NHL

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...

AP Sports ColumnistColumn: Misfits no more, Knights 2 wins from Cup finalBy TIM DAHLBERGLAS VEGAS (AP) A year ago at this time the Vegas Golden Knights had one minor league player on an otherwise empty roster and no idea what to expect when an entire team was finally...

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...

AP Sports WriterCapitals have home-ice disadvantage for Game 4 vs. LightningBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) The good news for Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals is they still lead their Eastern Conference final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The bad news for the Capitals, counterintuitive as it may be:...

AP Sports WriterCapitals' Wilson thinks hit from TB's Stralman had 'don'ts'By HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) For better or for worse, Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson is an expert when it comes to knowing what the NHL looks for when punishing someone for a dangerous hit, and he thinks Tampa...

AP Hockey WriterMarchessault makes Golden Knights glad Panthers gave him upBy LARRY LAGEWINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Jonathan Marchessault was left unprotected in the expansion draft by the Florida Panthers, who seemed to determine his breakout season was a fluke.Oops.The Vegas Golden Knights selected Marchessault and he averaged nearly a...

AP Hockey WriterGallant, Maurice took long road to lead Golden Knights, JetsBy LARRY LAGEWINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Gerard Gallant and Paul Maurice do not know each other well despite having their NHL coaching careers overlap for several years.The men behind the benches for the Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg...

Avalanche sign defenseman Mark Barberio to 2-year dealDENVER (AP) The Colorado Avalanche are bringing back defenseman Mark Barberio on a two-year deal.Barberio is coming off a season in which he had three goals and 10 assists. He was limited to 46 games due to a lower-body injury, but...

Jackpot! Golden Knights merchandise flying off shelvesBy The Associated PressVegas Golden Knights merchandise is flying off the shelves, with goalie Marc-Andre Fleury's jersey leading the way.Specific numbers weren't immediately available Tuesday, but the NHL says the team's overall North American sales have been very strong.''The Vegas Golden Knights are...