NHL

AP Sports WriterSharks sign D Erik Karlsson to 8-year dealBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks have re-signed pending free agent defenseman Erik Karlsson to an eight-year deal.The Sharks announced the deal on Monday, two weeks before Karlsson was eligible to become an unrestricted free...

Stars take 3-1 series lead over Avalanche with 5-3 winEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Radek Faksa had a goal and two assists, Roope Hintz scored the last of three power-play goals by Dallas and the Stars beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-4 on Sunday night, taking a 3-1 series lead in...

Dallas 0 2 0-2Calgary 0 1 0-1First Period-None.Second Period-1, Dallas, Ja.Benn 9 (Seguin, Eakin), 4:00. 2, Dallas, Daley 7 (Ja.Benn, Eakin), 11:54. 3, Calgary, Giordano 9, 18:45.Third Period-None.Shots on Goal-Dallas 6-8-7-21. Calgary 9-8-5-22.Goalies-Dallas, Lehtonen. Calgary, Hiller. A-19,289 (19,289). T-2:26.

AP Hockey WriterKucherov making plenty of points for NHL's MVP considerationBy JOHN WAWROWConnor McDavid knows better than to risk making end-of-season NHL award projections.Through no fault of his own, the Edmonton Oilers captain was not included among last year's three MVP candidates, causing a stir back home. So McDavid...

Woman sues, says Sabres' Evander Kane injured herBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) A 21-year-old Buffalo woman has sued Sabres forward Evander Kane, saying he seriously injured her in the hotel room where he lives.Documents filed July 1 in Erie County State Supreme Court on behalf of Rachel Kuechle say Kane...

TORONTO (AP) Scoring hasn't necessarily taken a nosedive in the NHL, but it's enough of a concern that general managers are debating how to generate more offense.Through Monday, an average of 5.32 goals are being scored this season, down slightly from 5.5 through Nov. 10, 2014, but down...

Andersen helps Maple Leafs beat Bruins 3-1 to force Game 7TORONTO (AP) The Toronto Maple Leafs won this one for their city.Frederik Andersen stopped 32 shots to lead the Maple Leafs to a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Monday night, forcing a decisive Game 7 in...

Avs sign goaltender from Czech Republic to 1-year dealDENVER (AP) The Colorado Avalanche have signed goaltender Pavel Francouz of the Czech Republic to a one-year deal.The 27-year-old played the last three seasons in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League as a member of Traktor Chelyabinsk. Francouz went 15-11-5 with a...

Associated PressSchmaltz scores in 7th round of SO, Blackhawks edge SenatorsBy MATT CARLSONCHICAGO (AP) Nick Schmaltz and the Chicago Blackhawks weren't looking for anything fancy, and the direct approach eventually got them a much-needed win.Schmaltz scored the deciding goal in the seventh round of the shootout to lift...

AP Hockey WriterSharks best positioned to withstand big early season injuryBy STEPHEN WHYNODoug Wilson didn't go looking for Joe Thornton insurance last summer. The general manager of the San Jose Sharks already had it.The Sharks didn't panic when they found out their longtime star had another setback with a...

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 Hockey WriterResilient Ducks vow stronger start to Game 2 vs PredatorsBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Both the Anaheim Ducks and their fans showed up late for the start of the Western Conference finals. Hundreds of empty orange seats ringed the rink while the Nashville Predators largely dominated...