NHL

AP Sports WriterBlue Jackets jump into playoff spot with win over CanadiensBy MITCH STACYCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice, Sergei Bobrovsky had 28 saves and the Columbus Blue Jackets moved into an Eastern Division wild-card spot with a 6-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.The...

AP Hockey WriterBlues' last to Stanley Cup run shows value of regular seasonBy STEPHEN WHYNOWhen the Tampa Bay Lightning woke up on Jan. 3 atop the NHL standings, the St. Louis Blues were dead last.Tampa had won 31 of its first 39 games, while St. Louis had won just...

AP Sports WriterMinnesota trades goalie Dubnyk, forward Donato to San JoseBy DAVE CAMPBELLThe Minnesota Wild traded goalie Devan Dubnyk and forward Ryan Donato to the San Jose Sharks in two separate deals Monday, continuing their makeover under general manager Bill Guerin.For Donato, the Wild received a third-round pick in...

Wild defenseman Christian Folin denied qualifying offerST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Wild have extended qualifying offers to eight players, including standout right wings Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter.The moves made Monday were necessary to retain negotiating rights to the restricted free agents. Granlund was second on the...

AP Sports WriterWith Hughes in Devils camp, it's easy to overlook Ty SmithBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) With Jack Hughes in the New Jersey Devils' development camp, it's easy to overlook Ty Smith.Hughes was the No. 1 overall selection in the draft last month and much is expected...

Wings sign F Anthony Mantha to 4-year deal with $5.7M AAVDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings signed forward Anthony Mantha to a four-year contract Tuesday with an average annual value of $5.7 million.Mantha, 26, has played five seasons in the NHL - all with Detroit. He scored 16...

Blackhawks place Jonathan Toews on long-term injured reserveCHICAGO (AP) Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews will miss at least 10 games and 24 days after the team placed him on long-term injured reserve Thursday because of an unspecified illness.The 32-year-old Toews announced prior to the start of training camp...

AP Hockey WriterNHL players discuss options for racial injustice protestsBy STEPHEN WHYNONHL players are discussing options to protest racial injustice after the NBA and other professional sports leagues postponed games, according to a person with knowledge of those talks.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity...

AP Hockey WriterCapitals brace for Hathaway to be suspended for spittingBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Garnet Hathaway was ejected for spitting on an opponent and now the Washington Capitals winger may have to swallow more punishment from the NHL.Hathaway was given a match penalty for spitting on Anaheim...

AP Sports WriterWomen's pro hockey league makes pact with NJ DevilsBy MELISSA MURPHYNEW YORK (AP) There's hope for girls and women who want to play professional hockey in the United States thanks to the New Jersey Devils.The Devils recently announced a partnership with the Metropolitan Riveters, one of...

Penguins sign defenseman Brian Dumoulin to 6-year contractPITTSBURGH (AP) Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin has turned his steady play for the Stanley Cup champions into a new contract.Dumoulin and the team agreed to a six-year deal on Monday that will run through the 2022-23 season and will pay...

Oilers ready for Sharks challenge as they return to playoffsEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Jordan Eberle shrugs off the notion that he and the rest of the Edmonton Oilers might be a little wide-eyed when the puck drops in their playoff series against the San Jose Sharks.The Sharks are the...