NHL

AP Hockey WriterBruins, Lightning among top challengers to Capitals in EastBy STEPHEN WHYNOIt seems like no one in the Eastern Conference wants to be considered the team to beat.Taylor Hall relishes that his Devils were counted out last year before making the playoffs. Alex Ovechkin would love for all...

AP Sports WriterGoalie Roberto Luongo retires after 19 NHL seasonsBy TIM REYNOLDSSUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Roberto Luongo wanted to keep playing and keep chasing the elusive Stanley Cup, largely because he believes the Florida Panthers are finally in position to be a playoff contender.His body wanted otherwise.And Luongo ultimately...

Associated PressBlues rule out Bouwmeester for remainder of season, playoffsBy WARREN MAYESST. LOUIS (AP) St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester has been ruled out from returning to play in the regular season or in the playoffs.General manager Doug Armstrong made the announcement on Wednesday.In a news conference at...

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman to retain coach Jeff BlashillDETROIT (AP) The Latest on the Detroit Red Wings hiring Steve Yzerman as general manager (all times local):3:50 p.m.Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman says he will keep coach Jeff Blashill.The Red Wings gave Blashill a two-year contract...

AP Sports WriterWith 2011 title team aging, Bruins hope to make another runBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand doesn't believe for a second that the window is closing on the team's chances to win another Stanley Cup championship with the core that etched its name...

Coyotes G Antti Raanta misses game after auto accidentGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta was held out of a game Thursday night after being involved in an auto accident on his way to the arena.The Coyotes said Raanta, who was originally scheduled to start, was rear-ended...

Coyotes goalie Kuemper week to week with lower-body injuryGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Arizona Coyotes goalie Darcy Kuemper could be out for an extended period after suffering a lower-body injury making a save against the Minnesota Wild.The Coyotes said Friday that Kuemper is week to week after he was injured...

AP Sports WriterWild split with GM Chuck Fletcher after playoff exitBy DAVE CAMPBELLST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) When Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold entered the team's new practice facility a couple of weeks ago, the organizational motto was staring him in the face.So was the advice he should make...

AP Sports WriterBlue Jackets surge late to beat reeling Senators 6-3By MITCH STACYCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Zach Werenski broke a tie late in the game with the second of his two goals, Sergei Bobrovsky had 22 saves and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the struggling Ottawa Senators 6-3 on...

AP Hockey WriterSabres GM Adams says he has no intention of trading EichelBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Rather than focusing on his first NHL draft as a general manager, Kevyn Adams was busy re-assuring the Buffalo Sabres fanbase he has no intention of trading captain Jack Eichel.''I'm hoping...

Sharks sign D Dylan DeMelo to two-year, $1.8 million dealSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks have re-signed defenseman Dylan DeMelo to a two-year, $1.8 million deal.The 25-year old had a career-best 20 points - all on assists - in a career-high 63 games. He also had...

Buffalo Sabres hire Mair, Weber to coach in AHL RochesterBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Sabres are turning to two former players to serve as assistant coaches on their minor-league affiliate in Rochester.Adam Mair and Mike Weber were hired on Thursday to work under coach Seth Appert, who took...