NHL

AP Hockey WriterTavares, Matthews lead Maple Leafs to 4-2 win over SabresBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Mike Babcock sensed his slumping Toronto Maple Leafs were showing signs of turning the corner.Auston Matthews and John Tavares delivered on their coach's belief.The high-scoring duo each had a goal and assist,...

AP Sports WriterKarlsson, Panarin and Bobrovsky can close strong and cash inBy LARRY LAGEMany NHL teams have plenty to play for down the final stretch of the regular season, trying to get in the playoffs or to improve their positioning, before 16 teams compete for the Stanley Cup.Some players...

AP Hockey WriterTavares, Matthews lead Maple Leafs to 4-2 win over SabresBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) John Tavares and Auston Matthews each had a goal and assist, and the Toronto Maple Leafs won for just the second time in six games, beating the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 on Wednesday...

Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi out indefinitelyWASHINGTON (AP) Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.The team announced Girardi's status Tuesday before visiting the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals. Girardi has missed the past five games.Coach Jon Cooper says the 34-year-old's absence means...

NHL's furthest south outdoor game will be in Cotton BowlDALLAS (AP) Dallas Stars goalie Ben Bishop tossed a football around at Cotton Bowl Stadium on the first day of spring while teammate John Klingberg played with a soccer ball.That historic football field will be covered by a sheet...

AP Sports WriterKarlsson, Panarin and Bobrovsky can close strong and cash inBy LARRY LAGEMany NHL teams have plenty to play for down the final stretch of the regular season, trying to get in the playoffs or to improve their positioning, before 16 teams compete for the Stanley Cup.Some players...

Red Wings sign Howard to 1-year extensionDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings have signed goalie Jimmy Howard to a $4 million, one-year contract extension.The deal keeps Howard in the fold for next season. The 34-year-old Howard has played for the Red Wings his whole NHL career. He's third...

AP Sports WriterConnolly leads Caps into 1st place with 4-1 win over DevilsBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) Brett Connolly has been doing his best Alex Ovechkin imitation the past six weeks and it is coming just in time to help the defending champion Washington Capitals gear up for...

Associated PressRinne, Preds blank reeling Maple Leafs 3-0By CHIP CIRILLONASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Pekka Rinne is starting to regain some of his Vezina Trophy form he showed last season.And the Predators, last season's Presidents' Trophy winner, are finally developing some consistency.Rinne shut out Toronto for the second time this...

Associated PressSchwartz scores hat trick for Blues in 7-2 win over OilersBy WARREN MAYESST. LOUIS (AP) Jaden Schwartz had three goals and an assist, David Perron added two goals and two assists, and the St. Louis Blues routed the Edmonton Oilers 7-2 on Tuesday night.Schwartz scored once in...

AP Hockey WriterStanley Cup champion Capitals to visit Trump at White HouseBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals will get a chance to celebrate their Stanley Cup championship with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday.The Russian-born captain and playoff MVP and his...

The Latest: Cup champion Capitals to visit White HouseWASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on the Washington Capitals' decision to visit the White House (all times local):4:30 p.m.The White House confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals are scheduled to visit President Donald...