NHL

AP Hockey WriterCentral Recasting: Division rivals ready to challenge BluesBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe NHL isn't a copycat league. It's a response league.After the big and gritty St. Louis Blues muscled their way to the Stanley Cup, division rivals have responded in different ways.The Nashville Predators inked top free agent center...

AP Sports WriterCarlson’s 3 points in 1st lead Capitals past Sharks 5-2By JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) John Carlson had a goal and two assists in the opening period to reach 40 points for the season, Nick Hathaway and Jakub Vrana each scored twice and the Washington Capitals...

Hinostroza gets shootout winner as Coyotes beat Oilers 3-2EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Vinnie Hinostroza scored in regulation and get got the winner in the fourth round of the shootout to lift the Arizona Coyotes to a 3-2 victory over the short-handed Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night.Josh Archibald also scored...

Associated PressStaal, Wild hang on to beat Avalanche, 3-2By TYLER MASONST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Knowing that a daunting seven-game trip awaited them, the Minnesota Wild wanted to leave home on a high note.A win against a division rival helped them do just that.Eric Staal put Minnesota ahead on...

Predators top Blues 4-3 on Granlund's power-play goalST. LOUIS (AP) The Nashville Predators knew they were going to be in for a hard-fought, physical battle against the defending Stanley Cup Champions. They were ready.Mikael Granlund scored a power-play goal early in the third period after St. Louis had...

Like many of his counterparts, New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider had an easy choice when presented with the option of larger nets or smaller equipment in the NHL's latest bid to boost goal-scoring.Don't mess with the nets.''Absolutely. I think we have to explore every avenue we can to...

Associated PressGrimaldi, Smith help Predators beat Kings 4-1By DAN GREENSPANLOS ANGELES (AP) Rocco Grimaldi and Craig Smith each had a goal and an assist to help the Nashville Predators beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 Saturday night to end a three-game losing streak.Roman Josi had two assists to...

AP Hockey WriterSabres' Jack Eichel focused on hockey, not contract talksBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel is focused on taking on a larger leadership role, and not concerning himself with contract talks.Eichel says both sides know where they stand in negotiations. He adds if...

AP Hockey WriterEx-Coyotes captain Shane Doan joins NHL hockey operationsBy STEPHEN WHYNOFormer Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan is joining the NHL's hockey operations department.The league announced the hiring of Doan on Thursday. Senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell says there isn't a set of responsibilities yet...

Jets are soaring through playoffs, and Winnipeg is buzzingWINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Winnipeg was already gripped by playoff fever. Now, with the Jets in the Western Conference final, the temperature is rising further.Jets merchandise is flying off shelves, downtown office workers are decked out in team jerseys and organizers...

Jan. 1 - Winter Classic: Chicago at Washington.Jan. 22-26 - All-Star break.Feb. 21 - Stadium Series: Los Angeles vs. San Jose at Santa Clara, Calif.April 11 - Regular season ends.

Associated PressKings back in playoff position with 3-0 win over CanucksBy DAN GREENSPANLOS ANGELES (AP) Kings coach John Stevens decided to put ''That 70's Line'' on hiatus for a night.Instead, having forwards Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson play with center Adrian Kempe gave Los Angeles' chances of making...