NHL

Associated PressNamestnikov scores 2 as NHL-best Lightning stop Sharks, 5-1By RICK EYMERSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) NHL scoring leader Steven Stamkos needs only to look across the dressing room to keep track of his closest competitor. That would be Tampa Bay Lightning teammate Nikita Kucherov, two points behind.''We don't...

AP Hockey WriterThere's no 'D' in faceoff: Defensemen take on an odd jobBy STEPHEN WHYNOWell, this is awkward.Stricter rule enforcement in the National Hockey League has led to more defensemen taking draws this season and, well, it has been a challenge - even for some of the best players...

Associated PressNamestnikov scores 2 as NHL-best Lightning stop Sharks, 5-1By RICK EYMERSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Vladislav Namestnikov had two goals, Nikita Kucherov scored his 15th of the season and the Tampa Bay Lightning ended San Jose's four-game winning streak by beating the Sharks 5-1 on Wednesday night.Jake Dotchin...

Associated PressVesey, Rangers beat Bruins 4-2 for 5th straight winBy ALLAN KREDANEW YORK (AP) The New York Rangers are suddenly rolling thanks to timely scoring and tight defense, especially the brand exhibited against Boston on Wednesday night.Jimmy Vesey scored two first-period goals 29 seconds apart, Henrik Lundqvist made...

Associated PressVesey, Rangers beat Bruins 4-2 for 5th straight winBy ALLAN KREDANEW YORK (AP) Jimmy Vesey scored two first-period goals 29 seconds apart, Henrik Lundqvist made 31 saves and the New York Rangers beat the Boston Bruins 4-2 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight win.Pavel Buchnevich and...

Leafs' Matthews to miss game vs Wild with upper-body injuryTORONTO (AP) The Maple Leafs will be without star center Auston Matthews when they host the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night.Leafs coach Mike Babcock confirmed that Matthews is day to day with what the team calls a lingering ''upper-body...

AP Hockey WriterRed Wings stuck in muck between great and bad teams in NHLBy LARRY LAGEDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings have been fading from elite status in the NHL for nearly a decade.A new arena also isn't going to fix their problems.In fact, the franchise's glorious past...

AP Hockey WriterEichel's frustrations eased after Sabres beat CapitalsBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Sabres center Jack Eichel was in a far better mood to end Tuesday than he was opening it.A win - especially one over Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals - eased the frustrations Buffalo's franchise...

Henrik Sedin scores first of season, Canucks top Flames 5-3CALGARY, Alberta (AP) Henrik Sedin scored for the first time this season 38 seconds after Bo Horvat's tiebreaking goal, lifting the Vancouver Canucks over the Calgary Flames 5-3 on Tuesday night.Horvat scored 4:12 into the third on a power...

AP Hockey WriterEichel says frustrations setting in over Sabres slow startBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Sabres center Jack Eichel acknowledged frustrations are beginning to eat away at the team following its slow start to the season.''I think it's probably eating at everyone. I think everyone's pretty frustrated at...

AP Hockey WriterEichel says frustrations setting in over Sabres slow startBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Center Jack Eichel says frustrations are beginning to eat away at the Buffalo Sabres over their slow start to the season.Rather than sit and mope, or talk about the need to play better,...

Ducks captain Getzlaf out after surgery on broken cheekboneANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf will be sidelined up to two months after surgery for a broken cheekbone.The Ducks announced the extent of their latest major injury Tuesday.Getzlaf was hit in the face by a puck early...