NHL

AP Hockey WriterThe Great One's heading Down Under to promote hockeyBy JOHN WAWROWHaving played an influential role in popularizing hockey across America's southwest, Wayne Gretzky is turning his attention to a new frontier.The Great One's heading Down Under.''You know what, I've said it a thousand times in my lifetime...

Penguins re-sign Sheahan to $2.1 million, 1-year dealPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed forward Riley Sheahan to a $2.1 million, one-year contract.General manager Jim Rutherford announced the signing Wednesday, hours after clearing salary-cap space by trading winger Conor Sheary and defenseman Matt Hunwick to Buffalo for a...

Canadiens Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur has heart surgeryMONTREAL (AP) Montreal Canadiens Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery on Thursday, the NHL club has confirmed.The Canadiens say the procedure took place at the Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal (CHUM).''This procedure was necessary after...

Washington 1 0 2-3Pittsburgh 0 0 0-0First Period-1, Washington, Fehr 8 (Beagle, Laich), 17:47.Second Period-None.Third Period-2, Washington, Johansson 10 (Kuznetsov, Orpik), 5:36. 3, Washington, Fehr 9 (Ward, Carlson), 10:16.Shots on Goal-Washington 9-16-9-34. Pittsburgh 9-10-12-31.Goalies-Washington, Holtby. Pittsburgh, Fleury. A-18,663 (18,387). T-2:23.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils have hired Andy Schneider as an amateur scout and Patrick Rissmiller as a development coach.Executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero announced the moves Wednesday.Schneider, 43, joins the Devils after serving three seasons as a scout for the Columbus Blue...

Associated PressNHL Capsules: Toews' goal in OT lifts Blackhawks over WildBy PATRICK DONNELLYST. PAUL, Minnesota (AP) Jonathan Toews scored a power-play goal 3:09 into overtime to lift the Chicago Blackhawks over the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Wednesday.Ryan Suter was called for holding midway through the overtime,...

One month after being mired in ninth place in the Western Conference, just hoping to squeeze into the postseason, the San Jose Sharks have clinched a ninth straight playoff berth and now can push for home-ice advantage in the first round. Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski scored goals 30...

The Latest: Blackhawks get John Quenneville in tradeVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) The Latest on the NHL draft (all times local):11:08 a.m.Another Q is coming to Chicago.The Blackhawks have acquired John Quenneville in a trade with the New Jersey Devils. Quenneville is the second cousin of former Chicago coach...

AP Hockey WritersNHL awaits players' vote before discussing what comes nextBy JOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNOThe NHL is awaiting the result of a players' vote on a 24-team playoff format before discussing its options on how to proceed in its bid to resume play.With the NHL Players' Association executive...

AP Hockey WriterDucks eager for rematch with Rinne's Predators in West finalBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Among the numerous hurdles and obstacles that have blocked the Anaheim Ducks' path to a Stanley Cup title this decade, Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne might be the biggest - and not just...

Wild sign Winnik to 1-year deal after successful camp tryoutST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Wild have signed left wing Daniel Winnik to a one-year, $660,000 contract.Winnik was in training camp on a tryout basis. He was a free agent after a career-high 12 goals in 72 games...

AP Hockey WriterNHL addressing goalies' issues with smaller chest protectorsBy STEPHEN WHYNOJames Reimer keeps flinching and he doesn't like it.Several times in practice already this season, the Florida Panthers goaltender has braced for a shot up high because he is wearing smaller, more formfitting chest and arm protectors required...