NHL

Senators' Claesson suspended 2 games for check to headNEW YORK (AP) The NHL has suspended Ottawa Senators defenseman Fredrik Claesson for two games for an illegal check to the head of Boston Bruins forward Noel Acciari.The league's department of player safety announced the suspension on Thursday.Claesson was given...

AP Hockey WriterLongtime Bruins captain Chara joins Washington CapitalsBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Longtime Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara signed with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, a stunning move less than a week before most NHL teams open training camp.Chara agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $795,000.The...

AP Hockey WriterBruins, Blues meet in Stanley Cup Final 49 years in makingBy STEPHEN WHYNOSeeing the famous photo of Bobby Orr scoring the 1970 Stanley Cup-winning goal to beat his St. Louis Blues doesn't bring back bad memories for Scotty Bowman.''Not really,'' the legendary coach said. ''Because we didn't...

Capitals' Alex Ovechkin scores 700th career goal, becoming eighth in NHL to reach milestoneNEWARK, N.J. (AP) Capitals' Alex Ovechkin scores 700th career goal, becoming eighth in NHL to reach milestone.

Red Wings hire Verbeek as NHL teams shuffle front officesBy The Associated PressThe Detroit Red Wings have hired Pat Verbeek as assistant general manager to work with Steve Yzerman.Verbeek joins Yzerman, the longtime Red Wings captain who was recently named GM, after working for him with the Tampa Bay...

Associated PressKessel scores twice, leads Coyotes past Flyers 3-1By AARON BRACYPHILADELPHIA (AP) Phil Kessel scored two goals to lead the Arizona Coyotes to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves and Conor Garland also scored for the Coyotes, who improved to...

AP Sports WriterNHL's final four have gotten deeper with plenty of newcomersBy STEPHEN HAWKINSJoe Pavelski was the captain of a team that went to the Western Conference finals last season, playing opposite Patrick Maroon's team that went on to win the Stanley Cup.Chandler Stephenson won a Stanley Cup title...

AP Sports WriterNylander, van Riemsdyk score early, Maple Leafs beat RangersBy VIN A. CHERWOONEW YORK (AP) William Nylander and James van Riemsdyk scored in the first period, Frederik Andersen stopped 34 shots and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the New York Rangers 4-2 on Friday night.Connor Brown and...

Associated PressBurakovsky scores late goal, Avalanche beat Bruins 4-2By DENNIS GEORGATOSDENVER (AP) Andre Burakovsky scored the go-ahead goal with 7:06 remaining, Boston had two goals disallowed after video reviews, and the unbeaten Colorado Avalanche handed the Bruins their first loss of the season with a 4-2 victory on...

AP Hockey WriterOvechkin, Trotz are in new territory with Caps in East finalBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) The smiling side of a handshake line at the end of the second round was a brand-new experience for Alex Ovechkin and Barry Trotz.Ovechkin received a message of good luck and...

AP Sports WriterStaal's hat trick leads surging Wild past slumping Blues 8-3By DAVE CAMPBELLST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Eric Staal has been the ideal leader for the Minnesota Wild, continuing to produce no matter who he's skating with while coach Bruce Boudreau searches for the most effective combinations.This latest...

AP Hockey WriterPenguins, Predators overcame big injuries to reach Cup FinalBy STEPHEN WHYNONo one is totally healthy this late in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, certainly not the last two teams standing.The Pittsburgh Penguins knew they'd be without top defenseman Kris Letang for the entire playoffs because of neck surgery...