NHL

Who's hockey's best? McDavid, Matthews, Crosby stir debateTORONTO (AP) Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews? Auston Matthews or Connor McDavid?With debate ramping up about which player sits atop hockey's throne - after some remarkable early performances - Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock's goes in a different direction - Sidney...

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 top Penguins to clinch Metropolitan Division titleBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) There was no dogpile in the dressing room. No champagne celebration. Not even a beer. Nothing.The Washington Capitals have been here before. Many times, actually. It's not that they don't appreciate winning Metropolitan Division title...

Devils C Zajac out 4-to-6 months with pectoral injuryNEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils have lost top center Travis Zajac for four to six months with a pectoral injury.Devils executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero announced that Zajac had surgery to repair the pectoral muscle...

AP Sports WriterA Duck x 1000: Ryan Getzlaf reaches career games milestoneBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) If Ryan Getzlaf had spent his career in a cold-weather hockey hotbed instead of sunny Southern California, the profile of the Anaheim Ducks' longtime captain might loom much larger over his era...

DETROIT (AP) - Marek Zidlicky's power-play goal 1:09 into overtime lifted the Detroit Red Wings to a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.Zidlicky, making his Red Wings debut after being acquired at the NHL trade deadline from New Jersey, punched the puck past goalie Cam...

Associated PressHaula's goal in 2nd OT gives Vegas 2-1 win over KingsBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) What happens in Vegas, continues to happen in Vegas.The NHL's Golden Knights are the toast of the town.Erik Haula's goal in double overtime gave Vegas a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles...

Associated PressDucks score 4 in 1st period, go on to 6-3 win over RangersBy JOSH COOPERANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) The Anaheim Ducks weren't ecstatic with they way they played, but it was good enough to get a win.Andrew Cogliano and Adam Henrique capped Anaheim's four-goal first period and the...

AP Hockey WriterNHL provides playoff hub teams a few tastes of `home'By JOHN WAWROWTORONTO (AP) There's no ear-splitting cannon booming from the stands in Columbus every time the Blue Jackets score. Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers mascot, isn't parading through the arena. No one's firing up any sirens in...

Carolina's Bryan Bickell diagnosed with multiple sclerosisRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Carolina Hurricanes forward Bryan Bickell has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.General manager Ron Francis announced the diagnosis Friday.Bickell said in a statement issued by the team that ''during the past few weeks, it felt like something wasn't right,'' and...

Associated PressEichel scores twice, Sabres top Blues 5-2By JONAH BRONSTEINBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Jack Eichel scored two goals to extend his NHL-leading point streak to 14 games, and the Buffalo Sabres beat the St. Louis Blues 5-2 on Tuesday night.Sam Reinhart, Johan Larsson and Zemgus Girgensons each had a...

Carolina's Bryan Bickell diagnosed with multiple sclerosisRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Carolina Hurricanes forward Bryan Bickell has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.General manager Ron Francis announced the diagnosis Friday.Bickell said in a statement issued by the team that ''during the past few weeks, it felt like something wasn't right,'' and...