NHL

AP Sports WriterBruins goalie Rask opts out of playoffs to be with familyBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask has opted out of the team's playoff run to be with his family.The defending Eastern Conference champions announced the decision Saturday morning, less than two hours before...

Rinne, Preds rebound with 2-1 win vs Jets to tie series at 2WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Pekka Rinne made 32 saves, P.K. Subban and Ryan Hartman scored and the Nashville Predators held off a late charge by the Winnipeg Jets to win 2-1 on Thursday night and even their...

Associated PressSaad scores 2, Blackhawks beat Coyotes in a shootoutBy JOSE M. ROMEROGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Patrick Kane scored in the overtime shootout and ran his points streak to 12 games, and Corey Crawford stopped both shootout attempts he faced, leading the Chicago Blackhawks a 3-2 win over the...

Associated Press650,000 fans at parade cheer Penguins for Stanley Cup winBy JOE MANDAKPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins' Stanley Cup championship, the first an NHL team has won back to back in almost 20 years, spawned by far the biggest victory parade of any of the franchise's five titles.An...

AP Sports WriterStan Mikita, who led Blackhawks to 1961 title, dies at 78By JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) When Stan Mikita got back together with the Chicago Blackhawks, it was clear how much the reconciliation meant to the Hall of Fame forward.He became a team ambassador, and then got a...

AP Hockey WriterSabres broadcaster 'doing well' after being hospitalizedBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The longtime voice of the Buffalo Sabres hasn't been silenced after being wheeled out of the press box on a stretcher.Rick Jeanneret is ''resting and doing well,'' the Sabres announced Sunday, about 12 hours after...

With their grip starting to slip on a spot in the playoffs, the Minnesota Wild responded with one of their most complete, aggressive performances of the season. They turned that, just barely, into a critical win over the Los Angeles Kings. Charlie Coyle and Cal Clutterbuck scored 16 seconds apart late...

AP Sports WriterMacKinnon reaches 30-goal mark, Avs beat Red Wings 6-3By PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) Nathan MacKinnon doesn't have to dig too deep to find a reason why he scores so much.''I shoot a lot of pucks,'' the Colorado All-Star forward said.Shoot, it's really not that easy.MacKinnon scored twice...

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...

AP Hockey WriterHagelin's playoff past makes him familiar with CapitalsBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Forward Carl Hagelin has faced Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals so often in the playoffs, the speedy, defensive specialist didn't require an introduction upon practicing with his new teammates.''It feels like I already know...

AP Sports WriterLou Lamoriello hired to run hockey operations for IslandersBy VIN A. CHERWOONEW YORK (AP) Longtime NHL executive Lou Lamoriello joined the New York Islanders on Tuesday and will have full authority in all hockey matters.The 75-year-old Lamoriello will hold the title of president of hockey operations....

AP Sports WriterAvalanche face Coyotes in dramatic clash of stylesBy JOHN MARSHALLThe Colorado Avalanche have one of the NHL's most dynamic offenses, led by Hart Trophy finalist Nathan MacKinnon.The Arizona Coyotes play it much closer to the vest, relying on superb goaltending and counterattacking when they have the opportunity.Whichever...