NHL

Marc-Andre Fleury couldn't help it. With the Pittsburgh Penguins' franchise record for career shutouts in sight late in the third period against the New York Rangers on Saturday, the talented if occasionally erratic goalie let his mind drift. "I wanted it so bad," Fleury said. "I tried to not...

Police: Drowning of NHL goalie Ray Emery not suspiciousHAMILTON, Ontario (AP) Police say the drowning of former NHL goalie Ray Emery does not appear suspicious.The 35-year-old player whose career spanned more than a decade drowned in Hamilton Harbour on Sunday.Police say he jumped off a boat near the...

AP Hockey WriterPuck-stopping patience: Teams wait on goalies at NHL draftBy STEPHEN WHYNODALLAS (AP) The stress of stopping the puck with a game on the line is no sweat compared to what young goaltenders deal with waiting to be taken in the NHL draft.Even the best goaltending prospects...

Council committee approves agreement for Seattle arena planSEATTLE (AP) The Seattle City Council committee created to review plans for the renovation of KeyArena has unanimously approved the final transaction documents, setting the stage for full council approval of the arena plan later this month.The Select Committee on Civic...

AP Sports WriterPreds reach 1st Western final in team history, ousting BluesBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) Ryan Johansen celebrated his game-winning goal with a windmill fist pump and the Nashville Predators finished off the rest of a thrilling third period with the standing-room only crowd on their...

AP Hockey WriterSabres change course, fire GM Botterill after 3 seasonsBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Sabres fired general manager Jason Botterill on Tuesday in a dramatic change-of-course three weeks after co-owner Kim Pegula said his job was secure.In announcing the decision, the Sabres promoted senior vice...

Associated PressJames Neal driving force behind Knights' remarkable startBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) The Golden Knights haven't wasted any time in making an impact on the NHL. Fans in large part can thank James Neal for that.Neal has scored the game-winning goal in all three of the Knights'...

Associated PressLightning beat Blackhawks 5-1, take 33 shots in 2ndBy MATT CARLSONCHICAGO (AP) Brayden Point had a goal and two assists and the Tampa Bay Lightning peppered the Chicago Blackhawks with 33 shots in a three-goal second period in a 6-3 victory Sunday night.The 33 shots are the...

AP Sports WriterDallas Stars fire Jim Montgomery for unprofessional conductBy SCHUYLER DIXONDALLAS (AP) The Dallas Stars fired second-year coach Jim Montgomery on Tuesday for what the team called unprofessional conduct.General manager Jim Nill said the Stars expect all employees to act with integrity and exhibit professional behavior while...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The injury-riddled Columbus Blue Jackets will be without forward Boone Jenner for one to two months because of a stress fracture in his back.The club placed Jenner on injured reserve Saturday and recalled center Sean Collins from its American Hockey League affiliate in Springfield, Massachusetts.Jenner...

Stars' Ales Hemsky out 5-6 months following hip surgeryDALLAS (AP) Dallas Stars forward Ales Hemsky will miss five to six months after surgery for a hip injury that general manager Jim Nill said was sustained during the World Cup of Hockey.Nill said the surgery was performed Monday. Hemsky,...

NHL salary cap lower than projected at $81.5 millionVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) The NHL salary cap for next season has been set at $81.5 million, which is $1.5 lower than initially projected.The league and the NHL Players' Association announced the figure Saturday, a day before teams can begin...