NHL

AP Sports WriterArizona Coyotes looking to build upon strong second halfBy JOHN MARSHALLGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Coyotes were one of the NHL's best teams the final two months of the 2017-18 season, playing the kind of hockey coach Rick Tocchet envisioned his first season in the desert.If...

AP Hockey WriterMatchup dynamics make Eastern Conference tough to predictBy STEPHEN WHYNOSeeding means nothing in the giant game of rock, paper, scissors that is the Eastern Conference playoffs.Top-seeded Tampa Bay lost all three meetings this season against eighth-seeded New Jersey, Toronto beat Boston three out of four times and...

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 Hockey WriterNHL playoff format will knock out top teams earlyBy STEPHEN WHYNOTwo of the top four teams in the NHL are guaranteed to be out the playoffs after the second round.Goodbye Nashville or Winnipeg. Goodbye Boston or Tampa Bay. Thanks for playing.That's the reality under the divisional playoff...

AP Hockey WriterNHL playoff formatBy STEPHEN WHYNOTwo of the top four teams in the NHL are guaranteed to be out the playoffs after the second round.Goodbye Nashville or Winnipeg. Goodbye Boston or Tampa Bay. Thanks for playing.That's the reality under the divisional playoff format that could pit the top...

AP Hockey WriterCapitals confident about playoffs with lower expectationsBy STEPHEN WHYNOFreed from the weight of the world of being Stanley Cup favorites, the Washington Capitals are playing like a team eager to prove something.Prove doubters wrong, prove their championship window hasn't closed and, most notably, prove they can get...

AP Sports WriterHurricanes limp into 9th straight offseason with no playoffsBy JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes changed owners this season. They'll soon have a new general manager. Perhaps a new coach, too.What didn't change was how early another yet offseason started.Missing the playoffs for the ninth...

AP Sports WriterWild deny Sharks home ice for 1st round with 6-3 winBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Jason Zucker scored twice in the second period, Eric Staal matched the franchise record for goals in a season and the Minnesota Wild denied San Jose home-ice advantage in the...

Associated PressRakell, Miller lead playoff-bound Ducks past Coyotes, 3-0By JOSE M. ROMEROGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Rickard Rakell had a goal and assist, and Ryan Miller made 31 saves to lead the Anaheim Ducks to a 3-0 win over the Arizona Coyotes in the teams' regular-season finale Saturday night.Rakell added...

Maple Leafs coach grieves, along with Canada and NHLTORONTO (AP) Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock stood at the podium and fought back tears, the grief resonating across Canada and the NHL.A bus crash in his home province of Saskatchewan left 14 dead and 15 injured, three critically....