NHL

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) A late-night drive through a lake-effect snowstorm was a small sacrifice for goalie Robin Lehner in his bid to reclaim the Buffalo Sabres starting job.''A little tired right now,'' Lehner said following practice Thursday. ''Some nerves. But excitement is the best word I can think...

Knights forward Zykov suspended for 20 gamesNEW YORK (AP) Vegas Golden Knights forward Valentin Zykov was suspended Thursday for 20 games without pay for a violation of the NHL's performance-enhancing substances program, the league said.The suspension is accompanied by a referral to the league's program for Substance Abuse...

AP Sports WriterSooey! Pig named Hamilton bringing Hurricanes playoff luckBy JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes have been rolling at home ever since their newly acquired grunter named Hamilton started hogging the corner.Not defenseman Dougie Hamilton - Hamilton the pig.The 90-pound Juliana potbelly who catches games from...

AP Hockey WriterStreak over, Blue Jackets turn attention to staying on topBy STEPHEN WHYNOEven before the Columbus Blue Jackets' winning streak ended, coach John Tortorella wondered what would happen next.How would a team that hadn't lost in five weeks handle the aftermath?After giving his players a welcome day off...

AP Hockey WriterDevils GM doesn't care if Zacha considers signing with KHLBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero says he is still attempting to sign center Pavel Zacha amid concerns the former first-round draft pick will play in the Kontinental Hockey League this...

NHL Calendar(All dates set before season was suspended until further notice.)April 4 - Regular season ends.April 8 - Stanley Cup playoffs begin.May 8-24 - IIHF World Championship, Zurich/Lausanne, Switzerland.June 1-6 - NHL scouting combine, Buffalo, N.Y.June 13 - Last possible day of Stanley Cup Final.June 17 - NHL awards,...

Associated PressSmith's third-period goal lifts Vegas to 3-2 win over JetsBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Reilly Smith scored on a breakaway late in the third period to lead the Vegas Golden Knights to a 3-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 of the Western Conference final...

NY Rangers sign Puempel, meet expansion draft requirementNEW YORK (AP) The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with forward Matt Puempel.General manager Jeff Gorton announced the contract on Wednesday. Signing Puempel helps New York satisfy the minimum expansion draft requirement of exposing at least two forwards under...

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) - Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi assembled a team that won two Stanley Cup titles and 10 playoff series in three seasons with the belief that teamwork and trust mattered as much as talent.After the Kings' remarkable run quietly ended Saturday, Lombardi has...

Air Force Academy blames accidents for traffic at NHL gameAIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colorado (AP) The Air Force Academy is blaming car accidents and ill-prepared drivers for traffic jams that were so bad before and after the NHL's Stadium Series game at Falcon Stadium that some fans didn't enter...

CHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks have promoted forward Tanner Kero from Rockford of the American Hockey League.The Blackhawks also reassigned forward Vince Hinostroza to their AHL affiliate on Tuesday.Kero (CARE-oh) had five goals and two assists in five games with the IceHogs this season. The 23-year-old Kero signed...

Predators sign Colton Sissons to 7-year, $20M contractNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators have avoided arbitration with Colton Sissons by signing the forward to a seven-year, $20 million contract.Predators general manager David Poile announced the signing Tuesday and called Sissons ''an up-and-coming leader in our organization.''The 25-year-old Sissons...