NHL

AP Sports WriterBlues found Allen 'amazing to watch' in Game 1 win over WildBy DAVE CAMPBELLST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Just three months ago, when the St. Louis Blues departed for a road trip, Jake Allen was left behind for a mental break.These days, their 26-year-old goaltender better be...

Washington Capitals defenseman John Erskine was suspended three games for an elbow to the head of Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds on Friday night. Erskine was punished Saturday for a hit he delivered to Simmonds' face that sent him to the ice with a bloody nose late in the first period...

AP Sports WriterBruins, Leafs go to Game 7 for 3rd straight playoff matchupBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy doesn't want to change too much heading into Game 7 of Boston's first-round series against Toronto, explaining that his players ''are a bit like dogs.''''They love routines, especially...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Adam Pardy to a one-year, two-way contract. The Predators announced the signing Wednesday along with other moves. Nashville placed defenseman Anthony Bitetto on injured reserve and sent forward Miikka Salomaki to AHL Milwaukee on a conditioning assignment. Bitetto has played four games this...

New York Islanders hire Jim Hiller an assistant coachEAST MEADOW, N.Y. (AP) The New York Islanders have hired Jim Hiller as an assistant coach.The Islanders announced the addition to Barry Trotz's staff Wednesday.Hiller spent the past four seasons as an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was...

AP Sports WriterMurray ready for "Christmas" as Penguins begin 3-peat bidBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Matt Murray doesn't keep track of the numbers, which makes it easier for the Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender to not get caught up in them.His goals-against average? No clue. Save percentage? Nope. Pittsburgh's record during...

AP Sports WriterG Corey Crawford skates before Chicago's first practiceBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) Corey Crawford is skating again. The Stanley Cup-winning goaltender hasn't been cleared for practice just yet, but he thinks he is close.Now about those defensemen for the Chicago Blackhawks.While Crawford delivered a positive update Friday...

AP Sports WriterSeguin among injured Stars in Cup run, Bowness expected backBy STEPHEN HAWKINSDallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin has a torn labrum in his hip that likely will force him to miss the start of next season, while captain Jamie Benn and goaltender Ben Bishop now have time to...

AP Sports WriterBlues, Stars meet again in Game 7 for spot in West finalsBy SCHUYLER DIXONThe Blues and Stars are set for Game 7 in a second-round series again, three years after St. Louis dominated a winner-take-all matchup in Dallas for a spot in the Western Conference finals.Deja vu...

AP Sports WriterMuzzin, Maple Leafs eye elimination of Bruins in Game 6By JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin has extra motivation to beat Boston on Sunday and eliminate the Bruins in six games: It would mean some extra time to spend with his brand-new baby daughter.Muzzin's...

The Latest: Blues hoist Stanley Cup as St. Louis celebratesST. LOUIS (AP) The Latest on the Stanley Cup celebration in St. Louis (all times local):3:30 p.m.St. Louis Blues players have taken turns hoisting the Stanley Cup to the cheers of a massive crowd beneath the Gateway Arch.Hundreds of...

AP Sports WriterNHL goalies do best to defend the unpredictable at netBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) NHL goaltenders prepare for the unpredictable, ready for pucks deflecting off sticks, bodies, feet or a divot in the ice, past all the gear designed to help defend their net.The freaky,...