NHL

AP Hockey WriterNot only goalies wear masks: NHL coaches must cover facesBy STEPHEN WHYNOWinnipeg coach Paul Maurice struggled to blow a whistle while wearing a mask. Barry Trotz couldn't see if one of his New York Islanders players was skating toward him because his mask had helped fog up...

AP Sports WriterPredators ready to start chasing Stanley Cup against AvsBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The moment the Predators have been waiting for since June 11 finally is here. After failing to force a Game 7 for the Stanley Cup, Nashville is back in the postseason eager...

Associated PressJustin Bieber gets hit, bounces back in celeb hockey gameBy DAN GREENSPANLOS ANGELES (AP) Justin Bieber got a taste of NHL hockey and the Staples Center glass Saturday, courtesy of NHL great Chris Pronger.The pop star responded by showing off skills that would not have looked out...

Ex-Rangers, Lightning D Dan Girardi retires after 13 seasonsTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Former New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi will retire from the NHL after 13 seasons.Girardi appeared in 927 games, finishing with 56 goals and 264 points and a plus-78 ratings. He also played...

Associated PressHughes scores 1st NHL goal in Devils' 1-0 win over CanucksBy JIM HAGUEEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Jack Hughes scored his first career goal in his first NHL game against his older brother Quinn Hughes, and the New Jersey Devils beat the Vancouver Canucks 1-0 on Saturday.Mackenzie Blackwood...

NEW YORK (AP) - In a thrilling series featuring two of the NHL's top goal scorers and two of the league's best goaltenders, Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers is stealing the spotlight.The 24-year-old power forward who is one of fastest skaters in the league has been the...

Associated PressBurakovsky scores in OT, Avalanche beat Coyotes 3-2By MICHAEL KELLYDENVER (AP) Andre Burakovsky scored at 3:29 of overtime and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-2 on Saturday night.Pavel Francouz had 34 saves in his first NHL start, and Nazem Kadri and Tyson Jost scored less...

AP Sports WriterBlackhawks fire team president McDonough in surprising moveBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks fired team president John McDonough on Monday, ending a wildly successful run that included three Stanley Cup championships.The surprising move, coming with the NHL season on pause because of the coronavirus pandemic,...

AP Hockey WriterKovalchuk finds home with Capitals after whirlwind journeyBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Ilya Kovalchuk and Brenden Dillon broke bread in a Northern Virginia restaurant, leaving their temporary home away from home hotel and swapping stories.The Washington Capitals' two newcomers bonded over their shared experience of playing...

Blackhawks acquire Schroeder from Blue JacketsCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired forward Jordan Schroeder from the Columbus Blue Jackets for goaltender Jean-Francois Berube.The 27-year-old Schroeder, a first-round pick by Vancouver in 2009, spent time last season with the Columbus and the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey...

AP Sports WriterDevils' great expectations fall short again after bad startBy TOM CANAVANThe New Jersey Devils' season began with great expectations with the return of an injured MVP, a trade for a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman and the addition of a second No. 1 overall draft pick in three years.It...

AP Hockey WriterVanek, Nash among players seeking playoff redemptionBy STEPHEN WHYNOThomas Vanek learned early in his career how tough it is to win in the playoffs.When Vanek and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Philadelphia Flyers in six games in 2006 to advance, the rookie winger looked across the locker...