NHL

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...

AP Sports WriterCapitals exorcise ghosts to reach conference semifinalsBy 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 goals...

Predators sign Pyrochta to two-year, entry-level dealNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Filip Pyrochta to a two-year, entry-level contract.Pyrochta (pronounced pay-ROCK-ta) has spent the last two seasons with the Czech Extraglia's Bili Tygri Liberec.The 21-year-old Pyrochta had three goals and nine assists in 42 games...

AP Sports WriterSharks' season ends in disappointment with loss to VegasBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The scene was all too familiar for the San Jose Sharks: a postgame handshake line on their home ice with the other team celebrating a series win while the Sharks wonder what...

AP Sports WriterBig Buff has Winnipeg Jets on verge of 1st West finalBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Dustin Byfuglien busted out his dance moves for a little celebration of his latest big goal, which may have caught many people by surprise.Not his teammates.''He's so loose before games,''...

AP Sports WriterLightning back in East final for third time in 4 yearsBy FRED GOODALLTAMPA, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Lightning know the grind.Back in the Eastern Conference final for the third time in four years, the Atlantic Division winners led the NHL in scoring this season but...

AP Sports WriterGolden Knights' magic ride heads to conference finalBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The crew of castoffs that carried the expansion Vegas Golden Knights to a division title and two rounds of playoffs wins in a reality-defying season are more than just a feel-good story.They've proven...

AP Sports WriterExpansion Golden Knights top Sharks to make conference finalBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Shortly after the San Jose Sharks were denied by the iron for the fourth time of the night, Marc-Andre Fleury rubbed the goal post to thank it for his good fortune.There's something...

AP Sports WriterLightning eliminate Bruins with 3-1 win in Game 5By FRED GOODALLTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Brayden Point and J.T. Miller scored second-period goals, helping the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 Sunday and advance to the Eastern Conference final for the third time in four years.Andrei...