NHL

WASHINGTON (AP) - The precocious Russian forward drafted in the first round by the Washington Capitals finally delivered a breathtaking, winning goal in a Game 7. No, not Alex Ovechkin - Evgeny Kuznetsov.Skating around every opponent on the ice, Kuznetsov scored the go-ahead goal with 7:18 remaining, and Braden...

Marner gets winner in SO, Maple Leafs beat Stars 6-5TORONTO (AP) Curtis McElhinney was doing the usual work of a backup goalie at the end of the Toronto Maple Leafs' bench midway through the second period. Moments later - and to almost everyone's surprise - he was in...

AP Sports WriterKucherov scores twice, Lightning beat Red Wings 3-2By NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) Nikita Kucherov scored his second goal of the game with 18:13 remaining in the third period, lifting the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night.Tyler Johnson also...

The Latest: Boston Bruins force Game 7 in Stanley Cup FinalST. LOUIS (AP) The Latest from Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final between Boston and St. Louis (all times local):9:57 p.m.The Boston Bruins have forced Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final against St. Louis.Boston got goals...

AP Sports WriterCoyotes sign Connor Murphy to 6-year dealBy JOHN MARSHALLGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Coyotes locked up two of their best young defenseman on Thursday, signing Connor Murphy to a six-year contract and Michael Stone to a one-year dealMurphy's deal is for $23.1 million with a salary...

Penguins place veteran D Jack Johnson on waiversPITTSBURGH (AP) The Jack Johnson experiment is over in Pittsburgh.The Penguins placed the 33-year-old defenseman on waivers Monday so it can buy out the remaining three years of the deal he signed with the club in 2018.Johnson signed a five-year, $16.25...

Kadri, Maple Leafs beat Blue Jackets 6-3TORONTO (AP) One little tweak to Toronto's lines is paying off in a big way for the Maple Leafs.Nazem Kadri had three goals and two assists, Frederik Andersen made a career-high 54 saves and surging Toronto beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3...

Former NHL star apologizes for crossing picket lineNORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (AP) A former NHL star is apologizing for crossing a picket line to shop at a Massachusetts supermarket where workers are on strike.Former Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ray Bourque was caught on video exiting a North...

AP Hockey WriterKrug's old-school helmetless shift may be among NHL's lastBy STEPHEN WHYNOBOSTON (AP) Torey Krug worried afterward that his pregnant wife would not really like him flying down the ice and delivering a bone-jarring hit without a helmet on.There wasn't anything he could do about it...

AP Hockey WriterOvechkin's first pitch performance mirrors playoff careerBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Alex Ovechkin's first attempt at a ceremonial first pitch was so bad he asked for - and got - a mulligan.''Too excited, too strong,'' Ovechkin said after sailing his first throw over Max Scherzer's head at...

Rangers' Shattenkirk out 2-4 weeks with shoulder injuryNEW YORK (AP) The New York Rangers say defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk will be sidelined two to four weeks with a shoulder injury.Shattenkirk left in the second period of Monday night's game in Tampa. He took a check around the left shoulder...

AP Sports WriterGrubauer, Francouz make strong cases to start in net for AvsBy PAT GRAHAMJared Bednar intends to ride the hot goaltender throughout the playoffs.The only thing: Which one?The Colorado Avalanche coach has a goalie situation of the good variety with Pavel Francouz and Phlipp Grubauer presenting strong cases...