NHL

AP Hockey WriterOvechkin, Trotz are in new territory with Caps in East finalBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) The smiling side of a handshake line at the end of the second round was a brand-new experience for Alex Ovechkin and Barry Trotz.Ovechkin received a message of good luck and...

Associated PressBruins' Marchand looking for fresh start going forwardBy MATT KALMANBOSTON (AP) Bruins forward Brad Marchand has used the past few days since his team was eliminated in the second round in five games by the Tampa Bay Lightning to reflect on his role in the loss.Marchand drew...

AP Sports WriterNo major changes for Penguins after 3-peat bid falls shortBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins don't expect the sting from their second-round playoff exit to fade anytime soon.They also don't expect it to compel general manager Jim Rutherford to give the roster a thorough makeover...

AP Sports WriterBrind'Amour eager to lead slumping 'Canes back to gloryBy JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Rod Brind'Amour helped deliver the greatest moment in Carolina Hurricanes' history - a Stanley Cup championship.His next challenge is to create more memorable moments as their coach.The captain of the Hurricanes' 2006 Cup-winning...

AP Hockey WriterNHL teams thinking outside the box to find coachesBy STEPHEN WHYNOJim Nill could have picked anyone from an extensive list of experienced out-of-work NHL coaches to fill the Dallas Stars' vacancy.Darryl Sutter has won the Stanley Cup twice, Dan Bylsma once, Alain Vigneault has made the Final...

AP Hockey WriterNHL teams thinking outside the box to find coachesBy STEPHEN WHYNOJim Nill could have picked anyone from an extensive list of experienced out-of-work NHL coaches to fill the Dallas Stars' vacancy.Darryl Sutter has won the Stanley Cup twice, Dan Bylsma once, Alain Vigneault has made the Final...

AP Sports WriterDevils say Hall, Maroon, Schneider had postseason surgeryBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils say forwards Taylor Hall and Patrick Maroon and goaltender Cory Schneider have had surgeries since the playoffs ended for them last month.The team says Hall and Maroon are expected to...

AP Sports WriterPreds' Filip 'Scoresberg' dazzling NHL with scoring touchBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Filip Forsberg dropped his broken stick and raced to the bench for another just as the puck slid around the boards near his skates. He grabbed a new stick from the Predators' equipment...

AP Sports WriterHurricanes turn to glory days, hiring Brind'Amour as coachBy JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes hired former captain and current assistant Rod Brind'Amour as their coach Tuesday, hoping the ''greatest leader'' in franchise history can end a nine-year playoff drought.The team also announced that club...

AP Sports WriterCarolina hires Brind'Amour as head coach, Waddell as GMBy JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes have hired former captain and current assistant Rod Brind'Amour as their head coach.The team also announced Tuesday that team president Don Waddell will take over as the full-time general manager...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Canes expected to hire Brind'Amour as next coachBy JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that former Carolina captain Rod Brind'Amour is expected to be promoted to head coach of the Hurricanes.The person said the deal was...

AP Sports WriterCapitals exorcise ghosts to reach Eastern Conference finalsBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The Washington Capitals kept trying to downplay their own forgettable playoff history, the one pockmarked with disappointment and despair. Still, they couldn't run from it.No one bore the weight more than Alex Ovechkin. All the...