NHL

AP Sports WriterAfter OT loss, Rangers look to regroup at homeBy SIMMI BUTTARNEW YORK (AP) Sidney Crosby and the defending champion Penguins have looked impressive in jumping out to a 2-0 lead against the Blue Jackets.The same is true for the Blues, who have earned a pair of...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Couture agrees to 8-year extension with SharksBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Logan Couture agreed to a $64 million, eight-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, according to a person familiar with the deal.The person told The Associated Press that the...

AP Sports WriterTavares and who else? Top names to watch in NHL free agencyBy LARRY LAGEThe NHL's best rarely make it to free agency.Teams tend to re-sign their top players, keeping them off the market and on their rosters. That leaves a slew of solid veterans and journeymen available...

Bruins' Backes suspended 3 games for hit on NielsenNEW YORK (AP) Boston Bruins forward David Backes has been suspended for three games for a shoulder to the head of Detroit's Frans Nielsen.The decision was announced by the league Wednesday, a day after Backes knocked Nielsen from Boston's 6-5...

The New York Rangers put forward Darroll Powe on injured reserve Monday, and it didn't take long for coach John Tortorella to miss the versatile fourth-liner. Powe was helped off the ice after a frightening collision with Washington's Matt Hendricks early in the second period of the Rangers' 2-1 win...

AP Sports WriterSharks' season ends in disappointment with loss to VegasBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The scene was all too familiar for the San Jose Sharks: a postgame handshake line on their home ice with the other team celebrating a series win while the Sharks wonder what...

The Latest: Blues hoist Stanley Cup as St. Louis celebratesST. LOUIS (AP) The Latest on the Stanley Cup celebration in St. Louis (all times local):3:30 p.m.St. Louis Blues players have taken turns hoisting the Stanley Cup to the cheers of a massive crowd beneath the Gateway Arch.Hundreds of...

AP Sports WriterForsberg starting season way he usually finishes for PredsBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators finally has started in the sizzling scoring fashion he usually finishes a season.And the Predators couldn't be happier.Forsberg is leading the defending Western Conference champs with...

AP Sports WriterDevils go from last to playoffs, with more needed next yearBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) It would be easy to say the New Jersey Devils are back after ending a six-year playoff drought.John Hynes' team went from last in the Eastern Conference in 2016-17 to the...

AP Hockey Writer=Stamkos scores, leaves Game 3, Lightning up 5-1 on StarsBy STEPHEN WHYNOEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) - Steven Stamkos scored on his first shot since February, left with injury and the Tampa Bay Lightning kept dominating without him.Tampa Bay leads Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final 5-1 over...

Blackhawks hire Samuelsson, Granato as assistant coachesCHICAGO (AP) Former NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson and Don Granato are joining coach Joel Quenneville's staff in Chicago, giving the Blackhawks a fresh perspective after they were swept in the first round of the playoffs this year.The 53-year Samuelsson was the head...

AP Hockey WritersNHLPA approves going forward with 24-team playoff talksBy JOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNOThe NHL Players’ Association's executive committee authorized moving forward in talks with the league on returning to play from the coronavirus suspension, approving 24 teams making the playoffs with other aspects still to be negotiatedThe...