NHL

Report: Chicago forward Hossa retires due to health problemsBRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) Chicago Blackhawks veteran forward Marian Hossa says he's retiring because of health issues.In an interview with the Slovak newspaper Novy Cas, Hossa says he's done playing hockey.The 39-year-old missed the entire season due to a progressive skin...

AP Sports ColumnistColumn: Viva Las Vegas! Knights a win from Stanley Cup FinalBy TIM DAHLBERGLAS VEGAS (AP) Marc-Andre Fleury sat shirtless in front of his locker, staring blankly, his exhausted gaze fixed nowhere. Pads still strapped to his legs after another spectacular night's work, the Vegas Golden Knights...

Associated PressSmith's third-period goal lifts Vegas to 3-2 win over JetsBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Reilly Smith scored on a breakaway late in the third period to lead the Vegas Golden Knights to a 3-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 of the Western Conference final...

AP Sports WriterSpecial teams lift Lightning back in East final against CapsBy FRED GOODALLTAMPA, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Lightning stormed back in the Eastern Conference final against the Washington Capitals, thanks in part to a thriving power play and suddenly reliable penalty-killing unit.To regain control of the...

AP Sports ColumnistColumn: Atlanta hockey fans cheering Anybody But The JetsBy PAUL NEWBERRYATLANTA (AP) The playoff run by the Winnipeg Jets has ripped the bandages off some old wounds in their former home.Hockey fans in Atlanta - yes, they actually exist - are still bitter about the way...

Associated PressHellebuyck confident in net, despite 2 straight lossesBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) After the Winnipeg Jets lost Game 3 of the Western Conference final, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck didn't seem fazed and spoke like a confident veteran rather than a third-year player whose team appears to be unraveling.The...

AP Sports WriterVasilevskiy, Lightning top Caps 4-2 to even East final 2-allBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) Jon Cooper's Tampa Bay Lightning won Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final despite going the equivalent of more than a period without a shot on goal.They won despite falling behind about 4...

AP Hockey WriterCaps' Backstrom returns, expects to be back to normal soonBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Nicklas Backstrom did so well on faceoffs with an injured hand he even surprised himself.''It's the playoffs,'' Backstrom said after the Washington Capitals' 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night...

AP Hockey WriterCaps' Backstrom appears closer to return from injuryBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Nicklas Backstrom could return to the Capitals' lineup for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.Backstrom has missed Washington's past four games with a right hand injury. Coach Barry Trotz...

AP Hockey WriterCaps' Backstrom a game-time decision to return from injuryBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Nicklas Backstrom could return to the Capitals' lineup for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final against the Lightning.Backstrom has missed Washington's past four games with a right hand injury. Coach Barry Trotz called...

Tickle Me, Fleury: Vegas goalie tickles Jets player's earLAS VEGAS (AP) Marc-Andre Fleury gave Blake Wheeler quite an earful.During a scrum behind Vegas' net with 2:34 left in the second period of the Golden Knights' 4-2 victory over Winnipeg on Wednesday night, Fleury reached over with his left...

Tickle Me, Fleury: Vegas goalie tickles Jets player's earLAS VEGAS (AP) Marc-Andre Fleury gave Blake Wheeler quite an earful.During a scrum behind Vegas' net with 2:34 left in the second period of the Golden Knights' 4-2 victory over Winnipeg on Wednesday night, Fleury reached over with his left...