NHL

AP Sports WriterPenguins strike early, rout Senators 7-0 to take 3-2 leadBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins are one win away from a return trip to the Stanley Cup Final.The defending champions pounced on the Ottawa Senators early in a 7-0 demolition in Game 5 of the...

AP Hockey WriterIslanders, sparked by Barzal, top Panthers 5-1 to advanceBy JOHN WAWROWTORONTO (AP) Mathew Barzal can appreciate how the New York Islanders' identity is built around being defensively sound.In centering New York's top line, Barzal also knows it's his role to contribute on offense, too.Acknowledging it took...

AP Hockey WriterPenalties, power-play goals skyrocket early in NHL playoffsBy STEPHEN WHYNOPlayers take note: Referees aren't swallowing their whistles so far in the 2018 NHL playoffs.Penalties are up more than 17 percent over the same time a year ago and are playing a substantial role in several series. Through...

AP Sports WriterMiller, Point help Lightning hold off Islanders, 7-6By VIN A. CHERWOONEW YORK (AP) Although the Tampa Bay Lightning didn't like the way they almost gave up a four-goal lead in the third period, they were happy to get the win and move on.J.T. Miller scored twice,...

AP Hockey WriterTampa Bay's Stamkos in rare company as injured Cup captainBy STEPHEN WHYNOEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Steven Stamkos greeted Game 4 overtime hero Kevin Shattenkirk with a hug in the tunnel after the game. After the Tampa Bay Lightning missed out on their first chance to win the...

AP Sports WriterFlyers celebrate 1st postseason series win since 2012By DAN GELSTONJill Biden tweeted a photo of a cardboard cutout of her husband and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden wearing a Philadelphia Flyers jersey. There are plenty of high hopes for the fall out of one snapshot -- and...

AP Hockey WritersNHL, players approve plan to resume season, extend CBABy STEPHEN WHYNO and JOHN WAWROWHockey became the latest sport to finalize a return during a global pandemic after NHL owners and players approved an agreement Friday to resume the season - and with it an assurance of labor...

AP Hockey WriterBruins' Bruce Cassidy wins NHL coach of the year honorsBy STEPHEN WHYNOBruce Cassidy was revealed Wednesday night as the winner of the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year for leading the Boston Bruins to the Presidents' Trophy a season after taking them to the...

AP Sports Writer'Back-to-back!' Banner night for Ovechkin, Cup champ CapsBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) A Stanley Cup championship banner rose to the rafters at the home of the Washington Capitals for the first time, and everyone in attendance Wednesday night got to relive the sheer excitement of it all.Alex...

AP Hockey WriterLehner excited about trade from Blackhawks to Golden KnightsBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe latest on the NHL trade deadline (all times Eastern):3:30 p.m.Goaltender Robin Lehner says he is excited about a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Golden Knights.Lehner tweeted: ''Going to be a ride. Can't wait to...

Sabres' Okposo sent home 3 days after being punched in faceBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo has been sent home for further medical evaluation three days after being punched in the face during a fight with the New York Rangers' Tony DeAngelo.Coach Phil Housley gave no...

Lucic scores 1st goal with Flames in 4-3 win over SabresCALGARY, Alberta (AP) Milan Lucic scored his first goal for Calgary, and the Flames held on to beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 Thursday night.Tobias Rieder, Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan also scored for the Flames, who are 4-0-1...