NHL

AP Sports WriterBobrovsky comes back strong in Blue Jackets' playoff chaseBy MITCH STACYCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Through an odd, erratic season for the Columbus Blue Jackets, nobody has had a bumpier ride than star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.A high-profile contract issue, a slump, a disciplinary suspension and a humiliating healthy...

AP Sports WriterSid for Selke? Crosby's versatile game expanding for PensBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Casey DeSmith has seen it at every stop of his hockey career. Practice comes, the focus shifts to defending and the guys paid lavishly to score goals take their foot off the gas.''I've had...

Kings begin coaching search after letting go of DesjardinsLOS ANGELES (AP) Willie Desjardins is not a candidate to become the Los Angeles Kings next head coach. The team released a statement on Sunday thanking Desjardins for serving as the interim head coach for most of the season.The Kings...

Kings begin coaching search after letting go of DesjardinsLOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Kings said Sunday that Willie Desjardins is not a candidate to become the next head coach after serving in an interim role for most of the season.''We thanked Willie Desjardins for his effort and...

AP Sports WriterPanthers fire coach Bob Boughner after 2 seasonsBy TIM REYNOLDSSUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Bob Boughner has become the latest coach to pay for Florida's almost-annual inability to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs.The Panthers fired Boughner on Sunday, ending his two-year tenure with the team with one year...

AP Hockey WriterBuffalo Sabres fire coach Phil Housley after 2 seasonsBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) A dreadful second-half free-fall led the Buffalo Sabres with little choice but to fire coach Phil Housley after his second year on the job.The team made the move Sunday, a day after the...

AP Hockey WriterBuffalo Sabres fire coach Phil Housley after 2 seasonsBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Sabres fired coach Phil Housley on Sunday following two underperforming seasons and after the team extended its franchise-worst playoff drought to an eighth consecutive year.The team made the move a day...

AP Sports WriterBobrovsky comes back strong in Blue Jackets' playoff chaseBy MITCH STACYCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Through an odd, erratic season for the Columbus Blue Jackets, nobody has had a bumpier ride than star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.A high-profile contract issue, a slump, a disciplinary suspension and a humiliating healthy...

AP Sports WriterAnaheim Ducks wrap up season with 5-2 win over rival KingsBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) No previous edition of the Freeway Faceoff had ever meant less. The state of Southern California hockey has rarely been lower.The Anaheim Ducks still moved into a long summer with an...

Burns lifts Sharks past Oilers 3-2 for 2nd win in 11 gamesEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The San Jose Sharks don't feel they are in playoff form yet, though their latest effort was a step in the right direction.Brent Burns had a goal and an assist as the Sharks got...

AP Sports WriterJohnson scores in OT, Avs beat Jets 3-2 to earn playoff spotBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) The Colorado Avalanche started the celebration on the bench as the clock ran out in regulation. It secured the point they needed to earn a postseason spot.The party that spilled onto...

Associated PressStepan scores twice, Coyotes dump Vegas, 4-1By W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Derek Stepan scored twice, Darcy Kuemper made 35 saves and the Arizona Coyotes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-1 on Thursday night.Arizona entered the day needing a win to stay in playoff contention, but was officially...