NHL

AP Hockey WriterLightning re-sign Palat to $26.5M, 5-year dealBy STEPHEN WHYNOTampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman completed his offseason to-do list by signing ''model player'' Ondrej Palat to a $26.5 million, five-year deal.The Lightning and Palat avoided arbitration and settled on the contract Friday. The Czech left winger...

AP Sports WriterPatrick Marleau makes emotional return to San JoseBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Patrick Marleau woke up in his own home in San Jose and drove to the rink to prepare for a hockey game just like he has done countless times during his stellar career.Only...

Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews on cover of "NHL 20" video gameTORONTO (AP) Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews will be on the cover of the EA Sports video game ''NHL 20.''The 21-year-old forward was named as the featured player Wednesday night at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas.Says...

AP Sports WriterPredators score 5 in second, beat Red Wings 6-1By NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) Nick Bonino scored the first of Nashville's five second-period goals, and the Predators easily dispatched the Detroit Red Wings 6-1 on Monday night.Matt Duchene scored the last two goals of the middle period for...

TORONTO (AP) - An NHL jersey once worn by Hall of Fame defenseman Eddie Shore has sold for US$119,500.Shore's Boston Bruins No. 2 sweater was sold to an anonymous collector from New York on Saturday night.Previous owner Scott Johnston had planned to frame the jersey and hang it up...

AP Sports WriterCanes need to fill leadership void after Williams steps awayBy JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes once again are looking for leadership - and maybe another captain.Veteran forward Justin Williams' decision to step away from the sport leaves them with questions about their captaincy heading...

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...

AP Sports WriterLedecky: Islanders focused on getting new arena at BelmontBy VIN A. CHERWOONEW YORK (AP) Islanders owner Jon Ledecky said the team will play at Barclays Center through the end of next season, and the `singular focus' beyond that is for a new arena at Belmont Park.''We...

AP Hockey WriterRed Wings, Henrik Zetterberg say his playing career is overBy LARRY LAGEDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings and Henrik Zetterberg say his professional hockey career is over due to a back injury.The team and Zetterberg made the announcement Friday at the team's training camp in Traverse...

Kings defenseman Alec Martinez has surgery for cut on wristLOS ANGELES (AP) Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing surgery to repair a cut on his right wrist.Martinez had the radial artery and two superficial radial nerves repaired after they...

AP Hockey WriterDivision-winning Blackhawks, Caps, Ducks in different spotsBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Three division champions are in three very different positions early in the playoffs.As the Chicago Blackhawks attempt to rebound from a shutout loss to the Nashville Predators, the Washington Capitals hope they've learned a lesson from...

NHL player representatives sound off on playoff formatBy The Associated PressIn an Associated Press and Canadian Press survey of player representatives from all 31 NHL teams, 48.4% favored changing the current divisional playoff format. A selection of player responses:--''In my opinion, I prefer the 1 plays 8 format. Divisions...