NHL

MONTREAL (AP) The Montreal Canadiens won a sixth straight game to open a season for the first time in the franchise's storied history by defeating Detroit 4-1 on Saturday.The Canadiens best prior record in the first six games was five wins and an overtime loss in 1977-78.In other...

After 13 seasons, Rangers trade Staal to Red WingsDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings acquired defenseman Marc Staal and a second-round draft pick from the New York Rangers for future considerations Saturday.The draft pick is in 2021. The 33-year-old Staal had two goals and nine assists in 52...

Associated PressBarkov, Reimer help Panthers top Sabres 4-1 for 5th straightBy PAUL GEREFFISUNRISE, Fla. (AP) The surging Florida Panthers are edging closer to a playoff spot.Aleksander Barkov scored his 24th goal of the season, James Reimer made 24 saves in his first start in six games and Florida...

Canadiens sign Galchenyuk to 3-year deal, avoid arbitrationMONTREAL (AP) Alex Galchenyuk and the Montreal Canadiens avoided arbitration by agreeing to a three-year, $14.7 million contract Wednesday.The 23-year-old Galchenyuk was a restricted free agent.Drafted third overall by Montreal in 2012, the American center had 17 goals and 27 assists...

Avs ride 5-goal 1st period to 6-3 win over Stars in Game 5EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Faced with the prospects of going home, the Colorado Avalanche got rolling early and often.It was a flurry that saved their season - for the moment, anyway.Pierre-Edouard Bellemare began a five-goal scoring spree...

Prosecutors to drop charges in Stanley Cup dead catfish tossPITTSBURGH (AP) Prosecutors are dropping charges filed against a Tennessee man for throwing a catfish onto the rink in Pittsburgh during the opening of the Stanley Cup Final.Thirty-six-year-old Jacob Waddell was charged in Allegheny County with disorderly conduct, possessing...

AP Sports WriterThe constant for the Devils has been missing the playoffsBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) If anyone needs the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft, it is the New Jersey Devils.After making the playoffs for 20 of 22 seasons, the Devils have fallen on hard times....

Schwartz finishes 3-on-0 to lift Blues over Canucks in OTVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Jaden Schwartz scored at 3:28 of overtime to give the St. Louis Blues a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.It was the fifth consecutive win for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who...

Oilers' McDavid getting ready for camp after knee injuryTORONTO (AP) Oilers captain Connor McDavid says he's ''working towards'' being ready for the start of training camp.The 22-year-old star center injured his left knee in April when he crashed into a post during Edmonton's regular-season finale. X-rays were negative...

Associated PressBobrovsky stops 30 shots, Panthers beat Sharks 5-1By BILL WHITEHEADSUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Joel Quenneville turned to No. 1 goalie Sergei Bobrovsky for the second consecutive night, calling it a “real easy” decision.Bobrovsky didn’t let his coach down.He stopped 30 shots to win for the second straight game...

AP Sports WriterGrubauer's 24 saves lead Capitals past Sharks 2-0By JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Philipp Grubauer made 24 saves for his fifth career shutout and Nicklas Backstrom scored late in the second period to help the Washington Capitals salvage the final game of their California swing with...

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...