NHL

AP Sports WriterBruins put away Blue Jackets to advance to conference finalBy MITCH STACYCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Tuukka Rask was impenetrable when it counted in Game 6, and the Boston Bruins are on their way to the Eastern Conference final.Rask made 39 saves and recorded his sixth career playoff...

AP Sports WriterAnaheim Ducks to retire numbers of Kariya, NiedermayerBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) The Anaheim Ducks will retire the numbers of Paul Kariya and Scott Niedermayer during the upcoming season.Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli announced the honors for the two Hockey Hall of Famers on Monday....

Capitals replace Holtby in goal for 3rd period of Game 2WASHINGTON (AP) Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby was yanked out of the Washington Capitals' net during Game 2 of their series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, replaced in goal by Philipp Grubauer to start the third period Saturday night.The...

Lightning re-sign J.T. Miller to $26.25 million, 5-year dealTAMPA, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed forward J.T. Miller to a five-year contract worth $26.25 million.Miller will count $5.5 million against the salary cap through 2022-23. General manager Steve Yzerman announced the deal with the pending restricted...

AP Hockey WriterLaviolette, Sullivan meet in 1st all-US coaches Cup FinalBy STEPHEN WHYNOHockey history will be made for American coaches in the Stanley Cup Final.The Cup has been handed out 89 times to the champion of the NHL since 1927. For the first time, two American coaches will face...

Associated PressNolan Patrick expected to practice with Flyers on MondayBy MIKE CRANSTONPHILADELPHIA (AP) Flyers rookie Nolan Patrick is nearing a return from a lengthy absence due to a suspected concussion.General manager Ron Hextall said Saturday he hopes the No. 2 pick in this year's draft will be able...

AP Hockey WriterNHL doctor warns of patchwork protocols across 31 marketsBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe NHL's chief medical officer said Wednesday he expects the coronavirus pandemic to get worse before it gets better in North America and differences across 31 markets are likely to affect when players might get back on...

AP Hockey WriterOvechkin on pace for 50-goal season at age 32By STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Watch Alex Ovechkin closely this season and maybe you'll see what Barry Trotz sees.''Visually, (he's) just skating,'' the Washington Capitals' coach said. ''When he's skating, he's effective. I just think he's skating better.''Ovechkin...

AP Sports WriterAlex Iafallo, Ilya Kovalchuk push LA Kings past Detroit, 4-2By GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) Alex Iafallo scored two goals and Ilya Kovalchuk had his first two NHL assists in nearly 5 + years, leading the Los Angeles Kings to a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red...

AP Sports WriterQuenneville coaches Panthers to 4-3 win over BlackhawksBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) The Florida Panthers got Joel Quenneville a win in his return to Chicago, using a hat trick by Frank Vatrano to beat the Blackhawks 4-3 on Tuesday night for their sixth consecutive victory.The 61-year-old Quenneville...

Associated PressFor Berube, accountability led to a Stanley Cup for BluesBy JOE HARRISST. LOUIS (AP) Blues general manager Doug Armstrong had his staff produce a list of coaching candidates after firing Mike Yeo in November. He hasn't looked at it since January.The Stanley Cup champions formally announced a...

Associated PressErne scores late, Lightning beat Canadiens 6-5By MARK DIDTLERTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Adam Erne scored twice in the third period, including the go-ahead goal with 1:02 left, and the NHL-leading Tampa Bay Lightning extended their point streak to 14 games with a 6-5 victory Saturday night over the...