NHL

AP Sports WriterPredators ready to start chasing Stanley Cup against AvsBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The moment the Predators have been waiting for since June 11 finally is here. After failing to force a Game 7 for the Stanley Cup, Nashville is back in the postseason eager...

AP Sports WriterHealthy Penguins wary of upstart Canadiens as playoffs beginBy WILL GRAVESZach Aston-Reese pondered the question for a minute.''I'm not exactly sure who is on their first line,'' the Penguins forward said when asked how Pittsburgh plans to slow down Montreal's top line in their best-of-five play-in series...

Associated PressSubban records first career shutout, Vegas tops Jets 5-0By W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Marc-Andre who?No, the Vegas Golden Knights won't have a goaltending controversy on their hands when Marc-Andre Fleury returns from a lower-body injury. But Malcolm Subban is certainly making the case he's more than capable...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators believe how they finished the regular season doesn't matter in the playoffs.With two Stanley Cup titles in the past five years, the Blackhawks think they know how to ramp up their game for postseason intensity.Center Brad Richards, who signed...

Capitals F Tom Wilson's 20-game suspension upheld by BettmanNEW YORK (AP) Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson's 20-game suspension for an illegal check to an opponent's head in a preseason game has been upheld by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.Bettman's decision was announced Thursday, a week after a hearing that...

Nyquist's penalty shot in OT lifts Blue Jackets past LeafsTORONTO (AP) Gustav Nyquist scored on a penalty shot in overtime to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night.Riley Nash, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Alexander Wennberg scored in regulation for Columbus,...

AP Hockey WriterCaps' Walker set to become first Australian to play in NHLBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Washington Capitals forward Nathan Walker is set to become the first Australian player to dress in an NHL game when he makes his debut Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens.Walker grew...

Senators agree to 4-year deal with Mike HoffmanBy The Associated PressOttawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion was so pleased to get Mike Hoffman under contract that he hugged another member of the club's management team.The Senators and Hoffman, Ottawa's leading scorer this past season, avoided going to arbitration by...

Oilers say McDavid tests positive for COVID-19EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid has tested positive for COVID-19.McDavid, a 23-year-old forward, is self-quarantining at home and experiencing mild symptoms, according to the Oilers.''He will continue to be monitored and will follow all associated health protocols,'' the team...

Penguins hire Mike Buckley as goaltending coachPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins hired Mike Buckley their new goaltending coach Saturday after Mike Bales left to take the same job with Carolina.Buckley has spent the last four years as the team's goaltending development coach, where he worked closely with Matt...

NHL: Maple Leafs' Reilly didn't utter gay slur at officialTORONTO (AP) The NHL says Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly didn't direct a gay slur at an official during Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.Television cameras picked up what sounded like a slur with 1:51 left in...

AP Hockey WriterCan Ovechkin catch Gretzky? NHL's new Mr. 700 has a chanceBy STEPHEN WHYNOAlex Ovechkin is making the seemingly impossible appear to be not so far-fetched after all.Wayne Gretzky's 894 career goals has, for decades, loomed as one of hockey's most untouchable records. The ''Great One'' set the...