NHL

Associated PressKubalik eyes dream debut as Blackhawks play Flyers in PragueBy KAREL JANICEKPRAGUE (AP) Czech winger Dominik Kubalik has waited six years for a chance to play in the NHL. He never expected his debut would take place at home.The 24-year-old Kubalik is set to play his first...

NHL CalendarBy The Associated Press(All dates set before season was suspended until further notice.)May 8-24 - IIHF World Championship, Zurich/Lausanne, Switzerland, ccd.June 1-6 - NHL scouting combine, Buffalo, N.Y., ppd.June 13 - Last possible day of Stanley Cup Final.June 17 - NHL awards, Las Vegas, ppd.June 26-27 - NHL...

AP Hockey WriterNo more swallowing the whistle: Penalties affecting playoffsBy STEPHEN WHYNOEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Zach Whitecloud covered his face with his gloved right hand in anguish inside the penalty box. By the time he collected himself and walked out, the Dallas Stars were celebrating an overtime victory to...

AP Sports WriterNHL teams realize backup goaltender is important positionBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) The Boston Bruins had it all set up to honor backup goalie Jaroslav Halak on Tuesday night for becoming the 74th goalie in NHL history to play in 500 games.Then something went wrong: Starter Tuukka...

AP Sports WriterBlackhawks acquire F Alex Nylander in trade with SabresBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks are taking a chance on another underachieving young forward.They hope it goes the same way it did last time.The Blackhawks traded promising defenseman Henri Jokiharju to Buffalo on Tuesday for Alex...

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen got their first taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring, and the Anaheim Ducks' young defensemen only hungered for more. Vatanen and Lindholm both say they spent the winter preparing for the postseason tournament that began Thursday night when the...

AP Sports WriterGoalies helped spark turnarounds for Blues, SharksBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) St. Louis' season started to turn around as soon as goalie Jordan Binnington came up from the minors to help lead the Blues from the bottom of the standings.The key moment for their opponent...

Associated PressPenguins excited for fresh start after disappointing finishBy DAN SCIFOCRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins are excited for a fresh start.Sidney Crosby and the Penguins became the first team in a generation to win consecutive championships a little more than two years ago. But the Penguins...

AP Hockey WriterSabres forward Kyle Okposo diagnosed with a concussionBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with his second concussion in less than a year.Okposo was hurt when he and Senators forward Bobby Ryan didn't see each other and...

Tavares will miss at least 2 weeks with broken fingerTORONTO (AP) Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares will be out at least two weeks with a broken finger.The Leafs center suffered the injury late in Wednesday night's loss against the Washington Capitals.Tavares, 29, has three goals and four...

AP Hockey WriterBlues sign Hoffman to tryout agreement for training campBy STEPHEN WHYNOMike Hoffman signed a professional tryout agreement with the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, a possible precursor to him getting a contract with them for the NHL season prior to opening night.Hoffman will go to training camp...

AP Hockey WriterCarlson signing is first domino to fall in NHL free agencyBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe first big free agent re-signing with his own team is just the beginning of what's to come around the NHL.Defenseman John Carlson signed a $64 million, eight-year deal with the Stanley Cup champion Washington...