NHL

AP Sports WriterBlue Jackets jump into playoff spot with win over CanadiensBy MITCH STACYCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice, Sergei Bobrovsky had 28 saves and the Columbus Blue Jackets moved into an Eastern Division wild-card spot with a 6-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.The...

Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman tries to tone down hypeDETROIT (AP) The Latest on the Detroit Red Wings hiring Steve Yzerman as general manager (all times local):3:30 p.m.Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is doing his best to tone down the excitement his return has generated...

AP Sports WriterPetr Mrazek makes 31 saves, Hurricanes blank LA Kings 2-0By GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) Petr Mrazek made 31 saves in his 19th career shutout, and the Carolina Hurricanes extended their torrid start to the season with a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday...

Associated PressHart stops 20 shots in NHL debut, Flyers top Red Wings 3-2By AARON BRACYPHILADELPHIA (AP) Carter Hart had a night he'll never forget, and the rest of the Philadelphia Flyers had a night they really needed.Hart made 20 saves in his NHL debut and Shayne Gostisbehere and...

Kopitar and Kings hand Red Wings 8th straight loss, 4-1LOS ANGELES (AP) There are goals struck so well it can be hard to see the puck until it hits the net. And then there are those like the game-winner in the Los Angeles Kings' 4-1 victory Thursday night...

AP Hockey WriterCup finalist Pens, Predators face different tests in round 2By STEPHEN WHYNOThe road back to the Stanley Cup Final took two very different turns for the Penguins and Predators at the start of the second round.Back-to-back defending champion Pittsburgh roared back from a two-goal, third-period deficit to...

AP Hockey WriterSpecial team: Blues penalty kill has them on verge of CupBy STEPHEN WHYNOSomething is missing from Boston's power play.The uninterrupted puck movement and cross-ice passes to a wide-open David Pastrnak aren't there anymore. Torey Krug isn't getting the chance to fire away from the top. Patrice Bergeron...

Underperforming Maple Leafs fire coach Mike BabcockTORONTO (AP) The underperforming Toronto Maple Leafs fired coach Mike Babcock on Wednesday and replaced him with Sheldon Keefe.Babcock had a record of 9-10-4 this season for the struggling Leafs, who are 0-5-1 in their last six games, including five straight losses...

AP Sports WriterBinnington, Blues beat Bruins 2-1, lead Stanley Cup 3-2By JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) From last place in the league to the brink of their first Stanley Cup championship, the St. Louis Blues need one more win to complete their improbable journey.They have a young goaltender leading the...

AP Hockey WriterHigh-scoring top lines dominating best defenders in playoffsBy STEPHEN WHYNOEach time Boston's top line jumps over the boards, the Tampa Bay Lightning are on red alert.Make a mistake and Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak can make you pay. They have.''You think it's going all right...

AP Hockey WriterRed Wings' postseason streak running on fumes in Motor CityBy LARRY LAGEDETROIT (AP) NHL standings used to be displayed in the Detroit Red Wings' dressing room on a huge dry-erase board, filling much of a wall between the players' lounge and showers.Detroit doesn't always display the...

It is no surprise the Chicago Blackhawks are in the playoffs for the fifth straight year. After all, the NHL leaders started the lockout-shortened season with points in their first 24 games -- a league record. But the Blackhawks made a strong statement Sunday in becoming the first team this...