NHL

AP Sports WriterGoalie Keith Kinkaid: Devils' unsung hero in run to playoffsBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) Talk about making the most of opportunities. Look at what New Jersey Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid has done the last 10 weeks.Not only did he take over in late January after starter...

AP Sports WriterLightning's Stamkos eyes return for 1st round of playoffsBy FRED GOODALLTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Steven Stamkos is back on the ice, eager to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning into the NHL playoffs.The five-time All-Star missed the last three games of the regular season with a lower-body injury....

Blues forward Tarasenko will have surgery on left shoulderST. LOUIS (AP) Three days after missing the playoffs, the St. Louis Blues learned their star forward Vladimir Tarasenko will need surgery on Wednesday for a dislocated left shoulder.Tarasenko was hurt in the first period of the regular-season finale on...

AP Sports WriterPenguins confident but wary against dangerous FlyersBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The chase began nearly a year ago, when Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan addressed hundreds of thousands of fans following a second Stanley Cup championship parade through choked downtown streets in as many summers.Rather than run...

Blues forward Tarasenko will have surgery on left shoulderST. LOUIS (AP) St. Louis Blues star forward Vladimir Tarasenko has a dislocated left shoulder and will undergo surgery on Wednesday.Tarasenko was hurt in the first period of the regular-season finale on Saturday in Colorado. The Blues needed a point...

AP Hockey WriterRed Wings bringing back coach Jeff Blashill for 4th seasonBy LARRY LAGEDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings are bringing coach Jeff Blashill for a fourth season, sticking with him while they rebuild after missing the postseason for the second year in a row.''I'm big on experience,''...

AP Hockey WriterCapitals starting Grubauer in goal vs Columbus; Foligno backBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Philipp Grubauer will start Washington's playoff opener against Columbus, the first Capitals goaltender not named Braden Holtby to start a postseason series since 2011.The 26-year-old German started 10 of the final 16 games...

AP Sports WriterMurray ready for "Christmas" as Penguins begin 3-peat bidBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Matt Murray doesn't keep track of the numbers, which makes it easier for the Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender to not get caught up in them.His goals-against average? No clue. Save percentage? Nope. Pittsburgh's record during...

AP Sports WriterMurray ready for "Christmas" as Penguins being 3-peat bidBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Matt Murray doesn't keep track of the numbers, which makes it easier for the Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender to not get caught up in them.His goals-against average? No clue. Save percentage? Nope. Pittsburgh's record during...

AP Sports WriterRed Wings fall short of low expectations in new arenaBy LARRY LAGEDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings' debut season at Little Caesars Arena fell short, even of low expectations.Detroit was not projected by many to make the playoffs but the Red Wings didn't come close.Detroit won...

AP Sports WriterStars miss playoffs again after Hitchcock return, other addsBy STEPHEN HAWKINSThe Dallas Stars brought back their Stanley Cup-winning coach and made a few somewhat pricey acquisitions last offseason.With those significant changes, it looked like that fall from top seed in the Western Conference one season to missing...

Associated PressBlackhawks slide quietly into an offseason of questionsBy TIM CRONINCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks are taking a closer look at their house after missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade.They aren't sure just yet if a complete teardown is necessary.The Blackhawks are heading into...