NHL

Matthews ties it, leaves with injury; Leafs top Isles in SOTORONTO (AP) Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock acknowledged his team didn't play very well Thursday night, and his players know things could become much more difficult if they have to deal with another injury absence for Auston Matthews.Tyler...

AP Hockey WriterAP/CP Survey: 48 percent of NHLPA reps favor playoff changeBy STEPHEN WHYNOHockey players are conditioned to think that winning the Stanley Cup means going through the best teams to be the best team.That doesn't mean they are blind to some of the inequalities of the NHL's current...

NEW YORK (AP) The New York Rangers have recalled Marek Hrivik from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. Hrivik, 25, has skated in 20 games with the Wolf Pack this season, with eight goals and nine assists. He leads Hartford in points and short-handed goals (two) and...

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...

Penguins G Matt Murray close to return from concussionPITTSBURGH (AP) Penguins goaltender Matt Murray looks ready to return from a concussion that's kept him out for the past three weeks.Murray practiced with his teammates on Monday and could be available on Tuesday night when the two-time defending Stanley...

AP Hockey WriterPuck and player tracking coming to NHL next seasonBy STEPHEN WHYNOPuck and player tracking is coming to the NHL next season. A sneak preview is coming up this weekend, too.Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the long-expected news Friday during All-Star Weekend in San Jose, California, calling it a...

Wild re-sign forwards Gabriel and Mitchell, goalie MichalekST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Wild have re-signed right wings Kurtis Gabriel and Zack Mitchell and goalie Steve Michalek to one-year, two-way contracts.The deals with the three restricted free agents were done Monday, adding to the many moves by the...

AP Sports WriterCoyotes looking to build off first playoff run in 8 yearsBy JOHN MARSHALLGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Coyote achieved a long-awaited goal by reaching the postseason for the first time in eight years. They won a series, knocking off the higher-seeded Nashville Predators in the Stanley...

Meruelo completes deal to become Coyotes majority ownerGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Alex Meruelo has completed his purchase of the controlling interest in the Arizona Coyotes.The team announced Monday that Meruelo completed the transaction with Andrew Barroway to become Arizona's majority owner. Meruelo becomes the only Hispanic controlling owner of...

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...

Associated PressHart stops 20 shots in NHL debut, Flyers top Red Wings 3-2By AARON BRACYPHILADELPHIA (AP) Carter Hart had a night he'll never forget, and the rest of the Philadelphia Flyers had a night they really needed.Hart made 20 saves in his NHL debut and Shayne Gostisbehere and...

DENVER (AP) Jarome Iginla's teammates are rooting for him to pack his bags and leave town. Nothing personal, of course, they just want the charismatic Colorado Avalanche forward to be traded for what might be his final shot at a Stanley Cup title. The 39-year-old Iginla is receptive to any sort...