NHL

AP Sports WriterDeBrusk helps Bruins rout Blue Jackets 6-2By MITCH STACYCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Jake DeBrusk and the Boston Bruins bolstered their chance for home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs.The Columbus Blue Jackets are just trying to get into the postseason right now.Boston beat Columbus 6-2...

Watson to return to Predators for 1st time since suspensionBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson is returning to the lineup for the first time since he was suspended by the NHL more than two months ago for alcohol abuse.Coach Peter Laviolette announced Watson will play in...

Red Wings, Blashill agree on 2-year contract extensionDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings announced a two-year contract extension with coach Jeff Blashill on Tuesday, giving their young leader a vote of confidence in a rebuild that will now include a third straight year without a playoff berth after...

AP Sports WriterMacKinnon leads scoring spree in 2nd as Avs beat Oilers 6-2By PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie scored a minute apart to ignite a four-goal second period as the playoff-chasing Colorado Avalanche rallied for a 6-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night.Down...

Red Wings, Blashill agree on 2-year contract extensionDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings announced a two-year contract extension with coach Jeff Blashill on Tuesday, giving their young leader a vote of confidence in a rebuild that will now include a third straight year without a playoff berth after...

Red Wings, Blashill agree on 2-year contract extensionDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings and coach Jeff Blashill have agreed on a two-year contract extension.The 45-year-old Blashill is in his fourth season as coach of the storied franchise, which will miss the playoffs for the third straight year.General manager...

Lightning top Sens, become 3rd team to reach 60-win markOTTAWA, Ontario (AP) The Tampa Bay Lightning added another impressive milestone Monday, picking up their 60th win of the season with a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators.The Lightning, who play their final three games on the road, are...

AP Sports WriterCarrick scores late as Devils beat Rangers, avoid sweepBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) Defenseman Connor Carrick scored with 4:10 left to break a tie and the New Jersey Devils beat the New York Rangers 4-2 on Monday night to avoid being swept in their season series...

Rakell scores 3 in 2nd period to lead Ducks past Oilers 5-1EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Rickard Rakell scored three goals in the second period, powering the Anaheim Ducks past the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 on Saturday night.Corey Perry and Devin Shore also scored for the Ducks, who have won two...

Associated PressOvechkin nets 50th, 51st goals in Caps' 6-3 win vs LightningBy ERIK ERLENDSSONTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Alex Ovechkin reached 50 goals - again. And, then he added another for good measure while leading the Washington Capitals to a big victory.The Washington star scored his 50th and 51st goals...

Associated PressFlames top Sharks 5-3, clinch conference, division crownsBy GIDEON RUBINSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The Calgary Flames scored three times in less than two minutes late in the first period on their way to clinching the top spots in the Western Conference and the Pacific Division with a...

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...