NHL

Associated PressSchmaltz scores in 7th round of SO, Blackhawks edge SenatorsBy MATT CARLSONCHICAGO (AP) Nick Schmaltz and the Chicago Blackhawks weren't looking for anything fancy, and the direct approach eventually got them a much-needed win.Schmaltz scored the deciding goal in the seventh round of the shootout to lift...

Blue Jackets sign Bjorkstrand to 5-year contract extensionCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Oliver Bjorkstrand to a five-year contract extension worth $27 million.The deal announced Wednesday will keep one of the team's best young players in Columbus through the 2025-26 season. He had one...

AP Hockey WriterDefending champion Capitals eager to stop losing streakBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Alex Ovechkin thinks the Washington Capitals were tired.Tired after losing seven consecutive games and tired in the middle of another long slog after winning the Stanley Cup last season. By the time they got...

Associated PressLogjam at top of Pacific makes for intense playoff pushBy JOE HARRISST. LOUIS (AP) The Pacific Division is proving to be the wild, wild west of the NHL this season.Vancouver beat defending champion St. Louis on Monday night to move to 60 points in 50 games. Edmonton...

Red Wings' Jeff Blashill named coach of US men's teamCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) Jeff Blashill of the Detroit Red Wings has been named coach of the U.S. men's hockey team that will compete in the world championships next month in key tuneup ahead of next year's Winter Olympics.The...

Pens F Bjugstad out for season after having spinal surgeryPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins will head into whatever becomes of the NHL postseason without forward Nick Bjugstad.The team announced Wednesday that Bjugstad underwent spinal surgery to repair a herniated disk. General manager Jim Rutherford said the surgery was...

LA Kings put Ilya Kovalchuk on waivers for releaseEL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) Veteran forward Ilya Kovalchuk has been placed on waivers by the Los Angeles Kings after a tumultuous 81-game stint with the last-place club.The Kings made the move Monday ''for the purpose of terminating his contract with...

AP Hockey WriterJagr, Kovalchuk among questions left in busy NHL free agencyBy STEPHEN WHYNOA busy weekend to kick off NHL free agency has left a few prominent players still looking for landing spots, and teams still needing to fill some holes.The leftover list is a who's who of stars...

WILMINGTON, Mass. -- Add David Warsofsky to the list of injured Bruins defensemen. Warsofsky did not practice with the team Friday morning at Ristuccia Arena, and coach Claude Julien said he expects Warsofsky to be out "a while" with an undisclosed injury. Warsofsky logged 15 minutes of ice time during Thursday's...

AP Sports WriterWild lose Parise for multiple weeks to broken sternumBy DAVE CAMPBELLST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise has a broken sternum that will keep him out for multiple weeks, an injury that occurred late in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against...

AP Hockey WriterTurris gives Predators center depth to match anyone in NHLBy STEPHEN WHYNOAs impressive as it was that the Nashville Predators reached the Stanley Cup Final last spring without their top two centers, it was still a glaring need.Losing to Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Pittsburgh Penguins...

AP Sports WriterSharks defenseman Erik Karlsson undergoes groin surgeryBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson has undergone groin surgery before becoming eligible for free agency this summer.The Sharks said Wednesday that Karlsson had the operation last week and has already started rehabilitation. The...