NHL

AP Sports WriterIslanders fans don't mind Brooklyn for playoff gamesBy VIN A. CHERWOONEW YORK (AP) With their team playing in the Eastern Conference semifinals, New York Islanders fans are back in Brooklyn for the first time in more than two months. And since it means they're doing well...

AP Sports WriterCapitals replace Holtby in goal for 3rd period of Game 2By HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) Wearing a blue baseball hat instead of a hockey mask, sitting on the Washington Capitals bench instead of guarding their net, Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby shook his head as his replacement...

AP Hockey WriterSweet 16: NHL playoffs qualifying round tough to predictBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe NHL's regular season is over and the chase for the Stanley Cup is on if hockey returns this summer.The league settled on a 24-team postseason format that Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano supported back in March...

Devils fans help young anthem singer who forgets the wordsNEWARK, N.J. (AP) Fans have come to the rescue of a girl who apparently forgot the words while singing the national anthem at a New Jersey Devils game.Lauralie Mufute started singing ''The Star-Spangled Banner'' before the Devils' game Friday...

Associated PressPenguins excited for fresh start after disappointing finishBy DAN SCIFOCRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins are excited for a fresh start.Sidney Crosby and the Penguins became the first team in a generation to win consecutive championships a little more than two years ago. But the Penguins...

AP Hockey WriterOvechkin finished playoffs with lower-body injuryBy STEPHEN WHYNOWashington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin finished the playoffs playing through a lower-body injury that required pain-numbing injections.The Russian Hockey Federation announced the injury Thursday, saying Ovechkin would not be able to play at the world championships in Europe because...

The Latest: Blue Jackets add forward Gustav NyquistBy The Associated PressThe Latest on NHL free agency (all times Eastern):5:15 p.m.After losing two of their top forwards to free agency, the Columbus Blue Jackets have added one in free agent in Gustav Nyquist.The 29-year-old Nyquist, who has posted 40 or...

AP Hockey WriterCoyotes acquire Taylor Hall from Devils for picks, prospectsBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe Arizona Coyotes have landed Taylor Hall.Arizona on Monday acquired the standout winger from the New Jersey Devils for three prospects and two draft picks. The Coyotes will try to end their seven-year playoff drought by adding...

AP Sports WriterKucherov relishes chance to face Ovechkin in East FinalBy FRED GOODALLTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Like many young Russian hockey players, Nikita Kucherov grew up following Alex Ovechkin's career, hoping to someday become a prolific scorer and maybe even compete against his countryman in the Stanley Cup playoffs.The...

AP Sports WriterMantha's 1st NHL hat trick helps Red Wings beat Bruins 6-3By LARRY LAGEDETROIT (AP) Taro Hirose scored his first NHL goal early in the third period, just 8 seconds after Anthony Mantha completed his first hat trick and the Detroit Red Wings went on to beat...

AP Hockey WriterSabres broadcaster 'doing well' after being hospitalizedBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Sabres say Rick Jeanneret is resting and doing well a day after the team's Hall of Fame broadcaster was taken out of the press box on a stretcher.The team's update Sunday came about...

Ennis has goal, 2 assists as Senators beat Oilers 5-2EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The Ottawa Senators didn't have to wait long to make up for a tough loss one night earlier.Tyler Ennis had a goal and two assists as the Senators beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 on Wednesday night.Artem...